94 posts · 82,444 views
Hospital doctor turned lecturer and medical writer. I love writing about science, watching movies, drinking coffee, eating ice cream and wine tasting (not usually at the same time).
Dr Stu's Science Blog
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- December 16, 2011
- 04:06 AM
- 3,251 views
All I want for Christmas is… Youth. The Truth and Lies about Anti-ageing products.
by Stuart Farrimond in Guru: Science Blog
On the third day of Christmas, my Guru gave to me… The truth about beauty products! With Christmas just around the corner, everyone is making final preparations for the holiday season. The social calendar is full, what with office parties, friend’s get-togethers, families to visit and a lot of shopping to do – unless you [...]... Read more »
Watson, R., Ogden, S., Cotterell, L., Bowden, J., Bastrilles, J., Long, S., & Griffiths, C. (2009) A cosmetic ‘anti-ageing’ product improves photoaged skin: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology, 161(2), 419-426. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09216.x
- December 12, 2011
- 05:44 AM
- 3,143 views
New Research says: Men Think About Sex More Often Than Women. Really?
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
If you want to do some headline-grabbing research it doesn’t get much better than this. Recent research published in the Journal of Sex Research (yes, I was surprised it existed as well) from the University of Ohio tries to give the most accurate-to-date answer to the age old stereotype of whether men really think about … Continue reading »... Read more »
Fisher, T., Moore, Z., & Pittenger, M. (2012) Sex on the Brain?: An Examination of Frequency of Sexual Cognitions as a Function of Gender, Erotophilia, and Social Desirability. Journal of Sex Research, 49(1), 69-77. DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2011.565429
- May 26, 2011
- 02:31 AM
- 1,976 views
The Olympics is Coming to London: So Why won’t Brits be any Happier?
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
It was a shock announcement. Back in 2005, everyone thought Paris had the winning bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games. Unlike the UK’s hastily put together pitch, the French had spent 20 years fine-tuning theirs. When the IOC president declared that the Olympics were coming to London, scenes of jubilant crowds filled the screens … Continue reading »... Read more »
Kavetsos, G., & Szymanski, S. (2010) National well-being and international sports events. Journal of Economic Psychology, 31(2), 158-171. DOI: 10.1016/j.joep.2009.11.005
- September 7, 2011
- 07:43 AM
- 1,840 views
Behind the Headlines: ‘9/11 Counselling Drives People Mad’ – Is this Tabloid Journalism at its Worst?
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Where were you when the Twin Towers came down? Most of us can remember. The terrorist attacks of September 11 stirred nations to war; triggered a decade of ‘Islamophobia’– and some even say – unified the people of USA. It has been the most televised and reported event in modern history. In the hours and … Continue reading »... Read more »
Watson PJ, Brymer MJ, & Bonanno GA. (2011) Postdisaster psychological intervention since 9/11. The American psychologist, 66(6), 482-94. PMID: 21823776
Neria, Y., DiGrande, L., & Adams, B. (2011) Posttraumatic stress disorder following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: A review of the literature among highly exposed populations. American Psychologist, 66(6), 429-446. DOI: 10.1037/a0024791
Bisson J, & Andrew M. (2007) Psychological treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online). PMID: 17636720
Wessely, S. (2004) When Being Upset Is Not A Mental Health Problem. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes, 67(2), 153-157. DOI: 10.1521/psyc.67.2.153.35953
- June 15, 2011
- 03:28 AM
- 1,814 views
Shock! The way you Walk reveals Your IQ!
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
So you think you’re pretty smart, huh? I bet you think walking is easy. Let’s put those assumptions to the test: Haul yourself away from the computer for a couple of minutes and try this simple little test. We’ll see just how clever you really are… Continue reading »... Read more »
Yogev-Seligmann, G., Hausdorff, J., & Giladi, N. (2008) The role of executive function and attention in gait. Movement Disorders, 23(3), 329-342. DOI: 10.1002/mds.21720
Heath, S. (1943) The military use of the rail-walking test as an index of locomotor coordination. Psychological Bulletin, 40(4), 282-284. DOI: 10.1037/h0061269
Ble, A., Volpato, S., Zuliani, G., Guralnik, J., Bandinelli, S., Lauretani, F., Bartali, B., Maraldi, C., Fellin, R., & Ferrucci, L. (2005) Executive Function Correlates with Walking Speed in Older Persons: The InCHIANTI Study. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 53(3), 410-415. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53157.x
van Iersel, M. (2006) Frail elderly patients with dementia go too fast. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery , 77(7), 874-876. DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2005.084418
- March 9, 2011
- 08:00 AM
- 1,725 views
Research shows Skinny People at risk of Diabetes!
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
We all know it by now – being overweight could be seriously harming your health. Well here’s some refreshing and alternative news – a new study from the Nutrition Journal has revealed that it’s not just obese people that are putting themselves at risk of Diabetes - but also the underweight…... Read more »
Jauch-Chara K, Schmoller A, & Oltmanns KM. (2011) Impaired glucose tolerance in healthy men with low body weight. Nutrition journal, 10(1), 16. PMID: 21299854
- September 27, 2011
- 02:58 AM
- 1,641 views
“Don’t Blame Me Officer! I was Sleep-Driving…”
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
In a world of silly excuses for lousy driving, this just about tops the list. ‘Sleep Driving’ isn’t about getting pulled over for driving your Ford Capri drunk. Nor is it taking to the road in a sleep-deprived haze. As improbable as it sounds, ‘sleep driving’ is navigating your gasoline-powered auto whilst completely away-with-the-fairies asleep. … Continue reading »... Read more »
Pressman, M. (2011) Sleep driving: Sleepwalking variant or misuse of z-drugs?. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 15(5), 285-292. DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2010.12.004
- January 22, 2011
- 09:00 AM
- 1,554 views
Can’t sleep? Why taking the Blue Pill is Best! (Unless you’re an Italian man)
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Insomnia is something all of us struggle with from time to time. Not being able to get off to sleep is perhaps one of the most frustrating and loathsome things in the world (second only to an itchy back).
Many of us resort to herbal or medical remedies. If you had to choose one, which would you go for? Did you realise though that the colour of your remedy has an effect!? Read on to find out why blue is best…... Read more »
Moerman DE, & Jonas WB. (2002) Deconstructing the placebo effect and finding the meaning response. Annals of internal medicine, 136(6), 471-6. PMID: 11900500
- June 28, 2011
- 02:16 PM
- 1,519 views
Could you hack a night shift?
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
It’s 5 am and you feel like death. Eight hours down and you’ve still got four more to go. With a mind like sludge, a phone rings and you need to sound attentive and informed. This isn’t going to be easy. Me – I hate night shifts. Hours of dark, unrewarding loneliness accompanied with the … Continue reading »... Read more »
Saksvik, I., Bjorvatn, B., Hetland, H., Sandal, G., & Pallesen, S. (2011) Individual differences in tolerance to shift work – A systematic review. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 15(4), 221-235. DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2010.07.002
Tenkanen L, Sjöblom T, Kalimo R, Alikoski T, & Härmä M. (1997) Shift work, occupation and coronary heart disease over 6 years of follow-up in the Helsinki Heart Study. Scandinavian journal of work, environment , 23(4), 257-65. PMID: 9322816
KivimAki, M., Kuisma, P., Virtanen, M., & Elovainio, M. (2001) Does shift work lead to poorer health habits? A comparison between women who had always done shift work with those who had never done shift work. Work , 15(1), 3-13. DOI: 10.1080/02678370118685
- August 31, 2011
- 03:56 AM
- 1,501 views
The Mystery of the Meat Sweat!
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Another meal, another medical mystery… As I savoured the dying moments of the summer bank holiday, I was relishing the last few mouthfuls of a marvellous and hearty meaty meal. Then as the sun started to set, that dreaded line finally came: “Hey, I’ve got a question for your blog!” Now something of a running … Continue reading »... Read more »
Halton TL, & Hu FB. (2004) The effects of high protein diets on thermogenesis, satiety and weight loss: a critical review. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 23(5), 373-85. PMID: 15466943
Westerterp-Plantenga, M., Nieuwenhuizen, A., Tomé, D., Soenen, S., & Westerterp, K. (2009) Dietary Protein, Weight Loss, and Weight Maintenance. Annual Review of Nutrition, 29(1), 21-41. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-080508-141056
- October 26, 2011
- 07:44 AM
- 1,454 views
Happy Birthday! Dr Stu’s blog is one year old today!
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Today, Dr Stu’s blog is one year old – cue the cake and candles! This little experiment to write about science, health and technology in an understandable way has been extremely well received and continues to be read by an increasing number of people. After a few weeks of writing practice, the blog officially went … Continue reading »... Read more »
John C. Besley and Matthew Nisbet. (2011) How scientists view the public, the media and the political process. Public Understanding of Science, 1-16. info:/10.1177/0963662511418743
Thanukos, A., Scotchmoor, J., Caldwell, R., & Lindberg, D. (2010) Science 101: Building the Foundations for Real Understanding. Science, 330(6012), 1764-1765. DOI: 10.1126/science.1186994
- March 19, 2011
- 10:00 AM
- 1,452 views
New Findings: How the ‘Five-A-Day’ Scheme has changed what we eat (or not)…
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Do you think you eat enough fruit and veg? If you’re like most of us – then you probably don’t. Almost a decade has passed since governments around the world starting telling us to eat ‘five-a-day’. Upping your intake of vegetables has been shown to reduce your chance of heart attack, stroke and cancer. But have [...]... Read more »
Capacci, S., & Mazzocchi, M. (2011) Five-a-day, a price to pay: An evaluation of the UK program impact accounting for market forces. Journal of Health Economics, 30(1), 87-98. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2010.10.006
- October 27, 2011
- 10:59 AM
- 1,377 views
Dear Seven Billionth Child: How you can make the world a better place
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Dear Seven Billionth Child, You are being born into an unfair world. Health, happiness and fulfilment are possible, but throughout your life you must strive to do one thing: seek equality. My advice is from a political ideology. It is not from an inner moral conviction. It is from cold, hard facts. If you are … Continue reading »... Read more »
Wilkinson, R., & Pickett, K. (2006) Income inequality and population health: A review and explanation of the evidence. Social Science , 62(7), 1768-1784. DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.08.036
- June 6, 2011
- 03:56 AM
- 1,366 views
Save the Planet by… Becoming a Vegan! Do I really have to?
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Veganism – it’s just something for middle-class ‘hippies’ right? Vegans are those tree-hugging, hemp-wearing festival-goers who say ‘man’ far too much. Well perhaps it’s time for a rethink on that stereotype. At least if you care about environment, that is. If you had thought you could do your bit to fight global warming by getting … Continue reading »... Read more »
Gidon Eshel and Pamela A. Marti. (2006) Diet, Energy and Global Warming. Earth Interactions, 10(9), 1-17. DOI: 10.1175/EI167.1
Campbell TC, Parpia B, & Chen J. (1998) Diet, lifestyle, and the etiology of coronary artery disease: the Cornell China study. The American journal of cardiology, 82(10B). PMID: 9860369
Fengxia Dong . (2007) Changing Diets in China's Cities: Empirical Fact or Urban Legend?. Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University. info:/
- September 11, 2011
- 11:12 AM
- 1,347 views
How much 9/11 TV footage is too much?
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Ten years on from the fateful and tragic day, once again our TV screens relive the moments when the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon came under terrorist attack. Footage of planes exploding into skyscrapers, crumbling buildings and billowing dust clouds are all now indelibly etched into all of our psyches. It was a watershed … Continue reading »... Read more »
Updegraff, J., Silver, R., & Holman, E. (2008) Searching for and finding meaning in collective trauma: Results from a national longitudinal study of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(3), 709-722. DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.95.3.709
Schuster MA, Stein BD, Jaycox L, Collins RL, Marshall GN, Elliott MN, Zhou AJ, Kanouse DE, Morrison JL, & Berry SH. (2001) A national survey of stress reactions after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The New England journal of medicine, 345(20), 1507-12. PMID: 11794216
Neria, Y., DiGrande, L., & Adams, B. (2011) Posttraumatic stress disorder following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: A review of the literature among highly exposed populations. American Psychologist, 66(6), 429-446. DOI: 10.1037/a0024791
- June 24, 2011
- 08:58 AM
- 1,339 views
The Great Atlantic Divide – Why Europeans Riot (but American’s don’t)
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
A fireball erupts as civilians shriek and run for cover. A security officer burns and a gas mask-wearing man dashes through the smoke. Men beat each another with bats and stones. Shots are fired and grenades hurled as a city centre descends into chaos. Is this a scene from a warzone? No – this is … Continue reading »... Read more »
Alesina, A., Di Tella, R., & MacCulloch, R. (2004) Inequality and happiness: are Europeans and Americans different?. Journal of Public Economics, 88(9-10), 2009-2042. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2003.07.006
- July 11, 2011
- 05:56 AM
- 1,338 views
The IQ Myth and its Fascist origins – Just how Intelligent are You?
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Western culture has a peculiar fascination with ‘intelligence’. I’ve not taken an IQ test for years – and hopefully never will again. Being ‘intelligent’ is held in ludicrously high esteem (second probably only to good looks) that most people think they’ve either got it, or they haven’t. The ‘doctrine’ of an inborn intelligence seems to … Continue reading »... Read more »
White, S. (2000) Conceptual foundations of IQ testing. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 6(1), 33-43. DOI: 10.1037//1076-8971.6.1.33
Henrich, J., Heine, S., & Norenzayan, A. (2010) The weirdest people in the world?. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 33(2-3), 61-83. DOI: 10.1017/S0140525X0999152X
Flynn, J. (1987) Massive IQ gains in 14 nations: What IQ tests really measure. Psychological Bulletin, 101(2), 171-191. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.101.2.171
Bonthous, J. (1993) Understanding intelligence across cultures. Competitive Intelligence Review, 4(2-3), 12-19. DOI: 10.1002/cir.3880040205
- May 3, 2011
- 08:28 AM
- 1,328 views
What the Higgs is going on? The idiot’s ludicrously simple guide to what the ‘God Particle’ is… (and in under 4 minutes)
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Does science make you queasy? Thinking about physics tends to make me feel rather seasick. If you’ve ever tried to imagine how big infinity is then you’ll probably know what I mean. News agencies have been buzzing with reports that the discovery of the fabled ‘God particle’ is close at hand. But who really knows … Continue reading »... Read more »
Miller, S. (2001) Public understanding of science at the crossroads. Public Understanding of Science, 10(1), 115-120. DOI: 10.1088/0963-6625/10/1/308
David E Rowe. (2006) Einstein's Allies and Enemies: Debating Relativity in Germany, 1916–1920. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 231-280. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4020-5195-1_8
- May 11, 2011
- 11:30 AM
- 1,278 views
Getting Fit for the Summer? 3 Top Fitness Myths Revealed!
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Exercise – you either love it or hate it. We’d all like to be strong, fit and athletic, but let’s face it – most of us aren’t. If you suffer with exercise-guilt, then fret not because you certainly aren’t the only one: Nine out ten of us stop going to the gym within 3 months … Continue reading »... Read more »
Curioni, C., & Lourenço, P. (2005) Long-term weight loss after diet and exercise: a systematic review. International Journal of Obesity, 29(10), 1168-1174. DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0803015
Lehmann MJ, Lormes W, Opitz-Gress A, Steinacker JM, Netzer N, Foster C, & Gastmann U. (1997) Training and overtraining: an overview and experimental results in endurance sports. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 37(1), 7-17. PMID: 9190120
Hill, D., Cureton, K., & Collins, M. (1989) Circadian specificity in exercise training. Ergonomics, 32(1), 79-92. DOI: 10.1080/00140138908966069
- March 11, 2011
- 09:29 AM
- 1,272 views
Flower Power! New Study shows Plants can Boost Your Brain Power!
by Stuart Farrimond in Dr Stu's Science Blog
Do you ever struggle to concentrate? You’re probably not alone. If you, like millions of us, spend the day working at a computer screen – then you will now that distactions are aplenty. The internet has been widely blamed for undermining our attention spans, and using social networking sites like Facebook seems to be costing businesses millions [...]... Read more »
Raanaas, R., Evensen, K., Rich, D., Sjøstrøm, G., & Patil, G. (2011) Benefits of indoor plants on attention capacity in an office setting. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31(1), 99-105. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.11.005
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