http://psychcentral.com/news Psychology, psychiatry and mental health news and research findings, every weekday. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:11:52 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The information and cultural transformation spawned by social networking may soon upgrade to a new level of sophistication. According to authorities, new technology will allow automatic uploads of status updates and a variety of social and geographic information. European researchers are working to merge information pulled by ambient intelligence systems that ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/06/social-networking-30/9399.html Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a FDA-approved, non-invasive antidepressant device-based treatment clinically proven for treatment of depression. Rush University Medical Center has opened a clinic that uses the TMS therapy system to deliver highly focused magnetic field pulses to a specific portion of the brain, the left prefrontal cortex, in order ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/06/tms-as-drug-free-depression-treatment/9392.html The information age has arrived. Cell phones and word processors rule. However, for an important population segment, the ability to use new technology is obscure. The digital divide is problematic as a central tenet of health reform is the use of information technology to improve access, drive quality, and reduce costs. ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/06/how-to-web-enable-seniors/9397.html Parenting is an incredibly rewarding albeit frequently challenging experience. Unfortunately issues from ‘over-parenting’ -- where parents dominate their children’s life with the meddling often extending into adolescence and continuing until college entry -- transcend geographic boundaries. Parents exert this control over their offspring for numerous reasons. And, to be fair, the ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/06/helicopter-parenting-wrong-for-all-cultures/9385.html For centuries scientists have tried to explain why only 10 percent of the population is left-handed. Lefties have been the subject of jokes, ridicule and admiration and have been cast as wacky, offbeat, and out-of-the box personality types. New research suggests there may be some truth regarding the unique orientation ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/05/southpaws-have-a-different-view/9354.html A new study carried out by Dr. Irit Akirav and research student Eti Ganon-Elazar, working at the Learning and Memory Lab in the University of Haifa’s Department of Psychology, suggests the use of cannabinoids may help in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder patients. The study was published ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/05/medical-marijuana-for-ptsd/9359.html According to researchers, nearly 75 percent of all American adults use the Internet on a daily basis. Surprisingly, the method in which they look for information appears to influence how individuals comprehend or identify with the facts discovered in the search process. University of Missouri researchers found that readers ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/05/search-rather-than-surf-the-web/9357.html Most would agree that adolescents and disadvantaged teens face a considerable challenge as they move into adulthood and prepare for a career. A new national study presents a hedge to overcome adversity and increase the chance of life success among this cohort of aspiring adults. Lance Erickson, a sociology professor at ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/05/the-power-of-mentorship/9363.html The value of lifting weights extends beyond increasing muscle mass for breast cancer survivors: New research discovers the activity provides a boost to self-esteem. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers discovered survivors who lift weights regularly feel better about their bodies and their appearance and are more satisfied with ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/04/pump-iron-to-improve-self-esteem/9334.html The controversy over educational programming for very young children may have reached a crescendo when the Walt Disney Company decided to refund products they had been advertising as brain boosters. According to some, the acknowledgment that the videos do not promote better brain development among young children is ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/04/baby-einstein-revisited/9337.html Apparently first impressions are important when the intent is to communicate personality through appearance. The finding, by University of Texas researchers is significant given the ubiquity of social media communication opportunities. According to background information in the article, the role of physical appearance in creating first impressions has not been thoroughly ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/04/when-first-impressions-count/9329.html UK researchers have discovered a well-rounded, healthy diet may protect against depression in middle-aged people. Scientists compared the incidence of depression among individuals consuming a diet consisting of a high proportion of fruits, vegetables and fish to that of individuals whose diet contained a high proportion of high-fat dairy food, processed ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/04/healthy-diet-may-reduce-middle-aged-depression/9325.html Childhood adversity and trauma during adulthood appear to predispose individuals to post-traumatic stress disorders. Researchers found the combination of insults were more predictive of PTSD than exposure to only one type of disturbance. Furthermore, the risk was additionally accentuated among individuals with a certain genetic mutation. The report is ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/03/risk-of-ptsd-linked-to-genes-environment/9296.html A new study hopes to inform policymakers on the benefits of improving access to psychological therapy for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety. The UK investigation reviewed the effectiveness of an 'Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)' program in a group of patients referred for treatment for depression or anxiety under ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/03/study-benefits-of-therapy-for-depression-anxiety/9303.html A new report suggests 3-year-old children who are exposed to more TV appear to be at an increased risk for exhibiting aggressive behavior. Researchers analyzed data from 3,128 mothers of children born from 1998 to 2000 in 20 large U.S. cities to examine associations of child television exposure and household television ... http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/11/03/tv-linked-to-aggressive-behavior-in-children/9300.html