Does your IQ really matter?

May 31, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 10 Comments

So, are you smart- or just motivated? When I was growing up, my elementary (K-9) school loved to test the heck out of us. I swear that I could have recited the test questions on the Stanford Binet Achievement test by heart, they tested us so often. This IQ test was actually used as a weapon by the school. Oh, no, they would never say that, but it was. You see, our grade was divided into two classes- the smart class and the dumb class. And, to be in the dumb class your IQ had to be 120. The smart class cut-off was a little less stringent, but it was somewhere around 140 or 150. (No, I am not making this up!)

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Just Because

Drama should provoke discussion…

May 30, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A.

I saw a play on Wednesday. The Moscows of Nantucket (run ends 12 June 2011). The actors were great. The play (by Sam Forman) had more than a few moments, but it tried too hard (in my opinion). But, it did provide food for thought. Here’s the plot, in a nutshell.

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Business Management, Just Because

Are you ready? Really, ready?

May 27, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 18 Comments

Been a funny week. First, some crazies promised us they would be raptured and we would be condemned. But, I knew better- the next day was a special one; my relatives (long, long ago) all survived in spite of the desire to kill us all. Then, not one- not two- not three- but four- folks considered chucking it all in (their businesses), feeling overwhelmed. After those talk downs, another dilemna- an impending divorce (over money, not love). [Before I forget, PLEASE read (or re-read) this post about family finances.] And, if that were not enough, we are preparing a new service offering. Continue reading Are you ready? Really, ready? →

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Brain, Medicine

The Breakfast Effect?

May 26, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 19 Comments

You know that expression, “Do as I say, not as I do?”. I am not a fan of it at all. But, there’s new preliminary research (much more work must be done before we can prognosticate with certainty) that may make this posting one of “Do as I say, I’ll be joining the ranks imminently!” Given that introduction, we can proceed.

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Dialysis, Medicine

Hope for Kidney Patients?

May 25, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 7 Comments

We have a tremendous problem here in America (and the world). We are becoming fat and lazy. Invariably, that means diabetes is on the rise. Inevitably, that means kidney failure is imminent. (And, some of us are already on that fast track, just because of our genes!). I know we all need to lose weight (is this the pot calling the kettles black, or what?). But, isn’t there something else that can be done, too? (I don’t mean to develop another dialyzer; a stem-cell kidney replacement would be nice. But, I am hoping for a preventive measure, and…)

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Medicine, Technology

Finally some useful (and interesting) information about aging and health!

May 24, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 6 Comments

I ran across a fantastic article today (this was written almost a month ago, sorry) in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Drs. Rockwood, Song, and Mitnitski, from Dalhousie University in Halifax, analyzed some long term data that obtains in the Canadian National Population Health Survey. The title of the article says it all: Changes in the relative fitness and frailty across the adult lifespan. They employed the data from seven 2 year cycles (starting in 1994-5, ending in 2008-9) of that study. The key performance indicators they examined were death, use of health services, and changes in health status. What made the report intriguing (to me, of course) was that the authors developed what they called the “frailty index”.

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Brain, Medicine

Folic acid, cobalamin, and pyridoxamine may protect against Alzheimer’s

May 23, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 6 Comments

I recently talked about folic acid and cobalamin supplements for pregnant mothers. It turns out that vitamin B supplements may also work to slow down brain shrinkage associated with Alzheimer’s disease. If there is brain shrinkage, there is cognitive impairment (at least a mild case), and it often leads to the subject manifesting dementia.

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Medicine

Should we add folic acid to the diet of pregnant mothers?

May 20, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 10 Comments

Metabolism of folic acid. The role of Vitamin ... — Image via Wikipedia

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Just Because, Medicine

An Apple a Day- yes. Vitamins and Supplements- NO!

May 19, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 15 Comments

Image via Wikipedia

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Brain, Technology

How our brain works…and meditation shows the way

May 18, 2011 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 8 Comments

Dr. Zoran Josipovic, a research neuroscientist and adjunct professor at New York University, has been examining the rearranging of brains for about 3 years now. What is more unusual about the study is that his study subjects are Buddhist nuns and monks.

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