Go getters are just after their next 'fix'

Slacker or go-getter? Apparently it’s all about how much you’re willing to do for dopamine. A study published in the Journal of Neuroscience used a brain mapping technique compare slackers vs go-getters

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It seems that some of us are hardwired to release rewarding amounts of dopamine while others are not.  Dopamine is the reward neurotransmitter essential for survival. It wires us to do things like eat, drink and propagate the species.  It’s also the neurotransmitter associated with addiction (we’ll do anything to get a ‘fix’ of dopamine).

Using a brain mapping technique called positron emission tomography (PETscan), the researchers found that "go-getters" release higher amounts dopamine in areas of the brain known to play an important role in reward and motivation. Slackers don’t.  Go getters will therefore continue to work hard so that we can get their next dopamine dose.

The bottom line is you should be demanding some neurochemicals to go with that pay rise.

The myth of multitasking

In a world of multimedia overload, maybe you’ve found yourself, reading a magazine, watching TV and scrolling through smses. We’re all guilty of it - media multitasking. But apparently we’re not very good at it.

In a recent study a group of researchers cornered some college students over a month, monitoring their media use. The findings showed that multitasking often gave the students an emotional boost, even when it hurt their cognitive functions, such as studying.

The study coordinator concluded that while we may believe multitasking makes us more productive, we’re all swallowing one big lie. What multitasking does do is boost our mood. Apparently the satisfaction of multiple jobs done is better than a job well done.  Multimedia keeps us happy and that’s why we keep doing it.

Does my chin look big in this?

And the fastest growing plastic surgery trend is…. Chin tucks! That’s right. We longer care what happens from the neck down, it’s all about how you’re going to look in that all important head shot. These are the stats released on 16 April 2012 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).

Those ageing baby boomers true to form will let nothing – not even a double chin – get between them and their dream of a corner office. Apparently double chins are off-putting (or perhaps distracting) when your mug shows up on Skype for all the world to see.

The bad news is your chin and jawline are the first to head south when gravity calls. Step aside facelifts – it’s all in a decent chin! Apparently being forced to face a live video chat with our own faces in full view leaves much to be desired. I blame the angle of the camera. Then again if you lift your head nose hairs are more likely to make their unfortunate appearance. Start saving people – if you want that promotion that turkey neck has got to go!

Jilted fruit flies turn to alcohol

My favourite study of the week. A highly educated group of genius scientists are now monitoring the love life of fruit flies. Apparently our DNA doesn’t lie – we’re closer to a small irritating fly than you might think.

Scientists at UCLA have discovered that when male fruit flies are rejected by females (presumably they counted the number of ‘brush off’ lines from snarky female flies), male fruit flies are driven to excessive alcohol consumption.

To be honest the research raises more questions than answers:

1. a)   Can real scientific research be performed in a bar?
2. b)   Exactly how much alcohol is ‘excessive’ for a fruit fly? Were they flying drunk?
3. c)   The underlying mechanism is apparently a bout of depression from rejection. We have  depressed fruit flies? Does this mean we should stop swatting them?

Another giant leap in scientific discovery!

The whole truth? Are you sure?

A recent law passed in Arizona allows doctors to withhold critical information during antenatal consultations regarding congenital abnormalities diagnosed during pregnancy (so that the parent will not be enticed to abort their three-headed offspring). There is something fundamentally disturbing about this type of lying. But then, where does one draw the line at lying to patients? If I haven't lied, I certainly haven't always told the whole truth.

I’ve personally never been great with handing out earth-shatteringly bad news and recall once telling a patient in their HIV post-test counselling that, “Yes, you have HIV, but please don’t look so anxious. There are some really great drugs around and by taking them we can make HIV into a chronic disease. So really thing are going to be great!” Admittedly a tad upbeat - really a bit like telling someone they have cancer, " But it's no biggie!"


A recent study published in Health Affairs, shed light on the fact that I'm not alone. The truth (as best we know it) in medicine can be a very unpleasant thing. Apparently one-fifth of my colleagues feel that the whole, unadulterated truth can sometimes cause more harm than good. Maybe we’re all just whoosies. But then don't we all need a smidgeon of hope along with the rest of our prescription?

It's a miracle you're still alive!

Life sucked! If you were born anywhere prior to the 90s then it's a miracle you're still alive. Your baby seat (if you were lucky enough to have one) faced the wrong way, nobody made you buckle up on the back seat, they used adult 'death-trap' safety belts on the front seat, nobody thought there was anything wrong with additives.  Not only did they let you play with mercury thermometers, but they even stuck some in your mouth for good measure. Your immunization sheet consists of about 3 vaccines (that's all they had), you were liberally smothered in talc powder (now considered lethal inhalations), you were probably dosed with whiskey as teething gel and sucked on a dummy coated in lead.  There was nothing subliminal about ads for smoking, alcohol and violence and you were a nicotine addict before the age of 3. Well done for making it!

No can't come to work... the traffic is just too dangerous

Just when you thought work stress was going to to be the end of you, think again: it's the drive to work which is going to do you in. Nevermind the taxis and tolls - taking deep calming breaths of Johannesburg air exposes you to  fine particulate matter levels of around 53 μg/m3 – more than twice World Health Organization's recommended 'safe' levels. A study published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association which reviewed 34 studies agreed that the verdict is clear - stop inhaling those traffic fumes or you will be increasing your risk of a heart attack and/or stroke. Just another reason to work from home - and slightly more tactful than telling your boss how you really feel.