The Stress Is On Science

Yesterday Seattlest went to Hana on Broadway for lunch. We were meeting an old college friend there. "You know why I love getting lunch here?" he said, as he sat down. "Because I remember when I used to come here for lunch and get steamed rice with some teriyaki sauce on top. That was all I could afford. I only shelled out the $5 for teriyaki chicken if I felt rich." Ah, college days.

Which reminds us: while we were there, we were scanning the posters up, and we noticed one about the Allen Edwards Psychology Lectures at the University of Washington. There are three coming up in the inaugural (that means "new"!) series, which was established to present prominent psychologists right here in River City! The talks all take place Wednesdays, from 7-9pm, at the UW's Kane Hall.

Wed, Feb 22, 2006: Understanding and Treating Chronic PTSD Psychological disorders following exposure to trauma include personal suffering, decreased productivity, occupational and social dysfunction, medical disorders and demands on health services. In this talk, Drs. Zoellner and Bryant review current research associated with the persistence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the variety of viable options that exist for treatment.

Wed, Mar 1, 2006: Science and Politics
Dr. Auerbach will provide an overview of recent events related to the erosion of evidenced-based HIV prevention policy and the context in which it is occurring. Dr. Simoni will describe her experience as an investigator in one of the HIV prevention projects attacked and targeted for de-funding by Congressional critics. Both speakers will address the implications of the growing influence of politics and ideology on HIV and related public health research.

Wed, Mar 8, 2006: Brain Science as a Means of Understanding Delinquency
In this lecture Drs. Beauchaine and Tapert explore risks and results of delinquency and substance abuse in youth. Dr. Beauchaine discusses the importance of understanding the brain mechanisms associated with impulsivity, which allows us to identify at-risk children early in life. Dr. Tapert addresses the extent to which heavy alcohol and other drug use during the teenage years might affect brain development and cognitive performance into young adulthood.

Seattlest was intrigued, so we've registered for the first two. (You do need to register to attend.) The PTSD thing should be handy, given all the Iraq veterans returning, and we just read an article in Harper's abou the politicization of AIDS research, so that's a hot topic, too. We don't know if we care about the delinquents, even though we noticed all sorts of them loitering about Broadway on our way to Hana. (See how we bring it full circle?) Just say no to impulse, kids! Ah, heedless youth.