Chewing gum and impasse-induced self-reported stress

An insoluble anagram task (Zellner et al., 2006) was used to investigate the proposition that chewing gum reduces self-rated stress (Scholey et al., 2009). Using a between-participants design, forty participants performed an insoluble anagram task followed by a soluble anagram task. These tasks were performed with or without chewing gum. Self-rated measures were taken at baseline, post-stressor, and post-recovery task. The insoluble anagram task was found to amplify stress in terms of increases in self-rated stress and reductions in both self-rated calmness and contentedness. However, chewing gum was found not to mediate the level of stress experienced. Furthermore, chewing gum did not result in superior performance on the soluble anagram task. The present study fails to generalise the findings of Scholey et al. to an impasse induced stress that has social components. The explanation for the discrepancy with Scholey et al. is unclear; however, it is suggested that the impossibility of the insoluble anagram task may negate any secondary stress reducing benefits arising from chewing gum-induced task improvement

Misconceptions about Mirror-Induced Motor Cortex Activation

Observation of self-produced hand movements through a mirror, creating an illusion of the opposite hand moving, was recently reported to induce ipsilateral motor cortex activation, that is, motor cortex activation for the hand in rest. The reported work goes far beyond earlier work on motor cortex activation induced by action observation, by implying a complete reversal of contralateral and ipsilateral motor cortex activation under mirror view conditions. Such a reversal would represent an unprecedented degree of neural plasticity. We considered such a reversal physiologically implausible and conducted a study with an improved design. The results refute the reversal of contralateral and ipsilateral motor cortex activation under mirrored viewing conditions as methodologically unsound. The investigation confirmed, however, more subtle expressions of motor cortical activity induced by self-produced movements observed through a mirror

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

An Evaluation of the First Year of an Enquiry-based Learning Midwifery Curriculum

Enquiry-based learning (EBL) is an approach to education that generally involves students working in groups, forming their own questions and solving scenarios formulated from an initial ‘trigger’ presented by tutors. EBL entails specific demands but is believed to effectively apply theory to practice and enhance deep learning. In 2012, the midwifery programme at the University of Worcester was reapproved to run as an EBL curriculum. The research summarised here is an evaluation of students' perceptions and experiences of the first year of the new curriculum. A mixed-methods design was employed, using questionnaires and interviews. The students were most likely to perceive the benefits of EBL as increasing critical thinking (73%), problem-solving (68%), and leadership skills (66%). Concerns were voiced about the teaching of anatomy and physiology, and consistency of approach among tutors. All the students stated that their perceptions of EBL and its outcomes became increasingly positive over time. This evaluation suggests that EBL has potential to enhance the key skills of students who will be required to practise within increasingly complex maternity services. Further research is needed to explore the views of mentors as key stakeholders in midwifery education

Introducing a Structured Spoke Placement for Student Nurses in a Palliative Care Setting – Preliminary Findings

To explore the support currently available to student nurses undertaking ‘Spoke’ or ‘Taster’ placements in palliative care and investigate approaches to increasing placement opportunities. To design a structured ‘Spoke’ or ‘Taster’ placement in order to encourage a shift in student attitudes and increased knowledge about caring for patients at the end of life