Identidades híbridas: explorando individualidade e conetividade através do microbioma

We are made of many parts and many types of parts. Many of these parts are alive and, like the study of the human microbiome has revealed, most of them are not of human origin. In this project, I explore how the microbiome challenges our sense of identity by creating a new view of the body and by blurring the boundary between generations, and even between individuals. The result revolves around the creation of portraits using the microbiome of the subjects as a medium, inviting them to consider their other selves. The project exists in multiple forms: the process of creating the portraits is a participatory performance, and the resulting portraits can be experienced as an installation and online gallery (microbialart.tumblr.com). This work was developed in partnership with Dr. Rob Dunn and Holly Menninger of North Carolina State University and with Dr. Julie Urban of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Collaborating with scientists was key to provide scientific direction, guidance in the development of the protocol and in managing privacy and safety issues

Identidades híbridas: explorando individualidade e conetividade através do microbioma

We are made of many parts and many types of parts. Many of these parts are alive and, like the study of the human microbiome has revealed, most of them are not of human origin. In this project, I explore how the microbiome challenges our sense of identity by creating a new view of the body and by blurring the boundary between generations, and even between individuals. The result revolves around the creation of portraits using the microbiome of the subjects as a medium, inviting them to consider their other selves. The project exists in multiple forms: the process of creating the portraits is a participatory performance, and the resulting portraits can be experienced as an installation and online gallery (microbialart.tumblr.com). This work was developed in partnership with Dr. Rob Dunn and Holly Menninger of North Carolina State University and with Dr. Julie Urban of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Collaborating with scientists was key to provide scientific direction, guidance in the development of the protocol and in managing privacy and safety issues

The benzodiazepines use and psychological intervention in a Porto health center

The misuse of benzodiazepines is a well know public health problem. For this reason, it is more and more relevant to monitor misuse and try to implement solutions. We aim to understand the use of benzodiazepines in a health center population in the city of Porto, as well the connections with present, past and future psychological intervention. We have built a questionnaire to assess usage of both benzodiazepines and psychological services. Our sample population included individuals older than 18 years who picked up our questionnaire in health center waiting rooms. A total of 352 participants, 258 females and 92 males, answered the questionnaire. Results points to an excessive use of benzodiazepines, especially in older persons, divorced or widowed, and females. We found a significant association between the current interest in receiving psychological intervention and the use of benzodiazepines. In the same way, the participants who have received psychological intervention use benzodiazepines less in comparison to the participants who are still receiving psychological intervention. In conclusion, there is an abuse of benzodiazepines in this health center, and few access to psychological intervention that may have good results reducing benzodiazepines abuse