Goths do Good

BoingBoing has a post about a study that found out that goth subculture helps protect self-harming kids. BoingBoing also looks at how different media outlets deal with the research.

“One common suggestion is they may be copying subcultural icons or peers [when they self-harm], but our study found that more young people reported self-harm before, rather than after, becoming a goth. This suggests that young people with a tendency to self-harm are attracted to the goth subculture,” says Robert Young, who led the study.

“Rather than posing a risk, it’s also possible that by belonging to the goth subculture, young people are gaining valuable social and emotional support from their peers.” But he cautions: “However, the study was based on small numbers and replication is needed to confirm our results.” Only 25 participants felt strongly associated with goth culture.

I never thought that goths would ever be mentioned on this site….

Patching Parkinson’s

The BBC is reporting that a new skin patch can help people with Parkinson’s better manage their symptoms.

“For clinicians and people with Parkinson’s, this is a new and simple way of delivering a dopamine agonist.

“It has the potential to overcome many of the problems associated with oral administration and may well prove to be one of the most effective methods of delivering a steady and continuous dose.”

Spot the Fake

Free Press has a web-page dedicated to exposing fake news because it has gotten out of hand. Free Press focuses on American media, but they still provide information for people so anyone can learn how to spot fake news.

What is fake new? Well in this case it refers to “news” that has been supplied by a corporate mouthpiece. The journalist may work for the product being discussed, or the parent company of the news channel influences the report. Fake news is growing and it is up to people to stop it.

Cervical Cancer a Thing Of the Past??

A new vaccine has been developed which is proven to destroy the main virus which causes cervical cancer. The vaccine will likely be given to boys and girls at puberty, and is shown to be 100% effective in killing the four papillomavirus types responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers! The disease kills roughly around 500,000 women a year worldwide. Within the next two generations it is likely to be as rare as smallpox.