Knowing Looks: Using Gaze Aversion To Tell When Children Are Learning Jun 6, 2008
Keeping an eye on gaze aversion is especially valuable for teachers and social workers who are trying to understand the mental state of people with: Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD); Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); or Williams Syndrome, the genetic condition popularly called Cocktail Party Syndrome. "People with Williams Syndrome have been characterised as being hypersociable and using excessive amounts of eye contact, which is an interesting contrast to people with autism. Our... (Science Daily)
Biggest and best tuna tend to have the most mercury, experts say Jan 26, 2008
Nicki Hornbaker, 19, talks about living with Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder defined by an infectious af. In Kenya, many clinical trials focus on HIV prevention, as researchers look for alternatives to the male condo. (International Herald Tribune)
Researchers tally the benefits, Jan 23, 2008
The advice is as sound as it is familiar: avoid smoking, exercise, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, drink alcohol if you want (but not too much). Now researchers have figured out exactly how many years these habits will add to your life. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
A flu pandemic that wasn't but might be Jan 22, 2008
A flu pandemic that wasn't but might be - International Herald Tribune. Flocks are being culled in India amid an outbreak of avian flu. (International Herald Tribune)
Decline in generic drugs draws EU scrutiny and raids Jan 18, 2008
Nicki Hornbaker, 19, talks about living with Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder defined by an infectious af. Ken Nedimyer has started a nursery for staghorn coral in the Florida Keys. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
Antidepressant studies unpublished Jan 18, 2008
Eli Lilly, manufacturer of Prozac, was among those criticized. Published: January 18, 2008. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
EU ethics panel opposes animal cloning for food Jan 18, 2008
Published: January 17, 2008. Just days after being told that milk and meat from cloned livestock appeared safe for human consumption, Europeans were warned Thursday that cloning causes suffering to the animals themselves. (International Herald Tribune)
Despite doubts, cancer therapy draws patients Jan 18, 2008
Published: January 18, 2008. Some weekends, more than a dozen American men wait at beachfront hotels, anxious for their turns in the treatment room at a small private hospital here. (International Herald Tribune)
Too cold to exercise? Try Another excuse Jan 18, 2008
Too cold to exercise. Try Another excuse - International Herald Tribune. (International Herald Tribune)
A job to look forward to Jan 15, 2008
Alex John, 23, has a rare genetic condition called Williams syndrome. She is unable to read and write. (Guardian Unlimited -- Society)
Autism symptoms found reduced with fever Jan 10, 2008
Parents of young people with autistic disorders often say they notice that symptoms calm down when the children have a fever. A new study confirms that this may be the case. (International Herald Tribune)
Personal Health: Preserving a fundamental sense: Balance Jan 10, 2008
Nicki Hornbaker, 19, talks about living with Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder defined by an infectious af. More than 6,000 people died last year in the United States while waiting for an organ transplant. (International Herald Tribune)
Book shows a brief musical respite from tics of time Dec 29, 2007
Music also provides a link for those afflicted with Williams syndrome. Such children and adults rarely have an IQ above 60 but are loquacious, highly sociable, and musical. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Music of the hemispheres Nov 3, 2007
Sacks also describes a rare congenital disorder called Williams syndrome, in which people never develop mentally beyond the abilities of a toddler, but have an extraordinary musical facility, playing back any piece on first hearing. Though he never exactly spells it out, the melancholy supposition arises that a repression of musical potential is the price we pay for our powers of ratiocination. (Guardian Unlimited -- Books)
Book review: Musicophilia Oct 31, 2007
These are people with Williams syndrome, whom Sacks calls a "hypermusical species." The syndrome is caused by a rare genetic defect that produces a strange mixture of strengths (sociability, liveliness, large vocabularies and a fondness for telling stories) and weaknesses (most have I.Q.'s under 60). They also have heart defects and distinctive faces, with wide mouths, small chins and upturned noses. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Barrett-Jackson to Bring Premier Collector Car Auction to Las Vegas in 2008 Oct 30, 2007
The Lili Claire Foundation was established to enhance the lives of children living with Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism and other neurogenetic disorders, while providing hope and resources for the families who love them. Auto collecting continues to grow at an amazing pace, said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
How your brain calls the tune Oct 21, 2007
Sacks's book deals with people of unusual deficits and abilities, including those with Williams syndrome, a rare congenital disorder associated with low IQ and poor spatial sense, but also with high sensitivity to music. He writes of people who develop epileptic reactions to music, of those (including the composer Michael Torke) for whom some sounds and keys are permanently fused with colours, and of a few (Che Guevara was a case in point) who are deaf to both musical pitch and rhythm. (Globe and Mail)
Intelligence: More Nature Than Nurture? Oct 18, 2007
A genetic approach to find genes involved in brain structure that has been applied in several studies is that of diseases with a clear genetic etiology such as Huntington's disease, Down syndrome, Williams syndrome, and Velocardiofacial syndrome. A review reveals for these diseases besides disease specific brain changes, decreases in total brain, white matter, and hippocampus volumes, irrespective of the genes and/or chromosomes involved. (Science Daily)
Face-scan can spot genetic illnesses Sep 12, 2007
" The system is already being used as a training aid to help paediatricians recognise some of the more obscure genetic conditions. THE TELL-TALE SIGNS Williams syndrome: Affects one in 10-20,000 children, causing learning difficulties and problems with the heart, kidneys, muscles and skeleton. Facial features include a turned-up nose, narrow head, and small jaw. Fragile X syndrome: The leading cause of inherited mental retardation. It affects around one in 3,600 boys and one in 4-6,000 girls and... (Scotsman)
Facial scans could reveal genetic disorders... Sep 11, 2007
Williams syndrome affects one in 10,000 babies and leads to heart problems and learning difficulties. Sufferers typically have an 'elfin' face, with narrow temples, a short, up-turned nose, small jaw and full mouth. (The Drudge Report)
Facial Characteristics Offer Insights Into Genetic Conditions Sep 11, 2007
It has identified unusual facial asymmetry in children with autism spectrum disorder reflecting known brain asymmetry and has helped to identify genes affecting facial development in Williams syndrome. Professor Peter Hammond will give his talk, Your face, your image, your genes as part of the session entitled Facing up to genetics on 10 September at Physics PX/001, University of York as part of the BA Festival of Science. (Science Daily)
3D face scans aid gene analysis Sep 10, 2007
Conditions like Williams syndrome (l) affect facial traits (shown here next to an unaffected child) ... For example, people who have Williams syndrome, which occurs in between one in 10,000-20,000 births, have a short, upturned nose, a full mouth and a small jaw. (BBC News -- UK)
Face can help diagnose rare genetic disorders Sep 10, 2007
By Roger Highfield and Nic FlemingLast Updated: 12:01am BST 10/09/2007. A way to help diagnose rare genetic disorders by the appearance of a child's face has been developed to the point where it can train junior doctors. (Telegraph.co.uk)
Senior Staff Scientist Neuroimaging Research Position Aug 28, 2007
The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team using neuroimaging to map brain activity as well as genetic and neurochemical mechanisms associated with normal higher cognitive function as well as dysfunction in neuropsychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, those with genetic sources of cognitive dysfunction such as Williams syndrome, and other conditions such as normal aging ... Possible areas of concentration include 1) neurofunctional and neurochemical substrates of... (Nature News Service)
Family fury as child killer gets 10 years Aug 14, 2007
McMaster told police he had struck Cody - a slow developer who suffered from a condition known as Williams syndrome - up to 25 times on the day of his death with an open hand and a leather strap. His lawyer had told the court McMaster showered Cody with affection and Christmas presents, and had tried to resuscitate the boy on the day he died. (NEWS.com.au)
Williams syndrome Jul 9, 2007
The gregarious brain - International Herald Tribune. (Tierney Gearon/NYT). (International Herald Tribune)
No justice, says Cody's dad Jun 30, 2007
Cody Hutchings, who suffered a rare genetic condition known as Williams syndrome, died on March 25 last year after weeks of abuse. He was smacked, slapped and strapped by McMaster with a re-inforced leather belt. (NEWS.com.au)
Stepfather pleads guilty to manslaughter Jun 29, 2007
Mr Hillman said Cody had a genetic disorder known as Williams syndrome, which was characterised by mild "mental retardation". He said Stuart McMaster initially told police that Cody had been injured in the abdomen the week before in a bicycle accident, and was always falling over because he was clumsy. (The Age)
When Levitin met Byrne May 4, 2007
If you read only one article today about monkey neurons, chairs made of macaroni, trance states, the cash register sound in Pink Floyd s Money, and the genetic disorder Williams Syndrome (which causes the affected to be hypersocial and hypermusical ), let this be the one. Levitin will be appearing at a panel discussion in Toronto on Saturday, June 9. (Quillblog)
New park in Surprise accessible to everyone Mar 29, 2007
"It's cool. I'm meeting new people," said Sam, a 16-year-old girl with Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder that has slowed her motor skills. DreamCatcher Park is a $1. (AZCentral -- News)
Size Of Brain Areas Does Matter -- But Bigger Isn't Necessarily Better Mar 3, 2007
Alterations in the size and shape of cortical areas could also underlie some cognitive strengths and weaknesses, the researchers say, for example those associated with the genetically based disorder, Williams Syndrome, as recently reported by Salk professor Ursula Bellugi and her colleagues. O'Leary stresses though that he is making no statements about variability in intelligence. (Science Daily)
Beyond Nature Vs. Nurture: Williams Syndrome Across Cultures Jan 26, 2007
Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have found a clever way to sort one from the other: They compared the social behavior of children with Williams syndrome -- known for their innate drive to interact with people -- across cultures with differing social mores ... "Regardless of age, language or cultural background, Williams syndrome social phenotype is shaped both by genes and interactions with the environment." ... Led by Bellugi, the researchers are looking to Williams... (Science Daily)
* This is your brain on music Jan 1, 2007
But Levitin argued that this could not be true, based on his study of people with Williams syndrome, a genetic disorder that leaves people with low intelligence. Their peak mental capacities are typically those of young child, with no ability to calculate quantities. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Williams Syndrome, the brain and music Oct 4, 2006
LA JOLLA, CA Children with Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, just love music and will spend hours listening to or making music ... A study by a multi-institutional collaboration of scientists, published in a forthcoming issue of NeuroImage, identified structural abnormalities in a certain brain area of people afflicted with Williams syndrome ... Molecular geneticist Julie R. Korenberg, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at UCLA, digs even deeper and studies the genes missing... (EurekAlert!)
3-D Brain Atlas To Help Unlock Mysteries Of Neurological Disorders Oct 2, 2006
(May 19, 2006) -- A computerized atlas has brought unprecedented sensitivity to the search for brain structure changes in a genetic condition known as Williams syndrome, revealing 33 abnormalities in the folding of. . (Science Daily)
Shedding crocodile tears Sep 6, 2006
Besides the fact it was irrational and displayed ignorance in ascribing a human emotion ('revenge of the animal kingdom" ) to the natural defence reaction of any animal. While I disagree with her opinion, I do defend her right to express it without being subjected to personal abuse and insults ranging from being called a windbag to a male radio announcer saying "it was no wonder that blokes didn't want to touch her". Please, if you want to have a debate let it be about the issues concerned and... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Survival of the harmonious Sep 3, 2006
In ``The Singing Neanderthal," Mithen argues that communal music-making does two things. By demanding coordination and basic harmony, it works as a sort of rehearsal for the teamwork required for more high-stakes endeavors like hunting and communal defense. And the mere act of singing and moving in time together helps forge a sense of group identity. As evidence he points to the complex musical rituals of the South African Venda people, but also to the US Army, which sees chanting while marching... (Boston Globe)
Multi-tasking Adversely Affects Brain's Learning, UCLA Psychologists Report Jul 27, 2006
Posted: July 26, 2006. Multi-tasking affects the brain's learning systems, and as a result, we do not learn as well when we are distracted, UCLA psychologists report this week in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. (Science Daily)
A musical mind Jul 8, 2006
Lenhoff has Williams syndrome, which is characterized by a disability in some learning areas coupled with a strong affinity for and talent in music. "She was born before the syndrome was discovered," said her father, Harold Lenhoff, a Ph. (Daily Triplicate)
The Mysterious Gift Of Musical Savants Jun 26, 2006
Morley Safer Reports On People Diagnosed With Williams Syndrome. The Mysterious Gift Of Musical Savants. (CBS News)
Computerized atlas highlights 'plethora' of changes in brain disorder May 20, 2006
May 19, 2006 -- A computerized atlas has brought unprecedented sensitivity to the search for brain structure changes in a genetic condition known as Williams syndrome, revealing 33 abnormalities in the folding of the brain's surface ... Van Essen and colleagues from Washington University, Stanford University and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles used data from brain scans of 16 individuals with Williams syndrome for the study ... "We already knew that there are structural abnormalities... (EurekAlert!)
Infants can organise visual information at just four months Apr 28, 2006
The study also has implications for understanding certain developmental disorders such as Williams syndrome ... The research group already has a new ESRC-funded project under way with Williams syndrome infants a condition where attention and visual perception are particularly affected ... According to Dr Farran, until recently Williams syndrome children were rarely diagnosed at an early enough stage. (EurekAlert!)
Tiny RNA Molecules Fine-tune The Brain's Synapses Jan 26, 2006
He notes that loss of Limk1 due to a chromosomal deletion is associated with Williams syndrome, and that the BDNF pathway that activates Limk1 includes proteins that are disabled in tuberous sclerosis and Fragile X syndrome. All three genetic disorders can cause cognitive impairment and autistic-like behaviors. (Science Daily)
