Research at Hull University discredits effectiveness of Antidepressants

A recent study carried out at University of Hull questions the effectiveness of anti-depressants in offering relief from severe depression. The researchers at the university believe that the actual effect of anti-depressants is exaggerated and the reasons for patients feeling better stem from placebo effect (i.e. people feel better after taking medication because they are expecting the medication to make them feel better). The anti-depressants under question are the ones that function by increasing the production of the natural mood altering chemical, serotonin, in the brain. It is worth clarifying here that researchers accept the effectiveness of such treatment for mild cases of depression. It is the cases of severe depression that showed little or no change in the light of anti-depressant treatment.

Pythons for pets, any one?

One study reveals that pythons could grow over from Florida to San Francisco in the next decade. Why? Because we love oil and big cars...urm...global warming!

Care to adopt one?

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-02-20-burmese-pythons_N.htm?se=yahoorefer

Computer from 65 BC

Scientists finally discern the hidden mechanics of a 65 BC computer device recovered from a wrecked Roman ship. It was accidentally discovered by Elias Stadiatos in 1900 and has since been a source of mystery. Since its discovery, scientists have been trying to reconstruct the device, which is now known to be an astronomical calendar capable of tracking with remarkable precision the position of the sun, several heavenly bodies and the phases of the moon. Experts believe it to be the earliest-known device to use gear wheels and by far the most sophisticated object to be found from the ancient and medieval periods.