Thursday, June 02, 2011
Judith Kroll, distinguished professor of psychology, linguistics and women's studies and director of Penn State's Center for Language Science (CLS), has published numerous articles on the cognitive processes that underlie language, communication and bilingualism. Today in a syndicated public radio series called "Academic Minute," she explains some highlights of CLS research on the mental exercise that bilingual speakers perform that benefits their brains -- and that can benefit new language learners as well. (more)
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
"First do no harm" is an oath taken by all physicians, but despite this aspiration, the Institute of Medicine estimates that 44,000-98,000 patients die each year due to medical errors. Sixty percent are due to ineffective communication, and the lion's share of these miscommunications occurs at the time patients' care is transferred between providers. In response to these safety concerns, to foster inter-provider communication and a culture of interaction, the Joint Commission's National Patient Safety Goal 02.05.01 requires "Implementation of a standardized approach to 'handoff' communications, including an opportunity to ask and respond to questions." (more)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Couples who bring thoughtful words to a fight release lower amounts of stress-related proteins, suggesting that rational communication between partners can ease the impact of marital conflict on the immune system. "Previous research has shown that couples who are hostile to each other show health impairments and are at greater risk of disease," said Jennifer Graham, Penn State assistant professor of biobehavioral health. "We wanted to know if couples who use thoughtfulness and reasoning in the midst of a fight incur potential health benefits." (more)
