The five most-read stories this week on Scope were:
Cheating jet lag: Stanford researchers develop method to treat sleep disturbances: A team of Stanford researchers, led by neurobiologist Jamie Zeitzer, PhD, has developed a technique that helps people shift their sleep cycles by flashing light briefly at their eyes while they sleep. The method could someday be helpful to jet-lagged travelers, as well as shift workers and teenagers who have a hard time getting up at the right time.
Dreaming vs. doing: How my definition of compassion changed during medical school: In the latest installment of the SMS-Unplugged series, medical student Jennifer DeCoste-Lopez discusses her views on caring for patients and comments that she hopes that what "remains and grows stronger throughout my career is the passion for being present with the patient in front of me..."
Stanford scientist Lucy Shapiro: “It never occurred to me to question the things I wanted to do”: Stanford developmental biologist Lucy Shapiro, PhD, was recently awarded the 2014 Pearl Meister Greengard Prize for her achievements in science. She discussed the award, her work, and work-life balance in this Q&A.
Being bilingual “provides the brain built-in exercise”: Research published this week in the journal Brain and Language shows that being bilingual makes the brain more efficient at processing information.
Examining the role of exercise in managing and preventing diabetes: In this Q&A, Baldeep Singh, MD, a clinical professor at Stanford who focuses on chronic disease management, discussed the importance of regular physical activity for patients diagnosed with diabetes and those working to limit their risk of developing the disease.
And still going strong – the most popular post from the past:
What are the consequences of sleep deprivation?: Brandon Peters, MD, an adjunct clinical faculty member at the Stanford Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine, explains how lack of sleep can negatively affect a person’s well-being in this Huffington Post piece.
