The Trinity Centre for Health Sciences is looking for volunteers to take part in a study on depression, which aims to identify the genes linked to the condition. The researchers are interested in hearing from families where two siblings suffer or have suffered from depression. Contact David Vile research psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, James's St, Dublin 8 for more details. Tel: 01-4733800; e-mail: gquinn@tcd.ie.
"Cognitive Changes in Grieving Individuals" is the title of a public lecture by Dr Tony Bates in Theatre A, Science Block, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4 on Thursday next at 8 p.m. The author of Depression - A Commonsense Approach, Dr Bates is a clinical psychologist who has been associated with the Irish Hospice Foundation since 1990.
Next Saturday, Gamblers' Anonymous is hosting an open meeting (7.30 p.m. in Carmichael House, North Brunswick St, Dublin 7) to draw attention to the plight of compulsive gamblers. Gamblers' Anonymous also hold weekly meetings for gamblers, their families and friends. Tel: 01-8721133 for more details.
Limiting the use of soothers (pacifiers) to the moments when an infant falls asleep decreases the risk of acute otitis media (middle-ear infection), according to a new study. Researchers in Finland reported a 21 per cent decrease "in continuous pacifier use at the age of seven to 18 months" co-incided with a 29 per cent reduction in the occurrence of otitis media. "In terms of preventing AOM, it would be ideal if children could use a pacifier freely until the age of six months, only when falling asleep or on special occasions between the age of six months and 10 months and then decrease or stop the use after 10 months," Dr Niemela, of the University of Oulu in Finland concluded. (Reuters Health)
Do you want to stop smoking in a supportive environment? If so, go along to a free introductory session next Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Conference Room 1, Main Hall, St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin 4. A group course begins the following Tuesday evening and continues for six weeks. Course fee: £35. Tel: 012094958.
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