6 chapters across the catalog
Aromatherapy for Depression, No Agenda Primer
Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh have found that familiar scents can help ease depression symptoms by triggering happy memories in the amygdala. This research is discussed alongside the upcoming release of the "No Agenda Primer" children's book, priced at $33.33.
Solar Eclipse Shadow Bands, University of Pittsburgh Research
University of Pittsburgh students traveled to the Texas Hill Country to study "shadow bands," a 200-year-old mystery involving wavy lines of light appearing just before and after eclipse totality. First documented by Hermann Goldschmidt in 1820, theories suggest the bands are caused by atmospheric refraction or sunlight bending around the moon. Researchers used high-altitude weather balloons to test if the phenomenon exists above the atmosphere.
Scent Therapy, Depression Recovery and Amygdala Stimulation
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that familiar scents are more effective than words at triggering positive memories in people suffering from depression. This "stink therapy" or aromatherapy engages the amygdala directly through neural connections. The findings suggest that scent-based interventions could play a significant role in mental health recovery.
Pets as Asymptomatic Carriers and Masked Football Players
New reports suggest that cats can be asymptomatic carriers of the virus, leading to fears of pet abandonment by shamed owners. Additionally, football players at the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech are now required to wear masks while actively playing on the field.
Bing Liu, University of Pittsburgh Murder-Suicide
Bing Liu, a 37-year-old researcher at the University of Pittsburgh who was reportedly close to a "significant finding" regarding the cellular mechanism of COVID-19, was found shot to death in an apparent murder-suicide. Police believe Liu was killed by an acquaintance who then took his own life in a nearby vehicle. The timing of the death has fueled public speculation regarding the nature of Liu's research and potential foul play.
Joe Biden University of Pittsburgh Speech, Executive Power Expansion
Vice President Joe Biden spoke at the University of Pittsburgh regarding student debt and private sector job growth. The administration has launched the "We Can't Wait" campaign, signaling a shift toward using executive power to bypass Congress on issues like mortgage refinancing and prescription drug regulations. The hosts characterize this as an expansion of "king-like" authority.
