The monthly, members-only, e-zine keeps AATH members updated on the latest developments in the world of applied and therapeutic humor. Each link will open a new window for anything outside the AATH website. All web links below have been carefully checked and worked at the time of publication. If the link does not take you to the listed article, please contact the owners of that website about finding that article. Disclaimer: Published by Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor. AATH accepts no responsibility for any claims, either expressed or implied, in this publication. The information and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of AATH, its officers, directors, staff, or members. |
November 2005
Important Notice:
Members who consult the AATH E-zine know that the editor regularly states that the association of laughter and endorphin release has not been scientifically proven. This may be changing. In a recent study, Dr. Lee Berk of Loma Linda University in Southern California demonstrates endorphin release in a group of subjects who watched a comic video. This study has gone through peer review and has been presented at a major medical meeting, however it has not yet been published nor have these findings been independently repeated by other investigators. Both need to be done before we should fully embrace this finding. However, in light of Dr. Berk’s findings, the E-zine editor will no longer be correcting authors and speakers claiming the association of laughter and endorphins. Still, we advise caution in stating this until Berk's research has been reviewed and published.
Humor Research:News.GeorgiaSouther.edu
October 7, 2005
Hempelmann receives grant for humor research
“Although humor research has matured since its re-inception in the 1970s, many fundamental research issues remain unresolved, including the basic terminology,” Hempelmann said. “My project is intended to fill this terminological gap by providing a theoretical model, or ontology, for concepts related to humor, such as funniness, incongruity and wittiness.”
http://news.georgiasouthern.edu
Early Hum Dev. 2005 Sep 22; [Epub ahead of print]
Origins of smile and laughter: A preliminary study.
Kawakami K, Takai-Kawakami K, Tomonaga M, Suzuki J, Kusaka T, Okai T.
University of the Sacred Heart, 4-3-1, Hiroo, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8938, Japan
To present fundamental data, spontaneous smiles and spontaneous laughs (smiles accompanied by vocal sounds) were cross-sectionally observed in 10 newborn infants and longitudinally observed in six infants.
Central Michigan University: The Newsroom
CMU VISITING HISTORY PROFESSOR TO TEACH COURSE ON 'HUMOR IN THE ANCIENT WORLD'
By Cynthia drake
October 27, 2005
Hall said that the department hasn’t brought in a visiting professor for several years. Schulten’s area of expertise — especially in the area of humor — is particularly unique.
www.news.cmich.edu
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
“Is There a Place for Humor and Laughter Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation?”
2005, Volume 8, Number 3, pages: 20-23
‘Just Call Me Adonai’: A Case Study of Ethnic Humor and Immigrant Assimilation
by Shifman, Limor, Katz, and Elihu
Source: American Sociological Review, Volume 70, Number 5, October 2005, Pages: 843-859, Publisher: American Sociological Association
This article describes a case study of humor created in the course of immigrant assimilation.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
“Effects of Mirthful Laughter on Growth Hormone, IGF-1, and Substance P in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, 2005, Volume 23, Number 5, Page 651
By Ishigami, S., Nakajima, A, and all
Humor
“Doni Tamblyn: Laugh and Learn: 95 Ways to Use Humor for More Effective Teaching and Training
2005, Volume 18, Number 3, Page 344
By Derks, P.
Self-reported use of humor by hospitalized pre-adolescent children to cope with pain-related distress from a medical intervention.
AATH in the NewsStories of Strength: Anthology to help with Hurricane Katrina relief, A Katrina disaster relief anthology that contains the story:
"My Mother's Table" by AATH member Noreen Braman
www.storiesofstrength.com/
HumorPress.com
America’s Funniest Humor Showcase
Member, Noreen Braman is a finalist in this humor writing contest for: “A Rat Too Far.” (Ed. Note: Congratulations, Noreen.)
http://humorpress.com
HUMOR in the NEWS:
The Chronicle: Wired Campus Blogs
Not-So-Nobel Prizes
October 5, 2005
…the science-humor magazine Annals of Improbable Research will award its 15th annual Ig Nobel Prizes, which pay tribute to research that "cannot or should not be reproduced."
http://wiredcampus.chronicle.com
Stoneham Sun, Concord, Maine
Laughing it up
By Lisa Guerriero/ wakefield@cnc.com
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
"Picture yourself laughing, picture other people laughing," Herz advises her members. "Put it in your pocket and take it out sometime when you need it."
www2.townonline.com
St. Petersberg Times Online
Ha! Laughter. Better than medicine?
By MICHELE MILLER, Times Staff Writer
Published October 5, 2005
"It helps with respiration, digestion and circulation. It's relaxing - a stress reliever," said McCormack, 59, who since 2001 has been a certified laughter leader with the World Laughter Tour Inc. "If you're having a bad day, sometimes just 30 seconds of laughter can turn it around. It can even help you lose weight. It's internal jogging, if you will."
www.sptimes.com
The Seattle Times
By Janet I. Tu
October 1, 2005
Truth in laughter for Muslim comedy troupe
A Muslim comedy troupe performing here tomorrow hopes to do more than coax a few good laughs out of the crowd. It hopes to reveal — especially for the benefit of Muslims themselves — hard truths about their community in America.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com
Lodi News Sentinel
Breast cancer survivor brings laughter, learning to Lodi at event today
By Sara Cardine
October 12, 2005
Olson’s appreciation for laughter and friendship have seen her through the long recovery period and a second diagnosis of breast cancer in 2004. Today, she will share her story with local audiences when she speaks at a Pink October breast cancer awareness event held at Lodi Memorial Hospital. www.lodinews.com
The Express Times, NJ.com
Professor who lived under communism teaches how to survive through humor
By Andrea Eilenberger
October 11, 2005
You learn to live day by day being able to survive threats against your personality,"(Klara) Lutsky said. "Once you're able to laugh at something, you've overcome the fear." www.nj.com
AZCentral.com
Hospital banking on big laughs
Jessica Wanke
October 20, 2005
"Humor has helped people heal, I hear it all the time," said Sinbad, who lives in California. "The ability to laugh and smile has some kind of effect on people." www.azcentral.com
The Daily News
If Laughter’s the Best Medicine, I’m A Health Nut
By Patricia Smith
October 27, 2005
In fact, some researchers have claimed laughter has all kinds of health benefits. They say it can strengthen the immune system, help you lose weight and prevent strokes and heart attacks www.jdnews.com
East Valley Tribune, Chandler, AZ
Network hopes to help develop preschoolers’ sense of humor
October 25, 2005
She (Alice Cahn, Creator of Tickle U.) explained that the network looked at research that demonstrated all kinds of benefits of a strong sense of humor — from development of social and cognitive skills to the ability to reduce stress and create more optimism. www.eastvalleytribune.com
Tuscon Citizen
Wild and Talented Guy Wins Twain Humor Prize
By Karen Thomas, USA Today
October 26, 2005
Comedians gathered to honor Steve Martin, recipient of this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor www.tucsoncitizen.com
The World of HUMOR
HUMOR IN THE NEWS: RELATED ARTICLES
Science Daily
Bhutan seen as happiness poster child
October 5, 2995
Experts from around the world looked to Bhutan -- a tiny nation between India and China -- in efforts to measure people's happiness rather than their wealth. www.sciencedaily.com
Citizen Online
Diving deep into spiritual happiness
By Gordon Fraiser
October 5, 2005
New author David Michael Ferruolo (says): “Those who pursue what they love for the sake of that love can achieve happiness. Those seek material possessions for material possessions' sake will lead miserable lives.” www.citizen.com
Beliefnet: Health and Healing
Forgiveness: it's a great feeling
October, 2005
by Lain Chroust Ehmann
While the jury is still out on the long-term health benefits of forgiving others, we can extrapolate the results from documented research in other areas. For instance, we do know that chronic stress and anger can have negative effects on our overall health. "Unforgiveness is a form of stress," says Dr. Worthington. www.beliefnet.com
AlwaysOn
Hedonic Adaptation
By suzy MxM, Inc
October 5, 2005
…soon enough, you will get used to the higher income and you will once again find yourself with a gnawing sense of dissatisfaction. Experts sometimes refer to this as the "hedonic treadmill" or "hedonic adaptation," the notion that we rapidly adapt to improvements in our lives -- and thus can end up feeling little or no better off. www.alwayson-network.com
The Dallas Morning News
Understanding the art of happiness
by Leslie Garcia
October 6, 2005
Research shows that happiness and its related mental states, optimism and hopefulness, seem to limit the severity or reduce the risk of such health problems as diabetes, hypertension and even the common cold www.myrtlebeachonline.com
50Connect.co.uk
It’s Not Just About Diet: A New Study Proves For The First Time That Happiness Protects Your Heart
Public health scientists at UCLA have found that a happy state of mind can lead to a healthier heart and lower levels of stress-inducing chemicals.
www.50connect.co.uk
NewsFromRussia.com
Teen Health Connected to Happiness, Study Says
October 20, 2005
The study, published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, explores the association between five positive "assets" parental nurturing, parental monitoring, school engagement, volunteerism and peer connectedness and the health behaviors and outcomes of Canadian teens, reports the Globe and Mail. http://newsfromrussia.com
International Herald Tribune, Health Science
Invitation to Dalai Lama sparks a scientific debate
By Benedict Carey, The New York Times
October 20, 2005
The two studies suggest that "human qualities like compassion and altruism may in some sense be regarded as skills which can be improved through mental training," said Davidson, director of the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience at the University of Wisconsin. www.iht.com
Bob Nozik, E-zine Editor ezine@aath.org
