Sleep has been in itself somewhat of a mystery. It’s been researched and philosophically debated about endlessly. Why, even the lack of sleep has fueled major industries from knockout pills to adjustable beds, from a myriad of special mattresses and comfy pillows to drowsy-induced music melodies.

Moreover is the latest: sleep can be a substitute for coffee. A study by Sara C. Mednick, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, surprised many by demonstrating that a brief nap made workers more alert than a cup of coffee.

Notwithstanding, Blog4Brains.com will not wade thru the research mud of sleep philosophy, the nature and need for sleep, the effects from lack of sleep, or anything else along these lines from A to Zzzzzz. What else is there? Melatonin-induced sleep, perhaps.

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Swine Flu. What a rollercoaster! It was a pandemic, now it is a joke. That is, if you listen to the media. They have done everything possible to make this H1N1 virus, first called swine flu, then called mexican flu, pure entertainment. But, who will be laughing in the end?

This swine flu, or H1N1, is much like every other virus. The difference is it is new, and that is why we are seeing its relative benign nature, at least, at the moment. The reason scientists are still warning of the danger is not because of what is happening now, but what they project may happen years from now.

See, viruses are made of genetic components just like every other organism on this planet, and that genetic material has to evolve to become efficient. Since it is relatively new, it hasn’t had time to get really nasty, but most scientists think it will.

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So, What’s the Chance?

What are my chances of dying from prostate cancer? What are my chances of getting mugged tonight? Just what are my chances? Well, it depends on whom you’re asking.

Statistics can be a very helpful tool for figuring out the likelihood that something may happen. Should I pack an umbrella for tomorrow; should I double down on this hand; do I need flood insurance? These are all important questions and our society depends on having some kind of numeric measure on which to rely. Fortunately, we have statistics. There is a 40% chance of showers tomorrow; you should never double down on a 16; no, you live significantly outside the 100 year flood plane. But when it comes to our health, should we rely on the numbers that represent our chances of dying or recovery? The short answer: Unless you’re sure you are looking at the absolute risk and not the relative risk, no, you shouldn’t.

Let me explain. Here is an example from Scientific American Mind:

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