Read It and Yawn - research paper on why people yawn wins J. Alfred Prufrock Obtuseness Award

0 Comments | Family Practice News, Oct 15, 2000 | by Joanne M. Berger

Dr. Michael Radetsky knows absurd when he sees it. Each year, Dr. Radetsky, chair of pediatrics at Lovelace Medical Center, Albuquerque, "roasts" his favorite findings from the literature by bestowing "awards." This year's recipient of the "J. Alfred Prufrock Obtuseness Award," named in honor of the TS.

Eliot poem, went to a British researcher for her study "Why Do People Yawn?" (West. J. Med. 170[5]:283, 1999). The conclusions: All vertebrates yawn. Yawning occurs as early as 15 weeks' gestation. Yawning is seen during persistent vegetative states. Wait, wait--don't fall asleep, yet. Dr. Radetsky gave the "Stephen King Stranger Than Fiction Award" to the study "Nose Blowing Propels Nasal Fluid Into the Paranasal Sinuses," an analysis of CT scans chronicling the instillation of radiopaque contrast medium into the nasopharynx followed by vigorous nose blowing (Clin. Infect. Dis. 30[2]:387-91, 2000). Dr. Radetsky found a glimmer of a take-home message from the study: Young patients' preference for wiping their noses on their sleeves may be a healthy alternative to the dangerous practice of nose blowing.