The Binge Eater as JunkieResearchers find similarities in food, alcohol, and drug cravings By Caleb Daniloff

As any dieter or bulimic will tell you, food can feel as dangerous and soul-possessing as a street drug. Now a research team, including BU scientists, has shown that the brain activity of rats who binge on a sugary diet — “palatable foods,” in scientific parlance — and then are forced to abstain, is similar to the stress and anxiety addicts feel deprived of their drug of choice. Those feelings often lead to a relapse.

• H1N1 Lightens UpAn encouraging decline in cases, here and nationally Video | By Art Jahnke. Video by Robin Berghaus and Joe Chan | November 19, 2009
• Osamu Shimomura’s Serendipitous NobelReturning to BU, a chemist recounts a remarkable scientific journey By Leslie Friday | November 18, 2009
• Drug Companies Target Teens OnlinePredatory marketing explored at drug policy conference held at BU By Caleb Daniloff | November 13, 2009
• Moving Medical Advances into Developing NationsNew agreement aims to remove licensing barriers By Leslie Friday | November 17, 2009

Archives November, 2009

• Breast Cancer: To Screen or Not to Screen Newest advice disputed, live chat at 11 November 24, 2009
• The Binge Eater as Junkie Researchers find similarities in food, alcohol, and drug cravings November 20, 2009
• H1N1 Lightens Up An encouraging decline in cases, here and nationally November 19, 2009
• Senate Candidates Face Off on Environment Capuano, Coakley, Khazei, and Pagliuca square off on Comm Ave November 18, 2009
• Osamu Shimomura’s Serendipitous Nobel Returning to BU, a chemist recounts a remarkable scientific journey November 18, 2009
• Moving Medical Advances into Developing Nations New agreement aims to remove licensing barriers November 17, 2009
• Stylish Shoes Have a Serious Price Tag BU study shows it’s heels today, pain tomorrow November 16, 2009
• New Nano Technique Could Help Detect Disease Research team harnesses photonic technology November 16, 2009
• Pairing Up with Alzheimer’s Patients MED students learn the person is important, not the disease November 12, 2009
• Silent, and Excellent, Teachers MED’s anatomical gift coordinator teaches students to honor the dead November 9, 2009
• One Class, One Day: CSI, for Real Elizabeth Laposata dissects medical forensics November 3, 2009
• To Fight Cancer, Linking Investors and Inventors BU, National Cancer Institute to showcase biotechs to venture capitalists November 2, 2009
• Parabolic Pumpkins The fifth annual Pumpkin Drop demonstrates that gravity still rules November 2, 2009

Archives October, 2009

• Counting the Ways October 28, 2009
• The Flu Is Here, but Not the Vaccine University awaits shipments as victims recover October 27, 2009
• Are Safer Cigarettes a Corporate Ploy, and FDA Mistake? Bicknell Lecture tomorrow delves into tobacco regulation October 22, 2009
• Seeing into Space Two research projects refine and redefine our understanding of the galaxy October 21, 2009
• Thomas Kunz’s University Lecture Is Airborne Bat expert looks up and sees new frontier: the aerosphere October 19, 2009
• Engineers Without Borders Reaches Peru Dinner and auction will help them get back, and do more October 19, 2009
• BU Abroad: Pediatrics in Ecuador Rounds in a Quito hospital become an eye-opening experience October 16, 2009
• An Incubator That Hatches Businesses Part two: More innovation at Photonics October 14, 2009
• Football Brains Hard-hitting evidence connects concussions and dementia October 13, 2009
• Big-Bellied Trash Eaters Arrive These guys are solar-powered, and should reduce carbon footprint October 13, 2009
• An Incubator That Hatches Businesses Behind closed doors at Photonics, ideas turn practical October 13, 2009
• Got the Blues? Faculty, staff, and students can get screened on National Depression Screening Day October 8, 2009
• Black Women’s Health Study Will Continue Grant extends landmark research at Slone Center October 8, 2009
• Prodding the Issue October 5, 2009
• Recycling That Cooking Oil Pilot program hopes to connect Fryolators to boiler rooms October 1, 2009

Archives September, 2009

• Future Health-Care Managers Wonder What’s Next The national debate leaves grad students facing uncertainty September 30, 2009
• Grow Clinic and Food Pantry See Too Many Tough economy drives more people to the steep edge of hunger September 28, 2009
• Astronomer Takes UNH Post CAS Astronomy Professor Harlan Spence will join the University of New Hampshire faculty September 25, 2009
• Connections and Credibility BU Medical Campus outreach director Raysa Tapia helps give Boston-area kids a boost September 18, 2009
• Sargent Center Officially in New Hands Lease finalized for running environmental education program at Sargent Center September 15, 2009
• BUworks Moves Forward Large software company chosen for centralized system September 14, 2009
• Bat Man vs. White Nose Thomas Kunz is fighting a killer disease September 10, 2009