Psychology Around the Net: September 17, 2016

Before you run off to enjoy the last weekend of summer, take some time to enjoy the seriously random mix of mental health news and stories I've found for you this week! Read on to take a look at data on how psychiatric drug advertising affects prescriptions, a study related to how writing down your dreams and goals increases your chances of achieving them, reviews on various self-help books for pet parents , and more.

Planning for NWS Earle

Monmouth County has received a $206,000 federal grant from the Department of Defense to prepare a Joint Land Use Study for Naval Weapons Station Earle. A cooperative land use planning effort between affected local government entities and the military installation, the project looks to create compatible development measures to keep the base operational, while also looking out for the surrounding public's health, safety, and welfare.

How the Pentagon can help federal buying power

A plan that establishes the Pentagon as the IT provider for a civilian agency could be a model for future efforts, according to a top official. The Department of Defense is slated to provide key IT infrastructure and services for the Office of Personnel Management's National Background Investigations Bureau -- the agency created in the wake of massive data breaches and other troubles involving background checks.

Department of the Navy Names Superior Suppliers for 2016

The Department of the Navy named its 2016 superior suppliers today, as part of the Department of Defense's Superior Supplier Incentive Program . The Assistant Secretary of the Navy Sean J. Stackley announced the names of 11 business segments designated as Tier 1 superior suppliers for exceptional contractor conduct in the areas of cost, schedule, performance, quality, and business relations.

Out with the old

Senators John Hoeven, R-ND, and Heidi Heitkamp, D-ND, Thursday joined a bipartisan group of 10 senators, led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., in urging the Department of Defense to replace the Vietnam-era UH-1N helicopters as soon as possible. While these helicopters are responsible for protecting the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile fleet, including those located around Minot Air Force Base, the commander of U.S. Strategic Command has deemed them insufficient for addressing current threats to our national security.

Obama to Repeal Ban on Transgender Military Service July 1

President Barack Obama's Department of Defense is expected to lift the ban on transgender people openly serving in the U.S. military on July 1, reports USA Today , citing unnamed defense officials. "Several issues relating to repeal of the ban have proven to be contentious, according to officials familiar with the review but not authorized to speak publicly about it," notes USA Today .

CHI Memorial’s Dr. Winter Receives Patriot Award

Pictured from left to right are Staff Sgt. Eric Tinkham, Dr. David Winters and Chris Cole, Tennessee ESGR Chattanooga vice chair David Winters, D.O., with CHI Memorial Family Practice Associates in Ooltewah, received the Patriot Award from the Employer Support of the Guard Reserve , a Department of Defense office.

The DoD spent $170k on a study about why walking with coffee makes it spill

America's Department of Defense does. According to a recent report from U.S. Senator Jeff Flake , the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency allocated a $172,283 grant to fund a study conducted in 2012 at University of California at Santa Barbara that investigated why coffee spills while you walk.

Why America still controls its nuclear weapons with ancient floppy disks

It's hard to believe these magnetic, 8-inch data storage devices are what's propping up the most fearsome weapons humanity has ever created. But the Department of Defense is still relying on this technology to coordinate key strategic forces such as nuclear bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles, according to a new government report.