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Characteristics, triggers and theoretical models of embarrassment Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Psychology of embarrassment: why do we get embarrassed? 05/06/25, 10:07 Last updated: Published: 06/09/24, 11:07 Characteristics, triggers and theoretical models of embarrassment The six basic emotions proposed by Ekman and recognised worldwide are sadness, happiness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust- Ekman (1999). Recently, the list of basic emotions has expanded to include self-conscious emotions, such as embarrassment, pride and shame, as all of those emotions show evidence for cross-cultural and cross-species production and perception. According to Miller (1995), embarrassment is the self-conscious feeling individuals get after realising they have done something stupid, silly or dishonourable. Embarrassment is a social emotion that emerges at around 18 months of age and the development of which is related to self-recognition. Characteristics of embarrassment in humans are gaze aversion, downward head movements, controlled smile and face touching. Embarrassment has been linked to the two main personality dimensions proposed by Eysenck (1983): extraversion/introversion and neuroticism/emotional stability. Kelly & Jones (1997) found that neuroticism is positively associated with embarrassment, suggesting that the individuals who score highly in neuroticism are more prone to experiencing embarrassment. The same researchers also concluded that embarrassment is negatively related to extraversion, implying that introverted individuals are more likely to feel embarrassed than extroverted individuals. The three triggers of embarrassment, according to Sabini, Siepmann & Meyerowitz (2000), are faux pas, sticky situations and centre of attention. Faux pas causes embarrassment when an individual creates a social mistake that forces them to think of others’ evaluation, like misspelling a word in a presentation and only realising when presenting it to a supervisor. Sticky situations lead to embarrassment when they threaten an individual's role, not their self-esteem, such as a leader being challenged publicly by their second in command. Centre of attention describes an anomaly when embarrassment is not a result of failure but of increased attention, for example being at your own birthday party. The faux pas trigger aligns with the social evaluation model of embarrassment, whilst sticky situations are in line with the dramaturgic model of embarrassment. There are four prominent theories of embarrassment: the dramaturgic model, the social evaluation model, the situational self-esteem model and the personal standards model. The dramaturgic model proposed by Silver, Sabini and Parrott (1987) says that embarrassment is the flustered uncertainty that follows a poor public performance and leaves the individual at a loss of what to do. This model suggests that anxiety and aversive arousal trigger embarrassment after realising a performance has gone wrong (see Figure 4 ). In this model, concern about what others think accompanies embarrassment but does not cause it. Miller (1996) suggests that whilst the dramaturgic model has substantial support, it is difficult for a dramaturgic dilemma to cause embarrassment without simultaneously creating unwanted social evaluations, highlighting a limitation of this model. The social evaluation model of embarrassment put forward by Edelmann (1987) suggests that embarrassed individuals fear failure to impress others and feeling at a loss of what to do is a result of embarrassment, not the cause (see Figure 5 ). This model assumes that individuals are concerned about others’ opinions. Miller (1996) supports this theory, saying that negative evaluation from others is crucial to embarrassment. The situational self-esteem model by Modigliani (1971) proposes that the root cause of embarrassment is the temporary loss of self-esteem that results from public failures based on one’s own opinions of self and performance in faulty situations (see Figure 6). Miller (1995) does not support this theory, arguing that self-esteem plays a secondary role in embarrassment and states that susceptibility to embarrassment depends more on the persistent concern about others’ evaluations of us. The personal standards model of embarrassment introduced by Babcock (1988) presents the view that embarrassment is caused by the individual realising they have failed the standards of behaviour that they have set for themselves, implying that the situation does not matter and that individuals can feel embarrassment when they are alone (see Figure 7 ). Miller (1992) disagrees with this theory, saying that guidelines for self are linked to impressions made on other people and that embarrassment can happen due to poor audience reaction, not letting yourself down. Therefore, there are many plausible theories behind embarrassment that have been linked to various causes like dispositional, situational and personality factors. Whilst it is unlikely that one theory can perfectly explain such a complex social emotion like embarrassment, the consensus among psychologists in the recent years has created the most support for a combination of the dramaturgic and the social evaluation models. I agree with the consensus and think that the different theories behind embarrassment may all apply to a given situation. For instance, forgetting someone’s name may lead to embarrassment due to being at a loss of what to say (the dramaturgic model), unwanted social judgements (the social evaluation model), the negative effects of this situation on the self-esteem (the situational self-esteem model) and the painful realisation of letting yourself down (the personal standards model). Thus, like many subjects in psychology, embarrassment is a multidimensional concept that can be looked at from many different angles. Written by Aleksandra Lib Related articles: Chemistry of emotions / Unmasking aggression / Inside out: chemistry of depression REFERENCES Babcock, M. K. (1988). Embarrassment: A window on the self. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour . Edelmann, R. J. (1987). The psychology of embarrassment . John Wiley & Sons. Ekman, P. (1999). Basic emotions. Handbook of cognition and emotion , 98 (45-60), 16. Eysenck, H. J. (1983). Psychophysiology and personality: Extraversion, neuroticism and psychoticism. In Individual differences and psychopathology (pp. 13-30). Academic Press. Kelly, K. M., & Jones, W. H. (1997). Assessment of dispositional embarrassability. Anxiety, Stress, and Coping, 10 (4), 307-333. Lewis, M., Sullivan, M. W., Stanger, C., & Weiss, M. (1989). Self development and self-conscious emotions. Child development , 146-156. Miller, R. S. (1992). The nature and severity of self-reported embarrassing circumstances. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin , 18 (2), 190-198. Miller, R. S. (1995). On the nature of embarrassabllity: Shyness, social evaluation, and social skill. Journal of personality , 63 (2), 315-339. Miller, R. S. (1996). Embarrassment: Poise and peril in everyday life. Guilford Press. Modigliani, A. (1971). Embarrassment, facework, and eye contact: Testing a theory of embarrassment. Journal of Personality and social Psychology , 17 (1), 15. Sabini, J., Siepmann, M., Stein, J., & Meyerowitz, M. (2000). Who is embarrassed by what?. Cognition & Emotion , 14 (2), 213-240. Silver, M., Sabini, J., Parrott, W. G., & Silver, M. (1987). Embarrassment: A dramaturgic account. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour , 17 (1), 47-61. Tracy, J. L., Robins, R. W., & Tangney, J. P. (2007). The self-conscious emotions. New York: Guilford . Project Gallery

It's extremely pronounced in a technical environment Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link You're not a fraud: battling imposter syndrome in STEM Last updated: 22/05/25, 10:01 Published: 17/04/25, 07:00 It's extremely pronounced in a technical environment Background If you work in STEM or take even a keen interest in the field, it’s highly likely you’d have heard of and possibly experienced the term 'imposter syndrome'. Despite the glamorised success stories and carefully curated achievements we see in professional circles and on social media, let’s take a realistic step back - people struggle no matter how qualified they are. It’s okay to admit that, and it’s time we remove the stigma of this common experience. Coming into the Scientist Training Programme, I felt a sense of excitement and pride in my achievement of having even managed to get a place on the programme. As I settled in, this quickly turned into something else – fear, anxiety, worry. Feelings that I may not be good enough or I’m not where I belong. I seemed like the only one in my department without a postgraduate qualification. I began feeling out of place. It was only until I was able to put a label on this feeling – imposter syndrome, that I could take active steps to fix it. So, what is imposter syndrome? Put simply, it's the persistent feeling of self-doubt and inadequacy despite evident success. It makes you question whether you truly deserve your accomplishments, fearing that at any moment, someone will expose you as a fraud. This is extremely pronounced in a technical environment where your success is largely measured by your ability to tackle complex problems. Understanding its purpose While frustrating, imposter syndrome stems from a mechanism designed to keep us grounded and striving for growth. As social beings, we evolved to be highly attuned to hierarchies and belonging, and self-doubt may have once served as a protective mechanism, preventing reckless decisions. However, in today’s world, particularly in STEM fields, this innate caution can turn into chronic self-evaluation. The role of social media Imposter syndrome can be exacerbated through the often-unrealistic lens of social media. As I scroll through various social media platforms, I encounter countless posts showcasing often unrealistically flawless careers. Despite what you see in those 'day in the life' posts, not every STEM professional wakes up at 4am and has a cold shower. Rarely do we see the setbacks, rejections, or moments of self-doubt behind those polished posts, yet they exist for everyone. The distortion of what we see online is undoubtably a catalyst for imposter syndrome, but we can take a sensible step back and look at things through a realistic lens. Comparison truly can be the thief of joy if you let it. Coping strategies The good news is, it’s not all doom and gloom and there are strategies we can employ to handle our mischievous minds. As STEM professionals, sometimes we become isolated in our work, deeply ingrained in fixing a problem and not realising there are countless others to share your thoughts and feelings with. This is something I pushed myself to do and as I reached out to the wider community of trainee scientists, I quickly realised that I wasn’t alone. Almost everyone I had spoken to had shared a similar sentiment of having experienced imposter syndrome to some extent. It is important to remember that imposter syndrome is something that has been a universal experience for a very long time. It is certainly not a feeling that is exclusive to those in the early stages of their career as I surprisingly found out having networked with senior figures in the STEM community. My supervisor – a consultant clinical scientist with over 40 years of experience still experiences imposter syndrome as he tackles new challenges in the ever-evolving world of science. I have found that keeping a journal has been incredibly beneficial in logging my achievements -whether personal or career-related. Having a record of successes, no matter how small, serves as a tangible reminder that progress is being made, even when self-doubt tries to convince me otherwise. But the most effective tool I’ve discovered is something I’m still learning myself - self-compassion instead of self-criticism. It’s easy to be too hard on yourself, especially in STEM, where learning new things daily is the norm. The pressure to always have the right answers can make mistakes feel like failures rather than part of the learning process. But the reality is that growth comes from pushing through discomfort, not from perfection. Learning to extend yourself the same kindness you would offer a friend can make a world of difference in battling imposter syndrome. Reframing its meaning If you have experienced imposter syndrome I do have some good news for you – you’re pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in some way and challenging yourself. That is something to be proud of and its important to realise that experiencing imposter syndrome can sometimes simply be a mandatory byproduct of self-growth. You are exactly where you need to be. Even the greatest of minds can experience imposter syndrome. Albert Einstein himself once remarked: The exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease. I feel compelled to think of myself as an involuntary swindler. So, remember, you’re not alone in this struggle. When to seek help While imposter syndrome is something that a large majority of people experience, you should know when to seek help. If it manifests into something much more than occasional self-doubt, there is no shame in reaching out for help. Speaking to trusted friends or family about how you’re feeling is crucial to keep your mind in the right place. A qualified therapist will be well equipped to help you deal with imposter syndrome and keep you grounded. There are a wealth of online resources that can be used to help you; such as articles, self-help guides, and professional development communities – including the team here at Scientia News who offer strategies to build confidence and reframe negative thinking. Acknowledging imposter syndrome is the first step, but learning to challenge it is what truly allows you to move forward. And the next time you begin to doubt yourself, take a step back and think about your achievements and how they themselves were born from the ashes of self-doubt. Written by Jaspreet Mann Related articles: My role as a clinical computer scientist / Mental health strategies / Mental health in South Asian communities REFERENCES “Imposter Syndrome: A Curse You Share with EinsteinThesislink « Thesislink.” Thesislink, 10 July 2018, https://thesislink.aut.ac.nz/?p=6630 . NHS Inform (2023) ‘Imposter syndrome’, NHS Inform. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/stress/imposter-syndrome . Mind (2022) ‘Understanding imposter syndrome’, Mind. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/imposter-syndrome/ . Healthline (2021) ‘What is imposter syndrome and how can you combat it?’, Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/imposter-syndrome . Psychology Today (2020) ‘Overcoming imposter syndrome’, Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/think-well/202002/overcoming-imposter-syndrome . beanstalk. Feel Like a Fraud? How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome - Employee and Family Resources . 1 Jan. 2023, https://efr.org/blog/feel-like-a-fraud . Ling, Ashley. “3 Ways to Get Past Imposter Syndrome.” Thir.St , 13 Aug. 2024, https://thirst.sg/3-ways-to-get-past-imposter-syndrome/ . Project Gallery

From confusion to career opportunities Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Unlocking the power of statistics 14/07/25, 15:09 Last updated: Published: 19/09/23, 16:23 From confusion to career opportunities During my time studying maths there was always one topic that would trip me up: statistics. Being an A-level physics student, I could understand why calculus is useful in real life, using differentiation to calculate the velocities of projectiles. And I could look and see how geometry is used in buildings and structures. However, statistics often made me feel unrelatable and lost, as I was unable to see real-world applications. But today, I wish to alter my old perspective. First and foremost, you might be pleasantly surprised to learn that statistics opens doors to some of the most lucrative careers available today. We'll delve into roles such as quantitative analysts, who boast a national average salary of £99,000 per year. But if finance is not your cup of tea, there are many other rewarding career paths to explore, from becoming a data scientist to forecasting the weather as a meteorologist. In this article, I wish to unveil the world of statistics, revealing its importance and shedding light on its real-life applications. My hope is to not only inspire those who are already passionate about statistics but also to ignite motivation in individuals who, like me, found themselves in a similar predicament a few years ago. The Actuary Less well known when compared to a banker or engineer, an actuary’s sole purpose is to analyse risk for multiple different scenarios. It may sound simple on first inspection, but being an actuary is a very well-established career requiring many years of learning followed by some of the most challenging exams in the job market. An actuary attempts to quantify the risk of an event happening so that financial decisions can be made with an objective view. A good and close-to-home example of this is being either accepted or rejected from a credit card. As a younger person below the age of 21, the chances of you getting accepted for a credit card are extremely and quite painfully low. This is because banks, and more specifically, credit score providers, deem you to be a high-risk person to lend to. They think this because you have a very short credit history, are unaware of how responsible you are with money, and are more afraid to lend you their cash. In other words, they don’t want you to spend their money on going out and drinking booze. The insurance industry is, however, the biggest industry when it comes to actuaries. Both life and non-life actuaries work in teams with insurance providers to establish whether a client, company, or investment is worthwhile. Actuaries apply both statistics and actuarial science (similar to applied statistics) to real-life situations, evaluate whether to offer a premium to a customer, and then establish what that premium is. You may see in advertisements that life insurance costs as little as £10 a month for a 20-year-old compared to someone who is 65. This is because the younger you are, the less likely you are to claim against your policy. Actuaries put together vast amounts of information about people, lifestyle choices, and other factors to help determine the probability that someone may claim, suggesting a ‘fair’ premium that an insurance company may offer. Without the help of an actuary, insurance companies would either charge too much, making people disadvantaged, or charge too little, in which case they would have to default on their policy and be unable to pay out any claims. Although this seems very specific, the role of an actuary is becoming increasingly important as people live longer lives and insurance companies become more fearful of defaulting.To put it into perspective, actuaries on average earn £80,000 working in London, putting you well in the top 10% of earners in the UK. The Quantitative Analyst Similar to an actuary, quantitative analysts do exactly what is said on the tin. They use quantitative methods to analyse data. Often, companies like investment banks, hedge funds, and pension funds will hire front-office ‘quants’. The aim of the game is to send out trades as quickly as possible before all the other trading offices do. These big companies have links directly to the trading floor, so every millisecond counts, and it’s a quant's job to devise a trading strategy that beats the rest and operates in the least amount of time. Quants are masters of statistics and mathematics, and for this reason, high-frequency trading firms like Hudson River Trading offer salaries to top mathematical minds in excess of $500,000. The role of quantitative researchers is to explore the latest statistical articles being published by top universities and generate strategies that can be implemented in the stock market. This job is not one to be taken lightly, as salary is often based on performance, but someone who is motivated to explore the ins and outs of statistics may find themselves loving the life of a quant. The Meteorologist Meteorologists are the people that we incorrectly blame for the bad weather that we have. And they are also the people we blame when we forget to take a coat and get soaked on the long walk back home. But what do meteorologists actually do? And is it any more than just an educated guess? Meteorologists, along with climatologists, collect millions of pieces of information every hour of every day across their 195,000 weather stations spread all around the globe. These stations collect key pieces of information, including atmospheric pressure, temperature, speed, rain, humidity, and many other components of current weather conditions. With this information, meteorologists begin to paint a picture of what the current weather climate is like and then use forecasting methods and statistical models to estimate how the weather is going to change. The probability that it might rain is much more than an educated guess; it is the probability that if this situation happened 100 times, it would rain the estimated number of times (i.e., if there was an 80% chance of rain, it would rain 80 times out of the hundred over a large enough sample). As a forecaster, you will collect this information and input it into very advanced systems to analyse and give an outcome, but as a researcher, you will help derive these statistical forecasting models and improve them so that our apps and news channels are even more precise. Not only that, but you may also find yourself researching the effects of climate change from the data that you analyse, and maybe even how the weather affects the spread of pollution and disease. Meteorologists get paid a modest salary of around £32,000 per year, which may seem small when compared to that of a quant, but the quality of life is far more generous than some careers in finance. To conclude In conclusion, statistics, once a perplexing subject for many, can offer an exciting and rewarding career. From the meticulous work of actuaries, assessing risks and financial decisions, to the world of quantitative analysts, where every millisecond counts, and even to the indispensable role of meteorologists, who help us navigate the weather and climate change, statistics holds the power to transform lives and industries. As we've explored, statistics is not just about numbers and formulas; it's about making sense of the world, predicting outcomes, and creating informed decisions. So, whether you're a seasoned statistician or someone who, like me, once felt lost in its complexities, remember that statistics isn't merely a subject to conquer—it's a key that unlocks doors to some of the most intriguing and well-compensated careers out there. Written by George Chant Project Gallery

Explaining and predicting the behaviour of serial killers Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The new age of forensic neurology 14/07/25, 14:58 Last updated: Published: 23/08/23, 16:16 Explaining and predicting the behaviour of serial killers Background Nobody can argue that true crime has taken the media by storm in recent years. In 2021, the search to find Gabby Petito inflamed social media, with the r/gabbypetito subreddit having 120,000 members at its peak. Tiktok ‘psychics’ would amass millions of views by attempting to predict how the case would progress, with predictably terrible results. A small solace remains, however; the fact that increased media presence of murder cases increases the rate at which research into murderers is published. The increase in both research and media attention toward true crime continued through 2022, invigorated by the release of Monster: the Dahmer Story on Netflix, which was viewed on Netflix for over 1 billion hours by its user base. It could be argued that the popularity of this show and others depicting serial killers also increased the publication of research on the neurology of serial killers. The neurological basis of the serial killer refractory period Dilly (2021) encompasses some very interesting correlational research into the neurological factors at play in the evocation of the serial killer refractory period. Following analysis of the refractory periods of ten American serial killers, a metaanalysis of prior research was performed to establish which prior theory most thoroughly explained the patterns derived. The American serial killers utilised in this investigation were: The Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo. Jeffrey Dahmer. Ted Bundy. John Wayne Gacy. The Night Stalker, Richard Ramirez. The BTK Killer, Dennis Rader. The I-5 Killer, Randall Woodfield. Son of Sam, David Berkowitz. The Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway. The Co-Ed Killer, Edmund Kemper III. Theory no. 1 While this research is purely speculative due to the lack of real-time neurological imaging of the killers both during refractory periods and their murderous rampages, this research was demonstrated to lend credence to a prior theory proposed by Simkin and Roychowdhury (2014). This research, titled Stochastic Modelling of a Serial Killer , theorised based on their own collated data that the refractory period of serial killers functions identically to that of the refractory period of neurons. This theory is based upon the idea that murder precipitates the release of a powerful barrage of neurotransmitters, culminating in widespread neurological activation. In line with neurological refractory periods, it is believed that this extreme change in state of activation is followed by a period of time wherein another global activation event cannot occur. Theory no. 2 Hamdi et al. (2022) delineates the extent to which the subject’s murderous impulses were derived from Fregoli syndrome, rather than his comorbid schizophrenia. This research elucidated how schizophrenic symptoms can synergise with symptoms of delusional identification syndromes (DIS) to create distinct behaviours and thought patterns that catalyse sufferers to engage in homicidal impulses. DIS include a range of disorders wherein sufferers experience issues identifying objects, people, places or events; Fregoli Syndrome is a DIS characterised by the delusional belief that people around the sufferer are familiar figures in disguise. The subject’s Fregoli Syndrome caused the degeneration of his trust of those around him, which quickly led to an increase in aggressive behaviours. The killer attacked each member of his family multiple times before undertaking his first homicide- excluding his father, whom reportedly ‘scared him very much’. Unsurprisingly then, his victim cohort of choice for murder were older men. The neurobiological explanation of Fregoli Syndrome asserts that the impairment of facial identification, wherein cerebrocortical hyperactivity catalyses delusional identification of unfamiliar faces as familiar ones. Conclusion Forensic neurology has been a key element in expanding the understanding of serial killers, with the research of Raine et al. (1997) popularising the use of neurology to answer the many questions posed by the existence of serial killers. Since Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse of the 1997 study first used brain scanning techniques to study and understand serial killers, the use of brain scanning techniques to study this population has become a near-perfect art, becoming ever more of a valid option for use both in understanding and predicting serial killer behaviour. In all likelihood, future innovations in forensic neurology research will continue to bring about positive change, reducing homicidal crime with the invention and use of different methods and systems to predict and stop the crimes before they happen. Summarised from a full investigation. Written by Aimee Wilson Related articles: Serial killers in healthcare / Brain of a bully Project Gallery

Research shows that insomnia does have a hereditary side Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Does insomnia run in families? Here's what genetics tells us Last updated: 10/07/25, 18:25 Published: 10/07/25, 18:11 Research shows that insomnia does have a hereditary side Have you ever noticed restless nights affecting more than one relative? Maybe your sister tosses and turns, or your brother wakes up before dawn, wide awake and anxious. It might feel like poor sleep is passed down from parents to kids, and science suggests that feeling isn’t just in your head. In one study, nearly 40% of people with insomnia had a close family member with it, compared to 29% of those without; making them 1.57 times more likely to share the struggle. So is that inherited, or just a string of bad luck? Here’s what science has to say. Your DNA can affect sleep Research shows that insomnia does have a hereditary side. If someone in your family, say a parent, sibling or even a grandparent, struggles night after night, you’re more likely to face similar problems. That doesn’t guarantee you’ll wake up at 3 a.m. every night, but it does raise your baseline risk: studies estimate that around one-third of insomnia liability is genetic. In practical terms, inheriting certain gene variants can make the brain’s sleep-promoting signals weaker or the wake-promoting signals stronger. Think of those genes as nudging you toward more restless nights rather than pushing you entirely into insomnia. So if genes only lay the groundwork, what else determines whether someone actually stays awake counting sheep? That’s where life’s daily stresses come into play. How genes shape your sleep Scientists have identified a handful of genes that guide our body’s natural clock. Our circadian rhythm influences how deeply and how long we sleep. For instance, variants in the PER3 or CLOCK genes can shift your internal timing. This makes it harder to feel sleepy at a conventional hour. Picture the circadian clock as an orchestra conductor: if the conductor’s timing fluctuates, the entire performance, your sleep cycle, can fall out of sync. Other inherited factors affect the brain’s “volume knobs” for alertness. Certain gene differences can heighten sensitivity to minor disturbances; like a creaky floorboard or an ambulance siren, so that you jitter awake even when there’s no real threat. Over time, those tiny awakenings add up, preventing you from reaching the deep, restorative stages of sleep. Yet, these genes don’t act in isolation. The brain remains remarkably adaptable through epigenetic changes; chemical tags that turn genes on or off. Experiences such as stress, illness, or a drastically changed schedule can strengthen or weaken those genetic susceptibilities. Sleep isn’t just genetic; here’s why Even if you inherit gene variants linked to insomnia, your environment and habits often decide the end result. High-pressure jobs, financial worries, or family conflicts can ignite sleep troubles in someone without a family history of insomnia. Conversely, someone with a strong genetic vulnerability might sleep soundly if life stays relatively stress-free and routines remain consistent. Everyday choices, like scrolling through social media until the last minute, drinking coffee late afternoon, or keeping wildly shifting bedtimes, further fuel the problem. For example, evening exposure to bright screens suppresses melatonin, the hormone that signals your brain it’s time to sleep. That means even if your “insomnia genes” are mild, you’re still creating obstacles to a good night’s rest. On the other hand, regular exercise (aim for at least 30 minutes most days), a balanced diet, and a calm, screen-free wind-down routine signal the brain that it’s safe to switch off. Over months, those good habits can overwrite the nudge from your genes, steering you towards deep, uninterrupted rest. Can you change your genetic destiny? Knowing that insomnia has a genetic component can feel validating. It clarifies that tossing and turning isn’t simply an unexplained routine. That awareness reduces shame and makes it easier to adopt practical solutions. If you suspect poor sleep runs in your family, watch for early warning signs: difficulty falling asleep, waking often, or waking too early. Catching these patterns early means you can experiment with sleep hygiene tweaks before the problem becomes chronic. Actionable steps include setting a consistent bedtime, dimming lights an hour before sleep, avoiding caffeine after mid-afternoon, and practising relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation. If these changes don’t help, cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) targets both the thoughts and behaviours that perpetuate sleeplessness, effectively retraining the brain’s response to the bedroom. Those inherited sleep tendencies might suggest insomnia is written in your DNA; but by keeping a consistent bedtime, cutting down on late-night screens and being kind to yourself, you can rewrite that genetic script and finally enjoy the deep rest you’ve earned. Written by Rand Alanazi Related articles: Does anxiety run in families? / Link between sleep and memory loss / The chronotypes REFERENCES Beaulieu-Bonneau S, LeBlanc M, Mérette C, Dauvilliers Y, Morin CM. Family History of Insomnia in a Population-Based Sample. Sleep. 2007 Dec;30(12):1739–45. Pacheco D. Is Insomnia Genetic? [Internet]. Sleep Foundation. 2021. Available from: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/is-insomnia-genetic PER3 [Internet]. Wikipedia. 2023. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PER3 Dashti HS, Jones SE, Wood AR, Lane JM, van Hees VT, Wang H, et al. Genome-wide association study identifies genetic loci for self-reported habitual sleep duration supported by accelerometer-derived estimates. Nature Communications [Internet]. 2019 Mar 7;10(1):1–12. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-08917-4 Halperin D. Environmental noise and sleep disturbances: A threat to health? Sleep Science [Internet]. 2014 Dec;7(4):209–12. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1984006314000601 www.ushealthconnect.com H. Unraveling the Impact of Environmental Factors on Sleep Quality and Parkinson Disease [Internet]. Practicalneurology.com . 2025. Available from: https://practicalneurology.com/diseases-diagnoses/movement-disorders/unraveling-the-impact-of-environmental-factors-on-sleep-quality-and-parkinson-disease/32197/ Levenson JC, Kay DB, Buysse DJ. The Pathophysiology of Insomnia. Chest [Internet]. 2015 Apr;147(4):1179–92. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4388122/ Spielman AJ, Caruso LS, Glovinsky PB. A Behavioral Perspective on Insomnia Treatment. Psychiatric Clinics of North America [Internet]. 1987 Dec 1;10(4):541–53. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0193953X1830532X the I. amBX [Internet]. amBX. 2020 [cited 2025 Jun 6]. Available from: https://www.ambx.com/news/what-is-the-natural-circadian-rhythm Hassell K, Reiter RJ, Robertson NJ. MELATONIN AND ITS ROLE IN NEURODEVELOPMENT DURING THE PERINATAL PERIOD: A REVIEW. Fetal and Maternal Medicine Review. 2013 May 1;24(2):76–107. Wang J, Liu J, Xie H, Gao X. Effects of Work Stress and Period3 Gene Polymorphism and Their Interaction on Sleep Quality of Non-Manual Workers in Xinjiang, China: A Cross-Sectional Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022 Jun 3;19(11):6843–3. Project Gallery

Wildlife corridors are connecting habitats previously divided by roads Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Wildlife corridors: why did the sloth cross the road? Last updated: 16/09/25, 16:48 Published: 16/09/25, 16:32 Wildlife corridors are connecting habitats previously divided by roads Have you ever run over an animal while driving, or had to suddenly hit the brakes so an animal could cross the road? Engineers and ecologists have come up with genius solutions, collectively called wildlife corridors, so that this happens less often. This article is about two such solutions - green bridges, which are big vegetated overpasses, and rope bridges between trees. More than just roadkill Roads threaten animals because of a concept called habitat fragmentation. This is when big animal populations are split into two smaller populations with less resources and less genetic diversity than the original populations. Animals may try to move between habitat fragments in search of new food or mates, but die trying to cross the road. Either they walk directly onto the road and collide with cars, or they cross by walking over power lines and get electrocuted. Wildlife corridors allow animals to safely walk over roads, un-doing the habitat fragmentation and reducing their chance of extinction. Wolves in Germany A 2021 study analysed the activity of animals crossing a green bridge in Germany. This bridge, one of seven in the state of Brandenburg, was built in 2012 over the important A12 highway ( Figure 1 ). Using camera footage over a year, researchers found that grey wolves were more likely to use the bridge at dusk, at night, and in the winter. The deer and wild boars eaten by wolves were also more likely to use the bridge at dusk and at night, so the presence of wolves on the bridge did not deter their prey. Since 76% of wolves in Germany die in road-related incidents, bridges like this one are crucial for effective wolf conservation. Rope bridges in Costa Rica While Germany’s wolves and deer walk straight onto roads, Costa Rica’s tree-dwelling animals cross the road using power lines. This means the tree dwellers, including monkeys and sloths, are at risk of electrocution - in fact, nearly 1000 animals died of electrocution in Costa Rica in 2018-19. To reduce this risk, Costa Ricans have built rope bridges across the country as a safer alternative for wildlife to cross roads. Most bridges consist of a single blue nylon rope ( Figure 2a ), while researchers at the University of Costa Rica built rope bridges specially designed for howler monkeys ( Figure 2b ). Howler monkeys were targeted because of their endangered status and ecological role as seed and pollen dispersers. While the specialised bridges doubled howler monkey populations between 2015 and 2021, both them and classic rope bridges were used by squirrels, opossums, and kinkajous. However, a 2021 study found that animals use telephone lines to cross roads as frequently as they use rope bridges, and telephone lines are dangerously close to power lines. Some species still are not crossing using rope bridges, many years after their construction. Although the rope bridges are helping to reduce electrocution, they are not perfect. Heathland in the UK Closer to home, a brand-new green bridge called Cockrow Bridge will soon open in Surrey ( Figure 3 ). Surrey has lost 85% of its lowland heath in the last two centuries, but Ockham and Wisley Commons continue to support rare heathland species like the nightjar and sand lizard. These two commons, on either side of the A3/M25 junction, will be connected by the Cockrow Bridge into a 3 km-long stretch. Although existing heathland needs to be destroyed for construction, tree stumps and soil from the destroyed habitat will be repurposed on the bridge. Tree stumps will provide shelter to small animals, while the soil contains native roots and seeds to kickstart the bridge ecosystem. Since the public will be allowed on this bridge, it will improve our access to green spaces and bring revenue to local organisations. Therefore, Cockrow Bridge is expected to benefit wildlife and the public. Conclusion Wildlife corridors could be an important conservation tool by undoing habitat fragmentation, reducing roadkill, and preventing electrocution on power lines. Examples in Germany and Costa Rica look promising, and a unique heathland bridge is under construction here in the UK. Green bridges and rope bridges prove that modern infrastructure does not need to harm biodiversity, and humans can coexist with nature. Written by Simran Patel Related articles: Gorongosa National Park / Protecting rock-wallabies in Australia REFERENCES The Sloth Conservation Foundation. Connected Gardens: facilitating the peaceful co-existence of sloths and people. [Internet]. [cited 2025 Apr 13]. Available from: https://slothconservation.org/what-we-do/habitat-connectivity/ Tobias N. Swinging to safety: How canopy bridges may save Costa Rica’s howlers. Mongabay Environmental News [Internet]. 2023 Feb 15 [cited 2025 Apr 13]; Available from: https://news.mongabay.com/2023/02/swinging-to-safety-how-canopy-bridges-may-save-costa-ricas-howlers/ Gilbey V, Petty R. UK’s first heathland green bridge. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Civil Engineering. 2024 Nov 1;177(6):99–110. Laidlaw K, Broadbent E, Eby S. Effectiveness of aerial wildlife crossings: Do wildlife use rope bridges more than hazardous structures to cross roads? Rev Biol Trop. 2021 Oct 1;69(3):1138–48. Plaschke M, Bhardwaj M, König HJ, Wenz E, Dobiáš K, Ford AT. Green bridges in a re‐colonizing landscape: Wolves ( Canis lupus ) in Brandenburg, Germany. Conservat Sci and Prac. 2021 Mar;3(3):e364. Project Gallery

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Search Index All (250) Other Pages (231) Forum Posts (19) 250 items found Other Pages (231) The dopamine connection | Scientia News Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The dopamine connection How your gut influences your mood and behaviour Introduction to dopamine Dopamine is a neurotransmitter derived from an amino acid called phenylalanine, which must be obtained through the diet, through foods such as fish, meat, dairy and more. Dopamine is produced and released by dopaminergic neurons in the central nervous system and can be found in different brain regions. The neurotransmitter acts via two mechanisms: wiring transmission and volume transmission. In wiring transmission, dopamine is released to the synaptic cleft and acts on postsynaptic dopamine receptors. In volume transmission, extracellular dopamine arrives at neurons other than postsynaptic ones. Through methods such as diffusion, dopamine then reaches receptors in other neurons that are not in direct contact with the cell that has released the neurotransmitter. In both mechanisms, dopamine binds to the receptors, transmitting signals between neurons and affecting mood and behaviour. The link between dopamine and gut health Dopamine has been known to result in positive emotions, including pleasure, satisfaction and motivation, which can be influenced by gut health. Therefore, what you eat and other factors, including motivation, could impact your mood and behaviour. This was proven by a study (Hamamah et al., 2022), which looked at the bidirectional gut-brain connection. The study found that gut microbiota was important in maintaining the concentrations of dopamine via the gut-brain connection, also known as the gut microbiota-brain axis or vagal gut-to-brain axis. This is the communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the brain facilitated by the vagus nerve, and it is important in the neuronal reward pathway, which regulates motivational and emotional states. Activating the vagal gut-to-brain axis, which leads to dopamine release, suggests that modulating dopamine levels could be a potential treatment approach for dopamine-related disorders. Some examples of gut microbiota include Prevotella, Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Clostridium, Enterococcus, and Ruminococcus , and they can affect dopamine by modulating dopaminergic activity. These gut microbiota are able to produce neurotransmitters, including dopamine, and their functions and bioavailability in the central nervous system and periphery are influenced by the gut-brain axis. Gut dysbiosis is the disturbance of the healthy intestinal flora, and it can lead to dopamine-related disorders, including Parkinson's disease, ADHD, depression, anxiety, and autism. Gut microbes that produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, positively impact dopamine and contribute to reducing symptoms and effects seen in neurodegenerative disorders. Dopamine as a treatment It is important to understand the link between dopamine and gut health, as this could provide information about new therapeutic targets and improve current methods that have been used to prevent and restore deficiencies in dopamine function in different disorders. Most cells in the immune system contain dopamine receptors, allowing processes such as antigen presentation, T-cell activation, and inflammation to be regulated. Further research into this could open up a new possibility for dopamine to be used as a medication to treat diseases by changing the activity of dopamine receptors. Therefore, dopamine is important in various physiological processes, both in the central nervous and immune systems. For example, studies have shown that schizophrenia can be treated with antipsychotic medications which target dopamine neurotransmission. In addition, schizophrenia has also been treated by targeting the dysregulation (decreasing the amount) of dopamine transmission. Studies have shown promising results regarding dopamine being used as a form of treatment. Nevertheless, further research is needed to understand the interactions between dopamine, motivation and gut health and explore how this knowledge can be used to create medications to treat conditions. Conclusion The bidirectional gut-brain connection shows the importance of gut microbiota in controlling dopamine levels. This connection influences mood and behaviour but also has the potential to lead to new and innovative dopamine-targeted treatments being developed (for conditions including dopamine-related disorders). For example, scientists could target and manipulate dopamine receptors in the immune system to regulate the above mentioned processes: antigen presentation, T-cell activation, and inflammation. While current research has shown some promising results, further investigations are needed to better comprehend the connection between gut health and dopamine levels. Nevertheless, through consistent studies, scientists can gain a deeper understanding of this mechanism to see how changes in gut microbiota could affect dopamine regulation and influence mood and behaviour. Written by Naoshin Haque Related articles: the gut microbiome / Crohn's disease Project Gallery How does moving houses impact your health and well-being? | Scientia News Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link How does moving houses impact your health and well-being? Evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of gentrification in the context of health Introduction According to the World Health Organization (WHO), health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Another way to define health is an individual being in a condition of equilibrium within themselves and the surrounding environment, which includes their social interactions and other factors. Reflecting on historical views of health, ancient Indian and Chinese medicine and society in Ancient Greece thought of health as harmony between a person and their environment, which underlines the cohesion between the soul and body; this is similar to the WHO’s definition of health. Considering these ideas, one key determinant of health is gentrification (see Figure 1 ). It was first defined in 1964 by British sociologist Ruth Glass, who witnessed the dilapidated houses in the London Borough of Islington being taken over and renovated by middle-class proprietors. The broader consequences of gentrification include enhanced living conditions for the residents, differences in ownership prerequisites, increased prices of land and houses, and transformations in the social class structure. Also, these changes cause lower-income inhabitants to be pushed out or go to poorer neighbourhoods, and the conditions in these neighbourhoods, which can include racial separation, lead to inequities and discrepancies in health. For example, a systematic review discovered that elderly and Black residents were affected more by gentrification compared to younger and White citizens; this highlights the importance of support and interventions for specific populations during urban renewal. Given the knowledge provided above, this article will delve further into the advantages and disadvantages of gentrification in the context of health outcomes. Advantages of gentrification Gentrification does have its benefits. Firstly, it is positively linked with collective efficacy, which is about enhancing social cohesion within neighbourhoods and maintaining etiquette; this has health benefits for residents, like decreased rates of obesity, sexually transmitted diseases, and all-cause mortality. Another advantage of gentrification is the possibility of economic growth because as more affluent tenants move into specific neighbourhoods, they can bring companies, assets, and an increased demand for local goods and services, creating more jobs in the area for residents. Additionally, gentrification can be attributed to decreased crime rates in newly developed areas because the inflow of wealthier citizens often conveys a more substantial sense of community and investment in regional security standards. Therefore, this revitalised feeling of safety can make these neighbourhoods more appealing to existing and new inhabitants, which leads to further economic development. Moreover, reducing crime can improve health outcomes by reducing stress and anxiety levels among residents, for example. As a result, the community's general well-being can develop, leading to healthier lifestyle choices and more lively neighbourhoods. Furthermore, the longer a person lives in a gentrifying neighbourhood, the better their self-reported health, which does not differ by race or ethnicity, as observed in Los Angeles. Disadvantages of gentrification However, it is also essential to mention the drawbacks of gentrification, which are more numerous. In a qualitative study involving elderly participants, for example, one of them stated that, “The cost of living increases, but the money that people get by the end of the month is the same, this concerning those … even retired people, and people receiving the minimum wage, the minimum wage increases x every year, isn’t it? But it is not enough”. Elderly residents in Barcelona faced comparable challenges of residential displacement between 2011 and 2017 due to younger adults with higher incomes and those pursuing university education moving into the city. These cases spotlight how gentrification can raise the cost of living without an associated boost in earnings, making it problematic for people with lower incomes or vulnerable individuals to live in these areas. Likewise, a census from gentrified neighbourhoods in Pittsburgh showed that participants more typically conveyed negative health changes and reduced resources. Additionally, one study examined qualitative data from 14 cities in Europe and North America and commonly noticed that gentrification negatively affects the health of historically marginalised communities. These include threats to housing and monetary protection, socio-cultural expulsion, loss of services and conveniences, and raised chances of criminal behaviour and compromised public security. This can be equally observed during green gentrification, where longtime historically marginalised inhabitants feel excluded from green or natural spaces, and are less likely to use them compared to newer residents. To mitigate these negative impacts of gentrification, inclusive urban renewal guidelines should be drafted that consider vulnerable populations to boost health benefits through physical and social improvements. The first step would be to provide residents with enough information and establish trust between them and the local authorities because any inequality in providing social options dramatically affects people’s health-related behaviours. Intriguingly, gentrification has been shown to increase the opportunity for exposure to tick-borne pathogens by populations staying in place, displacement within urban areas, and suburban removal. This increases tick-borne disease risk, which poses a health hazard to impacted residents ( Figure 2 ). As for mental health, research has indicated that residing in gentrified areas is linked to greater levels of anxiety and depression in older adults and children. Additionally, one study found young people encountered spatial disconnection and affective exclusion due to gentrification and felt disoriented by the quickness of transition. Therefore, all of these problems associated with gentrification reveal that it can harm public health and well-being, aggravating disparities and creating feelings of isolation and aloneness in impacted communities. Conclusion Gentrification is a complicated and controversial approach that has noteworthy consequences for the health of neighbourhoods. Its advantages include enhanced infrastructure and boosted economic prospects, potentially leading to fairer access to healthcare services and improved health outcomes for residents. However, gentrification often leads to removal and the loss of affordable housing, which can harm the health of vulnerable populations. Therefore, it is vital for policymakers and stakeholders to carefully evaluate the likely health effects of gentrification and enforce alleviation strategies to safeguard the well-being of all citizens (see Table 1 ). Written by Sam Jarada Related article: A perspective on well-being REFERENCES WHO. Health and Well-Being. Who.int . 2015. Available from: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/major-themes/health-and-well-being Sartorius N. The meanings of health and its promotion. Croatian Medical Journal. 2006;47(4):662–4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080455/ Krahn GL, Robinson A, Murray AJ, Havercamp SM, Havercamp S, Andridge R, et al. It’s time to Reconsider How We Define Health: Perspective from disability and chronic condition. Disability and Health Journal. 2021 Jun;14(4):101129. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936657421000753 Svalastog AL, Donev D, Jahren Kristoffersen N, Gajović S. Concepts and Definitions of Health and health-related Values in the Knowledge Landscapes of the Digital Society. Croatian Medical Journal. 2017 Dec;58(6):431–5. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5778676/ Foryś I. Gentrification on the Example of Suburban Parts of the Szczecin Urban Agglomeration. remav. 2013 Sep 1;21(3):5–14. Uribe-Toril J, Ruiz-Real J, de Pablo Valenciano J. Gentrification as an Emerging Source of Environmental Research. Sustainability. 2018 Dec 19;10(12):4847. Schnake-Mahl AS, Jahn JL, Subramanian SV, Waters MC, Arcaya M. Gentrification, Neighborhood Change, and Population Health: a Systematic Review. Journal of Urban Health. 2020 Jan 14;97(1):1–25. Project Gallery The chemistry of an atomic bomb | Scientia News Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link The chemistry of an atomic bomb Julius Oppenheimer Julius Robert Oppenheimer, often credited with leading the development of the atomic bomb, played a significant role in its creation in the early 1940s. However, it is essential to recognize the collaborative effort of many scientists, engineers, and researchers who contributed to the project. The history and chemistry of the atomic bomb are indeed fascinating, shedding light on the scientific advancements that made it possible. The destructive power of an atomic bomb stems from the rapid release of energy resulting from the splitting, or fission, of fissile atomic nuclei in its core. Isotopes such as uranium-235 and plutonium-239 are selected for their ability to undergo fission readily and sustain a self-sustaining chain reaction, leading to the release of an immense amount of energy. The critical mass of fissionable material required for detonation ensures that the neutrons produced during fission have a high probability of impacting other nuclei and initiating a chain reaction. To facilitate a controlled release of energy, neutron moderation plays a crucial role in the functioning of an atomic bomb. Neutrons emitted during fission have high velocities, making them less likely to be absorbed by other fissile material. However, by employing a moderator material such as heavy water (deuterium oxide) or graphite, these high-speed neutrons can be slowed down. Slowing down the neutrons increases the likelihood of their absorption by fissile material, enhancing the efficiency of the chain reaction and the release of energy. The sheer magnitude of the energy released by atomic bombs is staggering. For example, one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of uranium-235 can undergo complete fission, producing an amount of energy equivalent to that released by 17,000 tons (17 kilotons) of TNT. This tremendous release of energy underscores the immense destructive potential of atomic weapons. It is essential to note that the development of the atomic bomb represents a confluence of scientific knowledge and technological advancements, with nuclear chemistry serving as a foundational principle. The understanding of nuclear fission, the critical mass requirement, and the implosion design were key factors in the creation of the atomic bomb. Exploring the chemistry behind this devastating weapon not only provides insights into the destructive capabilities of atomic energy but also emphasises the responsibility that accompanies its use. In conclusion, while Oppenheimer's contributions to the development of the atomic bomb are significant, it is crucial to acknowledge the collective effort that led to its creation. The chemistry behind atomic bombs, from the selection of fissile isotopes to neutron moderation, plays a pivotal role in harnessing the destructive power of nuclear fission. Understanding the chemistry of atomic weapons highlights the remarkable scientific achievements and reinforces the need for responsible use of atomic energy. By Navnidhi Sharma Project Gallery View All Forum Posts (19) Quizzes #3 In Questions & Answers · 15 February 2023 Form of energy which is due to an object/ particle's motion? A. Kinetic energy B. Gravitational potential energy C. Potential energy D. Thermal energy 0 1 16 Quizzes #5 In Questions & Answers · 4 March 2023 0 1 22 Forum rules In General Discussion · 13 December 2022 We want everyone to get the most out of this community, so we ask that you please read and follow these guidelines: Respect each other Keep posts relevant to the forum topic No spamming 1 0 6 View All