Arms raised high. Banners denouncing the war in Gaza. Crowds united in song and wrapped in keffiyehs, the black-and-white checkered scarves that have become a badge of Palestinian identity. It could have been any other pro-Palestinian rally erupting over the Israel-Hamas war if it weren’t for the fact that these thousands of protesters were actually soccer fans...
Culture
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The State of Dating Report: How Gen Z Is Transforming Sexuality and Relationships
Feeld, the dating app for the curious, in collaboration with Dr. Justin Lehmiller of The Kinsey Institute, has released a groundbreaking report, “The State of Dating: How Gen Z is Redefining Sexuality and Relationships.” Released on World Sexual Health Day under the theme #PositiveRelationships, this report takes a deep dive into how Gen Z—shaped by global instability, digital immersion, and...
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Banning Friendships Can Backfire: Moms Who ‘Meddle’ Make Bad Behavior Worse
Delinquent activities almost always occur outside of the home and away from adult supervision, so it is only natural for parents to blame peers for their child’s bad behavior. Not surprisingly, many parents also assume that they can prevent future problems by limiting contact with suspicious peers. However, a new study cautions parents – especially...
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DEI Policies Work Best When They Are Designed to Include Everyone and Are Backed by Evidence
As the U.S. becomes increasingly polarized, diversity, equity and inclusion – also known as DEI – efforts have been touted as a way to bridge social divides and promote a sense of belonging for everyone, especially for those who have been traditionally excluded or marginalized. But in recent years, a backlash has set in, with...
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Why Is an Ultimate Goal Called a ‘Holy Grail?’
For decades, winning an Olympic medal has been described as the Holy Grail of sports. Athletes aren’t the only ones in search of a Holy Grail. For example, in 2012, when physicists discovered the Higgs boson, a particle viewed as one of the fundamental building blocks of the universe, it was described as “a true...
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Can a World Cup Run Drive Interest in a Nation? New Study Finds Evidence of the “Flutie Effect” Off the Field
Nearly four decades ago, Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie launched a game-winning, mid-field touchdown pass to upset the University of Miami on the game’s final play—prompting a subsequent surge in applications to the school in what has been dubbed the “Flutie Effect.” A team of NYU researchers has now found evidence of this effect beyond...
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Women and Social Exclusion: the Complicated Nature of Rejection and Retaliation
New research from the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) has provided a complicated glance into young women’s responses to interpersonal conflict, with retaliation often the answer to rejection and perceived social exclusion by other females. The study, published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, highlights the complicated nature of women’s interpersonal relationships by examining the stress arising from rejection, and...
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‘Authentic’ Ayahuasca Rituals Sought by Tourists Often Ignore Indigenous Practices and Spiritual Grounding
Ayahuasca, a sacred drink made from the stem and leaves of a tree vine, has many names: psychedelic brew, hallucinogenic tea, mood medicine and more. It is even known as a teacher or a healer for its reported ability to help a person turn inward and come into alignment with past traumas. The plant and...
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Only Around Half of Individuals Disclose or Believe They Should Reveal Having an STI Prior to Sexual Intercourse, Research To-Date Suggests
A review of research to-date reveals the complex nature of revealing a diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) to a partner ahead of engaging in sexual activity. With individuals experiencing a variety of feelings and emotions related to the prospect of disclosure, the research shows that only around half or fewer individuals felt able...
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2 Knights, 1 Horse − How a Legendary Knights Templar Symbol Has Puzzled and Fascinated Since the Middle Ages
The Knights Templar, a legendary monastic military order forged in the fires of the Crusades, continue to enthrall 21st-century audiences. From the time of their founding in 1119 C.E. to their dissolution in 1312 C.E., the Templars’ mission was to defend Christian kingdoms in the Holy Land against the various Muslim powers that sought to...
