Social drinking after work is traditionally seen as an important way to build relationships in East Asia. There’s sometimes even a fear that missing out could leave you on the back foot when climbing the career ladder. However, a joint paper looking at the drinking habits and economic situation of working men in Japan, Taiwan...
Health
Worldwide, Those with ‘Traditional’ Values Adhered More Strictly to Covid Precautions
Given the battles over COVID-19 rules and recommendations in the United States over the past three years, the findings of a new UCLA-led study may come as a bit of a shock: Globally, those who professed to hold traditional values tended to adhere more closely to coronavirus-prevention measures than those who considered themselves more liberal....
Impact of Coronavirus on States’ Fertility Rates Tracked with Economic, Social, and Political Divides
Experts have found that at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, Americans chose not to become pregnant as they grappled with stay-at-home restrictions, anxiety, and economic hardship. Now, a new study led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine shows that some states actually experienced steeper decreases in fertility than others....
U of I Study Gives a Thumbs Up to Carefully Formulated Vegan Diets for Dogs
In today’s pet food market, there are products to match nearly every lifestyle, value system, and price point pet owners demand, including vegan formulations. New University of Illinois research shows at least two human-grade, lightly cooked vegan diets provide adequate nutrition for dogs. “The trends of vegan foods and human grade foods are increasing for...
Picture a Dream: Dream Collaboration’ for Neuroscientists and Artists
Dreams are being turned into reality as new research investigating the unusual experiences of people with depersonalisation symptoms is being brought to life in an art exhibition at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, England. ARU neuroscientist Dr Jane Aspell has led a major international study into depersonalisation, funded by the Bial Foundation. The “Living...
Use of Melatonin Linked to Decreased Self-Harm in Young People
Medical sleep treatment may reduce self-harm in young people with anxiety and depression, an observational study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden suggests. The risk of self-harm increased in the months preceding melatonin prescription and decreased thereafter, especially in girls. The study is published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Melatonin is a hormone that controls...
Mocktails or Cocktails? Having a Sense of Purpose in Life Can Keep Binge Drinking at Bay
A new study reveals that having a sense of purpose in daily life can influence college students’ decisions on day-to-day alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol use is common among college students—and as a consequence, it puts young adults at risk for a wide range of health issues, from cardiovascular disease to cancer. Day in and day...
Using Running to Escape Everyday Stresses May Lead to Exercise Dependence Instead of Mental Wellbeing
Different kinds of escapism can motivate people to take part in running, but using running to escape from negative experiences rather than using it to escape to positive ones may lead to exercise dependence. Recreational running offers a lot of physical and mental health benefits – but some people can develop exercise dependence, a form...
Could Altering Vaginal Microbiome Treat Vaginal Dryness and Painful Sex During Menopause?
As women age, they are more susceptible to vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse because of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). A new study suggests that ospemifene and systemic hormone therapy both result in improving VVA symptoms and likely improve the vaginal microbiome by reducing potentially harmful bacteria and increasing health-promoting microorganisms. Study results are published online...
Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories That Spread Fastest Focused on Evil, Secrecy
In the early pandemic, conspiracy theories that were shared the most on Twitter highlighted malicious purposes and secretive actions of supposed bad actors behind the crisis, according to an analysis of nearly 400,000 posts. In the study, researchers identified commonalities in five of the most popular conspiracy theories: those related to Bill Gates, 5G Networks,...