Do you really know?

Scented candles, air fresheners and even scented cleaning products are all designed to make your home smell nice, clean and fresh. But using them can reduce the air quality of your home and lead to a variety of potential problems.   For many people, most of their time is spent indoors and, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of indoor air pollutants are typically more...

Don’t you just hate it when you see a rich and famous person wearing worn-out trainers or patched clothes, pretending to do a mundane 9 to 5 job, or hanging out in a shabby home decor as if it were stylish. It’s especially irksome when it’s someone who’s been born into money, isn’t it? And when you realise that the apparently shabby items they’re wearing actually come with a price tag that’s out o...

November is synonymous with Black Friday, great deals but what cost? Over consumption is endangering our already fragile planet. Is it time to change our ways? This week Do You Really Know is highlighting concepts and initiatives about reducing our consumption. ‘Tis the season to spend, spend, spend! In the lead up to Christmas we are bombarded with adverts trying to make us buy but this year migh...

On 29th October 2022, 20,000 people were celebrating Halloween in the Itaewon neighbourhood of Seoul in South Korea. One particularly narrow street became very overcrowded, and a huge crush ensued, leading to the deaths of 153 people, with many more injured. A month later, we still don’t know exactly what caused the crush.  One of the theories out there is that a rumour spread in the crowd, leadin...

Between 7th and 14th of octobre 2024, Nobel Prize award ceremony take place in Stockholm. Like every year, it’s held on 10th December, to coincide with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. Tradition also dictates that the Prize laureates are announced in October. This year’s laureates include Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger in Physics, Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morton Meldal and K...

All week long, we’re looking into 10 new terms and concepts that are certain to be on everyone’s lips in 2023! Despite the fact that we’re in 2023, there’s still a certain squeamishness when it comes to discussions about menstruation, including in the workplace. But that might be about to change in Europe, due to a measure that was recently approved by the lower house of Spain’s parliament... In m...

Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, gift-giving and of course decorating. For the most part people tend to stick to ‘Christmassy colours’ especially red and green but these ‘traditional’ Christmas colours have a long history and symbolism. Arielle Eckstut, author of The Secret Language of Color found that holly, with its green leaves and red berries has long played a role in winter solstice c...

As winter quickly approaches, you might find yourself yearning to spend your evenings nestled on the couch, wrapped in a cosy blanket, sipping on hot tea or cocoa, all while enjoying a comforting movie – and ideally, with some company. You know, someone to share cuddles with. Who is that someone? Well, that's what cuffing season is all about. Think of it as the time of year when temperatures drop,...

All week long, we’re looking into 10 new terms and concepts that are certain to be on everyone’s lips in 2023! In December 2022, New York magazine ran a cover which got a lot of attention. It featured the heads of a number of Hollywood celebs like Lily-Rose Depp, Ben Platt, Dakota Johnson and Zoe Kravitz, all edited onto babies’ bodies. In the centre of the page the bright pink headline read: “She...

It’s well known that women can often have multiple orgasms in succession, an ability which is much less common, and more complex, for men.   That’s because for men orgasm usually happens alongside ejaculation, which is followed by a refractory period. During this time, no matter the type or amount of stimulation, it’s impossible for them to achieve another erection. This phase gives the body time...

Whether it’s pizza, chocolate, ice cream or French fries, you’ve no doubt noticed that your favourite guilty pleasure food just seems to be so addictive! You start eating and you just can’t stop. Why is that then? Actually, it’s because of their high sugar, fat or salt content. Unfortunately, some highly processed foods contain a combination of all three. That can lead to a dopamine surge, which i...

In early 2023, dating site Eharmony released findings from a survey of over 1000 singletons. The research found that on average they spent 55 minutes per day logged in to the dating app, with six conversations on the go at the same time. Despite that, as many as 70% of those surveyed felt heavy dating app usage had a negative impact on their mental health. Spending so much energy on dating can get...

In a world where “the early bird gets the worm,” staying up late is often mistaken for laziness or a lack of discipline. But what if it’s not about motivation at all? It turns out, being a morning person or a night owl has little to do with willpower. As Dr. Jimmy Mohammed explains, we’re simply wired differently: some people wake up refreshed before dawn, others come alive long after sunset. So w...

In Tim Burton’s 2004 film “The Corpse Bride,” groom to be Victor, rehearses his wedding vows in the forest to calm his anxiety. However, he mistakenly slips the ring onto what he thinks is a tree branch but is actually the finger of Emily, the corpse of a mysterious young woman in a bridal gown. Victor then finds himself immersed in the colorful and joyful world of the dead. But it is not just fai...

Research published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia suggested that there are nearly 3 million general anesthesia procedures in the UK each year.  You might already be aware that there are various different types of anesthesia: local, which numbs a small area of the body; regional, which numbs a larger part; and general, typically used for major or lengthy surgeries, where the patient is compl...

We’re only a few weeks from the official start of summer, but you wouldn’t guess it given the wet conditions that we’ve seen for most of spring 2024. According to BBC News, March, April and May 2024 have all been among the wettest on record for their respective months. So don't put away your umbrella just yet! Beyond the obvious inconvenience of getting caught in a downpour, many people believe th...

Committing to a romantic relationship is by its very nature a significant transition in a person’s life. And that can often be a source of stress or conflict between two partners.  For example one partner might want to move in together, get married, or have a child, while the other simply won’t entertain the thought. For some people, fear of commitment is just a way to delay decisions. But for oth...

Whether they’re soft-boiled, fried, poached, or whipped into cakes and pies, eggs are a kitchen favorite for good reason. In the UK the average person consumes about 175 eggs per year, that’s about 3 eggs weekly.  They are packed with vitamins D, E, A, and B12, plus minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium, making eggs a healthy choice. They’re also brimming with essential fatty acids—omega 3, 6, a...

Every year it’s the same old story: autumn arrives, the trees start shedding their leaves, and somehow we also just feel drained. There’s less daylight, more fatigue, zero motivation and as it turns out, it’s not all in your head. This seasonal tiredness has even been given the name pumpkin spice fatigue. That’s right, like the coffee! Why do we get so tired then? What’s the best way to shake it o...

Our brain, much like our muscles, benefits from its own form of exercise. Through dedicated training and stimulation, we can enhance our cognitive abilities, a testament to the remarkable phenomenon known as ‘neural plasticity’. Neural plasticity is the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and reorganise itself. According to the Foundation for Brain Research, when we encounter a new concept, our br...

Do you ever feel bad about swearing out of frustration? You know, when someone cuts in front of you while you're driving, you stub your toe or you accidentally delete an important file from your phone or PC.  Well its understandable if you want to keep your emotions under control, or not set a bad example to any children around you. But maybe you shouldn't actually feel bad. It turns out that sayi...

Towels, used to dry our freshly washed bodies, quickly become dirty, collecting dead skin cells, perspiration, bacteria and fungi that thrive in damp environments. This can lead to fungal infections and skin problems. To manage this, use separate towels for the body and face, and ensure they are thoroughly dried between uses to minimise bacterial growth. Experts recommend washing towels at a high...

Walking is something we all do every day, but did you know it has numerous health benefits? It’s not just a simple way to get from point A to point B; walking can improve cardiovascular health, boost your mood, and even enhance your overall well-being. According to specialists, it can also help you lose weight under certain conditions. By incorporating regular, brisk walks into your routine, you c...

A Swiss survey from 2023 suggests they do: 73% of women said they never watch pornography, compared to just 17% of men. Talking about porn consumption is still taboo and even more so for women. Sexologist and psychotherapist Patrizia Anex says that’s no surprise. Admitting to watching and enjoying porn is still frowned upon, she explains. Many women do it quietly, fearing judgment. But do women ac...

Let’s face it, life throws curveballs at us—being stuck in traffic, a demanding boss, or even chores piling up at home. Anger is a natural response, but unchecked, it can wreak havoc on our personal and professional lives. Slow down and above all breathe! Breathing is crucial for getting rid of anger. By fully oxygenating the brain, it switches from a fight or flight reaction to immediate relaxati...