Do you really know?

Today, we're going to talk about a condition that affects millions of people around the world, but is rarely discussed openly. It's called shy bladder syndrome, or paruresis, and it's a type of social anxiety disorder that makes it difficult or impossible to pee in public restrooms or with people nearby. This happens when people are psychologically blocked, which tightens the sphincters - muscles...

The infamous little belly bulge located around the abdomen can be a source of self-consciousness for many people. Getting rid of it is often one of the main motivations for people looking to lose weight. However, reducing or shedding this abdominal fat can prove to be quite the challenge. But belly fat, also known as visceral fat, isn't only a cosmetic concern. It’s a serious risk factor for many...

Algae is an aquatic plant that grows in most fresh and saltwater bodies across the world. There are over 40,000 species of algae, and they range in size from microscopic to giant kelp and seaweed plants. Many species of algae are edible, and have been consumed for thousands of years by humans for their unique taste and nutritional benefits. Algae is highly nutritious. In most algae types, you will...

Self-deprecation can be an endearing trait in some people. After all, it’s important not to take oneself too seriously, isn’t it? But when pick me boys, the subject of today’s episode, talk badly about themselves, they do so in a manipulative way, in the hope that it will bring them closer to women they’re attracted to. The term “pick me boy” first emerged on social media in early 2021. According...

According to estimations from the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals charity, UK households are home to around 11 million pet cats. Cats have long been an integral part of human culture, and that has given rise to certain beliefs and superstitions. That’s particularly true when it comes to black cats, who have been associated with bad luck and misfortune for centuries. The association between bl...

If you like to take a short nap during the day you might be doing your brain a favor. According to a study published in the journal Sleep Health in June of 2023, people who have a genetic predisposition to napping regularly have larger brain volumes than those who don’t. This suggests that napping may protect against brain shrinkage, which occurs faster in people with cognitive problems and neurod...

The UK’s Online Safety Bill has been in the pipeline for a number of years now, and is currently being considered by the House of Lords. The proposed bill has caused a lot of controversy due to its broad ambitions and a perceived threat to people’s privacy. But it’s been welcomed in some quarters, and in particular by children’s charities like the NSPCC, who say that it’s needed to tackle grooming...

We all know about the physical consequences of having an unbalanced diet, and one that includes a lot of junk food in particular. In the short term eating lots of it can lead a person to put on weight and see their blood pressure increase, while it can also potentially lead to long-term conditions like diabetes or heart disease. But studies are increasingly clear on the fact that junk food can als...

The Diocese of Orlando, the capital city of the state of Florida, covers a large part of the state. It represents more than 400,000 Catholic residents, and believe it or not, the Moon too! According to the Code of Canon Law drafted in 1917, any newly discovered territory falls under the jurisdiction of the bishop from where the discovery expedition originated. What is the Code of Canon Law ? Who w...

Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among young people. A 2022 report from Action on Smoking and Health found that an estimated 4.3 million people vape in Great Britain, a figure that is massively up from 800,000 a decade ago. It’s often touted as a safer alternative to smoking, but have you ever wondered what it actually does to your body? Or whether it comes with i...

The “no-wash” movement is a trend that involves washing clothes and hair less often, or not at all, for environmental, economic, or practical reasons. Some followers of this movement claim that frequent laundering is unnecessary for maintaining clean, odor-free clothing. They also argue that washing less can save water, energy, money, and time doing chores. However, not everyone is convinced by th...

Following the release of her latest album Motomami, Rosalia Vila Tobella was called a visionary and compared to artists like M.I.A. and Madonna by the Wall Street Journal.  It’s fair to say she seems destined to be one of the biggest pop stars of her generation. So let’s take a moment to discuss the career of a singer who is winning critical and popular acclaim with everything she does. How did sh...

The origins of Covid-19 still remain somewhat hazy, over three-and-a-half years since the virus began spreading across the world. That has led to a number of prominent conspiracy theories, with 25% of people in the UK believing that Covid was definitely or probably a hoax. That finding was part of an April 2023 survey by Savanta for King’s College London and the BBC. It also established that belie...

Love is without doubt one of the most fascinating and elusive topics in human psychology. You might have wondered at some point just what it is that makes romantic relationships work, and whether there are objective criteria that help.  As we delve into the realm of human emotions and relationships, let’s discuss the Triangular Theory of Love. It was proposed by American psychologist Robert Sternb...

Nicknamed the "seventh continent" or “trash vortex" the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an expanding mass consisting of 1.8 trillion plastic waste pieces in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. According to a study by NGO The Ocean Cleanup, which was published in Scientific Reports in 2018, it covers an area of 620,000 square miles, which is bigger than France, Germany and Spain combined. How was it fo...

Those are no doubt familiar instructions if you’ve ever taken a plane. Today's topic is one that has been a part of our digital lives for quite some time: Flight Mode. Have you ever wondered why this feature exists on our devices, and what purpose it serves beyond just flying on airplanes?  The main function of Flight Mode is to disable your device's cellular radio. This includes the mobile networ...

Smartphones only really entered our lives within the last 10 to 15 years, but they’ve since become indispensable. And it can even be hard to put them down when nighttime falls. According to Reviews.org, 60% of Americans sleep with their phone at night. How about you? You may think that having your phone next to you in bed is harmless, or even helpful. But did you know that sleeping with your phone...

One year ago, the whole world was shocked by the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022. He was brutally shot in public while giving a speech at a campaign in the city of Nara. The attacker, a 41 year old former marine, was arrested on the spot. In the time since the assassination, some details have emerged of the killer’s motives. It seems to have been an act of r...

Have you ever matched with someone on a dating app, had a great conversation, agreed to meet up in real life and then, at the last minute, they cancel on you or stop responding altogether? It might sound counterintuitive but it’s actually surprisingly common. To the extent that a term has been coined to label it, and that’s gophering. The name gophering comes from the animal gopher, which is known...

Perfectionism is the tendency to set excessively high and unrealistic standards for oneself and others, and to evaluate one’s worth based on the ability to meet those standards. Perfectionists are not satisfied with anything less than flawless results, and they often fear failure, criticism, or disappointment but constantly striving for perfection can have serious consequences.  How does perfectio...

According to a World Meteorological Organisation report from May 2023, it’s now more likely than not that global temperatures will surpass the key milestone of 1.5°C warming. This is of course down to human-related greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the El Nino weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean, which was confirmed to have started as of early June. Of course the long term impact of such wa...

With the warmer weather that summer brings, it’s especially important to be aware of the best techniques for freezing food before it goes bad. This ensures food safety and minimises waste. Furthermore, proper freezing techniques help preserve the taste, texture, and nutritional value of the food. You might think it’s as simple as bunging something in the freezer and leaving it there for as long as...

You’ve probably heard of a sweet tooth, the term for people who love sugary foods and desserts. But you might be less familiar with a salt tooth. In other words a  preference for salty foods, such as crisps, olives, cheese and other salty things.  According to a study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions meeting in 2016, there is a genetic basis for your salt cravings....

According to a 2022 study by Direct Line life insurance, 71% of British adults fail to get the recommended 7 to 9 hours sleep per night. Many people struggle with getting to sleep, and if you use Tiktok, you may well have seen clips of people talking about methods for overcoming that problem. Brain tapping, as found on TikTok, actually combines two techniques. The first one was invented by Jim Don...

When summer comes, there are many opportunities to go for a few drinks, whether that be post-work with colleagues or on holiday with friends or family. Not to mention barbecues, family meals and outings on the weekend. It’s pretty easy to end up drinking several nights a week. Bear in mind that according to the NHS, a low-risk consumption of alcohol is 14 units per week or less. But 21% of adults...