Global Air Quality Has Significantly Improved Since COVID-19 Pandemic
Razi Berry Levels of two major air pollutants have been drastically reduced since lockdowns began in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a secondary pollutant — ground-level ozone — has increased in China, according to new research. Nitrogen dioxide pollution over northern China, Western Europe and the U.S. decreased by as much as 60% in […]
Self-Nudging May Help You Make Better Choices
Razi Berry Despite better knowledge, we often make choices that aren’t good for us — and feel bad about it later. It’s possible to strengthen our self-control by making simple changes to our environment. Researchers from the University of Helsinki and the Max Planck Institute for Human Development describe how that can be achieved in […]
Gardening at Home is Great for Well-Being, Especially During a Pandemic
The researchers found that home gardening was among the top five activities in terms of how meaningful an activity felt to people while engaging in it.
Multitasking Could Lead to Negative Work Culture
Razi Berry From writing papers to answering emails, it’s common for office workers to juggle multiple tasks at once. But those constant interruptions can actually create sadness, fear and eventually, a tense working environment, according to a new study aimed at understanding what shapes the emotional culture of a workplace. Could constant interruptions induce sadness, […]
Blood Sugar Regulation Impacts Disease Severity in Those with T2D
Razi Berry A study reported in the journal Cell Metabolism on April 30 adds to the evidence that people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at greater risk of a poor outcome should they become infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. But there is some encouraging news: people with T2D whose blood sugar is well controlled […]
Study Links Dietary Selenium and Outcome of COVID-19
Razi Berry An international team of researchers, led by Professor Margaret Rayman at the University of Surrey, has identified a link between the COVID-19 cure rate and regional selenium status in China. Possible links between selenium levels in the body and cure or death rates of those with the COVID-19 virus Publishing their findings in […]
How Hangovers Affect ‘Core Executive Functions’
Razi Berry A new study from psychologists at the University of Bath highlights the true impact of heavy drinking on our ability to plan, set goals and make decisions the following day. Published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, the study provides new evidence as to why hangovers cost the wider economy so much. New […]
New study shows just how important ‘being fun’ is & why it matters for a child’s social network
Razi Berry With children currently cooped up at home with limited access to their friends, a new study shows just how important it is to have fun and what that means in a child’s social circle. Children who are well-liked and children who are popular enjoy tremendous advantages in the peer group. WELL-LIKED CHILDREN AND […]
Your Kids Can Tell When You’re Stressed
Razi Berry Stress is common in a family setting, especially when people are spending so much time together under stay-at-home measures meant to slow the spread of COVID-19. New research finds that parents suppressing feelings of stress around their kids can actually transmit those feelings to the children. Parents suppressing stressful feelings around their kids […]
Environmental Factors in COVID-19 Deaths: Nitrogen Dioxide
Razi Berry Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air may be associated with a high number of deaths from Covid-19. Elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide associated with a high number of deaths from Covid-19, study finds A new study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) provides concrete data that backs this assumption for the […]