Deep Brain Stimulation: The Unforeseen Swimming Ban
Ah, the wonders of science! Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is usually hailed as the miracle cure for those unlucky souls battling Parkinson’s disease. But hold the applause— a new study suggests that after implantation, nine patients (two once-great swimmers included) apparently traded in their life vests for a heavy dose of “sink or swim”. Who knew that curing your tremors would come at the price of your aquatic prowess? As it turns out, DBS can throw a wrench into other motor skills too, like swinging a golf club—because, clearly, we all need a little less coordination in life!
Ketamine: The Unexpected Alcohol Friend?
Next up in our chemical cocktail of hopes and dreams is a ketamine-based intervention designed for heavy drinkers. Why bother with traditional AA meetings when you can just hallucinate your way to sobriety? Researchers dish out a single dose to party animals, aiming to scramble their associations between beer’s alluring whispers and that oh-so-rewarding sensation of crushing a cold one. Months later, participants are downing fewer pints, clearly unsure if they just went through therapy or a psychedelic experience. Cheers to that!
Accent Bias: A Study in Stereotypes
Devyani Sharma at The Conversation reminds us that we all have our biases—like the fact that we think people with a French accent are somehow more cultured than those with a thick Scottish brogue. These biases often serve as a shortcut in our thought processes, and that’s where the irony kicks in. When we judge someone’s capabilities based on accent, we might as well be using a magic eight ball—because who needs accurate assessments when discrimination is so much easier?
The Hunger Games: Not How You Think
Benedict Carey from The New York Times takes a decidedly unappetizing bite out of the myth of “hanger.” Apparently, being hungry doesn’t always transform us into irritable beasts. Research shows that we only get ‘hangry’ in situations where we misinterpret that delightful twinge in our stomachs as annoyance towards others. Spoiler alert: even the hungriest folks still manage to show kindness—might want to double-check that “are you hungry or are you just rude?” assumption.
Teenagers and Their Phones: A Nuanced Addiction
This week, headlines screamed about a shocking revelation: one in four teenagers is “addicted” to their phones! Stop the press— what’s next, water is wet? Clare Wilson at New Scientist dives into the murky waters of this topic, revealing that the media may have gotten a tad carried away. Turns out the reality is way more complex than just teens glued to their screens—who would’ve thought that a nuanced discussion could be more interesting than a viral headline?
Handwritten Notes: The Old-Fashioned Hipster
In an unexpected showdown between pen and keyboard, Claudia Hammond for BBC Future argues that writing lecture notes by hand might actually be better for your brain than typing. Apparently, when you scrawl things down on paper, your neurons engage in a brain tango that typing doesn’t quite ignite. Looks like we might all need to dust off those old notebooks. Who knew being a hipster in the classroom could lead to better grades?
Black Friday: A Retail Reality Show
And finally, it’s Black Friday—a day that has risen to prominence faster than a turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. Whatever your feelings about this retail extravaganza, it’s clear that retailers have mastered the art of psychological warfare. If you’re looking to up your shopping game and avoid becoming a reality show contestant in the hunt for deals, check out BBC Bitesize’s guide. Spoiler: don’t fall for the 70% off on that “exclusive” air fryer, because it’s the same price it was last Tuesday. Happy saving!
