2.1 C
Pakistan
type here...
Monday, December 23, 2024
Home Blog Page 7

Total Solar Eclipse of 2024: What’s so special about it?

Riza Siddiqui
-
0
Total Solar Eclipse of 2024: What’s so special about it?

On 8th April 2024, over many parts of the United States, Mexico, and Canada, a total solar eclipse will occur that will be different than the rest of the partial eclipses from the last seven years.

First, what is the difference between partial and total eclipses, and why should they be observed? Let’s dive into essential Solar Physics!

Solar Eclipse: A rare celestial alignment of the Sun and Moon

Solar eclipse is a phenomenon in which the Moon comes in between the Earth and Sun from the Earth’s point of view. This occurs in some parts of the world at a time. Only a fraction of the Sun is hidden behind the Moon when a partial solar eclipse occurs. In a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun.

Sun mathematics of total solar eclipse

The distance between the Earth and the Sun is four hundred times that between Earth and Moon. Also, the Sun is four hundred times wider than the Moon. Because of this, the Sun and Moon look the same size when seen from the Earth.

When a total solar eclipse occurs, the Moon completely hides the Sun. However, there is something else behind this mathematics. The diameter of the Moon and Sun is not precisely 1/400 by ratio; the Moon is slightly smaller than the Sun.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Sun is slightly visible behind the Moon as a “Ring of Fire”. Besides being a treat to the sight, this so-called ring of fire is significant in studying Sun’s corona (Sun’s outermost layer).

A visual depiction of how a total solar eclipse works. Credit: Business Insider
A visual depiction of how a total solar eclipse works. Credit: Business Insider

Studying Sun through its Corona

The Sun is made up of the fusion of Helium and Hydrogen gases. This, in turn, creates a plasma, which is the current of charged particles that escape the atom and are in constant motion concerning each other. The Sun’s outermost layer is what we call the “corona.” This layer contains a considerable amount of plasma, which is under the consideration of many scientists and researchers worldwide who want to study the behavior and effect of the Sun units’ plasma on Earth.

When total solar eclipses occur, it benefits scientists to closely observe the Sun’s corona because that is when only the corona is visible on the Earth.

The Sun’s outermost layer is what we call the “corona.” Credit: theconversation.com
The Sun’sSun’srmost layer is what we call the “corona.” Credit: theconversation.com

Solar observatories or telescopes

Many observatories worldwide study the Sun’s plasma physics with the help of advanced solar telescopes that aim to provide accurate data of Sun’s activities throughout the year. Although they work the whole year, the best they can perform yearly is when there is a total solar eclipse. It is a massive opportunity for scientific enthusiasts to observe the Sun’s corona more accurately. At the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), NASA previously provided a lot of data on solar activity throughout each solar cycle.

What is a solar cycle?

The Sun completes its solar cycle every 11 years. So far, 24 solar cycles have been completed. The record-keeping began in 1755. Currently, we are in the 25th solar cycle. The solar cycle is the period in which we calculate every activity of the Sun. From Sunspot numbers (dark spots on the Sun cooler temperatures) to solar wind activity (constant streams of charged particles and magnetic fields), this is calculated for a complete eleven years.

Throughout these eleven years of the cycle, the Sun has some years when its activity is less than average. This is known as “solar minimum”. And when the Sun’s activity is recorded higher than average, it is known as “solar maximum”. Solar maximum is the time when it is very beneficial for us to observe and study the Sun precisely. As of 2024, this is the year of solar maximum for the 25th solar cycle.

Total solar eclipse in 2017

The last total solar eclipse that occurred was in 2017, August 21. It happened in many states of the U.S., throwing a shadow of the Moon. If we talk about solar eclipses in Pakistan, the following data could be considered:

Solar eclipses in Pakistan

The partial solar eclipse was observed in Pakistan on 26 December 2019. This was the last solar eclipse of that year. Another partial solar eclipse happened on June 21, 2020. The previous observed solar eclipse in Pakistan was on 26 October 2022, which was also partial, with almost 40% coverage of the Sun; it lasted for around two hours.

Why are total solar eclipses so important to scientists?

Only its corona is visible when the Moon completely hides the Sun, which helps scientists study its sphere more clearly. This corona is otherwise too difficult to see because of the brightness of the Sun. Sun sun’sSun’sna is crucial in studying solar physics because it contains all the essential elements necessary to understand the Sun. Sun plasma constantly ejaculates from the Sun through solar flares and solar winds situated in the corona, which then comes to Earth, interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, and creates geomagnetic storms. These storms can be predicted if we study corona more carefully.

Why is the 2024 total solar eclipse important, and how is it different from the 2017 total solar eclipse?

This year’s total solar eclipse is different from the last total solar eclipse in 2017 in two ways. First, in 2017, the Moon was a bit farther from Earth than in 2024, meaning the eclipse will be longer.

Second, on April 8, 2024, the Sun be at its maximum activity, known as solar maximum. Massive eruptions, like Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), could be visible this year.

“If we get lucky, a CME will present itself as a twisted, spiral-like structure, high in the atmosphere in the sun,” Ryan French, a solar physicist at the National Solar Observatory in Boulder, Colorado, told Space.com.

CMEs are plasma and Sun’s magnetic field combined. According to the French, solar flares would also be visible. Solar flares are bursts of radio waves, gamma rays, x-rays, and visible rays from the Sun.

The April 2024 Eclipse

The eclipse will be visible in many U.S. regions, some parts of Mexico and Canada. It will begin from Mexico’s Pacific coast around 11:07 am PDT (11:07 pm PST). Other parts of the world, including Pakistan, will not be able to experience this eclipse, but still they can observe it live virtually from the following link by NASA:

Also, the following map illustrates the locations that will experience the total solar eclipse.

Map showing the path of the solar eclipse. Credit: greatamericaneclipse.com
Map showing the path of the solar eclipse. Credit: greatamericaneclipse.com

Next Total Solar Eclipse

The next total solar eclipse will occur on 12 August 2026. It will be visible to most parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including Russia, Canada, Greenland, and the U.S. A partial solar eclipse will be visible in Pakistan on 2 August 2027. It would start at around 1500 hours (PST) and end at 1600 hours. The maximum eclipse will be observed in Karachi with 29.5% obscuration.

For details, check https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/in/pakistan?iso=20270802.

Although this year’s total eclipse of the Sun will not be visible to Pakistan and many other parts of the world, it is still a massive opportunity for researchers residing in the U.S. and its nearby countries to observe and study it.

References:

Similar Posts: Be bewitched with these incredible Solar Eclipse photos

A Nobel Laureate’s Noble gesture for his Teacher

Scientia Staff
-
0
A Nobel Laureate’s Noble gesture for his Teacher

Dr. Abdus Salam was a Pakistani theoretical physicist who, in 1979, shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with US physicists Steven Weinberg and Sheldon Glashow for their groundbreaking research on the “electroweak unification theory.” Dr. Salam is the first Pakistani scientist to win the honorable Nobel Physics Prize.

Noble laureate Dr Abdus Salam
Noble laureate Dr Abdus Salam

From early on, Salam’s intelligence was visible; at the age of 14, he earned the highest marks in the Matriculation Examinations ever recorded during his time at the University of Punjab. Therefore, he was offered a scholarship by Government College Lahore in 1940 when he was 16. Salam’s humble upbringing was such that upon entering Lahore, a larger, more urbanized city, he saw an electric lightbulb for the first time in his life.

Three years later, In 1943, he published a scientific paper titled “A Problem of Ramanujan,” in which he solved a mathematical problem attempted by Ramanujan, who was considered a genius and prodigy in the realm of mathematics at that time, making this accomplishment quite a feat

Soon, his interest in Physics became evident, and he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Physics in two years, contrary to the three-year standard. He then completed his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at Cambridge, receiving a scholarship to attend the university. Soon, his interest in Physics became evident, and he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Physics in two years, which was contrary to the standard of three years. He then completed his Ph.D. in theoretical physics at Cambridge, receiving a scholarship to attend the university.

Dr. Abdus Salam received the Nobel Prize for Physics, shared with Steven Weinberg and Sheldon Glashow in 1979 “for their contribution to the theory of the unified weak and electromagnetic interaction between elementary particles, including the prediction of the weak neutral current”. Though all of them shared the Nobel Prize, each independently researched this topic. Dr. Abdus Salam conducted this research in the 1960s at the Imperial College of Science and Technology.

Dr Salam gesturing his mathematics teacher, Professor Anilendra Ganguly
Dr Salam gesturing his mathematics teacher, Professor Anilendra Ganguly.

A Noble Gesture

After winning the Nobel Prize in 1979, Dr. Abdus Salam requested the Indian government to find Professor Anilendra Ganguly, who had taught him mathematics in the pre-partition era at the Sanatan Dharma College in Lahore.

He had to wait for two years to meet his teacher and finally came to India on 19 January 1981 to pay his respects to Prof. Ganguly, who had shifted to Kolkata after the independence.

Prof. Ganguly was feeble and unable to even sit up and greet him when Dr. Salam visited him at his house. Dr. Salam took his Nobel medal and said ‘Sir, this medal is a result of your teaching and love of mathematics that you instilled in me.”

He then put the medal around his teacher’s neck and said, “This is your prize, Sir. It’s not mine.”

Noble moments; Professor Anilendra Ganguly hugs his student, Dr. Salam after he put his Nobel Prize medal around his neck.
Noble moments: Professor Anilendra Ganguly hugs his student, Dr. Salam, after he puts his Nobel Prize medal around his neck.

The gesture for his teacher by the Pakistani scientist was truly defying the barriers of nations and religions that had grown after the partition. It was the ultimate tribute to a teacher that went far beyond the borders of the nations.

Similar Posts: Remembering Dr. Salam: A meritorious journey to becoming the best in science

Meta fails to screen anti-trans hate content on its platforms

Scientia Staff
-
0
Meta fails to screen anti-trans hate content on its platforms

A recent report by GLAAD reveals the anti-trans content across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, are outnumbered. According to GLAAD, Meta has failed to adequately moderate extreme anti-trans hate, as evidenced by the continued presence of posts promoting harmful practices like conversion therapy, mass killing of transgender people, and derogatory slurs. 

Content like this often leads to mass harassment, with victims subjected to online abuse and real-life violence, as explained by GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a press release.

The report highlights that much of the anti-trans content violates multiple community standards, particularly Hate Speech, on Meta’s platforms and is often originally posted from high-follower accounts profiting from spreading hateful anti-LGBTQ narratives. 

These fear-mongering posts containing lies, conspiracy theories, and violent rhetoric drive engagement and revenue for both account owners and Meta, raising ethical concerns about the platform’s role in accelerating hate speech.

GLAAD’s report also raises concerns about the effectiveness of current content moderation practices and the accountability of social media platforms in combating hateful narratives.  

Despite calls from LGBTQ celebrities, public figures, and allies for more protection against anti-trans hate in an open letter in June 2023, Meta’s platforms continue to serve as breeding grounds for harmful content, highlighting systemic failures in addressing online extremism.

These findings stress the urgent need for social media companies like Meta to take concrete action against online hate speech targeting marginalized communities – particularly when they are scaling down their misinformation and hate speech moderation teams. 

The bulk of anti-trans content not only violates Meta’s community standards but also eternalizes harmful stereotypes and contributes to violence against transgender individuals.

Similar Posts: Metaverse and Pakistan– Merging the Parallel Worlds

“10 Must Knows” as a Guide to Preserving Biodiversity

Saadeqa Khan
-
0
“10 Must Knows” as a Guide to Preserving Biodiversity

From as-yet-undiscovered biodiversity to resilient forests and the impact of food consumption on nature, 64 experts have now published their knowledge and recommendations in the form of 10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science” for 2024. The Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity’s new report provides policymakers and society with concrete ways to effectively conserve and sustainably use biodiversity at the local, national, and European levels and thereby also mitigate climate change. With this publication, the researchers contribute current scientific facts to the debate on the German National Biodiversity Strategy, which is to be adopted before the next United Nations Biodiversity Conference in autumn 2024.

“We are already exceeding planetary boundaries in terms of global warming and biodiversity loss. Joint responses are needed to counter these crises. We know that preserving biodiversity can significantly contribute to mitigating climate change, for example, through biodiverse forests and rewetted peatlands that can act as carbon sinks. Only by focusing on measures to protect biodiversity can we succeed in tackling both crises at the same time,” says Kirsten Thonicke, lead author and Deputy Head of the Research Department “Earth System Analysis” at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), who coordinates the research network.

Following the great response to the “10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science,” first published in 2022, scientists from a total of 52 German and international research institutions have now contributed their expertise from the environmental, life, spatial, social, humanities, and economic sciences to the new version. “Our recommendations summarise the research available today for decision-makers. The Must-Knows are intended to provide guidance on how to implement the globally agreed biodiversity targets in the German context,” says author Sibylle Schroer from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB).

“This also includes the awareness that we only understand a relatively small part of biodiversity so far. Recognizing this fact is a crucial step towards more sustainable environmental policies. These policies should focus on ecosystem-based habitat management – and thus the functions and interactions between species and habitats, rather than just individual species and habitats.”

Concentrated Biodiversity knowledge from 64 experts across all disciplines

To implement the 23 global biodiversity targets agreed by United Nations member states at the UN Biodiversity Conference in December 2022 (COP 15), the German National Biodiversity Strategy 2030 is currently being developed. The strategy aims to preserve and protect biodiversity in Germany. In order to provide up-to-date facts from the scientific community, the first version of the “10 Must Knows” from 2022 was expanded to include numerous aspects and brought up to date with the help of current literature.

The new report addresses, among other things, how the impact of food consumption on biodiversity can be reduced in concrete terms: “Understanding and using biodiversity as a crucial production factor can help to stabilize yields, enhance agricultural resilience, and turn us all into biodiversity managers, whether we are producers or consumers,” says author Jens Freitag from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK). The authors offer practical suggestions for policymakers and provide citizens with specific options for taking action in society.

The BMBF Research Initiative for the Conservation of Biodiversity (FEdA) and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig collaborated on the project. The “10 Must Knows” were commented on by experts from politics, administration, science, and associations before publication.

Biodiversity conservation and health policy should be linked across sectors because an intact natural environment also promotes physical and mental health. Credits: Unsplash
Biodiversity conservation and health policy should be linked across sectors because an intact natural environment also promotes physical and mental health. Credits: Unsplash

The “10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science 2024”

1. Achieving climate and biodiversity protection together
2. Enabling a healthy life on a healthy planet
3. Considering undiscovered biodiversity
4. Linking linguistic, cultural, and biological diversity
5. Harmonising the diverse use of forest ecosystems and biodiversity conservation
6. Transforming agricultural and food systems
7. Protecting land and resources
8. Releasing transformative change through international collaboration and Education for Sustainable Development
9. Ensuring free access and open use of biodiversity-related data
10. Reducing biodiversity impacts from food consumption

Scientists who contributed to the “10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science”

A healthy planet is pivotal for our human health. Biodiversity conservation and health policy should be linked across sectors because an intact natural environment also promotes physical and mental health. We need a joint global action plan for biodiversity and health. Locally, cities and municipalities should actively work to protect and restore nature, including urban nature, as it positively impacts health and social well-being. – Aletta Bonn, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) Friedrich Schiller University Jena and German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig

National and international agreements on the protection of biodiversity require concrete numbers to implement, assess, and reward conservation measures. Research can only supply those numbers if biodiversity-related data, such as digital sequence information, are freely accessible, openly usable, standardized, and sustainably archived across national borders. – Christiane Hassenrück, IÖR

We should adapt our management practices and spatial planning to reconcile the diverse use of forest ecosystems with biodiversity conservation. This will enable us to counter the increasing negative impacts of climate change in forests while resolving trade-offs between competing forest-related policy objectives. – Mats Nieberg, PIK and European Forest Institute (EFI)

Diverse forests and forest structures are the basis for sustainable forest management and are of central importance to ensure forest ecosystem services under climate change. – Christopher P.O. Reyer, PIK

Currently, around 60 hectares of new settlements and transport areas are allocated in Germany every day. This means that the German government’s land-saving targets are becoming a distant prospect. Soils can no longer carry out their basic functions, their ecosystem services are being lost, and habitats are disappearing. The protection, development, and restoration of biodiversity must be given central consideration at all political and planning levels. This applies to international projects as well as to regional and municipal planning. –  Barbara Warner, Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association (ARL)

Spatial and landscape planning can deliver valuable concepts for the wider protection and restoration of habitats for plants and animals. These concepts must be implemented consistently and backed up with financial resources. Higher priority must be given to biodiversity protection and the development of habitats in spatial planning decisions on land use. – Wolfgang Wende, Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development

Halting the loss of biodiversity requires comprehensive and swift measures involving various economic and environmental sectors, tackled with great vigor. – Bernd Hansjürgens, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

The Earth’s true wealth lies in its immeasurable biological diversity. But it seems we humans are too short-tempered and short-sighted to handle this treasure with care. Many know the stock market better than nature’s portfolio of species. It is time to make biodiversity education a goal for all of us – for a biodiversity-friendly world of tomorrow. – Christoph Scherber, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB)

“10 Must Knows” (PDF): https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10837769

Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity: https://www.leibniz-biodiversitaet.de/en

Excessive use of Technology links with Neurochemistry of the Brain

Muniba Usman
-
0
Excessive use of Technology links with Neurochemistry of the Brain

Since technology has taken over, humans have become partially or entirely dependent upon technology and gadgets. Excessive use of technology has apparent interference with normal brain functioning. Before going to the depths of the topic, we need to comprehend the chemistry of the human brain.

How does the Human brain work?

The human brain is a complex structure, and no technology can surpass or become equivalent to this incredible mechanism of nature. “The brain is a symphony orchestra”, according to researcher Zack Y. Shan, head of the neuroimaging platform at the Thompson Institute at Australia’s University of the Sunshine Coast.

We are extensively exposed to our environment’s non-ionizing radiation (NIR). The most frequent sources of NIR are cell phone towers and mobile phones, which constantly emit potential microwave radiation (MWR). 

In recent years, the levels of these electromagnetic waves have increased manifold from artificial sources. It is alarming for human health, especially the central nervous system of the human brain, which is on the verge of all possible adverse effects of technology, as the brain absorbs 80 percent of the radiation emitted by mobile phones (Kesari et al., 2013). 

Radiation Exposure and neurochemistry

Radiations can cause long-lasting and irreversible changes in the overall chemistry of the brain. Modifying neuronal electrical activity increases the permeability of the Blood–Brain-Barrier (BBB) and causes disturbances in neurotransmitter release. 

With these changes in brain chemistry, multiple apparent changes like dizziness, lethargy, insomnia, headaches, behavioral changes, psychological issues, speech delays, memory deprivation, and cognitive instability may happen.

Radiations can cause long-lasting and irreversible changes in the overall chemistry of the brain.
Radiations can cause long-lasting and irreversible changes in the overall chemistry of the brain. Credit: Unsplash

Usage of AI and its impacts  on the brain  

AI has surpassed the limits beyond imagination in this era, specifically during the last three decades. Every age group is tech-savvy and seriously prone to the use of gadgets. Moreover, our lives have become digital. It won’t be a surprise if we say technology and gadgets have become one of our vital organs.

Besides, knowledge and information are easily accessible due to advancements in technology. It provides diverse platforms for kids and adults to gain information, increase cognition, and interact more efficiently and rapidly.

The realization that our brains are pliable, so the impact of technology and any other source we choose to get information from can positively and negatively affect our brain and interfere with neurochemistry along the synapsis.

Structural Changes in the Brain

Technology sparks the adverse onset of brain-related issues. It affects the neurochemistry of the brain center that monitors attention. Researchers from the United Kingdom and France have found that frequent exposure to technology media may contribute to the diminished gray matter of the anterior cingulate cortex; this area of the brain controls attention.

Multiple case studies have been demonstrated to draw a link between the use of computers, screen time, and the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 2014 meta-analysis indicated a correlation between media use and attention problems.

Impact on Cognitive and Brain Development

Screen time has adverse impacts on cognitive and brain development. In a recent review, children under two years of age were reported to spend over 1 hour each day in front of a screen; at the age of three years, the number exceeded three hours. 

It has been noted that increased screen time and less reading time have been associated with poor language and executive functioning development, particularly in very young children. Too much early exposure to the screen has halted the natural phenomena of speech and language development through lip movement.

Case studies also suggest infant behavioral problems, speech delays, and increased screen time were among several predicted factors. Increased screen time for infants, six to twelve months was linked to poorer early language development. In children of preschool age and older, digital media directed toward active learning can be educational, but only when supervised by parental interaction. 

Impaired emotional and social intelligence

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that parents should limit screen time for children aged two years or younger; at this stage, the brain is remarkably malleable. Early and prolonged exposure might risk the developing brain, mainly if it is sensitive to chronic exposure to smartphones, computers, tablets, or even televisions. Spending extensive periods with digital media is inversely proportionate to spending less time communicating face to face. 

A case study conducted by Kirsh and Mounts explored the hypothesis that playing video games would interfere with the ability to recognize emotions conveyed through facial expressions.

They examined the effects of playing video games on the recognition of facial expressions of emotions in 197 students (ages between 17 and 23 years). Participants played violent video games before watching a series of calm faces morphing into happy or angry faces. Then, all the participants were asked to identify the emotion quickly while the facial expression changed. 

The authors found that happy faces were identified faster than angry faces and that playing violent video games delayed happy-face recognition time.

brain and video games
A case study conducted by Kirsh and Mounts explored the hypothesis that playing video games would interfere with the ability to recognize emotions conveyed through facial expressions. Credits: Unsplash

Wearing out of the pleasure center of the brain

Dopamine is the neurotransmitter released in response to the stimulus of pleasure or excitement. When we take in near-constant technological inputs of text messages, videos on YouTube, video games, or pictures, the pleasure centers of our brain, which are (the ventral tegmental area, basal ganglia, and the nucleus acumens) can become hyperstimulated by dopamine.

The overstimulation of the brain’s pleasure centers becomes less responsive to various other enjoyable experiences like satiating your appetite for a meal, having conversations, reading a book, or holding hands. 

Reduced physical activity

Addiction to digital gadgets can preoccupy us indoors, causing us to need to catch up in outdoor experiences and physical activities. Our bodies need constant physical activity to strengthen our muscles and cardiovascular system. Studies have linked increased computer and technology use with a sedentary lifestyle and obesity (Fotheringham, Wonnacott, & Owen, 2000). 

Effects on Memory

Dependency on social media platforms to gain knowledge has adversely affected our memory store. Research shows that our IQs have reduced, and we remember less information by becoming dependent on Google and other platforms. Sparrow, Liu, and Wegner, 2011) conducted an interesting case study where the participants were asked to type 40 trivia facts. 

Half of them were told that the computer would save their work, and the other half were told the laptop would erase their work. Next, all of them were asked to write down as many trivia facts they could recall from their memory. The latter group performed much better than the former, who were told their work had been saved on the computer.

This decreased long-term and working memory phenomenon is often called the “Google Effect.” When we consider that some researchers believe cognitive conditions like Alzheimer’s disease could be associated with failing to maximize our mental capacities, the Google Effect becomes alarming.

Reduced Sleep

One of the adverse effects of technology on the human brain is the lack of sleep as induced by the excessive use of screens. LED (Light Emitting Diode) of computers and phone screens emit slow waves of blue light. The wavelength of this blue light interferes with the circadian rhythms that govern the brain’s sleep cycle. Exposure to LED screens causes changes in melatonin levels and, eventually, a reduced quality of sleep, which also results in poor cognition.

References:

  1. https://boonecenter.pepperdine.edu/relationship-iq/blog/posts/technology_effects_on_our_brains_and_bodies.htm#: ~:text=Technology%20Use%20Can%20Create%20Structural,%2 C%20personal%2C%20and%20professional%20tasks.
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7366948/
  3. Anderson M, Jiang J. Teens, social media & technology 2018. [Accessed June 4, 2018];Pew Research Center. May 31, 2018 Available
    at: http://www.pewinternet.org/2018/05/31/teens-social-media-technology-2018/ [Google Scholar]
  4. Ra CK, Cho J, Stone MD, et al Association of digital media use with subsequent symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among
    adolescents. JAMA. 2018;320(3):255–263. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Schou Andreassen C, Griffiths MD, Kuss DJ, et al The relationship between addictive use of social media and video games and symptoms of psychiatric disorders: a large-scale
  6. cross-sectional study. Psychol Addict Behav. 2016;30(2):252–262. Pediatrics. 2. Vol. 107. American Academy of Pediatrics,
    Committee on Public Education; 2001. American Academy of Pediatrics: children, adolescents, and television; pp. 423–426.
  7. Giedd JN. The digital revolution and adolescent brain evolution. J Adolescent Health. 2012;51(2):101–105.
  8. Radesky JS, Christakis DA. Increased screen time: implications for early childhood development and behavior. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2016;63(5):827–839.
  9. Horowitz-Kraus T, Hutton JS. Brain connectivity in children is increased by the time they spend reading books and decreased by the length of exposure to screen-based media. Acta Paediatr. 2018;107(4):685–693.
  10. Duch H, Fisher EM, Ensari I, et al Association of screen time use and language development in Hispanic toddlers: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Clin Pediatr (Phila) 2013;52(9):857–865.
  11. McDonald SW, Kehler HL, Tough SC. Risk factors for delayed social-emotional development and behavior problems at age two: the All Our Babies/Families (AOB/F) cohort results. Health Sci Rep. 2018;1(10):e82. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.82.
  12. Tomopoulos S, Dreyer BP, Berkule S, Fierman AH, Brockmeyer C, Mendelsohn AL. Infant media exposure and toddler development. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010;164(12):1105–1111.
  13. Cajochen C1, Frey S, Anders D, et al Evening exposure to a light-emitting diodes (LED)-backlit computer screen affects circadian physiology and cognitive performance. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2011;110(5):1432–1438.
  14. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891061819301024

More by the Author: Impacts of Carbon Footprints on the Water Cycle of Earth

Understanding ADHD: Exploring Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment Strategies

Zaryab Imran
-
0
Understanding ADHD: Exploring Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment Strategies

“ADHD is a performance disorder. You cannot perform the things you know how to do. It is not a knowledge disorder,” says Dr. Russell Alan Barkley, an American retired clinical neuropsychologist and a clinical professor of psychiatry. 

ADHD is a neurological disorder affecting children and their ability to perform function. It is characterized by patterns of inattention or difficulty in paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior involving the child’s development. Children with ADHD are often labeled as troublemakers. Inattention is the difficulty of consistently focusing on one task and staying organized. Inattention might include missing deadlines, difficulty following instructions and concentrating on one task, getting distracted, disorganizing tasks, forgetting or losing the necessary things, etc. 

Hyperactivity refers to a condition in which a person experiences continuous movement and a high energy level. Impulsivity is when a person loses self-control and does things without thinking. The adults may include the behaviors of making decisions impulsively and without thinking about their long-term results or consequences.

Hyperactivity-impulsivity includes the symptoms of constant motion, talking unnecessarily, interfering with others, speaking loud, aggression, poor time management, anti-social behavior, frustrations, stress, fidgetiness, nervousness, wriggling, restlessness, etc. The adults usually exhibit symptoms related to mood, impulsiveness, and low self-esteem. These symptoms do not appear suddenly, but people continue to experience them, affecting their daily functions. 

Commonly, people suffer from such conditions in their everyday lives, too. More often than not, they cannot recognize that they have ADHD because they think that symptoms like missing deadlines, forgetting meetings, or difficulties in everyday tasks are just the challenges of life. However, the condition of ADHD is when the symptoms are very severe and persistent. 

Types of ADHD

Usually, the symptoms of ADHD start appearing at the age of three and can continue to adulthood. Then, as they grow, the symptoms of inattention dominate during their school, daily tasks, classrooms, etc., and the adults seem to suffer more from impulsivity, restlessness, aggression, etc. The symptoms can be due to one factor or a combined effect of all conditions. 

Based on its symptoms, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has categorized ADHD into three types. 

Predominantly Inactive: In this category, people have symptoms of inattention and inactivity, like difficulty focusing, completing tasks, following guidelines, etc., for at least six months. This type of behavior is more common in girls and often goes undiagnosed because of unawareness and ignoring the symptoms. 

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: It includes the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness like fidgetiness, interrupting people, excessive talking, aggression, etc., that have been present for the past six months. 

Usually, the symptoms of ADHD start appearing at the age of three and can continue to adulthood.
Usually, the symptoms of ADHD start appearing at the age of three and can continue to adulthood. Credits: Unsplash

Combined Type: In this, the people display the combined symptoms of both conditions, including inactivity, impulsive behavior, and high activity levels for the last six months. This is the most common type of ADHD in people. 

What causes ADHD?

While addressing the causes of ADHD, researchers suggest a combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influencing ADHD. This psychiatric condition is heritable to the next generations and primarily develops the risk in siblings than the other population. Among the environmental factors are brain injuries, malnutrition, exposure to alcohol, smoke, or lead during pregnancy, and developmental problems in the central nervous system, premature birth all contribute to the cause of ADHD. 

In general, ADHD is more common in males than females, with a ratio of 5 to 1. In Pakistan, around 2.49% of the population has been diagnosed with ADHD. Sometimes, the symptoms of ADHD coexist with other mental problems like anxiety disorder, mood disorder, depression, stress, and learning disabilities that worsen the condition. 

Diagnosis of ADHD

Diagnosis of ADHD is essential. The sooner we recognize the patterns and start working on them, the better it is for the patient’s health. The diagnosis of ADHD seems complicated sometimes because the persons are unaware of the feelings or symptoms they are suffering from, or they can misunderstand the symptoms of other disorders with ADHD. 

For diagnosis of ADHD, the symptoms must be present from an early age before 12 years, at least appeared constantly for six months, must be chronic or long-lasting, present in two or more settings like home, school, workplace, etc. and affect the development and normal functions of life. And the symptoms should not be mixed with other disorders like mood disorders, developmental or learning disorders involving the differential diagnosis of the condition. 

The diagnosis is provided by primary care providers, mental health professionals, and clinical psychologists. There are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose ADHD; hence, they are done clinically. For this, considering the patient’s history is very important. Then, the symptoms are evaluated clinically based on different scales and involve foreign relations between patients, such as parents and teachers. It can help them get information on the symptoms parents have observed. 

Treatment and Medication

The treatment of ADHD patients mainly includes two types of medications for treating the symptoms of the disease: stimulants and non-stimulants, as approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Neurologists prescribe all these medications, including the American Association of Psychiatric (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), for the treatment of patients with different stages of ADHD. 

Stimulants are drugs that speed up bodily functions like the brain, heart, and muscles. They can make a person feel more alert, energetic, confident, or happy. These include amphetamines and methylphenidate-based medications, and they both tend to increase the level of dopamine (a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with pleasure, reward, motivation, and motor control) and norepinephrine (a hormone that reacts to stressful situations like increasing your heart rate and blood pressure) in the brain. 

Thereby, these stimulate attention, thinking, and focus. Stimulants are the most effective medication in about 70 percent of patients, available in different formulations, and generally considered safe.

According to Dr. Russel Barkly, “These stimulants are a form of genetic therapy; they tend to modify the neurogenetic impact of the disorder in the brain by altering the genes in the brain. But they only work when inside the brain’s bloodstream temporarily.” However, the side effects persist, such as loss of sleep and hunger, alteration in blood pressure, and more dependency on others. These side effects can occur due to misuse or excessive use of medication. 

Non-stimulant drugs are medications that can help treat ADHD without affecting the levels of dopamine. They target other brain chemicals, such as norepinephrine, which can also affect attention and behavior. These non-stimulants were approved for treating ADHD in 2003; they also work by enhancing focus and attention and reducing the impulsiveness of patients. 

These medications include slow-working antidepressants and alpha agonists, but usually last longer for up to 24 hours. Among antidepressants, the most effective is atomoxetine, which elevates the levels of norepinephrine. Bupropion (increasing dopamine and serotine levels) and TCA (norepinephrine) are also examples of antidepressants. These are mainly recommended for children who cannot tolerate the stimulants or if stimulants are showing side effects or in combined therapy with stimulants. 

The other types of non-stimulants include alpha agonists (a class of drugs called sympathomimetics, which mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system and are life-saving drugs for heart attacks and treatments for cardiovascular and psychiatric conditions) like clonidine and guanfacine that act on the Central Nervous System and target epinephrine and norepinephrine.

 But these also show side effects like disturbing blood pressure, dizziness, and increased weight. The American Association of Psychiatric (AAP) suggests that healthcare providers look at these medications’ benefits and side effects on all patients and then recommend the dosages or treatment. 

Psychosocial interventions and Psychotherapy

Psychosocial treatment involves the treatment to help patients with ADHD and their families cope with the symptoms of disorders. One is behavioral therapy, designed to improve a person’s behavior. It includes training the patients and their families, and even in schools, for behavior management and improving normal daily functioning. 

Dr. Russel Barkley states, “Cognitive behavioral therapy does a pretty good job in boosting executive functioning in adults on medication.”

The American Psychiatric Association (AAP) has recommended these training and programs as a priority to the medication for children under age 6. For children above 6-12, behavioral therapy is given in combination with medication. Different cognitive-behavioral programs and training are conducted for patients. School behavior interventions are also done. 

Several benefits are owing to these behavioral therapies, including:

  1. Helping the patients to observe, manage, and control their anger and behavior.
  2. To improve focus and attention by learning to control their thoughts and teaching children social skills to improve their behavior like sharing, asking for help, waiting for their turns, speaking in slow voices, etc. 
  3. Helping the parents, teachers, and family observe and note the children’s behavior and establish the rules and routines accordingly.
  4. It helps parents deal with and respond to their child’s frustration, managing distractions like TV and noise during their study time and allowing them to organize their books, school bags, toys, etc. 
  5. Behavioral parent management training teaches parents to adopt rewarding behavior with their children and encourages them with positive feedback. 
  6. Furthermore, parents should adopt calm behavior to improve their children’s discipline instead of scolding them, help them break down complicated tasks, and adopt a positive, encouraging, and healthy lifestyle.
  7. Classroom management interventions help children improve their classroom and peer behavior using less classwork, preferred classroom sitting, and time relaxation during exams.

Natural remedies for ADHD

Besides medication and behavioral therapy, remedies can also help improve the symptoms of ADHD. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), physical activity of at least 60 minutes a day, nutrition and a balanced diet, regular sleep, limiting screen time on TV, phones, etc., adopting outdoor activities, and a positive and calm outlook for life can help ADHD patients relieve their symptoms. 

References:

  • Magnus, W., Nazir, S., Anilkumar, A. C., & Shaban, K. (2023, August 8). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441838/ 
  • Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, January 25). Adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878 
  • Núñez-Jaramillo, L., Herrera-Solís, A., & Herrera-Morales, W. V. (2021, March 1). ADHD: Reviewing the causes and evaluating solutions. MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fjpm11030166
  • This is how you treat ADHD based on science, dr Russell Barkley’s part of the 2012 Burnett lecture. YouTube. (2014, September 23). https://youtu.be/_tpB-B8BXk0?si=XTZBZTKtKjwShsPt 
  • Key Concerns and Strategies for Diagnosing and Treating Adults with ADHD w/ Russell Barkley, Ph.D. YouTube. (2023, April 06). https://youtu.be/W6JBgeFbYCc?si=Qeg_iCW33b7Jmg_E
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2023, September). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, September 27). What is ADHD? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.html 
  • Angel, T. (2023, November 1). Everything you need to know about ADHD. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd 
  • Nall, R. (2023, November 16). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd 

Similar Posts: Let’s talk about Mental Health in Pakistan

Does Life Exist Beyond Our Solar System?

Fatima Zahra
-
0
Does Life Exist Beyond Our Solar System?

Bruce Frederick Damer, Ph.D. (brought into the world on 31 January 1962) is a Canadian-American multidisciplinary researcher, creator, and creator. Dr. Bruce Damer works with associates, creating and testing another model for the starting point of life on Earth and in the plan of shuttle structures to give a reasonable way to extend human development to the Earth.

He started his profession during the 1980s building up probably the most punctual UIs for PCs, drove a network during the 1990s bringing the first multi-client virtual universes to the Internet, and since 2000 bolstered NASA and the space business on various reenactments and shuttle plans.

Dr.Bruce Damer

He has gone through 25 years chronicling the historical backdrop of registering in his DigiBarn Computer Museum and ministers files of counterculture figures, for example, Dr. Timothy Leary, Terence McKenna, and others. He at present fills in as Principal Scientist at DigitalSpace, Associate Researcher in the Department of Biomolecular Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, Associate of the NASA Astrobiology Center, Member of the International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life, and Founding Director of the Contact Consortium.

Additionally. he filled in as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Washington and as an individual from the Faculty at Charles University, Prague. He got his Ph.D. from University College, Dublin, MSEE from the University of Southern California, and BSc from the University of Victoria. Dr. Damer is a devotee of a logical way of thinking about liminality, involving a limit between objective, reductionist, and realist ways to deal with reality. However, it is open to motivation from elective conditions of awareness.

He has assembled a routine regarding deliberately looking for visionary encounters through reflective states that can be grounded in logical bits of knowledge or directing stories. He has refined this way of thinking since his youth when he involved himself in entering imaginal universes and communicating those universes through his work of art. Dr. Damer is, as of now, looking into a book dependent on meetings with different experts of what he terms the “endo way”, which means bits of knowledge sourced through endogenous techniques which, at that point, practically apply their bits of wisdom to certifiable applications.

You are a Canadian-American multidisciplinary scientist, designer, and author. Let us know who has been the real inspiration behind your great passion for astronomy.

I am passionate about studying how life might have originated on Earth four billion years ago. I started on this quest as a nerdy 14-year-old in Canada. Later, I got into computers, which helped me test models, and then met Prof. David Deamer at UC Santa Cruz, and we partnered to create a complete hypothesis for the Origin of Life. I am attaching a figure from our main paper explaining the model. Feel free to use it.  

How much time (years) will it take for the technology of Earth to colonize other planets, if possible? 

We will build large structures in space long before we colonize the moon or Mars. Those places are probably too hostile to place large settlements. Think of a cruise ship going to Antarctica; people can visit but would rather stay on the comfortable and well-provisioned ship. 

In your opinion, where is scientific research lacking in solving the puzzle of extraterrestrial life? 

We can only image distant exoplanets with faint signals for the Origin of Life and determine their atmospheric content or rough size. So, detecting life that way is difficult. Most life outside the Earth is probably microbial communities. Complex life is probably scarce, and life making mega-structures or traveling between the stars is even rarer still. So, solving the puzzle of whether life exists elsewhere faces significant challenges. 

Is there a working definition of life? What are the environmental limits or “extremes” under which life can survive?

A couple of years ago, NASA worked with a group of our colleagues to come up with an exact definition of life and ended up with these words:

“This is probably pretty broad but safe. Life needs liquid water to get started and be sustained. Winston Churchill wrote about the conditions for life way back in the 1930s; this article is worth reading.“

With an interpretation of his fascinating insights here in Science:

Winston Churchill at his desk in 1939: a prolific writer, he covered scientific topics as diverse as evolution and fusion power.
Winston Churchill was at his desk in 1939. He was a prolific writer, covering scientific topics as diverse as evolution and fusion power.
What is Astrobiology? What life might look like on another planet?

Astrobiology studies extraterrestrial life or life in the Universe, other planets, and what might make them habitable. It is about a great deal more, but this is a core mission of the field. Life on other planets would start by being composed of simple cells, which form aggregates, and if they are lucky enough, they evolve into complex multicellular organisms.

What would you say about your TedX talk on “Coupled Phases Model for the Origin of Life”? 

This talk introduced Dave and my hypothesis to the public in 2015. It was followed by a paper our colleagues have cited and hopefully read.

Dr Bruce spoke on origin of life ans simulating artificial life in computers.
Would you like to share about  DigiBarn Computer Museum?

It is a personal passion of mine to collect and document the evolution of computing. This passion led me to meet Dave Deamer in 2009, and I am glad to have this hobby.

The DigiBarn Computer Museum seeks to capture personal stories and track technological evolution through an extensive collection of vintage computer systems, manuals, videos, interviews, and other fossil relics of the “Cambrian explosion” of personal computing that ignited in 1975. When we get visitors who “burst into tears” upon seeing specific systems that may have defined their lives and careers, our cameras roll to capture the inevitable stories. Thus, the interconnected redwood rooms of the museum constitute a kind of “memory palace” for the nerd-inclined and help us piece together the incredible story of the invention of personal computing and Cyberspace.

DigiDude, Digibarn curator Dr.Bruce welcomes you to REBOOT.
Dr. Bruce Damer Digibarn curator
http://www.damer.com
Let us know about the “Terrestrial Origins Hypothesis”?

We call it the Hot Spring Hypothesis for the Origin of Life. I am copying the cover article from Scientific American here to interest readers. Origin of Life researcher Professor Bruce Damer presents an exciting four-part essay on the Hot Spring Hypothesis for the Origin of Life and how this connects to the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis.

Origin of life and evolution: hot spring hypothesis
https://extendedevolutionarysynthesis.com/the-hot-spring-hypothesis-for-the-origin-of-life-and-the-extended-evolutionary-synthesis/
Would you like to share your effort in designing a concept spacecraft capable of harvesting resources from asteroids?

This is another passion I developed when I was 16 years old. I felt that life should have a pathway to move beyond its birthplace of Earth out into the Universe so that the Origin of Life (and we) can continue. 

What would you say about the most highlighted question? “How did the origin of life occur, and how did it evolve?”

How can molecules self-assemble into a complex system capable of making copies of itself, passing on all its traits? That copying requires a really complex machine. I think we now can see that big complex machines can emerge through the interaction of simpler ones, which is a big clue. 

What were the objectives behind the establishment of “psychedelia,” and how much it has been achieved so far? 

That is a project of mine to archive the talks, papers, and visions of psychedelic explorers such as Timothy Leary and Terence McKenna. These and other people explore worlds that seem otherworldly but that come into their consciousness through the use of psychoactive substances, mainly plants. One could ask: where do these visions come from? Visions come to many people, not only through these plants, so that we can ask that question in general. 

Would you like to share your experience in storytelling performances, such as at the Lightening in the Bottle Festival California, 2015?

Yes, it has been a lot of fun! I bring my stories of Science into poetry with DJ and VJ friends, illuminating them with visuals and lovely music tracks. It is an exciting way to reach the new generation and keep their attention away from their phones and social media. You can listen to the whole Fire in the Sky show here:

Moreover, for the 50th Levity Zone podcast, I offered “Fire in the Sky”, a four-part full-tilt poetic journey from the birth of the cosmos through the origin of life and human conscious awareness. This piece was later performed on stage with Android Jones and Val Santana at the 2016 Lightning in a Bottle festival. Here are some of its clips:

One can find it worth watching the Levity Zone Podcast of Dr. Bruce Demar:

The Emotional Connection between the Brain and Heart 

Shahzadi Arhum
-
0
The Emotional Connection between the Brain and Heart 

Do you follow your brain or heart? Or does your heart always take the lead? Do you know if there is an association between the decision-making power of the brain and the heart? If you have these questions, the answer is, “Yes, there is a strong relationship between the brain and heart, but your brain always takes the lead.”

Psychological well-being has a strong association with a person’s health. Various studies have shown that if a person’s emotional stability or psychological health is compromised, there is an excellent chance of the occurrence of multiple diseases. The study of this relationship between the nervous and cardiovascular systems is termed Neurocardiology.

What is Neurocardiology?

Neurocardiology has many aspects, but it is usually divided into three major categories, these include: 

1. The effect of the heart on the brain.

2. The effect of the brain on the heart.

3. Various neuro-cardiac syndromes.

Several studies have shown that the overactivity of the sympathetic limb of the autonomic nervous system is a general pathway associated with most of the cardiac pathologies occurring because of neurological ailments, indicating that neurological catastrophes might be the significant contributing factors to cardiac complications and related mortalities. Also, these effects on cardiac health might contribute to the deaths associated with primary neurological conditions. 

Mind-heart-body connection

The sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system, which comprise several synaptic routes from myocardial cells back to peripheral ganglionic neurons and then to central preganglionic and premotor neurons, allow the brain to control the heart directly. Cardiac function can be significantly impacted by central autonomic instructions, such as those related to stress, physical activity, alertness, and sleep, as well as reflex activation of cardiac autonomic nerves in response to inputs from baro-, chemo-, nasopharyngeal-, and other receptors.

In the clinical situation, neurodegenerative diseases typically cause progressively increasing autonomic failure. In contrast, vascular, inflammatory, or traumatic lesions of the autonomic nervous system, pharmacological side effects, and long-term neurological conditions can cause autonomic hyperactivity with both short-term and long-term signs of an imbalance. The impact of an unbalanced brain-heart relationship is detrimental to health, both acute and chronic. 

brain and heart
Research has shown that the emotional well-being of a person has a substantial impact on heart health.

Effect of emotional stress on the brain 

The human nervous system consists of various neuronal structures, i.e., the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and prefrontal cortex. Multiple genes are expressed differently in these different regions. The most prominent region of the brain associated with emotions is the amygdala. The amygdala assists in coordinating responses to the environment, especially for responses triggered by emotions. More specifically, it plays a vital role in fear and anger situations. 

Effect of emotional stress on the heart

On the other hand, research has shown that a person’s emotional well-being strongly impacts heart health. Emotional stress, stressors, and daily-life risk factors contribute to the occurrence and exacerbation of a wide variety of cardiac complications, leading to an increase in mortality rate. Various genes associated with neuronal structures and heart tissue are expressed in those tissues under normal conditions.

Still, when negative emotions occur due to external stimuli, these sudden emotions deregulate the gene expression of neuronal and cardiac-specific genes. This deregulation results in protein dysfunction, leading to various sorts of diseases and supporting the fact that emotions play, more specifically negatively, a major role in triggering and exacerbating multiple diseases. 

Hence, the connection between the brain and heart is the primary factor in the stability and strength of the human body. The psychological biology of neurocardiology emphasizes a strong correlation between the human brain and heart, leading to the exploration of more psychologically scientific approaches toward life.

References:

  1. Levine GN. (2019). The mind-heart-body connection. Circulation;140(17):1363-5.
  2. Samuels, M. A. (2007). The brain–heart connection. Circulation, 116(1), 77-84.
  3. Osteraas, N. D., & Lee, V. H. (2017). Neurocardiology. Handbook of clinical
    Neurology, 140, 49-65.
  4. Verny, T. Secrets of the Heart: The Significance of the Heart-Brain Connection.
  5. Chen, Y., & Baram, T. Z. (2016). Understanding how early-life stress reprograms
    Cognitive and emotional brain networks. Neuropsychopharmacology, 41(1), 197-206.
  6. Khosrowabadi, R. (2018). Stress and perception of emotional stimuli: Long-term stress
    rewiring the brain. Basic and clinical neuroscience, 9(2), 107.

Note: The article is written under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, Associate Prof, Deptt of Life Sciences at FCCU Lahore.

Also Read: Love-Hate Relationship between the Gut Microbiota and the Brain

Einstein and Hawking: Great Minds of Two Eras

Maham Maqsood
-
0
Einstein and Hawking: Great Minds of Two Eras

Today is 14th March. A day that marks the birthday of Albert Einstein and the death anniversary of another big name: Stephen Hawking. These two brilliant individuals may have had different eras of their prime, but both significantly impacted the world of science. They also led extraordinary lives, but many instances can be compared that show how they were very different yet very similar simultaneously.

Here is a pictorial comparison of the lives of two great minds!

Einstein was born on 14 March 1879 in the Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire and Hawking (R) came into this world on 8 January 1942 in Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Einstein was born on 14 March 1879 in the Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire, and Hawking (R) came into this world on 8 January 1942 in Oxford, England, United Kingdom.
At 16, Einstein had a life-changing moment when he was introduced to a children’s science series by Aaron Bernstein, Naturwissenschaftliche Volksbucher which made him more interested in science. Hawking, on the other hand, studied natural sciences at Oxford and after receiving his B.A. in 1962, he went to Cambridge for graduate studies in Physics. At 21, he was diagnosed with ALS.
At 16, Einstein had a life-changing moment when he was introduced to a children’s science series by Aaron Bernstein, Naturwissenschaftliche Volksbucher, which made him more interested in science. Hawking, on the other hand, studied natural sciences at Oxford, and after receiving his B.A. in 1962, he went to Cambridge to study physics. At 21, he was diagnosed with ALS.
Einstein took a very different approach to Physics. His most important works include Special Theory of Relativity (1905), General Theory of Relativity (1916), Investigations on Theory of Brownian Movement (1926), and The Evolution of Physics (1938). Hawking extensively studied quantum gravity and quantum mechanics. He showed that black holes emit radiation, known as Hawking radiation.
Einstein’s equation of energy and matter revolutionized the concepts of physics. His discovery of the photoelectric effect and his theory of general relativity were groundbreaking. Hawking gained international prominence for the first time in 1988 with the publication of ‘A Brief History of Time.’ It was meant to be a simplified version of cosmology for the masses and became an instant bestseller.
Einstein received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 “for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.” Hawking also received many accolades and awards throughout his life, including the Albert Einstein Award and the Hughes Medal from the Royal Society.
Albert Einstein was married twice: in 1903 to Mileva Maric and in 1919 to Elsa Einstein. It is debated that he could never have become Einstein without his first wife and college sweetheart, Mileva Maric. Hawking married Jane in 1965 but later got divorced. In 1995, he married his nurse Elaine Mason. His life story was also depicted in the award-winning movie “The Theory of Everything.”
Along with his scientific work, Einstein also worked with civil rights activists to condemn racism and anti-Semitism, as he experienced it a lot. And Hawking became a symbol of hope and inspiration for many, especially those with a disability, as he continued to work and break barriers even with a severely limiting disorder.
These two great minds challenged and changed the way we think and work. The impact they made in their fields is undeniable. Their names have become synonymous with genius, and the whole world is inspired by their hard work, motivation, and dedication to unraveling the mysteries of the universe.

Also Read: Hawking: The Interstellar Genius

Cognitive Blessings, Emotional Burdens: Psychological intricacies of high IQ individuals

Maira Masood
-
0
Cognitive Blessings, Emotional Burdens: Psychological intricacies of high IQ individuals

Are you curious about your colleagues’ intellectual prowess? Have you ever wondered about the IQ levels they possess? Such musings often surface in corporate settings, academia, or during the hunt for top-tier talent. What fuels the fascination with high IQ individuals, what sets them apart, and do they encounter hidden hurdles amidst their exceptional intellect? These are the questions we’ll uncover as we delve into the minds of the exceptionally gifted.

The minds of individuals like Stephan Hawking, Garry Kasparov, and James Maxwell have profoundly impacted the world, transforming scientific society with their exceptionally brilliant minds. Despite their recognition and significant contributions to society, were their lives purely blissful, or is there a darker side to their stories as well?

Unlocking the Extraordinary Traits of High IQ Minds

The Intelligence Quotient, or IQ, is often revered as the ultimate measure of cognitive prowess. Those with high IQs are commonly perceived as poised for success, as they are presumed to navigate life’s challenges effortlessly and possess a profound understanding of everything they encounter. The belief is that individuals with high IQ possess a distinct set of abilities, and they can outperform those with average IQ levels, such as:

  • Individuals with high IQs often exhibit more incredible innovation and creativity.
  • High-IQ individuals tend to be less prone to boredom compared to their counterparts.
  • High-IQ individuals are typically regarded as more productive and efficient in general and within the workspace.
  • People with high IQs typically demonstrate exceptional focus on the tasks at hand.
  • Individuals with high IQs are thought to be more eager to learn new things.
  • Individuals with high IQs are often regarded as more loyal and trustworthy.

Individuals with high IQs are often celebrated as brilliant minds characterized by innovation and creativity. Stephen Hawking stands out as a prime example of such an intellectually gifted individual, having revolutionized the scientific community with groundbreaking theories. His contributions to understanding the origins and structure of the universe, including the concepts of the Big Bang and black holes, have left an indelible mark on the field. Moreover, his bestselling books have captivated readers worldwide.

IQ of Stephen Hawking
Dr. Stephen Hawking

Despite his extraordinary intellect, Hawking remained remarkably humble. When questioned about his IQ score by a New York Times reporter, he famously responded, “I have no idea; people who boast about their IQ are losers,” as reported by The Atlantic.

The Shadow of the Brilliant Mind

Just as Ernest Hemingway said, “Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know”, a brilliant mind may not necessarily correspond to an equally brilliant and well-organized life. Possessing a sharp intellect often entails various costs, including emotional, social, or mental exhaustion, as well as overwork. Studies indicate that individuals with high IQs or brilliant minds are more susceptible to what’s termed “high intelligence disorders”, encompassing conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders.

In a comprehensive study by Ruth Karpinski (Pitzer College), 3700 participants from Mensa, an organization requiring an IQ in the top 2 percent, were surveyed. The research covered multiple aspects, including mental health. The findings of the study revealed a notably high prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders among Mensa members.

These findings hold significance because if a similar study were conducted within the general population, approximately 10 percent of individuals would experience anxiety disorders, and another 10 percent would experience mood disorders. However, these numbers are elevated among Mensa members. While high IQ individuals may possess advantages over others, they also experience various personal challenges, some of which we’ll explore below:

Loneliness: Breaking the Silence

High-IQ individuals often tend to critique others relentlessly, fixating on correcting errors without considering the social consequences. Seltzer noted, “Brilliant people have difficulty resisting the urge to correct others’ mistakes.” This habit can strain relationships, as constant criticism alienates others and impedes meaningful connections.

Some exceptionally intelligent individuals may choose to withdraw from social interactions altogether, either due to fear of rejection or impatience with those they perceive as less intellectually inclined. Despite this, many still yearn for the enriching benefits of companionship, such as profound discussions and emotional intimacy. However, their expectations are often unmet, leading them to prefer solitude over disappointing interactions.

Defying Discouragement: Embracing Learning Challenges

During childhood, individuals with high IQs often breeze through school, achieving success with minimal effort in studying and paying attention. While this may appear advantageous, it carries significant repercussions.

In their formative years, these individuals miss out on developing crucial traits such as grit and perseverance, essential for navigating challenges later in life. Having rarely faced adversity, they assume that learning will always come effortlessly and that they will never encounter situations requiring substantial effort. However, they struggle to muster the necessary determination when confronted with adult challenges.

Tough Skin: Navigating Sensitivity to Critique

Individuals with high IQs often exhibit heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli. Their elevated intellect leads them to process sensory information more deeply than their peers of average intelligence, rendering criticism particularly piercing and potentially causing lasting effects. This sensitivity can be exacerbated when an individual’s sense of self is closely tied to their intellectual prowess. Seeking validation through demonstrating their skills, they interpret the rejection of their abilities as a rejection of their very being.

Compounding this, individuals with high IQs frequently feel misunderstood, as most people lack their level of perceptiveness. Consequently, they are reluctant to accept criticism from those intellectually inferior. This scenario is akin to an accomplished artist receiving critiques from someone with rudimentary drawing skills – the artist would understandably hesitate to value feedback from someone lacking expertise or understanding in the field.

While many intellectually gifted individuals possess “intellectual humility,” the willingness to acknowledge their limitations, applying this trait becomes challenging when they perceive themselves as intellectually superior in each situation.

Decision Dilemmas: Conquering Choice Challenges

Contrary to popular belief, individuals with high IQs do not necessarily excel as decision-makers or information-gatherers. Research indicates that they are prone to similar errors as those with average intelligence and may even be more inclined to overlook their personal biases.

Individuals with higher IQ tend to engage in excessive analysis when making decisions, striving for the optimal solution to their problems.
Individuals with higher IQs tend to engage in excessive analysis when making decisions, striving for the optimal solution to their problems.

In an article for BBC Future, psychological science writer David Robson highlighted that knowledgeable individuals often exhibit a “bias blind spot.” Despite their capability to criticize others’ flaws, they struggle to recognize their own shortcomings.

Moreover, individuals with higher IQs tend to engage in excessive analysis when making decisions, striving for the optimal solution to their problems. However, real-life situations rarely offer perfect choices devoid of drawbacks. This propensity to overthink, coupled with possible anxiety, can lead to analysis paralysis.

Unlocking Emotional Intelligence: Rising Above the Norm

Due to their inclination towards cognitive tasks, individuals with high IQs often overlook the emotional facets of relationships, work, and overall life.

This tendency isn’t entirely their fault, as society has long prioritized intellect over emotional considerations, primarily within professional contexts. The historical emphasis on pure intelligence as the sole path to success has hindered the acknowledgment and development of emotional intelligence. However, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of emotional intelligence in recent years, albeit still lagging behind mental intelligence in terms of societal recognition.

Emotional intelligence is crucial in personal relationships and isn’t solely relevant in professional settings. Those lacking in emotional intelligence often struggle socially, displaying a lack of empathy and sensitivity, contributing to the social isolation experienced by many high-IQ individuals.

Communication Conundrums: Breaking Barriers

Individuals with high IQs often approach questions and problems with unconventional perspectives, leading to intricate and complex thought processes that can be challenging for those of average intellect to grasp. Consequently, others may struggle to comprehend and accept the outcomes of their profound contemplation.

Moreover, many individuals with exceptionally high IQs struggle to communicate their ideas to others effectively. They may find it challenging to simplify their thoughts and reasoning to a level accessible to the majority or lack the social skills necessary to engage listeners effectively.

According to Psychology Today, individuals with high IQs may become impatient when attempting to convey their rapid thought processes to individuals who require more time to comprehend new concepts. This breakdown in communication, or the compromise of the integrity of their ideas, hinders their ability to align others with their perspectives.

The intricate interplay between intelligence and emotions highlights the unique psychological challenges individuals with high IQs face. Their heightened sensitivity, intense emotions, and rapid thought processes create a complex inner landscape, often leading to isolation and turmoil.

As parents, educators, and psychologists, we must provide these individuals with tailored strategies to navigate their inner world effectively. By equipping them with tools to achieve equilibrium and inner peace, we empower them to realize their full potential and find genuine happiness amidst the complexities of their intellect and emotions.

References

Also Read: Is Limited Light Exposure Causing Sadness and Depression in the Modern World?

1...678...82Page 7 of 82

© Scientia Magazine 2019 -2024 powered as a non-profit entity by Scientia Pakistan.

About Us

Find Us On Social Media