All posts tagged: exploring

Exploring the link between school exclusion and crime – new research

Exploring the link between school exclusion and crime – new research

Published by skeptic

The rate of children permanently excluded from school in England rose against last year and is higher than before the pandemic. A recent BBC documentary by actor Idris Elba pointed out that being excluded from school can be a tipping point that pushes a child towards serious violence. This observation is backed up by convincing evidence. Data in a joint report by the Ministry of Justice and Department for Education shows that the risk of being cautioned or charged for a serious violence offence by age 18 is 15 times higher in children who had been excluded from school. Crucially, though, exclusion and violence have many risk factors in common. Children who have special educational needs, have grown up in deprivation or have been in care, for instance, are more at risk both of being excluded from school and of committing a violent offence. This makes the job of teasing out the impact of exclusion on violence challenging. Research needs to account for the contribution of these other factors. We carried out research to isolate …

Is Multitasking Even Possible? Exploring Our Neurological Limitations

Is Multitasking Even Possible? Exploring Our Neurological Limitations

Published by skeptic

Published Mar 18, 2025written by Maysara Kamal, BA Philosophy & Film   We’ve all tried juggling more than one task at a time. From working on several projects simultaneously to driving while listening to music, multitasking has become an integral part of our daily lives. Instinctively, we assume that performing two or more activities concurrently enhances our efficiency and productivity. A look at the multitasking brain, however, suggests quite the opposite.   What Is Multitasking?  Multitasking, a picture by Antoine Kerfant. Source: Pixabay   Multitasking is performing two or more tasks simultaneously. At least, that’s what we think we’re doing. In reality, however, our brains are simply switching between one task and another. Multitasking is a misnomer, as our brains are not designed to perform more than one task at a time. For instance, if you were scrolling or playing a video game while talking to a friend, you would continuously shift your attention between these two activities rather than attend to both simultaneously. At any given moment, our neurological capacity necessitates that we are …

Is Lying Always Wrong? Exploring Different Ethical Routes

Is Lying Always Wrong? Exploring Different Ethical Routes

Published by skeptic

Published Feb 24, 2025written by Maysara Kamal, BA Philosophy & Film   Have you ever felt that telling the truth is morally overrated? There are certainly many situations where total transparency could trigger disastrous outcomes for all parties involved. Wouldn’t lying then be a moral duty in order to mitigate such negative consequences?  These questions are at the heart of the debate between moral absolutists and moral relativists.   To Lie or Not to Lie?  The Verdict, by Sora Shimazaki. Source: Pexels   Well, it depends. Kantian philosophers would tell you: “Absolutely not!”.  Advocates of ethical egoism would say: “Lie, but only if it serves your self-interest!”. Proponents of utilitarianism would encourage you to lie if it increases general happiness and decreases overall suffering. Each school of ethics has a unique foundation for issuing moral judgments. While there are countless formulations of what constitutes a right or wrong action, ethics is broadly divided into two main paradigms – moral absolutism and moral relativism.    Moral absolutism maintains that morality is based on universal principles that …

People with aphantasia don’t have a mind’s eye. Scientists are exploring why

People with aphantasia don’t have a mind’s eye. Scientists are exploring why

Published by skeptic

biology: The study of living things. The scientists who study them are known as biologists. birds: Warm-blooded animals with wings that first showed up during the time of the dinosaurs. Birds are jacketed in feathers and produce young from the eggs they deposit in some sort of nest. Most birds fly, but throughout history there have been the occasional species that don’t. cognitive: A term that relates to mental activities, such as thinking, learning, remembering and solving puzzles. colleague: Someone who works with another; a co-worker or team member. forest: An area of land covered mostly with trees and other woody plants. information: (as opposed to data) Facts provided or trends learned about something or someone, often as a result of studying data. neuroscientist: Someone who studies the structure or function of the brain and other parts of the nervous system. range: The full extent or distribution of something. For instance, a plant or animal’s range is the area over which it naturally exists. scanner: A machine that runs some sort of light (which includes anything …

Exploring the longevity of battery-powered electric vehicles

Exploring the longevity of battery-powered electric vehicles

Published by skeptic

A new study has revealed that battery-powered electric vehicles are now more reliable and can match the lifespans of traditional cars and vans with petrol and diesel engines – marking a pivotal moment in the drive towards sustainable transportation. Researchers used nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) test records charting the ‘health’ of every vehicle on the United Kingdom’s roads between 2005 and 2022 to estimate vehicle longevity and provide a comprehensive analysis of survival rates for different powertrains. The international research team found that, although early battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) were less reliable than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), rapid advances in technology have enabled newer BEVs to achieve comparable lifespans, even under more intensive use. Battery-powered electric vehicles are becoming more reliable The research found that BEVs demonstrated the most rapid improvement in reliability, with a 12% lower likelihood of failure (hazard rate) for each successive year of production, compared to 6.7% for petrol and 1.9% for diesel vehicles. On average, battery-powered electric vehicles now have a lifespan of 18.4 years …

Magical Realism Exploring Aging, Love, and Loss

Magical Realism Exploring Aging, Love, and Loss

Published by skeptic

Tere Sanchez is a 60-year-old professor in Vermont who’s been grieving the death of her beloved husband. One day she’s in the garden, watering the peonies he planted for her long before his unexpected death, when she suddenly realizes she’s floating in mid-air. She panics, scrambles, kicks, and screams before slowly descending back to earth, cursing this inconvenient addition to an already formidable pile of life shit to sort through. On top of the grief, she’s also experiencing forgetfulness, bouts of confusion, and losing track of time. Now she’s levitating against her will, always at the worst times, making her feel like she’s losing her grip on reality when not actively putting her in harm’s way. With her university pressing her to lock down a return from her leave of absence and her son expressing worry for her state of mind, Tere needs to find a way to stop these spells. She dives into research like any good academic would, then remembers that her family is allegedly related to Teresa of Ávila, the medieval saint …

The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan: Exploring Darkness and Hope

The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan: Exploring Darkness and Hope

Published by skeptic

In her latest psychological thriller, The Broken Places, bestselling author Mia Sheridan weaves an intricate tale of trauma, healing, and unexpected love against the gritty backdrop of San Francisco’s underbelly. Following the success of her previous works like Bad Mother and All the Little Raindrops, Sheridan once again proves her masterful ability to blend romance with intense psychological suspense. Plot & Narrative Structure The story follows Inspector Lennon Gray, a complex protagonist struggling with her own past trauma while investigating a series of bizarre murders involving homeless individuals and an unknown hallucinogenic drug. When FBI Agent Ambrose Mars joins her investigation, the narrative takes on multiple layers of intrigue, exploring not just the central mystery but also themes of personal redemption and healing. Sheridan employs a unique narrative structure, interspersing the main storyline with podcast transcripts that provide crucial backstory and context. This innovative approach adds depth to the secondary characters while maintaining the story’s momentum. The author also effectively uses flashbacks to reveal Ambrose’s troubled past, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected lives and …

Is Your Smart Home Too Smart? Exploring AI Integration

Is Your Smart Home Too Smart? Exploring AI Integration

Published by skeptic

Light switches, doorbells and curtain rods may soon be domestic relics of a bygone era. In a world drunk on the promise of all things artificially intelligent, that last refuge known as our home is quickly becoming an automated experience, hyper-responsive to our voices, movements and habits. A mattress that automatically adjusts its shape in response to sleep data? A robotic mower that trims the lawn without noise, emissions or invoices? Or a smart fridge that “talks” to your fitness tracker to make meal recommendations based on health data and what’s on hand at home? It’s all currently available to consumers and (relatively) affordable. “Right now, home technology is evolving faster than smartphones,” says Chris Beucler, president of West Coast luxury design firm Blue Heron Nexus. “A pioneering industry of integrators” — contractors who configure these technologies and make them disappear into the background — “is determining the design of a home just as much if not more so than interior designers,” he says, citing the rapid growth of the sector. While smart home systems …

Sunlight by Devney Perry – Exploring the Magic of Montana

Sunlight by Devney Perry – Exploring the Magic of Montana

Published by skeptic

A Radiant Addition to the Haven River Ranch Series In the picturesque landscapes of Montana, where rugged mountains meet endless skies, Devney Perry weaves a captivating tale of unexpected love, personal growth, and the healing power of family in her latest novel, “Sunlight.” As the second installment in the Haven River Ranch series, this book shines just as brightly as its predecessor, “Crossroads,” illuminating the path to happiness for two souls who never expected to find it. A Chance Encounter Sparks an Unforgettable Romance Meet Sasha and Jax: An Unlikely Pair From the moment Sasha Vaughn and Jax Haven engage in a playful tug-of-war over a shopping cart, readers are drawn into their undeniable chemistry. Perry expertly crafts their initial meeting, infusing it with humor, tension, and a spark of something more. It’s impossible not to root for these two from the very beginning. Sasha, our heroine, arrives in Montana carrying the weight of her past and a determination to succeed in her new role as resort manager. Her character is beautifully developed, with layers …

Exploring NAD+: Is It Really A Key To Longevity?

Exploring NAD+: Is It Really A Key To Longevity?

Published by skeptic

Authored by Jennifer Sweenie via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Short for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+ supplements are being studied for their effects on cellular energy production, mitochondria function, and DNA repair. Before reaching for a supplement, though, it’s important to explore the role of NAD+ in the body and the existing evidence on its ties to longevity, as well as ways to boost NAD+ levels naturally. AlteredR/Shutterstock As researchers work to uncover the mechanisms behind aging, NAD+ has emerged as a promising therapeutic. What Is NAD+? NAD+ is a coenzyme, a small molecule that acts as a catalyst for enzymes to perform their functions. NAD+ is found in all cells in the body and has a critical role in transferring energy within our cells. NAD+ is involved in various metabolic processes, including converting the food we eat into the energy our cells need to stay alive. It helps generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a final product our bodies can use. ATP is the end fuel source all our cells use. Without NAD, you cannot make ATP—an essential …