FEATURES

Saturday, 30 April 2022 05:57

All people really need to shut up and listen more for these reasons

A good friend was honored recently at a fancy event attended by several hundred people, which featured a keynote speech by an important and well-regarded economist. He was astonished to see that, only moments after the speaker began her talk, so many audible conversations began at tables across the room that it actually became difficult to hear the presentation. These weren't whispered responses or reactions to anything being said. They were flat out chats, conversations, and sidebars having nothing to do with the event or the speech. Since dinner had already been served and the guests had been seated for…

Wednesday, 27 April 2022 06:57

What to know about the dirty, dangerous but lucrative illegal oil refineries of Nigeria’s N’Delta

The deaths of more than 100 people following an explosion at an illegal oil refinery in Imo state has thrown a spotlight on the lucrative world of illicit refining, which the BBC's Mayeni Jones and Josephine Casserly have been investigating. Hours by car, motorbike and on foot brought us to a remote illegal oil refinery - a site recently raided and shut down by the authorities. The smell of oil hits the nostrils first before anything is visible. Then, the lush green vegetation falls away and we arrive at a blackened clearing. There are puddles of oil on the floor,…

Wednesday, 27 April 2022 06:49

Here’s what a nuclear war would do to the planet, according to scientists

Experts insist the odds of the conflict in Ukraine escalating to one that would lead to a nuclear event are remote. But despite that, 69% of Americans surveyed by the American Psychological Association say they “are worried the invasion of Ukraine is going to lead to nuclear war.” Although the people who watch for signs of heightened activity in Russia say they’ve seen nothing to cause concern, comments from officials, such as United Nations secretary general António Guterres saying “the prospect of nuclear war is now back within the realm of possibility,” continue to stoke those fears. The focus of…

Wednesday, 27 April 2022 06:48

Global disasters are coming harder and faster. Here’s how we can cut the risks

The UN’s annual report on mitigating calamities shows that a radical rethink is needed to protect those who suffer most If the world seems beset by constant disasters, from the pandemic to drought, we only have ourselves to blame. Over the past two decades, we have experienced up to 500 disasters a year as a result of human activity. By 2030, this could rise to 560 a year – or 107 a week. Given the disproportionate impact these disasters have on the most vulnerable, the tragedy is that the world is actively reversing social and economic gains, particularly in developing…

Sunday, 24 April 2022 06:25

It’s lonely at the top: Why every leader needs a confidant

You know your business better than anyone, but when you’re in the weeds, it’s difficult to zoom out and shift perspective. There is an epidemic of loneliness among leaders, and the forces that fuel it are insidious. Executives spend their careers climbing ladders of success. They achieve results and recognition through hard work, grit, and collaboration. But when they reach the top of the ladder they realize, ironically, they are more alone than ever. Unable to confide in board members or senior executives for fear of losing trust and hesitant to alert direct reports to sensitive challenges, leaders often work…

Saturday, 23 April 2022 04:09

Eating dinner at this time of the day may help you live longer, new study suggests

A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition found that people who live to be 100 years old follow this eating regimen. As you already know, lifestyle factors such as the amount of exercise you get every day, as well as how long you sleep at night, impact your health and may even influence your lifespan. Now, there's evidence that those who eat dinner on the earlier side may even live longer, according to a new study published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.This research zeroed in on L'Aquila, a province in Abruzzo, Italy, with a high population…

Sunday, 17 April 2022 06:21

People who are securely and avoidantly attached to God experience less distress than those in the middle - Study

Religion can be a significant, comforting part of many peoples’ lives and has been linked to positive mental health outcomes. A study published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion suggests a more complicated relationship between religion and psychological wellbeing by focusing specifically on attachment to God. Some heavily researched aspects of religion, such as salience and service attendance, have been shown to be associated with increased life satisfaction and decreased depression. Despite this positive relationship, religion has so many different aspects that it is difficult to ascertain if this relationship would be shown in conjunction with other…

Saturday, 16 April 2022 06:36

It's now time to rethink what it means to grow old

By 2030, 71 million Americans will be over age 65, according to the U.S. Census. Some economists and CEOs are wringing their hands over what they call "the silver tsunami," but they're missing the point. The fact that so many people are getting to experience old age is one of society's greatest achievements. It's also an extraordinary opportunity to rethink what it means to grow old. Our lives are the product of so many different factors that we can't control: where we are born, and to whom, what's in our genes, and which accidents befall us. Becca Levy, renowned Yale…

Wednesday, 13 April 2022 06:10

Why Nigeria's historic dye pits in Kano risk closure

For more than six centuries, a vast area of land in the historic city of Kano in northern Nigeria has been home to dye pits, where beautiful fabrics are produced using ancient techniques. The materials - dyed a signature deep blue colour - have long been sold across Africa and the Middle East. But many worry the industry is now at risk. "The young generation do not want to join the dyeing folks," complains Baba Muhammad as he squats near a wide pit, filled with a murky, indigo coloured liquid. The 75-year-old dips a piece of cloth into the hole,…

Sunday, 10 April 2022 06:32

Here are the biggest signs that someone is lying to you, according to body language expert

Want to be a pro at spotting liars? Pay close attention to their body language. Whether in your personal or professional life, your success depends on your ability to protect yourself again deception. Knowing how to decipher truth from lies helps you make better deals, find the right partners and land the right hires. As a behavioral scientist and body language expert, I study and teach people how to read verbal and physical cues. Here's how to know if you're dealing with a dishonest person: Step 1: Determine their baseline A person's baseline is how they act when they are…

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Saturday, 09 April 2022 05:52

Men overestimate and women underestimate their IQ. Here’s why

When asked to estimate their own intelligence, most people will say they are above average, even though this is a statistical improbability. This is a normal, healthy cognitive bias and extends to any socially desirable trait such as honesty, driving ability and so on. This pattern is so common that it’s known as “the above-average effect”. In a recent study, my colleagues and I explored how consistently men and women estimated their own intelligence or IQ (intelligence quotient). We also assessed measures of general self-esteem and masculine and feminine personality traits. We found the strongest predictors of overestimating IQ were…

Saturday, 02 April 2022 06:08

Couples who pool their money are more likely to stay together, research finds

Whether or not couples combine their money, specifically liquid wealth, may help determine whether their relationship will last. Couples who communicate openly about money tend to feel that they're on the same team. "Feeling like you're on a team together with your partner promotes relationship satisfaction," one expert said. There are ways all couples can increase their chances of success. When it comes to money, couples face a big question: Combine finances, keep them separate or do a combination of both? Now, research finds that those who do pool their money are more likely to stay together. The study, titled…

Sunday, 27 March 2022 06:29

Want to be happier, healthier, and wealthier? Science says start seeing 'future you' the right way

The more connection you feel between who you are now and who you will be, the greater your later life satisfaction and well-being. Imagine yourself 10 or 20 years in the future. Not physically--because 40-year-old me would not have been happy with 60-year-old me--but in terms of who you are inside. How you answer that question tends to put you in one of two basic camps. Some people see themselves as basically the same: Where you live might change, your profession might change, your circumstances might change, but deep inside you see yourself as roughly the same. As social psychologists…

Saturday, 26 March 2022 06:14

Stress and anxiety wear down your brain. Here’s how to fight back

Perhaps you find yourself caught in an endless scroll on social media, or closing apps just to immediately reopen them. Perhaps you pick up a book only to put it back down shortly after because none of the words are registering. Perhaps you have so much on your plate that your mind keeps jumping from thought to thought without actually finishing any of them. If any of that resonates, you’re not alone. The ongoing, prolonged pandemic has unbalanced our health and wellbeing in every sense, including our ability to focus and pay attention. The good news is that this damage…

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