Chris Infotainment

The Science Behind Hugs: What Your Embrace Reveals About You Hugging is a universal gesture that transcends language and culture. Whether it's an affectionate cuddle or an awkward squeeze, everyone has their own unique style of hugging. But did you know that the way you embrace could actually reveal aspects of your personality? A recent study has uncovered fascinating insights into how hugging patterns can reflect traits such as neuroticism and conscientiousness. Researchers used advanced AI video analysis technology to examine hugs between friends and romantic partners. Participants were asked to repeatedly walk towards each other and embrace, while also completing questionnaires about their personality traits. The results showed that romantic partners tended to hug for significantly longer than platonic friends. On average, couples hugged for 7.02 seconds, while friends only embraced for 2.88 seconds. However, the tightness of the hug was more closely linked to personality cha...

The Power of Words and the Art of the Comeback When someone delivers a hurtful insult, it can often leave us speechless. In some cases, it may even cause deep and enduring mental health scars that are comparable to those from physical abuse. However, a scientist has now proposed a clever response that could help turn the tables on an insult. According to Dr. Dean Burnett, a neuroscientist and lecturer, the best comeback to an insult is a simple three-word phrase: "Calm down, grandma." This response, he claims, can effectively put a damper on someone's mean comments or even reverse their effects. It might even make the person laugh, diffusing the situation entirely. Dr. Burnett, author of Emotional Ignorance , explains that the impact of an insult depends as much on the recipient as it does on the person delivering it. By using this retort, the recipient can make the insulter seem like the lower-status, more easily-ridiculed party. For example, if someone says, "Yo...

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Rising Temperatures As global temperatures continue to rise, more people are experiencing a decline in their emotional well-being. A recent study has revealed that extreme heat not only affects our physical health but also significantly impacts our mood and overall sentiment. This growing concern highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how climate change influences human emotions on a global scale. The Study and Its Findings Researchers from MIT and other institutions around the world conducted an extensive analysis of social media data to track the emotional responses of individuals during periods of extreme heat. By examining over 1 billion social media posts from more than 150 countries, they were able to map out the correlation between temperature and mood. The study, published in the journal One Earth, found that when temperatures exceed 35°C, there is a noticeable drop in collective mood, particularly in lower-income countries. ...

Understanding the Science Behind Decomposition in Forensic Investigations Cape Town, a city known for its stunning landscapes and vibrant culture, has long struggled with high rates of violent crime. Among these challenges is the issue of unidentified bodies, which complicates the process of justice and leaves countless families without closure. The city's Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute deals with over 3,500 unnatural deaths annually, yet around 9% remain unidentified. This not only delays investigations but also creates emotional and legal hurdles for those affected. Forensic taphonomists play a critical role in addressing these challenges. Their work involves studying how human remains decompose under various environmental conditions. By understanding this process, they can help determine the time since death, identify potential trauma, and reconstruct what may have happened to the individual. This information is essential in cases involving unidentified bodies, where...

Pioneering Research on Emotionally Intelligent AI A groundbreaking research initiative led by Professor Celestine Iwendi from the Centre of Intelligence of Things (CIoTh) at the University of Greater Manchester has been accepted for presentation at the 12th International Conference on Reliability, Infocom Technologies and Optimization (ICRITO 2025). The conference, themed 'Trends and Future Directions', will serve as a platform to showcase this innovative work. The paper titled 'Integrating Behavioural Science using the Psycho-Intelligence Framework in Connected Systems' introduces a state-of-the-art, real-time closed-loop system that combines electroencephalography (EEG) and motion sensor data to interpret users’ cognitive and emotional states. This development marks a significant advancement in the field of human-machine interaction. The research presents a novel framework known as psycho-intelligence, which merges neuroscience, behavioural science, and adaptive ar...