Science and Culture correspondent
Science
I have always enjoyed researching and learning about mathematical paradoxes. Partly because they are interesting to think about, and partly because they make us question our already-existing knowledge about the world around us. The Infinite Hotel Paradox or Hilbert's Paradox of the Grand Hotel is one such paradox,
Science
Research regarding cancer treatment has gradually improved over the years, expanding the range of effective intervention methods: From tumour removal surgery and radiation therapy to targeting rapidly growing cells with chemotherapy. Now, thanks to ever-expanding research, scientists have come up with another treatment that has proven more effective than the
Science
An Overview Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a long-lasting mental and behavioural disorder featuring patterns of intrusive thoughts and fears known as obsessions. Obsessions are persistent unwanted thoughts, mental images, or urges that cause feelings of anxiety, disgust or discomfort. Such obsessions may lead one to do repetitive behaviours, known as
Culture
The Curse of the Ninth Symphony The curse of the ninth symphony has long been a superstition in the history of classical music. According to the legend, a composer’s ninth symphony will inevitably be their last, with death just around the corner. Many claim that this so-called curse is
Science
Introduction The ratio between a circle's circumference and diameter is a mathematical constant known as pi. (i.e. C∕D=π) It is estimated to be around π ≈ 3927⁄1250 = 3.1416 (accuracy 2·10^-6). Two of the very earliest civilizations, the Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians both
Literature
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery with its timeless charm and comforting familiarity, holds a special place in my heart. I remember first receiving the book as a gift at the age of eleven. The difficult vocabulary and endless rows of small text were daunting at first, especially
Science
Hormones are chemical messengers that coordinate different functions in the body. The endocrine system, which is made up of all the body's different hormones, regulates all biological processes in the body, from growth and metabolism to conception and brain development. Hormones, produced by glands, regulate long-term ongoing processes
Science
Introduction to the Nervous System The first principle of the biological approach to behaviour is that behaviour is the product of physiology. The term physiology is an umbrella term that encapsulates the structure and function of the nervous and endocrine systems. However, to fully understand this principle, one has to
Science
Introduction to Neuroplasticity Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change by modifying synaptic connections between neurons typically caused by genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors refers to the normal pre-programmed development of the brain, while environmental factors include injury, brain damage or acquiring new skills. Naturally, there are
Science
Localization of function is an idea that explores the connection between patterns of behaviour and parts of the brain. This idea has a long history, dating back to ancient times when scholars like Hippocrates speculated about the brain's role in behaviour. However, it was not until the 19th
Science
The Little Albert experiment was a famous psychology experiment conducted by John B. Watson and graduate student Rosalie Rayner, in the mid-20th century. Inspired by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov, who conducted experiments demonstrating the conditioning process in dogs, Watson wanted to take the research a step further by demonstrating that
Science
What is Temperament? Temperament is the way children respond to the world, influencing the way they handle emotions, regulate behaviour, feel around new people and adapt to new environments. These individual characteristics are assumed to have a biological basis, appear early in development and play a role in subsequent social