Tag Archives: emotions

Unlocking Kama Muta: Discover Hidden Emotions and Learn to Feel Them Deeply

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A woman hugging her mother by the sea

Imagine cradling your newborn baby, deeply gazing into their eyes. You’re at the airport, eagerly awaiting your family’s return from a year-long journey, and suddenly, you spot them approaching. Or perhaps you’re in a packed stadium, witnessing your team lift a long-awaited trophy. Each moment evokes a profound sense of connection, sending chills down your spine and bringing tears to your eyes.

Does this resonate with you? Although you might not know it yet, you’re experiencing an emotion referred to as “kama muta.” This phenomenon is gaining traction in psychological circles for its critical role in our relationships with family, friends, and community. By actively seeking to evoke this feeling, you can enhance your life’s purpose and strengthen your social bonds.

This article is part of a series on simple changes to boost your health in the new year.
Read the complete series here.

The term kama muta emerged from research initiatives starting in 2012 by Alan Fisk, an anthropologist, with contributions from colleagues at UCLA and the University of Oslo. They began exploring why happy ending scenes in movies bring us to tears. Prior to this, emotional research mostly focused on tears as indicators of sadness.

Initial discussions evolved into formal research involving extensive interviews and surveys about strong emotional responses to positive events. They identified common descriptors such as “being moved,” “stirred,” and “uplifted,” often accompanied by physical sensations like watery eyes, goosebumps, and warmth in the chest. Most importantly, this emotion appeared linked to the enhancement of social relationships.

And it’s not exclusive to happy situations; it can arise in diverse scenarios, including parental care, reunions, and even Alcoholics Anonymous meetings where individuals experience a powerful sense of acceptance.

“Instead of feeling isolated or ashamed of your past, you realize your challenges connect you to others,” says Fisk.

This emotional response can also manifest during religious practices such as prayer, conveying a connection to the divine. Additionally, communal events like sports victories often evoke profound feelings of pride and admiration for teams that have faced adversity.

Live music inspires emotional connections

Andrew Chin/Getty Images

Despite the richness of the English language, we lack a term that encompasses these impactful experiences. Thus, we often overlook the emotional parallels across various situations. “Our premise is straightforward,” Fisk asserts. “These experiences share a common feeling.”

To describe this, the researchers adopted sanskrit‘s term Kama Muta, which translates to “moved by love.” Fisk notes, “The Sanskrit expressions have a poetic quality.”

Fisk explains it as “love igniting,” suggesting it may have evolved to deepen our care for those closest to us. In ancient times, shared bonds were vital for survival, and emotions fostering these ties significantly benefited our ancestors. Today, social connections are equally crucial for human health. Emotions like kama muta may help broaden our perspectives on life, thereby enhancing overall well-being.

Discovering Kama Muta

Thanks to our innate empathic abilities, we can experience kama muta by viewing emotional videos, transcending cultural boundaries. For instance, Fisk’s studies revealed that participants from diverse backgrounds reacted similarly to videos depicting profound connections.

Such experiments indicate that experiencing kama muta can significantly inspire you to cultivate and maintain relationships. After feeling this emotion, subjects expressed greater commitment to their relationships and a heightened desire to connect intimately with others.

Concerts often provoke kama muta due to music’s beauty and strength of unity it fosters among strangers; experiences like Taylor Swift sharing friendship bracelets with fans exemplify this unique bond.

People who exhibit higher levels of empathy may be more susceptible to kama muta. However, anyone can learn to nurture this emotion by actively listening to those around them.

“When individuals feel truly heard, they tend to feel more connected to the listener,” suggests Kenneth Demaree, a psychologist based in New York. He believes that this connection leads to deeper self-disclosure and greater emotional revelations.

Additionally, many secret pathways exist for experiencing kama muta, even in solitude. Whether through reading or watching love stories, you can evoke such feelings, with watching cute animal videos striking a chord often.

Cultivating your emotional experiences changes your perception, shifting from suppression to appreciation. “You may think it’s a disaster to feel emotional,” shares Fisk, “but by understanding that everyone goes through these feelings, you’re more inclined to embrace them.”

Like any emotion, kama muta consists of various components, including physical sensations, mental interpretations, and motivations to act. Researchers have developed a
kama muta multiplex scale to measure your experience. Explore our research-driven quizzes to evaluate your feelings while watching a kitten video—just one example. Or view heartfelt images of loved ones or engage in meaningful discussions with friends. Then rate your experience by how closely these statements resonate with you, on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 6 (very often).

Section 1

Have you experienced it?

  • Moist eyes
  • Tears
  • Goosebumps or hair standing on end
  • Chills or shivers
  • Warm sensation in the middle of your chest
  • Feeling of warmth in the chest area
  • Feeling breathless
  • Lump in throat
  • Difficulty articulating
  • Smiling
  • Feeling buoyant and light
  • Feeling refreshed, energized, and uplifted

Section 2

Did you feel it?

  • Incredible bond
  • A profound sense of intimacy
  • A unique love that rises
  • A special feeling of being welcomed or embraced

Section 3

Did you feel it?

  • Urge to express care for someone
  • Desire to hug someone
  • Impulse to do something special for someone
  • Increased commitment to the relationship

Section 4

How did you feel overall about the experience?

  • It was heartwarming
  • It left a lasting impression
  • It touched me deeply

While there are no absolute indicators to determine if you felt kama muta or not, researchers affirm that the higher your aggregate scores across these sections, the more intense your kama muta experience is likely to be.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Struggling to Connect with Your Emotions? You Might Have Alexithymia.

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Finding the right words to express ourselves can be challenging at times. If you frequently encounter emotions that seem elusive, you might be experiencing symptoms of alexithymia.

Individuals with alexithymia struggle not only to articulate their emotions but may also find it hard to differentiate between feelings and bodily sensations.

For instance, when you see someone you once admired while walking down the street, you might feel your chest tighten and your heart race. These physical responses could signify nervousness or excitement.

Unlike those without alexithymia, who can quickly identify their emotions, those with the condition may need to search their memories or the contextual clues before they can name their feelings.

Since recognizing emotions is crucial for effective emotion regulation, alexithymia can hinder the management of intense feelings, whether negative or positive.

This trait is a personality aspect rather than a specific disorder or syndrome. While the precise cause remains unclear, research has indicated that both genetic and environmental factors may play a role.

Approximately 13 percent of the population may experience some form of alexithymia, with studies suggesting a higher prevalence in men than in women .

Struggling to accurately identify your emotions can lead to issues like anxiety, relationship challenges, and isolation – Photo credit: Getty

Additionally, alexithymia is linked to common traits associated with neurological disorders that may emerge following trauma or brain injury, such as experiences after a stroke or epilepsy.

A review conducted by psychologists in 2018 highlighted that alexithymia overlaps considerably with autism, with one in two individuals on the autism spectrum potentially facing alexithymia.

While no cure exists for this condition, it has been proposed that improving emotional awareness through practice may be possible.

This involves engaging with exercises that connect physical sensations to specific emotions, as well as expanding our “emotional vocabulary” to better articulate our inner experiences.

This article addresses the question “Am I alexithymic?” as posed by Lochlan Booth from Durham.

If you have any inquiries, please reach out via email at: questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a message facebook, ×or Instagram Page (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Study Shows Humans Struggle to Accurately Interpret Dog Emotions

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We often believe we can accurately gauge our dogs’ emotions, yet recent studies indicate that many of us may be misunderstanding their feelings.

Researchers at Arizona State University (ASU) discovered that when individuals are in a good mood, they are more prone to perceive their dog as looking sad. Conversely, when experiencing mild depression, they are likely to view the same dog as happy.

This contrasts with how we interpret human emotions. In social interactions, we generally perceive others’ feelings as mirroring our own.

“I am continually fascinated by how people interpret emotions in dogs,” stated the study’s co-author, Clive Wynn. “We have only begun to uncover what is shaping up to be a significant mystery.”

The researchers believe these findings could greatly influence how we care for our pets.

“By enhancing our understanding of how we recognize emotions in animals, we can improve their care,” explained the first author, Dr. Holly Molinaro, who was a doctoral student at ASU focused on animal behavior at the time.

Dogs involved in the study, from left to right: Canyon, a 1-year-old Catahoula; Henry, a 3-year-old French Bulldog; and Oliver, a 14-year-old mongrel. The video background was black, ensuring only the dogs were visible. – Credit: Arizona State University

The research stemmed from two experiments with about 300 undergraduate students.

Participants first viewed images designed to evoke positive, negative, or neutral moods. They then watched a brief video featuring an adorable dog to assess its emotional state.

Those who saw uplifting images rated the dog in the video as sadder, while participants who viewed more somber images rated it as happier.

The video included three dogs—Oliver, Canyon, and Henry—depicted in scenarios reflecting cheerful, anxious, or neutral moods. Factors like snacks, toys, and the promise of visiting “Grandma” elevated their spirits, while a vacuum cleaner and a photo of a cat were used to bring them down.

Scientists are still puzzled about why humans misinterpret dogs’ emotions. “Humans and dogs have coexisted closely for at least 14,000 years,” Wynn noted.

“Over this time, dogs have learned much about cohabitation with humans. However, our research indicates significant gaps in our understanding of how dogs truly feel.”

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Horror Fans Aren’t Heartless: The Science Behind Their Emotions

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Horror fans have been painted with the same broad, bloody brush for decades: labeled as cold, emotionless thrill-seekers who delight in the suffering of others. Movie critics describe the movie’s fans and creators as follows: Friday the 13th and Saw as “very sick people.” Flat among scholars, a common explanation for why some people love horror is that they lack empathy or are simply adrenaline junkies. In my new book, I argue that all of these assumptions are wrong.

One of the most persistent misconceptions about horror fans is that they must lack empathy to enjoy a movie this painful. This claim is intuitive and, until recently, was ostensibly supported by evidence presented in a meta-analysis. But a meta-analysis is only as powerful as the studies it summarizes. In this case, the variables were poorly defined. For example, the two studies that showed the strongest associations with low empathy examined whether participants enjoyed short clips that ended in torture or brutal murder and had no satisfying resolution. These measures probably don’t tell us much about horror fans, but they may tell us something about sadists. Deep in the discussion section, the authors of the meta-analysis acknowledged that if these studies were removed, the link between empathy and the enjoyment of fear disappeared. Unfortunately, that warning wasn’t mentioned in the summary.

In 2024, a series of research studies directly addressed issues of horror fandom and empathy. The results were amazing. Using standardized ratings measuring empathy and compassion, we found no evidence that horror fans were lower on either scale. In fact, they scored higher on empathy and compassion on several measures.

Even if they don’t consider empathy, conventional wisdom suggests that horror fans are just looking for an adrenaline rush. Some old research will even show you the proof. However, the truth is more complex.

My colleagues and I looked into it. When we investigated the motivations of horror fans who visit haunted attractions, we found that “adrenaline junkies” are only a subset of horror enthusiasts. We also discovered a group we call “white knucklers.” They find horror really scary and hate feeling scared. Our research shows that horror offers these fans an opportunity to overcome their fears and learn something about themselves. We also found a group called “Dark Copers” who use horror as a way to process difficult emotions and experiences. They find a sense of catharsis in imaginary horror. These three types of models make it clear that many horror fans are not motivated solely by adrenaline. However, they have one thing in common.

My research has identified the following personality traits: morbid curiosity as the most powerful predictor of horror fandom. The tendency to seek information about dangerous, threatening, or death-related phenomena leads to a fascination with horror media. And that may be good for you. Research shows that people with high levels of morbid curiosity are better prepared for real crises and demonstrate increased resilience during stressful life events. Horror fans may practice emotional regulation—a time to toy with fear through terrifying entertainment.

This evidence paints a picture of horror fans as empathetic, curious, and psychologically sophisticated. Horror is a testament to human adaptability and our uncanny ability to find meaning, connection, and even growth in the face of our deepest fears. Recognizing this not only helps us understand horror fans more accurately but also reveals something deep about human nature itself.

Coltan Scribner is the author of Morbidly Curious: Scientists Explain Why You Shouldn’t Look Away.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Two Climate Scientists Discuss Harnessing Emotions in the Face of the Climate Crisis

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With emissions continuing to rise, how can we foster hope for the future?

Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In the media, the climate crisis can often seem overwhelming with daily warnings about environmental degradation and extreme weather events. However, how do climate scientists cope with the relentless reality of a shifting planet? What lessons can they share regarding the intense emotions that climate change provokes? Is there a way to leverage these feelings constructively?

New Scientist Recently, I spoke with New York-based climate scientist Kate Marvel and Tim Renton, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter, UK. Both have dedicated years to modeling the interactions of our planet in response to rising greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. Each has authored recent works that provide insights on how to engage with and address climate emergencies.

At first glance, their books may appear quite distinct. Humanity by Marvel comprises a series of essays delving into the emotional responses elicited by climate change. In contrast, Renton’s work, A Positive Turning Point, emphasizes actionable strategies and solutions. It argues compellingly that with appropriate social, economic, and technological interventions, a significant shift toward a cleaner world is achievable.

Nonetheless, both books center around accepting our feelings about climate change, enabling us to reshape our thoughts and actions. During our discussion, Renton and Marvel emphasized why we should embrace anger, fear, pride, and hope regarding our future on this planet.

Rowan Hooper: Kate, your book discusses nine emotional perspectives on our changing planet. Would you mind starting with anger?

Kate Marvel: The chapter on anger was one of the most straightforward for me to write. I aimed to explore the historical context of climate change discovery, particularly how it intertwines with the actions of those who misrepresent it.

For example, there’s a research team striving to show that the majority of excess carbon dioxide in our atmosphere originates from fossil fuel sources, conducting innovative experiments to confirm this. They’ve deployed large ships to gather sea measurements and ultimately they’ve constructed a climate model with highly accurate predictions. Interestingly, the story traces back to an oil company, which fills me with anger. They were aware of the truths that many are just beginning to confront.

RH: Can this anger drive positive action?

KM: That’s my hope. It can be easy to fall into a negative spiral fueled solely by anger. Social media often exacerbates this outrage, but that sort of unproductive rage doesn’t lead to meaningful change.

RH: Your book also addresses emotions such as wonder, guilt, fear, sadness, surprise, pride, hope, and love. Can you share your approach to navigating these emotions?

KM: It was important for me to convey that there isn’t a singular way to feel about climate change. I often grew frustrated by narratives that insinuate you must adhere to one emotion—such as fear or anger. Living on Earth means acknowledging conflicting feelings; you care deeply about what unfolds here because your loved ones do as well.

Tim Renton examines “tipping points” within ecosystems that could impact the broader climate scenario.

University of Exeter

RH: Tim, what strategies do you use to handle the emotions tied to climate change research?

Tim Renton: My focus has been on climate tipping points that could have serious implications, some of which are already beginning to manifest. For instance, up to five billion people globally depend on tropical coral reefs that are currently threatened.

Having studied this for nearly 20 years, I’ve had to cultivate a mental framework that grapples with complex systems while seeking evidence that fosters my optimism. It’s about finding plausible pathways toward necessary changes without falling into naive hope.

RH: Is it vital to strike a balance between realism and hope?

TL: Yes, that’s what I consider conditional optimism. I remain hopeful that as people read, they might join me on this journey. History shows us that meaningful inspiration comes from a handful of committed individuals.

Madeleine Cuff: Tim, much of your work revolves around the notion of tipping points. For those unfamiliar, can you explain what that entails?

TL: A tipping point refers to a moment when minor alterations result in significant impacts on systemic states and destinies. In the context of climate change, this includes major ice sheets, ocean circulations, and key biospheric aspects that can transition between stable states. For instance, the Amazon rainforest could shift into a degraded forest or savanna.

MC: What does a positive turning point look like?

TL: Drawing from various fields over decades, I’ve seen that social changes can reach a tipping point. Social protests can appear to ignite a revolution, and technological advancements can also lead to significant shifts. There’s a point when a new technology can effectively replace an existing one.

RH: A clear example is the rise of electric vehicles and the decreasing costs of solar energy. How do these contribute to a positive turning point?

TL: We need to focus on actions that facilitate positive tipping points. We must accelerate the decarbonization process significantly. Fortunately, everyone plays a role in this transition.

At the most basic level, adopting new behaviors like reducing meat consumption or embracing technologies such as electric vehicles and solar power is crucial. Most individuals have investment funds, so it is essential to scrutinize where these funds are allocated.

The narrative surrounding positive turning points often begins with passionate social activists and innovators who envision new technologies or those eager to create change.

In her research, Kate Marvel seeks to enhance our understanding of the planet’s changing climate.

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

MC: Kate, while we’ve touched on the negative emotions related to climate change, what about the positive feelings? How can they spur constructive actions?

KM: I began my book with a chapter on Wonder. When you take a step back to consider our planet and how much we understand it, it’s quite astonishing. This awe can forge connections and initiate conversations.

Typically, when I introduce myself as a climate scientist, people tend to disengage. But framing discussions around wonder can invite curiosity—for instance, asking, “Did you know that Earth’s water is likely older than our planet?” This fosters engagement. Utilizing a spectrum of emotions can be an effective communication strategy.

Research indicates that positively experienced emotions can be motivating. Pride in our achievements and the fulfillment of instigating change are significant. Social science data consistently points to love—love for family, friends, and community—as a powerful motivator for climate action. We all recognize the strength of such feelings.

My chapter on hope explores our complicated relationship with it. When asked if I hope for solutions to climate change, I compare it to asking if I hope to clean my bathroom; it’s not really a question of hope but a question of action we already know how to undertake.

As Tim rightly notes, many solutions are already at hand. We are making progress but need to increase the momentum to reach that critical turning point.

RH: We must confront our emotions, right? This might explain why so many struggle to engage with the issue—it can feel too immense to face.

KM: Absolutely. I ponder this daily, yet remain confounded by its complexity. The problem stems from global industrial activity, with CO2 and other greenhouse gases diffusing through the atmosphere and impacting life globally.

It’s daunting to distill such a vast issue into something easily digestible. The significance of what this entails and the actions required can span a lifetime of work.

Many Americans express concern about climate change and wish for governmental action. However, polls often reveal that individuals believe others are less concerned. One of the most impactful actions an individual can take regarding climate change is to discuss it openly. By talking about it, we begin to realize we are not alone.

RH: What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

KM: I want readers to explore how they can resonate with their communities through shared experiences and narratives.

TL: My goal is for readers to feel empowered to act on what might seem like a daunting and insurmountable situation, instilling a sense of agency instead.

This is an edited version of the original interview conducted for New Scientist’s The World, The Universe, Us Podcasts.

What actionable steps can we take regarding climate change?
Tune in to Matt’s explanation on how to transform despair into action on October 18th at NewsCientist.com/nslmag

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Unlocking Emotions: Uncovering Hidden Indicators of Brain Aging

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As we age, it’s common to perceive others as more content, as revealed by a recent study.

Researchers have discovered that older adults often exhibit a “positive bias” in interpreting facial expressions. This suggests they are more inclined to classify neutral or negative faces as happy rather than sad or angry.

“This indicates they tend to interpret vague or ambiguous expressions as ‘happy’ instead of ‘sad’ or ‘angry,'” noted Dr. Noham Wolpe in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “Crucially, this bias correlates with subtle cognitive decline and alterations in the specific brain circuits responsible for emotional processing and decision-making.”

Using data from over 600 adults, the research team examined this phenomenon through emotion recognition tasks along with brain imaging techniques.

They found structural variations in the hippocampus and amygdala—key regions for memory and emotion—and changes in connectivity with the orbitofrontal cortex, which plays a role in weighing emotional information and guiding decisions.

“These regions form crucial networks that aid in interpreting emotional signals and informing decisions,” Wolpe explained, highlighting how the relationship between the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala strengthens in adults facing cognitive decline.

“This enhancement may lead them to perceive ambiguous or neutral emotional signals as positive, a phenomenon known as positive bias,” he remarked, noting that the reason behind this increased connectivity associated with cognitive decline is still unknown.

Researchers remain uncertain why the interamygdala connectivity and orbitofrontal cortex, highlighted in red, strengthen in individuals with cognitive decline – Trust: Getty

Although this research is in its nascent stages, its implications are significant. Positive biases might one day serve as early indicators of dementia, as changes in emotional processing frequently precede memory impairment.

“While emotion recognition tests are not yet ready to replace current cognitive assessments, in the future they could be combined with standard screening methods to enhance early detection,” Wolpe stated.

Wolpe and his team are already investigating innovative approaches, such as immersive virtual reality tasks, to better understand how people instinctively respond to emotional signals.

The next objective is to determine if this positive bias can actually forecast cognitive decline. The team has recently concluded a follow-up evaluation of participants in the Cambridge Aging and Neuroscience Research, approximately 12 years after the original assessments. Participant data is also being linked to GP records to monitor dementia diagnoses.

“A crucial takeaway,” Wolpe mentioned, “is that subtle biases in how we perceive others’ expressions can signal early brain changes, long before the typical signs of dementia manifest.”

“Grasping these connections could pave the way for quicker detection and ultimately more effective interventions.”

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About our experts

Noham Wolpe is a senior lecturer at the Sagol School of Neuroscience at Tel Aviv University. His research focuses on understanding the interplay between cognition, mental health, and behavior, both in health and disease.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Understanding Your Dog’s Emotions: A Guide to Their Feelings

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It’s clear that dogs excel at comprehending our emotions and behaviors. But how deeply does this understanding go, and what signals do they pick up on?

The dogs who live alongside us are often more astute in their observations than we might think. In many ways, they act like anthropologists, dedicating time to study us and uncovering connections between our actions that even we may be unaware of.

At home, you might notice their ability to differentiate between standing up to leave and simply heading to the fridge.

Research has shown that dogs are capable of reading stress, discerning detecting fear, and even identifying the presence of disease in us. While their extraordinary sense of smell plays a role, their understanding goes beyond physical cues, acknowledging our emotional and physiological states.

When interpreting emotions, humans typically focus on the face—and dogs do the same. They are adept at reading our facial expressions.

Studies on how dogs perceive human emotions indicate that they can differentiate between neutral, angry, and happy expressions. Interestingly, they can also associate vocalizations with the corresponding emotional tone of these expressions.

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Dogs can interpret a person’s expression when approaching an object (such as joy or disgust) to gauge whether they should get closer themselves. They can even process images of just the upper half of a face, showing that they can understand emotions even when part of the face is obscured, like by a mask.

Moreover, they recognize our voices and can differentiate the genders of unfamiliar voices.

Recent studies confirmed that dogs are perceptive to fear, able to identify shirts worn by individuals who watched a scary movie from those worn by those who were watching something neutral.

They can also recognize changes in our body language that indicate fear and stress. One study revealed a correlation between human testosterone levels (influenced by a sports team’s performance) and a dog’s cortisol levels, indicating their sensitivity to our emotional states.

Having spent countless hours observing us from their cozy spots in the living room, dogs have developed an acute awareness of our intentions and feelings.

For instance, research found that dogs can discern between intentional actions (like deliberately placing an object out of reach) and unintentional incidents (like unintentionally dropping something).

Studies confirm that even when we’re out of sight or simply turning away, they are aware of when we sneak a snack forbidden from their reach. They also notice when our attention is diverted, like when we’re glued to a book or staring at a screen, indicating a window for them to grab that tempting treat.

More broadly, they’re adept at assessing whether individuals possess knowledge about hidden food sources.

Finally, and most impressively, dogs have a remarkable ability to detect illness. Initial reports of pet dogs identifying melanoma by scratching their owners’ skin have led to research where dogs have been trained to identify various cancers through scent, as well as monitoring blood sugar levels and even recognizing glycation.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Managing Negative Emotions May Help Alleviate Chronic Pain

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Many individuals endure chronic pain for years or even decades

Asiavision/Getty Images

Understanding how to manage negative emotions like anxiety can help ease chronic pain. Research shows certain therapies that emphasize pain tolerance may be more effective than current treatments.

“Chronic pain is not just a physical sensation; it’s deeply emotional,” explains Nell Norman Knott from the University of New South Wales, Australia. “Around 80% of those with chronic pain experience heightened levels of anxiety and depression,” she adds, noting how existing pain exacerbates negative feelings, intensifying the pain experience.

To assess if this cycle could be disrupted, Norman Knott and her team implemented a program inspired by dialectical behavioral therapy, a variation of cognitive behavioral therapy catering to those with strong emotions. The program centered on mindfulness, emotional management, and pain tolerance.

Eighty-nine chronic pain sufferers, averaging 16 years of discomfort, were assigned to either an 8-week online therapy program with therapists or to receive their prior treatments, such as medications or physical therapy.

After nine weeks, the treatment group showed a roughly 5-point improvement in emotional regulation on a scale of 18-90 compared to the control group. Their pain intensity began to decrease by week 21, and after six months, participants in the control group reported significantly less pain.

“This is both intriguing and hopeful,” remarks Benedict Alter from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He notes that it could particularly benefit individuals without easy access to in-person care. “The online format is significant, as a small number of providers offering treatment is a substantial challenge, often limited to urban settings.”

While the specific mechanisms behind pain reduction remain unclear, he asserts, “Better emotional regulation correlates with improved quality of life, resulting in less pain and decreased functional impairment. Future studies with larger sample sizes could elucidate these mechanisms.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Newly Created Elastic Rechargeable Gadgets Can Identify Genuine Emotions

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A research team from Penn State has developed a novel hybrid device that integrates distinct sensors with a flexible wireless power supply and an emotional recognition transmission module.

Wearable patches can accurately track multiple emotional signals at the same time. Image credit: Yangbo Yuan/Penn State.

“This represents a new and enhanced method for understanding our emotions by observing various body signals simultaneously,” stated Dr. Hua New Larry’Chen of Pennsylvania.

“Relying solely on facial expressions for emotional understanding can often be misleading.”

“Many people do not always express how they truly feel, so combining analyses of expression with other significant physiological signals can ultimately enhance mental health monitoring and support.”

The sticker-like patches monitor various physiological responses, including skin temperature, humidity, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels linked to emotional states.

Crucially, the device’s sensors are designed to function independently, reducing interference among different measurements.

The system integrates the analysis of physiological signals with facial data to better differentiate between authentic and behavioral emotions.

It wirelessly transmits real-time measurement data to your mobile device and cloud, where it could potentially assist clinicians in effectively evaluating patients.

The device does not store personal data; it only records signals, ensuring privacy is safeguarded through its design.

“This technology has the potential to aid individuals facing mental health challenges, especially when they may not be entirely forthcoming about their struggles,” remarked Yambo Yuan, a doctoral student in Pennsylvania.

“The collected data could also help bridge cultural or social divides, which can manifest as a disparity between stoic or expressive presentations to healthcare providers.”

“Tracking these signals could enable early detection of issues like anxiety and depression as they develop.”

Researchers have crafted a flexible device by folding a thin layer of materials such as platinum or gold into a wave-like shape that maintains its sensitivity, even when stretched or twisted.

A layer of material incorporated into a hollow tube made of carbon atoms adjusts current flow with temperature, absorbing moisture and monitoring humidity levels.

Multiple sensors have been designed and positioned on the device to avoid interference with each other’s readings.

For instance, scientists placed a rigid layer underneath the temperature and humidity sensors to protect it from the stretching experienced by the expression sensor.

A waterproof layer was also utilized to shield temperature and strain sensors from humidity.

Dr. Libo Gao, a researcher at Xiamen University, stated:

The authors subsequently trained artificial intelligence (AI) models to interpret and recognize the signs of human emotions exhibited.

They enlisted eight participants, a typical sample size for pilot studies, who expressed six fundamental emotions: happiness, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust.

Participants showcased each emotional expression 100 times while the device monitored movements.

The researchers then input the data into AI models, training them to link specific facial movements with distinct emotions.

Three additional participants were recruited to further evaluate the model’s effectiveness.

It categorized facial expressions with an impressive accuracy of 96.28%.

In testing the device’s capacity to monitor actual emotions, the scientists assessed how well it recorded the psychological responses of the same participants while viewing video clips designed to evoke emotions.

The device successfully identified emotions with an accuracy of 88.83%, confirming that the psychological responses corresponded with established links between emotions, such as rising skin temperatures and increased heart rates associated with surprise and anger.

“The capability to transmit data wirelessly allows healthcare professionals to remotely monitor individuals and offer timely emotional support through telehealth,” Dr. Chen emphasized.

“The sensor could play a vital role in enhancing access to care.”

“Given the increasing stress levels in contemporary society, monitoring emotions could provide early indicators of debilitating conditions and enable proactive support.”

The device’s development is documented in a paper published in the journal Nano Letters.

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Yanbo Yuan et al. 2025. Stretchable, rechargeable, multimodal hybrid electronics for isolated sensing for emotional detection. Nano Letters 25 (13): 5220-5230; doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c06392

Source: www.sci.news

Why Does Pressing the Button in Palworld Make You Feel Cold? Understanding the Game’s Effects on Emotions

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TThe biggest story in the gaming world so far this year is Palworld, the Pokémon-with-guns early access game that broke and broke concurrent player records on PC.It's showing some signs that it's unsustainable, as these player numbers show dropout In recent weeks, developers have revealed: eye-watering cost Although it requires keeping servers online for so many people (about $600,000 a year), it still has the potential to be the biggest game of 2024 in terms of pure revenue.

There's something a little off-putting about Palworld that makes other developers and critics wrinkle their noses. Unlike Minecraft's blocky animals, it's not just unpleasant to point a gun at a creature that's designed to look cute.The character design became a hot topic because it was too similar to Pokemon. suspicion of plagiarism, the 3D models of some of the game's creatures are incredibly closely matched to those from recent Pokemon games. (The Pokémon Company is currently investigating, but Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe said: palworld said The studio says it has “cleared legal review” and that it has “absolutely no intention to infringe on any other company's intellectual property.” ) Lead developers are also actively outspoken about the use of AI tools, which is a very unpopular opinion among all users. Everyone except a few executives is working on the 2024 game.

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, from 2022. Photo provided by: Pokemon Co., Ltd.

This game borrows ideas from several other games without incorporating many of its own ideas. When you play Palworld, what comes to mind is not Pokemon, but Ark: Survival Evolved. This is his 9 year old survival game where you tame dinosaurs in addition to the usual collecting, building and crafting. Once you capture a creature, it will either be forced into indentured servitude within your base, or it will come to fight alongside you in the wilderness.

It's nothing we haven't seen in some other survival games, but Palworld makes it completely smooth and takes a lot of the hectic work out between you and the next great upgrade. Like fellow smash hit Genshin, this game employs familiar gaming tropes and is so easy and engaging that it's hard to put down.

It helps that other players aren't trying to ruin your fun like Ark and Rust do. In another survival game, there's always someone trying to smash you with rocks and take your stuff. There is currently no player vs player competition in Palworld (planned for a later version). Instead, you collaborate with other players on the server. The game's attitude towards creatures is cruel, they exist to be killed, enslaved, or eaten. However, the attitude towards players is very welcoming. There's a reason it's popular.

Despite this, I don't like Palworld. It's soulless, and anecdotally it seems like there are a lot of kids in the 19 million player base, even though this is not a game made with kids in mind. It's violent and immoral, especially when compared to the Pokemon games from which its creature design is clearly inspired. In Pokémon, a children's classic that has evolved over 25 years, your creatures aren't just pets, they're companions. You fight them for sport, sure, which Peta won't approve of, but they don't get hurt, they don't have weapons, and of course you don't either. eat they.

Massacre on a farm…Palworld. Photo: pocket pair

Palworld is more like what panicked parents and reactionary preachers of the late 1990s had in mind. Pokemon was like when Time magazine featured fear-mongering headlines. Be careful of pokemoniacs And Christian groups claimed that Pikachu was literally a manifestation of the devil. “Monsters make disturbing playmates. No matter how toylike and frivolous they may seem, they are unnatural and ultimately deal with unresolved fears,” Time magazine wrote in 1999. Stated. Consider the dubious fascination with the creature called Pokémon… The 4- to 12-year-old set may exhibit the most troubling enthusiasm about Pokémon. ” It's funny to read that line now, but I remember when video games were always talked about in mainstream media in this tone, as a symptom of serious mental illness among kids in the '90s.

Anyway, I'm not here to create a moral panic about Palworld. It's ironic, but it's also mostly harmless and undeniably compelling. I wouldn't let her 7 year old play, but anyone over 12 would have had a much worse experience with her YouTube. There's probably nothing new under the sun, and most of the upcoming breakout games will be repackaged ideas he's seen ten times before. But we keep hoping that the next unexpected hit we'll play this year will leave us with a smile instead of a nasty taste in our mouths.

what to play

Dream Daddy: Daddy dating simulator. Photo: Game Gramps

Since it's Valentine's Day, I have to recommend a game about love that many games don't tackle with confidence. dream daddy is a dating game where you play a single father looking for love with one of seven other eligible single fathers in a new neighborhood. Many thought it was an over-the-top joke until it was released in 2017, but it remains one of the most sincere and unexpectedly touching dating games of all time. Teenage daughters often muster up the courage to talk to the father of your choice. It also often leads to mildly surreal mini-games, where you try to wow your date with competitive pride in your child's achievements, for example. The game turns out to be about the love between parents and children, and the budding romance between you and the sexy singles in your neighborhood. They all have their own problems and are stories that are handled with humor and compassion.

Available on: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, smartphone,
Estimated play time: 2-10 hours depending on how many dads you want to date

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what to read

Star Wars x Fortnite, anyone? Disney invested $1.5 billion in Fortnite maker Epic. Photo: PictureLux/Hollywood Archive/Alamy

  • We're still waiting for Microsoft to outline its vision for the future of Xbox. It will take place tomorrow evening UK time. via podcast Featuring Xbox executives Sarah Bond, Phil Spencer, and Matt Booty. This is according to a recent study from 2K Games, which suggests that the PS5 is outperforming the Xbox Series X two to one.

  • I loved Gene Park's feature on the Yakuza series in the Washington Post. “Japan's crime game series captures hearts with its gentle and heroic masculinity.”. Even if you don't have time to play for dozens of hours, you'll get to the heart of what makes these games so appealing.

  • British maker of Jagex, the developer of Runescape; Acquired for £900m By two private equity firms.

  • Disney is Invested $1.5 billion (!) in Epic Games As part of a deal to create a “new permanent universe” [that] It provides numerous opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more. ” That sounds like it could mean some more Star Wars skins will be added to Fortnite.

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The Contagious Nature of Emotions: How We Affect Others

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If you have encountered a friend who started the day cheerful and then turned grumpy, you know the power of contagious emotions. It’s easy to find yourself feeling down when you’re around someone who is also feeling low. But the good news is that the opposite is also true. Your friend’s cheerful demeanor could help lift your spirits when you’re feeling sad.

Psychologists suggest that when people interact, they often mimic each other without even realizing it. This can include body language, speech patterns, and facial expressions, especially when interacting with people they know and care about.

These processes often involve effective communication and mutual understanding. One way we understand others’ emotions is by simulating those emotions in our own minds. The result is that we can “infect” each other with our emotions.

But who wins in these emotional interactions? Whether you succumb to someone else’s sadness or they catch your happiness may come down to their and your expressiveness and level of receptivity.

Emotional expressiveness and suggestibility vary from person to person. Those who laugh a lot when they’re happy are more likely to infect their friends with their happiness. Similarly, friends who are suggestive and mimic facial expressions are more likely to catch your smile and start feeling happier.

Facial expressions are not the only way to convey emotion. For example, fear has an odor, and there is evidence that smelling the sweat of an anxious person can trigger activity in parts of the brain involved in empathy and emotional processing.

And emotions can also be contagious through social media. People exposed to more negative posts are more likely to post negative content themselves.

When encountering emotions that differ from your own, your experience may depend on your investment in that person. When we care about someone, we are more likely to mirror their emotions. On the other hand, encountering conflicting emotions from strangers may be more difficult to handle.

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