Tag Archives: quick

Microwave Tea? The Shift Among Generation Z from Kettles to Quick Brews

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Item: A kettle.

Established: 132. First appeared in the catalog in 1893.

Outer appearance: It’s gradually becoming less common.

I’m not sure where this is going. Get with the times. Young people in the UK seem to have moved away from using kettles for tea.

Are they boiling water in a pot? Not ideal.

You can’t mean… I don’t want to say this, but they might be using a microwave now.

Can you hear that? King Arthur is weeping. Or perhaps they have a point. Maybe they are tired of brewing tea with disposable appliances clogged with old lime scale.

But it’s a tradition! That’s irrelevant. A survey of over 2,000 UK energy bill payers conducted by Uswitch revealed that 58% of individuals under 30 use microwaves for their tea. One in six admits to doing this daily.

Why’s that? Is it quicker? Not really. Boiling water for a mug takes 48 seconds in a kettle and almost 3 minutes in a microwave.

So, is the drink quality any better? No, it’s not. Dr. Tim Bond from the Tea Advisory Panel states that microwaves heat water unevenly, causing inconsistent tea extraction and a stewed flavor.

Why use the microwave then? There are two main reasons. Some students are forced to use microwaves due to university restrictions on kettles.

What’s the other reason? American influence.

What do you mean? Americans typically don’t use electric kettles, making them more likely to microwave water. Those influenced by American culture may start seeing this as the norm.

Oh. First, they picked Trump, and now this? It’s alright. This means owning an electric kettle has become a badge of defiance. The UK may have its flaws, but at least we know how to properly boil water.

Indeed! Our national chant is, “Tea before the milk!” Speaking of which…

What now? Years ago, scientists from the University of Leeds found that adding milk before the tea can actually enhance the taste.

This feels like a betrayal of all I hold dear. Don’t worry, it’s understandable; your struggle to change a light bulb and your discontent with their political system are perhaps more concerning.

All this makes microwave tea seem trivial. Absolutely.

Say: “I’ll brew a kettle…”

Don’t say: “… Sell it on eBay. Who drinks a refreshing cup of microwave tea?”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research suggests we have found a quick solution to eliminate wrinkles and grey hair forever.

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A recent study has discovered several potential anti-aging treatments that could help prevent wrinkles and gray hair development.

Published in the journal Endocrine review, this research suggests that certain naturally occurring hormones might be able to slow down the aging process in the body.

“Our study sheds light on key hormones that play a role in regulating pathways associated with skin aging, including connective tissue degradation (which leads to wrinkles), stem cell survival, and pigment loss (which causes graying of hair),” explained Professor Markus Böhm from the University of Munster, Germany.

“Some of these hormones have shown anti-aging properties and could potentially be used as treatments to prevent skin aging in the future.”

The primary focus of this research was to examine the connection between hormones and aging, with a particular emphasis on hormones like estrogen, growth hormone, and melatonin, all of which can impact skin aging.

One hormone that stood out in the study was melatonin. While commonly known for its role in regulating sleep, melatonin was found to also play a role in maintaining youthful skin. Its powerful antioxidant effects help protect skin cells and slow the aging process.

Other hormones, such as melanocyte-stimulating hormone and oxytocin, were also identified as potential contributors to maintaining youthful skin and hair and protecting against UV damage.

The skin, being the body’s largest organ, is prone to damage from environmental factors, especially UV rays from the sun.

“The skin not only responds to various hormones that impact skin aging pathways, but it is also a significant site for hormone production, aside from the traditional endocrine glands like the pituitary gland,” added Böhm.

Researchers are hopeful that these findings will lead to the development of a new anti-aging therapy known as Senotherapeutics, which targets and eliminates senescent cells. By doing so, these drugs may help slow down or even reverse the signs of aging that result from the accumulation of these cells in the body over time.

“Further research on these hormones could pave the way for the development of new treatments to address and prevent skin aging,” concluded Böhm.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Psychologist reveals quick and easy technique for reframing rejection response

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Feeling rejected, whether by a relative, significant other, date, friend, or employer, can be tough. It’s crucial to remember that you value the relationship more than they do, indicating a mismatch in values.

The asymmetry of such situations can be hurtful, especially when it occurs repeatedly. Research shows that people often consider the loss of relationships as one of the most painful experiences in their lives.

Brain imaging research also suggests that feelings of rejection activate parts of the brain associated with physical pain, explaining the visceral nature of mental suffering in such situations.

If you face rejection frequently, you may develop “rejection sensitivity,” causing you to avoid interactions to prevent further pain. Therapists can assist in developing a sense of belonging elsewhere and managing difficult emotions.

Credit: Adam Gale

Therapists can also help you view rejection in a more rational and self-compassionate manner. Instead of internalizing rejection as a flaw in yourself, consider alternate perspectives.

For instance, a job rejection could be due to being overqualified, or a missed call from a potential date may be from nervousness. Sometimes, rejection may not be about you at all, such as a friend avoiding you due to their own reasons.

Approaching new relationships as learning opportunities and staying open-minded can help you overcome fear of rejection. Reflect on what you could do differently in the future and seek connections in different ways.

This article addresses overcoming the fear of rejection, inspired by a question from Birmingham resident Louisa Rollins.

If you have any queries, contact us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or reach out to us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (don’t forget to include your name and location).

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

4 quick ways to cool off

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Feeling uncomfortably hot due to the soaring temperatures in the UK and the US heatwave is totally understandable. As humans evolved for tropical climates, working in such heat can be challenging. According to Professor Mike Tipton from the Extreme Environments Institute at the University of Portsmouth, our bodies were not designed for physical labor or office work in such hot conditions.

To stay cool during the heatwave, apart from the obvious tips like staying hydrated, seeking shade, and closing curtains, here are four science-backed techniques to help you beat the heat.

1. Cool your hands first, not your face

Cooling your face with a fan might seem instinctual, but immersing your hands in cold water for 15-20 minutes can be a more effective way to cool down. This method helps in dissipating heat from your body as your blood flows through your hands, providing quicker relief than cooling your face.

2. Avoid cold showers

Contrary to popular belief, taking cold showers is not the ideal way to cool down during extreme heat. Immersing too much of your body in cold water reduces blood circulation to the skin, hindering the cooling process. Opt for lukewarm showers instead to maintain adequate blood flow to your skin and regulate your body temperature effectively.

3. Choose hot drinks

Drinking hot beverages can actually help cool you down faster than cold water by triggering mechanisms like sweating and increased blood flow to the skin. While hydrating with water at any temperature is beneficial, hot drinks activate these cooling responses more effectively.

4. Let the wind blow to encourage sweating

Using a fan to create airflow and encourage sweat evaporation can be more helpful than just focusing the fan on your face. The wind aids in evaporating sweat from your body, facilitating the cooling process during extreme heat conditions. Natural air movement or non-electric fans can be effective in promoting sweat evaporation and overall cooling.

About our experts

Mike Tipton, a Professor of Human and Applied Physiology at the University of Portsmouth, has extensive research experience in thermoregulation, environmental physiology, and occupational health. With over 40 years of work in survival and thermal medicine consulting for the RAF and UKSport, Tipton is a leading expert in the field.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com