goal! Researchers examined the FC Barcelona women’s team players
Eric Alonso/Getty Images
The notion of tailoring lifestyle habits according to the phases of the menstrual cycle is gaining momentum both in scientific fields and on social media. Recent studies indicate that when athletes incur sports injuries during their menstrual periods, recovery times are notably extended compared to other cycle stages.
#cyclesyncing has been widely featured across social media, advocating for adjustments in both dietary choices and physical activity based on the fluctuations in hormones throughout the menstrual cycle. However, the scientific backing for these dietary modifications remains limited, while research regarding exercise provides mixed results. Still, teams such as the American and British rugby squads have already adapted their training to align with players’ menstrual cycles.
To investigate this further, Eva Ferrer and her team at Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona monitored 33 professional athletes from FC Barcelona’s women’s team over a four-season span from 2019 to 2023.
During their standard training routines, the athletes documented their menstrual cycle days. All injuries sustained during the season were classified by severity by medical professionals applying a standardized assessment scale.
The findings revealed that while the athletes did not experience injuries specifically during their menstrual days, those incurred during this period appeared to be more severe. For instance, soft tissue injuries sustained while menstruating led to over three times the duration of training lost compared to injuries incurred at other times.
These outcomes may be influenced by decreased estrogen levels during menstruation. This hormone is vital for muscle recovery and rehabilitation. “The combination of reduced estrogen, potential iron depletion, increased symptom severity [like cramps], and heightened fatigue during this phase can negatively affect injury recovery,” notes Ferrer.
However, Stuart Phillips from McMaster University in Canada emphasizes that the intricacies of estrogen’s role in muscle repair remain unclear. “Estrogen is believed to offer protective and reparative qualities [for muscles],” he states, “but much of this evidence derives from animal studies rather than human experiments.” Furthermore, their study did not account for possible confounding variables like women’s iron levels or fatigue.
Ferrer acknowledged that while they recorded a total of 69 injuries on non-bleeding days, only 11 occurred during menstruation. “When you overlook sample sizes and confidence intervals, a small number of critical injuries can distort the overall results,” she explains. Additionally, it remains uncertain if these findings are applicable to less competitive athletes or casual sports participants, according to Ferrer.
She hopes that future research will elucidate these issues and possibly lead to exercise recommendations tailored to various menstrual cycle stages. “The most prudent approach is to make individualized decisions regarding training loads and types of exercise during menstruation. Ongoing research will consider each athlete’s symptoms alongside objective data (internal and external workload, injury histories, health metrics, etc.), while also integrating hormone measurements, iron levels, sleep patterns, nutrition, and other factors that may enhance these recommendations,” Ferrer asserts.
the player started to let go of his aspiration to replicate the success of an older competitive football rival. Sometimes, the developer’s vision doesn’t align with expectations. During the creation of FC 26, EA engaged with a group of influencers and community members to inform critical design choices. Consequently, the soccer experience is now segmented into two distinct modes. Offline, it feels more like an evaluation phase, highlighting aspects like player fatigue. In contrast, online gameplay is fast-paced esports-focused, prioritizing quick shots and goals over defensive strategies like those of William Saliba.
Offline, the mode feels rejuvenating. For instance, the career mode showcases a thoughtful pace comparable to recent matches in FC and FIFA. Tactical approaches matter significantly, with noticeable differences in skills like ball control and vision. Weather effects, including wind and pitch conditions, can influence how the ball interacts with the ground. Patient build-up play is encouraged, and skills can be effectively defended without relying on skill sticks, giving the experience a cerebral aspect.
About the target…EA Sports FC 26. Photo: Electronic Arts
After a lackluster year, Manager Mode offers a more authentic playing experience. The new career carousel introduces consequences that impact job security, leading to managers being hired or poached by rival clubs. For the first time, CPU-controlled teams will implement the tactics of incoming coaches, adding much-needed variety. There are also random events, such as training injuries and unexpected issues. For instance, in my West Ham career, Kyle Walker-Peters and Eldo Zimalic Diuff missed the away game against Arsenal due to “dangerous food.” Yet, some legacy concerns, like uninspired cutscenes, persist, although they serve as a reasonable alternative to the often-controversial Ultimate Team.
Meanwhile, Ultimate Team (FUT) continues to dominate, especially among those willing to spend for random player packs, similar to collecting Panini stickers. This time, there are appealing updates, such as the introduction of Evolution mechanics for leveling up goalkeepers and the return of the All-Silver Tournament, which restricts players to silver-rated ones. It’s possible to build a strong team without significant expenditures. Just a week in, my team already includes Toni Kroos, Lionel Messi, and Ruben Dias. However, the allure to spend on random packs remains a divisive feature in the series.
The gameplay within Ultimate Team embraces “competitive” online settings and reflects years of community input. Prepare for a basketball-style goal-fest filled with impressive tricks and shots. The new AI and animations for goalkeepers will help to keep some scores lower, but defending remains a significant challenge. The absence of player fatigue complicates matters, as previously, containing a speedy attacker for 70 minutes would demand skill, but now they can push deeper into injury time, undermining solid defensive efforts. While this change caters to player feedback, it detracts from the overall sense of realism.
This high-octane gameplay is engaging and reminiscent of the enjoyable rush from mode 5. Numerous quality-of-life enhancements make it as addictive as its distant predecessor, FIFA Street. It addresses annoying elements, such as players getting stuck to the controller, and ensures goalkeepers make intelligent saves while the default view smartly tracks players, providing a comprehensive view of the pitch. Defensive issues are less detrimental in this context, making it the most enjoyable way to experience FUT.
FC 26 remains a robust offering despite its conscious decision to forego some realism in the online arena. Even in competitive settings, there are still many players yearning for authenticity. While it may represent a regression in terms of real football simulation, it certainly advances in areas of fan service. This may not be what simulation purists of Pro Evo are looking for, but as an esports collaboration between developers and the gaming community, this third installment of FIFA achieves many of its goals.
This summer, tart cherry juice emerged as a popular choice during the Tour de France. Cyclists engaged in the three-week race throughout July were frequently seen taking supplements at the end of their daily rides.
In other sports, soccer players and tennis athletes have been noted for using pickle juice, while competitors from various events have turned to baking soda gels. These are just the latest wave of sports supplements capturing the spotlight. Yet, what benefits do they truly offer athletes?
Which supplements actually work?
Athletes across all levels frequently use supplements for a myriad of reasons. Professionals may rely on them to obtain high doses of essential nutrients in concentrated forms to support the substantial energy demands of endurance events.
For instance, creatine, a substance naturally produced in the body and found in protein-rich foods like meat, serves as a quick source of muscle energy. Some research indicates that athletes can take up to 20g of creatine daily to sustain their body’s reserves—equivalent to consuming about 4kg (8 pounds) of steak.
“In that sense, it should be taken as a supplement, as eating that much meat is quite impractical,” states Dr. Stephen Bailey, an expert in exercise physiology at Loughborough University in the UK.
Supplements can also enhance athletic performance. Bailey asserts that while athletes should prioritize nutritious diets, hydration, and optimized training, supplements can offer that extra edge when everything else is in place.
“In elite sports, the difference between winning and losing is often very slim,” he remarks. “If you’re excelling in every other area and seeking that slight improvement, [supplements] can potentially yield significant performance gains.”
Ketone drinks are becoming increasingly popular among elite endurance athletes aiming to gain a competitive edge. As the body converts fat to energy during prolonged exercise, it generates molecules called ketones, which serve as an alternative fuel source for muscles and the brain, alongside glucose, the body’s primary energy source.
“Ketones are there to supplement glucose levels,” explains Professor Kieran Clark, a biochemist at Oxford University.
Additionally, ketones may enhance cognitive function. At the end of a long day, Tour de France riders may struggle with strategic thinking due to low glucose levels.
“This is where [ketone drinks] can be particularly beneficial,” Clark notes.
“It’s an effective method for managing post-exercise inflammation,” Bailey states. “This could help alleviate pain.”
Challenges
Despite their potential benefits, a major issue with sports supplements is determining their effectiveness. While the market is saturated with various claims, many products lack rigorous testing.
“There’s significant financial motivation within the nutritional supplement industry,” notes Floris Wardenard, an associate professor of sports nutrition at Arizona State University. “Starting a supplement business is quite straightforward; nearly anyone can create a product without the necessary expertise.”
Even studies may be conducted on lab muscle cells, but not necessarily on human subjects.
A consensus statement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2018 identified just five supplements: caffeine, creatine, nitrate, beta-alanine, and sodium bicarbonate as supported for athletic performance. These were the only supplements backed by solid evidence demonstrating performance enhancement in specific scenarios.
The components in supplements are not always transparent – Photo credit: Getty
Beyond concerns regarding effectiveness, the risk of contamination presents another challenge. Although supplements are treated as food in the UK, regulating their contents can be difficult (in the US, they face even less stringent regulations).
Consequently, impurities can be inadvertently introduced during manufacturing, and analyses of supplements have revealed banned substances like anabolic steroids in 14-15% of tested samples.
Athletes typically consume multiple supplements, increasing the risk of contamination. Even small quantities of banned substances across different products could accumulate, potentially resulting in positive doping tests and subsequent disqualifications.
“Utilizing a third-party testing organization is advisable to ensure that a supplement truly contains what an athlete is seeking as indicated on its label,” he advises.
Evolving Landscape
The question of whether certain substances in sports supplements should be banned remains ambiguous. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an independent international organization designed to combat doping in sports, prohibits substances meeting two of the following three criteria:
Enhance sports performance
Pose genuine health risks to athletes
Contradict the principles of fair play
This list is reviewed annually to adapt to substances that are becoming more prevalent and potentially misused.
For example, caffeine was previously included on the WADA Prohibited List, but in 2004, its usage was reinstated for several reasons, including the view that its performance benefits were minimal and its widespread presence in food and beverages made regulation challenging.
Additionally, understanding how supplements affect athletes can be complex, as reactions differ among individuals. For instance, some may feel the effects of caffeine after one cup, while others require two or three.
Bailey highlights that the issue of personalized supplementation is gaining traction. Genetic testing techniques are being employed to examine how athletes’ genetic profiles influence their responses to nutrients and other dietary components.
Gender considerations are now influencing supplement recommendations. For example, varying amounts of carbohydrates and proteins are suggested for male and female athletes, along with inquiries into whether women require different supplements at various phases of their menstrual cycle or if the effects of contraceptives should be addressed.
As new formulations continue to emerge, athletes may increasingly benefit from improved supplement options. For instance, sodium bicarbonate (essentially baking soda) is commonly used to counteract lactic acid buildup, which causes fatigue during intense exercise. However, it can lead to gastrointestinal distress, including nausea and diarrhea. Many companies have started producing hydrogels that release baking soda more evenly throughout the gastrointestinal tract to mitigate this.
“Innovations in food technology are ongoing,” Bailey observes. “Sodium bicarbonate is currently prominent in elite cycling, and further research is needed to better understand its implications.”
In the expansive office space at EA’s Vancouver campus, numerous people gather around multiple monitors to engage in EA Sports FC 26. Nearby hang soccer jerseys from various global leagues, as staff members monitor the match feed. The players include members of EA’s Design Council, professional athletes, influencers, and devoted fans, who frequently join to play, pose questions, and offer feedback on new updates. These councils have been active for years, but their insights are being taken more seriously than ever for this third iteration of the EA Sports FC series, the successor to EA’s FIFA franchise.
Let’s delve into the game for the journalists invited here. Insufficient response for EA Sports FC 25 emphasizes that addressing user feedback is the priority. EA has launched a new player feedback portal and a dedicated Discord channel for fans to voice their concerns. Additionally, developers have implemented AI-driven social listening tools to track discussions about EA Sports FC across platforms such as X, Instagram, and YouTube.
EA Sports FC 26 – Manuel Neuer pulls out saves. Photo: Electronic Arts
“There were so many different groups working on feedback across EA that we were overwhelmed by the individual teams in the game,” explains lead producer Joel Doonan. “Now we’re really focusing on it. How can we ensure that people who need to know are getting the right information at the right time and can respond as quickly as possible?”
“There’s also been a shift in the percentage of team resources devoted to our feedback commitment. We have a continuous development team. Currently, ten engineers are dedicated to processing feedback rather than waiting for FC 27. That’s what players expect today.”
Significant changes are genuine surprises. Two distinct play styles are offered: competitive and authentic. The competitive mode emphasizes speed, fluidity, and high scoring, capturing the rapid gameplay of classic FIFA titles while omitting elements like player fatigue. It directly influences online competitive modes such as Ultimate Teams and Clubs. Conversely, the authentic mode serves as a pure simulation aimed at offline players, characterized by slow build-up play and realistic outcomes.
EA Sports FC 26 – Rush Stadium Photo: Electronic Arts
“I’ve wanted to do this for some time, but other areas took precedence,” states Sam Rivera, production director for gameplay. “It’s clear, based on feedback, that it’s impossible to satisfy everyone with a single gameplay experience. Some players prefer simulations, while others desire more responsive experiences that let AI take on more roles instead of just assisting with specific actions. We’re now better positioned to support both in ways that align with different community needs.”
The dribbling feels tight and fluid, allowing for increased directional freedom for players. When in a scoring position, there’s a new feature that enables users to double-tap the shoot button for a powerful low shot, as opposed to simply lofting the ball. Goalkeeping mechanics have been enhanced with smarter positioning, utilizing new reinforcement learning AI, to minimize the chances of the ball being sent back to the offensive player. Likewise, defensive tackles will see less rebound, while attacking players will benefit from improved ball shielding.
The development team seems to have drawn inspiration from contemporary games and genres. The new archetype feature in Club and Player Career Modes lets players design and create individuals across 13 types (including categories such as Magician, Recycler, Boss, etc.). This is reminiscent of character classes in RPGs, allowing players to earn experience points throughout their careers and upgrade stats. Additionally, the Manager Live Career Mode allows you to lead head coaches through multiple seasons, pulling from live service inspirations like Fortnite. Weekly challenges occur throughout the year, encouraging players to set targets, such as topping the Christmas league. Some features are inspired by real-life sports unpredictability. During the demo presentation, Pete O’Donnell, Design Director of Career Mode, highlighted an intriguing scenario: a food poisoning outbreak affecting the Italian Serie B team Salernitana at the end of the last season. Will the team handle the sudden epidemic before a crucial playoff match?
The most beloved aspect of the game, Ultimate Team, has received an array of new features. The controversial Panini sticker-style fantasy football mode allows players to create teams by opening randomized digital packs, where competitors engage in live tournament modes with linked competitions throughout the season. A new feature called Bounties introduces players to randomized challenges like “scoring first/last goal” and “maintaining a clean sheet,” ensuring that even in a losing online match, players still receive rewards. Additionally, Gauntlets present a rapid live event requiring competitors to complete a five-match series, with each match demanding a different player from the team.
I believe that the focus on user feedback serves as a timely PR strategy, much like the authentic design principles. The game’s recent launch trailers spotlight gameplay footage rather than flashy cinematics. The underlying message is, “We’re listening to you, stay with us.” Timing is also crucial; in June, FIFA launched a competitor for the casual mobile title, indicating they may collaborate with developers on a more refined football simulation ahead of next year’s Men’s World Cup. EA Sports has been in this arena for several years, but the window may be narrowing. Fan support for EA Sports FC 25 is invaluable.
EA Sports FC 26 will be available on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch on September 26th.
WE all appreciate a good conversation. This year, Wimbledon certainly had its share of amusing moments. Initially, news broke that 300 judges had been substituted with AI robots. Soon after, it was revealed that the technology had its own unexpected glitch. Since Roger Federer switched from the Wilson racket, the sweet spot hasn’t made much of an impression in the last two weeks at Wimbledon.
To start with, the new electronic line judging system struggled to recognize Sonay Kartal’s swift sledge against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during a match. Interestingly, this issue arose because the staff unintentionally powered down the system.
Moreover, a forehand from Taylor Fritz was mistakenly called out, even though it landed four feet inside the baseline. During his serve, the system was baffled by the ball boys still present on the court.
In comparison, this was less problematic than Kartal’s situation. Regardless, a narrative has emerged suggesting that technology is eroding our traditional practices while implying that machines cannot fully replace human judgment.
What went unnoticed amidst all the backlash is that Wimbledon actually implemented an upgraded version of the Hawkeye system it adopted back in 2007. This tech performs much better than the human eye, resulting in significantly fewer errors. The difference is not even debatable.
Historically, studies have indicated that umpires made mistakes about 8% of the time with close calls. However, players’ judgment tends to be even poorer.
When I inquired with IBM about players’ accuracy in calling lines at Wimbledon last year, my expectation was a rough parity of 50/50. Yet, out of 1,535 challenges in men’s and women’s singles matches in 2024, only 380 were successfully overturned—less than 25%. In simpler terms, players often guessed wrong about three out of four times when a ball was out.
Furthermore, Wimbledon officials emphasized the importance of technology in maintaining the integrity of sports. Unlike in the past when decisions led to shoulder shrugs from fans and gamblers, the current landscape sees players and officials targeted on social media with accusations of conspiracy.
During the last Rugby World Cup, Wayne Barnes shared his experience of severe online abuse targeted towards his family, asking, “Is this really a sport?” He is not alone in these concerns. In such a hostile environment, anything that aids officials is a welcome addition.
Referee Nico Helworth addresses the issues following the electronic line call system being temporarily disabled during the match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Sonay Kartal. Photo: Tom Jenkins/Guardian
Even when umpires strive to be fair, they can be unconsciously swayed by crowd reactions. In one study involving 40 qualified soccer referees analyzing 47 incidents from Liverpool-Leicester matches, those who reviewed footage with crowd noise penalized Liverpool significantly less (15.5%) compared to a control group watching in silence.
Further research in Norway indicated that successful teams were more likely to receive advantageous penalty calls. Psychologists attribute this effect to cognitive biases. Regardless of opinions about machines, they remain impervious to these influences.
Critics of sports technology often resist change while demanding perfection. However, as Voltaire noted, perfection is the enemy of good. Instead, we ought to ask if the technology offers improvements and enhancements over previous systems.
The accuracy of Hawk-Eye has improved since its inception in 2007 and will continue to evolve. Although VAR has its critics, FIFA’s implementation during the World Cup and Club World Cups has been less controversial, allowing fans to witness the same replays that officials see. Hopefully, the Premier League is taking note.
Nevertheless, one thing remains certain: change is inevitable. As per Matt Drew of Statsperform, a leader in data and sports integrity, “There isn’t a flawlessly perfect system, but the technology is evidently more reliable than solely human decision-making.” He emphasizes that sports bodies believe technology aids in making more accurate decisions while safeguarding officials and players from harassment. The best sports like tennis and cricket manage to preserve the fan experience while integrating technology.
Consider this: at last year’s International Olympic Committee’s Artificial Intelligence Conference, we demonstrated divers in real-time. Judges were promptly informed of jump height, rotations, and distances as the athletes performed. Each dive was analyzed in less than a tenth of a second, allowing referees to more accurately assess dive quality and ensure fair scoring. Who could oppose that?
Meanwhile, as technology progresses, more traditions may fade away. Starting in September, for instance, the NFL will replace the traditional “chain gangs” used to mark first downs with Hawk-Eye technology. I personally will miss them, but it’s certainly more accurate than relying on methods from the 18th century.
Do you have any thoughts on the issues discussed in this article? If you’d like to submit a response of up to 300 words for publication consideration, please click here.
Wimbledon is currently underway, and I’m seizing the moment to present a bold assertion: tennis holds a pivotal role as the most significant sport in the evolution of video games.
Although modern gaming giants like EA Sports FC, Madden, and NBA 2K dominate the charts, tennis lays the groundwork for the industry. Originally conceived as a straightforward bat-and-ball game by scientists in 1958, William Higginbotham introduced what is recognized by the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York, as the first video game created solely for entertainment. This tennis game was exhibited on an oscilloscope during the lab’s annual open house, and the growing queue of players hinted at a burgeoning interest in video gaming.
Ralph Baer, the creator of the first mass-produced gaming console, Magnavox Odyssey, incorporated tennis into his innovations. While working for defense contractor Sanders Associates in the late 1960s, Baer’s prototype could only display vertical lines and square dots. Upon Magnavox’s release of the console in 1972, the standout games included table tennis and tennis, with players using a plastic overlay on the TV screen. This allowed two players to hit the ball back and forth, introducing a degree of “spin” via a dial on the controller. The simplistic controls of these tennis games limited player skill but laid the foundation for future development.
This progression inevitably led to Pong, widely regarded as the first major success in arcade gaming. Nolan Bushnell, Atari’s founder, was inspired by the tennis game on the Odyssey and sought to improve upon it. Collaborating with programmer Al Alcone, they divided the bat on-screen into eight sections, each capable of deflecting the ball at varied angles. This marked the dawn of precise player input, a critical aspect for future video games that allowed players to showcase skill and timing. The success of Pong prompted Bushnell to create a single-player variation, Breakout, wherein players aimed to hit a ball against a disappearing brick wall—effectively a one-player tennis game. Its brilliance significantly influenced the Japanese gaming landscape, leading to NAMCO’s entry into the arcade scene. Additionally, it inspired Tomohiro Nishikado in developing Space Invaders in 1978, laying the groundwork for the entire Shoot ’em up genre.
Before his passing in 2009, Ralph Baer showcased a prototype of the “brown box,” the first console. Photo: Jens Wolf/AP
Tennis simulations also played a crucial role in the rise of home computer gaming in the 1980s. Games like ZX Spectrum’s Match Points and International Tennis on the Commodore 64 delivered an engaging, easy two-player experience, contrasting with the more complex football simulations. This accessibility drew in gamers, and Nintendo capitalized on this with titles like Mario Tennis and Wii Sports, which became some of the most beloved sports games.
As consoles evolved, tennis games became staple titles across generations, often drawing in those new to gaming. While not boasting the flashy allure of soccer or basketball simulations, they maintained appeal for casual players. Titles such as Namco’s smash court, Codemasters’ Pete Sampras Tennis, 2K’s Top Spin, and Sega’s Virtua Tennis enriched the fundamental concept of rallying the ball over the net. Tennis uniquely features a confined play area that provides extensive enjoyment, intricate skill mechanics, and an easily understood ruleset within a concentrated, single-screen environment.
Have you ever found yourself waiting in line outside scientific research establishments in Upton, New York, in the fall of 1958, playing Space Blaster or Kung Fu games? I doubt it—it would have seemed uncomfortable and enigmatic to many attendees. Take a look at Computer Space, the first commercial space shooter arcade game released in 1971, designed by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It performed modestly, but Pong’s success transformed the gaming landscape. Its controls were overly complex, and the abstract concepts were off-putting. Tennis subtly became the gateway for video games, adeptly infiltrating homes and entertainment venues, creating a new cultural phenomenon.
What to Play
Retro Treat… Armageddon of the Worm: Anniversary Edition. Photo: Team 17
I’m inclined to recommend a tennis game—classics like Virtua Tennis or Top Spin 4 come to mind—but for a twist, consider Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition. This modern take on the beloved 1999 title is a chaotic, multiplayer turn-based game where players eliminate opponents using an arsenal that includes sheep launchers, banana bombs, and concrete donkeys.
It’s an absurdly entertaining experience, demanding profound tactical thought and mastery over angles and trajectories. The game also unlocks access to previous titles from the Mega Drive and Game Boy series—an excellent deal.
Available on: PS5, Switch, Xbox Estimated playtime: 10 hours to 25 years
What to Read
£80 Pop…Mario Kart World. Photo: Nintendo
A pressing issue: Video Game Prices on the Rise. Continuing The BBC has reported on consumer grievances regarding video game costs, with major titles reaching up to £80. Increased production and development expenses contribute to this surge, yet attention should also be directed towards the hefty salaries of CEOs in certain industries.
Curious about how Metacritic operates? GamesIndustry.biz interviewed the founder to uncover the science behind score aggregation. Several intriguing discussions arose, including the practice of linking game publisher bonuses to the latest project metascore.
Certain sites, such as IGN, have covered recent comments from former Xbox executive Laura Fryer on the end of Xbox hardware. The announcement about Microsoft’s future strategies, including the ROG Xbox Ally X Handheld PC, sheds light on potential changes ahead.
I love your console… Sega Mega Drive. Photo: Keith Stuart/Guardian
This inquiry is from Johnny Biscuits:
“Five years ago, numerous media commentators claimed that the PS5/Xbox Series X would be the final generation of consoles. What is the current opinion?”
As mentioned, early Xbox employee Laura Fryer has suggested winding down hardware development in favor of Microsoft’s focus on Xbox applications across various platforms. This shift is becoming increasingly evident, particularly with announcements like the ROG Xbox Ally and the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition, as well as Samsung integrating Xbox titles into their smart TVs. However, Microsoft recently announced a multi-year partnership with AMD that includes plans for “future Xbox consoles.” Conversely, Sony, lacking the extensive ecosystem available to Microsoft through Windows, recently reiterated its commitment to dedicated consoles, especially given the PS5’s sales of around 78 million units. Additionally, rumors about a Switch 2 have emerged, with the latest model surpassing 3.5 million units sold within its first four days.
In conclusion, I don’t anticipate devoted gaming consoles disappearing anytime soon. They remain more cost-effective than assembling and maintaining a gaming PC while providing a more stable gaming experience than streaming alternatives. After a five-year stretch that prioritized digital access and streaming ownership, game consoles continue to be cherished objects, evoking nostalgia along with being functional. It might seem unreasonable to cling to a bundle of plastic and circuitry, yet when that apparatus resembles the Mega Drive, Neo Geo, or PlayStation 5, it transforms into more than a mere device—it becomes a part of our entertainment culture.
If you have inquiries, feedback regarding the newsletter, or other comments, please reach out to pushbuttons@theguardian.com.
LIna Nielsen recalls the moment when inspiration struck. While lounging around the Olympic Village in Paris with her sprinting comrades, she felt bored. “I turned to Yemi Mary John and said, ‘Let’s transform this into TikTok,'” Nielsen recounted. She retreated to her room, grabbed the flip phone assigned to each player, and entered the following into an Excel sheet: “Come on, come at me.”
Shortly after, she swiftly created a five-second parody of Kelly Rowland’s music video text message blunder. “It’s amusing how a video that’s both simple and effortless can be so impactful,” Nielsen remarked with a chuckle. She still finds it hard to believe that her TikTok channel was the most popular among all British athletes at the Olympics, surpassing even the second-place finisher Tom Daley. By the end of the two-week Olympic event, her channel had more views than the Australian and German teams combined.
Nielsen, along with her twin sister Raviai, who also participated in the Paris Games, joined countless athletes in sharing glimpses of village life, ranging from chocolate muffins to cardboard beds. “It served as a good distraction because too much focus on competition can lead to intensity. Social media helped to take my mind off things,” she stated. While Nielsen was defeated in the 400m hurdles semi-finals, she later aided the British relay team in clinching a bronze medal in the 4x400m event.
The “TikTok Olympics” of 2024 uncovered surprising trends, revealing that female athletes outnumbered their male counterparts on social media platforms. Research conducted by the Women in Sport Trust disclosed that female athletes constituted 69% of TeamGB’s total TikTok content and 67% of its views. Globally, women’s voices dominated the discourse in Paris, spanning from Australian water polo ace Tilly Kearns to Dutch skateboarder Keet Oldenbubing.
American gymnasts’ feeds showcased Mykayla Skinner criticizing her former teammate’s work ethic before seizing the gold medal, and Simone Biles celebrating post-victory with the caption, “Champions. Lack of talent, lazy, Olympians.” The subsequent attention on this post evolved into its narrative.
However, the standout star of the competition was American rugby luminary Ilona Maher. Her signature lipstick and unfiltered demeanor in the fake Love Island video from the Olympic Village captured hearts. The 28-year-old, who bagged a bronze medal for the United States in Paris and was a runner-up on Dancing with the Stars, soared to fame upon joining the Bristol Bears team recently.
“I won’t even earn six figures in rugby, that’s the harsh reality,” Maher shared in a recent interview. “Some might perceive that I’m not serious about my career, with TikTok-ing and all, but it’s necessary for me. That’s where I generate most of my income.”
Her candidness plays a vital role in her appeal. “She stays true to herself,” remarked rugby sevens player Ellie Boatman, who scored in the quarter-final clash between Great Britain and the United States. “Her authenticity resonates with audiences. She candidly shares about her journey. Initially hesitant, she now takes pride in it, something that many women can relate to.”
Boatman has amassed a substantial following of her own, with her kit rundown being Team GB’s most-viewed video. Her online presence has grown through open discussions about overcoming eating disorders, advocating social media as a platform for sportswomen to exhibit vulnerability and authenticity.
“Previously, athletes merely kept their focus on performing and diligent work,” Boatman reflected. “Now, people are more intrigued by the person behind the athlete. It’s wonderful to witness more narratives about personal journeys unfold recently.”
In an era where highly-paid male athletes appear disconnected from reality, empathy becomes a unique selling point in the sports industry.
Jenny Mitton, managing partner and head of women’s sport at M&C Saatchi Agency, noted that sportswomen naturally possess effective social communication skills due to the historical need for them to advocate for themselves. “When they are passionate about an issue, be it excelling in the sport or combating discrimination, their sincerity shines through, resonating with audiences,” Mitton added. She pointed out that authenticity is what flourishes on social media platforms.
This newfound power of female athletes in addressing important issues on social media is seen as a positive development by Lina Nielsen, who, living with multiple sclerosis, aspires to advocate for those with disabilities. “Using my voice to raise awareness about MS is something I strive for,” Nielsen expressed, highlighting the impact social media has in driving change and creating a platform for important conversations.
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Over the past three weeks, the Paris Olympics have delivered some spectacular sporting moments, from incredible victories to heartbreaking defeats to Snoop Dogg standing there in an equestrian outfit. For most of us, that sporting glamour is out of reach — unless we have access to video games.
While there were no official tie-ins this year, a number of popular Olympic-inspired games have been released over the past 40 years. If you’ve got an old Commodore 64, PlayStation, Wii, or a suitable emulator on your PC, here’s how you can relive this summer’s unforgettable sporting memories from the safety of your own home.
The stars of the shooting event were undoubtedly Kim Ye-ji of South Korea and Yusuf Dikeci of Turkey, who lit up the pistol event with their cool, calm demeanor, hands in their pockets like cartoon assassins. The closest thing to a video game equivalent is the classic skeet shooting event in Konami’s 1984 arcade hit Hyper Sports. Sure, you’re using a shotgun to aim at flying skeets rather than fixed targets, but at the end of the event a cool, baseball-capped sharpshooter winks at the camera.
Pole Vault Record: International Athletics
Armand “Mondo” Duplantis broke the pole vault world record with a leap of 6.25 meters. To experience it for yourself, head over to International Track & Field, the fantastic 1996 PlayStation sports simulation. Alternate between mashing the button to run around the track, pressing X to jump, then vaulting over the pole. It sounds easy, but it’s one of the hardest events in the game. However, if you qualify on your first jump, improve on your second, and the space shuttle will pass you on your third. Not even Duplantis could do that.
Sported video game releases are often low-key. New versions come out every year, but apart from character updates and gameplay tweaks, not much changes from edition to edition. Unlike Grand Theft Auto diehards, sports game fans don’t plan midnight release parties.
But EA Sports College Football 25, which launches worldwide on July 19, isn’t your typical game. It might just be the most anticipated sports video game ever in the U.S. To understand why, we need to go back to the beginning.
EA Sports has started making college football video games Released for the Sega Genesis in 1993Other studios dabbled in college football, but by the late 2000s, EA Sports’ franchise, NCAA Football, had established itself as the market leader. The games were well received critically and commercially, and the final version, NCAA 14, was released in 2013. It is reported that about 1.5 million units were sold..
But the NCAA Football franchise had a problem that had nothing to do with critics or consumers: the court. (The terminology surrounding the game can be confusing to those who aren’t fans of college sports. The NCAA is the primary governing body for college sports in the United States; the NCAA Football franchise takes its name from this organization.)
Franchises like Madden, NBA2K and EA Sports FC have negotiated rights with various athletic associations as well as professional leagues to allow their teams and athletes to feature in their games, but college students are not defined as professional athletes, and NCAA institutional policy in the 2010s prohibited players from receiving financial compensation for their abilities.
So while previous NCAA Football releases have included actual teams like the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Florida Gators, the athletes were simply known as QB #7 or RB #21 rather than by their real names.
But in NCAA Football 2009, for example, you didn’t have to be Hercule Poirot to realize that QB #15 had the same height, weight, hair color, and skill attributes as Tim Tebow, the actual quarterback for the Florida Gators.
Athletes have noticed too: In July 2009, former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon led a class action lawsuit by college athletes alleging that NCAA organizations, EA Sports, and College Licensing Companies had illegally used their likenesses without compensation.
Until now. In February 2021, EA Sports released a tweet that stunned the college football world. The game is back.
The advent of name, image and likeness rights deals has allowed EA Sports to include real-life players in the new edition. Photo: EA Sports
By 2020, it had become clear to college sports industry leaders that the NCAA’s strict policy of forbidding athletes from monetizing their name, image and likeness rights would not stand up to political and legal scrutiny. In July 2021, the NCAA officially changed its policy, allowing athletes to earn revenue by appearing in commercials, promoting products on social media and, of course, appearing in video games. With a way for athletes to earn revenue from their participation, schools quickly agreed to participate in the revamped NCAA Football series. This year’s games will feature more than 11,000 athletes, real players.
These events are meant to build bridges between the various groups that make up the College Football 25 community, from new fans to those nearing 40-year-olds who remember previous editions of the franchise. If you ever wonder why a coworker booked a last-minute vacation or was slow to respond to Slack, maybe they have their eyes on leading North Texas to new heights. Dynasty ModeThere are closeted gamers and NCAA die-hard fans who haven’t picked up a controller since the game was discontinued in 2014. But the passion for the game remains, with more than 120,000 people Fictional National Championship Streaming on Twitch during the pandemic.
That deep love for the series extends to the people making the game: EA Sports production director Christian McLeod said in June that the entire development process “has been a labor of love for the whole team.”
The project is especially rewarding for McCloud, who took an unconventional career path. A self-described “super fan” of college video games since the early 1990s, McCloud originally worked as a chemical engineer and wrote about sports video games on the side. A developer discovered his work and eventually contacted him to join the NCAA football team as a designer. Other key players on the development and design side of the project also came from outside the games industry.
“I really believe that if you’re really passionate about something, especially in the games industry, you should bring that passion to your work,” MacLeod says. “We can teach you how to be a designer. We can teach you how to be a producer. But you can’t teach passion.”
That passion is what helped bring the game back to life. When the series was canceled, a group of fans started a mod called College Football Revamped to keep the PC version of the game updated. While other game studios would have tried to sue and kill the project, EA instead hired several people from the Revamped team to help create College Football 25.
The new edition isn’t just for fans in the US: for the first time, fans outside of North America can easily play the game without worry. About region-locked hardware.
College Football 25 will be the first in the series to be released worldwide. Photo: EA Sports
One such avid fan is Ben Parker from Bishop’s Stortford, England, who told me he first discovered American football through the Madden series.
“I’ve always been a big soccer fan, but Madden showed me that American football is so much more than I ever imagined. It’s like a human version of chess and I found it fascinating,” Parker said.
While following the NFL, Parker became aware of the college game. “I decided to buy a copy of the 2006 Rose Bowl on eBay. That year, Vince Young, Reggie Bush and Keith Jackson were the announcers and the Rose Bowl was perfectly staged. Even though it had been months since the game itself, it was so incredibly dramatic to watch and I thought, ‘I want to know more about this sport.'”
Parker picked up an imported version of NCAA 2006 on eBay and played it religiously, and he and many other Europeans and South Americans I spoke to believe the video game could be another avenue to grow college football’s international audience, especially given the difficulties of watching live broadcasts outside the U.S.
Industry analysts expect the Madden series to outsell NCAA College Football 25 due to the NFL’s popularity both domestically and internationally, but schools and licensing industry sources are confident this year’s collegiate release will do well commercially.
It means a new generation of fans will be exposed to the passion of not just video games, but college football itself. And it might have been worth the wait.
I I’m so grateful for my dual citizenship now. The horror of Scotland’s dismal performance at Euro 2024 was tempered by Canada’s heroic play in the inaugural Copa America and by the Edmonton Oilers, a Canadian hockey team that’s reached its third Stanley Cup final in 18 years – a team so thoroughly Canadian that it has a fossil fuel in its name.
Thank you, NHL 93 and 94 on the Mega Drive. Not only were those two games the twin-headed epitome of sports gaming perfection, but they’re also the reason I can walk into any pub in Canada and bluff my way through a conversation about Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Mark Messier. I could also make the case for why Jeremy Roenick is the most underrated hockey player of his generation, if only because NHL 94 combined the four horsemen of the apocalypse into one. He was on par with Barry Sanders in Madden, Kylian Mbappe in any FIFA, the Stockton/Malone combo in NBA Jam, and other insanely good players whose teams you couldn’t beat.
The Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers will play in 3D. Photo: Rebecca Blackwell/AP
I hadn’t played NHL in decades, but inspired by the Oilers’ near-victory, I decided to fire up NHL 24 on my Xbox, and I was instantly neurotic. What happened to the simple game on the Mega Drive, where you skate to one side, shoot at the back post, and get one-timers into the net 4 out of 5 times? Now it’s hyper-realistic, with 50-meter control options and loads of icy inertia. In the first game, I felt like a Rebel soldier during the Empire’s attack on Hoth.
So, back to the beginning. Master the basics with free skating. Then move on to the awesome 1v1v1 mode, where three people shoot at the same goal in a variety of snowy, convenient locations. This is the perfect place to start mastering the individual skills that matter in a game where creating scoring chances is surprisingly easy, but actually scoring is like threading a needle. With the puck. While sliding. And while getting hit.
Once you’ve mastered basic individual skills, move on to a 3v3 NHL three-match. You score your team’s first goal and feel great. Then the game stops, the Hawk mascot starts dancing in frustration and you start playing as the Blackhawks. This is how it should be at the Euros. Can you imagine a beleaguered Gareth Southgate trying to explain why he chose Hartlepool’s Hangus the Monkey over Harry Kane? Or how well Scotland would have performed with the Gunnersaurus in place of the injured Kieran Tierney?
I got overconfident and tried my first trick deke move, lost the ball, Hawk got the puck, and the mascot scored on me. A mascot! And I got two points! Why? Apparently we were playing MONEY PUCK, which is a rhyming slang for what I was yelling at the screen. But I put in the hours and soon got a mascot to play on my team. And it’s fun!
I was ready to play online. But things have changed because I’m one of those people with an old EA account linked to an email address I no longer have access to. I went through 7 layers of hell that is EA Online Support and submitted a ticket asking them to link another account to my Xbox One. I was told I needed to wait 6 minutes. That’s not too bad. The number 6 shows up on the screen but doesn’t change. For 10 minutes. And then it finally switched over.
Up to 8.
So 10.
So it’s 11.
Hell, EA took all the money they ripped people off of Fifa Ultimate Team and spent it on time travel. Wait a few days and you’ll see how the dinosaurs went extinct (and probably starve to death while waiting for help from EA).
NHL 94 on the Mega Drive – Ahh, the good old days. Photo: EA
After decades, I finally connected with a human being. To access my account, I need to correctly answer six personal questions. Six! No way. The Canadian citizenship test was easier than this. Six personal questions? More than I asked my wife before we got married. Two questions are enough to access my bank account. Frustrated, I tried to prove my identity, offering to hold out my finger since I wouldn’t need it to play NHL 24 online anyway.
I tried to imitate Karen and said I wanted to speak to a manager, politely explaining that I was writing an article about the game. My “helper” said she would raise a ticket with the team and someone would get in touch. In the end, no one contacted me. Later, I realized there was an old case on my account from 2021. Clicked through the transcript. Same issue, still not fixed then.
My virtual hockey adventures will likely continue for a few more decades. I never have Something that happened on the Mega Drive.
When thinking of the menstrual cycle, most people consider only ovulation and menstruation. However, it is a much more complex process involving a network of hormones. Understanding these hormonal fluctuations is crucial for optimizing women’s athletic performance.
To fully comprehend this, we must acknowledge all the phases of the menstrual cycle.
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
1. Menstruation
Menstruation is the first stage when you have your period. The duration varies among women, ranging from two days to seven to ten days.
On the first day of your period, your ovaries are signaled by your brain to prepare for ovulation by increasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), leading to the formation of follicles containing immature eggs.
2. Follicular phase
As FSH levels rise, the lining of the uterus starts to regenerate. This phase, known as the follicular or proliferative phase, sees an increase in estrogen released by the developing egg.
3. Ovulation
Elevated estrogen triggers a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH) to induce ovulation, releasing a mature egg from the dominant follicle. This ovulation phase lasts around 24 hours.
4. Luteal Phase
In the subsequent phase, the remaining follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, secreting progesterone and estrogen to maintain the uterus lining. If the egg is unfertilized, progesterone levels drop, leading to menstruation and restarting the cycle.
This cycle plays a crucial role in women’s athletic performance, influencing factors like strength, speed, and power. Understanding the impact of hormonal fluctuations is key to optimizing training and performance, preventing injuries, and enhancing recovery.
Research is ongoing to explore how the menstrual cycle affects sporting performance, with athletes monitoring their cycles to adapt training, recovery, and nutrition strategies accordingly. Recognizing the importance of the menstrual cycle in training women for sports is essential for maximizing performance.
As research progresses, a deeper understanding of the complexities and possibilities of the female body during these stages is emerging. It is crucial to continue investigating individual cycles and experiences to tailor approaches to each woman’s unique needs.
TTwo years ago, Electronic Arts’ long and lucrative relationship with FIFA fell apart, leading EA to create a new brand called EA Sports FC for the soccer simulation series. FIFA president Gianni Infantino grumpily declared the search for a new developer, stating, “the only real game that bears the FIFA name will be the best for gamers and soccer fans.” Given EA’s extensive experience in producing mainstream soccer simulations over two decades, the challenge for FIFA to find a competitive studio seemed daunting.
News now surfaces that the world soccer federation has teamed up with 2K Games for a new FIFA game, potentially launching later this year. A tweet from Ghanaian retailer MohPlay claims they have signed a deal with 2K Games, confirming earlier rumors about FIFA’s partnership with 2K.
This collaboration makes sense as 2K has significant experience in sports games like NBA 2K, NFL 2K, WWE 2K, TopSpin 2K, and PGA Tour 2K. Moreover, the PGA license was acquired by 2K after EA’s relationship with them ended a few years ago, showcasing their track record in this space.
PGA Tour 2K23. Photo: 2K Games
However, a new FIFA game this year seems unlikely. Even if 2K were to start immediately in May 2022 when EA’s FIFA relationship ends, they would have only two years to build the team, develop the game, digitize players, motion capture, and model stadiums.
Player reactions vary, with many welcoming competition from EA’s franchise, especially considering Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer brand’s decline. On the other hand, 2K Games has faced criticism for heavy monetization in its games, particularly in the NBA series where players can buy advantages with real money.
It’s exciting to see a new independent contender emerge in the market, reminiscent of classic soccer games like Sensible Soccer and Kick Off 2, or even early 3D titles. Games like Sociable Soccer are interesting, but the hope for something entirely new, fun, fast, and quirky remains, much like the unique concepts introduced in golf simulation games by What the Golf and Desert Golfing. The future of soccer gaming holds promise for innovation and creativity.
Could the revival of classic soccer game ideas like the ZX Spectrum classic Subbuteo or licensed games by retired pros become a reality? Fans of nostalgic and unconventional soccer games eagerly await what the future holds beyond the realm of multi-million dollar tournament licenses and microtransactions.
What to Play
Galactic Care. Photo: Brightrock Games
If you’re longing for the days of humorous resource management games, Galacticare by Brightrock Games will bring you nostalgic joy this summer. Acting as a space-themed hospital, the game challenges you to build a hospital to care for extraterrestrial patients with unique ailments. The game’s forgiving learning curve and cartoonish style prioritize enjoyment over strict business practices.
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Estimated play time: 30+ hours
What to Read
Helldivers 2. Photo: Sony Computer Entertainment
Helldivers 2 has been a major success this year, with GamesIndustry.Biz featuring an interesting interview with Arrowhead Games, the creator of the game. The interview sheds light on the challenges faced by the company, particularly in handling the repercussions of immense success on its staff’s wellbeing. CEO Johan Pyllestedt expresses concerns about the threats and disrespect received by the studio, highlighting the darker side of the gaming community.
Another interview delves into the vision of Neil Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog Studios, who aims to redefine mainstream gaming with his next project. The interview corrects misconceptions about his previous statements, emphasizing the intent and context behind his words.
Activision has confirmed the title for this year’s Call of Duty game, Black Ops 6. Details will be unveiled at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9th, followed by an in-depth stream.
An upcoming book titled Playing with Reality: How Games Shape Our World by neuroscientist Kelly Clancy offers a comprehensive exploration of the role games have played throughout history. From medieval games to modern-day simulations, the book promises an intriguing perspective on the impact games have on society.
What to Click On
Question Block
Genshin Impact. Photo: HoYoverse
A reader named Ants poses an interesting question:
“We often hear that the video game industry is bigger than the movie and music industries, driven by higher unit costs of video games compared to movies or music albums. As a video game journalist, have you come across reports that validate this claim?”
While the argument has some merit, it overlooks important factors. Each video game sale can translate into multiple players, amplifying the financial impact per copy sold. Additionally, the rise of free smartphone games like Candy Crush and Genshin Impact, catering to billions of gamers worldwide, challenges the notion of high unit costs for games. The media’s focus on gaming revenue versus film or music earnings oversimplifies the rich diversity and cultural value of games into a financial lens, lacking depth and nuance.
It’s hoped that the industry coverage will evolve beyond revenue figures towards a more holistic understanding of the gaming landscape, emphasizing creativity, innovation, and cultural significance over financial metrics.
If you have a question for Question Block or feedback on the newsletter, feel free to reach out by clicking “Reply” or emailing us at pushingbuttons@theguardian.com.
Data from a study by Gwynyay Maske and colleagues at University College Dublin in Ireland shows that spectator sports are good for kids – good for them.
The data covers major American football, association football (soccer), and rugby union tournaments in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America.
The researchers found that, “with a few exceptions,” these popularity contests “continue to increase in number of births and/or fertility 9 (±1) months after notable team wins and/or tournaments.” “It was associated with an increase in the ratio.” .
Sporting events at this level seem to work that way for the winners, but not for the losers, says a study published in the journal Peer J. No joke, the downsides are significant. “Unexpected losses by Premier Soccer League teams were associated with fewer births nine months later.”
celebratory sex
The study of sports viewing begins with the following fascinating sentence: “Major sports tournaments may be associated with increased birth rates nine months later, possibly due to celebratory sex.”
The quartet candidly write about their observations:[Some people] For birthdays, holidays, graduations, proms, new car “run-in” sessions, we planned days and weeks in advance to have “celebratory” sex in a slow, long park… Parking Sex during men and women was primarily a positive sexual and romantic experience for both parties. “
The abstract climax of this study ends with the simple idea that “future research on sex in parked cars in urban settings is recommended.”
Timeliness of time
The eternal question, “What is time?'' staggered onto the stage. The first was the Finnish report on Russia's time zone, and the second was the varied actions of the Kazakh state.
Russia has 11 time zones. Piattyeva and Vasileva tell us that “the existence of multiple time zones indicates the lack of a unified spatiotemporal nature.” And they express ideas that no one has ever been able to articulate clearly. “Bureaucratically, the desire for simultaneity and synchronicity takes the form of meticulously ordering sequences of actions through normative documents.” They argue that there is a hinge to everything. is revealed. “In our analysis, we repeatedly returned to the most difficult question: What is time?”
On its own, the Kazakh government added clarification, surprise, and perhaps confusion to the general timeliness. On March 1, Kazakhstan changed its two time zones to a single time zone nationwide.
period of central asia reported two weeks before the big day that “not all citizens are happy about this, and some claim it will affect their health.” times In an interview with Sultan Turekhanov of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, he warned: In particular, it is a change in the temporal structure parameters of human biological rhythms. ”
The feedback is, above all, a tribute to the audacity of those who dare to play with the temporal structural parameters of the biological rhythms of human tissues.
unread, non-existent
How many studies are there that no one reads…and eventually disappear? And how many studies disappear that no one reads even before they disappear? Both? Rough answer to the question – it's not exactly the same question. – Now it exists.
The first question was answered almost 20 years ago when Lockman I. Mejo of Indiana University Bloomington published a paper (which has not disappeared) called “.The rise of citation analysis”.
Meho writes: “It is a solemn fact that approximately 90% of papers published in academic journals are not cited at all. In fact, 50% of his papers are never read by anyone other than the authors, reviewers, and journal editors. not.”
Martin Paul Eve from Birkbeck, University of London got the second question right. His new research (also not extinct yet) is called “.Poor preservation of digital academic journals: A study of 7 million articles”. The study “evaluated” 7,438,037 academic citations with unique identification codes called DOIs. Now, in the research, we attempted to evaluate. According to Eve's report, 2,056,492 (27.64%) of them appear to be missing.
Eve also said that 32.9 percent of organizations responsible for digitally preserving documents “do not appear to be doing adequate digital preservation.”
Feedback: old ideals: The study should raise more questions than answers.
Mark Abrahams hosted the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony and co-founded the magazine Annals of Improbable Research. Previously, he was working on unusual uses of computers.his website is impossible.com.
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During the 2016 Summer Olympics, my family and I were on a hiking holiday in Yorkshire in the north of England. And in the evening, after a meal and a few drinks at the pub, we sat and watched the biggest sports broadcasts. What’s my favorite? Tracking my cycling.
A bunch of athletes with thighs thicker than a supermodel’s hips race at ridiculous speeds around polished wooden tracks on giant one-gear bikes with no freewheel or brakes. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. It is a sport that the British are particularly good at.
We even have track cycling’s “golden couple” in Jason Kenney and Laura Trott, who were planning to get married at the time. Sir Jason and Dame Laura Kenny (I made up that word) were knighted and dammed respectively in 2022, but between them they have an incredible 12 Olympiads between them. There’s a gold medal.
On this special night of competition, Laura had already completed all the events and was rooting for Jason to win his third and final Rio gold medal. As we sat in the crowd and in a small hotel room in Yorkshire yelling at Jason as he crossed the finish line, Laura tweeted: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Naturally, this aroused the interest of geneticists in me. Really, what are the odds? Will their future offspring become a sports superstar, or will he be with us on the couch watching the 2024 Paris Olympics?
read more:
Although it was an off-the-cuff comment, there is ample reason for Laura to have high expectations. If she combines her and Jason’s genes, she has a much higher chance of producing a child who not only has better athletic ability, but also has the potential to become an Olympian than other people.
It’s the same way fast bowler Stuart Broad had a better chance of becoming a star cricketer because his father Chris batted for England. Or British middleweight boxing champion Chris Eubank Jr., who has a better chance of becoming a top boxer than his school friends. Or distance runner Eilish McColgan, who credits her Olympic medalist mother Liz for her athleticism. Similarly, Jason and Laura’s descendants (they have two children) will have a huge genetic head start.
However, while there are some human traits that can be traced down to a single gene (hair color, lactose intolerance, ability to tan, etc.), it is clear that this is not the only case for potential Olympic athletes. . .
My own area of expertise is the genetics of weight, which has been shown to involve over 1,000 genes. Let’s consider some of the characteristics needed to become an elite cyclist. It requires the right combination of “fast-twitch” and “slow-twitch” muscle fibers, good balance, high aerobic capacity, fast recovery rate, high pain threshold, and concentration, just to name a few.
One can only imagine the genetic complexity underlying the fusion of these multiple traits. With so many genes involved, it’s currently impossible to predict exactly how talented Jason and Laura’s children will be.
These complex traits are always determined by an ideal combination of genes and environmental factors, as well as a little bit of luck.
nature and nurture
Growing up in a household with two multi-gold medal winning cyclists will have a huge influence on their children. They will grow up in a competitive environment and will be heavily involved in sports in their daily lives.
Similarly, the kind of food such children eat will be better than most children. Two Olympians like Laura and Jason have nutritional advisors coming out of their ears, so they’re unlikely to feed their kids junk.
But no matter how helpful or unhelpful our environment is, we need the right genes to thrive. That’s why in every area of life we see glorious examples of genetics being passed down through generations. Musical parents often have musical children, and beauty is passed down from parent to child.
The question is what the child will do with the genes they are given. They can use it to their advantage or not. If we compare poker hands, there can be good hands and bad hands depending on genetics, but the only people you can blame are your own family. However, depending on how you play the game, you can win with a bad hand or lose with a good hand.
So nothing is certain, and probably within the next 20 years, we will learn more about how genes make us fat or thin, fast or slow, and how they control how we look, act, and behave. The day will come when we will understand in detail.
But for now, there’s no doubt that Jason and Laura’s children will have a huge head start, both genetically and environmentally, and they probably won’t want to line up their children with them at sports day. Sho.
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