Gaming Disorder: What Researchers Say

In a world where online gaming has quickly become one of the most popular forms of online entertainment, it’s proper to have concerns that problem gaming issues are on the rise. In the UK, that’s certainly true with recent studies showing that large groups of both adults and children who play video games on a regular basis admit to having some level of a gaming disorder. It’s worth noting that online gambling can be included in this discussion.

None of this has been lost on the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). In anticipation of rises in problem gambling issues, they started mandating that all UK licensed online gambling operators become members of the GamStop Self-exclusion scheme. By taking this step, they are making sure that operators are willing to participate in a program that is designed as a means for gamers to voluntarily take a break from their online gambling activities.

While the program works fairly well, it’s not full proof. It’s become increasingly clear that motivated UK online gamblers will go around their GamStop exclusion. That evident by the fact many such players use casinos that aren’t on the GamStop scheme. Note: No such self-exclusion program is currently available for gamers.

The following information is going to look at Gaming disorders as seen by researchers. Keep in mind that it’s fair to explore the following information in terms of both video game playing and online gambling.

What is Gaming Disorder?

Gaming disorder can best be defined as a disorder characterized by a video game player’s compulsion to constantly play video games. Playing video games compulsively turns into a legitimate disorder when players let their gaming activities interfere with other aspects of their lives.

Since it’s beneficial to recognize the criteria surrounding gaming disorder behaviors, here are some of the most prominent symptoms:

  • Inability to set controls on amount of time spent gaming
  • Neglecting of relationships and responsibilities in favor of gaming
  • Financial problems created by spending too much money on games and or subscriptions
  • Persistent problems at work or school
  • Hiding for the opportunity to play video games
  • Using gaming as a way to escape mental and emotional worries
  • Persistent eye strain and headaches
  • Issues with personal physical health a appearance

The Causes of Gaming Disorder

To better understand gaming disorder, it’s necessary to understand the root causes of an individual’s addiction issues. To be clear, the root causes will differ from one person to another. However, the need to escape something seems to always be in the mix. Here are some of the common causes.

Psychological Disorders

Depression and anxiety issues often leave people feeling lost in themselves. This creates within them the need to withdraw from society. Playing solitary video games creates a way for people to set aside their mental issues by keeping their minds occupied.

Dependence on Dopamine

When humans get excited, the brain releases dopamine. Dopamine acts as a stimulant that creates a sense of euphoria. Video gamers often show high levels of dopamine in their bodies, especially when playing driving or shooter games. The same thing could be said of slot players on an online casino website.

If gamers are constantly bombarded by doses of dopamine, there will come a time when their bodies will start to crave the substance. When dependence on dopamine becomes a reality, the only way gamers can resolve their cravings is to play more video games.

Sense of Belonging

A lot of problem games have a tendency to isolate themselves from people in the real world. It might be that they are naturally introverted or have feelings of inadequacy. Playing multiplayer video games online gives players an opportunity to participate in “society” with others without having to expose themselves to face-to-face encounters.

Gender Influences

Over the years, several studies have made clear that males are much more likely to suffer from a gaming disorder. The supposition is the aggressive nature of a lot of the more violent video games feeds right into a male’s need to feel strong and in control.

The Need for Instant Gratification

A lot of video games are modeled so that players have to complete certain tasks to win the game or keep the game moving forward. Each time a gamer achieves one of these goals, they earn some form of gratification. If playing video games satisfies the need for accomplishment easier than dealing with real-life tasks, it can lead to addictive behavior in search of that instant fulfillment.

Treating Gaming Addiction

Like so many other addictions, gaming addiction seldom if ever resolves itself. There almost always have to be some form of therapeutic intervention that will help arrest the addiction.

The best treatment options for gaming addiction are evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).

In the case of CBT, the therapist is charged with helping the compulsive gamer identify the negative thoughts that create within them the need to keep playing video games. After identifying these negative thoughts, the therapist can then teach the compulsive video gamer how to convert the negative thoughts into positive thoughts. If they can learn to do that, it will diminish the compulsive video gamer’s need to escape bad thoughts by playing video games.

The DBT treatment process is very similar with one very important difference. Instead of focusing on the compulsive gamer’s thoughts, therapy would focus on identifying their feelings that are creating the need to play video games. Better management of those feelings should lead to a diminished need to play video games.

To avoid gaming addiction, players might want to get in the habit of avoiding long gaming sessions in favor of taking regular breaks to do other things. If gaming addiction occurs, the way back to a normal way of living is therapy. As is the case with other addictions, gaming addiction treatments are available on an inpatient and outpatient basis.

How to Find a Reputable Printing Service for Your Nature Photos

Photography is no longer considered a hobby as it has become a job for many talented individuals. Photographers specialized in certain types of pictures such as weddings, landscapes, portraits, and nature. A tremendous amount of work is put in after taking a picture to enhance it and to put an artistic touch to it. 

Printing pictures shouldn’t be taken lightly either as it can ruin the whole process if the quality is unsatisfactory. If you’re a nature photographer, you must find a reputable printing service for your photos to make them look fantastic. Here are a few things you must consider when searching for a printing service to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Your Budget

Your budget will determine what kind of quality you expect from a printing service. You must set a budget before starting your search and set a maximum amount to avoid overspending. Check the prices, shipping, and printing costs of various vendors to see which one you can afford. Keep in mind that the printing medium’s materials used affect the price considerably, so you can change the material if it’s too expensive, or set a reasonable budget for the material you need.

Check Their Portfolio

Every printing service must have a portfolio of their previous work to showcase their products and quality. The portfolio will show you the kind of work this service offers and if they can do nature photos. Check the quality and the overall aesthetics of their final product to assess if this product is suitable for your needs. 

Look at the design, materials, colors, and quality of their products to ensure that’s what you’re paying for. The service’s portfolio will show you if they have creative designs or branding ideas that can help you better promote your work.

Read Reviews

Before purchasing anything, especially online, make sure to read reviews about the company from unbiased sources. Printing service companies are not an exception. Before considering any printing service, check their reviews on the internet. Checking their website is not a good idea as the testimonials might show only the good side. 

Check Facebook, Instagram, or dedicated review websites to read what other customers have experienced with this service. Check both positive and negative reviews, and if many customers complained about the same thing, then it’s something to look out for.

Know Their Specialization

To excel in printing, any service must be specialized in a certain area of this field. The color choice, materials used, and expertise are different from one specialization to another. As found on GuruPrinters.com, printing magazines is totally different from printing nature photos. Additionally, wedding photos have different processing techniques than nature pictures. The specialization will be apparent in their portfolio and the technology they use to print. Make sure to learn more about these two points to know if they fit your nature photos and to make an informed choice.

Delivery Time

We can be on a tight schedule and need to get our pictures as soon as possible or at least within the time frame agreed upon. Contact the printing services you’re considering and check when they can deliver the order. The delivery time can differ based on the materials used, the number of photos and their copies, and the shipping time. Don’t take too much time considering which service to pick but choose a reputable printing service to ensure quality and fast delivery time.

Don’t Forget Customer Support

Any reputable printing service will offer exceptional customer support. If you find a printing service with poor or no customer support, they likely won’t take responsibility for any printing defects or mistakes. Additionally, high-quality customer support shows that the printing solutions will also be high-quality. Call the printing service you’re interested in and see how they treat and respond to you. If they are polite and professional, it’s a good sign. Otherwise, you’re better off finding another printing service.

Start Small

If you still have doubts, don’t place a large order the first time you deal with a printing service. Put a small order for a couple of photos or a limited number of copies, especially if you aren’t bound to a specific time frame. You will be able to assess their service in a better way as you’ll know the quality, delivery time, customer support level, and other aspects. If you’re satisfied with the service, you can start placing more orders and create a professional relationship with them.

Finding a reputable printing service isn’t complicated but you need to do your research and ask for recommendations. Try to find out as much as you can about a printing service before finalizing your choice to avoid unpleasant situations. Once you figure out all the technicalities, you’ll be able to print your nature photos with the best quality from a reputable printing service.

Online entertainment. The story of how it came about.

We live in amazing times when a child knows how to deal with mobile devices better than some adults. We already live in two parallel worlds – the physical and virtual. We work, communicate, trade and entertain with the help of the internet as it gives us endless opportunities. Get such at the best 300% bonuses at Canadian Online Casinos: https://casinorewier.com/300-deposit-bonus/ 

What was the first online entertainment to appear on the internet?

Let’s go back to times when dial-up internet was cutting-edge and mobile phones were luxury devices available only to high society. 

In 1978 the first online multiplayer games appeared. Multi-User Dungeons were the first multiplayer online role-playing games. These games were text-based, with poor graphics allowing only small groups of people to get on an adventure. Nowadays multiplayer games feature 64-bit astonishing graphics and gather huge groups of people from any corner of the world on fascinating adventures.  

How did online gambling come about? 

Now we go to the history of online gambling. It is obvious that gambling occupies a huge niche in world entertainment. Casinos operate huge flows of money and of course they need to extend so the internet is the most appropriate way, making gambling available for almost all users. 

The first casino website launched in ‘90s but it didn’t resemble any modern online casinos that give you best bonuses and require minimal deposits like Zodiac Casino $1 deposit

That time the most famous gambling sites operated out of Caribbean Islands due to the Free Trade and Processing Act which gave them the right to grant licenses. This formed an absolutely new industry. 

By the end of 1996 there were only 15 online gambling sites but in 1997 there were more than 200 sites with annual revenues about $1 billion. 

Today, after the world has faced the pandemic, all leading casinos go not only offline but online too, while some of them chose to stay in the virtual reality only. Same as BBC Three did when they moved from digital to online: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26452235 

How do you avoid gambling and losing your fortune?

We all know that gambling is a very tricky thing. It can entertain you, bringing much joy and unforgettable impressions as well as grab you strong and drag into an addiction. You should always take this entertainment seriously and get prepared for the game before-hands. Here are some tips to help your luck and increase the chances of winning:

  • Start the game with a clear mind. Gambling is always much fun but adding alcohol (to say nothing of drugs) to it will cloud your mind and make you lose your concentration. 
  • Make good preparations concerning the casino you are going to gamble at: check if it has all licenses required, customer support service and if it is available any time you might need it; what are minimum deposits and what paying methods it offers.
  • Find out all information about bonuses and their conditions that the casino requires.
  • Wisely plan the budget you can spend for gambling. Keep in mind you may leave all of it at the casino,
  • Have the right approach. Gambling is just a game. It is made to entertain you though taking some price for it. Don’t let losing the game drag you into despair. 

How can you protect yourself from gambling addiction?

The research says that people with mental problems are more likely to get gambling addiction. Also people who are already facing any other addictions like alcohol or drugs will easily get one more to their list.  

You are not advised to go gambling if you get irritated fast, often nervous, experiencing mood swings, or have sleep problems. All these aspects influence your nerve system that will probably get even more stress should you lose or get over excited after winning.

Conclusion

We see that online gambling is a pretty young yet very successful kind of entertainment. It develops and changes with an impressive speed, making gambling and betting affordable than ever. Though it is still a very risky game – should you lose control you may lose your money and get an addition as a reward. 

Top 5 Things That Make You Look Younger, According to Science

The older we get, the more we realize that our bodies are not the same as they used to be. Still, there are a number of things that can make us feel younger and more attractive. Some of them are getting a new haircut or style, getting a new outfit for work, taking good care of yourself, and becoming more active in the gym. 

Even if you are getting older, know that it is never too late to start living your best life. Here are some tips for keeping a youthful appearance in your older years:

1. Drink more water and no alcohol

The proper amount of water in the diet gives the skin a healthy glow. Hydrating or moisturizing your skin is very important before going to sleep because it makes your skin more sensitive and reactive. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating plenty of foods with water content help maintain hydration levels in the body.

Smoking increases the risk of skin lesions, including acne, freckles, and blemishes. Expect the same from alcohol, which is extremely dehydrating and makes you age faster. Drinking too much or too often might speed up the aging process and put your health at risk for diseases more commonly associated with the elderly.

2. Look for younger man/women(lesbian) for health and self-esteem

As you grow older, it is natural to lose your self-confidence. Do not despair. Considering the popularity of age-gap relationships and mature dating sites, it is just a matter of time until you meet the right partner. 

Most people love it when they are considered a potential match, and it is a confidence booster, especially for those who belong to a minority, like lesbians and gays, or even mature singles seeking partners. Some women use online dating services, hoping to meet someone special, but this isn’t always the primary motivation. Increasing their self-esteem is what they are aiming for. 

Flirting, especially for lesbians and those interested in dating a sugar momma is one perfect way to add more spice to their romantic lives. If you are a mature lesbian looking for love and you are financially stable, you may enjoy a great ride playing the role of a sugar momma and attracting younger girls on dating sites. 

Being on a dating site is an impressive idea because online chat rooms have reduced the fear of physical rejection. That chilled atmosphere accentuated by flirting, humor, inventiveness, and empathy is what boosts self-esteem and ultimately affects your health in a positive way.

In order to increase one’s self-esteem, it is important to receive positive feedback from other chatters. Women who assume their dating days are long gone might still find love with this method. When they see how young girls respond to them, they feel amazed. Celebrities enjoying age-gap relationships have also inspired mature women to come out and find younger girls for naughty encounters. 

3. Be yourself, don’t hide your desires

Some people worry that expressing their feelings would make them look weak and incapable of self-control. Because of this, they avoid expressing their true feelings of despair, anxiety, irritation, etc., which adds to their frustration and makes them age faster.

Do not hide your emotions. Talk to a close friend or go online and spend time in chat rooms on dating sites because there will be no one to judge you and you will be able to deal with pent-up energies.

4. Try to sleep enough, avoid stress

Excessive stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation have been linked to a wide range of health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and depression. One night of inadequate sleep can cause cells in older adults to age faster. In the long run, sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive decline, memory loss, and even dementia.

5. Don’t eat too much sugar

Collagen and elastin, two proteins found in our skin and contribute to its pliability and flexibility, are the building blocks of our skin. Sugary stuff can cause the collagen molecules in the skin to cross-link and rob your skin of its elasticity, which ultimately results in a more aged appearance, something we would all like to avoid. 

Conclusion

Paying attention to your diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can make you look younger, but do not ignore your mental health, which is greatly associated with how you socialize and enjoy your love life. Dating sites are there to ensure you meet a younger partner even in your 50’s. so be sure to use them!

How to Become More Confident As a New Filmmaker

Being a successful filmmaker takes a combination of skill, knowledge, and confidence. You might have a reasonable amount of skill and expertise as a film school graduate, but that doesn’t mean you’ll immediately have the confidence to reach your full potential and enjoy new opportunities. Fortunately, confidence is a learned skill, and by taking on board these tips below, you might be well on your way to having the winning combination. 

Fix the Flaws That Make You Lack Confidence

While everyone has the right to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, there might be a few things about yourself you don’t like, leading to an overall lack of confidence. For example, you might be experiencing hair loss, and you can click here to learn more about possible treatment options. 

Some people also feel self-conscious about skin blemishes, acne, or even their ability to make eye contact with other people. If you identify a problem that makes you feel less than, consider finding a solution so that there’s one less thing standing in the way of you and a successful filmmaking career

Ask Questions

When you’re fresh out of film school, you won’t know everything about filmmaking. Knowledge comes with experience and time, but it can also be gained through asking questions. Never be afraid to request information from people with years more experience in the industry than yourself. Even if you worry that your question will be mocked, you can’t hope to learn valuable filmmaking techniques and information without asking questions. 

Further Your Education

Your filmmaking education doesn’t have to stop once you graduate from film school and land a job in the filmmaking industry. New technology and best practices are evolving all the time, and what you originally learned won’t always be relevant. 

Become confident in your craft by taking classes and courses in filmmaking and making research a regular part of your work schedule. Not only can you grow and become more experienced and confident, but you can also use your newfound skills to earn respect from others in the industry. 

Learn From Your Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, and you’ll likely make at least one or two when you embark on your new filmmaking career. Rather than hide away from those mistakes, make excuses, or refuse to admit you made them, choose to learn from them. 

When you own your mistakes, identify what caused you to make them, and face them head-on, you might be better positioned to avoid making them again and improve your confidence in the process. 

Surround Yourself With Confident People

You might not be entirely confident in your own abilities just yet, and that’s okay. Studies have shown that surrounding yourself with self-assured people can reassure you of your own actions. You might have more confidence in yourself and your abilities when choosing a circle of industry professionals or friends who believe in themselves. 

Why Are Rose Hips SO Good For You? The Science of Antioxidants

You have probably heard a few times in your life that you should “eat your fruits and vegetables” but have you ever really thought about what makes plants so important to our diet? Well, it depends a little bit on which plants we talk about, and today we are going to dive into the role of antioxidants in our diet, using a little-known fruit with a lot of benefits: rose hips! 

Jonas Stenstrom with wild rose hips

Plants are extremely diverse, and while many are edible, some of them (like daffodils), could kill you, and some (like persimmons) can be a bit of both depending on how they are eaten or prepared! Rose hips are edible and non-toxic, and are full of many compounds that are really good for us! 

One of the main beneficial compounds found in rose hips are antioxidants. Antioxidants are found in many fruits and you will often see them promoted for their health benefits. Cranberries and blueberries for example are often labeled as “high in antioxidants!”. But what is the hype all about? What are antioxidants and why are antioxidants good for you? 

What is an antioxidant? 

Antioxidants are very important compounds that aid in neutralizing harmful free radicals in both plants and animals. Not all antioxidants are the exact same compound, but instead many different compounds have antioxidant properties. 

Okay, so what is a free radical? Free radicals are unstable molecules that are formed in the body during certain processes or are taken in from outside sources. If too many of these free radicals accumulate in your body, whether they were produced naturally or taken in from the outside, they can be really harmful to your health. 

There are many ways that free radicals are created or taken into our bodies. For example, when you are sick, your body will produce free radicals to kill bacteria or viruses, and when you exercise free radicals are naturally produced in the process. Free radicals can also be produced in plants when they photosynthesize or carry out other processes. Last, we can take in free radicals from sources like sunlight, air pollution, or cigarette smoke. 

Free radicals are harmful because they are unstable compounds – lacking electrons in their outer rings – so they take electrons from other molecules, and in the process destroy that molecule! When an organism gets overloaded with free radicals it is called oxidative stress, which has been linked to a range of diseases, from type 2 diabetes to cataracts and even cancer. 

This is where the antioxidants come in. Antioxidants are able to find and neutralize free radicals – known as “scavenging” – by donating some of their electrons and rendering the free radical harmless. Antioxidants are therefore key in making sure there is not an overaccumulation of free radicals in an organism, whether it’s a plant or an animal. 

Now in terms of humans, our body will produce some antioxidants on its own, such as alpha lipoic acid and glutathione, but a lot of our important antioxidants come from the food we eat, especially from fruits. Some examples of antioxidants are phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and some vitamins, such as vitamin C and E. 

Why do plants produce antioxidants? 

So, as you can imagine, plants don’t produce antioxidants just so that we can benefit from eating them. There are various reasons that plants produce compounds with antioxidant properties.  

Here are some examples of how antioxidants are important for plants: 

  • Plants produce phenols to prevent damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are made as a byproduct of metabolic processes. 
  • Phenols also serve as a defense mechanism, to help prevent damage from herbivores, insects, and microorganisms. 
  • Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps prevent damage from byproducts of photosynthesis (known as oxidative metabolites). 
  • Carotenoids are red, yellow, and orange pigments in plants that are used both in photosynthesis and to help protect the plants from potentially harmful byproducts of photosynthesis 

Benefits of antioxidants in people 

As mentioned before, antioxidants are crucial to helping maintain the right balance of free radicals in our bodies. 

Phenols in particular, phenolic acids and flavonoids for example, are easily absorbed by people and have been shown to be key in reducing oxidative stress which helps prevent things like heart disease and cancer. 

The phenolic compounds and high antioxidant capacity in rose hip extracts for example have been shown to help maintain blood sugar levels in diabetes patients!. 

Carotenoids have also been proven to help reduce risk of disease, and they also make our food look much more attractive, which may not seem like a direct benefit but it sure does help us to eat more fruits and vegetables!

Something that is important to note here is that you should absolutely get your antioxidants from your food and not from supplements! Just like most things, too many antioxidants can be harmful and there is still no proof that antioxidant supplements prevent diseases. Additionally, for your body to properly absorb and use antioxidants, it also usually needs the combination of compounds that can be found in the food. So getting your vitamins, amino acids, antioxidants, and other important compounds is always better through a healthy and balanced diet. 

Antioxidants in rose hips

There are many fruits that are known for their antioxidant content, but rose hips are particularly great! For starters, they have some of the highest concentration of vitamin C out there, up to 4000mg/100g in some cases, and are also packed full of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids! This makes rose hips an excellent source for key antioxidants that your body needs to stay healthy!

Watch Rob and Jonas explore rose hips in Sweden in the video below and if you want to learn all about collecting and eating rose hips, check out this blog here! 

Three reasons why owning a pet is good you for

Pets are hugely important members of the family. From dogs and cats to hamsters and rabbits, adding a furry friend to your setup can have a positive impact overall, too. In fact, there are a number of studies that suggest that having a pet can improve both mental health and our overall lifestyle. Pets aren’t just for sharing on Instagram or taking for walks when you have to either: they can make a genuine difference in our lives. 

Of course, pets aren’t for everyone. Some people just don’t like animals. It’s normal and we can’t hold it against them, but they’re most definitely missing out, judging by a number of relatively up-to-date studies that have taken place around the world. While they’re perhaps opting for animal-themed documentaries or enjoying some animal-themed slot games as an alternative option to owning a pet, the rest of us can carry on reaping the rewards from taking in our animal companion and making them a valued member of the family. With a number of studies also suggesting that owning a pet is good for us, it should be a no-brainer as to why your household might be missing a friendly feline face or a cheeky pooch. 

Taking on a pet is a big commitment, though. Let’s take a look at some key reasons as to why it’s a leap worth taking, especially given the undoubted benefits owning a pet can bring to your life.  

Having a pet can improve your mood 

Whether it’s through stress after a long day at work or you’re simply feeling down in the dumps for no particular reason, according to studies, relaxing and playing with a pet increases the level of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone”, which is what we need to boost our mood and just generally feel more positive about things, while also enabling us to form a bond with our beloved pet and feel more happy and relaxed as a result. Never underestimate the numerous benefits having a simple stroke of your cat or a cuddle with your dog can have. 

A pet can boost your relationship 

Pets bring so much positivity into our lives, and that includes our love lives. While it might seem odd initially, it makes total sense when you really think about it. During a typical relationship, there are obviously times when stressful situations can arise, or you or your partner are simply having a down day. Owning a pet, though, can lower blood pressure and make you and your partner feel happier. Whether it’s a dog or a cat, these types of pets can not only improve your life but also the life of your loved one.

Owning a pet can help your social life 

Admittedly, this particular finding does depend on the animal you own, but dog owners are said to experience a number of social benefits from having a canine companion. After all, dogs are naturally curious about their surroundings, which can, in turn, result in a number of social situations being presented to you, perhaps by fellow dog owners or passers-by who admire your wholesome hound. You might even make some friends as a result of your dog’s constant curiosity, with a 2015 US and Australian study suggesting that pet owners are far more likely to make friends with their neighbors than those who don’t have a pet. 

Other notable benefits of owning a pet are that you’ll feel safer with a big dog by your side, it can bring out the best in your child, and a pet might even help you find love. 

How Science and Data Analytics in Impacting On-Field Performances in Sports

Can you think of anything that hasn’t been touched (or completely transformed) by the digital revolution? There are probably some, of course. Yet, the fact that the answer wasn’t at the tip of your tongue suggests how deeply digital technology has penetrated our lives. In this article, we’ll talk about data analytics’s vital role in high-performance sports. 

Playing With Data

A quick visit to the training centre of a top-notch club of any sport will show how digital technology is changing the game. You’re bound to find computer vision and wearable sensors feeding precise information about an athlete’s performance into a computer. Then machine learning software helps athletes to manage their training routine and career

This kind of information also comes in handy when clubs negotiate with athletes, for instance. In this case, clubs can have much more accurate information about players’ capabilities and performance. However, there are ethical concerns about the usage of such information, which will be approached later. Those who love betting on sports now can do so with much more knowledge than at any other time before and take their chances with online sports betting in Canada.

Ethical Issues

Thanks to Wi-Fi and fast mobile internet, athletes aren’t only monitored at the gym or in the fields; their health can be observed in real-time, around the clock. However, there are already concerns about athletes’ right to privacy. Also, it isn’t clearly defined yet how much of this information can be shared or commercialised ethically. Additionally, it raises another question: who owns the data collected by teams? 

There aren’t clear guidelines so far, but some leagues are discussing the matter. Leagues like the NFL and NBA have special committees to decide what kind of wearables and biometrics are allowed. In the NBA’s case, every player has the right to access every biometric or other information collected by teams. Many athletes feel uneasy about providing their biometrics to teams over fears that it could affect future contract negotiations. 

The Biggest Names in the Field

The data collection process isn’t complicated; body sensors and wearable devices have been around for a while. Here are some of the leading companies in the field and what they do. 

Trace

Trace uses AI technology to provide bots for analysing soccer matches. This company provides teams with the necessary gear for recording and the AI software for processing the data. This AI bot can identify the game’s most critical moments, like defence mistakes, shots on goal, and so on.

Genius Sports

Genius Sports helps track real-time statistics during matches of different sports. Coaches can use this tool while the game is still happening to support their decisions. Currently, the company is involved with Premier League, NFL, MLB, and NCAA teams. 

Hudl

Hudl provides video tracking software with desktop apps and smart cameras, assisting coaches from over 30 sports. This software can draw statistical information from the game film and analyse them. Hudl is used by teams of all levels, from high-school teams to professional ones. 

Final Score

Data analytics and sports have been playing along for a while. Early fantasy sports relied on data collection to emulate more realistic games back in the 60s. Professional statisticians also dedicated considerable time and effort to developing analytic models. Bill James created a mathematical model called “Sabermetrics” to assess baseball players. Later, James explained his model in a book. 

The real game-changer today is the unprecedented capacity to process this information. Now, it’s possible to turn this data into valuable decision-making assets. Such pursuit fuels the sports analytics industry worldwide, which is expected to cross the USD 3 billion mark by 2028. 

Feeling Unlucky? Don’t Worry, Even Stephen Hawking Lost Some Scientific Wagers

From time to time, every person that places bets on a game of chance, whether it’s a sports bet or another type of a wager, is likely to fail at some point. If you are feeling unlucky about not winning a bet, then keep in mind that even Stephen Hawking manages to lose several wagers during his lifetime.

Stephen Hawking, one of the most brilliant minds of the 21st century, loved to bet on scientific topics, but he also had a very poor winning record.

The Black Hole Wager

In 1975, Hawking bet Kip Thorne, a Caltech physicist that there was no black hole at the center of the X-ray source, which was known as Cygnus X-1. Hawking, by that time, had done a lot of work on black holes and all of his scientific work could be wasted it turned out that black holes did not exist.

If Thorne was to prove that black holes do exist, Hawking would owe him a subscription to the Penthouse magazine for a year but if Hawking was to win, he would get a four-year subscription to the Private Eye magazine.

Hawking described in a Brief History of Time in 1988 that the odds were not in his favor as when the bet was made in 1975, they were 80% certain that Cygnus X-1 was a black hole and by 1988 they were about 95% certain.

Two years later, in 1990, Hawking acknowledged that there was enough evidence to say it was a black hole and conceded the bet.

Naked Singularity

Just one year later, Hawking bet against Thorne and theoretical scientist John Preskill that a naked singularity cannot be of existence. Hawking stated that a singularity can only exist behind the event horizon of a black hole

Preskill and Thorne argued about the possibility for an existence of a singularity even without an event horizon of the black holes. In 1997, Hawking conceded his claims and re-framed his statement that naked singularity cannot be formed under certain generic conditions.

The Black Hole Information Paradox

The third bet that Hawking made was the Thorne – Hawking – Preskill bet. This time Hawking made a bet with Thorne against Preskill, where the two argued that information would be lost in a black hole, whereas Preskill stated the opposite.

This formal wager stated that when an initial pure quantum state goes through a gravitational collapse in order to create a black hole, then the final condition at the very end of that black hole evaporation will always be in a pure quantum state.

The winner of this formal wager would receive an encyclopedia of their own choosing. In 2004, Hawking admitted that his theory was wrong and gave John Preskill a baseball encyclopedia.

Higgs Boson

In the early 2000s, Hawking wagered with physics professor Gordon Kane that the Higgs particle would never be found. This particle was seen as the last missing piece of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Hawking was not happy to see the discovery of this particle as he worried that it would solidify the Standard Model without aiming for a more coherent theory. The finding of the Higgs was confirmed in July 2012, which was hailed by Hawking as an important result.

When the Higgs boson was found in 2012, Hawking claimed that “physics would be much more interesting if it wasn’t found” and after congratulating Peter Higgs and Francois Englert for their discovery and the Nobel Prize that followed, he added “the discovery of the new particle came at a personal cost. I had a bet with Gordon Kane of Michigan University that the Higgs particle wouldn’t be found. The Nobel prize cost me $100.

Hawking had supported Higgs’ nomination for the Nobel Prize ahead of him winning it.

Hawking also said that Peter Higgs, one of the most famous theoretical physicists that proposed the particle 48 years before the acknowledgment, should receive a Nobel Prize, which he did the following year.

Out of all 4 scientific wagers that Hawking has made over the years, this was the only one that involved money. This meant that apart from winning the bet, Kane also won $100 Hawking.

You can take a look at the BetMGM review by BonusFinder if you’re encouraged by the fact that even one of the most intelligent men lost their wagers from time to time.

 

How to Write a Science Essay: 6 Professional Tips

While not everyone is a skilled writer, some students prefer to commission an essay using a freelance company,  a cheap essay writing service UK, or a tutor. In most cases, when you don’t have time or skill to write a paper that could weigh on your grade, it’s better to give the task to someone who knows what they’re doing.

Other students like to think more long-term, so they try to better their writing skills in case they need to write a personal essay or they need to write a test. But how do you write a science essay? Here are a few key tips from professionals.

1.   Make sure you’re specific

Whatever the length of your essay, it’s crucial to be specific. You can’t have something generic that doesn’t develop the topic properly. So, the key is to find something particular to write about in your paper.

You might be free to choose your topic, or your professor might give you guidelines. Nevertheless, you need to focus on the subject you pick. For instance, let’s say you’re writing a paper on dolphins. Instead of giving them an overview, you might want to focus on something. A great example would be National Geographic‘s article on how dolphins can identify their friends through taste.

Having a clear idea of what subject you’re developing will help you write easily and orient you in the next step.

2.   Research

Once you find your topic, it’s time to gather all the evidence. The keyword of a science essay is “facts,”  so find reliable sources. But what is a reliable source? 

Trustworthy sources are the sites, books, and studies presenting objective evidence. Usually, the studies are carried out by locally or internationally accredited professional teams. Nowadays, with the vast web, you can find fake news and articles that no authority backs up and result from speculation 

Moreover, many people like to use Wikipedia because it’s a handy tool for knowledge. Nonetheless, many professors feel it’s overused or hold a grudge against the “free encyclopedia.” But even the teachers who like Wikipedia might get annoyed to find it in every bibliography.

A remedy for this issue is researching other reliable knowledge platforms. Also, if you do want to use Wikipedia, you can. But make sure that you check the sources at the bottom of your Wikipedia page. You can find all the studies cited and include those in your bibliography. 

The center of science is 3-part research: observing, predicting, and proving. So, it’s quintessential (yes, it’s a typical Einstein’s dark energy pun) to get all your facts straight. 

One last advice for this step is to create your bibliography as you go, so it’s easier to hyperlink or reference at the end. You might wish to underline the words that need referencing as you go to avoid missing crucial links.

3.   Pick the writing style

We previously said that it’s essential to be objective in a science essay. So, facts are important, and opinions should be omitted. Nonetheless, you can still find your signature writing style that makes your paper unique and interesting.

You can write an informative essay in which you lay out the topic and the proof with no bias at all. This style is the easiest and safest for essays.

On the other hand, you can choose a thesis. This option is still entirely objective, but you’re trying to prove something specific, maybe even by comparing two things. 

You can have a very formal tone or use informal words if you think it helps your explanation. It depends on your essay requirements and your taste. 

Lastly, if you want to express your opinion and the assignment allows you to, you can do that in the conclusions. If you’re experimenting with things yourself, you can talk about your science trial and errors regarding your topic. 

If you don’t feel very confident in your writing skills, you might try to keep it as objective and simple as possible, which is what a science essay is anyway.

4.   Write drafts

Once you figure out your research and style, it’s time for the first draft. You can leave the introduction and conclusion last if you don’t have an idea already. 

Start lacing your evidence together while keeping in mind your topic and thesis (if you have one). Write as if you’re explaining to someone who knows nothing about the subject.

If you have infographics, pictures, and other visual information, you can include them too. These elements might help you explain better. Also, if your paper is digital, you can add videos.

Once you’re finished with the first draft, you can write a second one, then a third, until you’re satisfied.

5.   Correct it

Here’s another step where a lot of students use a tutor, a paper writing service, or a teacher. Some say the revision process is the most challenging part.

Grammar, syntax, uniqueness, and other form-related elements need to be impeccable. So, make sure you check them through special apps such as Thesaurus or Grammarly. You can also ask someone to read it for you and get a second opinion.

Lastly, choose a clean format or comply with the teacher’s requirements.

6.   Take time off it

If you feel like you’ve spent too much time on your essay, you probably did. The issue is that your brain might’ve ignored some errors. Hence, you should take a break and come back later to read your essay.

Ideally, a couple of days away from your essay might do the trick and make you feel like you’re reading it for the first time. This trick will make you more critical and less prone to ignoring mistakes you made.

Once you’re ready, turn it in and be proud of your work. If you did all you could, there’s no reason why you should worry. Try to focus on the fact that you’ve enriched your knowledge and keep practicing your writing.