Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jacqueline Boyd, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University

I live with several cocker spaniels. They are smart and affectionate, but sometimes air-headed, impulsive and extremely sensitive. It’s common for friends to describe my dogs as “having ADHD” as one of my canine whirlwinds whizz past.

People are increasingly aware of neurodiversity, and diagnoses such as autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) are becoming more common. And scientists are starting to give their attention to the idea that some of our animal cousins may also experience the world in different ways because of diversity in how their brains function. The concept is new, but this research may help deepen our bonds with our pets.

Anyone who has lived with, trained or cared for animals will be aware of how individual their differences in personality can be. But can animals really be neurodivergent? What might this mean for how we care for, train and manage them?

Neurodiversity is a variation in how people behave and how their brains function. This is the result of structural and chemical differences in the brain. But diagnosing animals with human conditions can be problematic.

Animals cannot directly tell us how they perceive the world, or answer typical diagnostic questions. We can only ever describe animal behaviour through the lens of our own understanding, for example labelling some dogs as impulsive. For those dogs, however, their outward impulsivity might be normal behaviour for their breed, in the same way that many cats are solitary.

However, research indicates that a range of species including dogs, rats, mice and non-human primates can show genetic and behavioural signs of neurodivergence. For instance, structural differences in genes known to be associated with hypersocial behaviour have been found in dogs.

Impulsive behaviour in dogs is also linked to low levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is important for emotional stability, while dopamine helps with focus.

Imbalances and difficulty in regulating these neurotransmitters may also be associated with ADHD in people, and is often characterised by impulsivity. This also raises the interesting possibility that by breeding animals to live alongside us, we selected animals with behaviour similar to what is reported by neurodiverse people.

Modelling animal autism

Scientists have developed animal models of autism to help them understand factors linked to increased risk and to be able to explore potential therapeutic support. These models are developed from selectively bred, laboratory-housed animals and might not fully represent typical population diversity. However, they are still valuable in helping us understand the biological basis of neurodiversity.

For example, some beagle dogs have a mutation in a gene called Shank3, which is linked with autism in humans and often characterised by difficulties in social interactions. Beagles with the Shank3 mutation also exhibit low desire to interact with people. It turns out that they have reduced cell to cell signalling in regions of the brain linked with attention.

They also demonstrate less of what is known as neural coupling with people. Neural coupling is where the brain activity of two or more individuals aligns when interacting. It typically occurs when people are storytelling or teaching, but a 2024 study also found it happens when dogs and humans gaze into each other’s eyes.

The Shank3 mutation might therefore result in impaired neural processing and signalling, limiting spontaneous social interactions and bonding between dogs and people. However, multiple factors are involved in the development of brain and behaviour.

Puppies who have had limited or negative early experiences with people might become less social and people-oriented. It is not easy to identify if the cause of this behaviour is biological, environmental or a combination of the two.

Shank3 canine research has also provided a hint at potential supportive medical interventions for human autism. A single dose of the psychedelic drug LSD was given to dogs with the Shank3 mutation. This resulted in increased attention and enhanced neural coupling with people over five days.

Mice and humans also seem to show a greater inclination to social behaviour after LSD administration. There are obviously legal, safety and ethical issues associated with its use, but animal models can certainly help us understand the underlying differences in how the neurodivergent brain functions.

These models might also help us diagnose human neurodivergence. Typical adult diagnostic processes involve lengthy discussion and review of how someone copes with daily life, which can be difficult as neurodivergent people often have communication difficulties.

Dogs with behavioural differences are similarly evaluated using assessment scales, mostly administered by their handlers and carers. However, video analysis and machine-based learning have been trialled as a more objective way to identify dogs with ADHD-like behaviour.

For this method, dogs’ movements in a new environment and when exposed to a robot dog were analysed by machine, rather than a person. Results from a 2021 study of dogs showed 81% agreement between objective and more traditional diagnosis.

This kind of animal research may help make the case for minimising subjectivity in human diagnosis. Objective measurements have in fact also been trialled for humans, such as eye movement in ADHD assessments.

Neurodiverse behaviours

Behavioural problems in cats and dogs that harm their wellbeing are common. One 2024 paper that collected owner-reported data from over 43,000 dogs in the US reported that more than 99% of pet dogs enrolled in the study presented with at least one behavioural problem.

Again, some of the reported behavioural concerns, such as separation-related behaviours, fear, anxiety and obsessive behaviour, mimic challenges associated with some forms of neurodivergence in people. Managing pets with such behavioural problems can be distressing and may even lead to rehoming or euthanasia. Perhaps this could sometimes be avoided if owners had a better understanding of what was going on.

In short, the evidence suggests that like us, animals can experience and respond to the world differently. Some of this will be due to natural differences in personality, but it is also likely that a proportion of our pets have differences in their brain structure and chemistry.

Neurodivergent children benefit from an appreciation of their specific and sometimes complex needs. Perhaps we can also create enriching management and training approaches for our potentially neurodiverse animal companions.

In addition to her academic affiliation at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and support from the Institute for Knowledge Exchange Practice (IKEP) at NTU, Jacqueline Boyd is affiliated with The Kennel Club (UK) through membership and as advisor to the Health Advisory Group and member of the Activities Committee. Jacqueline is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT #01583). She also writes, consults and coaches on canine matters on an independent basis

– ref. Autistic dogs? Neurodiversity in our pets and what it might mean for us – https://theconversation.com/autistic-dogs-neurodiversity-in-our-pets-and-what-it-might-mean-for-us-265888

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

In the ever-evolving world of beauty trends, few have sparked as much debate – and discomfort – as “menstrual masking”. This is the practice of applying menstrual blood to the skin, usually the face, as a form of DIY skincare.

Popularised on social media, hashtags such as #periodfacemask have amassed billions of views. In most videos, users apply menstrual blood for a few minutes before rinsing it off. There’s no clear agreement on how much blood to use or how long to leave it on. Some call the practice healing or empowering, describing it as a spiritual ritual that connects them to their bodies and ancestral femininity. But what does the science say?

Advocates of menstrual masking often argue that period blood contains stem cells, cytokines and proteins that could rejuvenate the skin. There is currently no clinical evidence to support using menstrual blood as a topical skincare treatment. However, its biological composition has shown potential in medical research.

A study found that plasma derived from menstrual fluid could significantly enhance wound healing. In laboratory tests, wounds treated with menstrual plasma showed 100% repair within 24 hours compared with 40% using regular blood plasma. This remarkable regeneration is thought to be linked to the unique proteins and bioactive molecules in menstrual fluid: the same substances that allow the uterus to rebuild itself every month.

Researchers are now exploring whether synthetic menstrual fluid could help treat chronic wounds.

Read more:
Menstrual blood is being used to research a range of health conditions — from endometriosis to diabetes and cancer

Stem cell research has also turned attention to menstrual blood–derived stem cells, or MenSCs. These cells grow easily and can develop into many different cell types. Studies show that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from various sources can help heal skin by boosting collagen, reducing wrinkles and releasing growth factors that repair damage caused by burns, UV exposure or wounds. Because they are versatile and appear safe, MenSCs are seen as a promising option for developing medical treatments to regenerate skin and slow photoaging: the premature aging caused by long-term sun exposure.

Not the same as a “vampire facial”

Some menstrual masking advocates liken the practice to the so-called “vampire facial”: a cosmetic procedure popularised by celebrities such as Kim Kardashian. Vampire facials use platelet-rich plasma (PRP) extracted from a patient’s own blood and injected into the face.

But experts caution against comparing PRP with menstrual blood. Menstrual fluid is a complex mixture of blood, sloughed-off endometrial tissue (the uterine lining), vaginal secretions, hormones and proteins. As it passes through the vaginal canal, it can pick up bacteria and fungi, including Staphylococcus aureus, a common microbe that normally lives on the skin but can cause infections if it enters cuts or pores. There’s also a risk that sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could be transferred to the skin.

PRP, by contrast, is prepared under sterile conditions. During PRP treatment, a small amount of blood is drawn and spun in a centrifuge to separate out the platelet-rich layer, which is then injected into the skin using fine needles. Some clinicians also add filler for faster cosmetic results. The procedure can cost thousands; unlike menstrual masking, which is free and easily accessible.

“Body-based” beauty

Menstrual masking isn’t the only unconventional beauty practice involving bodily fluids. “Urine therapy,” the application of urine to the skin, has roots in Ayurvedic medicine and was once believed to detoxify the body and cure ailments. Some modern advocates even claim benefits for acne or eczema, although these claims lack scientific support.

While urine does contain urea – a compound used in some moisturisers – the urea found in urine is far less concentrated and not the same as the purified, synthetic form used in skincare products. The idea that raw urine or menstrual blood could safely replace clinical-grade cosmetic ingredients is not supported by dermatological evidence.

Menstrual masking sits at the intersection of body positivity, cultural ritual and pseudoscience. For some, it’s a celebration of the menstrual cycle and a rejection of stigma. For others, it’s an unproven and potentially risky beauty trend.

The biological richness of menstrual blood is undeniable, but its safe and effective use belongs in controlled medical research – not in DIY skincare routines. As with many viral health trends, it’s vital to distinguish between symbolism and science. Menstrual masking may feel empowering, but from a dermatological perspective, it’s a practice best left to personal belief rather than the bathroom mirror.

Dipa Kamdar does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Would you put period blood on your face? What science says about ‘menstrual masking’ – https://theconversation.com/would-you-put-period-blood-on-your-face-what-science-says-about-menstrual-masking-266648

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Whiteley, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex

Polling on public attitudes to climate change show a dip in the numbers who worry about it in many high-income countries, compared with three years ago. This declining public concern will be a worry to those governments looking to push forward with new environmental measures.

High-income countries bear most of the costs of cleaning up the problems associated with climate change. This is largely because they are responsible for more emissions than less-developed countries, in part due to their legacy of early industrialisation. They also have the resources that low-income countries lack.

Changing public attitudes to climate change are tracked in detail by non-partisan thinktank Pew Research Center as part of massive global project. Drawing on this Pew data, the chart below shows the percentage of people in the 2022 and 2025 surveys who considered climate change a major threat across 16 high-income countries.

Overall, 73% of respondents from these countries thought climate change was a major threat in 2022, but by 2025 this had dropped to 66%.

In some countries, the fall in those who think climate change is a major threat has been quite significant – down by 13 percentage points in Poland, 11 in the Netherlands and Italy, nine percentage points in the UK and six in Germany. In the US, the decline was only three percentage points but it started from a low base, with only 54% perceiving climate change to be a serious threat in 2022 and 51% in 2025.

Across all 16 high-income countries, those with the least number of people who saw it as a major threat in 2025 were Israel (41%) and the US (51%).

Meanwhile, a YouGov poll showed that in the UK, 53% of adults think the economy and immigration are among the three most important issues facing the country, while only 15% think this about the environment.

Perceptions of climate change as major threat in high-income countries, 2022 and 2025:

In contrast, perceptions of the threat from climate change have increased in a number of middle-income countries. For example, the public are increasingly worried in Brazil (up five percentage points between 2022 and 2025) and India (up eight points). And while only 40% of Turkish people saw it as a threat back in 2013, in the 2025 poll that number had risen to 70%.

Political influences

Another factor in these changes is current politics. According to the Pew analysis, people on the right politically have become less likely to call climate change a major threat since 2022.

In Poland, 40% of those on the right say this today, down from 63% in 2022. In the US, liberals are more than four times as likely as conservatives to say climate change is a major threat (84% compared to 20%). A quarter of Germans with a favourable view of the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) say climate change is a major threat, compared with 78% of those who have an unfavourable view of that party.

Some demographics of attitudes to climate change in the Pew surveys appear in the chart below. The responses in the 16 high-income countries look at variations in age, sex and education, and perceptions of the threat from climate change.

Large percentages of the respondents in these countries see climate change as a major threat, something that was also evident in the first chart. Women (76%) are more likely to think it is a major threat than men (69%); people aged 56-65 are more likely to think it (75%) than young people between the ages of 18 and 25 (72%); and graduates (79%) are more likely to think it than non-graduates(71%). But the variations in attitudes across these groups are not large.

Read more:
Climate disasters will send many countries into a debt spiral – but there’s a way out

In some countries – for example, Australia, France, Turkey and the US – adults under 35 are more likely than those aged 50 and older to see climate change as a major threat. But the reverse is true in Argentina, Japan, South Korea and Sweden.

The relationships between demographics and attitudes to climate change are part of wide research which shows women and educated people are generally more concerned about the risks posed by climate change than men and less-educated people.

It is worth noting that an average of two-thirds of the respondents in the high-income countries feel some concern about climate change in 2025, so it is still a significant issue for many.

Perceptions of threat from climate change across different groups in high-income countries:

Why is this happening?

Problems such as the COVID pandemic and the war in Ukraine may have crowded out worries about climate change. In addition, there may be a sense among many people that climate change cannot be stopped. This is a type of issue fatigue where people start believing they can’t make a difference, and so are less likely to talk about it.

However, the picture facing delegates at the UN climate summit, Cop30, in Brazil is not all gloomy. Climate change policies have acquired a powerful ally over the last decade or so: the rapid fall in costs of generating electricity using renewables rather than fossil fuels, which is likely to provide countries with a financial motivation to move away from fossil fuels.

However, whether this, as well as shifting political narratives and global issues, will drive public attitudes to change again in the next three years is unclear.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 47,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Paul Whiteley has received funding from the British Academy and the ESRC.

– ref. Worries about climate change are waning in many well-off nations – but growing in Turkey, Brazil and India – https://theconversation.com/worries-about-climate-change-are-waning-in-many-well-off-nations-but-growing-in-turkey-brazil-and-india-269160

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ross Cameron, Senior Lecturer, Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Sheffield

When it comes to adapting cities to a rapidly and dramatically changing climate, the garden is on the frontline of the fight. Gardens act as green sinkholes, allowing excess rainwater to escape, as well as helping to cool cities in summer.

Gardens would provide all these (and other) benefits if they were not being concreted over – and research shows this is happening fast. Around 54% of front gardens in the UK are now concreted over, up from 46% in 1991.

As the winter storm season approaches, the risk of flooding is of increasing concern. Urban areas face the double jeopardy of more intense rainfall due to climate change and enhanced soil sealing from paving over of gardens.

At least one in six people in the UK already live with flood risk as heavy rainfall is increasing. Insurance claims linked to extreme weather are rising.

A recent report from the Royal Horticultural Society, launched on October 30, highlighted how UK front gardens now comprise 89,000 hectares of paved or concreted space, compared to only 73,500 hectares of space with plants.

At a wider scale across Europe, it is thought that about 25,000 hectares of urban land, such as gardens, is sealed each year via urban expansion and the use of impermeable surfaces.

The green spaces in cities – gardens, parks, roadside verges and urban woodlands – help stop cities from flooding. Gardens act as conduits to disperse rainwater. They trap and slow rainwater in the first place – acting as a brake on flash flooding and allowing rainwater to find its natural path to the soil water table and flow into our rivers.

Plant canopies, detain and retain rainwater (green sponges in effect) and roots re-route surface water to deeper, safer sub-surface layers (infiltration).

Read more:
Climate change is becoming an insurance crisis

Plants move water from their roots to their leaves and release it as vapour – a process that works like nature’s water pump and air conditioner, cooling cities in summer. This process pumps tonnes of water back to the atmosphere every day, and in summer, significantly cools the city. The pumping action is important as it allows the soil to dry quickly – essential before the arrival of the next storm. Saturated soils don’t hold excess water any more effectively than concrete, so they need time to recover.

So gardens are one of the best defences to stop domestic properties from flooding. In built up areas of cities, 55% of rainfall forms surface flow (run-off – the water that potentially enters one’s front door), yet in green areas, there’s only 10% run-off – the rest is absorbed and dissipated by the soil and vegetation. Retaining good plant coverage in gardens and leaving soil open so rain can infiltrate effectively are significant factors in reducing urban flooding.

So why have home-owners decided to pave over and block the natural drains of the city? Turning front gardens into driveways has come from the need to find an off-road spot for the family car as well as a flat surface to place the bins on, and perhaps least justifiably – a place that simply can be kept clean, neat and tidy more easily.

And having an electric car creates more problems, potentially, because that means the car needs to be closer to the house to be recharged, resulting in more paving and concrete close to houses.

Plant your driveway

But there is another way to tackle this: cars and plants can co-exist. Permeable lattice-framed blocks that support the weight of the car can be used to create driveways. These allow plants to grow through the gaps.

Alternatively, gravel pathways and drives can allow access and parking, while providing opportunities for plants to grow around the edges. Many striking garden designs use gravel and scree to grow colourful plants that also support pollinating insects and birds.

Some gardens are even designed specifically to reduce the risk of flooding and exploit plant species that are more effective at trapping and dissipating water. So-called rain gardens help surface run-off water infiltrate into the ground, purifying it in the process. Water is directed off gutters, pavements and roads towards these rain garden soak-aways where it is given time to percolate into the soil. This is where soil and plant root activity help trap silt and deactivate pollutants coming off the road surfaces.

Most people want their car parked close by, but we need to be more imaginative in how we accommodate these vehicles. Driveways don’t need to be simply sterile concrete spaces. Permeability, plants and, indeed, a better sense of place can be built in too, and help reduce flooding along the way.

Ross Cameron is affiliated with The Royal Horticultural Society

– ref. How adding plants to your driveway could reduce winter flood risks – https://theconversation.com/how-adding-plants-to-your-driveway-could-reduce-winter-flood-risks-268805

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nick Kotucha, ESRC Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Warwick

The financial crisis of 2008 left deep scars on the British economy. The average UK household is now estimated to be 16% poorer than it would have been had that crisis never occurred.

Given that average annual household income is around £55,200, this suggests each one is losing out to the tune of £8,800 per year.

Globally, it is estimated that around 100 million more people are living in absolute poverty as a direct result of the crisis. Meanwhile, government debt levels around the world increased by a third.

Ever since the crisis, the general consensus among politicians and economists seems to have been that tight financial regulation is necessary to ensure a similar disaster does not happen again. The Bank of England in particular has been a global leader in pushing for new types of international safeguards.

Now though, the UK government is leading calls for financial red tape to be cut. Breaking from its traditional position as an advocate for strong regulation, the Labour party has promised “the most wide-ranging package of reforms to financial services regulation in more than a decade”.

The idea is that easing up on the rules will boost growth by encouraging bank lending and attracting international finance. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, appears to believe that strict regulation has dampened activity in a sector which the UK economy relies upon. As his chancellor Rachel Reeves put it, existing regulation “has gone too far in seeking to eliminate risk”.

And it’s true that some regulation has been overly complex while producing few tangible benefits. But the changes signalled by Reeves and Starmer point to a much broader project of rolling back key safeguards that were put in place to avoid a repeat of the financial crisis.

This year, some of the regulations aimed at limiting risky mortgage lending – a key cause of the 2008 crisis – have been loosened. And Reeves has promised further sweeping changes which would, for instance, dismantle key parts of the “ringfencing” regime which separates risky investment banking from retail banking.

In doing so, she is ignoring repeated warnings by regulators (including the Bank of England) who stress that such moves will make the financial system much less stable.

The risks attached to these changes are even more worrying in an environment where Donald Trump is pushing an aggressive agenda against regulation. The US and UK are both hesitant about implementing the newest version of an international framework for banking regulation which is widely regarded as critical to continued financial stability. The future of that framework will be uncertain if two of the world’s biggest financial superpowers withdraw their support.

Risky business

Starmer clearly feels under pressure to do something to combat the UK’s sluggish economic growth. But if one lesson can be taken from the 2008 crisis, it is that a small boost to economic growth at the expense of long-term stability will ultimately result in much greater losses.

Even in the absence of a full-blown financial crisis, the Bank of England thinks that the higher level of instability and uncertainty associated with a laxer regulatory regime will cancel out any small short-term benefits. This chimes with the findings of my latest research, which shows that even these short-term gains are far from guaranteed.

Underlying the new enthusiasm for deregulation seems to be a belief that the financial system is now stable enough to withstand economic shocks, even if regulations are rolled back. But recent events clearly show that the risk of a financial crisis continues to bubble near the surface.

Just two years ago, problems at the relatively small Silicon Valley Bank led to a bank-run which had spillover effects across the US. In the UK, Liz Truss’s infamous mini-budget of 2022 led to a dramatic spike in government bond yields and caused a spate of near-collapses across the pension fund sector.

Potential economic crises which are ultimately avoided are all too easily forgotten. But these episodes should remind us that financial markets can be unpredictable, and small events can spiral out of control. Paving the way for more risk, as Reeves and Starmer are doing, is a serious gamble with unpredictable consequences.

The Conversation and LSE’s International Inequalities Institute have teamed up for a special online event on Tuesday, November 18 from 5pm-6.30pm. Join experts from the worlds of business, taxation and government policy as they discuss the difficult choices facing Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her budget. Sign up for free here

The research underlying this article has been supported by funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

– ref. The UK government’s risky rollback of financial regulation threatens long-term growth – https://theconversation.com/the-uk-governments-risky-rollback-of-financial-regulation-threatens-long-term-growth-266418