Finding: Not sleeping one night changes our everyday desires. Question: For whom? Does it work the same way for everyone? Just because desires change, does that mean I will actually behave differently? Credit for this wonderful write-up goes to Vi Le, a volunteer and student at the University of Maryland. Citation: Axelsson, J., Ingre, M., Kecklund, G., Lekander, M., Wright Jr, K. P., & Sundelin, T. (2020). Sleepiness as motivation: a potential mechanism for how sleep deprivation affects behavior. Sleep, 43(6), zsz291. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsz291

So many things are affected by a lack of sleep. Even just one night of no sleep changes how we want to interact with people and what we are willing to do to get some sleep. Do these sound true to you? Credit for this amazing visual abstract goes to Vi Le, a volunteer and undergraduate from the University of Maryland. Citation: Axelsson, J., Ingre, M., Kecklund, G., Lekander, M., Wright Jr, K. P., & Sundelin, T. (2020). Sleepiness as motivation: a potential mechanism for how sleep deprivation affects behavior. Sleep, 43(6), zsz291. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsz291

Finding: When we have dinner may dictate when we choose to sleep. This is all dependent on how much we procrastinate in general. Question: Is dinner time really that important? Are there other, more important variables? Perhaps stress, other life circumstances, if you need to get up early, etc.? Credit for this wonderful write-up goes to Jenny Chen, a volunteer and student at the University of Maryland. Citation: Magalhães, P., Pereira, B., Oliveira, A., Santos, D., Núñez, J. C., & Rosário, P. (2021). The mediator role of routines on the relationship between general procrastination, academic procrastination and perceived importance of sleep and bedtime procrastination. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(15), 7796. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157796

What do you think of this finding? People who procrastinate for one thing, likely procrastinate for other things as well. This even goes for when they will have dinner and, consequently, when they go to sleep. Credit for this amazing visual abstract goes to Jenny Chen, a volunteer and undergraduate from the University of Maryland.

Finding: Phone use relates to better sleep, less depression, less anxiety, and less stress. Question: What are people doing on their phone? How close to bedtime are they using it? How often are they really using their phone? We don’t know. Just some things to think about if you hear about this finding! Citation: Stanković, M., Nešić, M., Čičević, S., & Shi, Z. (2021). Association of smartphone use with depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and internet addiction. Empirical evidence from a smartphone application. Personality and individual differences, 168, 110342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110342

We usually hear about the negative effects of phone use when it comes to sleep and mental health. However, it’s possible phone use can also be positive. Do you feel less stressed or anxious after being on your phone? Then you may be in good company with this study. Citation: Stanković, M., Nešić, M., Čičević, S., & Shi, Z. (2021). Association of smartphone use with depression, anxiety, stress, sleep quality, and internet addiction. Empirical evidence from a smartphone application. Personality and individual differences, 168, 110342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110342

Do you think sleep works the same way for everyone? Well, yes and no. There are general patterns that happen within everyone, but the specifics are pretty different from person to person. How do you feel when you don’t get enough sleep? Do you ever feel like you sleep too much? Do you know what your optimal sleep patterns are? Citation: Chokroverty, S. (2010). Overview of sleep & sleep disorders. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 131(2), 126-140. PMID: 20308738.

There is so much when it comes to sleep. I don’t think I even need to state how important it is (it affects basically everything in our lives). Why not learn more about it? Stages 1-3 are considered non-rapid eye movement sleep. These function as you might imagine it. As we progress through the stages our bodies and minds are slowing down, relaxing more and more, and getting deeper into sleep where it is harder to wake up. Stage 4 is rapid eye movement sleep where our eyes are literally moving around. Our brains are much more active during this period, but our bodies are completely shut off. During this time we tend to have about 80% of our dreams likely because of how active our brains are. Once we reach stage 4, we go back up through stage 3, 2, and 1 and then cycle back down again. More info throughout the week! Citation: Chokroverty, S. (2010). Overview of sleep & sleep disorders. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 131(2), 126-140. PMID: 20308738.

Finding: These 3 memory techniques don’t work. Question: So then what does work? We’re curious to hear what you think works better to improve working memory! Credit for this wonderful write-up goes to Jenny Chen, a volunteer and student at the University of Maryland. Citation: Oberauer, K. (2019). Is rehearsal an effective maintenance strategy for working memory?. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(9), 798-809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2019.06.002

Articulatory Rehearsal: Saying something over and over again (out loud or in your head) in order to remember it. Refreshing: When attention goes back to previous things you needed to remember, usually pretty automatically. Elaborative Rehearsal: Attaching meaning to what you need to remember by associating it with something else or putting it into a context that you can remember (e.g., putting a list of items into a sentence that is meaningful for you so you can remember it). Did you know that these 3 techniques that people often try likely don’t actually improve our working memory? Now, I won’t say they never work; that isn’t true. But they really only help certain parts of our memory and only for some people. More info tomorrow! Credit for this amazing visual abstract goes to Jenny Chen, a volunteer and undergraduate from the University of Maryland. Citation: Oberauer, K. (2019). Is rehearsal an effective maintenance strategy for working memory?. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(9), 798-809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2019.06.002

FINDING: Weed affects memory. Questions: When does it help memory? What kinds of memories does it help? When does it harm memory? For whom does it hurt? How much weed? Is it all strains? Smoking vs edibles? Socially ingesting vs alone? What about when it’s with other substances? How long do effects last? As you can see, there are many questions left before we really know what to make of this finding. Credit for this wonderful write-up goes to Vi Le, a volunteer and student at the University of Maryland. Citation: Morie, K. P., & Potenza, M. N. (2021). A mini-review of relationships between cannabis use and neural foundations of reward processing, inhibitory control and working memory. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 546. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.657371

So does weed affect memory? YES. Sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. However, there is so much more work that needs to be done to know when and how it affects memory exactly. Right now, I am not convinced of these findings. More later this week! Credit for this amazing visual abstract goes to Vi Le, a volunteer and undergraduate from the University of Maryland. Citation: Morie, K. P., & Potenza, M. N. (2021). A mini-review of relationships between cannabis use and neural foundations of reward processing, inhibitory control and working memory. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, 546. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.657371

Do you think brain games help improve the memory of most people? Probably, but what we don’t know yet is how long it takes to start seeing noticeable improvement or how long the effects really last. But, for now, we know it likely would help improve memory. Citation: Bonnechère, B., Langley, C., & Sahakian, B. J. (2020). The use of commercial computerised cognitive games in older adults: a meta-analysis. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72281-3

Did you know that brain games can improve how quickly we process information, our working and verbal memory, as well as executive functioning skills? Pretty crazy right? It works better than other games and can be pretty cheap or even free! Citation: Bonnechère, B., Langley, C., & Sahakian, B. J. (2020). The use of commercial computerised cognitive games in older adults: a meta-analysis. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72281-3

What do you think of memory? Is it simple or is it as complex as I am making it out to be? Do you feel like you have a good understanding of when you do or don’t remember things? There is a lot more to learn, but if you have any questions, I’m glad to talk or direct you to some resources! Citation: Camina, E., & Güell, F. (2017). The neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and psychological basis of memory: Current models and their origins. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 438.https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00438

Do you know all of these different types of memory? Broadly speaking, there are 3 types of memory: sensory, short-term, and long-term. Within each of these are more types of memory, all of which usually have their own distinct function. They come together to form the vivid memories we are used to recalling for ourselves and others. More importantly, knowing how memories are formed and all the different types of memory out there can help us improve our memory, adding to the richness of our world and all of the meaningful connections we wish to make. Citation: Camina, E., & Güell, F. (2017). The neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and psychological basis of memory: Current models and their origins. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, 438.https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00438

Finding: Women of color in college who have less sexual life satisfaction are also women who have less sexual autonomy. This is all predicted by experienced racism. Question: How much might this finding speak to all women of color, regardless of if they are in college? Does this mean that for all women of color in college, racism will predict sexual autonomy which will predict sexual life satisfaction? Easy answers are “no” to both questions. But, that isn’t super helpful. With how much certainty can you apply this finding to yourself or if you told a friend this finding, how much would it apply to them if some of their characteristics are different than the participants within the study? We’re curious to hear what you think! Credit for this wonderful write-up goes to Vi Le, a volunteer and student at the University of Maryland. Citation: Zucker, A. N., Fitz, C. C., & Bay-Cheng, L. Y. (2016). Reverberations of racism and sexism through the subjective sexualities of undergraduate women of color. The Journal of Sex Research, 53(2), 265-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2014.1002557

Yes, women of color that experience racism are also women of color that have lower sexual well-being. These same women also experience less sexual autonomy, which could be a reason for how racism relates to sexual well-being. In part, this means that there is a higher likelihood for STI transmission because women that experience racism also tend to be women that have less condom use self-efficacy (in the moment, they may not feel comfortable with their ability to use condoms). We can start to see the many ways in which this is really something we should be acting on. Even if we don't know for a fact if racism causes this to happen, it is still a worthwhile path to explore and dismantle (i.e., stopping racist rhetoric may help this problem, but even if it didn't, it would definitely help other problems). Credit for this amazing visual abstract goes to Vi Le, a volunteer and undergraduate from the University of Maryland. Citation: Zucker, A. N., Fitz, C. C., & Bay-Cheng, L. Y. (2016). Reverberations of racism and sexism through the subjective sexualities of undergraduate women of color. The Journal of Sex Research, 53(2), 265-272. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2014.1002557

Just because there is still a disparity in the number of women in STEM doesn’t mean that women are not capable of being in STEM. Give time, acceptance, and space, and then see what happens. Until there are equal opportunities and equal support for pursuing the STEM sector, we cannot know if there will be equal representation and equal outcomes for people who want to be in STEM careers. We can change the current outlook by allowing children, especially daughters, to freely explore STEM pathways and by speaking out against the ways individuals continue to perpetuate garbage, sexist thoughts against women. Citation: Kim, A. Y., Sinatra, G. M., & Seyranian, V. (2018). Developing a STEM identity among young women: A social identity perspective. Review of Educational Research, 88(4), 589-625. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654318779957

Yes, absolutely identity matters. It may not matter to every single woman (or it may matter more or less to some), but identity is integral to how we perceive the world and our place in it. If our identity doesn't match a certain career path, we are less likely to get on it. This is no different for women who want to pursue STEM, but don't. Citation: Kim, A. Y., Sinatra, G. M., & Seyranian, V. (2018). Developing a STEM identity among young women: A social identity perspective. Review of Educational Research, 88(4), 589-625. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654318779957