What sets apart the most productive, innovative teams?
We found that the most productive and innovative teams were 'hot spots' of energy. This was clear from my observations. I could sense their energy, while less productive teams in comparison felt dull and negative — people simply going about their tasks without real conviction.
It turns out that the magic of these hot spots
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The Independent
8 minutes ago
- The Independent
Struggling to sleep? Your gut bacteria could be to blame
Your gut health can impact everything from your mood to your immune system, but it could also be the cause of your poor sleep, a study has found. Specific types of gut bacteria have been linked to insomnia risk by researchers, while insomnia itself has also been linked to an abundance of certain 'bugs' in the gut. Insomnia, which means a person has difficulty falling and staying asleep, affects about a third of adults in the UK. It can be caused by anxiety, noise, alcohol, caffeine or shift work, according to the NHS. Several studies have explored the effects of the gut microbiome on various sleep characteristics, but it's not yet clear how different groups of gut bacteria might affect the risk of insomnia. The study, published in the journal General Psychiatry, used data on 386,533 people with insomnia from a previously study, gut microbiome data for 18,340 people from the MiBioGen alliance and for 8,208 people from the Dutch Microbiome Project with 71 groups of bacteria in common. Their analysis revealed associations between specific gut microbes and insomnia. Overall, a total of 14 groups of bacteria were positively associated with insomnia and eight groups showed a negative association. Insomnia itself was associated with a reduction of between 43 per cent and 79 per cent in the abundance of seven groups of bacteria and a 65 per cent to a more than fourfold increase in the abundance of 12 other groups. Researchers found the Odoribacter class of bacteria, in particular, was significantly associated with the risk of insomnia. This type of bacteria plays a role in producing short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which in the right levels can help maintain a healthy gut. However, there are some limitations to the study. All the study participants were of European descent, so the results may not be more widely applicable as the make-up of the microbiome varies among different ethnicities and geographies, researchers point out. Diet and lifestyle – which affect the microbiome – were also not accounted for. Although bacteria are linked to insomnia, those same bacteria may be shaped by a person's eating habits, stress levels, and environment. 'Overall, the intertwined effects of insomnia on gut microbiota, and vice versa, represent a complex bidirectional relationship involving immune regulation, inflammatory response, release of neurotransmitters, and other molecular and cellular pathways,' study authors said. The authors conclude: 'Our study offers preliminary evidence supporting a causal effect between insomnia and gut microbiota, providing valuable insights for the future development of microbiome-inspired treatment plans for insomnia.' These treatment plans might include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, or faecal microbiota transplantation, they suggest.
The Independent
38 minutes ago
- The Independent
Scientists make microplastic discovery in hot drinks
New research suggests hot drinks may be a more significant source of microplastics than previously realised. A University of Birmingham study found the highest concentrations of microplastics in hot tea and hot coffee among 155 common drinks tested. The research indicates that high temperatures and preparation processes for hot beverages contribute to increased microplastic levels. Hot tea in disposable cups contained the most microplastics, averaging 22 particles per cup, with more expensive teabags also leaching substantial amounts. The findings suggest that assessing microplastic exposure solely through drinking water may underestimate the overall risk, calling for more comprehensive dietary studies.
BBC News
38 minutes ago
- BBC News
Blood Moon lunar eclipse: When is it and how can you see it?
A lunar eclipse, also known as a 'Blood Moon', is taking place on 7 September and should be partly visible from the UK. A lunar eclipse is when the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon, meaning the Moon is in the Earth's shadow. When it is a total eclipse the Moon can take on a red/orange colour which is why it is sometimes called a Blood is the second lunar eclipse of 2025. Read on to find out more about what a Blood Moon is and when best to look out for it. What is a Blood Moon lunar eclipse? A Blood Moon or total lunar eclipse happens when the Sun, Earth and Moon are lined up. That means the Earth moves directly in between the Sun and Moon, blocking the sunlight. The Moon then enters the shadow created behind the Earth, creating an the light of the Sun passes through the Earth's atmosphere, the sunlight light is removed leaving only red longer wavelengths to reach the Moon giving it a reddish colour. Unlike a solar eclipse people do not need protective glasses to see a lunar eclipse. How to see the Blood Moon lunar eclipsse? People based in Asia and parts of Australia will get to see the eclipse from start to in Europe and Africa may still see it all as Museums Greenwich advises that in the UK the Moon is due to rise above the horizon just in time for people to see the total lunar eclipse. It says the "maximum will occur at 7.33pm BST from the UK, with the eclipse's actual maximum at 7.11pm when the Moon is below the horizon." The Moon will then gradually move out of Earth's shadow until 9.55pm. The advice is to find a high point with a clear view to the east, as the Moon will be low on the horizon and quite difficult to see.
