Latest news with #EmilyMcDonald
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Neuroscientist explains why people perceive colours differently
Neuroscientist Emily McDonald reveals that individual color perception is unique due to genetic variations, eye color, and personal experiences. A study by the University of Tokyo and Monash University supports this, finding that color-neurotypical individuals perceive red similarly, while colorblind individuals experience it differently. This highlights the subjective nature of color perception. When your mum tells you, 'You are one of a kind,' trust her. She is right (as always)! You are so unique that even the colours you see may not appear the same way to anyone else in the world. Yes, that's right. Your red is not someone else's red. Emily McDonald is an Arizona-based neuroscientist and mindset coach, has explained the science behind this. Do we all see colours the same way? The neuroscientist explains that no two people see colour the same way. 'If you've ever wondered whether other people see colour the same way as you, according to current scientific understanding, the percent chance that anyone else sees colour the same way as you is essentially zero,' she says. The scientist shared that she was researching the topic and found some interesting aspects of why this happens. 'We all see colours differently, and I used to do research on this. So I'll tell you why. I used to work in a research lab doing something called a quantum catch, where we would take the genotype of the colour-detecting cells in different monkeys' eyes, and then we could map on a colour plot how they would perceive fruits in the rainforest, and you could see how different monkeys would perceive the same colour fruit differently, and humans are the same way. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo ' She added , 'And genetic code is only one reason that colour of your eye, like brown versus blue, can also change how you see colour. And our personal experiences can also shape how we perceive colours. Neural circuits in the brain that are involved in colour processing can adapt based upon our experiences.' Science behind the colour A recent study led by researchers from the University of Tokyo and Monash University in Australia explored whether two people's subjective experiences might differ when it comes to colour. They introduced a novel experimental and computational paradigm called the qualia structure paradigm, which looks at relational structures of our experiences, called qualia structures, and then compares qualia structures across individuals on a structural basis, as opposed to comparing colors one-on-one. 'Kahin Bada, Kahin Chhota': Ravi Kishan Uses Samosa Analogy To Demand Regulation Of Food Prices 'Using massive online experimental data from both color-neurotypical and colorblind participants, we empirically found that color similarity judgment data derived from color-neurotypical participants can be correctly aligned at the group level, such that red correctly mapped to the same red or similar reddish colors. In contrast, those of colorblind participants could not be aligned with those of color-neurotypical participants, implying that color-neurotypical red is relationally equivalent to other color-neurotypical's red, but not to colorblind people's red,' the researchers said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Complaining all the time? Neuroscientist explains why this is bad for the brain and how to fix it
Neuroscientist Emily McDonald explains that constant complaining negatively wires the brain, strengthening pathways that focus on problems and shrinking the prefrontal cortex, impacting focus and decision-making. This habit makes individuals less attractive and puts them in 'victim mode.' However, fostering positive thoughts and gratitude can reverse this, improving focus and enabling a more joyful outlook. Are you someone who constantly complains, judges, and criticizes? Well, this behaviour may be doing you more harm than you realise. Beyond spoiling your mood, this could also be changing your brain for the worse. Emily McDonald is an Arizona-based neuroscientist and mindset coach, has explained the downside of being a chronic complainer. 'Complaining, judging, or criticizing others can actually change your brain to make you less focused and productive and decrease your problem-solving skills,' the neuroscientist said. She also explained the science behind it and also shared some effective ways to fix it. Constant complaining wires your brain negatively When you make complaining a habit, your brain starts to feed off negativity and starts to notice problems first. 'Every time you complain or criticize, you strengthen that pathway in your brain. This is Hebb's law: neurons that fire together wire together. So if you're constantly focused on what you don't like, you are wiring your brain to see more problems,' McDonald said. Second, this behaviour can actually shrink the region of the brain responsible for focus and decision-making. This means judging and criticizing actually messes up your brain's ability to make right and informed decisions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'Studies show that chronic stress and negative thinking can actually shrink your prefrontal cortex, and this is the part of your brain responsible for focus, emotional regulation, and decision making. You're literally weakening the part of your brain that helps you solve problems while strengthening the pathways that help you point them out,' she explained, in a video shared on Instagram. Guess what? Complaining is not really an appealing trait. 'Research shows that complaining and criticizing actually makes you less attractive,' she adds. Constant complaining puts your brain into 'victim mode,' which could make you feel powerless to change your circumstances. How to fix it Well, if you have developed a habit of complaining, well, don't worry, you can absolutely reverse it. How? By fostering positive thoughts. Instead of turning to what's wrong with something, focus on yourselves. Something that motivates you, and inspires you to look forward to. 'Thinking positively and expressing gratitude strengthens the prefrontal cortex, which improves your ability to focus and create the life of your dreams. Every time you speak or type a comment on here, you are training your brain. So train it to look for joy and abundance because you don't get what you want in life you get what your brain is wired for,' the neuroscientist shares. Bollywood stars react sharply to supreme court's stray dog order Where to start? It begins with awareness. Breaking out of this complaining and judging mindset starts with awareness. When you catch yourself complaining, shift your focus toward solutions or gratitude.
The Hill
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Hill
The 10 most pet-friendly cities for renters
For renters with pets, finding a home isn't easy — unless you're looking in Texas. Austin (80 percent), Dallas (79 percent) and San Antonio (78 percent) led all major U.S. metros last year in the share of pet-friendly rental listings on Zillow. One notable exception was Houston, which ranked dead last with just 38 percent of listings marked as pet friendly. Those findings come from a new Zillow analysis of 11 million listings nationwide, which showed that 57 percent of rentals allowed pets last year. But there was wide variance from city to city, with the Lone Star trifecta near 80 percent, while places like Providence, R.I. (43 percent), Hartford, Conn. (43 percent) and San Jos, Calif. (44 percent) were all below half. The pet-or-no-pet decision has become even more important in recent years as nearly 6 in 10 renters now have a pet, up from 46 percent before the pandemic, Zillow said. For landlords, allowing pets can pay off, since pet-friendly rentals tend to draw more views and are typically rented out eight days faster, the analysis found. 'In a market where renters have more options, allowing pets can make the difference in finding a tenant quickly,' Emily McDonald, Zillow rental trends expert, said in a statement. The rental marketplace company said almost half of those who have a pet have passed on a property because it was not pet-friendly, but the advantage to landlords varies from city to city. In New York City, pet-friendly units are typically rented 26 days faster than places that did not accept pets, the biggest gap of any major market. Tampa, Fla. (16 days), Columbus, Ohio (12 days) and Phoenix, Ariz. (11 days), all saw pet-friendly listings rented out more than 10 days quicker. Top 10 cities with the highest share of pet-friendly rental listings on Zillow last year:
Daily Mirror
24-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Neuroscientist shares friendship mistake that 'blocks your success' in life
A neuroscientist has explained how your brain naturally 'syncs' with the people and environment around you, which if negative could be holding you back in your life and career Have you ever had a hunch that something just feels 'off' in the environment surrounding you, or indeed the people in it? According to a neuroscientist, there's science behind those gut feelings. Emily McDonald, an expert who shares her insights on TikTok, has shared why sometimes you might sense the "vibes feeling off" when in a crowd. Apparently, this is due to your brain "syncing up" with the energy being given off in that environment - and it may be holding you back. "You are always syncing," Emily noted. "The question is - what are you syncing with? Protecting your peace means protecting your brainwaves." But how does this work? "There is something called collective brainwave entrapment," Emily went on to reveal. "It happens any time you are in a shared space - friend groups, families, classrooms and even on social media." Emily elaborated that your brain "literally tunes" to the dominant frequency in the vicinity. She broke it down: "This is the science behind mob mentality. If the room is disregulated, your nervous system feels that - and if the room is a safe space, your nervous system feels that too." The expert didn't stop there, cautioning that this phenomenon isn't just face-to-face but also holds sway online, which can explain feeling twitchy as you trawl through social media. "Being in the wrong environment can literally block your success," Emily stressed. "Even if everything else you are doing is right - because your brain is syncing up with people and places that aren't aligned with where you are trying to go." Emily continued: "Your brain is a mirror for what is on the outside - we actually have mirror neurons. That's why one of the fastest ways to change your life is by changing your environment. You're not just in a room - the room is also in you." To combat this problem, however, Emily has a solution. She encouraged her followers: "Choose spaces that reflect the reality you're creating. You don't just manifest through thought – you are always manifesting through the activity of your brain." Sharing their personal experience, one TikTok user agreed with the sentiment, stating: "As an interior designer and cancer survivor who uses neuro-aesthetics in my work - I agree. You can't heal in the same environment that made you sick." Another individual mused: "Imagine that humans were designed to hang out with the same 30 people their whole life - no wonder we get stressed." A third person admitted: "This explains why I struggled working in person. My body was literally telling me the environment is wrong." Whilst a fourth detailed their scenario: "Had to cut off my family, while trying to rebuild my life, because of this very thing." Thankfully, this issue should be pretty simple to rectify. Surrounding yourself with positive influences – and avoiding negativity – could really help you back onto the path to success.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Mom was caught committing sickest act imaginable on her daughter in a hospital bed. It revealed an even darker past
It was August 26 2011 when Brittany Phillips used a laptop to access an online true crime forum called Dreamin' Demon. She wound up finding a post about Emily McDonald, a 23-year-old mom from Austin who, four months earlier, had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for poisoning her daughter by smearing human feces on her IV catheter.
