Dependent on your phone? It could be the gateway to addiction

From: Swinburne University of Technology

•Swinburne researcher calls for smartphone addiction to recognised as a clinical condition to help address the mental health crisis 

•New Swinburne research highlights smartphone dependence can easily become a severe addiction

•Researcher Saqib Nawaz is calling for smartphone addiction to be recognised as a legitimate clinical addiction so that it can be treated effectively

•Logging excessive screen time, neglecting offline activities and feeling uneasy when not able to check notifications are all signs of phone dependency

Missing out on life  

When Saqib Nawaz tried to have a meaningful conversation with his friends who were too busy being mesmerised by their phones, he shrugged it off as the new normal. It wasn’t until he started missing his train stop due to being glued to his phone, he realised just the extent of the problem.

“Being unable to enjoy a meal without watching a video, using my phone in situations like in the toilet or shower and prioritising phone use over other activities like sports made me realise that I am highly dependent on my smartphone.”

Mr Nawaz began started researching phone use and says people’s unwillingness to openly discuss their usage problems only highlights the issue.

Addiction not yet recognised 

New Swinburne research by Mr Nawaz reveals problematic phone use and dependence can easily form an addiction, a severe and clinical condition, if not urgently intervened.

The research stresses the need for educational programs in schools and workplaces, stronger regulations that protect user data, mental health support program investments and research into what is an increasingly new and alarming issue.

If you’re logging excessive screen time, neglecting offline activities and feeling uneasy when not able to check notifications regularly, you could be suffering from phone dependency.

“While smartphone addiction is not yet clinically recognised, many experienced researchers have identified striking similarities with substance-related conditions and addictions,” says Mr Nawaz. “Addressing this issue proactively is important to manage this growing concern effectively.”

A need for change 

Mr Nawaz says it is essential for individuals to use phones mindfully and strike a balance between the benefits and potential drawbacks.

“Improving smartphone reliance, both at the individual and societal levels requires a balanced and thoughtful approach to ensure that phones enhance our lives without causing negative consequences.”

Mr Nawaz suggests tactics such as:

Setting screen time limits

Creating opportunities to spend time with loved one’s face-to-face

Going on a digital detox, or scheduling tech-free mornings/evenings

“Individuals with problematic smartphone dependence often find it difficult to control their phone use, despite their best intentions to reduce or stop,” says Mr Nawaz.

“We need to encourage institutions and organisations to establish policies that prevent users from using phones in certain situations and promote work-life balance, including measures to avoid after-hours work-related phone use,” he says.

“Being more present reduces stress, boosts productivity and creates better social connections in real life. Mental illness is already through the roof - that’s why tackling phone dependency is so important.”

Swinburne researcher Saqib Nawaz is available for an interview.

How the grounding conductor protects against electric shock and equipment damage?

The grounding conductor plays a vital role in protecting against electric shock and equipment damage by providing a safe path for electrical fault currents. Here are a few key points to understand:

1. Electric Shock Protection: If a fault occurs in an electrical system, such as a short circuit or a ground fault, the grounding conductor provides a low-resistance path for the fault current to flow directly to the ground. This helps to quickly divert the fault current away from people and equipment, reducing the risk of electric shock.

2. Equipment Protection: The grounding conductor also helps protect electrical equipment and appliances. In the event of a fault, the grounding conductor provides a path for the fault current to flow, which helps to quickly clear the fault and prevent excessive voltage from damaging the equipment. It helps to ensure that if a fault occurs, the circuit breaker or other protective devices can quickly interrupt the current flow.

3. Surge Protection: Grounding also plays a crucial role in protecting against voltage surges or transient events. When a voltage surge occurs, such as from lightning strikes or switching operations, a proper grounding system provides a path for the surge to dissipate safely into the ground, protecting sensitive equipment from damage.

It's important to note that the effectiveness of the grounding system relies on proper installation and maintenance. The grounding conductor should be appropriately sized, securely connected, and bonded to the grounding system, which typically includes grounding electrodes, such as grounding rods or a grounding grid.

To ensure proper grounding practices and compliance with electrical codes and regulations, it is advisable to consult with a licensed electrician or electrical professional. They can assess your specific electrical system, recommend appropriate grounding measures, and ensure the safety and protection of people and equipment.

Life Course Patterns of Prescription Drug Use in the United States

Prescription drug use has reached historic highs in the United States—a trend linked to increases in medicalization, institutional factors relating to the health care and pharmaceutical industries, and population aging and growing burdens of chronic disease. 

Despite the high and rising prevalence of use, no estimates exist of the total number of years Americans can expect to spend taking prescription drugs over their lifetimes. 

This study provides the first estimates of life course patterns of prescription drug use using data from the 1996–2019 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys, the Human Mortality Database, and the National Center for Health Statistics. Newborns in 2019 could be expected to take prescription drugs for roughly half their lives: 47.54 years for women and 36.84 years for men.

The number of years individuals can expect to take five or more drugs increased substantially. Americans also experienced particularly dramatic increases in years spent taking statins, antihypertensives, and antidepressants. 

There are also important differences in prescription drug use by race and ethnicity: non-Hispanic Whites take the most, Hispanics take the least, and non-Hispanic Blacks fall in between these extremes. Americans are taking drugs over a wide and expanding swathe of the life course, a testament to the centrality of prescription drugs in Americans' lives today.

Will holding back sneeze kill you?

Holding back a sneeze can potentially have negative consequences, although it is extremely rare for it to be life-threatening. When you sneeze, your body releases a powerful burst of air to clear irritants from your nasal passages. Attempting to stifle or suppress a sneeze can create pressure within your head and potentially cause various issues such as:

1. Ruptured blood vessels: Holding back a sneeze can generate excessive pressure in the blood vessels and potentially lead to their rupture. While this is rare, it can potentially occur in delicate blood vessels, such as those in the head or neck.

2. Middle ear damage: The pressure generated when holding back a sneeze can impact the middle ear. This can result in damage to the eardrum, hearing loss, or other ear-related problems.

3. Sinus issues: Suppressing a sneeze can disrupt the normal flow of air and mucus within the sinuses, potentially leading to sinus problems or discomfort.

While these risks exist, it's important to note that they are highly uncommon. Most people can safely hold back a sneeze without experiencing any adverse effects. However, it is generally recommended to allow sneezes to occur naturally and avoid forcibly suppressing them whenever possible.

How to find the square root of such math problems within seconds?

How to find the square root of this in seconds: 

You might be panicking after asked to find the square root of this math problem. 

But don't worry it's just a matter of seconds, I will tell you how: 

if you are asked a math problem of such as consecutive numbers and reverse added under square root, so the answer is the middle number which is four in the above problem. 

Let's do another one: 

the answer is simple it's 15. 

Now math is even more easy: 

The answer to this would be 55. 

Now can you say what's the answer to the first problem? 

Yes, you are right it's 200,000.

⚠️What is the Purpose of Hazard Lights and How to Use Them Properly?

⚠️What is the Purpose of Hazard Lights and How to Use Them Properly?

The purpose of hazard lights is to alert other drivers that you are not driving normally and that they should exercise caution when approaching or passing you. Generally, this means that you are stopped or traveling significantly lower than the posted speed limit. For example, you should use your hazard lights when:

• Your car breaks down and you need to pull over to the side of the road.

• You have a flat tire and you need to change it on the shoulder.

• You are driving in a funeral procession and you need to follow the lead car at a slow pace.

• You are getting pulled over by a police officer and you need to signal your compliance.

Hazard lights are an important safety feature that can help you communicate with other drivers in case of trouble or emergency. However, they should be used wisely and appropriately, following the law and etiquette for your state and situation. By doing so, you can avoid creating more hazards and ensure a safer driving experience for yourself and others.

Types of electric vehicles

Which one do you prefer?

Number coding exempted.

HEV, PHEV, and EV are types of electric vehicles with different levels of reliance on electric power:

1. HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle): HEVs combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. They use regenerative braking to charge the battery, provide limited electric-only driving, and rely heavily on the combustion engine. They don't need to be plugged in and offer better fuel efficiency than conventional vehicles.

2. PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): PHEVs have both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. They can operate on electricity alone for a limited range before switching to hybrid mode. PHEVs can be charged from an external power source and provide flexibility with longer electric range.

3. EV (Electric Vehicle): EVs rely solely on electric power and use rechargeable batteries. They need to be regularly charged from an external power source and have no combustion engine. EVs offer zero tailpipe emissions and are more dependent on charging infrastructure, providing longer electric ranges compared to hybrids.

Each type provides varying degrees of electric power and offers different advantages based on driving needs and charging accessibility.