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It's a common parenting practice: offering rewards to encourage desired behaviours in children. From ice cream for potty training to stickers for completing homework, incentives are often used to motivate kids. But is this the most effective way to foster growth and development? While rewards can seem like a quick fix, research suggests they might have unintended consequences. Senior Lecturer in Education at Edith Cowan University, Sarah Jefferson, recently shared her parenting experience on The Conversation. Her opinion on the matter was that when children become overly focused on external rewards, their intrinsic motivation – the joy of doing something for its own sake – can diminish. This can lead to a narrow view of success, where the goal is simply to achieve a specific outcome rather than enjoying the process. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112719109" title="I&amp;#39;m a high school educator. I wish parents stayed active through school events." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>A focus on effort</h2>Instead of emphasising rewards, experts recommend focusing on the effort a child puts in. By praising their hard work and dedication, parents can cultivate a growth mindset, where challenges are seen as opportunities for learning and improvement. This approach helps children develop resilience and self-esteem, essential qualities for success in life. <h2>Supporting passions and interests</h2>Another effective parenting strategy is to support children's passions and interests. By nurturing their natural talents and abilities, parents can help them discover their intrinsic motivation. When children are engaged in activities they love, they are more likely to be self-motivated and persistent. Perhaps the most crucial aspect of parenting is providing unconditional love and support. Regardless of a child's achievements or setbacks, parents would do well to always be there to offer encouragement, guidance and understanding. This creates a safe and nurturing environment where children can feel valued and supported. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112165981" title="“iPad kids” are less inclined to interact with their parents and show delays in problem-solving: Study" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>Avoiding harsh criticism</h2>It's important to remember that children are still learning and growing. Mistakes are a natural part of the process. Instead of criticising children for their shortcomings, parents should focus on providing positive feedback and constructive criticism. This helps children build self-confidence and resilience. By adopting a more holistic approach to parenting, parents can help their children develop into well-rounded individuals who are capable, confident and motivated to succeed. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110769694" title="Millennials have a favorite parenting style. It isn&amp;#39;t working." mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

A different approach to parenting: rewarding effort instead of results

Quick commerce is fundamentally reshaping the landscape of consumer shopping. This new model, characterised by rapid delivery of goods—often within minutes—caters to the modern consumer's demand for instant fulfilment. It is tailor-made for bustling urban environments, where speed and convenience reign supreme. Naturally, the rise of a plethora of quick commerce apps is leading to notable shifts in shopping habits. Here are five significant ways in which q-commerce apps are transforming us humans and the way we shop: <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="We are hooked on instant gratification" comment="subhead" text="We are hooked on instant gratification">We are hooked on instant gratification</cmsannotation> Consumers today are more accustomed to immediate results, and quick commerce caters to this desire for instant gratification. With delivery times often reduced to mere minutes, shoppers are increasingly inclined to make purchases on a whim. This shift has led to a rise in impulse buying, as consumers can quickly satisfy their needs without the delays typically associated with traditional retail. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="We’ve grown to prefer convenience over cost" comment="subhead" text="We’ve grown to prefer convenience over cost">We’ve grown to prefer convenience over cost</cmsannotation> The ease of access provided by q-commerce platforms is leading many to place convenience above all else, including price. Shoppers are often willing to pay a premium for the privilege of receiving products quickly, reflecting a broader trend where saving time has become more valuable than saving money. This trend forces retailers to rethink their pricing strategies, balancing the need for affordability with the demand for speed. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="We are shopping a lot more frequently" comment="subhead" text="We are shopping a lot more frequently">We are shopping a lot more frequently</cmsannotation> The rise of quick commerce is nudging consumers away from the old habit of making bulk purchases. Instead, shopping has become a more frequent activity, with smaller, on-the-go transactions becoming the norm. This shift has particularly impacted the way we buy everyday essentials like groceries, snacks and household supplies, with many now relying on quick commerce to get what they need, when they need it. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="We are planning a lot less" comment="subhead" text="We are planning a lot less">We are planning a lot less </cmsannotation>Gone are the days of planning, budgeting and shopping lists that came with traditional shopping. The ability to order what you need, when you need it, has led to a more spontaneous and impulsive approach to shopping. This trend is particularly evident in urban areas, where the fast-paced lifestyle encourages on-the-go purchasing. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112656440" title="Morning bird or night owl? Your shopping choices might depend on it!" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Our loyalty to brands is fading" comment="subhead" text="Our loyalty to brands is fading">Our loyalty to brands is fading</cmsannotation> As more consumers turn to quick commerce for their shopping needs, their relationships with brands are likely to evolve. The rapid nature of q-commerce allows consumers to discover new products and brands quickly, which can lead to a decrease in brand loyalty. Instead of sticking with familiar brands, shoppers are more willing to experiment with new options available through Q-commerce platforms. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities for brands, as they must adapt to a landscape where consumer preferences can change rapidly based on convenience and availability. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

5 ways in which quick commerce apps are changing us as shoppers—and humans!

You know things have taken a turn for the bleak when you hear that our beloved bananas have begun a slow trot towards extinction. What will the weary parent offer to their snack-hungry child? What are we to put in our smoothies and sundaes? The world's most popular banana, the Cavendish, is under siege from a deadly fungal disease known as Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB). Caused by a pathogen called Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) tropical race 4 (TR4), this disease has devastated banana plantations worldwide. Once present in a field, Foc TR4 is nearly impossible to eradicate, making future production of Cavendish bananas highly uncertain. Sadly, these bananas are hardly the first victims of a vicious fungal attack. "The banana we eat today is not the same as the one our grandparents ate," explains Li-Jun Ma, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UMass Amherst. "The Gros Michel bananas, which were popular in the 1950s, were essentially wiped out by a previous Fusarium outbreak." The Cavendish banana, a disease-resistant variety bred in response to the Gros Michel extinction, has dominated the commercial market for decades. However, Foc TR4 has proven to be a formidable foe, spreading rapidly across the globe and threatening the banana industry. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="103441647" title="You can&amp;#39;t get bananas at Starbucks anymore, and no one seemed to notice for over a year" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>However, a recent <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41564-024-01779-7" data-type="tilCustomLink">study</a> led by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has shed new light on the disease and its origins. The researchers discovered that Foc TR4 is not a descendant of the strain that wiped out commercial banana crops in the 1950s. Instead, its virulence seems to be linked to certain accessory genes associated with the production of nitric oxide. This groundbreaking finding opens the door to potential treatments and strategies to combat Foc TR4. By understanding the genetic mechanisms behind the disease's virulence, scientists may be able to develop targeted interventions to slow or even stop its spread. "We have spent the last 10 years studying this new outbreak of banana wilt," says Ma. "We now know that the Cavendish banana-destroying pathogen TR4 did not evolve from the race that decimated the Gros Michel bananas." The researchers sequenced and compared 36 different Foc strains, including those that attack Gros Michel bananas. They discovered that Foc TR4 possesses unique accessory genes that enable it to produce and detoxify nitric oxide, a key factor in its virulence. While the exact mechanisms by which nitric oxide contributes to disease infestation remain to be fully understood, the study found that eliminating certain genes involved in nitric oxide production significantly reduced the virulence of Foc TR4. "Identifying these accessory genetic sequences opens up many strategic avenues to mitigate or even control the spread of Foc TR4," says Yong Zhang, lead author of the study. However, Ma emphasises that the ultimate solution to the banana crisis lies in diversifying banana production. Monocropping, the practice of cultivating a single crop over a large area, makes it easier for pathogens to spread. By planting a variety of banana cultivars, farmers can reduce their reliance on the vulnerable Cavendish and increase the resilience of the overall banana industry. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="104626758" title="Cavendish bananas face extinction and not all experts agree on how to save it" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Bananas are inching towards extinction, but scientists have devised a neat trick to save the trusty fruit

It’s hard picturing the brawny and hardy-looking Neanderthals sniffling because of a cold, let alone dying from some pesky illness. But after successfully existing for longer than modern humans have, something took them down. While climate change and competition from the Homo sapiens are many researchers’ go-to theories to explain their disappearance, there might have been more to their mysterious fading — like disease. Researchers in Brazil have stumbled upon the oldest human viruses ever found in 50,000-year-old Neanderthal bones! This groundbreaking discovery reignites the question: could tiny, invisible pathogens have played a role in wiping out our close evolutionary cousins? The team sifted through DNA extracted from Neanderthal remains in Chagyrskaya Cave, Russia. Their target? Traces of three notorious DNA viruses — adenovirus, herpesvirus, and papillomavirus. Remarkably, all three were present, shattering the record for the oldest human viruses ever discovered. These findings hint that Neanderthals battled some of the same viruses we do today. Adenoviruses can cause the common cold or stomach flu, while herpesviruses include the Epstein-Barr virus, linked to mono or even multiple sclerosis. Papillomaviruses are associated with cervical cancer. Did this mean that Neanderthals were particularly vulnerable to these viruses? "We know all primates get infected with viruses and bacteria," explains the lead researcher. Diseases readily jump between species, with a recent study showing chimps in Africa catching antibiotic-resistant bacteria from their human vets. The close connection between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens adds another layer of intrigue, potentially explaining why the Neanderthal numbers began to dwindle once the humans arrived. We share 2% of our DNA with Neanderthals, suggesting they weren't strangers to swapping things — including diseases. Without immunity and today’s medicines, these viruses could’ve been formidable adverseries to the human ancestors. While not the sole culprit, these ancient viruses could have been a significant factor in their decline. By unlocking the secrets hidden in their DNA, we're piecing together a more complete picture of our ancestors' lives, and their ultimate extinction. The fight for survival, it seems, extended far beyond the physical realm. Contamination is a worry in such studies, but the researchers are confident. They compared the ancient viral sequences with modern ones, and none matched recent strains, as per the study’s authors. <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Did infection from human viruses contribute to the demise of Neanderthals 40,000 years ago?

Our solar system is a fascinating work of art. The best way to unfold the mysteries of a planet is by landing on it and gaining first-hand experience. Unfortunately, there are few places in the solar system, we will never understand fully. One of them is Jupiter. The Dilemma Jupiter is made of mostly hydrogen and helium gas. There’s only an endless stretch of atmosphere and no crust. Naturally, one would think you would fall in through one end of the atmosphere and come out the other. It isn’t so. Firstly, Jupiter’s atmosphere has no oxygen and the temperature is extremely high. Secondly, the distance from Jupiter’s centre to the circumference is equal to 5.5 earths. Such Pressure! As you enter the top of the atmosphere, you’re travelling at 110,000 miles per hour under the pole of Jupiter’s gravity. The atmosphere gets denser as you move toward the centre. Here, you’ll experience the full brunt of Jupiter’s rotation. It is the fastest rotating planet in our solar system with 9.5 earth hours completing a day on Jupiter. Such fast rotation speed is bound to create powerful winds that move at 300 miles per hour. At 75 miles below the clouds, you will reach the limit of human exploration and you won’t even be able to see anything. The Galileo spacecraft made it till this point in 1995 before losing all communication with Earth. The pressure is 100 times what it is on Earth and thus Galileo was destroyed after being able to communicate for 58 minutes. After another 430 miles toward the centre, the pressure is 1150 times higher. Only a spacecraft like the deepest diving submarine, Trieste, will be able to survive at this point. Tough Luck If you descended even further, you will uncover some of Jupiter’s greatest secrets. Sadly, there will be no communication because Jupiter’s atmosphere will absorb the radio waves. At 2,500 miles down, the temperature is 6,100° F and you will have been falling for about 12 hours. At 13,000 miles, you’ll reach the innermost layer where the pressure is 2 million times stronger than Earth’s, and the temperature is 11000° F. Stuck In The Middle! These conditions are so extreme that even hydrogen molecules are forced so close together that their electrons break loose forming metallic hydrogen thus changing its chemistry. Metallic hydrogen is reflective and so if you try using light, you wouldn’t be able to. It’s very dense so the buoyancy force counter acts gravity’s downward pull. So, the buoyancy will shoot you back up and gravity will pull you back down, and you will be free floating in mid Jupiter. Therefore, Jupiter is a planet best studied and admired from afar! <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Can Humans Ever Land On Jupiter?

After billions of years of evolution, Homo Sapiens have evolved from apes to human beings, which we see today. As sad as it gets, there is a population explosion expected in the near future on earth, making it impossible to live here. It is almost magical in so many ways how living beings evolve, how species change one form to another in order to adapt to the changing environment around them. This is called “Survival of the Fittest” and the phenomenon of natural selection kicks in. According to the scientists, the planet which is closest to being habitable is Mars. In other words, Mars is our future home, if someday we decide to send human beings to its territory. But, would human beings be welcomed there? Not quite so. Space scientists who have lived for approximately one year away from earth at the International Space Station have observed quite a few changes to their physiology. Due to weaker gravitational pull, their bones have weakened and there is an increase in the space between their vertebrae. So much so that it increases the height by 2 inches. Let us assume if we do decide to inhabit Mars, what would happen? <ol><li>Role of evolution in stage 1: Due to less oxygen, weaker gravitational pull and huge amount of harmful radiation, either humans will perish or evolve into weaker versions of human beings with weaker bones and neurological disorders developing from shrinking brain size. </li><li>Role of evolution in stage 2: If humans do survive stage 1, they might enter into the next stage of evolution, where an opposite force starts playing its role. In order to adapt, humans will, over a period of thousand years, become stronger with a lot of changes in physiology and genetic make up. </li><li>Role of evolution in stage 3: People speculate about the colour of the skin. Would it be the same? No. Would it turn green, red, yellow? Due to the huge amount of radiation on Mars, the skin would absorb a large quantity of the pigment carotene (commonly found in carrots) and as a result humans might turn orange. That has a positive side too - Carotene helps fight against cancer. </li><li>Role of evolution in stage 4: Due to thin atmosphere, Mars absorb a huge amount of radiation. Almost 5000X times greater than Earth’s atmosphere. This in turn will mutate the genetic profile and the DNA. It would also accelerate the process of evolution to about 10X times than that on Earth. </li></ol> Now, the question is - After these four stages of evolution Homo Sapiens go through, would they still remain human? Not quite so! Human beings on Mars would look and develop in a totally different manner than those on Earth. Would they be able to mate and produce offspring? Two living organisms with different genetic make up cannot do either of these. So, we are searching for a new habitat or giving rise to a new race of living organisms? Wonder! <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

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Did infection from human viruses contribute to the demise of Neanderthals 40,000 years ago?

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