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Ever smelled your partner’s clothes or pillow when they were away? You’re not alone. The vast majority of women and more than half of men surveyed said they had. The surprising part is the effect it has: people actually benefit in measurable ways when exposed to an absent partner’s scent.
Today in The Conversation Canada, psychology researchers Marlise Hofer and Frances Chen from the University of British Columbia explore the reasons people seek out their partner’s scent, and the impact it has on sleep quality and stress levels.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Also today:
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Many study participants reported they had smelled an absent partner’s clothing because it made them feel relaxed or secure.
(Shutterstock)
Marlise Hofer, University of British Columbia; Frances Chen, University of British Columbia
Smelling a romantic partner's clothing is common behaviour, and research shows that it may improve sleep quality, and ease stress levels.
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People take to the Rideau Canal on Family Day in Ottawa on Feb. 18, 2019.
CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Hilary Rose, Concordia University; Shannon Hebblethwaite, Concordia University
A narrow definition of family can neglect the experiences of many people and can impact policy and programs. It's time to expand our ideas of what family means.
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Understanding how the computations in the brain go wrong could help scientists develop treatments for neurological disorders.
(Shutterstock)
Blake Richards, McGill University
The knowledge produced in designing and developing artificial neural networks may provide new insights into how our brains work.
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John Marrion depicted here was part of the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot. The 104th soldiers once snowshoed over a thousand kilometres in about fifty days during the War of 1812.
Beaverbrook Collection of War Art/Canadian War Museum/CWM 19810948-008
Jacqueline L. Scott, University of Toronto
The Canadian soldiers who took part in one of the biggest feats of the War of 1812 included Black solders of the 104th New Brunswick Regiment of Foot.
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Les personnes actives se déclarent plus satisfaites de leur relation de couple. Et c'est encore plus vrai pour celles qui font du sport en compagnie de leur conjoint.
Shutterstock
Scott Lear, Simon Fraser University
C'est connu, l'activité physique a de nombreux avantages pour la santé. Mais elle peut aussi améliorer nos relations amoureuses. Les couples actifs se déclarent plus satisfaits de leur relation.
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Politics
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Susan Bilynskyj Dunning, University of Oxford
The British prime minister is fond of a common form of political rhetoric especially loved by the Romans: the promise of a 'new age'.
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Culture + Society
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Alainna Liloia, University of Arizona
In countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, it's now official policy that women should go to college and work outside the home. But cultural pressure to marry and have kids remains strong.
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Science + Technology
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Femke Holwerda, Utrecht University
Teeth can reveal a lot about diversity when they are reasonably well-preserved.
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