People often assume that someone with brown eyes appears more trustworthy than someone with blue eyes. Research suggests there may be something to that belief—but not for the reason most people think. In fact, eye color may have very little to do with it. ⁠https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3541379/⁠ (more…)

The lottery is one of the few games where everyone knows the odds are terrible—and millions of people play anyway. Why? It turns out there are some fascinating psychological reasons people buy lottery tickets, along with a few surprising facts about the odds and strategies that most players never consider. ⁠https://www.wired.com/video/watch/lottery-strategy⁠ (more…)

Nothing can ruin a meal faster than someone loudly slurping soup, coffee, or noodles. At least that’s what many people think. Yet in some cultures, slurping isn’t rude at all—it’s expected. And as annoying as it may sound, there is actually a surprisingly good reason people do it. ⁠https://www.discovermagazine.com/its-not-rude-slurping-makes-food-taste-better-42739⁠ (more…)

With all of the recent excitement surrounding the NBA & Stanley Cup finals and the World Cup you might wonder why do millions of people spend hours every week watching sports? Most people think of it as entertainment, a way to relax or pass the time. But what if watching sports is actually doing something good for your mind, your emotions, and even your health? That’s why today’s SYSK Trending topic is A lot of people look at sports fans and wonder what all the fuss is about. Why invest so much time and emotion in a team you don’t play for and have no control over? Why let a win make your day or a loss ruin your mood? (more…)

Ever notice when you hear someone talking on the phone nearby it’s hard not to listen? You are only hearing one-side of the conversation and that can drive your brain crazy. It’s not just annoying and distracting it can actually be dangerous. ⁠https://now.uiowa.edu/news/2017/06/ui-study-explores-why-cell-phone-use-leads-distracted-driving⁠ (more…)