Simon Makin

Deptford, United States

Freelance Science Journalist at Freelance

Freelance science journalist specialising in neuroscience, psychology, and mental health. Writes about brains.

Articles

The constant surveillance of modern life could worsen our brain function in ways we don't fully understand, disturbing studies suggest

3 weeks ago | livescience.com | Simon Makin

In 1785 English philosopher Jeremy Bentham designed the perfect prison: Cells circle a tower from which an unseen guard can observe any inmate at will. As far as a prisoner knows, at any given time, the guard may be watching — or may not be. Inmates have to assume they're constantly observed and behave accordingly. Welcome to the Panopticon. Many of us will recognize this feeling of relentless surveillance.
The constant surveillance of modern life could worsen our brain function in ways we don't fully understand, disturbing studies suggest

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Simon Makin

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Andriano_cz via Getty ImagesIn 1785 English philosopher Jeremy Bentham designed the perfect prison: Cells circle a tower from which an unseen guard can observe any inmate at will. As far as a prisoner knows, at any given time, the guard may be watching — or may not be. Inmates have to assume they're constantly observed and behave accordingly. Welcome to the Panopticon.
You’re Constantly Being Watched Online. It Could Be Changing How You Think

1 month ago | scientificamerican.com | Simon Makin

In 1785 English philosopher Jeremy Bentham designed the perfect prison: Cells circle a tower from which an unseen guard can observe any inmate at will. As far as a prisoner knows, at any given time, the guard may be watching—or may not be. Inmates have to assume they’re constantly observed and behave accordingly. Welcome to the Panopticon. Many of us will recognize this feeling of relentless surveillance.
Squirty gels bring food-like flavors to virtual reality

1 month ago | snexplores.org | Simon Makin

chemical: A substance formed from two or more atoms that unite (bond) in a fixed proportion and structure. For example, water is a chemical made when two hydrogen atoms bond to one oxygen atom. Its chemical formula is H2O. Chemical also can be an adjective to describe properties of materials that are the result of various reactions between different compounds. edible: Something that can be eaten safely.
Nickerchen: Ohne Schlaf zur besseren Leistung

2 months ago | spektrum.de | Simon Makin

Maschinelle Übersetzung Lesedauer ca. 2 Minuten DruckenTeilen Nickerchen: Ohne Schlaf zur besseren LeistungEin »künstliches Nickerchen« könnte die gleiche Wirkung auf das Gehirn haben wie Schlafen. Forschende zeigen, dass auch eine elektrische Stimulation die Kognition verbessert. Exklusive Übersetzung ausEin Nickerchen verbessert unsere Gedächtnisleistung, unsere Lernfähigkeit und die Wahrnehmung. Doch was wäre, wenn wir all diese Vorteile genießen könnten, ohne tatsächlich geschlafen zu haben?
‘Artificial Nap’ Could Provide Benefits of Sleep-Without Sleeping

2 months ago | scientificamerican.com | Simon Makin

What if we could obtain the memory, learning and perception benefits of “power naps” without actually sleeping? A recent study in Science suggests that at least some of our primate cousins can. Researchers showed that brief naps (without rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep) improved macaques’ performance on a visual-perception task.
This Professor is Training the Public to Echolocate

Mar 6, 2025 | scientificamerican.com | Simon Makin

This article is part of Nature Outlook: Vision, an editorially independent supplement produced with financial support from Astellas Pharma. About this content. The use of reflected sounds to navigate, known as echolocation, is a behaviour most associated with bats, whales and dolphins, but other species also use the sensory technique — including humans. It was once thought that only blind people could excel at echolocation, but research has shown that anyone can learn the skill.
Human echolocation can be taught

Mar 5, 2025 | nature.com | Simon Makin

The use of reflected sounds to navigate, known as echolocation, is a behaviour most associated with bats, whales and dolphins, but other species also use the sensory technique — including humans. It was once thought that only blind people could excel at echolocation, but research has shown that anyone can learn the skill. Lore Thaler, a neuroscientist at Durham University, UK, spoke to Nature about her efforts to make echolocation training more accessible. How does human echolocation work?
Squirty gels bring the taste of cake and coffee to virtual reality

Feb 28, 2025 | sciencenews.org | Simon Makin

Imagine seeing cake in a virtual world, then tasting it. Researchers have taken a step toward that reality with a device that delivers virtual tastes by squirting chemicals onto the tongue. The system, called “e-Taste,” can detect chemicals in foodstuffs and wirelessly transmit this information to a device that delivers the same or equivalent chemicals to a user’s tongue.
Making a Pledge Can Encourage Honest Behavior-If the Wording Is Right

Feb 26, 2025 | scientificamerican.com | Simon Makin

An old but still-common method of encouraging honesty is the venerable “oath”: an explicit promise to be honest. People have used oaths since ancient times, says Janis Zickfeld, a social psychologist at Aarhus University in Denmark.