Latest news with #RTÉBrainstorm
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Why it can be harder to sleep during the summer
Analysis: Seasonal insomnia means summer sleeping for many of us is a time of tossing, turning and early waking By Timothy Hearn, Anglia Ruskin University As the days stretch long and the sun lingers late into the evening, most of us welcome summer with open arms. Yet for a surprising number of people, this season brings an unwelcome guest: insomnia. For these people, summer is a time of tossing and turning, early waking – or simply not feeling sleepy when they should. Far from just being a nuisance, this seasonal insomnia may chip away at mood, concentration and metabolic health. From RTÉ 2FM Morning with Laura Fox, sleep expert Síne Dunne on getting off to sleep But why does insomnia spike in summer — and more importantly, what can be done about it? The answer lies in the light. Every tissue in the body owns a molecular "clock". However, these clocks take their cue from a central timekeeper – the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus. This cluster of about 20,000 neurons synchronises the myriad cellular clocks to a near 24-hour cycle. It uses the external light detected by the eyes as a cue, driving the release of two different hormones: melatonin, which makes us sleepy and a pre-dawn surge cortisol to help us wake. In winter, this light cue is short and sharp. But in June and July, daylight can stretch on for 16 or 17 hours in the mid‑latitudes. That extra dose matters because evening light is the most potent signal for pushing the central timekeeper later. In summer melatonin shifts by roughly 30 minutes to an hour later, while dawn light floods bedrooms early and kills the hormone off sooner. From RTÉ Brainstorm, the A to Zzzzz of sleep This can have a big effect on the amount of sleep we get. One study monitored the sleep of 188 participants in the lab on three nights at different times of the year. The researchers found that total sleep was about an hour shorter in summer than winter. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep — the sleep stage most strongly linked to emotional regulation and the consolidation of emotionally charged memories — accounted for roughly half the sleep loss in summer. The same team later tracked 377 patients over two consecutive years and showed that sleep length and REM sleep began a five‑month decline soon after the last freezing night of spring. Sleep length shrank by an average of 62 minutes, while REM decreased by about 24 minutes. Slow-wave sleep – the phase most critical for tissue repair, immune regulation and the consolidation of factual memories – reached its annual low around the autumn equinox. Both studies took place in a city bathed in artificial light – suggesting that even in modern environments our sleep remains seasonally affected. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, you may be sleeping well, but are you actually getting rest? Big population surveys echo these findings. Among more than 30,000 middle‑aged Canadians, volunteers interviewed in midsummer said they slept eight minutes less than those interviewed in midwinter. The summer interviewees also reported greater insomnia symptoms in the fortnight after the autumn clock change – suggesting the abrupt time shift exacerbates underlying seasonal misalignment. One study also compared the effect of summer sleep in people living at very different latitudes – such as near the equator, where there's little change in day length in the summer, and near the Arctic circle, where the differences are extreme. The study found that for people living in Tromsø, Norway, their self-reported insomnia and daytime fatigue rose markedly in summer. But for people living in Accra, Ghana (near the equator), these measures barely budged. This show just how strongly daylight – and the amount of daylight hours we experience – can affect our sleep quality. But it isn't the only culprit of poor summertime sleep. Temperature is another factor that can spoil sleep during the summer months. Just before we fall asleep, our core body temperature begins a steep descent of roughly 1°C to help us fall asleep. It reaches its lowest point during the first half of the night. On muggy summer nights this can make falling asleep difficult. Laboratory experiments show that even a rise from 26°C to about 32°C increases wakefulness and reduces both slow-wave and REM sleep. Different people are also more vulnerable to summer insomnia than others. This has to do with your unique "chronotype" – your natural preference to rise early or sleep late. Evening chronotypes – "night owls" – already lean towards later bedtimes. They may stay up even later when it stays bright past ten o'clock. Morning chronotypes, on the other hand, may find themselves waking up even earlier than they normally do because of when the sun rises in the summer. From RTE Radio 1's Drivetime, sleep physiologist Motty Varghese on sleeping 14 hours a day Mood can amplify the effect. Research found people who suffered with mental health issues were more likely to experience difficulty sleeping in summer. Chronic anxiety, alcohol use and certain prescription drugs — notably beta blockers, which suppress melatonin — can all make sleep more elusive in summer. 4 ways to reclaim your summer sleep Happily, there are many ways of fixing the issue. Get some morning sunshine. Try to step outside within an hour of waking up – even if it's just for 15 minutes. This tells the clock that the day has begun and nudges it to finish earlier that evening. Create an artificial dusk. Around two hours before bed, close the curtains, turn off the lights and reduce the intensity of your phone screen's blue light to help your melatonin rise on time. Don't let the dawn light in. Being exposed to the dawn light too early will wake you up. Blackout curtains or a contoured eye-mask can ensure you don't wake before you're rested. Keep things cool. Fans, breathable cotton or linen sheets or a lukewarm shower before bed all help the body to achieve that crucial one-degree drop in core temperature needed to get a good night's sleep. The deeper lesson here from chronobiology is that humans remain, biologically speaking, seasonal animals. While our industrialised lives flatten the calendar, our cells still measure day length and temperature just as plants and migratory birds do. By adapting and aligning our habits with those light signals, we might just be able to recapture some sleep – even during the warmer months.
RTÉ News
11-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Is your beard a hygiene risk?
Analysis: Stylish or unsanitary? Here's what the evidence shows about beards and bacteria Human skin is home to billions of microorganisms – mainly bacteria, but also fungi and viruses – and facial hair provides a unique environment for them to thrive. Research shows that beards, in particular, support a dense and diverse microbial population, which has fuelled a persistent belief that they are inherently unhygienic. The Washington Post recently reported that some toilets contain fewer germs than the average beard. But are beards truly a hygiene risk? A closer look at the evidence reveals a nuanced picture. The microbial population on skin varies by location and is influenced by factors such as temperature, pH, humidity and nutrient availability. Beards create a warm, often moist environment where food debris and oils can accumulate – ideal conditions for microbial growth. From RTÉ Brainstorm, the hairy history of beards These microbes thrive not just because of the warm, moist conditions beards provide, but also because of constant exposure to new contaminants and microbes, especially from hands that frequently touch surfaces and the face. Concerns among scientists about beard hygiene date back over 50 years. Early studies showed that facial hair could retain bacteria and bacterial toxins even after washing. This led to the enduring idea that beards act as bacterial reservoirs and could pose an infection risk to others. For healthcare workers, this has made beards a point of controversy, especially in hospitals where pathogen transmission is a concern. However, hospital-based research has shown mixed results. One study found that bearded healthcare workers had higher bacterial loads on their faces than clean-shaven colleagues. Another investigation, looking at whether it would be hygienic to evaluate dogs and humans in the same MRI scanner, found that most men's beards contained significantly more microbes than dog fur, including a greater presence of harmful bacteria. The researchers concluded: "Dogs are no risk to humans if they use the same MRI." However, other studies have challenged the idea that beards increase infection risk. For example, one investigation found no significant difference in bacterial colonisation between bearded and clean-shaven healthcare workers. The same study also reported that bearded doctors were less likely to carry Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of hospital infections, and that there was no increase in infection rates among patients treated by bearded surgeons wearing surgical masks. From RTÉ 2fm, beards may be trendy, but are they hygienic? Advice from the Grafton Barbers' Conor McAllister on keeping your facial hair on point Beards can sometimes spread skin infections, such as impetigo — a contagious rash often caused by S aureus, which is commonly found in facial hair. In rare cases, parasites like pubic lice – which usually live in the groin area – can also show up in beards, eyebrows or eyelashes, particularly in cases of poor hygiene or close contact with an infected person. The case for good beard hygiene Neglected beards can foster irritation, inflammation and infection. The skin beneath a beard – rich in blood vessels, nerve endings and immune cells – is highly sensitive to microbial and environmental stressors. When sebum, dead skin, food debris and pollutants accumulate, they can irritate the skin and provide fuel for fungal and bacterial growth. Experts strongly recommend washing your beard and face every day. Doing so removes dirt, oils, allergens and dead skin, helping prevent microbial buildup. Dermatologists also advise moisturising to prevent dryness, using a beard comb to clear debris, and trimming to control loose hairs and reduce shedding. These steps help maintain not only hygiene but also beard health and appearance. So, are beards dirty? Like most things, it depends on how well you care for them. With daily hygiene and proper grooming, beards pose little risk and may even be healthier than we once thought.
RTÉ News
29-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
The risks of having 'yes men' in a business
Analysis: Sycophantic behaviour in the workplace has been found to reduce respect and morale and lead to lower productivity Since the start of his second term in office, US president Donald Trump has cultivated a political atmosphere that discourages freedom of thought. He also actively villainises and punishes any dissenting opinion. Worryingly, this atmosphere looks like it is spreading across other democracies. Commentators have described Trump as both narcissistic and authoritarian. Yet, running parallel to these factors, one character trait is glaringly common among Trump supporters: sycophancy. You just have to examine the pre-election rhetoric of Trump loyalists. One backer, Stephen Miller, declared him "the most stylish president ... in our lifetimes". Miller is now deputy White House chief of staff. From RTÉ Radio 1's The Business, why flattery gets you everywhere South Dakota governor Kristi Noem gifted Trump a four-foot Mount Rushmore replica, with Trump's face added alongside the original four presidents. Noem, who is now secretary of homeland security, epitomises the elevation of loyal sycophants over those with arguably better credentials. Research has examined the dangers of sycophantic behaviour in the workplace, finding it reduces peer respect and morale, and leads to dissonance and lower productivity. Other research has shown that someone who chooses to employ these tactics can enjoy improved promotion prospects, rewards such as the first refusal on business trips, easier access to company resources and a higher salary compared to their peers. But studies have also shown sycophants often suffer emotional exhaustion from the dual stresses of manipulation and responsibility. Ongoing research by the author on workplace sycophancy reveals similar patterns. Interviews, spanning from junior staff to CEOs, show reduced motivation, falling team morale and declining respect for sycophants. From RTÉ Brainstorm, my boss is a psychopath - why bad people get good jobs One participant highlighted the effect on teamwork that sycophantic behaviour can have within the workplace. Sycophancy means raising yourself in somebody's esteem, at the expense of somebody else, on the ladder. And so... it's going to impact upon on the ability to be part of a team. Another participant offered a comparison to a different deviant workplace behaviour – intimidation. I'd say that sycophantic behaviour is coming into the same category as bullying. And it's hard sometimes, especially with bullying and sycophantic behaviour, you are dealing with a lot of people that are manipulative, and manipulating people are quite charismatic. And when you're charismatic, you're more believable because you're a storyteller. One solution that emerges from the research is workforce education – teaching employees to recognise and mitigate a culture of ingratiation. As an employee, many people might find it difficult not to bow to peer pressure. If the senior colleague encourages and rewards those who suck up, how do other colleagues, who do not choose to utilise such tactics, compete? Dangerous ideas take root Another factor to consider is the tendency for some workers to "kiss up and kick down". What this means is that staff who are lower down the hierarchical ladder suffer detrimental treatment from the colleagues who are trying to suck their way up the same ladder. From RTÉ Radio 1's The Business, everything we need to know about power dynamics in the workplace If workforces were educated on what these tactics looked and felt like, perhaps included in corporate codes of conduct, HR departments and management could identify potential issues and deal with them. But this is not merely an HR concern. Previous research also shows a link between ingratiation, high turnover rates and poorer performance by the organisation as a whole. Perhaps the most insidious aspect of sycophancy is the push for conformity when it comes to opinions. If leadership hears nothing but agreement, dangerous ideas can be reinforced. Things like the leader's own skills or the competence of the organisation as a whole can become wildly exaggerated – with disastrous consequences. When leaders are surrounded by "yes-men", they're deprived of critical input that could challenge assumptions or highlight potential flaws. This can lead to cognitive entrenchment where decision-makers become overconfident and resistant to change. Bad decisions then proceed unchecked, often escalating into systemic failures. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, how to say no at work In return, this can lead to groupthink, a phenomenon where a desire for harmony overrides rational evaluation. Environments that suffer from groupthink often ignore red flags, silence whistleblowers and overvalue consensus. All of these things are damaging to an organisation's ability to remain agile and competitive. Which brings us back to Trump. In his case this isn't a corporate crisis. It's a geopolitical one. At stake is not shareholder value but national security and global stability. With sycophants backing poor decisions, the risk ranges from damaged diplomacy to outright conflict. If loyalty replaces truth, the cost could be catastrophic. Trump's regime may ultimately collapse under the weight of its own delusions – but the collateral damage could be profound.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Science
- RTÉ News
How solar power forecasting can help maximise your solar panels
Analysis: As solar becomes a significant part of our energy system, there are challenges in effectively forecasting and managing solar energy production By Maeve Upton and James Sweeney, UL In recent months, Ireland has seen a rapid surge in solar energy production. A new record for grid-scale solar power was set on the March 25th last, reaching 750 Megawatts at a single moment - enough to power about 750,000 homes at once. But as electricity from solar becomes an increasingly significant component of our energy system, challenges arise in effectively forecasting and managing variability of solar energy production, at both household and national levels. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, there has been a significant growth in solar capacity in Ireland Solar panels convert sunlight or solar irradiance, into electricity, which varies throughout the day. The amount of power produced depends on several factors, including the characteristics of the panel and the solar irradiance it receives. There are many different solar panel systems available with varying panel characteristics. If you're considering installing solar panels, check out this guide which covers everything from panel selection to financial incentives. Solar irradiance is the amount of sunlight reaching the ground and is the biggest drivers of variability in electricity production. During the day, the three main sources of variability are the sun's position, cloud cover and panel temperature. Position of the sun The sun follows a predictable daily (diurnal) cycle—rising in the east and setting in the west —and also changes with the seasons. In the northern hemisphere, the sunniest months are typically May and June. From RTÉ Brainstorm, all you need to know about putting solar panels on your roof Cloud cover Cloud cover can block or scatter sunlight, significantly reducing the amount of solar irradiance reaching the surface of the solar panel. Solar power output drops each time a cloud passes over the solar panel. Unlike the sun's position, cloud cover is much harder to predict, especially in Ireland's temperate maritime climate. Higher temperatures Higher temperatures can reduce the efficiency of the solar PV panel. Though weather forecasts can quantify this, the effect on solar power output requires local-level estimates. What is solar power forecasting? Solar power forecasting is the process of predicting the amount of solar radiation (sunlight) reaching Earth's surface at a specific location and time. This is crucial for managing solar energy production, integrating renewable energy into power grids and ensuring energy system stability. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, can Ireland reach solar targets set out in Climate Action Plan? How does it work? To forecast solar power at a specific time and location, we need three key components: input data (solar PV system such as orientation and weather), astronomical calculations on the sun's position and a model combining them. The input data provides information about weather conditions, while astronomical calculations determine the position of the sun. These elements are combined within a forecasting model to estimate the solar power output. The input data has three main sources. The most accurate is ground-based measurements from meteorological stations managed by Met Éireann. They record high quality solar irradiance data in real time, but are limited to their 20 stations around Ireland. An alternative source is reanalysis datasets, which provide estimates of solar irradiance by blending historical weather observations with advanced numerical weather models. While reanalysis data offers consistent and spatially complete coverage, it is not available in real time and typically lags by about five days. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, Teagasc's Barry Caslin on a renewed push for rooftop solar on farm sheds The final source is satellite data, which provides valuable observations of solar irradiance and cloud cover. However, these measurements can vary significantly if the instruments are not regularly calibrated and maintained, an effort that requires consistent investment and funding. In addition to these data sources, astronomical calculations are performed to determine the sun's position in the sky and day length based on the time of year. These calculations are essential for accurately estimating the potential solar irradiance. Once we've selected our input data and calculated the sun's position, we apply models to convert solar power observed on a horizontal (flat) surface to that received on a tilted surface—matching the orientation and size of the specific solar panel system. This step is crucial for estimating how much power a real system could generate. If you're curious about what your solar panels could do, check out the GREEN-GRID app. This uses advanced data-driven modelling tools to estimate real-time solar power, giving hourly insights for homeowners across Ireland. What are the challenges for solar power in Ireland? While Ireland's progress in solar power adoption is promising, several challenges complicate accurate forecasting and integration into the grid. These challenges highlight the need for better forecasting and more flexible grid systems to ensure that the growing share of renewable energy is fully captured and effectively used. From a forecasting perspective, models can be highly effective but their accuracy is limited by the quality and resolution of the input data the integration side, one significant challenge is dispatch down, when renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, is reduced or curtailed because the electricity grid cannot accommodate all of the power being generated at a given time. As a result, some renewable energy is available but not used, which can reduce the overall efficiency of the system and delay the full benefits of clean energy investment. Another issue is the limited visibility of microgeneration, such as roof-top solar, which is often excluded from official reports. Similarly, embedded generation, which refers to electricity generated and used locally, is not consistently measured, though recent reports suggest improvements are planned.
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
All you need to know about joint pain
Analysis: The recommended treatment for most joint conditions is appropriate exercise and education on how to manage pain during daily activities Joint pain is a common issue for people of all ages and is the reason for over 20% of GP appointments. Given that many of these appointments are repeat visits, combined with the dire state of our outpatient orthopaedic waiting lists (over 64,000 waiting at present), it is clear that these conditions are not being managed well by a large number of people in Ireland. The recommended treatment for most joint conditions is appropriate exercise and education on how to manage pain during daily activities. Unfortunately, misconceptions about prolonged joint pain can be a stumbling block for people starting a new activity or treatment programme. From E3 Rehab, everything you need to know about knee osteoarthritis and the exercises to deal with it Prolonged, or chronic pain in a joint (such as osteoarthritis) is different from an acute or traumatic joint injury (eg torn ligament), in that it usually lasts for a period of greater than three months. Pain has an important protective role in our bodies, like an alarm alerting us if something is wrong. But if pain persists for longer than the typical healing period, it no longer serves a protective role and can negatively impact our health and quality of life. Understanding the science of pain and recognising the types of things that influence your pain can be a huge step in learning to live well these joint conditions. A joint is where two bones meet and allows for our bodies to move. The surfaces of these bones are covered by a tough, slippery material called cartilage and an enclosed lubricating synovial fluid. We used to think that conditions like osteoarthritis were all about the cartilage getting damaged or "worn out", but we now know that there are much more complex things happening in the joint. From RTÉ Brainstorm, all you need to know about back pain We see changes to the cartilage, the bone and the surrounding soft tissues (ligaments and muscles). We also see more inflammatory markers in the joint fluid, meaning that your joint condition can also be affected by things like obesity, sedentary lifestyles and even the types of diets that we choose. Do I need an MRI to understand what is happening? Unless there has been a specific injury or trauma to the joint, there is no need to get an MRI for joint pain. Even an X-ray is no longer recommended to diagnose conditions like osteoarthritis. While the damaged structures in a joint can be a source of pain, almost one in two people over 40 years of age have "damaged" knee joints on imaging and experience no pain. Findings on an MRI scan, such as cartilage defects, meniscal tears and bone bruises/spurs, should not be a source of worry. We now know they are likely a normal part of ageing – just like wrinkles on the skin! From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, Consultant Physician at Galway University Hospital John Carey on back pain and overreliance on MRI scans Does increased pain mean my condition is getting worse? Our beliefs, past experiences and worries can all influence the pain we feel. If we take a walk in the woods in Ireland and feel a scratch on our leg, we may not pay any attention to it. If we take a walk in the outback in Australia, we may respond a lot differently to a scratch if we know there are dangerous snakes in the vicinity. Our bodies react to a potential threat in a different way if we attribute pain to "damage". Muscles are more tense, our stress response increases, which heightens the pain we feel. It can be very reassuring to know that pain does not mean there is any damage occurring to the structure of the joint, and does not mean the condition is getting worse. Temporary fluctuations in pain are very normal and can be exacerbated by increased day-to-day stress in our lives, a poor night's sleep or starting an activity that we are not used to. Should I stop exercising if my joint hurts? It is very important to exercise if you have a joint condition, but it is important to identify when activity needs to be modified. Less activity won't protect the joint, and your overall health will suffer in as little as two weeks if you stop completely. It may be helpful to know that it is safe to continue to exercise when you experience your familiar pain, as long as the pain is acceptable to you. From RTÉ Brainstorm, why some runners get injured - and how to stop it happening You can also expect the pain to reduce the more you exercise if you use the following two guiding rules: (i) a pain rating of 5 or less on a scale from 0 to 10 while exercising is considered OK or acceptable and (ii) your pain should return to your baseline level within 24 hours. This can help you to decide if you are ready to progress your exercise or if you need to reduce the duration, change your activity type or take more rest breaks. While following these rules, even people with moderate to severe osteoarthritis who had been scheduled for joint replacement surgery were able to complete a 12-week progressive exercise programme with acceptable levels of pain. In fact, three in four of those who took part in the programme felt well enough to opt out of surgery in the next year. Is surgery inevitable if I have joint pain? Most types of joint pain resolve with appropriate management. The vast majority of people, even with conditions like osteoarthritis, do not get worse over time and do not need a total joint replacement. While many people may be familiar with being told "it's not bad enough YET to get surgery", chances are it never will be. Surgery should only be considered when pain is severely impacting on quality of life and when recommended treatments of exercise and lifestyle management have been adequately trialled. Surgery should only be considered when pain is severely impacting on quality of life More information on how to manage your pain, including safe exercises for joint conditions such as hip and knee osteoarthritis, patellofemoral pain, lateral hip pain and degenerative meniscal tears, can be found on the Joint Pain website. This website was co-designed with experts, healthcare professionals and people with joint conditions in Ireland, with the support of a Health Research Board Knowledge Translation Award (KTA-2022-023). This information is based on research evidence but should not replace individualised advice offered to you by your healthcare professional.
