24 Feb. 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — This research explores the profound intersections between intense romantic love, debilitating grief, and clinical addiction. By examining these human experiences through psychological, neurobiological, and sociological lenses, a unified framework emerges: both obsessive love and prolonged grief are dysregulations of the brain’s fundamental reward and attachment systems. Continue reading
Feb 13, 2026 /Mpelembe media/ — The impulse to share a specific song with a partner is among our most enduring romantic rituals, yet it represents a profound transition in the human experience: the shift from music as a fleeting acoustic performance to music as a curated, tangible artifact. This act of intentional construction is not merely about entertainment; it is the building of a “sonic identity” that serves as a physical representation of intimacy. To understand why music maintains such a visceral grip on our romantic lives, we must look to the intersection of evolutionary ontogeny and cultural heritage. From the rhythmic scaffolding of our ancestors to the “Golden Soul” of 1970s Zambia, music functions as a sophisticated toolkit designed to signal fitness, accelerate trust, and preserve our collective “affective heritage.”
Jan. 26, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — A report from Travel And Tour World (TTW) identifying the top 50 global destinations for Valentine’s Day in 2026 highlights a significant shift in tourism, where couples prioritize shared experiences and “emotional escapism” over traditional material gifts. The list is organized into categories such as classic romance capitals, secluded beach escapes, and nature-driven retreats, with Verona, Italy claiming the top spot. Each featured location includes details on local romantic festivities, travel accessibility, and unique seasonal activities like the plum blossoms in Kyoto or pink salt lakes in Mexico. Ultimately, the report illustrates how the holiday has become a major economic driver for the international travel industry by offering diverse, memory-focused itineraries. Continue reading
Jenny Hamilton, University of Lincoln
Many of us enjoy sitting down to watch a good film because of the way movies can make us feel. A sad film might help us release our emotions or a comedy might lift our mood. Movies can also offer a chance to connect with and explore our emotions in a safe way.
Robin Kramer, University of Lincoln
If there’s one thing we as humans seem to have in common, it’s that most of us have felt lonely at one time or another. But is the pain that comes with feeling socially isolated simply a part of being human? Why does the world seem so different when we’re feeling lonely?
Recent research has begun to provide some answers. And it turns out that loneliness can affect your perception and cognition.
June 1, 2023 /Lifestyle/ — There is no definitive answer to the question of whether King James I of England was homosexual. Some historians believe that he may have been, while others believe that there is no evidence to support this claim.
There are a few pieces of evidence that could be interpreted as suggesting that King James may have been homosexual. For example, he was known to be close friends with several men, and he once wrote a poem in which he described himself as being “in love” with another man. However, it is also possible that these relationships were simply platonic, and that King James’ poem was simply a literary device. Continue reading
Chantal Gautier, University of Westminster
Sex can be wonderful, but it can also be tricky. Science may be the furthest thing from your mind when you’re getting intimate with someone. But actually, there’s a lot we can learn from science when it comes to sex.
The science of sex is a broad field of research that encompasses many aspects of human sexuality, from physiology to the psychological and social factors that influence sexual behaviour.
Andrea Wigfield, Sheffield Hallam University and John Ratcliffe, Sheffield Hallam University
Christmas is said to be a time for connecting with friends, family and having fun. But it can also be time of loneliness. Indeed, the results of a 2018 survey looking at loneliness during Christmas time in the UK revealed that 17% of people felt more lonely over the festive period.