Daniel

We’ve all experienced Déjà vu, the odd sensation that the moment you’re currently in has already happened. This has been dismissed as nothing more than a brain hiccup. However, new research suggests that it could be far more interesting and not an error at all. Are you curious to learn more about Déjà vu and the science behind it? Then keep on reading to discover everything about it.

Your brain thinks faster than you’d … think

When you experience Déjà vu, your brain convinces you that you’ve already lived this moment before. However, scientists now have a new theory for what it actually is. They suggest that it is caused by the brain’s power to process information rapidly and automatically. These can recognize patterns, and give you a broader “story” that is going on before the details and differences catch up.

It is the mismatch of information during the catching-up period that gives off the eerie sensation of having lived the moment before, even if we haven’t.

This theory positions déjà vu not as a malfunction, but as a side effect of a sophisticated system designed for survival. Recognising patterns quickly helped our ancestors avoid danger. Déjà vu might just be a leftover feature from those instincts. So if you’re ever experiencing one again, then you’ll now know that it is actually a superpower that your brain has!

Deja Vu and Memory’s Simulation Powers

The keyword deja vu also points toward the brain’s incredible ability to simulate events. Some researchers argue that the feeling stems from how our mind rehearses potential scenarios constantly. These “previews” can get so vivid that, when reality aligns with one, the brain mistakes it for a memory.

Rather than being a spooky glitch, déjà vu could signal how efficiently the brain scans, compares, and reacts to new environments. And that might say more about how we think than we ever expected.

Most people suggest that taking a nap or focusing on your sleep quality could help manage stress or face mental health struggles. However, new research suggests that there is such a thing as “Too much sleep”. A recent study from UT Health San Antonio highlights an unexpected risk: longerthe duration may actually worsen cognitive function in people dealing with depression. This challenges the common assumption that more rest is always better and opens up new questions about how sleep and mental health interact. Keep on reading to discover more about it.

What can happen when you sleep “too much”

Researchers analyzed data from 1,853 adults participating in the long-running Framingham Heart Study. Their focus was on sleep patterns and how they correlated with performance on a series of cognitive tests. What they found was surprising: sleeping more than nine hours per night was consistently linked with poorer memory, weaker executive functioning, and reduced spatial awareness.

These declines were most notable in individuals who also reported symptoms of depression. Interestingly, antidepressant use didn’t seem to change the outcome—long sleep still predicted worse mental performance, regardless of treatment. The study suggests that excessive amounts of rest might not be the harmless coping mechanism many believe it to be, especially in the context of mood disorders.

Too Much Sleep and the Cognitive Cost of Depression

The idea that too much sleep could harm brain health shifts the focus toward how what the duration itself could become a modifiable risk factor. While lack of rest is known to impair cognition, this research adds a new layer: oversleeping may be just as concerning, particularly for those managing depression.

The findings imply that optimizing your rest —neither too little nor too much—may be crucial for maintaining cognitive resilience. For clinicians and patients alike, monitoring might need to go beyond checking for insomnia and include awareness of prolonged sleep habits.

As more studies examine how mental health and lifestyle choices overlap, sleep duration is emerging as a more complex piece of the puzzle than previously thought.

Credit:

• Study
• Featured Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

When it comes to flying, most people have a preference for the seat they want to get. Some love the aisle seat, and others like the window seat. The one thing most people can agree on is that the middle seat is the worst place to be on a flight. However, we have some bad news for the people who love the window seat, as a windowless jet is being tested, and it might be the future for aviation.

In the race to build faster, cleaner, and more efficient private jets, one manufacturer is opting for a bold new design, by removing something most passengers expect: windows. Otto Aviation’s Phantom 3500 is a windowless jet that replaces traditional portholes with digital displays, all in the name of performance, luxury, and major fuel savings. Set to enter service by 2030, this futuristic aircraft could redefine business and luxury air travel at high altitudes.

The Windowless Jet That’s Redefining Air Efficiency

By eliminating windows and embracing a perfectly smooth fuselage, the Phantom 3500 fully takes advantage of transonic laminar flow, a type of airflow that significantly reduces drag. This allows the aircraft to achieve up to 35% better fuel efficiency than similar jets, translating to lower emissions and operating costs.

Rather than sacrificing passenger experience, Otto Aviation replaces physical windows with panoramic digital screens. These high-definition displays can project real-time views from external cameras or calming digital environments like sunsets or starfields. This not only maintains the illusion of openness but also gives the cabin a sleek, futuristic aesthetic.

The aircraft is expected to cruise at altitudes up to 51,000 feet and cover a range of 3,200 nautical miles. Its interior, designed with private business travelers and luxury clients in mind, offers a smoother ride and reduced cabin noise thanks to its windowless design and aerodynamic shape. So while it might take a while before EasyJet puts you into a windowless plane, it can still be the future!

Tech Meets Luxury in the Future of Flight

Otto Aviation isn’t just aiming for improved fuel economy; it wants to deliver a high-end experience without the environmental cost. The Phantom 3500’s design reportedly cuts operational costs in half compared to conventional private jets. With the ability to fly above most commercial traffic and weather patterns, the jet promises faster, quieter, and more direct routes for cross-country and transcontinental travel.

As the aviation industry moves toward more sustainable models, innovations like this could pave the way for a new standard, one that prioritizes efficiency without compromising on comfort or sophistication.

Credit:

• credit: Ottoaviation