Olivia Gil de Bernabe

February 15, 2024

Simply Stated: Are aphrodisiacs a hoax?

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe, Katharine Chi

What is an aphrodisiac? An aphrodisiac is a substance or food that can provoke arousal, sexual desire, behavior and even pleasure. There are three typical usage types for aphrodisiac foods: increasing libido (sexual desi...

January 25, 2024

Finding Focus: UCSB researchers develop customizable app to strengthen attention skills and minimize mind wandering

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

In an age where our attention is considered a new currency, a constant barrage of distractions make focusing on what’s important to us an endless challenge. Finding Focus, a new mobile app developed by a collaborative ...

October 25, 2023

Simple Dicho: ¿Curiosos sobre la curiosidad? ¿Por qué buscamos respuestas?

By Anthony Garcia, Olivia Gil de Bernabe

La curiosidad, el rasgo a la propensión de un individuo para conseguir nueva información, cambia constantemente. Lo sabemos individualmente; algunos temas hacen que queramos saber más sobre ello, mientras que otros no...

October 24, 2023

Simple Dicho: ¿Por qué el tiempo “vuela” cuando nos divertimos?

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe, Angelica Monroy

Parece que el tiempo se nos escapa a todos. Aún qué mecanismos históricos como el calendario y el reloj nos ayudan a organizarnos en nuestra realidad tridimensional, nuestras experiencias internas pueden ser muy difer...

October 5, 2023

Santa Barbara County Public Health Department releases STI data

By Sindhu Ananthavel, Olivia Gil de Bernabe

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department released updated data on five sexually transmitted infections within the county this month. Key county trends SBCPHD made note of in the press release were that chlamydia...

August 26, 2023

Simply Stated: Curious about curiosity? Why do we seek answers?

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

Curiosity, the trait concerning an individual’s propensity to seek new information, is highly variable. How does it shape the lifelong journey of learning? Is it university students' best learning ally?

August 2, 2023

Simply Stated: Why does time “fly” when we’re having fun?

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

Why is it that time can slow down to a sluggish pace but also fly by, especially when we’re having fun? These questions have guided scientists in time perception studies.

May 11, 2023

I feel, therefore I am: Leading neuroscientist António Damásio speaks on human consciousness

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

“I think, therefore I am.” Many of us are familiar with the Cartesian notion of the thinking nature of consciousness. René Descartes, it turns out, was wrong. That's according to António Damásio, a leading neuros...

April 20, 2023

The Link Between Schizophrenia and Cannabis Use

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

Research indicates that people with a family history of psychotic disorders should exercise caution when it comes to cannabinoid use.

April 20, 2023

The Cannabis Classification Conundrum

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

As more states legalize recreational cannabis use, the demand for cannabinoid research to better understand public health implications and inform growth and distribution policy grows.

April 13, 2023

We get by with a little help from our weak social ties: A UCSB PhD student’s insight on recent social portfolio study from Harvard researchers

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

For UC Santa Barbara students struggling to make and maintain meaningful connections, a recent study examining the link between social networks and psychological well-being may provide some much-needed comfort.

February 28, 2023

Ainissa Ramirez highlights African American contributions to science during Campbell Hall Talk

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

Award-winning materials scientist, science communicator and self-proclaimed “science evangelist,” Ainissa Ramirez spoke at Campbell Hall on Feb. 23, where she shared her journey to becoming a scientist, uncovered hid...

February 9, 2023

An Environmentalist Guide to Campus Beaches and Marine Protected Areas

By Olivia Gil de Bernabe

Thousands of wavy turban snails lay on the sands of Coal Oil Point Reserve in the aftermath of the storms in early January. The snails — many of which remain onshore — washed up due to powerful storm surges and high ...