Simply Stated

October 8, 2026

Simply Stated: Why does UCSB have an ant problem?

By Olivia Lohrer

It’s easy to put the blame on your messy housemate who leaves their dishes in the sink overnight or drops their crumbs on the couch, but the ant problem in your apartment may be part of a much bigger phenomenon stretch...

March 2, 2026

Simply Stated: The benefits of saving sunscreen for a rainy day

By Ceora Tan

Ceora debunks common misconceptions about UV exposure, sunscreen, and the recent downpours on our campus.

February 12, 2026

Simply Stated: How attachment styles direct your dating life

By Ceora Tan

Romance has always been a hot topic of conversation: it seems you can’t go one family dinner without a relative asking, “So are you seeing anybody yet?” But with the rise of social media, the psychology behind rela...

October 23, 2025

What’s in my matcha? Know what you’re ordering!

By Makena Eggiman

Matcha has become a trending drink that continues to rise in popularity. Whether one’s love of the beverage is performative or not, there is no denying the great flavor within its contents. There are so many ways to co...

October 9, 2025

Simply Stated: The landscape ecology of UCSB’s beaches

By Roxanna Reid

Examining the science behind our campus landscape, from the "ooh" to "ew."

October 2, 2025

Science-based ways to start off the school year

By Saanvi Tiwary

With Week 1 of fall quarter nearly behind us, science editor Saanvi Tiwary shares three scientifically-backed strategies for Gaucho success in the classroom and beyond.

September 15, 2025

PSL PSA: science and sentiment of the fall flavor phenomenon

By Roxanna Reid

The chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology of how pumpkin spice seasonal products captivate customers across America.

July 31, 2025

Simply Stated: 4 psychologist-approved methods to savor your summer

By Roxanna Reid

Summer is a season of competing priorities: a narrow window to rest, recharge, and hustle, resulting in feelings of perpetual business and "time pressure" that make the months feel even faster. But by understanding the n...

July 21, 2025

Simply Stated: Do brain organoids show signs of human consciousness?

By Samantha Krause

Scientists have discovered that organoids possess both the molecular and cellular characteristics of a developing brain. These experiments pose questions about what it means to be aware, feel and exist. Could these brain...

July 11, 2025

Simply Stated: The health implications of soaking up the summer sun

By Yumiko Florando

Outdoor activities in the sun paired with longer days, less protective clothing and an increase in the ultraviolet index can all contribute to greater amounts of sun exposure, causing both costs and benefits to human hea...

June 26, 2025

Simply Stated: Green growth vs. degrowth?

By Olivia Lohrer

Can our economies grow even as natural resources dwindle? Or will we need to reimagine prosperity itself by prioritizing life over profits? These questions have laid the foundation for a debate on potential courses for ...

May 1, 2025

Simply Stated: Do you need high-protein everything?

By John Cho

The International Food Information Council’s 2024 Food & Health Survey suggests that the hunger for protein has become even more pronounced in recent years, perhaps due to American adults’ extensive exposure to food ...

April 24, 2025

Simply Stated: Can nature have legal rights?

By Anusha Singh

As the planet faces intensifying climate disasters, a growing number of legal scholars, activists and governments are calling for a radical shift in how we think about environmental protection — by giving nature legal ...

April 17, 2025

Simply Stated: ‘Trash pandas’ on our campus: can we coexist?

By Rebecca Raymond

Spotting a raccoon at night is an experience shared frequently by students at UC Santa Barbara but what brings them onto our campus? 

February 27, 2025

Simply Stated: Is the ‘frat flu’ part of the college experience?

By Roxanna Reid

For students outside of Greek life, fraternity lingo can feel like a foreign language, yet one term has transcended the Greek glossary: “frat flu” colloquially describes the wave of viral upper respiratory infections...

February 13, 2025

Simply Stated: Siblings or dating? The science behind attraction

By Yumiko Florando

While doom-scrolling through posts on social media, you may have come across cheeky posts captioned: “siblings or dating?” The photos depict look-alike pairs and invite viewers to guess if the duo is romantically inv...