Salience 21.10.22

WELCOME TO THIS WEEK’S EDITION OF SALIENCE

This week we cover plant-based fights, disdainful dogs, and the effect of smiling on a person’s mood.

You can let us know your thoughts on these stories and any other topics that you would like covered by emailing rmorganevans@sapiencecomms.co.uk

Sustainability Spotlight

Contradictory as aviation and sustainability may seem, new research offers hope for eco-conscious jet setters. U.S. scientists have been experimenting with creating aeroplane engine fuel using lignin, a polymer found in plant cell walls. If successful, the research could allow intrepid travelers to continue on their journeys, without needing to worry about the carbon footprints they leave behind.

Flight to the future

Give us a smile

Proponents of the long-contested belief that looking cheerful makes you feel cheerful will be happier than ever to learn that new research supports this hypothesis. Scientists from Stanford University now suggest that the physical act of smiling can indeed help to improve a person’s mood.

Grin yourself happy

The tree of life

We know that trees are important for the longevity of our planet, but could it also be true that these green giants have a positive impact on our own lifespans? A recent study suggests that living close to wooded areas could be at the root of a long life, with other natural spaces like marshland having a similar effect.

New discoveries

Thought leadership

Did you see Sapience’s client HSPG appear in Property Week? In the article, Guy Horne, co-founder and chief executive of HSPG, discusses the company’s role in helping a healthcare assistant in Leeds purchase a shared ownership property

Catch up here

This week in PR

On our socials this week, we saw how artificial intelligence may change how we grieve. Scientists are trialing the use of AI as “digital replicas” of those who have passed away. After centuries of trying to commune with the dead, will this technology have a groundbreaking impact on how we process loss?

Grief and technology

Sapience’s favourite

While the scorn of cats is an often-told tale, new research suggests that they are not the only ones to view us through judgmental eyes. A study has shown that dogs display preferences for humans based on how well they complete tasks like opening tin cans. And while male dogs exhibit more leniency towards incompetence, pet owners with a female pooch would do well to reconsider what their “best friend” really thinks of them.

Vetting their owners

Let us know what you think of Salience at rmorganevans@sapiencecomms.co.uk or contact us.