Welcome back! With the weather getting colder and the new semester right around the corner, why not grab a hot drink and get comfy before reading this week's edition of Prism! This week, in light of the nationwide vape ban, we bring you an informative read on vaping and e-cigarettes as well as a fun segment on DILFs and MILFs!

UNSW EngSoc x SCISOC: The Lost City of Atlantis Cruise

On the 18th of May, we hosted our very own Atlantis themed cruise where we danced the night away in a magical wonderland, filled with sparkles and a glimmering dance floor with flamboyant neon lights reflecting in the waters of Sydney Harbour!

Thank you for attending and we hope everyone enjoyed the dazzling night.

Keep an eye out for when the professional photos drop so you can relive all the memories of the night. We can't wait to see you all again!

SCISOC Wings for Life

Wings for Life was wild! On the 7th of May, SCISOC pulled up to Wings for Life to run in efforts to raise funds for spinal cord research, and for those with spinal injuries! Despite the weather and cold conditions, we all had a great time as we flew laps around Centennial Park. It was a much-needed break from the exams - as we ran, we felt the burdens of exams lift off our backs - free to enjoy the short, yet sweet, university break.

To those of you that came - thank you so much! No matter what distance you ran, you showed up and put in the effort. Couldn’t make it this time? It’s ok - we still love you.

Keep your eyes peeled on SCISOC’s media platforms to keep updated. See you next time!

First trimester done and dusted!

You've finally done it! We are so proud of you!

With exams over (finally) and the first trimester over, we'd like to congratulate everybody for sticking through it.

We'd also like to personally thank everybody that has participated in any SCISOC event this term (you rock).

As we move into term 2, keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events and opportunities from the SCISOC team. If you haven't yet, subscribe to our newsletter! and be sure to follow us on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook - that way you'll always be in the know.

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We wish everybody a fulfilling break (you deserve it) and wish the best of luck for term 2!

Vaping: A puff of fresh air or a puff of lung cancer

Electronic cigarettes, or E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that enable vaping through the inhalation of aerosol fumes generated through the heating of a generally nicotine-infused liquid.

Introduced by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik in 2003, the device was created in an attempt to instigate a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes, as well as encourage smokers to quit. However, vaping has become an increasingly prominent form of smoking due to the perception that nicotine is less harmful than its tobacco counterpart. E-cigarettes come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including pens, mods, and pod-based systems that allow users to modify the temperature and wattage of the draw-in, thus affecting the amount of vapour produced and the intensity of the flavour. As a resultant of the high levels of nicotine contained within these devices, vaping has caused significant media circulation on the ethicality and safety of its usage due to the exposure of harmful chemicals to users.

In light of recent concerns regarding the prominence of vaping especially in the youth, the Australian government has instigated a ban on the sale and possession of nicotine infused vapes as well as ensuring that the importation of these devices requires a prescription. In doing so, the government seeks to discourage users by limiting accessibility to such products as frequent nicotine abuse, especially from a young age can cause a domino effect into more harmful substances in the future. Further efforts to curb vaping among young people in Australia have included education campaigns, regulations on sales and marketing, and restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes in public places.

These restrictions aim to reduce exposure to secondhand vapour and to prevent the normalisation of vaping among young people, similarly that of traditional cigarette laws. In addition, there have also been calls for the government to increase taxes on e-cigarettes in order to discourage importation. In alignment with contemporary environmental concerns, calls have been raised about the ethical impact of e-cigarettes, as the disposal of these devices can contribute to electronic waste. E-cigarettes contain batteries, electronic components, and plastic cartridges, which can all pose risks to the environment if not disposed of properly

Although Vapes and E-cigarettes have been around for 20 years, the long-term effects of vaping are still unknown as some diseases such as cancer can take many years to develop. Regardless there have been an increasing number of studies demonstrating both short and medium-term effects on the heart and lungs.

In 2019 alone over 2600 cases of acute lung disease including more than 60 deaths were caused by Vaping and E-cigarettes, the most likely cause was identified as the psycho-addictive substance THC and Vitamin E acetate but other unknown constituents may be involved.

Other studies have shown that within just 5 minutes of vaping, the vapours can cause changes in the way the lungs work as well as increase inflammation in the airways. Medium-term exposure to these vapours can further damage the lungs causing:

Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Also known as Popcorn Lung is a rare condition that results from damage to the lungs' small airways. The culprit for this is the chemical Diacetyl which is frequently added to flavoured e-liquids to enhance the taste. Although there is no lasting treatment, there are treatments to manage symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest pain and shortness of breath.

Lipoid Pneumonia

Unlike classic pneumonia caused by infection, Lipiod pneumonia develops when fatty acids a substance especially found in e-liquids enter the lungs.

Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A collapsed lung generally occurs when air blisters on the top of the lungs rupture and create tiny tears. These blisters are commonly developed by people who have had a period of rapid growth in their adolescence. Normally they don't produce symptoms, but smoking and vaping are associated with an increased risk of bursting these blisters causing the lung to collapse.

Another recent study that followed 21000 people over a number of years found that compared to people who never vaped, those who vape are 30% more likely to develop asthma and 60% more likely to develop a number of long-term lung diseases .

As there is not yet enough research to conclude that vaping causes heart disease, a small number of studies have shown that people who vape and use e-cigarettes are prone to increased blood pressure, heart rate and stiffness of arteries, hence have an increased chance of heart attack, stroke and angina, caused when the heart muscles receive insufficient oxygen-rich blood. Although cancer caused by vaping can take many years to develop, lab studies have shown that vaping damages the human DNA which is a pathway to developing cancer.

Scientists are continuing to monitor the effects of vaping on the heart, lungs and other organs, to provide concrete results on this issue.

Why are people attracted to Dilfs and Milfs??

Living in a chaotic world and facing an uncertain future, we can rest assured that one thing will not change, the phenomenon of finding older people attractive. This has become so prevalent within our society that we have prescribed nicknames such as DILFS and MILFS to describe them. But today we ask the question, why do we find older people more attractive?

Firstly, we must understand the psychology of what makes us attracted to people. There are about five factors that greatly influence whether we find someone attractive or not.

Evolutionary Factors: Evolutionary psychology suggests that certain features associated with physical attractiveness, such as fertility and strength, is the base level of attractiveness.
Cultural Factors: Societal norms, media portrayals, and cultural values contribute to our perceptions of what is considered attractive, although,these standards can vary across cultures and change over time.

3. Similarity and Familiarity: Research suggests that we are more likely to find people attractive who resemble ourselves or have familiar characteristics. This similarity attraction effect is often associated with a sense of comfort, shared values, and a perception of being understood.

4. Non-Physical Factors: Attraction is not solely based on physical appearance. Personality traits, behaviour, intelligence, sense of humour, confidence, and other non-physical factors also play a significant role in determining attractiveness. People are often attracted to individuals who possess qualities they find desirable or compatible with their own.

5. Emotional and Psychological Factors: Attraction is not solely based on external appearance but also involves emotional and

psychological factors. The way someone makes us feel, their charisma, and their ability to connect with us emotionally can greatly influence our perception of their attractiveness.

Overall, these five factors heavily influence our personal preferences and contribute to how we perceive what is attractive to us.

It is no surprise to anyone that many women find older men incredibly attractive and may even prefer older men, whether it be Johnny Depp, Keanu Reeves and of course the one the only Leonardo DiCaprio, who’s attained meme status of exclusively dating under the age of 23. But it’s not just these rich, famous and smoking hot celebrities that are so attractive to younger women; your older, above average Joe with a fine dad bod, greying beard and deep voice are pulling like you never will. After thorough research, these older men fulfil many of the factors that make them so attractive, generally possessing a great sense of humour, irresistible charm and confidence that comes with experience and maturity. They don’t feel the need to play mind games or manipulate their partner and are financially stable.

But why are so many men into older women? Unsurprisingly, men are also drawn to the experience, as many older women are already established in their careers, financially able, and knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects. Experience can also be a factor in a sexual relationship. An older woman may have a high amount of sexual proficiency and might also be more comfortable in her own body, which can make intimacy more satisfying for a young man.

So turns out there are some scientific reasons why you may be fantasising about older members of society, so get those who doubt your tastes to read this article!

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