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Month: October 2021

Paris Saint Germain vs Manchester City: Messi gets off the mark

Written by arshasthana on . Posted in Sport.

In the highly anticipated rematch of last seasons UCL semi-finals, PSG emerged with a 2-0 win, thanks to goals from Idrissa Gueye and Lionel Messi. The Parisians sit on top of Group A with four points, with Manchester City down in third place after the defeat. 

Paris Saint Germain got off the mark early and opened the scoring within the first eight minutes. Hakimi found Mbappe’s overlapping run on the right, who then played a cutback into the box which was fluffed by Neymar, before Gueye rifled his shot into the top corner. Manchester City dominated possession as expected, playing their usual style of football with short, intricate passes while pressing from the front. 

The Cityzens mainly played down the wings, eventually working their way to the centre to try and find a way in behind the defence. The biggest chance of the game for Manchester City came during the 25th minute. Kevin De Bruyne’s cross was met by Raheem Sterling’s head, which unfortunately hit the bar before falling to Bernardo Silva, who hit the bar again from point blank range. 

PSG set themselves up to play on the counter attack, using the pace of their full backs and wingers, and nearly doubled their lead in the 37th minute. Mbappe was at the heart of the attack again, as Nuno Mendes released the Frenchman down the left side, before he squared it to Ander Herrera whose first-time effort was tipped over the bar by Ederson. 

Manchester City were lucky not to go down to ten men, as Kevin De Bruyne missed the ball and made a crunching tackle on Idrissa Gueye, but was only shown a yellow card for the foul. City had another chance just three minutes before the end of the first half, when Rueben Dias’ header from Kevin De Bruyne’s corner was saved by Donnarumma.

Manchester City saw more of the same possession during the second half, but were plagued by their lack of finishing ability once again. The blue side of Manchester had the chance to grab a quick equalizer within two minutes of the restart, but Sterling’s shot went wide of Donnarumma’s goal. 

The Italian goalkeeper continued his heroics, saving De Bruyne’s low-driven shot from the right of the goal as Mahrez played him in behind during the 53rd minute. The Parisiens showed their attacking threat when Neymar was almost through on goal from Hakimi’s pass, only for Kyle Walker to force the Brazilian into hitting the side netting. 

PSG were disciplined and put up a strong defence against Manchester City’s continuous barrage, and were rewarded with a moment of pure brilliance from Lionel Messi in the 73rd minute. The Argentine forward carried the ball forward down the right wing, before drifting into the center to play a neat one-two with Mbappe on the edge of the box and then hitting an unstoppable first-time shot into the top corner. Even Ederson could only stand and watch as the ball went past him and into the net. 

“It’s true that I was getting desperate to score my first goal, ” said the six-time Ballon D’or winner. “I hadn’t played much recently and I had only played once here at home but I am settling into the team little by little.

“The more us forwards play together, the better our relationship will be. We all need to grow together and improve and keep giving our best.”

Manchester City suffer their first group stage defeat since 2018, and Pep Guardiola’s men could find themselves in serious trouble of not making the knockout stages if they don’t produce better results in their remaining four games.

In other news, Manchester United produce a comeback to win 2-1 against Villarreal in their Group F matchup. The Spanish side took the lead through Paco Alcacer in the 53rd minute, but it didn’t take long for United to issue a response. Alex Telles scored a scintillating goal as he met Bruno Fernandes’ cross with a first-time volley which found its way into the bottom corner. Cristiano Ronaldo secured the win for the Red Devils in the 95th minute, while also breaking the record for most Champions League appaerances during the same game.

The best place to buy clothes in manchester

Freshers style o’clock – the best places to shop in Manchester

Written by Alexandra Bikard on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

After 18 months of online teaching, we’re finally back in person and while many of us are not freshers anymore, it kind of feels like it anyways. If you’re new to Manchester, you’re in luck: you’ve just come to the third best city in the world (and therefore the best city in the UK). That means one thing – it’s time to up your fashion game. It’s style o’clock for all you new freshers and we’re here to help. We did the research for you and created the ultimate guide to all the best places to buy clothes in Manchester to make sure you’ll look impeccable.

1.     Manchester Arndale

Manchester Arndale shopping for freshers
Photo: Zahra Mukadam @ The Mancunion

Starting off with an oldie but a goodie, Manchester Arndale is one of the largest shopping centres in the UK with over 200 stores. It’s mainly filled with well-known high street shops but also has a few independent places to discover. Located right in the centre of town, it’s very easy to access and there’s definitely a shop for everyone. Whether you’re into sportswear, the grandad aesthetic, or the standard plain top and jeans look, the Arndale has you covered.

Our favourite shop: Monki.

2.    Market Street

Manchester Urban Outfitters best places to shop
Photo: Zahra Mukadam @ The Mancunion

Leading up to the Arndale is Market Street. Among other shops you will find the big three: H&M, Primark, and Urban Outfitters. While you could spend a while in these 3 shops, the street also has a few shoe shops and also a Mango (the clothing shop, not the fruit) and a Uniqlo.

Our favourite shop: H&M.

Manchester Primark shopping for freshers
Photo: Zahra Mukadam @ The Mancunion

3.     Trafford Centre

A more boujee version of the Arndale but a bit of a trek to get to from campus. It’s definitely worth it though, for the architecture alone – it’s an iconic building that makes you feel like you’re in a different country altogether. A lot of naked statues too… definitely an interesting vibe. It’s also ready-made for a full day of shopping as it is the host of the largest food court in Europe. Shops include H&M, Selfridges, John Lewis, Zara and basically any other well-known brand you can think of.

 Our favourite shop: Pull&Bear.

Manchester Pull and Bear best places to shop
Photo: Zahra Mukadam @ The Mancunion

4.       Afflecks Palace 

Now we’re getting to the good bits. If you want to release your inner quirkiness, Afflecks is the place for you. Channelling 2016 Tumblr emo vibes combined with random cute fun-ness, it has 3 floors packed with independent shops selling all sorts of fun, unique items from painted denim jackets to 60s style fashion dresses.

Our favourite shop: Hook (everything in this shop is £10, it’s very fun).

5.       The Thrift Shop 

A less known place to shop in Manchester but a gem nonetheless. Filled with well-priced second-hand items this is the perfect place if you wish to stray away from fast fashion. Sustainable, cheap, trendy and with a wide variety of styles – what’s not to love? It’s quite big, with a lot of clothes to flick through to find that one unique buy that you’ll love more than anything.

6.       British Heart Foundation charity shop in town

Manchester has a lot of really good charity shops, and while this might seem like a random pick, this is (subjectively) the best charity shop you’ll visit here. A bit more pricey than your average charity shop, but my goodness is it worth it. The clothes in there are just so much cooler than anywhere else. As opposed to the classic old age pensioner charity shop (which are still 10/10 vibes), this is the Gen Z place to be.

7.       The Northern Quarter

Filled with cute boutiques and vintage shops, the northern quarter is THE place to go if you aim to have the best drips in the city. If you want interesting items that you just would not find on the high street, the Northern Quarter is for you.

Our favourite shop: Blue Rinse.

If you want to read more on thrifting in the northern quarter, make you sure to check out The best second hand shopping in the Northern Quarter.

Fresher's skincare

Fresh-faced for freshers

Written by Alice Henderson on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Freshers’ week this year is extra special because it’s the first since the start of the pandemic. We imagine that, just like us, many plan to go all out. However, it’s all fun and games until you wake up, look in the mirror, and find yourself facing your hangover face.

Let’s be honest. Alcohol will never be good for the skin. Nor will the lack of sleep that normally comes with it. However, there’s a couple of things you can do to minimize the damage.

Let’s look at the science first: the two main problems caused by alcohol are inflammation and dehydration. When the body metabolises alcohol, a toxic by-product is released. This dehydrates skin tissue, and can in turn lead to enlarged pores, loss of elasticity and dullness. It also dilates the skin’s capillaries, causing puffiness and discolouration.

Although these are inevitable when drinking alcohol, there are still some ways to minimise the appearance of hungover skin.

It goes without saying that sleep and water should be your first port of call. Drinking alcohol reduces the amount of time spent sleeping, and the quality of sleep. Both of which are damaging for the skin. 

Try downing a pint of water before going to bed after a night out, but failing this, make sure you’re well-rested and stay hydrated the following day. Drinking fluid will kickstart the regenerative cycle your body needs as it rests.

You probably slept in your makeup, so start by taking that off. We’d recommend double-cleansing to make sure you have a clean base for any products you put on. (The first cleanse breaks down makeup on the skin. The second is needed to complete this, as well as treat for any targeted skin concerns.)

The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser skincare freshers
Photo: Open Beauty Facts, original photo, license

Suggested cleansers include The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser, which treats for oil production and blemishes, and the Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser, which has a formula focused on conditioning the skin.

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser skincare freshers
Photo: Reuben Mansell @ Unsplash 

For further hydration, The Ordinary Moisturising Factors + HA and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 are no-fuss, affordable options.

The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 skincare freshers
Photo: Olha Suntsova @ Unsplash

More products for hangover skin:

A jade roller – helps to drain fluids and toxins from the face to reduce puffiness. May we suggest this one by Beauty Bay or this one which comes with a Gua Sha as well.

Jade Roller skincare freshers
Photo: Content Pixie @ Unsplash  

A caffeine solution or caffeine eye cream – minimises the appearance of blood vessels below the skin, which cause blue-ish discolouration. Our top pics include The Ordinary caffeine solution and The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream.

Some Vitamin C serum or moisturiser – encourages collagen growth and brightness to target dullness, and overall promotes healthy skin. Try The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA.

The ordinary moisterizer skincare freshers
Photo: Alice Henderson @ The Mancunion
Manchester authors

Made in Manchester: authors and poets

Written by Florrie Evans on . Posted in Books.

Manchester has a rich literary history and we want to welcome freshers to the University of Manchester with a glimpse at some of the literary greats who were made here.

Here are a few of our favourite picks, from performance poets to dystopian novelists:

John Cooper Clarke

better known as the ‘bard of Salford’. A performance poet, who started off in the comedy clubs of Manchester and soon became the opening act for punk bands of the 70s. This included The Sex Pistols, The Fall and Elvis Costello.

The punk movement was a rebellion against the economic and social decline of Britain in the 70s. Cooper Clarke matched their beliefs and their sound. Speaking with a hoarse voice and rhythmic beat, layered with frustration. A performance poet who found a place within the music industry and is now known not only as a bard but a member of the punk rebellion.

This rebellious and frustrated spirit is shown in his poems, such as Are You The Business?, with his consistent chant and an accusatory tone, ‘Do worker’s want living wage…Are you the f**k off business.’ Still managing to stay relevant throughout the decades, we hear Cooper Clarke’s words of ‘I wanna be your vacuum cleaner’ echoing through the 2010’s with the Arctic Monkeys creating a new rendition of ‘I wanna be yours’. His is a true voice of the North and of Manchester.

Anthony Burgess

wrote a total of 33 novels and more than 25 non-fiction works. Burgess is best known for his dystopian novel, A Clockwork Orange, which came out in 1962, and is a story bathed in satire, set in an anonymous city, where the youth is enthralled by violence. In another dystopian novel, The Wanting Seed, Burgess focuses on the effects of overpopulation. Will a future society limit our rights to reproduce? Encourage homosexuality?

Burgess highlights an array of social issues and emphasises the world’s problems. He himself said his focus in a lot of his novels is ‘man as a sinner, but not sufficiently a sinner to deserve the calamities that are heaped upon him. I suppose I try to make comic novels about man’s tragic lot.’

Burgess analyses the pressure of social structures and how they have affected the decisions we make, whether right or wrong. If you’re a dystopian lover, Burgess is for you, creating future worlds, and making us pick apart our own systems. 

Tony Walsh

or Longfella, is a well renowned performance poet. He is known to be a proud Mancunian. His 2017 poem for the victims of the Manchester arena bombing highlights everything great about Manchester, and is now a symbol for Manchester’s strength after the horrific event. Walsh’s performance felt bold and strong, he wears his pride openly and is a voice for the north.

Walsh published his first poetry collection in 2015, named Sex & Love & Rock & Roll, which has gained popularity since his 2017 performance.

Frances Hodgson Burnett

born in Cheetham, Manchester, wrote the classics. Burnett lived in Manchester for the first few years of her life, frequently moving from place to place because of her deceased father and a decreased income. As a child she was often found in the garden or reading about flowers and fairies.

The Secret Garden, perhaps inspired by these childhood experiences, was always a favourite of mine growing up. The novel introduces hidden worlds and ideas of fantasy. There is a focus on family dynamics and use of the garden as a metaphor – when cared, both the family and the garden blossom and grow.  Burnett is known for creating childhood classics. Although The Secret Garden is my favourite, her other notable works include A Little Princess and Little Lord Fauntleroy.

We hope this has given you a small insight into Manchester’s literary history. It is a city that inspires creativity, leaving plenty of room for new voices to follow in the footsteps of the great writers that have come before.

Respect

Singing to Respect: Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin

Written by Katie Bray on . Posted in Music.

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was one of the greatest and most influential singers to date. From ‘(You make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ to ‘Think’, her songs became important parts of music history, even featured across many movie soundtracks – and much more. Yet her influence goes way beyond just the sound of her music. Her songs stood for something and actively fought for civil rights.

The subjects of her songs include systemic sexism against women, becoming an icon for females across the world (Julie Hinds, Aretha Franklin: Feminist icon sang for all women (freep.com)),  human rights, and ‘the struggle for black equality‘ (David A. Love, NBC How Aretha Franklin’s commitment to civil rights and equality changed hearts and minds (nbcnews.com) (2018)).

Photo: Aretha Franklin via Wikimedia Commons

In the BBC article, Aretha Franklin: The sound of the civil rights movement (2018), her determination and affect on society are clearly highlighted by Dr Bernice King. She discusses how Franklin created change through “her voice” and would “uplift and inspire generations through songs that have become anthems”.

Since then the film industry has been celebrating her achievements and life story through the film Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson who gives a fierce vocal performance, thus making her the perfect fit for this role.

The titular song, ‘Respect’, demands energy, enthusiasm, and courage from Hudson, with the pressure of performing one of the most significant anthems ever created. She certainly delivered an outstanding rendition of the song. Her vocalisations, range, and dynamic power were perfectly suited for its powerful nature.

Perhaps the most impressive thing is how Hudson adapted her voice to the tones of Aretha’s, yet seemingly breathed new life and energy into the songs. Meanwhile each song was filled with beautiful rhythms, especially brought about by the piano and percussion.

Delicate care was clearly placed into maintaining the spirit and feeling of each of Aretha’s classics, with ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’, ‘Think’, ‘Ain’t No Way’, ‘I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)’, and ‘I Say A Little Prayer’ being standouts. Hudson was able to build on each song with a range of delicate and powerful vocals. A new song ‘Here I Am’ was also written for the movie, but it does not feel out of place and is a testament to the talents of those involved with the project.

Jennifer Hudson’s performance in Respect is one that many people will be looking forward to, and will hopefully welcome a new wave of fans to the music of the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.

in the beauty bag 6

In the Beauty bag #6

Written by Alexandra Bikard on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

‘In the Beauty Bag’ is a series at the Mancunion Fashion & Beauty section, in which Manchester students reveal the contents of their beauty bag and share their top beauty secrets. Dive into the beauty routines of your peers to inspire your own!

Name: Andy
Age: 19
Degree: Psychology
Degree year: 2nd

Do you stick to a beauty routine?

Not really, the only thing I do almost daily is curl my lashes and put on mascara.

What are your favorite makeup products?

L’Oreal’s waterproof mascara was such a discovery. It’s called Xfiber false lash Xtreme resist and it really makes your lashes look super long. Also, I really like Urban Decay Vice lipstick, it’s not matte but it stays for quite a while and it doesn’t make your lips dry.

Anything you’re guilty of doing (or not doing)?

My skin is naturally tanned and I don’t really get sunburnt so I rarely remember to put on sunscreen. I know that’s really bad for your skin so I’m trying to get better at it but I genuinely hate the texture of sunscreen.

Is there anything in particular you like to splurge on?

I love eyeshadow palettes but the good ones are very expensive so I often wait until my birthday or Christmas to get a new one. That’s the only product where I spend a bit more than usual.

What are your favourite hair products?

I have always been loyal to Pantene so I really recommend any of their shampoos and conditioners. Also, for hair masks, I think Garnier has the best ones.

Any beauty secret?

Once I used shampoo on my bleached hair and it absolutely ruined it. It got super dry and was breaking just from brushing it. Then I learned that coconut oil is the best thing for your hair. You just have to warm it up a bit so it melts and then you apply it to your hair (avoid the scalp). If it’s just like a hair mask you can cover your head with a bag and leave it for 40min (can do this twice a week). For extreme cases like mine, you can leave it for a whole night. Then you wash your hair and put on your normal shampoo and conditioner. After you’ll see your hair will be super soft.

Is there a specific product that you are endlessly looking for and still haven’t found the perfect one?

I have been looking for a good and affordable nail hardener but I’ve never found one that’s effective. My nails are quite weak and none of the ones I’ve tried so far have prevented them from breaking.

Take a look at the last month’s ‘In the Beauty Bag’ episode with Fashion Writer Grace Samuel.

How to build the perfect uni wardrobe fresher's style

Back to school: How to build a functional uni wardrobe

Written by Alexandra Bikard on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

As a student, you don’t want to have to spend an excessive amount of time or money on figuring out what to wear, whether it is to go to lectures, clubbing, or to a job interview. This is why it is crucial that you build a solid uni wardrobe full of comfortable, functional, and sturdy pieces that you call always rely on. 

No matter your style, there are a few basics that everyone should have in their wardrobes. They’re the staple pieces: the perfect jean to balance out your new 70s printed top or the winter coat that will protect you as the mercury drops. They will ensure that even when you have “nothing to wear” you can still pull out a good look as you rush out the door. 

Here’s our suggested list of uni wardrobe staples you should definitely consider investing in: 

Home-wear: 

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that one should put just as much thought into what they wear at home than in what they wear outside. A pair of cosy slippers and a matching set is the perfect fit to change into when you’ve spent all your day out of the house.

Tops: 

A crisp white shirt might seem boring but it truly is the perfect versatile piece: you can layer it under slip dresses for a night or under a cozy sweater for a long study day at Ali G. It will definitely elevate any cheaper pieces you have. Even if fancy wear is not your vibe, you’ll probably need to get one eventually for job interviews. 

We would also suggest getting a simple cotton crewneck for the mid-season to add a thin layer in the morning and the evening when it gets a bit chillier. For the colder months, get a chunky knit with a higher neck to protect your neck and combat the icy temperatures. 

Trousers:

‘Trousers’ is definitely the looser section of this article as there are so many styles that might or might not fit your personality, body, and lifestyle. However, finding the perfect pair of jeans is a godsend and having a pair of classier trousers that can be dressed up or down is also a must. 

Dresses:

If you don’t have one already, go buy a slip dress! They’re the perfect layering piece and they can be dressed up with heels for a fancy night out or dressed down over a simple white t-shirt to just run errands. Trust us, you will wear it more than you ever thought you would. 

Footwear: 

Now that online classes are over, you will spend a lot of time running up and down Oxford Road and a good pair of sturdy boots is a must for the colder months. Go for a pair of Chelsea boots or Dr. Martens, ideally in black or brown and made of sleek leather (do not bother investing in suede, they will get destroyed in two weeks). 

Although this sounds pretty obvious, we would also suggest getting a fresh pair of trainers for running out and about but also one you like enough to go clubbing (don’t wear heels, just don’t). 

Outerwear: 

A winter coat: If we could suggest you invest in one piece this semester, it would definitely be a good wool coat (look for at least 50% wool). Not only can a good coat completely change your outfit, if you invest in a good one it will last you for many winters to come and they’re perfect to keep you warm while looking stylish. 

If street style is more up your street, get a puffer coat (just not a north face one, we beg you). Although you can obviously opt for a neutral colour, going for a cheetah print or a pop of colour will help you brighten up an otherwise basic wardrobe. 

Accessories: 

The perfect uni bag: whether it’s a sleek backpack or a sturdy tote bag, any bag large and strong enough to fit your laptop, wallet and other essentials will do the job. 

A going-out bag: whether it’s a cute crossbody or a cool bum bag, make sure you have a no-hands-bag for all the nights out you’ll go to. You won’t want to carry something in your hand at all times, even if you think you do, you’ll regret it and on top of that, you’ll be much more likely to forget it somewhere or get it stolen and end up with no phone, no keys, and no wallet. 

Our last not-really-fashion-related tip is to buy an umbrella. It doesn’t have to be spendy. Just get a £2, but this is Manchester, and although the weather has blessed us so far this September, winter is coming and the north is unforgiving. 

The official parliamentary portrait of new science minister, George Freeman

Everyday they’re shuffling: Who’s our new science minister?

Written by Emma Hattersley on . Posted in Science & Tech.

George Freeman, MP for mid-Norfolk, is the new Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Research and Innovation.

Promoted from the backbenches, taken over from Amanda Solloway, who has been named a government whip.

Who is George Freeman?

Since being elected to parliament in 2010, Freeman has held many significant roles in government, including serving as the chair of Theresa May’s policy board and working as a UK trade envoy. More recently, he held the position of Minister for the Future of Transport. Before being removed in the February 2020 reshuffle.

Before becoming an MP, he worked in the life sciences industry, founding four biotechnological businesses in Silicon Fen, Cambridge. This region is home to many similar companies, including AstraZeneca.

This experience led to his appointment as the UK Minister for Life Science in 2014, as well as other junior scientific advisory positions.

Why does he matter?

The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation guides the government’s plans for research funding, space, agricultural technology and more. This is particularly relevant in our post-Brexit era, as Boris Johnson decides how far to divide the UK from the European scientific community.

 Freeman has a big challenge on his hand. The position has provided limited power in the past. Even losing the privilege of cabinet meeting attendance when the science and universities role was split in 2020.

In addition, funding for research and development has stalled in recent years. Despite the Conservatives’ commitment to increase public and private spending in this area to 2.4% of the UK’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027. This will be difficult, as current spending only amounts to 1.74% of GDP, with the percentage falling in recent decades.

This funding has a significant impact on the running of UK’s universities, including the University of Manchester (UoM). 38% of UoM’s income came from funding bodies and research grants in 2019/2020.

Freeman will have a limited period to pitch for more science funding prior to the conclusion of the government’s three year spending review on the 27th of October.

What’s his big plans?

The new minister’s first major project is the launch of the government’s new National Space Strategy. With Boris Johnson stating that “the days of the UK space industry idling on the launch pad are over”. Included in the plan is an additional £1.4 billion of funding, on top of the £5 billion committed to improving military satellite communications. The true extent of the project’s funding will only be revealed after October’s spending review.

A ‘Remain’ campaigner in the 2016 Brexit Referendum, Freeman seems keen to hold on to British ties with the European scientific community. In a speech at the launch of the new space strategy, he outlined his desire to gain as many possible associate memberships for EU science programmes.

In contrast, Freeman is also in favour of using Brexit as an opportunity to depart from previous EU processes. Speaking recently in parliament, he highlighted that the UK has been “liberated from an inevitably bureaucratic and slow-moving European framework”. A Britain with very different regulations to our closest scientific partners may struggle to collaborate.

Only time will reveal whether Freeman’s grand designs for science and technology will succeed. One thing, however, is clear: the future of Britain’s place in science is at stake.

Let’s talk about sex, baby

Written by Sam Bronheim on . Posted in Science & Tech.

Disclaimer: sex is not something everyone is or must be doing when they arrive at university. Quite the contrary, it can take months before students feel truly settled in this scary new environment. Even then, it may be the last thing on your mind. Whether you are sexually active or are considering it, there’s a lot to think about around this intimate act.

 

Is sex good for you? How do you stay safe? What if I don’t enjoy myself? These questions run through everyone’s mind, no matter how experienced you think you are. So let’s get back to basics. Spoiler alert: I will be telling you to use condoms. 

Consent

I couldn’t write a piece about student sex culture without highlighting the importance of consent. If you’re looking to enjoy sex then it should be no surprise that you need to ask for and give consent. In fact, I could write a whole article just on this topic, so instead have a look at this useful guide from the NHS branch, let’s talk about it. In a nutshell, if it’s not a clear yes: it’s a NO. 

Sex: it’s good for you!

The most obvious way sexual activity can have a positive impact on your health is because it can be quite a workout, depending on what action (and possibly what position) you’re engaging in. Getting your heart rate up and working your muscles – that’s cardio! (Note: The Mancunion does not condone sex as a long-term source of fitness). 

You may not strengthen your heart muscles as much as regular cardiovascular exercise like running, but just getting your blood moving around your body can help in many ways. For example, it can increase blood vessel elasticity which consequently improves blood flow. 

Sex can also improve mental wellbeing because it can trigger the release of hormones like dopamine that make you feel relaxed and happy. The physical sensations result in the firing of many neurons that additionally create feelings of pleasure (yes, even without an orgasm) that furthers hormone release. 

Sex aftercare is more than just a box of tissues

The release of many accelerating hormones can come at a cost if your sexual activity ends abruptly. Cuddling and post-intimacy affection sadly has many connotations that mean often people do not like to engage in this essential part of sex. Particularly when it comes to things such as one-night stands. 

Credit: Sam Bronheim

But actions such as cuddling or pillow talk trigger the body to switch from releasing stimulatory hormones like dopamine, to relaxing ones such as oxytocin. Oxytocin is often referred to as the ‘stress-relief’ hormone because it lowers blood pressure and levels of stress inducing hormones. Our bodies don’t realise during sexual activities because we’re (hopefully) receiving pleasure, but the hormones are stress-inducing. 

Cooling down your mind and body after sex are key to looking back on the experience in a positive way. If you have an abrupt come down from a sex-high, you’re more susceptible to intrusive thoughts and anxiety. 

Post-intimacy cuddles are an easy and effective way of calming down. Whether it’s a one-night stand or a new potential partner, cuddling does not have to mean anything more than a means for all parties to feel calm and comfortable after an intimate experience. 

Safety first

Ultimately if you’re planning on having sex, have fun and be safe in the physical and emotional sense. Again, I could fill a whole article on information on STDs and how to protect against them (stay tuned readers…) but it’s still worth mentioning that the most effective way is to communicate and use condoms (I did warn you!). Stay safe emotionally, by clarifying consent and engaging in sex aftercare. And of course, don’t have sex if you don’t want to. But maybe take up a sport, we all need to stay active somehow. 

Sorry COVID, it’s the common cold’s time to shine

Written by larakenedi on . Posted in Science & Tech.

Catching a cold during Fresher’s week is hardly unheard of. Indeed, this phenomenon has its own name: Fresher’s Flu. However, this year’s bout of the sniffles seems to be a bit worse than usual and it’s not just the universities. People are reporting having the worst cold of their lives all over the UK, so much so that even the BBC wrote about it. But why are colds so much worse this autumn?

The answer may seem quite straightforward; after 18 months of lockdowns, mask-wearing and increased sanitation, many of us have not caught a cold for a while. But the biological mechanisms behind this phenomenon are complex.

You may imagine the immune system having two arms. The innate immune system, which is responsible for guarding the areas of the body where pathogens could get in. It can respond quickly to the invading bacteria or viruses and prevent them from spreading throughout the body. However, it has no memory. 

The other arm is the adaptive immune system, which takes longer to kick in, days or even weeks. But once it is activated, its cells quickly replicate and clear the pathogen. A crucial part of this response is the formation of memory cells and antibodies. Memory cells remember what the pathogen looked like, and the next time the adaptive immune system encounters the pathogen, it can mount a more rapid, stronger response. Antibodies patrol the blood and kill the pathogen directly upon encountering it again.

There is one drawback to this process, however. Memory cells and antibodies are highly specific to the pathogen they recognise, which is key for rapid response, but viruses, the type of pathogens that cause most seasonal respiratory diseases, mutate all the time. The more time passes between our encounters with the particular virus the less our memory cells will resemble it, causing their efficacy to drop.

There is also a more general reason for what appears to be the start of a worse-than-normal cold season. Normally, we encounter bacteria and viruses constantly as we go about our day. Although most of the time we do not get sick from them, it is thought that they keep our immune systems trained. 

NASA have found that the sterile environment of spaceflights resulted in a drop of the amount of natural killer cells, a type of white blood cells that kill virus-infected cells, astronauts had. While most of us haven’t lived somewhere as squeaky clean as a spacecraft or a space station over the past 18 months, we have gone to great lengths to keep ourselves germ-and COVID-free, potentially making ourselves temporarily more susceptible to other, milder respiratory illnesses.

Everyone is still adjusting to life after COVID, but there are a number of things you can do to strengthen your immune system in this new normal. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting an adequate amount of sleep have been shown to help keep the immune system healthy. It may seem like common-sense advice, but just because the pandemic is seemingly dying down, doesn’t mean self care has to.

Grimmfest

Gloriously Horrifying: Grimmfest Preview

Written by Benjamin Klauber-Griffiths on . Posted in Film.

Manchester’s iconic horror festival returns in all its bloody glory for its thirteenth year.

From Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th October, the Odeon Great Northern will be hosting live the best and most exciting independent horror films from around the globe. Now featuring two of the Odeon’s screens, a weekend of thrills, scares and eye averting is truly inescapable. Recently named one of the top film festivals in the world, Grimmfest is an amazing chance for horror fanatics and film lovers in Manchester to attend their first film festival since lockdown.

The festival will keep you looking over your shoulder

Once again in person, the festival promises premiere after premiere and includes both full-length feature films and an array of horror shorts. Whether you prefer gory slasher flicks, tense psychological thrillers or the odd haunted hotel, Grimmfest is bound to terrify.

Best of all, if you miss the array of films on show, Grimmfest will also take to the internet from the 14th to the 17th October. The festival will happen all over again with virtual access. 

Leaving nowhere to run, the festival not only allows ticket holders to watch films from the terror of their own sofas but also provides numerous interviews with directors, actors, and writers to satisfy us even more.

To find information on tickets, screenings, and features, visit grimmfest.com.