Science

What really causes a hangover?

You’re not alone if you feel under the weather after a big drinking session. Here’s the science behind the morning after the night before.

Phoebe Turner

We all know the feeling of waking up with a pounding headache, nausea and the overwhelming urge to curl up in bed for the rest of the day. Many Image: Peter Oumanski / TIME of us accept this fate as just one of the downsides of having a bit too much to drink, and often swear we’ll production levels of hormones, electrolytes and fats. a hangover. Therefore, when someone comes along never drink again, which is often forgotten when someone fancies a trip to the pub! However, why is it that we get these horrible hangover symptoms? Well, let’s have a look at the science and fgure this out once and for all. Shockingly, the amount we know about why we get hangovers is considerably less than you might think. The most commonly known theory is that of dehydration, and whilst the diuretic property (increase in urine production) of alcohol certainly supports this theory, simple dehydration is not the full story here. Ethanol, the chemical that makes up what we know as ‘alcohol’, is broken down in the liver, frst to acetylaldehyde (AA), a toxic intermediary, then acetic Many scientists conclude that this is the underlying factor behind a hangover, but this is still disputed due to the lack of evidence of a relationship between hangover severity and electrolyte levels. Another theory behind the hangover lies with AA. This incredibly toxic intermediary product is produced in the breakdown of alcohol. Due to genetic variations, “Your choice of tipple can infuence the severity of your hangover.” “ “ and claims that they never get hangovers there may actually be some genetic truth to it. Furthermore, your choice of tipple can also infuence the severity of your hangover, with drinks containing high levels of congeners more likely to produce a severe hangover. Congeners, such as methanol, are toxic byproducts formed in the process of making alcoholic drinks and are found in higher concentrations in darker-coloured drinks, such as red wine and rum. Contrary to popular belief, vodka may actually be your friend if you’re planning to avoid a bad hangover, due to it being a pale liquor with low congener levels — a win-win if you’re a fan of a vodka and coke! So now we know what causes a hangover! Or at least, we know as much as scientists currently know acid, which is better known as the acidic component some bodies can only break down AA into acetic acid about the subject. Whether you’re a fresher about of vinegar. During this process, NAD+ — a compound very slowly, which leads to a build-up of AA. This is to experience your frst taste of university life, or found in every cell of the human body that is involved known as the ‘alcohol fush reaction’. Studies have a seasoned university veteran going into your fnal in many of the body’s essential functions — is shown that people with a slow AA breakdown are year, science’s advice to help curb that hangover is converted to NADH. Without going into details, this more likely to experience a hangover more quickly to drink in moderation, learn to accept water as your causes an imbalance in NAD+/NADH levels. which and with greater severity, compelling many scientists new best friend and stick to pale drinks with lower is bad news. An imbalance can cause changes in the to believe that AA build-up is the real culprit behind congener levels. Good luck!

A-Levels 2020: Derailed by a mutant algorithm

How did the government get A-Level results so wrong? Elizabeth Sarell

An algorithm used to determine A-Level grades left thousands of students devastated after their predicted grades were marked down. Statistics showed that 39% of students had their results downgraded. Those downgraded were more likely to attend state schools - in contrast, not a single student from Eton had their grades reduced. The country erupted in protest, with some claiming that the algorithm was classist and others arguing that a computer is clearly smarter than a teacher and cannot be biased.

When people hear about algorithms and Artifcial Intelligence (AI), they often assume the computer has human-level intelligence capable of making decisions. But this is completely wrong - an algorithm is just a series of instructions for the computer to follow with no concept of morals. It simply does what you tell it!w

Okay, but mustn’t it be intelligent? Well, it’s worth noting there are two types of AI: Weak and Strong. Chances are when you think of AI, you’re thinking of Strong AI, which is able to make decisions and learn in an attempt to mimic human intelligence. However, most AI that is currently in use is Weak AI.

Weak AI doesn’t resemble human intelligence, but rather it tends to notice patterns and then works out the next logical step, for instance, playing chess against a computer. The AI has been taught thousands of chess moves and searches through to determine the best possible next move based on what’s currently in play. It’s highly likely that weak AI was used in the A -Levels algorithm.

So how do we end up with bias within algorithms? Well, the frst kind of bias is caused by malicious intent. As previously mentioned, an algorithm will do what it’s told, so if you want to build an algorithm that discriminates against a group of people, the algorithm will do just that. The second kind of bias is the inability to recognise bias occurring within data. This is often harder to recognise, as people tend to just accept numbers, forgetting that numbers leave no room for real-world context.

For example, you are tasked with building a system to direct police patrol cars around a city. The frst thing you might look at is which areas have a higher arrest rate and then choose to distribute more ofcers there. However, what those numbers don’t refect is the fact that areas with a higher percentage of people of colour historically have been, and still are, more policed and therefore have been unfairly targeted. This results in a higher arrest rate. By not looking at why there are more arrests in certain areas, you could end up building a system which is systematically racist.

It then becomes the responsibility of the algorithm developer to spot bias and identify prejudice within the data. They would need to adjust the algorithm to account for this. However, something as simple as a lack of diversity in a development team could mean that some forms of discrimination are overlooked.

The A-Level results in August would appear to suggest that the algorithm used reinforced class prejudice against students from working-class backgrounds by consistently downgrading them. It is highly likely that this was a result of ignorance, but it does beg the question: who was ultimately responsible for overseeing the algorithm and highlighting this inbuilt prejudice?

Had these issues been picked up at an earlier stage, the algorithm could have been a force for good - equalising results across private and state schools. However, what was ultimately developed just reafrmed the classism that exists within the UK.

Managing your money during Covid-19

Image: Will Southall

Business editor Georgina Peacock ofers some guidance for students to manage the fnancial impact of coronavirus.

Georgina Peacock

Daily life has drastically changed for the majority of the world. According to the Ofce for National Statistics, from April to June 2020 approximately 1.34 million people were unemployed. Students in particular have been afected, often by losing parttime jobs or by zero-hour contracts not refecting true pay through furlough. However you have been fnancially impacted, money management is likely to be diferent due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Here are 5 useful tips to help you manage your money this academic year.

1) Reviewing

It is important to recognise that circumstances are diferent. Perhaps you were required to dip into savings and want to build it back up or wish to save more in anticipation of fnancially difcult times. With Covid-19 rules still in place, spending habits this academic year may look diferent. The frst place to start is reviewing your budget with the possibility of saving more for an emergency and adjusting each category’s budget with your ‘new normal’ in mind.

2) Internet banking

Most banks ofer an app or online banking, so it may be worth exploring what the banking app and websites have to ofer. They often have a tool which shows a breakdown of your spending over the past month or year, and this can allow you to set realistic budgets and track exactly what you spend.

Another way to make full use of internet banking is by moving money between your accounts. A big mistake I made as a fresher was keeping my full student loan sat in my current account, it’s way too easy to spend it that way! I have found the best thing is to have two accounts, one where rent and bills come out and the other with everyday spending money.

3) Discounts

As students we can receive many perks through UNiDAYS, NUS and other student discounts. Research before you buy anything to see what deals are out there.

The standout deals this September: - A key one for Leeds Students is the NUS card, which amongst other discounts gets you 10% of at the Co-Op in the student union. - UNiDAYS ofer: The usual 10% of clothing brands and money of various laptops, around 30% of at

Pizza Express and other restaurants. Apple Music and Amazon Prime also ofer a free 6-month trial. - Some restaurants are extending the Eat Out to Help Out scheme where you get 50% of up to £10 per person. In Leeds, this includes Giorgio’s Ristorante in Headingley, Bill’s in Albion

Place, Mad Frans every Friday on Whitehall Road, as well as Toby Carvery and the Harvester.

4) Banking

Due to Covid-19, banks have implemented several schemes to help customers manage their fnances. Although many of these, such as a mortgage or holiday loans, are not relevant to the majority of students, it may be worth seeing if any schemes are relevant to you. For example, accessing fxed savings without a penalty. Freshers should also research into the best student bank accounts, as well as consider perks such as the overdraft ofer.

5) Maximise income

A part time job is a great way to maximise your income as a student, however, in the current climate it may be more difcult to fnd work. Considering this, we suggest you check out our article on side hustle ideas to help you make money while at University.