There’s no denying that someone’s words can influence and change another’s behaviour. A case in point is “1-800-273-8255,” a 2017 song by American hip hop artist Logic named after the US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. With the song’s lyrics focusing on hope and recovery, a study by BMJ reveals that “1-800-273-8255” is linked not only to the increase in Lifeline calls, but also to the reduction in suicide rates. This research supports the Papageno effect, which reiterates how positive media stories can help prevent suicides in vulnerable individuals. Read full article here
Research
Researcher uses AI to make texts that are thousands of years old readable
The Gilgamesh Epic, the oldest work of world literature, has been brought back to life by LMU researchers in the Electronic Babylonian Literature project. Using their new Fragmentarium tool, they have discovered hundreds of manuscripts, including the most recent tablet of the Gilgamesh Epic which dates from 130 BC – thousands of years after the earliest known version. This shows how highly valued the Epic was, even at a late period. With the public release of the Fragmentarium, anyone can now explore the thousands of cuneiform fragments and explore the ancient Babylonian literature. Read full article here
Merv
March 12, 2023
