Nearly Half of All Women Report Seasonal Depression Symptoms, Compared with 28% Men: Clinicians Provide 5 Tips to Battle It

New research highlights Seasonal Affective Disorder as a shared mental-health challenge, but women are nearly twice as likely to suffer as men, who exhibit different symptoms. Clinicians explain the reasoning for this and practices that can reduce suffering for both.

February 3, 2026. While “Blue Monday” briefly puts low mood in the spotlight each January, clinicians warn that February is when seasonal depression often hits hardest. That’s when daylight deprivation accumulates and motivation dips further. New research suggests the burden is felt unevenly, particularly among women.

A recent study highlighted that nearly 45% of women experience symptoms consistent with SAD as opposed to only 28% of men. While women are more frequently affected and report more severe symptoms, the research also makes clear that men are suffering too – it is just much less diagnosed, or more often missed. 

“The latest research shows seasonal mood changes are strongly linked to how reduced daylight affects circadian timing and neurotransmitter regulation in the brain. These biological shifts can occur even without clinical depression, which is why early, preventative support is often more effective than waiting for symptoms to escalate,” explains Dr. Kultar Singh Garcha, NHS GP and Chief Medical Officer at Flow Neuroscience.

Higher vulnerability in women is found to be linked to a combination of biological sensitivity to light changes, hormonal, and circadian rhythm factors. In addition to social pressures, such as caregiving responsibilities, stress can intensify during the winter months.

Though fewer men are formally diagnosed with SAD, the research shows this does not reflect lower levels of distress.

Instead, men often express seasonal depression in ways that are less likely to be identified as such. They may experience increased irritability, emotional withdrawal, and higher substance use, as opposed to only a low mood. Coupled with a reduced likelihood of seeking help, men’s seasonal depression is frequently underreported and underdiagnosed, rather than absent, Kultar adds.

According to a study published in The European Journal of Public Health, the percentage of people who suffer from SAD in the EU reaches up to 8% of the total population.

“Although men and women differ in the number of sufferers and how they exhibit their symptoms, it is evident that large numbers of people continue to experience symptoms annually,” says Dr. Hannah Nearney, clinical psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience. “We should accept that our mood and energy will reflect adaptive biological responses to environmental conditions, but there are tools we can all employ to lessen the severity of said symptoms.”

• Sunlight exposure: Spending one hour and thirty minutes per day in outdoor light is associated with a lower depression risk, according to a study featured in Translational Psychiatry.
• Nutrition: Low intake of key nutrients such as vitamin D has been found to be associated with poorer mood in the winter months. Incorporating this vitamin, either through natural or supplemental means, makes a difference in enhancing mood during winter.
• Regular exercise: Many studies highlight that exercise helps regulate circadian rhythms and supports serotonin activity to improve mood.
• Sleep consistency: Irregular bedtimes and oversleeping can compound in such a way as to worsen fatigue and low mood, according to a Nature study. Setting proper, regular sleep and wake-up schedules helps combat this.
• Social connection: Research shows that social isolation has harmful effects on mental health. Therefore, during the winter months, it is encouraged to keep up a social life in whatever way you feel comfortable to avoid these effects of isolation.

“To those experiencing seasonal depression, it is recommended to use the above tools and practices to instill them in your life by way of small, repeatable actions rather than dramatic lifestyle overhauls. Prioritising these in such a way can help restore balance. More and more people are shifting to technological tools such as brain stimulation, too. We’re expanding the toolkit to treat SAD as we speak,” Dr. Nearney concluded.

– END –

About Flow Neuroscience

Flow Neuroscience is a healthcare company that focuses on tDCS therapies and devices. In 2016, it was co-founded in Sweden by Daniel Mansson, a clinical psychologist, and Erik Rehn, an engineer. Erin Lee joined as CEO in 2022, having previously worked at Google, Ube,r and Babylon, and the company is now based in the UK. Flow is the only at-home medical tDCS device with clinically proven effectiveness in treating depression, approved in all major markets: by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and having passed regulations in Europe, Norway, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.

Media contact:

Aivaras Vilutis
aivaras.v@sensuspr.com

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“Video game technology can solve an endless set of problems in healthcare,” said Sam Glassenberg, founder and CEO of Relevate Health Games. Drawing on advanced game mechanics and brain science, the company develops interactive tools designed to train medical professionals, support patients, and accelerate treatment adoption.

The impact is already tangible. “Millions of medical professionals earn continuing education credit by playing video games that train their brains,” Glassenberg explained. Even more striking, therapeutic gaming is now gaining official recognition: “The FDA has approved video games for treatment. Doctors can prescribe them for disorders such as ADHD, and insurance companies reimburse them like a drug.”

Relevate Health Games also highlights the growing potential for Israel to bridge its world-class gaming industry with its thriving healthtech ecosystem. As Glassenberg puts it: “Diagnosing a difficult patient is a puzzle game. Managing a complex patient is a strategy game.”

Among the company’s most recent breakthroughs is Level One, a game designed to help users better understand and manage type 1 diabetes.

Looking ahead, Glassenberg believes this is only the beginning: “Video games are going to become an accepted method, part of the way doctors learn and diseases are treated.”

You can watch the full interview here:

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WATCH2CARE’S SMARTWATCH FOCUSING ON TRADITIONAL  CHINESE MEDICINE MAKES GLOBAL DEBUT AT CES 2026  

The First Smartwatch Uniting 3,000 Years of TCM, 9 Million+ User Cases, and  AI.  

Date: 29 December 2025  

Las Vegas, NV, USA, December 29, 2025: LINK2CARE, a next‑generation  preventive‑health wearable platform, today announced the global debut of  “WATCH2CARE VITAL”, a breakthrough smartwatch that blends Traditional Chinese  Medicine (TCM), large‑scale real‑world health data, and advanced AI systems to  deliver a new standard in proactive personal health.  

Unlike traditional wearables focused only on basic biometrics, WATCH2CARE VITAL  provides organ‑system insights inspired by TCM across the Heart, Liver, Spleen,  Lung, and Kidney functional systems. The device continuously measures 38  physiological metrics aligned to 18 key indicators, supporting medical grade  accuracy in cardiovascular monitoring, sleep analysis, activity tracking, and organ  system health status.  

Combining Eastern Medicine, Western Science, and Modern AI  

Powered by more than 30 years of research, 9 million+ historical user cases, and  300,000 active users, WATCH2CARE VITAL uses AI to identify subtle trends across  demographic categories, providing highly personalized health assessments and daily  recommendations. It’s AI engine, trained on classical TCM diagnostic reference,  detects early physiological changes related to blood‑pressure variability,  cardiovascular strain, and stroke‑related risk factors. Taking this data, it then  translates findings into clear, actionable insights.  

“WATCH2CARE VITAL represents a new chapter in preventive healthcare,” said  Paul Yuen, a Watch2Care spokesperson. “By combining Eastern medical principles,  Western measurement science, and large‑scale AI analysis, we’re giving users  unprecedented visibility into their health and empowering timely, meaningful action.”  

Key Capabilities  

• Organ‑system insights blending TCM principles with real‑time biometrics  • Cardiovascular and sleep monitoring with high‑frequency multi-sensor signals  • Daily AI‑generated health reports and composite health scores  • Smart Sleep Alert System for abnormal nighttime heart‑rate spikes  • Fast charging (approx. 60 minutes)  

• 48‑hour battery life  

• Optional 4G connectivity, voice communication, and GPS (WATCH2CARE MAX)  • Fully encrypted, anonymized data protection 

Setup is simple: users scan a QR code, connect the watch, and begin receiving  continuous, personalized assessments through the Link2Care app.  

Live CES Session  

Link2Care will host live demonstrations showing how TCM diagnostics, continuous  monitoring, multi‑demographic analysis, and AI forecasting combine to advance the  future of preventive health.  

More information: www.link2care.asia

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New “Super-Earth” Discovered in Habitable Zone – A newly identified exoplanet, GJ 251 c, is generating excitement among astronomers. Located just 20 light-years away, this “super-Earth” is estimated to be nearly four times the mass of our planet and is likely a rocky world. Most importantly, it orbits within its star’s “Goldilocks Zone,” the region where conditions are right for liquid water to potentially exist on its surface, making it a prime candidate in the search for life.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/11/251113071618.htm

A Flurry of Comets Visit Inner Solar System – November has been a busy month for comet watchers. The third-ever confirmed interstellar comet, 3I/ATLAS, made its reappearance in the pre-dawn sky around November 11. It is traveling on a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it will pass through our solar system once and never return. Close on its heels, amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov (who also discovered the first interstellar comet) spotted C/2025 V1. While initially thought to be interstellar, analysis suggests it is a rare Oort Cloud comet making its very first journey toward the sun, offering scientists a look at pristine material from the dawn of the solar system.

Source (3I/ATLAS): https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/3i/atlas-set-to-reappear-on-11-november-2025-how-to-see-the-rare-interstellar-visitor-and-what-it-reveals-about-deep-space/articleshow/125205505.cms

Source (C/2025 V1): https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/c/2025-v1-could-this-mysterious-comet-reveal-secrets-of-our-solar-system/articleshow/125293835.cms

Technology

Valve Announces Three New Steam Hardware Devices – Following the success of the Steam Deck, Valve has announced a new family of hardware set for release in early 2026. The lineup includes a Steam Machine (a console-style PC), a Steam Frame (a standalone VR headset), and an updated Steam Controller.

Source: https://steamdb.info/blog/steam-hardware-2025/

Anthropic Plans $50 Billion AI Data Center Network – AI firm Anthropic has unveiled an ambitious $50 billion plan to construct a massive new network of AI data centers across the United States. The project, in collaboration with Fluidstack, will begin with facilities in Texas and New York to meet the surging global demand for AI infrastructure.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/ai-boom-anthropic-to-invest-50-billion-in-us-data-centre-network-with-fluidstack-texas-and-new-york-first-in-line/articleshow/125279353.cms

UK Law to Pro-actively Test AI for Child Safety Flaws – The UK government is introducing a new law that will permit tech companies and child safety agencies to legally test AI models for their ability to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The goal is to identify and build in safeguards before the AI is released to the public.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/nov/12/tech-companies-child-safety-agencies-test-ai-tools-abuse-images-ability

Engineering

Quantum Leap in Diamond-Based Sensing – Physicists have engineered entangled spin systems within diamonds, creating a quantum sensor that surpasses the limits of classical-based sensors. This breakthrough could lead to the development of next-generation quantum sensors that are both significantly more powerful and more compact.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/engineering/ (Headline: “Entangled Spins Give Diamonds a Quantum Advantage”)

New Catalyst Efficiently Converts CO2 into Fuel – Researchers have developed a new copper-magnesium-iron catalyst that can transform carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon monoxide (CO), a key building block for clean synthetic fuels. The new catalyst operates at low temperatures and demonstrates record-breaking efficiency and stability.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/engineering/ (Headline: “Turning CO2 Into Clean Fuel Faster and Cheaper”)

CERN Scientist Wins Boeing Quantum Prize – Barbara Latacz, a research scientist at CERN, has been awarded the 2025 Boeing Quantum Creators Prize. The award recognizes her work in developing highly sensitive, quantum-limited technologies used to precisely measure the magnetic moment of the antiproton.

Source: https://home.cern/news/news/experiments/barbara-latacz-awarded-2025-boeing-quantum-creators-prize

Arts

Studio Museum in Harlem Opens New $160M Home – The renowned Studio Museum in Harlem is inaugurating its new, purpose-built home on 125th Street. The $160 million building, designed by Adjaye Associates, nearly doubles the museum’s exhibition space and will house its world-class collection of work by artists of African descent.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/nov/11/harlem-studio-museum-new-home

Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Sets 2026 Opening – The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by filmmaker George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, has announced it will officially open its doors in Los Angeles in September 2026.

Source: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/ (Headline: “Lucas Museum of Narrative Art sets September 2026 opening date”)

Government Shutdown Derails Major Art Exhibitions – A recent US government shutdown has forced the delay of at least two major international art exhibitions in Washington D.C., including a landmark show of Korean art at the Smithsonian and the largest-ever exhibition of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the National Gallery of Art.

Source: https://D.C.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art/2025/11/09/shutdown-museums-washington/

Mathematics

Mathematicians Solve Problem in “Soap Film” Geometry – A team of mathematicians has made a significant breakthrough in the study of “minimizing surfaces,” the complex shapes famously formed by soap films. The new proofs provide a way to analyze the “singularities,” or points where these intricate surfaces can break or become irregular.

Source: https://www.quantamagazine.org/new-proofs-probe-soap-film-singularities-20251112/

Professor Dawei Chen Named 2026 AMS Fellow – Boston College mathematics professor Dawei Chen has been named a 2026 Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. This prestigious honor recognizes his influential contributions to the field of algebraic geometry.

Source: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/sites/bc-news/articles/2025/fall/dawei-chen-named-american-mathematical-society-fellow.html

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• Summary: Researchers at Columbia Engineering have developed an “electric bandage” that uses a tiny, flexible battery to create an electric field over a wound. In animal tests, the device sped up healing by 30% by promoting new blood vessel formation and reducing inflammation. The low-cost design is simple enough for patients to use at home.
• Source: Breakthroughs & Insights (via Columbia Engineering)
• Link: https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/about/magazine/winter25/news-morningside-heights/breakthroughs-insights

2. (Engineering/Mathematics) AI Framework Solves Century-Old Physics Problem

• Summary: A new AI framework named THOR (Tensors for High-dimensional Object Representation) has successfully solved a complex computational problem in statistical physics that has stumped scientists for decades. The AI can compute “configurational integrals” more than 400 times faster than the best previous simulations, opening the door for faster discoveries in materials science.
• Source: AI Breakthrough Finally Cracks Century-Old Physics Problem (via SciTechDaily)
• Link: https://scitechdaily.com/ai-breakthrough-finally-cracks-century-old-physics-problem/

3. (Science) Scientists Discover a New Kind of Ice: “Ice XXI”

• Summary: By squeezing water between two diamonds and hitting it with ultra-fast X-rays, researchers have discovered a new, temporary phase of ice named “ice XXI.” This metastable form, which existed for only microseconds under immense pressure, reveals that water can freeze and crystallize in more ways than previously thought, impacting our understanding of water on icy planets and moons.
• Source: Scientists just discovered a new kind of ice ‘XXI’ (via Times of India)
• Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/scientists-just-discovered-a-new-kind-of-ice-xxi-and-its-nothing-like-the-one-in-your-freezer/articleshow/125171949.cms

4. (Medicine/Health) New Gel Regrows Tooth Enamel, Could Transform Dentistry

• Summary: Scientists have developed a bio-inspired gel that can successfully regenerate tooth enamel by mimicking the natural growth process. The fluoride-free material forms a new mineral-rich layer that restores the enamel’s original strength and structure, potentially offering a new way to prevent and reverse dental decay.
• Source: Health & Medicine News (via ScienceDaily)
• Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/health_medicine/

5. (Arts/Technology) US Artists Score Victory in Landmark AI Copyright Case

• Summary: In a significant development for the creative industry, a federal judge in California has blocked an attempt by several major AI companies to dismiss large portions of a copyright lawsuit. The case, brought by a group of artists, will now proceed, focusing on the claim that these companies infringed on copyrights by training their AI models on artists’ work without permission.
• Source: Technology (via The Art Newspaper)
• Link: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/art-and-tech

6. (Science) Interstellar Comet “3I/ATLAS” Spotted Passing Through Solar System

• Summary: The third interstellar object ever identified, comet 3I/ATLAS, is currently hurtling through our solar system. China’s Tianwen-1 Mars orbiter captured rare images of the comet, which is following a hyperbolic orbit, meaning it is not bound by the Sun’s gravity and will eventually leave our system. Observations suggest it is composed of volatile materials altered by long-term exposure to interstellar radiation.
• Source: ‘Alien’ 3I/ATLAS hurtling towards solar system (via Indian Express)
• Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/science/alien-3i-atlas-hurtling-towards-solar-system-what-we-know-about-the-interstellar-comet-that-has-piqued-curiosity-10351154/

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The MAXGROOM Body Shaver Set (LK-881) (Product Link) is the company’s premium shaver for body hair, beard trimming, nose hair trimming, ear hair trimming, and groin grooming. It has a powerful motor with a smooth motion and sound.

In the box you get the shaver with battery display, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable – although any USB-C charging cable will work just fine – an R-shaped blade with removable guide that’s good for body hair and the groin area, a T-shaped blade that’s good for sideburns and beard trimming with a removable nine position guide, and a barrel nose hair attachment that’s good for nose and ear hair. You also get a double comb, cleaning brush, soft carry case, and a comprehensive manual.

I’ll spare you the before and after photos of my body hair, but it’s a great trimmer. I love the different attachments and the 90-minute battery life, which is great when you’re extra hairy. The motor has plenty of consistent power and it’s a smooth cut. Despite the premium build quality, and, frankly, overall package – I mean there’s a lot of stuff in there – it’s still under 30 bucks. That’s a steal.

NOTE: MAXGROOM supplied me with the review unit, but this in no way influenced my review.

For a review of the MAXGROOM Hair Clippers Set (WF-3908), go here.

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Key takeaways from the analysis:

Warning signs: Escalating time spent on AI apps, irritability when offline, and hiding usage from loved ones.

At-risk groups: Younger users, people struggling with loneliness, trauma, depression, anxiety, or ADHD.

Consequences: Disrupted sleep, impaired focus, strained relationships, and in some cases replacing therapy with AI interactions.

Treatment pathways: Approaches like CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and digital detox strategies show promise.

With AI increasingly embedded in our daily lives, the piece raises pressing questions about digital well-being, youth mental health, and whether AI addiction should be formally recognized as a behavioral disorder.

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As someone who’s worked out for well over 35 years now at many different gyms, I can say that the franchise has improved dramatically over the years to the point where it’s now competitive with many hardcore gyms in what it offers. It’s finally a great option for more serious workouts, which is good, because there are tons of locations, including one that I go to that’s just a little over 10 minutes from my house. Given the price point, it’s worth checking out a location near you.

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• Wyoming leads the nation, with over 10% of all traffic deaths involving drowsy drivers.

• Maine and Colorado follow, both reporting over 4.9% of fatalities linked to driver fatigue.

• Florida has the lowest share, with only 0.5% of fatal crashes attributed to drowsy driving.

• States with large rural areas like Montana, Idaho, and Alaska are overrepresented in the top 10.

• The national average for drowsy driving fatalities is around 1.64%, showing how far above average these top-ranking states are.

Drowsy driving is a quiet killer on American roads, often overlooked but alarmingly common. Falling asleep at the wheel, even for just a few seconds, can have deadly consequences. While it may seem like something that only happens during long-haul night drives, studies show that fatigue-related crashes can occur at any time of day. Contributing factors include long distances, lack of rest stops, untreated sleep disorders, shift work, and even monotony on certain roads.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving is responsible for thousands of crashes and hundreds of deaths each year. But which states are most affected by this hidden danger? 

A new study by personal injury lawyers at Angel Reyes & Associates set out to answer that question by analyzing fatal crash data from 2019 to 2023. The study ranked states based on the percentage of traffic fatalities that involved a drowsy driver. 

1. Wyoming – 10.26%

Wyoming holds the unfortunate top spot, with drowsy drivers responsible for over 10% of the state’s 575 fatal crashes over five years. That’s more than double the next-highest state. The wide-open roads, long travel distances between towns, and sparse rest stop infrastructure in this rural state could likely play a major role. Drivers may be travelling for hours without a break, especially in winter when treacherous conditions also increase stress and fatigue.

2. Maine – 5.64%

In second place is Maine, where 41 out of 727 fatal crashes were linked to drowsy driving. The state’s quiet, low-traffic rural roads might ironically make it easier to nod off, especially during late-night drives or long trips through wooded areas. Maine also has one of the oldest populations in the country, and age-related fatigue or medication side effects may be a subtle factor here too.

3. Colorado – 4.90%

Colorado sees a large number of fatal crashes overall (3,122), but drowsy drivers account for nearly 5% (or 153) of those. With long stretches of rural mountain roads, high altitudes, and ski town commutes that often require early-morning or late-night travel, it’s easy to see how tiredness creeps in. Road trips through scenic mountain passes can also lull drivers into a false sense of alertness.

4. Alaska – 4.55%

Alaska’s vast landscapes and lack of daylight in winter may be the perfect recipe for driver fatigue. Out of 308 total fatalities over five years, 14 involved a drowsy driver. The state’s unique climate, with extended darkness in winter and long daylight hours in summer, can disrupt sleep cycles, potentially making it harder to stay alert behind the wheel.

5. Montana – 3.75%

Montana follows a familiar rural pattern, with drowsy drivers contributing to 36 of 960 total fatalities. With miles of empty highway and few urban centres, drivers may feel isolated and less stimulated during long trips. Coupled with limited roadside facilities in some areas, the result is a higher risk of falling asleep at the wheel.

6. Texas – 3.61%

Texas may be home to bustling cities and interstates, but its sheer size works against it. With over 3,800 fatal crashes tied to drowsy drivers, the state has both a high total number and percentage of sleep-related deaths. Long-haul truckers, commuters, and rural drivers all share the roads, and overnight travel is common in such a large state.

7. Alabama – 3.36%

Alabama saw 3.36% of its fatal crashes over five years involve a drowsy driver. The state’s hot and humid summers, long interstate drives, and mix of urban-rural traffic may all contribute to the fatigue factor. Southern states also rank higher in obesity and health conditions like sleep apnea, which can worsen drowsy driving risks.

8. Idaho – 3.17%

With its largely rural landscape and long distances between services, Idaho ranks eighth. Drowsy drivers accounted for 3.17% of the state’s 1,010 fatal crashes. Agricultural workers and outdoor recreationists may be on the road at odd hours, increasing the likelihood of fatigue-related incidents.

9. Kansas – 2.88%

Kansas, known for its flat and monotonous highways, comes in ninth. Nearly 3% of the state’s fatal crashes involved drowsy drivers. Long stretches of road with little visual stimulation can lull drivers into drowsiness, especially on late-night journeys or cross-state trips.

10. Rhode Island – 2.68%

Rhode Island may be small, but drowsy driving still plays a notable role, accounting for nearly 3% of fatal crashes. While the state is mostly urban, its ranking might stem from congested commuter routes and late-night travel among shift workers. It’s a reminder that drowsy driving isn’t just a rural issue.

At the other end of the scale…

Florida ranks dead last, with drowsy drivers involved in just 0.5% of the state’s 16,000 fatal crashes. That’s well below the national average of 1.64%. Nevada and North Carolina follow closely with under 0.7%. These states are more urban, with higher traffic density, which may actually help keep drivers more alert. Urban driving tends to involve frequent stops, turns, and interaction, lessening the risk of zoning out.

South Carolina and Wisconsin also report relatively low percentages of drowsy driver crashes. In all, the pattern is clear: states with more rural roads and fewer rest opportunities tend to have more tired drivers causing fatal crashes.

The full list of states with the most fatalities caused by drowsy driving:

Methodology

The study analyzed fatal crash data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Crash Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS) between 2019 and 2023.

It calculated the percentage of total fatalities in each state that involved a drowsy driver, ranking states accordingly. This percentage-based method highlights where the risk of drowsy driving is proportionally the most dangerous, regardless of total traffic volume.

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When people are asked about the time in their life when they realized what career they wanted to go into, many are able to pinpoint the exact moment when they had their epiphany. While science and medicine was something I was always drawn to, I only began to consider it as a career path during my sophomore year of high school when I was exposed to courses such as anatomy and physiology and pharmacology. These classes gave me the confidence and sustained interest needed to be able to pursue medicine as my future career. However, I had this epiphany just in the knick of time as college applications were due the following year. I often find myself wondering if I would have realized my love of science sooner, and been able to take advantage of more opportunities, if I had more exposure to it as a younger child.

New Jersey, in general, has made great strides for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, but has its efforts been enough to encourage more young women to pursue STEM? In 2021, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an act that focused on minimizing the STEM gender gap. This act aimed to increase the number of STEM outreach programs for young women and increase the number of STEM educators and faculty in New Jersey schools. The act also intended to increase the number of resources available to young women to help encourage them to pursue higher STEM education. 

Despite being enacted early on in my high school career, this bill seemed to have no impact on my school and others around it, especially considering that there was a persistent teacher shortage and an overall lack of STEM programs available to students. Though this act, and others like it, seem as though they put New Jersey on the right track for increasing female participation in STEM, the reality is that progress just isn’t being made. 

Women still only represent 27% of STEM workers nationally, further indicating that this legislation is not having its intended effect. This already meager percentage is only expected to decrease in upcoming years as the interest in STEM of Generation Z girls, those born between 1997 and 2011, plummets. 

According to an article published in CNN, 85% of young men said that they were interested in at least one sector of STEM, while only 63% of young women said the same. When questioned about why they weren’t interested in the field, a majority of young women stated that they believed they wouldn’t be good at STEM, representing a lack of associated confidence within younger generations. Despite being a national issue, this overall lack of confidence applies to young New Jersey women who might want to pursue a career in STEM as well. 

In June of 2023, a panel discussion was held between several prominent female New Jersey STEM leaders. One of the panelists, Dr. Vojislava Pophristic, Dean of Rowan University’s College of Science and Mathematics, explained that she believes that if more opportunities are provided for young girls K-12, there would be an increase in women pursuing STEM as a career later on in life. Specifically, Dean Pophristic recommends exposing young individuals to how meaningful and impactful STEM can be through mentorship programs.. If more of these programs were widely available, it is likely that young women would become inspired and see that women can excel in STEM. 

Dean Pophristic additionally mentioned how certain sectors of STEM have different sex breakdowns. Sectors such as math and computer science generally see more male participation while biology often sees more female participation, a trend I observed in my own high school. For instance, out of roughly 20 students in my AP Biology class, only 3 were male. However, in one of the AP Computer Science classes offered, only about 2 or 3 students were female. 

As Dean Pophristic further pointed out in the discussion, STEM, regardless of the sector, has been historically dominated by white men, a trend that obviously needs to be changed. However, as white men have been the leaders of STEM for so long, it begs the question of where does this bias, that has been keeping others from being equally represented in STEM, originate? 

A potential origin for STEM gender bias may lie within some of the youngest members of the population, children in kindergarten to third grade. A study that looked into the beliefs held by these children had some alarming findings. Primarily, children of both sexes believed men to be more competent than women in STEM, with 62% of boys stating that STEM was their favorite subject and only 37% of girls stating the same. Kim Eslesser, a gender bias expert who discusses the study in a recent Forbes article, proposes a solution that has the potential to work at the local, New Jersey level. She suggests that providing more role models, women with careers in STEM, to young girls could boost confidence and change biased perceptions. Additionally, she indicates that encouraging young girls to pretend to be scientists during play time could also help promote STEM confidence in younger populations, a solution that New Jersey schools could easily implement in their classrooms to stop gender bias at its potential root. 

Furthermore, though all women are underrepresented in STEM, women of color are even more underrepresented than white women. An article written by Marisa Peñaloza, a senior producer at NPR, about the National STEM Festival in Washington D.C., helps to highlight how young non-white women can feel even more dissuaded from pursuing STEM than young white women. One of the individuals that Peñaloza interviewed, the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MIT stated that “women of color face the most challenges and harassment, both explicit and implicit”. 

One of the youth presenters at the festival, Treyonna Sullivan, described her own personal experiences with her place in STEM. She stated that she felt discouraged after seeing the background of her competitors, but then described how having Black mentors and seeing other Black youth there inspired her, helping to improve her confidence in her abilities. Sullivan’s story provides further support for the benefits of increasing the number of mentors available for young women in STEM and shows that to have the most impact on young women, mentors of diverse backgrounds are needed. 

The bottom line is that while New Jersey has taken measures to encourage gender equality in STEM for women of all backgrounds, advancements just aren’t being made. As STEM is a field that has always been primarily male dominated, it is devastating to see that more women still have yet to to take their rightful place at the forefront of scientific innovation and success. Since a lot of the current programs and bills introduced in New Jersey, that target girls in middle and high school, have been largely ineffective, it is time New Jersey turns its attention to even younger girls. If New Jersey  is able to increase mentorship opportunities and find ways to successfully eliminate bias within younger populations, inspire younger girls, and sustain their inspiration throughout their high school years, STEM participation, interest, and confidence will skyrocket, creating an environment where all girls can flourish and realize their interest in STEM early on in life. 

Olivia Loguidice is a biological sciences major at Rowan University who plans to pursue a career in medicine. She has a passion for female representation in STEM. 

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