Imagine a fourth-grader in a classroom full of chatter and potential. The teacher announces, “Form your groups,” and he waits—scanning faces, hoping someone gestures toward him but no one does. That ache in the chest? That’s not just embarrassment or disappointment it’s rejection—and for kids, it lands with surprising force. Or consider the reality for a teenager who finds out that their friends hosted a dinner party sans their invitation. These experiences are not just momentary disappointments; they can be deeply ingrained in the fabric of our emotions, influencing not just behaviors but our mental well-being.

We often think of rejection as a bruising experience to be avoided. As adults, we know the sting—being passed over for a promotion, left out of a gathering, or ghosted after a second date. But for children navigating their earliest friendships and social landscapes, rejection can feel like a signal flare going off in their brains. And according to new and emerging research, that pain might actually be useful.

Rejection, as it turns out, is more than just a blow to the ego. It’s a biological signal, a teaching moment, and a map to social understanding—especially during childhood. Far from just scarring kids, it can guide them to build stronger, more meaningful relationships, if we understand what’s happening beneath the surface.

Rejection as a Social Learning Tool

Social psychology and neuroscience researchers have spent years untangling the emotional toll of rejection and here’s what they’ve found: rejection doesn’t just feel bad—it actually activates the same areas of the brain involved in physical pain. The anterior cingulate cortex, to be specific.

From an evolutionary standpoint, rejection has profound significance. Our ancestors likely cultivated social bonds for survival. In prehistoric times, being excluded from social groups jeopardized one's safety and resource access, rendering social belonging a fundamental human necessity. Hence, our brains evolved to respond with urgency to feelings of rejection; the anterior cingulate cortex—known to activate in response to physical pain—fires up in reaction to social exclusion.

There’s more to it than hurt feelings, as social psychologists puts it, rejection is not just pain—it’s feedback. Neuroscience has revealed intriguing insights into this complex interplay of feelings and actions. In an environment where social dynamics are not static but constantly evolving, children learn to read behaviors, decipher intentions, and refine their assumptions throughout their experiences with peers. Early rejection may lead to reflection on one's behavior, intentions, and ultimately, a more keen ability to navigate future interactions.

In studies where participants were excluded from a simple virtual ball-tossing game, their brains didn’t just light up from distress—they showed signs of processing surprise. That surprise, researchers now believe, may be what turns rejection into a learning signal.

What this means is that the brain doesn’t just say, “Ouch, that hurt.” It says, “Wait, what happened—and what can I do differently next time?” In the social landscape, especially among kids, rejection may actually help refine how they approach relationships in the future. It becomes a kind of emotional GPS—updating their internal models of trust, value, and connection.

How the Brain Processes Acceptance and Rejection Differently?

Intriguingly, while an anxious child might avoid disruptive behaviors, a child conditioned to anticipate rejection might instead develop a more rebellious stance against peer conformity. This indicates that rejection can lead to various coping mechanisms, thereby influencing children’s decision-making processes when navigating peer relationships.

Recent research has found that the brain treats social rejection and acceptance as distinct—but complementary—forms of learning.

When someone experiences acceptance, areas like the ventral striatum activate. That’s the part of the brain associated with rewards like praise, money, or affection. In contrast, the anterior cingulate cortex processes social devaluation or rejection—but not just as emotional pain. It recalibrates a person’s sense of social standing, helping them update beliefs about where they stand in the group.

So when kids are rejected, especially unexpectedly, their brains are doing more than just hurting. They’re recalculating relational value: Who likes me? Who doesn’t? Who can I trust?

That recalibration can actually lead to better social decision-making. It helps kids discern between relationships worth investing in and those that may not be safe or reciprocal. That’s a skill they’ll need their entire lives.

While rejection can serve as a powerful teacher, it’s not experienced the same way by every child. New research from the University of Georgia reveals two key reactions in children who are sensitive to rejection:

Rejection Expectancy: A cognitive pattern where children assume they’ll be rejected.

Anxious Rejection Anticipation: An emotional state where the child fears being excluded, even without evidence.

These patterns show up in fascinating—and sometimes contradictory—ways.

Children who fear rejection tend to conform more. They try harder in school, follow rules more closely, and avoid troublemaking behaviors. In essence, they try to stay in good standing by blending in and performing well.

On the other hand, children who expect rejection often resist conforming. They’re less likely to follow group norms or academic expectations, perhaps because they’ve already assumed there’s no reward in fitting in.

This split in behavior shows that rejection isn’t just a one-size-fits-all experience. How a child interprets rejection—cognitively and emotionally—shapes whether it motivates connection or fuels isolation.

When Rejection Teaches the Wrong Lessons?

Of course, not all rejection leads to growth. Chronic or repeated social exclusion—especially in environments marked by bullying or relational aggression—can reinforce a child’s belief that they are unworthy of connection. This can lead to emotional withdrawal, aggression, or symptoms of depression, often before those children even have the language to articulate their pain.

Children who don’t receive support after rejection may also misread future social cues, seeing threats where none exist. In extreme cases, this hypersensitivity can contribute to the development of conditions like borderline personality disorder, which is often characterized by unstable relationships and intense emotional responses to both praise and criticism.

That’s why parental and educator intervention is crucial. Teaching children to understand and regulate their emotional responses to rejection—and to make sense of their social world—is just as important as teaching math or reading.

What Can Adults Do to Help?

When kids experience rejection, adults often respond with platitudes: “They’re just jealous,” or “You don’t need them anyway.” But these responses, though well-meaning, can invalidate a child’s feelings or prevent them from developing the skills to handle future rejection constructively. Instead, adults can:

Normalize rejection as part of social life. Explain that everyone feels excluded sometimes, and it doesn’t define their worth.

Help children distinguish between one-off slights and patterns of exclusion. Was it a misunderstanding, or is it part of a larger trend?

Support emotional regulation. Teach children to manage anger, sadness, and shame without suppressing them.

Model healthy responses to rejection in their own lives. Kids learn from watching how adults handle setbacks.

Ultimately, rejection teaches kids how to belong. It helps them calibrate their expectations, recognize which friendships are reciprocal, and learn how to show up more authentically in relationships.

When rejection is met with support, reflection, and context, it can become a bridge—not a barrier—to deeper connection.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on habits that can help protect your health. While no single food can guarantee prevention, research shows that certain nutrients and antioxidants found in everyday foods may play a role in reducing the risk of breast cancer. For women, especially those with risk factors, incorporating these foods into your diet can be a meaningful step toward prevention.

Understanding Breast Cancer

Breast cancer occurs when breast cells start to grow abnormally and form tumours. If these tumours are not treated, they can spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this disease claimed an estimated 670,000 lives worldwide in 2022. In India, breast cancer is also increasing, with one in 28 women now at risk. This makes it all the more important to understand ways to lower risk through lifestyle and dietary choices.

6 Foods To Prevent Breast Cancer

Nutritionist and weight loss specialist Leema Mahajan took to her Instagram to highlight the power of food in breast cancer prevention. She emphasizes starting early: “Introducing these foods into your diet from a young age can help reduce your chances of developing this disease later in life.” Mahajan identifies six key foods backed by research for their potential protective benefits.

1. Pomegranate

Pomegranates are rich in compounds called ellagitannins, which studies suggest may help slow down the growth of cancer cells and limit estrogen-driven tumour development. Mahajan recommends enjoying one cup of fresh pomegranate each day. “Fresh pomegranate seeds can support your body’s fight against abnormal cell growth. It’s simple, delicious, and effective,” she says.

2. Cruciferous Vegetables

Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts belong to the cruciferous family, known for their cancer-fighting properties. These vegetables contain sulforaphane, a compound that aids the liver in breaking down harmful estrogen by-products and may help prevent tumour formation. Mahajan advises, “Include cruciferous vegetables in your meals three to four times a week. You can eat them raw in salads or lightly steamed to retain their nutrients.”

3. Berries

Berries such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are packed with antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which help combat cell damage and inflammation. Adding a handful of berries to your breakfast or as a snack is a tasty and nutritious way to support your body’s natural defenses.

4. Fatty Fish

Omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon, mackerel, and sardines may have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce cancer risk. Including fatty fish two to three times a week can support overall health and may help maintain hormone balance.

5. Green Tea

Green tea contains polyphenols, which have been shown to slow cancer cell growth in laboratory studies. Drinking two to three cups daily can be a simple, comforting habit with potential protective benefits.

6. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant linked to lower cancer risk. Cooking tomatoes, such as in sauces or soups, makes lycopene more easily absorbed by the body.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Incorporating these foods into your daily meals isn’t just about prevention, it’s also about building a sustainable, healthful lifestyle. While diet alone cannot prevent breast cancer, combining these nutritious foods with regular exercise, adequate sleep, and routine medical screenings can strengthen overall health and reduce long-term risk.

Eating with awareness, enjoying colorful fruits and vegetables, and making consistent, balanced choices can empower women to take charge of their health, one meal at a time.

New research suggests that the common way doctors measure a healthy weight, called Body Mass Index (BMI), may not be the best tool for figuring out a person's risk for cancer. Instead, the study found that where a person carries their extra fat, especially fat around the stomach, is a much more important clue.

A new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that belly fat plays a big role, not just in our general health but also in cancer. However, how does fat around your mid-section define this?

Where Your Fat Sits May Be Key

For many years, doctors have used BMI (which is calculated from your height and weight) to see if someone is overweight or obese and then use that status to estimate their risk for various cancers. However, this new study found that relying only on BMI is too basic. The research suggests that the location of extra fat on your body might be just as important, if not more so, in deciding whether your risk of developing several types of cancer goes up or down.

How Belly Fat Increases Risk Of Cancer

The study used advanced methods to look at the relationship between fat in five different areas of the body and the risk for 12 common cancers linked to being overweight. The clearest and most alarming finding was that fat around the abdomen (belly fat) was the most dangerous type of fat:

Increased Risk

Belly fat was directly linked to a higher chance of developing three specific cancers: endometrial cancer (of the uterus), esophageal cancer (in the food pipe), and liver cancer.

Worse Health Marker

Doctors pointed out that carrying fat in the center of your body is already known to cause problems like diabetes and heart disease. They believe this is because central fat causes a lot of inflammation inside the body, and this inflammation is what can actually encourage cancer to grow.

Are There Benefits Of Having Belly Fat?

While fat around the stomach was dangerous, the researchers made a surprising discovery about lower body fat. They found that fat carried in the buttocks and thighs actually seemed to help protect against cancer. This fat was linked to a reduced risk of both breast cancer and a type of brain tumor called meningioma. This unexpected result has led some experts to think that the fat cells in the lower body might produce helpful hormones that fight against cancer.

Why BMI Isn't Enough

This research strongly confirms that doctors shouldn't just rely on the single BMI number. As one cancer doctor noted, BMI is a "quick and dirty" measurement that only gives a very basic picture of your health; the location of excess fat matters much more. Scientists believe fat increases cancer risk in a few ways, including:

• Producing extra hormones like estrogen and insulin, which are known to fuel the growth of many cancer types.
• Creating a state of chronic inflammation in the body, which helps tumors get started and grow.

The study concludes that future health plans, both for treating obesity and preventing cancer, should focus on measuring and managing where fat is distributed rather than just focusing on overall weight. While losing weight is still beneficial, the body part where the fat is concentrated is a powerful indicator of risk.

There are many aspects of an organ donation, not just the need for an organ, but also how compatible it is in terms of blood type. The reason why this is important is because of components known as antigens. The recipient's own body can destroy the new organ if the donated organ has different antigens. However, scientists may have found a way to surpass this issue.

A major scientific breakthrough has occurred: scientists successfully changed the blood type of a donated kidney using a special enzyme and then transplanted it into a patient. This is the first procedure of its kind. Right now, a patient can only receive an organ if the donor has a compatible blood type. If the types don't match, the patient's immune system will immediately produce antibodies or immune soldiers to attack and destroy the foreign organ.

How Did The Mismatched Blood Type Transplant Work?

The research team from Canada and China found a special enzyme that can remove the Type A antigens from an organ. Antigens are the markers on blood cells (and organs) that determine blood type. By removing the Type A markers, the enzyme essentially converts Type A blood into Type O blood.

Type O is considered the "universal" donor type because anyone can receive it. In this first test, the converted Type O kidney was transplanted into a 68-year-old patient. Although the kidney eventually showed signs of rejection after two days, it was able to function and produce urine for six days, proving the concept works.

How Does A Universal Kidney Work?

If doctors can successfully change the blood type of a donor organ, the current limits on transplants would largely disappear, creating enormous benefits for patients.

Significantly Increased Access to Organs

Without the need to match blood types, doctors wouldn't have to wait for an organ that is both a good match and the correct blood type. Instead, they could focus only on other factors important for the transplant's long-term success. By removing the blood type obstacle, this technology would allow for faster matching and quicker surgeries, which will dramatically reduce the painfully long waiting lists that patients currently face.

Shorter, More Efficient Wait Lists

Without the restriction of matching blood types, doctors wouldn't have to wait for an organ that is both a good match and the correct blood type. Instead, they could focus on other crucial factors, like matching proteins and tissues that are important for the long-term success of the transplant. By eliminating the blood type hurdle, this technology would allow for faster matching and quicker surgeries, drastically reducing the painfully long wait lists that patients currently face for life-saving organs.

Eliminating Risky Pre-Treatment for Recipients

This new approach of treating the donor organ instead of the patient is a major advancement. Right now, to perform a blood-type-mismatched transplant, the patient has to get intense treatments beforehand to severely weaken their immune system. These treatments are risky because they significantly increase the patient's vulnerability to severe infections.

Furthermore, for deceased donor organs—which must be used very quickly—there simply isn't enough time to safely administer these pre-treatments. By converting the organ outside the body, doctors can avoid this high-risk step for the recipient, making the transplant safer and much more feasible for emergency cases.

What Happens Next

This successful first attempt proves the enzyme-conversion technique works, but it's just the beginning. The scientists now need to conduct more studies on both brain-dead and living patients. Their main goal is to figure out the best way to adjust the treatment so that the converted organ can function successfully for a long period, ultimately allowing this revolutionary technique to be used in hospitals everywhere.