Frustrated by tedious and unproductive meetings? These 2 proven strategies can help teams work smarter

Frustrated by tedious and unproductive meetings? These 2 proven strategies can help teams work smarter

By Katharina Naswall, University of Canterbury and Sanna Malinen, University of Canterbury Most workers will be familiar with this scene: a meeting that goes round and round on a topic – one that may not be important to the priorities of the company. People leave the meeting frustrated and unheard. And the whole experience is repeated the next time everyone meets. But does this have to be […]

February 8, 2024 15

Lifestyle

What inner speech is, and why philosophy is waking up to it

Hunia Studio/Shutterstock Daniel Gregory, Universitat de Barcelona It is quite rare for philosophers to start investigating a new area, and a lot of the questions they explore have been around since ancient times. However, there is something they have only begun to look at closely in the last 15 years or so, which sits at the intersection of psychology and philosophy: inner speech. Also known as the internal monologue, inner […]

February 7, 2024 19

Health / Medical

Screen time can seriously harm your eyes: here’s how to avoid it

Ground Picture/Shutterstock Jacobo García Queiruga, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela and Belen Sabucedo Villamarín, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela Every day, more and more patients are seeking medical attention after spending long days in front of computer screens. The most common symptoms include irritated or itchy eyes, and a sensation of dryness or sand on the surface of the eye. These are the tell tale signs of dry eye disease, […]

February 7, 2024 14

Lifestyle

Cellphone Use Is Biggest Cause of Distracted Driving

Cellphone use by individuals operating a motor vehicle continues to be the largest contributor to distracted driving in the U.S., according to the latest Issues Brief from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). “As drivers returned to the roads following the pandemic, distracted driving surged, causing higher rates of accidents, injuries, and deaths. This high-risk behavior has worsened in the years since, having huge implications for the insurance industry and their policyholders,” stated […]

February 7, 2024 12

Lifestyle

The vital role of talent development and management

By Stephanus Vries, Old Mutual Namibia Human Capital Manager, Old Mutual Namibia In the ever-evolving landscape of business, where competition is fierce and innovation is the key to success, the importance of talent development and management cannot be overstated. It's actually the key that makes successful organisations stand out from the others. Talent development is about developing potential and promoting progress, not merely about filling jobs. Leaders […]

February 7, 2024 7

Lifestyle

Money and ageing: South African study shows cash grants help people live longer and have better memory function

By Molly Rosenberg, Indiana University; Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula, University of the Witwatersrand; Kathleen Kahn, University of the Witwatersrand, and Lindsay Kobayashi, University of Michigan Nearly half of South Africa’s 60 million people receive social grants, ranging from child support to pensions. The grants are designed to provide financial assistance to people living in poverty. The largest components of the South African social grant system were introduced, or expanded […]

February 7, 2024 8

Lifestyle

Zuleikha Mayat: South African author and activist who led a life of courage, compassion and integrity

By Saleem Badat, University of the Free State Few Indian South African women have achieved wider public recognition than author, human rights and cultural activist Zuleikha Mayat, who passed away on 2 February 2024. An honorary doctorate from the University of KwaZulu-Natal was just one of many awards bestowed on her during a life that spanned almost 98 years. Mayat was a remarkable pioneer, evocative writer, public speaker, civic worker, […]

February 7, 2024 6

Lifestyle

Is your pet exposed to secondhand smoke? Here are the (serious) health risks

Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images Jacqueline Boyd, Nottingham Trent University Our pets share our homes, lifestyles, and sometimes even our food and beds. For many pets, this close contact with humans can include exposure to secondhand smoke from cigarettes and other air pollutants. This may have serious health consequences for our animal companions. So, how significant a risk is passive smoking for our pets and should we be concerned? Smoking […]

February 6, 2024 22

Lifestyle

How AI could change our relationship with religion

Metamorworks / Shutterstock Sreevas Sahasranamam, University of Glasgow Science and faith are often kept in two distinct boxes that hardly ever intersect. However, I believe that as AI becomes more mainstream, it will fundamentally alter our engagement with faith and spirituality. Let’s start by looking at what is already happening. Most ancient faith-related texts were documented in papyrus and palm leaves, many of which are difficult to access in the […]

February 6, 2024 36