insert_link Africa Online classrooms where students run the show: we tested how this unconventional model can work Bringing together different ideas and experiences enhances the virtual classroom experience. Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images By Matthew Wingfield, Stellenbosch University; Bettina von Lieres, University of Toronto, and Laurence Piper, University of the Western Cape The Zoom meeting window opens, immediately revealing scores of smiling or anxious faces. Some people have quirky backgrounds; some are in the same room as friends and family, who appear occasionally on camera. The South […] today16 September, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Families of victims of violent assault have double the risk of anxiety – new study Chay_Tee/Shutterstock By Elizabeth Cook, City, University of London and Sally McManus, City, University of London Every year, about a million people in England and Wales are victims of violent crime. In addition to the harm suffered in the assault itself, they may also experience mental and physical health effects that last far longer. They often need the support of health and victim services, and they might have contact […] today11 September, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical How we discovered that people who are colorblind are less likely to be picky eaters Watching Julia Child in color or black and white could influence how appetizing the food looks to some audience members. AP Photo By Isabel Gauthier, Vanderbilt University The seventh season of Julia Child’s “The French Chef,” the first of the television series to air in color, revealed how color can change the experience of food. While Child had charmed audiences in black and white, seeing “Bouillabaisse à la […] today11 September, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical No-sleep challenge: the dangers of sleep deprivation Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock By Adam Taylor, Lancaster University Most of us will be all too familiar with that dopey, groggy feeling of being tired after a restless night. Some social media users have taken tiredness to the extreme, however, by taking part in what they call a “no-sleep challenge.” One 19-year-old Youtuber, Norme, live streamed his attempt to break a world record for consecutive days without sleep. At the […] today10 September, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical What causes food cravings? And what can we do about them? Fascinadora/Shutterstock By Gabrielle Weidemann, Western Sydney University and Justin Mahlberg, Monash University Many of us try to eat more fruits and vegetables and less ultra-processed food. But why is sticking to your goals so hard? High-fat, sugar-rich and salty foods are simply so enjoyable to eat. And it’s not just you – we’ve evolved that way. These foods activate the brain’s reward system because in the past they […] today10 September, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical How patterns of conversation could help identify early signs of autism in children fizkes/Shutterstock By Vittorio Tantucci, Lancaster University Autistic children – and adults – often communicate differently to neurotypical people. Key characteristics of autistic speech can include less eye contact, focusing on the details rather than the overall gist of a conversation, and favouring literal meaning: autistic people may find it more challenging to guess if something is being implied rather than said directly. These differences may make some communication […] today10 September, 2024
insert_link Health / Medical Is your desk job killing your back? Ancient Egyptian scribes had the same aches and pains, say researchers By Petra Brukner Havelková, National Museum (Národní muzeum) Prague and Veronika Dulíková, Charles University Thousands of years ago, during a period of Egyptian history known as the Old Kingdom (around 2649–2130 BC), it was rare for people to be able to read and write. From an estimated population of between 1 million and 1.5 million, only about 1% were literate and able to write in hieroglyphics. […] today10 September, 2024
insert_link Africa Sexual violence in South Africa: women share their stories about the dangers of commuting on minibus taxis Commuters getting into a minibus taxi in Johannesburg. Rich T Photo By Jarred H Martin, University of Pretoria Millions of people use minibus taxis to get around South Africa every day. These “pillars of public transport” (which are privately owned and run rather than operated by the state) account for 66.5% of all public transport on the country’s roads. The vast majority of minibus taxi commuters come from […] today9 September, 2024
Lifestyle Elon Musk’s feud with Brazilian judge is much more than a personal spat − it’s about national sovereignty, freedom of speech and the rule of law Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes faces off against X’s Elon Musk. Ton Molina/NurPhoto via Getty Images / AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth By Yasmin Curzi de Mendonça, University of Virginia It is easy to get distracted by the barbs, swipes and bluster of the ongoing and very public spat between the world’s richest man and a fierce justice on Brazil’s highest court. Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of […] today9 September, 2024
