Monthly Archives: October 2022

Nigeria’s education for entrepreneurs needs to keep it real, not just in the classroom

Bukola Amao-Taiwo, University of Lagos Africa is home to over 200 million people aged between 15 and 24, according to UN data. The continent has the largest population of young people in the world. This should be a sign of great productive potential. Unfortunately, youth unemployment and under-employment have held productivity back, resulting in aContinue reading “Nigeria’s education for entrepreneurs needs to keep it real, not just in the classroom”

Hurricane Ian flooded a hospital and forced evacuations from dozens of nursing homes – many health facilities face rising risks from severe storms

Brett Robertson, University of South Carolina Hurricane Ian, one of the most powerful storms to hit the U.S., tore part of the roof off a hospital in Port Charlotte, Florida, and flooded the building’s lower level emergency room, sending staff scrambling to move patients as water poured in. At least nine hospitals and dozens ofContinue reading “Hurricane Ian flooded a hospital and forced evacuations from dozens of nursing homes – many health facilities face rising risks from severe storms”

Lockdown babies behind on communication milestones: to help toddlers’ language skills, just talk and listen

Katie Alcock, Lancaster University Research has found that babies born during lockdown have been later to meet some language and communication milestones. During this time, babies met fewer new people and had fewer chances to socialise with other adults and babies, whether in baby groups or in family and friends’ homes, and parents had workContinue reading “Lockdown babies behind on communication milestones: to help toddlers’ language skills, just talk and listen”

Towards zero hunger in Africa: 5 steps to achieve food security

Edward Mabaya, Cornell University; Robert B. Richardson, Michigan State University, and Thomas Jayne, Michigan State University Global food systems have been battered by overlapping crises in recent years. Key among these are the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russo-Ukraine war and extreme weather events resulting from climate change. These have resulted in forced migration, loss of employment,Continue reading “Towards zero hunger in Africa: 5 steps to achieve food security”

Kyrgyzstan: migrant women workers and a ‘lost generation’ of children

Asel Murzakulova, University of Central Asia Dilya-eje, a secondary school teacher in the border village of Samarkandek, Kyrgyzstan, often visits the houses of her neighbourhood to record the children who should attend school the next year. She always indicates the status of their parents in her notebook. More than half of the parents are labelledContinue reading “Kyrgyzstan: migrant women workers and a ‘lost generation’ of children”

Almost 200 nations are set to tackle climate change at COP27 in Egypt. Is this just a talkfest, or does the meeting actually matter?

Matt McDonald, The University of Queensland In a crucial meeting for tackling the climate crisis, almost 200 countries will come together in Egypt at the start of November for a “Conference of the Parties”, or COP27. You may remember hearing about COP26 in Glasgow about this time last year. It was often hailed as ourContinue reading “Almost 200 nations are set to tackle climate change at COP27 in Egypt. Is this just a talkfest, or does the meeting actually matter?”

Has the pandemic changed our personalities? New research suggests we’re less open, agreeable and conscientious

Jolanta Burke, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences For many of us, some personality traits stay the same throughout our lives while others change only gradually. However, evidence shows that significant events in our personal lives which induce severe stress or trauma can be associated with more rapid changes in our personalities. A newContinue reading “Has the pandemic changed our personalities? New research suggests we’re less open, agreeable and conscientious”

Dogs can get dementia – but lots of walks may lower the risk

Susan Hazel, University of Adelaide and Tracey Taylor, University of Adelaide Dogs get dementia too. But it’s often difficult to spot. Research published today shows how common it is, especially in dogs over ten years old. Here are some behavioural changes to watch out for in your senior dog and when to consult your veterinarian.Continue reading “Dogs can get dementia – but lots of walks may lower the risk”

Child marriage comes with a heavy cost for young girls in Africa – but there’s one clear way out

Sathiya Susuman Appunni, University of the Western Cape 650 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday. That’s one of the startling figures contained in a 2021 UNICEF report about child marriage. Africa’s sub-Saharan region is home to nine of the ten countries with the highest rates of child marriage inContinue reading “Child marriage comes with a heavy cost for young girls in Africa – but there’s one clear way out”