Category Archives: News

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”

LGBTIQ learners at risk in South Africa as conservative Christian groups fight plans for safer schools

Haley McEwen, University of Gothenburg and Dennis A. Francis, Stellenbosch University Advocacy groups in South Africa are intensifying their efforts to prevent the country’s education department from creating safer environments for children of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. Some of the advocacy groups have ties to conservative US Christian groups. Representing conservative organisations, FreedomContinue reading “LGBTIQ learners at risk in South Africa as conservative Christian groups fight plans for safer schools”

COP27: how young climate activists are changing international human rights law

Aoife Daly, University College Cork World leaders and climate scientists aren’t the only ones who have gathered in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, for the latest UN climate summit, COP27. Children and young people are also a big part of the conference. For the first time, COP will have a Youth Envoy, Omnia El Omrani, aContinue reading “COP27: how young climate activists are changing international human rights law”

Lockdowns had a huge impact in the mental health of the elderly

Ariadna Garcia-Prado, Universidad Pública de Navarra; Paula González, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, and Yolanda Rebollo Sanz, Universidad Pablo de Olavide In Spain we suffered one of the strictest lockdowns in the world in response to the COVID pandemic. For a time, we were only allowed to go to the supermarket, the bank and the pharmacy.Continue reading “Lockdowns had a huge impact in the mental health of the elderly”

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”

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”

Foot-and-mouth disease: the gaps in South Africa’s efforts to keep it under control

Melvyn Quan, University of Pretoria and Rebone Moerane, University of Pretoria In mid August, South Africa’s minister of agriculture, land reform and rural development Thoko Didiza responded to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease with a nationwide ban on the movement of cattle for 21 days. By late August, 127 cases of the disease had been recordedContinue reading “Foot-and-mouth disease: the gaps in South Africa’s efforts to keep it under control”

Climate change will cause more African children to die from hot weather

Cathryn Birch, University of Leeds; John Marsham, University of Leeds, and Sarah Chapman, University of Leeds Climate change has already increased global temperatures, greatly increasing extremes. This will continue unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to “net-zero”. The 1.5°C target of the Paris Agreement requires emissions reductions of around 50% in the next 10 years.Continue reading “Climate change will cause more African children to die from hot weather”

Tanzanian TB patients have a lower quality of life than people who haven’t had the disease

Olena Ivanova, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; Andrea Rachow, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich; Denise Evans, University of the Witwatersrand, and Tembeka Sineke, University of the Witwatersrand Numerous researchers have documented the quality of life and mental health of specific population groups. Examples include people living with HIV, the elderly, students, men who have sexContinue reading “Tanzanian TB patients have a lower quality of life than people who haven’t had the disease”