Articles
Covert polarisation display: The future of everyday encryption
Did you know that you can store information in a way that it is right in front of you, yet you cannot see it unless being under specific light conditions? Nowadays there is smart technology, which allows valuable, written information to be protected, using materials that reveal the message only when placed under polarised light. Dr Young Min Song and […]
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#SocialScience: Mining Twitter for Social and Behavioural Research
A disaster strikes, somewhere in the world. Within minutes there are millions rushing to their screens, letting out their thoughts and feelings. This makes Twitter, along with other social platforms, a rich and timely resource for social and behavioural research. Surprisingly, however, it is a lot less utilised in the social sciences compared with other fields. Tweeters don’t reflect the […]
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Harnessing anger for social change
Dr Monique Turner of Michigan State University, is an expert in persuasion and health and risk communication, and is conducting research into the way people cognitively process campaign messages. Emotions, including anger, are known to be predominant in persuasion, decision-making and risk assessments. Although commonly associated with negative behaviours, anger as a positive motivator in behaviour change is a promising […]
Social Robots – a New Perspective in Healthcare
Some social robots are assistants helping with tasks such as lifting, while others take on companion roles and simulate emotions. Dr Oliver Korn, Professor for Human Computer Interaction and Director of the Affective & Cognitive Institute at Offenburg University in Germany, discusses whether social robots should be able to replicate human emotions and explores ethical challenges arising from it. He […]
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Euthanasia: A neuropsychiatric researcher raises concerns
Euthanasia in humans remains illegal in most parts of the world. In a few countries like Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands, however, euthanasia is available to people suffering from terminal conditions. F. Hanna Campbell, a researcher in neuropsychiatric AI therapeutics at the Center for Neuronal Regrowth, The Hague, Netherlands, has raised a number of concerns on current euthanasia practices. Campbell […]
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Helping families nurture children: A paediatric tube feed with food-derived ingredients
The nutritional requirements of a tube-fed child are usually met using a ready-made commercial enteral tube feed. However, increasing numbers of families are making their own blended diet to administer via the tube as this may benefit both physical and psychosocial health. To support parents and dietitians, Nestlé Health Science has developed a paediatric tube feed to include food-derived ingredients. […]
Diabetes treatment: Could carbonates be an alternative?
Diabetes affects millions of adults worldwide and is still a disease without a cure. While injections of insulin can help manage symptoms, there are currently no therapies to treat the underlying cause of diabetes. However, Dr Kenji Sorimachi has found that perhaps the answer lies in the form of carbonate complexes that show an ability to metabolise carbohydrates into glucose […]
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Lions Quest: Promoting social and emotional learning in the classroom
The positive psychology movement promotes positivity and support in the classroom, to increase students’ well-being and academic achievement. Teachers are ideally placed to deliver this support. However, their skills and competencies in social and emotional learning (SEL) need to be developed. Dr Markus Talvio and Prof Kirsti Lonka conducted research into SEL interventions, particularly Lions Quest teacher workshops, which aim […]
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When grow healthy rhymes with grow happy
Happiness is acknowledged as a new goal of global policies. Parents play an important role in a child’s happiness, but what skills are needed to build a happy childhood and a solid foundation for happiness in later life? A complex approach, integrating parenting, social relationships, play, nutrition, physical activity and sleep is required. And ultimately, a happy child has more […]
Meltdown Moments: When the emotions of perinatal mums are out of control
Entry into motherhood can be a testing period in any woman’s life. Sleepless nights and the responsibility for a tiny person are all the more difficult for women living with psychiatric conditions. Associate Professor Anne Sved Williams, an academic psychiatrist at the University of Adelaide, is researching the treatment of mothers affected by mental ill-health and their infants. She has […]
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