In the 1800s, British colonists in India set about trying to reduce the cobra population, which was making life and trade very difficult in Delhi. They began to pay a bounty for dead cobras. The strategy very quickly resulted in the widespread breeding of cobras for cash. This danger of unintended consequences is sometimes referred to […] … learn more→
Fake academic papers are on the rise: why they’re a danger and how to stop them
New ways to learn anatomy: virtual dissection
Human Anatomy is a basic subject in all studies in health sciences. Knowledge of the human body is key to developing good clinical practice: it improves understanding of pathology and skill in certain procedures in different disciplines, such as medicine, nursing, physiotherapy or psychology, among others. Until a few years ago, their learning was based on […] … learn more→
What can educational institutions do to welcome the era of ‘green jobs’?
The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) together with Greenpeace International predict that green jobs will become a global trend starting in 2025 . However, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimates that by 2030, 60% of the world’s young generation will not have the green skills needed to enter the era of green jobs . Green jobs are types of work that contribute to preserving and […] … learn more→
What do schools need to do to have a good culture and healthy approach to gender?
Cranbrook in Sydney’s east is one of the most elite boys schools in Australia. On Monday night, the ABC’s Four Corners program aired claims some female teachers had been bullied by male staff and sexually harassed by students. Amid the school’s decision to go fully co-ed by 2028, there are concerns about whether Cranbrook will be a safe space […] … learn more→
Do science fiction heroines influence the career choices of adolescent girls?
Do girls have little interest in science? This could be suggested by their persistent under-representation in sectors and professions dedicated to these disciplines . However, research in sociology shows that it is not for lack of taste or skills that they are relatively absent from these fields . An explanation would rather lie in the social norms which influence girls in their choices. If […] … learn more→
Can reading be encouraged among schoolchildren if their future teachers barely read?
Reading is essential to integrate into society. We live surrounded by written information with which we learn. But it is also an excellent leisure activity. In Spain, for example, 98.1% of people over 15 years of age can read. Recognizes spellings, letters and words and is able to follow the thematic thread of a text. But if there is no will […] … learn more→
How age-friendly universities can improve the second half of life
By 2030, more than 1.4 billion people across the globe will be at least 60 years old. This number will shoot up to 2.1 billion by 2050. At this point, there will be more people age 60 or older than people between 10 and 24. These dramatic demographic shifts prompted the United Nations and World Health Organization […] … learn more→
Will it be possible to 3D print skin to treat severe burn victims?
In France, each year, more than 400,000 people burn themselves and for 9,000 of them, these burns are serious. Whatever the cause (a hot liquid or object, electricity, flames, chemicals or even exposure to UV rays), these burns cause significant damage to the skin barrier, making burn victims particularly susceptible to infections. Indeed, the skin, the largest organ […] … learn more→
Who can say no?
Over the last decade, we’ve written a lot of words about how to get research funders to say ‘yes’. I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about who can say ‘no’ to you applying for a grant. I want to talk about the people who can stop you from applying. First, a caveat: your […] … learn more→
Your face for sale: anyone can legally gather and market your facial data without explicit consent
The morning started with a message from a friend: “I used your photos to train my local version of Midjourney. I hope you don’t mind”, followed up with generated pictures of me wearing a flirty steampunk costume. I did in fact mind. I felt violated. Wouldn’t you? I bet Taylor Swift did when deepfakes of her […] … learn more→