As we enter the colder months and begin to reflect on the year that’s passed, let’s take a moment to explore the latest innovative research published on our Open Access platform by researchers looking to shape the world in a more inclusive and socially conscious way.
Infertility is tough—it impacts both your body and mind. One of the hardest things to deal with is the stigma that comes with it, especially for women. This study explored how emotional intelligence and stigma affect the quality of life in women facing infertility. The researchers surveyed 349 women from infertility centres in Iran and found that emotional intelligence plays a key role in how women cope with stigma. They also found that women with better emotional intelligence had a slightly better quality of life, particularly in social well-being and general health. The takeaway? Women struggling with infertility often face challenges that affect their mental health and overall quality of life, but improving emotional intelligence could help.
Find out what techniques researchers recommend for women to improve their emotional intelligence and their fertility here.
2. Can the SDGs Be Used as a Tool for Control?
The SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) have been a powerful framework for addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, and education. However, some critics argue that they are deeply rooted in a post-Cold War, Western-led agenda. The SDGs, alongside earlier initiatives like the Millennium Development Goals, were designed during a time when global power was dominated by the U.S. and Western nations. This has raised concerns that the SDGs might reflect a “one-size-fits-all” approach that doesn’t fully consider the diverse needs and voices of marginalised communities, especially in the Global South. On the other hand, supporters argue that the SDGs provide a universal language for tackling critical issues like climate change and education, helping nations work together. The key challenge is making sure these goals are adaptable and inclusive.
This article argues that a new balance needs to be struck to find solutions to global problems using global voices.
If you’ve never wondered how climate change could affect your health, you may be surprised to discover the connection between global warming and cancer. Recent studies have begun to question how rising temperatures and increased pollution could be making us more vulnerable to certain types of cancer. An increasing focus has begun to centre the role of genetics on our chances of risk as our immune systems might react to environmental toxins differently depending on our genetic makeup. So, some people might be more at risk than others. This article discusses how scientists are trying to piece all of this together, and how personalised health strategies could become part of the solution.
Read more about how the environment, our genes, and cancer could all be linked in ways we might not have realised here.
4. Can AI save lives?
4. Can AI save lives?
Traditionally, diagnosing brain tumors is a slow and complex process, relying heavily on expert radiologists to analyse images. But researchers have developed a deep learning model that can do this job more quickly and with remarkable precision. The new AI model achieved an astounding 99.6% accuracy in detecting tumors—something that could make a huge difference in a patient’s journey to diagnosis and treatment. With this technology, doctors can make quicker, more reliable decisions, potentially saving lives and reducing anxiety in the process.
If you’re interested in how technology is helping improve healthcare in such meaningful ways, this article offers a hopeful glimpse into the future of medical diagnostics.
5. How Can We Work to Build a More Accessible and Inclusive World?
Wheelchairs are more than just a tool—they’re a way for people with mobility challenges to experience and interact with the world. While a wheelchair is often seen as a substitute for walking, it’s also a unique way of “moving through life” that shapes both the person’s experience and the environment around them. This article explores how wheelchair technology, like advanced motors and batteries, can open new possibilities for users, allowing them to engage more with their surroundings and expand their social interactions. It also asks an important question: how can wheelchair design be improved to better support these experiences? Through in-depth interviews and observations, the research delves into the real-world experiences of wheelchair users to understand their needs.
Discover innovations in the field of accessible technologies here.
More from the KnE Blog
KnE Open Top Picks for October 2024
Our monthly KnE Open research articles can keep you company when you need a break from work or studying. This month’s selection covers a wide range of topics, including how artificial intelligence could transform eye care, if global warming is affecting cancer rates, why prediabetes is becoming a growing concern in Dubai and whether emotional intelligence and self esteem can affect academic success.
