This March has been filled with periods for reflection and celebration, from entering the holy month of Ramadan and celebrating the women in our lives for International Women’s Day, to dusting off our favourite novels in honour of World Book Day! Regardless of what you may be celebrating, our Top Picks series has something for everyone to enjoy and reflect on. Enjoy the start of Spring with a selection of the latest research on a variety of topics, all published directly on our Open Access platform.
1. Can Augmented Reality Expedite your Child’s Learning?
Motor skills are at the core of so many of life’s simplest tasks, whether using a fork and knife at the dinner table or cutting out paper shapes. Older generations may recall learning these skills in their early years with their favourite teachers in a kindergarten classroom. However, today’s youth may be heading towards a very different path, thanks to augmented reality. Developmental psychologists, educational and technology experts come together in this article to find out whether incorporating the latest in technological advancements could change the way we teach our children for the better.
Find out whether technology could help speed up motor skill development for future generations here.
2. Can Researchers Solve the Mystery Behind Endometriosis?
Even though endometriosis is one of the leading reproductive diseases amongst women across the world, it continues to go widely undiagnosed. Some attribute this to a lack of funding and limited focus given to women’s health across the medical field. However, some researchers are working tirelessly to expose this hidden disease and help millions of women lead healthier lives.
Read more about the different diagnostic options available for women with suspected endometriosis here.
3. Can Homeopathic Medicine Cure Diabetic Symptoms?
Diabetes is a debilitating disease that affects the lives of approximately 537 million adults worldwide. It comes with a variety of taxing symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, exponential weight gain, and in some cases, blindness. Doctors across the world have come together to try and find solutions to the preventable blindness but have struggled to find a permanent one. However, some researchers have begun to explore the different ways that modern and traditional medicine could merge to create a new cure. One study looks at the healing properties of a particular herb, which has been used for centuries in South Asian homeopathic medicine to treat infections and diseases and has been said to have a particularly unique anti-inflammatory property.
Learn more about how the Andrographis Paniculate, a sacred herb in South Asian medicine, could potentially cure diabetic retinopathy here.
4. Maternity Fashion Trends: Empowering Garments or Environmentally Harmful?
Becoming a new mother comes with a lot of preparation like baby-proofing homes, finding the best cradles the baby, and emotionally and mentally preparing for the lifelong journey you’re about to embark on. Many sacrifices are made on this journey, and many mothers may look to the little things to keep them going, like feeling beautiful in their newest dress or trendy jeans from their favourite maternity store. However, while fashion brands work to build the confidence of expectant mothers by developing more inclusive designs and trends, scholars within the sustainability space are raising alarm bells over the environmental effects that this seemingly progressive market may have on our planet, as these dresses and jeans with short lifespans quickly end up in landfills and oceans.
Uncover the unintended consequences of inclusive maternity trends on the climate here.
5. Can Hypnotising Students Help Improve Learning Outcomes?
When we’re asked to conjure up ideas of hypnosis, images of children’s magic shows hosted by Houdini look-alikes and ticking clocks may appear in our minds, leaving us entertained but skeptical. While many may struggle to believe that hypnosis could be real, psychologists have been vigorously studying the phenomenon for over a century. While hypnotherapy has begun to be accepted as a course of treatment for issues like irrational phobias and childhood traumas, developmental psychologists have started to explore its potential role as a teaching aid. Hypnoteaching, a relatively new practice, claims to improve students’ abilities to learn new languages.
Explore the potential power of hypnoteaching when learning new languages here.
More from the KnE Blog
