News & Information
Afghan Women on Social Media Resist Taliban Clothing Restrictions
Top of Mind with Julie Rose- Nov 2, 2021 8:00 pm
- 15:52
The Taliban has instituted a new dress code for women attending college in Afghanistan. Students must cover their hair, body, hands, and most of their face—and the clothes must be black. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan 20 years ago, it imposed similar rules on women, based on the group’s interpretation of Islamic law. But Afghan women the world over are resisting on social media, posting photos of themselves in brightly colored traditional Afghan dresses under the hashtags #AfghanistanCulture and #DoNotTouchMyClothes. Bahar Jalali started the campaign. She taught history and gender studies at the American University in Kabul before relocating to Loyola University in Maryland. (Segment produced by Sydney Jezik)
911 Dispatchers Say They Need More Training and Resources for Mental Health Crisis Calls
One out of every five calls that come into 911 dispatchers involves a mental health or substance use crisis. Some police departments have special crisis teams to respond in those cases. But a study just released by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that very few 911 call centers have given their staff specialized training to deal with mental health crises. Tiffany Russell directs the Pew Charitable Trust’s mental health and justice efforts.
One out of every five calls that come into 911 dispatchers involves a mental health or substance use crisis. Some police departments have special crisis teams to respond in those cases. But a study just released by the Pew Charitable Trusts found that very few 911 call centers have given their staff specialized training to deal with mental health crises. Tiffany Russell directs the Pew Charitable Trust’s mental health and justice efforts.
Changing our Perspective on Psychosomatic Illness
Every once in a while, a mysterious illness will take someone, like falling into a coma-like state. When doctors can’t find a physical cause for the illness, patients often get dismissed as faking it. But what happens when that same mysterious sickness affects a whole group of people? How do you explain that? Neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan says the medical community needs to think differently about psychosomatic illness—starting with examining the cultural and social context. (Segment produced by Keeley Gibson)
Every once in a while, a mysterious illness will take someone, like falling into a coma-like state. When doctors can’t find a physical cause for the illness, patients often get dismissed as faking it. But what happens when that same mysterious sickness affects a whole group of people? How do you explain that? Neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan says the medical community needs to think differently about psychosomatic illness—starting with examining the cultural and social context. (Segment produced by Keeley Gibson)
Afghan Women on Social Media Resist Taliban Clothing Restrictions
The Taliban has instituted a new dress code for women attending college in Afghanistan. Students must cover their hair, body, hands, and most of their face—and the clothes must be black. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan 20 years ago, it imposed similar rules on women, based on the group’s interpretation of Islamic law. But Afghan women the world over are resisting on social media, posting photos of themselves in brightly colored traditional Afghan dresses under the hashtags #AfghanistanCulture and #DoNotTouchMyClothes. Bahar Jalali started the campaign. She taught history and gender studies at the American University in Kabul before relocating to Loyola University in Maryland. (Segment produced by Sydney Jezik)
The Taliban has instituted a new dress code for women attending college in Afghanistan. Students must cover their hair, body, hands, and most of their face—and the clothes must be black. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan 20 years ago, it imposed similar rules on women, based on the group’s interpretation of Islamic law. But Afghan women the world over are resisting on social media, posting photos of themselves in brightly colored traditional Afghan dresses under the hashtags #AfghanistanCulture and #DoNotTouchMyClothes. Bahar Jalali started the campaign. She taught history and gender studies at the American University in Kabul before relocating to Loyola University in Maryland. (Segment produced by Sydney Jezik)
Newly Discovered Plant Protein Creates “Zombie Plants”
Halloween may be over, but zombies aren’t going away any time soon. There’s a parasite that’s transforming healthy plants into a zombie-like state—so they’re not maturing, not dying, and developing new, weird appearances. And it can kill large swaths of crops. Scientists are trying to figure out how to stop this zombie plague. University of Ottawa-based biologist Allyson MacLean just discovered one of the parasite proteins that cause the extended lifespan of its host. (Segment produced by Olivia Young)
Halloween may be over, but zombies aren’t going away any time soon. There’s a parasite that’s transforming healthy plants into a zombie-like state—so they’re not maturing, not dying, and developing new, weird appearances. And it can kill large swaths of crops. Scientists are trying to figure out how to stop this zombie plague. University of Ottawa-based biologist Allyson MacLean just discovered one of the parasite proteins that cause the extended lifespan of its host. (Segment produced by Olivia Young)
Movies That Make You Think About the Tech in Your Life
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube have come under fire for different reasons lately—how they prioritize profit over safety, how they protect kids on social media, how they handle users’ private information. It’s an interesting coincidence that a recent animated film is about a trustworthy robot: the BBot. Kirsten Hawkes from ParentPreviews.com discusses how the movie—“Ron’s Gone Wrong”—can help parents talk about technology and privacy with their kids.
Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube have come under fire for different reasons lately—how they prioritize profit over safety, how they protect kids on social media, how they handle users’ private information. It’s an interesting coincidence that a recent animated film is about a trustworthy robot: the BBot. Kirsten Hawkes from ParentPreviews.com discusses how the movie—“Ron’s Gone Wrong”—can help parents talk about technology and privacy with their kids.
A Better Treatment for Lyme Disease?
About half-million people in the US get Lyme disease every year from an insect bite—usually a tick. There is no cure, but if caught early, Lyme disease can be treated with a heavy dose of antibiotics. The problem is that some people develop persistent, debilitating symptoms; including pain, fatigue, and heart problems even after getting that antibiotic treatment. Why does Lyme disease sometimes become a chronic condition? And is there a better way to treat it? Microbiologist Kim Lewis at Northeastern University answers these questions. (Segment produced by James Hoopes)
About half-million people in the US get Lyme disease every year from an insect bite—usually a tick. There is no cure, but if caught early, Lyme disease can be treated with a heavy dose of antibiotics. The problem is that some people develop persistent, debilitating symptoms; including pain, fatigue, and heart problems even after getting that antibiotic treatment. Why does Lyme disease sometimes become a chronic condition? And is there a better way to treat it? Microbiologist Kim Lewis at Northeastern University answers these questions. (Segment produced by James Hoopes)