A recent study surveyed over 1,200 Jewish-Israeli university students during the Israel-Gaza war, finding that half reported changes in their religiosity and/or spirituality. The research reveals a striking picture of how war can both strengthen and weaken religious and spiritual beliefs.
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is now assigning a dedicated diagnostic code to Gulf War illness, recognizing the condition's chronic nature and physical symptoms. This development aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, and research for veterans affected by the Gulf War.
A three-year study found that smartwatches can detect early signs of PTSD among Israelis who watched extensive media coverage of the Oct 7 attacks. Participants who developed PTSD showed sharper increases in stress levels and declines in mood, physical activity, and sleep quality.
The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of EAET on nearly 700 war veterans across seven US Department of Veterans Affairs centers. Previous research by Dr. Brandon Yarns found that EAET provided significant pain relief compared to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy among older adults.
A new study by a team of researchers critically examines accusations that Israel committed crimes against humanity during the 2023-2025 Israel-Gaza War. The study highlights systemic failures in major international information bodies and calls for higher evidentiary standards in conflict reporting.
A study by the University of Helsinki found that nearly 80% of Ukrainian refugees with war injuries carried multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, non-hospitalized refugees showed no significant increase in MDR bacteria carriage rates. The Finnish healthcare system is taking precautions to tackle this challenge.
Victims of enforced disappearances experience prolonged uncertainty and ambiguous loss, leading to chronic depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Mental health professionals lack clear guidance on treating these cases, highlighting a need for evidence-based treatments and policy changes.
The deliberate destruction of health services and systems is now termed 'healthocide,' with medical practitioners called to action. The authors highlight the need for critical reflection and decisive action to address this growing concern, emphasizing the importance of medical neutrality and international humanitarian law.
A nationwide study in Ukraine found substantial lifetime exposure to hepatitis B and C viruses, with significant ongoing circulation among the population. The study emphasizes the need for hepatitis B vaccination among infants and risk groups, as well as regular screening, treatment, and awareness-raising efforts.
A digital mental health intervention reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in displaced Ukrainian children and adolescents. The study found that a small, low-cost intervention delivered through mobile devices significantly improved mental health outcomes.
A new study reveals that Israel's 2005 Gaza Disengagement Plan was a product of coordination between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and international stakeholders. The plan, which was presented as unilateral, actually involved extensive negotiations behind the scenes.
A new study by the University of Toronto finds Afghans' life satisfaction and hope at an all-time, global low. The research highlights profound distress and despair within the country due to structural factors like war and political unrest.
A study by Incheon National University researchers reveals how audience costs impact US allies' foreign policy decisions, with prevailing pro-US sentiment enhancing credibility of alignment commitments. The study found that citizens who lean towards China tolerate or even reward alignment reversals.
A study of 580 Palestinian adults found that individuals who experienced traumatic events were more likely to develop eating disorders. Sociodemographic factors such as gender, age, and education level also played a significant role in the development of eating disorders among Palestinians.
A tree-ring study published in Climatic Change suggests that severe summer droughts in 364, 365 and 366 CE led to the 'Barbarian Conspiracy' of 367 CE. The researchers argue that these droughts triggered food shortages and reduced grain supply to Hadrian's Wall, providing a motive for the rebellion.
A new study finds that more than half of all pediatric cancer deaths occur in regions of armed conflict, with a significant impact on diagnosis and treatment. Conflict disrupts healthcare systems, leading to delays and increased mortality risk.
A study of over 14,600 Norwegian veterans found that taking a life in combat had no subsequent impact on their mental well-being. In contrast, veterans who served in Lebanon experienced increased mental health problems and reduced quality of life after killing someone in combat.
A new study reveals high levels of peritraumatic distress (41%) and anxiety (19%) among adults in Israel five days after the Iranian drone and missile attack. The study highlights the need for early identification and timely therapeutic intervention to mitigate long-term psychological harm.
A new study by the University of Exeter highlights how the Syrian regime systematically employed internal displacement as a military-political strategy to depopulate key areas and create new realities. This tactic has lasting post-war consequences, embedding displacement beyond immediate conflict and requiring policymakers to engage wi...
Research from Binghamton University finds that terrorist groups deliberately target vulnerable targets during crises to strike a balance between achieving objectives and preserving their reputation. Financial crises provide the best opportunity for attacks, while humanitarian crises tend to deter violence due to shared human suffering.
A new analysis of 105-year-old data found that while dazzle camouflage had some effect, the 'horizon effect' had a much greater influence on confusing enemy ships. The study, led by Aston University researchers, showed that when people looked at a ship in the distance, they significantly underestimated its direction of travel.
A new analysis reveals that no country is on track to meet all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals by the target year of 2030. Machine-learning tools were applied to over 20 years' worth of data from 231 indicators and GDP data, highlighting complex linkages between goals.
SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 12, 2025
A new study in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research found that food deliveries to Gaza between January and July 2024 exceeded international caloric and nutritional standards, except for dietary iron. Despite meeting energy and protein needs, distribution challenges prevented equitable access to food.
A national survey of 800 managers found that many experience indifference, hostility, and discrimination towards part-time soldiers on their payroll. Despite public declarations of support, employers often deny Defence leave requests, largely due to misconceptions about the relevance of military skills in the civilian workplace.
Life expectancy in the Gaza Strip has dropped from 75.5 years to 40.5 years between October 2023 and September 2024, a decline of -46.3%.
A 2022 survey of Palestinians and Israelis identified 55 mutually preferable peace agreements to the status quo, highlighting areas of potential agreement. Women and older respondents showed a greater willingness to compromise than men and younger respondents, emphasizing the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
A new study reveals that armed conflict significantly reduces girls' years of schooling by adolescence, with effects even at low-intensity conflict levels. Exposure to nearby conflict is linked to reduced female education, with bigger impacts at closer distances and ages 6 and 11.
A study published in PLOS Mental Health found that one-fourth of older US military veterans have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. The condition carries significant physical and mental health burdens, warranting further research and attention.
A new study finds that media coverage of civilian casualties increases public support for U.S. involvement in conflicts when the victims are from allied countries, evoking empathy and a sense of democratic justification. However, this effect is absent when civilians from non-allied nations are affected.
A study reveals that the Russia-Ukraine war has a disproportionate impact on distant countries, leading to higher costs and fewer options for securing food supplies. Researchers used satellite images and metacoupling framework to analyze the connections between regional conflicts and global food accessibility.
A new survey by Tel-Aviv University's Moshe Dayan Center reveals that 57.8% of Arab Israelis believe the ongoing war has fostered a sense of shared destiny between Arabs and Jews in Israel. This is a statistically significant shift from previous surveys, indicating a positive trend towards coexistence.
A new report warns that the recent conflict in Lebanon has deepened a national education crisis, with children losing up to 60% of school time over the past six years. The study found that refugee children and students with disabilities face the greatest risk of missing out further due to uneven effects of violence.
A study found that ChatGPT provides higher fatality numbers when asked in Arabic compared to questions in Hebrew, highlighting the impact of user language on information dissemination. The researchers believe this has profound social implications, as it can shape perceptions of conflict and fuel biases.
A scoping review reveals that forcibly displaced children and young people experience high rates of mental health issues, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to support their mental well-being.
The World Health Organization calls for a unified response to protect healthcare in conflict settings. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasizes that two-thirds of those dying are women and children, highlighting the need for an end to the war and negotiations between parties.
The Qatar Foundation's WISH 2024 Summit focused on global health challenges in times of conflict, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to ensure equitable access to healthcare. Key discussions centered around protecting healthcare personnel and infrastructure during armed conflicts and addressing antimicrobial resistance.
The researchers found that while there are more crisis events, they tend to occur in clusters rather than being evenly spread out over time. Crisis rhetoric is used much more frequently than before, but not all of it leads to noticeable news waves.
The book uses a 'history from below' approach to center the voices of petitioners, revealing how they framed their demands using language like justice, rights, and equity. Through over 4,000 petitions, Dr. Bright Alozie shows the significance of this genre in shaping colonial society and influencing decision-making.
Beauty can help us appraise our lives and build better ones, while its presence or absence critiques social and political structures. The concept of beauty is invoked across different situations, including wartime, refugees, and everyday occurrences of grief.
A pilot randomized controlled trial found that telephone-delivered therapy reduced mental health symptoms and improved treatment completion rates among refugee children. The adapted programme, called t-CETA, was delivered by local trained lay counsellors and showed significant benefits compared to in-person treatment.
A new study reveals that Britain's earliest brass bands were founded by military musicians in the 1810s, contradicting the long-held assumption that they emerged with industrial communities. The research, published in The Historical Journal, shows that regimental bands first experimented with all-brass formats after the Napoleonic Wars.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has released comprehensive guidelines for protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding in emergency situations. The recommendations aim to safeguard the health and well-being of infants in disasters and conflicts by ensuring safe nutrition and immune protection.
Research from the University of Notre Dame found that companies that withdrew from Russian operations saw a notable increase in net brand buzz and enhanced brand consideration and purchase intent, especially those with robust ESG profiles. This suggests that socially responsible actions during geopolitical crises can magnify benefits f...
A recent survey found that Norwegian Afghanistan veterans are struggling with mental health issues, including PTSD and problematic anger. Anger problems among veterans have received little attention internationally, but the study highlights the need for a holistic approach to treating these issues.
The World Innovation Summit for Health will explore the need for innovation in healthcare to support vulnerable populations and build resilience. The summit aims to humanize health by addressing pressing global health challenges through evidence-based solutions.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine led to increased support for democracy, income redistribution, and the European Union among Europeans. Attitudes towards authoritarianism and anti-immigration views decreased as a result.
A new study by the Complexity Science Hub estimates that the ongoing war in Ukraine could lead to up to 180,000 additional cases of type 2 diabetes worldwide due to supply chain disruptions and food shortages. Malnutrition during early pregnancy is also linked to increased risk of developing diabetes later in life.
A new study published in Acta Paediatrica reports on the physical and psychological state of 19 children and 7 women who were released from Hamas captivity. The returnees suffered from various health complications, including gastrointestinal pathogens and infectious diseases, as well as trauma and poor hygiene-related issues.
Researchers estimate that one in every 67 Palestinians will lose an offspring to conflict, while Ukraine and Afghanistan will experience high levels of orphaned children due to prolonged conflicts. Projections suggest bereavement will remain even after all armed conflicts end.
A new study at Tel Aviv University found that geckos experience a sharp increase in metabolic rates when exposed to rocket explosions, leading to energy depletion. The researchers hypothesize that this stress response may apply to many other animals in conflict zones.
Researchers have successfully synchronized a 220-year-old map of Southern Germany from the Napoleonic era with modern databases, allowing for tracking of historical and environmental changes. The map was produced in haste during the wars, resulting in errors that were corrected through geospatial analysis.
Research by Associate Professor Shannon Bosch challenges Russia's classification of foreign fighters as mercenaries, arguing that international law and Ukrainian domestic legislation protect their rights. The study highlights the need for full combatant immunity and prisoner of war status for these foreign fighters.
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has released a position paper recommending rules for partnerships with member organizations and scientists operating in conflict zones. A survey of IOF member societies found strong consensus towards maintaining a neutral stance, supporting scientific collaboration and research.
A study by Technical University of Munich found that Russian social media campaigns had a limited impact on the European public, with most people believing the disinformation being spread. The decisive factor in efficacy was whether a person is fundamentally receptive to conspiracy narratives.
The study expands the Correlates of War Project's Militarized Interstate Dispute Data, adding new data spanning 2014-2024 and launching MID Live, an early detection mechanism for interstate hostilities. This helps inform security policies and strategies by analyzing evolving patterns of conflict and competition between states.
A new study by Uppsala University researchers reveals that women are disproportionately affected by post-war peace processes, experiencing re-traumatization and stigma. The findings emphasize the importance of including women's perspectives in the design of peace agreements to ensure more sustainable outcomes.
Archaeologists excavated Building G at Tossal de Baltarga, revealing a way of life derailed by violence. The site's destruction was linked to the Second Punic War, with organic remains preserved, including an iron pickaxe and gold earring.
The study highlights the significant decline in hospital services, including emergency medical care, laboratory testing, and cancer screening, as well as supply-chain disruptions and staff shortages. The research also reveals a negative impact on maternal and newborn health, as well as reduced access to vaccines.
A new Dartmouth study has found that prolonged contact between locals and migrants in Afghanistan did not reduce prejudice against migrants. The researchers tested psychologist Gordon Allport's 'contact theory' through a vocational training program, but found that structural changes are needed to address the issue.
A recent study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that individuals remaining in Ukraine during the ongoing war are more likely to experience anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than refugees. Exposure to blasts and loss of community, housing, and economic resources contribute to these mental health issues.