Recharge overview
‘Storming the Capitol is the finale of an unworthy presidency’
Trump has turned out to be a president with a blatant disregard for the separation of powers and the US constitution. According to Peter van der Heiden , political scientist and lecturer in American politics at Radboud University. 'If Trump says he won, then he won. And this means the newly elected president is illegal – and the rule of law may, no, must be restored by the mob.'
Resistance to climate change protesters explained
Does this sound familiar? At a party, the topic of climate change inevitably comes up for discussion. You mention that you do your part by not eating meat, rarely flying or by riding your bike to work regardless of the weather. Friends or relatives usually pat you on the back, but you sometimes get a harsh reply thrown back at you. Why does your comment elicit such sarcastic reactions and how can you deal with such an uncomfortable situation? While attending the Green Economy Inspiration Session – organised by the Environment Department of the Flemish Government, The Shift, Bond Beter Leefmilieu, Oikos and the Centre for Sustainable Development of Ghent University – we asked Roos Vonk, professor of social psychology at Radboud University in Nijmegen, to consider this issue.
The brain in black and white squares
Chess is considered the intellectuals’ game par excellence. It requires logic and strategy. What does the brain have to do with the moves your pawns make on the chessboard?
Hydrogel controls cell growth outside the body
The synthetic ‘PIC’ hydrogel discovered in Nijmegen proves highly suitable as in vitro culture platform for (human) cells, as is demonstrated by Radboud researchers in a number of recent publications. The gel is a valuable tool for research into the development of diseases as well as potential treatments, including stem cell therapies for personalised medicine.
Nature: A sight for sore minds
We know that time spent in nature benefits our physical health. But what can the great outdoors do for our minds?
The split between Church and University
Since 16 November 2020 Radboud University can no longer call itself ‘Catholic’. After 97 years the Bishops’ Conference of the Netherlands rescinded the Catholic designation of Radboud University and Radboudumc. The reason is a long-drawn-out conflict about the Catholicism of members of the SKU (Stichting Katholieke Universiteit) Board. How could things get so far? A reconstruction.
A better environment does start with you
One increasingly hears that the climate crisis can only be solved by governments. This position is unjustified, says Marc Davidson.
‘A policy blunder now can ruin our chance to achieve a climate-neutral world’
To reduce CO2 emissions, we need to use other energy sources. Natural gas is often presented as an asset for making the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. However, methodologists at Radboud University have shown that the advantages and disadvantages of natural gas are insufficiently highlighted by the static cost-benefit considerations that dominate the current discussion.
A better environment starts with... the situation
Sustainability choices depend to a large extent on the situation in which you make them and where you are in the world, says environmental scientist Mark Huijbregts. By looking at the environmental impact of technology and human behaviour in their context, we can determine which environmental sustainability policies are most beneficial to the environment.
Bacterium appears to be efficient air purifier in acidic environment
Microbiologists at Radboud University have discovered a new bacterial strain that feeds on ammonia and urea in an extremely acidic environment. That bacteria would be capable of this at a very low pH level had previously been considered impossible. The organism, which was discovered in an air filter of a pig farm, appears to be an unusual and distant relative of the known ammonia oxidizers that are normally found in the oceans.
Spiritual awakening may cause feelings of superiority
From mindfulness to new age, there are a large number of training courses that offer so-called spiritual enlightenment. One of the lesser known drawbacks is a phenomenon known as spiritual narcissism, where people seem to feel superior to others when they have finished doing a spiritual training course. Social psychologists Roos Vonk and Anouk Visser investigated this phenomenon for the first time in empirical research and looked at students of mindfulness and energy training.
‘With Maastricht we form a stronger counterpoint to the Randstad’
Radboud University and Maastricht University plan to collaborate more intensively. A shared master’s programme in biotechnology will be established in Venlo, and the Radboud Teachers Academy will offer its services in Maastricht, reports rector Han van Krieken.
Why reading literature is so good for you
Young people in the Netherlands perform less well at reading more complex texts than their peers in other countries. What’s more, they enjoy it less. Literature teaching therefore seems more important than ever. But does teaching practice actually tie in with students’ ideas about reading? Dutch language and literature specialist Jeroen Dera (Radboud University) wants to find out.
Did the dog bite the man or was the dog bitten by the man?
People sometimes fail to notice that the second sentence actually means the opposite of the first: our comprehension abilities may not be as good as one assumes they are. Research has shown that implausible sentences with more complex structures are sometimes misunderstood in favour of the more plausible option.
The terrifying function of the eyes
A recent study showed that painting eyes on the buttocks of cattle can save them from predators. Why is this the case, and what’s special about the eyes in communication anyway?
Larger fish suffer respiratory distress in warming water
Large fish develop respiratory distress more quickly in warm water than smaller species, according to a new study involving researchers at Radboud University in collaboration with international researchers from McGill University (Canada) and the University of Montana (USA). This means that ocean warming triggered by climate change will have an impact on the respiratory physiology of larger fish, which may eventually affect physiological performance, survival and size-structure of fish populations.
‘Structural racism will not be solved by a Sooty-faced Piet’
In the run-up to the Sinterklaas celebration, historian Coen van Galen (Radboud University) has been giving a lecture for some years now which looks at the history of Zwarte Piet and the corresponding discussion. According to historian Van Galen, the discussion has largely been settled in favour of Roetveegpiet. ‘But that doesn't solve the underlying problem: structural racism.’
It’s a red & green world
It is no coincidence that warning and informative signs are always red or green. The reason is that most humans better see red and green colors. However, for 6% of men and less than 1% of women it is more challenging to distinguish these two colors…
Mixing psychology and AI takes careful thought
It has become easier to train an algorithm than it is to reason about whether or not one should.
A Roman road on the campus of Radboud University
Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands. The ancient settlement was located on the edge of the Roman Empire. That enormous empire had a widespread road network that made travel possible. What few people know is that the Roman road between Cuijk (Ceuclum) and Nijmegen probably passed though the current campus of Radboud University. Stephan Mols tells more about this road and its history.