This study, students' perceptions of the image of a scientist in the enhancement of achievement in senior school Biology, was carried out using survey research design in Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. Four research questions and three null hypotheses were posted. The population of the study was 12,315 Senior School Three Biology students. The sample of the study was 2,400 Senior School Three Biology Students. A purposive sampling technique was used to obtain the sample of the study. Two validated and reliable instruments, Perception of the Image of a Scientist Task and Students' School Promotion Examination Results Sheet, were used to collect data for this study. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, frequency and z-test. The results were that more Senior School Three Biology Students perceived that a scientist is a male than those who perceived a scientist as a female. The female students who perceived that a scientist is a male were more than their female counterparts who perceived that scientist is a female. The researcher recommended, among others, that more female students should be encouraged to study science, including Biology and related courses to disabuse the perception that more males than females are scientists; science teachers should teach the students history and contributions of scientists to concepts in science and development of the society.

This study, students’ perceptions of the image of a scientist in enhancement of learning attitude in Biology, employed survey research design. Four research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study was 12,315 Senior School 3 Biology students. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 2,400 for the study. Two validated and reliable instruments, Perception of the Image of a Scientist Task, and Students' School Promotion Examination Results Sheet, were used to collect data for this study. Mean, standard deviation, frequency and z-test were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that academic achievement of the Senior School Biology Students whose perception is that a scientist is a white skin coloured is higher than the mean academic achievement of the Senior School Biology Students who perceived that a scientist is dark skin coloured. The researchers recommended, among others, that more female scientists should be referenced in the science textbooks in order to bridge the dichtonomy that has been created over the years. Students should be exposed to the historical concept of science and the brain behind it so as to understand the nature of science and enhance academic achievement.

Kerala, long regarded as a model of human development in the Global South, now confronts an intensifying triple challenge in the 21st century: climate change, food insecurity and livelihood vulnerability. Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons and an increased frequency of extreme weather events have fundamentally altered the state’s ecological and socio-economic landscape. These climatic shifts are no longer distant projections but lived realities that directly undermine agricultural productivity, disrupt marine ecosystems and destabilise rural incomes, thereby threatening the very foundations of food security and sustainable livelihoods. Agriculture, which remains predominantly rain-fed and dominated by smallholders, is very sensitive to climate variability. Paddy cultivation, once central to Kerala’s agrarian economy and food system, has witnessed a dramatic contraction in area. Today, Kerala heavily dependent on inter-state imports for rice and are vulnerable to supply shocks. The fisheries sector, faces parallel pressures from climate change. Livelihood vulnerability is compounded by the climate change impacts affects particularly for women and landless labourers. In response, Kerala has initiated a suite of policy measures, including the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC), the Kerala Climate-Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation (KERA) project and the Kerala State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (K-SBSAP) 2025–2035. The 2026–27 budget allocates ₹2,071.95 crore to agriculture and allied sectors, with dedicated funding for climate-resilient agriculture, paddy revival missions and fisheries transformation. Thus, securing Kerala’s future demands an integrated, cross-sectoral approach that strengthens local food systems, diversifies and protects livelihoods, embeds equity and health in adaptation planning and scales up climate finance and innovation. The paper aims to examine the interlinkages among climate change, food security and livelihoods in Kerala. The choices made in this decade will determine whether Kerala navigates the 21st century through deepening vulnerability or emerges as a model of climate-resilient, inclusive and sustainable development for tropical regions worldwide.

Infertility affects a significant proportion of reproductive-age couples worldwide, with multifactorial etiologies including hormonal imbalance, structural abnormalities, endometriosis, and psychosocial stress. Despite advancements in assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), repeated implantation failure remains a major clinical concern, often associated with both physiological and psychological determinants. This case report describes a 31-year-old female with primary infertility and underlying endometriosis who experienced two unsuccessful IVF cycles. Prior to a subsequent IVF attempt, corrective hysteroscopic intervention for cervical factors was performed. In addition, Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV), a non-touch, biofield-based complementary therapy, was introduced alongside conventional treatment. The YPV intervention included structured energy-based protocols aimed at emotional regulation, stress reduction, and targeted energizing of reproductive-related energy centers. During this cycle, the patient demonstrated improved psychological stability and reduced perceived stress. The third IVF cycle resulted in successful conception. The observed temporal association suggests that YPV may have a supportive role in modulating psychophysiological parameters relevant to implantation success

Background: Burnout is a significant occupational phenomenon, particularly prevalent among healthcare professionals due to the demanding and emotionally taxing nature of their work. The World Health Organization (2019) officially recognized burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of personal accomplishment (Maslach & Jackson, 1981). In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, studies have indicated alarmingly high levels of burnout among nurses across various clinical settings. A study by Alenezi et al., (2019) found that approximately 62% of nurses in Saudi hospitals experience moderate to high levels of burnout. This issue is particularly concerning in pediatric and maternity settings, where emotional demands are intensified by the vulnerability of the patient population and the expectations of families. Several factors have been identified as contributing to nurse burnout in these settings, including long working hours, staff shortages, high patient loads, shift work, and inadequate managerial or emotional support (Al-Turki et al., 2010; Chemali et al., 2019). These pressures are often exacerbated during the winter season, which is associated with higher pediatric admission rates due to seasonal illnesses, resulting in increased stress and workload for nurses (Almutairi et al., 2021). Objective: This study aims to assess the prevalence of burnout among pediatric nurses working in Maternity and Children Hospital in Dammam during the winter season. It also seeks to identify the main risk factors contributing to burnout and to explore the coping strategies used by nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire based on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). Which defined as a free and validated tool developed to measure burnout in different domains of life particularly among healthcare workers (Kristensen et al., 2005). The CBI consists of three sub-scales: personal burnout, work-related burnout, and patient-related burnout. The survey was distributed to approximately 80 pediatric nurses working in the Pediatric Emergency Room (PER) and Pediatric Medical Ward at a Maternity and Children Hospital. The sample size was calculated using Slovin’s formula to ensure adequate representation. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to assess burnout levels and identify associated risk factors. Results: The findings indicated high levels of burnout among pediatric nurses across all three CBI domains. The highest scores were observed in the work-related and patientrelated burnout sub-scales, reflecting the demanding nature of pediatric care. The most prominent contributing factors were excessive workload and insufficient managerial support. Nurses reported several coping mechanisms, including peer support, relaxation and mindfulness techniques, and the expressed need for more qualified pediatric staff to distribute the workload more evenly. Conclusion: Burnout among pediatric nurses in this hospital is alarmingly high, particularly during the winter season. Addressing key risk factors and enhancing coping strategies is essential to improving nurse well-being and ensuring high-quality patient care.

Background: Neonatal morbidity and mortality remain critical public health challenges in low- and middle-income countries. Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) play an essential role in improving neonatal survival. Understanding admission patterns and clinical outcomes is vital for clinical auditing, resource allocation, and optimizing perinatal care protocols. Objective: To evaluate the patterns, clinical indications, maternal-neonatal determinants, and outcomes of neonates admitted to the NICU at Omdurman Maternity Hospital, Sudan. Methods: A hospital-based descriptive analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between October 20 and December 20, 2025. A consecutive sample of 50 neonates admitted to the NICU was enrolled. Maternal, neonatal, clinical, and therapeutic data were extracted retrospectively from medical records using a structured data collection instrument. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.0, applying descriptive metrics and Chi-square / Fisher's exact tests to examine associations between delivery mode and clinical outcomes. Results: Most mothers were aged 25–30 years (46.0%), with 86.0% attending antenatal care. Emergency cesarean section was the primary mode of delivery (52.0%). Preterm neonates (<37 weeks) accounted for 60.0% of admissions, and low birth weight (<2500 g) constituted 84.0% (LBW: 44.0%, VLBW: 32.0%, ELBW: 8.0%). Neonatal resuscitation at birth was required in 72.0% of cases. The predominant indication for admission was respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (74.0%), followed by suspected neonatal sepsis (18.0%). During hospitalization, acquired sepsis occurred in 28.0%, and 50.0% had a hospital stay exceeding 7 days. Overall in-hospital mortality was 2.0% (n=1), with 56.0% discharged either fully recovered or clinically improved. Mode of delivery was significantly associated with hospital-acquired sepsis (p = 0.002), but not with length of stay (p = 0.233) or final disposition (p = 0.367). Conclusion: Prematurity, low birth weight, and RDS represent the primary burden of NICU admissions in this setting. Enhancing intrapartum monitoring, universal access to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and rigorous infection prevention programs are crucial to improving neonatal outcomes in resource-limited tertiary centers.

Background: While parental presence during pediatric dental procedures has been extensively debated, the influence of sibling presence remains largely unexplored. Siblings may provide comfort and assurance to the child through familiarity and modelling, but they can also act as a source of distraction or disrupt clinical setting. This study will help to understand the pediatric dentist’s perspectives on this underexplored aspect which can help develop balanced approaches for managing family involvement in the operatory. Aim: To assess the self-reported attitudes, experiences and clinical observations of pediatric dentists regarding parental and sibling presence in the dental operatory during pediatric dental procedures, using an online questionnaire-based survey. Methodology: The study was conducted as a cross sectional, questionnaire-based survey among 200 licensed pediatric dentists and pediatric dentistry postgraduate residents in Kerala. Participants were invited to complete a structured, self-administered online questionnaire designed to assess their attitudes towards parental and sibling presence during pediatric dental procedures. Responses were collected anonymously and analyzed using descriptive statistics to summarize trends, while inferential statistics will be applied to evaluate associations between demographic/ professional characteristics and attitudes. Results: Among 200 pediatric dental practitioners, parental presence was commonly permitted and largely perceived to enhance child cooperation and communication, particularly during invasive and behavioral management procedures. Sibling presence was more selectively allowed, considered most beneficial for preschool-aged children and during non-invasive care. While many dentists reported occasional negative impacts of family presence, favorable perceptions significantly influenced clinical practice (p < 0.001). Practice setting, but not years of experience, was associated with allowing sibling presence.