Editor's note

The migration of thousands of unaccompanied minors from Eritrea has risen so rapidly over the past nine years that it’s become the subject of international concern. The popular depiction is that these young people are passive victims of family decisions. But Milena Belloni’s new research shows that this is far from the truth. Young Eritreans, seeing migration as the main route out of generational and socio-economic immobility, often make the decision to escape without their parents’ knowledge.

It’s been nearly a year since Ebola's outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and despite concerted efforts the epidemic still hasn’t been brought under control. One aspect that needs to be built into interventions is the distinct role played by women. Julia Smith explains.

As countries in the southern hemisphere struggle with flu-season in their winter months, Sibongile Walaza and Cheryl Cohen break down some of the biggest myths and misconceptions about flu.

Julius Maina

Regional Editor East Africa

Top Story

An Eritrean migrant leaves a detention facility near Nitzana in the Negev Desert in Israel, near border with Egypt. EPA-EFE/Jim Hollander

I asked young Eritreans why they risk migration. This is what they told me

Milena Belloni, University of Trento

The flow of unaccompanied minors from Eritrea has become the subject of international concern.

Health + Medicine

Gender matters in responding to major disease outbreaks like Ebola

Julia Smith, Simon Fraser University

A review of research on both the Ebola and Zika outbreaks, found less than 1% of published research discussed gender issues.

There are lots of myths about flu: we debunk six of them

Sibongile Walaza, University of the Witwatersrand; Cheryl Cohen, National Institute for Communicable Diseases

When it comes to flu, information can range from confusion about what it actually is, to speculation about how it's transmitted.

Politics + Society

From our international editions

Twitter is right to have special rules for Donald Trump – it’s recognising that not all tweets are equal

Fabienne Peter, University of Warwick

We can justify different standards for different Twitter users by turning to the philosophical ideas about public debate.

What is at stake in the Strait of Hormuz?

Rockford Weitz, Tufts University

A fifth of the world's oil travels through the narrow waterway.

It’s Sarabi’s pride, Mufasa just lives there: a biologist on The Lion King

Alexander Richard Braczkowski, The University of Queensland

Lions don't generally have armies of hyenas, but not every aspect of The Lion King is inaccurate.

Micro-naps for plants: Flicking the lights on and off can save energy without hurting indoor agriculture harvests

Kevin M. Folta, University of Florida

Indoor plant factories have high energy costs since LEDs replace the sunlight outdoor plants get for free. Scientists found a way to dial back how much light is needed by breaking it into tiny bursts.

 
 
 
 

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