A new study from Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management sheds light on the significant burdens faced by informal caregivers of individuals with mental health disorders. Published in Health Psychology Open , the research reveals that many caregivers experience an exceptionally low quality of life, with considerable impacts on their mental, physical, and financial well-being.

In a recent study at the University of Twente, researchers discovered a way to scatter light in a special, symmetrical way using nanotechnology.

When water freezes slowly, the location where water turns into ice - known as the freezing front - forms a straight line. Researchers from the University of Twente showed how droplets that interact with such a freezing front, cause surprising deformations of this front. These new insights were published in a publication in the scientific journal Physical Review Letters and show potential for applications in cryopreservation and food engineering techniques.

Laughter, a universal human expression, takes many forms - whether it's a chuckle, a giggle, or a full-blown guffaw. But not all laughter is created equal. New research led by social psychologist Roza Kamiloglu at VU Amsterdam reveals that laughter induced by tickling stands apart from other forms of laughter, both acoustically and perceptually.

In a new study, a team of researchers, including Anneliene Jonker, has published the first roadmap for developing genetic therapies for ultra-rare diseases. These conditions affect only one person worldwide and stem from unique genetic mutations. This breakthrough provides hope to millions worldwide who suffer from extremely rare genetic disorders for which no targeted treatments were previously available.

In mountainous areas, earthquakes can sometimes be amplified by the shape of the landscape. Research by the University of Twente shows that further from the epicentre, the shape of the terrain's topography increases the risk of landslides. Closer to the epicentre, it is mainly the strength of the earthquake itself.

The human mouth holds a wealth of information about overall health. From body temperature to head and jaw movements during sleep, this data can be essential for understanding health conditions and dental issues.

Professor Marc Verboord of the Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication, together with colleagues from the international research project INVENT, shows that there is a positive effect of participation in cultural activities and conversations on how people feel in daily life.

By comparing data from three experiments in the UK and the Netherlands, PhD researcher Yi Sheng and her co-authors found that when ethnic issues are more salient - often triggered by major social events - majority group tends to act more kindly toward individuals from minority groups.