Introduction: Biomedical science courses, including anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry, are challenging for many undergraduate nursing students. This study explored academic achievement in these subjects and the impact of student educational factors on performance among nursing students in Uganda. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study of…

The academic field of exercise science has experienced exponential growth in the past four decades, including in the number of degrees awarded, available job opportunities for graduates, amount of research conducted, and external funding for research. Typically, exercise science students are young, healthy adults, with an inherent interest in…

It is widely recognised that education plays a critical role in achieving gender equality, yet refugee girls face significant challenges in accessing education globally. This study, grounded on feminist theory, explores girls' gendered barriers to education in Zimbabwe's Tongogara Refugee Camp. Through focus group discussions and face-to-face…

The use of large language models (LLMs) in education is often debated, but when used effectively, they can enhance learning. LLMs can be particularly useful for reinforcing physiology concepts, such as diagnostic reasoning in acid-base balance disorders. Traditional case-based learning is limited by the number of instructor-provided cases, whereas…

Acid-base physiology is widely recognized as one of the most conceptually challenging topics in undergraduate education due to its interdisciplinary nature and the necessity for both mechanistic and integrative understanding. This article presents a structured, system-based teaching framework designed to enhance student comprehension of acid-base…

While study abroad programs provide many benefits for participants, they can be very intimidating and stress-inducing for individuals that choose to participate. This study aimed to quantify student physiological and psychological stress surrounding a short-term study abroad program. By utilizing a modified Perceived Stress Survey (PSS) and a…

Background: ADHD is associated with oxidative stress (OS), possibly stemming from deficiencies in essential nutrients. Previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including Micronutrients for ADHD in Youth (MADDY), demonstrated improved symptoms in response to treatment with multinutrients compared to placebo. It remains unknown whether…

Human Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) courses are a requirement for many students pursuing a healthcare career. These courses tend to have lower success rates than other entry-level courses because students are not adequately prepared for the dedication, self-discipline, and studying required for success. This problem is exacerbated for students…

Understanding homeostasis is foundational to biology; yet students often hold persistent misconceptions about its mechanisms and complexity. To address these challenges, we developed a collaborative, card-based board game in which players act as components of the endocrine and physiological systems to help a character named Bill enact homeostasis…

In this study, we analyzed data of heart rate and pulse amplitude collected by undergraduate students in a physiology lab course during and after the diving reflex. On average, heart rate was reduced 21% at 15 seconds and 29% at 30 seconds during diving. Pulse amplitude generally decreased but with greater individual variation. There is no…

University-level physiology courses are considered challenging. Postsecondary instructors indicate the top three reasons that make physiology courses difficult for student are 1) the need for the learner to reason mechanistically, 2) the belief among students that memorization is equal to learning, and 3) the need to think about the physiological…

The sense of hearing is very important in our need and ability to communicate with others, and for our safety. An audiologist describes features of the role of an audiologist and outlines training routes. Understanding how the ear works is the starting point, followed by basic details of some causes of hearing problems and management options for…

Developments in biology and genetics in recent decades have caused significant shifts in the understanding and conceptualization of human biological variation. Humans vary biologically in different ways, including individually, due to age, ancestry, and sex. An understanding of the complexities of all levels of biological variation is necessary…

Many students struggle to understand the sometimes counterintuitive and complicated organization of the retina. As soon as they begin to grasp these complex relationships, we add another confusing concept: the organization of receptive fields of individual ganglion cells. Publishers provide figures in textbooks and videos, but like many topics in…

Function diagrams put the focus on physiology and physiological concepts rather than the associated anatomy. Function diagrams could potentially serve as an elaboration tool and memory aid (mnemonic) to improve learning and recall. The function diagram prototype of the gastrointestinal system can aid in the instruction of difficult…