Entraining neurons via noninvasive electric stimulation improves cognition

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is a method that injects rhythmic currents into the human brain via electrodes attached to the scalp of a participant. This technique allows researchers to control naturally occurring brain rhythms and study their causal relevance for cognition. Recent findings, however, cast doubts on the effectiveness of tACS to stimulate the brain and its mode of action. Two new studies by Vieira and colleagues and Marchesotti and colleagues reported in the current issue report promising new results in showing that tACS can entrain single neuron activity and improve reading abilities in dyslexic individuals.

Introduction to the Special Issue: Highlighting the Best Papers from the OTL SIG AERA 2019

At the 2019 annual meeting, the OTL SIG received 145 proposals from which 66 were selected to present. The articles in this special issue report on the research findings stemming from those proposals. It includes several articles concerned with quality in a variety of settings and from both instructor and student perspectives. Instructor perceptions of the development of community and faculty mentoring are also explored, and one paper examines what the instructors of award-winning courses believe makes them award winning. There are also several articles concerned with Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). We are also pleased to have the 2019 best paper recipient among the articles collected here.

Mental health of refugees: global perspectives

Refugees have high rates of mental health morbidity as a result of conflict. However, their needs for mental healthcare and psychosocial support are often unmet, despite the efforts of professional and humanitarian organisations. The war refugee crisis is a global challenge that needs a global solution. We call on all governments, regional and international organisations to take responsible humanitarian actions to intervene and support people affected by these disasters and for all humanity to unite against the forces of injustice and degradation. The thematic papers in this issue report on the Syrian crisis from a variety of perspectives.