KnE Top Picks for February 2026
On March 9, 2026
As the world continues to evolve, research is shedding light on how social, technological, and environmental changes are shaping everyday life. This month’s featured studies explore a wide range of topics, from advances in healthcare and public health to the changing landscape of education, leadership, and community development. Together, these studies reflect a growing effort to understand how science, society, and culture intersect, offering insights that can help communities adapt, learn, and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Does Leadership Style Shape Faculty Motivation?
Universities are more than lecture halls and research labs; they’re complex ecosystems where leadership can make or break morale. In higher education, faculty motivation drives everything from teaching quality to research output and long-term institutional success. Yet motivation doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s shaped by workplace culture, recognition, autonomy, and the way leaders communicate expectations and support their teams. As academic institutions grow more diverse and reform-oriented, especially in fast-developing regions, understanding what kind of leadership truly energises faculty has become increasingly important.
This study from the International Journal of Excellence in Smart Learning explores how transformational and transactional leadership styles influence faculty motivation within higher education institution in the UAE.
Which Fertility Protocol Works Best for Women with PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility worldwide, affecting millions of women during their reproductive years. Because PCOS often disrupts ovulation, many women turn to assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilisation and frozen embryo transfer (FET) to improve their chances of pregnancy. But success in these treatments doesn’t just depend on embryo quality, it also hinges on how well the uterus is prepared to receive the embryo. Different hormonal approaches aim to create the ideal environment, yet experts continue to debate which method offers better outcomes and fewer risks.
This randomised controlled trial from the International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine compares two common endometrial preparation protocols in women with PCOS undergoing FET.
Can Technological Innovation Help the UAE Achieve SDG 3?
Sustainable development aims to balance human progress with long-term environmental and social stability. Among the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), SDG 3 focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. As a rapidly developed nation, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has positioned healthcare as a national priority, strengthening partnerships with global institutions such as the World Health Organisation, Cleveland Clinic, and Johns Hopkins University to enhance healthcare quality and accessibility. Technology plays a central role in this strategy. The UAE’s digital health market is projected to grow from $619.35 million in 2023 to over $2.7 billion by 2030, reflecting major investment in telemedicine, artificial intelligence diagnostics, and electronic health systems.
This study from the Journal of Excellence in Wellness and Environmental Studies evaluates how these technological innovations contribute to achieving SDG 3 in the UAE.
Does Wearing an N95 Mask Affect Intraocular Pressure?
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped daily life worldwide, leading to widespread hospitalisations and deaths. Because the virus spreads through airborne particles and droplets, protective measures such as masking became essential, particularly for healthcare workers. The US’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance identified proper use of N95 masks as a key strategy to reduce transmission. N95 masks can filter at least 95 percent of particles larger than 0.3 microns, making them widely used in medical settings. However, prolonged N95 use has been associated in some studies with hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention, both of which may influence intraocular pressure. While these physiological changes could theoretically affect eye pressure, no prior research has specifically examined this link.
This study from the Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research investigates whether wearing an N95 mask has a measurable effect on intraocular pressure.
How Can Schools Better Support Culturally Diverse Classrooms?
Classrooms around the world are becoming increasingly diverse. Students often come from different cultural, linguistic, and social backgrounds, bringing a wide range of perspectives and experiences into the learning environment. While this diversity can enrich education, it also presents challenges for educators who must ensure that teaching methods are inclusive and meaningful for all students. One approach that has gained attention is culturally responsive education. This teaching approach recognises students’ cultural backgrounds as an important part of the learning process. Instead of treating diversity as a barrier, it encourages teachers to incorporate students’ experiences, identities, and perspectives into the classroom.
This study from the Gulf Education and Social Policy Review explores education within the UAE by reviewing existing research on the topic.
What Are the Ongoing Uncertainties Surrounding Familial Mediterranean Fever?
Familial Mediterranean fever is an early-onset, inherited auto-inflammatory condition that affects more than 100,000 people worldwide, particularly those of Mediterranean descent, including Turkish, Arab, and Sephardic Jewish communities. Caused by pathogenic variants in the MEFV gene, the disease presents with recurrent inflammatory episodes that can vary in severity and duration. Although genetic testing supports diagnosis, clinical evaluation remains essential, as symptoms and genetic findings do not always align clearly.
This study from the Dubai Medical Journal reviews ongoing uncertainties related to diagnosis, genotype-phenotype relationships, and treatment effectiveness, and provides practical clinical recommendations.
Can Atopic Dermatitis Influence Outcomes in Younger Patients with Pyogenic Spondylitis?
Pyogenic spondylitis is a bacterial infection of the spine that can cause severe back pain, fever, and in some cases nerve damage or paralysis. Although relatively rare, with earlier estimates ranging from 0.4 to 2 cases per 100,000 people annually, its incidence increases significantly with age, reaching up to 6.5 per 100,000 in those over 70. Common risk factors include diabetes, prior infections, and weakened immunity. Atopic dermatitis, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, has been linked to higher rates of bacterial colonisation and bloodstream infections, which may increase the risk of deeper infections.
This study from the Journal of Spine Practice explores difference between younger and older patients with pyogenic spondylitis, highlighting that younger patients were more like to have a history of atopic dermatitis and tended to experience better neurological outcomes at discharge.
How Is Artificial Intelligence Reshaping Teacher Professionalism?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming education systems worldwide, influencing how lessons are delivered, assessed, and personalised. From adaptive learning platforms to intelligent tutoring systems, AI tools are changing classroom dynamics and raising new questions about what it means to be a professional teacher. Traditional models centred only on subject knowledge and instructional delivery are no longer sufficient in technology-rich environments.
This study in KnE Social Sciences proposes framework for AI pedagogical competence, offering a holistic model to guide how teacher professionalism can evolve in response to AI-driven change within the Indonesian context.
Can Chicory Support Health and Healing?
For centuries, people around the world have turned to plants for healing. Even today, herbal remedies remain widely used because they are often affordable, accessible, and generally considered safe when used appropriately. Many traditional medicinal plants contain naturally occurring compounds that may support the body in different ways, which is why scientists continue to study them to better understand their potential benefits. One plant that has attracted growing attention is Cichorium intybus, commonly known as chicory, which has been linked to a wide range of possible health effects. Research suggests it contains compounds associated with anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and liver-protective properties, among others.
This article in the Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences reviews the traditional uses, phytochemical components, and pharmacological effects of chicory.
How Do Farmers’ Backgrounds Shape Community Forest Management?
Community forests play an important role in many rural areas around the world. They provide livelihoods, support local economies, and help protect natural resources such as soil and water. When managed well, these forests can balance environmental sustainability with the needs of local communities. In many places, community forests follow an agroforestry model, where crops and trees are grown together on the same land. This approach allows farmers to produce food and generate income while also maintaining forest cover and ecosystem health. However, the way these forests are managed can vary widely depending on the people responsible for them. Farmers’ decisions about planting, maintaining, and harvesting trees are often shaped by their socio-economic background. Factors such as education, income, farming experience, and occupation can influence how they approach forest management and the priorities they set.
This study from KnE Life Sciences explores these dynamics in Semoyo Village in Indonesia.