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Furtwängler A, Baumann C, Majander K, Wilkin S, Tomoum N, Rühli F, Jaeggi AV, Eppenberger P, Bender N, Schuenemann VJ. The Mummy Explorer-a self-regulated open-access online teaching tool. Evol Med Public Health 2023; 11:129-138. [PMID: 37252429 PMCID: PMC10224693 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoad009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives Virtual teaching tools have gained increasing importance in recent years. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the need for media-based and self-regulated tools. What is missing are tools that allow us to interlink highly interdisciplinary fields such as evolutionary medicine and, at the same time, allow us to adapt content to different lectures. Methodology We designed an interactive online teaching tool, namely, the Mummy Explorer, using open-access software (Google Web Designer), and we provided a freely downloadable template. We tested the tool on students and lecturers of evolutionary medicine using questionnaires and improved the tool according to their feedback. Results The tool has a modular design and provides an overview of a virtual mummy excavation, including the subfields of palaeopathology, paleoradiology, cultural and ethnographic context, provenance studies, paleogenetics, and physiological analyses. The template allows lecturers to generate their own versions of the tool for any topic of interest by simply changing the text and pictures. Tests undertaken with students of evolutionary medicine showed that the tool was helpful during their studies. Lecturers commented that they appreciated having a similar tool in other fields. Conclusions and implications Mummy Explorer fills a gap in the virtual teaching landscape of highly interdisciplinary fields such as evolutionary medicine. It will be offered for free download and can be adapted to any educational topic. Translations into German and possibly other languages are in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Furtwängler
- Corresponding authors. Anja Furtwängler, Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. E-mail:
| | - Chris Baumann
- Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2, 00014, Finland
- Biogeology, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Hölderlinstraße 12, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kerttu Majander
- Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Vienna, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Shevan Wilkin
- Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE), Griffith University, Brisbane 4111, Australia
- Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nadja Tomoum
- Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Frank Rühli
- Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adrian V Jaeggi
- Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Eppenberger
- Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Bender
- Nicole Bender, Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. Tel: +41 44 635 05 31; E-mail:
| | - Verena J Schuenemann
- Verena Schuenemann, Institute for Evolutionary Medicine, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland. E-mail:
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Garnås E. Perspective: Darwinian Applications to Nutrition-The Value of Evolutionary Insights to Teachers and Students. Adv Nutr 2022; 13:1431-1439. [PMID: 35675225 PMCID: PMC9526857 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmac063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Evolutionary biology informs us that the living world is a product of evolution, guided by the Darwinian mechanism of natural selection. This recognition has been fruitfully employed in a number of issues in health and nutrition sciences; however, it has not been incorporated into education. Nutrition and dietetics students generally learn very little or nothing on the subject of evolution, despite the fact that evolution is the process by which our genetically determined physiological traits and needs were shaped. In the present Perspective article, 3 examples of topics (inflammatory diseases, nutrition transition, and food intolerance) that can benefit from evolutionary information and reasoning are given, with relevant lines of research and inquiry provided throughout. It is argued that the application of evolutionary science to these and other areas of nutrition education can facilitate a deeper and more coherent teaching and learning experience. By recognizing and reframing nutrition as an aspect and discipline of biology, grounded in the fundamental principle of adaptation, revelatory light is shed on physiological states and responses, contentious and unresolved issues, genomic, epigenomic, and microbiomic features, and optimal nutrient status and intakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirik Garnås
- Institute of Health, Oslo New University College, Oslo, Norway
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Basile AJ, Renner MW, Hidaka BH, Sweazea KL. An evolutionary mismatch narrative to improve lifestyle medicine: a patient education hypothesis. EVOLUTION MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 9:eoab010. [PMID: 33747517 PMCID: PMC7962761 DOI: 10.1093/emph/eoab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
An evolutionary perspective provides a unifying explanation for the modifiable risk factors and lifestyle-based interventions for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Non-communicable diseases develop from an evolutionary mismatch between the prior environment and modern patterns of behavior; however, it is unclear whether an evolutionary mismatch narrative could promote positive behavior change in patients. We hypothesize that educating patients about evolutionary mismatch could augment efforts to improve healthful behavior. Specifically, explaining the 'why' behind what is being recommended could promote health literacy and adherence. Furthermore, we offer suggestions of how clinicians could educate patients about evolutionary mismatch for key-lifestyle factors, diet and physical activity, as well as several specific modern diseases. We also consider how to sidestep patients' skepticism of evolutionary theory. Here, we lay the groundwork for research on how educating patients with an evolutionary mismatch narrative could impact health behaviors and improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Basile
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.,Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Michael W Renner
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Brandon H Hidaka
- Department of Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, 1400 Bellinger St., Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA
| | - Karen L Sweazea
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.,Center for Evolution and Medicine, Arizona State University, 427 E Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.,College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, 550 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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