Shorts around the globe

Testosterone helps female students

USA: The male hormone testosterone might be decisive for female students’ choice of career, according to a new survey. Women often point out mentors, family members and teachers to be important influences in their choice of career, but biological factors might be just as influential, writes ABC News. In a study done by the University of Chicago and Northwestern University researchers have tested the hormone levels of 500 graduate business and finance students. The conclusion is that women with a higher testosterone level take more risks and will to a higher degree choose a career in finance than women with lower levels of the hormone. For men, however, a difference in the testosterone levels had no influence.

Student throws acid at professor

VIETNAM: A university student in Hanoi attacked a professor at an agricultural university right in the middle of a lecture, writes Thanh Nien News. The student threw a bucket of five litres of acid at the professor, following the attack by chasing the professor with a knife. Thirteen students were injured in addition to the professor. In police interrogations the student has explained that the attack was caused by the professor’s lack of will to help the student with an application for an exam in English. The professor has been admitted to hospital with burns on 1/3 of his body, and he will need intensive treatment, according to the hospital.

Students under arrest

ZIMBABWE: Merely two days after the reopening, Zimbabwe police has arrested twelve students at largest institution of education, University of Harare, writes University World News. The police have explained that the charges, that also involve the president in the national student organization, are concerning disturbance of peace. The arrests followed a campus meeting concerning the closing of student housing and unreasonable university fees. Because of these causes, many students have been thrown out on the streets or been unable to continue their studies. The University of Harare was closed for eight months, but is now open, despite the lack of infrastructure, drinking water and financing.

Translated by Ingrid F. Brubaker