Age Of Globalization Research Articles

Caenorhabditis elegans as in vivo model for the screening of natural plants-derived novel anti-aging compounds: a short introduction.

The global aging population highlights the need for effective anti-aging treatments. Natural products show promise, but thorough evaluation requires in vivo models due to the complexity of aging. Ethical concerns are driving a shift from traditional models like rabbits and mice to alternatives such as Caenorhabditis elegans. This microscopic nematode, with its short life cycle, genetic similarities to humans, and cost-effectiveness, is ideal for testing anti-aging compounds. We review studies using C. elegans to assess natural products, suggesting it could serve as a primary model for -evaluating the safety and efficacy of plant-derived anti-aging compounds.

Efficacy of wooden toy training in alleviating cognitive decline in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment: A cluster randomized controlled study.

With the increasing global aging population, the health and welfare of elderly individuals, especially individuals with prevalent mild cognitive impairment (MCI) living in nursing homes, have become critical concerns. These concerns highlight the urgency of developing effective interventions to address the cognitive and psychological needs of elderly individuals, ensuring their well-being and alleviating the burden on their caregivers. This study investigates the impact of wooden toy training on mitigating cognitive decline in elderly individuals with cognitive impairment. It evaluates how this training influences cognitive functions and psychological well-being, exploring whether it can slow or reverse the progression of cognitive decline. This outcome will be assessed in a randomized controlled trial, in which changes in cognitive ability and psychological health indicators among the participants will be measured. A two-arm, open-label, cluster-randomized controlled trial. The study was conducted in two nursing homes, which served as both the recruitment sites for participants and the intervention locations. These nursing homes were selected for their ability to facilitate the intervention and for their representative demographic characteristics of the elderly population. The settings provided a controlled environment that was conducive to implementing the wooden toy training program and observing its effects on the participants. A total of 76 elderly participants with mild cognitive impairment but functional independence were recruited. Participants were randomized into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group engaged in an 8-week wooden toy training program, whereas those in the control cohort received customary nursing care. Standardized cognitive and psychological well-being measures were used to assess improvements in cognitive performance and mental health. Significant improvements were observed in the cognitive functions of the intervention group from a baseline score of M = 13.11 to M = 16.29 postintervention (95% CI [-4.44, -1.93]), along with reductions in depressive symptoms from a baseline score of M = 8.63 to M = 7.18 (95% CI [0.38, 2.51]). Additionally, engagement in activities with wooden toys significantly satisfied their need for competence, increasing from a baseline of M = 16.29 to M = 20 postintervention (95% CI [-5.92, -1.51]), and relatedness, which improved from a baseline of M = 20.32 to M = 22.95 (95% CI [-4.73, -0.53]). This study underscores the potential of a wooden toy intervention in nursing homes that combines cognitive challenges with traditional cultural elements to improve cognitive functions in elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment. Our findings suggest a novel method of promoting the cognitive and psychological health of nursing home residents through emotional comfort and social interaction.

The Impact of Brexit on the British Constitutional Law

Brexit as a hybrid phenomenon, that is, both legal and political, is the next stage in the debate on the place and role of the European Union (EU). The analysis of the impact of EU legislation on the shape of British constitutional law requires establishing the admissibility of reversing existing constitutional modifications. The author will argue that the age of globalisation and establishing legal network links, the participation of states in supernational organisations can result in irreversible modifications of the scope and meaning of constitutional law. In a simplified way, individual legal systems in a legal pluralism are “open”. The changes taking place are irreversible because they concern the foundation of competences as well as the system position of individual national authorities.

Patterns of intrinsic capacity trajectory and onset of activities of daily living disability among community-dwelling older adults.

Global population ageing has brought about new challenges for elderly care. Exploring intrinsic capacity (IC) over time, which is designed as a composite measure of an individual's physical and mental capabilities, is essential for promoting healthy ageing and preventing dependency, such as that emerging from disability in activities of daily living (ADL). We aimed to identify and examine the differences between classes of IC trajectory and onset of ADL disability. We conducted an observational study using data from three waves (2011-15) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, comprising 2609 participants with 6034 observations. IC was measured by five domains, including locomotion, cognition, psychological, sensory capacities, and vitality. We used joint latent class modelling to identify distinct classes with similar patterns of IC trajectory and onset of ADL disability, as well as to explore the variation in IC trajectory and predict five-year risks of ADL disability considering the heterogeneity in the elderly population. The average baseline IC score was 7.15 (range: 0-15). We observed that IC scores slowly decreased with age, with 17.25% of participants developing ADL disability. We identified three classes of IC, which could be described as moderate health (class 1: n = 1634, 62.63%), at-risk (class 2: n = 716, 27.44%; had the highest risk of ADL disability), and optimal health (class 3: n = 259, 9.93%; had the lowest baseline risk of ADL disability). The probability of being in the moderate health class was decreased the most by emotional problems (odds ratio (OR) = 0.219; P < 0.001). Having a self-rated poor standard of living substantially reduced the chances of moderate (OR = 0.308; P = 0.001) and optimal health (OR = 0.110; P < 0.001). Observing IC trajectories and the onset of ADL disability can stratify the elderly into heterogeneous groups, as well as provide data for implementing person-centred care plans to reverse the trend and delay the adverse outcomes in clinical practice.

A Biometric Identification for Multi-Modal Biomedical Signals in Geriatric Care

With the acceleration of global population aging, the elderly have an increasing demand for home care and nursing institutions, and the significance of health prevention and management of the elderly has become increasingly prominent. In this context, we propose a biometric recognition method for multi-modal biomedical signals. This article focuses on three key signals that can be picked up by wearable devices: ECG, PPG, and breath (RESP). The RESP signal is introduced into the existing two-mode signal identification for multi-mode identification. Firstly, the features of the signal in the time–frequency domain are extracted. To represent deep features in a low-dimensional feature space and expedite authentication tasks, PCA and LDA are employed for dimensionality reduction. MCCA is used for feature fusion, and SVM is used for identification. The accuracy and performance of the system were evaluated using both public data sets and self-collected data sets, with an accuracy of more than 99.5%. The experimental data fully show that this method significantly improves the accuracy of identity recognition. In the future, combined with the signal monitoring function of wearable devices, it can quickly identify individual elderly people with abnormal conditions, provide safer and more efficient medical services for the elderly, and relieve the pressure on medical resources.

Blood-Based Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease: Advancing Non-Invasive Diagnostics and Prognostics.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent form of dementia, is expected to rise dramatically in incidence due to the global population aging. Traditional diagnostic approaches, such as cerebrospinal fluid analysis and positron emission tomography, are expensive and invasive, limiting their routine clinical use. Recent advances in blood-based biomarkers, including amyloid-beta, phosphorylated tau, and neurofilament light, offer promising non-invasive alternatives for early AD detection and disease monitoring. This review synthesizes current research on these blood-based biomarkers, highlighting their potential to track AD pathology and enhance diagnostic accuracy. Furthermore, this review uniquely integrates recent findings on protein-protein interaction networks and microRNA pathways, exploring novel combinations of proteomic, genomic, and epigenomic biomarkers that provide new insights into AD's molecular mechanisms. Additionally, we discuss the integration of these biomarkers with advanced neuroimaging techniques, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize AD diagnostics. Although large-scale validation is still needed, these biomarkers represent a critical advancement toward more accessible, cost-effective, and early diagnostic tools for AD.

The cardiovascular disease burden attributable to kidney dysfunction from 1990 to 2021: an age-period-cohort analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study.

Kidney dysfunction (KD) poses a severe threat to human health. The aim of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden attributable to KD, thereby providing a theoretical basis for relevant public health policies. This study analyzed trends in the burden of CVD attributable to KD using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease data. It also examined the differences in mortality rates across various age groups, genders, and subtypes of CVD. Additionally, the age-period-cohort model combined with joinpoint regression analysis was employed to gain further insights into the changing trends and inflection points of CVD-related mortality. In 2021, the global number of deaths from CVD attributable to KD significantly increased compared to 1990. However, the global age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) decreased in 2021. The burden of CVD due to KD was particularly heavy among the elderly. Analysis using the age-period-cohort model revealed a decline in CVD-related mortality rates, with similar trends observed for both men and women. This study reveals that although the ASMR for CVD due to KD is on a declining trend globally, the absolute number of deaths has significantly increased. This trend is especially pronounced among individuals aged 80 and older, males, and regions with a middle socio-demographic index (SDI). In the context of global aging, the burden of CVD related to KD is becoming increasingly substantial.

Defending and expanding industrial democracy and worker cooperatives in an age of neoliberal globalisation

ABSTRACT Neoliberalism has reinforced inequality, environmental collapse, famine, refugee crises, supply chain vulnerabilities and more. We agree with Gibson-Graham (2006) that the core of the issue for a post-capitalist politics is to overcome the sense of the inevitability of the dominant system of political economy. With this argument in mind, we analyse the diversity, innovativeness, and resilience of two specific manufacturing alternatives to neoliberal capitalism: the Norwegian industrial democracy and the Mondragon Cooperative Experience. The cases show that each example arises from a unique history, environment, and has unique structures. This diversity shows that there are many paths to workplace democracy, such systems are capable of innovation, and they are internationally competitive. Our comparison also reveals that no successful equilibrium is ever static. Scaling (up or out) to secure market share presents a challenge potentially existential for both models. Reviewing their efforts for meeting these challenges conclude our analysis.

Demographic, socioconomic, and health correlates of sleep quality and sleep duration among community-dwelling older adults in India

BackgroundRecent research has revealed that today’s older adults report more sleep problems than their predecessors, a trend compounded by expanding social stratification. As such, this study examined the demographic, socioeconomic, and health correlates of sleep quality and sleep duration among community-dwelling older adults in India.MethodsThe current study sample draws on data from 7118 respondents aged 50 years and over participating in the World Health Organization’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (WHO-SAGE) wave-2 dataset. Sleep quality (good, moderate, and poor) and sleep duration (in hours and minutes) were self-reported. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were employed to examine the associations between sleep quality and sleep duration and several demographic, socioeconomic, and health indicators.ResultsA total of 12.84% and 36.1% of older adults reported long (> 8 h) and short (< 7 h) sleep, respectively. Older adults with primary education had lower odds of poor sleep [aOR: 0.85, CI: 0.73–0.99] than peers with no formal education. The odds of poor sleep were lower among those in higher wealth quintiles than those in the poorest quintile. Older adults with higher education had higher odds of short sleep [aOR: 1.36, CI: 1.06–1.74], and those with primary education had lower odds of long sleep [aOR: 0.70, CI: 0.54–0.91] than those without formal education (base category: age-appropriate sleep, i.e., 7–8 h). Older adults who were widowed had lower odds of both short [aOR: 0.82, CI: 0.68–0.98] and long sleep [aOR:0.74, CI: 0.58–0.95] compared to those who were currently married. Older individuals with adequate nutritional intake reported lower odds of short [aOR:0.59, CI: 0.49–0.72] and higher odds of long sleep [aOR:1.52, CI: 1.20–1.93] relative to their counterparts. Older adults who reported chronic conditions and body pain had higher odds of poor sleep and short sleep than their counterparts.ConclusionsWe identified significant associations between several unmodifiable factors, including age, education, and marital status, and modifiable factors such as dietary intake, body pain, and pre-existing chronic ailments, and sleep quality and sleep duration. Our findings can assist health care providers and practitioners in developing a more holistic and empathic approach to care. Moreover, that several demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors are consequential for older adults’ sleep health suggests that early detection through screening programs and community-based interventions is vital to improving sleep among older Indians who are most susceptible to sleep problems.

AI-driven Predictive Analytics for Enhancing Cybersecurity in a Post-pandemic World: a Business Strategy Approach

Due to heightened technological advancement that has been ignited by the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of technology in running businesses has surged and therefore making businesses prone to cybersecurity threats. The present paper explores the potential of AI as a tool for advancing cybersecurity in the world after a pandemic, and how business organizations can organize its application for protection against new emerging forms of threats. The research draws on secondary industry data and primary case studies of the businesses with AI-based cybersecurity in place. The outcome demonstrates that emerging AI technologies, including machine learning and neural networks, have cut threat detection time by 40% and enhanced the precision of recognizing potential security threats by 30%, beyond conventional cybersecurity solutions. The new and distinct feature of this paper is to elucidate that new threats can be predicted with the help of AI, while there is a continuous need for new training for AI in relation to cyber threats. Drawing from the literature, this paper, therefore, posits that incorporation of AI-based predictive analytics into business cybersecurity models and systems is not only vital for the defense of data and infrastructure against hackers but equally important for the achievement of sustainable, long-term business continuity during the current day, age of technology and globalization.

The impact of mind-body exercise on the quality of life in older adults: the chain mediation effect of perceived social support and psychological resilience.

With the intensification of the global aging trend, there is a contradiction between the extended lifespan and the decline of physiological functions among the older adult. It has become a global consensus to focus on and improve the quality of life for the older adult. Mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) play a crucial role in promoting the quality of life for older adults, but the mechanisms and mediating effects are not yet clear. This study examines the impact of mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) on the quality of life in older adults, with a particular focus on exploring the chain mediating effects of perceived social support and psychological resilience. This study is a cross-sectional study that surveyed 1,087 older adults participating in mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) in 13 districts of Beijing, China, from March 25 to May 3, 2024. The Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF), the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used to measure mind-body exercise, perceived social support, psychological resilience, and quality of life, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 26.0, and mediation effects were tested and effect analysis was conducted through structural equation modeling (AMOS) and the Bootstrap method. The study results show that mind-body exercises (Tai Chi, Ba Duan Jin, Yi Jin Jing) are significantly and positively correlated with the quality of life in older adults (r = 0.549, p < 0.01). The path coefficients for the relationships mind-body exercise → perceived social support (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) → psychological resilience (β = 0.20, p < 0.001) → quality of life in older adults (β = 0.39, p < 0.001) are significant, indicating that perceived social support and psychological resilience have a chain mediating effect between mind-body exercise and the quality of life in older adults. Mind-body exercises not only improve the quality of life for older adults but also indirectly enhance it by strengthening perceived social support and psychological resilience. This study provides significant reference for developing health intervention strategies targeted at older adults, suggesting that promoting mind-body exercises can improve their sense of perceived social support and psychological resilience, thereby increasing their quality of life.

Navigating trust and health in India: the influence of social status and neighbourhood environment

BackgroundThe research on the relationship between interpersonal trust and health has primarily focused on Western contexts, with scarce attention in developing contexts. Addressing this gap, the study examines the association between interpersonal trust (both generalised and particularised) and health outcomes (self-rated health /SRH, and depression) among Indian adults, considering the moderating roles of social statuses (gender and caste) and macro-level factors like district-level income inequality.MethodsThe study draws on data from the World Health Organization's (WHO) Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave-1, collected between 2007 and 2010. This dataset provides a comprehensive overview of health outcomes, including self-rated health (SRH) and depression, socio-cultural status of adults aged 18 and above in India. Additionally, district-level data on income inequality, quantified through the Gini index, were incorporated to examine the influence of contextual socioeconomic influence on the trust-health relationship. Multilevel regression analysis with interaction effects with social statuses and income inequality at district was employed in the analysis to investigate the intricate relationship between interpersonal trust (both generalised and particularised) and health outcomes.ResultsThe study reveals that while generalised trust does not directly influence depression or SRH, particularised trust acts as a protective factor for both health outcomes. Gender-specific interaction effect shows that generalised trust reduces depression among males and improves SRH among females. Notably, caste does not significantly moderate the trust-health relationship. High district-level income inequality, however, modifies these associations: generalised trust is associated with improved SRH in areas of high inequality, whereas particularised trust correlates with increased depression in these districts.ConclusionThe findings highlight the complex dynamics between interpersonal trust, social status, and income inequality in shaping health outcomes in India. Generalised trust emerges as a potential buffer against the health-detrimental effects of income inequality, providing crucial insights for developing targeted health interventions. These results offer valuable guidance for global health policymakers and practitioners in effectively allocating development aid to enhance health outcomes, especially among the most marginalised groups.

Moderate physical activity and higher frequency are inversely associated with incidence of frailty in middle-aged and older population: a 4-year longitudinal study in Europe.

Global aging is leading to an increase in frailty patients, and physical activity (PA) may have an impact on frail in middle-aged and older population. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the frequency of different PA intensities and the incidence and prevalence of frailty in middle-aged and older adults based on the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Self-reported questionnaires were used to obtain information on demographics and PA, and frailty was assessed using the SHARE Frailty Instrument (SHARE-FI). Cox regression and logistic regression models were used to explore the association between PA and frailty and stratified according to middle or old age. Among 6315 baseline non-frail participants aged 44-96years, 16.1% developed frailty over 4years, with higher incidence and prevalence in women (P < 0.05). Women accounting for 55.80% of the sample. The frequency of participants participating in sports decreased over 4years (P < 0.05). Compared with participants who engaged in PA more than once a week, participants who engaged in moderated PA less frequently had a higher risk of new-onset frailty (HR: 3.174-6.115), and participants who engaged in vigorous PA 1-3 times a month had a higher risk of new-onset frailty (HR: 1.335). Participation in low-frequency moderate PA and vigorous PA 1-3 times per month were positively associated with the prevalence of frailty (P < 0.05). Physical activity frequency decreases with age in middle-aged and older adults. Those adults who engage in moderate PA more than once a week have a lower risk of incidence of frailty, compared to those with more sedentary life-styles. Additionally, women need to pay more attention to frailty management.

The association between age and functional disability in US adults with lifetime exposure to the criminal legal system, 2015–2019

ImportanceAs the global population ages, the proportion of individuals living with functional disability is increasing. Evidence suggests that functional disability is associated with worse health outcomes and is concentrated in populations with high rates of concurrent social risk factors such as criminal legal involvement (CLI), making it an increasingly important issue for advocates of health equity. ObjectiveTo determine whether age is associated with functional disability in a nationally representative sample of United States adults with lifetime exposure to the criminal legal system. DesignCross-sectional survey data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, 2015–2019. SettingNationally representative survey data. ParticipantsUS adults who reported lifetime history of arrest (N = 37,279). ExposureRespondents were categorized into age groups: younger adults (age 18–49); middle-aged adults (age 50–64); and older adults (age ≥ 65). Main outcome measureFunctional disability as measure by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Score 2.0 (WHO-DAS 2.0). A higher score indicates a greater degree of functional disability. ResultsThe sample included 37,279 US adults with lifetime CLI of whom 60.0 % were younger adults, 28.5 % were middle-aged adults, and 11.5 % were older adults. The mean, unadjusted functional disability score for younger adults was 5.0 (95 % CI, 4.9, 5.1); for middle-aged adults it was 4.2 (95 % CI, 4.0, 4.4); and for older adults it was 3.2 (95 % CI, 2.9, 3.5). In models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical confounders, differences were attenuated but remained statistically significant, indicating increased functional disability in the younger age groups. Conclusion and relevanceOur findings suggest that among adults with CLI, functional disability is distributed by age in a pattern distinct from the general population. A large number of young adults have CLI, and the findings suggest that prevalence of functional disability is exceedingly high in this marginalized group. Future studies should examine if substance use and mental health conditions contribute to these findings, and policy makers should examine if flexible interventions tailored to the needs of those with disability improve reentry outcomes for young adults with CLI.

Codes of Modernity: Chinese Scripts in the Global Information Age by Uluğ Kuzuoğlu (review)

Codes of Modernity: Chinese Scripts in the Global Information Age by Uluğ Kuzuoğlu (review)

Gamification of Elderly Life: The Impact of E-sports on Improving the Quality of Life of the Elderly

With the increasing trend of global population aging, it is particularly important to explore effective ways to improve the quality of life of the elderly. This study adopts a qualitative research method to deeply explore the integration of e-sports in the life of the elderly in China and its positive impact on the quality of life of the elderly. Through semi-structured interviews, observations and related case studies, the purpose of this study is to reveal how e-sports as a new form of game to meet the social, psychological and physiological needs of the elderly, and thus improve the quality of their daily life.

Interprofessional Management of (Risk of) Malnutrition and Sarcopenia: A Grounded Theory Study from the Perspective of Professionals.

As our global population ages, malnutrition and sarcopenia are increasingly prevalent. Given the multifactorial nature of these conditions, effective management of (risk of) malnutrition and sarcopenia necessitates interprofessional collaboration (IPC). This study aimed to understand primary and social care professionals' barriers, facilitators, preferences, and needs regarding interprofessional management of (risk of) malnutrition and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. We conducted a qualitative, Straussian, grounded theory study. We collected data using online semi-structured focus group interviews. A grounded theory data analysis was performed using open, axial, and selective coding, followed by developing a conceptual model. We conducted five online focus groups with 28 professionals from the primary and social care setting. We identified five selective codes: 1) Information exchange between professionals must be smooth, 2) Regular consultation on the tasks, responsibilities, and extent of IPC is needed; 3) Thorough involvement of older adults in IPC is preferred; 4) Coordination of interprofessional care around the older adult is needed; and 5) IPC must move beyond healthcare systems. Our conceptual model illustrates three interconnected dimensions in interprofessional collaboration: professionals, infrastructure, and older adults. Based on insights from professionals, interprofessional collaboration requires synergy between professionals, infrastructure, and older adults. Professionals need both infrastructure elements and the engagement of older adults for successful interprofessional collaboration.

Digital Literacy Education for Older Adults: A Scoping Review

ABSTRACTIn the context of global aging, digital technologies are increasingly recognized as a means to address the challenges associated with aging. Although many studies have explored the relationship between older adults and digital literacy, there is a gap identifying their necessary skills, challenges, and learning motivations. This review identified 30 articles from 2014 to 2024 and delineated five areas of digital literacy skills that older adults acquire, the hurdles they face in this process, and what drives their learning efforts. The difficulties faced by older adults in learning digital literacy include unfamiliarity with technology, cognitive decline, emotional barriers, limited access to digital resources, and physical and health issues. These challenges may lead to frustration in their use of devices and apps, which may affect their willingness to learn. This study, despite a small sampling size, paves the way for future research, including evaluating online fake information and addressing safety risks.

E-Learning Design for Older Adults in the United States

As global populations age, there is an urgent need to address the unique learning requirements of older adults in the context of e-learning. This study builds upon prior work to investigate the connections between older adults’ cognitive profiles, learning preferences, and attitudes toward technology in the United States. Through a survey of 203 U.S. adults aged 55 and above, data were collected on participant demographics, learning preferences, and attitudes towards technology. The results reveal a tech-savvy sample that is most comfortable with everyday applications and favors practical, visual learning approaches. Key findings include high levels of internet and smartphone adoption, varying confidence levels across different mobile applications, and strong preferences for step-by-step instructions, examples, and graphics in e-learning modules. This mixed-method study serves as a foundation for future research aimed at increasing the adoption and effectiveness of e-learning among older adults in the U.S. and globally, ultimately contributing to the overall quality of life and support for active-aging initiatives.

Displacing Northern Dominant Criminological Discourse: The Importation of Southern Criminology into Criminological Literature and Its Implications

Through a carefully selected set of criminological case studies from both the Global North and the Global South, this article takes on a critical approach on how hegemonic Northern criminological theories have fallen short in their attempts at formulating universally-applicable causative theses. It demonstrates how the field of criminology can be sharpened and brought to compelling new heights through the importation of the alternative Southern criminology, which reifies the need to consider individual, localised contexts on top of global influences in criminological inquiries. Vastly different historical contexts seen in the Global South mean that while the region may produce criminal justice outcomes similar to the Global North, how it derives at such outcomes may diverge greatly from the North. Likewise, countries appearing to share notable commonalities in the South may not produce similar criminological outcomes as one another, unlike what one would usually expect from the North. This cautions against undertaking comparative research based on resemblances and similarities across nations alone, and highlights the need to reconsider the stating points of comparative research and any attempted universalisation of theories. Lastly, criminological trends seen in the North are also responses to what is being brought in from the South in this age of advanced globalisation. Understanding criminological trends already extant in the South allows for a sharpened analysis of modern day Northern law enforcement and why Northern states have responded in certain manners. In its challenging of Northern hegemony and its providence of alternative de-colonial causal theses, as well as its refreshing coverage of what Northern criminology may have overlooked, Southern criminology should be enthusiastically welcomed and incorporated into the field as a means to further refine criminology as a discipline.