Search Results

Journal: No Limits

Between Europe and Africa. Science on the move

Anna Brosch , Anna Watoła , Weronika Cygan-Adamczyk

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 24-25

Anna Brosch, PhD, and Anna Watoła, PhD, from the Institute of Pedagogy at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Silesia, have been visiting selected African countries for years as part of various scientific initiatives. They are currently implementing a project entitled ‘Growing up online – how to protect our children in the digital world?’. The experts want to look into the problem of the so-called ‘sharenting’ – parents sharing images of their children on social media – which carries many potential risks. As part of the research, data will be collected from Poland, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and Kenya

2025-11-21



Journal: No Limits

Stop the Water!

Agnieszka Sikora , Andrzej Woźnica

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 16-19

Surface water is the water we should use. Groundwater as well as the waters of the glaciers and ice cap, in turn, should be an untouchable resource. In Silesia there is a so-called anthropogenic lake region with numerous water reservoirs created as a result of human activity. These are mainly reservoirs with dams, cave-ins, and ponds. Sustainable water management was present in this region since the Middle Ages. This shows that already in these time people were struggling with water shortages and saw the need to save this resource.  Particularly noteworthy are the systems of cascade ponds, which performed flood protection functions, as evidenced by the large share of dry reservoirs and dikes across the valleys of streams which slowed down the flow of water. These systems also played an important role as a reservoir for animal and plant species, which is why the ponds were used for fish farming. At present, small water reservoirs or domestic ponds have disappeared and have been replaced by large dam reservoirs. However, the reconstruction of cascade ponds may be a way to build much needed small retention systems in Silesia today.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

Utilising nature’s potential

Agnieszka Kompała-Bąba , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: EN | Published: 30-12-2024 | Abstract | pp. 4-7

Contemporary cities are mostly seen through the lens of organised greenery, while the potential of unorganised greenery growing on wasteland and post-industrial sites remains underappreciated despite being equally valuable. In such places, nature itself shapes plant communities that are best adapted to difficult environmental conditions, contributing to soil remediation, water retention, and biodiversity. Examples from Silesia, such as the Silesian Park, Żabie Doły, and Uroczysko Zielona show that nature can be an effective partner in the process of revitalising urban spaces. The concept of a ‘novel ecosystem’ created by plant succession in degraded areas points the way towards sustainable urban development in the face of climate change. Therefore, we should learn to trust nature and consider it an ally in urban planning.

2024-12-30



Journal: No Limits

How brain research will change the future of humanity

Karina Maciejewska , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 14=17

Research conducted at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering of the University of Silesia focuses on the analysis of biomedical signals in the context of neuroscience. Thanks to the use of modern technologies, such as virtual reality, mobile brain and body imaging, EEG, ECG, EMG, and EDA, it is possible to study cognitive processes in natural conditions and in real time. The article highlights the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience, which combines engineering, medicine, computer science and the humanities, and presents potential directions for its development. Modern brain research not only enables a deeper understanding of the functioning of the human mind but also paves the way for breakthrough therapies and assistive technologies.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Towards symbiocene. The future of climate education in Poland

Adam Bała , Magdalena Ochwat , Piotr Skubała

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 16-19

Schools need to teach about what is happening to our planet and reflect critically on the ways in which Homo sapiens has been inhabiting it based on destruction, extraction, and exploitation. The degradation of the environment will not leave the morality, sensitivity, and imagination of the youngest generation unaffected, and we will all feel its consequences. Therefore, schools have the duty to prepare students for the inevitable.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

Good Bye, Coal

Marta Tomczok , Tomasz Grząślewicz

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 4-5

The fossil fuel extraction era in the Upper Silesia and Zagłębie region is coming to an end before our very eyes. However, coal is here to stay, as evidenced by heavy metal laden heaps and land subsidence. Research shows how large a role culture can play in taming decarbonisation. The researchers prove that we are in need of good transformation narratives, which could introduce us to the transition process from coal fueled electricity to nuclear energy.  

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

Fitting in with the key or finding your own approach

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Aleksandra Nadgórska-Socha , Magdalena Rost-Roszkowska

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 12-15

A fundamental mistake of the education system in many countries, including Poland, is that in secondary schools we teach young people for the sole purpose of achieving the best possible score on the Matura exam. You have to fit in with the answer key. But we need the right competencies, the basic knowledge and skills to help us make rational and responsible decisions in a world where economics still triumphs over environmental concerns. We should start acquiring these competencies from the very beginning of our education at school and develop them throughout the rest of our lives.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

Problems with Water in Cities

Agnieszka Sikora , Damian Absalon

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 14-15

It takes only a few minutes of a sudden downpour to paralyze not only the traffic in the city, but also to flood houses, cellars, or public buildings. The cost of removing the losses is enormous. One of the tasks of the Silesian Water Centre, a unit at the University of Silesia, is to search for solutions of these problems and to indicate ways to mitigate and eliminate the effects of such phenomena. The complex problems associated with climate change can be mitigated by introducing a so-called blue-green infrastructure and appropriate urban and architectural solutions.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

Stuttering is O.K.

Tomasz Płosa , Katarzyna Węsierska

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 10-11

According to estimates by the Stuttering Foundation, there are over 70 million stuttering people around the world (about 1% of the total population). In the United States alone, there are 3 million people with this fluency of speech impairment. Living with stuttering was an experience shared by many famous figures functioning in the public space. Scientists from the University of Silesia are conducting pioneer research in the field of Speech Therapy for Individuals with Stuttering Disorders, referred to, mostly in Polish research, as Balbutologopedics, a sub-discipline of Speech Therapy, which deals with the diagnosis and therapy of speech fluency disorders, including, among others, stuttering and cluttering. Their research interests also include the influence of speech disorders on the quality of speech therapy, on the environment of stuttering people, and on the social perception of stuttering. With regard to the latter aspect, it is also very important to change social attitudes towards this phenomenon.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

Autonomous buses – the future of transport?

Anita Pollak , Olimpia Orządała

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 8-9

The article looks at a pilot project to introduce autonomous buses in the GZM Metropolis. Its aim was not only to test autonomous vehicles but also to examine public attitudes towards this form of transport. The research conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Silesia included an analysis of trust, safety, comfort, and emotions experienced by passengers travelling on an autonomous bus compared to traditional means of transport. The results indicate a generally positive attitude among test participants, especially among those interested in new technologies, although they also reveal concerns about the reliability of the system and the issue of legal liability.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Said reptile to reptile: Don't be silly, can't you see how big I am?

Weronika Rupik , Paweł Kaczmarek , Maria Sztuka

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2026 | Abstract | pp. 12-15

For hundreds of millions of years, reptiles have inhabited diverse environments – from arid deserts to forests and rivers to the open oceans. Biologists from the University of Silesia in Katowice are studying the development, structure and biology of the organs of invertebrates and vertebrates, including the sensory systems of reptiles, which enable them to effectively perceive and interpret a variety of stimuli from the environment. Chemoperception plays a particular role here, enabling the detection and differentiation of chemical substances. It is one of the oldest sensory mechanisms in the animal world and forms the basis of communication not only in reptiles but also in many vertebrates.

2026-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Why Does the Universe Consist Primarily of Matter?

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Jan Kisiel , Arkadiusz Bubak

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 24-27

The nature of neutrinos is still being discovered. Observations from recent years have suggested that the analysis of these particles may bring us closer to understanding why the universe is primarily composed of matter. In order to study their properties, two powerful detectors were built. The close ND280 detector is located in Tokai, Japan. The Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) and Super-Kamiokande are also located there, i.e. 295 km from the J-PARC center, in a mine inside a mountain in the town of Kamioka. These places gave name to the T2K experiment – Tokai-to-Kamioka, which may bring us closer to explaining the difference between the observed amount of matter and antimatter in the universe. 

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

From genes to drugs. A new approach in treating glioma

Patryk Rurka

Language: EN | Published: 30-12-2024 | Abstract | pp. 16-17

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive forms of glioma, capable of growing rapidly, mutating and spreading throughout the brain. It is characterised by invasiveness, i.e. rapid spread to neighbouring brain tissues, making complete surgical removal difficult. It is also highly resistant to standard treatment options such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The article presents a multifaceted approach to combating this type of cancer, combining surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with personalised medicine based on genetic testing. The author points to nanotechnology as a future aid in delivering drugs directly to cancer cells, thereby minimising side effects, and suggests that nanoparticles could also serve as diagnostic tools.

2024-12-30



Journal: No Limits

To escape the apocalypse

Elżbieta Zuzańska-Żyśko , Valentin Mihaylov , Maria Sztuka

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 4-7

The article analyses the downfall of post-industrial cities, using Bytom as an example – one of the cities in Poland most affected by the energy and economic transition. The starting point is the process of decarbonisation and the closure of coal mines, which once formed the foundation of local identity and prosperity. It describes the dystopian reality of Bytom: mass depopulation, urban degradation, mining damage, social polarisation, and ghettoisation. Despite the grim diagnosis, it also points to emerging signs of recovery – grassroots initiatives, revitalisation programmes, and external support. The text reflects on the possibility of escaping the dystopian conditions not through utopian visions but through corrective measures.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Second life of waste heaps

Justyna Ciesielczuk , Monika Fabiańska , Weronika Cygan

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 10-13

One of the most recognisable elements of the Upper Silesian landscape is the post-mining waste heaps — remnants of coal mining — which are connected with the region’s industrial heritage that the community struggles with to this day. These sites, known to contain a mixture of toxic substances (often difficult to identify) and prone to fire, are sometimes also extremely biodiverse. Given sufficient time, the mining waste storage sites that scare away any potential passersby can turn into the so-called green islands with a spontaneously developing wildlife.

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

Plants Bravely Fighting Metals

Maria Sztuka , Monika Jędrzejczyk-Korycińska

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 18-21

Silesia, i.e. the region of Poland which roughly dozen years ago was the most powerful industrial center in the country, is still struggling with residues of heavy metals, which are still present in the soil, water, mine waste dumps, and in the air – despite the fact that the number of polluting plants has been reduced and the use of appropriate filters, measures that have admittedly limited the emission of harmful substances into the environment, has been made obligatory. Metals will not disappear on their own; they are assimilated by plants, which animals feed on, and thus the “uninvited guests” are passed on. Humans are not spared by metals as well. The bare post-mining and post-production landfills around which housing estates are erected “endow” their residents with toxic dust. It turns out, however, that there are plant species which attach themselves to polluted areas and only exist where the concentration of heavy metals is high.

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Louise’s second life

Marta Chmielewska , Tomek Grząślewicz

Language: EN | Published: 30-12-2024 | Abstract | pp. 8-11

The article discusses the revitalisation of post-industrial areas in Poland, with particular emphasis on Upper Silesia. Using the example of the Queen Louise Adit complex in Zabrze and other sites, it shows how former industrial plants are gaining new functions: tourist, educational, social, and environmental. The researcher points to the changes that have taken place in the approach to industrial heritage – from the demolition of infrastructure to its conscious preservation and adaptation. She also reminds us of the importance of grassroots initiatives, the role of local communities, and the need for revitalisation planning that takes into account environmental and social aspects.

2024-12-30



Journal: No Limits

The physics of space-time travel

Jan Sładkowski , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 28-31

Time has always fascinated people. But what is it really? When did it come into existence and did it even have a beginning? Does it always flow in one direction? Is it possible to travel in time? Humans, including the most prominent physicists, from Albert Einstein to Stephen Hawking and Michio Kaku, have been searching for answers to these questions since time immemorial. The article presents the current state of knowledge about the creation of the universe and its evolution, as well as various theories related to time travel.

2025-11-21



Journal: No Limits

PET – A Problem on a Global Scale

Agnieszka Niewdana , Maciej Kapkowski

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 14-17

We deal with plastics on a daily basis. The reason for this is the wide range of their application. We surround ourselves with them in our homes and workplaces; they are used in many industries, but also in everyday life. Versatility and ease of use are their characteristic properties. Nowadays, the challenge is to be able to reuse the materials intended for disposal, i.e. to recycle them. Researchers from the Institute of Chemistry of the University at Silesia in Katowice are investigating these possibilities.

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

JUVENILE OFFENDER’S PROFILE

Katarzyna Stołpiec , Maciej Bernasiewicz

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 20-21

Crime is a phenomenon that cannot be completely eradicated. Society’s traditions and culture, as well as the level of its economic development, are very important in maintaining the optimal happiness levels of its people. In spite of the efforts of educators and parents, who are sometimes overly preoccupied with ensuring a prosperous life for their children, they are unable to protect them from the danger of going down the road of crime.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Palaeontology – a journey through time, deep seas and continents

Mariusz Salamon , Olimpia Orządała

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 8-11

Invertebrate fossils belong to many groups – from the most primitive, including sponges and corals, through arthropods, to echinoderms, the most sophisticated in their anatomical structure. By studying them, we can learn a lot about the history of the Earth. They allow us to determine the age of rocks, and are also an excellent indicator of the palaeoenvironment. Based on various geological clues, we can determine whether their environment was a shallow or deep one. Prof. Mariusz Salamon, a palaeontologist from the University of Silesia, studies fossils of crinoids, corals, and ammonites. The scientist reconstructs ancient marine environments and the history of life on Earth. His expeditions take him from the Atacama Desert to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea. The specimens he collects form a unique database that allows us to understand the evolution of marine ecosystems and the effects of mass extinctions.

2025-11-21



Journal: No Limits

Belfast — Reinterpreting the City

Leszek Drong , Tomasz Płosa

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 22-25

On 10 April 1998 the governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland adopted the Good Friday Agreement. The document, subsequently countersigned by Northern Ireland’s main political parties, symbolically ended 30 years of bloody conflict in the region. While everything looked great on paper, the reality proved more complicated. The transformation of Belfast and Northern Ireland turned out to be a long process.

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

THE ARCHITECTURE OF INDUSTRIAL AGGLOMERATIONS

Aneta Borowik , Maria Sztuka

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 4-7

Many industrial cities developed in the 19^th century. Although they cannot boast unique, centuries-old jewels, they certainly do not have to be ashamed of their architecture. An excellent example is Katowice, a city of merely 156 years of age. Although it cannot compete with 800-year-old cities in terms of monuments, Katowice impresses with the pace of development, momentum, and innovative urban solutions.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Intelligent systems for enhanced decision-making

Agnieszka Nowak-Brzezińska , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: PL | Published: 07-04-2021 | Abstract | pp. 22-23

Intelligent decision-enhancing systems are interactive computer programs designed to collect, process, and analyze huge amounts of data necessary to point the way to the best solution. Based on the knowledge gained from experts in different fields, an intelligent expert system based on built-in inference algorithms which simulate human thinking processes existing knowledge (accumulated in the system and obtained from a user who consults such a system) in order to obtain new knowledge, i.e. to make a decision.

2021-04-07



Journal: No Limits

Inbetween worlds: Henryk Baranowski and his journey through theatre and life

Magdalena Nowacka-Flakiewicz

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 26-27

In the work of Henryk Baranowski (1943–2013) – director, emigrant, educator, philosopher and actor – travel became not only a geographical experience but also a spiritual necessity and an artistic tool. He directed over 60 theatre and opera productions in Europe, Russia, and the US. From the stages of Warsaw to Berlin’s Kreuzberg and New York’s experiments, Baranowski constantly wandered, crossing the boundaries of cultures, aesthetics, and himself. He was not afraid to experiment. His life and theatre represent a multidimensional journey through eras, places, and ideas, as well as a record of transgression, transformation, and the search for meaning. In a world that today is itself in constant motion, his art proves to be surprisingly relevant.

2025-11-21



Journal: No Limits

A Significant Absence

Agnieszka Sikora , Piotr Gorliński-Kucik

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 30-31

Since the early days of the convention, science fiction writers have been primarily interested in science and technology as well as their impact on individuals and societies in the near or distant future — that is, a world that has not yet materialised. Women have not been the main focus of their reflections. Science fiction is a stereotypically male convention and the absence of women, especially in the first stages of its development, is due to a few specific reasons.

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

What do Yellow Trash Containers Hide?

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Michał Daszykowski

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 12-13

We do not know whether recycling will save us from environmental disaster. We believe, however, that segregating trash makes sense. From an early age, our children learn to link the colors of containers with various types of waste. Plastic bags, plastic bottles, metal caps, aluminum cans and milk cartons end up in yellow containers and bags every day. These few examples already show the diversity of these materials. According to the Resin Identification Code (RIC) system introduced in 1988, there are as many as seven codes to designate plastics alone. The waste we separate must therefore undergo another sorting process so that we can speak of proper recycling. How to do it? It turns out that an adequately designed camera is sufficient.

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES. ON THE WAY TO PARTNERSHIP

Agnieszka Niewdana , Rafał Cekiera

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 16-19

The issue of migration is one of the most important research topics today, also among sociologists. For at least a few years now, we have been observing an increase in migration movements. What are their causes? What are the consequences? These questions have been addressed by a scientist specialising in the sociology of migration, religion, and the analysis of contemporary cultural transformations.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Letting the Traces Speak

Alicja Menżyk

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 30-31

Questions about the time when bloody traces of past events are created, which enable the reconstruction of past events, occupy a special place in the field of forensic science. Paradoxically, the growing knowledge about the aging processes of blood – and thus the increased awareness of factors that can interfere with these transformations – does not bring us any closer to solving the problem of dating forensic traces. The problem seems to lie not so much in the lack of analytical tools enabling the tracking of time-dependent properties of the material, but in the inability to implement the proposed methods for routine analyses, in which – apart from the passing of time – the state of the evidence is influenced by a number of external conditions. The solution may be a strategy tailored to the specific traces secured on site, which is being developed by researchers from the University of Silesia in Katowice in cooperation with Italian scientists.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

Climate recorded in shrubs

Magdalena Opała-Owczarek , Maria Sztuka

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 4-7

Arctic shrubs record the history of the region – from volcanic cooling to traces of ancient Viking settlements. Prof. Magdalena Opała-Owczarek’s team from the University of Silesia uses microscopic rings of long-lived junipers and polar willows to reconstruct the climatic conditions of several centuries ago. Using not only contemporary samples but also forgotten botanical collections from museums in Copenhagen, London, and Washington, researchers are reconstructing the history of Arctic weather dating back to the 16th century. Their growth rings reveal the effects of eruptions of volcanoes such as Laki and Tambora, which were capable of lowering temperatures by several degrees. Arctic dendrochronology, previously marginalised, is now becoming the key to understanding past and future climate change.

2025-11-21



Journal: No Limits

The Union of Art and Information Technology

Krzysztof Gdawiec , Adam Bała

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 18-21

It is now difficult to imagine the world of art without the presence of elements of information technology. Just as people used to primarily paint with a brush on a canvas or sculpt in stone or wood in the past, nowadays many works are created with a greater or lesser contribution of digital technologies. AI (Artificial Intelligence), which is now able to generate artworks using algorithms and neural networks, AR (Augmented Reality), and VR (Virtual Reality) technologies are now increasingly entering the domain of art.

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

Mechanical Energy at the Service of Ecology

Tomasz Płosa , Mirosław Chorążewski

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 30-31

When traveling by car, we usually do not realize that shock absorbers are largely responsible for our driving comfort. However, after a while we realize that they no longer fulfill their basic purpose, which is to absorb and dissipate the mechanical vibrations generated while driving. But what if we changed the approach and instead of dispersing unwanted vibrations, tried to use them and thus increase the car’s energy efficiency?

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Women in the Biblical Tradition

Maciej Basiuk , Katarzyna Stołpiec

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 10-13

One of the stories presented in the Bible concerns the first human beings — a man and a woman. He was created from the dust of the earth and she was made from his rib. In the Garden of Eden, they enjoyed undisturbed equality, but the original sin they committed brought with it irreversible changes. A number of stereotypes about women in the biblical tradition were established over the years. As it turns out, they were strong and courageous, faithful and loving but also cunning and ruthless.

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

To learn about cultures is to appreciate differences – intercultural education

Weronika Cygan , Barbara Grabowska

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 10-11

For centuries, there has been great ethnic and religious diversity in the territory of present-day Poland. It was not until the forced resettlement of the population after 1945 and the attempts to create a single, valid ‘Polish identity model’ that Poland became one of the most homogeneous countries in the world. It is more difficult for us to open up to people from other cultures when we are not in contact with them, and it is also easier to fall into the trap of stereotypes. The solution may lie in intercultural education, making it easier to open up to the ‘stranger’.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

A CITY AS AN ECOSYSTEM AND ITS GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Edyta Sierka , Weronika Cygan

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 20-23

What do Stockholm, Hamburg, Nantes, Copenhagen, and Tallinn have in common? All these cities have been awarded the title of European Green Capital by the European Commission. However, for a city to be considered truly ecological, a few green roofs or walls are not enough. A city is an ecosystem that slightly differs from the natural ones in terms of environmental processes. Concrete market squares, plazas, and housing estates disrupt the water management of the city's ecosystem. This can be seen in the increasingly frequent inundations and floods, when the water does not reach an outlet after large and sudden rainfall and floods the streets. On hot days, the same concrete plaza resembles a hot frying pan. Trees in the city center can help reduce the temperature by providing soothing shade or shelter from gusty winds. Fortunately, we are gradually starting to understand urban errors.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Daughters Birth Daughters and Virgins Birth Sons. The Virgin Birth in Aphids, Bees and... Humans?

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Piotr Świątek

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 26-29

How is it possible that a virgin queen, who was unable to fly out of the hive for her first and only mating flight, laid unfertilised eggs? What’s more: viable males, i.e. drones, hatched from the eggs. This was the question that Rev. Jan Dzierżon, a beekeeper living at the turn of the 20th century, an enthusiast and inventor of the prototype of the modern hive, had to ask himself when he first observed virgin birth in bees. We now know that natural parthenogenesis (virgin birth) is observed not only in insects and many other invertebrates but also in fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. It does not occur in mammals, although, as experiments have shown, it can be artificially induced in mice, but not yet in humans.

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

The World with an Admixture of Microplastics

Katarzyna Stołpiec , Bożena Nowak , Agnieszka Babczyńska

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 8-11

Currently, plastic is the most popular synthetic product. Although its history is rather short – the first plastic was created in the mid-19^th century – its versatility has resulted in massive production around the world. The process of disposing of plastic-derived waste does not keep up with its grinding, and therefore the amount of synthetic waste grows at an increasing pace. By means of their inventions, environmentalists hope to move the consciences of consumers who buy food in plastic packaging, guided rather by their own convenience than care for the environment. How many of them actually know how dangerous the plastic they buy can be?

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Conspiracy theories vs science. A refuge in times of crisis?

Agnieszka Turska-Kawa , Julia Galas

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2026 | Abstract | pp. 16-17

Conspiracy theories have always been out there, but in the past they were rather isolated concepts focused on specific groups. They often emerged as a result of situations that were difficult to explain conclusively, as well as large-scale events such as terrorist attacks, economic crises, and epidemics. Researchers from the University of Silesia and the University of Ljubljana have been cooperating for several years to analyse movements based on conspiracy theories in three thematic areas: political science (the political potential of conspiracy theories), communication (paths of theory dissemination), and psychology (individuals’ susceptibility to conspiracy thinking). The project devoted a lot of space to analysing the profile of people who turn away from knowledge and science and choose to rebuild their worldview on the basis of conspiracy theories. 

2026-04-20



Journal: No Limits

LAW AND INTERNATIONAL CRIMES

Tomasz Płosa , Dominika Iwan-Sojka

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 14-15

Everything that has been happening in Ukraine since 24 February 2022 fills us with horror, compassion, and moral objection. There is no doubt that Putin, his closest associates, the commanders of the Russian army, and its regular soldiers are responsible for the evil that is taking place in our neighbour’s territory. The tragedy of the Ukrainian people demands justice and just punishment for the culprits. However, let us try to disconnect emotionally and analyse the current situation in Ukraine in the context of international law.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

The Natural Human Fight Against Viruses

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Katarzyna Kasperkiewicz

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 28-29

Sooner or later, everyone will probably come into contact with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. However, in order to survive, the virus must first reach our cells, and although it might seem otherwise, this is not an easy task.   The organism of every human being is equipped with a number of natural tools to effectively fight against this and many other microorganisms. As it turns out, our bodies have wonderfully equipped arsenals to defend us.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

Dehumanisation of public administration

Paweł Porębny

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 30-31

The article shows the consequences of rapid technological development in the public administration sector, focusing on the process of its dehumanisation. The author draws attention to the increasing automation of public services, which, although increasing efficiency and accessibility, can lead to social exclusion, privacy violations, and the loss of human relationships. He presents examples of countries where surveillance technologies are widely used and humans become merely elements of the system – often redundant and prone to marginalisation. The author asks whether the development of digital administration poses a threat to fundamental democratic values and whether the law, deprived of its human element, can still effectively protect citizens in the digital age.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Cryptocurrencies — Virtual Gold

Przemysław Kudłacik , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 16-17

Cryptocurrency is a term not coincidentally made up of two elements: the prefix crypto- and the noun currency. It is basically a means of settlement, not stored, however, in the computer system of any bank, but rather maintained by thousands of computers scattered around the world. It is built on a technology called blockchain. How are cryptocurrencies created? Can something that does not physically exist have value? It is still difficult to say if cryptocurrencies have more advantages or disadvantages.

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

Plants and Bacteria as Rescue for Contaminated Soil

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Magdalena Pacwa-Płociniczak , Tomasz Płociniczak

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 24-27

It is no secret that both bacteria and some plant species are able to survive in the most unfavorable, even extreme conditions. Such places certainly include areas contaminated with various organic and inorganic compounds, including hydrocarbons or heavy metals. Research shows that some organisms manage very well in such an environment… by naturally cleansing it of pollutants. Scientists are trying to learn about these extraordinary abilities of certain strains of bacteria or selected plant species in order to create a unique “arsenal” supporting the process of remediation of contaminated areas.

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Prehistoric Mothers, Wives, and Lovers

Weronika Cygan , Andrzej Boczarowski

Language: EN | Published: 13-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 4-7

Nowadays, the stereotype of the Neanderthal man with a face showing no signs of intelligence, more akin to an ape than a human, still persists. His slouched posture bears a strong resemblance to a chimpanzee holding firmly onto a club with one hand. This representation has permeated the culture and the term Neanderthal is still used as an insult for the uncultured and less clever. Thanks to the development of science and modern technology, we are now uncovering an increasingly large amount of secrets kept hidden by our ancestors. We can already create their portraits and attempt to reconstruct their way of life. Particularly interesting is research disproving the stereotypes about prehistoric women.

2023-04-13



Journal: No Limits

Curiosity and courage. Women’s journeys to the Orient

Julia Szołtysek , Julia Galas

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 20-23

Despite the social restrictions of their era, women had been travelling and exploring the Middle East and Asia since the 18th century, combining their passion for knowledge with a desire for independence. Among them were Gertrude Bell, a researcher and diplomat who played an important role in the creation of the state of Iraq; Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, a researcher of the Orient who broke stereotypes about Eastern women; and Annemarie Schwarzenbach, a 20th-century writer and traveller who made travelling a form of personal salvation. The article shows how travel became an act of courage, emancipation, and creative expression for women, and how their accounts became a valuable testimony to the meeting of cultures and a source of inspiration for future generations.

2025-11-21



Journal: No Limits

The idea behind art education

Agnieszka Sikora , Urszula Szuścik

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 6-9

Art education plays an important role in children and young people’s educational process. It is crucial in developing imagination, creativity, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and self-expression through various artistic media such as drawing, painting, photography, music, and dance. Through art, children learn to express their thoughts in an original and unique way and to relate to their environment.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

THE SOCIAL MEANING OF PUBLIC SPACES

Krzysztof Bierwiaczonek , Katarzyna Stołpiec

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 16-19

A town or city is a settlement unit with a predominance of compact buildings and non-agricultural functions, which has urban rights or the status of a town or city granted under separate regulations. Each city and town has its own specificity expressed in history, architecture, urban layout, and the way of life of its inhabitants. Cities and towns are expected to make their spaces aesthetically pleasing, attractive, and diverse, with an interesting blue-green infrastructure. While many of the cities meet these criteria, few people consider how much social significance each of them has.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Nature does not Create Unnecessary Things

Agnieszka Sikora , Piotr Skubała

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 4-7

Zero waste is an idea demanding a change in the way we think about and function in the environment. It points out that human activity should be connected with the responsibility for how we live and what consequences our actions have on the planet. The idea behind zero waste is to minimize the amount of waste and reuse it, as well as not to waste purchased products. Due to the fact that we use environmental resources, it is worth remembering that everything we buy and then use becomes waste. Therefore, the emphasis on changing our habits and lifestyles is so important, but what matters the most is to reduce excessive consumerism.

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

AI in the classroom

Tomek Grząślewicz , Agnieszka Nowak-Brzezińska

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 26-27

Operating billet heaters in hazardous conditions, working with dangerous machinery, handling heavy products in a warehouse... Without a question, AI-controlled devices should replace us in some of these activities. It could prove difficult for us to get used to travelling in self-driving buses, although autonomous vehicles are already being gradually introduced into public transport. The rapid acceleration in the development of large-scale language models – with the high-profile ChatGPT leading the charge – has, on the other hand, led to a resurgence of discussion on the role of AI tools in university education. Everyone agrees on one thing, though: the model of academic education as we know it is undergoing a radical change right before our very eyes.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

AGREEMENTS KEPT ARE WARS AVOIDED

Maria Sztuka , Magdalena Półtorak

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 10-13

Vulnerable persons are not only women, children, and people with disabilities. This group also includes the elderly, pregnant people, single parents, victims of human trafficking, severely ill people, those suffering from mental disorders, as well as people who have been victims of rape, torture, and other forms of physical, mental, or sexual abuse. Any person, due to certain circumstances, deficiencies, or dysfunctions, might be unable to fully exercise their rights.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

GMO — A New Hope or The Road to Perdition

Barbara Wójcikowska , Katarzyna Suchańska

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 14-15

The use of genetically modified micro-organisms (GMMs), as well as the chemical compounds they produce, has a universal tacit approval. Whereas, the production of food using genetically modified organisms (GMOs), mainly plants, is vehemently opposed. Some argue that GMO foods are harmful and should not be consumed, while others believe that they can do a lot of good, e.g. reduce hunger in countries facing food shortages and improve the living standards in developing countries. What are the actual benefits of GMOs – and do they carry any risks?

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

Science fiction tells us nothing about the future

Agnieszka Podruczna , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: PL | Published: 07-04-2021 | Abstract | pp. 14-15

Dr. Agnieszka Podruczna conducts research on science fiction in English-language postcolonial literature, however, she deals with specific SF literature – not only with works related to North America, but also written by non-white women; authors who come from minorities and diasporic or indigenous communities. In dealing with these works, Dr. Podruczna describes themes around which sci-fi specifically revolves, such as physicality, slavery, displacement, the search for a home, and the rifts between two worlds that usually put human beings in situations of decisive choice.

2021-04-07



Journal: No Limits

To give your child a happy life

Katarzyna Suchańska , Sylwia Wrona

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 4-5

Some children may struggle with serious health problems right from the very beginning. In such cases, they will be looked after by specialists and offered assistance in coping with their illnesses. Some of them are temporary and completely curable. Developmental abnormalities aren’t always noticed right away. Sometimes a child needs to start crawling, moving around, and babbling to show that they are suffering from an abnormality. To ensure that their children are off to a good start, many parents opt for early childhood development support classes.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

HOW DOES A METROPOLIS COME INTO EXISTENCE?

Robert Pyka , Tomasz Płosa

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 14-15

Cities have always attracted people. They have provided more opportunities for educational, professional, material, social, or personal betterment. Although living in the city, in addition to providing numerous opportunities, is also associated with a lot of risks and disadvantages, and many city dwellers in different moments of their lives increasingly often decide to leave for a place in the middle of nowhere,  the attraction of cities is not decreasing. Quite the contrary. It is estimated that by the end of this century, nearly 90% of the population will live in cities or in their vicinity. The importance of metropolitan areas will also systematically increase, as the population will concentrate around them.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Women and Labour Law

Urszula Torbus , Tomasz Płosa

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 22-23

When we think about how the Labour Code protects women, the first thing that comes to mind is the provisions related to maternity, i.e. the possibility to take maternity, parental, or childcare leave. And indeed, Polish legislation protects mothers to a very high degree. In addition, the code precisely specifies which jobs women absolutely cannot perform. Of course, there is also a provision in the Code on the need for equal treatment by employers irrespective of a range of characteristics, including gender, but this is a more complicated issue.

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

Digital education: the key to success in the 21st century

Olimpia Orządała , Monika Karwacka

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 24-25

At the end of 2023, Eurostat published a digital competence report. 56% of European Union citizens aged 16-74 possess at least some basic digital skills. The highest percentage was recorded in the Netherlands (83%), Finland (82%), and Denmark (70%) and the lowest in Romania (28%), Bulgaria (36%), and Poland (44%). These figures do not inspire optimism given the role digitality plays in our lives. By 2030, not less than 80% of EU citizens should have at least a basic level of digital literacy. This is the target of the EU programme setting the course for digital transformation in Europe.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

PROS AND CONS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

Agnieszka Sikora , Marek Matussek

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 8-9

Contrary to traditional sources, where energy is obtained from the combustion reactions of coal or gas, nuclear energy is obtained from processes related to radioactivity, i.e. the ability of certain atomic nuclei to undergo radioactive decay. Nuclear power plays an extremely important role in the modern world. Some see it as an opportunity for decarbonisation and increased energy security, while sceptics see numerous risks associated with the use of a radioactive energy source.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

In the Search for Chemical Water Contamination

Agnieszka Niewdana , Agnieszka Nowak

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 22-23

Water pollution has many sources. Most of them are related to human activities. Scientist distinguish, among others, point sources of water pollution, such as waste dumps and pollution resulting from agricultural and industrial activities. Pharmaceuticals present in water have become a new problem. They penetrate water in three ways: through municipal sewage, sewage from production plants, and from livestock breeding centers. Concentrations of pharmaceuticals are monitored, and at the same time the possibilities of their rapid detection and neutralization are checked. The Automatic Biodetector of General Toxicity of Waters (ABTOW), a system combining the properties of selected microorganisms – nitrifying bacteria and electrochemical sensors.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

To survive. Climate migration through the eyes of the Global South

Ewa Macura-Nnamdi , Magdalena Malinowska , Weronika Cygan-Adamczyk

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 22-25

In the face of intensifying climate change, the phenomenon of migration – or rather displacement – is taking on a new meaning, especially from the perspective of the Global South. Researchers analyse literature and art from African and Caribbean countries to bring to light the less-heard but extremely important voices of the communities most affected by the climate crisis. They draw attention to the difference between the Western narrative on migration and local adaptation strategies, which often express hope, determination and a desire to create a new future – also through African futurism. In their view, climate-induced displacement is not only a geographical migration but also a cultural and symbolic change that redefines humanity's relationship with the planet and other forms of life. It is a voice that, if heard, could be the key to a more just and sustainable future.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Fungi in the Revitalization of Post-industrial Areas

Maria Sztuka , Franco Magurno

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 22-23

Climate change has become a fact, and its effects are felt by people around the globe. Particularly dangerous are prolonged droughts, since they not only have a negative effect on the development of plants, but also become the cause of many dangerous diseases. The intensive use of fertilizers and pesticides or melioration as a support for agricultural production turned out to be highly harmful to the soil, and in many places led to its degradation. Much of the world is struggling with a lack of proper hydration, and desertification is beginning to threaten all continents. The research results of interdisciplinary scientific teams focused on counteracting environmental devastation and restoring vital biodiversity are not only diligently followed, but also applied as quickly as possible.

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

QUANTUM ATTACKS ON CLASSICAL CRYPTOSYSTEM

Weronika Cygan , Jerzy Dajka

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 26-29

What is quantum cryptography? Can classical banknote security measures be replaced by quantum ones? How to deal with the threats posed by quantum computers? While many publicists are keen on fearmongering with quantum computers as a challenge to data security, we are by no means helpless in the face of this threat.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

CITY-FORMING PROCESSES AND TRANSFORMATIONS

Robert Krzysztofik , Małgorzata Kłoskowicz

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 12-13

The Katowice conurbation is one of the most interesting settlement systems on the map of Poland. It is distinguished by its close proximity to as many as 54 municipalities (including 17 cities and towns), an area of 3,329 km² (1285 square miles), and a number of approx. 2 million people (data from 2019). Its origins date back to the 19^th century, and its rapid development took place after World War II. Although individual towns and cities developed independently, they were linked by the same city-forming factor – hard coal mining and, in part, also other branches of traditional industry. This, in turn, has had significant consequences for the economic, economic, political, social, and spatial dimension of the conurbation.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Women in Art Yesterday and Women’s Art Today

Adam Bała , Paulina Poczęta

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 18-21

Art used to be a tool to flaunt power, an ornament in the hands of wealthy elites, a synonym for luxury, and a show of social status. Similarly, women in old art had a clearly defined role — they were a motif, an iconographic reference to the idea of beauty or function (a mother, a saint, or a lover). In earlier eras, only male members of society were allowed to engage in education and creative endeavours. Women were not allowed to study at the academies of fine arts in Poland nearly until the end of World War I, as their ability to take on the great tasks of high art was questioned.

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

Video games. Creative space and learning aid

Tomasz Płosa , Michał Kłosiński

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 20-23

People involved in education have now recognised that games are a part of culture and that video game specialists should be invited to cooperate. However, teacher training within a variety of fields still lacks classes devoted to game culture. There still isn’t a textbook that would explain how to teach games. We need systemic solutions that will provide proper assistance for teachers.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

IS THIS REALLY THE END OF THE AGE OF FOSSIL FUELS?

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Iwona Jelonek

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 4-7

We will move away from fossil fuels in the future — that is a fact. However, we do not yet know what environmental, economic, and social decisions await us. Certainly, difficult choices will have to be made. We do know one thing: without energy, the world as we know it will not survive. There would be no energy today without the much-hated coal, whether we like it or not.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Recovering Rainwater

Maria Sztuka , Sławomir Sitek

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 20-21

The ongoing climate changes in Central Europe have had a considerable and negative impact on the level of groundwater resources. The main objective of the DEEPWATER-CE project is to develop capacities for an integrated management of responsible public institutions in Central Europe with regard to a comprehensive and international approach to water resource planning and management and the adoption of MAR (Managed Aquifer Recharge) systems as a solution to water scarcity caused by climate change.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

Lead runs through our veins

Lucyna Sadzikowska , Małgorzata Kłoskowicz

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 6-9

It’s 1974. Thousands of records laid out on the floor of doctor Jolanta Wadowska-Król’s flat form a grim labyrinth. These are the medical records of children living near the Non-Ferrous Smelting Plant ‘Szopienice’ in Katowice. Many of them have blood lead levels well above the acceptable limit. The diagnosis is surprising — it’s lead poisoning, an occupational disease affecting workers in daily contact with toxic metals, causing damage to the haematopoietic and nervous systems, among other things. And so, the fight for the health and lives of the doctor’s young patients begins.

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

HOMEMADE TERRORISM

Tomasz Grząślewicz , Karolina Wojtasik

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 22-25

Terrorism is a method of action, and the radicalisation which may lead to violence is not necessarily linked to Islam or its ideology’. While Islamist terrorist organisations such as Al-Qa'ida or ISIS are responsible for most of the attacks we hear about in the media, the 2011 attacks in Norway were carried out by a right-wing extremist Anders Breivik, a blond-haired and blue-eyed man. The article is devoted to the analysis of the motivations and modes of conduct of terrorists.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Digitisation and Restoration preserve cinematographic heritage

Jerzy Łukaszewicz , Maria Sztuka

Language: EN | Published: 03-11-2023 | Abstract | pp. 26-29

The Polish National Film Archive boasts one of the largest collections of films in Europe. It contains 2,000 Polish feature films (from 1908 to the present day), 160 pre-war films, 100,000 documentaries and short films, and over 2,000 animated films. Most were recorded on film stock, a perishable and degradable material. The only way to prevent the loss of film heritage and to preserve it for posterity is digitisation and comprehensive digital restoration. Not only can the contemporary viewer admire the cinema that captivated previous generations, but also follow the development of Polish cinematography.

2023-11-03



Journal: No Limits

BORDER TOWNS AND CITIES

Magdalena Szalbot , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 8-11

Cieszyn is a town located in the south of Poland on the border with the Czech Republic, on the Olza River. Cieszyn has only 32,000 residents, however, it boasts a long and rich history. Its development and shape were influenced by the shifting national borders, and thus by different cultures, languages, religions, and traditions. Like every border region, it is a specific area where one can observe the clash of groups different with regard to linguistic, social, and historical aspects, often burdened with negative stereotypes about their neighbors from the other side of the river.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Women of Volcanic Origin

Krzysztof Jarosz , Tomasz Grząślewicz

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 16-17

Ananda Devi is the most important contemporary Mauritian writer, author of more than a dozen novels, and several collections of short stories and poetry, currently living in France and writing in French. She considers herself first and foremost a humanist writer. Since women are more likely to be victims of violence, many of her works feature protagonists who are rejected and wounded and have little chance of escaping their suffering. After all, where should those living in Mauritius — a small island of volcanic origin surrounded by an endless ocean — escape to?

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

WHAT MAKES A CITY SMART?

Mariusz Jankowski

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 28-29

Even if we live in a small town, we identify with the nearest large urban center and are interested in its development. The topic is important because more than 3.5 billion people already live in towns or cities, and by 2030, this will apply to as much as 60% of the world's population. The trend is extremely dynamic and transforms the reality that surrounds us. According to United Nations forecasts, the population of cities will almost double by 2050. Therefore, the 2016 Quito Declaration highlighted the importance and role of cities in the context of demographic processes, economic activities, social and cultural interactions, and the effects of environmental and humanitarian processes.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Can a computer be an artist? Algorithms, evolution and the future of art

Urszula Boryczka , Tomasz Płosa

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 18-19

This article addresses the interdisciplinary issue of the relationship between evolution and art, in which algorithms, specifically evolutionary algorithms, play the role of a mediator. The starting point is a reflection on the inspirations drawn from biological evolution theory, which has found application in genetic algorithms, evolutionary programming, and other computational methods. The text shows how algorithms not only optimise solutions to technical problems but can also stimulate creative processes. It attempts to answer the question about the future of art in the era of artificial intelligence and the role of emotions or empathy in the digital creative process.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Immersive media: the hope for journalism

Wojciech Welskop , Tomasz Płosa

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2026 | Abstract | pp. 20-21

For decades, the mass media based their power on providing information to their audience – initially newspapers, and later radio and television, had the resources to be the only ones able to convey facts. When the rules of the game changed with the advent of the internet and widespread access to it, traditional media shifted their focus from information to opinion and journalism. Since information is available almost instantly and there is no need to wait for tomorrow’s newspaper or the next news broadcast, it has become more important to convince readers and audience members of a particular interpretation of facts. Traditional media are currently facing a multitude of problems, including how to engage young audiences. Perhaps immersive media offer an effective remedy for these ills, and journalism based on them, offering in-depth information, will be the next stage in media development.

2026-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Stanisław Lem. A fantasist who gave names to his dreams.

Jolanta Tambor , Maria Sztuka

Language: PL | Published: 07-04-2021 | Abstract | pp. 6-9

Stanisław Lem, who created extraordinary worlds in his science fiction works, was well known not only for an exceptional imagination, but also for a sophisticated sense of word-formation. The products of his imagination have fascinated researchers from many scientific disciplines: literary scholars, philosophers, sociologists, astronomers, or futurologists. Linguists have to be included in this group as well, since Lem poured his brilliant ideas onto paper, inserting into the descriptions of the invented worlds not only words featured in Polish dictionaries, but also borrowings from foreign languages and his own neologisms. As a matter of fact, these neologisms caused almost cosmic problems for Lem's translators. 

2021-04-07



Journal: No Limits

We are all equal

Dorota Prysak , Olimpia Orządała

Language: EN | Published: 30-12-2024 | Abstract | pp. 24-25

The article addresses the issue of social inclusion of people with disabilities, especially intellectual disabilities, and the role played by teachers and special education teachers in this process. It highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with educational and social work with people with diverse needs. The text draws attention to the need to overcome mental barriers, use simple language in communication, and listen carefully when interacting with people with intellectual disabilities. Working with people with intellectual disabilities can be not only an important professional experience but also a source of deep reflection and personal development.  The article emphasises that the basis for effective support is the recognition of the equality and dignity of every human being.

2024-12-30



Journal: No Limits

19th Century Europe Was not a Woman

Magdalena Piekara , Maria Sztuka

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 14-15

The ground-breaking 19th century set civilisation on a new track, known as the age of steam and electricity, and imposed a pace of development never before experienced by humankind. An avalanche of discoveries and inventions resulted in rapid industrial and economic growth. Although the explosion of knowledge and progress took over the globe, half of the population, i.e. women, invariably remained under the special protection of men, resembling children with special needs under the laws of the time.

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

CITY RIVERS

Andrzej Kowalczyk , Maria Sztuka

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2022 | Abstract | pp. 24-27

Rome, Paris, London, Vienna... the most beautiful metropolises in Europe owe their fame and power to a large extent to the rivers on which they are located. Since the dawn of time, people, looking for the most convenient places to settle, have chosen the valleys of life-giving rivers, which fed, watered, irrigated crops, fertilized the soil, and collected waste. They were also fast communication routes and played a defensive role in emergency situations. In Leonardo da Vinci's design of an ideal city in 1487, the river was a sine qua non condition. It ensured not only proper hygiene, but also the transport of goods, which allowed for the reconciliation of practical an,d aesthetic requirements.

2022-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Between information and persuasion. Language as a marketing tool

Angelika M. Pabian , Adam Bała

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2026 | Abstract | pp. 18-19

Language is the most important and, at the same time, the most poorly defined tool of marketing communication. In an era of message overproduction, linguistic clichés, and growing content automation, it is really easy to get lost between meaning and convention. Marketing language increasingly utilises a recognisable form rather than precise communication. This raises questions about responsibility for one’s words, the limits of persuasion, and whether marketing language is still capable of communicating.

2026-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Why should we study attitudes? Adult educational beliefs and their social significance

Anna Orlińska

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 30-31

Attitudes are the central part of everyone’s individuality; they keep changing and moulding all throughout life, in the development process of each person. Understanding and exploring adult attitudes towards education is therefore essential, as they reflect societal values and influence future generations. Adults, who are role models for younger generations, have a huge impact on shaping the attitudes and behaviour of children and youth.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

Overweight and obese students in Polish schools – have we failed the test?

Nataliia Ruman , Adam Bała

Language: EN | Published: 30-12-2024 | Abstract | pp. 20-23

The problem of obesity among children and young people is growing, and Polish schools are not always prepared to respond appropriately. Data from studies conducted in Warsaw and Katowice show that a significant percentage of students struggle with excess weight, the main causes of which are poor diet and lack of physical activity. The text addresses the lack of systemic support in schools and the inadequate implementation of preventive programmes. It also points to the need for more educational activities. The importance of counteracting discrimination, supporting overweight students during classes, and the proper approach on the part of teachers and parents cannot be overstated.

2024-12-30



Journal: No Limits

All our activities leave a digital printfoot

Agnieszka Niewdana , Roman Simiński

Language: PL | Published: 07-04-2021 | Abstract | pp. 20-21

Every day we take pictures, have conversations via various communicators, send documents, or pay for purchases with a money card. We do not give any consideration to the issue where this data is collected and how it can be used. In the meantime, Internet transactions, online shopping, or even web browsing leave a permanently recorded digital footprint of our online presence. Notwithstanding the fact whether digital footprint identifies us or we remain anonymous, it contains information about our activity that can be used – legitimately or illegitimately.

2021-04-07



Journal: No Limits

China: A Giant with Feet of Terracotta?

Tomasz Okraska

Language: PL | Published: 21-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 12-13

China is a civilization that, after centuries of glory (and faith in its own greatness), had collapsed in the 19^th century and was reborn as a world power a hundred years later, after the madness of the Maoist era. Today, Chinese leaders no longer hide their global aspirations, but they face limitations caused by the policies resorted to by other powers, but, above all, have to struggle with numerous internal problems that became apparent when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Xi Jinping himself, the most powerful leader of the PRC since Mao, once said that China could not become a superpower until 2049.

2020-09-21



Journal: No Limits

Not a stone left upon another?

Anna Żemła-Siesicka , Małgorzata Kłoskowicz

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 10-13

The article reflects on the future of cultural heritage in the context of preserved megalithic structures – one of the oldest manifestations of human architectural activity. Instead of following the typical futurological question of what will the future look like, the author asks: What is worth preserving? She presents selected examples of such places in Poland, analysing their current condition, forms of protection, threats and possibilities for further existence. The article emphasises the importance of both legal and landscape conditions for the survival of these structures. The text shows how megaliths can become not only a testimony to the past but also an important element of the landscape of the future, provided that they are cared for responsibly and that a modern approach to their preservation and accessibility is adopted.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Escape room as homework

Małgorzata Kłoskowicz , Evelina Bendoraitienė

Language: EN | Published: 19-04-2024 | Abstract | pp. 28-29

An escape room is literally a room you have to escape from used primarily for entertainment. But it can also be turned into an innovative educational method and offered to students. The most significant advantages of the educational escape room are not only the information provided in a very creative way but also the opportunity to develop many competencies. These include: critical and logical thinking, cooperation and teamwork in general, effective communication, scenario building, and creativity. It is also a great tool to motivate students to become more involved in the classroom.

2024-04-19



Journal: No Limits

3D printing revolution in orthopaedics

Ryszard Tomaszewski , Małgorzata Kłoskowicz

Language: EN | Published: 30-12-2024 | Abstract | pp. 18-19

Implants, like clothes, are produced in only a few sizes and usually correspond to the most common shapes. It is our body, i.e. the broken bone or damaged joint, that, with the help of surgeons, has to ‘adapt’ to them. Personalised implants made with the use of 3D printing are an enticing alternative. They are created as a result of close cooperation between doctors, engineers, technicians, and physicists. The process allows the bone structure and joint geometry to be perfectly reproduced. Although today such solutions are primarily used for young patients and people with severe bone deformities, in the near future they could become a hospital standard.

2024-12-30



Journal: No Limits

Social insects and birds as swarm intelligence models

Urszula Boryczka , Tomasz Płoska

Language: PL | Published: 07-04-2021 | Abstract | pp. 16-19

Formations of wild birds or schools of fish follow a given direction; they fly or swim according to a symmetrical pattern in a harmonious and coordinated manner. When they suddenly change direction, they neither bump into each other not break the formation. This is a real natural phenomenon. And it is precisely such phenomena that researchers not necessarily associated with the natural sciences have begun to look at, and created artificial intelligence algorithms useful in solving specific optimization problems based on mathematical models observed in the natural world. The collective pattern of individual behavior in self-organizing systems, such as bird formations, schools of fish, and a colonies of insects, was used to create an artificial intelligence technique called swarm intelligence.

2021-04-07



Journal: No Limits

Thunderbolt of Anger

Szymon Kawa

Language: EN | Published: 14-04-2023 | Abstract | pp. 24-25

Poland’s abortion law is among the most restrictive in Europe. The decision to tighten it up led to the largest protests since the fall of communism in 1989. To offer a fair explanation of the so-called Women’s Strike, we first need to look back at how the abortion law in Poland changed over the years.

2023-04-14



Journal: No Limits

No risk. On the future of romantic relationships

Ania Malinowska , Adam Bała

Language: EN | Published: 25-04-2025 | Abstract | pp. 26-29

The article analyses the impact of modern technologies – such as dating apps, algorithms, and robots – on how romantic relationships are formed and experienced. The researcher shows how our ideas about the future of relationships are based on cultural myths and the pursuit of risk elimination. Referring to historical forms of ‘code consumption’ and old prototypes of love testers, she points to the continuity of the human desire for predictability and emotional certainty. Instead of the predicted post-human ideal of harmony with machines, she forecasts a growing sterilisation of emotions and relationships. It is not technology that dehumanises love – it is people themselves, consciously choosing safe, easy, and pre-programmed emotions over authentic, risky commitment.

2025-04-25



Journal: No Limits

Utilitarian Problems under the Control of Artificial Intelligence

Katarzyna Stołpiec , Krzysztof Szwarc

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2021 | Abstract | pp. 28-29

In recent decades, technology and IT have completely dominated the global job market. Human-made virtual reality is no longer controlled by human beings as tightly as it is done by AI. Numerous algorithms perform a sequence of tasks to improve human work as much as possible. Among the areas of their activity, ecological waste management deserves special attention, since it requires an interdisciplinary approach to ensure highly efficient flows of raw materials, semi-finished, and finished products from the place of consumption to the place of origin.

2021-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Information physics, or why do we need entropy?

Jerzy Dajka , Agnieszka Sikora

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2026 | Abstract | pp. 28-31

Entropy is a concept used in physics to describe the degree of disorder in thermodynamic processes. In classical thermodynamics, it is a state function whose change allows us to distinguish between possible and impossible processes. The entropy of an isolated system – that is, one which exchanges neither energy nor matter with its surroundings – never decreases. It may remain constant (in ideally reversible processes), but in real processes it has to increase. The existence of entropy has its consequences. It determines the arrow of time in macroscopic physics, explaining why certain processes occur spontaneously in only one direction. Although the concept of entropy was born in relation to heat engines and energy processes, over time it turned out to have a much broader meaning – extending to information theory, computer science, biology, and even cosmology.

2026-04-20



Journal: No Limits

INFORMATION WARFARE AS A FOREIGN POLICY TOOL OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

Jacek Kiera

Language: EN | Published: 08-11-2022 | Abstract | pp. 30-31

In international relations, information is seen as a resource of strategic significance. As a consequence, it can be used in a harmful way, including information warfare. When compiling the most comprehensive definitions of this concept found in Western science, we may assume that it is an organised activity which consists in modifying or destroying communication systems with the intention to achieve political, military, or economic goals.

2022-11-08



Journal: No Limits

Daniel Vetter in the land of ice and fire

Dariusz Rott , Adam Bała

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 18-19

For a 17th-century European, Iceland must have been an almost mythical island – a land of smoking volcanoes and icy winds surrounded by a hostile ocean full of fantastic beasts and sea wonders. It was the destination of Daniel Vetter who reached the island in 1613. He recorded his observations from his several-week stay in one of the most intriguing travel works of Old Polish literature – Islandia álbo Krotkie opisanie Wyspy Islandyji (Iceland, or a Short Description of the Island of Iceland). This inconspicuous work, first published in 1638, remained forgotten for a long time, and it was only thanks to the research of Prof. Dariusz Rott that the text was rediscovered and edited.

2025-11-21



Journal: No Limits

Plagues in medieval Poland

Bożena Czwojdrak

Language: PL | Published: 18-09-2020 | Abstract | pp. 6-9

We are living in a time when we are suddenly faced with challenges that plagued our ancestors. All over the world we have well-equipped, modern medical laboratories, eminent scientists, we can send humans into space, but in the face of invisible viruses or bacteria we are still helpless, like people in the Middle Ages, when an extremely virulent strain of Yersinia pestis caused a black death pandemic. Most likely, it had come to Europe from the Caucasus on a ship carrying infected people to Messina in 1347, and from there it spread throughout the continent. The famous black death probably did not cause any major perturbations in Poland, but this does not mean that no miasma existed there. The walled up cities, lack of ventilation, neglect of personal hygiene – all this caused various diseases to spread, most often cholera. 

2020-09-18



Journal: No Limits

Tardigrades: Superheroes and sleeping beauties

Izabela Poprawa , Małgorzata Kłoskowicz

Language: PL | Published: 08-04-2021 | Abstract | pp. 28-31

Tardigrades (water bears), tiny invertebrates found in wet and humid environments, are often referred to as indestructible animals that are not afraid of very high or extremely low temperatures, prolonged droughts, or even exposure to cosmic rays. For years, scientists have been studying what is behind this remarkable resistance and whether there is really nothing that could harm them. 

2021-04-08



Journal: No Limits

Communication perfected over several million years of evolution

Jolanta Brożek , Małgorzata Kłoskowicz

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2026 | Abstract | pp. 8-11

Commonly, the word communication may be associated with everyday conversation, news services, lectures, and email exchanges. Meanwhile, in our close proximity, in the grass, on tree leaves, and sometimes even in our homes, there exists a constant exchange of data that has nothing to do with human conversation. It is a world where ‘words’ take the form of chemical molecules and touch is replaced by the precise systems of microscopic levers. We are thus entering the territory of insects, specifically the fascinating and little-known sensory reality of hemiptera, or true bugs.

2026-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Code of (mis)communication. Is there still room for dialogue in the age of algorithms?

Miłosz Barłóg

Language: EN | Published: 20-04-2026 | Abstract | pp. 26-27

Today, workplace monitoring is nothing like a supervisor looking over our shoulder or a CCTV camera in the office. Increasingly often, it takes the form of algorithms and artificial intelligence systems that analyse efficiency, organise tasks, prepare schedules, and identify risks. Algorithmic surveillance is silent, dispersed, and often not very transparent. This poses a challenge for communication. Good communication begins with understanding the problem, translating into human language the instances as to where an algorithm acts in the process, what it measures, how the result is used, with whom it can be discussed, and how it can be appealed.

2026-04-20



Journal: No Limits

Searching for the medicines of the future

Robert Musioł , Weronika Cygan-Adamczyk

Language: EN | Published: 30-12-2024 | Abstract | pp. 12-15

If progress is accelerating and science and technology are advancing faster than ever, why are we still facing cancers, immunological diseases, and new ailments and the arsenal of so-called ‘civilisational diseases' is expanding? This article provides an overview of the state of modern research into new therapies and drugs. It describes groundbreaking discoveries, such as CRISPR/Cas9 technology, click chemistry, and mRNA vaccines, as well as the everyday challenges faced by scientists, including testing substances on biological models, the limitations of nanotechnology, and the high costs of gene therapy. The expert explains why the road from the laboratory to the pharmacy can be long and full of obstacles. The development of personalised medicine is also of key importance.

2024-12-30



Journal: No Limits

An author who hated movie adaptations of his books

Agnieszka Tambor

Language: PL | Published: 07-04-2021 | Abstract | pp. 12-13

Stanisław Lem chronically detested films based on his texts, and treated every adaptation ever made as sacrilege. Despite the great interest in his work by the movie industry, Lem was never enthusiastic about cinema adaptations. “Terrible” is one of the milder words Lem used with regard to “his” movies. Was it the writer's character that did not permit any changes in the texts he had written, or was Lem unaware of film language rules and did not want to come to terms with the framework of the audiovisual translation process, including the sometimes necessary interference with the content?

2021-04-07



Journal: No Limits

Migrations that shaped Old English literature

Rafał Borysławski , Tomasz Płosa

Language: EN | Published: 21-11-2025 | Abstract | pp. 16-17

The mid-5th century AD saw the peak of the migration period – the great migration of barbarian tribes towards southern and western Europe. Groups of Germanic peoples inhabiting what is now Denmark, northern Germany, and eastern Netherlands – the Jutes, Angles and Saxons – crossed the North Sea and invade the British Isles, pushing the Celtic Britons to Cornwall and Wales. Contrary to their barbarian origins, the invaders brought with them sophisticated material culture, beliefs (similar to Nordic ones) and orature – spoken literature, which would later become the basis of Old English (pre-Norman) literature. The elegiac poems, riddles and wisdom literature created at that time reveal the spirituality and sensitivity of medieval people, far from the stereotype of the Dark Ages.

2025-11-21