Stellenbosch researcher investigates seasickness, using an app she developed

Contrary to much popular opinion, many sailors and other professional seafarers suffer, to greater or lesser degrees, from seasickness when they re-embark on sea voyages. Suffering dizziness, tiredness, general discomfort, and, at the worst, nausea and vomiting, undermines their ability to fulfil their duties, at least during the early stage of their mission. Effectively countering, indeed preventing, seasickness would benefit both the individuals concerned and the efficiency with which they execute their duties. “Existing models tend to describe levels of motion sickness for groups, rather than individuals,” points out Stellenbosch University Mechanical and Mechantronic Engineering Department postdoctoral research fellow Dr Nicole Taylor. “Studies on motion sickness appear to be conducted in a manner that collects data from individuals, then aggregate results during analysis.”