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Medical & Health Sciences Latest
Dr Wilber Sabiiti | Battling Tuberculosis whilst Maintaining the Respiratory Microbiome
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmIn the world of respiratory health, treating tuberculosis infections is an ongoing challenge. Dr Wilber Sabiiti from the University of St Andrews in the UK, delves into the...
Proteins on the Move: Gateways into Mitochondria
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmEukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is an essential translation factor found in nearly all living organisms. It helps ribosomes, the molecular machines that build proteins, in translating proteins...
Professor Emeritus Steven Cramer | New Insights into the Elastic Properties of Wood
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmWood has been used for centuries to make various structures. However, its properties are typically considered on a large scale and assumed to be consistent. This oversimplification can lead to unexpected variations...
Dr Teresa Sanchez | The Enigma of the Vascular Endothelium: New Hope for Stroke Therapies and Beyond
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmStrokes cause brain injury that can be fatal, and those who survive are often left with long-term problems. Understanding what exactly happens to the blood vessels in the brain as a result of stroke is critical to...
Earth, Environment & Agricultual Sciences
Dr Mojtaba Enayati | Turning Trash into Treasure: Recycling PET Waste with Catalysts from PET Labels
Plastic pollution has become a critical environmental problem, with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic widely used in food and beverage packaging being a major contributor. Dr Mojtaba Enayati from Troy University’s Center for Materials and Manufacturing Sciences (CMMS) is leading innovative research aimed at utilising the labels from PET water bottles as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective catalyst for chemically recycling PET waste into valuable monomers and other value-added materials. This innovative work provides an elegant solution for recycling PET by sourcing key components from the PET bottles themselves.
Dr Ottaviano Rüsch | Thermal Cycling and Dust Dynamics: Shaping Rocky Lunar Landscapes
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmThe Moon’s airless surface is constantly bombarded by micrometeoroids, cosmic rays, and extreme temperature swings. These harsh conditions gradually break down rocks and create the fine-grained lunar soil known as...
Dr L Donald Duke | Riding the Storm: How Nature-Based Solutions Can Help Tackle Flooding in Southwest Florida
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmFlorida grapples with mounting challenges related to inland flooding due to heavy precipitation, along with coastal flooding from rising sea levels and coastal storms. One important approach to address...
Improving Food Safety of Hydroponic Leafy Greens
By Mr Jack LatusHydroponic farming is experiencing rapid growth worldwide, offering a sustainable and efficient method of producing fresh, nutrient-rich crops. However, the unique conditions of hydroponic systems also present complex food safety challenges. Dr...
Physical Sciences & Mathematics Latest
Dr Ying Zou | A New Type of Space Storm: The Extraordinary Auroral Event of April 2023
Space weather events can have dramatic effects on Earth’s magnetic field, potentially disrupting everything from power grids to GPS systems. Dr Ying Zou and her colleagues Dr Jesper Gjerloev and Shin Ohtani from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory led a groundbreaking investigation into an extraordinary disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field that occurred in April 2023. This unprecedented event is reshaping our understanding of how solar activity can trigger extreme space weather that impacts our technological systems.
Engineering & Computer Science Latest
Professor Edward Smith | Soaring to New Heights: Investigating the Aeroelastic Stability of Composite Aircraft Wings
Combining the best aspects of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft into a single vehicle has been a long-held ambition in the aerospace industry. From Leonardo da Vinci’s early drawings of an ‘aerial screw’ to the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft used by the U.S. military today, engineers have grappled with the challenge of creating aircraft capable of both vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and high-speed forward flight. While helicopters offer unparalleled VTOL performance, their top speeds are limited to around 300 km/h. Fixed-wing aircraft offer greater speed but require long runways for take-off and landing. Reconciling these conflicting design requirements is a major challenge.
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Latest
Professor Layla Branicki | Building Better Workplaces for Neurodivergent Employees
The landscape of work is undergoing a radical transformation, with flexible arrangements and remote working becoming increasingly embedded in organisational culture. However, for the estimated 15-20% of people who are neurodivergent – including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other cognitive differences – navigating the workplace can present unique and sometimes overwhelming challenges. Researchers at the University of Bath have conducted the largest UK study of its kind, exploring how flexible working practices can support neurodivergent employees in the workplace, revealing both challenges and opportunities for creating more inclusive work environments.
Life Sciences & Biology Latest
Dr Terrence Deacon | Challenging the RNA-World: Deacon’s Semiotic Approach to the Origin of Life
Challenging the established RNA-World Model, Dr Terrence Deacon of the University of California, Berkeley, provides an exciting new approach to understanding biological processes and the emergence of information in biological systems.
Proteins on the Move: Gateways into Mitochondria
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmEukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is an essential translation factor found in nearly all living organisms. It helps ribosomes, the molecular machines that build proteins, in translating proteins...
Revealing the Intricate Links Between Metabolism and Reproduction
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmThe brain plays a vital role in controlling reproductive functions. It helps to maintain a delicate balance of hormones, all of which can be affected by the metabolism. Investigating the impact of the metabolism on...
Dr Yunus Çengel | A Novel Theory of Life and Its Implications on Future Robots and AI
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmDespite our increasing scientific understanding of biological processes, the fundamental nature of life itself remains one of science’s most profound mysteries. While we can easily recognise living things, defining...
Beating Bladder Cancer: Novel Treatment Combinations with CDK4/6 Inhibitors
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmCancer is one of the leading causes of death around the world. Research into this disease is vital to the development of new treatments, bringing fresh hopes to those affected by this potentially devastating...
Illuminating Neanderthal Resilience and Adaptability through Cutting-Edge Zooarchaeology
Neanderthals, our closest extinct human relatives, have often been portrayed as brutish and primitive compared to modern humans. But new research is shedding light on their true capabilities. Eboni Westbury from the Australian National University is part of a...
Education & Training Latest
The BASIL CURE Initiative: Transforming How Students Learn Biochemistry Through Real Research
Teaching students how to think like scientists is a critical but challenging goal in biochemistry education. The Biochemistry Authentic Scientific Inquiry Lab (BASIL) initiative was conceived by Dr Paul Craig from the Rochester Institute of Technology and is led by colleagues across multiple institutions. They have developed an innovative curriculum that transforms traditional cookbook-style laboratory courses into authentic research experiences, also known as a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE). By investigating real proteins with unknown functions, students learn essential scientific skills while expanding our knowledge of protein biochemistry.
Professor Jean-Anne Stewart | Making Virtual Action Learning Effective for Leadership Development
New research shows that virtual action learning can be just as beneficial as face-to-face sessions for developing leadership skills, when implemented thoughtfully. A UK study of over 300 senior leaders by Professor Jean-Anne Stewart of Henley Business School at...
Dr Charles Dziuban | Student Ratings: Skin in the Game and the Three-Body Problem
An ongoing concern in higher education is how to include the student voice in teaching. Dr Charles Dziuban has dedicated much of his career to examining student and faculty outcomes as well as gauging the impact of online, blended and lecture capture courses in...
Professor Gregory D Foley | Empowering Citizens: The Importance of Quantitative Reasoning in Higher Education
Despite a growing emphasis on Quantitative Reasoning in education, particularly as universities develop courses that move beyond traditional math, its role in fostering critical citizenship remains underexplored. Professor Gregory D Foley’s research studies the...
Dr Sonia Underwood | Bridging the Gap in Chemistry Education: The Role of Three-Dimensional Learning
Understanding complex concepts in chemistry can be challenging for students, especially in large classes where individualised attention is limited. Traditional multiple-choice questions often focus on rote memorisation rather than deep understanding. Dr Sonia...
Dr Aimie Brennan | Challenging the Changing Landscape of Initial Teacher Education
Initial teacher education in Ireland was reconceptualised in 2011 to embody a more practical, solution-based ethos in place of the traditional emphasis on foundational subjects such as sociology. Dr Aimie Brennan of the Marino Institute of Education and Dr...
Psychology & Neuroscience Latest
Dr John Lyons | Transforming Trauma Care: Building Person-Centred Systems for Children and Youth
Particularly in the absence of effective interventions and supports, traumatic experiences in childhood can have profound and lasting impacts on mental and physical health. Dr John Lyons from the University of Kentucky is part of a dedicated community of researchers working to improve trauma-informed care for children and young people. His innovative approach, called Transformational Collaborative Outcomes Management, is helping to create more effective, person-centred systems that can better support those affected by trauma and improve long-term outcomes.
Professor Layla Branicki | Building Better Workplaces for Neurodivergent Employees
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmThe landscape of work is undergoing a radical transformation, with flexible arrangements and remote working becoming increasingly embedded in organisational culture. However, for the estimated 15-20% of people who...
Dr Benjamin Bradley | Cause, Consequence, and Natural Selection: A New Vision of Darwin’s Psychological Work
The theory of evolution by natural selection stands at the heart of modern biology. But what exactly is the causal status of natural selection in evolution? Dr Benjamin Bradley from Charles Sturt University in Australia is challenging long-held assumptions,...
Professor Steven Wayne Evans | Making a Difference for Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Tailored interventions are required if adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are to meet their full potential. Research by Professor Steven Evans at Ohio University illuminates the effectiveness of these interventions and offers...
Dr Robert W Stackman, Jr – Dr Sarah J Cohen | Of Mice and Matching: When Rodents Show They Can Match Pictures to Objects
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have discovered that mice possess a sophisticated cognitive ability previously thought to be limited to primates and certain bird species – they can recognise real objects after only seeing pictures of them. This...
Dr Dagmar Zeithamova | How Our Brains Create Categories: A Look Inside the Mind
Our brains have an incredible ability to organise information into meaningful categories, allowing us to make sense of the world around us. However, this categorisation process can also bias how we perceive and remember this world. Dr Dagmar Zeithamova and her...
Business, Economics & Finance Latest
Professor Jean-Philippe Bouchaud | The Inelastic Market Hypothesis: Explaining the Origins of Financial Fluctuations
What drives movements in asset prices? Are markets efficient, with prices reflecting underlying fundamentals, or do uninformed trades impact prices long-term? Professor Jean-Philippe Bouchaud from Capital Fund Management and Académie des Sciences has devoted his career to developing models that can explain the complex dynamics of financial markets. His work provides compelling evidence that order flow itself, rather than just incoming information, is the primary driver of price changes. This finding has important implications for our understanding of markets and the strategies of traders, fund managers and policymakers.
Christopher Gilbert | A Thorough Inquiry into Copper Super-Cycles
Understanding super-cycles is crucial for stakeholders such as investors, policymakers, and industry leaders as it offers insights into long-term trends and dynamics in commodity prices. Christopher Gilbert plays a pivotal role in providing stakeholders with the...
Dr Britta Holzberg | Stitching Together a Fairer Future: Insights from the Global Garment Industry
The global garment industry spans continents, cultures, and livelihoods. Ensuring decent work for the millions employed in its factories is an urgent concern. Dr Britta Holzberg has worked to unravel this intricate web through in-depth case studies in Egypt and...
Stephen O’Byrne | Why Academic Research Has Done Little to Solve the Problems of Executive Pay
Competitive target pay is a basic principle of modern executive pay, embraced by corporate directors, compensation consultants and proxy advisors. Providing a high percent of pay in stock (or other incentive pay) is a second basic principle of modern executive...
Dr Michal Franta – Dr Jan Libich | Distribution Tails, Recession Risks and Macroeconomic Policies
Article written by Dr Michal Franta of the Czech National Bank and Dr Jan Libich of La Trobe University/VSB-TUO. The Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2009 ignited significant reconsideration of financial and economic policies, spurring extensive research efforts...
Professor Karen Hogan | Uncovering the Financial Fallout of Cyber-Attacks
In our increasingly digital world, cyber-attacks pose a significant threat to corporations with their potential to disrupt operations, damage reputations, and ultimately impact shareholder value. Because these attacks are getting more sophisticated, companies...
Scientia Issue #152 | Innovation and Discovery to Reshape Our World
In this latest issue of Scientia, we showcase the work of distinguished researchers from diverse fields, delving into pressing social issues, groundbreaking scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions that have the potential to transform our world.
Our Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences and Business, Economics & Finance section explores research on national symbols, social issues, and efforts to promote equity and diversity. In Earth & Environmental Sciences and Physical Science, we highlight studies on the origins of the universe and agricultural innovations aimed at ensuring food security. Lastly, in Medical & Health Sciences and Psychology & Neuroscience, we feature research on vision treatments, cell biology, and brain function to enhance health and deepen our understanding of human behaviour.
Scientia Issue #151 | Building Brighter Futures Through Research
Building Brighter Futures Through Research In this first issue of 2025, Scientia showcases the exciting work of researchers who, in vastly different ways, share the common goal of helping build a brighter future for us and for our...
Scientia Issue #150 | Big Ideas for a Better World
Big Ideas for a Better World This riveting issue of Scientia showcases some of the biggest new ideas across science, research, and technology. While we face many challenges, from climate change to cancer, epidemics to economic...
Scientia Issue #149 | Scientific Strategies for People and Planet
Scientific Strategies for People and Planet This latest issue of Scientia showcases the researchers making innovative advances in improving the health and well-being of people across the globe, as well as those dedicated to ensuring...
Scientia Issue #148 | New Horizons in Research and Discovery
New Horizons in Research and Discovery In this latest issue of Scientia, we showcase some of the most exciting recent advances in research and discovery. Disease, poverty, war, inequality, and climate change are just some of the...
Scientia Issue #147 | Driving Positive Change Through Research and Innovation
DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE THROUGH RESEARCH AND INNOVATION This inspiring issue celebrates the work of researchers who are driving positive change for the future across diverse disciplines. The Earth and Environment section...
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