As 2020 draws to a close and we look towards 2021, the importance of innovation and progress in science, medicine and healthcare has never felt more urgent or critical. This important issue of Scientia celebrates the vital work of scientists seeking to improve the health and well-being of individuals across the globe and provides testimony to what can be achieved, even in the most challenging of times.

The first section is devoted to the foundational sciences in medicine and healthcare that underpin our understanding of health and disease. The second section highlights the researchers who are working to directly tackle human diseases and disorders with a focus on key medical breakthroughs and scientific advancement. In our third section, we showcase the work of researchers who are focussed on improving women’s health and well-being. Finally, our fourth section celebrates recent innovations in surgical methods and rehabilitation that are dramatically improving patient treatment and care.

Each section in this issue takes us on an exciting journey through a diverse range of research that is confronting key medical and healthcare challenges of this era.

In this exciting edition of Scientia, we showcase some of the latest discoveries and innovations across the interconnected fields of engineering, technology and the physical sciences. To begin, our opening section celebrates scientists and engineers behind recent breakthroughs in medical technology. As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc across the globe, decades of innovation in medical technology have enabled clinicians to save countless lives during this devastating pandemic. From models that predict viral spread, to software that allows us to work from home, computing is also at the forefront of our fight against COVID-19. Therefore, the next section features researchers who harness computing and data science to tackle a variety of challenges – from protecting online privacy, to optimising treatment guidelines for patients with chronic conditions. Our third section introduces researchers working across diverse fields of engineering – from those developing sophisticated robotic assistants to those creating new technology that can predict natural disasters.

This important and timely issue of Scientia showcases the scientists striving to build brighter futures for humankind through their pioneering endeavours across psychology and neuroscience. At the current time, we are facing unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, and meanwhile, the emerging needs of our ever ageing population remain an urgent societal issue. These two topical themes feature prominently in this issue. The first section is devoted to cognitive neuroscience, the study of the relationships between brain and behaviour. Here, we meet the researchers who are shedding light on the fascinating complexities of the brain. Our second section is dedicated to mental health and we feature exclusive interviews with Dr Rozainee Khairudin, President of the Malaysian Psychological Association, and Oliver Glick, Policy Officer at the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition. We also meet the researchers who are striving to better understand potentially devastating psychological difficulties and those who are developing ground-breaking interventions to alleviate causes of psychological distress. Our third and final section celebrates recent advances related to neurodegeneration and rehabilitation that have the potential to bring clinically significant improvements to the lives of many. Here, we meet the researchers who are confronting the challenges of ageing, disease and injury, providing an exciting insight into the revolutionary advances in healthcare we may see in the very near future.

In these challenging and uncertain times, it is with great pleasure that I introduce this captivating edition of Scientia, which showcases a diverse collection of research, on topics ranging from climate change mitigation to stellar evolution. The first section of the edition focuses on our changing climate. In the same way that the coronavirus response must be based on sound scientific evidence, solutions to the climate emergency must be rooted in robust research, to ensure maximum success. Here, we celebrate research groups that have contributed to the strong body of scientific evidence on climate change, and those that are developing effective solutions to mitigate its disastrous effects. Next, our planetary science section begins by introducing scientists who develop new ways to predict other dangers that we face on Earth – from the threat of anomalous solar activity to major earthquakes. We then venture deeper into the solar system, where researchers are gaining fascinating insights into how the planets evolved, and how their atmospheres can help us understand Earth’s changing climate. In the edition’s final section, we explore the mind-blowing fields of astrophysics and cosmology. Here, we meet research groups who are shedding light on how stars and galaxies form and evolve. Our final article touches on one of the biggest questions in cosmology: are we alone in the universe? In an exclusive interview, Mr Pérez Santiago at the SETI Institute describes his new project, which aims to send music representing humanity into space; what a fantastic way to conclude this remarkable edition of Scientia.

This important issue of Scientia tackles one of the greatest challenges of our time: ensuring global food security and agricultural sustainability into the future. The urgency of agricultural research cannot be understated. In one human lifetime, the population has tripled, from about 2.5 billion in 1950 to a whopping 7.7 billion today. In order to feed this burgeoning population, habitats are continually converted into farmland, with disastrous consequences for Earth’s climate and biodiversity – both of which are in a state of crisis. With about half of Earth’s habitable land already used for human food production, researchers are developing new ways to grow food more efficiently, rather than continuing to destroy wilderness areas. Scientists are also identifying sustainable farming approaches that allow nature to thrive alongside our crops and livestock. Our first section in this edition showcases the latest innovations in crop science and horticulture. Here, we feature a range of exciting projects, from enhancing the sustainability of berry production in Upper Midwest US, to developing microbial treatments to improve the drought tolerance of crops. Next, we focus on eco-friendly approaches to pest management, with a particular focus on controlling invasive insects. This research is particularly pertinent, as the widespread use of chemical insecticides has caused worrying declines in beneficial insect species, such as bees. Our final section in the edition focuses on animal production. Here, we highlight promising projects that aim to make animal farming more ethical, sustainable and safe – from adapting cattle-grazed grassland to increase carbon storage, to finding alternatives to antibiotics for reducing the prevalence of livestock diseases.

We open 2020 and this critical issue of Scientia by celebrating a diverse range of scientific breakthroughs and achievements that are driving forward health and well-being worldwide. In our first section, we meet the researchers who embrace a basic science approach to understanding how biological processes impact on health and disease, and read how this fundamental knowledge is a vital driver in the progression of human healthcare. In our second section, we showcase technological and methodological advancements that are transforming the diagnosis and treatment of disease. From medical imaging to facial reconstructive surgery, we read how patient care is being revolutionised. Recent advances in drug development are the focus of our third section. Here, we read of the exciting translation of innovation in the laboratory to the clinic from a pharmaceutical perspective, and of cutting-edge innovations in drug treatment and delivery. Our fourth section is specifically focused on one of the leading causes of death worldwide – cancer. We read of the diverse approaches currently being pioneered by researchers who are determined to overcome this global challenge. In our fifth and last section, we meet the researchers who take their scientific pursuits outside the laboratory and clinic, and explore their critical research into health and well-being from societal, policy, and individual perspectives.

In this critical issue of Scientia, we showcase an inspiring array of projects, each seeking to enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education worldwide. Ranging from early childhood schooling to postgraduate training and beyond, this impressive collection of initiatives aims to guarantee a strong and diverse STEM workforce into the future – one capable of addressing humanity’s greatest challenges. Our first section in the issue explores a range of programs that aim to increase diversity within the STEM community. From exposing young people to relatable STEM role models from diverse backgrounds, to creating inclusive environments for underrepresented college students, we discuss several pioneering approaches that seek to widen opportunity and promote achievement in STEM across the broad spectrum of society. In our second section, we focus specifically on new and innovative teaching methods. By encouraging active learning, facilitating student collaboration, and recognising the different needs and abilities of individuals in a classroom, the initiatives featured here are ensuring better academic outcomes for students, ultimately resulting in a stronger STEM community. Finally, we showcase a collection of targeted educational programs, each designed to address a shortage of highly skilled professionals in a specific area of STEM. From inspiring students to pursue careers in sustainable energy, to upskilling the global ocean science community, these pioneering projects are bridging critical skills gaps in the STEM workforce, allowing us to adequately address the growing challenges facing society.

In this captivating edition of Scientia, we showcase a diverse selection of research achievements across the humanities and social sciences. In the first section of this edition, we take a journey through time, featuring highlights in the field of historical research. Here, we meet several impressive researchers who work to illuminate and understand different aspects of our history, from the evolution of scientific thought in ancient Greece and Rome, to socially inclusive educational systems in Soviet Russia. Our second section explores the fascinating world of linguistics. Here, we showcase a number of exciting research endeavours, from using mathematics to drastically improve speech recognition technology, to investigating the challenges and wonders of multilingualism. Next, we introduce several social scientists who are pushing the frontiers of our knowledge in the fields of economics and politics. By confronting the challenges of our time and developing mechanisms to bring about change, their goal is to improve how our economies, institutions and societies function. Our final section in the edition is dedicated to achieving health equity. Here, we highlight research that strives to close population gaps in healthcare, through understanding and addressing the barriers that under-served communities face when seeking medical care. Through culturally sensitive provider training and accessible screening programs, the research teams in this section are working towards creating a fairer world.

This important issue of Scientia showcases the vital work of scientists in the field of genetics, the branch of biology concerned with the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity. As a science, the study of genetics is thought to have commenced in the mid-19th century with Gregor Johann Mendel’s experiments in pea plants and his discovery of the fundamental laws of inheritance. Now, genetics is one of the fundamental cornerstones of modern biology, critical in its own right as a branch of science but also with far-reaching implications for other disciplines, including medicine and healthcare. The first section is devoted to the essential study of genetics from a basic science perspective. Here we meet the researchers, who through the innovative development of techniques and methodologies, continue to advance our understanding of the function of genes and the specific mechanisms underlying key genetic processes. From revolutionising how we think about the origin of life itself to solving mysteries such as how our tiny human cells can hold our entire DNA, this section provides an enthralling account of contemporary and cutting-edge research. The second section explores the application of genetics to the advancement of healthcare and medicine. We meet the researchers who are using genetic science to make giant strides forward in tackling some of the biggest challenges of our age, from chronic obesity to cancer.

In this critical issue of Scientia, we address the two greatest threats that humanity has ever faced: climate change and ecological collapse. As two sides of the same coin, these human-induced global emergencies hold the potential to destroy our societies, unless urgent action is taken in the next few years. Earlier this month (May 2019), the UN released a summary of their upcoming report, which provides the most detailed assessment of life on Earth ever conducted. The findings were terrifying: one million species face extinction due to human activity, while countless others are experiencing rapid population declines. Changes in land and sea use, exploitation of wildlife, climate change, pollution and invasive species were identified as the drivers of this accelerated biodiversity loss. As the third most significant factor, climate change is the focus of our first section in this edition. In addition to ravaging the delicate ecosystems we depend on, climate change directly threatens human civilisation, through increasingly severe and frequent heatwaves, droughts, flooding, mega-storms and epidemics. Here, we pay homage to the scientists who work tirelessly to demonstrate the disastrous impacts of our carbon emissions on the climate. Their research is critical for highlighting the enormity of the situation to governments, who must now take drastic action. The latter half of this edition is dedicated to conserving and restoring biodiversity, using a multitude of different approaches. From documenting currently-unnamed species, so that they can be protected, to eradicating invasive species, the researchers featured here are finding ways to reverse the great damage we’ve caused to life on Earth.

In this important edition of Scientia, we address one of the greatest challenges of our time – ensuring food security and agricultural sustainability into the future. Here, we feature a broad range of promising research projects – from protecting pollinators to conserving irrigation water in the face of climate change, and from improving soil health to understanding what motivates anglers to target bluefin tuna. Our first section of the edition focuses on crop science, where we introduce a diverse collection of initiatives, each striving to make our cropping systems more sustainable and to improve yields in the face of climate change. Next, we move on to another important consideration in achieving food sustainability – water conservation. As about 70% of all our freshwater withdrawals are used for agricultural purposes, meeting our growing population’s increasing food demands is set to become increasingly difficult in the face of climate change. The subsequent section deals with devising and informing land management strategies to ensure sustainability and restore biodiversity. Here we read about effective approaches to eradicate invasive species, and how different land management practices can help to boost soil health in pastureland. Our final section of the edition takes a different view on food security and sustainability – providing a perspective on the role human behaviour and sociology in these issues. Here, we explore how a thorough understanding of the behaviours both food producers and consumers must be achieved in order to ensure food security into the future.

This special issue of Scientia celebrates research exploring the inner workings of the human nervous system, with a particular focus on the brain. Here, we meet many dedicated researchers in the fields of psychology, neuroscience and neurorehabilitation, who are progressing our understanding of neuronal and psychological functioning, as well as developing treatment interventions. Our first section in the issue delves deep into the fascinating world of human psychology, where we begin by investigating how the human brain processes and acquires language. We also explore the genetic and environmental factors that put young people at risk for addiction later in life. We then conclude this section with an exclusive interview with MQ: Mental Health, where we can read about the challenges facing mental health research. Our middle section focuses on the latest developments in neuroscience research, where we meet scientists who are unravelling the biological mechanisms taking place within the brain. Importantly, we can read how improving our understanding of molecular and cellular processes in the brain can help us to develop treatments for devastating neurological and psychological conditions. Finally, we move into the specialist field of neurorehabilitation. In this section, we present the work of scientists who show us how understanding the brain from psychological and neuroscientific perspectives can inform treatment innovations in the field of neurorehabilitation. We also meet researchers who combine the latest technologies with an improved understanding of the nervous system to benefit those affected by brain and spinal injury.

In this riveting edition of Scientia, we showcase the work of many dedicated researchers who are solving the world’s greatest challenges through engineering and technology. To open the edition, we feature an interview with representatives of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) about the latest Gender Summit. Here, we speak with the chairholders of the Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering Program, along with NSERC’s president, who discuss the outcomes of the Summit, success stories and the challenges ahead for achieving full equity within the STEM community. Then, our first section showcases the latest clean energy research. Here, we feature a selection of promising projects, from developing thermoelectric generators, which convert heat into electricity, to ensuring the safe implementation of marine renewable energy technologies. Such research efforts promise to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, in an effort to curb the most devastating impacts of climate change. Next, we meet researchers who develop innovative sensor technologies. Such novel sensors can help us address many societal challenges, from making healthcare more accessible to preventing environmental damage. Our third and fourth sections celebrate two crucial fields within the world of engineering – fluid mechanics and materials engineering. Here, we meet an ensemble of dedicated engineers who are driving progress in these fields towards real-word applications, from semiconductors to aviation. Last but not least, we celebrate researchers who are spearheading the latest innovations in computing and data science. An overarching theme that pervades our final section is utilising the latest computing technologies to drive scientific discovery.

In this thrilling edition of Scientia, we celebrate the pioneering scientists driving the latest discoveries and innovations in physics and chemical science. To start, we deep dive into the quantum mechanical behaviour of subatomic particles, atoms and molecules. In this section, we meet researchers who are transforming our understanding of the weird and wonderful quantum world. We also introduce those who exploit quantum properties towards the development of futuristic computers and renewable energy technologies. Our middle section of the edition is dedicated to the mind-bending fields of astrophysics and cosmology. Here, we meet many remarkable research teams – each dedicated to illuminating the mysteries of the cosmos. From hunting for dark matter to exploring whether we live in a multiverse, this collection of articles is sure to leave your mind reeling. Finally, we showcase the latest innovations in the chemical sciences – an often-underappreciated field that has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. In this section, we meet an incredible ensemble of chemists and materials scientists, each aiming to improve our lives through painstaking chemical research. From creating lanthanide-based sensors that could be used in medical imaging, to developing catalysts for purifying water in developing countries, these inventive scientists are breaking boundaries and pushing frontiers to bring future innovations to fruition.

This special issue of Scientia focuses on enhancing education, ranging from early childhood schooling to postgraduate training and beyond, with a particular emphasis on STEM subjects. We explore an impressive range of initiatives aiming to promote uptake, retainment and achievement in STEM. In the first section, we feature several researchers who recognise the necessity of introducing children to science at a young age. Here, we read how stimulating exposure early in education helps promote the development of our next generation of budding scientists. We also introduce innovative approaches to overcome obstacles to educational attainment, such behavioural difficulties. Next, we consider the impact of hands-on experience in scientific research at undergraduate level. We also consider the importance of supporting students at this level from underrepresented backgrounds, such as women and those from minority groups. This leads us to our third section, which specifically considers the need for diversity in science. In keeping with the previous sections, we discuss several pioneering approaches across educational and training provision with the aim of widening opportunity and promoting achievement in science across the broad spectrum of society. Finally, we take a closer look at the importance of innovation in supporting teaching and education. Here, we read of further interventions aiming to increase student engagement, retention and academic success – and also the benefits on a personal level, including the nurturance of critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity.

In this exciting edition of Scientia, we meet many dedicated researchers across the globe who are tackling some of today’s biggest problems in healthcare and medicine. Our first section takes us on a journey into the inner workings of the cell. By deciphering the signals and pathways within cells that control their basic functions, researchers are revealing new treatment targets for some of the world’s deadliest diseases. Next, we move on to explore the biological systems that control the body. In this section, we investigate how changes in blood vessels can influence health and disease. We also meet scientists who are unravelling how the nervous system connects the gut to the brain, towards developing future treatments for gastric conditions. Our third section immerses us in the world of drug development. Here, we meet one researcher who aims to boost the effectiveness of anti-viral drugs, while another is working to find cheaper and more eco-friendly methods to synthesise several common pharmaceutical compounds. In our final section of the edition, we look to the future of integrated healthcare and highlight innovative approaches developed through unique collaborations between clinicians and scientists. Here, we meet scientists who are unlocking the potential of new technologies to improve patient outcomes, and introduce researchers who work with communities to ensure everyone has access to the medical care they need.