How society can adapt to climate change is an urgent challenge for the global community. Yet what exactly is that challenge? How can we imagine new ways to respond? Climate change adaptation has long been defined as society’s response to an external, changing environment. Dr Andrea Nightingale at the University of Oslo, however, argues that the global community should be debating key political questions such as, ‘who ought to govern change’, and ‘what knowledges do we need to understand uncertai...
Jan 12, 2022•15 min
Dr Tanya Evans, Dr Mike Thomas and Dr Sergiy Klymchuk have designed an intervention to examine whether employability prospects for STEM students studying mathematics could be improved. Read their original paper: https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2020.1818061 Read more in Research Outreach: https://researchoutreach.org/articles/self-efficacy-non-routine-problem-solving-stem-education/...
Dec 15, 2021•10 min
Managing addiction and supporting recovery takes time, training, and legal processes that few can afford alone. Dr Jennifer Potter, Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Dean for Research at UT Health, San Antonio discusses the ' Be Well Texas’ programme of training and technical assistance, and what she sees as the next steps to remedy the drug addiction problems facing the people, and the social fabric, of America. Read the original research here: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234425...
Dec 08, 2021•39 min
The Earth is a dynamic system. The cold rigid surface (or crust) on which we live is broken into many rigid plates that all move relative to one another in a process known as plate tectonics. At the China University of Geosciences, Wuhan , Professor Timothy Kusky is studying the evolution of tectonic plates through Earth history. Along with his colleagues, he has found that a devastating 2020 earthquake in the Aegean Sea resulted from a process known as slab rollback. This process may also have ...
Dec 01, 2021•12 min
With the rising desire for a cosy and comfortable life full of 'hygge' has come a rising demand for the warm glow of a household fire to gather around. But, at what price does this idyll come at for our health? Dr Mikko Savolahti, senior research scientist at the Finnish Environment Institute , and colleagues published detailed research investigating the emissions from residential wood combustion in Finland. The models demonstrate that the climate impacts of wood burning need to be fully include...
Nov 22, 2021•11 min
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic autoimmune disease that is a lifelong condition with high medical costs. As a result, many patients do not adhere to treatment plan, which further reduces their quality of life. There are also non-medical costs to consider, such as loss of productivity at work and early retirement. Research led by Professor Carl Asche, at the University of Illinois , explores the financial burdens and advocates for improved strategies to reduce the cost burden of the disea...
Nov 17, 2021•14 min
Brains, blood and beating heart are top of the list when it comes to thinking about your body, and your health. Understanding blood flow to and around the brain is part of research into brain ageing, and part of the work of Dr Lucy Beishon and Dr Jatinder Minhas at the Cerebral Haemodynamics in Ageing and Stroke Medicine , or CHIASM, lab in Leicester Royal Infirmary . Today, we’re chatting about some of their research into developing methods to help offset the progression of diseases such as str...
Nov 10, 2021•30 min
Alcohol is widely considered to be the most popular, most harmful drug, often leading to psychological or physical harm to the user and those around them. and with a strong association between alcohol consumption and crime. With a high rate of alcohol intoxication in witnesses, suspects, and even victims of crime, it is critical to understand how police officers perceive and interact with intoxicated individuals. Dr Angelica Hagsand of the University of Gothenburg (Sweden) conducts research to u...
Nov 03, 2021•13 min
Blockchain technology and smart contracts, the backbone of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Doge and more, is a method of recording and storing electronic information, such as financial transactions, in a way that they are either impossible or difficult to alter. In short, a digital permanent record. But if a smart contract has mistakes or bugs in its code that can be exploited, it can result in huge financial losses . Dr. Lingxiao Jiang, an associate professor of Computer Science at ...
Oct 27, 2021•12 min
What is behind phenomena such as the sudden extinction of species in population dynamics? What generates the spiral patterns that appear in density profiles or travelling waves? Professor Meyer-Ortmanns studies complex systems with methods from nonlinear dynamics and statistical physics. One current research topic is heteroclinic dynamics, another one is the impact of stochastic fluctuations. Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043097...
Oct 20, 2021•15 min
Acesulfame potassium is one of several low- and no-calorie sweeteners used as a healthy alternative to sugar. But what if there is a price to pay for a calorie-free sweetness? Dr Patrick Guiney investigates the environmental fate and effects of sweeteners and applies ecological risk assessment methods to establish their environmental safety profiles. Read more in Research Outreach Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4248...
Oct 13, 2021•12 min
What if there was a way to deliver on the painkilling potential of opioids while reducing the likelihood of addiction? Dr Stefan Clemens and Dr Kori Brewer s' work at East Carolina University could mark a turning point in pain management and drug addiction. Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172935...
Oct 06, 2021•33 min
Whether it’s a just few sentences or a full paragraph outlining the way your organisation pursues goals like delivering on time or anticipating customer needs, a mission statement is a guide to how a company operates and the values it holds dear. Research led by Dana Kanze from London Business School now shows that your mission statements can also motivate your employees to embrace or disregard ethical standards—the decisions they choose depend upon the language you use. Read the original public...
Sep 27, 2021•13 min
Glycogen plays important roles in carbon and energy storage in bacteria, with highly branched structures linked with bacterial environmental durability, including the ability to survive in deep sea vents. Dr Liang Wang at the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai & Ms Qing-Hua Liu at Macau University of Science and Technology aim to better understand the structure and evolution of glycogen branching enzyme in bacteria, uncovering a new, third type of structure. Read more about their research in Resea...
Sep 22, 2021•9 min
In the deepest, darkest parts of our oceans live creatures that have mastered bioluminescence. Out of all these creatures and their colourful displays, what makes it so challenging to find species that emit light in the deep-blue region? Dr Masahito Oh-e at National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan, together with his collaborator Dr Akira Nagasawa, Professor Emeritus of Saitama University in Japan, uses computational chemistry modelling approaches to investigate. Read the original article: https:/...
Sep 17, 2021•14 min
The recent global pandemic has highlighted health inequities across the world. Despite rapid medical and social advances in recent years, inequities related to reproductive choices and rights remain, especially for women in marginalised sectors of society. Dr Tracy Morison, a health psychologist at Massey University in New Zealand , focuses on the complexities around contraception choice and uptake. Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12605...
Sep 08, 2021•14 min
To understand some of what Critical Race Theory means as a term, and means in educational practice, we are joined again by Dr Jen Neitzel, Executive Director at the Educational Equity Institute, to discuss the past, present, and possible future of media discussions around race and racism in America. Listen to her previous interview here....
Sep 01, 2021•32 min
The use of robotic technology in gastric bypass surgery is increasing and heralds a major turning point in bariatric surgery. However, robotic bariatric surgery must be proven feasible and safe. Dr Rodolfo Oviedo has set out to demonstrate that robotic gastric bypass surgery provides numerous advantages to both patients and surgeons in terms of its safety profile and cost efficiency when performed at a high-volume, experienced bariatric centre or even in rural community hospitals. Read more in R...
Aug 25, 2021•11 min
Dr Alexander Lichius and colleagues from the University of Innsbruck in Austria have developed the inncelly experimentation chambers to closely study the fungal cell biology of mycoparasites in fungus-fungus-plant interactions. You can find more information on www.inncellys.com . Read more about their research in Research Features . Read the original article: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fjof7050365...
Aug 18, 2021•11 min
What do Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk have in common? In addition to being founders of multi-billion-dollar companies, they are also outliers. wielding disproportionate influences on both the business world and society. Their inputs and outputs, either qualitative or quantitative in nature, represents an exception to the normal rules. Dr G. Christopher Crawford at Rutgers Business School explains which factors drive the performance of the most successful entrepreneurs and businesses...
Aug 11, 2021•14 min
" Will Podcasting and Social Media Replace Journals and Traditional Science Communication? No, but... " is the perhaps controversially titled paper by Prof Matt Fox and a team at Boston University School for Public Health. And, if the answer is no, what role can they play in the future? In this episode, we talk about the current state of academic publishing, the risks and opportunities of social networks for science, and integrating digital outreach into scientific practice. Listen to Matt on Th...
Aug 04, 2021•27 min
With the global population growing rapidly every year and with millions already having limited access to enough food, where are the new productivity-enhancing farming practices that will enable the world to produce enough food to feed 9 billion people by 2050? One new farming practice with the potential to improve crop yields is called ‘subsoil manuring’, developed by Peter Sale and his team at La Trobe University, Melbourne, to improve subsoils for crop growth. Read more: https://doi.org/10.101...
Jul 28, 2021•10 min
There are said to be 50 million people living with dementia globally and this is expected to triple by 2050. Research conducted by Dr Hwajin Yang, Associate Professor at Singapore Management University, and colleagues, examines how the risk of developing dementia is affected by one’s sense of loneliness and sense of control. Read the original paper: https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2020.1799891
Jul 21, 2021•9 min
Sexuality is an intrinsic part of identity. However, intimacy and sexuality in residential aged care are often contested issues, particularly in the case of people living with different types of dementia. Professor Mark Henrickson, Dr Catherine Cook, Dr Vanessa Schouten and Ms Sandra McDonald are researching consent in this domain. Read more about their research in Research Features. Read the original article: https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2021.1871649...
Jul 14, 2021•12 min
Can the decisions, personal ties and politics underlying society be understood mathematically? And do irrational choices make sense when viewed as uncertain, quantum like probabilities? Andrei Khrennikov and Emmanuel Haven discuss their research into the quantum formalism behind political movements, financial markets, and personal relations. Read more: Quantum-like modeling: cognition, decision making, and rationality (2020) : https://doi.org/10.1007/s11299-020-00240-6 Quantum Mechanical Pragmat...
Jul 07, 2021•1 hr 2 min
Global temperature rises and climate change will not only bring disruption to the planet’s ecosystems, weather systems, and sea levels – they will also have an impact on current and future human societies through economic turmoil. Dr Patrick Brown, of San José State University, finds out when the benefits of meeting the Paris Agreement targets will begin to outweigh the costs. Read more: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0239520 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0071-9...
Jun 30, 2021•9 min
News coverage of the drug overdose crisis gripping America has, for a large part, focused on opioid drug deaths. However, this represents a small part of the ever-shifting landscape of drug use. Away from the mainstream, stimulants - both prescribed and illicit - continue to claim lives at an increasing rate. Joshua Black and Janetta Iwanicki from Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety discuss their institutes role in tracking deaths, informing policy, and attempting to stem the tide of drug rela...
Jun 23, 2021•24 min
Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) is characterised by an inability to fall asleep at a socially acceptable time, and an inability to wake up at conventional early times for school or work. Dr Gregory Carter from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, is conducting research into 'night owl preference', and what can be done to realign ones circadian rhythm. Read more: https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.5100...
Jun 16, 2021•11 min
Prof Wiley investigates the emergence of new brain viral infections and their link to dementia. Read more about his work in Research Outreach , and find his original articles below: Emergent Viral Infections of the CNS: https://doi.org/10.1093/jnen/nlaa054 H1N1, but not H3N2, influenza A virus infection protects ferrets from H5N1 encephalitis: https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.01840-13 Emerging Infections of CNS: Avian Influenza A Virus, Rift Valley Fever Virus and Human Parechovirus: https://doi.org/...
Jun 09, 2021•11 min
Over the last 50 years, advances in surgical procedures, clinical understandings and targeted treatments have changed the prospects of many cancer diagnoses from terminal to treatable. However, this progress is not evenly distributed across the many different types of cancer, and nowhere is that more keenly felt than in cancers affecting children. How might the advances and insights in treating blood cancers benefit patients with brain tumours? To answer that question, I am speaking today with D...
Jun 02, 2021•47 min
