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Medical & Health Sciences Latest
Epigenetic Mysteries Unravelled: The Zinc-Finger Proteins
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmExploring the complex mechanisms of cell development processes and DNA structure is critical to understanding how certain diseases, such as cancer, can arise. Professor Danny...
International Isocyanate Institute | TDI-induced Asthma: Reanalysing Data to Find Hidden Trends
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmEven if you’ve never heard of them, you’ve used polyurethanes. Producing them requires toluene diisocyanates, which may/can induce asthma when inhaled. A 5-year study claimed to conclude that cumulative TDI exposure...
Training Deep Learning AI to Predict microRNA-Gene Interactions
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmNon-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) have important regulatory functions but are also implicated in various diseases. Mr Seung-won Yoon, PhD candidate at Chungnam National University, Republic of Korea, is training deep...
Improving the Immune Response with Intraoperative Cell Salvage
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmUndergoing surgery comes with many risks. Numerous factors can influence the outcome, from the choice of anaesthesia to the type of operation. Long and complex procedures can require blood transfusions, which...
Earth, Environment & Agricultual Sciences
Dr Loren Babcock | Untangling the History of Jefferson’s Giant Ground Sloth
In the spring of 1796, workers mining saltpetre in a western Virginia cave unearthed several unusual bones. This would launch the scientific study of extinct animals in North America and connect one of America’s founding fathers to the early development of palaeontology. Some of these mysterious bones eventually made their way to future US President Thomas Jefferson at his Monticello estate. Dr Loren Babcock from The Ohio State University’s School of Earth Sciences has conducted an extensive review of the complex naming history of this iconic extinct animal. His research untangles over 200 years of inconsistent scientific terminology and establishes the definitive nomenclatural history of what would become known as Megalonyx jeffersonii.
Dr Mojtaba Enayati | Turning Trash into Treasure: Recycling PET Waste with Catalysts from PET Labels
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmPlastic 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...
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...
Physical Sciences & Mathematics Latest
Calculating Steering Friction: Essential Engineering for Military Aircraft Safety
The safe operation of military training aircraft depends on precise engineering calculations that most of us never consider. Dr Bogdan Adrian Nicolin and Dr Ilie Nicolin from the National Institute for Aerospace Research in Romania have developed sophisticated methods to calculate the steering friction moment in military aircraft. This critical engineering parameter ensures that pilots can safely control aircraft during taxiing, take-off, and landing – making their work essential for both pilot training and flight safety.
Engineering & Computer Science Latest
Calculating Steering Friction: Essential Engineering for Military Aircraft Safety
The safe operation of military training aircraft depends on precise engineering calculations that most of us never consider. Dr Bogdan Adrian Nicolin and Dr Ilie Nicolin from the National Institute for Aerospace Research in Romania have developed sophisticated methods to calculate the steering friction moment in military aircraft. This critical engineering parameter ensures that pilots can safely control aircraft during taxiing, take-off, and landing – making their work essential for both pilot training and flight safety.
Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Latest
Professor Robert B Heimann | Culinary Craftmanship: The Evolution of Pottery for Cooking
Cooking food is arguably one of the most important transitions in human evolution, and initiated hundreds of thousands of years of refinement in both technique and technology. Professor Emeritus Robert B Heimann of TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Germany, recently reviewed the evidence for early cooking vessels and tracks the evolution of their production, identifying important strategies of optimisation using various natural materials, firing methods, and designs to improve durability, functionality, and efficiency over time.
Life Sciences & Biology Latest
A New Way to Detect and Identify Forensic Bloodstains
Accurately identifying bodily fluids at crime scenes is vital to aid forensic examinations and obtain information for use in criminal proceedings. However, collecting viable material for analysis can be challenging, especially if samples are difficult to access or the amount is minute. Dr Lamyaa Almehmadi and Professor Igor K Lednev at the University at Albany, State University of New York, USA, have introduced a new technique to assist in analysing bloodstains for forensic examination without compromising sample integrity.
Training Deep Learning AI to Predict microRNA-Gene Interactions
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmNon-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) have important regulatory functions but are also implicated in various diseases. Mr Seung-won Yoon, PhD candidate at Chungnam National University, Republic of Korea, is training deep...
Dr Terrence Deacon | Challenging the RNA-World: Deacon’s Semiotic Approach to the Origin of Life
Article written by Luisa Postlethwaite, MPharmChallenging 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...
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...
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 #153 | Exploring Our World, Our Past, and Our Future
The latest issue of Scientia showcases recent advances in research and technology across diverse fields. These riveting articles provide fascinating insights into our world, our past, and our future, and underscore the intertwined relationship between science and society.
In Education & Training, we highlight developments across the educational system, and in Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, we share insights from the study of history and the present day, as well as advances in economics and data science. In Earth & Environmental Sciences, we are reminded of the necessity of water for life on Earth and the need for sustainable agriculture. The section dedicated to Physical Sciences & Mathematics explores the exciting applications of this field to space exploration, nuclear energy, telecommunications, and healthcare. In Medical & Health Sciences, preventing, diagnosing, and treating cancer emerges as a core theme. Finally, in Life Sciences & Biology and Psychology & Neuroscience, we can read the latest insights into ethnic and genomic diversity, and how psychology can inform our understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable groups.
Scientia Issue #152 | Innovation and Discovery to Reshape Our World
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...
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...
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