Dr Gerald Mace | Cloud Dynamics Over the Southern Ocean: Unravelling Nature’s Marine Cloud Brightening
In the pristine waters of the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, scientists have discovered fascinating patterns in cloud formation that could have major implications for understanding Earth’s climate. Recent research conducted by Dr Gerald Mace from the University of Utah and colleagues reveals how air masses passing over the Antarctic continent naturally boost cloud brightness through a complex chain of chemical and physical processes. This natural phenomenon may hold important clues for improving climate models and predicting future climate change.
Peter Kohler | Belize’s Marine Litter Action Plan: A Caribbean First
Marine litter poses a global threat to the health of our oceans, but disproportionately affects small coastal nations such as Belize through impacts on natural habitats, economies, and livelihoods. Through the Commonwealth Litter Programme, Peter Kohler from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science and his colleagues have detailed the steps that were taken to support Belize in adopting the Caribbean’s first Marine Litter Action Plan in August 2019.
Diana Gerson – Dana Humaid Al Marzooqi | Protecting the Faith and Well-being of Displaced Children
In an era marked by increasing global upheaval, the world faces an unprecedented humanitarian challenge: nearly half of the world’s 117 million displaced people are children under 18. This stark reality has prompted researchers to examine not just the physical and emotional toll of displacement but also its profound impact on children’s spiritual and religious well-being. A groundbreaking study led by Diana Gerson and Dana Humaid Al Marzooqi at the Global Advocacy Hub for Children and Families has unveiled critical gaps in current humanitarian frameworks, particularly regarding protecting displaced children’s religious identity and spiritual welfare.
Professor Kathryn Newcomer | The Potential of Learning Agendas in Public Institutions
In their insightful research, Professor Kathryn Newcomer at George Washington University and her colleagues highlight the critical role of learning agendas in shaping governance landscapes, fostering evidence-informed decision-making and organisational growth within public institutions. They explore the process of developing a learning agenda and offer guidance for its effective implementation. Additionally, they discuss both the benefits and challenges associated with developing learning agendas to enhance the usefulness and impact of evaluation within public agencies.
Dr Jens Holger Rindel | The Acoustics of Open-Air Theatres: Why Traditional Parameters Don’t Apply
When you sit in an ancient Greek theatre, marvelling at how clearly you can hear performers even in the back rows without microphones, you’re experiencing acoustic engineering that predates modern science by millennia. According to new research, many of the standard methods acousticians use for concert halls are ineffective for open-air venues. Dr Jens Holger Rindel of Odeon A/S in Denmark has demonstrated why we need different acoustical parameters to evaluate open-air theatres properly. His work challenges the conventional wisdom of applying indoor concert hall metrics to outdoor venues and proposes new approaches specifically tailored to spaces where the sky forms the ceiling.
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
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
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 future generations. Across the spectrum of scientific inquiry and research, we can read about groundbreaking advances in our understanding of society and culture, health and disease, our world and the universe, and much more.
Lisa Smith – Timothy Frankenberger | Building Resilience in Ethiopia’s Drylands: Evaluating Programme Impacts
Developing countries face increasingly destructive crises, including climate, economic, political and health shocks. To improve quality of life and encourage further international development, it is imperative to improve resilience in communities. In recent research, Lisa Smith and Timothy Frankenberger at TANGO International evaluated a programme which aimed to increase resilience among pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in the drylands of Ethiopia. Their discussion includes important recommendations for the design of future programmes.
Dr Susan Kennedy | Understanding Substance Abuse in College Students
Substance abuse in college students is a particular concern. Dr Susan Kennedy, Department of Psychology at Denison University in Ohio, USA, recently led a collaboration with colleagues from the Ohio State University and Kenyon College to explore alcohol and drug use in college students. More specifically, Dr Kennedy and the team wanted to identify at-risk groups and promote student well-being.
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Open access vs Public access the case for democratic outreach in academic communication
While the move towards open access and its benefit to the wider scientific community is laudable, it comes at a cost—a cost, like most publishing costs in academia, that is ultimately funded by the general public. In 2023, approximately 45% of academic papers were published as open access. This figure represents a continuation of the growth trend seen in open access publishing over the past decade. This figure is based on all OA models: fully open access (gold), green (self-archived), bronze (free to read without a clear license), and hybrid models. Approximately $2.25 billion of public funds were spent to make those academic papers open access.
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