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Behavioural Sciences
Latest SciPods from the behavioural science communities
The Impact of Our Environment on Our Well-being – Dr Lei Cao, The Ohio State University
The human body is a bewildering set of interacting systems, a complex web of signals and pathways which are constantly adjusting to the conditions which we find ourselves in. Ground-breaking research by Dr Lei Cao, of Ohio State University, USA, is providing new...
The Health-e Babies App for Socially Disadvantaged Women: Embracing Technology to Improve Health Literacy
Over the past few years, there has been an explosion in the number of applications – more commonly known as apps – that can be used on mobile phones. Vicki Clifton, Julia Dalton, Dianne Rodger, Michael Wilmore, Andrew Skuse, Sal Humphreys, and Margarita Flabouris,...
A New Model for Developing Students’ Deep-Learning Skills – Dr Yianna Vovides, Georgetown University
Online education has recently experienced a surge in popularity, and this trend is set to continue. Through online learning, individuals who are unable to take courses on campus, due to family, work or financial pressures, now have the opportunity to pursue university...
Project VALOR – Exploring PTSD Risk Factors and Outcomes in Combat-exposed Veterans
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and often debilitating condition that follows exposure to a traumatic experience and can result in depression and increased suicide risk in vulnerable individuals. Researchers at the National Center for PTSD at the...
Biology
Top SciPods from the bio-science communities
Understanding Lassa virus – Dr Matthew Boisen, Zalgen Labs
For many years, Dr Matthew Boisen, Director of Diagnostics Development at Zalgen Labs, has focussed on trying to understand Lassa fever. Part of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Consortium, his group’s objectives are threefold: first, to develop fast and accurate...
Understanding Fear in Animals – Professor Jeansok Kim, University of Washington
Research into animal fear typically utilises laboratory techniques based on Pavlovian fear conditioning, but these approaches are limited. Professor Jeansok Kim, from the Department of Psychology, University of Washington (USA) has developed a much more realistic way...
Unravelling the Mysteries of Working Memory – Mark D’Esposito, MD, University of California, Berkeley
To accomplish even a simple goal, our brain must coordinate thousands of pieces of information, remember which parts are relevant, and ignore anything that is extraneous. Professor Mark D’Esposito of the University of California, Berkeley, studies how different parts...
Leveraging New Technologies to Treat Brain Injury – Mark D’Esposito, MD, University of California, Berkeley
The brain is the most mysterious organ in the human body – despite decades of research, we have just begun to scratch the surface in understanding how the brain works and how we can help it to heal following an injury. Professor Mark D’Esposito of the University of...
Earth and Environment
Popular SciPods from earth and environmental sciences
From Coast to Coast Building Capacity in Ocean Science – Dr Edward R. Urban, University of Delaware
The ocean plays a central role in regulating the Earth’s climate and is at the front line in the battle against climate change. However, there are still many unknowns in ocean science. In recognition of this, the University of Delaware’s Dr Edward Urban and the...
Flying Sea Snails as Potential Indicators of Ocean Acidification – Dr Jeannette Yen, Georgia Institute of Technology
Ocean acidification, caused by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, is having a negative impact on marine ecosystems. To effectively respond to the issue, a deep understanding of it is absolutely necessary. At the Georgia Institute of Technology, Drs Jeannette Yen,...
Unsustainable global consumer demands drive primate extinction – Dr Alejandro Estrada and Dr Paul A Garber
Global market demands for forest-risk commodities such as soy, palm oil, beef, rubber, metals, minerals, gemstones and fossil fuels from Central and South America, Africa and Asia have increased significantly over the past 20 years, representing over four trillion US...
Harnessing Genomics for Disease Resistance in Cucumbers, Melons and Squashes – Dr Rebecca Grumet, Michigan State University
Watermelons, cucumbers and squashes represent a vital source of food worldwide, and their industries are worth billions. However, these important crops are being held back by a number of serious diseases. Through genomic studies, Dr Rebecca Grumet of Michigan State...
STEM Education
Informative SciPods in STEM Education
From Coast to Coast Building Capacity in Ocean Science – Dr Edward R. Urban, University of Delaware
The ocean plays a central role in regulating the Earth’s climate and is at the front line in the battle against climate change. However, there are still many unknowns in ocean science. In recognition of this, the University of Delaware’s Dr Edward Urban and the...
It’s Full STEM Ahead in After-School Programs – Dr Jerrod A. Henderson and Mr Ricky P. Greer, University of Houston
Underrepresented is not often the thought that comes to mind when describing males in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). However, there are striking gender and ethnic disparities across STEM fields as white males disproportionately occupy the...
Beginning the Ascent – Professor Farin Kamangar and Professor Payam Sheikhattari
Diversity of outlook is essential for any scientific endeavour. Improving this diversity is the goal of the ASCEND Program, led by Professors Farin Kamangar and Payam Sheikhattari at Morgan State University, USA. Here, we showcase their work aiming to improve the...
A New Model for Developing Students’ Deep-Learning Skills – Dr Yianna Vovides, Georgetown University
Online education has recently experienced a surge in popularity, and this trend is set to continue. Through online learning, individuals who are unable to take courses on campus, due to family, work or financial pressures, now have the opportunity to pursue university...
Engineering and Technology
New SciPods in engineering and technology
An Education in Sustainability Achieving a Climate-Neutral University – Dr Oliver Opel, West-Coast University of Applied Sciences
Dr Oliver Opel of the West-Coast University of Applied Sciences in Germany reports on how Leuphana University was transformed into a climate-neutral and environmentally sustainable campus. In the face of accelerating climate change, this exemplary case study provides...
Combatting Corrosion in Heating and Cooling Systems – Dr Oliver Opel, West-Coast University of Applied Sciences
Water heating and cooling systems have become incredibly efficient in recent years, but unfortunately, their pipes and components provide ideal environments for corrosion. Dr Oliver Opel at the West Coast University of Applied Sciences in Germany explores the reasons...
Traditional Equilibrium Models Lead to Inaccurate Predictions – Dr Yousef Haseli, Central Michigan University
Equilibrium is the cornerstone of industrial chemical processes, especially when optimising chemical production. But what if the equilibrium models that engineers use to predict product yields under different conditions were fundamentally inaccurate? Dr Yousef Haseli...
It’s Full STEM Ahead in After-School Programs – Dr Jerrod A. Henderson and Mr Ricky P. Greer, University of Houston
Underrepresented is not often the thought that comes to mind when describing males in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). However, there are striking gender and ethnic disparities across STEM fields as white males disproportionately occupy the...
Health and Medicine
New and popular SciPods in health and medicine
Understanding Lassa virus – Dr Matthew Boisen, Zalgen Labs
For many years, Dr Matthew Boisen, Director of Diagnostics Development at Zalgen Labs, has focussed on trying to understand Lassa fever. Part of the Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Consortium, his group’s objectives are threefold: first, to develop fast and accurate...
Understanding Fear in Animals – Professor Jeansok Kim, University of Washington
Research into animal fear typically utilises laboratory techniques based on Pavlovian fear conditioning, but these approaches are limited. Professor Jeansok Kim, from the Department of Psychology, University of Washington (USA) has developed a much more realistic way...
Unravelling the Mysteries of Working Memory – Mark D’Esposito, MD, University of California, Berkeley
To accomplish even a simple goal, our brain must coordinate thousands of pieces of information, remember which parts are relevant, and ignore anything that is extraneous. Professor Mark D’Esposito of the University of California, Berkeley, studies how different parts...
Leveraging New Technologies to Treat Brain Injury – Mark D’Esposito, MD, University of California, Berkeley
The brain is the most mysterious organ in the human body – despite decades of research, we have just begun to scratch the surface in understanding how the brain works and how we can help it to heal following an injury. Professor Mark D’Esposito of the University of...
Physical Sciences
Latest SciPods from the physical science community
Traditional Equilibrium Models Lead to Inaccurate Predictions – Dr Yousef Haseli, Central Michigan University
Equilibrium is the cornerstone of industrial chemical processes, especially when optimising chemical production. But what if the equilibrium models that engineers use to predict product yields under different conditions were fundamentally inaccurate? Dr Yousef Haseli...
OPT IN! – Generating Experts In The Field Of Optics – Dr Alexis Vogt, State University Of New York
Optics is an intrinsic part of many powerful and developing technologies in areas such as biotechnology, national security and manufacturing. However, there is a global shortage of optics technicians, which is hindering progress. To address this, Dr Alexis Vogt of...
Investigating the Evolution of Star Formation with Millimetre Wave Astronomy – Dr Reinhard Genzel, Dr Linda Jean Tacconi, Dr Karl-Friedrich Schuster
Astronomers have much to learn from the giant clouds of gas and dust that occupy the vast spaces between stars. These conglomerates of dense, cool interstellar matter provide the food needed for star formation in galaxies. Over the past decade, Dr Reinhard Genzel and...
Analysing Earth’s Magnetospheric System A Web of Interconnections – Dr Joseph E. Borovsky, Space Science Institute
The behaviours of physical systems are often decided by complex webs of connections between properties, where a small change in just one variable could cause changes in every other one. Dr Joe Borovsky at the Space Science Institute of Boulder, Colorado, and his...
SciPod Radio
Exclusive interviews with leading scientists and science communicators
The Hidden Truths Of Machine Learning With Zack Lipton
This week we discuss the hidden truths of machine learning, and how this new technology could undermine democracy as we know it, but is that even so bad... Resources mentioned: Zack's website: http://zacklipton.com/ Zack's Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacharylipton...
The Evolution Of Science Journalism With Andy Ridgway – An Award Winning Journalist
This week we speak with Andy Ridgway, an award-winning journalist, he has spent nearly 20 years in the profession, most recently as Deputy Editor of BBC Focus and then launch Editor of Science Uncovered. We discuss the impact the internet, and notably,...
Is Social Media Influencing Our Opinions Or Exposing Them? We Discuss With Dominique Brossard
In this weeks episode, we discuss the good, the bad and the ugly impact social media and other modern communication methods are having on the way we form opinions. We're joined by Dominique Brossard, an expert on media, science and policy, science and social media,...
Meet The Delightful Rachelle Saunders From Science For The People
In this episode we speak with the delightful and upbeat Rachelle Saunders From Science For The People Podcast and how their podcast is impacting people. Resources mentioned: Science For The People website: http://www.scienceforthepeople.ca/ Science For The People...
Trending
Unsustainable global consumer demands drive primate extinction – Dr Alejandro Estrada and Dr Paul A Garber
Global market demands for forest-risk commodities such as soy, palm oil, beef, rubber, metals, minerals, gemstones and fossil fuels from Central and South America, Africa and Asia have increased significantly over the past 20 years, representing over four trillion US...
An Education in Sustainability Achieving a Climate-Neutral University – Dr Oliver Opel, West-Coast University of Applied Sciences
Dr Oliver Opel of the West-Coast University of Applied Sciences in Germany reports on how Leuphana University was transformed into a climate-neutral and environmentally sustainable campus. In the face of accelerating climate change, this exemplary case study provides...
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