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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
Improving Milk Quality from the Farm to the Table – Professor Ronald Erskine, Michigan State University
The US dairy industry has undergone major restructuring over the past couple of decades, with growing herd sizes and an increased reliance on labour from outside the family. These changes have brought about new challenges to prevent infectious diseases among cattle....
Protecting the Brain – Dr Mary Logan Dr Sean Speese, Oregon Health and Science University
Our nervous system has such an important function in our body that neurons have their own bodyguards. Known as glial cells, they protect brain cells against injury and prevent damage. Dr Mary Logan and Dr Sean Speese, both based at the Jungers Center for Neuroscience...
Tailoring Cannabis to Create Medicine for the Masses – Dr Andrea E. Holmes, Precision Plant Molecules
Cannabis is a plant that remains largely stigmatised, along with people who consume or condone it. However, Dr Andrea Holmes and her colleagues at Precision Plant Molecules are revealing the numerous hidden benefits of cannabis, when processed with precision. This...
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...
Earth and Environment
Popular SciPods from earth and environmental sciences
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...
Harnessing Genetics for Sustainable Fruit Production – Dr Vladimir Orbovic, University of Florida
People are becoming increasingly aware about the health benefits of eating a diet that’s rich in fruit and nuts. However, farmers are struggling to meet the increasing demand, due to crop damage caused by climate change and emerging plant diseases. As a solution, Dr...
Emerging Technologies to Enable Affordable Ocean Observing – Dr Brian Glazer, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
Coastal environments have immense ecological, practical, recreational and cultural value, and are under threat from multiple natural and anthropogenic stressors. Dr Brian Glazer and his team at the University of Hawai’i use specialised equipment to conduct remote...
STEM Education
Informative SciPods in STEM Education
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...
Research Ethics Training for Health in Indigenous Communities – Dr Cynthia R. Pearson, University of Washington
American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN) face substantial health inequalities, yet ethical research addressing their health concerns is still extremely limited. Dr Cynthia Pearson, Associate Professor at the University of Washington and Director of Research at the...
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
Improving Milk Quality from the Farm to the Table – Professor Ronald Erskine, Michigan State University
The US dairy industry has undergone major restructuring over the past couple of decades, with growing herd sizes and an increased reliance on labour from outside the family. These changes have brought about new challenges to prevent infectious diseases among cattle....
Protecting the Brain – Dr Mary Logan Dr Sean Speese, Oregon Health and Science University
Our nervous system has such an important function in our body that neurons have their own bodyguards. Known as glial cells, they protect brain cells against injury and prevent damage. Dr Mary Logan and Dr Sean Speese, both based at the Jungers Center for Neuroscience...
Tailoring Cannabis to Create Medicine for the Masses – Dr Andrea E. Holmes, Precision Plant Molecules
Cannabis is a plant that remains largely stigmatised, along with people who consume or condone it. However, Dr Andrea Holmes and her colleagues at Precision Plant Molecules are revealing the numerous hidden benefits of cannabis, when processed with precision. This...
Astym Therapy – An Effective Treatment for Painful Scar Tissue
Scar tissue formed after surgery or injury often ends up being painful and limiting movement for patients. Although there are a number of possible treatments, these options are expensive and often have only limited success. According to Drs. Michael Mont, Morad...
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...
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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