Discovery of Neurotrophic Factor-α1 Reveals New Treatment Strategies for Stress-induced Neurodegenerative Diseases and Depression | Dr Y. Peng Loh
Stress produces numerous negative effects on the human body. Lying deep within the brain, one particularly sensitive area is the hippocampus, where chronic exposure to stress hormones can lead to the degeneration and death of neurons. Thankfully, the brain holds defence mechanisms that block some of these negative effects. Deciphering these mechanisms with the aim of better treating neurodegenerative diseases and depression is Dr Y. Peng Loh from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in the USA.
Immigration, Epidemic Mortality and Demographic Recovery | Dr Pierre Galanaud
Dr Pierre Galanaud, an immunologist from Paris-Saclay University and Inserm UMR 996, analysed historical tax records to investigate the impact of epidemics on recent emigrants who experienced the 15th century plagues in Dijon, France. His research highlights the vulnerability of emigrants with low economic status to epidemic-related mortality. More broadly, his work demonstrates the important role that migrants play in population growth and demographic recovery after an epidemic has taken place. These findings are of particular relevance given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The Benefits and Costs of Legalising Same-Sex Marriage in the USA | Dr Kristina B. Wolff
On the 26th of June 2015, the US Supreme Court legalised same-sex marriage across the USA, allowing same-sex couples to be legally recognised as married in all 50 states. In a study conducted one year later, Dr Kristina B. Wolff at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy & Clinical Practice, explored some of the benefits and costs of this legalisation for LGBTQ+ communities living in the USA. She introduced a new framework, based on the work of economist Dr Amartya Sen and philosopher Dr Martha Nussbaum, that could encourage long-lasting positive social change.
Scientific Societies Team Up to Foster a Diverse STEM Workforce | Dr Verónica A. Segarra
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) communities have a long history of exclusion and underrepresentation of women, African American, Latinx, American Indian and LGBTQIA+ students. In order for our STEM enterprise to be truly equitable, everyone that wants to become a scientist must have an equitable opportunity to do so, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation. In the movement toward equity, the demographic diversity of the STEM workforce must mirror that of the general population. STEM workforce diversity can accelerate innovation in scientific disciplines, and, if coupled with systemic cultural equity, can also support a STEM enterprise where everyone can thrive. Dr Verónica A. Segarra, Interim Chair and Assistant Professor of Biology at High Point University, has been exploring how scientific societies could help their disciplines be more equitable. Her efforts have helped to establish numerous alliances and collaborations among societies and diversity-focused organisations, with the mission of building a more diverse and inclusive STEM workforce.
How Soundtracks Shape What We See | Dr. Alessandro Ansani
Music has the power to influence how we interpret the world around us. Dr. Alessandro Ansani from the Department of Psychology at Sapienza University of Rome believes this interpretation is multidimensional and involves several interconnected cognitive factors and mechanisms. He has recently demonstrated the significant impact that background music can have on our interpretation of a simple movie scene, by manipulating the soundtrack.
Conversational Prosodic Entrainment in Youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder | Dr Heike Lehnert-LeHouillier
Young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often display unusual patterns of speech. Dr Heike Lehnert-LeHouillier and her colleagues from New Mexico State University in the USA, have undertaken one of the first studies to assess linguistic alignment, also known as entrainment, in the conversations of children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD. Their research concluded that when compared with a control group who were matched in terms of age, gender and non-verbal IQ, young people with ASD do show different entrainment levels across their conversations.
START NOW: An Effective Mental Health Intervention | Dr. Robert Trestman
Dr. Robert Trestman, at the Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, has co-developed START NOW, a successful group psychotherapy intervention specifically targeting mental health issues in prisoners. It combines elements of cognitive behavioral therapy to form skills-based learning. Furthermore, START NOW is easily accessible, cost-effective, and designed for use in settings with limited resources. Due to its success within correctional institutions, START NOW is being adapted for use in fields such as adolescent conduct issues and opioid misuse.
Animated Educational Videos Promote Learning Among Farmers
SciPod · Animated Educational Videos Promote Learning Among FarmersOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper:doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2017.1298077About this episodeThere are up to one billion people with low literacy globally, many of whom live...
Providing Effective Pest Management Education Through Animations – Dr Julia Bello-Bravo
SciPod · Providing Effective Pest Management Education Through Animations - Dr Julia Bello-BravoOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper:doi.org/10.1564/v29_apr_02 About this episodeIntegrated pest management describes effective and...
Neurodevelopmental Disorders Arising From Histone Methylation Malfunctions – Dr Shigeki Iwase, University Of Michigan
SciPod · Neurodevelopmental Disorders Arising From Histone Methylation Malfunctions - Dr Shigeki IwaseOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper:https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA643 Share Episode About this episodeNeurodevelopmental...
Mapping Brain Networks To Understand Epilepsy – Dr Victoria Morgan, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
SciPod · Mapping Brain Networks To Understand Epilepsy - Dr Victoria MorganOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper:https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA610 Share Episode About this episodeEpilepsy is one of the most common causes of...
Improving Patient Outcomes In Traumatic Brain Injury – Dr Jack Jallo, Thomas Jefferson University
SciPod · Improving Patient Outcomes In Traumatic Brain Injury - Dr Jack Jallo, Thomas Jefferson UniversityOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper:https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA619 Share Episode About this episodeSevere traumatic...
Hookah Smoking Understanding User Perceptions And Health Risks -Professor Mary Rezk – Hanna, University Of California
SciPod · Hookah Smoking Understanding User Perceptions And Health RisksOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper:https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA647 Share Episode About this episodeHookah smoking is the least regulated tobacco form. It...
Examining Behavioural Changes During COVID-19 Lockdowns – Centre for Time Use Research
SciPod · Examining Behavioural Changes During COVID-19 Lockdowns Share EpisodeIn Collaboration with Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Using time-use diaries to track changing behavior across successive stages of COVID-19 social...
Redefining Sustainability Standards to Improve Lives and Livelihoods – Professor Maja Tampe, Esade business school
SciPod · Redefining Sustainability Standards To Improve Lives And LivelihoodsOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Leveraging the Vertical: The Contested Dynamics of Sustainability Standards and Labour in Global Production Networks’, from...
Comparative Optimism about Infection and Recovery From COVID-19; Implications for Adherence with Lockdown Advice – Dr Sasha Scambler and Dr Koula Asimakopoulou, King’s College London
SciPod · Comparative Optimism about Infection and Recovery From COVID-19In Collaboration With Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the open access paper ‘Comparative optimism about infection andrecovery from COVID-19; Implications for adherence with...
Exploring How Technology Enhances Inclusion and Participation in Humanities Research – Dr Anna Khlusova, Kings College London
SciPod · Exploring How Technology Enhances Inclusion and Participation in Humanities ResearchIn Collaboration with Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Public Engagement in the Digital Environment: Opportunities and Challenges for Arts and...
Social and Political Determinants of Health in the Occupied Palestinian Territory During the COVID-19 Pandemic
SciPod · Social And Political Determinants Of Health In The Occupied Palestinian Territory During COVID - 19In Collaboration with Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Social and political determinants of health in the occupied Palestinian...
Socioeconomic Determinants of Covid-19 Infections and Mortality: Evidence from England and Wales
SciPod · Socioeconomic Determinants Of Covid-19 Infections And Mortality: Evidence From England And WalesIn Collaboration with Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Socioeconomic determinants of Covid-19 infections and mortality: Evidence...
Studying Meditation-related Challenges in Western Buddhism -Dr Willoughby B. Britton, Brown University
SciPod · Studying Meditation-Related Challenges In Western BuddhismOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘The varieties of contemplative experience: A mixed-methods study of meditation-related challenges in Western Buddhists, from the open...
China Must Act Immediately to Protect its Primate Populations from Extinction -Dr Paul Garber and Dr Alejandro Estrada
SciPod · China Must Act Immediately To Protect Its Primate Populations From ExtinctionOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘The primate extinction crisis in China: immediate challenges and a way forward’ in Biodiversity and Conservation....
Chick-fil-A Successes, Failures and International Expansion Challenges amid LGBTQ Protests – Dr Bertrand Guillotin, Fox School of Business at Temple University
SciPod · Chick - Fil - A Successes, Failures And International Expansion Challenges Amid LGBTQ ProtestsOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the case study ‘Chick-fil-A: International Expansion Challenges’, available at...
Improving Human Health and Wellbeing Will Protect Primate Populations – Dr Alejandro Estrada, Dr Paul Garber, and Dr Abhishek Chaudhary
SciPod · Improving Human Health And Wellbeing Will Protect Primate PopulationsOriginal Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Current and future trends in socio-economic, demographic and governance factors affecting global primate conservation’ from...
The DOZE App A Unique Approach To Overcoming Sleep Problems In Young Adults – Dr Colleen Carney
SciPod · The DOZE App A Unique Approach To Overcoming Sleep Problems In Young Adults - Dr Colleen CarneyOriginal Article Reference https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA512 Share Episode About this episodePoor sleep is a common difficulty issue for teenagers and...
The Effects of Autonomy on Motivation in Different Cultures – Dr Ritu Tripathi
SciPod · The Effects Of Autonomy On Motivation In Different Cultures - Dr Ritu TripathiThis SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Are the Motivational Effects of Autonomy-Supportive Conditions Universal? Contrasting Results Among Indians and Americans’ published in the...
Does ‘Safer Storage’ Reduce Agricultural Pesticide Self-poisoning in Rural Asia? Professor Flemming Konradsen & Professor Michael Eddleston
Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Effectiveness of household lockable pesticide storage to reduce pesticide self-poisoning in rural Asia: a community-based, cluster-randomised controlled trial’, from The Lancet....
The Benefits of an Organic Diet on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Children – Dr Konstantinos Makris, Cyprus University of Technology
Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘A cluster-randomized crossover trial of organic diet impact on biomarkers of exposure to pesticides and biomarkers of oxidative stress/inflammation in primary school children’ published in the open...
Understanding Brain Function, Cognition, and Emotion in Psychopathology- Professor Christine Larson, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Original Article Reference https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA406 Share Episode About this episodeMental health conditions such as anxiety disorders significantly impact on the quality of life of sufferers, their physical health and psycho-social functioning....
The Health-e Babies App for Socially Disadvantaged Women: Embracing Technology to Improve Health Literacy
Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘The Health-e Babies Appfor antenatal education: Feasibility for socially disadvantaged women’ from PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194337 Share Episode About this episode Over...
The Brain, The Body And Mathematics – Dr Korbinian Moeller, Leibniz – Institut Für Wissensmedien
Original Article Reference: https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA389 Share Episode About this episodeDr Korbinian Moeller and a team of researchers at the Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien are endeavouring to identify the cognitive and neuronal processes...
A New Model for Developing Students’ Deep-Learning Skills – Dr Yianna Vovides, Georgetown University
Original article reference: This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Elusive learning – using learning analytics to support reflective sensemaking of Ill-Structured ethical problems: A learner-managed dashboard solution’, from Future Internet....
The Role of Human Motivation in Achieving Organisational Sustainability – Professor Martina Blašková, University of Žilina
Original Article Reference This SciPod is a summary of the paper ‘Responsible Decision making for Sustainable Motivation’, from Sustainability, an MDPI journal. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10103393 Share Episode About this episodeTo protect planet Earth and all...