ResearchPod

The Navier–Stokes equations are important for science and engineering, since they describe the motion of fluids.  However, these equations can not describe the physical responses of fluids with a complex microstructure. Michal Bathory, Miroslav Bulíček, and Josef Málek, Charles University, Czech Republic, have developed a robust mathematical theory for viscoelastic fluids. Which could serve as an...

Understanding how living cells work is difficult due to the number of varied and complex processes occurring in them. This complexity can be elucidated by breaking these processes down and focusing on a particular mechanism. One approach is to use mathematical equations – the basis of computational modelling.   Dr Susan Mertins, the founder and CEO of Biosystem Strategies LLC, in the USA, is explo...

Southeast Asia mirrors global trends; people are living longer and there is a growing elderly population, and disease prevention is a key contributing factor.  There’s also been a rise use of digital technology; for healthcare, digital innovation offers a way to improve care for millions of people. Start-ups are a vital part of this digital health ecosystem, and Dr Hoe Siu Loon of Singapore Manage...

There are many factors involved in the reception of Ukrainian refugees, and the response from governments and civil society has been, mildly put, remarkable. The role of sports clubs in the reception of refugees is gaining increasing recognition. Research by Tony Mickelsson Blomqvist, a PhD student at the School of Social Sciences at Södertörn University in Sweden, demonstrates the role of these c...

 Students without adequate understanding of basic mathematical concepts and skills after completing kindergarten go on to struggle throughout their maths education. So how can the teaching of maths be improved to enable children to learn best? Dr Jonathan Brendefur and colleagues at the Developing Mathematical Thinking Institute, USA  have developed the five dimensions of the Developing Mathematic...

Most international success indices rank countries according to how they perform against various measures and include happiness as a key value, but fail to include the cost, especially to others. Emeritus Professor Yew-Kwang Ng of Monash University in Australia suggests that a happiness ranking that considers environmental costs – the Environmentally Responsible Happy Nation Index – would be a more...

In the USA, Black  and Hispanic ovarian cancer patients experience much poorer outcomes than White patients, suggesting they have less access to quality care.  But why does this disparity exist, and what can be done to bridge this gap? Dr Akinyemiju, Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Cancer Institute, USA, is tackling these questions a...

'Sustainable development’ has become a familiar term, but with over 300 definitions it can mean different things to different people, and is proving difficult to achieve globally.   Dr Pekka Peura at the Vaasa Energy Business Innovation Center at the University of Vaasa and his colleagues, Dr Olli Voutilainen and Professor Jussi Kantola, trace the emergence and development of an innovative wa...

If there is to be any hope of resolving the racial disparities that mark society, the healing of racial inequity needs to begin early enough to prevent old biases reinforcing themselves any further. In this episode, we are joined again by Dr Neitzel, along with the President of the Educational Equity Institute, Dr Ebonyse Mead, to discuss their upcoming book ; The Handbook of Racial Equity in Earl...

To tackle the challenge of monitoring air quality and assessing personal pollutant exposure in urban settings, low-cost sensors have become increasingly available.  However, most of these commercial devices suffer from limitations in the treatment of the data collected. Fabian Lenartz at the Scientific Institute of Public Service (ISSeP) in Liège, Belgium, has developed a low-cost versatile monito...

Facial recognition technology establishes a person’s identity from a single digital image of their face. This technology to identify criminals and prevent crime, but also in a range of other commercial settings. However, issues including trust, consent and bias, limits its use in some regions. Research conducted by Gary Chan, Professor of Law at Singapore Management University, investigates how to...

Lifes challenges can become lasting burdens if we don’t have the psychological resources to meet them.  So how can we build up a psychological toolbox containing powerful inner strengths that are readily accessible when we need them?  Dr Rick Hanson, of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center US, and colleagues have developed new model of emotional and mental growth, which actively engages peopl...

Understanding the function of time and space when an ecosystem is disturbed is essential for devising sustainable conservation and management policies, further complicated by anthropogenic disturbances. To understand and predict the response of ecological systems to these disturbances, researchers must develop new theoretical and experimental approaches. The research team at the Theoretical and Ex...

Clinical electrophysiology, the application of electricity to monitor or produce a physiological effect, seems such a core part of any modern hospital stay that it's surprising how new it really is. Today, devices and techniques are more accurate and less invasive, making these lifesaving technologies  practically commonplace. We spoke with Benjamin Scherlag, Professor of Medicine at the Univ...

Diagnosing diseases requires understanding of how cells respond to different medical conditions. Histology is a common two-dimensional way of studying such disease abnormalities, however major diseases are associated with three-dimensional cellular and tissue architectural changes. Dr Cheng’s team has created X-ray histotomography, the first 3D imaging method that allows digital cell and tissue di...

The rapid spread and constant evolution of COVID-19, has presented significant challenges to tracking true disease prevalence . In addition, the way we test for the disease is adapting and changing as more is learnt about the virus and new technologies become available. Some of these technologies can result in bias, and may not present an accurate picture of COVID-19 prevalence in a population. Re...

The demand for organically grown food has increased over the past few decades, with environmentally savvy consumers concerned about how the food they eat affects both their health and the planet. However, organic farming  usually produces a lower yield when compared to ‘conventional’ methods, and rely on the same CO2 emitting machinery. Professor Sean Clark of Berea College, Kentucky, examined the...

Cancer affects not just peoples physical body but also their mental and spiritual wellbeing. With such complex manifestations, holistic treatment approaches personalised to meet the unique needs of individuals warrant consideration and research. Terri Crudup and colleagues at IQVIA, in collaboration with the Samueli Foundation, USA, demonstrate the value of integrative oncology, combining conventi...

Over the course of his career, Dr Ofer Aluf has developed cutting-edge innovations in a wide range of technologies, including computer chips, semiconductors, antennas, and high-power lasers. His latest book, Dr Aluf introduces laser elements as a concept in circuit analysis, and explains the mathematical principles in parallel with their application in real-world scenarios. Find Advance Elements o...

Designing, building, and maintaining homes in the 21st century has to consider the wellbeing of residents and the environment.  From the heavy machinery required on building sites, to the rubble  of its demolition, every tonne of carbon consumed and released over the length of a buildings lifecycle can be accounted for. Dr Stefanie Weidner of Werner Sobek outlines the companies mission in sustaina...

Companies and businesses generally exist to create wealth. Yet, increasingly over the past three decades, companies have come to regard Corporate Social Responsibliity programmes as an important bottom-line measure Associate Professor Alwyn Lim from Singapore Management University and Shawn Pope from Léonard de Vinci Pôle Universitaire dig into the underlying motivators that propel businesses to d...

The dramatic collapse of the Polcevera Viaduct, in the Italian port city of Genoa in 2018, had all the hallmarks of unfortunate tragedy, but to the trained eye it was inevitable. Janusz Rymsza, PhD Eng, is a Professor at the Road and Bridge Research Institute in Warsaw. Since 2009 he has held the position of Deputy Director of the Institute. His professional work relates to the full range of bridg...

Approximately 10-20% of women will experience some form of postpartum depression. Without prompt access to care and support, the wellbeing of both mother and child could be in jeopardy. Dr Maureen Sayres Van Niel and Dr Jennifer Payne discuss working together in the field of women's mental health at the American Psychiatric Association, as well as the many changes and challenges in women&apos...

Professor A E Eiben at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, in The Netherlands, shows how robots could pass on their advantageous traits to new generations, allowing them to adapt to unfamiliar environments. Named ‘EvoSphere’, this system could one day allow robots to perform tasks which, until now, have remained far beyond our reach. Read more the original article: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-6649...

Children from families with low or insecure incomes are at greater odds of hindered language development and cognitive growth, with gaps in ability between poor and secure families evident as early as preschool.   Dr. Karyn Allee, assistant professor of Elementary Education at Mercer University asks if guided play could encourage the uptake of language, learning and behaviour among disadvantaged c...