Articles
Autoimmune encephalitis and psychiatric disorders
Despite the latest advances in medical research, the causes of psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia (a long-term illness that affects the person’s perception of reality) remain a puzzle for researchers and doctors around the world. Unlocking the mechanisms behind these diseases is paramount for effectively treating or even preventing them. Through her study of an uncommon case of autoimmune encephalitis, […]
Scaling down electronic components with diamond films
Diamonds are an engineer’s best friend. As well as their incredible hardness, diamonds have several physical properties that make them excellent for electrical devices – like light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One of the big challenges in electronics is continually trying to miniaturise devices: the smaller they become, the more heat is generated which reduces their lifespan, reliability, and efficiency. Effective thermal […]
Which factors are relevant for asset prices?
Much research effort has focused on developing estimation methodologies and models aiming to identify the relevant factors for pricing the cross-section of stock returns, meaning the change in average returns across different stocks. Traditional asset pricing models with many factors can no longer cope with the dimensionality of present-day problems. Moreover, relying on misleading results could end in disastrous financial […]
Steering STEM education development through play
The growing importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for learning at school and beyond is placing increased emphasis on building the framework for their experiences in early childhood. However, designing the learning progressions children experience during this time undervalues a remarkable fact: children’s connection with STEM is intuitive. Chelsea Cutting of the University of South Australia’s Mount Gambier-based […]
Simple blood tests could predict immunotherapy effectiveness
Despite the extensive use of immunotherapy in patients suffering from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, this therapy has significant limitations. Not everyone responds to treatment and current therapies can have serious adverse side effects. When working at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, USA, Dr George Laliotis and his team discovered that biochemical factors, measured […]
Foot-and-mouth disease: A new antiviral stops the super-spreader in its tracks
Dr Tatsuya Nishi and Dr Kazuki Morioka from the National Institute of Animal Health at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Japan, have been testing a promising treatment against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Feeding pigs an antiviral drug (T-1105) may prevent any outbreak from spreading since it inhibits pigs from producing virus particles. Pigs are currently thought to be […]
Triharmony/Trilemma of Water Assets in tropical peatland
In tropical peatland, the three key elements Water, Carbon, and Nutrients are interrelated, interconnected, and interact. When these elements are in balance, a Triharmony state arises. Conversely, a Trilemma state occurs when these elements are out of balance. Here, we focus on Water Assets in the context of tropical peatland. To achieve Triharmony, scientists at Sumitomo Forestry Co, Ltd, and […]
Solving the black hole information paradox
The black hole information paradox poses a dilemma for physicists. When a black hole evaporates, it destroys the information that’s fallen into it. Yet quantum theory says information cannot be destroyed. In his pursuit of innovative connotations of existing physical theories, independent researcher Dr Łukaszyk offers a solution to the black hole information paradox. His study reveals the concept of […]
Vesalius Innovation Awards: Impactful technology and the Research World
The Vesalius Innovation Awards is a yearly event hosted by Karger Publishers which honours young and innovative start-up companies in the fields of health and open science. The award’s name comes from the 16th-century physician Andreas Vesalius, a pioneer in the field of human anatomy, whose work revolutionised medicine for generations to come. This article features interviews with the three […]
The heart of the matter: Elamipretide in the treatment of Barth syndrome
Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an ultra-rare but debilitating genetic disease affecting cell mitochondria. High infant mortality due to cardiac complications and a weakened immune system significantly decrease life expectancy. Current medications treat symptoms but not the cause, leaving an unmet clinical need to develop effective treatments that target the underlying pathology. Dr Hani N Sabbah, Professor of Medicine at Wayne […]