Articles
Double-suicide in modern Japan: An ageing society’s crisis
Suicide, double-suicide, and homicide-suicide are a significant public health concern in Japan. In particular, double-suicide, which was relatively common among lovers immediately after the Second World War, has re-emerged in Japan among the elderly and their overburdened carers. Professor Fumiko Satoh and colleagues from the Kitasato University School of Medicine have examined prevalence rates and proposed likely reasons for double-suicide […]
Read More… from Double-suicide in modern Japan: An ageing society’s crisis
Carbon capture utilisation in the deep ocean: The hydrothermal fuel cell
Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are one of the most hostile environments on Earth, and yet they support complex ecosystems. Dr Ryuhei Nakamura of the RIKEN Centre for Sustainable Resource Science and Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, has been researching how hydrothermal vents operate as a fuel cell for microbial life, their potential for deep-sea carbon capture through electrochemical carbon […]
Read More… from Carbon capture utilisation in the deep ocean: The hydrothermal fuel cell
How virtual reality is helping to rebuild a community devastated by the Fukushima disaster
The Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, and the accompanying tsunami that led to the meltdown of Fukushima’s nuclear power plant, was one of the most powerful the world has seen and killed thousands of people. Thousands more were displaced and still don’t know if they will ever return to towns like Namie which they once called home. A new project […]
Qualitative monitoring of information infrastructures: A case study
When it comes to measuring the effectiveness of research and implementation projects, funders usually favour hard facts and statistics that easily translate into soundbites. As a result, quantitative evaluation methods usually win the day. But a European Directive to create an infrastructure to allow countries to capture, use and share computerised environmental data (geographic information systems, or GIS) has also […]
Read More… from Qualitative monitoring of information infrastructures: A case study
Mechanisms of motion: Combining physical biology and numerical models
Eukaryotic cells are capable of migrating in response to external stimuli, moving towards a more favourable environment or during processes like wound healing and embryonic development. The mechanisms by which cells migrate is highly complex and often tightly coordinated. Combining mathematical models and theories with physical biology experiments, Dr Tetsuya Hiraiwa, a fellow at the Mechanobiology Institute at the National […]
Read More… from Mechanisms of motion: Combining physical biology and numerical models
A service evaluation of the ‘Open Wide and Step Inside’ school oral health programme
Dr Robert Witton is a dentist, researcher at the University of Plymouth and Chief Executive of the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise CIC. He leads an oral health education programme, “Open Wide and Step Inside,” designed to deliver key oral health messages to school children. A recent service evaluation shows the programme has been well received by schools and children alike. […]
Read More… from A service evaluation of the ‘Open Wide and Step Inside’ school oral health programme
Political systems and economic growth: The democracy myth
Democracy is often held to be the ideal political system, conferring growth and prosperity on nations’ citizens; however, this paradigm of thought has come under increasing debate. While many studies show a positive correlation between democracy and growth, others have observed neutral or even negative impacts. Dr Thomas Osang of the Southern Methodist University, Texas, and Dr Jeffry Jacob of […]
Read More… from Political systems and economic growth: The democracy myth
New synthetic biology method revolutionises DNA cloning
Since the dawn of humanity, we have been modifying and altering the natural environment to suit our needs, from domestication of animals and plants to the modification of landscapes. Using synthetic biology, Dr Jeff Braman and Dr Peter Sheffield at Agilent Technologies, Inc. have developed a new method to assemble DNA. Their approach allows seamless assembly of independent, functionally tested, […]
Read More… from New synthetic biology method revolutionises DNA cloning
Strengthening the case for goal directed fluid therapy
Intravenous (IV) fluids are critical for maintaining hydration and blood circulation during major abdominal surgery. The right amount of fluids can help prevent complications and speed up postoperative recovery, but finding that sweet spot can be challenging. To help narrow the field, Beijing Tongren Hospital Department of Anesthesiology Vice-Chief Anesthesiologist, Dr Yanxia Sun and her team are running a clinical […]
Read More… from Strengthening the case for goal directed fluid therapy
Medicine’s digital future: Patients use App for automatic data collection in adherence study
People with chronic medical conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, often have to take the same medication for a long period of time. Unfortunately, medication adherence, or how good patients are at taking their medication as prescribed, is often low in this group. Prof Markus Schürks and Dr Christian Müller of Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany, carried out a novel pilot […]