Articles
Multiresolution forecasting for commercial processes
Dr Michael Thrun and colleagues Tino Gehlert and Quirin Stier investigated data-driven forecasting techniques for commercially relevant processes, using statistical and machine learning models to investigate future uncertainties in supply chains or call centre management. They found that the new methods, using a so-called wavelet approach – which is able to take varying seasonality into account – performed well compared […]
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Highlighting the need for greater equity in gifted education
Whether ability is determined by nature or nurture has preoccupied thinkers since classical times. Most now agree that ability is derived from a combination of inherited and acquired characteristics: more precisely, a combination of genetic and environmental components. Austrian gifted-education expert Dr Gundula Wagner is currently researching how class composition in schools affects gifted students’ academic outcomes. She argues that, […]
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Exosome microRNAs as liquid biopsies for the monitoring of prostate cancer
Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive variant of prostate cancer that emerges in response to hormone therapy. Dr Sharanjot Saini and her staff, from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, USA, are studying exosomes – nano-sized vesicles that transfer lipids, proteins, or genetic information between cells. These could be used as a source of biomarkers to […]
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Understanding tomato plant metabolism for sustainable production
Historically, crops have been domesticated without limiting their access to nutrients or water. Since these varieties did not need efficient nutrient absorption and distribution mechanisms, they are poorly adapted to a sustainable agricultural system which limits the need for excess fertiliser. Drs Laura Carrillo and Joaquin Medina of the Centre of Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP) in Madrid, Spain, investigated the […]
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The problem of targeted sympathy in justice for sex workers
Professor Chrysanthi Leon, Associate Professor of Sociology & Criminal Justice and founding member of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Gender-based Violence at the University of Delaware, and Professor Corey Shdaimah, Daniel Thursz Distinguished Professor of Social Justice at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, research prostitution diversion programs (PDPs). These programs ostensibly offer a more […]
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Male infertility and the genesis of mature sperm cells
About 10% of all males in the United States who are attempting to conceive suffer from infertility. Dr Rajakumar Anbazhagan, Dr Maria L. Dufau and Dr Kavarthapu Raghuveer from the National Institutes of Health, USA, aim to understand the biochemical pathways behind male factor infertility to devise a better strategy to address the issue effectively. The researchers identified a protein […]
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Managing digital talent: A 21st-century challenge
With an increasing level of market activity transitioning online, and organisational processes increasingly predicated upon ‘black box’ wizardry, the people who understand these things have a special place in the competitive armoury of modern business. These people increasingly require sensitive and intelligent management which recognises the singularity of their skillset. In their new book Digital Talent Management (2021), Dr Sorin […]
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Controlling heart rhythm reduces adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation
Around 2% of the European population suffer from atrial fibrillation, a heart condition characterised by a change in heart rhythm that increases the risk of serious health complications. Currently, therapies to directly address the arrhythmia are not used for all patients. The Atrial Fibrillation Network Association (AFNET) was the responsible organisation for the EAST-AFNET 4 trial, which set out to […]
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Transitional care programs for older adults: Improving Canada’s core health services
Transitional care programs are critical for ensuring better health management and continuity of care, oftentimes when older adult patients are required to move between healthcare services and settings and are most vulnerable to worse health outcomes. Transitional care programs are also found to be beneficial in reducing acute-care health resources and costs in countries around the world, however, for numerous […]
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Green cleaning of heavy metals in water
Many anthropogenic activities have resulted in pollution of water with heavy metals, and pose a huge health risk for humans and animals. Some plants, however, can extract and accumulate these metals from soil and water without any toxic effects. Plant flavonoids are compounds that have the chemical ability to bind to heavy metals. Recent work by Dr Robert Luckay and […]