Articles
The wisdom of the crowd: A new typology for crowdsourcing
Dr Helen K. Liu from the National Taiwan University provides a typology for crowdsourcing public services based on theories of coproduction, public sector volunteerism, and government–citizen relations. Having carried out an extensive review of existing literature on crowdsourcing, she systematically examined the fundamental concepts applied to defining the role of citizens engaged in crowdsourcing practices in the public sector. The […]
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Improved formulations of nicotinamide riboside: A promising treatment for age-related disorders
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a co-enzyme involved in fundamental metabolic roles. Its levels decrease with aging, causing the development of age-related pathologies. NAD+ levels can be replenished by the intake of nicotinamide riboside (NR), a vitamin B3 analogue, which is naturally converted to NAD+. Regular use of NR supplementation is associated with improved outcomes in several cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and […]
Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund: Cutting-edge regenerative medicine
The Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MCSRF) is devoted to developing and supporting innovative research into all aspects of stem-cell-based technologies. Through its diverse program structure, the MSCRF is intimately involved in every stage of the stem cell journey – from pre-clinical lab discovery to clinical patient trials. Importantly, it remains forward thinking, ensuring the next generation of researchers have […]
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‘Pool and split’ high-throughput experimentation: Turning complex designs into simple assays
High-throughput experimentation (HTE) protocols enable scientists to perform multiple experiments and test multiple hypotheses, in parallel and with minimal consumption of resources and materials. Dr Marco Santagostino from the Chemical Process Development Department at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma, Germany and his collaborators Philipp Kollmus and Raphael Steimbach devised a new protocol that greatly reduces the number of experiments needed in HTE. […]
How did bacterial glycogen branching enzymes evolve?
Glycogen is a sugar which plays important roles in carbon and energy storage in bacteria. Glycogen with a highly branched, compact structure offers a more durable energy source – a characteristic linked with bacterial environmental durability, such as the ability to survive in deep sea vents. Dr Liang Wang at the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai and Ms Qing-Hua Liu at […]
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The evolution and spiritual journey of two former Black Panther Party members: George Jackson and Eldridge Cleaver
Dr Trevin Jones is an English Professor at St. Louis Community College. In his dissertation on African American prison writers, he explores how different African American male prison writers explore issues of activism, masculinity, identity, and spirituality. In particular, he focuses on two former members of the Black Panther Party: George Jackson and Eldridge Cleaver. Although coming from similar perspectives, […]
Unravelling the Mysteries of Deep-Blue Luminescence
Some molecules glow as brilliantly as fireflies through a process known as luminescence. Different molecules can emit different colours of light, including red, green, and blue. However, not all colours are as easy to generate as others. Dr Masahito Oh-e at National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, together with his collaborator Dr Akira Nagasawa, Professor Emeritus of Saitama University in Japan, […]
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Aerosolised medicines may reduce the high risk of coronavirus infection
Rapid development of vaccines and other preventative measures has been vital in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Michael Dubina, full member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, explores a novel method to reduce coronavirus infection risk. His pilot study explored the effects of an aerosolised combination medication in healthcare workers who had not previously been infected with the […]
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RadiaBeam: Safer X-ray sources with smaller particle accelerators
Many important technologies rely on the production of high-energy radiation, yet without the right precautions, the radioactive sources involved in these processes can be incredibly dangerous. Dr Sergey Kutsaev, together with a team at RadiaBeam Technologies, has now shown how these sources could be replaced by compact, low-cost, and flexible particle accelerators, capable of producing high-energy X-rays on demand. His […]
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How to make noisy drones a little less irritating
Unmanned drones hold the potential to transform many aspects of our society for the better. So far, however, their perception by the public has been held back by the annoying noise they make. In his research, Dr Antonio Torija Martinez at the University of Salford in Manchester studies how the impact of drone noises on communities can be reduced – […]
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