SciPod
Episodes
Coral Reefs: A Lifeline for Global Nutrition Under Threat
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Coral reefs are often admired for their breathtaking beauty and rich biodiversity, but their significance goes far beyond what meets the eye. These vi...
How Better Heating Models Could Improve the Sustainability of Outdoor Swimming Pools
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Outdoor swimming pools are enjoyed by millions of us, but it is often challenging to maintain comfortable temperatures across different climates and w...
Could Centaurus A Contain a Pair of Supermassive Black Holes?
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Astronomers know that the nearby Centaurus A galaxy contains a supermassive black hole at its centre, but there are several unusual and mind-boggling ...
Innovative Clinical Trial Design via Artificial Intelligence Identifies Effective Drug and Its Most Efficacious Dose for Treating Early Alzheimer Disease
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Phase 3 clinical trials are the most expensive part of drug development, and the most important hurdle to regulatory approval. More than 95% of phase...
US-China Trade War Tariffs: Unveiling the Hidden Costs to American Consumers
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An innovative study reveals how US tariffs on Chinese goods have disproportionately affected low-income American households, challenging the effective...
US-China Trade War Tariffs: Unveiling the Hidden Costs to American Consumers
05 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
An innovative study reveals how US tariffs on Chinese goods have disproportionately affected low-income American households, challenging the effective...
Why Food Security is Crucial to the Development of Human Societies
04 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Darwin identified fire and language as the key elements of human progress. Professor Elliot Berry, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, argues that ...
Improving Parenting and Child Outcomes Through Reflective Functioning: Results from the ATTACH™ Program
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Early adversity, such as family violence, parental depression and low income, puts children at risk for maltreatment and negatively impacts their deve...
A Better Way to Measure the Inventory Turnover Ratio metric, a Key Performance Indicator for Businesses
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Inventory management is a key activity in many organizations. Its performance is often measured by the inventory turnover ratio metric, or ITR for sho...
How President von der Leyen Shaped the EU's Response to Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the European Union faced a crisis that demanded a swift and unified response...
A House Deconstructed: Uncovering the Hidden History of the Modern House
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The full extent of the labour and resources which go into creating a modern house is hidden deeply within the buildings we call home. Professor Mark J...
Unlocking the Secret Code of Writing Systems
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered why letters look the way they do? Dr Hana Jee at York St John University in the UK investigates intriguing connections between how langu...
Unraveling the Mysteries of Human Embryo Metabolism: Insights from Computational Models
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Metabolism is the cornerstone of life, orchestrating the myriad chemical reactions that sustain cells, tissues, and organisms. It drives growth, divis...
Bridging the Gap: Insights into Pubic Symphysis Separation Postpartum
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Childbirth is a remarkable event that brings joy and new beginnings but also poses significant physical challenges to the mother's body. One such chal...
Quiet Early Bird or Loud Late Riser? Understanding the European Parliament's Involvement in International Agreements
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The European Parliament has the ability to play a key role in shaping the European Union's international agreements. But how exactly does it get invol...
How Researchers at the British Museum Detected and Tested Greek Coin Forgeries
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Perucchetti and colleagues at the British Museum have uncovered a group of skilfully crafted counterfeit ancient coins that may be one of the ea...
Estimating Human Age Using Wide View Digital Dental Images
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dental features have been used to estimate age in humans for centuries and may be used with great accuracy in both living and deceased individuals. Ho...
What Happens When Companies Take a Stand Against Unethical Practices?
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Corporate responsibility is increasingly crucial for businesses, but it comes with challenges. Using Hershey as an example, Professor Bertrand Guillot...
CEOs Face a Tough Challenge in Navigating the ‘Culture Wars’
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the impact of the ‘culture wars’ on American businesses? Professor Bertrand Guillotin at the Fox School of Business at Temple University e...
A Toast to Moderation: Insights on Alcohol and Heart Health
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death globally. Atherosclerosis, the hardening and narrowing of arteries, is the primary underlying ...
A Novel Method for Standardizing Single Molecule Studies
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studying single molecules provides researchers with unique insights into biological mechanisms and processes and allows them to visualise microscopic ...
Why US Tax Policy Hasn’t Responded to Rising Inequality
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether policymaking can develop solutions for the inevitable problems that capitalism creates has long been a concern of political economists. One of...
Is a Problem Solvable or Not? Quantum Deciders Outperform Classical Ones
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, the success of businesses and technologies relies on their ability to make quick decisions to address complex problems. To make matters more co...
What Spinoza Can Help us Understand About Extreme Radicalism
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a novel exploration of human radicalism, defined by governments as violent attacks, Dr Jerome Premmereur, a cardiologist and a clinical research ex...
Grinding Towards Greener Chemistry: Synthesis Without Solvents
24 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the world of chemistry, solvate-assisted grinding is a new method that could revolutionize how we make important chemical compounds. Researchers He...
标题：薄荷——一种有望用于抵抗新冠肺炎感染的物质
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
克里斯托弗•巴克是一名来自美国马里兰州贝塞斯达国家癌症研究所的病毒学家，他一直都在努力向公众宣传：越...
Minze: Eine frische Perspektive im Kampf gegen COVID
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Christopher Buck, Virologe am US National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, setzt sich dafür ein, eine wachsende Zahl wissenschaftlicher St...
Soil, Seeds, and Sustainability: The Power of Permaculture during Environmental Breakdown
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pressing environmental challenges, such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change, can negatively affect agriculture, while also bein...
Trade Policy in the EU: Market Focus or Geopolitical Tool?
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The role of EU trade policy is evolving in today's complex global landscape. Dr. Andrea Christou and Professor Chad Damro at the University of Edinbur...
How we can Improve our Science Communication to Create Climate Crisis Action
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We are facing a climate crisis that threatens our entire world and life as we know it. Despite this, scientists have found it difficult to engage peop...
A Novel Immunotherapy Approach to Treat Solid Tumors
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Developing therapies to effectively treat cancerous tumors is challenging, due to the hostility of the tumor microenvironment and the potential to uni...
Breath by Breath: Decision-Making in the Final Stages of Motor Neurone Disease
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Motor neurone disease is a currently incurable and progressive neurological disorder that severely impacts muscle function. As the disease progresses,...
Expanding Our Knowledge of Viral Evolution
03 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When the pandemic forced scientists to consider remote working strategies, many groups turned to online bioinformatic research. A team led by Dr. Chri...
What role does tourism have in peacebuilding and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians?
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Reconciliation and peace are emerging themes in tourism, with various post-conflict countries offering tours focused on peacebuilding. In the last few...
Adjusting Ventilator Settings Could Improve Outcomes for Premature Infants
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Premature birth puts infants at a greater risk of developing various medical conditions, including a chronic lung disease known as bronchopulmonary dy...
Unveiling Factors Linked to the Murder of Children by Their Parents
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Filicide, the killing of a child by a parent or a parental figure, is a heinous and incomprehensible crime. Professor Thea Brown, with her colleagues ...
Optimising Pharmaceutical Production Using Digital Models
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The development of safe and effective medicines that meet strict regulatory requirements has traditionally involved extensive experimentation, which c...
Paving the Way for Antibody-based Diagnostics for Tuberculosis and Sarcoidosis
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tuberculosis – or TB – is a global health threat, with 10 million new cases annually. Diagnosing TB can be a challenge, as there is a lack of rapi...
ALF5755: A New Therapeutic Avenue for Alzheimer’s and Diabetic Neuropathy
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Many diseases become more likely to emerge as we age, with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’...
Utilising Cocoa Pod Waste to Improve the Sustainability of Chocolate
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With a history as rich as its flavour, chocolate in its various forms has been loved by people for over 5000 years. Currently, however, chocolate is f...
Globalisation: A Race to the Bottom or an Opportunity to Improve Labour Standards?
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brazil, Russia, India and China, often known as the BRICs, have seen explosive growth in the past two decades and have asserted themselves as drivers ...
How Can We Equip Teens With Skills and Values of Reasoned, Respectful Discourse?
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our world is facing new and frightening challenges, and political polarization has never been greater. Many see reasoned, respectful discourse as our ...
Key Changes in Daily Greetings in 18th Century Britain
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In 18th century Britain, the old tradition of deep bowing and curtseying as a form of greeting slowly evolved into a brief touch of the cap or head (f...
Mint: A Fresh Perspective in the Fight Against Covid
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Christopher Buck, a virologist at the US National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, has been working to spread the word about a growing body...
What Makes Great Orators’ Speeches Effective and Persuasive?
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Since ancient Greek civilization, we have sought to identify what makes some people more effective and persuasive orators than others. Studies have su...
A Game That Stymies AI
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
AI appears all-powerful when playing sophisticated games such as Chess and Go against human opponents. Moreover, recent developments in AI have allowe...
Deciphering the Molecular Origins of Brain Disorders
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
During brain development, anomalies may arise which lead to serious conditions such as epilepsy, triggering seizures and requiring lifelong monitoring...
Overcoming Barriers to Protect Seagrass Meadows: A Critical Marine Ecosystem
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Shallow coastal waters are home to a unique and important plant – the seagrasses. Seagrasses, defined as underwater flowering plants, form vast mead...
The Icarus Paradox in Anesthesiology: Building on Success and Avoiding Stagnation
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a medical specialty, anesthesiology has made remarkable progress to deliver patient safety at an incredibly high level, while administering drugs t...
How Identity Politics Shapes European Union Integration
08 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The war in Ukraine has tested the resilience and unity of the European Union in unprecedented ways. As with some past European crises, EU member state...
Understanding the Causes and Brain Mechanisms Behind Dyslexia
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Individuals with dyslexia encounter difficulties in learning to read, despite possessing a normal level of intelligence and having access to qualified...
The Potential Effects of a Dietary Supplement on a Range of Health Issues
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. P. R. Raghavan, CEO and Chairman of Nanorx Inc., developed Metadichol, a nutritional supplement that has shown potential in treating a range of he...
An Infinite Game Mindset for Enhanced Cooperation in Anesthesia
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anesthesia in the US is currently delivered through a team-based approach, with physician anesthesiologists supervising certified registered nurse ane...
Defining AI to Ensure Effective Research and Policymaking
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence – or AI – is receiving increasing attention for its rapid development and potential to change society. Researchers are wor...
How HR Management Can Help Businesses Weather a Changing World
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Businesses today exist in a changing world, which brings both opportunities for growth and increasingly complex challenges. To survive and thrive, o...
Exploring How India Can Ensure Sustainable Growth and Resilience with Broad Participation into the Future
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
India has seen impressive economic and institutional growth in recent years, but the country isn’t yet meeting its full potential. In a world that i...
Investigating a Tax Loophole that Costs EU Countries Billions of Euros
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cum-ex trading in European markets has been widespread, in which investors wrongfully receive refunds on dividend withholding tax they have never paid...
Assessing the Value of Intuition for Solving Complex Engineering Problems
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Experienced engineers are typically equipped with advanced technical knowledge and a unique professional skillset. These skillskets are often paried w...
Exploring Changes in How the EU Screens Foreign Investments
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Foreign direct investment occurs when a resident in one economy invests in and establishes significant influence over an enterprise in another economy...
Can Faith Institutions Encourage People to Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure?
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common and potentially dangerous condition that increases the risk of many severe medical issues...
Why We Should Question Reforestation in the Scottish Highlands
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Scottish Highlands are known as an area of great natural beauty. One notable aspect of the area’s ecology is the relative lack of trees and wood...
Exploring the Professional Lives of Remote Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people across the globe changed the way they worked, to comply with social distancing measures. Many people worked ...
Heritage Science: Seeing Beyond What Is Thinkable to Address 21st Century Challenges
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals outline the massive challenges humanity must face to survive on Planet Earth in the 21st Cent...
Exploring How to Improve Healthcare for Patients with Fibromyalgia
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Fibromyalgia is a relatively common and yet poorly understood condition characterised by chronic diffuse pain and stiffness, chronic fatigue, poor sle...
How Multinational Corporations Contribute to Regional Integration Across Africa
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
South Africa’s post-apartheid foreign policy has largely emphasised state-led continental political and economic integration. However, little attent...
Addressing antimalarial drug resistance in Africa to ensure patients can continue to be saved
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We are pleased to be joined by Dorothy Achu, Regional Malaria Adviser, WHO African Region; Aimable Mbituyumuremyi, Director, National Malaria Control ...
Could R399E Become a Promising Treatment for Restoring Joints and Relieving Pain in Osteoarthritis?
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Osteoarthritis is a painful and progressive joint disorder that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Typically, the options for treating ...
Understanding Diabetes: Revealing the Links Between High Blood Pressure and Insulin Resistance
02 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cases of type 2 diabetes are on the rise around the world, so gaining a deeper understanding of this chronic condition is vital to ensure early diagno...
Prevent Children from Developing Dyslexia
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Studies suggest that children who rely more on vision from their left eye could be more likely to develop dyslexia if they learn to write using pathwa...
Decoding Dizziness in the Emergency Room
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Acute vestibular syndrome is one of the most common reasons people present at hospital with dizziness. The symptoms can arise from damage within the b...
Multiverse of Madness: A Social-Ecological Tipping Point Analysis
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Humans have driven dramatic environmental changes – most of which have a negative impact on us and other species. Today, we can only understand ecol...
A New Index to Assess Frailty and Promote Healthy Ageing | Professor Anne Summach - Titus Chan - Tammy O’Rourke
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In their recent research, Anne Summach, Titus Chan and Tammy O’Rourke at the University of Alberta explore the factors that determine healthy ageing...
International Companies in the Russian Market During the Ukrainian Invasion
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a recent paper, Professor Bertrand Guillotin and Julianne Sellin of Temple University discuss the difficult decision demanded of international comp...
Using Hungry Microbes to Devour Plastic Pollution | Dr Jay Mellies
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plastic pollution is accelerating the destruction of our planet. Discarded plastic can be found in the remotest areas – from the highest mountain to...
Exploring How Soil Fungi Respond to Drought | Dr Ari Jumpponen
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Both the frequency and intensity of droughts are forecast to increase in climate change predictions. It is well established that plant communities are...
Could the Soul Be a Biophysical Reality? | Dr Benjamin Scherlag
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The idea that human beings have souls that leave their body after death is an essential part of most religions and spiritual beliefs. However, this ha...
An Innovative Approach to Strengthening Steel and Concrete Structures
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As they age, steel and concrete structures often need to be retrofitted. One such way of strengthening is with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer – or ...
Professor Nancy Rader | Teaching Infants New Words With ‘Show Gestures’
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Before an infant can learn the link between a word and an object by following a pointing gesture, Professor Nancy Rader’s team has found that infant...
Thomas Kleinig | Preventing Satellite Collisions with Ionospheric Drag
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Satellites are vital to modern civilization, powering the GPS in our phones, enabling long-range communication, and giving us insights into Earth’s ...
Professor Radu Mares | Exploring the UN’s Role in Regulating Transnational Corporations
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a recent paper, Professor Radu Mares of Lund University in Sweden examines the UN’s recent efforts to create an international treaty for addressi...
Dr George Rupp | Modelling Mesons: Uncovering Subatomic Particle Interactions
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To understand how the smallest known particles in our universe form structures, scientists need to use sophisticated mathematical models and technique...
Understanding How the EU Interacts with Global Governance Institutions
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The importance of the EU in global governance has been well researched. However, systematic analysis of the way it interacts with other international ...
Why Do Many Migrants Retrace their Steps? Clues from 19th Century Australia
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Migrants travel hopefully, dreaming of better lives. Some are successful, some less so. Many in both groups ultimately decide to return to their home ...
Reproductive Consequences for Tick-Infested Lizards
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Each year, male Western fence lizards bob, charge, and battle rivals for a chance to win mates. For many of them, tick infestations threaten to hinder...
Revealing the Olm Salamander’s Secrets to Advance Biomedical Research
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The genetic secrets to extraordinary longevity, superhero-like healing and regeneration, and resistance to feeding disorders could be found hidden wit...
Can Dogs Improve the Mental Well-being of Paediatric Healthcare Professionals? | Clare Jensen
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Paediatric healthcare workers often experience poor mental health and burnout. While specially trained facility dogs have been found to positively imp...
Exploring Geographical Differences in Branding Across China | Professor Junhong Chu
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Past studies unveiled geographic associations in branding, with consumers in different locations preferentially purchasing goods from specific countri...
Identifying and Preventing Arthropod Encounters in South-eastern USA Homes | Dr Daniel Suiter - Dr Brian Forschler
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Arthropods – a group of invertebrates that includes insects, spiders, centipedes and woodlice – are everywhere, and have inhabited this planet for...
Dr Cynthia K. Thompson – Innovation in Promoting the Recovery of Language after Stroke
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stroke can impair a person’s ability to communicate, resulting in a disorder known as aphasia. To facilitate recovery, scientists must understand ho...
Improving Outcomes Following Lower Limb Amputation | Dr Jozina de Graaf
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After the amputation of a lower limb, amputees can learn to walk with an artificial replacement for that limb known as a prosthesis. However, this can...
The Role of Love and Community in American Schools - Austina Lee | Gareth Dylan Smith
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Capitalism and neoliberalism inform the way in which children in the USA are schooled. Mainstream education prioritises standardisation and conformity...
Exploring the Neglected Psychological Consequences of Child Labour | Professor Alberto Posso
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Child labour is a major social problem that contributes to poor physical health and lower educational achievement. A collaborative research team from ...
A Summer Opportunity Programme for Aspiring Scientists – with a Digital Twist
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The development of a talent pool in Science Technology Education and Medicine that is as diverse as our population, has been a difficult goal for deca...
Exploring Different Courtship Styles from an Anthropological Perspective | Professor Victor de Munck
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Like other animals, humans have unique ways of approaching a potential mate and securing their affections. The goal of these ‘wooing’ processes is...
Dr Daisuke Minakata – Sunshine and Organic Molecules in Water
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Organic molecules dissolved in rivers, lakes, seas and oceans are essential to plant and animal life. Some of these molecules are also degraded and en...
Understanding Women’s Sexual Pain from a Psychodynamic Standpoint
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sexual pain, often referred to as vaginismus and dyspareunia, can be a debilitating condition that prevents many women from having penetrative sexual ...
Real Life Stories: What Causes Sexual Pain Amongst Women? | Dr Thula Koops - Professor Peer Briken
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Limited research has explored the causes of sexual pain and difficulties with intercourse that are experienced by women across the world. Dr Thula Koo...
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Homelessness in Australia: Risk and Resilience Factors | Dr Ruth McNair
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is a strong link between identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) and homelessness. Dr Ruth McNair from the University of Melbourne analyse...
Understanding the Key Role of Mould Spores in Allergic Asthma | Professor Araceli Díaz Perales
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Araceli Díaz Perales and her colleagues at the Centre for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics in Spain have made the discovery that mould spor...
Single-Payer Health Care: Financial Implications for a Physician
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When considering proposed reforms of the US health care system, some physicians dismiss a single-payer system that would provide health care for all r...