Collaborative Research Research Articles

Global trends and performance of dry needling from 2004 to 2024: a bibliometric analysis.

Many doctors are incorporating dry needling into their clinical practice. Despite this growing trend, there has not been a comprehensive bibliometric analysis conducted in this field. Thus, this study aims to investigate the current research landscape, key research contributors, and popular research topics in dry needling, and to analyze the developmental trends within this area of study. The study utilized the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) as the main data source. Scientific literature was gathered through title (TI) searches for original clinical research papers on dry needling published between 2004 and 2024, using 'dry needling' or 'dry needle' as the search term. Statistical analyses and visualizations of the literature information, such as keywords, countries, research institutions, and authors, were conducted using the bibliometric.com online platform and VOSviewer. This approach aimed to statistically analyze and visualize the key research entities, hotspots, and frontiers in dry needling research. Additionally, the study delved into collaborative networks, research outputs, hot topics, and trends within the field of dry needling. This investigation encompassed 468 publications, with the year 2021 topping the charts for the highest publication output, amassing a total of 271 articles. The journal "Acupuncture in Medicine" emerged as the most frequently cited publication. The most impactful article was titled "Acupuncture and dry-needling for low back pain: An updated systematic review within the framework of the Cochrane Collaboration." Spain took the lead as the most productive country in this domain, with the United States closely following. Cesar Fernández-de-las-Peñas emerged as the most prolific author in the field. The Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Spain was recognized as the most productive institution for research in dry needling. As for journal keywords, "dry needling," "trigger point," and "myofascial pain syn-drome" were the triumvirate of terms most recurrently encountered. The field of dry needling research has witnessed significant growth in recent years, characterized by the emergence of novel trends such as comparative studies with acupuncture, exploration into the mechanisms of action, and a transition toward interdisciplinary approaches. As medical models evolve, the focus is expanding from the exclusive treatment of muscle pain to broader applications. Despite this progress, the domain is underscored by a paucity of large-scale, multicenter clinical trials and animal studies. There exists an imperative for enhanced collaboration among academic and research institutions. A more profound exploration and comprehensive research endeavors are essential to enhance our understanding and broaden the clinical application of dry needling techniques.

Building trust in university–industry relations: evidence from six cases of collaboration for research and innovation in Lombardy

ABSTRACT The collaboration between university and industry under the institutional arrangement of the University Third Mission has been widely investigated by scholars and, more recently, with an increasing focus on the importance of trust. In this line of research, based on the study of six cases of collaboration in one of the more economically developed regions of Italy, this article aims at analysing how trust is produced – or constructed – by actors involved in the collaborative relationships to identify different processes, factors, dynamics by which such a construction takes place, shape and content, and to discuss its contribution to the rise and maintenance of such collaborations.

What happens when tourism is turned off: Exploring the outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions for Indigenous people in Rarotonga, The Cook Islands

The sea, sand, and sun allure of the Cook Islands has seen tourism become the most significant driver of the country's economic development. However, the increasing reliance on the tourism sector since the 1980's has created a mono-economy at the expense of diversification and alternative economic models. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the risks and consequences associated with an over- reliance on international tourism as the lockdown measures and international travel restrictions caused the sudden shutdown of international tourism, resulting in serious negative economic consequences for tourism-dependent communities. However, the pandemic also offered an opportunity for small island societies to reflect on pre-existing challenges associated with the tourism industry. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with Indigenous Cook Islanders in Rarotonga, this study aimed to develop a deeper understanding of how the lived experiences of participants responding to the sudden collapse of tourism may have influenced how Indigenous Cook Islands peoples perceive the role of tourism in supporting the wellbeing of their small island nation. The presented study is the result of a collaborative research partnership between an Indigenous Pacific scholar and non-Indigenous European scholar. While the research adopted a western methodology, the relationships developed between the researchers and participants were guided by the cultural values of reciprocity and respect, which are key principles underpinning Indigenous research in the Pacific. The findings revealed that participants adapted to the adverse impacts of COVID-19 through the revitalization of their traditional socio-economies, the resurgence of customary practices, a strengthened connection to nature, and a renewed sense of community spirit and pride in cultural identity—all of which were perceived to positively impact their spiritual, social, cultural, environmental, physical, and mental wellbeing. By demonstrating the positive adaptive responses of participants, this article aims to emphasize the non-economic dimensions of wellbeing that are critical to supporting the cultural values, social priorities, and the Indigenous ways of life that preceded the development of tourism. These findings can be used to inform and guide international development policy makers and tourism stakeholders who seek to reduce the adverse impacts of tourism on the wellbeing of Indigenous communities in the Pacific.

A Bibliometric Review of the Impacts of Logging in Forests in Semi-Arid Zones

Forest massifs in semi-arid zones play an essential role in maintaining ecological balances and the livelihood of local communities. However, unsustainable logging in these regions can have devastating ecological, and socio-economic consequences. This bibliometric review aims to synthesize the available evidence regarding the impacts of logging in semi-arid ecosystem. Analysis of publication trends reveals a significant increase in research from 2008, reflecting a growing awareness of the issues related to sustainable forest management. The United States, Canada, Australia and China the most prominent countries in this field. The bibliometric analysis of the highlights major concerns related to climate change, clear-cutting, interactions with demographic dynamics and biogeochemical cycles. However, gaps remain, including a lack of data specific to semi-arid areas, limited understanding of the complex interactions between different dimensions of impacts, and insufficient integration of local perspectives and traditional knowledge. This review highlights the need to continue interdisciplinary and collaborative research efforts to ensure sustainable management of semi-arid forests in the face of current and future environmental challenges.

Postdigital Citizen Science and Humanities: Dialogue from the Ground

AbstractWhilst much global research takes place in universities, many researchers in the sciences and humanities do not work within these institutions. Some citizen researchers run their own companies or provide independent consultancy, having left their roles in universities through a conflict of values, where they experienced hostile, hierarchical, or restrictive practices. In a world where many postdigital and biodigital challenges do not sit neatly under one discipline or sector, collaboration with community experts to research potential solutions is crucial, as demonstrated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Universities count knowledge exchange partnerships as a key part of their activities, linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, yet a closer look at how this works in practice reveals different forms of ‘lockdowns’ that prevent equitable research collaborations. In this collective article, we offer a postdigital perspective on citizen science and humanities research from the ground. This includes a provocation to knowledge-producing institutions via recommendations that emerged from our collective citizen researcher workshop held in Zagreb in Spring 2024. There is now a pressing need to review institutional policies and practices around citizen research, towards more inclusive knowledge exchange partnerships, if we are to collaborate successfully to address many global challenges.

The current status and improvement directions of legal rules regarding Chinese national gene banks for farm animal genetic resources.

A gene bank for farm animal genetic resources (FAGR) is an important facility for the diversity conservation of FAGR. The primary purpose of gene banks for FAGR is the reconstruction of those breeds. With the advent of the post-genomic era, gene banks for FAGR have increasingly become an infrastructure for the support of livestock research and animal breeding, and a platform for international research collaboration. China is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of FAGR. Chinese National Gene Banks for FAGR (CNGBFs) have an important legal status and play an important function in the Chinese FAGR protection system. In this paper, we reviewed the current situation of CNGBFs construction, and systematically collected and analyzed legal rules related to CNGBFs. As results, those legal rules were categorized into two types: (a) organization and management, (b) activities. We summarized problems existing in the current legal rules for CNGBFs from three levels: institution, practical operation, and digital development. Improvement directions of legal rules regarding CNGBFs are proposed. They include clarifying the utilization function of CNGBFs and the ownership of FAGR in CNGBFs. Moreover, improving the mechanism of administrative management, rules on domestic and international access and benefit-sharing, and the system of digital sequence information management are also suggested. The improvements in those legal rules will contribute to the appropriate utilization of Chinese FAGR and international collaborations.

A landmark federal interagency collaboration to promote data science in health care: Million Veteran Program-Computational Health Analytics for Medical Precision to Improve Outcomes Now.

In 2016, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) established an Interagency Agreement (IAA), the Million Veteran Program-Computational Health Analytics for Medical Precision to Improve Outcomes Now (MVP-CHAMPION) research collaboration. Oversight fell under the VA Office of Research Development (VA ORD) and DOE headquarters. An Executive Committee and 2 senior scientific liaisons work with VA and DOE leadership to optimize efforts in the service of shared scientific goals. The program supported centralized data management and genomic analysis including creation of a scalable approach to cataloging phenotypes. Cross-cutting methods including natural language processing, image processing, and reusable code were developed. The 79.6 million dollar collaboration has supported centralized data management and genomic analysis including a scalable approach to cataloging phenotypes and launched over 10 collaborative scientific projects in health conditions highly prevalent in veterans. A ground-breaking analysis on the Summit and Andes supercomputers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) of the genetic underpinnings of over 2000 health conditions across 44 million genetic variants which resulted in the identification of 38270 independent genetic variants associating with one or more health traits. Of these, over 2000 identified associations were unique to non-European ancestry. Cross-cutting methods have advanced state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) including large language natural language processing and a system biology study focused on opioid addiction awarded the 2018 Gordon Bell Prize for outstanding achievement in high-performance computing. The collaboration has completed work in prostate cancer, suicide prevention, and cardiovascular disease, and cross-cutting data science. Predictive models developed in these projects are being tested for application in clinical management. Eight new projects were launched in 2023, taking advantage of the momentum generated by the previous collaboration. A major challenge has been limitations in the scope of appropriated funds at DOE which cannot currently be used for health research. Extensive multidisciplinary interactions take time to establish and are essential to continued progress. New funding models for maintaining high-performance computing infrastructure at the ORNL and for supporting continued collaboration by joint VA-DOE research teams are needed.

Artificial Intelligence Integration and Social Innovation: Interdisciplinary Research Trends Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals

This study investigates the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Prompt Engineering into the social sciences and their impact on collaborative networks, thematic developments, and research trends aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing bibliometric analysis and topic modeling, the research analyzes a dataset of 389 publications from the Web of Science (WoS) database, spanning the last decade. The findings highlight significant growth in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of these technologies and social sciences, with notable contributions in management, business, and environmental studies. Key themes identified include AI-driven innovation in product development, energy sector advancements, and the role of AI in educational and healthcare settings. The study underscores the transformative potential of AI in driving sustainable development, while also emphasizing the importance of addressing ethical considerations and ensuring responsible implementation. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how AI and related technologies are reshaping the social sciences and their role in achieving global sustainability goals.

An unusual lowest elevation record of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in Nepal.

The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is a flagship species of the mountainous region in South and Central Asia. In Nepal Himalayas, the species is distributed from 3000 to 6000 m. The present finding of a snow leopard on 23 January 2024 at an elevation of 146 m. in Charghare, Urlabari of Morang District was an unusual record. This is the first recorded case of a snow leopard at such a lower elevation. Fortunately, the leopard was rescued promptly and subsequently transferred to the Central Zoo, located in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur for further treatment. Following its rescue, two snow leopard scats were collected within a week from the enclosure. These scats were then analyzed using fecal analysis techniques to identify the prey hair remains in the scats. The analysis revealed that the leopard had consumed naur (Pseudoys nayaur) and unidentified rodent species, as evidence by the hair samples present in the scats. Additionally, several claws, likely from small mammals were also recorded which remain unidentified. This finding strongly suggests that the snow leopard had descended from its usual higher elevations. It is plausible that the leopard may have lost its way and ended up in densely populated human settlements. This has opened a new avenue for research in this area. There is now a pressing need for joint collaborative research to assess the corridors and connectivity crucial for the survival of these magnificent species.

Canadian Provincial and Territorial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study (CWMH): Navigating Practical and Unanticipated Methodological Challenges

Previous research assessing correctional worker (CW) mental health has seldom assessed for differences based on jurisdiction or diverse occupational categories. The current study was designed to provide a nuanced quantitative examination of mental health disorder prevalence and related problems among CWs and to qualitatively explore the varying social contexts surrounding CW well-being. We reflect on how we overcame unanticipated challenges and disruptions (e.g., technology, COVID-19 pandemic) throughout the design, launch, and analysis of the survey, and illustrate how our national study, driven by a rigorous methodological approach and collaborative research design, builds on the extant CW mental health and wellness literature.

Using collaborative action research to promote critical thinking pedagogies in ELT in Indonesia

ABSTRACT In several studies, collaborative action research has been shown to be a productive approach to enabling teachers to incorporate critical thinking into their pedagogy; however it has not been investigated in the Indonesian context. To address this gap, we facilitated a collaborative action research project with a small group of English language teachers in Indonesia. We organised three online focus group discussions (FGDs), shared resources, and mentored the teachers via phone and WhatsApp. The case study confirms that collaborative action research involving practising teachers and academic mentors in Indonesia has the potential to bring about transformation: to different degrees, the teachers took on new identities and expanded their repertoire of teaching strategies for critical thinking.

Ransomware Reloaded: Re-examining Its Trend, Research and Mitigation in the Era of Data Exfiltration

Ransomware has grown to be a dominant cybersecurity threat by exfiltrating, encrypting, or destroying valuable user data and causing numerous disruptions to victims. The severity of the ransomware endemic has generated research interest from both the academia and the industry. However, many studies held stereotypical assumptions about ransomware, used unverified, outdated, and limited self-collected ransomware samples, and did not consider government strategies, industry guidelines, or cyber intelligence. We observed that ransomware no longer exists simply as an executable file or limits to encrypting files (data loss); data exfiltration (data breach) is the new norm, espionage is an emerging theme, and the industry is shifting focus from technical advancements to cyber governance and resilience. We created a ransomware innovation adoption curve, critically evaluated 212 academic studies published during 2020 and 2023, and cross-verified them against various government strategies, industry reports, and cyber intelligence on ransomware. We concluded that many studies were becoming irrelevant to the contemporary ransomware reality and called for the redirection of ransomware research to align with the continuous ransomware evolution in the industry. We proposed to address data exfiltration as priority over data encryption, to consider ransomware in a business-practical manner, and recommended research collaboration with the industry.

Management Challenges in Implementing the <i>Merdeka </i>Curriculum

This study focuses on implementing the Merdeka curriculum from the perspective of its management challenges, exploring the experiences and perceptions of stakeholders related to implementing the Merdeka Curriculum at MAN Jombang and using a qualitative study, interviews, observations, and documentation as data collection techniques. Data analysis used data reduction, coding, and theme identification stages. To ensure data validity, the researcher applied source triangulation. The study findings indicate that implementing the Merdeka Curriculum faces challenges related to technology access and teacher readiness. Technology limitations, including unequal access to devices, hinder effective project-based learning, and administrative staff acknowledge the need for infrastructure improvements. Students appreciate the curriculum's focus on personal interests but need more guidance to navigate independent learning. Teachers have received training in project-based learning, but many teachers need help implementing new methods effectively. Although progress has been made, continued support, increased resources, and collaborative efforts among stakeholders are critical to successfully implementing the Merdeka Curriculum and improving educational outcomes. Limitations of the study include limited observation time and potential bias in participant responses. This study has yet to explore the long-term impacts of implementing the Merdeka Curriculum. Stakeholder collaboration research can provide deeper insights into practical strategies to address challenges and improve educational outcomes in Islamic education.

Sino-Belgian research collaborations and Chinese military power

ABSTRACT China’s rise as a scientific superpower and its increasingly assertive geopolitical stance have raised concerns among Western governments over the security implications of research collaborations with China. Indeed, studies have revealed how China uses technology transfers to advance its military capabilities. In this article, we examine the links of Sino-Belgian research collaborations to the Chinese military and the evolution of these collaborations using a mixed methods approach comprising a bibliometric analysis and two case studies. Our study finds that 10% of Sino-Belgian collaborations were on critical technologies and conducted with scientists affiliated to Chinese institutes with military links. The collaborations with a military link have increased rapidly over the last two decades and have grown faster than the overall Sino-Belgian research collaborations. The results of the study reveal that research collaboration in the knowledge domain has crucial ties to the security domain and should therefore be considered in international security analysis. However, invoking Susan Strange’s structural power theory, we argue that Sino-Belgian research collaborations should not only be seen as contributing to China’s military power but also as a function of China’s growing overall power, including in the knowledge structure, where it entails the power to convey or deny knowledge.

Assessing the Ecological Value: Monetizing Process Innovations in Tailored Forming

Companies must innovate to survive in competitive markets. The pressure to bring innovations to market faster and meet market and regulatory requirements challenges companies to assess early on whether an innovation delivers economic value added (EVA), even with a lack of quantification data. Sustainability, now a crucial industrial pillar, is integrated into this article's semiquantitative method for monetarily evaluating sustainable value drivers of innovations. The method is applied to the “Tailored Forming” innovation, developed in Collaborative Research Center 1153. The procedure employs an EVA driver tree to guarantee a net present value orientation within the innovation evaluation. A systematic literature review further systematizes the driver tree, thereby establishing a link between the sustainable value drivers of the EVA to develop a literature‐based impact model. A weighted scoring model (WSM) compensates for limited data, with interviews from CRC 1153 providing additional input. The data evaluation demonstrates that implementing Tailored Forming technology does not currently represent an effective strategy for achieving a higher EVA from a sustainability perspective, as evidenced by an increase in the WSM value. However, levers are being identified to facilitate the transfer of the Tailored Forming innovation into practice, reducing the WSM and positively influencing the EVA.

Review of “Global Mega-Science: Universities, Research Collaborations, and Knowledge Production”

Review of “Global Mega-Science: Universities, Research Collaborations, and Knowledge Production”

Meningkatkan Hasil Belajar Pendidikan Agama Katolik dan Budi Pekerti dengan Model Problem Bases Learning (PBL) Melalui Media Power Point pada Materi Gereja Sebagai Umat Allah dan Persekutuan Yang Terbuka Kelas XI SMA Negeri 1 Silimakuta

This research is a collaborative class action research (PTKK) carried out in class XI 6 SMA Negeri 1 Silimakuta with a total of 33 students consisting of 12 male students and 21 female students. This study aims to see whether the problem base learning model with powerpoint media can improve student learning outcomes in reviewing church material as God's people and open fellowship. This research is divided into two cycles, each of which consists of identifying problems, planning, implementing actions, observing and collecting data, analyzing data, and reflecting and improving. Data collection was carried out using tests. The results of the study showed that there was an increase in students' learning ability with powerpoint media on the material to increase students' ability in the Church's material for the environment, as evidenced by the average value of student learning outcomes at the end of the first cycle of 65.75 or 27% and at the end of the second cycle was 73.39 or 69.69%. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that learning using the problem base learning model with powerpoint media can improve students' abilities in the material of the Church as the People of God and Open Communion.in grades XI-6 SMA N 1 Silimakuta.

Financing green innovation startups: a systematic literature review on early-stage SME funding

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the critical issue of financing early-stage green startups, examining the types of investors and finance models available, the challenges these startups face, and how the green finance ecosystem can better support early-stage investment. Utilizing a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape. Our findings reveal a significant paucity of data and a bias towards well-established North American and European ecosystems, while highlighting an emerging diversity in private finance sources post-Global financial crisis (GFC), including grants, equity, and crowdfunding. Despite this, there remains a heavy reliance on public funding and a lack of evidence regarding its impact. The inherent characteristics of cleantech – high capital expenditure, long investment horizons, and disruptive nature – necessitate innovative public financing instruments and policies to reduce risk and attract private investment. Our theoretical contribution highlights the necessity for interdisciplinary research and policy collaboration to develop a holistic entrepreneurial finance (entfin) ecosystem. This approach should integrate quantitative economic and qualitative behavioural finance research to address information asymmetries and improve the green economy policy mix. Such a framework will support public-private co-financing, enhance stakeholder engagement, and provide evidence for policy decisions, facilitating more rapid commercialization of cleantech innovations for environmental sustainability.

Development and distribution of an in situ experimental wind turbine noise database

The PIBE project is the first French collaborative research project on wind turbine noise. One of its objectives is to quantify the experimental dispersion observed in situ on acoustic quantities/metrics and influencing parameters, and to compare it with the numerical dispersion estimated using acoustic propagation models. A long-term experimental campaign was carried out over consecutive 410 days around a wind farm comprising eight 80-metre-high and 90-metre diameter turbines. Acoustic sensors (five Class I sound level meters) were deployed on site, recording third-octave spectra and overall A- and Z-weighted values of the Leq indicator and fractile indices (L10, L50 and L90), at distances from 325 m to 1400 m from the wind turbines row. In addition, three 3D ultrasonic anemometers and a Lidar system were used to measure meteorological variables influencing long-range sound propagation (e.g. wind and temperature verical profiles). Besides, train and aircraft passing close to the site were inventoried to identify periods of high background noise. All experimental data have been processed into an ElasticSearch database. An interactive web application has been developed in R Shiny to facilitate processing, visualization and analysis of the experimental database.

A call from patient-researchers to advance research on long COVID

Long COVID is a chronic and often disabling illness with long-term consequences. Although progress has been made in the clinical characterization of long COVID, no approved treatments exist and disconnects between patients and researchers threaten to hinder future progress. Incorporating patients as active collaborators in long COVID research can bridge the gap and accelerate progress toward treatments and cures.