Share Research Findings Research Articles

Science on tap: pouring knowledge into the local community

Recently, science communication efforts have focused increasingly on sharing research findings with a broader audience. Since its creation in 2010, Science on Tap (SoT) has realized this goal by recruiting scientific professionals from diverse disciplines to share their latest research findings with the general public in a laid-back pub or brewery setting to bridge the gap between perceived “ivory tower” knowledge and public perception. In the past decade, local SoT chapters have been created across the world, including our own program started in 2022 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, to act as these science boundary spanners. To gauge interest and increase the relevancy of our program, we conducted a descriptive survey of our SoT attendees and received 50 responses. Results indicate that attendees have learned a fair amount of new knowledge from these talks and are primarily drawn in by the topic and speaker. Participants are especially engaged in locally relevant topics such as environmental issues and report the highest enjoyment from learning new information in a relaxed brewery atmosphere. In sum, topics and location have helped our program to be an effective science communication boundary spanner in this community.

Responsible Practices for Crowdsourced Transcription and Accessibility for Web‐based Library, Archive, and Museum Content

ABSTRACTHundreds of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (LAMs) around the world run crowdsourced transcription projects in order to engage users with their collections. Some LAMs explicitly use crowdsourcing projects to make non‐machine‐readable images of documents, such as manuscripts, discoverable to people who are blind or have low vision. We present findings from Crowdsourced Data: Accuracy, Accessibility, Authority (CDAAA), a 3‐year Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant project that investigates whether and how LAMs integrate crowdsourced transcriptions into their discovery systems, and whether these efforts result in accessible web‐content for blind people and those with low vision who use assistive technology to navigate the web. We share research findings as well as practical suggestions for those in charge of crowdsourcing projects, the resulting transcription data, or similar web‐based textual content such as scholarly editions. These research and practice‐oriented findings are relevant to any national or local context where inaccessible images are transcribed, and are especially timely in the US context given recent Federal rule‐making to ensure that all web and app‐based content provided by US State and local governments is accessible, including tools, resources, and content created in‐house, through contracts or by license (2024).

Empowering Disabled Voices: A Practical Guide for Methodological Shifts in Biology Education Research.

Biology education research provides important guidance for educators aiming to ensure access for disabled students. However, there is still work to be done in developing similar guidelines for research settings. By using critical frameworks that amplify the voices of people facing multiple forms of marginalization, there is potential to transform current biology education research practices. Many biology education researchers are still in the early stages of understanding critical disability frameworks, such as Disability Critical Race Studies (DisCrit), which consists of seven tenets designed to explore the intersecting experiences of ableism and racism. Our Research Methods Essay uses DisCrit as a model framework and pulls from other related critical disability frameworks to empower disabled voices in biology education research. Drawing from existing scholarship, we discuss how biology education researchers can design, conduct, and share research findings. Additionally, we highlight strategies that biology education scholars can use in their research to support access for participants. We propose the creation and sharing of Access and Equity Maps to help plan-and make public-the steps researchers take to foster access in their research. We close by discussing frequently asked questions researchers may encounter in taking on critical frameworks, such as DisCrit.

Communicating Nutrition and Dietetics Research: A Crucial Step to Advancing Evidence-Based Practice

The primary objective of nutrition research is to make discoveries that will improve human health, and this is more likely to happen when researchers collaborate and share research findings with clinicians, program and policy makers, and the public. Nutrition research directly informs evidence-based care provided by registered dietitian nutritionists. However, the current academic model often lacks sufficient incentives and preparation for researchers to effectively disseminate their work. Consequently, research findings can be misrepresented, misinterpreted, distorted from their original context, or fail to reach the intended audience altogether. The aim of this article was to describe the importance and value of communication and disseminating nutrition research with various audiences and discuss what material should be disseminated. The information presented can serve as a guide for nutrition researchers to effectively disseminate their research for maximal impact and relevance.

Barriers and facilitators of translating doctoral research findings into policy: The case of a selected health sciences school in a South African university

BackgroundAlthough the barriers and facilitators of translating health research into policy are generally well documented, not much has been reported for universities in low-and middle-income countries. We identified and analyzed barriers and facilitators of translating doctoral research findings into policy in a selected health sciences school in a South African university. MethodsThe study adopted a quantitative descriptive research design. We conveniently collected data through an online questionnaire administered to 47 PhD graduates, 11 PhD final year students and 21 PhD supervisors of the School of Nursing and Public Health. Descriptive statistics was performed, and data were summarized using percentages. ResultsMore than half (72.4 %) of the students reported not involving Department of Health during formulation of research questions for their projects and 62.1 % reported not directly sharing research findings with the Department of Health. 53.4 % of the students indicated that they attended Department of Health research days and only 39.7 % said they presented research findings at the meetings. Only 39.7 % of the students who shared their research results to the Department of Health received feedback. About 52.4 % of the academic supervisors believed the introduction of the quartile system as a measure of impact of publications may reduce policy impact. An individual PhD supervisor supervises an average of 6 PhD students at any given time. 85.7 % of PhD supervisors reported that they consider stakeholders needs/interests when assisting students to identify research topics. ConclusionThe study revealed the need for universities to make policymakers aware of available evidence, conduct research that is informed by the Department of Health's research agenda, involve the Department of Health in identifying research projects, and disseminate findings using platforms accessible to policymakers. Other key considerations are political will to utilize evidence, packaging evidence in a user-friendly manner and building the capacity of policymakers to use evidence.

The Role of Clinical Research in Improving Medical Practice: From Theory to Practice

Clinical studies can be relied on as a powerful engine of medical advancement in terms of developing new solutions for better life treatment. This paper reviews research approaches that are critical for the establishment of the safety and efficacy of various treatment methods. Even though research is becoming more advanced day by day, still a gap exists between the research findings and their real application. The purpose of this review is to identify barriers that stand in the way of translation and to provide means for overcoming them. A comprehensive search of online databases identified studies on clinical research methodologies and evidence-based practice (EBP) promotion. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize key themes. This paper demonstrates how clinical research particularly matters. It denotes problems like expenses limits as well as clinicians’ unawareness that do not allow the translation of research results into practice. Nevertheless, efforts are made to provide solutions, including education on EBP, adoption of practice guidelines and leveraging technology to share research findings. These problems should be tackled by EBP promotion in order to guarantee optimum and updated treatment of patients and better population health.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders prevention and clinical guidelines research - workshop report

It is estimated that up to 1 in 20 people in the United States may have a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), or the array of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social disorders caused by exposure to alcohol during prenatal development (May et al., JAMA 319:474–82, 2018). While this condition is present in a broad range of individuals and families, it has not previously been examined in the military community, where cultural factors including an increased prevalence of alcohol misuse may pose a unique set of challenges (Health.mil, Alcohol misuse, 2024).The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), in conjunction with FASD United, hosted the second annual Workshop on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevention and Clinical Guidelines Research on 20 September 2023 in Washington, DC. Organized as part of a four-year, federally-funded health services research initiative on FASD in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Military Health System (MHS), the workshop provided a forum for exploring the initiative’s focus and progress; examining current knowledge and practice in the research and clinical spheres; and identifying potential strategies to further improve prevention, screening, diagnosis, interventions, and family support. Building off of the 2022 workshop that covered the state of the science surrounding prenatal alcohol exposure and FASD, the 2023 focused primarily on FASD and efforts aimed at identification and management (Koehlmoos et al., BMC Proc 17 Suppl 12:19, 2023). One hundred and thirty attendees from academia, healthcare, federal agencies, and patient advocacy organizations gathered to share research findings; learn from lived experiences; and discuss initiatives to advance research, screening, and services for at-risk pregnant women as well as families and caregivers supporting individuals with FASD.

Ecological, Socioeconomic, and Economic Factors Shaping Vegetable Oil Production in the Batak People Community of North Sumatera

Abstract This research delves into the intricate interplay between ecological, socioeconomic, and economic factors in the production of vegetable oils, with a specific focus on the Batak People community in Tapanuli-Toba Samosir, North Sumatra. The research highlights the profound importance of considering these multifaceted aspects within the context of farmers’ labour rights and community empowerment, thereby illuminating the industry’s broader implications. The study is structured into three principal dimensions: ecological consideration, socioeconomic dimensions, and economic viability. The study assesses farmers’ working conditions and wages, their engagement with national and international labour standards, and the extent to which the vegetable oil industry influences the socioeconomic well-being of the Batak People community. It analyses market dynamics, value chain processes, and the influence of government policies and subsidies on the industry’s economic prospects. By doing so, the research aims to discern how the vegetable oil industry can contribute to the region’s broader economic development. To foster knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving, an international seminar is proposed. This seminar will bring together academics, government researchers, industry experts, and community representatives. The event’s objectives include sharing research findings, addressing industry challenges, expanding networks, and crafting a sustainable framework for the vegetable oil sector. This research, alongside the international seminar, seeks to enhance our comprehension of encouraging sustainable practices and formulating policies that can serve as models for similar regions.

Assessing the impact of history of medicine research: A scientometric and altmetric analysis.

After conducting a comprehensive literature search of two medical electronic databases, PubMed and Embase, as well as two citation databases, Web of Science Core Collections (WoS) and Scopus, we aimed to conduct an Altmetric and Scientometric analysis of the History of Medicine literature in medical research. The following software tools were used for analyzing the retrieved records from PubMed and Embase databases and conducting a collaboration analysis to identify the countries involved in scientific medical papers, as well as clustering keywords to reveal the trend of History of Medicine research for the future. These software tools (VOSviewer 1.6.18 and Spss 16) allowed the researchers to visualize bibliometric networks, perform statistical analysis, and identify patterns and trends in the data. Our analysis revealed 53,771 records from PubMed and 54,405 records from EMBASE databases retrieved in the field of History of Medicine by 105,286 contributed authors in WoS. We identified 157 countries that collaborated on scientific medical papers. By clustering 59,995 keywords, we were able to reveal the trend of History of Medicine research for the future. Our findings showed a positive association between traditional bibliometrics and social media metrics such as the Altmetric Attention Score in the History of Medicine literature (p < 0.05). Sharing research findings of articles in social scientific networks will increase the visibility of scientific works in History of Medicine research, which is one of the most important factors influencing the citation of articles. Additionally, our overview of the literature in the medical field allowed us to identify and examine gaps in the History of Medicine research.

“It Puts Them in the Role of Zoo Animals”: Gatekeeping, Research Fatigue and Over-Researched Populations in Czech Social Work Research

The paper discusses the ethical and methodological issues related to gatekeepers in social work research, often represented by social service professionals. This collaboration brings specific challenges, dilemmas, and benefits. A qualitative research strategy was used to explore research fatigue in the context of gatekeeping and its implications for ethics in social work research, particularly as it relates to marginalized and vulnerable groups. Eighteen interviews were conducted with researchers and gatekeepers. Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyze the data and the computer software program Atlas.ti was used to process the data. The results of the analysis are presented through three main themes: the specifics of gatekeeping in social work research; the time, emotional and ethical burden of research; and the search for new forms of collaboration and overcoming research fatigue. The research suggests that identifying the dynamics of research fatigue is key to minimizing the negative impacts on research practice and bridging the gap between research and practice in social work. In future studies, time dedicated to transparent communication, feedback, sharing research findings and building partnerships with social work practitioners and their clients could be an important element in preventing research fatigue.

Addressing Ethical Concerns in Implementing Mindfulness-Based Interventions in Educational Setting

The burgeoning interest in mindfulness and the way it has been stripped from its Buddhist ontological roots and popularized in the West has recently raised ethical concerns regarding its application in various domains, and more specifically in the educational field. We will address in this article three main ethical concerns regarding implementing mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in the educational field. Firstly, how do we help educators and students cultivate personal awareness while at the same time being conscious of the needs of others and promote a pro-social orientation? Secondly, how do we ethically implement MBIs in the current neoliberal social, cultural, and political context? Thirdly, how do we implement MBIs in a culturally sensitive manner respecting the ethics of other ethnic groups and other societies? We will attempt to offer solutions to those issues by exemplifying how MBIs are integrated with compassion-based interventions (e.g., mindful self-compassion (MSC)) and social-emotional learning (understanding and managing emotions, building positive relationships, and making responsible decisions) among educators and students in Jewish and Arab schools in Israel. We will discuss three MBI programs that incorporate strategies addressing social ailments such as stereotyping and prejudicial attitudes and promote pro-social behavior as well as share research findings regarding their efficacy. Additionally, we will outline ways in which these mindfulness-based programs were adapted to suit different populations. Finally, we will conclude by pointing to future means to address these issues.

Complementary Therapy: Application of Photobiomodulation in Self-Care and Patient Care

Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level laser therapy, is a non-invasive light therapy that applies near-infrared light sources near target tissues. PBM allows photons to penetrate tissues and interact with cells, promoting photophysical and chemical changes that result in desired changes at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels (Oliveira et al., 2022; Shetty et al., 2023). This complementary therapy has garnered significant research attention both domestically and internationally. The results of recent research indicate non-invasive transcranial light stimulation can enhance high-frequency oscillations such as α and β waves, leading potentially to improved cognitive and neurological functions, memory, attention, and emotional status in healthy adults (Shetty et al., 2023). This mode of therapy is recommended as a non-pharmacological intervention for pain relief (Ross, 2022) and has been found to improve oral pain and quality of life in patients with burning mouth syndrome and in those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Camolesi et al., 2022; Chan et al., 2023). Also, PBM has been promoted as a method of enhancing wound healing (Oliveira et al., 2022) and of reducing the respiratory disturbance index in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (de Camargo et al., 2020). Researchers in Taiwan have also applied PBM to alleviate the pain associated with heel prick blood sampling in newborns and suggested using low-level laser therapy as a pain relief measure for full-term newborns undergoing invasive procedures (Wu et al., 2023). For the column in this issue, we have invited domestic nursing and optoelectronic scholars who have conducted extensive research in the field of PBM to explain the related mechanisms, share research findings, and introduce PBM devices that may be used in clinical, home, and school settings. Considering the impact of shift work on sleep among healthcare professionals, we also hope to provide nurses with different insights and options for self-care and patient care through the research and product introductions provided. Finally, an article on assessing aging and promoting health from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective is included to offer nursing professionals a holistic approach to self-care and preventive concepts based on natural rhythms.

Relational, Community Dementia Care for All: Observations and Lessons from On‐Reservation Providers, Administrators, and Formal Caregivers in the US and Canada

AbstractBackgroundResearch with Indigenous populations in North America has consistently demonstrated divergent views on caregiving for people living with dementia (PLWD) compared to Western biomedical approaches. Few studies to date have applied strengths‐based approaches and, as a result, an Indigenous caregiving framework appropriate for on‐reserve/reservation populations has yet to be created. In this paper we share research findings that can be used to initiate strategies for culturally appropriate, sustainable, and supported care strategies for Indigenous PLWD.MethodWe used a community‐based participatory approach to conduct ethnographic research in a culturally safe way among four Indigenous communities in the US and Canada. Community‐based researchers conducted key informant interviews with dementia administrators and providers (n = 35), and sequential focus groups with local health care staff/formal caregivers that work with Indigenous older adults (14 sessions, n = 17). Data were coded in QSR NVivo and analyzed using a phenomenological framework.ResultParticipants described numerous assets available to Indigenous communities that can help PLWD age in place, based in a wholistic orientation. Main qualitative themes emerging from the analysis include: the need for wholistic models of care; the value and importance of family caregiving; the role of social/community support; the value of caring for the PLWD in the home for as long as possible; and the need for community services to support caregivers. Indigenous values, past experiences with health systems/colonization, and lived experiences of dementia were important underlying factors informing an Indigenous caregiving framework appropriate for on‐reserve/reservation populations.ConclusionWestern models of caregiving for PLWD, especially the eventual placement of PLWD in care facilities, do not fit with Indigenous value systems and teachings. Relational, family, and community‐based care is a culturally appropriate form of care for most elders in Indigenous communities. This model will be most effective when culturally appropriate community support services such as personal support and home care nursing services, as well as adequate respite, are included. Further research with family caregivers and PLWD will be necessary to further our understanding of this Indigenous care model and together with this study will form the basis for a community‐based caregiving intervention.

Reflections from the 'Hold the door open' project: Inviting older adults across the UK to shape dissemination of health research findings.

This project sought to expand patient and public involvement (PPI) practices to the development of research finding dissemination with people aged 55+ years. The project is innovative due to its UK-wide approach and use of PPI to plan better ways to share findings of health research with older adults, extending PPI beyond research project initiation to support dissemination activities. The aim of this study is to understand how to develop effective public engagement activities with older adults to disseminate findings of health research. We hope to promote greater inclusivity and advance our understanding of this demographic. This project combined three approaches: (i) an online questionnaire to ask what activities older adults enjoy; (ii) online planning workshops seeking public contributors'input in event planningand (iii) community events to share research findings and raise awareness of PPI. Activities were carried out in Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow and Tewkesbury. The planning workshops clarified that in-person activities and offering options for activities were important. Based on feedback from our contributors, all our events focused around a talk and questionand answersession. Other short activities included light exercise and a writing activity. Our multiphase approach helped us develop informative activities that reflected the questionnaire results and the feedback from the workshops, as we tailored our events to each location. A phased approach allowed both researchers and contributors to gradually deepen their understanding. Further awareness raising is needed to develop the role older adults currently hold in health research activities. Working closely with existing communities can help broaden diversity. Thirty-three public contributors helped facilitate this project. Two of these also contributed to this article by writing a reflection of their experiences, one of whom also provided feedback for the article.

Jamaican Sound Systems and Knowledge Systems: Practice-Based Research (PBR) in Popular Culture

Working with popular street cultures in the Global South offers scope for practice-based research (PBR) to go beyond its application with creative practitioners in the galleries and theatres of the Global North. We start from an account of a “reasoning session” with reggae sound system owners, selectors, and engineers staged as a PBR event in Kingston, Jamaica. Such popular music cultures across the Global South have their own specialist apparatus for playing recorded music and—most important for a PBR investigation—their own embodied, situated, and tacit knowledge systems. These include the sophisticated arts of selecting music, tuning up a sound system, and the value of the culture for the communities from which they originate, as well as strategies for current challenges, such as police harassment and lack of government recognition or support. Accessing such grassroots knowledge systems requires not only a good rapport with local practitioners but also close cooperation with their own organizations and with local university researchers. Such PBR also demands sharing research findings—for example, by screening the documentary film we made of the reasoning session for its participant. It is concluded that practitioners’ ways of knowing as revealed by PBR can help challenge conventional ideas about the nature of knowledge itself.

Open Access Advantages as a Function of the Discipline: Mixed-methods Study

PurposeThis mixed-methods study integrates bibliometric and altmetric investigation with a qualitative method in order to assess the prevalence and societal-impact of Open-Access (OA) publications, and to reveal the considerations behind researchers' decision to publish articles in closed and open-access. Design/methodology/approachThe bibliometric-altmetric study analyzed 584 OA and closed publications published between 2014 and 2019 by 40 Israeli researchers: 20 from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and 20 from SSH (Social Sciences and Humanities) discipline. We used a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample for the STEM disciplines group (engineering, computer science, biology, mathematics, and physics), and for the SSH disciplines group (sociology, economics, psychology, political science, and history). Required data were extracted from Scopus and Unpaywall databases, and the PlumX-platform. Among the 40 researchers who were selected for the bibliometric-altmetric study, 20 researchers agreed to be interviewed for this study. FindingsComparing bibliometrics and altmetrics for the general publications did not reveal any significant differences between OA and closed publications. These were found only when comparing OA and closed publications across disciplines. STEM-researchers published 59 % of their publications in OA, compared to just 29 % among those in SSH, and they received significantly more bibliometric and altmetric citations from SSH OA publications and from their own closed-access publications. The altmetrics findings indicate that researchers are well acquainted and active in social media. However, according to the interviewees, there is no academic contribution for sharing research findings on social-media; it is viewed as a “public-service”. Researchers' primary consideration for publishing in closed or OA was the journal impact-factor. Research limitations/implicationsOur findings contribute to the increasing body of research that addresses OA citations and societal-impact advantages. The findings suggest the need to adopt an OA-policy after a thorough assessment of the consequences for SSH disciplines.

Crafting figures to describe cellular processes

Crafting figures to describe cellular processes

Preface: 2nd International Conference on Finance, Investment and Business Analysis (FIBA 2023)

This 2023 2nd International Conference on Finance, Investment and Business Analysis (FIBA 2023) was successfully held virtually in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from March 25 to 26, 2023. Initially, it was planned to be held physically at University of Malaya, Malaysia. However, this conference was changed to a virtual format due to the current situation of Covid-19 and travel restrictions in Malaysia and other countries.&#x0D; FIBA 2023 is a conference on international finance, global investment, business planning, economic management, and business analysis. It provides a forum for researchers, practitioners, and educators to introduce and discuss the latest innovations, trends, experiences, and concerns in these fields. The main objective of this conference is to provide a forum for all attendees to share and exchange ideas and research findings in respective fields of research. The conference allows the exchange of knowledge between different research domestic and foreign centers representing various fields.&#x0D; The virtual format of FIBA 2023 was a success where all the participants gathered on the online platform regardless of the time zone and location and share experiences and research findings in their respective fields. As such, this conference will expand networks and foster potential collaborations between researchers in the same field of research.&#x0D; With best regards,&#x0D; Organizing Committees of FIBA&#x0D; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Case study of a pilot mentoring program in transdisciplinary sciences

ABSTRACT We conducted a case study on the implementation of an adult mentoring program designed to connect land-grant university graduate students who participated in a transdisciplinary and multi-institutional research project withindustry professionals for the purpose of exposing students to industry practices. Seven mentees and six mentors participated in the study. We employed the theory of planned behavior to inform findings regarding participants’ behavioral, normative, and control beliefs surrounding professional performance and goal attainment. Program outcomes were positive for student career development, for example expanding graduate students’ professional networks and sharing research findings with industry professionals. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the mentoring program’s success by adding stress and travel restrictions that prevented full engagement in the program by all parties. Recommendations for improving the program’s success include providing participants with better support mechanisms for initiatingmentoring relationships and encouraging mentees to develop coping mechanisms when faced with cognitive overload and communication apprehension.

Preface: 2022 International Conference on Theoretical Physics, Computers and Electronic Engineering (TPCEE 2022)

This volume contains papers accepted by the 2022 International Conference on Theoretical Physics, Computers and Electronic Engineering (TPCEE 2022), which was held online during December 30-31, 2022 in Toronto, Canada. TPCEE 2022 brought together innovative scholars and industry experts to jointly hold a forum. The main objective of the conference is to promote the research and development activities of theoretical physics, astrophysics, quantum physics, computer engineering, information technology and electronic engineering, and the other objective is to promote the exchange of scientific information among researchers, developers, engineers, students and practitioners around the world.&#x0D; Over 200 participants from many countries attended this online conference, which included 4 keynote speeches and 48 oral presentations on different aspects of theoretical physics, computers and electronic engineering in 4 sections. The cutting-edge research works were presented by such renowned keynote speakers. The virtual format of TPCEE 2022 was a success where all the participants gathered on the online platform regardless of the time zone and location and share experiences and research findings in their respective fields.&#x0D; Organizing Committees of TPCEE 2022&#x0D; Toronto, Canada