COST action CA22103 Net4Brain: Pan-European network advancing translational research in brain cancer.

Electrochemical genosensing finds applications across a wide range of fields, including clinical diagnostics, forensic science, food safety, agriculture, biotechnology, cancer research, defense, environmental monitoring, etc. It focuses on the detection of specific DNA or RNA sequences, often called target sequences, rather than target analytes as in conventional (electro)analysis. Since the groundbreaking contributions dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, nearly 500 articles have been published elucidating various important aspects of this research field. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge, serving as a comprehensive synthesis of the most recent literature on electrochemical genosensors, published in the last five years. Hopefully, it will also serve as a valuable resource for students, young researchers, scientists, non-academics, or other professionals seeking a consolidated understanding of the key aspects behind this research area, without delving into a collection of individual and scattered studies.

ABSTRACT This study provides the first integrated overview of Italian nematology through bibliometric and perception-based analyses on data retrieved from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Results highlight a scientifically active and well-connected community, increasingly oriented towards ecological and sustainability issues. Italian research shows a distinctive balance between agricultural, parasitological, and environmental approaches, reflecting the global shift towards One Health and biodiversity conservation. However, nematology remains marginal in academic curricula and public perception. Most practitioners acquired their expertise after graduation, confirming a long-standing educational gap also noted in other European countries. Yet, the strong motivation of younger researchers and the widespread recognition of nematology’s usefulness suggest opportunities for renewal. Strengthening academic training and interdisciplinary collaboration could ensure generational continuity and enhance the discipline’s visibility. Overall, studying nematodes represents both a scientific challenge and an opportunity. Nematode ubiquity, ecological relevance, and functional diversity make them key to understanding and managing biodiversity across ecosystems. Promoting nematology within education and public communication would not only support scientific progress but also foster a broader appreciation of the often-invisible components sustaining life and ecosystem health.

Purpose This paper aims to apply a “revisiting” approach to past game literacy-based research. Starting from a media literacy and videogame making oriented PhD project, it explores how the discussion of past research can be evolved, but also questions what young research subjects gain from participating in research of this nature. Design/methodology/approach With a frame of longitudinality, this research takes a long view of the experiences of participants from a game making project, against how they consume texts in their lives now. It considers the kind of artefacts (design work, videogames) produced in the original research against a revisiting of some of the student-participants, interrogating their digital media literacy, practices currently, along with discussing their memories of being involved in this research project. With the previous PhD work taking place in the school where the researcher was a teacher, this new research reviews the role creative practice can have in classrooms. Findings Revisiting the data from past PhD research, which drew positive conclusions about the role game making can have in the teaching of literary texts, and in literacy progression generally, this paper then overlays new interview data from some of the past participants, affirming the power of critical game work in schools. Originality/value The combination of a PhD methodology that was itself novel with a revisiting of research subjects in the present offers an original insight into the effectiveness of games-based classroom research over time.

Photocatalysts have emerged as a promising approach for the treatment of contaminated water, particularly for the removal of dyes and pharmaceutical residues that pose risks to human health. In addition, they can be employed for the generation of chemical fuels such as H2 and oxidizers such as H2O2, which have been proposed as sustainable energy carriers to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The first part of this brief review provides a detailed overview of the fundamental concepts of photocatalysis, including reaction pathways and reported mechanisms. The second part explores the main design strategies for enhancing photocatalytic performance, including morphology control and structural modification. Then, the third section highlights the benefits of theoretical modeling, including first-principles calculations and molecular simulations. The document culminates with a section on challenges and future perspectives, highlighting major issues in photocatalyst development such as large-scale synthesis, material stability, and reusability. This brief review is intended to provide young researchers with a concise understanding of the most effective strategies for enhancing photocatalytic performance, as well as the mechanisms influencing morphology and structural parameters. This work presents an integrated framework linking synthesis strategies, particle growth mechanisms, multidimensional nanostructures, in situ and operando characterization, and computational modeling to guide the rational design of next-generation photocatalysts.

The article examines the transformation of Roman history presentation in Soviet textbooks of the late 1950s and early 1960s, in the context of a generational shift within the scholarly community and the reassessment of Stalinera ideological paradigms. The key issue is how young scholars of Antiquity, A.L. Kats and A.I. Nemirovskiy, sought to reinterpret and reorganize learning material as part of the delegitimation process of the “slave revolution” concept as the previously dominant concept”, embedded in historiographical and educational practice since the mid-1930s.Applying a generational approach makes it possible to show that the new cohort, formed within the confines of Stalinist historiographical principle to bring greater vividness and historical specificity to the narrative, distancing their style from the uniform, heavily schematic language typical of textbooks of the 1930s-1940s. Yet this aspiration clashed with the ideological framework of Marxist-Leninist theory, which the younger researchers did not question. As a result, while preserving the key dogmas of the slaveowning mode of production, Kats and Nemirovskiy often reproduced Stalinera interpretations even more consistently, accentuating emotional and social dimensions of slavery. Moreover, the requirement to cite the “classics of Marxism-Leninism” introduced additional tensions between primary sources, contemporary historiography, and ideological prescriptions. The article demonstrates that attempts to construct a coherent narrative under these conditions led the authors into methodological impasses - ones that emerged primarily in the educational literature. Thus, the sphere of education became a domain in which the limitations of the dogmatized narrative manifested earlier than in academic scholarship, and where the efforts of the new generation of classical historians exposed the deeper contradictions of the Soviet historical model.

ABSTRACTBackgroundAdolescents and young adults (AYAs) are frequently excluded from efforts to include patient research partners due to systemic and procedural barriers and lack of awareness by both researchers and patients. For meaningful collaboration to occur, patient partners must be prepared with appropriate knowledge, skills, and confidence.ObjectiveTo co‐design a model that trains AYAs with autoimmune conditions to be research partners and to evaluate feasibility for future application in other settings.MethodsTogether with the Project Team, 12 AYAs with autoimmune conditions (16–22 years old) co‐created the Young Patients' Autoimmune Research and Empowerment Alliance (YP AREA), a council aimed at elevating young patients' voices in research. AYA Council Members (CMs) completed two stages of training: (1) Educate (exposure to the research process) and (2) Empower (practice with advocating) and received 1–1 mentoring focused on individual goals. Two surveys (the Patient Engagement in Research Scale and the Research and Empowerment Survey) and qualitative interviews were conducted at the end of each stage to assess research readiness, empowerment, and perceptions of meaningful collaboration.ResultsAfter training activities, CMs reported personal growth and feeling like they were ready to partner with researchers. CMs highlighted the importance of community with like‐minded peers. Survey scores showed that CMs felt highly engaged in the group process and had high levels of psychological empowerment and research readiness after trainings.DiscussionYoung patients can obtain high levels of engagement in the research process. This intentional training process was designed to meet AYAs at their developmental stage through individual mentoring, hands‐on group activities, and community building. As a result, AYAs were empowered to advocate within research and academia for the healthcare needs of their communities.Patient or Public ContributionAll Project Team Members and Council Members identify as patients with autoimmune conditions. Young patients co‐designed all the activities included in this manuscript unless otherwise stated, co‐conducted the evaluation, and co‐authored this manuscript.

Future leaders in child and adolescent mental health research: addressing career challenges of young researchers across the WHO European Region.

Can large language models help young researchers develop new clinical research ideas?

IWGP 2025: 300 archaeobotanists from far and wide take over Groningen. In July 2025, the University of Groningen hosted the twentieth meeting of the International Workgroup for Palaeoethnobotany (IWGP), organized by the Laboratory for Palaeobotany and Palynology of the Groningen Institute of Archaeology (GIA) and the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency (RCE). It was the second time since 1983 that the conference was organized in Groningen. After 44 years, it has grown to include a considerably larger and more international community of established and young researchers, attracting around 300 participants from more than 40 countries. The IWGP represents the most important scientific and social gathering of archaeobotanists internationally and the program combined twelve scientific sessions, lab sessions and lively social events, and excursions. Public outreach included exhibitions and a diverse media coverage. Minor issues aside, the meeting contributed to the international recognition of the Laboratory for Palaeobotany and Palynology at the GIA, highlighted its exceptional reference collection, and stimulated existing and new ties within and beyond the field.

ABSTRACT Background Nine young researchers presented their studies in the field of traditional Japanese Kampo medicine (Wakan‐yaku) at the Sixth Annual Young Researcher Forum held the day before the 2025 annual meeting of the Japan Society of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Traditional Medicine. Main Presentations Dr. Nakajima presented on the development of a screening system for BDNF production‐promoting substances using human peripheral tissue‐derived cells. Mr. Araki discussed the antiproliferative effects of components from Saussurea root and artichoke leaf on glioblastoma cells. Dr. Sekiya presented on transporter research for evaluating drug interactions by Kampo medicines. Ms. Takamatsu discussed research development centering on component research of Agarwood. Mr. Miyahara explored whether Kampo medicine affects the germination and growth of medicinal plants via soil microbiota. Mr. Takada presented on the lipid absorption inhibitory effect of momordin Ic contained in Bassia scoparia . Mr. Nishimoto discussed the quality evaluation for the cultivation revival of Yamato Moutan. Mr. Nagamatsu presented on the activation of the Keap1‐Nrf2 pathway and mitochondrial function protection by ninjin'yoeito and kamikihito. Finally, Ms. Hama compared the staining power of two Henna lines using a spectrophotometer. Participation The event, conducted both in person at Hiroshima University and online, attracted a total of 68 participants. Conclusion We aim to further develop this forum to foster the advancement of research in this field.

This proposal is based on the strengthening of scientific culture within rural educational institutions in the municipality of Montería, assuming teaching work not as a linear transmission, but as a constant exercise of reflection-action. Under this approach, research seedbeds are constituted as learning communities and dynamic collectives that transcend the classroom walls. The central objective is to foster a critical and proactive spirit in rural students, providing them with methodological tools that allow them not only to know, but to interpret and transform their social, cultural, and productive reality. The strategy is supported by metacognition processes, where the young researcher reflects on their own learning while addressing problems of their local environment (such as biodiversity, food sovereignty, or community development). By consolidating these seedbeds as a sustained institutional practice, teamwork is promoted that integrates collective efforts to raise the standards of scientific training in the field. In this way, science ceases to be an abstract concept to position itself as an engine of social change, guaranteeing that the development of knowledge is relevant and responds directly to the dynamics and needs of the rural territories of the department of Córdoba.

Abstract In response to concerns that their research funding systems impose unwarranted epistemic restrictions on scientific research and discourage unconventional and risky projects, funders are exploring alternative funding instruments. This paper presents analyses of Spark, a pilot funding instrument of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) for unconventional and high-risk research that introduced a double-blind evaluation process without review panel discussions. We explore how these programme terms may promote unconventional research by affecting who are applying, their motivations and the assessments of proposed projects. Comparing Spark with a standard SNSF funding scheme we find that the two programmes attracted very different groups of applicants. Anonymized proposals more often inspired non-established and younger researchers to apply, and those inspired to do unconventional and high-risk research were more often funded. Moreover, Spark was effective in avoiding bias against those not holding a professorship or affiliated to a university of applied sciences. Notably, double-blinding was not the sole difference between the two funding schemes, and part of the effects may result from other characteristics of Spark. We discuss implications for how to encourage unconventional research, and the dilemmas of incorporating risk into funding decisions.

Introduction/Background: The title is a unique element in academic writing that summarises the research questions, answers, achievements, and conclusions found in research papers, dissertations, and conference papers. The lack of a systematic approach in title drafting prompted the authors to introduce a new checklist/criterion named TRIPS. The outcome of our article carries significant implications for young researchers and early-career academic writers. Aims/Objective: In this narrative view, we introduced the TRIPS framework which stands for Topic, Results, Intervention, Population, and Study Design. Emphasising the significance of adhering to TRIPS while drafting a research title is the subject of this narrative review. Patients and Methods: 25 randomly selected study titles of clinical trials, randomised control trials (RCTs), original publications, observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from PubMed were analysed using the TRIPS framework, and results were summarised. These were evaluated by two readers—one musculoskeletal radiologist and one orthopaedic surgeon. Results: When the TRIPS framework was applied to 25 research study titles, we found that just 32% of the studies met this condition. T (topic) was stated in the titles of all the research, whereas R (results) and S (study design) were cited in 56% of the studies, and P (population) and I (intervention and comparators) in 92% of the studies. There was an excellent correlation between readers (intra and inter-reader) with a kappa of 0.9. Conclusion: We suggest that by following the TRIPS strategic approach, authors can make their research titles clear, concise, comprehensible, and in line with all the necessary components.

The gendered character of wildfire research has marginalised alternative knowledges and realities, particularly those of women. This article examines how situated epistemologies can foster alternative ways of knowing and governing fire-risk in the context of feminist and decolonial critiques of the Anthropocene. As a young woman researcher early in her career studying social dynamics in communities affected by severe wildfires, fieldwork posed challenges due to my personal background and identity. However, it also offered opportunities to explore gender relations and practices in fire-prone areas of Portugal. What also meant knowing untold stories of women and the power structures that entangle them. Drawing on autoethnographic data gathered during research in two rural communities of Central Portugal, it is argued that researchers’ embodied situatedness and experiences influence how wildfire knowledge is produced and the consequences that may follow. The paper aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on how male- and white-dominant narratives in wildfire science have marginalised knowledges and approaches, preventing the much-desired paradigm shift in fire-risk reduction policies and practices. Finally, a wildfire-situated epistemology is proposed as a means of reclaiming not only unreported realities and the forces of reproduction underpinning the (m)Anthropocene’s master narrative but also shedding light on the current invisibility of its women researchers.

Aggregate Programming (AP) is a paradigm for programming the collective behaviour of sets of distributed devices, possibly situated at the network far edge, by relying on asynchronous proximity-based interactions. The eXchange Calculus (XC), a recently proposed foundational model for AP, is essentially a typed lambda calculus extended with an operator (the exchange operator) providing an implicit communication mechanism between neighbour devices. This paper provides a gentle introduction to XC and to its implementation as a C++ library, called FCPP. The FCPP library and toolchain has been mainly developed at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Turin, where Stefano Berardi spent most of his academic career conducting outstanding research about logical foundation of computer science and transmitting his passion for research to students and young researchers, often exploiting typed lambda calculi. An FCCP program is essentially a typed lambda term, and FCPP has been used to write code that has been deployed on devices at the far edge of the network, including rovers and (soon) Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs); hence the title of the paper.

Too often young researchers choose topics to work on for the topic’s convenience rather than its importance. In earlier work we have laid out in broad strokes some areas that would reward progress, but in this essay, we provide guidance toward topic choice that is much more specific, focusing on a fundamental irony of item response theory (IRT). IRT is the name given to a family of models that provide a stochastic description of what happens when a person meets a test item. In general, models are most useful when we can lean on them in areas where data are sparse. Strong models are required when data are very limited, weaker models are possible when there are more data. The recommended size of data samples required to fit IRT models has historically seemed excessively large, yielding the apparent irony that IRT can only be used when data samples are so large that no model is needed. Bayesian work over the past decade or so has revealed that with modern estimation methods, IRT models can be successfully fit with surprisingly modest samples. One practical consequence of expanding the use of IRT to such samples is that it makes possible its use on classroom tests. This can have profound positive implications. In this essay, we describe the apparent irony of IRT and then outline a two-part research project that may resolve matters, thus making the potential provided by IRT models available to a much wider range of applications.

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of a United Nations (UN) sustainable communication campaign within a Spanish university community, framed through the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model. Theoretically, the study seeks to explore how a standardised external Stimulus (the campaign) influences the Organism’s internal states—specifically attitudes towards the message source (UN) versus the message object (Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs])—and the resulting behavioural (intention to adopt SDGs). Furthermore, it examines the “homogenisation effect” across diverse cognitive profiles: young students, faculty and research staff (ARS) and technical, management, administrative and services staff (TAS). Design/methodology/approach To this end, a quasi-experimental pretest−posttest design was conducted with 705 participants across three university groups. Their attitudes and intentions were measured before and after visualising an official UN communication campaign. Findings First, results revealed a divergence in persuasion outcomes: the campaign significantly enhanced attitudes towards the institutional source (the UN) but encountered a theoretical ceiling effect regarding the thematic object (the SDGs). However, the increase in behavioural intention indicated that the campaign functioned as an activation stimulus rather than an educational one. The “null” attitudinal effect obtained for the SDGs contravenes the Theory of Planned Behaviour, but is not a failure of the Persuasive Communication Theory, but a shift in its output: the message circumvented further “evaluative change” to directly “improve behaviours.” Second, initial intergroup differences (students vs. staff) were neutralised postexposure, supporting that the “standardisation” of the campaign led to a homogenisation effect. This suggested that source-driven persuasion (UN) is more resistant to segment differences than object-driven persuasion (SDGs). Practical implications This research is pioneering in demonstrating the key role of universities in disseminating sustainable practices, highlighting why standardised social communication campaigns could be used to reach different audience profiles (young students, faculty and administration). Originality/value This research offers a pioneering theoretical application of the SOR model to institutional sustainability. Results have highlighted why standardised social communication campaigns could be used to reach different audience profiles (young students, faculty and administration). Second, the “Standardisation Hypothesis” in social marketing has been validated, suggesting that universal institutional messaging can effectively synchronise the responses of diverse stakeholders (students, faculty and staff) regardless of their initial attitudinal variance. Third, an attitudinal asymmetry has been probed, as far as persuasion is not a linear process where the object and source move in tandem; rather, the source is more “elastic” and susceptible to change than a saturated thematic object.

In the rapidly evolving digital era, optical communication plays a vital role, serving as the foundational technology behind our connected world, from high-speed internet to global telecommunication networks. At the center of this field, Dr. René-Jean Essiambre 's contributions have been significant. He is known for developing the nonlinear Shannon limit theory, which has helped the industry better understand the impact of nonlinearity on optical fiber capacity. This work is important for designing today's high-speed optical networks and lays the groundwork for future innovations.In this exclusive interview, Dr. Essiambre shares insights into his journey, the challenges and opportunities in the field, his views on the future of optical communication and offers advice to young researchers. Join us as we delve into the thoughts of one of the leading figures in optical communication and gain a glimpse into the future in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field. For more details on Dr. Essiambre's experiences and advice, the full interview is available in the Supplementary Information.

The SIGEVO Outstanding Contribution Award recognizes remarkable contributions to Evolutionary Computation (EC) when evaluated over a sustained period of at least 15 years. These contributions can include technical innovations, publications, leadership, teaching, mentoring, and service to the EC community. In 2025, two accomplished members of our community received this recognition: Mengjie Zhang and Frank Neumann. To celebrate these distinctions, they kindly answered our questions reflecting on their contributions and views on evolutionary computation, as well as their advice to young researchers in the field.