Search Results (47)

Cancer research faces significant biological, technological, and systemic limitations that hinder the development of effective therapies and improved patient outcomes. Traditional preclinical models, such as 2D and 3D cell cultures, murine xenografts, and organoids, often fail to reflect the complexity of human tumor architecture, microenvironment, and immune interactions. This discrepancy results in promising laboratory findings not always translating effectively into clinical success. A core obstacle is tumor heterogeneity, characterized by diverse genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic variations within tumors, which complicates treatment strategies and contributes to drug resistance. Hereditary malignancies and cancer stem cells contribute strongly to generating this complex panorama. Current early detection technologies lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity, impeding timely diagnosis. The tumor microenvironment, with its intricate interactions and resistance-promoting factors, further promotes treatment failure. Additionally, we only partially understand the biological processes driving metastasis, limiting therapeutic advances. Overcoming these barriers involves not only the use of new methodological approaches and advanced technologies, but also requires a cultural effort by researchers. Many cancer studies are still essentially observational. While acknowledging their significance, it is crucial to recognize the shift from deterministic to indeterministic paradigms in biomedicine over the past two to three decades, a transition facilitated by systems biology. It has opened the doors of deep metabolism where the functional processes that control and regulate cancer progression operate. Beyond biological barriers, systemic challenges include limited funding, regulatory complexities, and disparities in cancer care access across different populations. These socio-economic factors exacerbate research stagnation and hinder the translation of scientific innovations into clinical practice. Overcoming these obstacles requires multidisciplinary collaborations, advanced modeling techniques that better emulate human cancer, and innovative technologies for early detection and targeted therapy. Strategic policy initiatives must address systemic barriers, promoting health equity and sustainable research funding. While the complexity of cancer biology and systemic challenges are formidable, ongoing scientific progress and collaborative efforts inspire hope for breakthroughs that can transform cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survival outcomes worldwide. Full article

In an era marked by climate change, socio-economic disparity, and digital acceleration, the challenge of effectively communicating complex environmental data to diverse audiences has become increasingly urgent. This study examines how data visualization and interactive art can be employed to translate scientific knowledge into engaging, accessible formats that raise public awareness and encourage climate action. We reviewed 495 environmental art and design projects and selected a corpus of 36 that focus on dynamic data visualisation and interactive experience design in response to climate and urban challenges. A multi-scalar, qualitative analysis was conducted to assess the thematic structure, technological strategies, and aesthetic dimensions of these projects. Our findings show that interdisciplinary methods—blending real-time data, machine learning, sonification, and immersive installations—are effective in rendering abstract climate data into emotionally resonant, actionable narratives. Through detailed case studies, we demonstrate how artistic interventions can facilitate public understanding, stimulate behavioural change, and support participatory urban adaptation. We conclude by highlighting the significance of collaborative, cross-sectoral approaches in designing future-oriented communication strategies for climate resilience, and by identifying future research pathways in the integration of environmental science, technology, and the arts. Full article

This study provides a bibliometric analysis of 926 scientific publications on Argania spinosa, representing the first investigation covering all aspects of the argan tree. By combining bibliometric performance indicators and scientific mapping, based on commonly used approaches in previous studies, the analysis examines the evolution, structure, and gaps in argan-related research. The results reveal that scientific production accelerated after 1996 during an industrial exploitation period, driven by the emergence of women’s cooperatives, international certifications, and national development programs. Morocco dominates the argan research landscape, benefiting from targeted policy support, international collaborations, and the species’ endemic status. Two major research aspects were identified: the valuation of argan oil, focusing on its chemical and therapeutic properties; and ecological restoration, encompassing genetic diversity, reforestation practices, and climate adaptation strategies. Despite these advancements, critical gaps remain in operational reforestation, assisted migration, post-plantation monitoring, and the integration of ecological modeling. Research remains skewed toward oil valuation, with insufficient attention to long-term forest sustainability under climate change. Future efforts should adopt a multidisciplinary framework that integrates genomics, nursery innovation, biotechnology, molecular genetics, digital monitoring tools, and socio-institutional governance. Research should also emphasize optimizing by-product use, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting gender-equitable, community-based forest management. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is reshaping diverse domains of human activity, including natural resource management, urban and rural planning, agri-food systems, industry, energy, education, and healthcare. However, the impact of AI on the sustainability of local ecosystems remains insufficiently systematized. This highlights the need for a comprehensive review that considers spatial, sectoral, and socio-economic characteristics of regions, as well as interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable development. This study presents a scoping review of 198 peer-reviewed publications published between 2010 and March 2025, focusing on applied cases of AI deployment in local contexts. Special attention is given to the role of AI in monitoring water, forest, and agricultural ecosystems, facilitating the digital transformation of businesses and territories, assessing ecosystem services, managing energy systems, and supporting educational and social sustainability. The review includes case studies from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, covering a wide range of technologies—from machine learning and digital twins to IoT and large language models. Findings indicate that AI holds significant potential for enhancing the efficiency and adaptability of local systems. Nevertheless, its implementation is accompanied by notable risks, including socio-economic disparities, technological inequality, and institutional limitations. The review concludes by outlining research priorities for the sustainable integration of AI into local ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and scientific support for regional digital transformations. Full article

CO₂ enrichment in protected agriculture is a key strategy for enhancing crop productivity and quality, optimizing photosynthetic efficiency, and mitigating the impacts of climate change. In this study, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research on CO₂ enrichment is conducted by compiling and evaluating 171 relevant documents published between 1982 and 2024 in Scopus, utilizing R-Studio and VOSviewer for data processing. The analysis explores scientific output trends, predominant research methodologies, influencing factors, and emerging applications in controlled-environment agriculture. The findings reveal an exponential growth in scientific publications since 2015, with Asia and Europe leading the research landscape. The physiological and agronomic benefits of CO₂ enrichment in C3 crops, particularly tomatoes and lettuce, include enhanced photosynthesis, improved nitrogen assimilation, and reduced abiotic stress. Additionally, advancements in sustainable CO₂ capture and delivery technologies, such as industrial capture and fermentation-based systems, have been documented. However, significant challenges remain regarding the economic feasibility, accessibility for small-scale farmers, and environmental sustainability of CO₂ enrichment strategies. A network analysis of scientific collaboration highlights an increasing trend of international cooperation, with China, the United States, and Japan emerging as key contributors. The integration of plant physiology, agricultural engineering, and environmental sustainability reflects a transition toward multidisciplinary approaches aimed at optimizing CO₂ utilization in controlled environments. This study underscores the potential of CO₂ enrichment as a transformative tool in protected agriculture. However, its large-scale adoption necessitates international collaboration, rigorous research on socio-economic and environmental impacts, and the development of context-specific technologies. Strengthening global research networks and fostering applied innovation will be essential to ensuring the widespread and sustainable implementation of CO₂ enrichment strategies in protected agriculture. Full article

This study explores how traditional ecological knowledge in Chile can contribute to adaptation strategies within increasingly complex socio-ecological landscapes. It addresses the need for innovative approaches to knowledge production and application in the face of climate change and related crises. Through an exploratory, multi-sited qualitative methodology—integrating ethnographic observation, participatory methods, and in-depth interviews across various regions—this research identifies patterns, contrasts, and synergies in TEK practices related to water management, agroecology, community resource governance, and cultural heritage. The results show that TEK is not a static repository but rather a set of dynamic and adaptive practices and understandings shaped over centuries of interaction with heterogeneous environments. Although pressures such as migration, industrialization, resource privatization, and climatic threats endanger its continuity, TEK demonstrates the ability to integrate with scientific and political frameworks, enabling culturally relevant adaptation driven by local communities. These findings highlight the relevance of relational and transdisciplinary approaches to reduce epistemic gaps, foster cooperation, and guide more equitable, multi-level environmental governance. In conclusion, strengthening TEK’s role—through supportive policies, collaborative research, and inclusive dialogues—can enhance resilience, guide sustainable transitions, and enrich global adaptation strategies that respect local contexts and cultural diversity, thereby advancing progress toward the SDGs. Full article

Inequities are still present in the science classroom, often related to neglecting the needs of students from diverse backgrounds, insufficient attention to students’ interests, and unequal access to resources. This study examined the potential of a curriculum redesign strategy using the Socio-Scientific Inquiry-Based Inquiry Learning (SSIBL) pedagogical framework, for increasing students’ equitable participation in secondary school science classrooms, with a focus on girls’ equitable participation. Twelve chemistry education teachers and 294 students participated in this study. Using a mixed-methods experimental design with a pretest–posttest control group setup, students were assigned to the SSIBL group (n = 161) or to the Business-As-Usual (BAU) group (n = 133). Quantitative data from the classroom implementations of the redesigned SSIBL and BAU curricula and qualitative data from the teachers’ collaborative redesign meetings were collected and analyzed. The findings indicate that the curriculum redesign with an explicit equity-oriented focus was more effective than the BAU approach: the SSIBL curricula were more beneficial for girls, both in terms of scientific literacy and learning motivation. The findings of this study highlight the significance of the intentional design of learning environments to foster meaningful and equitable participation in students’ science learning as well as for teachers’ professional learning. Full article

This paper introduces a holistic framework to assist less industrialized countries in adopting nuclear energy (NE) for peaceful purposes considering the challenges and opportunities this entails. It underscores the pressing need for sustainable and secure energy solutions, proposing NE as a viable option. The study aims to delve into the technical, social, economic, regulatory, and policy aspects of NE’s development and its broader applications beyond conventional power generation, such as industrial processes, medical applications, agricultural advancements, and mining activities, explicitly targeting less industrialized regions. Employing a systematic review of existing practices, the paper identifies and examines barriers to NE adoption alongside strategies to mitigate these issues. Findings suggest that NE can play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and scientific progress, potentially sparking the emergence of new industries within these countries. However, significant obstacles—namely governance, public acceptance, safety, security, development of expertise, and securing financing—pose considerable challenges. The paper concludes that a strategic and well-coordinated deployment of NE is essential for driving socio-economic growth and environmental sustainability in less industrialized countries. It emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive planning and international collaboration to fully unlock NE’s potential, advocating for a multifaceted approach to overcome the identified hurdles. Full article

The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, known as the “water tower of the world,” is experiencing severe water scarcity due to declining discharge of spring water across the HKH region. This decline is driven by climate change, unsustainable human activities, and rising water demand, leading to significant impacts on rural agriculture, urban migration, and socio-economic stability. This expansive review judiciously combines both the researchers’ experiences and a traditional literature review. This review investigates the factors behind reduced spring discharge and advocates for a transdisciplinary approach to address the issue. It stresses integrating scientific knowledge with community-based interventions, recognizing that water management involves not just technical solutions but also human values, behaviors, and political considerations. The paper explores the benefits of public–private partnerships (PPPs) and participatory approaches for large-scale spring rejuvenation. By combining the strengths of both sectors and engaging local communities, sustainable spring water management can be achieved through collaborative and inclusive strategies. It also highlights the need for capacity development and knowledge transfer, including training local hydrogeologists, mapping recharge areas, and implementing sustainable land use practices. In summary, the review offers insights and recommendations for tackling declining spring discharge in the HKH region. By promoting a transdisciplinary, community-centric approach, it aims to support policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in ensuring the sustainable management of water resources and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Full article

The transition towards nature-based cities has increasingly become a central focus in political–environmental agendas and urban design practices, aiming to enhance climate adaptation, urban biodiversity, spatial equilibrium, and social well-being as part of the ongoing socio-ecological urban transition process. Climate adaptation in cities is a complex problem and one of the main collective challenges for society, but the relationships between city managers and citizens as to urban green care still face many challenges. Parks design guided by technical-expert and globalised criteria; inflexibility from bureaucratic inertia; and citizens’ demands to participate in the urban green transition, sometimes without the necessary knowledge or time, are some of the challenges that require further research. In this study, we examine four long-lasting approaches to green-space management in four cities in the Netherlands, ranging from municipality-driven to community-driven management forms, and encompassing diverse spatial configurations of greenery within the urban fabric. Utilising the theoretical lens of the Social–Ecological Systems Framework, we employ a multiple-case-study approach and ethnographic fieldwork analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the norms, collective-choice rules, and social conventions embodied in each urban green management arrangement. The purpose of this research is applied, that is, to provide urban managers and decision-makers with a deeper understanding of drivers to promote effective collaborative management approaches, focusing on specific organisational rules that may contribute to more sustained planning and maintenance pathways for urban green spaces, regardless of changes in political leadership or significant external funding sources. The results of the investigated cases show that long-lasting collaborative management of forests and parks has established a set of collective-choice rules for resource transfer between municipalities and citizens, including non-monetary resources (such as pruning-training courses or guided tours that attract tourists and researchers). Additionally, these arrangements have been favoured by the existence of legal norms that enable co-ownership of the land, and monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms that offer a slightly different interpretation from the evidence identified so far in the scientific literature on collective resource management and organisational studies. Full article

Lassa Fever is a deadly viral haemorrhagic disease, causing annually several hundreds of deaths in West Africa. This zoonotic disease is primarily transmitted to humans by rodents of the genus Mastomys, even though other rodents reportedly carry the Lassa virus, while secondary interhuman transmission accounts for approximately 20% of cases. Although this disease has been endemic in rural zones of Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberfia, and Guinea for hundreds of years, it is also characterised by epidemic outbreaks in the dry season, responsible for heavy death tolls. No licensed vaccine or satisfying treatment is currently available. Disease management is hindered by the incomplete knowledge of the epidemiology and distribution of the disease, resulting from an inadequate health and surveillance system. Additional scientific constraints such as the genetic diversity of the virus and the lack of understanding of the mechanisms of immune protection complexify the development of a vaccine. The intricate socio-economic context in the affected regions, and the lack of monetary incentive for drug development, allow the disease to persist in some of West Africa’s poorest communities. The increase in the number of reported cases and in the fatality rate, the expansion of the endemic area, as well as the threat Lassa Fever represents internationally should urge the global community to work on the disease control and prevention. The disease control requires collaborative research for medical countermeasures and tailored public health policies. Lassa Fever, created by the interconnection between animals, humans, and ecosystems, and embedded in an intricate social context, should be addressed with a ‘One Health’ approach. This article provides an overview of Lassa Fever, focusing on Nigeria, and discusses the perspectives for the control of disease. Full article

Poverty reduction is a complex global challenge where renewable energy emerges as a promising solution, particularly in resource-rich countries like Brazil. Renewable energy can enhance conditions in vulnerable communities without exacerbating climate change. This paper reviews the scientific literature on the role of renewable energy in alleviating energy poverty, focusing on Brazil and its global partnerships. Using the Web of Science database with the keywords poverty, renewable energy, and Brazil, this study analyzes 38 articles. The inclusion criteria were broad, focusing on the relationship between poverty in Brazil and renewable energy use. Keywords such as specific types of renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind) were excluded to avoid omitting important renewable sources. This review encompasses theoretical models, discourse analyses, case studies, and systematic reviews, addressing topics from rural electrification to socio-economic factors influencing sustainable energy adoption. Despite growing interest and international collaboration, research gaps remain, highlighting the need for increased academic engagement. The objective of this study is to address the existing gap in the literature concerning the impact of renewable energies on energy poverty in Brazil. Through a comprehensive review, this work maps current knowledge, identifies gaps, and highlights trends by integrating socio-economic analyses with technical assessments for a holistic perspective. Full article

Construction Engineering and Management (CEM) is a critically important discipline that provides a scientific and management-oriented perspective for building and construction projects. Owing to the contingent nature of this industry, CEM research is highly context-specific and is governed by socio-economic needs, environmental challenges, and industry-specific issues. Australia is home to several universities engaged in CEM-related research and training. In terms of the CEM research volume, Australia occupies fourth place, globally. Considering the importance of Australia-based CEM research, the aim of this study was to investigate how CEM research in Australia has developed temporally and across different institutions, how research collaborations in this area materialized, and which topics and research domains are typically being explored. Accordingly, this study conducted a systematic review of 4318 publications from 158 Australia-based CEM academics, primarily based in eight Australian universities. Based on Scientometric and critical review techniques, this study provides insights into research topics, research growth, publication volume, and collaboration in the CEM research discipline in Australia. Similar to global CEM research, Australia-based CEM research places a high emphasis on topics such as risk, sustainability, decision-making, cost, design, and BIM. However, unlike global research trends, Australia-based CEM research places a much higher emphasis on safety and stakeholder management. Australian institutions have high collaboration among themselves and with Chinese and Hong Kong-based institutions. Recommendations for research development in Australia are provided to facilitate a discussion on how Australian institutions can set the future agenda for CEM research. Full article

This study seeks to meticulously analyze the scholarly discussion on the integration of blockchain technology into accounting and auditing. Based on a total of 67 articles from the Web of Science (WoS) database, this study adopts a bibliometrics and content analysis approach which uses both numerical and visualization techniques to examine the extant literature. It spans the timeframe between 2016 and 2022. Bibliometrix R-package (Biblioshiny, version 4 is employed to analyze the descriptive analysis, which includes publication trends, the most trustworthy sources of scientific publications, prominent scientific authors, prominent documents, and country collaborations. VOSviewer software Version 1.6.20, is used for a network visualization of keywords and bibliographic coupling. Leveraging the content analysis, this research reveals three fundamental themes: first, the use of blockchain technology to strengthen financial reporting systems; second, blockchain technology and the future of auditing; and third, the valuation of cryptocurrencies. Research gaps in the current literature include a lack of comprehensive studies on blockchain’s regulatory and governance aspects in accounting, insufficient exploration of risks and challenges in adopting new technologies in auditing, and a limited understanding of tax consequences, disclosure requirements, and regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies, necessitating future research endeavors. Thus, this study extends existing theoretical insights by exploring blockchain’s role in financial reporting, its transformative impact on auditing, and the possible adaptation or development of new valuation methods for cryptocurrencies. It further identifies and discusses future research directions, contributing to potential novel frameworks for addressing regulatory, governance, and socio-economic dimensions of blockchain integration into accounting and auditing practices. Full article

The relationship between humans and the environment in the modern world is challenging. UNESCO Global Geoparks are current holistic approaches for protecting and managing geographical areas that emphasise local communities and sustainability. This paper attempts to review the grey literature of Greek universities through their academic repositories, regarding the research field referred to as Greek UNESCO Global Geoparks from 2000 to 2022 and using the keyword “Geopark” to determine possible future research directions. Through the systematic literature review methodology, from 138 bibliographic sources, 28 were selected, which met the predefined criteria. In general, there is a growing scientific–academic interest in Geoparks, which mainly concerns the aspects of geotourism (n = 7), geology (n = 6), management (n = 4), and education (n = 4). Future research directions may focus on promoting the socio-economic and cultural aspects of Geoparks, investing in collaborative management and governance of Geoparks, facing climate change and environmental challenges in Geoparks, and enhancing Geoenvironmental Education in Geoparks. Such approaches may serve the United Nation’s Seventeen Sustainable Development Goals and cultivate cognitive and emotional bonds between local populations and the geoenvironment. Full article