SciPod

Equilibrium is the cornerstone of industrial chemical processes, especially when optimising chemical production. But what if the equilibrium models that engineers use to predict product yields under different conditions were fundamentally inaccurate? Dr Yousef Haseli of Central Michigan University has found that there can often be a large discrepancy between expected and actual results, and that this is because common equilibrium models are flawed from the outset. 

Online education has recently experienced a surge in popularity, and this trend is set to continue. Through online learning, individuals who are unable to take courses on campus, due to family, work or financial pressures, now have the opportunity to pursue university degrees. However, one shortfall of online education is that it often fails to develop students’ deep-learning skills, which are required for effectively tackling complex problems. In a recent study, Dr Yianna Vovides of Georgetown University investigated this issue. 

People are becoming increasingly aware about the health benefits of eating a diet that’s rich in fruit and nuts. However, farmers are struggling to meet the increasing demand, due to crop damage caused by climate change and emerging plant diseases. As a solution, Dr Vladimir Orbovic, based at the University of Florida, develops and evaluates new methods to manipulate the genetic make-up of plants to rapidly create resilient crops for sustainable future. 

Scar tissue formed after surgery or injury often ends up being painful and limiting movement for patients. Although there are a number of possible treatments, these options are expensive and often have only limited success. According to Drs. Michael Mont, Morad Chughtai, Jared Newman, and their colleagues, a revolutionary new approach is now available. Called Astym therapy, the new method works by stimulating the body’s own mechanisms of regeneration for soft tissues and re-absorption of scar tissue. Crucially, after treatment, patients report significant improvements in mobility and pain relief.