Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicki Lisa Cole, Stefan Reichmann, Tony Ross-Hellauer
Summary: Open Research is intended to make research more accessible, transparent, reproducible, shared, and collaborative. However, evidence shows that its implementation undermines equity. To address this, a diverse group of researchers, research managers, and funders co-created actionable recommendations to support equitable implementation. Using a co-creative modified Delphi method, they generated consensus-driven recommendations that tackle resource-intensive nature, high costs, and obstructive reward practices. This paper provides an overview of the issues, details the co-creative process, presents the recommendations and debates, and emphasizes the need for a global and inclusive approach.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Serge P. J. M. Horbach, Joeri K. Tijdink, Lex Bouter
Summary: Transparency is becoming the norm in the global research enterprise. This article summarizes ongoing efforts to increase transparency in science and funding, and proposes the adoption of open applications. Open applications could lead to more diverse collaboration, recognition of research ideas, fairer procedures for grant allocation, and increased trust in the funding process.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Courtney Genge, Heather Mcneil, Patricia Debergue, Shannon Freeman
Summary: AgeTech leverages technology to support healthy aging and improve the quality of life for aging adults. Policymakers and funders should consider the diverse needs of older adults and ensure that AgeTech solutions are effective. Technology should be aligned with the preferences and needs of older adults and should not replace the value of human interactions. Authentic partnerships are crucial for the development of successful AgeTech products. Policymakers and funders have a role in accelerating the design, development, and testing to meet current and future needs.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Yuanqing Li, Frank Cabano, Pingshu Li
Summary: The amount of crowdfunding research that investigates funding success factors has been increasing. The existing research shows inconsistent evidence regarding how a prosocial project description affects funding success and largely ignores the issue of alignment/misalignment among different factors in affecting funding success. This research sheds light on the crowdfunding and prosocial motivation literature.
INFORMATION & MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Christopher Cvitanovic, Carina Wyborn, Evora Glenn, Rachel Kelly, Elena Louder, Elizabeth van Putten, Angela Bednarek
Summary: Research funders can support the integration of marine science into policy and practice, but there is a lack of guidance on specific actions they can take. A case study of the Lenfest Ocean Program explored the impacts of funded research projects, highlighting the complexities of research impact and the ways LOP has supported these impacts. Researchers should consider various factors when seeking to enhance the impact of marine research on policy and practice.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Kaitlyn Casimo
Summary: In order for open science to reach its full potential, data and tools need to be accompanied by tailored training and resources to make them accessible to different user profiles. This article describes the approaches taken by the Allen Institute to support scientists, students, and educators in using their open science resources.
Review
Ethics
Mariana D. D. Ribeiro, Michael W. W. Kalichman, Sonia M. R. Vasconcelos
Summary: In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny of the reward systems in science due to changes in the research landscape. Correcting the research record, including retractions, has gained attention and space in the publication system, but its influence on the careers of scientists is still an emerging issue. A qualitative study exploring the views of funding agency representatives and a survey of reviewers in the US revealed that while correcting the research record is seen as important for strengthening the reliability of science, retractions and self-correcting the literature do not significantly influence grant review.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING ETHICS
(2023)
Article
Economics
Xavier G. L. Pouwels, Christopher J. Sampson, Renee J. G. Arnold
Summary: The majority of respondents believed that open source models could improve the transparency, efficiency, and credibility of health economic models, but several barriers hinder their widespread adoption.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Etienne Boulter, Julien Colombelli, Ricardo Henriques, Chloe C. Feral
Summary: LEGO (R) is not just a toy for children, but also a building ecosystem that can be used for designing and assembling various devices for scientific research and biotechnology. This emerging trend in LEGO (R) building pairs with a growing interest in open-access and frugal science.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Martyn P. Clark, Charles H. Luce, Amir AghaKouchak, Wouter Berghuijs, Cedric H. David, Qingyun Duan, Shemin Ge, Ilja van Meerveld, Chunmiao Zheng, Marc B. Parlange, Scott W. Tyler
Summary: This commentary discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning Water Resources Research to a Gold open access publication model, including a review of open access publishing models, community input, and the path forward for AGU leadership. The decision to switch to open access is framed by a mix of finances and values, with the challenge of defining payment methods and improving affordability, along with increasing the extent of open and accessible science. The next steps for the community involve analyzing the financial feasibility of different cost models and balancing the financial burden of open access with the desire to advance open science further.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Anke Joubert, Matthias Murawski, Markus Bick
Summary: The use of big data has potential for economic growth and development, but research on the country level and in developing countries is lacking. Big data readiness, the level of preparation and willingness to exploit big data, is also rarely considered. This study develops the Big Data Readiness Index (BDRI) to assess performance of African countries, revealing higher BDRI scores for coastal countries and islands. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS FRONTIERS
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Guiomar Niso, Rotem Botvinik-Nezer, Stefan Appelhoff, Alejandro De la Vega, Oscar Esteban, Joset A. Etzel, Karolina Finc, Melanie Ganz, Remi Gau, Yaroslav O. Halchenko, Peer Herholz, Agah Karakuzu, David B. Keator, Christopher J. Markiewicz, Camille Maumet, Cyril R. Pernet, Franco Pestilli, Nazek Queder, Tina Schmitt, Weronika Sojka, Adina S. Wagner, Kirstie J. Whitaker, Jochem W. Rieger
Summary: The empirical observations show that the adoption rate of open practices in research labs is still in its infancy, despite overwhelming evidence of its necessity and benefits. Researchers and institutions can benefit from community-developed resources to support collaborative and reproducible neuroimaging practices throughout the research cycle.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rahul Ramachandran, Kaylin Bugbee, Kevin Murphy
Summary: Open science is defined as a collaborative culture enabled by technology that facilitates the sharing of data, information, and knowledge to accelerate scientific research and understanding. Data programs are crucial in enabling and accelerating open science, and actions such as implementing policies and reimagining data systems can help realize the shift towards open science. Overcoming obstacles like the risk of data misuse and legacy system inertia is necessary for data programs to support open science through policy development, investment in infrastructure, and cultural change. Researchers also play a significant role in advocating for open science principles and adopting best practices to achieve a more open age of scientific research for the benefit of science and society.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wouter Koch, Hallvard Elven, Anders G. Finstad
Summary: This paper introduces Clavis, an open and versatile data format for digital taxon identification, focusing on formalizing the required knowledge and providing a more detailed level for professional and amateur observers.
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Viktoriia Starokozhko, Anne Hess, Wiebke Loebker, Wolfgang Ballensiefen, Eleonora Agricola, Bettina Ziegele, Marko J. Kallio, Laurence O'Dwyer, Yoana Nuevo, Peter G. M. Mol, Anna M. G. Pasmooij
Summary: Improved understanding of regulatory requirements by academic researchers can accelerate the translation of new medical interventions to the clinic. Here, we highlight the recommendations of the 'Strengthening Training of Academia in Regulatory Science' (STARS) project to improve the interaction and knowledge exchange between academics and regulators, and thereby advance academic drug development.
NATURE REVIEWS DRUG DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fiona B. Tamburini, Dylan Maghini, Ovokeraye H. Oduaran, Ryan Brewster, Michaella R. Hulley, Venesa Sahibdeen, Shane A. Norris, Stephen Tollman, Kathleen Kahn, Ryan G. Wagner, Alisha N. Wade, Floidy Wafawanaka, F. Xavier Gomez-Olive, Rhian Twine, Zane Lombard, Scott Hazelhurst, Ami S. Bhatt
Summary: In this study, researchers analyzed the gut microbiome of individuals living in rural and urban areas of South Africa using short- and long-read DNA sequencing. They found transitional composition, high inter-individual diversity, and many undescribed taxa. This study highlights the importance of understanding the gut microbiota in different populations for a comprehensive understanding of health and disease.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pauline Bakibinga, Caroline Kabaria, Ziraba Kasiira, Peter Kibe, Catherine Kyobutungi, Nelson Mbaya, Blessing Mberu, Shukri Mohammed, Anne Njeri, Iqbal Azam, Romaina Iqbal, Ahsana Nazish, Narijis Rizvi, Syed A. K. Shifat Ahmed, Nazratun Choudhury, Ornob Alam, Afreen Zaman Khan, Omar Rahman, Rita Yusuf, Doyin Odubanjo, Motunrayo Ayobola, Olufunke Fayehun, Akinyinka Omigbodun, Mary Osuh, Eme Owoaje, Olalekan Taiwo, Richard J. Lilford, Jo Sartori, Samuel Watson, Peter J. Diggle, Navneet Aujla, Yen-Fu Chen, Christopher Conlan, Paramjit Gill, Frances Griffiths, Bronwyn Harris, Jason Madan, Helen Muir, Oyinlola Oyebode, Vangelis Pitidis, Joao Porto de Albuquerque, Simon Smith, Celia Taylor, Grant Tregonning, Philip Ulbrich, Olalekan A. Uthman, Ria Wilson, Godwin Yeboah, Ji-Eun Park, Sam Watson
Summary: This study surveyed the availability and use of primary care services in slum populations in four countries. The majority of consultations were with doctors, nurses, and pharmacies, and were mainly for acute symptoms. However, costs were high compared to income and usage rates were lower than in high-income countries.
Article
Ethics
Isaac Kisiangani, Shukri F. Mohamed, Catherine Kyobutungi, Paulina Tindana, Anita Ghansah, Michele Ramsay, Gershim Asiki
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical performance of a next-generation sequencing-based tumor-targeted treatment detection method and found that it could accurately and sensitively identify tumor-related genetic mutations.
BMC MEDICAL ETHICS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pauline Bakibinga, Lyagamula Kisia, Martin Atela, Peter M. Kibe, Caroline Kabaria, Isaac Kisiangani, Catherine Kyobutungi
Summary: This study aimed to explore the barriers to and options for improving access to quality healthcare for the urban poor in Nairobi, Kenya. The findings suggest that socio-economic status, community-level factors, and health system factors interact to limit healthcare access and perpetuate health inequities. Limited involvement in decision-making processes by service providers and other key stakeholders was identified as a major challenge. The study emphasizes the importance of tailored multisectoral strategies to address individual, community, and system-level barriers to quality healthcare.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ji-Eun Park, Peter Kibe, Godwin Yeboah, Oyinlola Oyebode, Bronwyn Harris, Motunrayo M. Ajisola, Frances Griffiths, Navneet Aujla, Paramjit Gill, Richard J. Lilford, Yen-Fu Chen
Summary: This scoping review aimed to identify factors associated with accessing, utilization, and provision of healthcare services in slums. The study found that factors associated with healthcare in slums include recent migration, knowledge and experience of illness, financial constraints, lack of social support, unfavorable physical environment, sociocultural expectations and stigma, and existing problems in the health system. These findings provide a comprehensive approach to improving health services in slums.
Article
Microbiology
Dishon M. Muloi, Bryan A. Wee, Deirdre M. H. McClean, Melissa J. Ward, Louise Pankhurst, Hang Phan, Alasdair C. Ivens, Velma Kivali, Alice Kiyong'a, Christine Ndinda, Nduhiu Gitahi, Tom Ouko, James M. Hassell, Titus Imboma, James Akoko, Maurice K. Murungi, Samuel M. Njoroge, Patrick Muinde, Yukiko Nakamura, Lorren Alumasa, Erin Furmaga, Titus Kaitho, Elin M. Ohgren, Fredrick Amanya, Allan Ogendo, Daniel J. Wilson, Judy M. Bettridge, John Kiiru, Catherine Kyobutungi, Cecila Tacoli, Erastus K. Kang'ethe, Julio D. Davila, Samuel Kariuki, Timothy P. Robinson, Jonathan Rushton, Mark E. J. Woolhouse, Eric M. Fevre
Summary: This study investigates the distribution and sharing patterns of Escherichia coli among humans, livestock, and peri-domestic wildlife in Nairobi, Kenya, using whole-genome sequencing. The results show that the diversity and sharing patterns of E. coli are influenced by household and host type, with evidence of inter-household and inter-host sharing, especially between humans and animals. The findings highlight the importance of a large-scale sampling framework and whole-genome sequencing in understanding strain-sharing events and pathways contributing to zoonotic disease emergence and antimicrobial resistance spread.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rita Ammoun, Welcome Mkhululi Wami, Peter Otieno, Constance Schultsz, Catherine Kyobutungi, Gershim Asiki
Summary: This study assesses the readiness of healthcare systems in Kenya to deliver management and prevention services for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The findings reveal important gaps in readiness, with variations by disease and healthcare facility type. A collective approach is needed to bridge the gap between resource availability and population healthcare needs.
BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
(2022)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Themrise Khan, Seye Abimbola, Catherine Kyobutungi, Madhukar Pai
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeffrey Lazarus, Diana Romero, Christopher J. Kopka, Salim Abdool Karim, Laith J. Abu-Raddad, Gisele Almeida, Ricardo Baptista-Leite, Joshua A. Barocas, Mauricio L. Barreto, Yaneer Bar-Yam, Quique Bassat, Carolina Batista, Morgan Bazilian, Shu-Ti Chiou, Carlos del Rio, Gregory J. Dore, George F. Gao, Lawrence O. Gostin, Margaret Hellard, Jose L. Jimenez, Gagandeep Kang, Nancy Lee, Mojca Maticic, Martin McKee, Sabin Nsanzimana, Miquel Oliu-Barton, Bary Pradelski, Oksana Pyzik, Kenneth Rabin, Sunil Raina, Sabina Faiz Rashid, Magdalena Rathe, Rocio Saenz, Sudhvir Singh, Malene Trock-Hempler, Sonia Villapol, Peiling Yap, Agnes Binagwaho, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Ayman El-Mohandes
Summary: Despite scientific and medical advances, political, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors continue to undermine the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A Delphi study involving a diverse panel of experts from 112 countries and territories developed a set of recommendations across various domains to address this global threat to public health.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Arush Lal, Salma M. Abdalla, Vijay Kumar Chattu, Ngozi Adaeze Erondu, Tsung-Ling Lee, Sudhvir Singh, Hala Abou-Taleb, Jeanette Vega Morales, Alexandra Phelan
Summary: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, international initiatives have been developed to strengthen global pandemic preparedness and response. However, the vital role of universal health coverage and robust primary health care have been overlooked. This paper outlines gaps in pandemic preparedness and response and provides recommendations for strengthening health systems through global health security and universal health coverage.
LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
S. F. Mohamed, C. Khayeka-Wandabwa, S. Muthuri, N. N. Ngomi, C. Kyobutungi, T. N. Haregu
Summary: This study aimed to describe the profile and correlates of carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in apparently normal younger-age adults in an urban setting in Kenya. Age, current use of alcohol, systolic blood pressure, subcutaneous fat thickness, pulse rate, and pulse pressure were found to be the main predictors of CIMT in this study population.
HIPERTENSION Y RIESGO VASCULAR
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Tieble Traore, Sarah Shanks, Najmul Haider, Kanza Ahmed, Vageesh Jain, Simon R. Ruegg, Ahmed Razavi, Richard Kock, Ngozi Erondu, Afifah Rahman-Shepherd, Alexei Yavlinsky, Leonard Mboera, Danny Asogun, Timothy McHugh, Linzy Elton, Oyeronke Oyebanji, Oyeladun Okunromade, Rashid Ansumana, Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey, Yahaya Ali Ahmed, Amadou Bailo Diallo, Thierno Balde, Ambrose Talisuna, Francine Ntoumi, Alimuddin Zumla, David Heymann, Ibrahima Soce Fall, Osman Dar
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the shortcomings of current assessments of preparedness and response capacities for public health emergencies. Existing frameworks lack consideration for complex factors such as social, economic, political, regulatory, and ecological aspects. One Health provides a valuable approach to analyze existing assessment frameworks and propose new paths forward by focusing on the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and ecosystems. To effectively address the range of complex systems involved in health emergencies, assessments should take into account how stakeholders define problems and the socio-political environments in which structures and institutions operate. The current frameworks inadequately consider anthropogenic factors in disease emergence and fail to address the full range of health security hazards across the social-ecological system. It is crucial for health security assessment frameworks to adhere to core One Health principles, prioritize capacity building, and evaluate interventions and outcomes in terms of added value, trade-offs, and co-benefits across human, animal, and environmental health systems.
Article
Geography
Peter M. Macharia, Angela K. Moturi, Eda Mumo, Emanuele Giorgi, Emelda A. Okiro, Robert W. Snow, Nicolas Ray
Summary: Understanding the location of schools relative to the population they serve is important for planning school catchment areas and assessing travel time. This study used a spatio-temporal database to calculate travel time to the nearest school and define school catchment areas in Kenya. The results showed an increase in the number of primary schools and a reduction in average travel time between 2009 and 2020. Nationally, 89% of school-going children were within a 24-minute catchment area.
CHILDRENS GEOGRAPHIES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Afifah Rahman-Shepherd, Ngozi A. Erondu, Bakht Anwar, Ezekiel Boro, Thuy Duyen Chau, Renzo R. Guinto, Lara Hollmann, Jerome Alan Mejarito, Muneera A. Rasheed, Mishal Khan
Summary: Two years after George Floyd's murder, global public health organizations have shown unprecedented attention to racial justice. However, there is skepticism about whether attention alone will lead to real change.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zahra Aziz, Tilahun Haregu, Catherine Kyobutungi, Lijing Yan, Vilma Irazola, Pilvikki Absetz, Isobel Bandurek, Morven Roberts, Rajesh Vedanthan, Sheree Folkes, Yingting Cao, Yu Wen, Myo Nyein Aung, Katrien Danhieux, Allissa Desloge, Brian Oldenburg
Summary: This study describes the design, delivery and evaluation of the 3rd GACD ISS, which was conducted virtually for the first time in 2020. The virtual delivery was well-received and found to be efficient, networking and collaborative opportunities for trainees from different countries were provided. The recently developed GACD Implementation Science e-Hub served as an instrumental platform for the program.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
