SCI’s peer reviewed journals provide research studies and commentary articles undertaken by top scientists in emerging areas, addressing global audiences by crossing academic, industrial and science policy sectors.
Here we highlight some of the most recent papers from our journals. To view the full range of SCI’s journals, visit our Publications page.
A route to simplifying cancer treatment
T-lymphocyte-based active immune response is the primary way for the body to clear tumour cells. Tumour immunotherapy treatment requires the enrichment and amplification of T-lymphocytes, achieved using separate procedures requiring many steps. As well as being time consuming there is the possibility of cell contamination during clinical application.
Researchers from State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southern University, Nanjing, China prepared artificial antigen-presenting immunomagnetic beads that can be used for both the enrichment and expansion of T-lymphocytes from peripheral blood, which they say could greatly simplify the procedures of T-lymphocyte immunotherapy.
Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology DOI:10.1002/jctb.6356
Novel energy system holds promise for controlling soil borne pathogens
Researchers from the US have evaluated a novel energy application system for the management of soil borne pathogens and plant-parasitic nematodes. The Direct Energy System generates pulses of energy capable of impacting selected biological organisms. Applying this system at specific levels of energy generation, researchers found significant reduction in Meloidogyne halpa, a nematode that is widely distributed in temperate climates and can be a problem for many high-value crops. The application of this technology in a field setting is yet to be tested, however DES could be a sustainable route to controlling soil borne pathogens and parasites.
Pest Management Science DOI:10.1002/ps.5745
Iran weighs up renewable options
As Iran looks to increase the use of renewable energy resources, researchers from University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran, have evaluated the technical/economic performance of hybrid microgrids (HMG) that have been introduced in eight of Iran’s climate zones. The researchers evaluated grid, photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), converter and battery energy storage (BES) systems. The researchers concluded that the combination of grid/PV/WT/converter was the most economical configuration; however the associated investment cost was higher than the other scenarios investigated. The lowest initial capital cost was obtained with the combination of grid and PV. It was also found that using BES in hybrid microgrids was not currently feasible for Iran due to the high capital costs and lack of incentive program for buying power from BES. Researchers added that Iran’s north-western cities, with ‘semi-moderate and rainy climate conditions’ were the most suitable locations for HMGs from both a technical and economic perspective.
Energy Science & Engineering DOI: 10.1002/ese3.720
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