Global

World Braille Day 2027: Celebrating Accessibility and Inclusion for the Visually Impaired

Observed annually on January 4, World Braille Day raises awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication and as a tool for achieving the human rights of blind and visually impaired individuals. Celebrated since 2019, the day honors the legacy of Louis Braille, who invented the tactile reading and writing system in the 19th century, and highlights the ongoing efforts to promote accessible formats in education, health, and employment.

The Importance of Braille

Elsevier,

Encyclopedia of Libraries, Librarianship, and Information Science, Volume 3, 2025, Pages 128-132

Philanthropic giving has a long history in libraries and remains a source of critical funding. Cultivating giving from individuals through fundraising expands the reputation of libraries and can relieve some of the strain from the decline in funding from traditional funding sources such as from government and, in the case of academic libraries, higher education institutions.

Salmeterols (SMTs) are persistent organic pollutants slowly degrading and accumulating in aquatic ecosystems, affecting aquatic life and posing several environmental and health challenges in water sources. This study investigates the adsorption of SMT from aqueous solutions using a novel nano-sized copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF).

Elsevier,

Rehabilitation Robots for Neurorehabilitation in High-, Low-, and Middle-Income Countries: Current Practice, Barriers, and Future Directions, 2024, pp 67-94
Current Practice, Barriers, and Future Directions
2024, Pages 167-178

This chapter explores how rehabilitation and socially assistive robotics improve therapy for neurological conditions and older adults, addressing growing needs from aging populations and pandemic-driven isolation. By advancing innovative healthcare technologies and fostering collaboration, these solutions support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through better rehabilitation outcomes and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by driving technological progress in clinical care.
Hands of person typing on laptop

SDGs have been added on Scopus' author profile pages, appearing under the rebranded “Impact” section.

International Human Solidarity Day 2026: Celebrating Unity and Collective Action for a Better World

Observed annually on December 20, International Human Solidarity Day emphasizes the importance of solidarity in addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, the day calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to work together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote human and social development across all nations.

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), have a global prevalence and profoundly impact both motor and cognitive functions. Although adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy has shown promise, its application for treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases faces several challenges, including effective delivery of AAV vectors across the blood-brain barrier, determining optimal dosages, and achieving targeted distribution.
This study shows that the Cognitive Stimulation Therapy program can significantly improve general cognition, communication, and reduce depression in people living with dementia, regardless of the underlying pathology. However, the effects vary by dementia subtype, with some gains maintained long-term in vascular dementia (VaD) but not in Alzheimer, especially regarding narrative abilities and depressive symptoms, highlighting the importance of personalized approaches.
In this review, Hu et al. summarize fluid biomarker findings across 12 anti-amyloid-β clinical trials. The emerging biomarker data provide evidence of impact of the new therapies on the underlying pathophysiological processes of the AD, supporting the presence of a disease-modifying effect.
Elsevier,

iScience, Volume 27, 18 October 2024

This study proposes a “Climate-Smart Siting” framework for addressing potential conflicts between renewable energy expansion and biodiversity conservation.

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