Publications

Post-release monitoring pathway for the deployment of gene drive-modified mosquitoes for malaria control in Africa

January 13, 2025

Gene drive-modified mosquitoes (GDMMs) have been promoted as one of the innovative technologies that may control and eliminate malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases. Several products are in early stages of development, targeting either population suppression or population modification of the mosquito vector. However, there is no direct experience of conducting risk assessment for environmental releases […]

Resurgence of malaria and artemisinin resistance in Africa requires a concerted response

January 13, 2025

Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally, with an estimated 249 million cases and 608,000 deaths in 2022, of which 94% and 95% occurred in Africa, respectively. As a result of innovative public health measures, malaria-related mortality in Africa has decreased dramatically, from 808,000 deaths in 2000 to 580,000 in […]

Public (dis)trust in science in digital media environments

December 21, 2024

Nowadays, large parts of the population obtain information about science, technology, and topics such as climate change or COVID-19 online; this includes journalistic online media, but increasingly also social and other internet-based media. Digital media environments, especially social media, are characterized by a combination of interpersonal and mass-mediated communication; they provide heterogeneous content regarding actors, […]

The effects of witnessing harassment of scientists on public perceptions of science

December 21, 2024

Although public trust in science remains relatively stable in most countries, there is growing concern regarding the potential damage that certain hostile forms of public discourse about science could inflict. These include accusations of fraud and conspiracies between scientists and political elites but increasingly also worrisome types of harassment such as uncivil credibility attacks, insults, […]

Recent Advances in Biopesticide Research and Development with a Focus on Microbials

December 9, 2024

Biopesticides are pest control products derived from natural sources such as microbes, macro-organisms (insects and pathogens), plant extracts, and certain minerals. Many biopesticides are considered environmentally safe and can complement or substitute conventional chemical pesticides. They can also be highly specific or broad spectrum with a unique mode of action controlling a wide range of […]