Top Posts from the Research Communities in 2024: A Year in Review

We’ve brought together a shortlist of some of the most viewed blog posts in 2024, highlighting contributions from diverse research areas. What was your favourite post of 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Top Posts from the Research Communities in 2024: A Year in Review
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As we kick off 2025, it’s the perfect time to look back on an incredible year for the Research Communities. From thought-provoking discoveries in our ‘Behind the Paper’ blog posts, to innovative ideas from authors in the ‘News and Opinion’ channel, 2024 saw over 2500 blog posts published, 66,000+ registered members and over 6 million visitors to the Research Communities. 

To celebrate, we’ve brought together a shortlist of some of the most viewed blog posts, highlighting entries from the Health & Clinical Research and Life Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, Mathematics, Physical & Applied Sciences research areas. 

Top 5 in Health & Clinical Research and Life Sciences  

The Health & Clinical Research and Life Sciences Communities continue to thrive as some of our most popular Communities for sharing discoveries and connecting researchers worldwide. These spaces address pressing challenges in medicine, biology, and life sciences, offering key insights into human health and the natural world. 2024 brought compelling studies, from breakthroughs in brain development to advancements in microbiome science and climate stability. 

FGF8 as Director of the Fronto-Temporal Cortical Patterning Orchestra

@Camilla Bosone 

FGF8 as Director of the Fronto-Temporal Cortical Patterning Orchestra

Published in Nature Methods, The Knoblich and Krenn labs at IMBA and University of Milan Bicocca have developed elongated cortical assembloids to study how FGF8 shapes spatial patterning in human cortical organoids. This innovative system mimics natural brain development, revealing how FGFR3 gene mutations disrupt cortical patterning and contribute to malformations. Their findings offer valuable insights into brain development and neurological disorders. This blog post has amassed over 50,000 views, making it the second most viewed blog post on the Communities! Read the full post here. 

Development of a Short HIV Stigma Scale

@Lars E. Eriksson

Development of a short HIV stigma scale

Despite progress in HIV treatment and achieving UNAIDS goals, stigma remains a challenge for people living with HIV in Sweden. Researchers adapted Earnshaw and Chaudoir's framework to develop a reliable 12-item HIV Stigma Scale. The findings, published in Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, highlight persistent stigma, particularly around self-image and disclosure, emphasizing the need for continued stigma-reduction efforts. Learn more about the HIV stigma scale.  

People with Lobster - Claw Syndrome in the Village of Ulutaue

@Sulaeman Sulaeman 

People with Lobster - Claw Syndrome: A Study of Oligodactyly Sufferers and their Communication Experiences in the Village of Ulutaue, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Oligodactyly, a condition where a person has fewer than five fingers or toes, was studied in 15 individuals from Ulutaue, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, focusing on their perceptions and communication about the condition. Views ranged from the condition being perceived a curse or a divine gift. Participants of the study, especially women and younger individuals, expressed facing stigma, discrimination, and psychological distress. Read more on how the findings could help foster more positive self-concepts. 

Why Do Healthy Rangelands Matter for a Changing Climate?

@Matthew J Germino

The Carbon Connection: Why Healthy Rangelands Matter for a Changing Climate

This study, published in Communications Earth & Environment, examines how replacing native perennial shrublands with invasive annual grasslands affects soil carbon storage - a critical factor for climate stability. By analysing soil up to one meter deep across the western U.S., researchers found a 42-49% decrease in carbon storage in areas dominated by invasive grasses. These findings underscore the importance of native ecosystems in preserving carbon stores and combating climate change. Discover more about the rangelands. 

How Do We Help Our Gut Microenvironment? 

@Nicola Prochazkova 

The environment and microbes inside our guts: behind the PRIMA study

The PRIMA study used SmartPills to investigate how gut transit time and pH influence the microbiome in 61 healthy volunteers. Published in Nature Microbiology, it found that transit time and pH are highly personal, shaping microbial diversity and metabolism. Higher fibre intake reduced harmful toxins, while coffee and methane affected transit speed, emphasising the importance of personalized nutrition and daily microbial changes. Read the full post here. 

Curated and written by  

Alice Taylor

@Alice Taylor, Community Manager for the Health & Clinical Research and Life Sciences Research Communities 

Top 5 in Humanities and Social Sciences  

From Behavioural Sciences & Psychology Community to the Social Sciences and Economics Communities, these five posts highlight innovative research from areas of psychology, HIV infections, environmental sustainability, behavioural economics, urban planning, criminology, and more.  

Small Doses, Big Impact

@Austin Mallard, @Richard Zeifman, @Broc Pagni and @Daniel Roberts 

Combining Low-Dose MDMA with Psilocybin or LSD May Enhance the Acute Subjective Psychedelic Experience

Austin Mallard's Behind the Paper post in Behavioural Sciences & Psychology Community expands on the research paper published in Scientific Reports, showing how combining low-dose MDMA with psilocybin or LSD may help protect against challenging experiences and enhance positive emotions in psychedelic therapy. Read the post here.  

From "Ignorans" to "Sciens"

@William Darrow

World AIDS Day 2024-- From "Ignorans" to "Sciens"

In observance of World AIDS Day 2024, Dr. William Darrow shared a post about his research published in AIDS and Behaviour, which revisits Dr. Anthony Fauci's memoir On Call and other recent works discussing AIDS. These publications reflect on the journey from ignorance to understanding, highlighting the human struggles and scientific advances in confronting the AIDS epidemic. Discover more here. 

Sustainable Choices in Online Grocery Shopping

@Thijs van Rensand @Oyinlola Oyebode

 New field trial explores what drives sustainable choices in online grocery shopping

A new field trial published in ISRCTN registry, and featured in the Earth & Environment, Public Health, and Economics Communities, explores how eco-labels and price discounts in online grocery shopping can encourage sustainable, healthier food choices, offering insights for policies that support both public health and environmental goals. Read more about the SALIENT Sustained programme. 

A Walk in the Park? Not for Everyone

@Hogyeum Evan Joo

 A Walk in the Park? Not for Everyone: Addressing Inequality in Access to Social, Environmental, and Health Amenities in US Urban Parks

In his study published in Nature Cities, Hogyeum Evan Joo highlights racial and ethnic disparities in access to high-quality urban parks across the U.S. using innovative data on park amenities and urban demographics to address inequities and promote inclusive urban green spaces. Discover more about the approach and key findings here.  

Understanding Mafia Families in Australia

@Anna Sergi

 The Evolution of Mafia Families in Australia: Understanding ‘Ndrangheta Dynasties and their Familiness Diversification

This blog, and the paper published in Trends in Organized Crime, explore the evolution of ‘ndrangheta families in Australia, highlighting four ideal family types. It examines how familial ties, cultural adaptation, and societal influences shape their recognition, reputation, and involvement in organized crime across generations. Read more in Anna’s post.  

Curated and written by  

Yuanxin Zhang

@Yuanxin Zhang, @yuanxin zhang Community Manager for the Humanities and Social Sciences Research Communities 

Top 5 in Mathematics, Physical & Applied Sciences 

Innovation has beens the driving force behind the Mathematics, Physical, and Applied Sciences Communities in 2024. These five posts highlight how cutting-edge solutions are tackling global challenges. From sustainable energy and environmental health to food safety and medical advancements, these studies demonstrate the diverse and impactful work shaping the future of the field. 

Cu(I): The Key to Boosting CO₂ Reduction to C₂+ Compounds CO₂ 

@Ye Wang 

Roles of Cu(I) in H2O activation for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to C2+ compoundsCO2

Following a publication in Nature Communications, this blog post authored by Ye Wang from Xiamen University highlights a breakthrough in membrane electrode assembly systems, uncovering the critical role of Cu+ in H2O activation for the efficient conversion of CO2 into multi-carbon compounds like ethylene and ethanol. Find out more about Cu(I)'s role in Ye’s post. 

How China’s Clean Air Action Plans to Promote Ecosystem Productivity 

@Hao Zhou and @Xu Yue 

China’s Clean Air Action plans promote ecosystem productivity

Following up on a paper published in Nature Geoscience, Hao Zhou and Xu Yue explore how China’s Clean Air Action plans help save lives by reducing pollution while boosting carbon absorption and ecosystem productivity, showcasing dual benefits for public health and carbon neutrality. Find out more about their approach here. 

Fast and Reliable Test Uncovers Beef Adulteration with Donkey Meat 

@Hassan Aboul-Ella 

Development and evaluation of a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for the rapid detection of donkey meat in beef as a tool for meat adulteration identification

In his blog post, Hassan Aboul-Ella looks behind the paper of the research published in the Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.The study introduces a rapid and cost-effective lateral flow assay to detect donkey meat in beef within 2 minutes, providing a valuable tool for ensuring food safety and authenticity. Find out more about this work. 

Unlocking the Potential of Heat Pumps for a Flexible, Decarbonized Power Sector 

@Alexander Roth 

Flexibility in the power sector and the role of heat pumps

Discussing the paper published in Communications Earth & Environment, this blog post by Alexander Roth highlights how heat pumps with flexible operation and heat storage offer a sustainable path to decarbonize heating, reduce emissions, and ensure efficient energy integration. Read more about their approach here. 

Histology in Your Hands: Cross-Modal Imaging Shows Living Skin in Full Colour 

@Kate Montgomery 

Histology in your hands: cross-modal imaging shows living skin in full color

Expanding on the research published in Scientific Reports, Kate Montgomery emphasizes how cross-modal imaging provides a non-invasive, real-time approach to visualizing skin histology in full colour, enhancing the accuracy of dermatological diagnostics and treatments. Find out more in Kate’s post here. 

Curated and written by

Yijia Li

@Yijia Li, Community Manager for the Mathematics, Physical & Applied Sciences Research Communities 


It’s been an amazing year and the blog posts from our authors are a testament to the knowledge, creativity, and collaboration that make the Communities truly special. As we step into 2025, we’re excited to see even more ideas, stories, and conversations take shape!  

What was your favourite post of 2024? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we’d love to know! 

Thank you for being part of our journey this year. Here’s to a bright, successful, and inspiring 2025. 

Happy New Year! 

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If you have any questions, get in touch with the team at communities@springernature.com. 

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