RESEARCH FRONTS 2014: 100 TOP RANKED SPECIALTIES IN THE SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES - December 2014
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RESEARCH FRONTS 2014:
100 TOP RANKED SPECIALTIES
IN THE SCIENCES AND SOCIAL
SCIENCES
The National Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Thomson Reuters IP & Science
The Joint Research Center of Emerging Technology Analysis
December 2014
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
RESEARCH FRONT DATA REVEAL LINKS AMONG
RESEARCHERS WORKING ON RELATED THREADS OF
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, BUT WHOSE BACKGROUND MIGHT
NOT SUGGEST THAT THEY BELONG TO THE SAME
"INVISIBLE COLLEGE."
2
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
BACKGROUND
The 2013 Thomson Reuters Research Fronts RESEARCH FRONTS SELECTION
report gained widespread attention. It identified
current key research topics and provided research AND DATA PROVIDED
managers and policy makers with a data-driven Research Fronts 2014 presents a total of 144
perspective on important trends and emerging research fronts, including 100 hot and 44
fields to assist them in making strategic plans. emerging ones. The research fronts are classified
into 10 broad research areas in the sciences and
This year, Research Fronts 2014 was undertaken social sciences, as they were in the 2013 report.
as a collaborative project by the Joint Research The objective was to discover which research
Center of Emerging Technology Analysis fronts were most active or developing most
established by Thomson Reuters and the National rapidly.
Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In this report, 100 hot research fronts and 44 The specific methodology used for identifying the
emerging ones were identified based on co- research fronts is described as follows.
citation analysis that generated more than 9,700
research fronts in the Thomson Reuters database HOW TO SELECT THE HOT
Essential Science Indicators (ESI). RESEARCH FRONTS
First, more than 9,700 research fronts in 21 ESI
METHODOLOGY AND fields were classified into 10 broad research
PRESENTATION OF DATA areas. Research fronts assigned to each of the
The study was conducted in two parts. Thomson 10 areas were ranked by total citations and the
Reuters selected research fronts and provided top 10 percent of the fronts in each area were
data on the core papers and citing papers of the extracted. These research fronts were then re-
selected research fronts. Final selection of key ranked according to the average (mean) year of
research fronts and the interpretation of these their core papers to produce a top 10 list in each
were completed by the National Science Library, broad area. There were 100 hot research fronts
Chinese Academy of Sciences. For the 2014 in total. These 10 fronts selected for each of 10
update, the research fronts drew on ESI data highly aggregated, main areas of science and
from 2008 to 2013, which were obtained in March social sciences represent the hottest of the largest
2014. fronts, not necessarily the hottest research fronts
across the database (all disciplines). Due to the
different characteristics and citation behaviors in
various disciplines, some fronts are much smaller
than others in terms of number of core and citing
papers.
3
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
HOW TO SELECT THE EMERGING FINAL SELECTION OF KEY
RESEARCH FRONTS RESEARCH FRONTS
A research front with core papers of recent vintage CPT, an index, was designed to select key
indicates a specialty with a young foundation research fronts. Nineteen key fronts were
that is rapidly growing. We call these "hot." To selected from the 144 on the basis of CPT. CPT:
identify emerging specialties, extra preference, C represents the number of citing articles, i.e.
or weight, was given to the currency of the the amount of articles citing core papers; P the
foundation literature: only research fronts whose number of core papers; T means the age of citing
core papers dated, on average, to the second half articles, which is the number of citing years, from
of 2012 or more recently were considered, and the earliest year of a citing paper to present.
then these were sorted in descending order by
CPT=((C/P)/ T)
their total citations. There were 44 fronts whose
total citations amounted to 100 or more ( see CPT is the ratio of the average citation impacts
appendix). As the selection was not limited of a research front to the age/occurrence of its
to any research area, the 44 fronts are distributed citing papers, meaning the higher the number,
unevenly in the 10 fields. For example, there are the hotter the topic. It measures how extensive
14 research fronts in chemistry but there is none and immediate a research front is; the degree of
in agricultural sciences. citation impact can also be seen from it. It takes
the publication years of citing papers into account
Based on the above two methods, the report
and demonstrates the trend and extent of
presents the top 10 hot fronts in 10 broad areas
attention on certain research fronts across years.
(in total 100 fronts) and 44 emerging ones.
Given the condition that a particular research
FINAL SELECTION AND front was cited continuously:
INTERPRETATION OF KEY When P as well as T is equal in two fronts, the
RESEARCH FRONTS bigger C, the bigger CPT, indicates broader
citation influence of the research front with bigger
On the basis of 144 research fronts provided
C.
by Thomson Reuters, analysts at the National
Science Library, Chinese Academy of Sciences, When C as well as P is equal in two fronts, the
conducted a detailed analysis and interpretation smaller T, the bigger CPT, indicates the hotter
to highlight 19 research fronts of particular research front with smaller T.
interest.
When C as well as T is equal in two fronts, the
As indicated, a research front consists of a group smaller P, the bigger CPT, indicates broader
of highly cited papers and their citing papers citation influence of the research front with
that have frequently co-cited these so-called smaller P.
core papers. In other words, core papers are all
highly cited papers in ESI, papers that rank in
top one percent in terms of citations in the same
ESI field and in the same publication year. Since
the authors, institutions and countries/territories
listed on the core papers have made significant
contributions in the particular specialty, a
tabulation of these appears in the analysis of the
research fronts.
By reading the full text of the citing articles,
greater precision can be obtained in specifying
the topic of the research front, especially in terms
of its recent or leading edge. In this case, it is not
necessary that the citing papers are themselves
highly cited.
4
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
INTERPRETATION OF KEY
RESEARCH FRONTS
INTERPRETATION OF HOT
RESEARCH FRONTS
The first table under each discipline section in distribution of citing articles has been declining
the report lists 10 top-ranked fronts for each of since 2010. On further exploration, two topics
the 10 broad areas. A particular front in each were found within this front: “Intensive insulin
field, selected by the CPT index, is highlighted, therapy in critically ill patients” and “Fluid
noted in gray in the table. Key data are also resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch in critically
shown, such as the number of core papers, total ill patients.” In the topic of “Intensive insulin
citations and the average publication year of the therapy in critically ill patients,” the Leuven
core papers. Average publication year of the core scheme of intensive insulin therapy suggested
papers ranged from 2008 to 20131. For example, in 2001 was put in doubt by results of the NICE-
if the average publication year of a research front SUGAR study published in 2009, which sparked
is 2009.6, the core papers were published, as an a fierce debate about the accepted therapy. The
average, around August 2009. NICE-SUGAR paper has been cited 1,171 times.
A bubble diagram shows the age distribution of On Feb 15, 2011, clinical guidelines of intensive
the citing articles in the 10 research fronts listed insulin therapy for inpatients issued by American
for each broad field. Hot fronts were marked College of Physicians (ACP) were published in
in a red bubble. Size represents the amount of Annals of Internal Medicine, and this opposed
citing papers per year. In this figure, hot fronts “the utility of intensive insulin therapy program
can be easily seen particularly when a large will control SICU/MICU patients’ blood sugar
amount of citing papers appear in only a few to normal levels.” The guideline also became
publication years (i.e. the first two conditions one of core papers in the front. In fact, the ACP
in Final Selection criteria). But other data must guidelines had the effect of stopping the wrong
be considered when the number of core papers clinical treatment. After that, no papers related
(“P”) is small. For example, the topic “The to intensive insulin therapy came into the core
application of regional climate change models in papers of this research front. This is the reason
regional climate change projections of terrestrial why a declining trend in citing papers occurs after
precipitation and temperature, as well as bias 2010 in Figure 4.
and error correction of the models” was selected The second and third table in each research
as a key research front in geosciences. As shown area presents data about countries, institutions
in Figure 3, its citing year started from 2007, and authors of the core papers, which reveals
the same as other research fronts in the same those making the greatest contributions in the
discipline, and its bubble size or the number foundation literature of the hot fronts. Countries
of citing papers is not the biggest in the area. and institutions of the citing papers are also
But because of the fewer core papers, the CPT analyzed in the fourth table in each discipline
index of this particular front is the biggest one in section.
geosciences and thus it was selected as the key
research front for further analysis. INTERPRETATION OF EMERGING
The bubble diagram also helps the reader FRONTS
understand the development of a research The emerging fronts identified were generally
front. Generally speaking, the amount of citing small in terms of number of core and citing
articles in most fronts will grow with time. But papers. Information professionals examined and
an exception was observed in one front in clinical interpreted the data in these fronts to better
medicine: “Intensive insulin therapy and fluid understand their content and describe their very
resuscitation with hydroxyethyl starch in critically recent development.
ill patients.” It is shown in Figure 4 that the age
1
Note: at times a publication year 2007 paper may be included because the year of its indexing, or its database year, was 2008. 5
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
AGRICULTURAL, PLANT AND ANIMAL SCIENCES
HOT RESEARCH FRONT
DEVELOPMENTAL TREND OF THE TOP 10 RESEARCH FRONTS IN
AGRICULTURAL, PLANT AND ANIMAL SCIENCES
Table 1: Top 10 research fronts in agricultural, plant and animal sciences
Rank Research Fronts (changed) Core Papers Citations Mean Year of Core Papers
Statistics of foodborne disease in the USA and
1 6 873 2011.7
evaluation of economic loss
2 Regulation of circadian clock in Arabidopsis 20 998 2011.1
3 Auxin biosynthesis and regulation 18 855 2011
Phylogenetic analysis of endophytic fungal
4 31 1150 2010.8
species in plant
Identification, growth and toxin production of
5 18 973 2010.8
Aspergillus niger
6 Genetic theory of speciation 12 1061 2010.7
7 Organelles RNA editing 27 1473 2010.6
Analysis of rhizosphere fungal communities
8 18 1040 2010.6
using DNA sequencing
C-4 photosynthesis evolution and the effect of
9 22 1171 2010.5
CO2 concentration on mesophyll conductance
Biological control of invasive crop pest using
10 14 953 2010.5
predators
Figure 1: Citing articles for the top 10 research fronts in agricultural, plant and animal sciences
6
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
HOT RESEARCH FRONT – ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVE
“STATISTICS OF FOODBORNE STATUS OF COUNTRIES AND
DISEASE IN THE USA AND INSTITUTIONS
EVALUATION OF ECONOMIC The countries that have produced the six core
LOSS” papers that have contributed to the “Statistics of
foodborne diseases in the USA and evaluation of
Foodborne disease refers to infection or economic loss” are the USA and Denmark (Table
intoxication caused by pathogenic factors 2), with researchers from the USA publishing
entering into human bodies through food. Most five papers and from Denmark publishing one
foodborne diseases are caused by bacteria, paper. The influential institutions in this key
viruses, helminthes, and fungi. According to research front include the Colorado School
epidemiological survey data, the incidence of of Public Health, Centres for Disease Control
foodborne diseases in the world has continued to and Prevention, National Bureau of Economic
increase in the past decade, and a severe outbreak Research, and the University of Florida, which
trend has been observed. Currently, only a limited are all in the USA. Thus, the USA has been
number of countries in the world have established influential in directing this research, and this
annual reporting systems for foodborne disease, influence has benefited, to a certain extent, from
including the USA, UK, Canada, and Japan, This the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring
important front of science mainly studies the system for foodborne disease in the USA.
reasons for the occurrence of foodborne diseases,
methods for monitoring and assessing such
diseases, the effect of pathogens in food supply
chains on public health in the USA, and economic
burdens caused by major foodborne diseases.
Table 2: Top countries and institutions producing the six core papers in the research front “Statistics of
foodborne disease in the USA and evaluation of economic loss”
Country Core Institution Core
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking Papers
Colorado School of Public
1 USA 5 83.3% 1 2 33.3%
Health (USA)
Centers for Disease Control &
2 Denmark 1 16.7% 1 2 33.3%
Prevention (USA)
Economic Research Service,
1 2 33.3%
USDA (USA)
1 University of Florida (USA) 2 33.3%
5 Ohio State University (USA) 1 16.7%
5 Resources for the Future (USA) 1 16.7%
Technical University of
5 1 16.7%
Denmark (Denmark)
7
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVE
STATUS OF AUTHORS
In the scientific front “Statistics of foodborne core papers, which were published in 2011 in the
diseases in the USA and evaluation of economic same issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases. In
loss," the top influential authors include addition, these papers have been cited more than
researchers from the Colorado School of Public any other core papers. One of Scallan's papers
Health, University of Florida, Technical University used data from surveillance and other sources
of Denmark, Economic Research Service of the to evaluate the conditions of 31 major pathogens
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Ohio State of foodborne disease that occurred in the USA
University (Table 3). The contributions from and performed a modification of the evaluation
Elaine Scallan, an assistant professor at the method. This paper has been cited 694 times.
Colorado School of Public Health, have been the Another of Scallan's papers used data from
most prominent. Her major research interests surveys, hospital records, and death certificates to
include foodborne and enteric disease metrics, evaluate the conditions that produced foodborne
foodborne disease attributions and risk factors, diseases caused by unspecified agents not
foodborne disease surveillance and epidemiology, included in the above 31 major pathogens. This
and enteric disease outbreak investigation and paper has been cited 98 times, which is greater
response. Scallan has contributed two of the six than the sum of the other four papers.
Table 3: Top corresponding authors of the six core papers in the research front “Statistics of foodborne disease
in the USA and evaluation of economic loss”
Core
Ranking Reprint Author Reprint Institution Country
Papers
1 Scallan, E Colorado School of Public Health USA 2
2 Batz, MB University of Florida USA 1
2 Domingues, AR Technical University of Denmark Denmark 1
2 Hoffmann, S Economic Research Service, USDA USA 1
2 Scharff, RL Ohio State University USA 1
8
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
ANALYSIS OF THE
DEVELOPMENTAL STATUS OF
COUNTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
From the subsequent number of articles citing accounts for 13.4 percent of the total citing
these six core papers, the USA has produced the articles. The U.S. Department of Agriculture
greatest number of citing articles (Table 4) with and the Food and Drug Administration have
457 publications, which accounts for 79.6 percent produced the second and third highest number
of the total citing articles. China has produced 28 of citing articles. A comprehensive analysis of the
citing articles, which is the second highest and core papers and citing articles that have been
accounts for 4.9 percent of the total citing articles, published in this front shows that the USA has
followed by Canada, UK, Belgium, Netherlands, a strong influence on the research of “Statistics
Poland, Germany, France, and Spain. Among the of foodborne diseases in the USA and evaluation
top institutions with citing articles, 12 institutions of economic loss.” Although China is not a
are in the USA, and the U.S. Centers for Disease producing country of core papers, the amount
Control and Prevention has produced the greatest of citing articles places the nation in a leading
number of citing articles with 77 papers, which position, which reflects China’s attention and
follow-up on this research front.
Table 4: Top countries and institutions producing citing articles in the research front “Statistics of foodborne
disease in the USA and evaluation of economic loss”
Country Citing Institution Citing
Country Proportion Institution (all USA) Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking Papers
Centers for Disease Control &
1 USA 457 79.6% 1 77 13.4%
Prevention
United States Department of
2 China 28 4.9% 2 76 13.2%
Agriculture
U.S. Food & Drug
3 Canada 27 4.7% 3 74 12.9%
Administration
4 UK 23 4.0% 4 North Carolina State University 23 4.0%
5 Belgium 12 2.1% 5 Ohio State University 22 3.8%
6 Netherlands 12 2.1% 6 University of Arkansas 21 3.7%
Minnesota Department of
7 Poland 10 1.7% 7 18 3.1%
Health
8 Germany 10 1.7% 8 University of Georgia 16 2.8%
Colorado Department of Public
9 France 10 1.7% 9 15 2.6%
Health & Environment
Tennessee Department of
10 Spain 10 1.7% 10 14 2.4%
Health
University of Tennessee
10 14 2.4%
Knoxville
10 Cornell University 14 2.4%
9
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HOT RESEARCH FRONT
DEVELOPMENTAL TREND OF THE TOP 10 RESEARCH FRONTS IN
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Table 5: Top 10 research fronts in Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Core
Rank Research Fronts (changed) Citations Mean Year of Core Papers
Papers
Drought- and heat-induced tree
1 21 1889 2011.3
mortality
Shifting plant phenology in response
2 15 1154 2010.1
to global change
Effects of ocean acidification on
3 24 2186 2009.8
marine ecosystems
Predicting species potential
4 36 5614 2009.6
distributions with Maxent
Diversification rates and adaptive
5 28 2554 2009.4
radiation
6 Landscape genetic studies 13 1077 2009.4
Biochar amendment impacts
7 19 1538 2009.3
environment
Ecological communities of ammonia-
8 30 3865 2009.2
oxidizing archaea and bacteria
9 Plant-animal mutualistic networks 11 1176 2009.2
10 Stable isotope ecology 12 1654 2009.1
Figure 2: Citing articles for the top 10 research fronts in ecology and environmental sciences
10RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
HOT RESEARCH FRONT
– “PREDICTING SPECIES
POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTIONS
WITH MAXENT”
Species distribution models (SDMs) primarily 1990s, the rapid development of geographic
utilize species distribution data (mainly information system technology and increasingly
occurrence data) and environmental data to improved access to remote sensing data greatly
estimate an ecological niche of species based on increased the application capabilities of SDMs;
specific algorithms, and the results are projected therefore, a large amount of SDMs and related
onto landscapes to reflect the preference of software emerged.
species for habitats in the form of probabilities.
The Maxent model is an SDM that has provided
The results can explain the probability of
the most extensive applications in recent years.
species occurrence, habitat suitability, and
This model was developed by Steven J. Phillips
species abundance, and SDMs have important
et al. at the AT&T Laboratories in 2006, and it
application values for research in environmental
has been applied extensively for the design of
sciences, management of natural resources, and
species protection areas, prediction of potential
protection of biodiversity. These applications
distributions of invasive species, and simulation
include the evaluation of biodiversity, design
of species spatial distribution in response to
of nature reserves, selection of species in
climate change (see: http://archive.sciencewatch.
ecological restoration, screening of habitats for
com/ana/st/climate/09novSTClimPhilET/). The
ex situ conservation of species, assessments of
paper by Phillips et al. published in Ecological
environmental risk, management of invasive
Modelling has been cited 2,158 times to date,
species, and simulations of community and
which indicates the degree of recognition of this
ecosystem distributions; in addition, such models
model in related research fields. Of the 36 core
can predict the influence of global environmental
papers in this field, another paper published by
changes on species and ecosystems.
Phillips in 2008 has received 687 citations and
SDM research originated in early studies on the is considered the most influential. This paper
relationship between plant communities and included new developments and comprehensive
environmental gradients, especially studies on evaluations of the Maxent model.
the response curves of species to environmental
Table 6 and Table 8 summarize the countries
factors. In the 1980s, the development of
and institutions that have provided the most
computer technology and statistical sciences
important contributions to the core papers and
gradually shifted SDM research to studies on
citing articles and show that the USA has been
improving their prediction capabilities. After the
the most active country in the research front
Table 6: Top countries and institutions producing the 36 core papers in the research front “Predicting species
potential distributions with Maxent”
Country Core Institution Core
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking papers
University of Kansas
1 USA 28 77.8% 1 11 30.6%
(USA)
University of Lausanne
2 Australia 10 27.8% 2 6 16.7%
(Switzerland)
University of Melbourne
3 Switzerland 7 19.4% 3 5 13.9%
(Australia)
4 Spain 5 13.9% 4 AT&T Labs (USA) 4 11.1%
New
5 4 11.1% 4 SUNY Stony Brook (USA) 4 11.1%
Zealand
4 CSIC (SPAIN) 4 11.1%
11RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
“PREDICTING SPECIES
POTENTIAL DISTRIBUTIONS
WITH MAXENT.”
The USA has produced 28 of the 36 core papers, Jane Elith of the University of Melbourne,
which account for 77.8 percent, and Australia, Australia is also active in the field, and her
Switzerland, Spain, and New Zealand have research interests involve simulating biodiversity
each contributed 10, 7, 5, and 4 core papers, using quantitative methods. She is currently
respectively. studying the application of climate change
and invasive species. From 2009-2011, the
The University of Kansas (USA) has produced
University of Melbourne contributed five core
the greatest number of both core papers and
papers that were all authored or co-authored by
citing articles, contributing 30.6 percent of the
Elith. During these three years, she was listed
core papers (11 papers) and 83 citing articles. A.
as a corresponding author on one paper in each
Townsend Peterson of the Biodiversity Institute
year that it was selected as a core paper. The
of the University of Kansas is considered the
frequency at which these three core papers
leading researcher in this field. His studies have
have been cited ranks these first among the
focused on ecological niche models, and Peterson
other papers published in the same year. One
has co-authored seven core papers and is the
of Elith's papers, which was published in 2009,
corresponding author of four papers. In addition,
has received 483 citations, which is the second
Peterson is the corresponding author with the
highest number of citations after the paper
most citing articles at 16 papers (Table 7).
published by Phillips in 2008.
Jorge M. Lobo of the Museo Nacional de
Ciencias Naturales and Consejo Superior de
Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) of Spain has
published three core papers (Table 3). Compared
to other papers in the same year, his papers have
high frequency of citations, especially the paper
“AUC: a misleading measure of the performance
of predictive distribution models,” which has
received extensive attention and 401 citations.
Table 7: Top corresponding authors of the 36 core papers in the research front “Predicting species potential
distributions with Maxent”
Core
Ranking Reprint Author Reprint Institution Country
Papers
1 Peterson, AT University of Kansas USA 4
2 Elith, J University of Melbourne Australia 3
3 Lobo, JM CSIC Spain 3
12RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
The distribution of countries that have produced Among the top institutions with the most citing
articles citing the 36 core papers in this front articles, the CSIC of Spain and the University
(Table 8) shows that the top countries are divided of Kansas of the USA are the top institutions
into three tiers. The first tier only includes the with 95 and 83 citing articles, respectively. The
USA, which has 768 citing articles and accounts third place, the Commonwealth Scientific and
for 41.2 percent of the total, which is 3.3 times Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) of
more than that of the UK, which ranks second. Australia, has contributed 57 citing articles, and
The UK, Australia, Spain, and Germany each have the U.S. Geological Survey, University of Lausanne
198-230 citing articles, and they form the second of Switzerland, and University of Melbourne of
tier. France, Switzerland, Portugal, and Brazil Australia have each produced approximately
each have 97-142 citing articles, forming the third 50 citing articles. The Chinese Academy of
tier. Sciences ranks seventh of the top institutions in
citing articles at 44, indicating that the Chinese
Academy of Sciences has a significant interest in
this research front (Table 8).
Table 8: Top countries and institutions producing citing articles in the research front “Predicting species
potential distributions with Maxent”
Country Citing Institution Citing
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking Papers
1 USA 768 41.2% 1 CSIC (SPAIN) 95 5.1%
2 UK 230 12.3% 2 University of Kansas (USA) 83 4.5%
3 Australia 228 12.2% 3 CSIRO (Australia) 57 3.1%
4 Spain 210 11.3% 4 US Geophysical Survey (USA) 50 2.7%
University of Lausanne
5 Germany 198 10.6% 5 49 2.6%
(Switzerland)
6 France 142 7.6% 6 University of Melbourne (Australia) 48 2.6%
Chinese Academy of Sciences
7 Switzerland 125 6.7% 7 44 2.4%
(China)
University of California at Berkeley
8 Canada 104 5.6% 8 41 2.2%
(USA)
University of California at Davis
9 Portugal 99 5.3% 9 40 2.1%
(USA)
10 Brazil 97 5.2% 9 USDA (USA) 40 2.1%
9 University of Trier (Germany) 40 2.1%
National Autonomous University of
9 40 2.1%
Mexico (Mexico)
13RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
EMERGING RESEARCH FRONT
- “UTILIZATION OF AQUATIC
BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES
TO ASSESS THE ECOLOGICAL
STATUS OF EUROPEAN SURFACE
WATERS”
summarized 297 assessment methods from 28
On October 23, 2000, the European Parliament
countries, and the application rates of these
and European Council formulated the “EU
methods for rivers, coastal waters, lakes, and
Water Framework Directive (WFD),” which was
transitional waters were 30, 26, 25 and 19
formally implemented on December 22, 2000.
percent respectively. The implementation of the
This directive is the most important directive
EU WFD strongly supports studies on transitional
promulgated by the EU in the water resource field
waters. Three of the eight papers of this front
in recent decades. All the EU Member States and
have discussed the management and assessment
countries that are prepared to join the EU should
of ecological statuses in transitional waters in
have domestic water resource management
estuaries and coastal waters. The paper published
systems that meet the requirements of the WFD
by Mike Elliott of the University of Hull of the UK
and introduce joint participation in watershed
in 2011 on estuarine ecology and management
management.
paradigm shifts has been cited 37 times, which is
In recent years, the major task for water and the highest number of citations among the eight
environment management in Europe is to core papers. Thus, the ecological and economic
implement the WFD. The overall goal of this value of transitional waters has begun to gain
directive is for the number and quality of all water attention.
bodies in Europe to meet the standards before
The derivation, performance, sensitivity, and
2015. Therefore, methods are required that can
inherent uncertainty of ecological quality indices
resolve many of the technical issues, including
have become a main topic in the development of
the ability to describe the characteristics of
management tools for oceans and transitional
water management districts and water bodies,
and coastal waters. This research front consists
classify and group characteristics, assess human
of eight core papers, and five of the core papers
impacts, determine developmental trends,
that were published in 2013 primarily focus
assess pressures and impacts, and formulate and
on this topic. To resolve future challenges for
evaluate action plans. In addition, the WFD also
the EU WFD, new biological indices have been
proposes comprehensive water management that
continuously proposed for assessment.
includes the participation of interested parties
and the public. The successful implementation
of the WFD requires suitable tools and models to
support the management of a variety of technical
and social issues at each stage.
In 2012, Sebastian Birk and colleagues at
the University of Duisburg-Essen of Germany
published a review paper on the utilization
of aquatic biological communities to assess
the surface waters in European countries that
have implemented the WFD. These researchers
14RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
GEOSCIENCES
HOT RESEARCH FRONT
DEVELOPMENTAL TREND OF THE TOP 10 RESEARCH
FRONTS IN GEOSCIENCES
Table 9: Top 10 research fronts in geosciences
Core Mean Year of Core
Rank Research Fronts (changed) Citations
Papers Papers
Source characterization, operational prediction
1 and evaluation of 2009 Redoubt and 2010 31 1035 2011.9
Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruptions
The exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2)
between the deep sea and the atmosphere
2 25 1326 2011.1
formed global climate change during the last
deglaciation
3 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami 35 2311 2010.7
4 Tectonic models of the North China Craton 34 2188 2010.5
Greenland ice sheet dynamics-increasing rates
5 29 2533 2010.3
of ice mass loss from Greenland outlet glaciers
Application of regional climate models
in the prediction of surface temperature
6 14 1086 2010.2
and precipitation and studies on model
optimization
7 Zircon U-Pb geochronology in southern Tibet 25 1636 2010.1
8 Global sea level change 42 3870 2010
9 Atmospheric aerosol nucleation and growth 33 2502 2010
Atmospheric secondary organic aerosol
10 18 1647 2009.9
formation from isoprene
Figure 3: Citing articles for the top 10 research fronts in geosciences
15RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
HOT RESEARCH FRONT – a historically rare large-scale disaster of icy rain
and snow in southern China that caused severe
“APPLICATION OF REGIONAL impacts to and loss of local transportation, energy
CLIMATE MODELS IN THE and electricity supplies, agriculture, ecology, and
PREDICTION OF SURFACE social life. This storm provides an example of the
sensitivity and vulnerability of regional climate
TEMPERATURE AND environments to external forces.
PRECIPITATION AND STUDIES ON Currently, the climate models used to describe
MODEL OPTIMIZATION” climate changes can be divided into general
The assessment report2 released by the United circulation models (GCMs) and regional climate
Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate models (RCMs). GCMs can describe climate
Change in 2013 indicated that global warming change on a larger scale. However, they have a
is an indisputable fact. Determining global decreased resolution, and the average climate
and regional climate change and predicting and variability of temperature and precipitation at
future climate change are issues that concern a regional scale cannot be simulated. Therefore,
scientists, the public, and policy-makers and are it is difficult to estimate the possible impacts of
closely associated with the formulation of long- interannual climate variability on regional water
term socio-economic development plans in a resources, ecological environments, and large
country or region. Thus, the tools of “climate scale circulation. RCMs have higher resolution
models” have emerged. With the continuous and can perform detailed descriptions of complex
improvements of the Global Climate Observing topography and curved coastlines and provide
System and computer performance, these models detail features of underlying surfaces. Therefore,
are continuing to improve. they can reflect climate features caused by
localized forces and have been applied extensively
Regional climate is determined by multifaceted in limited regional climate studies. Many areas of
factors. Large-scale influences are important; China are in the East Asian monsoon region, and
however, specific terrain and underlying surface they have complex topography and underlying
features usually cause the specific variability surfaces and are densely populated, therefore,
in regional climate. Climate anomalies have these areas have some of the greatest variability
continuously occurred in recent years, and of climate in the world. RCMs are especially
these climate anomalies usually have regional important in studying climate changes in areas
characteristics. Although they are associated with with uneven underlying surface properties that
large-scale climate changes, they may be more are influenced by atmospheric circulation with
closely associated with climate formation and different scales of variability. Surface temperature
changes on a regional scale. During mid-to late- and precipitation are two major elements in
January and early February in 2008, there was the study of climate changes. Under the above
Table 10: Top countries and institutions producing the 14 core papers in the research front “Application of regional
climate models in the prediction of surface temperature and precipitation and studies on model optimization”
Country Core Institution Core
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking Papers
1 UK 8 57.1% 1 Met Office – UK (UK) 5 35.7%
2 Germany 6 42.9% 2 Max Planck Society (Germany) 4 28.6%
Danish Meteorology Institute
3 France 4 28.6% 3 3 21.4%
(Denmark)
Universidade de Lisboa
4 Denmark 3 21.4% 3 3 21.4%
(Portugal)
Centre for Ecology and
4 Netherlands 3 21.4% 3 3 21.4%
Hydrology (UK)
4 Portugal 3 21.4%
2
ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_and_data_reports.shtml
16RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
conditions, the “Application of regional climate models require observation data with high spatial
models in the prediction of surface temperature and temporal resolution as the foundation. The
and precipitation and studies on model construction of observational capacity, including
optimization” has become an important scientific the construction of ground observatories for
front. wind measurement and air sounding, satellites,
radar, regional grid observation databases and
ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVE optimized computational grids, require long-
STATUS OF COUNTRIES AND term commitments and the accumulation of data,
which may be why emerging countries such as
INSTITUTIONS China have so far experienced difficulty standing
The analysis of countries and institutions out in this field.
producing core papers (Table 10) in this field
showed that the performance of the UK is the ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVE STATUS
most prominent and has contributed eight of OF AUTHORS
the 14 core papers. In addition, this field is not
dominated by any single country, and Germany, Among the corresponding authors of the 14
France, Denmark, Norway, and Portugal have core papers in this field, 12 persons have each
provided considerable contributions. The contributed one core paper, whereas Claudio
percentage of countries represented in these Piani of the Abdus Salam International Centre
core papers also shows that international for Theoretical Physics has published two;
collaboration in this field is common, with many thus, different authors have provided an equal
of the core papers co-authored by researchers share (Table 11). However, there are four authors
in multiple countries. However, the institutions in the UK at different institutions and two
and countries producing these 14 core papers authors in Denmark who are both at the Danish
are all in Europe, which indicates the strength Meteorological Institute. Therefore, there are a
of European countries in RCM studies. Indeed, large number of active corresponding authors in
the establishment and optimization of climate this field, however, they are still concentrated in a
few countries and institutions in Europe.
Table 11: Top corresponding authors of the 14 core papers in the research front “Application of regional climate
models in the prediction of surface temperature and precipitation and studies on model optimization”
Core
Ranking Reprint Author Reprint Institution Country
Papers
Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical
1 Piani, C Italy 2
Physics
2 Best, MJ Met Office – UK UK 1
2 Boberg, F Danish Meteorological Institute Denmark 1
2 Christensen, JH Danish Meteorological Institute Denmark 1
2 Clark, DB Centre for Ecology & Hydrology UK 1
2 Deque, M Meteo France France 1
2 Fowler, HJ University of Newcastle UK 1
2 Haddeland, I Norwegian Water Resources & Energy Directorate Norway 1
2 Leander, R Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) Netherlands 1
2 Maraun, D Justus Liebig University Giessen Germany 1
2 Quesada, B University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines France 1
2 Themessl, MJ University of Graz Austria 1
2 Weedon, GP NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology UK 1
17RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
ANALYSIS OF THE
DEVELOPMENTAL STATUS OF
COUNTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS
A comparison between the top producing institutions in the top institutions producing citing
countries and institutions for citing articles, and articles. These results reflect that RCM studies
top producing countries and institutions for core show a trend of spreading from Europe to North
papers shows a significant difference. Although America and Oceania (Table 12). In the future,
the top producing countries for core papers do not RCM studies will be developed to acquire higher
include countries outside of Europe, the country spatial resolution, establish better regional
with the highest number of citing papers is the grid observation databases, and provide more
USA, with Canada and Australia ranking fifth and accurate simulations of spatial and temporal
sixth, respectively. In addition, Australia has two variability of ground climate processes. Thus,
this field has the potential to become a
promising research field.
Table 12: Top countries and institutions producing citing articles in the research front “Application of regional
climate models in the prediction of surface temperature and precipitation and studies on model optimization”
Country Citing Institution Citing
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking Papers
1 USA 138 22.3% 1 Max Planck Society (Germany) 37 6.0%
2 UK 137 22.1% 2 Met Office – UK (UK) 30 4.8%
3 Germany 107 17.3% 3 Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UK) 28 4.5%
4 Netherlands 75 12.1% 3 CSIRO (Australia) 28 4.5%
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
5 Canada 60 9.7% 5 24 3.9%
Zurich (Switzerland)
Wageningen University & Research
6 Australia 59 9.5% 6 22 3.5%
Centre (Netherlands)
7 France 56 9.0% 7 Deltares (Netherlands) 18 2.9%
8 Switzerland 40 6.5% 7 University of Oslo (Norway) 18 2.9%
9 Italy 38 6.1% 7 University of Reading (UK) 18 2.9%
10 Spain 32 5.2% 10 University of New South Wales (Australia) 17 2.7%
18RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
EMERGING RESEARCH FRONT –
“MODEL ANALYSIS OF NON-CO2
GREENHOUSE GASES, SUCH AS
OZONE, METHANE, AND BLACK
CARBON, AS WELL AS HYDROXYL
GROUPS AND ANTHROPOGENIC
SOURCES OF SULFUR DIOXIDE IN
THE ATMOSPHERE”
The simulation studies implemented in the and their Role in Climate, which is a sub-project
Coupled Model Intercomparison Project have of the World Climate Research Programme, the
provided valuable information resources for first workshop was held in 2009 to determine
research on climate sensitivity, historical climate, an optimized definition for the “Atmospheric
and climate predictions in the 4th assessment Chemistry and Climate Model Intercomparison
report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Project” (ACCMIP). The first and second ACCMIP
Change. However, different models include forums were held in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
completely different assumptions during the The ACCMIP will perform extensive evaluations
simulation of radioactive forcings, including of climate models and simulate tropospheric
assumptions on the physical process and ozone and aerosol to fully utilize the above
atmospheric components, especially aerosols measurement results. Under this project, studies
or gases other than CO2, which have not been analyzing models of non-CO2 greenhouse gases
thoroughly considered. In addition, biosphere- in the atmosphere, such as ozone, methane
related information must also be included in and black carbon, have rapidly developed,
the climate models. Furthermore, new types and atmospheric chemistry simulations and
of observation data related to atmospheric observation studies on aerosols, such as hydroxyl
chemistry may also help to deepen our groups, and anthropogenic sources of sulfur
understanding of chemistry and climate. dioxide, as well as their precursors, have been
promoted. Therefore, this field has become
Under the support of the International Global
an emerging research front in the field of
Atmospheric Chemistry project, which is a sub-
geosciences. At a country scale, the response of
project of the International Geosphere-Biosphere
the USA to this project has been the greatest, and
Programme, and the Atmospheric Chemistry and
the corresponding authors of six out of the nine
Climate research plan of Stratospheric Processes
core papers are working in research institutions in
the USA.
19RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
CLINICAL MEDICINE
HOT RESEARCH FRONT
DEVELOPMENTAL TREND OF THE TOP 10 RESEARCH FRONTS IN CLINICAL MEDICINE
Table 13: Top 10 research fronts in clinical medicine
Core Mean Year of Core
Rank Research Fronts (changed) Citations
Papers Papers
Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation for
1 19 1707 2011.7
resistant hypertension
Treatment and rapid diagnosis with XPERT MTB/RIF assay
2 for tuberculosis, mainly HIV-associated tuberculosis and 47 2907 2011.4
multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis
3 Transcatheter aortic valve implantation 47 6255 2011
Fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent Clostridium
4 35 3509 2011
difficile infection
Deep brain stimulation for treatment of Parkinson's
5 32 2521 2011
disease and resistant depression
Prostate cancer-associated mutations, gene fusions and
6 25 2443 2011
outcomes
Intensive insulin therapy and fluid resuscitation with
7 33 4876 2010.9
hydroxyethyl starch in critically ill patients
Clinical trials for immunotherapy of Systemic Lupus
8 24 2030 2010.9
Erythematosus
Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography of
9 27 1869 2010.9
the choroid
Relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia and
10 prostate cancer; drug therapy for lower urinary tract 22 1788 2010.9
symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia
Figure 4: Citing articles for the top 10 research fronts in clinical medicine
20RESEARCH FRONTS 2014 HOT RESEARCH FRONT — “INTENSIVE INSULIN THERAPY AND HYDROXYETHYL STARCH FLUID RESUSCITATION IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS” Influenced by hormone stress due to insulin The paper “Intensive Insulin Therapy and resistance and inflammatory factors, Pentastarch Resuscitation in Severe Sepsis,” hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients. published in volume 358 of New England Significant hyperglycemic conditions will cause Journal of Medicine in 2008 by Konrad Reinhart environmental disorders in the body, damage (corresponding author) of the University of cellular immune functions, and present many Jena, Germany, was selected as a core paper severe complications. Maintaining reasonable to represent this front. This paper has been control of the blood glucose levels of critically ill cited 984 times. It questioned the significance patients is one of the routine tasks in critical care of intensive insulin therapy for patients with medicine. In 2001, Van Den Berne and colleagues severe sepsis and the safety of HES 200/0.4 indicated that the standard blood glucose level fluid resuscitation treatment. Reinhart et al. to reduce the mortality of critically ill patients argued that, compared with conventional was 4.4-6.1 mmol/L (i.e., “the Leuven scheme”), insulin therapy, intensive insulin therapy did therefore, they were the first to propose the not reduce the mortality of patients. Rather, it concept of intensive insulin therapy to control significantly increased the risk of hypoglycemia blood glucose levels within 4.4-6.1 mmol/ (17.0 percent vs. 4.1 percent, P
RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
In 2011, Devan Kansagara and colleagues at critically ill patients underline the dominant
Oregon Health & Science University in the USA status of American research; on average, one in
published a systemic review of intensive insulin three core papers involves research institutions
therapy among hospitalized patients. This article and researchers in the U.S. (Table 14). Australia,
was selected as a core paper representing this Canada, Germany, and the UK have also made
front. In this review, the authors performed prominent contributions to the research in this
a meta-analysis of 21 trials in the ICU or field, commensurate with the medical research
perioperative care involving myocardial infarction, strength of these countries. Four Australian
stroke, or brain injury. They found that intensive institutions occupy the top producing institutions
insulin therapy did not improve short-term of core papers, which demonstrates that these
mortality, long-term mortality, infection rates, institutions have continuously maintained a high
length of stay, or the need for renal replacement degree of focus on this front.
therapy. The data of 10 trials showed that the risk
The corresponding authors of the 33 core papers
for severe hypoglycemia increased six-fold.
listed in this hot research front are located
In light of the above research regarding throughout Europe, America, Australia, East Asia,
intensive insulin therapy, Annals of Internal and South Africa (Table 15). This distribution
Medicine published clinical practice guidelines shows that the studies in this field have already
regarding use of intensive insulin therapy among concerned the majority of the world (Table 15).
hospitalized patients issued by the American The degree of attention in Europe is the highest;
College of Physicians (ACP) on February 15, 2011. 21 of the corresponding authors are European.
These guidelines recommend against "using
Five of the first six countries in the top producing
intensive insulin therapy to control blood glucose
citing papers in those research front countries
in non-surgical ICU (SICU)/medical ICU (MICU)
(Table 16) match the countries producing core
patients” and “using intensive insulin therapy to
papers (Table 14). This result shows that the
normalize blood glucose in SICU/MICU patients."
USA, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Australia
These guidelines were selected as a core paper
are the leading research locations for this front.
representing this front. Amir Qaseem, director of
The number of citing articles from the USA is
the Department of Clinical Policy at ACP, was the
the largest and far more than the number of
corresponding author (Table 15).
citing articles from other countries; this result
The ACP guidelines slowed the previously is commensurate with the world-class medical
prevalent use of intensive insulin therapy among research level of the USA. In addition, special
critically ill patients. Since then, no intensive attention should be paid to the University of
insulin therapy articles have been selected as Amsterdam. The number of its citing articles
core papers in this front. accounts for almost half of those in the
Netherlands (52/113=46.02%). This result shows
The hot research front studies included in the
that the University of Amsterdam produced many
discussion of intensive insulin therapy and
papers related to this topic and has a strong
hydroxyethyl starch fluid resuscitation among
domestic and international profile.
Table 14: Top countries and institutions producing the 33 core papers in the research front “Intensive insulin
therapy and HES fluid resuscitation among critically ill patients”
Country Core Institution Core
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking Papers
1 USA 12 36.4% 1 University of Sydney (Australia) 5 15.2%
Royal North Shore Hospital
2 Australia 7 21.2% 2 4 12.1%
(Australia)
3 Canada 6 18.2% 3 Austin Hospital (Australia) 3 9.1%
Saint George Hospital
4 Germany 5 15.2% 3 3 9.1%
(Australia)
4 UK 5 15.2% 3 University of Pittsburgh (USA) 3 9.1%
Friedrich Schiller University of
3 3 9.1%
Jena (Germany)
3
22 cn-healthcare.com/news/qianyan/2013-06-03/content_424539.htmlRESEARCH FRONTS 2014
Table 15: Top corresponding authors of the 33 core papers in the research front “Intensive insulin therapy and HES
fluid resuscitation among critically ill patients”
Ranking Reprint Author Reprint Institution Country Core Papers
1 Reinhart, K Friedrich Schiller University of Jena Germany 3
2 Shaw, AD Duke University USA 2
2 Gattas, DJ University of Sydney Australia 2
3 Zarychanski, R University of Manitoba Canada 1
King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University
4 Arabi, YM Saudi Arabia 1
for Health Science
4 Bellomo, R Austin Health Australia 1
4 Griesdale, DEG University of British Columbia Canada 1
4 Guidet, B HÔpital Saint-Antoine France 1
4 Haase, N University of Copenhagen Denmark 1
4 Hermanides, J University of Amsterdam Netherlands 1
4 James, MFM University of Cape Town South Africa 1
4 Kansagara, D Oregon Health & Science University USA 1
4 Krinsley, JS Columbia University USA 1
4 Lobo, DN University of Nottingham UK 1
4 Marik, PE Eastern Virginia Medical School USA 1
Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de
4 Martin, C France 1
Marseille
4 Moghissi, ES Marina Del Rey Hospital USA 1
4 Myburgh, JA University of Sydney Australia 1
The Imperial College of Science,
4 Patel, A UK 1
Technology and Medicine
4 Perel, P University of London UK 1
4 Perner, A University of Copenhagen Denmark 1
4 Preiser, JC University of Liege Belgium 1
4 Qaseem, A American College of Physicians USA 1
4 Spies, C Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin Germany 1
4 Van den Berghe, G Catholic University of Louvain Belgium 1
University of California at San
4 Weiskopf, RB USA 1
Francisco
Medical Centre, Department of
4 Wiener, RS USA 1
Veterans Affairs, US
4 Zarychanski, R University of Manitoba Canada 1
23RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
EMERGING RESEARCH
FRONT – “DRUG PREVENTION
OF RECURRENT VENOUS
THROMBOSIS”
Venous thromboembolism refers to a group of Only four core papers exist in the emerging
diseases associated with poor blood recirculation front of the drug prevention of recurrent venous
caused by abnormal coagulation and embolism thrombosis. The University of Perugia in Italy
in the venous lumen; these diseases primarily has shown excellent performance in this front,
include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary contributing two of the publications. Four core
embolism. Venous thromboembolism is one of papers have investigated the effects of recurrent
the three major causes of cardiovascular disease thrombosis on prevention using the anti-platelet
mortality. After the occurrence of thrombosis, aggregation inhibitor aspirin and the new types
the risk for rethrombosis increases, therefore, of oral anti-coagulants apixaban and dabigatran.
this condition requires long-term medication. These papers indicate that the pharmacological
Venous thrombosis is typically treated with actions of all three drugs were safe and did not
conventional anticoagulant drugs. The duration require routine anticoagulation monitoring. These
of anticoagulant therapy recommended by the medications reduced the risk for recurrent venous
American Association for Thoracic Surgery is thrombosis and did not increase the incidence of
more than three months. However, long-term bleeding events. They can be used as preventive
anticoagulant therapies increase the risk of medications for recurrent venous thrombosis.
bleeding and require continuous monitoring as
well as the adjustment of medication dosages.
Indefinite anticoagulant therapy is not the best
choice. The medication associated with the
continuous treatment period after anticoagulant
therapy is an important issue in the prevention
and treatment of venous thrombosis.
Table 16: Top countries and institutions producing citing papers in the research front “Intensive insulin therapy
and HES fluid resuscitation in critically ill patients”
Country Citing Institution Citing
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
ranking Papers Ranking Papers
1 USA 716 41.9% 1 Harvard University (USA) 64 3.7%
University of Amsterdam
2 Germany 190 11.1% 2 52 3.0%
(Netherlands)
3 UK 167 9.8% 3 University of Toronto (Canada) 47 2.8%
Friedrich Schiller University of
4 Canada 141 8.3% 4 44 2.6%
Jena (Germany)
5 Belgium 121 7.1% 4 Emory University (USA) 44 2.6%
6 Australia 119 7.0% 6 Mayo Clinic (USA) 37 2.2%
7 Netherlands 113 6.6% 7 University of Pittsburgh (USA) 36 2.1%
University of Sydney
8 France 94 5.5% 7 36 2.1%
(Australia)
Université Libre de Brussels
9 Italy 85 5.0% 9 34 2.0%
(Belgium)
10 Switzerland 61 3.6% 10 McMaster University (Canada) 33 1.9%
24RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
HOT RESEARCH FRONT
DEVELOPMENTAL TREND OF THE TOP 10 RESEARCH
FRONTS IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Table 17: Top 10 research fronts in biological sciences
Core Mean Year of
Rank Research Fronts (changed) Citations
Papers Core Papers
C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion and
1 frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral 37 2285 2012.2
sclerosis
In vivo imaging and mapping of neurons using
2 48 2657 2011.8
fluorescent indicator
Damage and detection of synthetic cannabinoids and
3 39 1442 2011.6
cathinone derivatives in herbal products
4 Dendritic cell, macrophages and immunotherapy 18 1676 2011.3
Human disease analysis using genome-wide
5 13 3492 2011.1
association studies
Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into neurons and
6 15 3009 2011.1
cardiomyocytes
Signaling pathways of sensor proteins in the immune
7 36 4870 2011
system
Genome editing technology—transcription activator-
8 18 2098 2011
like effectors nuclease (TALEN)
9 Melatonin and oxidative stress 20 1915 2011
10 Rapid antidepressive action of ketamine 21 1798 2011
Figure 5: Citing articles for the top 10 research fronts in biological sciences
25RESEARCH FRONTS 2014
HOT RESEARCH FRONT — 1.2.1 ANALYSIS OF THE ACTIVE
“HUMAN DISEASES ANALYSIS STATUS OF COUNTRIES AND
USING GENOME-WIDE INSTITUTIONS
ASSOCIATION STUDIES” Australia and the USA are the most active
A genome-wide association study (GWAS) is countries in this important hot research front;
a high-throughput method for analyzing the they are the major producers of core papers. Of
relationship between molecular markers and the 13 core papers listed in Table 18, Australia and
phenotypes that primarily uses the molecular the USA each have nine papers, which accounts
markers (mainly single nucleotide polymorphisms for 69.2 percent of all core papers. Of the top
[SNPs]) that are distributed throughout the entire institutions with core papers, three institutions are
genome and statistical tools to identify and in Australia: the Queensland Institute of Medical
analyze the genetic variations that affect complex Research, the University of Melbourne, and the
traits. GWAS is currently being applied to analyze Australian Department of Primary Industries;
complex traits such as human diseases, which their corresponding core papers account for 69.2,
are controlled by multiple genes. This area of 53.8 and 46.2 percent of all papers, respectively.
research has already identified many relevant Harvard University and Washington University
genetic variations, and GWAS has become a key at St. Louis also rank in the top, and their core
tool in studying human genomics. The papers in papers account for 46.2 and 38.5 percent of all
this research front have primarily investigated papers, respectively.
and studied GWAS methods as well as the
relevant analytic tools and software from the
perspective of genetic statistics. These papers
have aimed to detect more new SNPs associated
with complex traits, including height, intelligence,
and diseases, with low cost and high efficiency.
Furthermore, they seek to resolve issues such as
“missing heritability,” which occur in the analytic
process of GWAS.
Table 18: Top countries and institutions producing the 13 core papers in the research front “Human diseases
analysis using genome-wide association studies”
Country Core Institution Core
Country Proportion Institution Proportion
Ranking Papers Ranking Papers
Queensland Institute of
1 Australia 9 69.2% 1 9 69.2%
Medical Research (Australia)
University of Melbourne
1 USA 9 69.2% 2 7 53.8%
(Australia)
3 UK 7 53.8% 3 Harvard University (USA) 6 46.2%
Department of Environment
4 Iceland 4 30.8% 3 and Primary Industry 6 46.2%
(Australia)
Washington University at St.
4 Sweden 4 30.8% 5 5 38.5%
Louis (USA)
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