Editor’s note

Welcome to NatureVolve issue 7

We

are pleased to share issue 7 with you; sharing the ideas of both scientists and creatives, to achieve our common goal in bridging science and art.

We will aim the lense on the coronavirus pandemic, science inspired crafts and marine conservation. Exploring how education and research adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic, researchers and creatives share their own stories from this year.

As institutions have been forced to change in the face of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, our education platforms have changed. Online learning is becoming the new normal, so here, we share a new virtual learning concept.

Outside of work, households have faced their own unique challenges during lockdowns. Those living alone face a different set of obstacles, but there can be positives, as eloquently explained by The Living Well Alone project.

The pandemic has sped up the peer-review process for numerous medical journals, as coronavirus studies are going through a newly introduced process called ‘rapid peer-review’. We take a look at one of these rapidly published studies that reveals personal challenges faced by Covid-19 health workers. First, we dive into the discussion around the origin of Covid-19.

With a special marine conservation theme, we also have fascinating facts to present about the nautilus and narwhals as they face a threat to their conservation.

Researchers and artists alike have immersed themselves in their craft during lockdowns this year. Here you can check out ‘brainy’ fiber art, vivid biology illustrations, plus a dynamic dinosuar comic, where you can follow an enclosed worksheet to try your hand at paleoart!