As healthcare facilities grapple with personal protective equipment shortages, West Virginia University researchers are going against the grain to help with an earthy, unorthodox resource: wood. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gloria Oporto, associate professor of wood science and technology, had researched woody biomass for food packaging and pharmacy novel applications. Woody biomass are timber-derived products that can be converted to energy through combustion or gasification. Oporto would grow increasingly concerned about reports of the lack of PPE for medical professionals, sparking the question, “Why can’t we use renewable materials, such as wood derivatives to supplement the PPE?” She then reached out ...
Read MoreHow can a company improve financial performance by 40 percent without an increase in spending? According to recent studies, promoting or hiring women into strategic decision making roles boosts business profitability and success. In a 2016 study of Fortune 500 companies, businesses with at least three female directors had a 40 percent higher return on capital, sales and return on equity compared to less-diverse companies. The research revealed a direct relationship between the diversity of a company’s top management team and competitive performance. A recent study reported by Forbes found: Diverse teams made decisions twice as fast with half the meetings. Decisions made ...
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