‘It’s our moonshot’: Why scientists are drilling into volcanos
Getty ImagesI’m in one of the world’s volcanic hotspots, northeast Iceland, near the Krafla volcano.
Scientists reveal how sperm and egg connect like a key in a lock
How a sperm and an egg fuse together has long been a mystery.New research by scientists in Austria provides tantalising clues, showing fertilisation works like a lock and key across the animal kingdom, from fish to people.”We discovered this mechanism that’s really fundamental across all vertebrates as far as we can tell,” said co-author Andrea Pauli at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology in Vienna.The team found that three proteins on the sperm join to form a sort of key that unlocks the egg, allowing the sperm to attach. Their findings, drawn from studies in zebrafish, mice, and human cells, show how this process has persisted over millions of years of evolution. Results were published in the journal Cell.ADVERTISEMENTScientists had previously known about two proteins, one on the surface of the sperm and another on the egg’s membrane. Working with international collaborators, Pauli’s lab used Google DeepMind’s artificial intelligence tool AlphaFold — whose developers were awarded a Nobel Prize earlier this month — to help them identify a new protein that allows the first molecular connection between sperm and egg. They also demonstrated how it functions in living things.It wasn’t previously known how the proteins “worked together as a team in order to allow sperm and egg to recognise each other”, Pauli said.Scientists still don’t know how the sperm actually gets inside the egg after it attaches and hope to delve into that next.Eventually, Pauli said, such work could help other scientists understand infertility better or develop new birth control methods.The work provides targets for the development of male contraceptives in particular, said David Greenstein, a genetics and cell biology expert at the University of Minnesota who was not involved in the study.The latest study “also underscores the importance of this year’s Nobel Prize in chemistry”, he said in an email.ADVERTISEMENT
NIST Scientists Use DNA Origami on a Chip to Detect Biomolecules
NIST Scientists Use DNA Origami on a Chip to Detect Biomolecules – Science News Today – EIN Presswire
Biden names UMaine president to National Science Board
University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy will join the board that governs the National Science Foundation. She is one of eight new members President Biden appointed to the prestigious National Science Board this week.
Ferrini-Mundy has been the UMaine president since 2018. She is also the University of Maine System’s first vice chancellor for research and innovation, the university said in a statement announcing her appointment Thursday. Her research focuses on topics like calculus learning and STEM education policy. Ferrini-Mundy previously worked in faculty and administrative roles at Michigan State University and the University of New Hampshire.
UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science, research and engineering with a budget of more than $9 billion. The foundation supports about 25% of all federal support for basic research conducted at American colleges and universities, the statement said. The National Science Board oversees the foundation, and advises Congress and the president on matters of science and engineering policy. Its 24 members are leaders in academia and government, often university presidents, and serve six-year terms.
“I am greatly honored by this appointment,” Ferrini-Mundy said. “The board and (National Science Foundation) have played a pivotal role for decades in advancing our nation’s policy, economic and educational interests through investment in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and STEM education. All of those areas are critical to the quality and preparedness of the American workforce and for maintaining our national infrastructure, innovative leadership and competitiveness.”
University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy nominated Ferrini-Mundy to the board.
“Throughout her distinguished career, she has elevated excellence in science and engineering and in doing so, enhanced the lives of countless Americans and our country’s innovation economy and global competitiveness,” he said.
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Scientists Dissect Dugong Poo For DNA Clues
James Cook University TropWATER scientists are unlocking vital clues about the diets of globally endangered dugongs by studying the DNA found in an unusual source – dugong poo.Seagrass is the main food source for dugongs, but as these meadows come under increasing threat, this research could be key to uncovering what other foods these sea cows consume when seagrass is scarce.The JCU research team will collect around 20 dugong poo samples for DNA analysis across 350 square kilometres of seagrass meadows in the Townsville region, which is home to a thriving dugong population.JCU TropWATER’s Dr Samantha Tol said it’s unclear if dugongs seek out or avoid certain animals – like sea cucumbers, sea squirts and sponges – within seagrass meadows.“Dugong poo comes in different shapes, sizes, and consistencies – so we know they are eating more than just seagrass, but we don’t know what they are eating,” she said.“By analysing the DNA of marine species found in dugong poo, we’re solving a puzzle of their diet.”It’s estimated that dugongs eat around 40 kilograms of seagrass each day, but Dr Tol said this research will determine if other marine animals are important to their diet.“If a seagrass meadow dies back, it may impact the small animals living there, like sea cucumbers and sea squirts,” she said.“Looking at what dugongs eat in seagrass meadows, like those in Townsville, could improve our understanding of what makes seagrass habitat most beneficial to this iconic megafauna.”Analysing the DNA inside poo is a novel and largely unexplored approach. The findings will draw on TropWATER’s 18 year seagrass monitoring program, with both projects funded by the Port of Townsville.TropWATER seagrass expert Skye McKenna said their team surveys over 350 square kilometres of seagrass meadows.“The Townsville region has a high diversity of seagrass, with up to 10 seagrass species,” she said.“During these surveys, we monitor seagrass health, identify seagrass species, and record other marine life like sponges, coral, and algae. This gives us an idea of what bottom dwelling species live in these habitats.“We’ll compare the species found in dugong poo with those recorded in our surveys to understand if dugongs prefer or avoid certain marine species.”Dr Tol said the research uses non-intrusive methods to study the dugong diet – without disturbing these shy, endangered marine mammals.“This is a new way of exploring their diet and seagrass habitats,” Dr Tol said.“While our sample size is small, with more support, we could expand this research and gain a clearer picture of dugong diets across a wider area and answer key questions about what makes seagrass habitat most beneficial to dugongs.”This research will also help understand how dugongs adapt to changes in seagrass availability, guiding efforts to protect both the dugongs and their seagrass habitats.This research is funded by the Port of Townsville’s 2024 Community Fund.JCU TropWATER conducts extensive research on seagrass and dugongs across Northern Australia, using innovative technologies like drones, environmental DNA and dugong tagging. The team works with Indigenous communities, industries, and governments to develop science-based solutions for managing these vital ecosystems and marine species. Source & references /Public Release. View in full here.
ANSTO’s participation in 68th IAEA General Conference in Vienna advances international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology
ANSTO joined the Australian delegation at the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) last month in Vienna, participating in a number of insightful side-events and fruitful bilateral partnership meetings. (left to right) Gillian Hirth (CEO ARPANSA), HE Ambassador Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the United Nations Ian Biggs, Dr Andrew Peele and Sam Usher (CEO ARWA) (standing) ANSTO joined representatives from Australian nuclear agencies at the conference. Dr Andrew Peele (fifth form left) and Natascha Spark (first on right) contributed to the RCA meeting and conference Delegates from the Australian Safeguards Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO), the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Australian Radiation Waste Agency (ARWA) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also joined the Australian delegation. Australia’s delegation at the General Conference was headed by H.E Ambassador Ian Biggs, Head of Resident Representative of Australia to the IAEA.Just prior to the General Conference, Senior Manager International Affairs, Natascha Spark attended the Regional Cooperative Agreement for Research, Development and Training Related to Nuclear Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific (RCA) 53rd General Conference Meeting (GCM), where she is an active member of the Chairs CommitteeThe RCA is a Treaty level agreement between 22 countries in Asia and the Pacific under the auspices of the IAEA. The RCA technical collaboration partnerships deliver n social and economic impact, making our region more secure, connected and prosperous. Natascha Spark highlighted social and economic change through the RCA regional technical cooperation program, Natascha also was a panel speaker at an RCA side-event during the General Conference , where she presented on our region’s collective success in supporting social and economic change through the RCA regional technical cooperation program, with a focus on human health, food security and gender equity.ANSTO’s Group Executive for Nuclear Science and Technology Dr Andrew Peele delivered a presentation on ANSTO’s innovative food traceability research at the Scientific Forum 2024, held alongside the General Conference. This research is being shared with collaborators in the Asia Pacific region through the Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia (FNCA).“It was heartening to see a great deal of interest in ANSTO’s regional efforts to combat food fraud, support food security and sustainability through our innovative approach to food provenance,” said Dr Peele.A rigorous schedule of bilateral meetings also took place with ANSTO including discussions with executives of the IAEA and international partners such as CNEA and INVAP (Argentina), JAEA (Japan), BRIN (Indonesia), The Philippines, Malaysian Nuclear Agency, TINT (Thailand) and CEA (France), and many others. Delegation meetings included discussions with the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) (left) and the Indonesian National research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) (right) ANSTO, alongside the Australian Resident Representative to the IAEA and other nuclear agencies, met with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and provided an update on ANSTO’s domestic nuclear science and technology priorities and activities. ANSTO also met with Deputy Directors General Najat Mokhtar and Hua Liu – Heads of the Department of Nuclear Science and Technology and Technical Cooperation, to discuss ways to further ANSTO’s strong, sustained, cooperation with the IAEA, including to support research and capability development in Asia and the Pacific. (left to right) Dr Andrew Peele, Natascha Spark, Counsellor Marina Francis and Jonathan Lee (DFAT) ANSTO, through its Counsellor (Nuclear) at the Australian Embassy and Permanent Mission to the UN, also participated in the policy discussions of the General Conference and engaged in ongoing negotiations of IAEA resolutions on nuclear security, nuclear safety, nuclear applications and technical cooperation. These were all adopted by consensus and are expected to shape the work of the IAEA over the coming year. Source & references /Public Release. View in full here.
Environmental scientist gives insight to the impact of Indigenous sciences
David Castañeda Jessica Hernandez visited the NMSU campus to talk about her book “Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Sciences” on Sept. 17, 2024.
Jessica Hernandez, a climate justice and land rights advocate and author of “Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science,” visited New Mexico State University on Sept. 17. She hosted a book-signing and speaking event to highlight how integrating Indigenous sciences into modern frameworks could make science more inclusive and beneficial.
The author was hosted by NMSU’s Latin American Programs and American Indian Programs as a part of their celebration of Latinx culture during Hispanic Heritage Month Latin American Programs Director Rio López gave insight as to why this book signing was included in Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Indigenous sciences are significant to Hispanic Heritage Month and Latin American programs, as they illuminate the rich tapestry of cultural heritage that has often been overlooked or marginalized due to xenophobic and racist histories in Latin America and the U.S,” Rio said. “… By recognizing and celebrating indigenous sciences, we not only center the wisdom of these communities but also challenge the narratives that have historically oppressed them, fostering a more inclusive understanding of Latin American history that values all voices and perspectives.”
As an Indigenous scientist and advocate, Hernandez explained how she draws from her own roots and experiences to weave a narrative that emphasizes the importance of integrating traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific practices.
Jessica Hernandez signed her book for attendees on Sept. 17, 2024. (David Castañeda)
“… I want this book to help facilitate discussions of the importance; of not only uplifting, but also centering Indigenous peoples in discussions about conservation, restoration, environmental sciences, and anything that interconnects with our environments,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez clarified to the audience that this is her first year working in her career, where she has had the opportunity to work in Africa with native and tribal clans on the continent.
“It’s important to note that as indigenous peoples, we’re not monolithic groups. So, there’s a lot of differences, especially given our indigeneity or indigenous identity is placed-based right? So, I acknowledge the business peoples of this beautiful state, now called New Mexico, especially given that our knowledge systems and indigenous sciences varies from place to place, and also one indigenous person cannot speak for indigenous peoples,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez went on to explain how she comes from a community that has experienced genocide. She said that her father survived this genocide at 12 years old and discussed how it is still currently claiming lives. She believes it is important to acknowledge what is happening in the world to other Native peoples — from Palestine to Yemen to the Republic of Congo — as someone who has heard about genocide from a first-hand account and who aims to build global indigenous solidarity.
Hernandez listens to an audience member while they ask a question. Sept. 17, 2024. (David Castañeda)
Hernandez also talked about how being an Indigenous woman has created conflict in her life, but she expressed that her desire is to empower the next generation of Indigenous youth and the growth of her community in general.
“We are not myths of the past, ruins in the jungle, or zoos. We are people and we want to be respected, not to be victims of intolerance and racism,” Hernandez said. She remarked that these words embody the lessons others should pass on to future generations.
She went on to highlight her work on Indigenous land rights and climate displacement. The discussion also covered the challenges and opportunities in incorporating Indigenous sciences into Western frameworks, the need for global Indigenous unity, and the role of Indigenous communities in addressing climate change.
“We’re still fighting for climate justice, and not just for ourselves, right, but for the entire planet, as whatever impacts our earth also impacts all of its inhabitants,” Hernandez said.
Curious Scientist Takes a New Approach to Breadboard Power Supplies with a USB PD “Decoy” Board
Pseudonymous maker “Curious Scientist” has designed a power supply for breadboard projects, which is based on a USB Power Delivery “decoy” system to deliver on the demands of high-power circuits.”My aim is to introduce a different approach to the breadboard power supplies,” Curious Scientist explains. “The devices I have encountered so far are based on the same 5V and 3.3 LDO [Low Drop-Out] regulators (typically, AMS1117), they have a limited input voltage, and usually, the high voltage that goes to the LDOs is not accessible on the boards. Sometimes they don’t even have a simple fuse on the LDO’s output to protect the circuit from overcurrent which is being powered from the supply board.”A USB Power Delivery “decoy” circuit delivers a better breadboard power supply, its creator claims. (📹: Curious Scientist)Curious Scientist, then, wanted a similar power board design — one that connects to the power rails of a standard solderless breadboard to minimize wiring — that didn’t rely on LDOs. The solution: USB Power Delivery (PD), to take advantage of the ubiquity of compatible power supplies. The only problem, of course, is that in order to use a USB Power Delivery power supply to its full potential, you need to negotiate for more than the default 500mA at 5V you get by just connecting up a straight cable — which is where the “decoy” circuit comes in.”The board is powered via a USB [Type]-C cable which is connected to a PD-capable USB charger,” Curious Scientist explains. “The voltage requested from the USB charger can be set by a 3-position DIP switch. It can be 5V, 9V, 12V, 15V and 20V,” and is then stepped down to 3.3V or 5V. “We [can also] tap into the USB voltage (VUSB trace) and supply it to something power-hungry, such as a motor driver or a larger display.”The negotiated voltage is available directly on a “VUSB” screw terminal, for high-power devices. (📷: Curious Scientist)”Let’s say we use a 5V microcontroller and connect a bunch of sensors and a display to it,” Curious Scientist continues, “so the total power consumption is 1A at 5V or 5W. We still have 25 or so Watts available on the USB (assuming we use the IKEA charger and we requested 12V). We can add a NEMA 17 stepper motor to the project and use it properly. Or, we can add a servo motor and supply it from the breadboard power supply’s screw terminal specifically made for this purpose.”The project is documented in full on Curious Scientist’s website, with the board design files uploaded to PCBWay; additional information is available in the video embedded above and on the maker’s YouTube channel.
R.I. Life Science Hub board has offered someone the job of president and CEO
The board of directors for Rhode Island’s new life science agency has picked a prospective full-time leader— but they’re not saying who until the offer is accepted and the contract is finalized.
The Rhode Island Life Science Hub board’s unanimous vote Thursday to make an offer to a candidate for agency president and CEO came after a seven-hour, closed-door meeting.
The search drew 320 applicants, winnowed to three finalists who were interviewed on Thursday, according to information provided by Jillian Scott, an agency spokesperson.
Finding a full-time, paid leader to head the nascent agency — complementing its 15-member, volunteer board — has been a top priority since the board began meeting in January, though the search has taken longer than initially expected. In June, the board agreed to hire a former board member, Patrice Milos, to serve as interim president for a three-month contract until a permanent president was found.
The board’s choice for president must also be reviewed and confirmed by the Rhode Island Senate, per the terms of the 2023 state law that created it. The Rhode Island General Assembly is slated to reconvene in January.
David Preston, another agency spokesperson, would not say when contract negotiations with the candidate chosen by the board will be finalized. A second candidate has also been identified if the board’s first choice declines the offer, Neil Steinberg, board chairman, said at the close of the meeting.
Terms of the contract, including salary, are not being disclosed at this time. Initial estimates by consulting firm Korn Ferry, which was hired to help with the nationwide search for a president, pegged the pay at $250,000 to $400,000 per year.
The state’s fiscal 2024 spending plan included $45 million for the new life science agency, with the goal of helping put Rhode Island on the map as a hotspot for industry innovation and development.
Earlier this month, the board approved a tentative, $10 million agreement with various public and private agencies for a dedicated wet lab incubator within the new state health lab being built in the I-195 Redevelopment District. The contract, subject to a final approval, puts developer Ancora L&G in charge of operating a 30,000-square-foot laboratory within building space already leased by Brown University.
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A US-China science pact has expired after 45 years. How is the world poorer for it?
Even before the STA lapsed, US-China scientific cooperations were already heading towards troubled waters as geopolitical tensions escalated, say analysts.Dr Reyes said US-China scientific partnerships have generally declined and entered what he described as a “cold-storage period”.
Research findings bear this out. The proportion of Sino-American joint publications, relative to US research alone, peaked at 13.9 per cent in 2019 before dropping to 11.7 per cent in 2023, according to a paper published in February this year by Professor Tang Li from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University.
Similarly, the share of US-China collaborative research compared to all Chinese articles saw a sharp decline, falling from 12.2 per cent in 2017 to 5.7 per cent in 2023.
This overall trend had already been spotlighted in another research paper, co-published in February 2022 by professors at Ohio State University in the US and Yangzhou University in China.
“The drop in China-USA cooperation can be seen beginning in 2019, before the (COVID-19) pandemic … the patterns suggest that political tensions, more than the pandemic, influenced the drop in China-US cooperation,” the paper stated.
A trigger point came in 2018 when the Trump administration in the US launched the so-called China Initiative, say analysts. The programme targeted scientists suspected of connections to Beijing, probing potential breaches of national security related to leaks of sensitive scientific information.
A 2022 study by lawyer and law professor Andrew Chongseh Kim revealed that cases involving Chinese professors under the Economic Espionage Act were more likely to be publicised and met with harsher punishments compared to non-Asians.
The study also found that up to one in three Asian scientists were falsely accused, with charges either being dropped before trial or dismissed by juries and judges due to lack of evidence.
The China Initiative was officially ended by the Biden administration in early 2022. A senior US Justice Department official stated the focus on China had been “too narrow”, and the new approach would be a broader, “threat-driven” strategy targeting Russia, Iran and North Korea as well.
Still, analysts say there has been a lingering impact. HKU’s Dr Reyes told CNA that based on his interactions with academics in the US and globally, universities over the past two years have been extra careful to avoid running afoul of the law when it comes to collaborations involving Chinese scientists.
“It’s a difficult position for institutions,” he said, “because nearly every field of research could potentially be viewed as a legal risk or repurposed by China for hostile use.”
A study published by the Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions in July revealed that the number of Chinese-born scientists leaving the US has surged by 75 per cent since the launch of the China Initiative, with two-thirds of them moving to China.
The federal government is the largest single source of funding for basic research in the US. However, the study found that 45 per cent of researchers with federal grants prefer to avoid applying for them.
Among this group, 84 per cent cited concerns about potential legal liability due to errors in forms and disclosures, while 65 per cent expressed worries that their collaborations with Chinese researchers or institutions might place them under suspicion.