Scientists warn of the social and environmental risks tied to the energy transition

A new international study by the ICTA-UAB and the McGill University (Canada)

 maps resistance movements' associated with green energy and fossil fuel projects

UNIVERSITAT AUTONOMA DE BARCELONA

Research News

 

IMAGE: DEMONSTRATION AGAINST HYDROPOWER UTILITY IN WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA (NOV 2019). view more 

CREDIT: DANIELA DEL BENE

To meet the most ambitious 1.5º C climate goal requires a rapid phaseout of fossil fuels and mass use of renewables. However, new international research by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) warns that green energy projects can be as socially and environmentally conflictive as fossil fuel projects. While renewable energies are often portrayed as being environmentally sustainable, this new study cautions about the risks associated with the green energy transition, arguing for an integrated approach that redesigns energy systems in favor of social equity and environmental sustainability. The research, which analyzes protests over 649 energy projects, has been recently published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

The study, authored by an international group of researchers with a large presence of the ICTA-UAB and led by Dr. Leah Temper, from McGill University, draws on data from the Global Atlas of Environmental Justice (EJAtlas), an online database by ICTA-UAB that systematizes over 3000 ecological conflicts. The research examines what energy projects are triggering citizen mobilizations, the concerns being expressed as well as how different groups are impacted, and the success of these movements in stopping and modifying projects.

The study finds that conflicts over energy projects disproportionately impact rural and indigenous communities and that violence and repression against protesters was rife, with assassination of activists occurring in 65 cases, or 1 out of 10 cases studied. However, the study also points to the effectiveness of social protest in stopping and modifying energy projects, finding that over a quarter of projects facing social resistance turn out to be either cancelled, suspended, or delayed. Furthermore, it highlights how communities engage in collective action as a means of shaping energy futures and make claims for localization, democratic participation, shorter energy chains, anti-racism, climate-justice-focused governance, and Indigenous leadership.

According to Dr. Temper, "the study shows that the switch from fossil fuels to green energy is not inherently socially and environmentally benign and demonstrates how communities are standing up to demand a say in energy systems that works for them. These results call for action to ensure that the costs of decarbonization of our energy system do not fall on the most vulnerable members of our society." The study urges climate and energy policymakers to pay closer attention to the demands of collective movements to meaningfully address climate change and to move towards a truly just transition.

The study finds that amongst low-carbon energy projects, hydropower is the most socially and environmentally damag-ing, leading to mass displacement and high rates of violence. Out of the 160 cases of hydropower plants from 43 coun-tries studied, almost 85% of the cases are either high or medium intensity. Indigenous peoples are particularly at risk and are involved in 6 out of 10 cases. Co-author Dr. Daniela Del Bene, from ICTA-UAB, urges caution around large-scale renewables. "The case of hydropower dams shows that even less carbon-emitting technologies can cause severe im-pacts and lead to intense conflicts, including violence and assassinations of opponents. The energy transition is not only a matter of what technology or energy source to use but also of who controls and decides upon our energy systems", she says.

On the other hand, wind, solar, and geothermal renewable energy projects, were the least conflictive and involved lower levels of repression than other projects.

According to co-author Sofia Avila, "conflicts around mega wind and solar power infrastructures are not about "blocking" climate solutions but rather about "opening" political spaces to build equitable approaches towards a low-carbon future. For example, in Mexico, long-lasting claims of injustice around an ambitious Wind Power Corridor in Oaxaca has spearheaded citizen debates around a just transition, while different proposals for cooperative and decentralized energy production schemes are emerging in the country."

According to Prof. Nicolas Kosoy, from McGill University, "participation and inclusiveness are key to resolving our socio-environmental crises. Both green and brown energy projects can lead to ecological devastation and social exclusion if local communities and ecosystems rights continue to be trampled upon."

The study argues that place-based mobilizations can point the way towards responding to the climate crisis while tackling underlying societal problems such as racism, gender inequality, and colonialism. According to Dr. Temper, addressing the climate crisis calls for more than a blind switch to renewables. Demand-side reduction is necessary but this needs to work in tandem with supply side approaches such as moratoria, and leaving fossil fuels in the ground are necessary. "Equity concerns need to be foremost in deciding on unminable and unburnable sites. Instead of creating new fossil fuel and green sacrifices zones, there is a need to engage these communities in redesigning just energy futures", she says.

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During the coronavirus pandemic, radio has proved to be the medium of reference

So affirms an article by the researchers Emma Rodero and María Blanco-Hernández, in which they demonstrate the influence of radio in crisis situations and especially during the COVID-19 epidemic

UNIVERSITAT POMPEU FABRA - BARCELONA

Research News

 

Radio has always proved to be a medium that adapts easily to crisis situations. Throughout history, at times of major natural disasters and health emergencies, radio has played a leading role thanks to the fact that is the most universal, simplest and most accessible of media.

In the current crisis caused by covid-19, radio has again stood out as being an essential medium to stay informed, according to the study by Rodero (2020). The results indicate that radio is the medium that scores highest for its treatment of information about the pandemic.

The main goal of a recent article published in Index.comunicación by Emma Rodero, director of the UPF Media Psychology Lab at the Department of Communication, and María Blanco-Hernández, a researcher at the International University of La Rioja, was to demonstrate the influence of radio in crisis situations and describe the main initiatives that the medium is implementing relating to covid-19.

Thus, the authors have conducted a review of the state of affairs that has revealed the importance of radio in such situations. In addition, a detailed analysis of the information provided by the main domestic and international radio stations after the onset of the pandemic has allowed collating the most interesting initiatives implemented in each of them.

Increase in radio listening during the pandemic around the world

In Spain, the study by Rodero (2020) recorded an increase in radio consumption during the pandemic of almost one point. Most listeners tuned in between one and two hours a day; between 30 minutes and an hour and between two and three hours. The peak slot continued to be mornings, but due to lockdown, listening was more spread throughout the day, with increased listening especially in the afternoon and at midday. The broadcasters that experienced the highest increase were conventional general stations, while music stations suffered a decrease.

This upward trend in consumption during the pandemic has also been recorded in other countries. In the UK, Radiocentre has recorded an increase in commercial radio listening of 1 hour and 45 minutes. Broadcasters with a younger audience, like Fun Kids, have extended their broadcasting hours targeting children. The BBC puts increased consumption at 18%. In Italy, according to the Association of European Radios, the number of listeners has increased by 2.4%. In the United States there has been a 28% increase in consumption. In Chile, four out of five people heard the radio during the week, and two thirds did so daily. In Australia, listeners have heard an average of 1 hour and 46 minutes of radio a week during the pandemic and 72% of Australians are listening to as much or more radio during this crisis. In India, 82% of the population has been listening to radio during the pandemic with a 23% increase. In South Africa, a survey by the National Association of Broadcasters estimated at 36% the number of listeners who claim to be listening to more radio due to the pandemic.

Adaptation of labour relations, formats and content

Radio stations have had to adapt to the new situation with professionals working from home and schedules modified to include content on the coronavirus. As in other crises, listening has increased, and the medium is helping to alleviate the psychological effects of the pandemic.

The study reflects some specific cases of adaptation such as that of Cadena Cope, "where between just 20 and 30% of workers have attended the workplace in person", or the case of the United Kingdom "where community radio stations have innovated and improved their ingenuity presenting programmes, providing entertainment and information". It also cites the case of Ràdio UNDAV (National University of Avellaneda) in Argentina, which has created a procedure manual for radio operators explaining the technical mechanisms through which to perform tasks remotely. In the field of music, one of the initiatives that has had greatest reach in Spain is the proposal by Jordi Cruz of Cadena 100. The idea was to use the song entitled Resistiré (I will resist) by Dúo Dinámico (1988) as the anthem of the pandemic, in order to raise the spirits of all citizens.

The study concludes that the technical simplicity of radio has been an ally in allowing the stations to continue broadcasting regularly. Radios worldwide have responded with all kinds of initiatives. Many have dedicated special programmes or podcasts to the pandemic, some with up-to-date information, others reviewing the history or the causes of the pandemic, others reflecting the reality and its effects, and others with a clear mission to help clear up doubts about the disease.

This central role of radio is also seen in the number of initiatives that different stations around the world have organized, such as competitions and acts of solidarity to help all those affected. Once again, as has happened at other times of emergency in history, radio is playing a major role.

###

Related works:

Emma Rodero-Antón, María Blanco-Hernández (2020), "El papel de la radio en situaciones de crisis. Iniciativas en la pandemia del coronavirus", Index.comunicación, nº 10 (3), páginas 193-213.

Emma Rodero (2020), "La radio: el medio que mejor se comporta en las crisis. Hábitos de escucha, consumo y percepción de los oyentes de radio durante el confinamiento por el Covid-19", El profesional de la información, 29(3), 1-15.

e-Repositori-UPF: https://repositori.upf.edu/handle/10230/44567

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

Pronouns matter -- pronoun use conveys inclusivity

In her doctoral dissertation, Laura Hekanaho investigates attitudes towards English third person singular pronouns; the use of pronouns is very politicized

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Research News

 

IMAGE: ANOTHER PRONOUN-RELATED ISSUE PERTAINS TO NONBINARY PEOPLE: WHAT PRONOUNS SHOULD BE USED TO REFER TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT 'HE' OR 'SHE'? EVEN THOUGH BEING NONBINARY IS NOT A NEW... view more 

CREDIT: PEXELS / SHARON MCCUTCHEON

In her doctoral dissertation, Laura Hekanaho investigates attitudes towards English third person singular pronouns. The use of pronouns is very politicised.

Laura Hekanaho takes an in-depth look at two main problems caused by gendered pronouns ('he', 'she'): the use of singular pronouns in generic contexts, and pronominal references to nonbinary individuals. What connects these pronouns is their relevance to gender-fair language use; who is allowed representation in language?

Generic references to people no longer rely on the masculine pronoun

The problem with generic references has been the choice of pronoun when referring to people in general but using a singular construction (e.g., 'A child loves his/her/their mother.'). Traditionally, such expressions have used the 'he' pronoun, a practice which has been shown to be problematic in previous research.

"This is a broader phenomenon related to language and society, where masculinity has often been set as the norm," Hekanaho says. Most languages have words like 'spokesman', 'fireman' and so on. In present-day English, other alternatives are commonly used, singular 'they' being the most common generic pronoun.

How should nonbinary individuals be referred to who are neither she nor he?

Another pronoun-related issue pertains to nonbinary people: what pronouns should be used to refer to people who are not 'he' or 'she'? Even though being nonbinary is not a new phenomenon, the linguistic needs of nonbinary individuals have only received broader attention in recent years. In English, many nonbinary individuals have started using 'they' as their personal pronoun, but some prefer neopronouns such as 'ze' and 'xe' (e.g., 'Chris loves zir coffee black.').

English pronouns have become politicised

English pronouns have been politicised in many ways, evoking a multitude of emotions and opinions, which have an effect on what pronouns are used and how.

"For this reason, in my doctoral dissertation I have investigated not only pronoun usage, but also their acceptability and attitudes towards pronouns."

Hekanaho's doctoral thesis is based on a questionnaire survey with 1,128 respondents, of whom 79 were nonbinary and the rest were women or men. Most of the respondents spoke English as their native language, but some were native speaker of Finnish or Swedish.

The results illustrated the importance of pronouns on a number of levels. In generic use, the respondents preferred singular 'they', above all for its gender-inclusive nature. On the other hand, using 'he' or 'she' alone was considered gender exclusive, while the combination of 'he or she' was more acceptable, although not as popular as 'they'. In fact, inclusivity appears to be the deciding factor in the use of generic pronouns.

Nonbinary pronouns polarise opinions the most

"Many cisgender respondents strongly opposed nonbinary pronouns, finding them strange and unnecessary. Due to its familiarity, 'they' was, however, considered to be a better option than neopronouns."

However, behind the opposition to nonbinary pronouns lie ideological reasons that go beyond the perceived strangeness of pronouns. The existence of nonbinary identities, and consequently nonbinary pronouns, challenges the fairly established idea of gender being a binary concept. As such, attitudes towards these pronouns also reflect gender ideologies, as was evident in the data.

The nonbinary participants also described their relationship with pronouns. The majority reported using 'they' as their own pronoun, and only few preferred neopronouns. The importance of pronouns to identity was highlighted in the responses. When other people use a nonbinary individual's correct pronouns, this is a sign of respect and indicates that the speaker acknowledges and accepts nonbinary identities. In contrast, refusing to use nonbinary pronouns is disrespectful, indicating that the person rejects the validity of nonbinary identities.

"Language use does matter, since it's not only about the words and pronouns we use, but also about the values we communicate through our language use. Inclusive and respectful language can, for example, make the lives of minorities easier."

###

Laura Hekanaho, MA, will defend her doctoral thesis entitled 'Generic and Nonbinary Pronouns: Usage, Acceptability and Attitudes' on 8 December at 15.00 at the Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki.

The public examination will be held online via Zoom. Link: https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/68523161534?pwd=YzFCejN3ZlFCVGx0WnBIcTVLdVpSQT09#success passcode: 190190

Early human landscape modifications discovered in Amazonia

No evidence of extensive savannah formations during the current Holocene period

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Research News

 

IMAGE: AERIAL VIEW OF A RESEARCH SITE CALLED SEVERINO CALAZANS. view more 

CREDIT: MARTTI PÄRSSINEN

In 2002 Professor Alceu Ranzi (Federal University of Acre) and Prof. Martti Parssinen (University of Helsinki) decided to form an international research team to study large geometric earthworks, called geoglyphs, at the Brazilian state of Acre in South-western Amazonia. Soon it appeared that a pre-colonial civilization unknown to international scholars built there geometric ceremonial centers and sophisticated road systems. This civilization flourished in the rainforest 2,000 years ago. The discovery supported Prof. William Balee´s (Tulane University) theory of early human impacts on the current Amazonian tropical forest composition that radically altered the notion of the pristine Amazon rainforest.

Now, the team published an article in Antiquity demonstrating that the earthwork-building civilization had a much longer human history behind it than was expected. The team members demonstrate that humans have regularly used fire to clear small open patches in the rainforest. These activities started quite soon after the last Ice Age ended thousands of years before the first geoglyphs were constructed. Thanks to the charcoal the humans left in the Amazonian soil during the last 10 000 years, it was possible to measure systematically carbon-13 isotope values of many samples. By using these values taken from archaeologically dated charcoal it was possible to estimate past vegetation and precipitation. The results published in Antiquity indicate that the forest main vegetation and precipitation have remained quite unchanged during the last ten thousand years until the 20th century. No evidence of drier periods or natural/artificial savannah formations were observed before the current colonization started to penetrate into the southwestern Amazonia from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries onward. Hence, the authors argue that the theories of extensive savannah formations in the South-western Amazonia during the current Holocene period are based on a false interpretation of the connection between charcoal accumulation and natural fires due to drier climatic periods. These interpretations have not taken into account the millennial human presence in Amazonia.

Alceu Ranzi says that "it is possible that opening patches were aimed to attract large mammals such as giant sloths and mastodons until the megafauna disappeared forever. In addition, ash and charcoal fertilized the soil and open areas were prepared for the growing of palms fruits, vegetables and root plants useful for human subsistence." Martti Parssinen adds that "it is probably not a coincidence that today southwestern Amazonia is considered one of the most important centers of domestication: cassava/manioc, squash, chili-pepper and peach palm seem to have been domesticated there almost 10 000 years ago. In every case, domestication processes left important fingerprints on Amazonian forest composition. Therefore there is no such thing as virgin rainforest."

In general, the study shows that indigenous peoples of the Amazon have been able to use their environment in a sustainable manner. Parssinen says that "there is no indication that large areas of Holocene forest would have been deforested before the second half of the 20th century. Deforestation is a current phenomenon."

###

Martti Parssinen, William Balee and Alceu Ranzi are the authors of the current article. In addition, archaeologist Antonia Barbosa from the Superintendencia do Instituto do Patrimonia Historico e Artistico Nacional no Acre is the fourth author. The Academy of Finland financed the project and the Finnish Cultural and Academic Institute in Madrid also contributed to the project. In Brazil the research was authorized by Instituto do Patrimonio Historico e Artistico Nacional (IPHAN).

Ultrasensitive transistor for herbicide detection in water

INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO

Research News

 

IMAGE: UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO RESEARCHERS HAVE FABRICATED A TINY ELECTRONIC SENSOR THAT CAN DETECT VERY LOW LEVELS OF A COMMONLY USED WEED KILLER IN DRINKING WATER. view more 

CREDIT: INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO

A new polymer-based, solid-state transistor can more sensitively detect a weed killer in drinking water than existing hydrogel-based fluorescence sensor chips. The details were published in Chemistry-A European Journal.

The sensor is a specially designed organic thin-film transistor based on semiconducting molecules of carboxylate-functionalized polythiophene (P3CPT). What's special about this particular device is that, unlike other conjugated polymer-based sensors, this one is a solid-state device that can conduct an electric current when placed inside a fluid.

The device, designed by Tsuyoshi Minami of The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science and colleagues, works by adding copper ions, which bind to the P3CPT molecules. When the device is placed in water that contains even the smallest amount of the herbicide glyphosate, the copper ions leave the P3CPT molecules to attach to the glyphosate molecules. This causes a detectable reduction in the flow of electric current through the device. Glyphosate is a commonly used weed killer in agriculture, and there are concerns that its presence in drinking water can be harmful to human health.

The scientists found that the device was so sensitive that it could detect as low as 0.26 parts per million of glyphosate in drinking water. The team compared their new device to a conventional fluorescence sensor chip, which was only capable of detecting down to 0.95 parts per million of glyphosate. To put this into perspective, the maximum allowable amount of glyphosate in drinking water, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, is 0.7 parts per million.

The scientists believe that the sensitivity of their device boils down to interactions occurring within individual polymer molecules and between neighbouring ones. Commonly used fluorescence sensors depend solely on interactions occurring within individual molecules.

"Our device could be a novel solid-state platform for sensing target molecules in aqueous media," says Minami. The researchers are currently working on further developing their polythiophene-based sensors.

###

About Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), the University of Tokyo

Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), the University of Tokyo is one of the largest university-attached research institutes in Japan.

More than 120 research laboratories, each headed by a faculty member, comprise IIS, with more than 1,000 members including approximately 300 staff and 700 students actively engaged in education and research. Our activities cover almost all the areas of engineering disciplines. Since its foundation in 1949, IIS has worked to bridge the huge gaps that exist between academic disciplines and real-world applications.

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accu

Octogenarian snapper found in WA becomes oldest tropical reef fish by two decades

An 81-year-old midnight snapper caught off the coast of Western Australia has taken the title of the oldest tropical reef fish recorded anywhere in the world

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE

Research News

 

IMAGE: A RED SNAPPER view more 

CREDIT: DAN BAYLEY

An 81-year-old midnight snapper caught off the coast of Western Australia has taken the title of the oldest tropical reef fish recorded anywhere in the world.

The octogenarian fish was found at the Rowley Shoals--about 300km west of Broome--and was part of a study that has revised what we know about the longevity of tropical fish.

The research identified 11 individual fish that were more than 60 years old, including a 79-year-old red bass also caught at the Rowley Shoals.

Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) Fish Biologist Dr Brett Taylor, who led the study, said the midnight snapper beat the previous record holder by two decades.

"Until now, the oldest fish that we've found in shallow, tropical waters have been around 60 years old," he said.

"We've identified two different species here that are becoming octogenarians, and probably older."

Dr Taylor said the research will help us understand how fish length and age will be affected by climate change.

"We're observing fish at different latitudes--with varying water temperatures--to better understand how they might react when temperatures warm everywhere," he said.

The study involved four locations along the WA coast, as well as the protected Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean.

It looked at three species that are not targeted by fishing in WA; the red bass (Lutjanus bohar), midnight snapper (Macolor macularis), and black and white snapper (Macolor niger).

Co-author Dr Stephen Newman, from the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, said long-lived fish were generally considered more vulnerable to fishing pressure.

"Snappers make up a large component of commercial fisheries in tropical Australia and they're also a key target for recreational fishers," he said.

"So, it's important that we manage them well, and WA's fisheries are among the best managed fisheries in the world."

Marine scientists are able to accurately determine the age of a fish by studying their ear bones, or 'otoliths'.

Fish otoliths contain annual growth bands that can be counted in much the same way as tree rings.

Dr Taylor said the oldest red bass was born during World War I.

"It survived the Great Depression and World War II," he said.

"It saw the Beatles take over the world, and it was collected in a fisheries survey after Nirvana came and went."

"It's just incredible for a fish to live on a coral reef for 80 years."

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The research is published in the journal Coral Reefs.

Funding was provided by the Bertarelli Foundation and contributed to the Bertarelli Programme in Marine Science.

CU Anschutz researcher offers new theory on `Venus' figurines

Investigators say humanity's oldest sculptures may be linked to climate change, diet

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO ANSCHUTZ MEDICAL CAMPUS

Research News

 

AURORA, Colo. (Dec. 1, 2020) - One of world's earliest examples of art, the enigmatic `Venus' figurines carved some 30,000 years ago, have intrigued and puzzled scientists for nearly two centuries. Now a researcher from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus believes he's gathered enough evidence to solve the mystery behind these curious totems.

The hand-held depictions of obese or pregnant women, which appear in most art history books, were long seen as symbols of fertility or beauty. But according to Richard Johnson, MD, lead author of the study published today in the journal, Obesity, the key to understanding the statues lays in climate change and diet.

"Some of the earliest art in the world are these mysterious figurines of overweight women from the time of hunter gatherers in Ice Age Europe where you would not expect to see obesity at all," said Johnson, a professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine specializing in renal disease and hypertension. "We show that these figurines correlate to times of extreme nutritional stress."

Early modern humans entered Europe during a warming period about 48,000 years ago. Known as Aurignacians, they hunted reindeer, horses and mammoths with bone-tipped spears. In summer they dined on berries, fish, nuts and plants. But then, as now, the climate did not remain static.

As temperatures dropped, ice sheets advanced and disaster set in. During the coldest months, temperatures plunged to 10-15 degrees Celsius. Some bands of hunter gatherers died out, others moved south, some sought refuge in forests. Big game was overhunted.

It was during these desperate times that the obese figurines appeared. They ranged between 6 and 16 centimeters in length and were made of stone, ivory, horn or occasionally clay. Some were threaded and worn as amulets.

Johnson and his co-authors, Professor (ret.) of Anthropology John Fox, PhD, of the American University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, and Associate Professor of Medicine Miguel Lanaspa-Garcia, PhD, of the CU School of Medicine, measured the statues' waist-to-hip and waist-to-shoulder ratios. They discovered that those found closest to the glaciers were the most obese compared to those located further away. They believe the figurines represented an idealized body type for these difficult living conditions.

"We propose they conveyed ideals of body size for young women, and especially those who lived in proximity to glaciers," said Johnson, who in addition to being a physician has an undergraduate degree in anthropology. "We found that body size proportions were highest when the glaciers were advancing, whereas obesity decreased when the climate warmed and glaciers retreated."

Obesity, according to the researchers, became a desired condition. An obese female in times of scarcity could carry a child through pregnancy better than one suffering malnutrition. So the figurines may have been imbued with a spiritual meaning - a fetish or magical charm of sorts that could protect a woman through pregnancy, birth and nursing.

Many of the figurines are well-worn, indicating that they were heirlooms passed down from mother to daughter through generations. Women entering puberty or in the early stages of pregnancy may have been given them in the hopes of imparting the desired body mass to ensure a successful birth.

"Increased fat would provide a source of energy during gestation through the weaning of the baby and as well as much needed insulation," the authors said.

Promoting obesity, said Johnson, ensured that the band would carry on for another generation in these most precarious of climatic conditions.

"The figurines emerged as an ideological tool to help improve fertility and survival of the mother and newborns," Johnson said. "The aesthetics of art thus had a significant function in emphasizing health and survival to accommodate increasingly austere climatic conditions."

The team's success in amassing evidence to support its theory came from applying measurements and medical science to archaeological data and behavioral models of anthropology.

"These kinds of interdisciplinary approaches are gaining momentum in the sciences and hold great promise," Johnson said. "Our team has other subjects of Ice Age art and migration in its research sights as well."

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About the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative science, medicine, education, and healthcare. The campus encompasses the University of Colorado health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked hospitals that treat more than 2 million adult and pediatric patients each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, together we deliver life-changing treatments, patient care, professional training, and conduct world-renowned research powered by more than $500 million in research awards. For more information, visit https://www.cuanschutz.edu

 

Cannabidiol (CBD) in cannabis does not impair driving, landmark study shows

Research shows cannabidiol safe for driving and THC effects fade in hours

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

Research News

 

IMAGE: VEHICLE USED TO TEST CANNABIS IMPACT ON DRIVING. TESTS HAPPENED ON PUBLIC ROADS UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS WITH MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY. view more 

CREDIT: MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY

A landmark study on how cannabis affects driving ability has shown that cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis component now widely used for medical purposes, does not impair driving, while moderate amounts of the main intoxicating component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) produce mild driving impairment lasting up to four hours.

The study was led the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney and conducted at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. It was published today in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association.

Lead author Dr Thomas Arkell said: "These findings indicate for the first time that CBD, when given without THC, does not affect a subject's ability to drive. That's great news for those using or considering treatment using CBD-based products."

There has been substantial growth in medical treatment using cannabis-related products in Australia and overseas. This includes increasing use of CBD-containing products for conditions such as epilepsy, anxiety, chronic pain and addictions. Many currently available products also contain a mixture of THC and CBD.

The research involved people inhaling vaporised cannabis containing different mixes of THC and CBD, then going for a 100-kilometre drive under controlled conditions on public highways both 40 minutes and four hours later. Cannabis containing mainly CBD did not impair driving while cannabis containing THC, or a THC/CBD mixture, caused mild impairment measured at 40 minutes later but not after four hours.

Dr Arkell said: "With cannabis laws changing globally, jurisdictions are grappling with the issue of cannabis-impaired driving. These results provide much needed insights into the magnitude and duration of impairment caused by different types of cannabis and can help to guide road-safety policy not just in Australia but around the world".

"Road safety is a primary concern," Dr Arkell said. "These results should allow for evidence-based laws and regulation for people receiving medical cannabis."

The Academic Director of the Lambert Initiative, Professor Iain McGregor, said: "We were delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Professor Jan Ramaekers and his team on this study. Studying the effects of cannabis on driving with such precision in a real-world context is incredibly important.

"The results should reassure people using CBD-only products that they are most likely safe to drive, while helping patients using THC-dominant products to understand the duration of impairment."

CAPTION

Lead author Dr Thomas Arkell from the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics.

METHOD

The study involved giving 26 healthy participants four different types of cannabis in a random order to vaporise on four separate occasions. Each participant's driving performance was then assessed on the road in real-world conditions along a 100-kilometre stretch of public highway in a dual control car with a driving instructor present.

The tests were done at Maastricht University in the Netherlands using a well-established scientific test that measures standard deviation of vehicle position (SDLP), an index of lane weaving, swerving and overcorrecting. SDLP increases under the influence of alcohol and drugs such as Valium and Stilnox.

Participants vaporised cannabis containing mainly THC, mainly CBD, THC and CBD in combination, or placebo cannabis (no active components). The amount of THC vaporised by participants was enough to cause strong feelings of intoxication.

To test how the different types of cannabis affect driving, participants completed two one-hour, on-road highway driving tests commencing at 40 minutes and at four hours after inhaling vaporised cannabis.

Professor McGregor said: "With rapidly changing attitudes towards medical and non-medical use of cannabis, driving under the influence of cannabis is emerging as an important and somewhat controversial public health issue.

"While some previous studies have looked at the effects of cannabis on driving, most have focused on smoked cannabis containing only THC (not CBD) and have not precisely quantified the duration of impairment.

"This is the first study to illustrate the lack of CBD effects on driving and to also provide a clear indication of the duration of THC impairment."

CAPTION

Professor Iain McGregor is Academic Director at the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics. 

DOWNLOAD the paper, research images and photos of the researchers at this link.

DOWNLOAD b-roll footage that recreates test conditions and lab tests at this link.

INTERVIEWS

Dr Thomas Arkell | Lead author | thomas.arkell@sydney.edu.au | +61 435 189 732

Professor Iain McGregor | iain.mcgregor@sydney.edu.au | +61 418 765 185

MEDIA ENQURIES

Marcus Strom | Media Adviser | marcus.strom@sydney.edu.au | +61 423 982 485

DECLARATION

This study was funded by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney.

ABOUT THE LAMBERT INITIATIVE

The Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney provides national and international leadership both in the science of medicinal cannabis and in the discovery and development of cannabis-based medicines.

It was established thanks to a philanthropic donation by Barry and Joy Lambert.

 

How smart cities can serve citizens

SINGAPORE MANAGMENT UNIVERSITY

Research News 

IMAGE: AT THE DENTONS RODYK DIALOGUE 2020, MINISTER FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DESMOND LEE JOINED A PANEL OF EXPERTS TO DISCUSS HOW DIGITALISATION CAN HELP TO TRANSFORM CITIES. view more 

CREDIT: SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY

SMU Office of Research & Tech Transfer - Although cities and urban areas only make up a small proportion of the world's land mass, they are home to more than half the global population and that number is going to keep rising. As cities swell to capacity with more and more inhabitants, city planners have turned to technology to cope with the challenges that accompany urban density.

The role of digital technologies in overcoming urban development challenges have become even more apparent in the COVID-19 pandemic, said Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration.

"This pandemic has starkly shown us that we need to transform the way we design, build and maintain our city so that we move away from a heavy reliance on manpower and labour, [and that] the use of digital tools and technology has a potential to create good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans," Minister Lee said.

Minister Lee was the guest of honour at the Dentons Rodyk Dialogue 2020, held online on 25 September 2020. A partnership between Singapore law firm Dentons Rodyk and Singapore Management University's (SMU) Centre for Cross-Border Commercial Law in Asia (CEBCLA), the yearly Dialogue serves as a forum for thought leaders to share ideas and interrogate key trends shaping the future. This year, the Dialogue explored the opportunities and challenges posed by the rise of global smart cities, and was moderated by Mr Philip Jeyaratnam, Global Vice Chair and ASEAN CEO, Dentons Rodyk.

Planning for people in Singapore and beyond

"Even before COVID-19, many cities including Singapore had already been striving to deal with increasingly complex and global problems," Minister Lee said. "We have harnessed data and digital tools to better plan and design urban Singapore, and make our city more green, livable and sustainable."

Some of the technologies Singapore has employed to overcome the challenges of living in a densely populated city state includes the Housing & Development Board's (HDB) Smart Hub, a central data repository which acts as a 'brain' for municipal operations to help HDB's planners better understand the usage patterns of common amenities.

HDB also uses environmental modelling tools and computer simulations to analyse wind flow, solar heat and noise within towns to design and position homes in a manner that conserves energy and optimises resident comfort. "Singapore is an equatorial and very densely urban country, and these technologies can bring about real benefits," said Minister Lee.

These benefits are a topic of particular interest to SMU President Professor Lily Kong, a social scientist who has studied the impact of technologies in smart cities on their inhabitants' lives. In her keynote presentation, Professor Kong explained how the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN), a network of 26 cities established in 2018 to foster cooperation on smart city development, could best promote the use of smart technologies as a method of city management.

Considering the challenges

While it is tempting to think that digital solutions could be a panacea for problems caused by rapid urbanisation and urban density, it may be necessary to get a deeper understanding of the challenges involved, she said.

"There is the antecedent challenge, the issue of divergent infrastructural developments, privatisation and formalisation of city spaces, power and inequality, vertical and horizontal integration, and the balance between speed and efficacy," said Professor Kong. "These challenges are rooted largely in a single danger - that we forget that cities are not passive backdrops for digital technologies," she said.

In explaining each of the challenges, Professor Kong also stressed the importance of not neglecting material infrastructure development in favour of its digital counterparts. "Efficient bus timetables and smart traffic lights are no substitute for wider roads and fewer potholes," she explained, adding that overemphasising digital development could distract from material improvements and exacerbate existing inequalities.

"Nothing as powerful as technology can be implemented without some impact," added the next speaker, Ms Chantal Bernier, National Practice Leader, Privacy and Cybersecurity at Dentons Canada. "Many of these digital innovations are predicated upon the use of personal information, which is where privacy law is engaged."

While governments are allowed to process personal data without consent when it is necessary, Ms Bernier said that the possibilities afforded by current data collection methods are so immense and varied that the line between necessary to collect and simply convenient have started to blur. According to privacy laws, personal data collected for one purpose cannot be used for another purpose; however, there have been examples of government technology being used by third parties without consent.

"During the London 2012 Olympics, one of the security measures introduced was smart bins with the capacity to push notifications of security alerts to devices of people passing by," she explained. "That was certainly a laudable objective - except that in 2013 it was discovered that a private sector actor was using it to push advertisements, which is inconsistent with the reasons why the bins had been put in."

"Go slow and go small"

Privacy concerns aside, another key consideration for smart city technologies is that they should be inclusive, said Minister Lee. "In our anxiety to go digital, we should not leave behind a whole generation of citizens," he said, sharing the example of a 90-year-old man who requested for help but was directed to a website he was unable to read.

Agreeing, Professor Kong shared that the most important strategy for governments is to focus on the real needs of people. Such inclusive and critical thinking is key to ensure no segment of the population is left behind, she said.

"If we're not addressing fundamental issues in society, then introducing a form of tracking and formalisation actually exacerbates some of the challenges that the poor face," Professor Kong said, citing the example of how, in a particular Third World City context where smart technology was introduced, formal GPS tracking of garbage truck routes prevent their drivers from engaging in simultaneous work on the side to make ends meet.

But for all the challenges that may undermine the transition to smarter cities, there is still plenty of impetus for Singapore to push forward with its digitalisation efforts. "In the coming years, technology and digitalisation will play an even greater role in the life cycle of the urban built environment and infrastructure that we enjoy today," said Minister Lee. "Becoming a smart nation, making it a reality, and bringing everyone along with it, is integral to our future."

To navigate the challenges in the journey towards this digital future, Professor Kong had two pieces of advice: go slow and go small. "Go slow to minimise the potentially negative effects that come with speed," she said. "Smart solutions are not quick fixes to systemic problems; they are a catalysing glue that is only as effective as the policy regime and material environment within which it is deployed."

"Second, go small to minimise the potentially negative effects of transformation. Compared to major transformations, small incremental steps are often more in sync with the material conditions of the city in question."

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By Ng Yi-Di