Thursday, January 04, 2024

 

US study offers a different explanation why only 36% of psychology studies replicate


Peer-Reviewed Publication

THE POLISH ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Statistics Machine Room 

IMAGE: 

STATISTICS MACHINE ROOM, 1964. RESEARCH STUDENTS MR BUTTON AND MR KERNER. PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN DURING THE MAKING OF A BBC DOCUMENTARY.

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CREDIT: LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS (LSE LIBRARY)





In light of an estimated replication rate of only 36% out of 100 replication attempts conducted by the Open Science Collaboration in 2015 (OSC2015), many believe that experimental psychology suffers from a severe replicability problem. 

In their own study, recently published in the open-access peer-reviewed scientific journal Social Psychological Bulletin, Drs Brent M. Wilson and John T. Wixted at the University of California San Diego (USA) suggest that what has since been referred to as a “replication crisis” might not be as bad as it seems. 

“No one asks a critical question,” the scientists argue, “if all were well with psychological science, what replication rate should have been observed? Intuition suggests that it should have been ~90-95%, but a figure in this range is wildly off the mark. If so, then the perception of a replication crisis rests largely on an implicit comparison between the observed replication rate of 36% vs. a never-specified expected replication rate that is entirely unrealistic.”

In their recent paper, the scientists note that many replication failures might be due to the replication studies not having sufficient power to detect the true effects associated with the original experimental protocols. The replication studies were very well-powered to detect the originally reported effects, but those effects were inflated, as statistically significant effects must be. How much power did the replication studies have to detect the true (i.e., non-inflated) effects associated with the original studies? That is a key question, and intuition alone cannot provide the answer. The team therefore concludes that it is crucial to use a formal model, rather than relying on the current purely intuitive approach.

“Estimating the expected replication rate requires a consideration of statistical power, which is the probability that an experiment (e.g. a replication experiment) will again detect a true effect at p < .05. Obviously, a single replication experiment with low power can easily fail even if the original experiment reported a true effect,”

explain the scientists.

Similarly, 100 replication experiments with low power will yield a low replication rate even if the original experiments all reported true positives.

At one extreme, with low enough power, the observed 36% replication rate in OSC2015 could mean that 64% of the replication experiments failed to detect the true positives reported in the original studies (in which case the original-science literature would be in good shape). Alternatively, if the replication experiments had high enough power, then the observed 36% replication rate would mean that 64% of the replication experiments reported false positives (in which case the original-science literature would be in bad shape).

“With few exceptions, scientists have enthusiastically embraced the latter interpretation, thereby implicitly assuming that the OSC2015 replication experiments had high power. However, this assumption must be supported by a formal model because intuition is simply not up to the task,”

say Wilson and Wixted.

According to one simple formal model, the OSC2015 replication experiments had low power, in which case the 36% replication rate would not be particularly informative, the researchers conclude.

Although the original-science literature may be in better shape than intuition suggests, Wilson and Wixted nevertheless argue that there is a serious replication problem that needs to be addressed.

“The replication problem may not lie so much with everyday psychological science but may instead lie primarily with a small percentage of sensational findings,” say Wilson and Wixted. “Sensational findings are likely to be false positives because they are based on theories or ideas that have low prior odds of being true.”

In conclusion, the authors of the present paper argue that less focus should be placed on everyday research, which may be in better shape than intuition suggests, and more focus should be placed on conducting independent, large-N, pre-registered replications of unlikely findings that differentially attract attention. Such findings are not ready for non-scientists to consider until they have been independently replicated.

 

Original source:

Wilson, B. M., & Wixted, J. T. (2023). On the Importance of Modeling the Invisible World of Underlying Effect Sizes. Social Psychological Bulletin18, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.32872/spb.9981

 

Chiba University is pleased to announce the International Conference: “Humanities In The Age Of Space Exploration”


Humanities in the Age of Space Exploration Conference


Meeting Announcement

CHIBA UNIVERSITY

The International Conference: “Humanities In The Age Of Space Exploration” 

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THE HUMANITIES IN THE AGE OF SPACE EXPLORATION CONFERENCE IS SET TO TAKE PLACE ON JANUARY 19, 2024, AT CHIBA UNIVERSITY’S NISHI-CHIBA CAMPUS, JAPAN.

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CREDIT: SOYUZ APPROACHING INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION BY ASTRO_ALEX (HTTPS://OPENVERSE.ORG/EN-GB/IMAGE/76DCD072-7F92-4B40-B644-8CFE8F78BC54?Q=SPACE)





Introduction to the Event: As the world witnesses rapid technological advancements and the increasing reality of space travel and habitation, Chiba University is taking the lead in shaping the dialogue on the future of space development and humanity. The upcoming conference will feature distinguished speakers from Chiba University and international institutions, converging to facilitate interdisciplinary discussions. Through diverse lenses encompassing philosophy, ethics, law, political science, and horticulture, the conference aims to gain profound insights, welcoming active participation to collectively influence the course of space exploration.

 

Keynote Speakers:

  1. Takayuki Kobayashi (Member of the House of Representatives, Japan)
  2. Anthony Milligan (King’s College London, UK)
  3. Hideyuki Takahashi (Chiba University, Japan)
  4. Konrad Szocik (University of Information Technology and Management in Rzeszow, Poland)
  5. Tetsuji Iseda (Kyoto University, Japan)
  6. Oskari Sivula (University of Turku, Finland)
  7. Yu Takeuchi (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency: JAXA)
  8. Mikko Puumala (University of Turku, Finland)
  9. Jasmin della Guardia (Chiba University, Japan)

Organizer: Koji Tachibana (Chiba University, Japan)

 

Program Overview:

Title: Humanities in the Age of Space

Date: January 19, 2024 (Friday)

Time: 12:50-18:20 (JST)

Venue: Chiba University Nishi-Chiba Campus (1-33 Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8522 JAPAN)

Multimedia Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Building for Integrated Research in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Campus Map: Link to Campus Map

Target Audience: Open to anyone interested in space development

Language: English

Capacity: 80 participants

Registration Fee: Free

Application: Please register via the form

Application Deadline: January 18, 2024 (Thursday)

Important Notes: For detailed information, please refer to the PDF.

Contact: Koji Tachibana, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Chiba University
Email: koji.tachibana@chiba-u.jp

 

About Chiba University

Chiba University boasts 10 faculties and 17 graduate schools on 5 campuses and a rich academic environment where students can acquire a broad-based interdisciplinary education as well as an advanced level of expertise. While respecting diversity in learning, Chiba University promotes innovative research through collaboration and researcher support programs, leading to the development of new fields of research, which will continue to make a wide range of social contributions both locally and internationally.

https://www.chiba-u.ac.jp/e/index.html

ZOMBIEFICATION

Scientists use high-tech brain stimulation to make people more hypnotizable


Stanford Medicine scientists used transcranial magnetic stimulation to temporarily enhance hypnotizability in patients with chronic pain, making them better candidates for hypnotherapy.


Peer-Reviewed Publication

STANFORD MEDICINE




How deeply someone can be hypnotized — known as hypnotizability — appears to be a stable trait that changes little throughout adulthood, much like personality and IQ. But now, for the first time, Stanford Medicine researchers have demonstrated a way to temporarily heighten hypnotizablity — potentially allowing more people to access the benefits of hypnosis-based therapy.

In the new study, to be published Jan. 4 in Nature Mental Health, the researchers found that less than two minutes of electrical stimulation targeting a precise area of the brain could boost participants’ hypnotizability for about one hour.

“We know hypnosis is an effective treatment for many different symptoms and disorders, in particular pain,” said Afik Faerman, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in psychiatry and lead author of the study. “But we also know that not everyone benefits equally from hypnosis.”

Focused attention

Approximately two-thirds of adults are at least somewhat hypnotizable, and 15% are considered highly hypnotizable, meaning they score 9 or 10 on a standard 10-point measure of hypnotizability.

“Hypnosis is a state of highly focused attention, and higher hypnotizability improves the odds of your doing better with techniques using hypnosis,” said David Spiegel, MD, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences and a senior author of the study.

Spiegel, the Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor in Medicine, has devoted decades to studying hypnotherapy and using it to help patients control pain, lower stress, stop smoking and more. Several years ago, Spiegel led a team that used brain imaging to uncover the neurobiological basis of the practice. They found that highly hypnotizable people had stronger functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is involved in information processing and decision making; and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, involved in detecting stimuli.

“It made sense that people who naturally coordinate activity between these two regions would be able to concentrate more intently,” Spiegel said. “It’s because you’re coordinating what you are focusing on with the system that distracts you.”

Shifting a stable trait

With these insights, Spiegel teamed up with Nolan Williams, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, who has pioneered non-invasive neurostimulation techniques to treat conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and suicidal ideation.

The hope was that neurostimulation could alter even a stable trait like hypnotizability.

In the new study, the researchers recruited 80 participants with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that can be treated with hypnotherapy. They excluded those who were already highly hypnotizable.

Half of the participants received transcranial magnetic stimulation, in which paddles applied to the scalp deliver electrical pulses to the brain. Specifically, they received two 46-second applications that delivered 800 pulses of electricity to a precise location in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The exact locations depended on the unique structure and activity of each person’s brain.

“A novel aspect of this trial is that we used the person’s own brain networks, based on brain imaging, to target the right spot,” said Williams, also a senior author of the study.

The other half of participants received a sham treatment with the same look and feel, but without electrical stimulation.

Hypnotizability was assessed by clinicians immediately before and after the treatments, with neither patients nor clinicians knowing who was in which group.

The researchers found that participants who received the neurostimulation showed a statistically significant increase in hypnotizability, scoring roughly one point higher. The sham group experienced no effect.

When the participants were assessed again one hour later, the effect had worn off and there was no longer a statistically significant difference between the two groups.

“We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to, with 92 seconds of stimulation, change a stable brain trait that people have been trying to change for 100 years,” Williams said. “We finally cracked the code on how to do it.”

The researchers plan to test whether different dosages of neurostimulation could enhance hypnotizability even more.

“It’s unusual to be able to change hypnotizability,” Spiegel said. A study of Stanford University students that began in the 1950s, for example, found that the trait remained relatively consistent when the students were tested 25 years later, as consistent as IQ over that time period. Recent research by Spiegel’s lab also suggests that hypnotizability may have a genetic basis.

Bigger implications

Clinically, a transient bump in hypnotizability may be enough to allow more people living with chronic pain to choose hypnosis as an alternative to long-term opioid use. Spiegel will follow up with the study participants to see how they fare in hypnotherapy.

The new results could have implications beyond hypnosis. Faerman noted that neurostimulation may be able to temporarily shift other stable traits or enhance people’s response to other forms of psychotherapy.

“As a clinical psychologist, my personal vision is that, in the future, patients come in, they go into a quick, non-invasive brain stimulation session, then they go in to see their psychologist,” he said. “Their benefit from treatment could be much higher.”

The study was supported by funding from the National Institute of Health (grant R33AT009305-03).

# # #

 

About Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. Together, they harness the full potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education and clinical care for patients. For more information, please visit med.stanford.edu.

 NEWS RELEASE 

Scientists engineer plant microbiome for the first time to protect crops against disease


Breakthrough could dramatically cut the use of pesticides and unlock other opportunities to bolster plant health


Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON




Breakthrough could dramatically cut the use of pesticides and unlock other opportunities to bolster plant health

Scientists have engineered the microbiome of plants for the first time, boosting the prevalence of ‘good’ bacteria that protect the plant from disease.

The findings published in Nature Communications by researchers from the University of Southampton, China and Austria, could substantially reduce the need for environmentally destructive pesticides.

There is growing public awareness about the significance of our microbiome – the myriad of microorganisms that live in and around our bodies, most notably in our guts. Our gut microbiomes influence our metabolism, our likelihood of getting ill, our immune system, and even our mood.

Plants too host a huge variety of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that live in their roots, stems, and leaves. For the past decade, scientists have been intensively researching plant microbiomes to understand how they affect a plant’s health and its vulnerability to disease.

“For the first time, we’ve been able to change the makeup of a plant’s microbiome in a targeted way, boosting the numbers of beneficial bacteria that can protect the plant from other, harmful bacteria,” says Dr Tomislav Cernava, co-author of the paper and Associate Professor in Plant-Microbe Interactions at the University of Southampton.

“This breakthrough could reduce reliance on pesticides, which are harmful to the environment. We’ve achieved this in rice crops, but the framework we’ve created could be applied to other plants and unlock other opportunities to improve their microbiome. For example, microbes that increase nutrient provision to crops could reduce the need for synthetic fertilisers.”

The international research team discovered that one specific gene found in the lignin biosynthesis cluster of the rice plant is involved in shaping its microbiome. Lignin is a complex polymer found in the cell walls of plants – the biomass of some plant species consists of more than 30 per cent lignin.

First, the researchers observed that when this gene was deactivated, there was a decrease in the population of certain beneficial bacteria, confirming its importance in the makeup of the microbiome community.

The researchers then did the opposite, over-expressing the gene so it produced more of one specific type of metabolite – a small molecule produced by the host plant during its metabolic processes. This increased the proportion of beneficial bacteria in the plant microbiome.

When these engineered plants were exposed to Xanthomonas oryzae – a pathogen that causes bacterial blight in rice crops, they were substantially more resistant to it than wild-type rice.

Bacterial blight is common in Asia and can lead to substantial loss of rice yields. It’s usually controlled by deploying polluting pesticides, so producing a crop with a protective microbiome could help bolster food security and help the environment.

The research team are now exploring how they can influence the presence of other beneficial microbes to unlock various plant health benefits.

Microbiome homeostasis on rice leaves is regulated by a precursor molecule of lignin biosynthesis is published in Nature Communications and is available online.

Contact

Steve Williams, Media Relations, University of Southampton press@soton.ac.uk or 023 8059 3212.

Notes for editors

  1. Microbiome homeostasis on rice leaves is regulated by a precursor molecule of lignin biosynthesis is published in Nature Communications and is available here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44335-3
  2. For Interviews with Dr Tomislav Cernava please contact Steve Williams, Media Relations, University of Southampton press@soton.ac.uk or 023 8059 3212.
  3. Image: Rice paddies in China. Credit: Houxiang Kang

Additional information

The University of Southampton drives original thinking, turns knowledge into action and impact, and creates solutions to the world’s challenges. We are among the top 100 institutions globally (QS World University Rankings 2023). Our academics are leaders in their fields, forging links with high-profile international businesses and organisations, and inspiring a 22,000-strong community of exceptional students, from over 135 countries worldwide. Through our high-quality education, the University helps students on a journey of discovery to realise their potential and join our global network of over 200,000 alumni. www.southampton.ac.uk

www.southampton.ac.uk/news/contact-press-team.page

Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/UoSMedi

 Scientists solve mystery of how predatory bacteria recognizes prey


Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM




A decades-old mystery of how natural antimicrobial predatory bacteria are able to recognize and kill other bacteria may have been solved, according to new research.

In a study published today (4th January) in Nature Microbiology, researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Nottingham have discovered how natural antimicrobial predatory bacteria, called Bdellovibrio bacterivorous, produce fibre-like proteins on their surface to ensnare prey.

This discovery may enable scientists to use these predators to target and kill problematic bacteria that cause issues in healthcare, food spoilage and the environment.

The research was funded by the Wellcome Trust Investigator in Science Award (209437/Z/17/Z).

Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Birmingham, Andrew Lovering said: “Since the 1960s Bdellovibrio bacterivorous has been known to hunt and kill other bacteria by entering the target cells and eating them from the inside before later bursting out. The question that had stumped scientists was ‘how do these cells make a firm attachment when we know how varied their bacterial targets are?’”

Professor Lovering and Professor Liz Sockett, from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nottingham, have been collaborating in this field for almost 15 years. The breakthrough came when Sam Greenwood an undergraduate student, and Asmaa Al-Bayati, a PhD student in the Sockett lab, discovered that the Bdellovibrio predators lay down a sturdy vesicle (a “pinched-off” part of the predator cell envelope) when invading their prey.  

Professor Liz Sockett explained: “The vesicle creates a kind of airlock or keyhole allowing Bdellovibrio entry into the prey cell. We were then able to isolate this vesicle from the dead prey, which is a first in this field. The vesicle was analysed to reveal the tools used during the preceding event of predator/prey contact. We thought of it as a bit like a locksmith leaving the pick, or key, as evidence, in the keyhole.

“By looking at the vesicle contents, we discovered that because Bdellovibrio doesn’t know which bacteria it will meet, it deploys a range of similar prey recognition molecules on its surface, creating lots of different ‘keys’ to ‘unlock’ lots of different types of prey.”

The researchers then undertook an individual analysis of the molecules, demonstrating that they form long fibres, approximately ten times longer than common globular proteins. This allows them to operate at a distance and “feel” for prey in the vicinity.

In total, the labs counted 21 different fibres. Researchers Dr Simon Caulton, Dr Carey Lambert and Dr Jess Tyson worked on how they operated both at the cellular and molecular level. They were supported by fibre gene-engineering by Paul Radford and Rob Till. The team then began to attempt linking a particular fibre to a particular prey-surface molecule. Finding out which fibre matches which prey, could enable an engineering approach which sees bespoke predators targeting different types of bacteria.

Professor Lovering continued: “Because the predator strain we were looking at comes from the soil it has a wide killing range, making this identification of these fibre and prey pairs very difficult. However, on the fifth attempt to find the partners we discovered a chemical signature on the outside of prey bacteria that was a tight fit to the fibre tip. This is the first time a feature of Bdellovibrio has been matched to prey selection.”

Scientists in this field will now be able to use these discoveries to ask which fibre set is used by the different predators they study and potentially attribute these to specific prey. Improving understanding of these predator bacteria could enable their usage as antibiotics, to kill bacteria that degrade food, or ones which are harmful to the environment.

Professor Lovering concluded: “We know that these bacteria can be helpful, and by fully understanding how they operate and find their prey, it opens up a world of new discoveries and possibilities.”

ENDS

 

Gender parity in autism research: Synaptic similarities challenge focus on male models


Peer-Reviewed Publication

THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM




New study reveals striking similarities in synaptic abnormalities and behavioral patterns between male and female mouse models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study challenges the traditional focus on male subjects in ASD research and highlights the critical importance of including both sexes in investigations. This finding urges a pivotal shift in the scientific community's approach to understanding and addressing ASD, emphasizing the necessity of considering both males and females to comprehensively grasp the complexities of the disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research has predominantly focused on male individuals, reflecting a prevalence rate of 4:1 compared to females. However, recent studies suggest a potential underestimation of ASD in females. In a new study led by Prof. Haitham Amal, School of Pharmacy-Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the sex-specific synaptic and behavioral differences in ASD mouse models were investigated, revealing significant insights into the condition.

A new study, featured in Scientific Reports, looked at young male and female mice with specific mutations linked to autism, comparing them to regular mice. They used two different  mouse models with two human-based mutations. The goal was to understand how their brain connections work by checking certain proteins in their brains. They also checked how many tiny structures in brain cells were present using a special staining method (Golgi).

The results showed that both male and female mice with these mutations had a lot in common. They all showed major drops in Spine Density and in levels of GAD1, NR1, VGAT, and Syp (neuronal signaling proteins) compared to normal mice. This suggests their brain connections didn't develop properly. Interestingly, these issues in brain connections were similar in both male and female mice, and it matched up with how they behaved in tests that measure sociability. They also found that the social behvaior deificts were similar in both sexes.

Prof. Haitham Amal, Hebrew University emphasized the significance of these discoveries: "Our study underscores the need to consider both sexes in ASD investigations. The observed similarities in synaptic alterations between male and female ASD mice challenge the traditional focus on males, urging the scientific community to broaden its approach and include females in ASD studies."

These discoveries hold significant implications for understanding ASD's neurodevelopmental aspects. They emphasize how synaptic and behavioral changes in both male and female ASD mice align, stressing the need to study females alongside males in ASD research. This study urges a fundamental change in ASD research, highlighting the importance of considering both sexes to fully grasp and address the complexities of autism spectrum disorder.

It signifies a vital progression in unraveling ASD complexities, marking a substantial milestone in understanding the condition beyond the typical male-focused approach.

Globally, substantial funding is dedicated to autism research, with estimates reaching billions of dollars annually. However, historically, a significant proportion of this funding has been predominantly directed towards studying autism in boys, reflecting the higher prevalence in males. Studies suggest that a considerable imbalance exists in research allocation, with significantly fewer resources dedicated specifically to understanding and addressing autism in girls. Efforts to bridge this gap and allocate more resources towards understanding the unique manifestations and needs of girls on the autism spectrum must be recognized as crucial in advancing comprehensive autism research and support.

 

TTC Approves C$2.6B 2024 Operating Budget

Written by Carolina Worrell, Senior Editor
(William C. Vantuono photo)

(William C. Vantuono photo)

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board on Dec. 20 approved a 2024 C$2.6 billion ($1.95 billion) operating budget that “freezes fares, continues to increase service, and invests millions of dollars in system safety and cleanliness.”

According to TTC, the C$2.6 billion combines operating budgets for both conventional and Wheel-Trans services and represents a 7.5% increase over the approved 2023 budget.

Among other highlights:

  • “Freezes TTC fares at 2023 rates in recognition of the impact current economic conditions have on its customers.
  • “Fully funds the unplanned in-year service increases made in 2023 (to 95% from 91%) in response to increased and changing demand.
  • “Funds a further service increase to 97% by September 2024.
  • “Increases Wheel-Trans service hours to meet the rising demand, estimated to reach 84%of pre-pandemic levels by year-end 2024.
  • “Invests more than C$28 million in the TTC’s Community Safety, Security and Well-Being program.
  • “Addresses substantial inflationary pressures for things like vehicle parts, service contracts, and escalating employee benefit-related expenses.
  • “Invests in increased maintenance capacity for Line 2 as well as for new and existing streetcars to be delivered in 2024.
  • “Funds operating and maintenance costs for the opening of Lines 5 and 6 in 2024 as well as full-year operations on the Line 3 SRT bus replacement service.
  • “Envisions 2024 fare revenues based on 80% of pre-pandemic ridership levels by year-end.”

“This budget will ensure the transit needs of our customers and employees are protected and enhanced,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “I’m confident that with this budget we can start to return transit service to where it was before the pandemic while laying the groundwork for further improvements. I want to thank TTC finance staff for their hard work preparing this budget and our front-line employees for delivering this important service every day.”

“TTC customers are coming back quicker than we expected, and this budget allows us to meet their needs for the next year,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “This budget balances our need to deliver safe and reliable service while addressing the increased operating costs associated with inflation and new transit lines that we need to manage.”

The TTC Board also approved the C$12.4 billion ($9.37 billion) 2024-2033 capital budget plan.

Highlights include:

  • “Fully covering the City/TTC’s one-third share for the Subway Car procurement to ensure readiness to proceed with the procurement of 55 subway trains, should matching funding from the Federal government be available.
  • “Advancing accessibility projects at Warden and Islington stations, and capacity improvement projects (including Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvements and Line 1 and Line 2 Capacity Enhancement projects).
  • “Providing ongoing funding for 60 new Streetcars and associated infrastructure projects at Hillcrest and Russell, and 336 Hybrid Buses, 340 eBuses and charging infrastructure based on revised delivery schedules.
  • “Enhancing cybersecurity initiatives.”

Additionally, the TTC Board also considered a revised Capital Investment Plan report, which shows that, “despite significant capital/state-of-good-repair investments, there’s a growing backlog estimated to reach $8.244 billion by 2033, with unmet capital needs anticipated at nearly $17.916 billion over 10 years and $35.458 billion over 15 years.”

The report (download below) notes that investing in the TTC’s future “remains crucial for the city’s vitality, offering economic, environmental, and social benefits, not only for Toronto, but also for the GTA, Province of Ontario, and Canada at large.”

The Board also heard a presentation from the University of Toronto’s Mobility Network highlighting the benefits of investing in public transit. Key economic metrics included in the Value of Transit Investment Interim Findings report show that investment in TTC operations and capital works translate into:

  • “Every dollar invested would add an additional C$0.81 dollars in GDP, generating a value-added impact resulting in an increase in profit, taxes and spending on labor.
  • “Every dollar invested would create the equivalent of C$2.14 of economic activity (Gross Output).
  • “Every C$1 million invested creates 13 new jobs.