Will EEG be able to read your dreams? The future of the brain activity measure as it marks 100 years

University of Leeds

 

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Survey respondents rated when the EEG community might widely accept the listed statements as being achieved. The picture shows rank-ordered median averages of all responses. The percentage of responses available per statement is shown by the intensity of the colour of the circles. From teal (highest response rate of 88%) to light grey (lowest response rate of 37%).

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Credit: One hundred years of EEG for brain and behaviour research, Nature Human Behaviour

One hundred years after the human brain’s electrical activity was first recorded, experts are celebrating the legacy of its discovery and sharing their predictions and priorities for its future. 

Since the first recording in July 1924, human electroencephalography (EEG) has been integral to our understanding of brain function and dysfunction: most significantly in the clinical diagnosis of epilepsy, where the analysis of the EEG signal meant that a condition previously seen as a personality disorder was quickly redefined as a disorder of brain activity. 

Now, a century on, more than 500 experts from around the globe, have been asked to reflect on the impact of this groundbreaking methodology, as well as on the challenges and priorities for the future. 

A survey, led by University of Leeds academics, saw respondents - with 6,685 years of collective experience - presented with possible future developments for EEG, ranging from those deemed ‘critical to progress’ to the ‘highly improbable,’ and asked to estimate how long it might be before they were achieved. The results are published today (22 August 2024) in the journal Nature Human Behaviour.   

Futuristic innovations 

The list features an array of fascinating, futuristic innovations that experts believe could be achieved within a generation. This includes using EEG to enhance cognitive performance; early detection of learning disabilities; widespread use as a lie detector; and use as a primary communication tool for those with severe motor disabilities and locked-in syndrome. 

Real-time, reliable diagnosis of brain abnormalities such as seizures or tumours is believed to be just 10-14 years away, while the probability of reading the content of dreams and long-term memories is judged to be more than 50 years away by some experts, but dismissed by many as closer to science fiction than reality.  

It may be surprising to many that, according to the survey published today (22 August) in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, within a generation we could all be carrying around our own, personal, portable, EEG. 

The paper’s co-author, Dominik Welke, Research Fellow at the University of Leeds, said: “They could really become something like a smartphone: where almost everybody has access to them and can use them daily - ideally improving their life by providing meaningful insight into physiological factors.” 

He added: “One such positive, potential future use of EEG technology could be vigilance control for drivers or pilots. These work-safety systems could assist the user in identifying if they were falling asleep, then wake them up or tell the co-pilot they need to take over." 

The hardware involved in recording EEG is relatively basic, remaining unchanged – in principle – since it was first used by psychiatrist Hans Berger, in Germany, on July 6, 1924. What has drastically changed since then is the analysis of – and what we can do with – the now digitally-recorded data. 

Consisting of just electrodes and an amplifier, EEG systems are becoming increasingly cheap to produce, as well as more portable and user-friendly. Coupled with its non-invasive nature, there is little to prevent it from becoming more accessible to a wider audience.  

Reducing health inequalities 

While the prospect of EEG technology being widely used in gaming and VR – predicted to be only around 20 years away - will thrill gamers, the truly exciting possibility for scientists and clinicians is that this increasing accessibility will allow them to engage with communities traditionally excluded from EEG research, crucially, in low-income countries that cannot afford more complex imaging technology. 

Advances in AI-driven automation are also expected to improve and speed up analysis of complicated data.  

Dr Welke said: “Looking ahead to the future: from the hardware side, it’s comparatively cheap and easy to produce, and from the analysis and software side, with these new computing technologies, all the puzzle pieces are there to really roll out EEG to a very large user base. 

“As opposed to other methods out there - such as MRI, or implanted devices - EEG has the potential to make neuroimaging available to all the people in the world.”  

The paper’s lead author, Faisal Mushtaq, Professor of Cognitive Science and the Director of the Centre for Immersive Technologies at the University of Leeds, said: “Nearly all the data we currently have on the human brain comes from a very small segment of the world’s population.  

“There is a growing recognition that this is hampering our ability to generalise findings and improve global brain health.  

“EEG stands out as the most cost-effective and logistically feasible neuroimaging tool for worldwide use across diverse settings. This would help build a neuroscience that is inclusive and representative of the global population.  

He added: “Our partners at the Global Brain Consortium are laying the foundations for increasing reach in this way and I expect this will unlock new opportunities for groundbreaking discoveries on the mechanisms of brain function.” 

Ethical questions 

Alongside the optimism that emerging technologies are opening exciting new possibilities for EEG, the experts consulted also sounded a note of caution, with concerns that ranged from a lack of adherence to agreed standards and protocols to ethical questions created by novel commercial applications and the lure of ‘neuroenhancement’. 

Dr Welke said: “I'm sure some of the multi-national tech companies might be very interested in rolling out EEG or other neuroimaging technology, just to get more information on their users that hints at their preferences and emotions 24 hours a day. But should it be used in this way?  

“There are obvious concerns around cognitive freedom and mental privacy. This feeds back into the importance of ‘responsibility’ – the fact that new ways of using a technology are also likely to raise new ethical questions.” 

Another objective of the survey was to identify the priorities of the EEG community for guiding future efforts. Participants rated how important major developments and advancements in various domains of EEG research would be to their work. 

Professor Mushtaq said: “I think that EEG, when combined with technologies such as AI and virtual reality, could radically transform the ways in which we interact with machines, and in doing so, play an extremely important role in science and society over the next 100 years.   

“But to ensure this, the neuroscience community—from academic, clinical and industry settings—must commit to promoting robust, ethical, inclusive, and sustainable practices that will help realise its enormous potential.” 

The work was conducted by more than 90 authors, ranging from early career researchers to eminent figures in the field, collectively known as the EEG100 consortium.  

It started out as a partnership between #EEGManyLabs – an international network of researchers from more than 30 countries assessing the replicability of the results of some of the most important and influential EEG experiments of psychological phenomena - and the Global Brain Consortium, a diverse network of brain researchers, clinicians and institutions committed to achieving improved and more equitable health outcomes worldwide. 

The paper’s last author, Pedro Antonio Valdés-Sosa, Director of China Cuba Laboratory for Neurotechnology at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China/Cuban Neuroscience Center, said: “In several countries, including Cuba, we have demonstrated that EEG can mass-screen some nervous system disorders at a population level.  

"This technology is especially appropriate when resources are limited, as they are in disengaged groups worldwide.  

"There are hurdles to overcome to employ EEG at a global scale, but by doing so, we can hopefully improve millions more lives.” 

Dr Sadhana Sharma, Head of Bioscience for Health Strategy at the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) - which funded the paper’s lead authors - said: "EEG technology has the potential to transform our day-to-day activities and how we diagnose and treat neurological conditions in the future, ensuring that insights into brain health are accessible to diverse populations worldwide.  

“As we embrace developments in bioscience, our focus remains on fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that drive ethical, equitable and impactful advancements in brain science on a global scale."  

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Journal

Nature Human Behaviour

DOI

10.1038/s41562-024-01941-5 

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

100 Years of EEG for Brain and Behaviour Research

Article Publication Date

22-Aug-2024

 

Self-improving AI method increases 3D-printing efficiency

Washington State University

 

video: 

WSU researchers used an AI technique to train and find the optimized 3D-printing settings to create intricate kidney and prostate organ models. The work could improve 3D printing manufacturing of intricate designs for flexible electronics, wearable biosensors, and other devices.

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Credit: Washington State University

PULLMAN, Wash. – An artificial intelligence algorithm can allow researchers to more efficiently use 3D printing to manufacture intricate structures.

The Washington State University study, published in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies, could allow for more seamless use of 3D printing for complex designs in everything from artificial organs to flexible electronics and wearable biosensors. As part of the study, the algorithm learned to identify, and then print, the best versions of kidney and prostate organ models, printing out 60 continually improving versions.

“You can optimize the results, saving time, cost and labor,” said Kaiyan Qiu, co-corresponding author on the paper and Berry Assistant Professor in the WSU School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.

The use of 3D printing has been growing in recent years, allowing industrial engineers to quickly convert customized designs on a computer to a wide range of products—including wearable devices, batteries and aerospace parts.

But for engineers, trying to develop the correct settings for their printing projects is cumbersome and inefficient. Engineers have to decide on materials, the printer configuration and the dispensing pressure of the nozzle, for instance—all of which affect the final product.

“The sheer number of potential combinations is overwhelming, and each trial costs time and money,” said Jana Doppa, co-corresponding author and Huie-Rogers Endowed Chair Associate Professor of Computer Science at WSU.

Qiu has done research for several years in developing complex, lifelike 3D-printed models of human organs. They can be used, for instance, in training surgeons or evaluating implant devices, but the models have to include the mechanical and physical properties of the real-life organ, including veins, arteries, channels and other detailed structures.

Qiu, Doppa, and their students used an AI technique called Bayesian Optimization to train and find the optimized 3D-printing settings.  Once it was trained, the researchers were able to optimize three different objectives for their organ models—the geometry precision of the model, its weight or how porous it is and the printing time. Porosity of the organ model is important for surgery practice, for instance, because the model’s mechanical properties can change depending on its density.

“It’s hard to balance all the objectives, but we were able to strike a favorable balance and achieve the best possible printing of a quality object, regardless of the printing type or material shape,” said co-first author Eric Chen, a WSU visiting student working in Qiu’s group in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. 

Alaleh Ahmadian, co-first author and WSU graduate student in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, added that the researchers were able to look at all the objectives in a balanced manner for favorable results and that the project benefited from its interdisciplinary perspective.

“It is very rewarding to work on interdisciplinary research by performing physical lab experiments to create real world impact,” she said.

The researchers first trained the computer program to print out a surgical rehearsal model of a prostate. Because the algorithm is broadly generalizable, they could easily change it with small tunings to print out a kidney model.

 “That means that this method can be used to manufacture other more complicated biomedical devices, and even to other fields,” said Qiu.

The work was funded by the National Science Foundation, WSU Startup and Cougar Cage Funds.

VIDEO

https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/103872

Journal

Advanced Materials Technologies

DOI

10.1002/admt.202400037 

 

Mpox outbreak: "We are ready to test and vaccinate"

Institut Pasteur

 

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Human cells infected with MPXV (in green) among non-infected cells (nuclei in blue). Confocal microscopy image. © Institut Pasteur / Mathieu Hubert and Olivier Schwartz

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Credit: © Institut Pasteur / Mathieu Hubert and Olivier Schwartz

On Wednesday August 14, in response to the active circulation of clade 1 monkeypox virus (MPXV) in Central Africa and the recent expansion of a subtype (1b) thought to be more lethal and transmissible in East Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), paving the way for enhanced coordination between regional health systems and the active engagement of stakeholders to tackle this global outbreak. The following day, Thursday August 15, Sweden reported the first positive case of clade 1b mpox on European soil. This led the French government to place the French health system on maximum alert on Friday August 16, and the French authorities have now begun to re-evaluate the health recommendations established in 2022 during the previous mpox outbreak in preparation for the probable emergence of cases in the country.

In these circumstances, the Institut Pasteur is contributing to the national response by taking three immediate measures:

1. The Department of Public Health within the Ministry for Health has activated the Institut Pasteur's Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), and since the weekend, at the request of French health authorities, it has been analyzing samples taken from suspected cases at hospitals in Paris or at the Institut Pasteur Medical Center to establish an mpox diagnosis, in tandem with reference health care establishments and in conjunction with the National Reference Center – Expert Laboratory (CNR-LE) for Orthopoxviruses.

2. The Institut Pasteur Medical Center, which specializes in travel medicine (tropical infectious diseases, including skin conditions) and which treated mpox patients during the previous outbreak in 2022, has activated its internal protocol so that any patients with typical mpox symptoms who come for an appointment can be tested in conditions of optimal safety: samples are taken in an isolated negative pressure room and a tried and tested procedure for handling, packaging and transporting samples to a biosafety level 3 laboratory is applied. In the event of a positive test, patients will be treated in conjunction with reference health care establishments with which the Institut Pasteur works closely.

3. The Institut Pasteur Medical Center has informed the health authorities that it is available to vaccinate any members of populations targeted by the health recommendations on mpox (currently being revised), as it did in 2022, when it vaccinated more than 1,500 people at high risk of infection.

"With the active circulation of this new strain of mpox in several African countries and its recent emergence in Europe, it is likely that people in France will be affected. This is a serious health situation that requires us to be very vigilant. That is why the Institut Pasteur is responding actively, drawing on years of research on this virus and the experience acquired during the 2022 outbreak. We are ready to test and vaccinate patients at the request of the authorities, in application of the health protocol and in conjunction with reference health care establishments," said Institut Pasteur President Yasmine Belkaid.

The Institut Pasteur has also decided to step up the research that it has already been conducting for several years on mpox, especially in Central Africa, to help combat and curb mpox outbreaks over the long term.

• The aims of this research are to identify the animal reservoirs for the virus, its mechanisms of transmission from animals to humans and between humans, and the resulting epidemic dynamics. The expertise developed in this area is used by local health authorities to determine appropriate public health measures to tackle the spread of the virus.

• The research strengthens our diagnostic capabilities with the help of tests that can be used in the field and our knowledge of virus subtypes through sequencing. Current efforts in France and at international level to diagnose mpox and isolate the different circulating strains are benefiting from this research.

• Research is ongoing at the Institut Pasteur to bring about longer-term improvements to treatments and vaccines for the various strains of mpox. The Institut Pasteur is currently leading an extensive study to analyze the function of Tecovirimat, the main antiviral on the market, to determine its efficacy on the various circulating strains and identify additional drugs that may be active against strains for which Tecovirimat does not work. In collaboration with Inserm, the Institut Pasteur is also seeking to characterize novel monoclonal antibodies as well as "nanobodies," small antibodies with neutralizing activity against mpox, for use in antiviral therapies. Lastly, the Institut Pasteur is exploring avenues to improve existing vaccines (known as third-generation vaccines) or vaccines under development (messenger RNA vaccines) using its own antigens.

For the Institut Pasteur President, Yasmine Belkaid, "this new episode serves as a reminder that epidemic risk is unfortunately part of our lives and that tackling it requires a comprehensive, sustained, long-term response. Growing ecosystem disruption and the continued development of international trade and travel make this risk more pressing every day. We need to play our part by supporting scientific research on infectious diseases in the fields of virology, immunology and vaccinology, as well as epidemiology, ecology and anthropology, and working in the field to tackle disease outbreaks, especially in the Global South, enabling local populations and local and regional authorities to act with sovereignty and to prevent and manage this risk themselves."

 

Prof Carl Kocher explores how you can stretch your mind to grasp quantum entanglement

Frontiers

My new article, ‘Quantum Entanglement of Optical Photons: The First Experiment, 1964-67’, is intended to convey the spirit of a small research project that reaches into uncharted territory. The article breaks with tradition, as it offers a first-person account of the strategy and challenges for the experiment, as well as an interpretation of the final result and its significance. In this guest editorial, I will introduce the subject and also attempt to illuminate the question ‘What is a paradox?’

Let’s begin with the gyroscope that I bought when I was eight, from a store that sold novelties and magic tricks. The spinning disk, supported at one end of its shaft, did not fall, but moved slowly around in a horizontal plane. This behavior seems mysterious or paradoxical in the context of common experience that excludes gyroscopes, but makes complete sense in the context of Newtonian mechanics, which resolves the paradox by predicting precisely how gyroscopes will behave.

Quantum theory, conceived in the mid-1920s, has been impressively successful in accounting for the properties and interactions of atoms and molecules. In 1935, Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen stirred controversy with a thought experiment in which two particles of common origin move apart, noting that quantum theory predicts correlations in subsequent measurements of their spins. The correlation may seem quite puzzling, as a measurement on one of the particles appears to influence a subsequent measurement on the other, even if the particles do not interact. In current terminology, these correlations are an example of entanglement, and the correlation phenomenon is known as the EPR paradox. The puzzle has become a subject for much discussion and analysis, especially because there was (and is) no known mechanism for measurements to communicate with each other.

Disentangling entanglement

In 1964 I was intrigued by this unfamiliar effect and began to think of a way to actually perform the EPR experiment – or at least a version of it – for observing the correlation and entanglement. It would be a low-energy experiment that could be set up in a small laboratory.

For the experiment outlined here, the particles of interest are visible-light photons, which are noninteracting, emitted by excited calcium atoms in a two-stage spontaneous emission process. The polarization states of the photons, which are related to their spins, can be measured simply, with ordinary linear polarizers. Photomultiplier detectors count the individual photons, #1 (green) and #2 (violet), and timing circuits enable the identification of photon pairs from the same atom. A rotatable linear polarizer is mounted in front of each detector.

In simplest terms, the experiment involves counting the rate at which photon pairs are detected, as a function of the orientation of the polarizers. A photon pair detected from the same atom is recorded as a “coincidence count.”

Quantum theory makes the following predictions:

1. Each photon, taken separately, has a 50% chance of being transmitted by its polarizer, regardless of its angle of orientation.

2. If the polarizer axes are parallel, both photons from the same atom can pass through their polarizers and be counted. Coincidence counts will be observed.

3. If the polarizer axes are perpendicular, it never happens that both photons pass through their polarizers. Therefore, no coincidence counts will be observed.

Predictions #1 and #2 are not surprising, as the green and violet beams of light are unpolarized.

Prediction #3, discussed further in my article, is a quantum entanglement effect with no analog in classical (non-quantum) physics. It is especially interesting because it can be tested experimentally. I designed the experiment specifically for this purpose.

The results of the experiment, after nearly three years of effort in the laboratory, clearly demonstrate that coincidence counts are recorded if the polarizer axes are parallel, and that no coincidences are recorded if the polarizers are perpendicular. The agreement between theory and experiment is unequivocal and striking.

So is there a paradox?

In our brief discussion of the gyroscope, no paradox was acknowledged because Newton’s theory (classical dynamics) fully explains how a gyroscope moves. Furthermore, both the theory and the observed gyroscopic behavior are compatible with our life experience and intuitive ability to grasp natural processes in the classical realm.

In the entanglement case, quantum theory accounts for the observed correlation of the photon polarizations. But even when a theory predicts experimental results, a paradox may remain if the intuition cannot reach out to connect with it.

Take another look at predictions #1 and #3 above. If we draw on our experience of life in a non-quantum world, we may notice something very strange when the polarizers are “crossed” at 90 degrees. If each photon has a 50% chance of transmission through its polarizer, why don’t we get coincidences 25% of the time? Instead, we observe none at all. At first consideration, this does seem to qualify as a paradox. One possible explanation could involve a missing component of quantum theory – perhaps a causal mechanism that could allow one photon, or one measurement, to communicate with the other. However, despite extensive research, no evidence has been found for such a mechanism.

As we do not live in an overtly quantum world, classical phenomena may influence our thought processes – even when we venture into the quantum realm. It may therefore remain a challenge to assimilate entanglement into the intuition. I believe that the paradox can be at least partially resolved when further thought and experience, such as the experiment considered here, ‘stretch the mind’ to more fully embrace entanglement and other quantum phenomena.

I have come to view these aspects of nature as ‘strangely wonderful’.

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Journal

Frontiers in Quantum Science and Technology

DOI

10.3389/frqst.2024.1451239 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Quantum Entanglement of Optical Photons: The First Experiment, 1964-67

Article Publication Date

22-Aug-2024

 

Tarantulas have surprising partnerships with other species and their hairiness may be a defense mechanism

University of Turku

 

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A frog and a tarantula make good housemates.

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Credit: Photo: Francesco Tomasinelli & Emanuel Biggi

A recently published article studies the mutually beneficial ecological relationships and evolutionary adaptations of tarantulas. The study reveals that the infamous spiders are actually often on friendly terms with amphibians, reptiles, and even army ants, which are known to feed on spiders. The researchers suggest that the dense hair covering tarantulas may have in fact evolved as a defence mechanism against these predatory ants.

A team of international scientists conducted an extensive review of literature and studied how tarantulas interact with various other species.

The research reported for the first time an association between tarantulas and snakes, whip spiders, and harvestmen, and also reported over 60 new cases of partnerships between tarantulas and amphibians from ten different countries.

According to the researchers, the interaction, or even cohabitation, between the tarantulas and other species is often mutually beneficial.

"Apparently, the frogs and toads that live within the retreats of tarantulas benefit from the shelter and protection against their predators. In turn, they feed on insects that could be harmful to the spider, its eggs, and its juveniles. It seems that tarantulas might not be as scary and threatening as their reputation suggests," says researcher and the first author of the study Alireza Zamani from the University of Turku, Finland.

One of the most significant findings of this study is the proposal of a new hypothesis on why tarantulas are so hairy. The researchers believe that the hirsuteness – or hairiness – of tarantulas may have evolved as a defence mechanism against predatory ants.

"Observations indicate that army ants tend to ignore both adult tarantulas and spiderlings. This is quite interesting, since army ants are known to attack and feed on a wide variety of arthropods," says Zamani.

In their interactions with tarantulas, the ants were observed to enter the tarantula’s burrow, gather food remains, and clean the burrow, which is beneficial for the tarantula. Only a few ants attempted to attack the spider. However, these attempts failed because the spider’s legs were protected by a fringe of stiff hairs.

"The dense hair covering the tarantula's body makes it difficult for the ants to bite or sting the spider. Therefore, we believe that the hairiness may have evolved as a defence mechanism. This hypothesis is supported by findings that many burrowing New World tarantulas cover their egg sacs with urticating hairs. The tarantulas typically release these barbed hairs as a defence mechanism, deterring and sometimes even killing their attackers. Covering their egg sacs with these hairs, however, effectively hinders the movement of small injurious arthropods, such as ants, that might try to attack the eggs," explains Zamani.

However, the authors suggest that the hirsuteness could be an evolving character unique to certain tarantula species. Those species that have less dense body hair are left more vulnerable to the attacks from predatory ants.

The researchers documented a unique escape strategy employed by New World arboreal tarantulas when threatened by ants.

"In a field study in Peru, a female Avicularia hirschii was observed leaving its silken retreat and hanging from the edge of a leaf by the tips of its front legs after sensing the approach of army ants in search of live prey," says Zamani.

According to the authors, tarantulas may also have another defence strategy involving a previously unknown chemical mechanism. The researchers suggest that the spiders may have specialised epidermal glands in their cuticles that could secrete predator-repellent substances.

"This hypothesis is supported by the observation that cats and dogs, animals with highly developed sense of smell, tend to wince and move away after sniffing a tarantula. Tarantulas have slit-like epidermal gland openings of unknown function, which may produce defensive secretions responsible for this reaction," says Zamani.

Although further evidence is needed to substantiate the hypothesis of the chemical defence mechanism, this study marks a significant step forward in understanding the behaviour and the evolutionary strategies of tarantulas.

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Journal

Journal of Natural History

DOI

10.1080/00222933.2024.2382404 

Article Title

An extensive review of mutualistic and similar ecological associations involving tarantulas

 

CeO2 nanoparticles: a double-edged sword for aquatic algal life

Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE

 

image: 

Impact of Repeated CeO2 Nanoparticle Exposure on Algal Photosynthesis and Biomass.

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Credit: Eco-Environment & Health

A crucial study reveals significant alterations in growth, photosynthetic activity, and gene expression of freshwater algae due to cerium oxide nanoparticles. This research highlights the complex interactions between these microscopic pollutants and key aquatic producers, providing essential insights into the ecological impacts of nanomaterial pollution.

As nanotechnology progresses, the pervasive use of cerium oxide nanoparticles in various industrial applications has led to their frequent dispersal into aquatic environments. These particles have become a routine element of industrial waste, interfacing with vital aquatic organisms like algae. With increasing concerns over their effects on aquatic health and ecosystem stability, urgent and comprehensive research is needed to address the environmental threats posed by these nanoparticles.

Executed by the team from the State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol and the Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources at Sun Yat-sen University's Shenzhen Campus, this study (DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.04.002) was published in the journal Eco-Environment & Health on 16 April 2024. It delves into the effects of repeated exposure to cerium oxide nanoparticles on the freshwater algae Chlorella vulgaris.

Considering that the exposure period of nanoparticles is deeply connected with the physiological rhythms of the exposed organisms. This research investigated the effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on Chlorella vulgaris in single and repeated sessions. Results indicate that repeated exposures markedly increase the algae's photosynthetic pigment content and oxidative stress levels, suggesting an intensified response to environmental stressors. Additionally, these exposures decreased photosynthetic efficiency and reduced biomass, adversely affecting the alga's health and growth. Gene expression analysis showed a significant upregulation in photosynthesis-related genes, indicating an adaptive response to nanoparticle-induced stress. The findings underscore the complex effects of nanoparticles on aquatic life, highlighting the potential long-term ecological consequences of repeated nanoparticle exposures.

Professor Huang, the lead researcher on this project, states, "This study underscores the potential dangers of repeated nanoparticle exposure to algae, stressing the importance of evaluating nanomaterial risks in actual environmental settings. Our findings lay a scientific foundation for mitigating potential ecological risks associated with nanomaterials."

Understanding the impact of repeated CeO2 nanoparticle exposure on algal photosynthesis and growth is crucial for assessing the environmental risks posed by these materials. This knowledge can help in developing safer nanotechnology applications and inform environmental policy making, ensuring that the advancement of nanotechnologies aligns with environmental conservation goals.

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References

DOI

10.1016/j.eehl.2024.04.002

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2024.04.002

Funding information

Funding for this work was provided by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42007285), Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (Grant Nos. RCBS20210706092344024 and 202206193000001, 20220816102553004), Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (No. 2023A1515010564).

About Eco-Environment & Health

Eco-Environment & Health (EEH) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal designed for publications on the frontiers of the ecology, environment and health as well as their related disciplines. EEH focuses on the concept of "One Health" to promote green and sustainable development, dealing with the interactions among ecology, environment and health, and the underlying mechanisms and interventions. Our mission is to be one of the most important flagship journals in the field of environmental health.

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Journal

Eco-Environment & Health

DOI

10.1016/j.eehl.2024.04.002 

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Repeated release of cerium oxide nanoparticles altered algal responses: Growth, photosynthesis, and photosynthetic gene expression

 

Breaking boundaries: the unexpected routes of minerals in crop growth

Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE

 

image: 

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images of kaolin particles found in xylem sap in high-angle annular dark field (HAADF) mode and elemental mapping.

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Credit: Eco-Environment & Health

Imagine plants not just sipping nutrients dissolved in water, but actually munching on tiny mineral particles straight from the soil! This groundbreaking study sheds light on how wheat and lettuce aren't just passive feeders—they actively grab, transport, and utilize solid minerals from their roots all the way to their shoots. This discovery not only surprises us but also hints at new ways to boost crop growth and environmental health, paving the way for smarter farming techniques.

While plants traditionally acquire nutrients in dissolved forms, the uptake of solid mineral particles has been largely unexplored. Current agricultural practices and environmental assessments may overlook the potential of plants to directly utilize these particles. This study's insights into the direct uptake routes provide a crucial understanding of how plants interact with their soil environment, potentially altering how we manage crop nutrition and soil health. Based on these challenges, there is a pressing need to delve deeper into this phenomenon.

Conducted by researchers at the State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, the study (DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2024.05.002) published in Eco-Environment & Health on 22 May 2024, investigates how wheat and lettuce plants absorb and transport kaolin particles. Employing covalent labeling and advanced microscopy techniques, the researchers tracked the particles’ movement, offering groundbreaking insights into the plants' ability to engage with their non-soluble mineral environment.

In this research, hydroponic and soil systems were used to investigate how wheat and lettuce plants internalize and transport kaolin particles. Through advanced techniques like fluorescent dyes and lanthanum labeling, the study revealed that these mineral particles are taken up at lateral root emergence sites, bypassing the protective Casparian strip. This unexpected pathway suggests a direct mechanism for mineral intake, previously undocumented in plant science. While wheat showed a higher uptake rate in hydroponics, significant translocation of particles to shoots was observed in both species when grown in soil. These findings suggest that soil interactions may enhance the ability of plants to utilize solid minerals, challenging traditional views on plant nutrition and suggesting new avenues for agricultural optimization.

Dr. Yongming Luo, the study's lead researcher, stated, "Our findings challenge long-held assumptions about plant-mineral interactions. The ability of crops to directly utilize solid minerals could lead to innovative strategies for biofortification and enhanced phytoremediation capabilities, offering significant benefits for sustainable agriculture and environmental management."

This study opens new possibilities for agricultural practices, potentially leading to the development of crop varieties optimized for direct mineral uptake, enhancing growth efficiency and environmental resilience. Furthermore, understanding these pathways could revolutionize our approach to soil management, tailoring strategies that leverage natural plant capabilities to improve nutrient cycles and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.

###

References

DOI

10.1016/j.eehl.2024.05.002

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eehl.2024.05.002

Funding information

The financial support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41991330, 22241602, and 42177039) and the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF (GZC20232783).

About Eco-Environment & Health

Eco-Environment & Health (EEH) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal designed for publications on the frontiers of the ecology, environment and health as well as their related disciplines. EEH focuses on the concept of "One Health" to promote green and sustainable development, dealing with the interactions among ecology, environment and health, and the underlying mechanisms and interventions. Our mission is to be one of the most important flagship journals in the field of environmental health.

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Journal

Eco-Environment & Health

DOI

10.1016/j.eehl.2024.05.002 

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Crop plants transport irregularly shaped mineral particles from root to shoot: Tracking and quantifying