Weeping forsythia genome: A treasure trove for ecology and medicine

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science

 

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Summary of the Fsus-CHAU genome and its associated phenotypic characteristics. 

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Credit: Horticulture Research

A recent study has decoded the complete genome of Forsythia suspensa, a plant renowned for its medicinal value and decorative appeal. The research delivers a flawless, gap-free genome assembly, uncovering the complex architecture of centromeres vital to genetic stability. This advancement offers a detailed genetic map, setting the stage for future breakthroughs in ecological management and medical research.

Despite its traditional significance in medicine and environmental conservation, Forsythia suspensa has remained genomically elusive due to fragmented and incomplete assemblies. The centromeres, essential for chromosome segregation, are especially difficult to study because of their dense and repetitive DNA sequences. Addressing these obstacles has made a complete and accurate genome assembly an urgent goal, critical for deepening our understanding of the plant’s evolutionary and genetic traits.

The study (DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae185), led by researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology and other institutions, was published on July 10, 2024, in Horticulture Research. Leveraging cutting-edge Oxford Nanopore, Hi-C, and PacBio HiFi sequencing technologies, the team assembled a telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome of Forsythia suspensa. This assembly, encompassing 14 chromosomes, features comprehensive centromere mapping and sheds new light on centromere complexity and retrotransposon behavior.

The T2T genome assembly of Forsythia suspensa spans 688.79 Mb and includes over 33,900 protein-coding genes. One of the study’s highlights is the use of a specialized CENH3 antibody to map centromeres precisely, revealing a diverse array of satellite sequences with unique lengths, hinting at dynamic evolutionary mechanisms. Furthermore, researchers identified that older retrotransposons are more abundant in these centromeres compared to the rest of the genome, likely influenced by the plant’s predominantly asexual reproduction. This observation stands in contrast to centromere patterns in sexually reproducing species, offering new insights into the genetic stability shaped by reproductive strategies.

Dr. Yang Liu, a principal investigator on the project, emphasized, “The gap-free genome of Forsythia suspensa is a major achievement in plant genomics. Our research not only deepens our understanding of centromere biology but also paves the way for further exploration of repetitive DNA’s role in plant evolution. This comprehensive genomic resource will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for future studies on medicinal and ecological plant species.”

The significance of this genome assembly extends beyond academia. It promises to accelerate genetic research in plant breeding, ecological conservation, and biotechnology. Detailed centromere mapping could inform conservation strategies and enhance our understanding of plant resilience. Additionally, the research lays a solid foundation for unraveling the genetic underpinnings of Forsythia’s medicinal qualities, with the potential to optimize and expand therapeutic applications based on the plant's bioactive compounds.

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References

DOI

10.1093/hr/uhae185

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/hr/uhae185

Funding infortmation

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (32360307 and 32300491).

Abut Horticulture Research

Horticulture Research is an open access journal of Nanjing Agricultural University and ranked number one in the Horticulture category of the Journal Citation Reports ™ from Clarivate, 2022. The journal is committed to publishing original research articles, reviews, perspectives, comments, correspondence articles and letters to the editor related to all major horticultural plants and disciplines, including biotechnology, breeding, cellular and molecular biology, evolution, genetics, inter-species interactions, physiology, and the origination and domestication of crops.

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Journal

Horticulture Research

DOI

10.1093/hr/uhae185 

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

The gap-free genome of Forsythia suspensa illuminates the intricate landscape of centromeres

 

Distractions significantly delay remote drivers’ reaction time

GOSH, JUST LIKE ORDINARY DRIVERS

Newcastle University

 

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The remote driver is in the “monitoring” driving condition in the Level 4 automated vehicle teleoperation workstation.

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Credit: Dr Shuo Li

Distractions slow the reaction time of automated vehicle remote drivers by over five seconds, new research has shown.  

Level 4 automated vehicles can be controlled remotely by a specially trained remote driver using a teleoperation workstation. Led by Newcastle University, the study investigated how the remote drivers interact with self-driving vehicles in a real-world scenario. It focussed on the impacts of distraction and disengagement on driver performance.

The experts found that mental disengagement, achieved through a reading task distraction, significantly slowed the remote driver’s reaction time by an average of 5.3 seconds when the driverless vehicle system required intervention, posing significant safety risks.

Published in the journal Electronics, the results also show that disengagement resulted in a 4.2 second delay in decision-making time for remote drivers when they needed to step in and make critical strategic decisions.

Serious safety issues

Level 4 automated vehicles, which this research was based on, are capable of automatically starting fail-safe and fail-operational protocols. One significant solution implemented as a fail-safe for Level 4 automated vehicles is the concept of remote driving. In this system, the automated vehicle can be controlled remotely by a specially trained remote driver using a teleoperation workstation.

The findings show that distraction and multitasking significantly increase response latency and impair the decision-making of the remote driver, potentially raising safety concerns.

Study lead author, Dr Shuo Li, Senior Research Associate at Newcastle University’s School of Engineering, said: “The extended motor readiness time among remote drivers in the “disengaged” condition underscores the risks associated with driver distraction and reduced situational awareness, which could critically impair their ability to promptly assume control of the vehicle in situations that require immediate intervention.

“This highlights the importance of maintaining a certain level of cognitive readiness for remote drivers even when they are not controlling the vehicle remotely. Such delays could pose safety risks in real-world applications, where the timely execution of a ‘GO’ or ‘NO GO’ decision is essential for mitigating potential risks and ensuring smooth and cost-effective vehicle operation.

“In urgent scenarios where rapid intervention is required, even minor delays could potentially lead to serious safety issues. For the vehicle automation industry, this underscores the need to explore solutions and develop systems that minimise remote driver distractions and manage cognitive workload effectively. It also calls for improved human–machine interfaces and advanced driver warning systems to ensure that remote drivers can maintain optimal workload and situational awareness so that they can respond promptly and effectively.”

Project V-CAL

This study investigated Level 4 automated vehicles powered by 5G technology, developed by a UK-based company specialising in vehicle automation. The vehicle was retrofitted from an existing Terberg electric tractor unit. The researchers’ objective was to test and demonstrate the operational capabilities of a 5G-enabled autonomous delivery system in a real-world setting, focusing on the autonomous delivery of goods using a 40-tonne truck in North East England. The system they studied consists of a modified Terberg electric heavy goods vehicle (HGV) and a 5G-enabled teleoperation workstation.

The research was carried out as part of Project V-CAL. Led by the North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), V-CAL will run up to four zero-emission autonomous HGVs between the Vantec and Nissan Sunderland sites, on private roads where the vehicles will navigate traffic lights, roundabouts, and other road users. This is a major step towards deploying the technology on public roads.

The work, in partnership with Newcastle University, Vantec, North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA), StreetDrone (Now part of Oxa), Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMUK), BP International, Nokia, ANGOKA, and Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP, has been awarded £4 million by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, which was awarded through a Innovate UK competition, and matched by industry to a total £8 million'

The HGVs will operate without any personnel on board but will be monitored by a remote safety driver as backup.

Study co-author, Professor Phil Blythe CBE, Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems, and Head of the Future Mobility Group, Newcastle University, added: “We are delighted to be a part of the V-CAL project who have developed a first of its kind driverless tractor unit for logistics operations. At this stage it is expected that there will be a remote driver overseeing the operation of a number of driverless freight vehicles. 

“What this research does is it begin to quantify the performance of remote divers and what this means for both the safety of driverless vehicles that will rely on such oversight and also the opportunity to reduce costs – underpinned by real-world data and observations.  What is happening in the NE with the funding of various Innovate UK projects in automation, really does put the region on the map as one of the significant areas of innovation in VAV and CAM.”

Vantec Europe Managing Director, Martin Kendall, said: “Vantec were involved in the initial proof of concept trails for autonomous logistics which has led to V-CAL. We believe passionately that these early stage innovative transport solutions will be a means to supporting the HGV business not just in the UK but globally.

“This is one of the first studies to assess remote drivers’ behaviour when teleoperating automated vehicles. The research findings offer practical resource for developing training programs, advancing technology, and refining operational protocols for the remote driving of automated vehicles.”

This is one of the first studies to assess remote drivers’ behaviour when teleoperating automated vehicles. The research findings offer practical resource for developing training programs, advancing technology, and refining operational protocols for the remote driving of automated vehicles.

Reference

Li, S. et al. (2024) ‘Quantifying the remote driver’s interaction with 5G-enabled level 4 automated  vehicles: A real-world study’, Electronics, 13(22), p. 4366. doi:10.3390/electronics13224366

 

 

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Journal

Electronics

DOI

10.3390/electronics13224366 

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Article Title

Quantifying the Remote Driver’s Interaction with 5G-Enabled Level 4 Automated Vehicles: A Real-World Study

NOT H5N1

Finding a preventative solution to a billion-dollar poultry problem

USDA-NIFA grant research to explore solution for necrotic enteritis with vaccine, bile acid

University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture

 

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Xiaolun "Jack" Sun, an associate professor in the poultry science department, was awarded a four-year, $650,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to advance his poultry vaccine research.  (U of A System Division of Ag photo)

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Credit: (U of A System Division of Ag photo)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The poultry industry loses up to $6 billion annually due to necrotic enteritis, a preventable intestinal disease in poultry, including broiler chickens.

An Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station poultry science researcher is evaluating a new possible solution using a novel vaccine combined with a bile acid regimen.

Xiaolun “Jack” Sun, a researcher and associate professor for the experiment station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, was awarded a four-year, $650,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to advance the research. Sun is developing a vaccine and exploring the use of bile acids to fight this serious and costly disease that’s impacting producers’ productivity and profits.

“We want to develop a new measure to prevent this disease,” Sun said. “We want to develop something effective and affordable to bring the desired results to the industry.”

Necrotic enteritis has been controlled by coccidiostats and antibiotics. Coccidiostats are a type of medication used in poultry and livestock production to prevent and control coccidiosis, a parasitic disease.

Sun said concerns of antimicrobial resistance by consumers, the poultry industry and regulatory agents have prompted restrictions on the use of antimicrobials in the U.S. poultry industry. These restrictions likely contributed to an increase in necrotic enteritis.

The disease that generally affects young broiler chickens is caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridium perfringens and a parasite called Eimeria maxima in the small intestine. The bacteria and the parasite damage the animal’s intestinal wall, impeding nutrient absorption. In chickens, symptoms include poor growth, diarrhea, depression, deformed feathers, and, in some cases, death. 

Sun aims to develop a “multiepitope fusion antigen” vaccine, or MEFA vaccine, to target C. perfringens growth and infection in the gut.

A multiepitope fusion antigen is a type of recombinant protein, which is a protein produced by genetically engineered cells. What makes MEFA vaccines unique is the combination of multiple “antibody-generating sites,” called epitopes, into one protein. Epitopes are the parts of the protein that trigger an immune response.

By having multiple epitopes in one molecule, MEFA vaccines can simultaneously target several features of the disease-causing pathogen, known as virulence points. Sun said this theoretically makes the vaccine more effective by triggering a stronger and broader immune response.

In simple terms, a MEFA vaccine is like a multi-tool that can target different weaknesses in a pathogen, providing better protection against infections.

Sun will also explore how bile acids can inhibit the pathogen’s growth and chicken necrotic enteritis. Bile acids, which are synthesized in the liver and stored in the gallbladder, aid in fat emulsification and nutrient absorption in the intestine. Sun says there’s increasing evidence that bile acids are effective against bacterial pathogens.

C. perfringens vaccines in the field already exist with limited protection, but Sun says his vaccine will be the first MEFA vaccine developed specifically against C. perfringens multiple virulence sites and necrotic enteritis.

Sun’s team includes Ph.D. student Bilal Alrubaye and master’s student Janashrit Shrestha. They are focusing on different aspects of the MEFA vaccine development and bile acid research.

“I have seen firsthand the impacts of antimicrobial resistance of necrotic enteritis and its possible impact on human health,” Shrestha said. “So, it’s a privilege to work on this research with Dr. Sun. I’m learning a lot.”

Minimizing the effects of necrotic enteritis

The central hypothesis of this research is built upon the researchers’ preliminary findings that a C. perfringens sporulation vaccine and dietary deoxycholic acid significantly reduced necrotic enteritis in chickens.

The team will construct and evaluate MEFA vaccines in the lab and with live chickens, including through oral delivery. The research will also investigate the efficacy of administering bile acids.

Sun is hopeful his research will result in the development of an effective and low-cost MEFA vaccine and bile acid treatment that can significantly reduce necrotic enteritis. 

“We are honored and very happy to receive this grant to continue this work, but we also know it comes with a lot of responsibility,” Sun said. “We aim to get effective results that are worth the funding, providing poultry producers with new tools to prevent necrotic enteritis, ultimately improving poultry health, enhancing producer profitability, and ensuring a safer and more sustainable food supply.”

Sun acknowledged support from various faculty and staff who contributed to the preliminary data for this research, including Rohana Liyanage, senior scientist in the chemistry and biochemistry department at the University of Arkansas; Billy Hargis, Distinguished Professor of poultry science; Hong Wang, recently retired program associate, and Ying Fu and Tahrir Alenezi, Ph.D. students at the time of their contribution.

This grant is part of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative from USDA-NIFA. The project award number is 2024-67015-42404.

To learn more about the Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow on X at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

From traditional to technological: Advancements in fresco conservation

Laser Doppler vibrometry is being used to conserve frescos in the US Capitol building

Acoustical Society of America

 

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Detection color map of a fresco in the U.S. Capitol. Brighter colors indicate more vibration in the plaster, and therefore, a delamination.\

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Credit: Nick Gangemi

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 21, 2024 – Fresco painting, a technique that dates back to antiquity, involves applying dry pigments to wet plaster, creating stunning artwork that can last for centuries. Over time, however, these masterpieces often face degradation due to delamination, where decorative plaster layers separate from the underlying masonry or structural plaster. This deterioration can compromise the structural integrity of the artwork, necessitating restoration efforts.

Historically, conservators have gently knocked on the plaster with their knuckles or small mallets to assess the condition of the fresco. By listening to the emitted sound, they could identify the delaminated areas needing repair. While effective, this technique is limited both by the conservator’s experience and the small number of people in the world who possess these skills. 

Recent research by Joseph Vignola at the Catholic University of America is revolutionizing fresco assessment. Vignola and his team have applied laser Doppler vibrometry to locate delamination in the frescos of Constantino Brumidi in the U.S. Capitol building. This innovative method uses a laser to measure the vibration of a surface, enabling the team to detect delaminated areas based on their unique vibrational characteristics.

“By transmitting sound waves to induce motion in the plaster, the system captures vibrational signatures that reveal detailed information about the structural condition of the artwork,” said researcher Nicholas Gangemi.

One of the remarkable aspects of this technology is its ability to identify regions of delamination that may not exhibit any obvious outward signs of damage. The group’s current research focuses on developing techniques to accurately resolve the size and shape of these hidden defects, facilitating precise repairs that will ensure the preservation of the artwork for future generations.

Moreover, advancements in signal processing are enhancing the ability to analyze complex shapes of delaminated regions. 

Gangemi will present research related to this work on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 11:25 a.m. ET as part of the virtual 187th Meeting of the Acoustical Society of America, running Nov. 18-22, 2024.

This research explores the simulation of frescoes with known delaminated shapes to validate their methods, ensuring that they can accurately assess and restore the artworks. These fresco surrogates have also offered a platform for Vignola and his team to scientifically validate the dated technique of knocking on a fresco and listening to the sound it makes. 

Looking ahead, this research aims to democratize conservation expertise by creating simple, accessible tools. One possibility is to develop smartphone or computer applications that utilize straightforward algorithms, allowing anyone—regardless of their background—to engage with fresco conservation. This initiative not only enhances the preservation process but also raises awareness of the challenges and techniques involved in maintaining these cultural treasures.

As technology continues to bridge the gap between traditional methods and modern science, fresco conservation is poised for a transformative future.

“We are developing techniques to allow us to preserve the artwork for generations to come.”

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Media are invited to attend a virtual press conference about this research and other sessions on Monday, Nov. 18. A full schedule is available at https://acoustics.org/asa-press-conference-schedule-for-monday-nov-18-asa187. To register for virtual press conferences or sessions, email media@aip.org.

———————– MORE MEETING INFORMATION ———————–

​Main Meeting Website: https://acousticalsociety.org/asa-virtual-fall-2024/  
Technical Program: https://eppro01.ativ.me/src/EventPilot/php/express/web/planner.php?id=ASAFALL24

ASA PRESS ROOM

In the coming weeks, ASA’s Press Room will be updated with newsworthy stories and the press conference schedule at https://acoustics.org/asa-press-room/.

LAY LANGUAGE PAPERS

ASA will also share dozens of lay language papers about topics covered at the conference. Lay language papers are summaries (300-500 words) of presentations written by scientists for a general audience. They will be accompanied by photos, audio, and video. Learn more at https://acoustics.org/lay-language-papers/.

PRESS REGISTRATION

ASA will grant free registration to credentialed and professional freelance journalists. If you are a reporter and would like to attend the virtual meeting and/or press conferences, contact AIP Media Services at media@aip.org. For urgent requests, AIP staff can also help with setting up interviews and obtaining images, sound clips, or background information.

ABOUT THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

The Acoustical Society of America is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world’s leading journal on acoustics), JASA Express Letters, Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics, Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. See https://acousticalsociety.org/.

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Maintaining bridge safer; Digital sensing-based monitoring system

Establishing a foundation for local technology commercialization in Vietnam

National Research Council of Science & Technology

 

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The program developed only for this project, it acquires the data from the digital sensors and analyze structural deformation and its vibration in real-time.

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Credit: Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology

Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT, President Kim Byung-Suk) developed a smart monitoring system that applies digital sensing technology to maintain and manage small- and medium-sized aging bridges. This study was conducted as an international matching joint research funded by KICT, and established a foundation for technology diffusion to ASEAN countries through joint research with University of Transport and Communications (UTC) in Vietnam.

In general, bridge maintenance monitoring technology is applied to long-span bridges such as cable-stayed bridges and suspension bridges. This monitoring system consumes a lot of resources for design and installation, and the system configuration itself is complex, so there are limits to its application for maintenance of small- and medium-sized bridges.

Currently, the most actively used bridge monitoring system is operated based on analog measurement and sensing. Due to the nature of the signal, the analog method is vulnerable to electrical noise, so there is a high possibility of data quality deterioration, and there are limitations in effectively processing various types of signals collected from sensors. Additionally, because analog sensors require 1:1 wiring between the sensor and the receiver, the configuration complexity and installation cost increase dramatically as the system grows.

The digital sensing technique adopted by KICT to overcome the limitations and problems of analog sensors has a low possibility of data quality deterioration due to noise. It also has excellent data transmission speed and processing ability, making up for the shortcomings of analog sensing.

In addition, by using the BUS communication serial connection method, multiple sensor data can be integrated and transmitted through a single wire. This method is widely used in various applications due to its simplicity and economic efficiency. Furthermore, it has the advantage of complementing and replacing analog sensing in terms of simplification of system configuration.

In the case of Vietnam, which co-participated in the study, various transportation infrastructure, including bridges, are being built along with economic growth, but effective maintenance techniques are more required. Although overseas manpower and technology are being introduced to perform facility maintenance, only a few applications are being made to long-span bridges and large structures due to a limited maintenance budget and lack of technology and professional manpower. Safety monitoring for general maintenance of small- and medium-sized bridges has not been implemented, so it is necessary to introduce efficient monitoring techniques suited to local conditions.

The research team led by Dr. Dong-woo, Seo, at the Department of Structural Engineering Research of KICT, developed a monitoring system that can be efficiently applied to small- and medium-sized aging bridges through digital sensing techniques, and verified the performance of the system by demonstrating it on site with a research team at UTC in Vietnam. The measurement performance and local applicability of the based smart monitoring system were confirmed.

In particular, the smart monitoring technique developed by KICT can accurately calculate the vertical displacement of the target bridge with simple sensor placement and coordinate input. This is provided to the user in real time through a GUI (graphical user interface), and simple operations are required to operate the system and produce results.

As a result of local verification in Vietnam, the bridge vertical displacement and actual measured deflection results showed an accuracy of more than 95%. Also, the developed system and monitoring algorithm technology are transferred to ‘ATECH SOLUTION, Inc.’ for the commercialization.

Dr. Seo said, “The biggest advantage of the developed digital smart monitoring technique is user-friendliness,” and added, “Easy to use and economical monitoring technique through a simple system installment method using digital sensors and a GUI-based data analysis system.”

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Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, a government-funded research institute with 41 years of extensive research experience, is at the forefront of solving national issues that are directly related to the quality of the people’s life.

The research for this work was carried out under the KICT Research Program (project no. 20240400-001, Development of digital sensing based smart monitoring system for the maintenance of aged bridges in Vietnam) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

It shows test for the digital monitoring sensor , The digital sensors and developed system are evaluated its performance, stability, and field applicability

Summary of this project which aims ‘Digital sensing based smart monitoring system for aged bridge’ development. Also, it shows the project have focused to international joint research with Vietnam to solve the local infrastructure maintenance and management issues.

Credit

Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology

 WHITE CHAUVINISM 

Study: Brilliant white male characters more believable, some viewers say

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau

 

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Communication professor Matea Mustafaj led a study that explored how exposure to counter-stereotypical portrayals of “brilliant” women and racial minorities in entertainment media were perceived by people who strongly endorsed racial and gender stereotypes about intelligence. The screen behind Mustafaj displays some of the films used in the study, from top left, “Hidden Figures,” “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Pawn Sacrifice” and “The Martian.”

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Credit: Fred Zwicky

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Brilliant characters often play key roles in movies and TV shows. However, when these characters are played by women and people of color, some audience members dismiss them as unrealistic, even if they portray real people and events, a recent study found.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign communication professor Matea Mustafaj found that people who strongly endorsed racial and gender stereotypes about intelligence were more likely to believe that stories featuring brilliant Black or female protagonists, such as the mathematicians that helped launch the U.S. space program depicted in the film “Hidden Figures,” were unrealistic compared with those featuring white male protagonists, such as the Bobby Fischer character in the film  “Pawn Sacrifice.” 

The participants viewed one of four video clips from American TV shows or movies that featured brilliant main characters and were asked whether they were typical of people with these abilities. None of the participants reported having seen the shows or movies used in the study.

Viewers who endorsed intelligence-related stereotypical beliefs rated white male characters as more typical of geniuses in the broader population than Black people of either sex or white women. Mustafaj and co-author University of Michigan communication and media professor Sonya Dal Cin reported the findings in a paper published in the journal Media Psychology. 

“We found an association between intelligence-related stereotype endorsement and decreases in viewers’ perceived realism across three different social identities — Black women, Black men and white women — for which high-level intelligence is counter-stereotypical. In each of these cases, the relationship was mediated by viewers’ judgment that the character was atypical of geniuses in general,” Mustafaj said. 

The more strongly that study participants believed in intelligence-related stereotypes, the greater their perceptions that brilliant characters that were white women or Black people of either sex were atypical in real life. 

These individuals’ perceptions of atypicality — defined in the study as how common or usual a viewer believed an event or character representation was — strongly predicted whether they found counter-stereotypical characters realistic. However, it did not affect their perceptions of realism with brilliant white male protagonists, the researchers found.

The study population included 1,000 people, 53% of whom were women. The group was more than 73% white, more than 9% Black, more than 6% Hispanic and included other races and ethnicities. All participants were from the U.S. and ranged in age from 19 to 77. 

To assess viewers’ beliefs in stereotypes about intelligence, they were presented with photos of 16 different faces — four each of Black and white men and women — and were asked to indicate on surveys the extent to which each of the people could portray six different traits in a TV show. Two of the traits were related to intelligence — i.e., intelligent and logical — and the remaining four — assertive, friendly, hardworking and emotional — were not.

All the faces used in the study were in the perceived age range of 20 to 35 and slightly above average in attractiveness, the researchers wrote. 

Some prior studies suggested that entertainment media featuring diverse actors in counter-stereotypical roles offered opportunities to mitigate viewers’ existing biases and stereotypical beliefs. 

However, the potential to change viewers’ beliefs may be undermined if they dismiss the characters or the plot as unrealistic. This may be particularly relevant with fictional stories or characters that viewers know are not fact-based, Mustafaj and Dal Cin wrote.

“When people view entertainment media with counter-stereotypical representations that conflict with their beliefs, they will sometimes find ways to discount that information and not incorporate it into their understanding of people in the world in the way that theory might suggest,” Mustafaj said. 

The current study also explored whether viewers’ perceptions that shows or movies intended to persuade them to think a certain way created barriers to potential changes in their beliefs. Those who embraced intelligence-related stereotypes and viewed clips about characters from nonrepresentative groups associated persuasive intent with the brilliant Black male character only, the data indicated. 

However, viewers’ perceptions of persuasive intent diminished their sense of realism with the white female character only, the researchers found.

“While a viewer might perceive the inclusion of a counter-stereotypical character as an attempt to influence their beliefs, they may still find the character or story to be accurate,” Mustafaj said. 

Despite the plethora of entertainment media available today and greater use of diverse actors in nonstereotypical roles, consumers’ likelihood of exposure to content that conflicts with their views may not be greater, Mustafaj and Dal Cin found in a 2023 study that used a different online sample of adults.

In that paper, published in the Journal of Media Psychology, viewers who endorsed gender-based stereotypes about intelligence were less likely to choose shows with characters that subverted their stereotypical beliefs. 

This finding suggested that the people who might benefit the most from exposure to diverse representations were unlikely to choose to view them, Mustafaj said.

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Journal

Media Psychology

DOI

10.1080/15213269.2024.2397024 

Method of Research

Survey

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Discounting counter-stereotypical representations in entertainment media based on existing beliefs

Probiotic may counteract fire-retardant chemical damage

UC Riverside mouse study shows probiotic reduced negative impacts of PBDEs on development, behavior, and metabolism

University of California - Riverside

RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are fire-retardant chemicals that are found everywhere — upholstery, carpets, curtains, electronics, and even infant products. Known to disrupt hormones and persist in the environment, these pollutants have been detected in water, soil, air, food products, animals, human tissues, and even breast milk. 

A University of California, Riverside, mouse study published in Archives of Toxicology reports that probiotic supplementation can reduce the negative impacts of PBDEs on neurodevelopment, behavior, and metabolism.

“Exposure to PBDEs during the perinatal period produces autistic-like behavior and metabolism syndrome in mice,” said Margarita C. Curras-Collazo, a professor of neuroscience who led the study. “These compounds also disrupt the gut microbiome, which has been linked to brain and metabolic health. Our study shows supplementing the maternal diet with the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri can help prevent these negative effects.”

L. reuteri, or LR, typically resides in the digestive tract, where it generates lactic acid. Additionally, it can be found in beans, artichokes, and sweet potatoes, and in fermented foods such as sourdough bread, as well as miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut. It is frequently included in yogurts and other dairy products and, therefore, is readily accessible.

The researchers exposed mouse mothers to a PBDE mixture or a control (corn oil) during pregnancy and breast-feeding. This was done over a ten-week period to model the kind of exposures humans face. Some of the mice were supplemented with LR. The researchers then examined the offspring for developmental benchmarks during the postnatal period and for behavior during adulthood.

They found male offspring exposed to PBDEs had a delay in body weight gain. Further, their incisor eruption was abnormally timed.

“To our surprise, we found LR treatment prevented delays in male weight gain and helped normalize the timing of tooth eruption in both sexes,” said Elena Kozlova, a doctoral student working in Curras-Collazo’s lab and co-first author on the paper. 

According to UCR medical student and co-first author Maximillian Denys, this was a particularly significant result.

“Low birth weight, among other developmental markers, is an established predictor of adult health outcomes,” he said. “Sadly, underserved, low socioeconomic populations are disproportionately affected in terms of pollutant exposure and health outcomes.” 

The research team also found that the exposed female offspring showed exaggerated digging and hyperactivity in adulthood; LR mitigated these effects. Moreover, glucose metabolism and insulin levels improved in adult female offspring exposed to the PBDE mixture that were also given LR directly. 

“Maternal probiotic therapy with LR corrected most of the behavioral and metabolic abnormalities caused by PBDE exposure,” Kozlova said. “We gave offspring the probiotics through the mother, which is a very effective way to mitigate the effects of PBDEs with low risk to the developing offspring.”

According to Curras-Collazo, using gut microbiota-focused therapies before birth through the mother may help protect against developmental and adult diseases linked to toxic exposures. The research team found the PBDE mixture affected the gut microbiome in an age- and sex-dependent way. Maternal LR supplementation promoted the diversity of gut bacteria in female pups and prevented changes in these bacteria in male pups. 

“Changes in gut bacteria triggered by probiotics may contribute to these improvements,” Curras-Collazo said. “By better understanding how probiotics and environmental toxins interact, we can use these therapies as early interventions to mitigate long-term health problems caused by pollutant transfer from the mother.

“Although our findings must be replicated, they suggest that we can act to safeguard the health of our children against toxic chemicals for which there are no strategies for removal from our bodies,” she added. “Perhaps, through probiotics in our diet, we can put our own gut microbiota to work to mitigate toxicant effects and protect our health.”

Curras-Collazo, Kozlova, and Denys were joined in the study by other UCR investigators: Rui Liu, Anthony E. Bishay, Elyza A. Do, Varadh Piamthai, Yash V. Korde, Crystal N. Luna, Artha A. Lam, and Dr. Ansel Hsiao.

The study was supported by UC Riverside, UC-Hispanic Serving Institutions Doctoral Diversity Initiative, a Danone North America Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant, and the National Institutes of Health. The content of this article does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

The title of the research paper is “Maternal probiotic supplementation protects against PBDE-induced developmental, behavior and metabolic reprogramming in a sexually dimorphic manner: Role of gut microbiome.”

The University of California, Riverside is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment is more than 26,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual impact of more than $2.7 billion on the U.S. economy. To learn more, visit www.ucr.edu.

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Journal

Archives of Toxicology

DOI

10.1007/s00204-024-03882-4 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Maternal probiotic supplementation protects against PBDE-induced developmental, behavior and metabolic reprogramming in a sexually dimorphic manner: Role of gut microbiome

Article Publication Date

19-Nov-2024

COI Statement

The authors report no conflicts of interests and have no competing interests to declare.