Revolutionizing biology education: Scientists film ‘giant’ mimivirus in action

For the first time, we can see footage of a ‘giant’ virus as it infects a cell

Tokyo University of Science

 

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A single Acanthamoeba cell (top) is shown in these screenshots from a video. The diagram below depicts the viral infection process—the large green circle indicates Acanthamoeba cell membranes and the small orange circles represent Mimivirus particles.

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Credit: Masaharu Takemura from the Tokyo University of Science, Japan

The COVID-19 pandemic led to heightened public interest in learning about viruses and how they can cause diseases. There has been a lot of focus on communicating virology concepts to the general public in order to increase awareness about the spread and prevention of viral diseases.

When it comes to teaching biology, however, how do we explain microscopic processes like viral infections to students in the classroom?

In modern science education, seeing is believing—educators are now attempting to capture the attention of students by using eye-catching visuals and videos, instead of just relying on diagrams in a textbook. In the case of viruses, however, one major issue arises. Viruses typically cannot be seen under the familiar ‘light microscope’ available in school and university classrooms, requiring highly specialized and expensive equipment for visualization.

Now, in a study published in the Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education on November 8, 2024, a team led by Professor Masaharu Takemura at the Tokyo University of Science has successfully captured the viral infection process under a light microscope, creating a stunning video showcasing their results. The key to this process was a unique ‘giant’ virus known as Mimivirus. This research was co-authored by Ms. Kanako Morioka and Ms. Ayumi Fujieda at Tokyo’s Yone Production Co., Tokyo, Japan.

Mimivirus has a much larger particle size than most viruses and can actually be seen under a light microscope, making it an ideal candidate for use as an educational tool. The researchers sought to visualize how the Mimivirus infects a microbe called Acanthamoeba. It is difficult to visualize amoebae under a microscope since they are constantly moving in a liquid medium; therefore, they used a modified growth medium containing a jelly-like substance called agar. This growth medium also contained viruses which infected the amoebae, and after infection, the Acanthamoeba cells moving under the agarose gel gradually slowed down.

The researchers were able to film individual cells as they were infected; indeed, we can observe all the steps of the viral infection process in their footage. While healthy Acanthamoeba cells are initially moving around, they gradually slow down and come to a stop following Mimivirus infection. As the amoeba cells stopped moving, the researchers observed the development of a ‘virion factory’ inside the amoeba cell, which produced more ‘virions’ or viral particles. The infected cell ultimately dies as its membrane ruptures.  

Prof. Takemura highlights the study’s innovation, saying, “For the first time in the world, we have succeeded in continuously visualizing the events that are believed to occur in viral infection over a long period of time—such as the proliferation of the virus, its release from cells, and the death of cells during the process.”

The film showing how a single Acanthamoeba cell is infected by Mimivirus was then screened in a biology classroom at the Tokyo University of Science and garnered positive reactions. The researchers observed that the movie influenced the perception of some students regarding viruses and seems to have shifted their views towards more scientific and biological perspectives.

This study also ensures that there is no violation of biological safety guidelines since the Acanthamoeba cells and viruses are grown in an appropriately equipped laboratory. The students in the classroom do not actually handle any of the equipment; the focus is only on screening the filmed video in a classroom setting.

Prof. Takemura is confident that this film will be a valuable tool for teaching biology, explaining that, “It enhances students' understanding of virus proliferation mechanisms and highlights the biological significance of viruses, their impact on host cell fate, and their role in ecosystems.”

Until now, viruses have remained hidden in the shadows, visible only through advanced technology—but this groundbreaking footage changes everything. We are sure that this one-of-a-kind footage will be invaluable to virology and science education experts around the world!

 

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Reference                     

Title of original paper: Visualization of giant Mimivirus in a movie for biology classrooms

Journal: Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education

DOI:       10.1128/jmbe.00138-24

 

About The Tokyo University of Science

Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and in Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan's development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators.

With a mission of “Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society," TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today's most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field.

Website: https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/

 

About Professor Masaharu Takemura from Tokyo University of Science

Dr. Masaharu Takemura is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Science Education, Graduate School of Science at the Tokyo University of Science. His research interests include giant virus biology, viral eukaryogenesis, and virus education. Over his career, he has published more than 120 papers, amassing over 2,400 citations for his work. His research goal is to elucidate the evolution of giant viruses and eukaryotes and develop teaching materials for virus education.

 

Funding information

This research was partially supported by the JSPS/KAKENHI grant number 20H03078 to M.T.

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Journal

Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education

DOI

10.1128/jmbe.00138-24 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Cells

Article Title

Visualization of giant Mimivirus in a movie for biology classrooms

Article Publication Date

18-Nov-2024

 

Robotic shorts support people when walking

TUM researchers develop shorts with motor power

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

• Same concept as the electric bike, but for walking
• Target groups are the elderly as well as people with cardiovascular conditions
• Testers used up to 18% less of their own energy to cover a defined distance

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed robotic trousers that enable people to walk more easily while expending measurably less energy. The aim is to keep frail individuals and in particular the elderly mobile and healthy for longer. “You can walk slowly with the shorts but you can also jog,” says TUM Professor Lorenzio Masia. “We have developed a system that makes people want to move around more. It's the same concept as the electric bike, but for walking.”

According to the researchers' analyses, when a young person walks 500 metres up a hill with the aid of the robotic trousers, the expended energy – known as the metabolic cost – is reduced by 18% as compared to unaided walking. For an older person walking 400 metres on level ground, it is reduced by more than 10%. This is comparable to the effects of a reduction in body weight of ten or six kilograms. The researchers have also come up with a suitable name for their robotic shorts: WalkON.

When doctoral student Enrica Tricomi transitions from standing to walking, two thin, artificial tendons extending from the thigh to a waist belt pull upwards at the same time and relieve the hip flexors of some of their load. A measuring device attached to the tendons determines the hip angle and velocity. The device sends a signal to the motors precisely at the transition to the swing phase of walking. Regardless of whether an older person or a sporty teenager is wearing the robotic shorts: “The system recognises how fast or slowly the person is moving, adapts to the respective weight of the legs and provides individual support accordingly,” explains the researcher. Her smart robotic shorts do not require any pre-settings and can be put on, ready to use, in just a few minutes: truly plug-and-play.

Health factor: especially beneficial for older people

A questionnaire completed by participants indicated a strong sense of control, with respondents awarding a mean rating of well over 6 on a seven-point scale from zero (no control possible) to seven (very good control possible). “It is particularly important for older people to feel safe,” says Masia, who believes his system is especially useful for people who are somewhat frail but do not yet need a rollator.

The professor, who has just moved from the University of Heidelberg to the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) at TUM as Deputy Director, sees older people as well as those weakened by illness, for example with a weak heart or lung disease, as a target group for development. “Walking helps them to improve their metabolism, which in turn may have a positive effect on their illness,” says Masia. The fact that users can be out and about for longer makes them more mobile and independent overall. This in turn can have a positive impact on their quality of life.

Vision: developing exoskeletons for leisure time

In contrast to systems that are already available in outdoor shops as so-called exoskeletons, this is not a rigid frame, but a soft garment. “WalkOn looks more like clothing and is no bigger than a small rucksack overall,” says doctoral student Enrica Tricomi, who has gradually developed the system into its present form over the past four years. Prof Lorenzo Masia is convinced that in the future, a modular system will be created that users can put together themselves: “In a few years, you will buy a pair of shorts, attach a motor to them and plug in two cables. The system will then be ready to take you into the mountains.”

Publication

Enrica Tricomi, Francesco Missiroli, Michelle Xiloyannis, Nicola Lotti, Xiaohui Zhang, Marios Stefanakis, Maximilian Theisen, Jürgen Bauer, Clemens Becker, Lorenzo Masia; Soft robotic shorts improve outdoor walking efficiency in older adults; Nature Machine Intelligence, 2024; https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-024-00894-8

Additional information:

• The robotic trousers ‘WalkON’ are ready to wear within a minute. TUM scientist Enrica Tricomi demonstrates in a video how to put them on: https://youtu.be/6Ns3oFUqzu0

Additional material for media outlets:

• Photos:
  • https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/652209?show_id=1761659
  • https://mediatum.ub.tum.de/652209?show_id=1761660

 

Subject matter expert

Prof. Lorenzo Masia

Deputy Director of Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI)

Chair for Intelligent BioRobotics Systems

Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Lorenzo.masia@tum.de

 

TUM Corporate Communications Center contact:

Andreas Schmitz

0162-27 46 193

presse@tum.de

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Journal

Nature

DOI

10.1038/s42256-024-00894-8 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Soft robotic shorts improve outdoor walking efficiency in older adults

 

Walk this Way’: FSU researchers’ model explains how ants create trails to multiple food sources

Florida State University

 

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Assistant Professor of Mathematics Bhargav Karamched has created the first model explaining how foraging ants form pheromone trails to multiple food sources.

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Credit: Devin Bittner/FSU College of Arts and Sciences

It’s a common sight — ants marching in an orderly line over and around obstacles from their nest to a food source, guided by scent trails left by scouts marking the find. But what happens when those scouts find a comestible motherlode?

A team of Florida State University researchers led by Assistant Professor of Mathematics Bhargav Karamched has discovered that in a foraging ant’s search for food, it will leave pheromone trails connecting its colony to multiple food sources when they’re available, successfully creating the first model that explains the phenomenon of trail formation to multiple food sources.

Karamched, who also serves as faculty in FSU’s Institute of Molecular Biophysics, and music arts administration graduate student Sean Hartman, published “Walk This Way: Modeling Foraging Ant Dynamics in Multiple Food Source Environments” in the Journal of Mathematical Biology in September.

“The power of mathematics is that we can devise models that reproduce experimentally observed data and make concrete predictions about what will happen next,” Karamched said. “In this case, we uncovered something that hasn’t been described well by other models: if an ant has access to multiple food sources from its nest, it will initially make multiple trails to each of the sources.”

Karamched uses modeling, mathematical analysis and computer simulations to understand and solve problems in neuroscience and cell biology. Hartman, who earned dual bachelor’s degrees from FSU’s Department of Mathematics and College of Music in May 2023 and expects to complete his graduate studies this spring, approached Karamched about assisting with a Directed Individual Study (DIS). DIS allows students in FSU’s Honors Program to work one-on-one with faculty mentors in an open-ended, hands-on research experience and would allow Hartman to be more involved with mathematical modeling.

“I wanted to pursue research in mathematics, as I’ve had a lifelong interest in the subject, but never had the opportunity to take part in math-based research until now,” Hartman said. “I was intrigued by ant trail research that Dr. Karamched shared with me and became interested in pursuing further research on it and creating models based on this previous work.”

Foraging for resources is an essential process for the daily life of an ant colony, and ants will self-organize using chemical pheromones. Once an ant detects a food source, it secretes a chemical trail to lead other ants to the source. Using computational simulations of ants searching for food, stochastic modeling and a system of partial-differential equations, the researchers also observed that over time, ants will selectively travel to the food source that is the shortest distance from its nest in an environment with multiple sources.

“For this research, we divided the ants into two subpopulations: foragers and returners,” Karamched said. “These subpopulations behave differently, as foragers tend to wander around in search of food while returners always return directly to the nest after finding food, making their motion less stochastic or random. This allows us to predict with 100 percent certainty what they’re doing or where they would go.”

The team, including collaborator Shawn Ryan, associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Cleveland State University, considered the concentration of chemical pheromones that the ants secreted, signaling to other ants where food is. The probability of their models was based on the dynamics of these pheromones. The returning ants would secrete less pheromones depending on how close the food source was to the nest. More pheromones created a stronger scent for the ants to follow, a critical factor when the food source is located far from the nest.

“Once my code was fully tested and accurate, multiple trail formations became distinct and were easily understandable,” Hartman said. “It was so cool to see how equidistant food sources could maintain multiple food trails as an equilibrium. If one food source was just slightly closer to the ants’ nest, the ants would eventually form one singular trail to the closest source. It was at this moment that it felt all our hard work finally paid off.”

The model in this paper was designed to be simple and applicable to other organisms and biological systems that use pheromones as a form of communication, including bacteria, slime molds, other insects, fish, and even some reptiles and mammals.

“The framework for analyzing this collective behavior resides in the fundamental pheromone concentration gradient, then working from there,” Karamched said. “From a microbial level to complex organisms, using this chemical signaling to communicate allows certain organisms to coordinate activity on huge spatial scales, which is fascinating.”

To learn more about Karamched’s research and the FSU Department of Mathematics, visit math.fsu.edu

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Sean Hartman, a dual bachelor's degree graduate from FSU's Department of Mathematics and College of Music, is set to complete his graduate studies this spring.

Credit

Courtesy of Sean Hartman

ematical modeling, Karamched and Hartman’s model shows that upon finding two food sources at an equal distance from their nest, ants will travel to both sources equally.

Credit

Courtesy of Bhargav Karamched, Sean Hartman

Journal

Journal of Mathematical Biology

DOI

10.1007/s00285-024-02136-2 

Article Title

Walk this way: modeling foraging ant dynamics in multiple food source environments

 

New study shows how salmonella tricks gut defenses to cause infection

University of California - Davis Health

A new UC Davis Health study has uncovered how Salmonella bacteria, a major cause of food poisoning, can invade the gut even when protective bacteria are present. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explains how the pathogen tricks the gut environment to escape the body's natural defenses.

The digestive system is home to trillions of bacteria, many of which produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that help fight harmful pathogens. But Salmonella manages to grow and spread in the gut, even though these protective compounds are present. The study asks: How does Salmonella get around this defense?

“We knew that Salmonella invades the small intestine, although it is not its primary site of replication. The colon is,” said the lead author of the study Andreas Bäumler. Bäumler is a UC Davis distinguished professor and vice chair of research in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

Bäumler and his team discovered that the answer lies in how the pathogen changes the gut’s nutrient balance. When Salmonella enters the small intestine, it causes inflammation in the gut lining and disrupts the normal absorption of amino acids from food. This creates an imbalance in nutrients in the gut.

The imbalance gives Salmonella the resources it needs to survive and multiply in the large intestine (colon), where beneficial bacteria usually curb its growth. The study showed that salmonella causes inflammation in the small intestine in order to derive nutrients that fuel its replication in the colon.

Salmonella alters gut nutrient environment to survive

Using a mouse model, the team looked closely at how Salmonella changed the chemical makeup of the gut. They traced amino acid absorption in the small and large intestines.

They found that in mice that were infected with Salmonella, there was less absorption of amino acids into the blood. In fact, two amino acids, lysine and ornithine, became more abundant in the gut after infection. These amino acids helped Salmonella survive by preventing the growth-inhibiting effects of SCFAs. They did this by restoring Salmonella’s acidity (pH) balance, allowing the pathogen to bypass the microbiota’s defenses.

“Our findings show that Salmonella has a clever way of changing the gut’s nutrient environment to its advantage. By making it harder for the body to absorb amino acids in the ileum, Salmonella creates a more favorable environment for itself in the large intestine,” Bäumler said.

In the study, the team showed that Salmonella uses its own virulence factors (disease causing molecules) to activate enzymes that break down key amino acids like lysine. This helps the pathogen avoid the SCFAs’ protective effects and grow more easily in the gut.

New insights could lead to better gut infection treatments

The new insights potentially explain how the gut environment changes during inflammatory bowel disorders , such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and could lead to better treatments for gut infections. By understanding how Salmonella changes the gut environment, researchers hope to develop new ways to protect the gut microbiota and prevent these infections.

“This research uses a more holistic approach to studying gut health. It not only gives us a better understanding of how Salmonella works, but also highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiota,” said Lauren Radlinski, the study’s first author and postdoctoral fellow in the Bäumler Lab. “Our findings could lead to new treatments that help support the microbiota during infection.”

The study’s results could inspire future treatments, including probiotics or dietary plans designed to strengthen the body’s natural defenses against harmful pathogens.

“By learning how a pathogen manipulates the host’s system, we can uncover ways to boost the host’s natural defenses,” Radlinski said.

Coauthors of the study are Andrew Rogers, Lalita Bechtold, Hugo Masson, Henry Nguyen, Anaïs B. Larabi, Connor Tiffany, Thaynara Parente de Carvalho and Renée Tsolis of UC Davis.

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Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI

10.1073/pnas.2417232121 

Article Title

Salmonella virulence factors induce amino acid malabsorption in the ileum to promote ecosystem invasion of the large intestine

Article Publication Date

15-Nov-2024

 

Excessive screen time linked to early puberty and accelerated bone growth

Bioscientifica Ltd

Exposure to blue light, like that from smartphones or tablets, may accelerate bone growth and bone age, leading to early puberty in rats. This research, presented at the 62nd Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in Liverpool, sheds light on how the use of blue light-emitting devices could impact growth and development and raises important questions about the long-term health effects in children, who are increasingly exposed to screens from a young age.

As children grow and develop, long bones such as the femur progressively elongate at each end. These growing ends – areas of smooth, elastic cartilage known as ‘growth plates’ –  eventually solidify which stops growth in height. Girls generally stop growing and reach their maximum height between ages 14 and 16, while boys finish their growth between 16 and 18 years of age. However, in recent years, several studies have reported a rise in early puberty in both girls and boys, in which they might grow quickly at first but often stop growing earlier than usual. One factor may be the increased use of blue light-emitting devices.

In this study, researchers from Gazi University in Turkey examined 18 male and 18 female rats aged 21-days-old, equally divided into three groups of six and exposed to either a normal light cycle, six hours or 12 hours of blue light until the first signs of puberty. They measured their length and femurs and found that the rats exposed to blue light had a faster growth, particularly in their bones, and started puberty earlier compared to those in standard light conditions.

Previous research from the same group has also shown that rats exposed to blue light have a higher risk of early puberty. However, this association has never been studied in bone growth and pubertal development before. “This is the first study to show how blue light could potentially influence physical growth and development, prompting further research into the effects of modern screen exposure on children’s growth,” said lead researcher Dr Aylin Kılınç Uğurlu.

Although Dr Kılınç Uğurlu warned: “As this a rat study, we cannot be sure that these findings would be replicated in children but our data suggest that prolonged exposure to blue light accelerates both the physical growth and maturation of the growth plate, leading to early puberty.”

“While the increased growth may sound beneficial, our study also found that blue light exposure led to earlier structural changes in the growth plates of the rats’ bones, suggesting an impact on long-term bone age,” said Dr Kılınç Uğurlu. “This means their bones matured too soon which could potentially cause them to be shorter than average as adults.”

The researchers are now planning to investigate how blue light exposure before puberty affects height and skeletal development in adult rats. “We want to explore the long-term effects of pre-pubertal blue light exposure and find out whether certain exposure durations or intensities have reversible or permanent effects on the skeleton later in life,” said Dr Kılınç Uğurlu. “Ultimately, this research could lead to preventative measures for safe screen use during childhood development.”

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Method of Research

Randomized controlled/clinical trial

Subject of Research

Animals

 

Migrating birds have stowaway passengers: invasive ticks could spread novel diseases around the world

Ticks have always travelled on migrating birds — but the rising temperatures of the climate crisis mean they may now survive at their destination, and so could the pathogens they carry

Frontiers

Ticks travel light, but they carry pathogens with them. When they parasitize migrating birds, these journeys can take them thousands of miles away from their usual geographic range. Historically, they haven’t been able to establish themselves, due to unsuitable climate conditions at the other end of their long journeys. But now, thanks to the climate crisis, it’s getting easier for ticks to survive and spread, potentially bringing novel tick-borne pathogens with them.

“If conditions become more hospitable for tropical tick species to establish themselves in areas where they would previously have been unsuccessful, then there is a chance they could bring new diseases with them,” said Dr Shahid Karim of the University of Southern Mississippi, lead author of the article in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

Hitch-hiking ticks

Ticks are very effective disease vectors, connecting humans and domestic animals to diseases carried in wild reservoirs like Lyme disease, and parasitizing birds — especially migratory birds — allows them to travel very long distances. The changes to global temperatures caused by the climate crisis are now making it easier for some ticks to establish themselves as invasive species. Establishment can be very rapid: for example, the Asian long-horned tick was first detected in New Jersey in 2017 and has since been found in 14 other states.

“Geographic distribution is changing very rapidly in many tick species,” said Dr Lorenza Beati of Georgia Southern University, a coauthor of the study. “For some migrating exotic ticks, global warming may create conditions at their northern destination that are similar to their usual range. If warmer climatic conditions are combined with the presence of suitable vertebrate hosts for all tick life stages, the chance of establishment is going to increase.”

To investigate tick dispersal through migrating birds, scientists set up nets at six locations where birds stop to rest along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Each bird was ringed with a band carrying an identification number, measured, and examined to check its physical condition and look for ticks. When ticks were found, these were removed and preserved for later DNA analysis to confirm the species and identify the micro-organisms they carried.

The scientists divided the birds into three categories — residents, short-distance migrants, and long-distance migrants – and mapped out the different species’ geographic distributions to understand where they could have picked up ticks. This highlighted just how far ticks could be carried: mean dispersal distances rose as high as 5000km.

However, parasitism turned out to be relatively low. Nearly 15,000 birds were sampled, almost 2,000 of them more than once, yet only 421 ticks were collected from 164 birds. Although 18 different species of tick were identified — including several neotropical species not established in the US — just four species accounted for 81% of the ticks identified by the scientists. Short-distance migrants carried more ticks than long-distance migrants.

Bacteria under the microscope

The scientists then analyzed the bacteria carried by the ticks. The most common bacteria were Francisella bacteria, which are endosymbionts that help ticks function. Higher levels of Francisella bacteria in a tick have previously been associated with lower levels of Rickettsia or Cutibacterium.

The second most abundant bacteria were Rickettsia species, which could indicate that they have a symbiotic relationship with ticks which is currently unknown to us. Parasitizing migrating birds, which travel long distances, demands significant energy expenditure from the ticks attached to the birds: it may be that the Rickettsia species help them cope somehow. Some species of Rickettsia can cause diseases in humans, including spotted fevers, but we don’t yet know if invasive species of tick are likely to transmit these diseases to humans.

To understand the full impact of bird-assisted tick dispersal, the scientists explained, we need more research. It’s especially important to find out whether birds act as reservoirs by carrying tick-borne diseases when they aren’t hosting ticks.

“Not only could these ticks bring new pathogens, but if they manage to establish themselves in the US, they could become additional vectors of pathogens already present in this country or maintain pathogens in wildlife reservoirs which can then become sources of infection,” said Karim. He recommended that people protect themselves with insect repellent and check themselves for ticks after walking in tick-infested areas.

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Journal

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

DOI

10.3389/fcimb.2024.1472598 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Ticks without borders: Microbiome of immature Neotropical tick species parasitizing migratory songbirds along northern Gulf of Mexico

Article Publication Date

18-Nov-2024

COI Statement

The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

ANGRY AMERIKANS

National Poll: Some parents need support managing children's anger

Seven in 10 parents say they sometimes set a bad example for managing anger, some worry their child’s anger will cause problems

Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan

 

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Parents of children ages 6-12 report different strategies to help children manage intense emotions.

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Credit: Sara Schultz, University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health

ANN ARBOR, Mich. –  Many parents are all too familiar with angry outbursts from their children, from sibling squabbles to protests over screen time limits.

But some parents may find it challenging to help their kids manage intense emotions. One in seven think their child gets angrier than peers of the same age and four in 10 say their child has experienced negative consequences when angry, a new national poll suggests.  

Seven in 10 parents even think they sometimes set a bad example of handling anger themselves, according to the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

"Children often react intensely to minor frustrations since they’re still building emotional regulation skills. Without guidance on how to express these feelings appropriately, it can lead to disruptive behaviors, problems at school, and strained relationships,” said Mott Poll co-director Sarah Clark, M.P.H.

“Parents play an important role in teaching children how to process and manage their anger productively. But some parents may need guidance themselves on the best strategies to do this.”

The nationally representative report is based on 1,031 responses from parents of children ages 6-12 surveyed in August 2024.

Some children express anger more often

While more than a third of parents feel their child has gotten better at managing anger, 12%  worry that their child’s anger will cause problems for them. More parents of boys than girls say that in the past year their child has experienced negative consequences when angry, including hurting themselves or others, having problems with friends, or getting in trouble at school.

Fourteen percent of parents also think their child gets angry more often than same-aged peers – and these parents are more likely to feel that they could be modelling bad anger management, worry that their child’s anger will cause problems, and report their child has experienced negative reactions when angry.

“Children who feel or express emotions strongly may feel different from others, and if they are shamed for their anger, it could make it much worse,” Clark said. “It’s important for parents to let children know that getting angry does not make them a bad person and that they just need to learn to manage it."

But parents may not always use effective strategies through these challenges, with one in three parents saying they haven’t received advice about helping children learn anger management.

And although more than three fifths of parents report their child’s school has teachers or counselors who help children learn to manage their anger, less than half say the school provides information for parents on this topic.

More findings from the report plus strategies to help children process anger more effectively:

Help children identify go-to calming tools

Parents polled endorsed a variety of strategies to help their child deal with anger or frustration.

These strategies include cool-off activities like drawing, counting to ten or deep breathing, thinking about something happy to keep calm, meditation or mindfulness or moving away from other people.  

Some children also benefit from a physical outlet for their anger, like ripping paper or squeezing a stress ball – which more parents of boys encouraged than parent of girls. Others may just need an opportunity to vent and be heard.

“For many children, effective strategies involve taking some type of break from the momentary frustration, allowing the opportunity to calm down and regain control,” Clark said. “There’s no magic strategy that works for every child so it’s helpful for parents to seek out different sources of information and advice and try different approaches.”

Recognize what’s behind the anger

Most parents polled recognize their role in helping prevent angry outbursts.

To help their child avoid getting angry or frustrated, parents say they often try to ensure they get enough sleep and exercise, help identify and avoid triggers and avoiding overscheduling.

Children's anger also often stems from feelings of fear or disappointment that they lack the skills to express calmly.

“Anger is often a secondary emotion or a response to underlying feelings,” Clark said. “Understanding this may help adults approach situations with empathy and patience.”

Model calm responses to anger

Most parents polled acknowledged they sometimes set a bad example on managing anger.

By acknowledging their feelings and apologizing, parents can demonstrate effective anger management strategies for their children to use when they get too angry, Clark says.

Adults may consider narrating their self-soothing techniques, such as saying, “I’m feeling frustrated, so I’m going to take a deep breath.”

“Just as it’s natural for children to experience anger, adults do too,” Clark said. “When parents feel they’ve set a bad example, they have a valuable opportunity to turn the situation into a teachable moment.”

Provide positive reinforcement

Clark recommends encouragement when parents notice children handling their anger constructively. Specific praise, such as “that’s great that you took deep breaths instead of yelling,” reinforces use of coping tools.

“Rewarding children for successfully managing a frustrating situation can send a positive message,” she said. “However, punishing a child for getting angry or frustrated will be ineffective unless parents emphasize the importance of using strategies to manage their frustration.

“Some children have temperaments that make them more prone to frustration, leading to quicker and more intense reactions.”

While it’s important to validate feelings, she says, parents should also set clear boundaries on aggressive behavior like hurting others or breaking things.

Take a pulse on children’s anger management at school

Children may face different challenges and frustrations at school than at home, Clark notes.

“At school, children have less control. They’re around peers, don’t have their own space, are forced to follow someone else’s schedule, and they can’t avoid things that make them upset,” Clark said. “It’s important for parents to understand how their children express emotions in this environment outside of home.”

She recommends parents use school conferences to ask how their child handles day-to-day frustrations and inform teachers about strategies that work best at home but could be adapted for the school setting.

Seek professional help if needed

If a child’s anger becomes severe, frequent, or unmanageable, it may be helpful to consult a therapist or counselor.

Children experiencing underlying issues, such as anxiety, trauma, or learning challenges, may have more difficulty managing anger, Clark says. Professional support can provide them with tailored strategies and support families in managing these behaviors effectively.

 

 

The Role of Interculturalism in higher music education – Global artistic citizenship

Music students benefit from engaging in intercultural dialogue, collaboration, and community-based projects

University of the Arts Helsinki

By reimagining educational practices to include diverse cultural perspectives and community engagement, institutions can cultivate a new generation of artists who are not only skilled musicians but also empathetic and socially responsible global citizens, says a new study by the University of the Arts Helsinki. 

A recent study published in the Nordic Research in Music Education journal explores the transformative potential of integrating interculturalism and community engagement into higher music education. The research, conducted by Professor Nathan Riki Thomson from the Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, examines how these elements impact students’ learning experiences, outcomes, and societal contributions, fostering a new generation of globally-minded artists. 

The study, titled Global artistic citizenship: (Re-)imagining interculturalism, collaboration, and community engagement as central elements of higher music education, delves into the effects of prioritizing interculturalism within music education curricula.  

By engaging music students in intercultural dialogue, collaboration, and community-based projects, the new study by the University of the Arts Helsinki underscores the importance of fostering intercultural humility and creating inclusive environments that transcend traditional cultural boundaries. Thomson argues that such approaches not only enrich students’ educational experiences but also prepare them to contribute meaningfully to a diverse and interconnected world. 

Deeper understanding of different cultures 

The research drew data from three contexts of intercultural learning environments, including  graduates of a degree programme in global music, as well as current students participating in an intercultural arts camp and a refugee community project as part of their studies. 
 
These contexts involved students in projects that required them to collaborate with local communities and engage in intercultural exchanges. They included performances, workshops, and collaborative compositions that brought together diverse cultural perspectives.  

Findings emerge in terms of the ways intercultural learning environments impact students’ sense of global artistic citizenship, develop extra-musical skills, provide opportunities to engage with societal issues, and expand professionalism, enhancing the ability to create a career and engage with the changing world.  

More inclusive and equitable learning environments 

This research emphasizes the critical role of higher music education in promoting global citizenship and intercultural understanding. The study suggests that integrating interculturalism into music education can lead to more inclusive and equitable learning environments, ultimately benefiting both students and the broader society. 

Thomson highlights several key recommendations for higher music education institutions. These include incorporating interculturalism into the curriculum, providing opportunities for students to engage in community-based projects, reimagining admissions processes, and fostering an environment that encourages open dialogue and intercultural exchange. By adopting these practices, institutions can help students develop the skills and qualities necessary to actively work across borders and boundaries, engage in dialogue and collaboration with different peoples, sonic environments, and places, and successfully navigate and contribute to an increasingly globalized world. 

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Journal

Nordic Research in Music Education

DOI

10.23865/nrme.v4.6236 

Method of Research

Case study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Global artistic citizenship: (Re-)imagining interculturalism, collaboration, and community engagement as central elements of higher music education