Communicating discovery science

New insights on how to communicate basic science – new special issue on JCOM

Sissa Medialab

 

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Created by Cape Town illustrator Tamsin Hinrichsen, is based on a story ‘The Ashes of the Milky Way’. The image is included in the book ‘The Crocodile Who Swallows the Sun’.

 

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Credit: Tamsin Hinrichsen

A gravitational wave has little relevance in the “day-to-day” of our lives. Yet when, for the first time in 2016, the first direct observation of one of these cosmic-scale events was announced, the entire world suddenly turned its attention to this major scientific discovery. The study of cosmic phenomena, like other areas of scientific research (from evolutionary studies to basic mathematics), falls under what is known as basic research. Since it has no direct applications in everyday life, this research can be difficult to communicate. However, as gravitational waves demonstrate, it can prove to be extremely interesting even for a broad, non-specialist audience. The new special issue of the Journal of Science Communication (JCOM), titled 'Communicating Discovery Science,' is dedicated precisely to communicating basic science. The issue (online from October the 21st and available in open access at this link) explores the challenges and opportunities associated with communicating basic science, the reasons why it is important to communicate it, and how insights from this field can also be relevant when communicating other scientific topics closer to practical applications. For the very first time, this special issue of JCOM is also available in prin to be distributed at an symposium on the same topic taking place at Stellenbosch University from 18 – 20 November 2024.

"One of the most common pieces of advice on how to engage the public with scientific research is to show how important it is in their everyday lives, but in reality, we see that people can become enthusiastically interested in basic science as well," explains Rick Borchelt. Borchelt has been the Director of Communications and Public Affairs and Senior Advisor to the Director for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, and recently retired after a 40-year career communicating about and advocating for federal support of science and technology. He is also the coordinator of the newly published special issue on JCOM, which stems from his work alongside Brooke Smith (Director of Science and Society at the Kavli Foundation) for the joint Kavli Foundation/DOE project “The Science Public Engagement Partnership” (SciPEP), focused on providing scientists with the confidence, efficacy, and tools to engage the public around basic science.

"Basic science doesn’t provoke widespread debates like other fields, such as climate research, vaccines, and the heated discussions around misinformation," explains Borchelt. Discovery science isn’t particularly divisive, and that might seem like a good thing, but in reality, it also puts it at risk of not attracting enough attention. “Basic science is not a concern, but because it’s easy to overlook, and if it’s overlooked, it’s not going to be funded," points out Borchelt. The SciPEP project studied the communication of basic science for five years, with the aim of understanding these challenges, but also highlighting the strengths of basic science and learning how to best communicate it. The special issue, which features many of the researchers who contributed to the project, brings together many of the insights that emerged from this extensive work.

In the special issue, you can find contributions from Borchelt himself, Brooke Smith, and Keegan Sawyer on the foundations of the project, helping the reader understand the purpose of this effort. "In our work, we decided not to try to define what basic science is. Instead, we chose to focus on the scientific process, identifying discovery science as those initial steps in the path—the discovery phase." In this sense, basic science is present in every scientific field, even in those that will eventually lead to practical applications useful to everyone. "It’s important to communicate that when a major scientific announcement is made, it doesn’t come out of nowhere; there are decades of 'silent' work leading up to that result. This is a micro-narrative that we believe should also be included when communicating applied science and technology," says Borchelt.

The special issue can be ideally divided into three parts, with the first papers outlining the philosophical foundations that must be considered when addressing the main theme, a section dedicated to in-depth analyses of strategies and goals for science communication, and finally, some practical examples from fields such as astrophysics, experimental physics (the observation of the Higgs boson and how CERN managed communication over the decades), and ocean studies.

"In one of the papers, important platforms for the dissemination of science, such as EurekAlert! are discussed, examining, for instance, the balance between basic science and applied science in these services (Jingwen Zhang et al.)," explains Borchelt. "Milne and colleagues’ work, on the other hand, builds a bridge between basic science and social applications: they worked with scientists and members of the public to understand people’s opinions on the policy implications of basic science."

"I hope the special issue conveys to readers that curiosity is one of the central drivers for communicating science during the discovery phase. It’s not just about what science does for you or how it can change your life in tangible ways. It’s important to help people understand that science in its discovery phases has profound effects on them, even if they may not see its relevance for decades. These are long-term strategies, and engaging people in this is critical to maintain a robust scientific enterprise."

The Communicating Discovery Science JCOM Special Issue can be read for free on JCOM.

Created by Cape Town illustrator Tamsin Hinrichsen, is based on a story ‘The Ashes of the Milky Way’. The image is included in the book ‘The Crocodile Who Swallows the Sun’.

Credit

Tamsin Hinrichsen

Journal

Journal of Science Communication

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Communicating Discovery Science

Article Publication Date

21-Oct-2024

 

Prashant Kumar awarded Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award – air quality's 'Nobel Prize'

University of Surrey

 

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Professor Prashant Kumar

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Credit: University of Surrey

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has recognised Professor Prashant Kumar with the prestigious Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award – an honour widely considered to be the 'Nobel Prize' in air quality achievement.  

Professor Kumar, Founding Director of the University of Surrey's Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), has been recognised for his contribution to international education. CARB cited Professor Kumar's "transformative contributions, widespread impacts, novel accomplishments, and exceptional leadership and achievements in this field". 

Professor Kumar is one of the most highly cited scientists in his field and is a leading researcher on the impact air pollution has on the health of children and young people. His current focus is on the impact kitchen-based air pollution has on vulnerable communities and the impact green-blue-gray infrastructure (such as trees, lakes and stormwater) has on mitigating air pollution and excessive heat in towns and cities.  

Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, said: 

“I have seen first-hand how passionate Prashant is about research that addresses indoor and outdoor air pollution.  He has conducted many citizen science projects, helping people understand air quality standards in their neighbourhoods and has helped them develop ways to monitor and improve it. 

"Prashant lives by GCARE's ethos – clean air for all. We are proud that his work at Surrey has been recognised with this prestigious Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award." 

Since 2001, CARB has annually bestowed the distinguished Haagen-Smit Awards to extraordinary individuals to recognise significant career accomplishments in at least one of these air quality and climate change categories: research, environmental policy, climate change science, science and technology, public education, community service and environmental justice, and international leadership. 

The award is named after Dr Arie J. Haagen-Smit, a Dutch scientist known as the "father" of air pollution control. In 1948, his research found that smog in California was caused by the reaction of vehicle and industrial emissions with sunlight, leading to the air quality standards we use today. Dr Haagen-Smit was also the first chairman of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). 

Professor Kumar said: 

"I am truly honoured to have received the Haagen-Smit Clean Air Award – an honour that would not have been possible without the support of my family and my colleagues at the University of Surrey, as well as my GCARE team members and collaborators all around the world.  

"It is also a reminder of how much there is yet to do. There are millions of people who lose their lives every year because of the quality of the air they breathe or because their town or city's heat is too extreme for them to cope with. If our work gets us even a step closer to cleaner air, with cooler temperatures, then it would all have been worthwhile." 

CARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through the effective reduction of air pollutants while recognising and considering its effects on the economy. CARB is the lead agency for climate change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health-based air quality standards. 

 
Elizabeth Scheehle, the Research Division Chief at CARB, said: 

"The Haagen-Smit Award recognise the inspirational work happening across the nation and world to reduce pollution and fight climate change.  

"Action can come in many forms, whether it's academic research that leads to innovation, advocacy that drives policy change, or legal defences of environmental laws. This year's awardees reflect the necessary and diverse work that is needed to achieve clean air." 

 

Windows kernel defenses aren't enough to stop a lucrative game cheating market – new study

University of Birmingham

Hackers commonly bypass Microsoft Windows kernel protections to enable cheating in competitive online games, new research shows.

Academics at the University of Birmingham performed a technical analysis of how game cheats and anti-cheat systems work and carried out a market investigation, analyzing 80 cheat selling sites in Europe and North America over three months.

Selling game cheats is not illegal in most of the world, although some cheat selling websites have been sued by game developers, on the bases that the cheats are a copyright infringement of the original game.

The researchers found that game cheats are sold on a subscription model, with one month’s access costing between $10 and $240 dollars. The researchers conservatively estimate the combined earnings of the 80 sites surveyed as between $12.8M and $73.2M annually, with the number of people buying cheats on these websites alone as 30,000 - 174,000 per month, making this a lucrative online gray market.

The researchers investigated the techniques used in online game cheating, as well as those deployed by ‘anti-cheat’ technologies. Most modern anti-cheat engines run in the Windows kernel, alongside applications such as anti-virus, at the highest levels of privilege. Software can only run in the Windows kernel if it has been approved and signed by Microsoft. This makes it more powerful than software run normally by the user. An example of kernel level software is the Crowdstrike system that recently failed, bringing down large parts of the internet

While the anti-cheats are allowed in the kernel by Microsoft, the study also revealed that cheat software commonly uses weaknesses in Windows protections to ‘inject’ itself into the kernel and gain higher privileges. Many techniques mirror what is commonly seen in the domains of malware and anti-virus, with a difference in motivation. 

Forum discussion and hands-on testing, suggests that cheat developers are commonly bypassing weaknesses in Windows kernel protection measures by exploiting vulnerable third-party drivers, allowing cheat software to get a foothold into the kernel. This allows them to bypass protections put in place by anti-cheat software, enabling users to cheat in competitive online games such as Fortnite, Valorant, and Apex Legends, all for a monthly subscription fee. This kernel injection technique has previously been observed in advanced ransomware attacks to disable anti-malware protections before the main attack.  

The researchers found cheats available for every game they looked at, meaning that no anti-cheat system is unbreakable. The team developed a series of tests used to benchmark the effectiveness of each anti-cheat solution, finding that the games Valorant and Fornite have the strongest defense, with Counter-Strike 2 and Battlefield 1 having the worst. Comparing these results to the market analysis, they find a strong correlation between the strength of an anti-cheat and the price of a cheat which breaks it.

Sam Collins, the lead researcher on the project, said: “It’s fascinating to see such advanced attacks deployed in this context. It presents an intriguing counterpoint to more traditional and harmful malware, such as ransomware.”

Co-author Professor Tom Chothia, added: “Studying cheats and anti-cheats leads to a better understanding of protections on Windows. While no game has an unbreakable anti-cheat, cheaters have to pay a lot more to cheat at games with stronger defenses. Game anti-cheats work in the Windows kernel, the complete availability of game cheats tells us that the Windows kernel protections are not as good as many people thought.”

Dr Marius Muench further noted: “It is surprising that there is a large-scale economy behind game cheating and defenses against it, which is largely ignored by the cyber security community, even though there are well defined attacker and defender models.”

Game cheats are considered a type of Man-At-The-End (MATE) attack, where the attacker has full control over a system. Unlike a traditional virus/anti-virus situation, the end user is the attacker and will help the attack succeed rather than try to prevent it. This work represents an important example of MATE attacks being traded and deployed on a mass scale.

The work is described in the paper “Anti-Cheat: Attacks and the Effectiveness of Client-Side Defences” by Sam Collins, Marius Muench, Alex Poulopoulos and Tom Chothia

which was presented at the workshop on “Research on offensive and defensive techniques in the context of Man At The End (MATE) attacks”, Friday the 18th of October. Salt Lake City, U.S.A. The full research paper is available at: https://www.cs.bham.ac.uk/~tpc/Papers/AntiCheat2024.pdf

 

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DOI

10.1145/3689934.3690816 

 

Herbal plants for mental disorders in Sri Lanka

Xia & He Publishing Inc.

Mental disorders, often referred to as psychiatric disorders or mental illnesses, are characterized by disturbances in cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior. Factors such as genetics, environment, and psychological influences play a key role in the onset and development of these disorders, which include anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and neurodevelopmental conditions. According to a 2019 survey by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, around 970 million people globally, or one in every eight individuals, were living with a mental disorder, with anxiety and depression being the most common types.

While modern medicine has made significant advances, the use of herbal medicines continues to be relevant due to their perceived efficacy, fewer side effects, accessibility, and cultural significance. Particularly in Sri Lanka, the Ayurvedic system of medicine has incorporated herbal plants for centuries to treat mental disorders. Herbal remedies are often sought either as alternatives or adjunct therapies to conventional treatments due to their synergistic effects. This review focuses on identifying and analyzing the therapeutic potential of 24 traditional medicinal plants used in Sri Lanka, emphasizing their phytochemicals, mechanisms of action, and benefits in treating mental disorders​.

The Role of Ayurveda in Mental Health Management

Sri Lanka, a biodiversity hotspot, is home to over 1,200 medicinal plant species, 174 of which are unique to the island. Ayurvedic practices in Sri Lanka have traditionally relied on these plants for both physical and mental health treatments. The growing concern about mental health in Sri Lanka is mirrored in the increasing number of patients seeking treatment for conditions such as anxiety disorders (4.53%), depression (30.44%), bipolar disorder (5.2%), schizophrenia (7.72%), and disruptive behavior disorders (1.73%).

Key Ayurvedic herbs like Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera, and Valeriana wallichii have long been used to treat mental disorders, particularly anxiety and depression. Other plants, including Ginkgo biloba, Hypericum perforatum, and Rhodiola rosea, are utilized to address bipolar disorder, disruptive behavior, and schizophrenia. Despite their extensive traditional use, many herbal plants’ therapeutic mechanisms, particularly for more complex mental disorders, remain insufficiently explored​.

Methodology and Data Collection

The data for this review were gathered from traditional Ayurvedic texts such as "Medicinal Plants Used in Ceylon," "Atlas of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants," and "Sinhala Waidya Widya," housed at the Faculty of Indigenous Medicine at the University of Colombo and the Pallekale Provincial Ayurvedic Hospital in Kandy, Sri Lanka. These texts served as foundational resources for systematically identifying 24 medicinal plants with a history of treating mental disorders. The review examined the scientific names, plant parts used, their distribution within Sri Lanka, pharmacological properties, and the phytochemicals identified in these plants. Additionally, a literature review from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from 2001 to 2023 was conducted to enhance the understanding of these plants and their therapeutic potential​.

Phytochemicals and Their Mechanisms of Action

Phytochemicals found in traditional medicinal plants have been shown to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties, making them valuable in treating mental disorders. For example, trigonelline from Abrus precatorius seeds has demonstrated antioxidant activities that may help reduce oxidative stress and enhance cognitive function, potentially protecting against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Meanwhile, bacosides from Bacopa monnieri regulate neurotransmitter levels and provide both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which help alleviate anxiety and depression.

Other notable compounds include asiaticoside and asiatic acid from Centella asiatica, which have exhibited antidepressant, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective activities by regulating neurotransmitter function and reducing brain inflammation. Luteolin-7-O-glucoside from Eclipta alba and quercetin from Ginkgo biloba have similar effects, influencing neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are central to mood regulation​.

Shogaol, a compound found in the rhizome of Zingiber officinale (ginger), has stress-reduction properties, protecting brain cells from oxidative damage and promoting relaxation. These bioactive phytochemicals have demonstrated promise in treating conditions ranging from depression and anxiety to more complex neurodegenerative diseases.

Ayurvedic Polyherbal Formulations: Their Benefits and Challenges

In Ayurvedic practice, polyherbal formulations that combine different plant parts—leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds—are commonly used due to the biochemical diversity inherent in each part. This allows for a wider therapeutic range and a lower incidence of toxicity compared to conventional pharmaceuticals. For instance, plants such as Abrus precatorius, Asparagus falcatus, Eclipta prostrata, and Foeniculum vulgare are used together in Ayurvedic blends to treat mental health conditions, particularly in polyherbal preparations targeting disorders like ‘Olmada sanni’​.

However, despite their widespread use, there are challenges associated with these formulations. Issues such as contamination during storage, the difficulty of removing harmful metals, and insufficient scientific validation of these plants' efficacy and safety profiles need to be addressed. Moreover, certain plants may induce toxicity in various organs, making rigorous scientific investigation and standardization crucial to their continued use​.

Conclusions

The review of herbal plants used in Sri Lanka’s Ayurvedic system for treating mental disorders highlights the significant therapeutic potential of these remedies, particularly due to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties of their phytochemicals. While compounds such as trigonelline, bacosides, asiaticoside, asiatic acid, and quercetin show promise in treating disorders like anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases, further research is required to validate their clinical effectiveness​.

Preserving these traditional remedies and integrating them into modern clinical practice requires extensive scientific research to isolate and standardize bioactive compounds. The current review of 24 medicinal plants provides a valuable starting point, but future studies should explore a broader range of species and more in-depth evaluations of their mechanisms of action. Establishing their safety and efficacy will be crucial in addressing the growing global burden of mental health disorders.

 

Full text:

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2024-00024

 

The study was recently published in the Future Integrative Medicine.

Future Integrative Medicine (FIM) publishes both basic and clinical research, including but not limited to randomized controlled trials, intervention studies, cohort studies, observational studies, qualitative and mixed method studies, animal studies, and systematic reviews.

 

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Journal

Future Integrative Medicine

DOI

10.14218/FIM.2024.00024 

Article Title

Herbal Plants for Mental Disorders in Sri Lanka

 

Workplace culture and social relationships are associated with workplace bullying

University of Eastern Finland

Workplace bullying poses a serious threat to employees’ health and well-being. Conducted at the University of Eastern Finland, a recent study sheds new light on the impact of social relationships on workplace bullying. Focusing on the dynamics of social relationships, the study shows how workplace culture, interaction and social relationships play a role in bullying. Workplace bullying is a complex phenomenon where the bully can be a colleague, a supervisor, a workplace clique or even the entire work community.

“Our research draws attention to the fact that workplace bullying is not solely caused by individual characteristics but is also significantly associated with power dynamics at the workplace, as well as with individuals’ opportunities to receive support in situations of bullying,” notes Pasi Hirvonen, a University Lecturer in Social Psychology at the University of Eastern Finland.

The study is based on personal accounts of workplace bullying published on online discussion forums dedicated to sharing experiences of workplace bullying. In total, 136 accounts of workplace bullying were analysed, detailing how the bullying started, how it was handled within the work community and how the situation ended.

The results reinforce previous findings about the long-term effects of workplace bullying on individual well-being and organisational functioning.

Work community is a key player in workplace bullying

The study employed the so-called positioning theory, which focuses on how rights, duties and responsibilities related to workplace bullying are constructed and how they are discussed and negotiated in everyday interactions. A similar perspective has been rarely used in previous research.

In the accounts of workplace bullying, individuals who had experienced bullying described how they were positioned differently in relation to their work community. A significant role in workplace bullying was played not only by the bullied and the bullies, but also by the entire work community and external parties, such as occupational health care providers and occupational safety and health authorities.

“Individuals who had experienced workplace bullying described it as a situation where they either lost their health and ability to work, or they perceived bullying to be passively accepted by the work community. Bullying was also described as an unresolved conflict, or as a situation employees had managed to survive it thanks to their own, active opposition. However, such accounts of survival were extremely rare.”

Supervisors play a crucial role in addressing bullying

According to the study, supervisors play a crucial role in addressing bullying. Supervisors who handle bullying situations openly and fairly can prevent them from escalating further. In contrast, ignoring bullying, remaining silent about it and passively accepting it often jeopardises the bullied individual’s possibilities to remain in the workplace.

“The accounts of bullying we have analysed often describe how isolated and powerless the bullied individual feels in the situation, with hardly any opportunities for fair handling of the matter in their work community, or even knowledge of what to do in the situation,” says Pekka Kuusela, a University Lecturer in Social Psychology at the University of Eastern Finland.

Storyline-based examination of positioning, i.e., how individuals are positioned in relation to each other, shifts the focus from individual characteristics to power dynamics and interactions between employees, offering a different perspective on workplace bullying.

“To understand how to best handle situations of bullying, future research should also examine narratives from work communities where workplace bullying has been addressed successfully,” the researchers say.

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Journal

SAGE Open

DOI

10.1177/21582440241264729 

Article Title

Struggle Over Rights and Duties at Work: Storylines and Discursive Self-Other Positioning in Workplace Bullying Stories.

 

APA Poll: Future of nation, economy and presidential election top U.S. stressors

Most U.S. adults concerned about political violence, end of democracy

American Psychological Association

 

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Concerns commonly cited by U.S. adults

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Credit: American Psychological Association / The Harris Poll

WASHINGTON — More than 7 in 10 adults said the future of the nation (77%) is a significant source of stress in their lives, with the economy (73%) and the 2024 U.S. presidential election (69%) following closely behind, according to the latest Stress in America™ survey released today by the American Psychological Association. 

At the same time, the poll found many common stressors among people with different political party affiliations. The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of APA among more than 3,000 U.S. adults age 18+ between Aug. 1 and 23, 2024. 

Compared with the previous two U.S. presidential elections, stress related to the election was similar to 2020 (69% vs. 68%) but significantly higher than in 2016 (52%). What sets the 2024 poll apart from previous APA election surveys is the collective stress about the potential fallout from the election results: More than 7 in 10 adults (72%) said they are worried the election results could lead to violence, and more than half of adults (56%) said they believed the 2024 presidential election could be the end of democracy in the U.S. Meanwhile, around a third of adults (32%) said the political climate has caused strain among themselves and their family members, with (30%) who said they limit their time with family because they don’t share the same values. 

“For nearly a decade, people have faced a political climate that is highly charged, which has led to the erosion of civil discourse and strained our relationships with our friends and our families. But isolating ourselves from our communities is a recipe for adding more stress to our lives,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “We must remember that the most extreme voices are often the loudest, and that the majority of adults share similar values and concerns.” 

Stress in America™ 2024: A Nation in Political Turmoil reveals a country where trust has been shaken in the government and in each other. Most adults (54%) reported they have very little to no trust in the U.S. government, and 41% of adults reported the state of the nation has made them consider moving to a different country. Half of adults (50%) said tension around social and political topics makes them less likely to want to connect with other people and around 3 in 10 (28%) said they have nothing in common with people who have different political opinions than they do. More than 2 in 5 adults (46%) wouldn’t date someone who didn’t share the same political opinions (47% of women said this, and 45% of men).  

Yet the survey showed commonalities regardless of political party affiliation, with the future of the nation being the stressor that was most commonly rated as significant by Republicans (80%), Democrats (79%) and independents (73%). Further, Republicans, Democrats and independents agreed that the country’s system of checks and balances isn’t working (76% of Republicans, 71% of Democrats and 74% of independents). They also reported being stressed that politicians aren’t talking about the things that are most important to them (62%, 58% and 60%, respectively), and that the political climate has caused strain between them and their family members (32%, 35% and 32%, respectively). 

Mis- and disinformation have dialed up the volume on stress, as many adults (73%) reported it is stressful to know how real fake information can look or seem. A strong majority (82%) of U.S. adults were worried that people may be basing their values and opinions on false or inaccurate information. 

Despite the pervasive stress about the nation’s future and the fear of violence, this year’s survey showcased how participants are using the political climate as a springboard for activism and driving positive change.  More than three-quarters of adults (77%) said they intend to vote in the presidential election, and half of adults (51%) said they feel more compelled to volunteer or support causes they value — significantly higher than the 45% who said so in 2019 during the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. Diverse communities in particular are being moved to act; 73% of Black adults and 67% of Latino/a/e adults reported feeling that their vote matters.  

In addition, 3 in 5 adults reported feeling hopeful about the change this election will bring (61%), and that this election will lead to a more inclusive society (59%). More than 2 in 5 adults (42%) said they haven’t felt this excited about an election in years. Significantly, although Black and Latino/a/e groups and those who identify as LGBTQ reported personal safety as a major stressor (47%, 47% and 50%, respectively), they have remained optimistic; 64% of Black and Latino/a/e adults reported feeling hopeful that the election could mean a more inclusive future. 

 “Stress surrounding the upcoming election seems overwhelming. But despite concerns about a nation divided across cultural identities and political parties, it’s encouraging that hope could be the catalyst, where people can come together and have a stake in deciding their future,” said Evans. “We see people’s desire for positive change as an opportunity to channel our collective stress into meaningful conversations and actions that promote healing and understanding.” 

For more information on the survey findings and helpful resources on how to handle stress, go to www.stressinamerica.org. 
  
METHODOLOGY 

The 2024 Stress in America™ survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association between Aug. 1–23, 2024, among 3,305 adults ages 18+ who reside in the U.S. that serves as a nationally representative sample. In addition to the national sample, oversamples were collected to allow for subgroup analysis within race/ethnicity groups. Sample sizes across the national and oversamples are as follows: 801 Black, 855 Hispanic and 804 Asian. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. Throughout the report, mentions of political parties are defined by those who self-identify as registered voters of the Democratic, Republican, or independent party. A full methodology is available. 

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA’s membership includes over 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives. 

 

Tire-wear particles pose health risks to aquatic organisms

KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.

 

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TWP leachate disrupts intestinal homeostasis through TLR4/MyD88/NF-ĸBsignaling pathway, thereby inducing liver inflammation

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Credit: Hangzhou Normal University

In a study published in Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, researchers from Hangzhou Normal University uncovered the adverse health effects of tire-wear particles (TWPs) on aquatic organisms. The study, led by Zhiquan Liu, focused on the hepatotoxicity of TWP leachates, revealing significant impacts on the gut-liver axis and oxidative stress levels in test organisms.

“TWPs, primarily produced through tire-road friction, are released into the environment in vast quantities,” says Liu. “Each year, approximately 6.1 million tons of TWPs are estimated to enter aquatic ecosystems, posing a significant threat to biodiversity.”

This prompted the researchers to investigate the effects of TWP leachates on black-spotted frogs (Pelophylax nigromaculatus), a highly susceptible amphibian species.

“We found that TWP leachates induced hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation and histopathology changes in the frogs. Specifically, increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of signaling pathways closely related to immunity were observed,” shares Liu.

These changes were accompanied by disruptions in the gut microbiota, with a notable increase in Proteobacteria, a major source of gut-derived endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Such disruptions in the gut-liver axis and oxidative stress levels can lead to long-term health issues for affected organisms.

The team also found that zinc, a trace metal commonly found in TWP leachates, accumulated in the intestine, liver and kidney of the test frogs, further confirming the absorption and bioaccumulation of TWP leachates by aquatic organisms.

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Contact the author: Zhiquan Liu liuzhiquan1024@163.com

The publisher KeAi was established by Elsevier and China Science Publishing & Media Ltd to unfold quality research globally. In 2013, our focus shifted to open access publishing. We now proudly publish more than 100 world-class, open access, English language journals, spanning all scientific disciplines. Many of these are titles we publish in partnership with prestigious societies and academic institutions, such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

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Journal

Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology

DOI

10.1016/j.enceco.2024.08.004 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Tire-wear particle leachate at environmentally relevant concentrations exert a hepatotoxic impact on the black-spotted frog by disrupting the gut–liver axis

 

Microplastics and PFAS – Combined risk and greater environmental harm

University of Birmingham

The combined impact of so-called ‘forever chemicals’ is more harmful to the environment than single chemicals in isolation, a new study shows.  

Researchers at the University of Birmingham investigated the environmental effects of microplastics and PFAS and showed that, combined, they can be very harmful to aquatic life.  

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that come from plastic bottles, packaging, and clothing fibres. PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a group of chemicals used in everyday items like non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, firefighting foams, and numerous industrial products. PFAS and microplastic are known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily and can build up in the environment, leading to potential risks for both wildlife and humans. 

Both PFAS and microplastics can be transported through water systems on long distances, all the way to the Arctic. They are often released together from consumer products. Yet, their combined effects, and also the ways in which they interact with other polluting compounds in the environment, remain poorly understood. 

To better understand the combined impact of these pollutants, researchers used Daphnia, commonly known as water fleas. These tiny creatures are often used to monitor pollution levels because they are highly sensitive to chemicals, making them ideal for determining safe chemical limits in the environment.  

In this study, published in Environmental Pollution, the team compared two groups of water fleas: one that had never been exposed to chemicals and another that had experienced chemical pollution in the past. This unique approach was possible thanks to Daphnia's ability to remain dormant for long periods, allowing researchers to "resurrect" older populations with different pollution histories. 

Both groups of Daphnia were exposed for their entire life cycle to a mixture of microplastics of irregular shapes - reflecting natural conditions- together with two PFAS chemicals at levels typically found in lakes.  

The team showed that PFAS and microplastics together caused more severe toxic effects than each chemical alone. The most worrying result was developmental failures, observed together with delayed sexual maturity and stunted growth. When combined, the chemicals caused Daphnia to abort their eggs and to produce fewer offspring. These effects were more severe in Daphnia historically exposed to pollutants, making them less tolerant to the tested forever chemicals.  

Importantly, the study found that the two chemicals lead to greater harm when combined – 59% additive and 41% synergistic interactions were observed across critical fitness traits, such as survival, reproduction and growth.  

Lead researcher Professor Luisa Orsini emphasized the importance of the findings: “Understanding the chronic, long-term effects of chemical mixtures is crucial, especially when considering that previous exposures to other chemicals and environmental threats may weaken organisms' ability to tolerate novel chemical pollution.  

“Our research paves the way for future studies on how PFAS chemicals affect gene function, providing crucial insights into their long-term biological impacts. These findings will be relevant not only to aquatic species but also to humans, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory frameworks that address the unintended combinations of pollutants in the environment. Regulating chemical mixtures is a critical challenge for protecting our water systems."

Dr Mohamed Abdallah, co-leading the research, said: “Current regulatory frameworks focus on testing the toxicity of individual chemicals, mostly using acute (short) exposure approaches. It is imperative that we investigate the combined impacts of pollutants on wildlife throughout their lifecycle to get better understanding of the risk posed by these pollutants under real-life conditions. This is crucial to drive conservation efforts and inform policy on facing the growing threat of emerging contaminants such as forever chemicals.” 

Novel tools in chemical and biological screening with advances in artificial intelligence mean that we can understand the complex interactions among chemicals in the environment. Revising current methods for assessing environmental toxicity is therefore not only possible but imperative.” 

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Journal

Environmental Pollution

DOI

10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125133 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Combined toxicity of perfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics on the sentinel species Daphnia magna: Implications for freshwater ecosystems

Article Publication Date

19-Oct-2024

Plastic mulch is contaminating agricultural fields

PNAS Nexus

 

image: 

Plastic removal.

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Credit: Seeta Sistla

Using plastic sheets for weed control, even under current best management practices, pollutes soil with macro- and micro-plastics and negatively affect critical soil functions, according to a study. The United Nations considers soil plastic contamination an environmental health and food security threat. Around the world, over 25 million acres of farmland is seasonally covered with opaque plastic films used as “mulch” to prevent weeds, retain moisture, and warm soil—a practice known as “plasticulture.” Most studies have assessed plastic mulch soil contamination impacts using lab-based models or in experimental plots. Ekta Tiwari and Seeta Sistla sampled 12 farm fields on California’s Central Coast—a region of global agricultural importance. The authors surveyed fields after plastic mulch had been carefully removed for the season—a “best practice” to reduce plastic contamination in fields. However, all the fields surveyed had plastic contamination and the authors found up to 25 kg of macroplastic debris per hectare, covering up to 3.4% of field surface area. Microplastics were also found in all fields and microplastic concentrations positively correlated with macroplastic concentrations. Key soil heath traits were negatively correlated with macroplastic accumulation even at relatively low contamination levels, while no relationships with microplastic contamination were detected. Thus, current “best practices” are causing subtle but deleterious effects to soil. Because the use of plastic film mulches is rapidly expanding globally, the authors suggest exploring a non-plastic, biodegradable alternative to limit the threat to soil function and agricultural productivity caused by unabated plastic accumulation.

Strawberries planted into mulched beds  

Plastic contamination.

Plastic contamination from the field.

Credit

Seeta Sistla

Journal

PNAS Nexus

Article Title

Agricultural plastic pollution reduces soil function even under best management practices

Article Publication Date

22-Oct-2024

New study helps quantify climate change and ecotoxicity impacts of biodegradable microplastics

Yale University

Over 20 million tons of plastic are estimated to end up in the environment every year, with much of it breaking down into microplastics that are harmful to the health of humans and wildlife. Biodegradable and bio-based plastics made from organic material are often touted as more sustainable alternatives, but until now, scientists haven’t had the tools to assess the impact of biodegradable plastics that are not disposed of properly.

A team of researchers from the Center for Industrial Ecology at the Yale School of Environment  recently developed a valuable environmental impact assessment method to quantify the climate change and ecotoxicity impacts of biodegradable microplastics in the natural environment. The study, published in Nature Chemical Engineering, was led by postdoctoral associate Zhengyin Piao and co-authored by Yuan Yao, associate professor of industrial ecology and sustainable systems, and doctoral student Amma Asantewaa Agyei Boakye ’20 MEM.

Only 50% of bio-plastics are in fact biodegradable, and many biodegradable options are fossil-fuel based. Outside of the controlled conditions of a waste management facility, biodegradable plastics can have some of the same impacts as conventional plastics, including breaking down into small, problematic pieces. While they take less time to degrade, they also release greenhouse gases.

“There are a lot of people doing life cycle assessments for biodegradable plastics without being able to quantify impacts when those plastics enter nature,” said Yao. “There just hasn’t been any methodology available.”

For the study, the team modified existing tools to model the fate of biodegradable microplastics in aquatic environments, creating a more dynamic method that can account for fluctuations in emissions as plastics degrade. They tested it using the five types of biodegradable plastics that dominate the global market, two of which were made from petroleum and three from organic material.

Yao noted that it is a common assumption that growing biomass absorbs enough carbon dioxide to offset emissions from disposed bio-based biodegradable plastics.  However, the research team found that the release of methane as these microplastics degraded in the natural environment had greater global warming potential than the carbon uptake from biomass growth.

The study also showed that the  tradeoff depends on degradation rate and microplastic size. Shifting from conventional options to alternatives that degrade faster may reduce ecotoxicity, but itcould result in higher greenhouse gas emissions. The burden shifting did seem to disappear for smaller microplastics. For the smallest sizes tested — particles a million times smaller than an inch — the less biodegradable plastics had the highest emissions and toxicity.

“When plastic engineers try to design plastics, they often think higher biodegradability will definitely always be better,” Yao said. “Our results show that it’s not a linear relationship.”

The researchers said they hope the study will inform the design of sustainable plastics and waste management systems moving forward. The team is now refining the model to scale it up for a global analysis.

“Doing this kind of large-scale analysis is really important to have a better vision of what strategies the plastic industry can take if it wants to reduce all these environmental impacts,” Yao said.

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Journal

Nature Chemical Engineering

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Environmental impacts of biodegradable microplastics