An out-of-Africa story hiding in our DNA

HIGHER EDUCATION PRESS

“Who are we and where do we come from?” This quintessential question has intrigued humanity for millennia. Currently, the “Out-of-Africa (OOA) theory” is prevailingly accepted regarding the origin of modern humans, as a line of evidence indicates that Homo sapiens originated in Africa. It is inferred that a small group of modern humans migrated out of Africa ~70,000 years ago, and nearly all humans outside of Africa today are considered as descendants of these early pioneers. Serving as a shelter, Africa protected modern humans from extreme cold conditions during repeated ice ages. Early humans adapted to the heat dissipation requirements of running on the East African grasslands by losing their thick body hair. However, when the ancestors of modern humans left Africa, they encountered the survival challenges as previous pioneers did: how to keep their bodies warm in extremely cold climates. Are there remnants in the human genome that reflect the evolutionary adaptations of our ancestors who endured extreme environments?

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have significantly advanced disease genetics and provided invaluable tools for exploring human evolutionary events. In 2007, a cluster of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within intron 1 of the FTO (fat mass and obesity-associated) gene was identified as being most strongly associated with obesity risk. However, it remained unclear whether these SNPs directly contribute to the development of obesity. The turning point came in 2015 when Claussnitzer et al. published a milestone article in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study pinpointed the rs1421085 T>C variant within the FTO SNP cluster for the first time, showing that this variant inhibited the expression of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1), a core gene of thermogenesis, and reduced thermogenic capacity of differentiated human beige fat cells. While this study appears to elucidate the molecular mechanism of FTO variants in obesity, it is noted that there is a lack of direct in vivo evidence to support these findings.

In 2023, our group published a paper in Nature Metabolism that challenged the above conclusions. Our findings revealed that mice carrying the homozygous CC-alleles exhibit enhanced brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and resistance to high-fat diet-induced obesity. Notably, mice harboring the CC-alleles showed ~6 °C higher than those with TT-alleles when exposed to a cold room (4 °C). These results led us to speculate that the rs1421085 T>C variant might be related to mammals’ adaptation to cold environments.

To further investigate whether the rs1421085 T>C variant affects thermogenesis in humans, we recently conducted a study using human fetal BAT obtained from aborted samples due to developmental defects. The results demonstrated that TC-allele carriers owed higher expression of UCP1 in BAT than TT-allele carriers, aligning with our previous observations in mice. This discovery prompted us to reassess the connection among the rs1421085 T>C variant, obesity, and human evolutionary processes. Could the expansion of this variant be attributed to positive selection for human adaptation to cold environments?

Over the last 100,000 years, modern humans have migrated from low latitudes to high latitudes, transitioning from tropical and temperate zones to colder regions, and shifting from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural and pastoral lifestyles. These environmental changes have imposed evolutionary pressures that have played a pivotal role in shaping phenotypic diversity across diverse populations. For instance, the Inuit population residing in the frigid Arctic region heavily rely on marine fish abundant in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for their diet. The most prominent signal of positive selection is observed within the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene. Notably, these genetic variants were initially associated with height traits in general populations. Could a comparable mechanism of positive selection elucidate the narrative behind the rs1421085 T>C variant?

Thus, using a systematic analysis of the rs1421085 C-allele frequency among diverse ancestral groups, we observed a remarked inverse correlation between the C-allele frequency and mean earth skin temperatures in January. This observed pattern indicates that “the colder the location, the higher the frequency of this variant”. In contrast, no correlation was found between the frequency and longitudes or altitudes among populations. Interestingly, the step-by-step shift of the C-allele frequency tracked the “modern human migration route map” documented previously. Building on these human and mouse results, encompassing both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and considering the genetic distribution patterns of Eurasian and African populations, we proposed a hypothesis that the substantial variance in the C-allele frequency across populations from Africa to Eurasia might be driven by positive selection mechanisms linked to varying levels of cold stress.

During the peer review process, reviewers noted some deviations in the correlation analysis, particularly regarding the high frequency of the C-allele in populations from the Indian subcontinent, which did not correspond with local ambient temperatures. Back to human genetic studies, a range of Eurasian-related ancestry varies from 20% to 80% across diverse Indian ethnic populations. The potential influx of populations or migrations from the north and west, known as the “Aryan invasion theory”, may have contributed to the ancient Indian civilizations’ decline. We speculated that historical invasions or migrations may have altered the original gene frequencies of ancient Indian populations by introducing high-frequency C-alleles from cold high-altitude regions. Therefore, major historical events may underlie these seemingly contradictory genetic findings.

    Despite the absence of direct evidence from ancient human fossils, the significance of this study lies in pinpointing the functional FTO variant—rs1421085 T>C—as potentially the inaugural locus established to enhance the expression of human thermogenic genes and be positively selected in response to cold temperatures. Our speculation suggests that this variant could confer newborn carriers a substantial survival advantage in cold climates, particularly during the short term after birth, by enhancing BAT thermogenesis. This genetic adaptation may represent just one of the numerous variants early humans employed to acclimate to harsh cold environments. We anticipate that further genetic variants relevant to this intricate evolutionary trajectory will be unraveled in the future.

Our team has devoted extensive effort over more than a decade to delve into obesity genetics, particularly focusing on the FTO SNP through functional studies. Initially, we aimed to decipher the role of this pivotal variant in obesity. As our investigations have progressed, a realization has emerged that “genetic signals affecting the development of obesity in modern humans may have been destined since the moment human pioneers migrated out of Africa”. Delving into genetic studies on modern complex diseases often entails a lengthy and arduous journey to unveil the narrative’s origin, given the myriad of accidental or inevitable, random or intentional factors at play. This process mirrors the tale of “the blind men and the elephant”, marked by debates, contradictions, and crucially, collaborative support. While the question of “where do we come from?” remains enigmatic, this research provides a glimpse of intrepid pioneers navigating within the winds and snows of distant eras and realms.

The intricacies of human genetics likely harbor numerous undisclosed secrets regarding cold resistance, alongside countless ancient narratives revolving around survival and demise. Much like the rock paintings adorning the walls of the Blombos Cave, our DNA serves as a faithful recorder of every notable event along the intricate path of human evolution. This enduring repository of our history calls for ceaseless exploration and investigation, offering insights into our complex journey through time and adaptation.

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JOURNAL

Life Metabolism

DOI

10.1093/lifemeta/loae027 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

The FTO variant with enhanced UCP1 expression is linked to human migration out of Africa

 

Neutrons on classically inexplicable paths

Is nature really as strange as quantum theory says - or are there simpler explanations? Neutron measurements at TU Wien prove: It doesn't work without the strange properties of quantum theory

Peer-Reviewed Publication

VIENNA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

 

IMAGE: 

VIOLATION OF A LEGGETT-GARG INEQUALITY USING IDEAL NEGATIVE MEASUREMENTS IN NEUTRON INTERFEROMETRY

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CREDIT: TU WIEN

Can a particle be in two different places at the same time? In quantum physics, it can: Quantum theory allows objects to be in different states at the same time – or more precisely: in a superposition state, combining different observable states. But is this really the case? Perhaps the particle is actually in a very specific state, at a very specific location, but we just don't know it?

The question of whether the behaviour of quantum objects could perhaps be described by a simple, more classical theory has been discussed for decades. In 1985, a way of measuring this was proposed: the so-called "Leggett-Garg inequality". Any theory that describes our world without the strange superposition states of quantum theory must obey this inequality. Quantum theory, on the other hand, violates it. Measurements with neutrons testing this "Leggett-Garg inequality” have now been carried out for the first time at TU Wien – with a clear result: the Leggett-Garg inequality is violated, classical explanations are not possible, quantum theory wins. The results have now been published in the journal Physical Review Letters.

Physical realism

We normally assume that every object has certain properties: A ball is at a certain location, it has a certain speed, perhaps also a certain rotation. It doesn't matter whether we observe the ball or not. It has these properties quite objectively and independently of us. "This view is known as 'realism'," says Stephan Sponar from the Atomic Institute at TU Wien.

We know from our everyday experience that large, macroscopic objects in particular must obey this rule. We also know that Macroscopic objects can be observed without being influenced significantly. The measurement does not fundamentally change the state. These assumptions are collectively referred to as "macroscopic realism".

However, quantum theory as we know it today is a theory that violates this macroscopic realism. If different states are possible for a quantum particle, for example different positions, speeds or energy values, then any combination of these states is also possible. At least as long as this state is not measured. During a measurement, the superposition state is destroyed: the measurement forces the particle to decide in favour of one of the possible values.

The Leggett-Garg inequality

Nevertheless, the quantum world must be logically connected to the macroscopic world – after all, large things are made up of small quantum particles. In principle, the rules of quantum theory should apply to everything.

So the question is: Is it possible to observe behaviour in "large" objects that cannot be reconciled with our intuitive picture of macroscopic realism? Can macroscopic things also show clear signs of quantum properties?

In 1985, physicists Anthony James Leggett and Anupam Garg published a formula with which macroscopic realism can be tested: The Leggett-Garg Inequality. "The idea behind it is similar to the more famous Bell's inequality, for which the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded in 2022," says Elisabeth Kreuzgruber, first author of the paper. "However, Bell's inequality is about the question of how strongly the behaviour of a particle is related to another quantum entangled particle. The Leggett-Garg inequality is only about one single object and asks the question: how its state at specific points in time related to the state of the same object at other specific points in time?"

Stronger correlations than classical physics allows

Leggett and Garg assumed an object that can be measured at three different times, each measurement can have two different results. Even if we know nothing at all about whether or how the state of this object changes over time, we can still statistically analyse how strongly the results at different points in time correlate with each other.

It can be shown mathematically that the strength of these correlations can never exceed a certain level - assuming that macroscopic realism is correct. Leggett and Garg were able to establish an inequality that must always be fulfilled by every macroscopic realistic theory, regardless of any details of the theory.

However, if the object adheres to the rules of quantum theory, then there must be significantly stronger statistical correlations between the measurement results at the three different points in time. If an object is actually in different states at the same time between the measurement times, this must – according to Leggett and Garg – lead to stronger correlations between the three measurements.

Neutron beams: Centimetre-sized quantum objects

"However, it is not so easy to investigate this question experimentally," says Richard Wagner. "If we want to test macroscopic realism, then we need an object that is macroscopic in a certain sense, i.e. that has a size comparable to the size of our usual everyday objects." At the same time, however, it must be an object that has a chance of still showing quantum properties.

"Neutron beams, as we use them in a neutron interferometer, are perfect for this," says Hartmut Lemmel, instrument responsible at the S18 instrument at the Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, where the experiment was conducted. In the neutron interferometer, a silicon perfect crystal interferometer that was first successfully used at the Atomic Institute of TU Wien in the early 1970s, the incident neutron beam is split into two partial beams at the first crystal plate and then recombined by another piece of silicon. There are therefore two different ways in which neutrons can travel from the source to the detector.

"Quantum theory says that every single neutron travels on both paths at the same time," says Niels Geerits. "However, the two partial beams are several centimetres apart. In a sense, we are dealing with a quantum object that is huge by quantum standards."

Using a sophisticated combination of several neutron measurements, the team at TU Wien was able to test the Leggett-Garg inequality – and the result was clear: the inequality is violated. The neutrons behave in a way that cannot be explained by any conceivable macroscopically realistic theory. They actually travel on two paths at the same time, they are simultaneously located at different places, centimetres apart. The idea that "maybe the neutron is only travelling on one of the two paths, we just don't know which one" has thus been refuted.

"Our experiment shows: Nature really is as strange as quantum theory claims," says Stephan Sponar. "No matter which classical, macroscopically realistic theory you come up with: It will never be able to explain reality. It doesn't work without quantum physics."

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JOURNAL

Physical Review Letters

DOI

10.1103/PhysRevLett.132.260201 

ARTICLE TITLE

Violation of a Leggett-Garg Inequality Using Ideal Negative Measurements in Neutron Interferometry

 

Extreme temperatures becoming more common in Ireland, Maynooth University study finds

A temperature event of 33 degrees Celsius in Dublin’s Phoenix Park has gone from being a 1 in 180-year event in 1942 to a 1 in 9-year event in 2020, according to a new study led by Ireland's Maynooth University

MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY

 

IMAGE: 

TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN IRELAND 

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CREDIT: PROF ANDREW PARNELL AND DR DAIRE HEALY OF THE HAMILTON INSTITUTE AT MAYNOOTH UNIVERSITY

A temperature event of 33 degrees Celsius in Dublin’s Phoenix Park has gone from being a 1 in 180-year event in 1942 to a 1 in 9-year event in 2020, according to a new study led by Ireland's Maynooth University.

The study, which developed a new model to predict the frequency, magnitude and spatial extent of extreme summer temperature events in Ireland, also estimates that a temperature of more than 34 degrees Celsius -- a value not yet recorded in Ireland – changed from a 1 in 1,600-year event to a 1 in 28-year event between 1942 and 2020.

The study was carried out by a team of researchers led by Prof Andrew Parnell and Dr Dáire Healy of the Hamilton Institute at Maynooth University, in collaboration with Prof Peter Thorne of Maynooth University’s ICARUS Climate Research Centre and Prof Jonathan Tawn of Lancaster University in the UK.

“We found that spatial heatwave events over thresholds that are critical for society have become much larger, having at least doubled in extent for 28 degree Celsius, with this change increasing at more extreme temperatures,” Dr Healy said.

The findings were detailed in a recent paper “Inference for Extreme Spatial Temperature Events in a Changing Climate with Application to Ireland” and were read to The Royal Statistical Society at a meeting on ‘Statistical Aspects of Climate Change’ held online on June 3, 2024.

According to Prof Parnell: “We are often focussed on average changes, and particularly focus on the Paris Climate Agreement of 1.5 degrees Celsius. What we have shown here is that the changes in extremes are much larger than the changes in the average, and are something we should be seriously concerned about.”

He said the findings underscored the urgency for societal adaptation to increasing extreme temperature events, which have profound implications for public health, agriculture, economic stability, and infrastructure resilience. The research team believe that the model’s ability to predict spatial patterns of extreme events offers a powerful tool for policymakers and stakeholders to mitigate risks and plan for future climate scenarios.

The model captures both location and temporal variations in extreme daily maximum temperatures using new mathematical techniques. Analysis by the research team identifies a significant change in the behaviour of extreme temperature events over time, which exceeds the observed changes in mean temperature levels over the same period.

The full study can be found here. 

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JOURNAL

Journal Of The Royal Statistical Society

DOI

10.48550/arXiv.2111.08616 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Observational study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Inference for Extreme Spatial Temperature Events in a Changing Climate with Application to Ireland

 

What do we need for better biodiversity monitoring in Europe?

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR APPLIED SYSTEMS ANALYSIS

 

IMAGE: 

FIVE WAYS FORWARD SUGGESTED BY STAKEHOLDERS TO IMPROVE BIODIVERSITY MONITORING AND THEREBY POLICY IMPACT IN EUROPE.

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CREDIT: JANOKA82 | DREAMSTIME

A new publication authored by scientists from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and IIASA with a large European consortium provides vital insights into the current status of biodiversity monitoring in Europe, identifying policy needs, challenges, and future pathways.

According to the European Environment Agency, Europe’s biodiversity continues to decline at an alarming rate due to anthropogenic pressures and a warming climate. Improving biodiversity monitoring data is crucial to ensure effective implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy goals, successful conservation policies, and restoration management under the EU Nature Restoration Law.

However, knowing about data needs from users and policy makers is the first step toward achieving this. Those needs are assessed in the new iDiv-IIASA study published in Conservation Letters.

“Current monitoring efforts in Europe suffer from a variety of limitations, hindering their effectiveness. They are often fragmented across ecosystems and habitats with little continuity. For example, the environmental status of 20-70% of all EU marine regions is unknown,” says study lead author Hannah Moersberger from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and iDiv. “In addition, there is a lack of studies engaging directly with data users and policymakers to map their needs.”

Key findings

To address these issues, the scientists used a four-step user-centered stakeholder engagement process, which consisted of an international public stakeholder workshop, an online survey, semi-structured interviews, and an expert meeting with representatives of EU member states.

“The stakeholder engagement process saw strong participation from decision makers, including experts from 18 EU member states, the European Commission, and the European Environment Agency,” says study co-lead Juliette Martin, a research scholar jointly associated with the IIASA Population and Just Societies and Biodiversity and Natural Resources programs. “We wanted our study to be as inclusive as possible, covering all relevant stakeholders, and therefore also surveyed workshop participants, including experts from major natural history societies, museums, universities, and other research organizations.”

The survey conducted across Europe identified 274 biodiversity monitoring programs that are currently in place across European countries and agencies. The data reflected a bias in the attention paid to different biomes and species. Birds were, for instance, the most frequently monitored group, accounting for 28% of all monitoring efforts.

“In our study we systematically assessed the user and policy needs as well as regular uptake of monitoring data from structured monitoring and citizen science programs in national policy workflows,” says senior author Aletta Bonn, head of the Biodiversity and People research group at UFZ, iDiv, and the Friedrich Schiller University Jena.

“Our research identified and highlighted the many uses such data can have across a variety of sectors, whether for drawing up agricultural strategies, conservation and restoration plans, or managing hunting permits within a country,” explains study coauthor Jose Valdez from University Halle and iDiv.

The study identified four main clusters of key policy areas related to biodiversity monitoring within the next decade: assessing biodiversity and species trends; assessing biodiversity policy impact and effectiveness; integrating biodiversity in other policy sectors; and operationalization of monitoring.

Challenges and solutions

The study also identified the top ten challenges to current biodiversity monitoring activities in Europe. These were primarily associated with four major types of obstacles: lack of integrated data, insufficient data, insufficient resources, and biased data.

“The stakeholders involved in the study identified five ways to improve biodiversity monitoring and policy impacts in Europe,” says senior coauthor Ian McCallum, who leads the Novel Data Ecosystems for Sustainability (NODES) Research Group in the IIASA Advancing Systems Analysis Program. “These solutions include, enhanced coordination and cooperation, standardization for enhanced data gathering and dissemination, use of advanced models and new technologies, better coordination of financial resources and capacity building, as well as stakeholder engagement.”

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JOURNAL

Conservation Letters

DOI

10.1111/conl.13038 

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Animals

ARTICLE TITLE

Biodiversity monitoring in Europe: User and policy needs

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

1-Jul-2024

Disclaimer: AAAS a

 

Crucial gaps in climate risk assessment methods

UNIVERSITY OF ZURICH

A study by Stefano Battiston of the Department of Finance at the University of Zurich and his co-authors has identified critical shortcomings in the way climate-related risks to corporate assets are currently assessed. Many current estimates of climate physical climate risk rely on simplified and proxy data that do not accurately represent a company’s true risk exposure. This can lead to significant underestimates of climate-related losses, with serious implications for business investment planning, asset valuation and climate adaptation efforts.

Potential losses up to 70% higher than previously estimated
The research team developed a new methodology that uses detailed information about the location and characteristics of a company’s physical assets, such as factories, equipment and natural resources. This approach provides a more accurate picture of climate risks than methods that use proxy data, which often assume that all of a company’s assets are located at its headquarters.
“When we compared our results with those using proxy data, we found that the potential losses from climate risks could be up to 70% higher than previously thought,” says Stefano Battiston. “This underscores the critical need for more granular data in risk assessments.”

Preparing for the worst: The role of extreme events
The authors also point to the importance of considering “tail risk” in climate assessments. Tail risk refers to the possibility of extreme events that, while rare, can have catastrophic impacts. “Many assessments focus on average impacts. Our research shows that the potential losses from extreme events can be up to 98% higher than these averages suggest,” says Stefano Battiston. “Failure to account for these possibilities can leave businesses and investors dangerously unprepared.”

More funding for climate adaptation
The study's findings have significant implications for climate policy, business strategy, and investment decisions. The researchers emphasize that more accurate risk assessments are crucial for developing effective climate adaptation strategies and determining appropriate levels of climate-related insurance and funding. “Our work shows that we may be seriously underestimating the financial resources needed for climate adaptation,” concludes Stefano Battiston.

Literature
Giacomo Bressan, Anja Duranovic, Irene Monasterolo, Stefano Battiston: Asset-level assessment of climate physical risk matters for adaptation, Nature Communications, 1 July 2024. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48820-1

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JOURNAL

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-024-48820-1 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Meta-analysis

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Asset-level assessment of climate physical risk matters for adaptation

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

1-Jul-2024

Disclaimer: AAAS and Eurek

 

The UJI and the Provincial Hospital are testing a robot for isolation situations due to infectious or radiological risks

The robotic unit was developed by the IRSLab team at the UJI's Centre for Research in Robotics and Underwater Technologies (CIRTESU) as part of the European H2020 El-Peacetolero project in collaboration with the Provincial Hospital

UNIVERSITAT JAUME I

 

VIDEO: 

THE UNIVERSITAT JAUME I AND THE CASTELLÓ PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL CONSORTIUM HAVE TESTED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A TELEOPERATED MOBILE OMNIDIRECTIONAL TERRESTRIAL MANIPULATOR ROBOT FOR USE IN ISOLATION SITUATIONS DUE TO INFECTIOUS OR RADIOLOGICAL RISKS.

THE FIRST TRIAL CONSISTED OF A MOBILITY TEST, NAVIGATION OF THE ROBOT IN CORRIDORS AND ROOMS, OPENING OF DOORS, DATA ACQUISITION FOR 3D RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND REACH WITH THE MANIPULATOR ARM.

THE ROBOT WOULD BE USED TO DELIVER FOOD AND MEDICATION TO PATIENTS IN ISOLATION DUE TO INFECTIOUS PATHOLOGIES OR ADMITTED TO THE SPECIAL HOSPITALISATION UNIT, WHERE PEOPLE REQUIRING METABOLIC THERAPY OR GYNAECOLOGICAL BRACHYTHERAPY ARE TREATED, THUS AVOIDING UNNECESSARY EXPOSURE OF HEALTHCARE STAFF TO POSSIBLE INFECTIOUS OR RADIOLOGICAL RISKS.

THE ROBOTIC UNIT WAS DEVELOPED BY THE IRSLAB TEAM AT THE UJI'S CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN ROBOTICS AND UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGIES (CIRTESU) AS PART OF THE EUROPEAN H2020 EL-PEACETOLERO PROJECT TO INSPECT PLASTIC PIPES IN SCENARIOS WITH RADIOACTIVE RISKS WHERE HUMAN INTERVENTION IS NOT FEASIBLE, ALTHOUGH THE SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN DESIGNED FOR USE IN BIOHAZARD ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS A HOSPITAL CENTRE.

THE TELEOPERATED OMNIDIRECTIONAL MOBILE TERRESTRIAL MANIPULATOR ROBOT INTEGRATES AN INTELLIGENT SENSOR EQUIPPED WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, USES 2D AND 3D LIDAR SYSTEMS MOUNTED ON THE MOBILE HEAD AND HAS A MANIPULATOR ARM FOR FUTURE ASSISTANCE TO THE PATIENT.

THE EL-PEACETOLERO PROJECT (EMBEDDED ELECTRONIC SOLUTIONS FOR POLYMER INNOVATIVE SCANNING TOOLS USING LIGHT EMITTING DEVICES FOR DIAGNOSTIC ROUTINES) HAS BEEN FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION'S HORIZON 2020 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROGRAMME UNDER GRANT AGREEMENT NO. 945320.

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CREDIT: UNIVERSITAT JAUME I OF CASTELLÓN (SPAIN)

The Universitat Jaume I and the Castelló Provincial Hospital Consortium have tested the effectiveness of a teleoperated mobile omnidirectional terrestrial manipulator robot for use in isolation situations due to infectious or radiological risks. The first trial consisted of a mobility test, navigation of the robot in corridors and rooms, opening of doors, data acquisition for 3D reconstruction of the environment and reach with the manipulator arm.

The robot would be used to deliver food and medication to patients in isolation due to infectious pathologies or admitted to the Special Hospitalisation Unit, where people requiring metabolic therapy or gynaecological brachytherapy are treated, thus avoiding unnecessary exposure of healthcare staff to possible infectious or radiological risks.

The robotic unit was developed by the IRSLab team at the UJI's Centre for Research in Robotics and Underwater Technologies (CIRTESU) as part of the European H2020 El-Peacetolero project to inspect plastic pipes in scenarios with radioactive risks where human intervention is not feasible, although the system has also been designed for use in biohazard environments such as a hospital centre.

The first steps to adapt the equipment to the hospital environment and needs were taken as part of the doctoral thesis of Amparo Tirado Bou, from the Doctoral Programme in Computer Science, directed by Raúl Marín of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, with the support of lecturers Pedro J. Sanz and Juan J. Echagüe of CIRTESU, Eladio Collado, lecturer of Nursing and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, the researchers of the different teams and the professionals of the Provincial Hospital, who have contributed ideas and possible applications to improve the safety and well-being of medical care.

In the case of metabolic therapy, the patient receives radioactive drugs orally or intravenously. This treatment requires the patient to be admitted to a room specially adapted to meet the radiation protection standards set by the Nuclear Safety Council.

The Consortium has two rooms dedicated exclusively to these treatments. The patient remains in the rooms in isolation, unable to leave or receive visitors, until the radiation levels have fallen to legal limits, which usually takes two or three days.

During this time, the patient receives continuous remote care from the centre's medical and nursing staff, who have previously attended a course for supervisors or operators of radioactive facilities.

Radiological monitoring of workers exposed to ionising radiation is carried out by means of passive detection systems known as dosimeters, which are read by bodies or institutions expressly authorised and controlled by the Nuclear Safety Council.

Gynaecological brachytherapy, which is carried out in another dedicated room, plays a key role in the treatment of cancer by delivering a high dose of radiation to a very well-defined tumour volume with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

The patient receiving this treatment is transferred to the room in the Special Hospitalisation Unit, where she must remain isolated, without staff or companions, during the minutes of irradiation, about 10 minutes every hour, for a period that can range from one to four days.

The teleoperated omnidirectional mobile terrestrial manipulator robot integrates an intelligent sensor equipped with artificial intelligence, uses 2D and 3D LIDAR systems mounted on the mobile head and has a manipulator arm for future assistance to the patient.

The El-Peacetolero project (Embedded Electronic Solutions for Polymer Innovative Scanning Tools Using Light Emitting Devices for Diagnostic Routines) has been funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 945320.

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METHOD OF RESEARCH

Computational simulation/modeling

 

Understanding the synchronization of physiological states during a live music performance

Research finds that the heart rate synchronization of listeners in response to music is dependent on the consistency in physiological responses and not their mood or preferences

WASEDA UNIVERSITY

 

IMAGE: 

A STUDY BY A RESEARCHER FROM WASEDA UNIVERSITY HAS FOUND THAT HEART RATE SYNCHRONIZATION IN RESPONSE TO MUSIC IS HIGHLY PERSONALIZED, CORRELATING MORE STRONGLY ACROSS TIME WITHIN THE SAME PERSON COMPARED TO BETWEEN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE.

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CREDIT: RYOTA NOMURA OF WASEDA UNIVERSITY

Common input synchronization is a process where systems or organisms exposed to an identical input respond similarly. People listening to a concert, for example, could experience a synchronization of their emotions. “Music-induced synchronization of heart rate may be the mechanism underlying the coherent behavior of a large audience in a theater,” suggests Ryota Nomura, an Associate Professor affiliated with Waseda University, Japan, while describing the mechanism. Previous studies have shown that inter-subject correlations calculated using physiological signals, including heart rate, are usually low. Studies investigating the common-input induced synchronization in different individuals suggest that the low correlation is due to weak intra-person correlation between the conscious processing and heart rate. This intra-person correlation is challenging to control directly. Hence, the current study by Dr. Nomura eliminated the individual differences in the processing by applying common input to the same individuals repeatedly.

Dr. Nomura has recently published this insightful study in Scientific Reports on 28 May 2024. In the study, Dr. Nomura showed that the synchronization of physical and cognitive processes is better within an individual compared to that between different individuals. The study revealed that the heart rate synchronization in response to music depends on the reliable physiological responses of the listener, not on their mood or music preferences. “This study allows us to explain the reproducibility of the aesthetic experience of the theater in terms of reliability,” notes Dr. Nomura.

The study investigated the inter- and intra-subject correlations calculated using instantaneous heart rate data measured while listening to music. To estimate the effect of mood on music-induced heart rate synchronization, Dr. Nomura had participants in the study listen to the same piece of music on different days. Likewise, to quantify the influence of music preference on heart rate synchronization, he investigated whether a person listening to a piece of music selected by the researcher differed in synchronization response to a piece of music that deeply moves them when played in a randomized order.

Dr. Nomura discovered that the reliability with which a subject’s heart rate responded to the music is significantly more correlated across time for a given individual, compared to the inter-subjective correlation in responses between individuals.

“The results demonstrated that inter-subject correlations were consistently lower compared to intra-subject correlations, regardless of participants’ music preferences and daily moods. Further, music-induced heart rate synchronization depends on the reliability of physiological responses to musical pieces rather than mood or motivation,” Dr. Nomura observes.

Overall, the study will lead to a greater understanding of collective human emotion as a way to improve the theater-going experience. By discovering what factors contribute to heart-rate synchronization and consequent emotional response, this study offers valuable clues for the success of performing arts. “From data on small audiences, for example, the degree of proficiency of performers, commercial success can be predicted in terms of reliability. This could contribute to better performances in theaters. Moreover, engineered devices that enhance reliability may facilitate synchronization of the physiological states of multiple audience members,” concludes Dr. Nomura, while highlighting the implications of the study.

 

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Reference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-62994-0

 

Authors: Ryota Nomura

 

Affiliations: Faculty of Human Sciences, Waseda University, Japan

 

About Waseda University
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Waseda University is a leading private research university that has long been dedicated to academic excellence, innovative research, and civic engagement at both the local and global levels since 1882. The University has produced many changemakers in its history, including nine prime ministers and many leaders in business, science and technology, literature, sports, and film. Waseda has strong collaborations with overseas research institutions and is committed to advancing cutting-edge research and developing leaders who can contribute to the resolution of complex, global social issues. The University has set a target of achieving a zero-carbon campus by 2032, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in 2015. 

To learn more about Waseda University, visit https://www.waseda.jp/top/en  

 

About Associate Professor Ryota Nomura
Dr. Ryota Nomura has been an Associate Professor at the School of Human Sciences at Waseda University, Japan, since 2020. Dr. Nomura is a cognitive scientist who received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Kyushu University in 2008 and Ph.D. in Engineering from Tokyo University of Science in 2016. He has over eight years of research experience and has published over 26 research articles in areas involving engineering in education, human blinking behavior, proficiency of stage actors, etc. Dr. Nomura has previously worked in various research and teaching roles at Kagoshima Immaculate Heart University, The University of Tokyo, and Kyushu University. Dr. Nomura has also been awarded the Best Paper Award by the Japanese Cognitive Science Society for his paper on cognitive studies in 2015.

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JOURNAL

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-024-62994-0 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Reliability for music‑induced heart rate synchronization