KITCHEN ALCHEMY

Cooking sulfur-containing vegetables can promote the formation of trans-fatty acids

New study reveal that garlic and onions contain chemicals that can transform into trans fats when cooked at high temperatures

Meijo University

 

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Natural sulfur compounds promote formation of trans fatty acids (TFAs) during heating.

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Credit: Masaki Honda / Meijo University

Trans-fatty acids (TFA) are a major cause of cardiovascular diseases. These harmful fats can accumulate along artery walls, restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attacks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), TFAs are responsible for over 278,000 annual deaths worldwide, and it recommends that TFA consumption should be limited to less than 1% of daily energy intake. Common sources of TFAs include fried (junk) foods and processed foods such as margarine, ghee, biscuits, cakes, etc. In processed foods, TFAs are produced through the hydrogenation of vegetable oil, a chemical process that saturates the oil with hydrogen. While the formation process of TFAs in processed foods is well-known, evidence suggests that they can also be created at home during cooking.

 

Studies indicate that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) can undergo trans-isomerization, a molecular reconfiguration that transform them into TFAs when heated at 150 °C or higher. On the other hand, sulfur-containing compounds, such as isothiocyanates and polysulfides, which are found in many vegetables, are known to promote geometrical isomerization of carotenoids (e.g., lycopene in tomato) —natural pigments that give vegetables their red, orange, or yellow color. This raises the question that whether these sulfur compounds also promote the trans-isomerization of UFAs in everyday cooking. Understanding the impact of natural sulfur compounds on the cooking process can help regulate TFA intake, particularly for those who avoid processed foods.

 

To explore this, a Japanese research team led by by Mr. Junji Obi of Nissui Corporation and Dr. Masaki Honda of Meijo University assessed the role of isothiocyanates and polysulfides in promoting the trans-isomerization of vegetable UFAs during cooking. The research was published online on November 27, 2024, in the journal Food Research International.

 

The researchers first evaluated the effects of sulfur compounds in triacylglycerols (TAGs) in a model system using reagents. Then, tests were conducted using ingredients (garlic, onion, leek, cabbage, horseradish, and broccoli sprouts) and vegetable oils (soybean and olive oils) to simulate actual cooking processes.

 

“We wanted to understand the principal characteristics of UFA isomerization in TAGs promoted by sulfur compounds through a model system using reagent-grade sulfur compounds and triglycerides,” explains Junji Obi, the first author of this paper. “We were interested in the effects of temperature, reaction time, sulfur compound concentration, the type of sulfur compounds, and addition of antioxidants on UFA isomerization.”

 

The team also assessed the role of antioxidants such as α-tocopherol in reducing the isomerization of UFAs in triglycerides like triolein and trilinolein.

 

The study revealed that sulfur compounds significantly promote heat-induced trans-isomerization of UFAs in vegetable oils, especially when cooking temperatures is above 140°C. The addition of antioxidants significantly reduced the promotion of UFAs isomerization by isothiocyanates, whereas they did little to inhibit the promotion of isomerization by polysulfides. This explains that cooking polysulfide-rich vegetables such as garlic and onions in vegetable oil at high temperatures can generate TFAs. In fact, this study demonstrated that garlic and onions significantly promote the trans-isomerization of UFAs.

 

Under normal cooking conditions, the corresponding increase in the trans isomer ratio is expected to be minimal, at most a few percentages. Therefore, while excessive caution is not necessary, it is important to recognize that cooking with ingredients rich in sulfur compounds may increase the risk of TFA intake.

 

“Release of TFAs under normal cooking conditions is expected to be minimal. Therefore, excessive caution is unnecessary,” concludes Dr. Honda, the corresponding author of this paper. “However, it is important to understand that cooking with ingredients rich in natural sulfur compounds may increase the risk of TFA intake.”

 

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Journal

Food Research International

DOI

10.1016/j.foodres.2024.115425 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Vegetables containing sulfur compounds promote trans-isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids in triacylglycerols during the cooking process

Article Publication Date

27-DEC-2024

PROJECT CYBERSYN

 POST SCARCITY ANARCHY

A comprehensive survey of federated transfer learning: Challenges, methods and applications

Higher Education Press

 

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The challenges of FTL

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Credit: Wei GUO, Fuzhen ZHUANG, Xiao ZHANG, Yiqi TONG, Jin DONG

Federated Learning (FL) has gained significant attention as a novel distributed machine learning paradigm that enables collaborative model training while preserving data privacy. However, traditional FL methods face challenges such as data heterogeneity, system heterogeneity, and labeled data scarcity. To address these issues, Federated Transfer Learning (FTL), which integrates Transfer Learning (TL) into FL, has attracted the attention of numerous researchers. However, since FL enables a continuous share of knowledge among participants with each communication round while not allowing local data to be accessed by other participants, FTL faces many unique challenges that are not present in TL.

To provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in the field of Federated Transfer Learning (FTL) and offer valuable insights for researchers, a research team led by Fuzhen Zhuang published their new research on 15 December 2024  in Frontiers of Computer Science co-published by Higher Education Press and Springer Nature.

In the research, the authors classify the common settings of FTL scenarios into six categories: homogeneous FTL, heterogeneous FTL, dynamic heterogeneous FTL, model adaptive FTL, semi-supervised FTL, and unsupervised FTL. They systematically summarize the solutions to these challenges based on existing FTL works, covering aspects such as motivation, core algorithms, model design, privacy-preserving mechanisms, and communication architectures.

The survey not only covers the theoretical aspects of FTL but also highlights its practical applications. The authors discuss the importance of systems and infrastructure in the success of FTL and outline its current applications across various domains. They also propose future prospects for the development and adoption of FTL.

This comprehensive survey serves as a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners working in the fields of machine learning, data privacy, and distributed computing. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the challenges and opportunities in FTL and is expected to stimulate further advancements in this rapidly evolving field.

Researchers have published a comprehensive survey on the emerging field of Federated Transfer Learning (FTL) in the journal Frontiers of Computer Science. This groundbreaking work systematically categorizes and reviews the current progress, challenges, and applications of FTL, providing valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the fields of machine learning, data privacy, and distributed computing.

DOI: 10.1007/s11704-024-40065-x

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Journal

Frontiers of Computer Science

DOI

10.1007/s11704-024-40065-x 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

A comprehensive survey of federated transfer learning: challenges, methods and applications

Article Publication Date

25-Dec-2024

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Search results for CYBERNETICS

PROJECT CYBERSYN

 

Societal inequality linked to reduced brain health in aging and dementia

Trinity College Dublin

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have collaborated with international partners to explore if societal inequality affects our brain. Their research paper is published in Nature Aging today, [Friday, December 27th] by an international team of researchers from the Multipartner Consortium to expand dementia research in Latin America (ReDLat), the Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), the GIobal Brain Health Institute (GBHI) at Trinity College Dublin, and other centres across the globe. The study reveals a direct link between structural inequality—such as socioeconomic disparities measured by a country-level index (GINI)—and changes in brain structure and connectivity associated with aging and dementia. 

The study also sheds light on how societal inequities become biologically embedded, particularly in underrepresented populations across Latin America and the United States.

Key findings

1.Researchers found that higher levels of inequality are linked to reduced brain volume and disrupted connectivity, especially in temporo-posterior and cerebellar regions essential for memory and cognitive function. These effects were more pronounced in Latin America, highlighting the unique vulnerability of Latin American populations to macro-level socioeconomic stressors. 

2.The findings also revealed that Latinos with Alzheimer’s disease experience the most severe impacts, suggesting that environmental demands linked to structural inequality may exacerbate neurodegeneration in aging populations. In contrast, the milder effects observed in frontotemporal lobar degeneration support the hypothesis of a more significant genetic influence in this condition. Reduced brain volume and connectivity are frequently observed in patients with dementia and are associated with disease progression and severity. 

3. Notably, associations persisted even after accounting for individual factors such as education, age, sex, and cognitive ability, underscoring the independent role of macro-level factors in shaping brain health. Living in a context of aggregate inequality affects brain health regardless of your specific socioeconomic level, demonstrating the far-reaching consequences of societal disparities on the brain.

First author Agustina Legaz, PhD from the ReDLat consortium, said, 

“Our findings emphasize the urgency of integrating not only individual social determinants of health into global brain health research but also macro-level exposome factors, such as social and physical variables. These findings pave the way for future studies exploring the biological mechanisms linking aggregate inequality to aging and neurodegeneration.”

Dr. Agustín Ibáñez, PhD, professor in global brain health at Trinity College, and director of BrainLat and corresponding author, added:

“This research highlights the critical role of structural inequality in shaping brain health. Considering dementia rates rise particularly in low- and middle-income countries, our findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of brain health disparities, which appear to be specific to each region.”

The study calls for a multi-level approach to brain health equity, examining the biological embedding of other macro-level exposome factors beyond socioeconomic inequality. These may include variables such as democratic governance, air pollution, migration, climate change, and access to green spaces. Identifying and addressing these region-specific modulators could lead to targeted interventions that mitigate accelerated brain aging and reduce the dementia burden in disadvantaged communities.

You can read the paper ‘Structural inequality linked to brain volume and network dynamics in aging and dementia across the Americas’ at this link   https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-024-00781-2

 

 

Notes for the Editor

About the study

This research analyzed neuroimaging data from 2,135 participants, including healthy controls and individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration, across six countries in Latin America (Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico) and North America (United States). Using advanced imaging techniques to study brain volume and functional connectivity and the GINI index to measure macro-level socioeconomic inequality, the study offers one of the most comprehensive examinations of how structural inequalities influence brain health.

About the researchers

This study is a collaboration between the ReDLat consortium, the leading institution BrainLat at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, the Global Brain Health Institute at Trinity College Dublin, and other international centers. It was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Fogarty International Center, the National Institute on Aging (R01 AG057234, R01 AG075775, R01 AG021051, R01 AG083799, CARDS-NIH), the Alzheimer's Association (SG-20–725707), the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, the Bluefield Project to Cure FTD. Additional funding was provided by Chile’s National Research and Development Agency (ANID: Fondecyt 1210195 and 1210176 and 1220995, 15150012; ANID/PIA/ANILLOS ACT210096; FONDEF ID20I10152, ANID/FONDAP 15150012). The contents of this publication are solely the author’s responsibility and do not represent the official views of these institutions.

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Journal

Nature Aging

DOI

10.1038/s43587-024-00781-2 

Method of Research

Data/statistical analysis

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

‘Structural inequality linked to brain volume and network dynamics in aging and dementia across the Americas’

Article Publication Date

27-Dec-2024

 

Digital healthcare consultations not enough for safe assessment of tonsillitis

CAN'T HANDLE A SORE THROAT ASSESSMENT

TONSILLITIS IS UBIQUITOUS

University of Gothenburg

 

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Patrycja Woldan-Gradalska, PhD Student, and nd Per-Daniel Sundvall, Professor, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.

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Credit: Photo: privat resp. Mikael Stenberg

Digital healthcare consultations are not enough for a safe assessment of tonsillitis, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg. Reliability will not be sufficient, thus increasing the risk of over- or undertreatment of a sore throat.

Tonsillitis is a common reason for visits to the doctor and prescriptions of antibiotics in primary care. To determine whether a patient needs antibiotics, doctors use the so-called Centor Criteria for tonsillitis. The criteria include fever, tender and swollen lymph nodes in the angles of the jaw and inspection of the tonsils.

However, it has been unclear how well these criteria can be assessed during digital healthcare consultations compared to traditional in-person consultations. This lack of scientific evidence has become a growing concern as digital healthcare consultations become more common.

Digital vs physical assessment

The current study, published in the journal Infectious Diseases, examines whether digital assessments are as reliable as physical examinations in determining whether antibiotic treatment is warranted. The study includes 189 patients who sought care at healthcare clinics and urgent care clinics in Region Västra Götaland, Sweden, between January 2020 and October 2023.

Each patient in the study underwent two assessments: a digital medical assessment via video and a physical examination conducted by another doctor. The results show that digital healthcare consultations are not sufficient to assess some of the most important criteria, such as tonsil inspection and lymph node examination.

Digital not safe enough

One of the driving forces behind the study is Patrycja Woldan-Gradalska, a PhD student at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a Resident Physician at Sätila Healthcare Clinic.

“Our study shows that although digital healthcare consultations are convenient for many patients, they are not reliable enough to assess tonsillitis. To ensure a correct diagnosis and treatment, it is still important to conduct a physical examination,” she says.

The authors are active in community medicine and public health at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and at Region Västra Götaland's FoUUI primary and community healthcare, a support resource for research, education, development and innovation.

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Journal

Infectious Diseases

DOI

10.1080/23744235.2024.2434878 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Inter-rater reliability of Centor score assessments between telemedicine and in-person examinations in patients with an acute sore throat

 

Singapore ranks 10th globally in readiness for a rapidly ageing society: Study by NUS and Columbia University

National University of Singapore

Singapore has been ranked among the world’s top 10 nations - and first in Asia – for its readiness to address the challenges and leverage the opportunities of an ageing population, according to a recent study conducted by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Columbia University. Switzerland tops the rankings, with Japan ranking 15th globally and second in Asia, while USA ranks 24th.

 

This research group has previously reported comparisons of adaptation to ageing among developed countries. To conduct the current work, the group developed a new measure - The Global Ageing Index, which permits comparisons between low- and middle-income countries as well as more developed ones to assess the preparedness of 143 countries, covering 95.4% of the world’s population, to tackle the challenges of population ageing. The study examines five key domains: well-being, productivity and engagement, equity, cohesion, and security, with input from 25 experts across high-, middle-, and low-income countries.

 

Led by Assistant Professor Cynthia Chen from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) and Professor John W Rowe from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, the landmark study was published in the scientific journal Nature Aging on 27 December 2024. The research was made possible through the invaluable contributions of Mr Julian Lim, Research Assistant at NUS SSHSPH.

 

Summarising the key observations of the study, Asst Prof Chen explained, “While high-income countries lead the rankings in readiness for a rapidly ageing society, low- and middle-income nations trail behind. Although low- and middle-income countries often have younger populations today, many are expected to experience rapid population ageing in the future. Individuals with limited financial security may face serious challenges in accessing healthcare later in life. If health and social security systems remain insufficient to address the needs of older adults, the financial burden on individuals and their families could escalate, potentially leading to widespread economic consequences.”

 

“As such, an effective response to population ageing can offer numerous benefits. Countries can mitigate the growth in healthcare costs while harnessing the potential of older adults, whose experience and wisdom can contribute significantly to societies. In the long run, this can lead to global societal benefits. We hope our findings can help prioritise action for countries at all levels of development,” she added.  

 

Singapore’s global performance across the five domains central to successful adaptation to societal ageing is summarised below:

 

Well-Being: 1st

 

A successfully ageing society provides healthcare informed by a sophisticated understanding of the healthcare needs of older persons. Singapore performed best in Well-being, securing the top global ranking in this domain. The nation achieved the world’s longest healthy life expectancy at older ages; strong universal health coverage (6th); a high share of life expectancy spent in good health (10th); and high life satisfaction (23rd).

 

The study noted that in promoting long-term, transformational change, Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) has implemented a set of health transformation efforts, including preventive efforts such as screening, immunisation, health promotion (such as the National Steps Challenge and the Healthier Dining programme), and education. MOH has also recently intensified the nation’s efforts in chronic disease prevention and management through the implementation of Healthier SG from 2023. This initiative aims to transition the healthcare system from a reactive treatment model to one focused on proactive preventive care.

 

Security: 6th

 

Economic and physical security for older persons is a cornerstone of a thriving ageing society. According to the study, Singapore ranks 6th globally in average income and 1st in both perceived safety walking at night and satisfaction with healthcare quality among those aged 50 years and above. Mental health resilience also ranks highly, placing 6th worldwide.

 

Productivity and Engagement: 17th

 

A successfully ageing society facilitates the engagement of older persons. In Singapore, while participation in retraining for ages 16-64 ranks impressively at 10th worldwide, other indicators such as labour force engagement among ages 55-64; as well as volunteering, feeling active and productive daily, and job satisfaction among older populations, have been ranked between 41st to 67th. This highlights substantial opportunities to enhance societal engagement and promote personal fulfilment in later life.

 

Equity: 36th

 

A society that is ageing well ensures equitable distribution of resources across generations. In Singapore, despite a high ranking for income (9th globally for both living comfortably, and having enough money for food among those aged 50+), there are disparities between young and old populations in income, food, labour force participation and educational attainment, which would require attention.

 

Cohesion: 42nd

 

In a successfully ageing society, strong social connections are preserved both within and across generations. Social trust among older adults and the support available to this group in Singapore present a mixed picture. While a significant proportion of older individuals can rely on friends and relatives (24th) and have access to the internet (24th), trust in neighbours ranks 71st. Furthermore, a significant proportion of older adults live alone (115th), suggesting the need for initiatives fostering community connections and reducing isolation.

 

The research team recognises that MOH has just embarked on Age Well SG in 2024 and is expanding the network of Active Ageing Centres as drop-in nodes for seniors to co-mingle with one another and with neighbours. This also creates opportunities for seniors living alone to be engaged with buddying and befriending programmes, which will help to address the areas which the team has identified.

 

Proactive and holistic healthy longevity initiatives by Health District @ Queenstown

 

Singapore’s efforts in adapting to an ageing society are exemplified by initiatives such as the Health District @ Queenstown (HD@QT).  This is a multi-stakeholder collaboration co-led by the National University Health System (NUHS), NUS, and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) to promote physical, mental and social well-being at every stage of life.

 

“The findings of this study inform and validate our efforts at the Health District @ Queenstown. We strive to co-create with residents and service providers an inclusive community that fosters healthy, purposeful lives across the lifespan. Successful sustainable programmes from Queenstown, which have been designed to align with the domains of the Global Ageing Society Index, can be scaled to the whole of Singapore to address the evolving challenges of an ageing population,” said Professor John Eu-Li Wong, Executive Director of NUS Centre for Population Health and Senior Advisor at NUHS. Prof Wong is also the Co-Chair of the HD@QT Steering Committee.  

 

Prof Wong added, “As initiatives such as HD@QT take root, we hope to demonstrate how societies can turn the challenges of ageing into a blueprint for healthy, purposeful longevity and empowerment.”

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Journal

Nature Aging

DOI

10.1038/s43587-024-00772-3 

Article Title

A global analysis of adaptation to societal aging across low-, middle- and high-income countries using the Global Aging Society Index

Article Publication Date

27-Dec-2024

 

Are we ready for the ethical challenges of AI and robots?

The first book to focus on law, policy, and regulation in human-robot interaction is now available online.

Kyushu University

 

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The first book to focus on law, policy, and regulation in human-robot interaction is now available online.

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Credit: Used with permission from Cambridge University Press © 2024

Fukuoka, Japan―Artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled robots are becoming a bigger part of our daily lives. Real-time, flexible interactions between humans and robots are no longer just science fiction. As robots become smarter and more human-like in both behavior and appearance, they are transforming from mere tools to potential partners and social entities. 

This rapid evolution presents significant challenges to our legal and ethical frameworks, including concerns about privacy, safety, and regulation in the context of AI and robots. The Cambridge Handbook of the Law, Policy, and Regulation for Human-Robot Interaction, published by Cambridge University Press on November 21, 2024, explores and addresses these emerging issues. It is now available online as of December 2024.

Edited by Woodrow Barfield, Yueh-Hsuan Weng, and Ugo Pagallo, three experts in AI-related legal issues, the handbook gathers insights from social sciences, computer science, and engineering. It is the first book to specifically address issues of law, policy, and regulation focusing on human-robot interaction. 

“Humanities are crucial to AI development,” says Yueh-Hsuan Weng, Associate Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Kyushu University, and the Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS), Tohoku University (Cross-appointment). He is also a co-editor of the book. “Tech professionals can create cutting-edge systems, but without input from legal and humanities perspectives, these systems may struggle to coexist with humans. We hope this book serves as a compass for developers, ensuring AI systems better benefit our society.”

Comprising 46 chapters, the handbook is organized into four parts. The opening section introduces the legal and ethical challenges arising from human-robot interaction, addressing issues such as trust for robots and anthropomorphism—where non-human entities are given human-like emotions or intentions. The second section explores the societal impacts of human-robot interaction, discussing questions about whether AI entities should be granted legal personhood and what steps are needed for the growing integration of robots into human life.

The third section looks deeper into ethical, cultural, and value-based issues in human-robot interaction. A key aspect of AI governance is aligning AI’s value judgments with human values, which can vary across regions, contexts, and cultural value systems. Through a range of scenarios, including the role of robots in long-term assistance, their potential function in religious settings, and intercultural challenges, this chapter reveals the complexities of value alignment. The book concludes by discussing the legal challenges posed by AI’s integration into society, offering insights into how consumer law, criminal law, and constitutional law may need to evolve to accommodate intelligent systems.

This handbook brings together authors from various countries and presents case studies from across the globe. By offering diverse perspectives, it provides valuable insights into the ethical dilemmas emerging from our personal interactions with robots, sparking a global dialogue on these issues.

“A major issue I addressed in the book is the AI pacing problem,” says Weng. This refers to the gap between rapid AI advancements and the slower pace of legislation. While many countries and organizations are working on regulations for AI-enabled robots, creating comprehensive laws often struggles to keep up with AI’s progress. “Governance mechanisms have been proposed, ranging from ‘hard’ legislation to ‘soft’ ethical guidelines. What’s needed now are solutions that balance enforceability and flexibility.” 

One solution Weng proposed in his chapter is global AI ethics standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization. Currently, Weng chairs a working group at the IEEE and is compiling a database of AI-related ethical cases from various countries, modularizing core issues and region-specific concerns, aiming to help developers navigate and apply them effectively.

The handbook also addresses critical topics like anthropomorphism, robots in healthcare, and privacy protection, all requiring continued focus and collaboration. As algorithms enable robots to perform human-like actions, such as robot dogs dancing jazz, these behaviors challenge traditional ethical expectations and may reshape how future generations perceive concepts like “dogs.” Meanwhile, when people, especially older adults, are unfamiliar with robots, they may view robotic caregivers as true companions, leading to emotional challenges. Ethical guidelines are needed to ensure responsible use in these sensitive contexts. Additionally, balancing high-quality services with data security remains an urgent task that demands innovative regulatory solutions.

Reflecting on these topics, Weng emphasizes, “As human-AI interactions become more common, I hope designers, manufacturers, and users of robots will engage with our book. Responsible research and innovation are crucial for the development of AI and robots, and this requires input from people across various societal sectors. We warmly invite everyone to explore this book and join us in creating IEEE’s global standards for AI ethics.”

 

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For more information about this book, see Woodrow Barfield, Yueh-Hsuan Weng, and Ugo Pagallo, eds. The Cambridge Handbook on the Law, Policy, and Regulation of Human-robot Interaction. Cambridge University Press, https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009386708

 

About Kyushu University  


Founded in 1911, Kyushu University  is one of Japan's leading research-oriented institutes of higher education, consistently ranking as one of the top ten Japanese universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World Rankings. The university is one of the seven national universities in Japan, located in Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu—the most southwestern of Japan’s four main islands with a population and land size slightly larger than Belgium. Kyushu U’s multiple campuses—home to around 19,000 students and 8000 faculty and staff—are located around Fukuoka City, a coastal metropolis that is frequently ranked among the world's most livable cities and historically known as Japan's gateway to Asia. Through its VISION 2030, Kyushu U will “drive social change with integrative knowledge.” By fusing the spectrum of knowledge, from the humanities and arts to engineering and medical sciences, Kyushu U will strengthen its research in the key areas of decarbonization, medicine and health, and environment and food, to tackle society’s most pressing issues. 

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DOI

10.1017/9781009386708 

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe makes history with closest pass to the Sun

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

 

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An artist's concept showing Parker Solar Probe.

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Credit: NASA/APL

Operations teams have confirmed NASA’s mission to “touch” the Sun survived its record-breaking closest approach to the solar surface on Dec. 24, 2024.

Breaking its previous record by flying just 3.8 million miles above the surface of the Sun, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe hurtled through the solar atmosphere at a blazing 430,000 miles per hour — faster than any human-made object has ever moved. A beacon tone received late on Dec. 26 confirmed the spacecraft had made it through the encounter safely and is operating normally.

This pass, the first of more to come at this distance, allows the spacecraft to conduct unrivaled scientific measurements with the potential to change our understanding of the Sun.

"Flying this close to the Sun is a historic moment in humanity’s first mission to a star,” said Nicky Fox, who leads the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “By studying the Sun up close, we can better understand its impacts throughout our solar system, including on the technology we use daily on Earth and in space, as well as learn about the workings of stars across the universe to aid in our search for habitable worlds beyond our home planet.”

Parker Solar Probe has spent the last six years setting up for this moment. Launched in 2018, the spacecraft used seven flybys of Venus to gravitationally direct it ever closer to the Sun. With its last Venus flyby on Nov. 6, 2024, the spacecraft reached its optimal orbit. This oval-shaped orbit brings the spacecraft an ideal distance from the Sun every three months — close enough to study our Sun’s mysterious processes but not too close to become overwhelmed by the Sun’s heat and damaging radiation. The spacecraft will remain in this orbit for the remainder of its primary mission.

“Parker Solar Probe is braving one of the most extreme environments in space and exceeding all expectations,” said Nour Rawafi, the project scientist for Parker Solar Probe at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), which designed, built, and operates the spacecraft from its campus in Laurel, Maryland. “This mission is ushering a new golden era of space exploration, bringing us closer than ever to unlocking the Sun’s deepest and most enduring mysteries.”

Close to the Sun, the spacecraft relies on a carbon foam shield to protect it from the extreme heat in the upper solar atmosphere called the corona, which can exceed 1 million degrees Fahrenheit. The shield was designed to reach temperatures of 2,600 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt steel — while keeping the instruments behind it shaded at a comfortable room temperature. In the hot but low-density corona, the spacecraft’s shield is expected to warm to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

“It’s monumental to be able to get a spacecraft this close to the Sun,” said John Wirzburger, the Parker Solar Probe mission systems engineer at APL. “This is a challenge the space science community has wanted to tackle since 1958 and had spent decades advancing the technology to make it possible.”

By flying through the solar corona, Parker Solar Probe can take measurements that help scientists better understand how the region gets so hot, trace the origin of the solar wind (a constant flow of material escaping the Sun), and discover how energetic particles are accelerated to half the speed of light.

“The data is so important for the science community because it gives us another vantage point,” said Kelly Korreck, a program scientist at NASA Headquarters and heliophysicist who worked on one of the mission’s instruments. “By getting firsthand accounts of what’s happening in the solar atmosphere, Parker Solar Probe has revolutionized our understanding of the Sun.”

Previous passes have already aided scientists’ understanding of the Sun. When the spacecraft first passed into the solar atmosphere in 2021, it found the outer boundary of the corona is wrinkled with spikes and valleys, contrary to what was expected. Parker Solar Probe also pinpointed the origin of important zig-zag-shaped structures in the solar wind, called switchbacks, at the visible surface of the Sun — the photosphere.

Since that initial pass into the Sun, the spacecraft has been spending more time in the corona, where most of the critical physical processes occur.

“We now understand the solar wind and its acceleration away from the Sun,” said Adam Szabo, the Parker Solar Probe mission scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “This close approach will give us more data to understand how it’s accelerated closer in.”

Parker Solar Probe has also made discoveries across the inner solar system. Observations showed how giant solar explosions called coronal mass ejections vacuum up dust as they sweep across the solar system, and other observations revealed unexpected findings about solar energetic particles. Flybys of Venus have documented the planet’s natural radio emissions from its atmosphere, as well as the first complete image of its orbital dust ring.

So far, the spacecraft has only transmitted that it’s safe, but soon it will be in a location that will allow it to downlink the data it collected on this latest solar pass.

“The data that will come down from the spacecraft will be fresh information about a place that we, as humanity, have never been,” said Joe Westlake, the director of the Heliophysics Division at NASA Headquarters. “It’s an amazing accomplishment.”

The spacecraft’s next planned close solar passes come on March 22, 2025, and June 19, 2025.

By Mara Johnson-Groh
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

TIT FOR TAT

China sanctions US firms over Taiwan military support


By AFP

December 27, 2024


Raytheon's Canadian and Australian subsidaries have been sanctioned in China - Copyright GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File MARIO TAMA

China on Friday slapped sanctions on seven US companies after Washington’s approval last week of a $571.3 million military aid package to Taiwan, which Beijing said infringed on its “sovereignty and territory”.

Last Friday, US President Joe Biden authorised the drawdown of up to $571.3 million for defence assistance to the self-ruled island, which China regards as its own territory.

Washington’s actions “interfere in China’s internal affairs, and undermine China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, the Chinese foreign ministry said as it announced the sanctions.

The statement also hit out at Washington’s 2025 defence budget, which includes a security cooperation initiative with Taiwan, as well as calls for strengthened defence industrial cooperation with Taipei.

Beijing will freeze the China assets of US defence companies Insitu, Hudson Technologies, Saronic Technologies, Aerkomm and Oceaneering International, as well as Raytheon’s Canada and Australia subsidiaries, the ministry said.

The sanctions, which kick in on Friday, also prohibit the targeted companies from doing business with organisations and individuals inside China.

The United States does not officially recognise Taiwan diplomatically but it is the self-ruled island’s strategic ally and largest supplier of weapons.

China, which has said it will use force to bring Taiwan under its control if necessary, has intensified pressure on the island in recent years.

It has staged three rounds of major military drills since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te came to power in May.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning warned the United States’ support for Taiwan “will only burn itself”.

“China will continue to take all necessary measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security and development interests,” Mao said at a press conference.

Friday’s announcement follows previous sanctions declared earlier this month against 13 US firms for selling arms to Taiwan.

DECRIMINALIZE DRUGS

Ex-Olympus CEO found guilty over illegal drugs in Japan


By AFP
December 27, 2024

Olympus Image by Focus35mm CC-BY-SA-4.0

A former CEO of Japanese optical equipment firm Olympus was found guilty on Friday of a drug charge, with a Tokyo court handing down a suspended jail sentence.

German-born Stefan Kaufmann, who became chief executive officer in April 2023, was sentenced to “10 months in prison, suspended for three years”, a Tokyo District Court spokeswoman told AFP.

Kaufmann bought drugs such as cocaine and MDMA on three occasions in Tokyo between June and November 2023, the Yomiuri Shimbun daily reported, citing the ruling.

Kaufmann resigned in October after the drug allegations emerged.

He first joined the European arm of the Japanese firm in 2003 and became the company’s second non-Japanese president.

Olympus had been in the camera business since 1936, but struggled along with industry rivals after the advent of smartphones.

The company said in 2020 it was selling its struggling camera division to focus on medical equipment such as endoscopes.

Japan has strict drug laws and possession can result in jail time.

In 2017, a German executive working at Volkswagen’s Tokyo office was arrested on suspicion of drug use.

An American Toyota executive was arrested in 2015 on charges that she had a controlled drug — the painkiller oxycodone — mailed to her Tokyo residence.

She was released after several weeks in custody.