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THE HUMMINGBIRD AS WARRIOR: EVOLUTION OF A FIERCE AND FURIOUS BEAK Winsomely captured in poems and song, the birds are yielding new secrets about their astounding beaks and penchant for violence. By James Gorman

This article was published on February 5, 2019.

The beak of a male tooth-billed hummingbird, found in the forests of Colombia, is adapted for battle. Kristiina Hurme

If you want to know what makes but let’s not point fingers. He has hummingbirds tick, it’s best to avoid plenty of poetic company, all seduced most poetry about them. by the color, beauty and teeny tininess of the hummingbird but failed to notice Bird-beam of the summer day, the ferocity burning in its rapidly — Whither on your sunny way? beating heart.

Whither? Probably off to have a The Aztecs weren’t fooled. Their god of bloodcurdling fight, that’s whither. war, Huitzilopochtli, was a hummingbird. The Aztecs loved war, and they loved John Vance Cheney wrote that verse, the beauty of the birds as well. It seems they didn’t find any contradiction Dr. Rico-Guevara and others that have in the marriage of beauty and recently changed the way hummingbirds bloodthirsty aggression. are understood, including the unusual way they process sugar, the way they use Scientists understood that aggression their tongues in nectar drinking, and the was a deep and pervasive part of evolution of bill shape. hummingbird life. But they, too, have had their blind spots. The seemingly Douglas Altshuler, an ornithologist at perfect match of nectar-bearing flowers the University of British Columbia, in to slender nectar-sipping beaks clearly Vancouver, said that Dr. Rico-Guevara’s showed that hummingbirds were shaped thoroughness and attention to detail by co-evolution. It seemed clear that, have pushed research on hummingbirds evolutionarily, plants were in charge. to new levels of excellence. “I think the Their need for reliable pollinators body of work is great,” he said. produced flowers with a shape that demanded a long slender bill. Richard Prum, an ornithologist at Yale Hummingbird evolution obliged. who studies the kind of evolution that produces extreme male characteristics, But hummingbirds also heard the call described the research as spectacular: of battle, which demanded a different “Love this guy, love his work.” evolutionary course. Some of those slender, delicate beaks have been Dr. Rico-Guevara began his study of reshaped into strong, sharp and hummingbirds as an undergraduate at dangerous weapons. the National University of Colombia. His adviser was Gary Stiles, a leading expert In a recent paper organizing and on hummingbirds, under whose tutelage summing up 10 years of research, Dr. Rico-Guevara wrote an honors thesis Alejandro Rico-Guevara and his on how hummingbirds hunt insects to colleagues at the University of California, supplement their diet of nectar, which is Berkeley, shared evidence gathered pure sugar. by high-speed video about how the deadly beaks are deployed in At about the same time, Margaret A. male-to-male conflict. Rubega, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Connecticut, Like the horns of bighorn sheep or published a paper in Nature on the way the giant mandibles of stag beetles, hummingbirds bend their bills to capture hummingbird beaks are used to fight off insects. One thing led to another, and Dr. rivals for mates. This is sexual selection, a Rico-Guevara ended up at UConn, doing narrow part of natural selection, in which his Ph.D. research with Dr. Rubega on the improvement of mating chances is hummingbird tongues. the dominant force. The research on hummingbird tongues The males use their bills to stab other was groundbreaking. The dominant males, and to fence — feinting and idea about how the birds suck up nectar parrying, sometimes knocking the other was that the shape of the beak and the bird off a perch. Some hummingbirds tongue produced capillary action, in even have hooked beaks, with which liquid rises against gravity because serrations that look like shark’s teeth. of mechanical forces. Dr. Rico-Guevara’s high-speed video shows males tearing out another bird’s This is what happens when a narrow feathers with those grippers. tube is inserted into liquid, or when a brush soaks up paint even though only This is only one of several findings by the tip is in the liquid. Dr. Rico-Guevara and Dr. Rubega showed Hovering, coincidentally, is a form of instead that the hummingbird’s feeding flight that is of intense interest to the method was completely different: As the designers of flying robots. “Everybody forked tip of its tongue is withdrawn up wants to replicate hummingbird flight,” the narrow bill, it traps nectar. he said.

All hummingbirds fight, including The birds are also great to use in females, but only a few species have experiments, said Chris Clark, a biologist weaponized bills. Dr. Rico-Guevara found at the University of California, Riverside, that males wage their battles to claim who has collaborated with Dr. Rico- the best mating territories. Guevara in studies of hummingbird flight.

In some species, males assemble in areas The birds will fly readily to feeders. The called leks, away from the flowers that presence of humans does not put them they feed on. In a lek, each male has a off. And, “they fly really well in wind territory, and the females shop around. tunnels and cages.”

The territories vary quite a lot in size, Hummingbird behavior is also of interest but about 270 square feet is typical — because they have been shown to be the size of a very small New York City excellent learners. Dr. Clark said there is apartment. Central territories are the speculation that because they live on the most prized, and a swordlike bill helps edge in terms of their energy budget, a male capture and keep that prime they may require a great memory for real estate. where the food sources are.

In other hummingbird species with In listing multiple areas of interest weaponized beaks, males set up mating for studying hummingbirds, Dr. Rico- territories right on the richest patches Guevara conceded that he’s attracted to of flowers, again fighting off rivals. For them for another reason. them, Dr. Rico Guevara said, it doesn’t really matter if they aren’t the most “What has kept me attached to them efficient nectar-drinkers — “just don’t let is their incredible personality,” he said. anybody else get to the flower.” “They are very bold. They come to you to explore what you are doing. They are inquisitive.” Extremists with wings Hummingbird research is a rich, He can only hope that in his science, “My growing field, delving into everything curiosity would match their curiosity.” from aerodynamics to how the birds And he does have some poetic company. process sucrose. Not all poets got stuck on the beauty of “In things that you can measure in the birds. D.H. Lawrence, in “Humming- any animal, like metabolism, they’re Bird” imagines an ancient one at the extreme,” said Dr. Altshuler. “Another dawn of creation. way they’re extreme is in terms of Probably he was big their specialization.” As mosses, and little lizards, Hummingbirds also offer “opportunities they say, were once big. to explore the limits of physiology,” Dr. Rico-Guevara said. They have the highest Probably he was a jabbing, metabolic rate among vertebrates, and terrifying monster. they specialize in hovering, “the most • expensive form of locomotion in nature.” HURRICANES MAY KILL SOME BIRDS, BUT HUMANS ARE THE REAL THREAT The Bahama parrot’s numbers are not what they should be, ornithologists say, but they probably fared better in Hurricane Dorian than, say, the Bahama nuthatch.

By James Gorman

In a catastrophic hurricane like Dorian, course other species, at risk. A hurricane This article was the loss of lives and homes can be or another disaster may deliver a final published on overwhelming. But even in the midst of punch, but it is not the underlying cause September. 24, 2019. devastating sadness and disbelief, a far of extinction. Christopher Elphick, less urgent but perennial question can an ornithologist at the University of tug at the back of the mind. What is the Connecticut and one of the authors of impact of these storms on wild creatures, the new paper, said development and like birds? sea level rise, both caused by humans, are the slow and sure killers. It is too soon to know the extent of Dorian’s impact, and really too soon He compared it to heart disease: “Eating to ask. Ecological post-mortems are just a little too much fat in your diet nowhere near the first order of business. is what causes the heart attack. But But interviews with scientists and the shoveling snow is what pushes you over findings in a paper published Monday by the edge.” Ecology Letters suggest that many birds Birds do die in hurricanes, of course, are resilient, and that when a hurricane and suffer other indignities. Dorian blew does push a species over the brink, it is some to Nova Scotia. And some were almost always a species that we have put spotted hiding out in the hurricane’s there in the first place. eye. Who knows where they ended up. If what we’re worried about is extinction, Fortunately, Hurricane Humberto, which “we’re the driving force,” said David had people in the Bahamas worried Steadman, curator of ornithology at the about a second hit, took another path Florida Museum of Science, who has over the weekend. done a vast amount of research on Scientists concentrate on species and Caribbean birds. subspecies. In terms of the Bahamas, By destroying the environments where only speculation is possible at the birds live, introducing alien predators moment. One species on the extreme and damaging the environment in other edge, the Bahama nuthatch, only one or ways, humans gradually put birds, and of two of which were known to be living before Dorian, may well have been States Forest Service, who is based in pushed to extinction. Others that are Puerto Rico, said the managers of the in trouble, like the Bahama parrot, may forest responded with artificial cavities have suffered little impact. to help save the woodpeckers that remained. Diana Bell of the University of East Anglia said that researchers from her Dr. Wunderle has studied and written lab found a Bahama nuthatch last year. about Caribbean birds and hurricanes That’s one single bird. She said another for decades. Hurricane Maria, he said team reported finding two. may have knocked out a group of Puerto Rican parrots that live at a high elevation. The Bahama nuthatch was already “The official count now is two birds in the thought to be extinct before Dorian hit, Luquillo Mountains,” he said. The power and the hurricane nailed Grand Bahama, of the hurricane played a role. Colleagues where one or two nuthatches may have of his told him that when Maria came in still been alive. at night as a strong Category 4 hurricane “This could have been the coup de grâce in September 2017, it killed 17 of 20 for the nuthatch,” Dr. Steadman said. parrots wearing tracking devices. “They found them dead under fallen trees and Dr. Steadman, who has been tree branches,” he said. researching birds in the Caribbean and elsewhere for many years, said that The St. Kitts bullfinch also fell victim to in contrast the Bahama Parrot — which hurricanes in the late 19th century, Dr. is in trouble, but not as severely — may Wunderle said. The bird survived for a have done just fine. while and disappeared, he said. It had lived in a mountain forest on St. Kitts, Much of the parrot population dwells on feeding on fruits and seeds, and the the south of the island, which was hit but plants took a long time to recover. Why not devastated. And the parrots nest in didn’t it move to the lowlands? At lower cavities in the island’s limestone, and no elevations wild areas had been replaced doubt would have hunkered down during with fields of sugar cane. By humans. the storm. “I would doubt if there’s so much negative impact on that parrot Insect eaters do a lot better, population at all,” he said. Dr. Wunderle said. Even if adult insects are lost in a hurricane, there are eggs, Other birds that are struggling there pupae, larvae. And there is a lot of dead are the Bahama swallow and the wood, which many insects love. Bahama oriole. The Cozumel thrasher is another Past hurricanes have hit certain bird example. The island was hit by Hurricane populations very hard, but selectively. Gilbert in 1988 and Hurricane Roxanne in Hurricane Hugo in 1989 brought 1995. The introduction of alien predators Category 5 winds to the Francis Marion to the island may have contributed to its National Forest in South Carolina that disappearance. knocked down the old growth nesting trees of the red-cockaded woodpecker. When bird populations are reasonably The bird nests in tree cavities in old- widespread, they can, however, be quite growth forests, and the storm snapped resilient in the long term. old trees in two. Eighty-seven percent of Dr. Elphick, his colleague Chris Field and the forest’s 1,765 cavities were destroyed. other researchers from the University of Joseph M. Wunderle Jr. of the United Connecticut were inspired to look at the effects of catastrophic storms on marsh birds because they were in the midst of believe their simplified model — which surveying bird populations in Eastern concentrates on deaths and reproductive coastal marshes when Hurricane Sandy failures, not the strength of storms — struck in 2012. could be useful for projecting what is likely to happen to other species facing They were surprised to see that the disasters. effect on bird populations was not that great. Individual birds certainly suffered, Of course, Dr. Elphick said, “there are and that often prompts an immediate two big caveats to our general result.” reaction from both the public and The species they studied are very small, scientists. “People see dead birds and or very localized. And that, of course, say, oh my God,” Dr. Elphick said. But is exactly the situation for island birds, individual deaths don’t necessarily mean particularly where humans have changed trouble for the species. the environment.

Their team wanted to understand the Climate change may bring an increase in long-term prospects for bird species over frequency and strength of hurricanes 20 years after a disaster. They created that could change their calculations a computer model and after putting somewhat, Dr. Elphick said. But the in data on the size of a population, biggest threats to the birds he studied its pattern of reproduction and other are the gradual erosion of habitats by factors, they ran simulations to see how human development and, for marsh bad a species would have to be hit by birds, development of the marshes where a disaster for it to have an effect on its they live, and rising sea levels, which long-term prospects. make average tides and storms more dangerous during nesting periods. They looked at four birds: the clapper rail, willet, saltmarsh sparrow and seaside Development and rising sea levels are, of sparrow. For saltmarsh sparrows and course, caused by us. As Dr. Bell put it: clapper rails, almost all adults had to “Birds evolved to withstand hurricanes. be killed for there to be a change in the They didn’t evolve to withstand long-term prospects of the population. destruction by humans.” The seaside sparrows and willets weren’t • quite as robust, but they still needed to experience reproductive failures of more than 75 percent for their long-term survival to be threatened.

In general the team found that the coastal birds they studied are highly resilient to individual storms. They IN DEFENSE OF SEA GULLS: THEY’RE SMART, AND THEY CO-PARENT, 50/50 ALL THE WAY Besides, if people weren’t such slobs, gulls would never have learned about French fries.

By James Gorman

Here are three good things about gulls: There are some reports of more serious This article was trouble. In England, a woman said a published on They are devoted parents. gull carried off her Chihuahua, and in August 27, 2019. Males share child care equally with Russia a pilot was hailed as a hero for females. That includes sitting on the safely landing his plane after a collision eggs during incubation. with a flock of gulls. In the New York area, thousands of birds, including gulls, And they have figured out a way — have been killed in the decade since the actually many ways — to survive in a Miracle on the Hudson crash to clear the harsh and unforgiving world. Some eat skies for airplanes, without an apparent clams, some eat fish, some are attracted reduction in bird strikes. to landfills. But it’s at the beach where tempers flare Of course, a few will divebomb you at most predictably. And in times like these, the beach or boardwalk to steal a French with heightened human-gull tensions, fry, or the cheese on your cracker, or an very little has been written about the entire slice of pizza. gulls’ point of view.

The beach pirate approach to survival is, Is there a Lorax who speaks for the gulls? of course, where humans and gulls clash. Admittedly, gulls have quite a strong And the outcry from humans is almost voice of their own, it’s just that it’s pretty as loud and outraged as the cries of the unintelligible to most of us. gulls themselves. Several recent news articles have chronicled the predations of An ornithologist would seem to be the gulls and some possible remedies. obvious choice. They like birds. I called Christopher Elphick at the University Ocean City, N.J., is bringing in hawks, and of Connecticut. He spends a lot of time some scientists have suggested staring studying sparrows, but has a soft spot directly at gulls to fend them off. Though for gulls. that is hard to do when the birds sneak up behind you as you are putting cheese “They’ve found a way to succeed in the on a cracker. world,” he said. “So much biodiversity is suffering and disappearing and being black-backed gulls there do not lost. A part of me wants to just celebrate always take kindly to visitors. But the fact that there are some organisms these are breeding colonies, and the that can adapt and do well.” researchers take young birds off the nest, examine them and put There are more than 100 species of identification bands on them. gulls worldwide, and they are doing well, by and large. Some live nowhere “This is like somebody walked into your near the sea, which makes birders and house in the night and picked up your ornithologists allergic to the common child and tried to walk off with them,” term sea gull, although renegade friends she said. “You would be alarmed.” of common language have called this attitude “birdsplaining.” As are the gulls. So much so that the volunteers wear bike helmets and A few, like the Ivory gull in the Arctic, sometimes ponchos. Gull poop can ruin which is near threatened, and the a shirt. black-billed gull in New Zealand, which is endangered, are in trouble, but most “Some gulls are just kind of psycho and are not. others are really chill,” she said. Some birds sit quietly on a nest and allow The gulls that people are most likely themselves to be lifted off by volunteers to encounter on Northeastern beaches who check the babies. in August are herring gulls, great black-backed gulls, ring-billed gulls and And the same variation occurs in how laughing gulls. Some of their populations any given gull makes a living. Thousands are declining, but that is probably and thousands forage for clams, follow because they reached historic highs in fishing boats and shop at the local the 20th century. landfills.

Before that time, some of those gulls “We have gulls that are never seen on were not found in New York or New beaches and we know that because we Jersey. Herring gulls were first spotted have GPS loggers on them and they just nesting on Long Island in 1931, for never go near people,” Dr. Courchesne instance. They began to spread in the said. “They are 100 percent out at sea 1960s and peaked in the ’80s. fishing for their own food.”

Dr. Elphick said, and ornithologists and “I can’t deny that there are gulls that are birders speculate, that the closing of stealing food,” she added. “And I can’t open landfills like Fresh Kills on Staten deny they are really good at it.” Island may have something to do with But the thieves are specialists. And to the drop in numbers since then. “There’s give credit where it is due, they have many a birder, especially those who’ve worked at their trade. “If you’re dealing been around for 20 to 30 years, who will with a gull that is really talented at complain about the closing of landfills stealing food,” Dr. Courchesne said, and how it’s removed their best places to “that gull has perfected the technique, go watch gulls,” he said. possibly over the course of years.”

Dr. Sarah J. Courchesne has been part of Also, the behavior that bothers humans a summer gull research program at the so much begins with humans themselves. Shoals Marine Laboratory on Appledore Island, Me., since 2008. “Everybody who goes to the beach and gets aggravated by a gull has previous She admits that the herring gulls and humans to thank for it,” Dr. Courchesne said. You may not have given the gulls Late August is “high time for food, but somebody else did, and gulls harassment,” she said, because the are fast learners. At nearby beaches on young have fledged and their adult the mainland, she said, “You’ll see people parents take them to foraging spots, drive up to the beach and they’ll just which include beaches and boardwalks, dump an entire container of French fries to find food and to teach them the ropes. out their window so the gulls come.” The gulls, like the humans, bring their whole families. “They’re being so pushy Dr. Elphick agreed. “We’re slobs,” he for food because they’re such committed said. “If we didn’t leave food lying parents,” she said. around, they wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing.” “I have really come to love them,” she said. “They’re my favorite birds. They’re Dr. Courchesne, a veterinarian, teaches so scrappy and they’re overlooked.” biology at Northern Essex Community College as well as being one of the What does she recommend that the leaders of the gull program at Appledore. public do about gulls? (Her students often volunteer for the gull program.) She came to gulls partly “I would recommend to people that they because she loved birds, and even in spend some time just bird watching,” veterinary school she knew she would Dr. Courchesne said. “Sit back and watch not be treating pets. “I don’t like dogs,” what they do.” she said. “If you give them a little time and She often hears from the public, since a devote your attention to them you major part of the research at Appledore will see this great intelligence behind involves banding young gulls and getting that eye and this caginess, and this reports about where they turn up. She generalist sensibility that I think is tries to turn correspondents into gull very relatable to a human,” she said. admirers or, at least, gull tolerators. “Because it’s kind of the same way we go through the world.” “People say, so here’s a bird, it tried to • steal my sandwich. It has a band on it so I guess you want to hear about it,” she said.

“We’ll tell them the whole history. Some of these birds are 12 to 15 years old.” She tells them how many offspring they have and what devoted parents they are, and how the “mother” that they saw may well have been a male helping his young. AN OP-ED FROM THE FUTURE SHOULD YOU ADD A MICROCHIP TO YOUR BRAIN? You might risk losing yourself.

By Susan Schneider

Editors’ note: This is the third installment mathematical abilities; Zen Garden can This article was in a new series, “Op-Eds From the make you calmer and more efficient. It published on Future,” in which science fiction authors, is also rumored that if clinical trials go June 10, 2019. futurists, philosophers and scientists as planned, customers will soon be able write Op-Eds that they imagine we might to purchase an enhancement bundle read 10, 20 or even 100 years from now. called Merge — a series of enhancements The challenges they predict are imaginary allowing customers to gradually augment — for now — but their arguments and transfer all of their mental functions illuminate the urgent questions of today to the cloud over a period of five years. and prepare us for tomorrow. The opinion piece below is a work of fiction. Unfortunately, these brain chips may fail to do their job for two philosophical reasons. The first involves the nature of consciousness. Notice that as you read this, it feels like something to be you — As artificial intelligence creates large- you are having conscious experience. scale unemployment, some professionals You are feeling bodily sensations, hearing are attempting to maintain intellectual background noise, seeing the words parity by adding microchips to their on the page. Without consciousness, brains. Even aside from career worries, experience itself simply wouldn’t exist. it’s not difficult to understand the Many philosophers view the nature of appeal of merging with A.I. After all, if consciousness as a mystery. They enhancement leads to superintelligence believe that we don’t fully understand and extreme longevity, isn’t it better why all the information processing in than the alternative — the inevitable the brain feels like something. They also degeneration of the brain and body? believe that we still don’t understand At the Center for Mind Design in whether consciousness is unique to our Manhattan, customers will soon be biological substrate, or if other able to choose from a variety of brain substrates — like silicon or graphene enhancements: Human Calculator microchips — are also capable of promises to give you savant-level generating conscious experiences. For the sake of argument, let’s assume exist, having been replaced by someone microchips are the wrong substrate else? If the latter, why try Merge in the for consciousness. In this case, if you first place? replaced one or more parts of your brain with microchips, you would diminish or Even if your hypothetical merger with end your life as a conscious being. If this A.I. brings benefits like superhuman is true, then consciousness, as glorious as intelligence and radical life extension, it is, may be the very thing that limits our it must not involve the elimination of intelligence augmentation. If microchips any of what philosophers call “essential are the wrong stuff, then A.I.s themselves properties” — the things that make you wouldn’t have this design ceiling on you. Even if you would like to become intelligence augmentation — but they superintelligent, knowingly trading away would be incapable of consciousness. one or more of your essential properties would be tantamount to suicide — that You might object, saying that we can is, to your intentionally causing yourself still enhance parts of the brain not to cease to exist. So before you attempt responsible for consciousness. It is to redesign your mind, you’d better know true that much of what the brain does what your essential properties are. is nonconscious computation, but neuroscientists suspect that our working Unfortunately, there’s no clear answer memory and attentional systems are about what your essential properties part of the neural basis of consciousness. might be. Many philosophers sympathize These systems are notoriously slow, with the “psychological continuity view,” processing only about four manageable which says that our memories and chunks of information at a time. If personality dispositions make us who replacing parts of these systems with we are. But this means that if we change A.I. components produces a loss of our memories or personality in radical consciousness, we may be stuck with our ways, the continuity could be broken. pre-existing bandwidth limitations. This Another leading view is that your brain is may amount to a massive bottleneck essential to you, even if there are radical on the brain’s capacity to attend to and breaks in continuity. But on this view, synthesize data piping in through chips enhancements like Merge are unsafe, used in areas of the brain that are not because you are replacing parts of your responsible for consciousness. brain with A.I. components.

But let’s suppose that microchips turn Advocates of a mind-machine merger out to be the right stuff. There is still a tend to reject the view that the mind is second problem, one that involves the the brain, however. They believe that nature of the self. Imagine that, longing the mind is like a software program: for superintelligence, you consider Just as you can upload and download buying Merge. To understand whether a computer file, your mind can add you should embark upon this journey, new lines of code and even be uploaded you must first understand what and who onto the cloud. According to this you are. But what is a self or person? view, the underlying substrate that runs your “self program” doesn’t really matter What allows a self to continue existing over time? Like consciousness, the — it could be a biological brain or a nature of the self is a matter of intense silicon computer. philosophical controversy. And given However, this view doesn’t hold up your conception of a self or person, under scrutiny. A program is a list of would you continue to exist after adding instructions in a programming language Merge — or would you have ceased to that tell the computer what tasks to do, and a line of code is like a mathematical causes that individual who sought equation. It is highly abstract, in contrast enhancement to cease to exist. Because with the concrete physical world. the nature of the self is so controversial, Equations and programs are what we don’t know if there’s a self ceiling. philosophers call “abstract entities” — Nor do we know how high, or low, a self things not situated in space or time. But ceiling would be situated. minds and selves are spatial beings and causal agents; our minds have thoughts These potential ceilings suggest that that cause us to act in the concrete we should approach the idea of world. And moments pass for us — we merging with A.I. with a good deal of are temporal beings. humility. Technological prowess is not enough. To flourish, we must appreciate Perhaps advocates of the software the philosophical issues lying beneath view really mean that the mind or self the algorithms. is just the thing running the program • — but this just takes us right back to where we started: What is this thing, this self? Why be confident that it survives enhancements like Merge, or Susan Schneider is the author of even less radical enhancements, like Zen “Artificial You: A.I. and the Future of Garden and Human Calculator? Both of Your Mind” and the director of the A.I., these enhancements still involve major Mind and Society Group at the University augmentations of certain cognitive of Connecticut. capacities. Such changes may, for all we know, alter one’s personality and brain function in significant ways.

This leads me to suspect there may be a second kind of design ceiling on radical brain enhancement. The first design ceiling arises if microchips fail to underlie conscious experience — let’s call this the “consciousness ceiling.” This second ceiling, in contrast, involves the survival of the self. This “self ceiling” is a point beyond which the person who attempts to enhance is no longer the same individual as before, for the procedure ADELIE PENGUINS POOP SO MUCH, THEIR FECES CAN BE SEEN FROM SPACE Satellite images of the Adelie penguin’s pink guano shows how their colony size and diet have changed over the last 4 decades

By Jason Daley

Typically, humans have sent satellites into “Male and female penguins take turns This article was space to hunt for the most otherworldly incubating the nest. The guano left published on and mysterious objects: black holes, behind builds up in the same areas June 10, 2019. quasars and exoplanets. But at least one occupied by the nests themselves,” co- NASA-funded team is using our eyes in investigator Heather Lynch, an ecologist the sky to study one of the most worldly at Stony Brook University says in a NASA and least mysterious objects: they’re press release. “We can use the area of using satellites in space to monitor the colony, as defined by the guano stain, massive penguin poop stains. to work back to the number of pairs that must have been inside the colony.” The krill-heavy diet of Adélie penguins, Yasemin Saplakoglu at LiveScience which live on the coast of Antarctica reports that the team spent 10 months and the remote islands nearby, turns poring over clear satellite image of their guano a striking pink color. When Antarctic islands to create a global contrasted with surrounding snow, the survey of the species. The team guano shows up pretty well in LandSat thought they’d done a thorough job, but images. Brian Resnick at Vox reports that once they started using an algorithm researchers at the American Geophysical to help them find poop-peach colored Union conference recently explained pixels, they discovered they’d missed how they are using those images to quite a few of the waddling birds. In find remote penguin colonies and even particular, they’d overlooked a massive reconstruct the diet and history of the 1.5 million strong colony on Heroina colonies over time. Island in the remote Danger Islands. When a team traveled to the suspected The satellite images don’t show roost, they found the computer was individual penguins, since they are much indeed right and the island was teeming too small to be seen. But the immense with the birds. accumulation of bright pink poo is relatively easy to spot, which allows “We thought that we knew where all the researchers to calculate the colony’s size. [Adélie] penguin colonies were,” Lynch said during a new conference. “We, I “It is interesting that no obvious trend think, had missed it in part because we in diet was seen over time, despite hadn’t expected to find them there.” changes in the physical environment,” Youngflesh says in the press release. The team is reviewing satellite images “This was a big surprise, since the dating back to 1982 to learn about the abundance and distribution of Adélie population rise and fall of individual penguins has changed dramatically Adélie colonies. They’ll also examine the over the last 40 years and scientists had color of the massive skid marks to learn hypothesized that a shift in diet may about the penguins’ diets over time. have played a role.” When the penguins are munching on fish, their guano tends to come out In fact, some colonies have seen dramatic white, but the more krill they eat the population crashes, while others have pinker the waste becomes. remained stable or grown larger, and researchers would like to understand To test their idea, the team collected these changes better. Getting a handle guano from the colonies, which it turns on the size of the colonies and their out is not as fun as it might sound. natural fluctuations over time is the first “Penguin guano almost has the step to understand what is happening. consistency of a wet tuna salad,” That will help researchers manage and co-investigator Casey Youngflesh, a protect the penguins as more man- postdoc at the University of Connecticut, made threats, including climate change tells Resnick. “The guano has a pungent and krill fishing, which harvests the tiny fishy scent and is definitely not pleasant. crustaceans for the health supplement It’s something you just have to learn to industry, put more pressure on their cope with.” nesting grounds. • After powering through the stench and analyzing the guano, the team found that their diet estimates from the satellite images correspond pretty closely with what the penguins are actually eating. However, when they compared the diet data with fluctuations in colony size, they were surprised to find there was no strong connection. FLASHING NEURONS, INVISIBLE MOONLIGHT AND ADORABLE SQUID BABIES: THE WEEK’S BEST SCIENCE GIFS Enjoy and loop on

By Kelso Harper

This article was published on August 23, 2019.

MESMERIZING MOLLUSKS for the favor with a sly camouflage technique. When the squid hunt at These adorable little blobs are Hawaiian night, the bacteria light up to disguise bobtail squid, just 12 hours old. Born in a them from predators below, who see lab at the University of Connecticut, the the glowing blob as another star in the tiny cephalopods help scientists learn sky. Researchers at the university say about symbiotic relationships in nature. they want to better understand this Bobtail squid have a special connection interaction and other squid-bacteria to light-producing bacteria called Vibrio relationships. fischeri. They give the microbes a home • in their light organ and are repaid THESE ‘SUPER SOFT AND CUDDLY’ CATERPILLARS CAN POISON YOU. HERE’S WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

By Joshua Bote

Don’t be fooled by caterpillars with Stings from the American dagger can This article was colorful and fuzzy exteriors: They might cause itching and burning sensations published on be poisonous. that can turn into a severe rash. Puss October 16, 2019. caterpillars’ spines can cause a “nasty” Stinging, venomous caterpillars reaction, Wagner says, causing severe have plagued the South and parts of pain and leaving behind a hematoma, a the Midwest. swelling of blood on the skin.

In Michigan, the Clare County Chamber “It’s not an instantaneous shock of a of Commerce issued a warning Oct. hornet or wasp, but it builds for a long 10 for residents to avoid the American time in a frightening way,” Wagner tells dagger moth caterpillar, which was USA TODAY. “No one expects stings to spotted on a college campus. gain in impact or discomfort, and these will, even up to an hour later. It packs The puss caterpillar – one of the most quite a wallop.” venomous of its kind in the USA – has appeared in Florida, Texas and South He says a puss caterpillar sting can Carolina. A Florida woman posted on cause joint pain akin to “serious arthritis” Facebook that she was hospitalized long after the pain from the initial after receiving a painful sting from one contact has subsided. of these critters. How to spot a Generally, stinging caterpillars – mainly venomous caterpillar the puss caterpillar, also known as the Southern flannel moth or the asp – are Caterpillars that are brightly colored, have spines or hairs are probably rare north of the Mason-Dixon Line, venomous and should not be touched. says David Wagner, an entomologist at the University of Connecticut. Even in “If it is in a place where it can cause the South, where they’remost frequently problems, clip off the leaf or use a spotted, they’re uncommon, he says. stick to relocate it,” Ric Bessin, an entomologist at the University of When these caterpillars sting, the Kentucky College of Agriculture, tells symptoms can range from mild USA TODAY. discomfort to severe pain that can last hours. Bessin says some caterpillars’ venomous spines and hairs came about as a defense Instead, very carefully remove the mechanism against predators. So did their caterpillar with a stick or another object, brightly colored exteriors, a phenomenon Bessin advises. known as aposematic coloration, Wagner says. Once the caterpillar has been removed, take a shower, Wagner suggests. “Wash Puss caterpillars have a hairy light-brown away the hairs and cool down. That might coat that Wagner describes as “super help the allergenic reaction,” he said. soft and cuddly.” American dagger moth caterpillars are bright yellow-green with Wash your contaminated clothes as well, black bristles that resemble eyebrows. as a few hairs or spines might remain.

It’s a warning sign for predators, Wagner says don’t panic over toxic Wagner cautions. caterpillars.

Caterpillars with these exteriors can “I’ve been in the business for 30 years, brazenly linger on leaves and other foliage and it will be one of the most miserable without being attacked. Underneath the days of your life, for sure.” he says. “But exterior of the puss caterpillar are small it’s so infrequent as to not be worth spines that break off; the rear ends of the worrying about.” • American dagger moth caterpillars have bristles that embed in skin.

What to do if you come into contact with a venomous caterpillar The most crucial advice Wagner and Bessin offer is not to brush the caterpillar from your skin. Swatting off the caterpillar makes it more likely that the venomous hairs or spines will be left on your clothing.

Puss caterpillars may look innocuous, but they have venom injectors that pack “quite a wallop,” says University of Connecticut entomologist David Wagner. Ricardo Bessin BUGS VS. SUPERBUGS: INSECTS OFFER PROMISE IN FIGHT AGAINST ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE

By Paul Chisholm

Nobody likes a cockroach in their house. “They keep finding already known This article was But before you smash the unwelcome antibiotics,” Currie says. “There’s a published on intruder, consider this: that six-legged common sentiment that the well of February 13, 2019. critter might one day save your life. antibiotics from soil... is dry.”

That’s right. Insects—long known to Fortunately, there may be another well. spread diseases—could potentially Currie and a team of 28 researchers help cure them. Or rather, the microbes recently published a paper in Nature living inside them could. Scientists have Communications showing that some of discovered dozens of microorganisms the bacteria living in insects are really living in or on insects that produce good at killing the germs that make antimicrobial compounds, some of which people sick. may hold the key to developing new “There’s an estimated 10 million species antibiotic drugs. [of insect] on the planet,” Currie says. They can’t come too soon. More “That implies a huge potential for a lot of infections are becoming resistant to new [antibiotic] compounds.” common antibiotics, and the pipeline of new antibiotic drugs has slowed to Microbial fighters a trickle. Each insect contains an entire ecosystem of microorganisms, “There is a growing demand [for just like the microbiome found in antibiotics], and a diminishing supply,” humans. And there’s one quality explains Gerry Wright, who directs that many of those insect-associated the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for microbes have in common, says Infectious Disease Research at McMaster Jonathan Klassen, assistant professor University. of molecular and cell biology at the Most antibiotic drugs have been University of Connecticut and an author discovered from bacteria living in the on the study. soil. But Cameron Currie, professor They don’t get along with each other of bacteriology at the University of very well. Wisconsin-Madison, says that searching the soil for new antibiotics has become And by don’t get along, he means increasingly futile. they’re constantly trying to kill each other through biochemical warfare. strains of insect bacteria to strains Many of the microorganisms in insects drawn from plants and soil. make compounds that are toxic to other microbes—essentially, natural antibiotics. “We were really surprised that [insect strains] were not just as good, Some of those natural antibiotics but apparently better at inhibiting attracted Currie’s attention while he was [pathogens],” Currie says. a student, researching leaf cutter ants.

Leaf cutter ants are among nature’s Testing a new antibiotic most prolific gardeners. They actually Once a scientist has discovered that a don’t eat the leaves they cut — instead strain of bacteria can kill germs, the next they use them to cultivate a special step in drug development is to determine type of fungus for food. Still, it’s not easy what bacterial compound is responsible being a fungus farmer. for the antimicrobial activity—like a cook searching for the secret ingredient in a “Like human agriculture, the ants have particularly delicious soup. problems with disease,” Currie says. “I found a specialized pathogen that Currie’s team had found dozens of attacks their fungus garden.” promising bacterial strains in insects. And each could yield a secret ingredient that Fortunately, the ants have a tool to deal might be a new antibiotic compound. with the problem. A species of bacteria living on the ants’ exoskeletons produces That in itself was a big accomplishment. a toxin that kills the pathogen. Like the But the researchers went a step further. pesticides a gardener uses, the toxin They isolated one compound from one keeps the ants’ garden disease-free. particularly promising bacterial strain and showed that it could inhibit fungal The discovery inspired Currie’s curiosity. infections in mice, an important step in If ants could use these bacterial drug development. compounds to treat disease in their fungus gardens, could doctors use them The compound, cyphomycin, is found to treat disease in people? If so, what on Brazilian fungus-farming ants, close other insects might also be carrying relatives of the ants Currie studied disease-fighting microbes? as a PhD student. Though it’s far from becoming an approved drug, To answer those questions, Currie and his the research shows that antibiotic team spent years collecting thousands compounds new to science can be of insects, including cockroaches, from isolated from insects. Alaska to Brazil. Wright, an antibiotic researcher who did “Every few months somebody would not participate in the study, says that be going out somewhere to collect previous research has shown that single something,” remembers Klassen, insect species contained antimicrobial who was working at the time as a compounds. But this is the first study postdoctoral researcher on the project. to comprehensively demonstrate that The team tested bacteria from each insects as a group are a promising source insect to determine if they could kill of new antimicrobials. common human pathogens, such “No one’s ever done something on this as E. coli and methicillin-resistant scale before,” Wright explains. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). They then compared the results from Currie is hopeful that cyphomycin may one day be approved to treat yeast For Klassen, the stakes are too high not infections in people. But before that to try. happens, it must undergo years of further testing. “Efforts such as this study are crucial to keeping the antibiotic pipeline flowing “It [cyphomycin] is a million miles away so that disease doesn’t gain the upper [from approval],” Wright says. “That’s hand,” he says. the reality of drug discovery.” In the end, the consequences of a Still, Wright says the researchers have world without antibiotics are enough already overcome one of the toughest to make scientists look for new drugs hurdles in drug development by in unconventional places—even if that demonstrating that the compound works means looking in a cockroach. in mice. •

WINTERS ARE ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE, SO RESEARCHERS INVENTED A WAY TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY FROM SNOWFALL

By Andrew Liszewski

The farther you get from the equator, As a result of global warming, winters This article was the less effective solar panels become at are only going to get more severe, published on reliably generating power all year round. but there’s at least one silver lining as April 14, 2019. And it’s not just the shorter spans of researchers from UCLA have come up sunlight during the winter months that with a way to harness electricity from all are a problem; even a light dusting of that snow. snow can render solar panels ineffective. The technology they developed is called a snow-based triboelectric months, they could continue to nanogenerator (or snow TENG, for generate power. But the triboelectric short) which generates energy from the generator has other potential uses exchange of electrons. If you’ve ever too. Since it doesn’t require batteries received a nasty shock when touching or charging, it could be used to create a metal door handle, you’ve already cheap, self-powered weather stations experienced the science at work here. that could report back snowy As it falls towards earth, snowflakes are conditions and how much has positively charged and ready to give accumulated. It could also improve up electrons. In a way, it’s almost free activity trackers used by athletes energy ready for the taking, so after competing in winter sports, allowing testing countless materials with an the movements of individual skis to opposite charge, the UCLA researchers be tracked and recorded which would (working with collaborators from provide valuable insights for athletes as the University of Toronto, McMaster they train to perfect their form. University, and the University of • Connecticut) found that the negative charge of silicone made it most effective for harvesting electrons when it came into contact with snowflakes.

Details about the device they created were shared in a paper published in the Nano Energy journal, but it can be 3D-printed on the cheap given how accessible silicone is—for five bucks you can buy a spray can of it at the hardware store as a lubricant. In addition to silicone, a non-metal electrode is used, which results in the triboelectric generator being flexible, stretchable, and extremely durable.

Its creators believe it could be integrated into solar panel arrays so that when blanketed with snow in the winter CLIMATE CHANGE, OXYGEN AND BIODIVERSITY: AMAZON RAINFOREST FIRES LEAVE PLENTY AT STAKE “The effects of forest destruction in the Amazon don’t stay in the Amazon. They affect us all,” one expert said.

By Erik Ortiz

Record fires sweeping across the Amazon for climate change globally, as the fires This article was this month are bringing renewed scrutiny contribute to carbon emissions,” she published on August 22, 2019. to Brazil’s deforestation policy and added. If the rainforests are “not allowed have environmental researchers and to regenerate or be reforested, they will conservationists worried that the blazes not be able to recover their high potential will only aggravate the climate change for carbon storage.” crisis. The vast swaths of rainforest play an “The effects of forest destruction in important role in the world’s ecosystem the Amazon don’t stay in the Amazon. because they absorb heat instead of it They affect us all,” said Robin Chazdon, being reflected back into the atmosphere. professor emerita at the University of They also store carbon dioxide and Connecticut who has studied tropical produce oxygen, ensuring that less forest ecology. carbon is released, mitigating the effects of climate change, scientists say. Grabbing headlines this week has been the unsettling sight of heavy smoke But with fires ravaging vegetation, blowing from some of the fires and research shows it could take more than reaching about 2,000 miles away, a century to recover the carbon storage cloaking the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo in that was lost. darkness during the day. The fires have inspired the hashtag #PrayforAmazonia, “Forests can regrow following fires, and have received attention from the likes but not if fires are repeated every few of actor Leonardo DiCaprio, Democratic years and not if the land is converted to presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, agriculture,” Chazdon said. rapper Lil Nas X and United Nations She added that the shrinking of the Secretary-General António Guterres. Amazon and its transition into scrubland But there’s more at stake than people “could bring a tipping point to forest might realize, Chazdon said. functioning that is not easily reversible.”

“There are large negative consequences The Amazon rainforest sprawls across nine countries and is the largest rainforest Roel Brienen, a professor at the University in the world, about half the size of the of Leeds in England who has studied the United States. It has also been burning Amazon basin for more than 15 years, at a record rate, according to Brazil’s said the current level of deforestation is National Institute for Space Research, worrying for what it means to the loss with more than 74,000 fires in Brazil of biodiversity and the release of more alone this year, almost double the total carbon into the atmosphere. for 2018. “If we kill enough forest, we may be According to an analysis of NASA data, in tipping the Amazon into a new, much the last three months Brazil has had twice drier state, and it may turn into a as many observed fires as in the same savanna,” Brienen said in an email. “This period in 2018. would be a great loss to our planet and almost means game over for our battle This year has not been a particularly dry against climate change.” one, Chazdon said, so unusual drought does not explain why there have been so He added that while such a doomsday many conflagrations, although not all are scenario is still far off, it will take policy large in scale. changes to be enacted now.

Environmental groups have blamed “Brazil can do as it has shown in the past, the policies of Brazilian President Jair but only if there is political will,” Brienen Bolsonaro, who took office in January, said. for rolling back environmental protections that have paved the way for the illegal American conservationist Paul Rosolie, clearing of forests in favor of cattle who has regularly traveled to the Amazon farming and agriculture. On Wednesday, rainforest in Peru’s Madre de Dios region Bolsonaro posted a video to Facebook for 13 years, said these fires are of blaming nongovernmental organizations concern not just in Brazil but across the for setting the blazes as a tactic to continent. He blames a decade of apathy malign him, although he provided no toward deforestation for allowing the evidence for the claim. problem to fester.

“There is a war going on in the world “We’ve never seen it at this scale against Brazil, an information war,” before,” Rosolie said, “and that’s what’s Bolsonaro said. getting people scared. If your house was on fire, you’d call 911, but that’s not an The loss of more land could have option here.” a frightening effect in other ways, ecologists say. In addition to the climate, he said, he’s also worried about the biodiversity Trees in the Amazon help to pump — the tens of thousands of tree water from the soil into the atmosphere, species and plants and the hundreds of carrying much-needed rainfall to other thousands of insects and other wildlife areas. that inhabit the Amazon.

“These massive fires burning now Each tree, he said, holds thousands of reduce the resilience of the Amazon species, and he’s seen firsthand how fires forest to future droughts and climate have disrupted the largest of mammals to change at the same time that this forest the smallest of leafcutter ants. is needed to mitigate against these threats,” Chazdon said. “Protection and “As this fire is seeping through the restoration of Amazon forest has never Amazon, we’re losing millions and millions been more urgent.” of animals,” Rosolie said. • GOVERNMENT-FUNDED RESEARCH INCREASINGLY FUELS INNOVATION Almost one-third of U.S. patents rely on federal research

By National Science Foundation Public Affairs

By computing links between government The study, the first of its kind, offers This article was grants and tens of millions of U.S. a holistic view of the effect of federal published on patents and scientific papers from 1926 funding on innovation. Where previous June 26, 2019. to 2017, researchers have demonstrated studies established impacts in particular that almost a third of patents in the U.S. fields, the current work provides a rely on federal research. Although this historic and quantitative analysis of may be a conservative estimate, this all U.S. patents over a lengthy period number has increased steadily over the of time. past 90 years. The research also establishes that The results are published in the journal corporations have steadily increased Science. their reliance on federally supported research. The effect occurs across all “Technological progress is seen as a fields; as one example, almost process through which inventions build 60 percent of the patents in chemistry on one another,” says Hillary Greene and metallurgy rely on federally of the UConn School of Law. “In this supported research. study we examine the importance of government-supported research as NSF’s Directorate for Social, Economic contributing to subsequent inventions.” and Behavioral Sciences supported the study. • Sierra Club

TREES ALONE CAN’T SAVE US FROM CLIMATE CHANGE Reforestation can help sequester carbon, but it’s complicated

By Jason Daley

Earlier this month, a group of to levels last seen almost a century ago.” This article was European researchers published a published on But other ecologists and scientists aren’t study announcing that we already July 17, 2019. as convinced. Researchers are only now have the technology to tackle climate beginning to understand how carbon change: trees. cycles through the life span of forests, The study, published in the journal and reforestation is a process with many Science, identified 1.7 to 1.8 billion technical and political variables. hectares, or roughly 6.5 million square Karen Holl of the University of miles, of suitable land around the world California, Santa Cruz, who has studied not currently being used for agriculture reforestation in the tropics for two or urban development that could be decades, says she supports reforestation planted as forest (defined as land with at efforts, and they do have a place in least 10 percent tree cover). fighting climate change. But she argues Adding cropland and urban areas to that that the new paper is too simplistic would create another 5.4 million square and grossly overestimates the potential miles of forest and another 2.7 million for reforestation to reduce CO2. Holl’s square miles of canopy. In comparison, research shows the amount of carbon the total land area of the United States, tropical forests can hold depends on a including Hawaii and Alaska, is 3.5 million variety of factors, including the intensity square miles. of past disturbance by humans, invasive species, and wildfires. The results of such a huge eco- restoration would be massive. Once Holl still sees huge potential in mature, the study argues, those forests reforestation as a way to sequester would sequester about two-thirds of all carbon. “No one is disputing that,” she the carbon released by humans since the explains. “The question is how much. I start of the Industrial Revolution, and have a 15-year study of tropical forest reduce atmospheric CO2 by 25 percent. recovery in southern Costa Rica, and “If we act now,” Thomas Crowther of ETH we see a huge range in the rates of Zürich, senior author of the study, says recovery, both in planted and naturally in a statement, “this could cut carbon regenerating sites. We find an order dioxide in the atmosphere by up to 25%, of magnitude difference at least in the amount of carbon sequestered at our 12 in order to avoid dangerous climate sites across one area. Saying forests can change.” sequester the maximum amount is overly optimistic.” That’s a sentiment echoed by Holl, who points out that deforestation has actually She also takes issue with the study’s increased in places like Brazil while palm map, which she says shows areas that oil plantations in Southeast Asia drive were traditionally grassland as potential deforestation in other tropical forests. reforestation sites. Not only would that Logging in the Canadian boreal forests destroy habitat for species that depend has also ramped up in recent years. on grasslands, she argues, it’s also a Any carbon sequestration gained from recipe for failure: Trying to grow forest reforestation, says Holl, is moot if we’re on grassland habitat has traditionally still losing old growth, natural forests. been unsuccessful. Another study that came out the day Attempts to reforest our way out of before Crowther’s in the journal Science climate change have also resulted in Advances argues that reforestation questionable policies. In 2011, Germany projects need to focus on the land that and the International Union for will yield the greatest rewards: namely, Conservation of Nature launched the the tropics, where trees regrow much Bonn Challenge to reforest 150 million faster than in temperate regions and will hectares, or 5.8 million squares miles have a quicker impact on atmospheric across the globe, by 2020 and 350 CO2. The Science Advances study million hectares by 2030. However, the identifies a more modest 100 million 48 nations that agreed to the challenge hectares of previously logged and are not on track to reach that 2020 goal. cleared land in 15 tropical countries as a Half of the pledges so far, a recent study prime candidate for restoration. found, are for tree plantations, which release much of the CO2 they sequester But even restoring that amount of forest back into the atmosphere every 10 to 20 would take immense amounts of money, years when the tree farms are logged. negotiations with private landowners, The authors of that study argue that the and lots of political will. “Restoration definition of reforestation should involves far more than simply planting be tightened and only projects that trees,” ecologist and coauthor Robin allow forests to develop into their Chazdon, professor emerita at the mature, diverse, carbon-capturing University of Connecticut, says. “It starts state be included. with the need for mutually beneficial agreements with those currently using The other problem with relying on the land and doesn’t end until forests reforestation to combat climate change host the rich diversity of plant and is the timeline. Large-scale reforestation animal life that make them so awe- needs to occur almost immediately if it’s inspiring and valuable. But, fortunately, going to have an impact on the efforts studies show it doesn’t take long for the to limit climate change to 1.5° or 2°C benefits of new forests to kick in.” of warming. “[It] will take decades for new forests to mature and achieve this Reforestation isn’t just about putting as potential,” Crowther acknowledges. “It many trees into the ground as possible, is vitally important that we protect the writes Spencer Plumb, who works on forests that exist today, pursue other reforestation issues with the National climate solutions, and continue to phase Forest Foundation, in an email about the out fossil fuels from our economies study. His group works with silviculturists from the US Forest Service to make sure they are reforesting species in the right that restores the entire ecosystem, not habitat. Currently, that organization just the trees, and works hard to protect is developing a project to plant 50 the forests we do have. million trees in US national forests. “Tree planting needs to be done not just as a “Restoring forests is a good thing,” way to sequester carbon but as a way says Holl. “It’s a good thing for carbon to restore forested ecosystems, which capture, for conserving species, for provide wildlife habitat, clean water, and water quality. But it’s just not a silver recreation opportunities,” he says. bullet. We can’t plant our way out of the climate crisis. There are certain When done without proper research, places, like the Amazon, where we need reforesting using the wrong trees or to do whatever we can to keep existing methods can be disastrous. In the 1980s, forests that are there. It’s so much harder the Canadian government planted to get the forests back than protect what spruce trees in natural peat bogs in we have.” Alberta in the hopes of increasing timber • harvests. The trees grew but dried out the bogs, which had also played a role in sequestering carbon. The result was the massive 2016 Fort McMurray Fire, which burned 1.5 million acres. Pine monocultures planted in the American West have turned out to be the perfect fuel for wildfires. In China, planting of non-native tree species significantly impacted groundwater supplies; in Japan, reforestation projects involving just one tree species have led to forests that are nearly devoid of other kinds of life.

In other words, restoration is complicated. We, and the planet, would be better served by a holistic approach CALIFORNIA’S MEGA FIRES ARE NOW SO EXTREME THAT EVEN THE BIRDS THAT NEED WILDFIRES TO SURVIVE CAN’T DEAL WITH THEM

By KASHMIRA GANDER

The wildfires which hit northern The woodpeckers were found to choose This article was California have become “too extreme” to nest in sites closer to the edges of published on even for the black-backed woodpecker “high severity” burn patches, where all August 6, 2019. which thrives in burned out forests, or nearly all of the trees died in a fire, according to scientists. according to the authors of the study published in the journal The Condor: The bird, which lives in the mountainous Ornithological Applications. areas of the western U.S., favors recently burned trees where it can feast on the “The finding that the woodpeckers in larvae of wood-boring beetles that our study tended to select nest sites inhabit dead wood. closer to the edges of high severity burn patches provides added evidence that Fire is a natural part of forest ecology pyrodiversity [or having a range in the in the western U.S., co-author age, size and severity of burned patches Andrew Stillman at the University of in trees] benefits this species,” said Connecticut explained to Newsweek. Stillman. But as megafires—large, severe wildfires spanning at least 10,000 hectares— The team thought the megafires might are increasingly common in the U.S., benefit the woodpecker, as the animals scientists are trying to understand are linked with high severity areas where the ecological impact of these blazes, there are a lot of dead trees ready for and predict whether they will become nesting opportunities, Stillman said. a natural part of forests or have unexpected negative effects on flora “However, it seems that the landscapes and fauna. created by extra large, intense mega- fires are too extreme,” he argued. Over a period of eight years, researchers “Even fire-associated species need at the University of Connecticut, the variation in habitat and access to both Institute for Bird Populations and the U.S. live and dead trees.” Forest Service collected data on 118 nests in the parameters of six large wildfires in “However, our research also the Plumas and Lassen National Forests. demonstrates that areas which burned at a mix of different The researchers acknowledged the severities (considered ‘natural fires’) study was limited because their work can have numerous benefits to was on 118 nests in one region. Next, the wildlife,” Stillman said. team hopes to look at other regions in the western U.S. and forest fires with As mega-fires become the “new norm” different characteristics. in some western U.S. forests, the team predicts there will be less and less Asked if climate change is partly to pyrodiversity, and more threats to blame for the new intensity of the forest wildlife. wildfires, Stillman said it is “one of a myriad of factors that are contributing to To conduct their study on the “elusive” the concerning trends we see in wildfire species, Stillman and colleagues from size and severity.” The Institute for Bird Populations and the U.S. Forest Service, had to overcome a Prolonged droughts, increase in spring number of challenges. and summer temperatures, snow melting earlier, changing rain patterns, and a “We drove endless networks of history of fire suppression contribute to unmaintained roads, battled up steep the trend, he added. slopes, and hiked up to 10 miles off- • trail each day. In three years of research alone, my crew and I had to change 19 flat tires,” Stillman said.

India Today

PEOPLE WITH ANEMIA ARE MORE LIKELY TO TRANSMIT DENGUE: STUDY People with low iron levels in the blood are more likely to spread the deadly dengue virus.

By Press Trust of India

People with low iron levels in the blood are more likely to spread the deadly dengue This article was virus, according to a study which suggests that patients taking iron supplements published on during the illness may limit the transmission of the disease by mosquitoes. Dengue September 17, 2019. fever, a disease spread mainly by the Aedes egypti mosquito causes fever, rashes, and terrible aches, and can also lead to shock on their blood. The team noted that this and death. was due to the immune systems of the mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about The researchers found that the 390 million cases of the disease every gut cells of mosquitoes take up iron year, and is now endemic to more than from their blood feed, and use it to 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the produce reactive oxygen, which kills Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia the dengue virus. region, and the Western Pacific. People with low iron levels in the blood are more likely to spread the deadly What was the study about? dengue virus According to the study, published in the journal Nature Microbiology, dengue Important findings patients with higher levels of iron in the blood, had lesser chances of infecting Wang explained that dengue was mosquitoes that draw their blood prevalent in areas where iron deficiency was also more common. with the virus. The researchers led by However, he added that it doesn’t Penghua Wang of the University of necessarily explain the high prevalence Connecticut in the US wanted to see if the quality of a dengue patient’s blood of dengue in those areas. had an impact on the spread of the “But it could be possible that iron dengue virus. supplementation could reduce dengue They collected blood from healthy transmission to mosquitoes in those human volunteers and added the dengue areas,” Wang added. virus to each sample. However, the researchers added When they fed the blood to mosquitoes that there was a caveat. They and checked how many of the cautioned that malaria -- caused by mosquitoes were infected from each the plasmodium parasite -- was batch, they found lots of variations. common in the same areas as dengue, but the malarial parasite thrived in iron-rich environments. What did the study found out? Wang and his colleagues found that the Wang and his team added that variation was linked closely with the level malaria may become more of iron in the blood. prevalent in such areas if everyone is supplementing with iron. They “But it could be possible that iron cautioned that public health authorities supplementation could reduce dengue must weigh the costs and benefits transmission to mosquitoes in those before initiating population-wide iron areas,” Wang added. supplementation programmes. • The researchers also found similar results when using a mouse model. They found that anemic mice were more likely to transmit the virus to mosquitoes that fed THE SCIENCE OF SENOLYTICS: HOW A NEW PILL COULD SPELL THE END OF AGEING A simple treatment to stave off the health problems of old age could be available in five to 12 years. Here’s how it would work

By Amy Fleming he science of extending life is a subject this be good for old people, but in these This article was of morbid fascination, conjuring times of booming elderly populations published on the image of old billionaires being worldwide, it would be great for September 2, 2019. cryogenically frozen. But imagine if, economies. instead of a pill you could take to live for ever, there was a pill that could push In England and Wales, life expectancy back the ageing process – a medicine has risen by almost 25 years in the past that could stave off the fragility, century; the Office for National Statistics osteoarthritis, memory loss, macular predicts that the UK’s population of degeneration and cancers that plague over-65-year-olds will grow by 8.6 old age. million (about the population of London) over the coming 50 years. This will be It could happen, with the science expensive: the NHS spends more than of senolytics: an emerging – and twice as much on 65-year-olds as it does highly anticipated – area of anti- on 30-year-olds; 85-year-olds cost more ageing medicine. Many of the world’s than five times as much. top gerontologists have already demonstrated the possibilities in animals “Healthy ageing is a huge project – and are now beginning human clinical it can come with a lot of benefits, trials, with promising results. If the both for governments and older studies continue to be as successful as patients themselves,” says Ming Xu, an hoped, those who are currently middle- assistant professor at the University of aged could become the first generation Connecticut’s Center on Ageing. Ageing, of oldies who are youthful for longer – as Xu notes, is the biggest risk factor with a little medical help. for most chronic diseases; the goal of his lab is to unearth novel interventions Most scientists studying longevity are to slow down the ageing process and more concerned with prolonging what simultaneously prevent the diseases. they call “healthspan” than they are lifespan: that is to say, helping people Xu is at work on senolytics, a branch of to age with less pain and illness, with medicine that targets senescent cells; a better quality of life. Not only would the various faulty cells that have been identified as instrumental in our eventual a disease; but ageing is a natural built- demise. These so-called “zombie” cells in process, and, far from a localised linger and proliferate as we age, emitting problem, it involves complex systemic substances that cause inflammation degradation. and turn other healthy cells senescent, ultimately leading to tissue damage Trials in senolytics are initially targeting throughout the body. specific conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and Xu was part of a team at the Mayo Clinic, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease an academic medical centre in Minnesota, (which includes emphysema). Most are in that showed in 2011 that “using a genetic the fledgling stages, working on rodents trick to get rid of these senescent cells or human tissue in petri dishes, although can significantly improve health and in February a small early human trial lifespan” in prematurely aged mice. In showed an improvement in the distance 2016, the same group achieved similar patients were able to walk. results in naturally aged mice, releasing an arresting image of two elderly rodents Also this year, a pre-clinical pilot trial for born of the same litter. The one cleared of injecting a senolytic drug into the knees its senolytic cells seems spry and glossy, of people with osteoarthritis showed while its sibling is shrunken, greying and promising, if mixed results. In the first looks its age. part of the study, where patients received varying doses of the drug, significant The picture alone helped bring in millions improvements in pain and function from investors including Jeff Bezos were observed, whereas the second and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel, experiment, in which patients received who saw the promise of replicating the the maximum dose, didn’t see significant same results in humans. Kevin Perrott, benefits. It is hoped that, eventually, president of the Washington DC-based there will be a number of senolytic drugs Global Healthspan Policy Institute, said that could potentially target different in 2018 that the response showed that senescent cell types, but currently Silicon Valley tended to view ageing as much of the research has involved a a problem that could be solved “with combination of a leukaemia drug called enough time and enough steps”: “The dasatinib and quercetin, a polyphenol size of the return is huge. If you’re able common in plants. to bring anything like that to the market, you have something that’s universally This is an extremely new field of research. needed.” “That’s why there’s so much interest,” says Sebastian Grönke at the Max-Planck However, the “genetic trick” used to Institute for Biology of Ageing in Cologne. destroy senescent cells in the mouse Senolytics are particularly exciting, he studies was not viable as a safe treatment says, because “they seem to still work for people, so a new company, called very late in life” ... “So it will be possible Unity Biotech, was formed to raise funds to study more quickly whether they to develop medicine that could safely actually work in humans, and they are clear zombie cells from the human body. applicable to people already at the end of their lives.” The first hurdle – for them, and the other scientists investigating the unknown Xu says that, in theory at least, it should intricacies of senolytics – was identifying prove impossible to build up a resistance what, exactly, they were trying to treat. to the drugs, “because senescent In order for a drug to be approved, it has cells cannot proliferate”. Even more to be shown to be effective in treating importantly, he says, there is significant data to show “that you don’t have to has been linked to healthy ageing and treat these patients every single day. You longevity. Mouse trials have shown that just treat them once a week or once a they can live 30 to 50% longer than month … intermittent treatment is more control animals able to eat as much as than enough to have huge benefits.” they want. “It’s also well known that these animals have less senescent cells Senolytic drugs may also be able to play at comparable ages.” There is also a diet, a part in other conditions. Xu has found developed by the gerontologist Valter that obesity can cause senescent cells Longo at the University of Southern to develop prematurely. “We also found California, that mimics the effects of that clearing senescent cells improves fasting for those too frail to skip meals. insulin sensitivity. So senolytic drugs not only work on ageing but also on obesity Of course, the risks of disease that … Senescence is a connection between increase with ageing are heightened by these two very common conditions.” sedentary living, alcoholism and bad While treating obese mice with diet. Grönke recommends, along with a senolytics, Xu observed that their anxiety healthy diet, “reducing the amount of levels reduced, too. animal protein you consume – you can eat meat but ideally maybe once per These aren’t the only potential added week, maximum.” He says an association benefits. Grönke says that senescent cells between low protein intake and longevity “play a big role after cancer treatment”, is well established in humans. “Ideally developing as a result of chemotherapy the protein should come from vegetables and radiation therapy. “If senolytics and not from meat.” can be used to help eliminate the damaged cells before they can spread, Just as obesity has been shown to a detrimental side-effect of cancer increase the burden of senescent cells treatment could be alleviated.” in tissue, exercise can reduce it, says Xu. But the effects were recorded in Xu usually administers senolytics to obese mice that had undergone a lot mice at their equivalent of 70 to 80 of vigorous exercise: “I don’t think the years old in humans. “You don’t want to aged population is able to take intense take it when you’re young, which would exercise like that.” have zero effect, or harmful effects – but you don’t want to leave it too late. So some signs are promising, and the When to start giving the drug is a huge potential is huge, but much still remains project and a huge question for us to unknown about senolytics for ageing. answer over the next several decades.” There are clinical trials in the pipeline, He expects the ideal treatment age will with drugs for osteoarthritis leading the differ from person to person, and that way, but an effective pill accessible to all ultimately scientists will develop a blood is certainly not imminent. Xu puts it at or urine test that can assess the level of five to 12 years away: “Theoretically I’m senescence present. “Some people age confident.” Those looking to live for ever very fast, and some age very slow, so it might be wise to book that cryogenics could vary a lot,” he says. appointment, just in case. • So what can anyone determined to hold off the debilitating effects of age do while we await the wonder drugs? Intermittent fasting may have senescent effects. Grönke says caloric restriction, whereby “people eat less in general”, THE ALLURE OF MONKEYFLOWERS A tough, diverse, colorful weed used in evolutionary studies is becoming a key model for plant biology.

By Elizabeth Pennisi

Yaowu Yuan’s passion for monkeyflowers scientist to have fallen under the spell This article was began in 2004 with a slideshow. Then of a plant best known as a weed that published on a budding plant taxonomist at the thrives where few plants, even other Aug. 30, 2019. University of Washington in Seattle weeds, can grow—around abandoned and an avid hiker, he was amazed at copper mines and hot springs and in the variety of wildflowers he saw on other inhospitable, mineral-laden soil. his outings in the Cascade mountains. Like Charles Darwin, he was vexed by Like plant scientists’ traditional what Darwin called an abominable lab workhorse, the mustard weed mystery: How did nature generate Arabidopsis thaliana, monkeyflowers such a diversity of flower colors and grow fast, produce a lot of seeds, and forms? During a campus seminar, Yuan have a simple genome—appealing encountered a plant that he thought traits for lab studies. But their might yield answers. University of explosion of flower colors and forms, Washington plant molecular biologist diverse lifestyles, and extraordinary H. D. “Toby” Bradshaw and his graduate hardiness—dramatic contrasts to the student showed slides documenting unassuming Arabidopsis—have seduced as much floral diversity within a single researchers studying plant evolution monkeyflower species as Yuan had seen and adaptations. “You can use Mimulus in the meadows and streambanks of the to study traits that don’t even exist in Cascades—all generated by mutating the Arabidopsis,” Yuan says. genome of this one Mimulus species.

More than 40 labs now focus on select The revelation changed the course of Yuan’s research because he realized members of Mimulus, a number that has such mutants could lead to a better doubled in the past decade, says Andrea understanding of flower development in Sweigart, an evolutionary geneticist at all plants. Since starting a faculty job at the University of Georgia in Athens. The the University of Connecticut (UConn) in National Science Foundation (NSF) has Storrs 6 years ago, he has been tracking funded both individual evolution and down genes that control color, shape, ecology projects with Mimulus and, more size, and other traits in Mimulus flowers— recently, supported a $1 million effort to and that may have similar effects in develop efficient techniques for altering other plants. And he is far from the only traits in those plants. “A large, organized, and growing of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. research community is using this Plant ecologists have conducted field system,” says evolutionary geneticist studies of wild Mimulus for 80 years. Theodore Morgan, a program officer Last year, for example, researchers at NSF in Alexandria, Virginia. A documented populations of Mimulus monkeyflower meeting in Providence guttatus that contain a mix of individuals in June drew about 70 biologists, more with different flowering times, flower than triple the number who attended sizes, and number of seeds produced. the first one 13 years ago. The number of The late-flowering plants do better in publications on Mimulus still isn’t huge— wet years, and early-flowering ones do about 425—but that tally has grown better in years when drought hits early in rapidly in the past decade. the season. Because the amount of rain varies from year to year, the two variants Some researchers are exploring coexist in a population, although the monkeyflowers’ own unusual proportions change over time. The work, adaptations. But other scientists are reported last year in Science (3 August turning the flowers into a window 2018, p. 475), provided long-sought on widespread biological processes. proof of an evolutionary phenomenon Yuan, for example, recently teamed called fluctuating selection, in which up with another lab to use Mimulus changing conditions cause a species to mutants with odd petal color patterns evolve in multiple directions. Theorists to provide the most detailed example have proposed that fluctuating selection yet of mathematician Alan Turing’s helps explain the extensive variation scenario for how zebra stripes, leopard seen in many other species besides spots, and some floral patterns arise in monkeyflowers. nature. Another team examining how monkeyflowers mutate as they grow At the June Mimulus meeting, Willis revealed a mechanism that may enable revealed a major clue to another many plants evolve faster than animals. monkeyflower mystery: the plants’ affinity for serpentine soils. Because they The field may even have its first derive from Earth mantle rock, those serious controversy: Some researchers soils are rich in iron and magnesium but are rejecting a recent revision of the low in potassium and calcium, which monkeyflower family tree that split the plants depend on to maintain their cell more than 100 Mimulus species into walls. The soils also tend to have little multiple genera, creating confusion in nitrogen, vital for plants, but plenty of the scientific literature by renaming the toxic heavy metals, such as nickel and most studied monkeyflower species. The chromium. researchers’ passion is a measure of the enthusiasm the new model plant arouses. Willis and his Duke postdoc Jessica Selby One opponent of the new tree, John recently crossed serpentine-tolerant Willis, an evolutionary geneticist at Duke monkeyflowers with versions of the plant University in Durham, North Carolina, that were not growing on serpentine soil. says flatly, “We’re not going to take it The duo tested several generations to anymore.” identify DNA important to the trait. To narrow the hunt for relevant genes, Selby LAB SCIENTISTS AREN’T THE collected M. guttatus specimens from FIRST to be fascinated by Mimulus, serpentine soils in seven places across which is found worldwide, often in the California and Oregon and compared harshest spots, such as the bare islands their DNA with that of populations of M. of “serpentine” soil that dot the forests guttatus living nearby, on richer soil. Yuan and UConn postdoc Baoqing Ding had recently tracked down the gene Both approaches pointed to a gene that causes red pigment to appear on for an enzyme that makes arabinose, a the yellow lower petal of some Mimulus sugar found primarily in the plant cell flowers. The red usually appears as wall, Willis reported. That gene varies a band of speckles, which serve as a among M. guttatus plants, but every “nectar guide” for incoming pollinators. plant that can grow on serpentine soils Many types of coloration in plants and has the same mutation. It may alter animals are the result of a network of how arabinose interacts with other proteins that activate pigment genes at components of the cell wall, somehow specific places and times in the body. But compensating for the low calcium and Yuan and Blackman wondered whether high magnesium and keeping cell walls the monkeyflower spots might be intact—an idea Willis’s team is testing generated instead through a patterning with researchers from the University of mechanism proposed in the 1950s by California (UC), Berkeley, and Stanford Turing, who is best known for breaking University. the Germans’ Enigma code in World War II but was also a theoretical biologist. By harnessing population genetics and other gene-finding techniques, Turing predicted that some patterns Willis “was way ahead of the curve in emerge from the natural diffusion seeing how genomics could make the and interactions of proteins whose tremendous natural variation in plants concentrations regulate each other’s knowable at the level of the gene,” says production. For spots, when the gene Lila Fishman, an evolutionary biologist encoding a cell’s “activator” of pigment at the University of Montana in Missoula. production turns on, the activator protein The work could have practical benefits stimulates its own production and that as well, adds Benjamin Blackman, an of a “repressor” protein, which diffuses evolutionary biologist at UC Berkeley: beyond the pigmented spot. That second “Learning how plants have already molecule shuts down any activator in adapted to cope with marginal soil the surrounding cells—causing a white environments can inform breeding halo. But the repressor gets more dilute efforts aimed at developing crops that the farther it travels, eventually losing can cope with poor soil.” its effect. Then the activator can turn on, and a new spot of color can form. Color Besides probing monkeyflowers’ own patterns emerge depending on special biology, researchers are using the differences in the two proteins’ them to glean more general lessons diffusion rates. about plants and animals. Take Yuan and Blackman’s work on color patterning. Biologists have long assumed that Blackman’s lab originally studied Turing’s mechanism is responsible sunflowers. But M. guttatus appealed to for zebra stripes and leopard spots him for studies of the genetic basis of and perhaps even for monkeyflower patterning because its simple genome nectar guides. Indeed, Yuan had had been sequenced—making it easier identified a monkeyflower protein that to test the role of particular genes might serve as the activator. But no and proteins by genetically modifying one had identified a full activator- the plant. Independently, he and Yuan repressor system involved in periodic homed in on the same protein, which pigmentation patterns. they thought might be a key to flower color patterns. Blackman, however, had noticed a clue in some wild M. guttatus: They either mutations occurring in the dividing lacked spots or else had just one large cells of a stem will be locked into the red patch, which he called a tongue, germ cells and can pass on to the next suggesting part of the system was generation. missing. Independently, Yuan uncovered a similar red tongue variety among Given that somatic tissue mutations mutants he made in another Mimulus should accumulate in a plant’s germ species. When they learned of each cells over successive generations, other’s work, the two joined forces. Schwoch wondered why plants don’t And at the June Mimulus meeting, they wind up with many more such mutations reported using the red tongue varieties than animals—and a greater burden of to track down a protein dubbed R3-MYB, harmful ones. In fact, as the somatic the repressor counterpart to the already parts of both plants and animals grow, known activator protein. their cells accumulate about one mutation per million bases per cell To confirm that R3-MYB really acted division, so plant germ cells should have as a repressor, Yuan and Blackman far more mutations than animal germ both wielded molecular tools to block cells. But they don’t. And deleterious its production. Yuan relied on RNA mutations are surprisingly scarce interference, whereas Blackman’s in plants, Schwoch found when she team enlisted CRISPR—the first use compared two sets of monkeyflowers. of the genome-editing technology in She produced one by self-fertilizing Mimulus. Both techniques led to full red Mimulus flowers with each flower’s own tongues on the plants’ petals, Blackman pollen, the other by fertilizing flowers reported—vivid testimony that the with pollen from flowers on another mechanism Turing hypothesized can stem of the same plant. The latter is the account for some of nature’s tapestry. equivalent of a cross between different “This work shows how Mimulus can parents, because each stem acquires a provide broad insight into processes that unique set of mutations as it grows. shape biodiversity,” Sweigart says. Self-fertilization, like inbreeding in ANOTHER LINE OF WORK animals, should pair up harmful recessive with monkeyflowers sheds light on mutations, so Schwoch expected the biodiversity by revealing a mechanism, crosses that used pollen from one unique to plants, for rapidly adapting stem on flowers from another to do to new conditions. Their advantage, better. But some of the more prolific, graduate student Jaime Schwoch of healthier plants came from progeny Portland State University in Oregon derived from a single stem, she reported found, is rooted in the way they produce at the Evolution 2019 meeting, also reproductive cells. In animals, the cells in Providence in June. That finding that mature into eggs and sperm are suggested the plants were somehow sequestered early in development, and eliminating harmful mutations in their they don’t divide until the organism somatic cells and accumulating beneficial sexually matures. That protects them ones for their reproductive cells. from division-related mutations that occur in the organism’s nongerm, or To verify that sorting process, Schwoch somatic, tissues. But flowers, which grew Mimulus plants for 6 months in contain both kinds of germ cells—pollen saltier-than-normal conditions and then and ova—form from active somatic sequenced DNA from their tips, taking tissue at the tips of growing stems. Any note of new mutations and how often the mutations appeared in the sequenced material. Such mutations should occur in JUST WHEN INVESTIGATORS low frequencies, so when she found one are flocking to monkeyflowers, the that occurred in many cells of the plant monkeyflowers may be scattering—at tip, she inferred that the original cell with least taxonomically. A 2012 evaluation of that mutation had grown much faster the Mimulus family tree placed some of than cells without it and replaced them. the better-studied monkeyflower species in other genera. For example, the popular The rate of mutations doubled under the M. guttatus is now named Erythranthe salt stress, she reported. Moreover, cells guttata. The Mimulus genus itself kept carrying mutations that improve salt only seven species of the original tolerance proved more likely to persist 165-plus. Adopting new designations in stems, whereas less well-adapted for many Mimulus species will lead to cells died out. The survivors made chaos in the scientific literature, some it into the germ line, so the within- researchers in the field say. lifetime innovations were passed on to subsequent flowers and pollen. The Among monkeyflower researchers, process means “plants can adapt very the reclassification provoked a minor quickly” to tough situations, Schwoch rebellion. Most did not use the new said. names in their presentations at the Mimulus conference or the subsequent Duke evolutionary biologist Jennifer Evolution meeting. A paper in press in Coughlan is impressed. “This work has the journal Taxon argues for a different, broad significance for all plants, but in less disruptive reclassification, and particular for long-lived perennial plants, Willis says that makes sense. “You either [which] accumulate many mutations rename 150 species, or you rename 20 across their lifetimes,” she says. Sweigart somewhat obscure species and call them predicts that Schwoch will quickly all Mimulus,” he notes. unearth the specific mutations that produced the salt tolerance: Mimulus A Mimulus by any other name might “has great genetic and genomic smell as sweet, but most biologists don’t resources, so it should be possible to want to monkey around with their new identify the precise molecular changes favorite plant. that have occurred” in her salt-tolerant • plants, Sweigart says. And the lessons from monkeyflowers may point to ways to make other plants, including crops, more tolerant of salty soils, researchers suggest. PENGUIN POOP, SEEN FROM SPACE, TELLS OUR CLIMATE STORY We didn’t believe it either.

Eric Niiler

Satellites watch many things as they “There’s a clear regional difference: krill This article was orbit the Earth: hurricanes brewing in on the west, fish on the east,” saysCasey published on the Caribbean, tropical forests burning in Youngflesh, a postdoctoral researcher December 18, 2018. the Amazon, even North Korean soldiers at the University of Connecticut who building missile launchers. But some presented his findings last week at researchers have found a new way to use the annual meeting of the American satellites to figure out what penguins Geophysical Union in Washington. It’s eat: by capturing images of the animal’s the first time scientists have been able poop deposits across Antarctica. to track diet from space, and researchers say it’s a new tool for looking at how A group of scientists studying Adélie certain seabird and penguin populations penguins and climate change have found are doing on other regions of the planet. that the color of penguin droppings indicates whether the animals ate “There’s a clear regional difference: shrimp-like krill (reddish orange) or krill on the west, fish on the east.” silverfish (blue). The distinction is interesting because the penguin’s diet Knowing what, and how much, 5 million serves as an indicator of the response of breeding pairs of Adélie penguins are the marine ecosystem to climate change. eating is important because it tells Separate research is starting to show, for researchers how the base of the food example, that penguin chicks that are chain is doing. The population of tiny krill forced to rely on krill as their main source appears to be crashing on the western of food don’t grow as much as those side of the Antarctic peninsula, the 800- who have fish in their diet. mile thumb that sticks up toward the tip of South America. Rapidly warming, The penguins’ guano deposits build up changing climactic conditions, as well over time on the rocky outcroppings as a huge increase in industrial-scale where the birds congregate, making fishing, have taken a toll on these small them colorful landmarks. The researchers crustaceans. took samples from the penguin colonies, found their spectral wavelength, then Krill are harvested commercially for use matched this color to images taken from in pet food and nutritional supplements, the orbiting Landsat-7 satellite. but for many penguins, they’re the basis of their diet. As krill have become supply to feed their baby chicks, the more scarce, so too have the penguins presence or absence of a penguin colony in western Antarctica who like to eat is a sign of the climate conditions at them. “Diet can tell us how food webs the time, Polito says. Polito’s new study are shifting over time,” says Youngflesh. pushes back the time of penguins’ arrival “It would take a lot of time and a lot of there by 2,200 years for that region, and money to visit all these sites. Climate confirms other data taken from ice cores change is extremely complicated, and we and sediments about the history of that need data on large scales.” region’s climate.

Youngflesh says he hopes the color- “This ability to estimate penguin diets coded poop maps can be used to track from space will be a real game changer penguin populations in the future, as for science in Antarctica,” Polito said. well as other seabirds across the globe. “It really takes a lot of time and effort That’s because seabirds aggregate in to figure out what penguins eat using the same places as penguins and eat traditional methods, so being able to the same things. Of course, this form evaluate diets all around the Antarctic of remote sensing can’t tell researchers continent from space is a pretty amazing how penguins’ diets compare across leap forward.” time. So one researcher dug through the guano itself in search of insights into the The combination of digging through penguins’ history. poop and analyzing images from satellites is giving researchers a better “There are unanswered questions handle on possible trouble spots for the about when did they arrive, how have Adélie penguin, as well as its cousins their diets changed over time,” says the chinstrap, Gentoo, and emperor Michael Polito, an assistant professor of penguins. The laboratory of Heather oceanography and coastal sciences at Lynch, an associate professor of ecology Louisiana State University. “Those are and evolution at Stony Brook University, questions satellites can’t answer, and it put together a nifty continent-wide was my job to dig it up.” map of penguin colonies from the four species, and is using citizen volunteers to Polito excavated mounds of guano, count them one by one. Lynch’s group is feathers, bones, and eggshells on the also beginning to look back at previous remote Danger Islands, a large penguin satellite images taken from the 1980s colony on the tip of the Antarctic until now to see if they can establish the Peninsula that has remained mostly free same penguin poop-diet connection. of human visitors. When he reached the • bottom of the pile, he took the material back to his lab and applied radiocarbon This article was originally published on techniques to figure out the age of the Wired by Eric Niller. first penguin settlers. He found that the penguins have been living on Danger Islands for nearly 3,000 years. Since Adélie penguins need access to ice-free land, open water, and a plentiful food American Military News

UCONN STUDENTS DEVELOP DEVICE TO HELP KEEP NAVY SAILORS FROM GETTING INJURED We didn’t believe it either.

By Julia Bergman - The Day

Say you’re a ship captain and you want A year and a half ago, UConn and the This article was to know when one of your sailors is University of Rhode Island teamed up to published on fatigued to the point he or she is at risk create the Naval Science and Technology March 25, 2019. of getting injured. Program to get students interested in naval projects before they graduate, and Some University of Connecticut students to help create a pipeline of workers for have an idea. the naval industries in the two states. More than 100 students have been The team of Devon Thompson, Julia involved in the program since it started. Podsen, Yannis Halkiadakis, Prateek Rana and Kyle-Gabriel de Vera Tan, has Graduating engineering majors at both developed a device, worn around the universities have to complete a senior ankle, that detects normal and abnormal project — that amounts to about 500 walking patterns. The goal is to develop projects total between both universities. an algorithm that can predict from This year, 17 of the projects have naval someone’s walking patterns if they’re relevance. The goal is to increase that going to get injured and what the injury number next year, and include some will be. of the smaller suppliers of the naval industry in both states. “The whole idea is, ‘Can we keep these people mission-ready? Can we keep The wearable device project at UConn them performing optimally on a boat?’ is just one example of what the students ” said Kristin Morgan, an assistant have been working on. As part of the professor in UConn’s Biomedical project, the students have observed Engineering Department. different subjects — some who are healthy, others who have lower-extremity The sponsor for the project is Electric injuries — going through the same Boat, which along with the Navy has walking protocol on a split-belt made a big push to use wearable treadmill, which allows them to move technology, given its low cost and ease their feet at different speeds. That of use, to monitor human performance. destabilizes the subjects to see if they can restabilize. They also observed them data in real time, which is plotted on a at symmetrical speeds. graph on a computer. The next step is to put the data into an algorithm that can The subjects wear the sensors around be used as an early diagnostic tool to each of their ankles. The sensors have know if someone is susceptible to injury. a small microphone attached, which capture the vibrations of their footsteps, The students said there’s a myriad which are then used to differentiate of uses for the tool such as sports between abnormal and normal walking rehabilitation. If you can predict when patterns. someone is going to get injured, and the type of injury, you could give them The sensors also have a Bluetooth device exercises for example to help prevent attached, allowing them to collect the that from happening. •

NASA SELECTS TWO NEW SPACE TECH RESEARCH INSTITUTES FOR SMART HABITATS

By PR Newswire

As exploration missions venture beyond The selected proposals create two This article was low-Earth orbit and to the Moon — and multi-disciplinary, university-led research published on eventually Mars — NASA must consider institutes to develop technologies critical April 8, 2019. automated technologies to keep habitats to a sustainable human presence on the operational even when they are not Moon and Mars. The smart habitat, or occupied by astronauts. To help achieve SmartHab, research will complement this, NASA has selected two new Space other NASA projects to help mature the Technology Research Institutes (STRIs) mission architecture needed to meet to advance space habitat designs using challenging exploration goals. resilient and autonomous systems. “Partnering with universities lets resilient deep space habitats that can us tap into new expertise, foster adapt, absorb and rapidly recover from innovative ideas, as well as expand expected and unexpected disruptions. the research and development talent The institute plans to leverage expertise base for both aerospace and broader in civil infrastructure with advanced applications,” said Jim Reuter, acting technology fields such as modular associate administrator of NASA’s and autonomous robotics and hybrid Space Technology Mission Directorate. simulation. “We’re excited to work with these two new STRIs to develop smart habitat Through an integrated effort, RETHi will technologies for exploration missions on mature deep space habitats that can the Moon and Mars.” operate in both crewed and uncrewed configurations. The institute plans Each STRI will receive as much as $15 to create a cyber-physical prototype million over a five-year period. The testbed of physical and virtual models selected institutes are: to develop, deploy and validate different capabilities.

Habitats Optimized for Missions The multidisciplinary team is led by of Exploration (HOME) Purdue University principal investigator The HOME institute’s design approach Shirley Dyke, in partnership with for deep space habitats is one that University of Connecticut, Harvard relies not only on proven engineering University and the University of Texas at and risk analysis, but also on emergent San Antonio. technologies to enable resilient, autonomous and self-maintained The new selections will join two habitats for human explorers. institutes founded by NASA in 2017. The established STRIs have advanced The institute seeks to advance biological engineering and cutting- early-stage technologies related to edge methods for developing carbon autonomous systems, human and nanotube-based, ultra-strong and automation teaming, data science, lightweight aerospace structural material. machine learning, robotic maintenance, onboard manufacturing, and more. The two inaugural institutes are the Center for the Utilization of Biological The HOME team is led by Stephen Engineering in Space (CUBES) and Robinson, principal investigator at the Ultra-Strong Composites by the University of California, Davis, Computational Design (US-COMP). Both in partnership with the University of of these undertakings are harnessing Colorado Boulder, Carnegie Mellon a talent base of inventiveness and University, the Georgia Institute of innovation to help shape NASA’s pursuit Technology, Howard University, Texas of Earth-independent, self-sustaining A&M University and the University exploration mission capabilities. of Southern California. Industry collaborators include Sierra Nevada These selections are funded by NASA’s Corporation, Blue Origin and United Space Technology Mission Directorate Technology Aerospace Systems. (STMD), which is responsible for developing the cross-cutting, pioneering, new technologies and capabilities Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitats needed by the agency to achieve its institute (RETHi) current and future missions. RETHi seeks to design and operate • KEY PARTS OF A FRUIT FLY’S GENETIC MAKEUP HAVE FINALLY BEEN DECODED Jumping genes in chromosomes may ensure DNA gets where it needs to go when cells divide

By Tina Hesman Saey

Some of the most important chapters in one that drives the Y chromosome — This article was fruit flies’ genetic instruction book have have been characterized. But mostly published on finally been decoded. what scientists knew about centromeres May 17, 2019. is that they are incredibly long stretches For the first time, researchers have of repetitive DNA. deciphered, or sequenced, the genetic makeup of all of a multicellular Although scientists reported in 2000 organism’s centromeres — and that they’d finished reading the entire discovered stretches of DNA that may be Drosophila melanogaster instruction key in divvying up chromosomes. Errors book, or genome, in truth, researchers in doing that job can lead to cancer, birth had skipped over the flies’ centromeres defects or death. The team reported the and other repetitive DNA. (The human achievement May 14 in PLOS Biology. genome is also not really complete; human centromeres, except for that of Centromeres, which give most the Y chromosome, are still mysteries.) chromosomes their characteristic X shape, help move chromosomes in The reason for the oversight was dividing cells. “The chromosome is technical: To sequence the genome — a bus, and our DNA and genes are meaning determine the order of DNA’s the passengers. The centromere is chemical letters, known as bases — the bus driver,” says Beth Sullivan, a scientists first had to chop the DNA geneticist and centromere biologist at into tiny pieces about 150 bases long. Duke University School of Medicine not Computers can put the genome together involved in the study. “It’s what moves by finding where two pieces match up. the chromosome, after the DNA has Centromeres tend to repeat the same been copied, into new daughter cells.” letters over and over again and can stretch for millions of bases, so many of Until now, scientists have known very the small bits look alike. “It’s like trying little about these genetic bus drivers. to put together a jigsaw puzzle of a blue Some centromeres from corn, horses, sky when all the puzzle pieces look the yeast and other fungi — and one human same,” says Amanda Larracuente, an evolutionary geneticist at the University mean that the transposon is a seed of Rochester in New York. around which new centromeres can form, or the transposon may just hop into Larracuente and colleagues used new centromeres more often than into other technology to sequence stretches of parts of the genome. DNA 10,000 to 100,000 bases long. “It’s like having much bigger puzzle pieces,” The researchers uncovered one clue Larracuente says, “So now we might be hinting that G2/Jockey-3 might seed able to catch a wisp of a cloud in our centromeres: A key centromere protein blue-sky puzzle pieces, and that makes called CENP-A clings to those transposon it a lot easier to figure out how these islands. That protein helps secure the pieces of DNA fit together.” The team centromere to the cellular machinery also used several other techniques to fit the separates chromosomes into new their centromere puzzles together. daughter cells. Finding that CENP-A sticks to the transposon islands suggests Those techniques should make it the jumping genes might be in the possible for other scientists to fill in centromere’s driver’s seat. gaps in other organisms’ genomes, says Gernot Presting, a centromere biologist Centromeres in plants, fungi, bats, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa not gibbons and humans also contain involved in the study. retrotransposons. But no one really knows whether those transposons When the team finally finished putting are driving the bus or are just along the centromere pieces together, it found for the ride, says coauthor Barbara stretches of repetitive DNA interspersed Mellone, a geneticist at the University with “islands” of jumping genes. These of Connecticut in Storrs. Presting, for jumping genes, or retrotransposons, example, argues that there’s evidence are ancient mobile pieces of DNA akin that transposons are passengers: In to viruses that can copy themselves corn, centromeres move first and and insert those copies in spots retrotransposons hop aboard later. throughout the genome. Sometimes that Armed with centromeres’ structure, jumping causes harm, such as when a Mellone and colleagues hope to retrotransposon lands in and breaks an find out exactly how important the important gene. But transposons also jumping genes are to keeping fruit fly have shaped human evolution ( SN: centromeres and their chromosomes on 5/27/17, p. 22 ). the right track. • Each fruit fly chromosome’s centromere is unique, although all have the same basic structure of retrotransposon islands — particularly the retrotransposon G2/ Jockey-3 — surrounded by seas of repetitive DNA. Copies of G2/Jockey-3 are scattered in other places in the fruit fly genome, but about 63 percent of its copies are in centromeres, the researchers found. Those results might Neuroscience News

A NEW CULPRIT FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RELAPSES We didn’t believe it either.

NEUROSCIENCE NEWS

Summary: Injecting extracellular vesicles making it hard to walk, write, or hold a This article was from healthy mice into mice that had fork and knife. This happens because published on an MS-like disease resulted in the of damage to the insulation around the May 8, 2019. development of a relapse-remitting nerves. Just like a frayed wire, a nerve disease and active CD8+ cells, similar with damaged insulation can short out or to that seen in human patients with send bad signals. multiple sclerosis. Examining the EVs in mice and humans with MS, researchers But the damage isn’t permanent, at least identified they contained fibrinogen, a not at first. Most people with multiple protein normally associated with blood sclerosis have recurring episodes of clotting and wound healing. According disability, followed by remissions when to researchers, the EVs with fibrinogen their symptoms lessen or disappear. Why appear to activate the CD8+ immune these relapses and remissions happen cells. The findings could help with the is a great mystery. We know that the development of new treatments for damage to the nerves is caused by the RRMS. Source: University of Connecticut immune system, the army of cells in our body that is supposed to protect us A molecule that helps blood clot may from disease-causing invaders. For some also play a role in multiple sclerosis reason, in MS, the immune system turns relapses, researchers report in the May on cells in the brain and spinal cord. In 6 issue of PNAS. The new research MS patients, a particular type of immune may help answer the mystery of why cell – CD8+ cells, a part of the immune remissions happen, as well as find early system that normally kills cells that are markers of the disease. cancerous or infected – seem to be the ones doing the damage. The research also shows a new way to study multiple sclerosis (MS) in mice Although researchers have been able to that is closer to the human form of the develop drugs to help fight MS using a disease. mouse version of MS, these experimental mice develop a slightly different immune MS affects about a million people in system response than what happens the United States and many more in MS in humans. Different cells do the globally. It damages the brain’s ability to damage in MS mice: CD4+ cells. The mice communicate with the rest of the body, have CD8+ cells, but those CD8+ cells are generally quiescent. This has been a big “Fibrinogen in exosomes may have far- stumbling block to understanding how reaching implications for therapies and the immune system develops in MS. as a biomarker for disease progression in MS and potentially, other neurological But a team of researchers from UConn diseases,” she says. Health, the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), and the Gladstone “We now have a robust model of Institutes have figured out how CD8+ relapsing/remitting disease driven by cells are activated in MS mice, and the CD8+ cells,” says UConn neuroscientist result seems very close to what happens Stephen Crocker, who directed the study. in humans. The new findings hinge on “There’s all these clinically important how cells talk to each other. Cells will questions we can now ask.” Crocker and often secrete little bubbles containing his colleagues want to study this model proteins and genetic signals. These further to understand how and why the bubbles are called extracellular vesicles, remissions of disease happen. or EVs. EVs are made by most cells in the body, and float in the blood stream like a “Understanding the causes of relapses message in a bottle. is a key step on the path to a cure for MS,” says study co-author Ernesto So the team injected EVs from normal, Bongarzone, an anatomy and cell healthy mice into mice that had that biology neuroscientist and professor experimental MS-like disease. When they at UIC. “The results of this study and did this, the mice acquired a relapsing- the identification of fibrinogen as a key remitting disease and active CD8+ cells, molecule contributing to relapses are like human MS patients. The researchers exciting steps forward.” examined the EVs in mice and patients with MS and found they contained The researchers would like to understand fibrinogen, a protein that neuroscientist how the fibrinogen stimulates the Katerina Akassoglou’s lab at Gladstone CD8+ cells that cause the relapsing and had been studying in MS. Fibrinogen remitting disease activity. They would normally helps blood clot and seal up also like to test whether fibrinogen and wounds. But in these MS mice, the EVs related proteins found in the EVs also with fibrinogen seemed to activate the play a role in humans with MS, and test CD8+ immune cells. When they injected if these molecular signals in EVs might the MS mice with EVs that did not have be early warnings of relapses or disease fibrinogen, they could not cause the progression. relapsing-remitting illness. •

“These findings expand our understanding of how fibrinogen contributes to the progression of MS pathology” says Akassoglou, senior investigator at Gladstone and professor of neurology at UC San Francisco. Regulatory Focus

STUDY: JUST HALF OF POSTMARKETING COMMITMENT TRIALS ARE PUBLISHED We didn’t believe it either.

By Michael Mezher

A new study published Monday in BMC were subject to Section 506B reporting This article was Medicine finds that only about half of requirements. published on the clinical trials requested by the US June 17, 2019. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as For the studies subject to reporting part of postmarketing commitments for requirements, 12 (44.4%) were neither newly approved drugs and biologics are closed nor had an up-to-date status published in peer-reviewed journals. in publicly available databases on FDA’s website. The study also found that information for nearly half of the postmarketing The study did find, however, that commitment studies subject to reporting nearly all the clinical trials requested requirements under section 506B of as part of postmarketing commitments Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act were registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (FDCA) was not up to date. (90.3%), most of which were marked as completed or terminated (82.1%). Of the Conducted by researchers at Yale completed or terminated studies all but University, University of Connecticut and one had reported results. University of California, San Francisco, the study reviewed postmarketing However, the authors found that most commitments for the 110 new drugs and of the studies (81.8%) that had reported biologics approved from 2009-2012. results on ClinicalTrials.gov reported their results after the scheduled Unlike postmarketing requirements, submission deadline. which drugmakers must conduct as a condition of approval, postmarketing Only about half of the studies that were commitments are agreed to by eligible for publication (i.e. completed drugmakers at the time of approval or terminated in ClinicalTrials.gov or and are not required under statute or submitted, fulfilled or released regulation. according to FDA) were published in peer-reviewed journals. More than half (55.5%) of the 110 approvals had one or more “Among the 29 registered or postmarketing commitment(s), with 33 unregistered studies for which requiring a new clinical trial. Of those, 27 publication would be expected based on the most recent status provided by commitments and requirements the FDA, pharmaceutical companies, or imposed by FDA, the authors say the on ClinicalTrials.gov, just under half were data generated by postmarketing published in a peer-reviewed journal (14 commitments “may be a potentially of 29 (48.3%)),” the authors write. important source of information about drug and biologic safety and And while postmarketing commitments effectiveness after market approval.” only make up 19% of the postapproval •

Technology.org

NAMES PROMPT DISTINCT BRAIN ACTIVITY IN PRESCHOOLERS

A study from Penn and CHOP found that with autism—hear their name. This article was when preschoolers with autism spectrum published on As it turns out, children in both groups disorder hear their name, their neural May 24, 2019. patterns match those of their typically show a preference for their own name developing peers. The finding held and exhibit neural patterns akin to regardless of whether the child’s mom or those observed in adult brains that are a stranger called the name. experiencing similar stimuli. What’s more, this observation holds regardless of Infants as young as 6 months old can whether the child’s mom or a stranger is typically recognize and respond to their the one calling the name. The researchers own name. It’s an important skill for published their findings in the journal language development and social growth, PLOS One. one that children with autism spectrum disorder often struggle with. We expected we might see differences in the brain activity, because we know A team from Penn and Children’s Hospital an early hallmark of autism spectrum of Philadelphia (CHOP) wanted to disorder is a lack of behavioral understand what brain activity looks like response and orienting when someone when children from two groups—typically calls their name,” says Leah Wang, a developing preschoolers and preschoolers doctoral student in Penn’s Psychology Department, a researcher at CHOP’s Answering these questions matters Center for Autism Research, and co-first because recognizing your name can author of the paper. “It’s not completely act as an important social marker of absent, but we know there’s diminished attention. “It serves as an anchor for frequency and consistency.” the rest of your social development,” Thomas says. “It helps you to identify Instead, she continues, the study when someone is talking to you and found that the participants with autism whether you should be paying attention. and those in the typically developing You can imagine that a child who is group showed similar brain activity not consistently responding to his or in response to their own names, her name might be missing out on indicating that children in both groups interactions.” differentiated their names from other sounds. This finding suggests “there In the future, the scientists would like might be other processes we should the ability to assess sub-groups within look into contributing to this diminished the broader autism spectrum disorder behavioral responding,” she adds. population, which will require a much larger sample size than the current To get a picture of the brain activity work. They’re also interested in studying prompted by this experience, Wang younger populations and in changing and colleagues, including University their secondary stimuli to something of Connecticut doctoral student and more relevant to the child, like a word co-first author Rebecca Thomas, describing a favorite toy rather than a recruited 19 typically developing 3- to made-up name. 5-year-olds and 13 with autism. The experiment, which included more than For now, the researchers say they 1,000 trials, included four stimuli: mom hope the work will simply encourage calling the child’s name, mom calling additional interest in studying neural a made-up name, or a stranger calling activity in children with autism. “We both names. The participants, the call it ‘preliminary’ because we want majority of whom were male, wore an to get these results out there and get electroencephalogram (EEG) cap during research going on this topic,” says Wang, each trial. who is also part of CHOP’s Center for Autism Research. “Our study is a really “The sounds were all randomized,” nice first step.” explains Thomas. “They didn’t always • hear mom calling their name first, for instance. The stimuli were all mixed up. Once we collected EEG data, we went through to pinpoint the brain signals that aligned with certain stimuli.” For example, what does the electrical signal look like when the mother says the name compared with the stranger? Does this look the same or different if the child has autism spectrum disorder? Everyday Health

NEW STUDY REVEALS MS MAY BE A ‘DISEASE OF AGING’ Researchers found abnormal aging of neural progenitor cells in progressive MS.

By Trevis Gleason

There are some words that just don’t become oligodendrocytes, and This article was mean what they sound like they should oligodendrocytes produce myelin, published on mean. “Senescence” is one such word. the protective nerve coating that gets May 7, 2019. While it evokes a mashup of ethereal damaged in MS — or at least, they’re pleasure and a hair conditioner brand, supposed to produce myelin. it is a biological term for the process of deterioration due to aging. Dr. Crocker’s team found that NPCs in the brain tissue around lesions of Cellular senescence occurs naturally as deceased patients with progressive MS we grow older, but it may also contribute showed chemical signs of unnatural to some neurodegenerative diseases, “aging.” possibly including progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). By “aging,” the researchers were referring to telltale protein activity That’s what Stephen Crocker, PhD, (or inactivity) in cells that inhibits the associate professor of neuroscience at NPC from attaining their final stage of the University of Connecticut School of development, or properly producing Medicine in Farmington, found when he myelin once they do mature. and fellow researchers studied neural progenitor cells (NPCs) within the brain It appears that oligodendrocytes, which matter of people with progressive MS. are supposed to fix natural damage to the myelin sheath around nerves, as They published their results in March well as MS-related damage are, in MS 2019 in the journal Proceedings of the patients, not acting their age. They’re National Academy of Sciences. acting like much older cells.

In PPMS, Brain Stem Cells Age More The research paper reports that Quickly compared with like-aged control patients without MS, those with primary- NPCs are sort of like stem cells that are progressive MS expressed cellular predetermined and targeted to become senescence markers. specific types of brain cells. In a press release, Crocker is quoted as Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells saying, “We know MS is not a disease of the aged, but it may be a disease of used to prevent rejection of transplanted aging.” organs.

Treatment With Rapamycin Helped There are also a small number of drugs that are being explored as anti-aging This is, obviously, an important medication that may also prove useful in breakthrough in understanding the this flank of MS research. mechanism of MS progression. Often these breakthrough discoveries give us And it’s possible this research into hope, but we have to wonder what will progressive MS may lead to benefit for come of the practical applications of the relapsing forms of the disease, too. Only research. In this case, however, there is time will tell. We can only hope that already evidence that something might our “aging” neural progenitor cells will be done about the cellular senescence. stay “young” enough for us to see the outcomes of further research. The researchers report that they were able to reverse the expression of cellular Wishing you and your family the best of senescence in NPCs of PPMS progenitor health. cells by treating the cells with the drug Rapamune (rapamycin), also known as Cheers, sirolimus, an immunosuppressive drug Trevis •

Phys.org

COMPLEX SOCIETIES GAVE BIRTH TO BIG GODS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND: STUDY

An international research team, including transgressions. Contrary to prevailing This article was a member of the Complexity Science theories, the team found that beliefs in published on Hub Vienna, investigated the role of big gods are a consequence, not a cause, March 21, 2019. “big gods” in the rise of complex large- of the evolution of complex societies. The scale societies. Big gods are defined as results are published in the current issue moralizing deities who punish ethical of the journal Nature. For their statistical analyses, as standardized quantitative data the researchers used the Seshat from throughout world history were Global History Databank, the most missing. To address this problem, data comprehensive collection of historical and social scientist Peter Turchin, and prehistorical data. Currently, Seshat together with Harvey Whitehouse and contains about 300,000 records on Pieter François from the University of social complexity, religion and other Oxford, founded Seshat in 2011. The characteristics of 500 past societies, multidisciplinary project integrates the spanning 10,000 years of human history. expertise of historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, social scientists as well “It has been a debate for centuries why as data scientists into a state-of-the-art, humans, unlike other animals, cooperate open-access database. Dozens of experts in large groups of genetically unrelated throughout the world helped to assemble individuals,” says Seshat director and co- detailed data on social complexity and author Peter Turchin from the University religious beliefs and practices from of Connecticut and the Complexity hundreds of independent political units Science Hub Vienna. Factors such as (“polities”), beginning with Neolithic agriculture, warfare, or religion have been Anatolians (today Turkey) in 9600 BCE. proposed as main driving forces. The complexity of a society can be One prominent theory, the big or estimated by social characteristics moralizing gods hypothesis, assumes such as population, territory, and that religious beliefs were key. According sophistication of government institutions to this theory, people are more likely to and information systems. Religious cooperate fairly if they believe in gods data include the presence of beliefs in who will punish them if they don’t. “To supernatural enforcement of reciprocity, our surprise, our data strongly contradict fairness, and loyalty, and the frequency this hypothesis,” says lead author Harvey and standardization of religious rituals. Whitehouse. “In almost every world region for which we have data, moralizing “Seshat allows researchers to analyze gods tended to follow, not precede, hundreds of variables relating to social increases in social complexity.” Even complexity, religion, warfare, agriculture more so, standardized rituals tended on and other features of human culture and average to appear hundreds of years society that vary over time and space,” before gods who cared about human explains Pieter François. “Now that the morality. database is ready for analysis, we are poised to test a long list of theories about Such rituals create a collective identity human history.” This includes competing and feelings of belonging that act as theories of how and why humans evolved social glue, making people to behave to cooperate in large-scale societies of more cooperatively. “Our results suggest millions and more people. that collective identities are more important to facilitate cooperation in “Seshat is an unprecedented collaboration societies than religious beliefs,” says between anthropologists, historians, Harvey Whitehouse. archaeologists, mathematicians, computer scientists, and evolutionary Big data: a new approach scientists”, says Patrick Savage, to social theories corresponding author of the article. “It shows how big data can revolutionize the Until recently, it has been impossible study of human history.” to distinguish between cause and • effect in social theories and history, Phys.org

HOW SPECIES IMPROVE THEIR SUCCESS by Universidad Pablo de Olavide

Researchers Pim Edelaar at Pablo de with other individuals and sexual This article was Olavide University (Seville, Spain) and partners. Therefore, it has potential published on Daniel Bolnick at the University of application in any field of research March 7, 2019. Connecticut (U.S.) have developed a involving organisms, including economic classification of the ways that species and social sciences. can improve their success in relation to their environment. This theoretical Dr. Edelaar presents an example of framework is a conceptual tool that helps application to daily life: “How can to understand and contemplate the total we improve the performance of our range of options that an organism has to children at school? What options do relate to its environment, recognizing all we have?” He uses this theoretical the processes that may be relevant in the framework to group the possibilities into real world (such as in biology, medicine, four processes: “On the one hand, the sociology and economics). “Many times, students could adjust to the educational some processes are overlooked, but all system, for example, working better are necessary to better understand what or more. But on the other hand, it is happening or think of what could be could be the teacher or the school (the done,” explains Pim Edelaar. The results environment) that adjusts to the student, have been published in Trends in Ecology for example, through changes in the and Evolution. ways of educating (adjustment of the environment). A third way would be to Individuals and populations can increase enroll or change the student to a school their success through a wide variety of more suited to its way of being (selection options to relate to the environment. of the environment). It is important to All these options can be classified contemplate all these options, because according to two characteristics: What if they are not able to improve the aspect is changing (the organism or its performance of students, there would be environment?), and how this change the undesired fourth option that is similar occurs (through a process of adjustment to natural selection: school failure.” or of selection?), thus offering four combinations that together form a The researchers tested the theoretical square. framework in different contexts, and in all cases, the possibilities proposed by The classification is valid for any people participating could be reduced to ecological context, including interactions the four identified general processes. This theoretical framework has been ability to change its environment. It is conceived as a tool to structure thoughts not always the organism that adjusts to and research, and hopefully avoid the environment. It is important that this events that frequently occur in current option is contemplated conceptually. studies—that the processes are confused With this classification table, a greater with each other, or even ignored. The diversity of possibilities is recognized classification helps to understand and appreciated,” says Edelaar. and take into account the full range of processes that may be relevant to In order to put this theoretical framework organisms, including their evolution. into practice, Dr. Edelaar and colleagues have designed a series of novel Contemplating them in the design experiments that are currently being of research prevents the exclusion of carried out with the Zebra finch and the any of the possibilities, and to avoid Fruit fly to test, among other objectives, conditioning the results of the study. whether their voluntary selection of “Traditionally, it has been stated that environments is able to generate an natural selection is the only force driving evolutionary divergence between adaptive evolution. This study opens populations and even to produce a new door in this sense, giving more different species. prominence to the individual and its •

Phys.org

SALTIER WATERWAYS ARE CREATING DANGEROUS ‘CHEMICAL COCKTAILS’ by University of Maryland

A recent study led by University of humans indirectly release into waterways. This article was Maryland researchers found that streams The team named this effect “Freshwater published on and rivers across the United States have Salinization Syndrome.” December 3, 2018. become saltier and more alkaline over the past 50 years, thanks to road deicers, New research from the same UMD-led fertilizers and other salty compounds that group takes a closer look at the global, regional and local consequences of water in more detail. The group began Freshwater Salinization Syndrome. by assessing previously published data The group found that salty, alkaline from rivers in the U.S., Europe, Canada, freshwater can release a variety of Russia, China and Iran, substantially chemicals, including toxic metals and expanding the geographic boundaries harmful nitrogen-containing compounds, of the researchers’ previous work. from streambeds and soils in drainage Their analysis suggests that Freshwater basins. The results further suggest Salinization Syndrome could be a global that many of these chemicals travel phenomenon, with the most conclusive together throughout watersheds, forming support showing a steady trend of “chemical cocktails” that can have more increased salt ions in both U.S. and devastating effects on drinking water European rivers. These trends trace supplies and ecosystems when compared back at least 50 years, with some data with individual contaminants alone. reaching back far enough to support a 100-year trend. The group’s latest work, which includes field observations from the Washington, “Given what we are finding, I continue to D.C. and Baltimore metropolitan areas, be surprised by the scope and magnitude highlights the need for new and more of the recent degradation of Earth’s comprehensive regulation and pollution surface waters,” said study co-author management strategies. The research Gene Likens, president emeritus of the team published its findings December Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies 3, 2018 in the journal Philosophical and a distinguished research professor Transactions of the Royal Society B. at the University of Connecticut. “The formation of novel chemical cocktails “The bottom line of our findings is that is causing deterioration far beyond my when humans add salt to waterways, expectations.” that salt also releases a lot of dangerous collateral chemicals,” said Sujay Kaushal, In the snowy Mid-Atlantic states and New a professor of geology at UMD and England, road salt applied to roadways in lead author of the study. “It’s clear that winter is a primary cause of Freshwater regulatory agencies need to find new Salinization Syndrome. Kaushal and his ways to address these ‘chemical cocktails’ colleagues took a deeper dive into the released by saltier water, rather than chemical consequences of road salt looking at individual freshwater pollutants by performing detailed field studies in one by one.” streams located near Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Salty, alkaline freshwater is already known to create big problems for drinking In one set of observations, the water supplies, urban infrastructure and researchers sampled water from the natural ecosystems. For example, when Paint Branch stream near the UMD Flint, Michigan, switched its primary campus before, during and after a 2017 water source to the Flint River in 2014, snowstorm. This aspect of the study the river’s high salt load combined with allowed the team to trace the effects of chemical treatments to make the water road salt washed into the streams by the more corrosive, causing lead to leach melting snow. from water pipes and creating that city’s well-documented water crisis. “We thought it would be interesting to get a view of the chemistry in an Kaushal and his colleagues’ latest urban river throughout a snowstorm,” research project investigated the impacts said Kelsey Wood (B.S. ‘15, geology), of chemical cocktails created by saltier a geology graduate student at UMD and a co-author of the study. “Salt System Science Interdisciplinary Center. concentrations during the snowstorm “This high salt load not only liberates were surprisingly high—it was like we metals and other contaminants, but were analyzing sea water. But we weren’t there is also evidence that the initial salt expecting such a high corresponding pulse releases other salt ions from the peak in metals.” streambed and soils, such as magnesium and potassium, which further contribute Previous research has shown that very to keeping overall salt levels high.” salty water can force metals—especially copper, cadmium, manganese and In the heavily agricultural Midwest zinc—out of streambed soils and into and areas of the Mid-Atlantic states, stream water. In the Paint Branch stream, agricultural fertilizers are a significant Kaushal and his colleagues noted large cause of Freshwater Salinization spikes in copper, manganese and zinc Syndrome. To investigate further, the immediately following the snowstorm. research team looked at water quality In a similar set of observations in data from 26 different U.S. Geological Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek, the team Survey (USGS) monitoring sites along observed notable spikes in cadmium, rivers in these areas. copper and zinc following other snowstorms. These USGS stations collected data every 15 minutes on salinity, pH and nitrate In another series of experiments, ions—a harmful byproduct of agricultural the researchers artificially added fertilizers and other contaminants. salt to the Gwynns Falls stream near These high-frequency measurements Baltimore to simulate what happens gave the research team valuable real- during a snowstorm and measured time insights, with several of the rivers copper concentrations in the water showing a clear and nearly immediate before, during and after adding salt. connection between increased salinity The downstream data showed an and nitrate concentrations. instant spike in copper released from the streambed, suggesting a direct “To me, this study highlights the need to connection between the stream’s salt view salt as an emerging contaminant content and copper in the water. in freshwater,” said Shahan Haq (B.S. ‘14, physical sciences), a geology Salt ion concentrations can stay high graduate student at UMD and a co- for months following a storm, Kaushal author of the study. “Salt’s ability to added. This lengthens the amount of move heavy metals like copper from time that salt can draw metals from sediments into the water could have the soil, resulting in harmful cocktails dangerous implications for our drinking of metals and salts transported far water and could be toxic to wildlife. Our downstream. observations suggest that some rivers are already at risk, especially here in the “Looking at water quality data over eastern U.S. directly following road salt several months in the winter, salt applications.” remains high and rarely has a chance • to return to baseline before the next storm comes through and more salt is put on the roads,” said Kaushal, who also has an appointment in UMD’s Earth Phys.org

3-D PRINTED TIRES AND SHOES THAT SELF-REPAIR

University of Southern California

Instead of throwing away your broken called thiols. By adding an oxidizer to the This article was boots or cracked toys, why not let them equation, thiols transform into another published on fix themselves? Researchers at the group called disulfides. It is the disulfide February 5, 2019 University of Southern California Viterbi group that is able to reform when School of Engineering have developed broken, leading to the self-healing ability. 3-D-printed rubber materials that can do Finding the right ratio between these just that. two groups was the key to unlocking the materials’ unique properties. Assistant Professor Qiming Wang works in the world of 3-D printed materials, “When we gradually increase the oxidant, creating new functions for a variety the self-healing behavior becomes of purposes, from flexible electronics stronger, but the photopolymerization to sound control. Now, working with behavior becomes weaker,” explained Viterbi students Kunhao Yu, An Xin, Wang. “There is competition between and Haixu Du, and University of these two behaviors. And eventually Connecticut Assistant Professor Ying we found the ratio that can enable both Li, they have made a new material that high self-healing and relatively rapid can be manufactured quickly and is able photopolymerization.” to repair itself if it becomes fractured or punctured. This material could be In just 5 seconds, they can print a game-changing for industries like shoes, 17.5-millimeter square, completing tires, soft robotics, and even electronics, whole objects in around 20 minutes decreasing manufacturing time while that can repair themselves in just a few increasing product durability and hours. In their study, published in NPG longevity. Asia Materials, they demonstrate their material’s ability on a range of products, The material is manufactured using including a shoe pad, a soft robot, a a 3-D printing method that uses multiphase composite, and an electronic photopolymerization. This process uses sensor. light to solidify a liquid resin in a desired shape or geometry. To make it self- After being cut in half, in just two healable, they had to dive a little deeper hours at 60 degrees Celsius (four into the chemistry behind the material. for the electronics due to the carbon used to transmit electricity) they Photopolymerization is achieved through healed completely, retaining their a reaction with a certain chemical group strength and function. The repair time can be decreased just by raising the under room temperature the material temperature. can still self-heal”

“We actually show that under different After conquering 3-D-printable soft temperatures—from 40 degrees Celsius materials, they are now working to to 60 degrees Celsius—the material develop different self-healable can heal to almost 100 percent,” said materials along a range of stiffnesses, Yu, who was first-author of the study from the current soft rubber, to rigid and is studying structural engineering. hard-plastics. These could be used for “By changing the temperature, we can vehicle parts, composite materials, and manipulate the healing speed, even even body armor. •

Digital Trends

ARTIFICIAL ‘SUPERHUMAN’ SKIN COULD HELP BURN VICTIMS, AMPUTEES ‘FEEL’ AGAIN

By Dyllan Furness

Researchers have developed a new kind “The type of artificial skin we developed This article was of sensor designed to let artificial skin can be called an electronic skin or e-skin,” published on sense pressure, vibrations, and even Islam Mosa, a postdoctoral fellow at January 30, 2019. magnetic fields. Developed by engineers, UConn, told Digital Trends. “It is a new chemists, and biologists at the University group of smart wearable electronics that of Connecticut and University of Toronto, are flexible, stretchable, shapable, and the technology could help burn victims possess unique sensing capabilities that and amputees “feel” again through their mimic human skin.” prosthetic skin. To create the sensor for the artificial skin, Mosa and his team wrapped a silicone Moving forward, the researchers will tube with a copper wire and filled the attempt to flatten the tubular prototype tube with an iron oxide nanoparticle so that it can function more effectively fluid. As the nanoparticles move around as a skin layer. They’ll also need to the tube, they create an electrical make sure the e-skin is completely current, which is picked up by the biocompatible. copper wire. When the tube experiences pressure, the current changes. The current prototype costs less than $5 per sensor, according to Mosa, Beyond its ability to sense environmental though the market price is expected changes similar to human skin, the e-skin to be higher after further research and can even feel magnetic field and sound development, testing, and U.S. Food wave vibrations. and Drug Administration approval. The researchers have launched a company to The goal was to develop an artificial commercialize the invention and aim to skin that could sense beyond human bring it to market in the next few years. capabilities, according to Abdelsalam Ahmed, a postdoctoral fellow at the A paper detailing their work was University of Toronto who worked on the published this week in the journal project. Advanced Materials. • “A big motivation to develop this e-skin sensor was to extend the capabilities of this technology to superhuman abilities,” he said. “We proved that e-skin can alarm humans of the surrounding danger before accidents happen.”

The researchers think the invention will find applications in hazard prevention electronics, rescue robotics, and next-generation remote health care monitoring. Inverse

THERE’S A SCIENTIFIC REASON A SNAKE’S “TONGUE FLICK” IS SO CREEPY Ssssss.

By Andrew Durso, The Conversation

Many people think a snake’s forked Tongues That Smell This article was tongue is creepy. Every so often, the published on Snakes use their tongues for collecting snake waves it around rapidly, then February 24, 2019. chemicals from the air or ground. The retracts it. Theories explaining the forked tongue does not have receptors to taste tongues of snakes have been around for or smell. Instead, these receptors are in thousands of years. Aristotle reasoned the vomeronasal, or Jacobson’s Organ, that it provided snakes with “a twofold which is in the roof of the mouth. Once pleasure from savours, their gustatory inside the Jacobson’s Organ, different sensation being as it were doubled”. chemicals evoke different electrical Italian astronomer Giovanni Hodierna signals which are relayed to the brain. thought snake tongues were for cleaning It was once thought that the tongue dirt out of their noses. Some 17th- delivered chemicals directly to the century writers claimed to have watched Jacobson’s Organ, because both the snakes catch flies or other animals organ and the pathways that lead to it between the forks of their tongues, using are paired just like the tips of the tongue. them like forceps. It is a common myth But X-ray movies have revealed that the even today that snakes can sting you tongue does not move inside the closed with their tongues. But none of those mouth; it simply deposits the chemicals hypotheses is likely. it has collected onto pads on the floor of Most animals with tongues use them for the mouth as the mouth is closing. tasting, to clean themselves or others, It is most likely that these pads deliver or to capture or manipulate their prey. the sampled molecules to the entrance A few, including humans, also use them of the Jacobson’s Organ when the floor to make sounds. Snakes do not use their of the mouth is elevated to come into tongues for any of these things. Over contact with the roof following a tongue the past 20 years, Kurt Schwenk, an flick. The case for this is strengthened evolutionary biologist at the University because geckos, skinks, and other lizards of Connecticut, has been working on lack deeply-forked tongues but still understanding the function of snake deliver chemicals to their vomeronasal tongues, and “smelling” is the closest organs. description of what snakes do with their tongues. Smelling in 3D Following this simple rule allowed the snakes to perform trail-following Because it is forked, the tongue of a behavior that was both accurate and snake can collect chemical information directed. If both tongue tips ever from two different places at once, albeit touched the ground outside of the trail, places that are fairly close together by the male would stop and swing his head human standards. When snakes spread back and forth, tongue-flicking, until he the tips of their tongues apart, the relocated the trail. distance can be twice as wide as their head. This is important because it allows Snake ecologist Chuck Smith at Wofford them to detect chemical gradients in the College found evidence that male environment, which gives them a sense Copperheads have longer, more deeply of direction — in other words, snakes forked tongues than females, which use their forked tongues to help them presumably enhances their ability to find smell in three dimensions. Owls use their mates. Although sexual dimorphism — asymmetrical ears in this way to detect where one sex is markedly different from sound in three dimensions. the other — is rare in snakes, differences in tongue size are likely to be present in Snakes and owls use similar neural other species as well. circuitry to compare the signal strength delivered from each side of the body Scent-trailing is probably also quite and determine the direction that a smell helpful to snakes tracking down prey, or a sound is coming from. Humans do including for sit-and-wait predators this with their hearing, too, but not as like vipers, which have evolved smelly effectively. but non-toxic venom components to help them relocate their bitten and This makes it possible for snakes to envenomated prey. follow trails left by their prey or potential mates. In the 1930s, before guidelines When following a scent-trail, snakes on the ethical use of animals in research simply touch their tongue tips down were as strict, German biologist Herman to the ground to pick up the chemical Kahmann experimentally removed the information lying there. But snakes can forked part of snakes’ tongues and found also use a different type of tongue-flick that they could still respond to smells, to sample airborne chemicals. but that they had lost their ability to follow scent trails. These results were Snakes often wave their tongues in the refined and confirmed during the 1970s. air without putting them in contact with anything. The tongue creates air vortices, Sniffing Out Sex such as those formed in the water behind In the 1980s, snake biologist Neil Ford a boat. These vortices drift away from at the University of Texas at Tyler the boat as they form. Bill Ryerson, a watched how male garter snakes used student in the Schwenk lab, found that their tongues when they were following vortices created in the air by snake pheromone trails left behind by females. tongues have a special property — they He found that if both tips of the male do not drift away but rather stay in the snake’s tongue fell within the width of vicinity of the tongue, where they can be the trail, the snake continued slithering sampled repeatedly as the tongue skirts straight ahead. However, when one tip the part of each vortex where the air or the other fell outside the edge of the velocity is the highest. trail, the snake turned his head away Oscillating tongue-flicks are unique to from that tip and back towards the snakes. They allow snakes to sample pheromone trail, and his body followed. 100 times as much air as the simple although the details of how they downward extension of the tongue. The determine direction using such dispersed tongue then transfers these molecules and transient odors are still poorly to the Jacobson’s Organ via the mouth understood. floor. Evidence suggests that male • Copperheads can also find and follow females using oscillating tongue- This article was originally published on flicks to detect airborne pheromones, The Conversation by Andrew Durso.

Space Daily

UCONN RESEARCH PROJECT HEADING TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

By Staff Writers

An experiment devised by researchers to the ISS National Lab during a single This article was at UConn startup LambdaVision will launch. published on be launched into space tomorrow. The December 5, 2018. LambdaVision Inc. was based on research company’s robotic system to manufacture by Robert Birge, professor emeritus in films that could cure blindness will be UConn’s Department of Chemistry. He brought to the International Space first considered using bacteriorhodopsin, Station U.S. National Laboratory by the a light-activated protein, more than SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. 15 years ago to correct age-related blindness. Today, the company is The experiment is one of a diverse group commercializing its technology in the of research investigations intended to hopes of restoring vision for millions benefit life on Earth that the Dragon of patients suffering from retinitis spacecraft will bring to the orbiting pigmentosa and age-related macular research platform. With more than degeneration. 20 payloads, including the one from LambdaVision, the mission represents the LambdaVision’s retinal implant is similar largest number of payloads ever delivered to a contact lens that is surgically placed in the back of the eye to convert “On Earth, issues like sedimentation light into energy. The implant doesn’t of solutions and surface tension need hardware or electrodes to send can interfere with the homogeneity electrical pulses into the eye. Instead, the and stability of the thin films, but in bacteriorhodopsin-coated membrane microgravity these issues are minimized,” replaces native photoreceptor cells in the says Greco. “We are manufacturing them retina to restore vision. now in microgravity as an experiment; however, if successful, we think it could LambdaVision is led by UConn alumni ultimately help us generate more stable and former students in Birge’s research films with better performance, and group, Nicole Wagner ‘07 (CLAS), ‘13 accelerate our time to market.” Ph.D., and Jordan Greco ‘10 (CLAS), ‘15 Ph.D. LambdaVision was selected for this highly competitive opportunity as part “Our preliminary animal studies show of the company’s experience in the that the protein-based implant is capable startup accelerator MassChallenge in of stimulating the retina,” Wagner says. 2016, when the researchers received “When the protein absorbs light, it the CASIS-Boeing Award, along with a sends signals to the remaining neural share of $500,000 in funding. Since it circuitry of the retina, which allows it to was incorporated in 2009, LambdaVision communicate with the brain. We expect has raised nearly $3 million from state, a similar outcome in human patients.” local, and government grants, including Currently, LambdaVision manufactures support from Connecticut Innovations, its prosthetics at its headquarters at CASIS-Boeing, and the National Science UConn’s Technology Incubation Program Foundation. facility in Farmington, Connecticut. Wagner estimates the total value of the Producing the flexible, tiny films is a MassChallenge prize to be approximately time-consuming process - on this planet, $7 million in resources. at least. To ensure that the complicated space On Earth, it takes LambdaVision experiments go smoothly, LambdaVision approximately five days for each of its is partnering with Space Tango, a three robotic stations to produce an Lexington, Kentucky-based company. implant. The process involves a series LambdaVision will miniaturize the of alternating dipping steps, which dipping set up and prepare it for are subject to the effects of gravity. space travel. Space Tango can initiate Once complete, the process results and control the software and run in a membrane approximately 60 um LambdaVision’s experiments from (micrometers) thick. A micrometer is Earth. The experiment will run for one-millionth of a meter. approximately six weeks in space before In the weightless conditions of being transported back to Earth. the International Space Station, Birge, Wagner, and Greco hope this LambdaVision anticipates producing experiment will represent another step a more homogeneous and stable film. closer to a cure for the millions of people If successful, Wagner and Greco suffering from age-related blindness. anticipate that they can generate a similar signal with fewer layers of protein. “We’ve met a lot of people who are This would drastically decrease the time suffering or have family members who for manufacturing, and save on the cost have these diseases, and we work hard of materials. every day to develop a viable treatment option that can improve their quality incredibly supportive in the of life,” says Greco. “We’re continually development of our technology, encouraged by our preliminary results. providing access to top tier scientists, We anticipate being at the steps of the facilities, and resources. clinic by the end of 2020.” “We could have relocated out of state, With their technology set to launch but we chose to keep our company into space, Wagner thinks back on the in Connecticut in Farmington, which technology’s roots in Storrs and the local gave us access to other innovation support that has helped LambdaVision hubs in New York and Massachusetts,” succeed. she continues. “Connecticut also has talented employees and resources like “This all started in Dr. Birge’s laboratory Connecticut Innovations to help us on North Eagleville Road in Storrs,” get the technology off the ground - no she says. “Since then, UConn has been pun intended.” •

Science Daily

WORLD’S FIRST GENE THERAPY FOR GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASE PRODUCES REMARKABLE RESULTS Consuming cornstarch every few hours has been the only available option for survival

By University of Connecticut

At the Association for Glycogen Storage presented his groundbreaking, one-year This article was Disease’s 41st Annual Conference, Dr. clinical trial results for the novel gene published on David Weinstein of UConn School of therapy treatment for glycogen storage September 20, 2019. Medicine and Connecticut Children’s disease (GSD). The rare and deadly genetic liver The clinical trial, conducted in disorder, GSD type Ia, affects children conjunction with the biopharmaceutical from infancy through adulthood, company Ultragenyx, originally set out causing dangerously low blood sugar to simply test the safety and dosage of levels and constant dependence on the gene therapy for three patients with glucose consumption in the form of GSD Type Ia. cornstarch every few hours for survival. If a cornstarch dose is missed, the The gene therapy works by delivering disease can lead to seizures and even a new copy of a gene to the liver via a death. naturally occurring virus. Administered through the patient’s bloodstream, Weinstein, whose team first the new copy replaces deficient sugar administered the investigational gene enzymes caused by the disease and therapy at UConn John Dempsey jump starts the body’s glucose control. Hospital in Farmington, Connecticut, on July 24, 2018, calls the results Both Weinstein and Watts were “remarkable.” surprised by Watts’ response to the gene therapy. One year after patient Jerrod Watts first received the GSD vaccine during “We were just making sure it was safe a 30-minute infusion, he is completely for humans to take, that was our initial off of cornstarch. In addition to totally goal. The results are way beyond my stopping daily cornstarch consumption, imagination,” says Weinstein. “The Watts has experienced normal patients who are finishing the first year regulation of his blood glucose levels, got what we all thought was a test dose weight loss, increased muscle strength, -- one-third strength -- yet the response and marked improvement in his energy. has been dramatic. They can now go through the night without any treatment “The clinical trial is going better than and they wake up clinically well.” expected. The therapy is transforming patient lives,” says Weinstein. “We Prior to the treatment, Watts was have seen all of the patients wean their consuming more than 400 grams of therapy with some already discontinuing cornstarch per day. The GSD Program’s treatment. Missed cornstarch doses no multidisciplinary team at Connecticut longer are resulting in hypoglycemia, Children’s provides comprehensive which previously could have been life clinical care to patients, while the threatening.” program’s research laboratories and clinical trial are located at UConn Weinstein, the clinical trial’s School of Medicine at UConn Health. lead investigator, is pediatric endocrinologist-scientist who cares for “The main thing I want to do is inspire more than 700 GSD patients from 51 hope. One of the biggest reliefs from countries as director of the Glycogen this gene therapy is I can now sleep Storage Disease Program at Connecticut through the night without worrying Children’s and UConn Health -- the about dying in the middle of the night. largest center in the world for the care I wake up 6 to 7 hours later with normal and treatment of this condition. blood sugar.” “I’m living, breathing proof that there is the labs are getting better, we just hope a light at the end of the tunnel with GSD. it will be even faster and more dramatic I’m a completely different person now with the higher dose.” that I was a year ago. I feel like I can live a normal life and I can do anything I want “This gene therapy treatment is to do now,” says Watts. something we’ve worked on for 21 years. This means so much to the glycogen His message to other patients: “Please storage disease community,” says don’t give up hope.” Weinstein. “To see patients off cornstarch and doing so well really is a culmination In addition to Watts, two other clinical of an incredible journey ... We feel like trial cohort patients are seeing promising we’re living history.” • results on the lower cornstarch daily regimens. All three will participate in the next phase -- a 4-year follow-up clinical trial study. In addition, three patients are enrolled in clinical trial testing a higher gene therapy dose.

“What’s exciting is if it works this well with the low dose, what does the future hold?,” says Weinstein.” If the patients are already coming off cornstarch and Health Medicine Network

CONSUMERS: ONLINE RESTAURANT REVIEWS ARE NOT ALL EQUAL

In a study of 275,000 restaurant reviews, 10 to 40% less likes than the reviews This article was researchers from the University of generated on laptop or desktop published on Connecticut, Boston College, and Peking computers. December 3, 2018 University found differences in reader perception based on the platform where An analysis of how word-of-mouth value the review was generated. changed after the introduction of the mobile application shows that, although With the increasing prevalence of mobile mobile word of mouth initially had equal devices and apps such as TripAdvisor, or greater consumption value, over Yelp, and Google, consumers have ready time it became significantly lower than access to real-time reviewing platforms. computer generated word-of-mouth.

“While consumers initially value One reason may be that the real-time real-time mobile content similarly to nature of mobile device reviews does not nonmobile content, over time they allow reviewers enough time to reflect. seem to observe distinct differences in The real-time creation process associated platform-specific content and, as the with mobile platforms affected the mobile platform matures, they come to consumption through associations with view mobile reviews as less helpful,” said the mobile label and information quality. Nicholas Lurie.

The results indicate that writing reviews Lurie, Voya Financial Professor in the on mobile platforms may not be useful UConn School of Business, co-authored to an end-user, they may be valuable the study with former associate to the writer. “Writing reviews may be professor of marketing Hongju Liu, therapeutic and help consumers make now of Peking University; and Sam Ransbotham of Boston College. sense of their experiences — raising the value for review writers if not for those The authors analyzed the writings of who read reviews,” the authors note. 117,827 reviewers who described their experiences at 13,976 restaurants, “Encouraging word-of-mouth through along with a dual-platform sample of mobile reviews has pros and cons,” 21,026 reviews that were written by 673 said Ransbotham. “Because mobile reviewers who wrote at least four mobile, reviews may not benefit from reflection, and four non-mobile reviews. mobile platforms may actually be encouraging feedback from less- Mobile reviews were associated with engaged customers.” • Sci-News

NEANDERTHALS KNEW HOW TO START FIRE, NEW RESEARCH SHOWS Middle Paleolithic hominins such as Neanderthals not only controlled fire, but also mastered the ability to generate it.

“Fire was presumed to be the domain possibility that unsettled weather, This article was of Homo sapiens but now we know that which gives rise to lightning, had published on other ancient humans like Neanderthals ignited the fires. October 28, 2019. could create it. So perhaps we are not To do so, the scientists analyzed so special after all,” said Dr. Daniel hydrogen and carbon isotope Adler, a researcher in the Department composition of the waxy cuticles of Anthropology at the University of of ancient plant tissues preserved in Connecticut. sediments. The distribution of these Dr. Adler and his colleagues from leaf waxes indicate what kind of Armenia, the U.S., the U.K., and Spain, climate the plants grew in. looked at sediment samples from “We could not find any evidence of a Lusakert Cave in the Armenian Highlands link between overall paleoclimatic to determine the abundance of polycyclic conditions and the geochemical record aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which of fire,” saidDr. Michael Hren, also from are released when organic material is . burned. the University of Connecticut “In order to routinely access naturally One type of PAH called light PAHs, disperse widely and are indicative of caused fires, there would need to have wildfires while others, called heavy PAHs, been conditions that would produce disperse narrowly and remain much lighting strikes at a relative frequency closer to the source of fire. that could have ignited wildfires.” “Looking at the markers for fires that By pairing the climate data with the are locally made, we start to see other evidence found in the archaeological human activity correlating with more record, the researchers then determined evidence of locally-made fire,” saidlead the cave’s inhabitants were not living author Alex Brittingham, a doctoral in drier, wildfire-prone conditions while student at the University of Connecticut. they were utilizing fires within the cave. Evidence of increased human “In fact, there were fewer wildfires for occupation at the Lusakert Cave site, these ancient humans to harvest at the such as concentrations of animal bones time when fire frequency and heavy from meals and evidence of tool PAH frequency was high in the cave,” making, correlated with increased fire Brittingham said. frequency and the increased frequency “It seems they were able to control fire of heavy PAHs. outside of the natural availability of The team also needed to rule out the wildfires.”• Extreme Tech

ASTRONOMERS ASSEMBLE THE MOST DETAILED PICTURE OF THE UNIVERSE EVER

By Joel Hruska

“Space is big. Really big. You just on an area of space in the constellation This article was won’t believe how vastly, hugely, Fornax). New cameras added to the published on mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you Hubble after 1995 were also used in May 8, 2019. may think it’s a long way down the some of these surveys. road to the chemist, but that’s just peanuts to space.” — Douglas Adams, Astronomers have created this latest The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy image, dubbed the Hubble Legacy Field, by combining data used in previous sky surveys. Here’s HubbleSite.org: Hubble astronomers have assembled the largest, most complete image of Now, astronomers are releasing a the universe ever recorded, by stitching new deep-field image by weaving together data gathered by multiple together exposures from several telescopes over years of observations. of these previous galaxy “fishing expeditions.” Their efforts have Back in 1995, astronomers created produced the largest, most the first attempt at imaging the deep comprehensive “history book” universe by having Hubble “stare” at of galaxies in the universe. The an empty patch of sky for one million snapshot, a combination of nearly seconds. The resulting image, the Hubble 7,500 separate Hubble exposures, Deep Field, became one of the most represents 16 years’ worth of popular space photographs ever taken. observations. The ambitious endeavor It’s the feature image for this article. is called the Hubble Legacy Field. The But the HDF was an extremely small new view contains about 30 times as photo. It focused on approximately one many galaxies as in the HUDF. The 24-millionth of the sky. Later surveys, wavelength range stretches from including the Great Observatories Origins ultraviolet to near-infrared light, Deep Survey, Hubble Ultra-Deep Field, capturing all the features of galaxy and eXtreme Deep Field, built on this assembly over time. initial imaging with additional telescopes, or examined a different area of the sky in The image mosaic presents a wide greater detail (the original HDF imagined portrait of the distant universe and an area of space within Ursa Major, contains roughly 265,000 galaxies. They while the UDF and XDF both focused stretch back through 13.3 billion years of time to just 500 million years after the yielded unanticipated discoveries which universe’s birth in the big bang. have had the greatest impact on our understanding of galaxy evolution.” And here, without further ado, is Previously, the single images that make the aforementioned Hubble Legacy up the Hubble Legacy Field had not been Field: containing a history of galactic assembled in a consistent way that made formation, from the infancy of the them easy for researchers to use. earliest galaxies, composed entirely of metal-poor stars, to more recent This is expected to be the largest, galaxies and star systems (larger highest-resolution available image of galaxies are generally closer to us, and distant galaxies until next-generation therefore “nearer” both in physical telescopes like the James Webb are distance and time). online and available. The same team that built this image is now working to “Such exquisite high-resolution construct other mosaics like it, with the measurements of the numerous galaxies hope of widening their work to include in this catalog enable a wide swath of data captured in non-visible spectrums extragalactic study,” said catalog lead like long-wavelength infrared and high- researcher Katherine Whitaker of the energy X-ray observations. University of Connecticut, in Storrs. • “Often, these kinds of surveys have

Phys.org

HEMP TESTING LAB LAUNCHED IN RESPONSE TO INDUSTRY NEED

By University of Connecticut

In response to a rapidly expanding commercial hemp industry driven by interest in This article was products with CBD oil, the University of Connecticut recently opened a laboratory published on where the plant can be tested for a variety of compounds. October 21, 2019.

As part of the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering’s Hemp Initiative, the UConn facility will support the efforts of growers, manufacturers, and researchers, and educate students interested in to 0.3%, the plant is simply considered entering the field. hemp. Above that level, the plant is considered marijuana, which is still A non-intoxicating marijuana extract, recognized as a drug by the United cannabidiol—commonly known as CBD— States Drug Enforcement Administration. has made its way into products treating everything from anxiety to seizures to The labs in the Center for Environmental pain. This fall marks the culmination of Sciences and Engineering have been a the state’s first growing season since resource for accurate and non-biased federal legislation to legally grow and environmental testing for years, says harvest the hemp crop, which produces Willig, so it seemed natural that the lab the oil. could also accommodate the needs of the state’s growing hemp industry. After last year’s passage of the Farm Bill, many Connecticut growers invested in While there are privately owned labs new economic opportunities with hemp performing the same testing in the state, agriculture. the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering is the only university Hemp, a fiber of the cannabis plant, lab currently seeking accreditation is considered marijuana if the level for the analysis of hemp and hemp- of a principal active chemical is derived products in the United States. above a specific percentage. But The accrediting body, the International tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels can Standards Organization (ISO), has vary among individual plants, and even stringent testing, record keeping, and within the same plant, depending on traceability standards. the genetics and conditions in which the plant is grown. Since it opened in mid-September, the facility has already begun testing Therefore to comply with federal samples from over 25 growers state- regulations, licensed growers are wide, roughly one-third of the licensed required to have the THC level tested farms in the state. on the crop pre-harvest. The process requires growers to take samples from a “We have received samples largely due number of plants within a crop and have to word of mouth as well as by referrals them tested. from UConn Extension educators,” says Christopher Perkins ‘89 (CAHNR) ‘95 “As a producer, you want to ensure MS, Center for Environmental Sciences that you are not only legal but also and Engineering laboratory director. that your product is safe and has the level of CBD compounds you hope will The rapid growth of the lab’s client be promoting the health of those who base indicates the demand for testing are using the products,” says Michael facilities, and the university’s dedication Willig, executive director of the Institute to supporting economic growth in the of the Environment and Center for state. There is only one other state Environmental Sciences and Engineering. testing facility in Connecticut, located at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment “Consumers want to know that what is Station, which tests for THC. on the label is what they are taking, and that this information is consistent,” he In the near future, the UConn lab will adds. be able to also provide analyses of samples post-processing, which requires When THC levels are below or equal quantification of a more comprehensive Christopher Perkins ‘89 (CAHNR) ‘95 MS, puts trays of hemp into a drying machine at UConn’s Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering lab. Sean Flynn/UConn

suite of chemicals including pesticides, quality control and quality assurance terpenes, metals, and microbes. That testing this lab performs and teaches are capability is expected to be in place by not skills typically taught at a university,” mid-November, says Perkins. says Willig.

Beyond supporting the needs of the local “This facility hopes to expand to agricultural industry, the new testing include a dedicated teaching facility facility is providing valuable training to that will educate the next generation of UConn students, to prepare graduates professionals for managing and running for roles in this rapidly growing field. In labs like this in the public or private addition to medical products, the hemp sector.” plant also produces fiber for fabrics and • building materials.

“We have amazing students who are highly qualified but not necessarily in all aspects of the hemp business. The Tech Republic

UNIVERSITY CENTER TO RESEARCH WAYS TO PROTECT ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS FROM SABOTAGE by Lance Whitney

Led by the University of Cincinnati, the of Connecticut, Northeastern University, This article was new center will work with government the University of Texas at Dallas, and the published on and industry to conduct research on how University of California, Davis. October 22, 2019. to defend electronics and embedded systems from sabotage, hacking, and To conduct the research, the center with spying. work with the NSF, the U.S. Department of Defense, and such companies as We face a variety of technological Verizon, Edaptive Computing, Booz threats and hazards as individuals, Allen Hamilton, and engineering firm as members of organizations, and as Wyle. So far, the center has attracted the citizens of a country. But one particularly interest of 70 different organizations, alarming threat is the ability of hackers 26 of which have already signed up and to infiltrate and sabotage the underlying will contribute annual fees as high as hardware embedded into the electronic $50,000 to lend their expertise toward systems that we use as a society. the project. Projects have been launched worldwide to study how to best thwart attempts to One item on the agenda is finding undermine such technology. Now, the a way to ensure the authenticity of University of Cincinnati is teaming up computer chips. The use of counterfeit with various partners to investigate new chips in embedded systems is a ways to defend embedded systems from danger as it could lead to failures in outside attack. aviation, communications, and weapons equipment. As described in a news item from the University of Cincinnati, the goal of the “The issue most important to industry new research center sponsored by the is information technology protection,” National Science Foundation (NSF) is UC engineering professor John ‘Marty’ to help companies, consumers, and the Emmert said in the news report. “Part of military protect their electronic devices our mission will be to develop techniques from hacking or tampering. The NSF will to avoid circuit counterfeiting.” fund the center with a starting grant of $4.5 million, which will go toward UC The effort will be a difficult one as and the other participating universities: flaws can be intentionally introduced The University of Virginia, the University into hardware systems at any stage in their development. The hope is that the represents one of the center’s academic combined brain trust of all the project partners, said in the news report. participants can create and construct the “Vulnerabilities to cyberattacks can be right solutions. introduced during design, manufacturing, or any stage of the product life cycle. By “There are enormous challenges working with industry and government associated with the design, protection, partners to understand what the real and resilience of electronic hardware and issues are and to ask the right questions, embedded systems,” James Lambert, we are helping to address security, a University of Virginia professor who assurance, and trust across all stages.”•

Medical News Today

TYPE 2 DIABETES: WEIGHT REGAIN REDUCES CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS Recent studies have shown that people with type 2 diabetes who lose weight lower their risk of cardiovascular problems. But what happens if, after a time, they regain the weight they had lost?

By University of Connecticut

Overweight and obesity are two of the The aim of this intervention is to help This article was top risk factors for developing type 2 reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, published on diabetes, a metabolic condition in and other cardiovascular problems that October 21, 2019. which the body is unable to process have an association with diabetes. blood sugar effectively. Studies have confirmed that the more Once someone does develop diabetes, weight a person with diabetes loses, doctors will often suggest making the more their cardiovascular risk dietary adjustments, not just to help diminishes. What happens, though, keep blood sugar levels in check but if a person regains some or all of that also for weight loss. weight at some point? That is the question that researchers In contrast, individuals with type 2 from Tufts University in Boston, MA, and diabetes who had shed at least 10% of the University of Connecticut in Storrs their initial body weight as part of the aimed to answer in a recent study. trial and managed to keep at least 75% of that weight off over the 4 year follow- The study results — which appear in up period maintained the cardiovascular the Journal of the American Heart benefits or even experienced an increase Association — suggest that maintaining in risk reduction. weight loss is just as important as losing weight in the first place when it comes to The risk factors that improved in people keeping heart disease and health events, who lost weight and then maintained such as stroke, at bay. this weight loss included high density lipoprotein cholesterol (also known Weight loss maintenance as “good” cholesterol), triglycerides, is crucial glucose (sugar), blood pressure, waist circumference, and overall diabetes The research team analyzed the data symptom control. of 1,561 individuals with type 2 diabetes who took part in the Look AHEAD “Our findings suggest that in addition (Action for Health in Diabetes)Trusted to focusing on weight loss, an increased Source trial. The program helped emphasis should be placed on the participants lose weight by forming more importance of maintaining the weight healthful eating habits and increasing loss over the long term,” says senior their levels of physical activity. author Prof. Alice Lichtenstein.

The participants also received standard “The bottom line is that care for type 2 diabetes, which included maintaining the majority of the information on managing this condition weight loss is essential to reducing and targeted support. cardiovascular risk.” — Senior author Prof. Alice Lichtenstein The current trial looked at the data from participants who had an initial weight Going forward, the researchers note loss of at least 3% body weight as part of that it is important to keep assessing the 1 year intensive lifestyle intervention. the long term effects of regaining They also looked at the follow-up data weight following a weight loss program that Look AHEAD collected 4 years after to understand how it affects health the lifestyle intervention. risk in the context of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. They also state that it is As part of the 3 year maintenance important to focus on helping people phase following the 1 year intervention, maintain the initial weight loss to the participants attended monthly improve health outcomes. group meetings. They also continued to • receive dietary recommendations and to participate in their physical activity program.

The researchers found that the people who had regained all or some of the weight that they had initially lost experienced a “deterioration” of the cardiovascular risk reduction that weight loss had provided. Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity

HOW CHILDREN GET HOOKED ON SUGARY DRINKS Misleading marketing and labeling may confuse parents about the health value of many juices, a new report finds.

By Andrew Jacobs

Slave to your sweet tooth? Researchers ingredients are often sold side by side in This article was say the predilection for sweetened drinks supermarket aisles. published on — a major driver of the nation’s obesity Oct. 23, 2019. Some of the confusion is intentional. crisis — begins in childhood. That’s Labels on drinks that contain no fruit one reason health experts recommend juice are frequently splashed with images children under 2 never be given fruit of apples, oranges and grapes, and many juice. When it comes to children 2 to 18, tout prodigious amounts of vitamin C. the American Academy of Pediatrics Others shout “no added sugar” on the recommends a daily limit of 25 grams of front but bury any mention of artificial sugar, or six teaspoons. sweeteners in fine print on the back. Nice try. “I think parents are terribly confused,” Last year, nearly two-thirds of the $2.2 said Jennifer L. Harris, the lead author billion in beverages marketed to children of the report. “I’ve talked to parents with contained added sweeteners, according Ph.D.’s in public health who say they’ve to a report released last week by the been tricked into buying unhealthy drinks for their kids.” Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of Connecticut. Sugary drinks are responsible for almost half the added sugar consumed At a time of mounting childhood by American children, but many obesity, food and beverage giants like pediatricians remain wary of artificial Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz and Harvest sweeteners because they help cultivate Hill spent nearly $21 million last year a child’s sugar cravings, and they are advertising sugary drinks to children. most often added to products with little Although beverage companies have been nutritional value. developing healthier options like blends of juice and water, the report found that “If your children gets used to sweetness, the packaging and marketing of these it’s going to be almost impossible to products often leaves parents confused. get them to drink milk or plain water,” Dr. Harris said. Another problem, the center found, is that drinks made with 100 percent fruit The Rudd Center analyzed 23 of the juice and those devoid of wholesome best-selling children’s drinks and ranked those with the highest sugar children’s drinks. On the plus side, Fruit content and those most heavily Juicy Red contains 5 percent fruit juice advertised to children. The center and no caffeine and it’s gluten free. also flagged products most likely to Hawaiian Punch’s popularity helped its subtly misrepresent their front-of-label owner, Keurig Dr Pepper, rack up $7.4 ingredients. billion in sales last year, an 11 percent increase over the year before. Here are a few that stood out. Minute Maid Lemonade: Apple & Eve Cranberry Juice 21 grams of sugar Cocktail: 28 grams of sugar With its gargantuan lemons and claims Just a single serving exceeds the of 100 percent fruit juice, a box of Minute recommended daily limit of sugar for Maid Lemonade can give consumers children by three grams, but it gets the impression that it is a healthy drink worse: the 16-ounce bottles technically option. It contains 11 percent fruit juice, contain two servings, which means an and the second ingredient, after water, especially thirsty child could gulp down is high-fructose corn syrup, followed by 56 grams of sugar in one go. sugar. Because supermarket refrigerators Adding to the impression of whole- often display the lemonade side by side someness are the profusion of bright red with 100 percent juice products, some cranberries on the front label, the words consumers consider it as salubrious as “No High Fructose Corn Syrup!” and the orange juice. Also confusing: an official tagline “100 percent Vitamin C.” serving of Minute Maid Lemonade is just 6 ounces, less than a cup. Kool-Aid Tropical Punch Drink: 38 grams of sugar Capri Sun Roarin’ Waters: 8 grams of sugar What it lacks in real fruit juice (it has none), this iconic childhood thirst- Flavored waters are one of the fastest quencher makes up in sugar. growing categories in the drinks industry, fueled in part by the perception that they A lot. are healthy. But many of these products are sweetened with hard-to-pronounce A multi-serving bottle contains 38 grams additives like acesulfame potassium. of sugar per 12-ounce serving. This Kool- Aid flavor and others also dominate the You wouldn’t glean that from the list of products that use “child features” packaging of Capri Sun Roarin’ Waters, — marketing devices like cartoons, wacky which touts “50 percent less sugar” names and words like “cool,” “fun” and and “all natural ingredients” but makes “extreme” to appeal to children. Kool- no mention of the Stevia that makes Aid Sour Jammers topped the list, with the drink so sweet. These products also an average of five such features per have another distinction: they are far package. more likely to be advertised to black children than to white children. The Rudd Hawaiian Punch: 30 grams of Center found that the average black sugar child 6 to 11 was likely to view Capri Sun television ads 21 times over the course Those who experienced their first sugar of 2018, compared to 11 times for white high on this birthday party staple won’t children. be surprised that Hawaiian Punch comes • in third among the most sugar-laden WHEN YOU’RE TOLD YOU’RE TOO FAT TO GET PREGNANT Does it make sense, medically or ethically, when fertility clinics refuse to treat prospective mothers they consider too large?

By Virginia Sole-Smith

The first time a doctor told Gina Balzano Balzano expected to hear about her This article was that she was too fat to have a baby was size. She didn’t have any of the health published on in 2013. She was 32, weighed 317 pounds conditions often associated with a high June 23, 2019. and had been trying to get pregnant body weight; her blood pressure and since soon after she and her husband, cholesterol levels were normal, and she Nick, married in 2010. Balzano — whom didn’t have diabetes or other chronic I have known since high school — lives ailments. Nevertheless, it was the rare in Waltham, Mass., and works in special doctor who didn’t raise the subject. education. She’s the kind of person “When you’re fat, you get used to people whom others often go to with their assuming weight loss will fix everything problems, but her own predicament, wrong in your life,” Balzano says. after three years of negative pregnancy Conception requires four events to tests, had left her feeling overwhelmed. unfold perfectly: An ovary must release “I’ve always had horrible, heavy, painful an egg; a sperm must reach and fertilize periods, so I thought something was that egg; the fertilized egg must then wrong,” she says. “But I didn’t know travel through a woman’s fallopian tube enough to know what to worry about.” and into her uterus; and finally, it must She told herself it was time to find out. remain in the uterus, anchored in place, The couple braced themselves to hear as it grows into a healthy fetus. Infertility some painful truths about fertility results when something goes amiss treatments. On average, a single cycle during any of these steps. Reproductive of in vitro fertilization costs between endocrinologists — ob-gyns who have $10,000 and $15,000 — and that doesn’t undergone training in the diagnosis and include medications, follow-up visits treatment of infertility — can facilitate or the expenses of prenatal care and the process by stimulating ovulation childbirth. Just 10 states have a law with drugs. If that doesn’t work, they requiring insurance companies to pay can artificially inseminate patients or for I.V.F., and that coverage varies. The they can remove both sperm and egg, couple also knew that the experience produce an embryo in a lab (the “in of undergoing fertility treatments vitro” part of I.V.F.) and implant it back would be emotionally draining. And into a woman’s uterus. During their first appointment at a large of twins in Ham Lake, Minn., got a call Boston fertility clinic, Balzano says, from a nurse the day before her initial the reproductive endocrinologist was appointment with a fertility doctor in cold and unsmiling as she reviewed 2011. “She said, ‘The doctor only sees the couple’s medical history. Her first patients with a B.M.I. under 30, so you’ll question was whether Balzano was need to lose 22 pounds,’ ” Ritchie recalls. ovulating. Irregular ovulation — when (The doctor told me that his cutoff a woman’s ovaries fail to release eggs for seeing patients is actually a B.M.I. during the appropriate phase of the of 35, though he won’t do I.V.F. unless menstrual cycle — is one of the most they’re under 30. Ritchie subsequently common causes of infertility. Balzano conceived her twins after going to a wasn’t sure; it was difficult to track her different clinic.) B.M.I. doesn’t factor in erratic cycles at home. The specialist gender, age or muscle mass, all of which asked no follow-up questions. “It’s your influence body composition and health. weight,” she said. But the World Health Organization adopted the B.M.I. scale as an official The doctor, Balzano was convinced, had classification in 1995, and it has since reduced her to a single characteristic. “I become medicine’s standard metric was like, ‘Wait, wait, wait, there might for categorizing patients by weight. be something else wrong,’ ” she recalls. A B.M.I. of 30 or above is classified as “My mom isn’t morbidly obese, but she “obese,” the word still used by doctors, only had one pregnancy, and she was researchers and the media, although never on birth control. Couldn’t there be surveys of larger patients show that something else going on here?” Nick was most consider it derogatory; many now furious. “I know plenty of larger women reclaim the once-offensive “fat.” who have been pregnant without any problems,” he says. “This didn’t make The belief that a high body weight any sense.” But they both say the doctor, causes infertility, and its corollary who declined my interview request on — that weight loss is necessary to the basis of patient confidentiality, was resolve infertility — underpin almost adamant. “I would never give you I.V.F.,” every interaction a heavy woman will they recall her saying. “You’re too fat. have with the reproductive health Have more sex and lose the weight.” care industry. Yet the specialty’s two governing organizations, the American Although Balzano didn’t know it Society for Reproductive Medicine and when she made the appointment, the the Society for Assisted Reproductive clinic that would have performed the Technology, have not established any procedure had a policy against providing guidelines on whether treatment should I.V.F. to patients with a body mass be declined on the basis of weight. And index above 45; Gina’s was 51.2. In that as the percentage of American women decision, it followed much of the fertility categorized as obese has grown to 41.1 industry, including half of the 20 largest percent in 2016 from 25.4 in 1994, some clinics in the United States, according doctors are pushing back against the to FertilityIQ, an online clearinghouse notion that weight loss should ever be, in of information on fertility providers effect, a prerequisite for motherhood. “I nationwide. At some clinics, the cutoff think we’ve been overexaggerating the for treatment is a B.M.I. of 50, often benefits of preconception weight loss,” classified as “extreme” or “severe” says Dr. Richard S. Legro, a professor obesity (roughly 300 pounds for a of public health services and chair of 5-foot-5 woman). At others, it’s much obstetrics and gynecology at Penn State lower. Chelsea Ritchie, now the mother University. In fact, a fixation on weight may be leading health care astray. “Many carrying a child? providers see a larger woman and say things like, ‘Don’t eat cheeseburgers,’ In 1952, a pair of Boston physicians even though she’s a vegetarian,” says published a study in The New England Sharon Bernecki DeJoy, associate Journal of Medicine titled “The Relation professor of health at West Chester of Obesity to Menstrual Disturbances.” University who studies maternity care The authors surveyed 100 women in the United States. “There’s a lack of between the ages of 16 and 40 recognition of evidence that shows you who had been given diagnoses of can be healthy and still have a, quote- menstrual disorders and compared their unquote, unhealthy B.M.I.” And a lack of weights with a control group with no recognition that when a heavy person reproductive health issues. Forty-three does get sick, it might not be because of percent of the patients with menstrual weight. disorders weighed 20 percent or more than their “ideal weight,” compared with When I knew Balzano back in high just 13 percent of the control subjects. school, she was a quirky, glitter-covered Their findings, the authors concluded, theater kid who wrote plays about gave “factual proof to the clinical fairy tales. We lost touch for years after impression of the association of obesity graduation, until our early 30s, when we and menstrual disturbances.” began to run into each other once a year at the New York State Sheep and Wool Ever since, the idea that a high body Festival. The first few times I saw her, she mass contributes to infertility has was heavy, just as she had been when been an accepted premise. “There’s we were kids. Then suddenly, in 2016, no question — it’s been validated in a she was much less so. A few weeks later number of studies,” says Alan Penzias, a I learned why. “I cut off 70 percent of my former surgical director for Boston I.V.F., stomach so I could have the chance to a national chain of fertility clinics, and be treated for infertility,” she wrote in an an associate professor of reproductive email. biology at Harvard Medical School. In 2007, researchers combed through data At the festival, Balzano stocked up on collected on 7,327 pregnancies from yarn to make tiny sweaters and hats for 1959 to 1965 and found that it took friends’ babies. During our interviews, heavier women a median of one to two we often veered off course while she months longer to conceive, compared sorted through my struggles with potty with women with B.M.I.s in the “normal training or tantrum management. Even weight” range. A 2015 study of 1,602 though I was already a mother and she Italian women undergoing I.V.F. found wasn’t, Balzano had more experience in that the bigger women were just as navigating such milestones through her likely to get pregnant, but were more work as a special-ed teacher. In so many likely to miscarry. All in all, the research ways, Balzano had been maternal as shows a correlating decline in successful long as I’ve known her. But motherhood pregnancy rates as B.M.I. rises. is both an emotional state and an Penzias’s clinic employs a tiered cutoff embodied one, and a doctor had said Balzano’s body wasn’t right for the job. system and begins counseling patients In this respect, B.M.I. cutoffs become about the importance of weight loss more than tools to promote patient when their B.M.I. is 30, though it will still health. They also become a way in which treat women whose B.M.I.s are higher, doctors might be settling the question: up to 45. Doctors say prescribing diet Which women’s bodies are worthy of and exercise seems to be a logical place to start before moving up the treatment Every Size,” trying to assess the odds is ladder to expensive drugs, blood beside the point, because doctors’ jobs work, imaging tests and, if a patient’s are to treat the patient in front of them. case warrants I.V.F., at least one minor “Even if it is causative (and it may be), operation. And whatever stalls ovulation, people still deserve the right to good losing weight often appears to restart health care,” she emailed me to say. it. This was documented by a 1995 “Health care needs to take care of our study published in the journal Human lived bodies, regardless of size.” Reproduction, in which 13 overweight women who were not ovulating were Balzano believes she would have been assigned to a weight-loss program. Six annoyed, but far less devastated, if months later, they had lost an average the doctor she saw had explained that of 13.8 pounds, and all but one of them their clinic wasn’t set up to handle had resumed ovulating. Eleven became her case. “That would have felt kinder pregnant. and more ethical, but the implication was, ‘It’s irresponsible of you to want To critics of B.M.I. exclusions, the to have a baby at this size,’ ” she says. potential benefits of weight loss are Jen McLellan, an activist and childbirth outstripped by how difficult it is for educator who writes a blog called Plus patients to sustain. Studies on dieting Size Birth, gets similar stories from her show that people lose, at best, 5 to 172,000 Facebook followers: “I have 10 percent of their body weight, and heard from women of size who have most will regain that within five years. been told to abort their babies.” “If a patient starts with a B.M.I. of 50 and now she’s at 45, does that make This is where the conversation about risk much difference?” Legro asks. In the and responsibility turns. It’s no longer meanwhile, he points out, the patient has about what a woman is willing to inflict lost crucial time. In 2017, when Swedish on herself — it’s about whether she researchers put 160 high-weight women might jeopardize her not-yet-conceived on a liquid diet for 12 weeks before offspring. “We police women over their starting I.V.F., resulting in a median loss fitness to become a mother,” DeJoy says. of 20 pounds, they were no more likely “ ‘Are you drinking, are you smoking, do to conceive than a control group. you have enough money and a partner?’ And if you’re a larger woman, it’s: ‘You Some aspects of fertility treatment can don’t know how to eat and exercise. be more complicated for larger patients. You’ll raise that kid to be fat.’ ” Retrieving eggs for I.V.F. requires that a patient be sedated while a doctor uses So just how dangerous is it for a larger an ultrasound probe to identify and woman to have a baby? “The majority of extract eggs. “With an obese patient, the obstetricians we work with have said, I sometimes have to go in through her ‘We support you standing up to this,’ ” abdomen instead of her vagina, and I says Dr. Bill Meyer, a founder of Carolina might not be able to retrieve as many Conceptions, a fertility clinic in Raleigh, eggs,” says Rachel Ashby, a reproductive N.C. His clinic does not perform I.V.F. on patients with B.M.I.s above 37.5, and it endocrinologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. This lowers the does not prescribe fertility-stimulating patient’s odds of success. medications to patients above 40. He points to how rates of prenatal But to Linda Bacon, an associate conditions like gestational diabetes and nutritionist at the University of California, pre-eclampsia, as well as miscarriages Davis, and author of the book “Health at and stillbirths, all increase as a patient’s B.M.I. climbs. Larger patients are at medicine specialist who cares for greater risk for airway obstruction and patients during high-risk pregnancies at more likely to require intubation. “This Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in has nothing to do with the fertility Boston. “Obesity can require special care, side,” Penzias says. “If they developed but a majority of women with B.M.I. over a complication under anesthesia, we’d 30 don’t have a complicated pregnancy have to transport them to a hospital.” In and do have healthy babies.” Even when total, large women undergoing in vitro the risk for complications increases, the fertilization are 10 percent less likely frequency of such events remains low. to carry a pregnancy to full-term than When Stanford University researchers women with lower B.M.I.s, according to a analyzed more than 1.1 million birth 2012 analysis of 27 studies. records in California, they found the overall prevalence of stillbirths to be five “You can try to explain as much as per 1,000 deliveries. Among women with possible to patients,” Meyer says. “But a B.M.I. above 30, the rate ranged from sometimes you say, ‘This is the best I can seven to 10 stillbirths per 1,000 deliveries do with informed consent, and I’m just — as much as a twofold increase, but going to have to put my foot down.’ ” still a rare event. In comparison, a 2008 “Informed consent” is a process doctors evidence review of the relationship use to educate their patients about the between maternal age and stillbirth potential risks and benefits of treatments risk found that thinner women over 35 so that patients can make reasoned were also almost twice as likely to have decisions about their care. It’s supposed a stillborn delivery compared with their to foster a partnership between patient younger counterparts. And the Stanford and doctor, though doctors are allowed study could not establish a causal to initiate treatment without informed relationship. Stillbirths may correlate consent in an emergency, according to with B.M.I. because it may be harder for the American Medical Association’s code doctors to detect fetal complications in of ethics. The code also states that the bigger bodies as a result of technological doctor’s obligation to respect patient limitations. Larger women may also autonomy “does not mean that patients receive less careful prenatal care. When should receive specific interventions researchers analyzed audio recordings simply because they (or their surrogates) of prenatal appointments between 22 request them.” The A.M.A. then lists providers and 117 pregnant women, they situations where a doctor is allowed to found that providers treating patients decline treatment, including when the with higher B.M.I.s asked them fewer physician “lacks the resources to provide questions about their lifestyle habits safe, competent or respectful care for the and shared less information, according individual.” But the code also notes that to data published in 2017 in the journal physicians are not allowed to turn down Patient Education and Counseling. patients “on the basis of race, gender, All that can be said with any confidence, sexual orientation or gender identity, or according to Legro, at Penn State, is other personal or social characteristics that “there is no B.M.I. cut-point above that are not clinically relevant to the which it is absolutely unsafe to have individual’s care.” a pregnancy.” And weight loss does “I wouldn’t go so far as to say we not ensure a safer pregnancy. When understand why maternal weight is Scandinavian researchers linked data associated with” negative outcomes, on bariatric surgery patients with infant says Dr. Chloe Zera, a maternal fetal health outcomes, they found that women who went through such procedures were more likely to have preterm deliveries prenatal health care found that doctors and babies who were small for their expressed less sympathy and approval gestational age than mothers of any for their larger pregnant patients. “Until I weight who had not undergone the found my doula and midwife, I had never surgery. “Patients are told to lose weight had a medical professional touch my to have a healthy baby,” Legro says. “But body with compassion,” says McLellan, it’s possible that by doing so, you may be who identifies as a fat woman and had a at higher risk for complications than you healthy pregnancy. “That feels normal to were before.” a person of size.”

One day when Balzano was 19, she Weight-science researchers are aware of walked out of a gas station and a man how that lack of compassion can have in a passing car yelled, “Fat bastard!” health consequences. The kind of stigma “That was the moment when I realized that women like McLellan and Balzano my body was this problem for the entire encounter throughout their lives puts world,” she recalls. Studies dating back fat people at higher risk for depression, to the 1960s have shown that when anxiety and suicidal thoughts. They also children are presented with pictures of have higher blood pressure and higher other kids with various body types, they levels of stress hormones. And many rate the fat body as the one they like the researchers documenting these risks least. In 2013, Yale University researchers control for B.M.I. when they collect their asked 74 study participants to read a data. “This tells us that it’s stigma, rather published news article about Canadian than one’s weight per se, that contributes physicians who wanted to deny fertility to these adverse health outcomes,” says treatments to women with obese B.M.I.s. Rebecca Puhl, an author of the 2013 One-third of the study subjects read the Yale study and the deputy director for article alongside an image of a large the Rudd Center for Food Policy and couple eating junk food; the rest saw the Obesity at the University of Connecticut. same couple sitting on a bench holding “This evidence also challenges the notion hands or no accompanying image. that stigma will motivate people to lose When researchers surveyed the readers, weight.” those who had seen the junk food were more likely than the rest to support Balzano’s husband, Nick, was eager to the doctors’ decision to deny fertility get a second opinion right away, but it treatment to such patients. was two years before she could bring herself to see another doctor. “I couldn’t Good health is often equated with being take another conversation like that,” she a disciplined person, a responsible says. “I felt like this waste of a person.” citizen, a worthier mother. And In private, she sobbed whenever friends stereotypes — like the assumption announced a pregnancy. Then one friend, that all fat people are gluttonous who was also heavy, told Balzano that and willfully large — can shape our she’d had a good experience at Boston understanding of a person’s health and I.V.F. So they made an appointment. morality. “We all have cultural biases, When they arrived, a concierge greeted and health care providers are people, the couple as soon as they walked in. too,” DeJoy says. Studies have indicated Balzano responded by starting to cry. that doctors across all specialties are The place felt too slick and fancy. She more likely to consider an overweight was sure she would once again be patient uncooperative, less compliant deemed unfit. and even less intelligent than a thinner counterpart. An Australian study on The doctor listened to Balzano’s story and said she understood how emotional 2010 issue of the Journal of Human the situation was. But she did want Reproductive Sciences. Balzano to lose weight. In the meantime, she was willing to prescribe letrozole, a “By the end of the second day, I couldn’t medication used to promote ovulation, even formulate a sentence,” Robben or, if that failed, a course of intrauterine says. “All I could think about was a insemination. I.U.I. is a low-risk procedure piece of chicken breast in my fridge.” By done without sedation in the doctor’s the end of the month, she had lost 20 office; sperm is placed inside the pounds. The next round of I.V.F. failed as patient’s uterus during ovulation in order well. (Her doctor declined to comment to facilitate fertilization. “But it didn’t for this article.) Robben later conceived seem like she was all that interested her twins after seeing a different doctor, in that,” Nick says. “The impression I and without losing additional weight. got was that nobody thinks anything Meyer, of Carolina Conceptions, objects besides I.V.F. will work, and they wouldn’t to the idea that weight stigma, not health give Gina I.V.F.” The doctor told me she concern, motivates clinics to require recalls that she was “certainly willing weight loss. “There are tears in these to go ahead with medication and conversations,” he acknowledges. “But insemination,” but says she counseled most of the time, I feel pretty good after Balzano to see a maternal fetal medicine sitting down with these patients. I think specialist to discuss the potential impact we almost overcompensate so we’re not of her weight on a pregnancy. Balzano judged as being biased toward weight.” declined the letrozole: “Essentially, she When Meyer’s clinic turns away a patient was saying the same thing as the first based on B.M.I., it offers a referral to a doctor — that nothing would change local weight-loss program. He estimates until I fixed my weight.” that around 60 percent of those women Even when they do receive fertility follow through. “The patients who then treatment, women in larger bodies may come back to us [for treatment] are encounter stigma in how a reproductive very thankful that they’ve made those endocrinologist approaches their care. changes,” he says. “Or their husband will Stephanie Robben, 44, and the mother say, ‘Thank you for talking to her about of twin boys in St. Louis, says her doctor that.’ ” didn’t mention her weight — then 247 Meyer admits that he doesn’t know pounds — until the first I.V.F. cycle failed. what happens to the patients who don’t Then he outlined a daily plan for her: return. But those are the patients whom Drink a gallon of water, eat fewer than Rachel Ashby, at Boston’s Brigham and 900 calories and exercise for an hour. Women’s Hospital, worries about most. If Robben followed these directions “There probably is a subset of women correctly, the doctor expected her to out there who stop seeking treatment lose 50 pounds in a month, much more because they are aware that they may than the monthly rate of four to eight feel marginalized in the doctor’s office,” pounds considered safe by major health she says. “They feel this sense of ‘I can’t organizations. Such extreme dieting pursue this anymore,’ and just live quietly can lead to dangerous electrolyte with infertility.’ ” imbalances, dehydration — and irregular menstruation. “Rapid weight loss Balzano didn’t want to live quietly achieved by crash diets or excessive anymore. After the appointment, she exercise is detrimental to reproductive says, “I reconciled myself to having outcomes during fertility treatments,” weight-loss surgery pretty much that British researchers concluded in a moment.” Bariatric surgery patients can lose 25 to 35 percent of their why someone in my position might be original weight, and keep it off longer incandescent with rage right now.” than dieters do — making it the most enduring form of weight loss available. Ashby told me that she would have But many patients develop vitamin treated Balzano at 340 pounds because deficiencies because of their limited she was in good health then. She doesn’t diets. And female patients are told it’s think weight was the primary cause of not safe to become pregnant for at least Balzano’s infertility, because the couple one year. The operation would cause remained unable to conceive even after Balzano to lose yet more time. her surgical weight loss. “Patients often ask me, ‘If I were a normal B.M.I., would To Balzano’s doctors, this decision was I be fertile?’ Often, that answer is no,” a rational attempt to take control of her Ashby says. “And absent some grave risk health and fertility. The couple see it to a patient, it’s paternalistic to say to a as her required sacrifice. “We couldn’t 35-year-old woman, ‘Go lose a hundred achieve this goal because people didn’t pounds.’ ” like the way she looked,” says Nick, who was anxious about the surgery’s risks. Massachusetts health care law Balzano recalls: “I was at the point where requires couples to try three rounds I would cut off a limb to have a baby. of intrauterine insemination before So fine, why not my stomach?” Balzano insurance will cover the cost of I.V.F. had her operation in December 2015. The first attempt failed, as everyone When we talked a year later, she told me expected, but in November 2017, I how she had survived the first months heard from Balzano: “Just got a positive consuming only liquids, and then, tiny pregnancy test.” The second round portions of fat-free refried beans. Her of I.U.I. had worked. Logan Anthony B.M.I. was down to 32.1. Balzano got was born on June 5, 2018, five weeks Ashby’s name from her bariatric surgeon early but healthy. “I’m enjoying all the and made an appointment for January little moments daily, even the diapers,” 2017. Balzano told me, shortly after Logan turned 6 months old. “It’s still sinking in Balzano was now 37. However many that I’m someone’s mom.” high-quality eggs she’d had when she • began trying to conceive at 30, there were thousands fewer now. “We have to get started,” Ashby told Balzano. “In fact, I would have begun treatment when you were at your highest weight.” Nick’s eyes bulged. “So we spent a ton of money and a ton of pain and we could have done this five years ago?” he asked. When we spoke the next day, Balzano was trying to remain calm about the revelation. “Look, it’s done; I’m in a good place,” she said of her surgery. “But I can understand ENERGY DRINKS HAVE BECOME WILDLY POPULAR WITH TEENS. HERE’S WHY IT’S A PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN

BY SARA TALPOS / UNDARK

Earlier this year, a half-dozen students forgo these products entirely. These This article was from City Hill Middle School, in recommendations are based on concerns published on Naugatuck, Connecticut, traveled with about health problems that, although June 28, 2019. their science teacher Katrina Spina to the rare, can occur after consumption, state capital to testify in support of a bill including seizures, delirium, rapid heart that would ban sales of energy drinks rate, stroke, and even sudden death. A to children under the age of 16. Having U.S. government report found that from devoted three months to a chemistry 2007 to 2011, the number of emergency unit studying the ingredients in and department visits involving energy drinks potential health impacts of common more than doubled, to nearly 21,000. energy drinks — with brand names like Red Bull, Monster Energy, and Rockstar Of these, approximately 1,500 were – the students came to a sobering children aged 12 to 17, although the conclusion: “Energy drinks can be fatal to number of visits from this age group everyone, but especially to adolescents,” increased only slightly over the four 7th-grader Luke Deitelbaum told state years. legislators. “Even though this is true, most energy drink companies continue For their part, energy drink to market these drinks specifically manufacturers argue that they are being toward teens.” unfairly targeted. At the Connecticut hearing, the head of public affairs A 2018 report found that more than 40 for Red Bull North America, Joseph percent of American teens in a survey Luppino, maintained that there is no had consumed an energy drink within the past three months. Another survey scientific justification to regulate energy found that 28 percent of adolescents in drinks differently than other caffeine- the European Union had consumed these containing beverages such as soda, sorts of beverages in the past three days. coffee, and tea — particularly when some coffeehouses serve coffee with a This popularity is in marked contrast caffeine content exceeding that of a can to the recommendations of groups like of Red Bull. “Age-gating is an incredibly the American Academy of Pediatrics powerful tool,” Luppino said, and should and the American College of Sports be reserved for “inherently dangerous Medicine, who say youth should products” like nicotine. The showdown in Connecticut, which or as conventional foods and beverages, pitted the City Hill students against which carry differing regulatory a growing $55 billion a year global requirements. All three major energy industry, was the latest in an ongoing drink makers now have most of their debate about the safety and regulation products regulated as foods, rather than of energy drinks. In recent years, dietary supplements — though that countries such as the United Kingdom wasn’t always the case. and Norway have considered banning sales to young people, while Lithuania Researchers from the Johns Hopkins and Latvia have active bans in place. In School of Medicine, in a review the U.S., along with Connecticut, state published in the journal Drug and legislators in Maryland, Illinois, and Alcohol Dependence, note that lack of Indiana have introduced bills, though consistency is partly due to our long love none have been signed into law. A South affair with drinks in which caffeine is Carolina bill to ban sales to kids under naturally occurring, including coffee and 18 — and to fine those caught selling tea. In 1980, citing health concerns, the them to minors — advanced through FDA proposed to eliminate caffeine from the legislature in April, and is now soft drinks, which are regulated as foods. pending before the state’s full medical The manufacturers, however, claimed affairs committee. It is supported by the caffeine was a flavor enhancer. The the parents of a 16-year-old who died FDA approved caffeine, but limited the from a caffeine-induced cardiac event maximum content of cola-type soft after consuming a coffee, a soda, and drinks to .02 percent, or roughly 71 an energy drink within a period of two milligrams per 12-ounce serving. hours. “If caffeine had not been accepted as a As the regulatory status of energy drinks flavor enhancer, but had been regarded continues to be debated, a growing as a psychoactive ingredient,” write number of consumers and public health the Johns Hopkins researchers, “soft advocates are asking why and how a drinks might have been regulated by the product loaded with caffeine and other FDA as drugs” — which are subject to stimulants became so popular among additional regulations. young people. The reasons are a mix of lax regulation, the use of caffeine as a U.S. sports performance enhancer among Not All Candy is Created Equal — At adults, and a bit of scientific uncertainty. Least for Tax Purposes According to sports cardiologist John When energy drinks first appeared on Higgins, a professor at McGovern Medical the American market in the late 1990s School at UTHealth in Houston, there is and early 2000s, some manufacturers also another factor: “very, very intelligent claimed the products were neither drugs advertising.” nor conventional foods, but dietary supplements. Drugs with caffeine require Historically, government agencies such warning labels, but dietary supplements as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration don’t. “It is a striking inconsistency have struggled to regulate beverages that, in the U.S. an [over-the-counter] with added caffeine. Though it offers stimulant medication containing 100 some guidance, the FDA allows mg of caffeine per tablet (e.g. NoDoz) manufacturers of liquid products to must include [a series of] warnings,” decide on their own whether to market write the Johns Hopkins researchers, their products as dietary supplements, “whereas a 500 mg energy drink can be Harris, a researcher at the Rudd Center marketed with no such warnings and no for Food Policy and Obesity, currently information on caffeine dose amount in housed at the University of Connecticut. the product.” She and her team had conducted an earlier study of how sugary beverages As early as 2009, sports and medical are marketed to children. “What we organizations began issuing position learned about energy drinks stunned us,” statements discouraging energy drink she said at the hearing. consumption by young people. In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics Energy drink companies had been concluded that energy drinks “are not pioneers in using social media to market appropriate for children and adolescents, their products, said Harris. At the time of and should never be consumed.” Further, her study, Red Bull and Monster Energy the group warned that adolescents were the fifth and twelfth most popular might mistakenly use energy drinks, brands on Facebook — a platform that rather than sports drinks like Gatorade, was, at the time, particularly popular for rehydration during physical among college students and adolescents. activity. “Advertisements that target Further, said Harris, “energy drink young people are contributing to the brands often promote teen athletes and confusion,” wrote the authors. musicians and sponsor local events, where they provide free samples, Two years later, in 2013, questions about including to minors.” The marketing is safety and marketing came to a head in effective, she noted. Sales of most other the halls of Congress. Three Democratic beverage categories were declining, but senators launched an investigation energy drink sales had increased by 19 into the marketing practices of energy percent the previous year, reaching $8 drink companies. They found that billion in 2012. adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 are frequent targets of energy The energy beverage industry vigorously drink marketing, and stated in a written defended its products and marketing report that “this population is also at risk practices. In his congressional statement, for the detrimental impacts of energy Rodney Sacks, CEO of Monster Beverage drink consumption.” The report also Corporation, noted that a 16-ounce can noted a range of claims not evaluated or of Monster Energy contains 160 mg substantiated by the FDA. For example, of caffeine. In contrast, the equivalent the makers of AMP Energy marketed amount of Starbucks coffee contains the drinks as helping to “energize and 330 mg — more than twice as much. hydrate the body,” while advertisements Further, Monster cans include a label for Red Bull promised “increased recommending against consumption concentration and reaction speed.” by children. (According to guidelines put forth by the American Beverage (As it happens, a few months before Association, a trade group, energy drinks the senate hearing, Monster Beverage should not be marketed to children Corporation and Rockstar Inc. announced under 12, and other leading brands their intention to follow in the footsteps such as Red Bull and Rockstar carry of Red Bull by declaring their products similar labels recommending against to be foods, rather than dietary consumption by children.) supplements.) Among those providing testimony at Further, Sacks and representatives a committee hearing was Jennifer L. from Rockstar, Inc. and Red Bull North America denied that their companies says they field questions about energy advertise to young teenagers. Doing drinks from athletes of all ages. this, said Sacks, “would undermine the credibility of the brand image in the “Caffeine is the most studied ergogenic eyes of young adults,” — nominally their aid on the planet,” says Fedoruk, and target consumer demographic. its use is widespread among elite athletes. Research has even produced Not everyone buys this. A 2017 study recommended guidelines for ingestion published in the journal Public Health prior to exercise. But these guidelines Nutrition, for example, tested whether were developed for adults. Young people young consumers perceived energy drink who try to follow them could quickly advertising as being targeted at people surpass the American Academy of their age and younger. Researchers at Pediatrics’ guidelines for adolescents: no the University of Waterloo randomly more than 100 mg of caffeine per day, or assigned over 2,000 Canadians aged 12 roughly the amount in a typical cup of to 24 to view one of four online ads for coffee. Further, because energy drinks Red Bull. Among the youngest subjects are manufactured in adult serving sizes, — those aged 12 to 14 — nearly 72 says Fedoruk, it’s easy for a child to get percent of participants who viewed an too much. “Depending on the product advertisement featuring the company’s you choose, you could definitely be sponsorship of the X Games, an extreme dosing your young child or youth athlete sports event, perceived the ad to in doses that far exceed what may be be targeted to people their age and safe for their body weight and size.” younger. When it comes to youth athletes, “our The University of Waterloo researchers experts recommend both water and compare energy drink marketing sports drinks as the best options for practices with those of 20th-century hydration,” writes Danielle Eurich, cigarette companies. “While tobacco a USADA spokesperson. Athletes advertising was ostensibly targeted only exercising less than an hour probably at adults,” they write, “it nevertheless don’t even need sports drinks, she adds. achieved very high levels of reach and “Water would be best.” appeal among young people.” Last year, John Higgins, the sports Further, and perhaps not surprisingly, cardiologist, ran a small study in which across all age groups, 71 percent of healthy medical students downed a those who were shown a Red Bull ad 24-ounce can of Monster Energy. Ninety with a sports theme — the X games, for minutes later, the students’ arteries example, or an image of an airborne were measured to test their ability snowboarder with accompanying text to bounce back — or dilate — after reading “RED BULL GIVES YOU WIIINGS” being compressed by a blood pressure — thought the ad they viewed promoted cuff. Dilation helps control blood flow, the use of energy drinks during sports. increasing circulation when necessary, including during exercise. In this study, This is a problem, says Matt Fedoruk, the medical students’ blood flow was chief science officer at the U.S. Anti- “significantly and adversely affected,” Doping Agency (USADA). Though his says Higgins. organization is perhaps best known for its role in testing Olympic athletes for Higgins suspects that the combination banned substances, it also promotes a of ingredients — the caffeine and other positive youth sports culture. Fedoruk stimulants such as guarana, taurine, L-carnitine, along with added vitamins containing 240 mg of caffeine plus other and minerals — interferes with the stimulants were not considered by the endothelium, a thin layer of cells that analysis. The E.U. agency spokesperson control dilation. But he can’t say for also issued a caveat: There wasn’t certain because there hasn’t been enough data to determine whether other enough research. Higgins’ own study common energy drink ingredients like was preliminary and lacked a control guarana and taurine influence the acute group. Further, a recent review by a effects of caffeine on blood pressure. group of Harvard researchers noted considerable limitations to the existing Monster and Rockstar did not respond energy drink literature. Most studies, the to repeated requests for comment. authors found, used small sample sizes When asked about the discrepancy or employed a cross-sectional design, between Luppino’s characterization of which isn’t able to determine causation. the European report and the agency’s Large longitudinal studies, meanwhile, own characterization of its findings, require time and money. Erin Mand, a spokesperson for Red Bull, pointed to particular passages in Higgins says the main reason there the report that suggest the safety of is no evidence of safety is that energy particular ingredient combinations up drinks are not classified by most to 200 mg of caffeine. She additionally countries as drugs. “They are classified noted that “its single-serving products as supplements, additives, or fall under 200 mg of caffeine.” whatever.” Until more data are available, Higgins’ opinion is that The American Beverage Association energy drinks should be avoided also did not respond to specific before, during, and after exercise. interview questions, but did provide this Anyone under 18 should avoid them statement: “Energy drinks have been entirely, he says. This recommendation enjoyed by millions of people around has been endorsed by the American the world for more than 30 years, College of Sports Medicine. and are recognized by government health agencies worldwide as safe for Yet at the Connecticut hearing, Red consumption. The amount of caffeine Bull’s Joseph Luppino insisted that in energy drinks is typically half the there is ample evidence of safety. He amount found in a coffeehouse coffee referenced the European Food Safety and is no different from the caffeine Authority, which conducts food-chain found in other foods and beverages. risk assessments for the European Union: Further, America’s mainstream energy “They have unequivocally concluded drink companies have taken voluntary there are no synergistic effects between steps to ensure their products are not the various ingredients that are marketed to children.” contained in energy drinks.” In the spring of 2017, Gary Watts, the When asked for a comment, the coroner for South Carolina’s Richland European agency pointed to its 2015 County, released the autopsy results report, and a spokesperson explained for Davis Cripe, the teenager whose the findings: In general, the combination death spurred the South Carolina bill to of substances typically found in energy ban sales of energy drinks to minors. drinks “would not affect the safety of The cause of death: a caffeine-induced single doses of caffeine up to 200 mg.” cardiac event causing a probable Individuals who might drink a 16-oz can arrythmia. “Typically you don’t see the of Rockstar, or a 24-oz can of Monster results of an arrythmia in an actual autopsy because there’s no real damage capital to lobby lawmakers. They shared to the heart,” Watts said. informational brochures created by the students, as well as informal results After Cripe collapsed at school, a staff from a survey of students and parents, member who had previously worked indicating widespread support for their as a nurse in a cardiac unit diagnosed a bill among the latter. In the meantime, cardiac arrythmia. the students say, their siblings and peers continue to consume energy drinks — on “Who’s to say that this hasn’t happened soccer fields, in dugouts, in front of video before?” says Watts, whose office has game consoles. performed autopsies on other young adults who died of sudden death. “It “It’s so interesting,” City Hill student probably has — it’s just that we’ve not Emily Fine said of energy drink makers been able to document [the cause] with and their products, “how they still put someone on the scene at the time who them on the market.” says, ‘Okay, this is an arrythmia.’” Watts • believes there are too many uncertainties about energy drinks to say that they are safe for adolescents. “I’m not trying to get rid of energy drinks,” he said. “I know a lot of people use them. But I do think that the age is a concern that everybody needs to be really serious about.”

As for the Connecticut bill, it has not moved out of committee, but in mid- May, the City Hill Middle School students and their teacher returned to the state TEENS ARE PROBABLY DRINKING TOO MUCH CAFFEINE Products like Red Bull have sent thousands of adolescents to the emergency room. The people who market them insist they don’t need to be regulated.

By SARA TALPOS and UNDARK

Earlier this year, a half-dozen students the American Academy of Pediatrics This article was from City Hill Middle School, in and the American College of Sports published on Naugatuck, Connecticut, traveled with Medicine, who say youth should June 30, 2019. their science teacher, Katrina Spina, to forgo these products entirely. These the state capital to testify in support of a recommendations are based on concerns bill that would ban sales of energy drinks about health problems that, although to children under the age of 16. Having rare, can occur after consumption, devoted three months to a chemistry unit including seizures, delirium, rapid heart studying the ingredients in and potential rate, stroke, and even sudden death. A health impacts of common energy U.S. government report found that from drinks—with brand names like Red Bull, 2007 to 2011, the number of emergency- Monster Energy, and Rockstar—the department visits involving energy drinks students came to a sobering conclusion: more than doubled, to nearly 21,000. “Energy drinks can be fatal to everyone, but especially to adolescents,” a seventh Of these, approximately 1,500 were grader, Luke Deitelbaum, told state children ages 12 to 17, although the legislators. “Even though this is true, number of visits from this age group most energy-drink companies continue increased only slightly over the four to market these drinks specifically years. toward teens.” For their part, energy-drink A 2018 report found that more than 40 manufacturers argue that they are being percent of American teens surveyed unfairly targeted. At the Connecticut had consumed an energy drink within hearing, the head of public affairs the past three months. Another survey for Red Bull North America, Joseph found that 28 percent of adolescents in Luppino, maintained that there is no the European Union had consumed these scientific justification to regulate energy sorts of beverages in the past three days. drinks differently than other caffeine- containing beverages such as soda, This popularity is in marked contrast coffee, and tea—particularly when to the recommendations of groups like some coffeehouses serve coffee with a caffeine content exceeding that of a can as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of Red Bull. “Age-gating is an incredibly have struggled to regulate beverages powerful tool,” Luppino said, and should with added caffeine. Though it offers be reserved for “inherently dangerous some guidance, the FDA allows products” like nicotine. manufacturers of liquid products to decide on their own whether to market The showdown in Connecticut, their products as dietary supplements which pitted the City Hill students or as conventional foods and beverages, against a growing $55-billion-a-year which carry differing regulatory global industry, was the latest in an requirements. All three major energy- ongoing debate about the safety and drink makers now have most of their regulation of energy drinks. In recent products regulated as foods rather than years, countries such as the United dietary supplements—though that wasn’t Kingdom and Norway have considered always the case. banning sales to young people, while Lithuania and Latvia have active bans Researchers from the Johns Hopkins in place. In the United States, along School of Medicine, in a 2008 review with Connecticut, state legislators in published in the journal Drug and Maryland, Illinois, and Indiana have Alcohol Dependence, note that that lack introduced bills, though none have of consistency is partly due to our long been signed into law. A South Carolina love affair with drinks in which caffeine is bill to ban sales to kids under 18—and naturally occurring, including coffee and to fine those caught selling the drinks tea. In 1980, citing health concerns, the to minors—advanced through the FDA proposed to eliminate caffeine from legislature in April, and is now pending soft drinks, which are regulated as foods. before the state’s full medical-affairs The manufacturers, however, claimed committee. It is supported by the the caffeine was a flavor enhancer. The parents of a 16-year-old who died from FDA approved caffeine, but limited the a caffeine-induced cardiac event after maximum content of cola-type soft consuming a coffee, a soda, and an drinks to .02 percent, or roughly 71 energy drink within a period of two milligrams per 12-ounce serving. hours. “If caffeine had not been accepted as a As the regulatory status of energy drinks flavor enhancer, but had been regarded continues to be debated, a growing as a psychoactive ingredient,” write number of consumers and public-health the Johns Hopkins researchers, “soft advocates are asking why and how a drinks might have been regulated by product loaded with caffeine and other the FDA as drugs”—which are subject to stimulants became so popular among additional regulations. young people. The reasons are a mix of lax regulation, the use of caffeine as a When energy drinks first appeared on sports-performance enhancer among the American market in the late 1990s adults, and a bit of scientific uncertainty. and early 2000s, some manufacturers claimed the products were neither According to the sports cardiologist drugs nor conventional foods, but John Higgins, a professor at McGovern dietary supplements. Drugs with caffeine Medical School at UTHealth in Houston, require warning labels, but dietary there is also another factor: “very, very supplements don’t. “It is a striking intelligent advertising.” inconsistency that, in the U.S. an [over- the-counter] stimulant medication Historically, government agencies such containing 100 mg of caffeine per tablet (e.g. NoDoz) must include [a series of] Among those providing testimony at warnings,” write the Johns Hopkins a committee hearing was Jennifer L. researchers, “whereas a 500 mg energy Harris, a researcher at the Rudd Center drink can be marketed with no such for Food Policy and Obesity, currently warnings and no information on caffeine housed at the University of Connecticut. dose amount in the product.” She and her team had conducted an earlier study of how sugary beverages As early as 2009, sports and medical are marketed to children. “What we organizations began issuing position learned about energy drinks stunned us,” statements discouraging energy-drink she said at the hearing. consumption by young people. In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics Energy-drink companies had been concluded that energy drinks “are not pioneers in using social media to appropriate for children and adolescents, market their products, said Harris. and should never be consumed.” Further, At the time of her study, Red Bull and the group warned that adolescents Monster Energy were the fifth and 12th might mistakenly use energy drinks, most popular brands on Facebook—a rather than sports drinks like Gatorade, platform that was, at the time, for rehydration during physical particularly popular among college activity. “Advertisements that target students and adolescents. Further, young people are contributing to the said Harris, “energy-drink brands often confusion,” wrote the authors. promote teen athletes and musicians and sponsor local events, where they Two years later, in 2013, questions about provide free samples, including to safety and marketing came to a head in minors.” The marketing is effective, the halls of Congress. Three Democratic she noted. Sales of most other beverage senators launched an investigation into categories were declining, but energy- the marketing practices of energy- drink sales had increased by 19 percent drink companies. They found that the previous year, reaching $8 billion adolescents between the ages of 13 and in 2012. 17 are frequent targets of energy-drink marketing, and stated in a written report The energy-beverage industry vigorously that “this population is also at risk for defended its products and marketing the detrimental impacts of energy-drink practices. In his congressional statement, consumption.” The report also noted Rodney Sacks, the CEO of Monster a range of claims not evaluated or Beverage, noted that a 16-ounce can substantiated by the FDA. For example, of Monster Energy contains 160 mg the makers of AMP Energy marketed of caffeine. In contrast, the equivalent the drinks as helping to “energize and amount of Starbucks coffee contains hydrate the body,” while advertisements 330 mg—more than twice as much. for Red Bull promised “increased Further, Monster cans include a label concentration and reaction speed.” recommending against consumption by children. (According to guidelines (As it happens, a few months before put forth by the American Beverage the senate hearing, Monster Beverage Association, a trade group, energy drinks Corporation and Rockstar announced should not be marketed to children their intention to follow in the footsteps under 12, and other leading brands of Red Bull by declaring their products such as Red Bull and Rockstar carry to be foods, rather than dietary similar labels recommending against supplements.) consumption by children.) Further, Sacks and representatives from banned substances, it also promotes a Rockstar and Red Bull North America positive youth-sports culture. Fedoruk denied that their companies advertise says it fields questions about energy to young teenagers. Doing this, said drinks from athletes of all ages. Sacks, “would undermine the credibility of the brand image in the eyes of young “Caffeine is the most studied ergogenic adults,”—nominally their target consumer aid on the planet,” says Fedoruk, and demographic. its use is widespread among elite athletes. Research has even produced Not everyone buys this. A 2017 study recommended guidelines for ingestion published in the journal Public Health prior to exercise. But these guidelines Nutrition, for example, tested whether were developed for adults. Young people young consumers perceived energy- who try to follow them could quickly drink advertising as being targeted surpass the American Academy of at people their age and younger. Pediatrics’ guidelines for adolescents: no Researchers at the University of more than 100 mg of caffeine per day, or Waterloo randomly assigned over 2,000 roughly the amount in a typical cup of Canadians ages 12 to 24 to view one coffee. Further, because energy drinks of four online ads for Red Bull. Among are manufactured in adult serving sizes, the youngest subjects—those ages 12 to says Fedoruk, it’s easy for a child to get 14—nearly 72 percent of participants who too much. “Depending on the product viewed an advertisement featuring the you choose, you could definitely be company’s sponsorship of the X Games, dosing your young child or youth athlete an extreme-sports event, perceived the in doses that far exceed what may be ad to be targeted to people their age safe for their body weight and size.” and younger. When it comes to youth athletes, “our The University of Waterloo researchers experts recommend both water and compare energy-drink marketing sports drinks as the best options for practices with those of 20th-century hydration,” writes Danielle Eurich, cigarette companies. “While tobacco a USADA spokesperson. Athletes advertising was ostensibly targeted only exercising less than an hour probably at adults,” they write, “it nevertheless don’t even need sports drinks, she adds. achieved very high levels of reach and “Water would be best.” appeal among young people.” Last year, John Higgins, the sports Further, and perhaps not surprisingly, cardiologist, ran a small study in which across all age groups, 71 percent of those healthy medical students downed a who were shown a Red Bull ad with a 24-ounce can of Monster Energy. Ninety sports theme—the X Games, for example, minutes later, the students’ arteries were or an image of an airborne snowboarder measured to test their ability to bounce with accompanying text reading “RED back—or dilate—after being compressed BULL GIVES YOU WIIINGS”—thought by a blood-pressure cuff. Dilation the ad they viewed promoted the use of helps control blood flow, increasing energy drinks during sports. circulation when necessary, including during exercise. In this study, the medical This is a problem, says Matt Fedoruk, the students’ blood flow was “significantly chief science officer at the U.S. Anti- and adversely affected,” says Higgins. Doping Agency (USADA). Though his organization is perhaps best-known for Higgins suspects that the combination its role in testing Olympic athletes for of ingredients—the caffeine and other stimulants such as guarana, taurine, can of Monster containing 240 mg of and L-carnitine, along with added caffeine plus other stimulants were vitamins and minerals—interferes with not considered by the analysis. The the endothelium, a thin layer of cells EU agency spokesperson also issued that control dilation. But he can’t say a caveat: There weren’t enough data for certain because there hasn’t been to determine whether other common enough research. Higgins’s own study energy-drink ingredients like guarana was preliminary and lacked a control and taurine influence the acute effects of group. Further, a recent review by a caffeine on blood pressure. group of Harvard researchers noted considerable limitations to the existing Monster and Rockstar did not respond energy-drink literature. Most studies, the to repeated requests for comment. authors found, used small sample sizes When asked about the discrepancy or employed a cross-sectional design, between Luppino’s characterization of which isn’t able to determine causation. the European report and the agency’s Large longitudinal studies, meanwhile, own characterization of its findings, require time and money. Erin Mand, a spokesperson for Red Bull, pointed to particular passages in Higgins says the main reason there is the report that suggest the safety of no evidence of safety is that energy particular ingredient combinations up drinks are not classified by most to 200 mg of caffeine. She additionally countries as drugs. “They are classified noted that “its single-serving products as supplements, additives, or whatever.” fall under 200 mg of caffeine.” Until more data are available, Higgins’s opinion is that energy drinks should The American Beverage Association be avoided before, during, and after also did not respond to specific exercise. Anyone under 18 should interview questions, but did provide this avoid them entirely, he says. This statement: “Energy drinks have been recommendation has been endorsed by enjoyed by millions of people around the American College of Sports Medicine. the world for more than 30 years, and are recognized by government Yet at the Connecticut hearing, Red health agencies worldwide as safe for Bull’s Joseph Luppino insisted that consumption. The amount of caffeine in there is ample evidence of safety. He energy drinks is typically half the amount referenced the European Food Safety found in a coffeehouse coffee and is no Authority, which conducts food-chain different from the caffeine found in other risk assessments for the European Union: foods and beverages. Further, America’s “They have unequivocally concluded mainstream energy drink companies there are no synergistic effects between have taken voluntary steps to ensure the various ingredients that are their products are not marketed to contained in energy drinks.” children.”

When asked for a comment, the In the spring of 2017, Gary Watts, the European agency pointed to its 2015 coroner for South Carolina’s Richland report, and a spokesperson explained County, released the autopsy results for the findings: In general, the combination Davis Cripe, the teenager whose death of substances typically found in energy spurred the state’s bill to ban sales of drinks “would not affect the safety energy drinks to minors. The cause of single doses of caffeine up to 200 of death: a caffeine-induced cardiac mg.” Individuals who might drink a event causing a probable arrhythmia. 16-ounce can of Rockstar or a 24-ounce “Typically you don’t see the results of an arrhythmia in an actual autopsy because from a survey of students and parents, there’s no real damage to the heart,” indicating widespread support for their Watts says. bill among the latter. In the meantime, the students say, their siblings and peers After Cripe collapsed at school, a staff continue to consume energy drinks—on member who had previously worked soccer fields, in dugouts, and in front of as a nurse in a cardiac unit diagnosed a video-game consoles. cardiac arrhythmia. “It’s so interesting,” a City Hill student, “Who’s to say that this hasn’t happened Emily Fine, said of energy-drink makers before?” says Watts, whose office has and their products, “how they still put performed autopsies on other young them on the market.” adults who died of sudden death. “It • probably has—it’s just that we’ve not been able to document [the cause] with someone on the scene at the time who ­This post appears courtesy of says, ‘Okay, this is an arrhythmia.’” Watts Undark Magazine. believes there are too many uncertainties about energy drinks to say that they are safe for adolescents. “I’m not trying to get rid of energy drinks,” he says. “I know a lot of people use them. But I do think that the age is a concern that everybody needs to be really serious about.”

As for the Connecticut bill, it has not moved out of committee, but in mid- May, the City Hill Middle School students and their teacher returned to the state capital to lobby lawmakers. They shared informational brochures created by the students, as well as informal results HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE FRUITS AND VEGGIES ON BILLBOARDS? THE ANSWER DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU LIVE.

Courtland Milloy

Eric O’Grey, who lives in Rockville, gave I’d stopped eating animals and animal This article was me some advice for sticking with the products last month. Including fish and published on new healthy eating plan I’ve started. Go dairy. The weight has started to come off, February 19, 2019. all in on a whole-food, plant-based diet. the blood pressure and cholesterol levels And get a dog. That’s what he’d done: are going down. I do feel better. changed his diet, adopted a dog from a shelter and begun walking the new But the bad-food industry is a formidable companion. foe. Its marketing schemes make Big Tobacco look like amateurs. Burgers and He’d made the change in 2010, at age fries on highway billboards. Buckets of 51. At the time, he weighed 340 pounds. chicken and biscuits on TV. Pop-up ads That’s considered morbidly obese for a for hot dogs and sodas on my phone. man who stands 5-foot-10. “Tying my Two-for-one pizza ads on my radio. shoes would leave me out of breath,” he recalled. Even though I know that fast foods are not healthy and don’t even taste that A year after changing his eating habits good, the sight of crispy fried chicken or and taking daily walks, his weight a sizzling burger in the mass media can dropped to 175 pounds. He wrote a still make my mouth water. The same book, published in 2017, “Walking with could be true of fruits and vegetables. Peety: The Dog Who Saved My Life.” But I hardly ever see an ad for those. Today, at age 60, he’s kept the weight off and works with the Washington-based From 2013 to 2017, TV junk-food Physicians Committee for Responsible marketing aimed at African Americans Medicine, which advocates preventive medicine and eating a vegan diet. increased more than 50 percent, according to a report released last month On March 9, he’ll run in the Rock ’n’ Roll from the University of Connecticut’s Marathon in the District. Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity. Black teenagers saw more than twice as “You can do this,” O’Grey told me over many ads for unhealthy foods as white lunch recently. teens in 2017, the study found. Obesity is a national epidemic. counter the side effects of all the other Polyunsaturated fats and carcinogenic medicine. He had no friends, rarely left meats don’t care about your race. They his apartment and slept 12 hours a day. want to clog your arteries and corrode your vital organs. Heart disease and “I hadn’t dated in 15 years,” he said. cancer are the top two killers in the country, for all groups. Unhealthy foods He used to eat once a day — two extra- are contributing to more deaths than all large pizzas and a two-liter soda, more the gunshot wounds, car crashes and than 10,000 calories total — then fall into drug overdoses combined. a food coma.

But there’s no denying that some groups “One of the many doctors I’d seen told are targeted more than others. me that I should have bariatric surgery or else, in five years, start picking out a spot “I told my doctor that I was only eating in a cemetery,” he said. what everybody else was eating,” O’Grey recalled. “My doctor said that was the For O’Grey, an experience aboard an problem.” airline helped him make the change.

Fast foods and microwaves, that’s what “As I was walking down the aisle of the he relied on. I was the same way. I’d aircraft, I saw the look on the people’s go to a fast-food drive-through late at faces. It was a look that said, ‘Please, night and find a line of cars virtually God, don’t let that fat man sit next to surrounding the place. I’d become me.’ ” He squeezed into a center seat disgusted seeing so many people hooked only to discover that the airplane had run on junk food that there was no place in out of seat-belt extensions. He couldn’t the line for me. buckle up and the airplane could not take off until an extension could be What most neighborhoods need is a gym found. and a health-food store. What you get are drive-through fast food, drugstores “Several people around me were saying and dialysis clinics. The message is not things like, ‘He’s too fat,’ and ‘I’m going subtle. The insidiousness is right in front to miss my flight because this guy has no of our eyes. self-control.’ It was humiliating.”

I hope those days are over for me — and He had already been scheduled for everybody else at risk of suicide by food. bariatric surgery but decided to give the plant-based diet a try and to get a dog O’Grey was a reminder of where that — one last attempt before having part of kind of mindless eating can lead. The his stomach removed. It worked. obstacles we face when the food can be delivered cooked and quick. And In 2017, he got married. His wife, Jaye, he’s also living proof that there is a had weighed 197 when they met. He healthier way. became her nutrition coach, and in just over a year she was down to 115 pounds. Before switching his bad eating for good, O’Grey had been taking 15 different More proof that a whole-food, plant- kinds of medication — for anxiety, based diet can make a tremendous hypertension and cholesterol. He was difference in the quality of life. And fast. on 200 units of insulin a day for Type 2 diabetes along with medication to “You have to wonder, why aren’t more people eating this way?” O’Grey said. O’Grey said that he, too, notices the TV commercials for fast foods but isn’t From those initial walks around the block tempted by them. There are other ads with Peety, he joined a running group. that take the sizzle out. When Peety died in 2015, he took it hard, nearly went back to some old eating “I’ve seen fast-food ads followed by habits. But he stuck with the program ads for pharmaceutical products — and got another dog. medications for conditions caused by fast foods in some cases,” he told me. In addition to running marathons, he’ll “And those commercials are sometimes be participating in the Ironman Maryland followed by ads for lawyers involved competition in September. in class-action lawsuits against the pharmaceutical companies. It’s a circle I was still new to all of this and just didn’t of insanity. Why not just eat more fruits want to find myself at some drive- and vegetables?” through window grabbing a burger and fries. I needed support. Maybe I’ll get a dog, too. •

JUNK FOOD ADS DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGET BLACK AND HISPANIC KIDS, STUDY FINDS Researchers find a growing disparity between ads targeted to white teens and those aimed at minority youth.

By Shamard Charles, M.D.

A report released on Tuesday finds that junk food advertising continues to This article was disproportionately target black and Hispanic youth, contributing to health disparities. published on January 16, 2019. From 2013 to 2017, spending on TV advertising for restaurants, food and beverages decreased by 4 percent overall, the drinks, fast food and snacks with a lot researchers found, while spending of salt, fat or sugar, but not in healthier for programs directed at black teens foods,” said Shiriki Kumanyika, a study increased by 50 percent — from $217 co-author and chair of the Council on million to $333 million — underlining Black Health at Drexel. the disparity in exposure to advertising between white and black youth. “The marketing is so pervasive that it’s almost invisible,” Kumanyika told NBC The report also found that Hispanic News. “I’m not sure it’s really widely children and teens viewed on average known in black communities that this 2 more Spanish-language food ads, in amount of money is being used to addition to English-language TV ads promote unhealthy products. Some in 2017. companies spend quite a bit of money to endear themselves to these “Food companies hardly ever market communities that they don’t even give fruit and vegetables, water or healthy public health organizations a chance.” juices,” said Jennifer Harris, a lead author of the study and director of Another factor that contributes to marketing initiatives for the Rudd poor nutrition among some minorities Center for Food Policy and Obesity is poverty. Studies that compare at the University of Connecticut. “The communities with similar poverty rates money put towards such advertisements have found that black and Hispanic is less than 3 percent for the general neighborhoods tend to have fewer large population and less than 1 percent to supermarkets and more small grocery blacks and Hispanics.” stores than white neighborhoods do. These stores offer fewer of the healthy Researchers from the University of alternatives like whole-grain foods, dairy Connecticut, Drexel University and the products and fresh fruits and vegetables University of Texas Health Science that a supermarket would provide. Center looked at 32 restaurants and food and beverage companies that Further compounding this problem is the spent over $100 million each on total prevalence of food deserts — areas in TV advertising in 2017. which residents are hard-pressed to find affordable, healthy food. In total, the food companies spent $11 billion on advertising that year, with The government defines a food desert 80 percent spent on ads for fast food, as an area where 33 percent of a city’s candy, sugary drinks and unhealthy residents live more than one mile from snacks. a supermarket and 20 percent earn salaries below the poverty line. Many McDonald’s, Subway, Wendy’s, residents of food deserts — which and Taco Bell ranked at the top for are disproportionately located in targeted advertising spending on communities of color — do not have Spanish-language TV; and Taco Bell, cars and lack access to public Domino’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and transportation, making it difficult to Arby’s ranked at the top in targeted get to a grocery store. advertising spending on Black- targeted TV, in part, due to higher total The marketing is so pervasive that it’s advertising budgets. almost invisible.

“At best, these advertising patterns Fast food and unhealthy food options imply that food companies view black that are marketed as cheaper and more consumers as interested in candy, sugary easily accessible in small stores become more desirable. As a result, the leading health policy activists to call for obesity rates in these areas are food justice. generally higher, meaning life- threatening illnesses like diabetes and “Food and beverage companies have heart disease are on the rise. to stop taking advantage of our kids,” Kumanyika said. “They inadvertently Junk food — any food that is highly contribute to poor health in black processed, high in calories and low in communities by heavily promoting nutrients — is usually high in added products linked to an increased risk sugars, salt and saturated or trans fats. of obesity, diabetes and high blood Some evidence suggests that junk food pressure.” is as addictive as alcohol and drugs, •

BLACK AND HISPANIC YOUTH ARE TARGETED WITH JUNK FOOD ADS, RESEARCH SHOWS

By Jessica Ravitz, CNN

Click over to TV programming that caters black and Hispanic kids with their This article was to black and Hispanic youth and the advertising, but they’re targeting them published on January 15, 2019. commercials almost exclusively push fast with the worst products,” said lead food, sugary drinks, bad-for-you snacks author Jennifer Harris of University of and candy, a new report shows. Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity. Junk food comprised 86% of ad spending on black-targeted programming and The report by the Rudd Center, a 82% of spending on Spanish-language research and policy group working to television in 2017, according to the study combat childhood obesity, the Council released Tuesday. on Black Health at Drexel University and Salud America! at the University of Texas “These companies are not just targeting Health Science Center at San Antonio analyzed the targeted advertising efforts said; instead, nearly 20% of ads they of 32 restaurants and food and beverage viewed were for candy. companies that spent in excess of $100 million to reach children and teens just “At best, these advertising patterns in 2017. imply that food companies view Black consumers as interested in candy, sugary The researchers also looked at exposure drinks, fast food, and snacks with a lot to ads and compared their findings to of salt, fat, or sugar, but not in healthier previous data collected in 2013. foods,” said Shiriki Kumanyika, one of the study’s authors and chair of the Council What they found was a growing disparity on Black Health, in a written statement. between what white youth and minority youth saw. “Not only are these companies missing out on a marketing For example, while food companies opportunity,” she added, “but they decreased their spending for TV are inadvertently contributing to poor advertising by 4% between 2013 and health in Black communities by heavily 2017, a fact mirrored on Spanish-language promoting products linked to an TV, they upped their spending for black- increased risk of obesity, diabetes, targeted programs by more than 50%, and high blood pressure.” researchers said. Obesity rates for non-Hispanic blacks In 2013, black youth saw 70% more and Hispanic youth far outpace the food-related ads than their white rates for white and Asian youth, peers. By 2017, black children saw according to the US Centers for 86% more than white kids, and Disease Control and Prevention. black teens saw 119% more than Nearly 26% of Hispanic youth and white teens, the study found. 22% of black youth were deemed obese, versus 14% of whites and And this happened against a backdrop of 11% of Asians. The worst off, though, healthier food options gaining buzz, and when companies touted their corporate were Hispanic boys at 28% and black responsibility programs and commitment girls at more than 25%. to helping solve America’s obesity problem, Harris said. By studying advertising data, researchers were able to determine which companies Those efforts were more about PR targeted which group. Five companies and didn’t translate into advertising that stood out in reaching black youth budgets, she said, especially for black included Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Hispanic youth. Hershey, PepsiCo and Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut). Among the Only 3% of ad dollars went to promoting companies targeting Hispanic youth were healthier food options overall. But black- Mars, Nestle, Yum! Brands, McDonald’s targeted programming saw just 1% of that and General Mills. spending and Spanish-language TV saw little to none. CNN contacted most all of these companies for a reaction to the That means Hispanic youth watching report. Only Hershey reached out Spanish-language television were pretty with a response. much left out when it came to ads for options like nuts and fruits, researchers It is “not accurate” to say that Hershey targets youth or any ethnic or racial “This report shows just how much the group, insisted spokesman Jeff Beckman. food and beverage industry values Hispanic consumers when it comes to “There is a significant difference between encouraging them to buy unhealthy ‘targeting’ and ‘reaching’ consumers,” products,” said study co-author Amelie he explained in an email. “With iconic Ramirez, director of Salud America!, brands that are loved across virtually which advocates for health equity. all demographics (age, race, income), we buy our TV spots on the outlets “If the industry really values and programs that reach the broadest these consumers, companies will cross section of the American adult take responsibility for advertising population.” that encourages poor diet and related diseases,” she added in a Hershey is “committed to not marketing written statement. “They can start to children,” and makes its media buys by eliminating the marketing of “based on reaching adults and decision unhealthy products to Hispanic makers in households,” he said. youth and families.” • “Broad-based TV media is consumed by many consumers, so when you buy a spot to reach a broad range of adults, there will also be some percentage of youth who will see the spot as well,” he added. “But it is inaccurate to conflate reaching a certain group of consumers with specifically targeting them.”

Still, the report’s authors hope their study will help make food manufacturers think differently. They want these companies to target black and Hispanic youth less with unhealthy food ads and, instead, include these kids in initiatives to promote healthier habits. IS JUICE ON SCHOOL MENUS A PROBLEM?

BY Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter

When given the option, students in percent fewer bottles of water and 24 This article was school meal programs are more likely to percent fewer bottles of 100 percent published on choose fruit juice over more nutritious juice were sold when juice was offered. December 26, 2018. whole fruit or milk, a new study finds. “The potential nutritional impact of these “This is a problem because compared substitutions is important to consider,” to juice, milk and whole fruit are better said lead author Rebecca Boehm. sources of three nutrients of concern for adolescents -- calcium, vitamin D and “For instance, an 8-ounce serving of apple juice has no vitamin D, 285 fewer fiber,” studyco-author Marlene Schwartz said in a University of Connecticut news grams of calcium, and 116 fewer grams release. of potassium compared to an 8-ounce serving of 1 percent milk,” said Boehm, a Schwartz is director of the UConn Rudd postdoctoral fellow at UConn. Center for Food Policy and Obesity. The American Academy of Pediatrics The researchers analyzed cafeteria recommends that children aged 7 to 18 register data from three low-income, consume no more than 8 ounces of juice Northeast high schools over one school a day. year. When juice was available to students in the National School Lunch The National School Lunch program program, almost 10 percent fewer milks reaches over 30 million students. Juice is were chosen and about 7 percent less allowed only on certain days. whole fruit. The study was published recently The researchers also looked at a la carte in the Journal of Nutrition Education sales of beverages, and found that 8 and Behavior. • United Press International

BLACK TEENS SEE TWICE THE JUNK FOOD ADS AS WHITE TEENS, STUDY SAYS “Not only are these companies missing out on a marketing opportunity, but they are inadvertently contributing to poor health in black communities,” said researcher Shiriki Kumanyika.

By HealthDay News

Nearly all TV food ads aimed at researchers analyzed advertising by 32 This article was Hispanic and black children in the major restaurant, food and beverage published on United States are for unhealthy companies that spent at least $100 January 15, 2019. products, a new report claims. million or more on advertising to U.S. children and teens in 2017. They were In 2017, black teens saw more than twice part of the Children’s Food and Beverage as many ads for unhealthy food products Advertising Initiative, a voluntary as white teens, researchers found. program that sets standards for food advertising aimed at children younger “Food companies have introduced than 12. healthier products and established corporate responsibility programs to Fast food, candy, sugary drinks and support health and wellness among unhealthy snacks accounted for 86 their customers, but this study shows percent of food ad spending on black- that they continue to spend 8 of 10 TV targeted TV programming, and 82 advertising dollars on fast food, candy, percent of ad spending on Spanish- sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks, language TV, the researchers found. with even more advertising for these products targeted to black and Hispanic Of the nearly $11 billion spent in total youth,” report lead author Jennifer TV advertising in 2017, $1.1 billion was Harris said in a University of Connecticut for advertising in black- and Spanish- news release. language TV programming, according to the report. Harris is director of marketing initiatives at the university’s Rudd Center for Food It also found that food companies Policy and Obesity. increased their black-targeted TV ad spending by more than 50 percent In the report released Tuesday, between 2013 and 2017, even though their total advertising spending on all TV heavily promoting products linked to an programming fell by 4 percent. increased risk of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure,” Kumanyika said. At the same time, overall advertising for healthier products such as 100 percent Companies with the most brands juice, water, nuts and fruit accounted aimed at all youth and at blacks and/ for only $195 million of all TV ad or Hispanics of all ages included Mars programming in 2017. That totaled just (candy and gum brands), PepsiCo (snack 3 percent of overall ad spending by the and sugary drink brands), and Coca-Cola 32 companies. (sugary drink, diet soda, and drink mix brands), the report said. But ads for healthier products accounted for just 1 percent of ads on black- Fast food restaurants represented targeted TV and did not appear at all on approximately one-half (nearly $4 Spanish-language TV. billion) of all food-related TV advertising in 2017. “At best, these advertising patterns imply that food companies view black The researchers called on food consumers as interested in candy, sugary makers need to stop targeting black drinks, fast food and snacks with a lot and Hispanic youth with ads for of salt, fat or sugar, but not in healthier unhealthy foods. foods,” said study co-author Shiriki • Kumanyika, chair of the Council on Black Health at Drexel University’s Dornsife School of Public Health in Philadelphia.

“Not only are these companies missing out on a marketing opportunity, but they are inadvertently contributing to poor health in black communities by New Haven Register

UCONN RESEARCHERS: LGBT YOUTH VULNERABLE TO WEIGHT-BASED BULLYING

By Brian Zahn

Young LGBT people may experience Rights Campaign’s LGBTQ National Teen This article was more teasing and harassment about their Survey in 2017, in which teenagers self- published on February 12, 2019. weight — regardless of their physique identified among a broad array of sexual — than straight teenagers, according and gender identities. Researchers used to findings from researchers with the respondents’ height and weight data to University of Connecticut Rudd Center calculate their body mass index. for Food Policy and Obesity. Puhl said she was struck by how more According to the data, more than than half of underweight respondents half of overweight and underweight reported weight-based bullying by either respondents reported weight teasing by family or peers. either their family or their peers. “A lot of times when we talk about “There is a very high vulnerability for weight-based bullying and weight-based sexual and gender minority youth,” said teasing, the emphasis is on a higher body Rudd Center Deputy Director Rebecca weight,” she said. “We really need to be Puhl. paying attention to this problem for kids, regardless of their body sizes.” Across sexual identities, between 44.1 and 70 percent of respondents reported Puhl said many school-based bullying being teased about their weight by policies ignore language around weight. family and between 45 and 57.4 percent She said many LGBT youth can benefit reported being teased by their peers from having adult advocates who are about their weight. And 61.6 percent of proficient in issues around LGBT issues non-binary teenagers assigned female and bullying around weight, such as a at birth and 64.4 percent of transgender physician. boys reported weight-based teasing by their families, the Rudd Center “A lot of kids have multiple stigmatized study said. identities, and that’s what this study is telling us,” she said. Researchers Puhl, principal investigator Ryan Watson and Mary Himmelstein The rate of adolescent obesity is nearly analyzed 9,838 responses to the Human 20 percent, Puhl said. “Past research shows if they are teased Puhl said the study was the first to look or bullied about their weight, then at the intersection of weight-based there are higher levels of depressive bullying in LGBT youth, and it raises symptoms, anxiety, poor body image and questions about how weight-based suicidal thoughts. We see that kids more bullying manifests itself between sexual often turn to food as a coping stratgegy and gender identities. In past research on and are more likely to engage in binging the broader population of weight-based or other disordered behavior,” Puhl bullying, Puhl said bullying can affect said. “We also know from longitudinal boys and girls differently; for boys, it can research that being teased about it mean being called names, but weight- predicts weight gain over time and based bullying for girls often looks like contributes to obesity.” social exclusion and rumor spreading. •

Laredo (Texas) Morning Times

UCONN STUDY: WEIGHT-RELATED BULLYING LEADS TO POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR LGBTQ YOUTH

By Brian Zahn

A study released today by the University “This study is really the first large-scale This article was of Connecticut’s Rudd Center for Food evidence of the relationship between published on Policy & Obesity found a correlation weight-based teasing and bullying and June 2, 2019. between weight-based bullying of LGBT adverse health behaviors in sexual and youth and substance abuse and poor gender minority youth,” she said. mental health. Although there is a wide body of Lead researcher Rebecca Puhl said the research into how sexual and gender study is among the first to explore the minority youth have worse mental health link between these factors. outcomes and higher rates of substance abuse — such as a 2008 report Puhl said most of her recommendations published in the journal “Addiction” on from the study center around education: 14 studies, concluding that on average both in educating families about the lesbian, gay and bisexual youth were on harm done by weight-based teasing average 190 percent more likely to use and bullying and creating more tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs — Puhl comprehensive anti-discrimination said the effects of how weight-based policies in schools. victimization could exacerbate the issues for sexual and gender minority youth had In New Haven, an LGBTQ Youth Task not been explored. Force formed about one year ago, and its members have visited Board Using data collected from 17,112 teenage of Education members to make respondents to an online survey, Puhl recommendations to create more and co-researchers Mary Himmelstein inclusive schools. Members have urged and Ryan Watson found that more than the school board to create policies that half of respondents indicated they had fundamentally respect and acknowledge been subjected to weight-based bullying sexual and gender minority identities. or teasing from their peers and/or their families. Within their lifetimes, 55.6 “It’s bigger than just bullying,” said Fair percent reported their had consumed Haven Middle School teacher David alcohol, 27.1 reported consuming alcohol Weinreb, a task force member at a in the last 30 days and 9.6 percent school governance committee meeting reported binge drinking in the last on May 28. 30 days. “A 14-year-old doesn’t necessarily know However, those who reported weight- what their legal right is and doesn’t know based victimization from their families how to ask for it,” said member Kelly were 27 percent more likely to have Wuzzardo. done binge drinking in the last 30 days Puhl said the study’s findings could also and were 23 percent more likely to have better inform medical care of sexual and smoked a cigarette in the last 30 days. gender minority youth.

Additionally, sexual and gender minority “There’s also an implication for clinicians youth experiencing weight-based and health care providers working victimization had overall lower self-rated with youth or adolescents to assess for health outcomes such as depressive weight-based victimization experiences,” symptoms, self-esteem and perceived she said. control over stressors than sexual and gender minority youth who did not Puhl said she believes longitudinal report weight-based victimization. studies should be a future inquiry.

A Rudd Center study released in “This was a one time-period study,” she February also concluded that sexual said. “But we need to understand what and gender minority youth are more this means for health over time.” likely than their heterosexual peers to • experience weight-based victimization regardless of their body weight.

“Whether they are being teased for a higher or lower body weight, they’re both vulnerable to these health consequences,” Puhl said. JUNK FOOD COMPANIES SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON ADS TARGETING BLACK CHILDREN Black teens saw more than twice as many television ads for fast food, candy, sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks compared with white teens in 2017, according to a new study.

By Lauren Weber

Companies that deal in the unhealthiest done in 2015, and compared with This article was of foods are targeting television four years ago, television advertising published on advertising at black and Hispanic for unhealthy snacks and sugary January 15, 2019. youths, according to a new study, drinks targeted to black viewers is even after many of those corporations up 50 percent. pledged their commitment to promoting healthier eating. These food ads push foods that contribute to obesity, only Food companies spent $11 billion on worsening a public health crisis that television ads in 2017, and 80 percent of disproportionately affects communities that, about $8.8 billion, was spent of color, said study author Jennifer on their unhealthiest offerings sugary Harris of the Rudd Center. soda, fast food, candy and unhealthy snacks. What’s more, black teens are “It’s perpetuating the disparities that more than twice as likely as white teens we all already see in kids’ health. Kids to see commercials for these items, the are very vulnerable to advertising, much study found. more so than adults,” she said. “It’s making the public health community’s The report — released by the Rudd job so much more difficult. It’s making Center for Food Policy & Obesity at parents’ jobs so much more difficult.” the University of Connecticut and co-produced by the Rudd Center, “Targeted marketing to low-income the Council on Black Health at Drexel kids and kids of color is a significant University and Salud America! at the public health threat,” Jim Krieger, the University of Texas Health Science executive director of Healthy Food Center at San Antonio — looked at 2017 America, told HuffPost. He decried syndicated Nielsen market research for food companies’ “predatory its findings. marketing practices.”

This year’s report follows up on research No one spends billions of dollars if they don’t expect it to have an impact, Harris to the Centers for Disease Control and concurred. Prevention.

The big issue is you follow the money. And attracting children at an early age makes them permanent customers by — Dr. Christopher Bolling, chairman, fixing their taste preferences, which American Academy of Pediatrics are incredibly difficult to alter, Perez- section on obesity Escamilla added.

Dr. Christopher Bolling, who chairs “When you have companies going after the American Academy of Pediatrics toddlers and infants, it’s insane,” he section on obesity, argued that this racial said. “Once you hook people especially targeting comes down to a common starting with young children, which denominator: poverty. He said kids of is very upsetting essentially you start lower socioeconomic status are more training them not only on your brand likely to live in food deserts where but on how sweet, how salty, how caloric healthy foods are largely inaccessible they’re going to like [their food] as they and there are the most fast food grow.” restaurants per capita. And African- Americans under 18 are three times as After the first Rudd report on food likely to live in poverty as white youths. advertising spending disparities for Hispanic children are more than twice black and Hispanic youths was released as likely as white kids to live in poverty, in 2015, a number of companies — like according to 2017 data from the Annie E. Coca-Cola, Yum! Brands (which owns Casey Foundation. Taco Bell and KFC), Hershey and PepsiCo — announced corporate responsibility “The big issue is you follow the money,” initiatives to promote health and he said. “The [companies] get better wellness, as well as sponsorships. Yet return for their buck by advertising since then, overall food-related spending heavily in those areas, as that’s where on black television programming aimed people live and are going to have access at a black audience grew by 50 percent to those foods.” from 2013 to 2017.

The Rudd report also found that The truth of the matter is the companies didn’t spend any money to [companies] have plenty of advertise healthy food options of their opportunity to self-police and self- products on Spanish-language television. regulate, and over and over again we’re seeing it just doesn’t work. “It’s just really tough when the cheapest thing to get adequate calories is through Rafael Perez-Escamilla, professor at junk food,” said Rafael Perez-Escamilla, the Yale School of Public Health a professor at the Yale School of Public Health. “This is not about personal choice Harris said that the self-policing and when there is no availability there.” responsibility initiatives that major corporations promised after the last These ad dollars are devastating in report are clearly not having the desired light of the ongoing obesity epidemic effect. Nor are they being extended to in America, which affects almost 26 consumers of color, the report said. percent of Hispanic children and 22 percent of black youths, compared with “You can now understand this is a trend,” 14 percent of white children, according Perez-Escamilla said. “The truth of the like the ads against tobacco that have matter is the [companies] have plenty proliferated on the airwaves in recent of opportunity to self-police and self- years. regulate, and over and over again we’re seeing it just doesn’t work.” Combine that with the seven U.S. cities that have enacted sugary-drink taxes, He argued it was time to take another he said, and there are reasons to be look at sugar taxes or follow Chile’s optimistic. example of cracking down on unhealthy eating. The country recently instituted But for Perez-Escamilla, studies like this strict marketing and labeling laws that just reiterate how the U.S. continues to make sugar and other unhealthy content ignore the severity of its obesity crisis. abundantly clear. Change is voluntary, he stressed. “It’s not But he warned that the current political going to stop unless we deal with it.” environment one in which Donald • Trump’s administration has loosened health restrictions on school lunches and fought sugar taxes did not bode well for progress.

Bolling echoed those fears, saying, “It scares me to death.”

For Krieger, while there are limited options at a federal level to combat such marketing, he’s heartened by new advertising attempts to counter the onslaught of unhealthy food ads much EcoWatch

KIDS AND SUGARY DRINKS: HOW CLEVER PACKAGING CAN DECEIVE PARENTS

By Kristen Fischer

Though the science has shown sugary L. Harris, Ph.D., MBA, lead study author This article was drinks are not healthy for children, fruit and the Rudd Center’s director of published on drinks and similar beverages accounted marketing initiatives. “Parents may be October 18, 2019. for more than half of all children’s drink surprised to know that pediatricians, sales in 2018, according to a new report. dentists and other nutrition experts recommend against serving any of these The Rudd Center for Food Policy & drinks to children. Obesity at the University of Connecticut released a report Wednesday that found Dr. Harris’ team evaluated 67 drinks to that fruit drinks, as well as flavored see the differences between sweetened waters with added sugars and/or low- drinks and beverages without added calorie sweeteners, made up 62 percent sweeteners. of the year’s $2.2 billion drink sales. Packaging Problems Healthier drinks, such as water or juices Experts say that juice and water blends made from 100 percent juice, made up without added sweeteners have started 38 percent of sales during the same year. to hit the market, but the nutrition claims and images can make it difficult And plenty of money was spent on for parents to pinpoint which drinks are advertising these beverages. Companies healthier. spent $20.7 million to advertise children’s drinks that contained added Sugar-sweetened fruit drinks marketed sugars. Children ages 2 to 11 saw more to children typically included 5 percent than twice as many TV ads for children’s juice or less, but 80 percent of those sweetened drinks than for children’s packages portrayed images of fruit and drinks without added sweeteners. 60 percent claimed to have “less” or “low” sugar or “no high fructose corn “Beverage companies have said they syrup,” the report said. Children’s drinks want to be part of the solution to with and without added sweeteners also childhood obesity, but they continue had similar package sizes and types, to market sugar-sweetened children’s flavor names, use of fruit imagery and drinks directly to young children on TV front-of-package claims for products. and through packages designed to get their attention in the store,” said Jennifer Low-calorie sweeteners, such as sucralose and stevia, were in 74 percent What to Drink of children’s sweetened drinks. They A report released last month were also in drinks that contained recommends that children under added sugars, but there was no age 5 should not consume any drinks mention of low-calorie sweeteners on with added sugars or low-calorie the front of packages. sweeteners, and that they should consume limited amounts of 100 Why Sugar Stays percent juice. The Academy of Nutrition One-third of all children’s fruit drinks and Dietetics, American Academy of included 16 grams or more of sugar per Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy serving — the same as 4 teaspoons, of Pediatrics and the American Heart which is about half of the maximum Association created amount of added sugars experts the recommendations. recommend for children a day. Fruit juices that are 100 percent juice can Allison Sylvetsky Meni, Ph.D., an be a part of a healthy diet for a child, so assistant professor of exercise and long as it is limited to 4 ounces per day nutrition sciences at Milken Institute for toddlers and up to 8 ounces per day School of Public Health at The George for older kids, Palmer said. Washington University, said a number of factors continue to make sales strong “It’s more healthful to make most of for sugary drinks. Many children like the the fruit servings from whole fruits, taste, some people think as long as kids like oranges, peaches, grapes, apples aren’t drinking soda that it’s healthy, and — they come with fiber and all of the sugary options can be more affordable nutrients in the whole plant,” Palmer than healthier ones. added. Also, diluting juice or making a flavored water can be helpful to get “The juicing trend has given new life kids drinking healthier. to juice sales,” added Sharon Palmer, a registered dietitian nutritionist from Parents should stick to giving children California. Many new items have come water, flavored unsweetened sparkling on the market, such as fresh or cold- water or diluted juice, Dr. Sylvetsky pressed juices. Green juice blends and Meni said. at-home juicing has become popular. Trendy juice blends, such as those with “They need to repeatedly expose their ginger or turmeric, are also creating a kids to unsweetened drinks and over buzz in general. time, they will get used to it,” Sylvetsky Meni said. Palmer believes many parents are trying • to reduce sugary beverage consumption in their households, but may not realize that soda is not the only sugar-laden drink. Some fruit drinks may appear to be healthier, but many can have high levels of added sugars, she said. Psych Central

SELF-CRITICISM ABOUT WEIGHT MAY ORIGINATE WITH OTHERS We didn’t believe it either.

By Traci Pedersen

Some overweight and obese individuals romantic partner had lower levels of This article was are more likely to engage in “self- internalization. published on July 16, 2019. stigmatization,” in which they internalize their weight stigma experiences and “We don’t yet know why some people begin to blame and devalue themselves. who struggle with their weight internalize society’s stigma and others In a new study of more than 18,000 do not,” said the study’s lead author, adults, researchers from Penn Medicine Rebecca Pearl, Ph.D., an assistant and the University of Connecticut Rudd professor of psychology in psychiatry in Center for Food Policy and Obesity the Perelman School of Medicine at the wanted to better understand who is at University of Pennsylvania. greater risk for this type of behavior, which has been associated with poor “These findings represent a first step mental and physical health. toward helping us identify, among people trying to manage their weight, who Their findings show that participants may be most likely to self-stigmatize. who reported experiencing weight People who are trying to lose weight stigma from others — particularly from may be among the most vulnerable to people they know such as family, friends weight self-stigma, but this issue is rarely and coworkers — had higher levels discussed in treatment settings.” of internalized weight bias than those who reported no experiences of weight In this study, the researchers stigma. surveyed surveyed more than 18,000 adults enrolled in the The study is published in the journal commercial weight management Obesity Science and Practice. program WW International (formerly Weight Watchers Inc.) in order to identify In addition, those who internalized the key characteristics and experiences weight bias the most tended to of people who internalize weight bias. be younger, female, have a higher The study is the largest investigation of body mass index (BMI), and have an weight self-stigma to date. earlier onset of their weight struggle. Participants who were black or had a The participants recalled when they had experienced weight stigma from “Our findings can inform ways to other people during their lifetime, support people who are experiencing how frequent and how upsetting the or internalizing weight stigma, including experiences were, and who it was that opportunities to address weight stigma called them names, rejected them, or as part of weight management and denied them an opportunity simply healthy lifestyle programs,” said principal because of their weight. investigator Rebecca Puhl, Ph.D., a professor of Human Development and The results show that nearly two-thirds Family Sciences at the University of of the participants reported experiencing Connecticut. weight stigma at least once in their life, and almost half reported experiencing The study sample represented only a these events when they were children small percentage of WW members, so or teens. The researchers looked at the the findings may not generalize to all relationships between these experiences members or to adults trying to lose and levels of self-directed stigma. weight in other ways. Some previous research has suggested that people who Participants who reported experiencing internalize weight bias may have worse weight stigma from others had higher long-term weight loss outcomes, but levels of internalized weight bias than more research on this topic is needed. those who reported no experiences of weight stigma. The research team is developing a psychological intervention for weight This link was even stronger among self-stigma that can be incorporated into participants who had weight- weight management. stigmatizing experiences early in life • and who continued to have these upsetting experiences as adults. Those who experienced weight stigma from family members or friends, or from those in their workplace, community, or health care setting, also had greater evidence of weight self-stigma compared to participants who did not encounter weight stigma from those sources. Inverse

MEN WHO EXPERIENCE WEIGHT STIGMA ARE AT RISK FOR DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES “Weight stigma is not a gendered issue.”

By Sarah Sloat

Women’s bodies are trapped by cultural something that they internalized (did This article was rhetoric. They are continually objectified they blame themselves?) or something published on July 31, 2019. and expected to espouse certain ideals, that was put upon them by others. but at the same time they are the center of a conversation involving scientists, The men also shared details about their cultural critics, and everyday people who health behaviors, like how often they are increasingly aware of the dangers of dieted, as well as their psychological judging beauty. Men and their bodies, well-being. meanwhile, receive less attention. But a study published Wednesday in Obesity Overall, 40 percent of the participants suggests it’s time that changed. said they had experienced weight stigma. The men who internalized weight While the way men feel about their stigma had lower self-rated health than bodies remains overlooked and others, and all had an increased odds of understudied, that doesn’t mean that engaging in binge eating. there’s nothing hazardous going on there. As the new study from the Rudd Furthermore, the men who experienced Center for Food Policy and Obesity at and internalized weight stigma were the University of Connecticut shows, the group most associated with more men who experience weight stigma are depressive symptoms and more dieting at risk of serious health consequences behaviors. — and many are experiencing those consequences already. Men are experiencing an increasing Weight stigma, as it’s defined by the pressure to be lean and muscular. National Eating Disorders Association, is discrimination or stereotyping based “Weight stigma is not a gendered issue,” on a person’s weight. In the new study, says Himmelstein. “It can affect men’s a team led by postdoctoral fellow Mary health in the same damaging ways in Himmelstein, Ph.D., asked 1,753 American which we already know that it harms men to self-report their height, weight, women’s health, and neglecting issues demographics, and the extent to which in men, either in research or clinical they experienced weight stigma. They practice, may put them at a serious were also asked whether this stigma was disadvantage in treatment.” Previous studies have argued that the Partial Abstract: high levels of body dissatisfaction among men are driven by the representation of Objective: A substantial amount of men in media and pop culture. Recent literature has suggested that weight analysis shows that media images of men stigma impairs health. Evidence on are more muscular and lean than ever gender differences in weight stigma before. Dissatisfaction emerges from the has been mixed, but studies of discrepancy between actual bodies and weight stigma within men have been ‘ideal’ physiques, and this dissatisfaction primarily absent from the literature. can lead to disordered eating, Results: Regression analyses depression, and increased risk of using showed that, independent of race, performance-enhancing substances. socioeconomic status, and BMI, experienced weight stigma and And dissatisfaction with one’s body weight bias internalization among starts young: A 2014 study published men were associated with poor in JAMA Pediatrics found that, out of a health, including greater depressive group of 5,527 males aged 12 to 18 years symptoms, increased dieting, lower old, 18 percent were highly concerned self-reported health, and increased about their weight and physique. odds of binge eating. Neither internalized nor experienced weight Himmelstein argues that there’s a need stigma was consistently associated for more research exploring how men with physical activity, smoking, cope with weight stigma, especially drinking, or trouble sleeping. if those coping responses involve • behaviors like binge eating. She also advises health professionals to pay more attention to the men in their care: Historically, it’s not common for men to be asked about how they feel about their weight. That needs to change so that experts can identify who needs help and interventions can be provided before it’s too late. DZone

WHY EMPATHY MATTERS WHEN DESIGNING PRODUCTS The importance of empathy to creativity was underlined by recent research from the University of Connecticut and the University of Illinois. by Adi Gaskell

It seems intuitive that if you can step Child’s play This article was into the shoes of your customers and published on The volunteers were tasked with July 15, 2019. experience what they do, then you have completing a number of product design- a good chance of delivering exceptional related tasks, including designing a customer experiences. It’s perhaps for children’s toy and a new breakfast cereal. this reason that so many successful The conditions for each task were as startups emerge from the personal pain outlined above, with one group tasked of the founders. with thinking about the feelings of the end user, and the other simply designing Nonetheless, the importance of the products as objectively as they can. empathy to creativity was underlined by recent research from the University of Each product was then judged by Connecticut and the University of Illinois, experts in that particular area, none of which asked participants to imagine whom were aware of the makeup of the teams or their particular circumstances. consumers eating a snack before then They judged the product designs purely designing that snack on their behalf. on their creativity.

When compared with a control group So what does empathy do to make us who were simply asked to design a more creative? The researchers believe it snack objectively, the empathetic triggers something known as ‘cognitive group produced considerably more flexibility’, which is the ability to consider creative products. things from a number of perspectives simultaneously. “We’ve shown that empathy can change the way in which you think,” What’s more, it also emerged that the the researchers explain. “We’ve ideas were not only more creative when looked at it in a somewhat narrow we thought in such a way, but they were context of product design, but it also often more feasible to the end user. appears that subtle things, such as imagining how someone else would Better products feel, can have a huge impact on The researchers highlight how a growing creativity in general.” number of companies solicit new ideas from customers and other stakeholders, “We were trying to brainstorm with the likes of Starbucks receiving context where people could design over 150,000 ideas through its for others,” they conclude. “Our crowdsourcing project. participants spent a lot of time thinking these projects through, in Whilst the value of such ideation some cases much more time than platforms is open to debate, the team they needed to. One of the things believe that their findings could help we love about testing creativity such efforts produce even more creative is that it is engaging, and people and useful ideas. say it is a fun task. Through these simple experiments, we’ve shown that consideration of an end- user’s feelings is a potent tool for developing innovative new products and solving problems that exist in the marketplace.” •

HealthDay News

THE SKINNY ON SCHOOLS’ EFFORTS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING

Schools that promote healthy eating The efforts included nutrition newsletters This article was may reduce kids’ risk of obesity, new for students and families; making sure published on research finds. school-based meals met federal nutrition January 3, 2019. guidelines; limiting sugary drinks and Their study of nearly 600 middle encouraging water consumption; and schoolers in New Haven, Conn., found limiting use of food or drink as rewards that such efforts limited increases in kids’ for good grades and behavior. body mass index (BMI -- an estimate of body fat based on height and weight). By the end of the five-year study, the average BMI increase was 1 percent “This is some of the strongest evidence among kids in schools with nutritional we have to date that nutrition education programs and policies, compared with 3 and promoting healthy eating behaviors percent to 4 percent elsewhere. in the classroom and cafeteria can have a meaningful impact on children’s The study was recently published in the health,” said study senior author Marlene American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Schwartz.

“These findings can guide future school She is director of the Rudd Center and community interventions. Childhood for Food Policy and Obesity at the obesity is a serious health threat, and University of Connecticut in Storrs. schools are a vital way to reach children and their families to reduce risks and “These findings can inform how we promote health,” said lead author approach federal wellness policy Jeannette Ickovics. requirements and implementation in schools to help mitigate childhood Ickovics is a professor of social and obesity,” Schwartz said in the news behavioral sciences at Yale University. release.

“These findings strongly support More than 1 in 5 American teenagers previous administration policies that are obese, and as many as half are provided healthier food for all children in overweight or obese, according to the public schools,” she added in a university researchers. news release. •

Those policies were recently rolled back by the Trump administration.

UConn Health

NEW DRUGS EMERGE TO TREAT SICKLE CELL DISEASE The FDA approved Oxbryta, a once-daily pill from Global Blood Therapeutics

By Peter Loftus

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Andemariam, chief medical officer of This article was approved a new drug for sickle cell the Sickle Cell Disease Association of published on disease Monday, adding to a new wave America and a sickle cell specialist at November 25, 2019. of treatments that promise relief from UConn Health, in Farmington, Conn. the life-threatening blood disorder that largely afflicts African-Americans. But the therapies are expensive, part of a growing trend of high prices for Oxbryta, a once-daily pill from Global drugs that treat rare diseases. Global Blood Therapeutics Inc., GBT +5.73% Blood Therapeutics priced Oxbryta at blocks a process in blood cells that $125,000 a year, though the company can lead to anemia and organ damage, said the drug would cost most health hallmarks of sickle cell disease. It is the plans $96,000 a year after discounts. second treatment to get FDA approval in Novartis’s drug lists for as much as recent weeks, after the agency approved $113,100 a year, depending on the weight Novartis AG ’s Adakveo to reduce the of the patient. frequency of bouts of pain that sickle cell patients can suffer. Drugmakers say the treatments can help cut other costs, such as hospitalization. Doctors say the new drugs have the potential to ease the complications of Sickle cell disease is caused by an sickle cell disease, which afflicts about inherited mutation in an oxygen- 100,000 Americans. carrying protein known as hemoglobin. Decades ago, most children diagnosed More new treatments are on the horizon. with it didn’t live into adulthood. Life Drugmakers including Bluebird Bio Inc., expectancy has risen significantly since Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Crispr the 1980s, due to newborn screening Therapeutics Inc., along with government and treatment advances like blood researchers, are developing experimental transfusions and penicillin to prevent therapies that may have potential to cure severe infections. or provide long periods of relief. But most patients don’t live longer “Everybody’s been waiting for this than 50 years, doctors say, and moment where the flood gate of new many face debilitating complications treatments is opening,” said Dr. Biree including strokes and kidney failure. Few drugs have been approved in recent that occurs when blood circulation decades. becomes obstructed. The pain often sends patients to the hospital. Global Blood Therapeutics, of South San Francisco, Calif., designed Oxbryta to In a nearly 200-patient study, people stop a molecular process that results in taking Adakveo had a median of 1.63 sickle-shaped red blood cells, the feature such episodes a year, versus 2.98 in the that gives the disease its name. placebo group.

After 24 weeks of treatment, about Bluebird Bio is developing a gene 51% of the clinical-trial subjects who therapy that would deliver functional had received a high dose of the drug copies of the faulty gene that causes had higher levels of hemoglobin, the sickle cell disease and restore a patient’s protein that carries oxygen in the blood, ability to make healthy red-blood cells. compared with 33% among those getting The therapy is in mid-stage patient a lower dose and 7% in the placebo studies, and the company expects to group. Those taking the drug also file for regulatory approval in 2022, a experienced reduced anemia. spokeswoman said.

“We think what this drug is doing is Meantime, Crispr Therapeutics and fundamental in terms of reversing partner Vertex Pharmaceuticals are disease,” said Global Blood Therapeutics working on a treatment that would Chief Executive Ted Love. edit genes taken from patients’ blood samples, and then infuse them back into Reported side effects include headaches patients as part of a stem-cell transplant. and diarrhea. The National Institutes of Health said last The FDA approved the drug’s use in month it plans to invest at least $100 patients aged 12 years and older. million in the next four years toward finding affordable, gene-based cures “Our scientific investments have brought for sickle cell disease and HIV. The Bill & us to a point where we have many more Melinda Gates Foundation said it would tools available in the battle against invest an equal amount toward the goal. sickle cell disease, which presents daily challenges for those living with it,” said “The hope is that sickle cell may be Acting FDA Commissioner Adm. Brett P. cured in some cases but in other cases Giroir said. managed as a chronic condition,” said Dr. Lewis Hsu, a pediatric sickle- Patricia Rose, 52, of Berwyn, Ill., said she cell specialist at Children’s Hospital took Oxbryta in a clinical trial along with University of Illinois. another drug called hydroxyurea she has • been taking since around 2000, and the combination helped alleviate the painful episodes resulting from the disease more than the older drug alone.

Novartis’s Adakveo, infused intravenously once a month, was approved in patients age 16 and older to reduce the frequency of a painful complication of sickle cell TIGHTER BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL MAY PREVENT BRAIN LESIONS

By Robert Preidt

Reducing high blood pressure in the pressure around 130 mm Hg for three This article was elderly appears to lower their odds of years, and had it monitored by wearable published on developing brain lesions, a new study devices. The other half took medicine March 20, 2019. finds. to maintain a systolic blood pressure around 145 mm Hg. “I think it’s an important clinical finding, and a very hopeful one for elderly people Those in the more intensive blood who have vascular disease of the brain pressure control group had significantly and [high blood pressure],” said study less accumulation of brain lesions and co-principal investigator Dr. William were less likely to have a heart attack, White. He’s a professor of medicine at stroke or other major heart problems, the the University of Connecticut School investigators found. of Medicine. However, having fewer brain lesions Over time, high systolic blood pressure was not associated with significant (top number in a reading) can damage improvements in mobility and mental small arteries deep in the brain. Reduced function, according to the study authors. blood flow to the brain can lead to areas of damaged nerve cells (lesions) in the It’s likely that three years was too short brain’s white matter. a time for such benefits to become apparent, the researchers suggested. Older people with more of these lesions tend to have slower reflexes, mobility The study results were presented problems and more signs of mental Monday at the American College of decline, the researchers explained. Cardiology’s annual meeting, in New Orleans. Such research should be viewed This study included nearly 200 people, as preliminary until published in a peer- average age 81, with evidence of some reviewed journal. brain lesions and high blood pressure (average systolic blood pressure around “With the intensive 24-hour blood 150 mm Hg). pressure treatment, we reduced the accrual of this brain damage by 40 Half of the participants took medicine percent in a period of just three years. to keep their 24-hour systolic blood That is highly clinically significant,” White said in an American College of he believes intensive blood pressure Cardiology news release. reduction will have a substantial impact on function in older persons, as well. Over a longer time period, he added, •

Market Watch

POORER AMERICANS ARE MORE AT RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES A new study suggests a worrying wealth gap in the prevalence of this life-threatening illness

By Jeanette Settembre

Food insecurity leads to chronic health sample 121 Latinos with Type 2 diabetes. This article was disease. Of those, 68% were classified as food published on insecure. June 29, 2019. Some 40 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, live in households After paying for housing and school costs, where they don’t have access to proper millions of low-income Americans may nutrition, and not having adequate food have little left over for healthy food, but or balanced meals can lead to chronic may not always qualify for SNAP. diseases like Type 2 diabetes, a study published in the “Journal of Nutrition,” After paying for housing and school costs, millions of low-income Americans may led by researchers at the University of have little left over for healthy food, but Connecticut’s School of Medicine found. may not always qualify for SNAP In the U.S., the food insecurity epidemic is most prevalent among Latinos where Researchers tested the relationship rates of Type 2 diabetes are 12.1% among between lack of nutritious foods and Hispanics compared to 7.4% of non- high blood sugar using data from the Hispanic whites, researchers noted in the U.S. Census Bureau’s “Community Health study. This finding prompted them to Workers Assisting Latinos Manage Stress and Diabetes” trial. They measured blood They may have little left over for healthy glucose, insulin levels, stress hormones food, but may not always qualify and inflammation in people with for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition adequate food and those considered Assistance Program), formerly known as food insecure. food stamps. And since processed foods often cost less than whole foods, many When people don’t have enough food are left with settling on the cost effective or aren’t eating healthy, inflammation alternative. occurs in the body. This causes stress which triggers the release of cortisol and The average SNAP participant gets about other stress hormones that can lead to $4.20 per day. An 11-ounce box of baby insulin resistance, (when sugar builds spinach at Walmart WMT, +0.69% costs up in the bloodstream, which causes $3.36, more than half of a day’s worth of Type 2 diabetes). People considered benefits, while boxed meals, which are food insecure had significantly higher far less healthy, like a box of Kraft Mac & insulin resistance, insulin, glucose, stress Cheese KHC, -0.11%, for example, costs hormones, inflammation and total 98 cents. Maintaining a clean diet is cholesterol compared to those who 40% more expensive than one with ate right. processed foods.

“Our findings support the plausibility of Eating an ultra-processed diet can have links between food insecurity and poor negative effects on health, however. Two health,” says Dr. Angela Bermúdez- separate studies from France and Spain Millán, assistant professor in the published in The British Medical Journal Department of Community Medicine earlier this month suggested that eating and Health Care at UConn School of processed food can lead to an increased Medicine. risk of cardiovascular disease, and a higher risk of death. People considered food insecure had • significantly more stress, which triggers inflammation and stress hormones — and insulin resistance.

People considered food insecure had significantly more stress, which triggers inflammation and stress hormones — and insulin resistance.

It’s a problem that likely affects millions of Americans: 97% of counties in the U.S. where people can’t afford or don’t have access to healthy food. Experts say man “food insecure” families often work low- paid jobs to pay for rent and utilities, and other expenses like school supplies for their children. United Press International

LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE BOOSTS BRAIN FUNCTION IN ELDERLY, STUDY SAYS

By Tauren Dyson

Having lower blood pressure can boost monitors to keep track of their numbers This article was brain function in older adults, a new around the clock. They also worked published on study says. closely with their doctors to stick to a March 18, 2019. medication regime. When elderly people took medicine to keep their systolic blood pressure around High blood pressure can reduce the 130 mm for three years, they were less flow of blood to the brain, known as likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or cerebrovascular disease. This can cause other cardiovascular event, according lesions to accumulate in the brain and to research presented at the American ultimately cause nerve damage. When College of Cardiology’s 68th Annual older people build up enough of these Scientific Session. lesions, it can lead to slower reflexes and cognitive decline. “I think it’s an important clinical finding and a very hopeful one for elderly Over time, this can hurt the small people who have vascular disease arteries in the brain’s deep regions, the of the brain and hypertension,” said study says. The intensive form of blood William B. White, a researcher at the pressure monitoring led to a 40 percent University of Connecticut School of reduction in lesion accumulation within Medicine’s Calhoun Cardiology Center the brain. and study principal investigators. “With the intensive 24-hour blood pressure In contrast, people who got their treatment we reduced the accrual of blood pressure checked in a medical this brain damage by 40 percent in a environment only maintained a systolic period of just three years. That is highly reading of 145 mm and had four times clinically significant, and I think over a the risk of suffering a stroke, heart attack longer time period intensive reduction of or other cardiovascular events. the ambulatory blood pressure will have a substantial impact on function in older “The average 80-year-old without a persons, as well.” major illness such as cancer or heart failure can expect to live about 13 more For the study, participants, at an years, and if you cut back the accrual of average age of 81 and diagnosed with vascular damage over the course of that hypertension, wore blood pressure timeframe it could substantially improve a person’s quality of life,” White said. “In addition, this benefit would likely be amplified in people with more severe or longer-duration hypertension.” •

Express

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASES HEART ATTACK RISK - RESEARCH TO AVOID FATAL COMPLICATIONS

By Jessica Knibbs

HIGH blood pressure risks become the elderly and means that tighter blood This article was more serious the older you get, and the pressure control can improve outcomes published on condition is especially common in older for elderly adults. May 23, 2019. adults. For older people with high blood pressure intensive blood pressure control Driving down blood pressure to lower may be the answer. What does it involve levels could have major benefits for and how does it work? people with high blood pressure and who are at risk of heart attacks. High blood pressure is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ as it increases the risk Intensive blood pressure control means for heart attacks and strokes. High blood using medication to get the patients’ pressure occurs when the force of the Systolic pressure over 120 mmHg. blood against an artery wall is too high. Systolic pressure is the measure in the Unfortunately, risk for high blood pressure blood vessels when the heart beats. increases with age, making it especially Targeting those with a systolic blood common in older adults. Aggressive pressure of less than 120 mmHg may treatment could improve outcomes for reduce the risk of fatal cardiovascular the elderly based on latest findings. conditions.

New research suggests that aggressive A recent study at the American College blood pressure treatment may improve of Cardiology called SPRINT compared brain function and reduce heart risks in standard vs. aggressive blood pressure treatment in elderly adults. Overall, an aggressive approach cut the risk of heart attack and other The study involved 199 participants cardiovascular complications by almost who took blood pressure medicine for one-third, versus standard treatment. a total of three years while researchers tracked key outcomes including the brain You should look out for symptoms of function and heart risks. high blood pressure which include: “In addition, this benefit would • Severe headache likely be amplified in people with • Chest pain more severe or longer-duration • Difficulty breathing hypertension” • Blood in the urine • Fatigue or confusion — Doctor William B. White, professor • Vision problems of medicine at the University of • Irregular heartbeat Connecticut School of Medicine Anyone can develop high blood pressure After three years the imaging had shown and if you are living with the condition that participants in the more aggressive you should always know your blood treatment group had fewer brain pressure levels by investing in a blood lesions than those in the less aggressive pressure monitor. treatment group. You should also understand your Doctor William B. White, professor risks and symptoms and always try of medicine at the University of and make healthier choices in your life Connecticut School of Medicine’s such as taking your medication and Calhoun Cardiology Centre and of the communicating openly with your study’s principal investigators said of doctor. the study: “With the intensive 24-hour • blood pressure treatment we reduced the accrual of this brain damage by 40 percent in a period of just three years.

“That is highly clinically significant, and I think over a longer time period intensive reduction of the ambulatory blood pressure will have a substantial impact on function in older persons, as well.

“In addition, this benefit would likely be amplified in people with more severe or longer-duration hypertension.” Consumer Affairs

WALNUTS COULD HELP CONSUMERS FIGHT ULCERATIVE COLITIS The food has been proven to carry a myriad of health benefits

By Kristen Dalli

A new study conducted by researchers tremendously. This article was from the University of Connecticut published on discovered that walnuts, in addition The researchers noted the mice’s colons September 13, 2019. to providing several other health healed better and faster following the benefits, could help protect against two-week walnut supplement regimen, ulcerative colitis. and they also noticed less damage to the colon overall in the colitis episode that “We are not suggesting that people with immediately followed the walnut intake. ulcerative colitis be maintained on a large walnut diet between active flares,” The researchers are currently in the said researcher Dr. Daniel Rosenberg. process of testing the effectiveness of “But, we are hoping that we’ll be able walnut’s on colitis in human participants. to determine the active compounds -- nutrients, phytochemicals -- in walnuts Walnuts pack a punch that cause protection.” In a recent study, researchers from Penn State found that walnuts could be Getting the health benefits beneficial for consumers on the verge To see the effect walnuts had on of heart disease who are looking to ulcerative colitis, the researchers maintain their blood pressure. conducted a trial experiment with mice over a two-week period in which After eating whole walnuts, the study’s each specimen consumed a walnut participants saw better vital readings supplement. in arterial stiffness, central pressure, diastolic blood pressure, central systolic The researchers induced ulcerative blood pressure, cholesterol, and brachial colitis in the mice using dextran sodium pressure, all of which can help reduce the sulfate (DSS). By putting the mice likelihood of heart disease. through episodes of ulcerative colitis, the researchers were able to compare “When participants ate whole walnuts, how the walnuts affected their recovery they saw greater benefits than when time between episodes. Ultimately, they consumed a diet with a similar the walnuts proved to help the mice fatty acid profile as walnuts without eating the nut itself,” said researcher Penny Kris-Etherton. “So it seems like there’s a little something extra in walnuts that are beneficial -- maybe their bioactive compounds, maybe the fiber, maybe something else -- that you don’t get in the fatty acids alone.”•

MAGNESIUM AND RIBOFLAVIN FOR MIGRAINES

By Brindusa Vanta

Migraines are chronic neurological School of Medicine, U.S. The scientists This article was conditions characterized by intense indicated that several alternative and published on headaches, visual disturbances and complimentary therapies were found December 5, 2018. nausea. Vitamin B 2 or riboflavin and the beneficial for managing migraine mineral magnesium appears to be safe headaches. Among various natural and effective nutrients that may help treatments, riboflavin was found prevent the migraines, based on several effective in some research studies and research studies. If you consider taking may be used as a prophylactic agent for these supplements for your condition, migraines. University of Maryland, Medical you should first talk to your health care Center also notes a study that found provider. supplementation with riboflavin reduced by 50 percent the number of headache Riboflavin attacks in the subjects that participated in the research trial. In February 2011 medical journal “Current Treatment Options in Neurology” published and article by a research Magnesium team from Saint Louis University Preventing migraines is an important part of the management of this Safety condition. Avoiding triggers and life Both magnesium and vitamin B2 are style modifications, medications and generally considered safe and well- natural supplements have been proposed tolerated supplements. Over dosage of by health care providers. Magnesium, magnesium may lead with serious side vitamin B 2 as well conventional drugs effects, and this supplement should venlafaxine, gabapentine and naproxen be used cautiously by individuals with are considered the second choices kidney diseases, since this mineral is as prophylactic agents for migraines, eliminated from the body by kidneys. according to a study published in April 2010 issue of “The Journal of Association of Physicians of India.” Another Considerations research study conducted University of Consult a qualified health care provider Connecticut School of Medicine, U.S. to find out more about vitamin B2 and suggests that magnesium deficiency magnesium supplements and possible is correlated with several chronic pain drug and herb interactions. Keep in mind disorders, and optimizing the level that vitamins and minerals do not replace of this mineral was found beneficial and should not be used to replace for improving migraines. This study any conventional drugs prescribed for was published in July 2009 issue of headache migraines. “American Family Physician.” University • of Maryland, Medical Center describes another research study that found that individuals who took magnesium supplements had reduced the frequency of the headache attacks by 41.6 percent.

Dosage Supplementation with vitamin B2 and magnesium should be medically supervised. University of Maryland indicates a daily dose of 400 mg of riboflavin and between 200 to 600 mg of magnesium for managing migraine headaches. Hartford Business Journal

UCONN HEALTH RESEARCH SHOWS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CT RESIDENTS FACED MEDICAL-DEBT LAWSUITS

By Matt Pilon

Debt-collection lawsuits against HDI’s debt research is ongoing, but the This article was Connecticut patients with overdue figures in its first brief are noteworthy, as published on medical bills have been on the decline state-level data and insights into medical September 2, 2019. in recent years, but hospitals and debt can be difficult to find. other in-state health providers are still suing at a healthy clip. Surveys, mostly national in scope, have shown that medical debt is a reality That’s according to recent research by for many Americans, which can lead the Health Disparities Institute (HDI) at to financial struggles, poorer health UConn Health, which found that nearly outcomes, and racial disparities. 86,000 medical-debt lawsuits were filed in small-claims court between 2011 and But, bit by bit, the body of research on late 2016. medical debt in Connecticut continues to grow. Those lawsuits claimed, at least initially, more than $110 million in debts owed. It’s important to note that Connecticut doesn’t appear to stick out negatively Dr. Victor G. Villagra, associate director among other states. For example, of HDI, which was founded in 2011 to an Urban Institute study found that enhance research and delivery of care to Connecticut had the fifth-lowest share of minority and underserved populations, adults in the country who reported past- said the findings are just “the tip of the due medical debt in 2015. The 16 percent iceberg,” in terms of understanding of Connecticut adults reporting debt that the scope of medical debt, since his year was down from 26 percent in 2012, organization’s analysis only includes one of the largest declines in the country. “hospital” and “non-hospital” cases filed in small-claims court. State reports also show that Connecticut acute-care hospital’s “bad debt,” which He said his team was unable to obtain are bills deemed uncollectible after similar data from Superior Court, where patient services were delivered, declined claims exceed $5,000, due to technical between 2014 and 2017 from $506.1 barriers. In addition, there’s likely plenty million to $372.9 million. of medical-debt-collections activity that falls short of a lawsuit. However, that doesn’t mean patients don’t struggle with healthcare costs. “The vast majority [of debt] is under the surface,” Villagra said. Last year, a survey commissioned by the Universal Health Care Foundation found analyzed didn’t show up for court, which that half of Connecticut adults in the past 12 often guarantees a ruling in the plaintiff’s months had been uninsured due to the high favor. cost of premiums; delayed health care due to cost; or struggled to pay medical bills. Villagra said he wants to better understand the reasons for the no-shows, and is ”Health insurance is supposed to protect pondering whether reforms are needed at people from financial devastation and I the state level to ensure alleged debtors don’t think it’s doing its job,” said Jill Zorn, receive their court summons and that senior policy officer at Universal Health Care claimed amounts owed are detailed and Foundation. accurate.

“Generally, I have a big problem with Better but not great pricing practices that are unreasonable in HDI’s small-claims data show that both the health care,” he said. “It is so difficult to get volume of medical-debt lawsuits as well [providers] to give you something that is as the amounts plaintiffs claimed began to understandable, where you know what you’re decline in 2014. paying for.”

Villagra credits the Affordable Care Act for For now, Villagra and his team have plenty that, since it decreased the number of people of work ahead as they pursue other research who are uninsured and put some restrictions questions based off the debt data. on aggressive billing and collection practices. They are designing a survey to ask It fits with a broader national trend, Connecticut physicians and patients about according to the federal National Health how collection practices and billing lawsuits Interview Survey, which found that the impact the doctor-patient relationship. number of Americans having trouble with medical bills has declined since the ACA Villagra said there hasn’t been much was enacted. However, blacks and Hispanics academic research into that question, but struggled with bills at higher rates. from his experience practicing medicine for about a decade into the 1990s, he has a Villagra said those disparities are a key hunch HDI might learn that trust, physicians’ concern for HDI, and he supports better roles as advocates for their patients, and education to promote health-insurance quality and continuity of care all suffer when literacy for patients and doctors alike. providers are chasing a patient over an unpaid bill. Other factors could be contributing to the dip in lawsuits, HDI observed, including As hospitals and provider groups grow higher employment levels in the state and larger through mergers and acquisitions, new restrictions on “surprise billing,” which Villagra said billing and collection decisions is when patients are unknowingly treated by are getting further away from physicians an out-of-network provider at an in-network themselves. hospital, increasing out-of-pocket costs. “I am convinced I am going to find out that Still, Villagra has concerns, since those many of these doctors don’t know that the factors — perhaps outweighed by the ever- patient they’ve had for years is suddenly in climbing cost of premiums, deductibles and court because they couldn’t pay,” he said. other insurance “cost-sharing” — haven’t • eliminated the medical-debt problem.

For example, more than half of the summoned defendants in the cases his team Maine Biz

JAX MICE ARE ROCKETING TO INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION Jackson Laboratory scientist Se-Jin Lee and Emily Germain-Lee with Connecticut Children’s Medical Center are leading a project that’s sending a cohort of JAX mice to the International Space Station.

By Laurie Schreiber

This article was published on November 14, 2019.

A batch of mice bred by Jackson of aging, according to a news release. Laboratory, headquartered in Bar Harbor, The project’s principal investigator is will be traveling to the International Se-Jin Lee of JAX, who received a Space Station next month. grant from the Center for the The mice are part of a 40-day space Advancement of Science in Space to mission expected to help scientists conduct experiments onboard the understand more about bone and muscle station during its mission from loss in both astronauts and earthlings December to January. The research who suffer from diseases such as ALS team includes scientists from JAX, the and cancer, as well as the general effects University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Connecticut Children’s How do they eat and sleep in space? Medical Center. With regard to sleep, it varies, she explained. JAX has dubbed the cohort of animals “Mighty Mice.” Lee will attend the launch. “But that is part of the adaptation NASA astronaut Jessica U. Meir, who is process of living in microgravity,” she from Caribou and recently participated continued. “The mice are group housed in the first all-female spacewalk, will be on orbit in groups of five to 10, as mice onboard the station and working with are social animals. The habitats currently the mice. include a small hut that enables the mice to huddle and sleep together.” The lab’s mice have previously been utilized in projects at the International For food, rodent food bars are available Space Station, JAX spokeswoman Grace for the mice to eat. Scott told Mainebiz by email. “Food and water are provided to the NASA’s projected launch date is Dec. mice on orbit in excess so that they 4, but is subject to weather and other can eat, drink and sleep as they choose,” uncontrollable conditions, she added. she said.

Preparing for launch During spaceflight, mice engage in normal activities related to feeding, “Mighty Mice” are genetically engineered grooming, and interacting with other mouse models that lack myostatin, a mice, according to NASA article protein that limits muscle growth, and published in April that explains how mice therefore display increased muscle mass. adjust to microgravity. Lee discovered myostatin in 1997, and the breakthrough is considered a milestone The rodents quickly adapt to weightless in aging and disease research, according circumstances. For example, they anchor to the release. themselves to the habitat walls with their hind limbs or tails. The mice can be used to model the clinical effects that myostatin inhibitors Student partnerships have on muscle and bone loss, In addition to the science, Lee will particularly related to disuse. engage with students from two “This study will relate to humans who public high schools in Hartford, Conn., suffer from disuse-related muscle loss, l throughout the project so they can ike the elderly or bed-ridden,” Scott said. analyze the data and make predictions about the mission. Future plans include How are the mice prepared for launch? bringing the STEM learning experience “They arrive at the launch site several to schools in Maine and beyond, said weeks ahead of launch to become Scott. • accustomed to the habitats, food and water that sustain them during their time in orbit,” she said. “Any mice that experience difficulty adapting to the new conditions or show signs of distress prior to launch are excluded from the flight cohort.” Iceland Review

STOP ALL THE CLOCKS by Ragnar Tómas Hallgrímsson Photography by Golli

Few issues have garnered as much news, where opinions and facts often get A version of this attention – and feedback – as the confused, the clock debate is worth a article appears in print contentious suggestion to move the closer look. on Iceland Review Magazine. Icelandic clock back one hour to better align with solar time. A brief history of Icelandic time The origin of this “issue with the clocks” “We should let the clock alone,” one can be traced back to 1907 when the Icelander protests. “It’s not the clock’s Icelandic government formally adopted fault that the Icelanders go to sleep late.” Icelandic Mean Time, eliminating time According to a report commissioned by difference between different parts of the Ministry of Health, however, this may the country. With this legislation, all of not be true: “Individuals residing in the Iceland conformed to the country’s given westernmost area of a given time zone time zone (UTC-1), as established by the go to sleep later and sleep less than International Meridian Conference in individuals residing more easterly, where Washington D.C. in 1884. As before, the the sun rises earlier.” Additionally, Iceland Icelandic clock corresponded roughly observes Greenwich Mean Time, which to solar time; when the sun reached its means that it is an entire zone to the zenith, the Icelandic clock struck noon west of its “correct” geographical time (or around 12.30pm). zone. In 1917, following in the footsteps of Another Icelander, advocating for Germany and other European countries, the status quo, also ignores these Iceland adopted daylight saving time, findings: “There is no problem here, moving the clocks forward in the just people with too much free time on summer and back again in winter. The their hands who invent problems and reason, as noted in the report, was to then ‘solutions.’” This too, according “achieve greater harmony between to the report, is not true. On average, daylight and working hours, which in Icelanders go to sleep later than citizens turn was believed to save energy.” in neighbouring countries, and Icelandic teenagers sleep less than their European The Icelandic government exercised its counterparts. In other words, the right to advance the clock in 1917 and problem is real. 1918, but not again until 1939, when daylight saving time was readopted. Despite such findings, Icelanders are not It remained in continuous effect until convinced that changing the clock will 1968, when new legislation was passed have a positive impact. In this era of fake in which Iceland adopted “summer time,” or Greenwich Mean Time, the whole When asked about the subject of the year round. Under this new arrangement, Icelandic clock, Stevens referred to the noon in Iceland was delayed by an hour issue as a “wicked problem.” “There is no (from 12.30pm to 13.30pm). According simple solution that will satisfy everyone,” to a memorandum that accompanied the he wrote. “I suspect that the reason Iceland legislation, the twice-yearly moving of the uses UTC-0 instead of UTC-1 is for business clock was a hassle. It caused “confusion” and commerce. This is part of the wicked in airline schedules; necessitated the problem. How to balance robust commerce “resetting of clocking-in machines;” with optimum human health?” “disturbed the sleep habits of individuals, and especially infants;” and, more On the other hand importantly, perhaps, given that darkness Most detractors of the clock-moving was a non-issue during summer (the sun measure fear losing precious sunlight doesn’t set from mid-June to mid-July), during the dark winter afternoons and most Icelanders favoured more sunlight evenings. “I believe that the health of my later in the day – as opposed to in the compatriots will decline considerably if mornings. But that was 1968. the clock is moved back,” one Icelander writes. “You are taking an hour away from New science individuals who exercise after work, who play golf, who go for walks, who ride their As noted in the report that prompted bikes, etc.” the debate, new research has emerged suggesting the adverse health effects of This argument, which is based on personal circadian misalignment: “An early clock experience, rings true for many people. means that the sun rises later, which is The problem is that such statements fail likely to distort the information that the to address the scientific literature. As Till body uses to coordinate physiological Roenneberg, a professor of chronobiology processes.” There is even research at the Institute of Medical Psychology suggesting a link between circadian at Ludwig-Maximilian University in misalignment and cancer. Munich explains, “the human biological clock, which regulates processes from Addressing the subject online, Professor gene expression to behaviour, like that Richard G. Stevens at the University of of most organisms, synchronises to the Connecticut – whose work focuses mainly Earth’s 24-hour rotation using signals on the aetiology of cancer – writes: “One from the environment (zeitgebers). This hour in the course of human activity may synchronisation is an active process called not matter much in the middle of the day, entrainment. If humans were entrained by but at the beginning of the day, when the social time, average sleep-wake behaviour physiological transition from night to day should not change from East to West,” should begin, it can make a difference Professor Roenneberg writes. His results in circadian alignment. With each such “strongly suggest that the human circadian wake-up in the dark, there comes a small clock is predominantly entrained by sun degree of circadian misalignment and a time rather than by social time.” slight phase advance. Phase advance is the body thinking it’s sunrise before the The experts agree sun has actually risen.” The question many The authors of the report commissioned researchers are studying is whether this by the Ministry of Health were unequivocal small circadian disruption occurring daily in their recommendation that the clock be for years or decades can make diseases like moved back. And so is Dr. Sigurðardóttir: cancer more likely. “What’s most important as regards this ‘issue with the clocks,’ in my opinion, Where does this leave us? is that social time and circadian time Last January 17, Icelandic Prime are not in sync. All living things, human Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir decided beings included, coordinate biological that parliament would not vote on the processes with the help of the sun. The “clock issue” this spring. “The matter circadian clocks of most human beings has been in review for a week and we does not synch with the clock on the have received more than a thousand wall, which means that unlike the clock comments, which tells me something on the wall, we must reset ourselves that I like best about the Icelanders – every day and the best way to do they don’t bite their tongues when one that is with sunlight in the morning. I asks for their opinion. They show up understand the perspective of those who and speak up.” The only real question, want sunlight later in the day, but from perhaps, is whose voices the government a biological perspective, it’s healthier for will heed? us to get more sunlight in the mornings.” •

Union of Concerned Scientists

ULTRAFINE PARTICLES ARE AN EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISK Ambient particulate matter air pollution is one of the top ten causes of illness and death in the world.

Doug Brugge, Ph.D., MS, professor and chair of the department of public health sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, UCS Science Network, UCS

Ambient particulate matter air pollution well. Many people in the US may not This article was (PM) is one of the top ten causes of be aware of the magnitude of the published on illness and death in the world. While problem because the levels of pollution November 15, 2019. PM pollution is worse in many that present a health risk include developing countries, it remains concentrations that are usually not a problem in the United States as readily visible. PM that is less than 2.5 microns in UFP. People living in a single metropolitan diameter, called PM2.5, is the form of PM area, for example, will usually have similar that is usually considered when assessing PM2.5 exposures. The same people health risks. It is also regulated at the could, however, have very different UFP federal level in the US. Because of the exposures, especially if they differ in terms deep research base and government of living or spending time next to regulation that follows from the evidence, a highway. Just 100 meters away from PM2.5, also called “fine PM,” gets some high volume traffic UFP levels are well-deserved attention. However, there substantially lower. is rapidly emerging evidence that another type of PM, ultrafine particles, represents Much of the challenge of the UFP an additional distinct and unregulated risk. health research I have been a part of has had to grapple with the fact that Ultrafine particles (UFP) differ from their concentration changes rapidly in PM2.5 in that they are much smaller (<0.1 both space and time while people move microns). Because they are so small, into and out of fields of exposure. The they have very little mass. Thus, whereas excruciating care required to assign PM2.5 is measured by weight, UFP are exposure has held back health research usually measured by counting the number on UFP. It is only in the last 3-4 years that of particles in a volume of air, typically a numerous studies showing risks from long cubic centimeter. However, their small size term exposure have begun to emerge. is not the only thing that distinguishes So far findings point particularly at UFP from PM2.5. They also behave cardiovascular and neurological risks. differently in the air and are elevated in different patterns in time and across Because they are so small, UFP act geographic areas. more like gases than particles in the air. Like gasses, they tend to diffuse rather I have been involved with research that is than the way PM2.5 settle or impact on among a growing number of teams that surfaces. This affects strategies to reduce have assessed UFP distribution in urban exposure. My collaborators and I like high- areas. Because cars are the dominant quality filters that remove UFP effectively source of UFP in most urban areas in for use in near-highway homes. We also countries like the US, we have focused prefer substantial air recirculation since it on major roadways and highways. There reduces infiltration into indoor spaces. Air is, and has been for a while, convincing movement also leads to great deposition evidence that UFP levels are substantially from diffusion. elevated next to such roadways on a regular basis. While the US Environmental Protection Agency is not yet convinced there is a In contrast, PM2.5 has much less dramatic causal link between UFP and health, levels immediately adjacent to traffic they have been paying close attention sources. This is because PM2.5 is formed and devoted considerable space to largely from precursor gasses by chemical UFP in their recent Integrated Science processes that take time to evolve. PM2.5 Assessment for PM. Until the research is often found to spread over 10s or 100s reaches a critical mass and regulations of kilometers with some variation in levels, are enacted, we need to continue doing but not nearly as dramatic as those found research, educating the public and for UFP. policy makers about this concern and From a health research standpoint, this developing and implementing local has made it much easier to study PM2.5 interventions to proactively protect than it is to study the health effects of highly exposed populations. • Physician’s Weekly

INTENSIVE BP CONTROL IN ELDERLY WITH HTN MAY AID BRAIN HEALTH

By HealthDay News

Intensive lowering of ambulatory group. There was no difference noted This article was blood pressure in older patients with between the treatment groups with published on hypertension reduced accumulation respect to changes in gait speed or November 4, 2019. of small vessel disease in the white cognitive outcomes. From baseline, matter of the brain, according to a study changes in white matter hyperintensity published online Oct. 14 in Circulation. volumes were smaller (0.29 percent) in the intensive-treatment group versus William B. White, M.D., from the the standard-treatment group (0.48 University of Connecticut in Farmington, and colleagues randomly assigned 199 percent). There were more major patients (mean age, 80.5 years) who had adverse cardiovascular events in the magnetic resonance imaging evidence standard-treatment group versus the of white matter hyperintensity lesions to intensive-treatment group (17 versus either intensive treatment (24-hour mean four patients). The treatment groups were similar with respect to number of systolic blood pressure of ≤130 mm Hg) falls (with or without injury) as well as or standard treatment (≤145 mm Hg) with antihypertensive therapies. syncope.

“After three years, intensive treatment The researchers found that goal blood levels of ambulatory blood pressure pressures were achieved after a median did not show lessening of mobility treatment period of three to four or cognitive decline compared with months. At this time, the mean 24-hour standard treatment levels; however, systolic blood pressure was 127.7 mm less accrual of white matter disease Hg in the intensive-treatment group and was observed in those with intensive 144.0 mm Hg in the standard-treatment treatment,” the authors write. • Dental Tribune

ORAL HEALTH OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO ELDERLY, STUDY SHOWS

By Dental Tribune International

Numerous studies have established that to the Centers for Disease Control and This article was oral health can play a significant role Prevention, about 68% of American published on in systemic health. A new review study adults aged 65 years or older have October 7, 2019. has found that this relationship actually periodontitis. grows in importance with age, and that oral health vigilance is especially critical “Your mouth is a mirror to your body,” for the elderly. said Dr. Sree Raghavendra, assistant professor in the Department of Researchers from the University of Craniofacial Sciences in the Division of Connecticut (UConn) conducted the General Dentistry at the UConn School review, which outlines how poor oral of Dental Medicine and co-author of the health in older adults can potentially review. “This article is a prime example lead to other health complications. The of true interprofessional collaboration researchers identified several groups that that emphasizes the importance of the could be at a higher risk of developing entire health care team coming together oral health problems, including to take care of all of our patients and individuals with dementia or diabetes, especially our geriatric population.” and those in long-term care situations. The study, titled “The prevention of Previously published data from the infections in older adults: Oral health,” National Center for Health Statistics was published online on Sept. 3, 2019, has indicated that the prevalence of in the Journal of the American cavities might be more than twice as Geriatrics Society, ahead of inclusion in high in older adults compared with an issue. younger adults. Furthermore, according • Dentistry Today

RESEARCH UNCOVERS MICROBIOME’S ROLE IN ORAL MUCOSITIS

Dentistry Today

Researchers at the University been suggested that the oral microbiome This article was of Connecticut School of Dental plays a role in inducing the responses published on May 3, 2019. Medicine say they are a step closer that lead to mucositis. Diaz’s study to understanding the root causes tracked 49 patients receiving treatment of oral mucositis that occurs after for cancers not located in the mouth chemotherapy, with direct evidence that during one chemotherapy cycle. the oral microbiome could influence its clinical course. The researchers found that oral mucositis is associated with detrimental changes Oral mucositis, a common side effect in the oral microbiome. Patients who of chemotherapy, is triggered by developed the most severe oral mucositis chemotherapeutic drugs breaking lesions showed suppression of beneficial down the mucous membrane lining the mouth bacteria and outgrowth of mouth. This breakdown induces the harmful ones. painful lesions. However, it remains unknown if the “Oral mucositis due to chemotherapy oral microbiome itself is disrupted can impact the delivery of optimal during the chemotherapy. Further cancer treatment,” said Patricia Diaz, research studies are needed to DDS, MS, PhD, associate professor in understand which specific microbiome the Department of Oral Health and components are detrimental and in Diagnostic Sciences and the study’s lead what manner they affect the oral investigator. mucosa’s ability to withstand a chemotherapy challenge, the “These uncomfortable oral lesions can be researchers said. associated with clinically significant pain in patients and impact their ability to The findings also can shed light on eat. In extreme cases, a patient’s risk of new preventive approaches to stop the bloodstream infections is elevated, and lesions from developing, the researchers they are at increased length and cost of said. As of now, some evidence suggests hospitalization,” said Diaz. that an antimicrobial mouth rinse such as chlorhexidine has some benefits in While this chemotherapy complication preventing chemotherapy-associated has not been widely researched, it has mucositis, but Diaz says more research is needed to develop more effective therapies need to be combined with preventive measures. other treatments to prevent cell death and inflammation at the oral mucosa.” “We need to design more targeted preventive strategies aimed at these The study, “Chemotherapy-Induced detrimental microorganisms,” said Oral Mucositis Is Associated With Diaz. “Since chemotherapeutics are the Detrimental Bacterial Dysbosis,” was primary cause of mucosal injury, it is also published by Microbiome. likely that these microbiome-targeted •

Dentistry Today

RESEARCHERS TO INVESTIGATE ROLE OF LIPIDS IN PERIODONTITIS

Dentistry Today

Researchers at the University of The body recognizes these factors as a This article was Connecticut School of Dental Medicine signal for help and mounts a localized published on have received a $1.5 million, four-year chronic inflammatory response that March 26, 2019. grant from the National Institute of can damage gum tissues and the bone Dental and Craniofacial Research to supporting the teeth. The bacterial study the role of certain bacterial factors that are most important to this lipids in promoting bone loss in process are novel bacterial lipids that periodontal disease. engage with the immune system.

As the microorganisms that accumulate Porphyromonas gingivalis is prominent in the subgingival plaque between the gum and tooth root die, at periodontitis sites. Along with other they become entombed in a mineral organisms of the same phylum, it matrix called subgingival calculus. produces novel lipids that engage the Deposited in this matrix and within the immune system. overlying microbial plaque are specific microbial factors that can penetrate into Previously, these researchers found gum tissue. that P gingivalis produces two unique classes of serine lipids that inhibit glycine lipids therefore occurs where bone formation and activate immune the host-mediated chronic inflammatory cells. These macrophages then release response is most prominent. important cytokines that signal to the The research will quantify the uptake of rest of the immune system to send help serine and glycine lipids by the dominant to an area of the body battling infection, cells in gum tissues. It next will look at in this case, the gums and teeth. the ability of the lipids produced by P At least one of these serine lipids gingivalis to interact with important mediates its effects by engaging the immune system receptors like TLR2 in host’s innate immune system, specifically gum cells. by interacting with Toll-like Receptor The final goal of the research will be 2 (TLR2). This membrane protein to determine the capacity of these recognizes foreign substances, thereby bacterial lipids to promote the formation alerting the immune system to their and activation of osteoclasts, the cells presence. The researchers now are that mediate the degradation of bone looking to gain a better understanding associated with pathogen accumulation of how these lipids promote the cellular in the gingival crevice. effects spurred by engaging TLR2. Also, the research will clarify how P The researchers also have discovered gingivalis promotes TLR-2 dependent another class of structurally related bone loss in periodontal diseases. lipids in P gingivalis, called glycine lipids, It could lead to the development of that also engage TLR2. The glycine treatments to prevent the progression lipids appear to be very potent in their of periodontitis or to help restore capacity to mediate TLR2 effects. gum tissues and bone lost through P gingivalis lipids are unique in that they the progression of gum disease, the can be produced from the previously researchers said. mentioned serine lipids that enter gum • tissues. Enzymes present in gum tissue cells mediate the hydrolytic breakdown of the serine lipids.

One enzyme class called phospholipase A2 is found in elevated levels in gum tissues where chronic periodontitis exists. This enzyme class mediates one step in the hydrolysis of serine lipids into glycine lipids. The hydrolysis of serine lipids to Dentistry Today

TOPICAL ANESTHETIC IMPROVES ORAL MUCOSITIS PAIN TREATMENT

By Dentistry Today

Researchers at the University of professor of dental medicine at UConn This article was Connecticut are collaborating with Health. published on drug design firm Cellix Bio to develop a April 25, 2019. long-acting topical anesthetic that may “It would then come as no surprise that replace current methods for treating oral such modifications can spell less than mucositis, a common and painful side optimal results for treating a patient’s effect of cancer treatment that affects cancer. Finding a better way to treat nearly 400,000 people in the United oral mucositis could help clinicians and States each year. patients better battle their primary cancer diagnosis,” said Lalla. Occurring after chemotherapy and radiation therapy, oral mucositis involves Current first-line therapy is a mouth rinse intensely painful sores in the mouth containing lidocaine. For best results, that can cause difficulties in talking, patients swish for about two minutes swallowing, and eating. It can become so to experience only about 30 minutes of severe that patients may require feeding relief. The rinse also numbs the entire intravenously or through a stomach tube. mouth instead of focusing specifically Poor nutrition can then lead to other on the oral mucositis sores, which poses problems for people who are already safety concerns since it can inhibit the immunocompromised. swallowing reflex.

In addition to weight loss, these patients Many patients, then, are prescribed also may heal more slowly, have systemic opioids to treat pain from decreased resistance to infection, and oral mucositis, which Lalla equates to experience a general failure to thrive. hanging a picture with a sledge hammer. Secondary infection and potentially life-threatening sepsis also have been “While it might get the job done, it is reported. probably overkill and could certainly cause unnecessary damage,” said Lalla. “While the pain that oral mucositis causes is certainly of great concern, With the help of Diane J. Burgess, PhD, perhaps the most harmful impact occurs of the UConn School of Pharmacy, Lalla when patients are in such extreme agony and his collaborators say they are close that their attending physicians have no to replacing the “sledge hammer” with choice but to prescribe undesirable dose a more precise and effective treatment reductions or treatment breaks in cancer option that doesn’t include risk of therapy,” said Rajesh Lalla, DDS, PhD, addiction or abuse. Thanks to lab work conducted by year or two away from clinical trials in Tingting Li, a PhD student in Burgess’ humans, they are excited about its life- lab, the researchers have developed a changing potential. formulation and patented compound “We knew that there was a huge unmet that delivers co-actives, a long-lasting need, that the market was wide open, topical anesthetic, and a medium chain and that significant data indicated this fatty acid that can be applied directly molecule was an excellent candidate,” to sores with a specially designed spray said Mahesh Kandula, CEO and managing nozzle. This means the medication can director of Cellix Bio. be targeted to lesions rather than the whole mouth, allowing relief without “We are thrilled to be collaborating generalized numbness. with such qualified researchers like Drs. Burgess and Lalla from UConn. Starting out as a liquid, the anesthetic We are confident this partnership turns into a gel when it comes into will lead not only to successful contact with the mouth and reaches the commercialization, but also to a better temperature of the human body. It then prognosis for thousands of patients can stay in place on mouth sores. Since undergoing treatment for cancer.” it uses an anesthetic that is more potent • than lidocaine, the researchers expect it to relieve pain for about eight times as long as the standard rinse, or about four hours.

The compound also exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects naturally delivered by the medium chain fatty acid, which could reduce the severity of lesions from oral mucositis, said Lalla. While the researchers believe they are about a Doctors Lounge

PSORIASIS SYMPTOMS, QUALITY OF LIFE TIED TO DISEASE SEVERITY

HealthDay News

Patient-reported symptoms of psoriasis, scores decreased (P < 0.05 for each level This article was quality of life, and work productivity of BSA and IGA), and Work Productivity published on worsen with increasing disease severity, and Activity Impairment (WPAI) scores May 2, 2019. as measured by two established clinician increased consistently. Moderate to very assessment tools, according to a study severe psoriasis using BSA score was published online April 20 in BMJ Open. associated with poorer outcomes for the “impairment while working” and Bruce Strober, M.D., Ph.D., from the “daily activities impaired” WPAI domains University of Connecticut Health Center (all P < 0.05 versus mild psoriasis). An in Farmington, and colleagues examined association was noted between very the association between psoriasis severe psoriasis and increased “work severity, assessed by body surface area hours missed” and “work hours affected” (BSA) and the Investigator’s Global (both P < 0.05 versus mild psoriasis). Assessment (IGA), and patient-reported Using IGA, findings were similar. outcomes among 1,529 adult patients with psoriasis in the Corrona Psoriasis “Increased psoriasis severity as Registry. Patients were being treated measured by both BSA and IGA with biological or nonbiological systemic categories was associated with psoriasis medications in a real-world worsened patient-reported outcomes setting. Previously, the IGA has only been in this USA-based psoriasis registry used in clinical trials. study,” the authors write.

The researchers found that with more Several authors disclosed financial severe psoriasis, symptoms worsened, ties to pharmaceutical companies, Dermatology Life Quality Index scores including Corrona and Novartis, which increased (P < 0.05 for each level of BSA funded the study. and IGA), EuroQoL Visual Analogue Scale • Tech Republic

PSORIASIS SYMPTOM INVENTORY ENHANCES PHYSICIAN-PATIENT CONVERSATION, GUIDES TREATMENT

By Abigail Sutton

Physicians received new information The clinics enrolled 278 adults with mild This article was about their patients with psoriasis by to severe psoriasis (57.9% men; mean published on employing the Psoriasis Symptom age, 47.5 years). June 27, 2019. Inventory, a patient-reported measure of signs and symptoms, according to Mild psoriasis was identified in 47.8% a study in American Journal of Clinical (range, 40% to 67.5%), moderate Dermatology. psoriasis in 29.1% (range, 12.5% to 40%) and severe psoriasis was found in 23% The Psoriasis Symptom Inventory (PSI) (range, 17.5% to 42.9%). may be particularly useful in patients with severe disease and aid physicians The researchers reported a static with decision-making. The PSI could also Physician’s Global Assessment (sPGA) be indicative of the amount of time that score, across of all patients, of 0 to 1 may be required for a particular patient (clear or almost clear) in 18.7% (range, visit, the researchers wrote. 2.9% to 28.6%), an sPGA score of 2 to 3 (mild to moderate) in 67.3% (range, “Despite the greater amount of time 42.9% to 91.4%) and an sPGA score of spent discussing the PSI in patients 4 to 5 (severe to very severe) in 14% with more severe disease, physicians (range, 0% to 37.1%). treating those patients reported an influence of the PSI discussion on The mean PSI total score for all patients treatment decisions,” Bruce Strober, MD, was 12.2 (standard deviation, 8.3). Higher PhD, professor of dermatology at the mean PSI scores were reported from University of Connecticut Health Center, study sites that had a greater number of and colleagues wrote. patients with severe disease.

The patient-reported measure quantifies Based on PSI score, 107 (38.5%) patients the perception of psoriasis signs had no/mild symptoms, 89 (32%) had and symptoms through an 8-item moderate symptoms, 57 (20.5%) had questionnaire on itching, redness, severe symptoms and 25 (9%) had very scaling, burning, stinging, cracking, severe symptoms. flaking and pain, with a scale of 0 (not at all) to 3 (very severe) and a score As for the time to complete the survey, it ranging from 0 to 32. had a low time constraint, according to the researchers, with a mean 4.9 minutes Disclosures: Strober reports he serves spent discussing the PSI with patients as a consultant for AbbVie, Almirall, (range, 0 to 20 minutes). Amgen, AstraZeneca, Celgene Corp., Dermira, Janssen Global Services, Eli Lilly “In the surveys, physicians noted that & Co., GlaxoSmithKline, LEO Pharma, symptoms not usually discussed in Medac Pharma Inc., Menlo Therapeutics, routine visits were discussed in the Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Sun Pharma, context of the PSI, and patients were UCB, and Ortho Dermatologics/Valeant encouraged to discuss new information,” Pharmaceuticals; is an investigator for Strober and colleagues wrote. AbbVie, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene Corp., Eli Lilly & Co., Galderma, Janssen Patients were also able to discuss Global Services, Merck & Co., and Sienna sensitive issues like genital Biopharmaceuticals; and is scientific symptoms with help from the director for Corrona Psoriasis Registry PSI, researchers added. and has received grant support to the • University of Connecticut Fellowship Program from AbbVie and Janssen Global Services.

BioSpace

STUDYING CELL COMMUNICATION IN REAL TIME LEADS TO PRACTICAL “CELL-LESS” THERAPY

By Mark Terry

Researchers with the University of Cells are constantly in communication This article was Connecticut (UConn) School of Dental with each other. They do this by secreting published on Medicine developed a technology proteins. When those proteins reach other June 26, 2019. platform that allows them to record cells, it changes the cells’ behavior. cells communicating in real time. They published their research in the journal Two examples of cell communication come to mind. The first is the burgeoning Proceedings of the National Academy field of microbiomics. The microbiome is of Sciences. the trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi and were able to copy the stem cells’ that live in the human body. It’s obvious specific behavior. that this plays a role in gastrointestinal diseases, but more recent research “The findings solve a fundamental shows that how these different types problem afflicting systems biology: of microorganisms communicate measuring how cells communicate with throughout the body plays a much each other,” stated Yashir Suhail, a broader role in a variety of diseases. postdoctoral fellow in the UConn Dental School’s Department of Biomedical For example, in March 2019, Seres Engineering. “The platform technology Therapeutics inked a three-year will open new lines of inquiry into research deal with AstraZeneca. The two research, by providing a unique way to companies will focus on microbiome- detect how cells talk to each other at a based approaches to predict which deeper level than what is possible today.” patients will respond best to specific cancer treatment. They are also planning Part of what the researchers found to investigate SER-401, an investigational was the flexibility of stem cells, which microbiome treatment in combination allowed them to change their behavior with AstraZeneca cancer drugs. depending on what types of cellular injury were present. They were then Another example of cell-to-cell able to develop a “cell-less” therapy by communication is the underpinning copying the stem cells’ behavior when of immuno-oncology therapies that stem cells find a tissue injury. They are revolutionizing cancer treatments. created a protein cocktail that helped Tumors often have a surface protein repair cardiac tissue. They believe it called PD-L1. T-cells, a type of immune may potentially decrease many of the cell, have a surface protein called PD1. complications associated with stem cell When PD-L1 interacts with PD1, it transplantation. essentially tells the T-cells to ignore the cancer cells. By blocking that interaction The research was funded by the using checkpoint inhibitors that block American Heart Association and the either PD-L1 (Merck’s Keytruda, for National Cancer Institute. It was led by example) or PD (Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Kshitiz Gupta, an assistant professor at Opdivo), they allow the T-cells to see and UConn with assistance with researchers attack the cancer cells. from Yale University, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the University Current technology paints a picture of of California, San Francisco, and the these types of interactions, sometimes University of Vermont. indirectly. But the researchers at UConn, • developed a way to directly analyze the interactions. They focused on stem cells from bone marrow that can be used to treat heart attacks. Using their technology platform, a combination of microfluidics and computer modeling, they were able to record in depth the communications between the stem cells School of Business

WHY SOME PLATFORMS THRIVE AND OTHERS DON’T

Feng Zhu and Marco Iansiti

In 2016, Didi became the world’s China—had started a carpooling business This article was largest ride-sharing company, reaching in Chengdu and Wuhan. It didn’t charge published on 25 million trips a day in China and drivers at all, and in July it began offering January 1, 2019. surpassing the combined daily trips of all passengers the option of ordering from other ride-sharing companies across the several ride-hailing services. Meanwhile, globe. It had arrived at this milestone by Ctrip, China’s largest online travel service, merging in 2015 with its domestic rival, had announced in April that it had been Kuaidi, and pushing Uber out of granted a license to provide car-hailing the Chinese market after a fierce, services across the country. expensive battle. With its competition gutted, Didi gradually began to improve Why hadn’t Didi’s immense scale shut its margins by reducing subsidies to down its competition for ride services in drivers and passengers. China? Why wasn’t this a winner-take-all market, as many analysts had predicted? But just as the company began to reach Moreover, why do some platform profitability, in early 2018, Meituan, a businesses—such as Alibaba, Facebook, giant player in online-to-offline services and Airbnb—flourish, while Uber, Didi, such as food delivery, movie ticketing, and Meituan, among others, hemorrhage and travel booking, launched its own cash? What enables digital platforms to ride-hailing business in Shanghai. fight off competition and grow profits? Meituan didn’t charge drivers to use its platform for the first three months and afterward took only 8% of their revenues, A video game console with a while Didi took 20%. Drivers and small technical advantage can passengers flocked to the new service. easily steal share. In April, Didi struck back by entering the food delivery market in Wuxi, a city close To answer those questions, you need to to Shanghai. What followed was a costly understand the networks a platform is price war, with many meals being sold embedded in. The factors affecting the for next to nothing because of heavy growth and sustainability of platform subsidies from both companies. So much firms (and digital operating models for Didi’s profitability. generally) differ from those of traditional firms. Let’s start with the fact that Didi was taking other hits too. In March on many digital networks the cost of 2018, Alibaba’s mapping unit—Gaode serving an additional user is negligible, Map, the largest navigation service in which makes a business inherently easier to scale up. And because much participants—users and app developers— of a network-based firm’s operational attract each other. Uber can similarly complexity is outsourced to the service mine cross-side effects, because providers on the platform or handled by more drivers attract more riders, and software, bottlenecks to value creation vice versa. and growth usually aren’t tied to human or organizational factors—another Less well acknowledged is the fact that important departure from traditional the strength of network effects can vary models. Ultimately, in a digital network dramatically and can shape both value business, the employees don’t deliver creation and capture. When network the product or service—they just design effects are strong, the value provided and oversee an automated, algorithm- by a platform continues to rise sharply driven operation. Lasting competitive with the number of participants. For advantage hinges more on the interplay example, as the number of users on between the platform and the network Facebook increases, so does the amount it orchestrates and less on internal, and variety of interesting and relevant firm-level factors. In other words, in content. Video game consoles, however, the digitally connected economy the exhibit only weak network effects, as long-term success of a product or we discovered in a research study. This service depends heavily on the health, is because video games are a hit-driven defensibility, and dominance of the business, and a platform needs relatively ecosystem in which it operates. few hits to be successful. The total number of game titles available isn’t as And as Didi is learning, it’s often important in console sales as having a easier for a digital platform to achieve few of the right games. Indeed, even scale than to sustain it. After all, the an entrant with only a small technical advantages that allow the platform to advantage (and a good business expand quickly work for its competitors development team) can steal significant and anyone else who wants to get market share from incumbents. That into the market. The reason that some explains why in 2001 Microsoft’s new platforms thrive while others struggle Xbox posed such a threat to Sony’s then- really lies in their ability to manage five dominant PlayStation 2, and why each fundamental properties of networks: console has gone up and down in market network effects, clustering, risk of share, alternately taking the lead, over disintermediation, vulnerability to the years. multi-homing, and bridging to multiple networks. Even more critically, the strength of network effects can change over time. Strength of Network Effects Windows is a classic example. During The importance of network effects the heyday of personal computers in the is well known. Economists have long 1990s, most PC applications were “client understood that digital platforms like based,” meaning they actually lived on Facebook enjoy same-side (“direct”) the computers. Back then, the software’s network effects: The more Facebook network effects were strong: The value of friends you have in your network, Windows increased dramatically as the the more likely you are to attract number of developers writing apps for it additional friends through your friends’ climbed, topping 6 million at the peak of connections. Facebook also leverages its popularity. By the late 1990s Windows cross-side (“indirect”) network effects, seemed entrenched as the leading in which two different groups of platform. However, as internet-based apps, which worked across different into local clusters—and the more isolated operating systems, took off, the network those clusters are from one another— effects of Windows diminished and the more vulnerable a business is to barriers to entry fell, allowing Android, challenges. Consider Uber. Drivers in Chrome, and iOS operating systems to Boston care mostly about the number gain strength on PCs and tablets. Mac of riders in Boston, and riders in Boston shipments had also begun to rise in care mostly about drivers in Boston. the mid-2000s, increasing more than Except for frequent travelers, no one in five-fold by the end of the decade. This Boston cares much about the number of turn of events illustrates that when an drivers and riders in, say, San Francisco. incumbent’s network effects weaken, so This makes it easy for another ride- does its market position. sharing service to reach critical mass in a local market and take off through a It is possible for firms to design features differentiated offer such as a lower price. that strengthen network effects, Indeed, in addition to its rival Lyft at the however. Amazon, for example, has built national level, Uber confronts a number multiple types of effects into its business of local threats. For example, in New model over the years. In the beginning, York City, Juno and Via, as well as local Amazon’s review systems generated taxi companies, are giving it competition. same-side effects: As the number of Didi likewise faces a number of strong product reviews on the site increased, contenders in multiple cities. users became more likely to visit Amazon to read the reviews as well Now let’s compare Uber’s market with as write them. Later, Amazon’s Airbnb’s. Travelers don’t care much marketplace, which allows third parties about the number of Airbnb hosts in to sell products to Amazon users, their home cities; instead, they care generated cross-side network effects, about how many there are in the cities in which buyers and third-party sellers they plan to visit. Hence, the network attracted each other. Meanwhile, more or less is one large cluster. Any real Amazon’s recommendation system, challenger to Airbnb would have to enter which suggests products on the basis the market on a global scale—building of past purchase behavior, amplified brand awareness around the world to the impact of the company’s scale by attract critical masses of travelers and continually learning about consumers’ hosts. So breaking into Airbnb’s market preferences. The more consumers becomes much more costly. used the site, the more accurate the recommendations Amazon could provide It’s possible to strengthen a network by them. While not usually recognized as building global clusters on top of local a network effect per se, learning effects clusters. While Craigslist, a classified operate a lot like same-side effects and ad site, primarily connects users and can increase barriers to entry. providers of goods and services in local markets, its housing and job listings Network Clustering attract users from other markets. Facebook’s social games (like FarmVille) In a research project with Xinxin Li established new connections among of the University of Connecticut and Ehsan Valavi, a doctoral student at players who were strangers, creating a Harvard Business School, we found that denser, more global, more integrated the structure of a network influences a network, which is easier to defend platform business’s ability to sustain its from competition. Both Facebook and scale. The more a network is fragmented WeChat, a popular social-networking app in China, have been enhancing their from exchanging contact information. networks by getting popular brands Airbnb, for example, withholds hosts’ and celebrities—those with national and exact locations and phone numbers until often international appeal—to create payments are made. Such strategies public accounts and post and interact aren’t always effective, though. with users. Anything that makes a platform more cumbersome to use can make it Risk of Disintermediation vulnerable to a competitor offering a streamlined experience. Disintermediation, wherein network members bypass a hub and connect directly, can be a big problem for any Some platforms try to avoid platform that captures value directly disintermediation by enhancing the from matching or by facilitating value of conducting business on them. transactions. Imagine that you hire They may facilitate transactions by a house cleaner from a platform like providing insurance, payment escrow, or Homejoy and are satisfied with the communication tools; resolve disputes; service. Would you really go back to or monitor activities. But those services Homejoy to hire the same person again? become less valuable once trust If a user has found the right match, develops among platform users—and there’s little incentive to return to the the strategies can backfire as the need platform. Additionally, after obtaining for the platform decreases. One of us, enough clients from a platform to fill Feng, and Grace Gu, a doctoral student his or her schedule, the house cleaner at Harvard Business School, saw this won’t need that platform anymore. This effect in a study of an online freelance was exactly the problem that doomed marketplace. As the platform improved Homejoy, which shut down in 2015, five its reputation-rating system, trust years after it was founded. between clients and freelancers grew stronger, and disintermediation became Which Network Structure more frequent, offsetting the revenue Is More Defensible? gains from better matching. Some digital networks are fragmented Some platforms address into local clusters of users. In Uber’s disintermediation risks by introducing network, riders and drivers interact different strategies for capturing with network members outside their value—with varying results. Thumbtack, home cities only occasionally. But other a marketplace connecting consumers digital networks are global; on Airbnb, with local service providers such visitors regularly connect with hosts as electricians and guitar teachers, around the world. charges for lead generation: Customers post requests on the site, and service Platforms on global networks are much providers send them quotes and pay less vulnerable to challenges, because it’s Thumbtack fees if those customers difficult for new rivals to enter a market respond. That model captures value on a global scale. before the two sides even agree to work together and has helped save the Platforms have used various mechanisms company from withering like Homejoy. to deter disintermediation, such as Thumbtack today is handling over $1 creating terms of service that prohibit billion worth of transactions annually. users from conducting transactions The downside of its revenue model is off the platform, and blocking users that it doesn’t prevent the two sides from building a long-term relationship As the experience of ZBJ, which is now outside the platform after a match. valued at more than $1.5 billion, shows, when disintermediation is a threat, Alibaba took a different approach with providing complementary services its Taobao e-commerce platform. When can work a lot better than charging Taobao entered the market, in 2003, transaction fees. eBay’s EachNet had more than 85% of the Chinese consumer-to-consumer Vulnerability to Multi-Homing market. However, Taobao didn’t charge Multi-homing happens when users or listing or transaction fees and even service providers (network “nodes”) set up an instant-messaging service, form ties with multiple platforms (or Wangwang, that allowed buyers to ask “hubs”) at the same time. This generally questions directly of sellers and haggle occurs when the cost of adopting an with them in real time. In contrast, additional platform is low. In the ride- EachNet charged sellers transaction fees hailing industry, many drivers and riders and, because it was concerned about use both, say, Lyft and Uber—riders to disintermediation, didn’t allow direct compare prices and wait times, and interactions between buyers and sellers drivers to reduce their idle time. Similarly, until a sale had been confirmed. Not merchants often work with multiple surprisingly, Taobao quickly took over group-buying sites, and restaurants leadership of the market, and at the end with multiple food-delivery platforms. of 2006, eBay shut down its Chinese And even app developers, whose costs site. Taobao today continues to offer its are not trivial, still find it makes sense C2C marketplace services free of charge to develop products for both iOS and and captures value through advertising Android systems. revenues and sales of storefront software that helps merchants manage their online businesses. When multi-homing is pervasive on each side of a platform, as it is in ride hailing, it becomes very difficult for a platform After estimating that it could lose to generate a profit from its core as much as 90% of its business business. Uber and Lyft are constantly to disintermediation, the Chinese undercutting each other as they compete outsourcing marketplace ZBJ, which for riders and drivers. launched in 2006 with a model of charging a 20% commission, began looking for new revenue sources. In 2014 Incumbent platform owners can reduce it discovered that many new business multi-homing by locking in one side owners used its site to get help with of the market (or even both sides). To logo design. Typically, the next job encourage exclusivity, both Uber and those clients would need done was Lyft gave bonuses in many markets to business and trademark registration, people who completed a certain number which the platform started to offer. of trips in a row without rejecting or Today ZBJ is the largest provider of canceling any or going offline during trademark registration in China—a peak hours. And while rides are in service that generates more than $70 progress, both platforms provide drivers million in annual revenue for the firm. new requests for pickups very close to The company has also significantly current passengers’ drop-off locations, reduced its transaction fees and focused reducing the drivers’ idle time and hence its resources on growing its user base the temptation to use other platforms. instead of fighting disintermediation. Yet because of the inherently low cost of adopting multiple platforms, multi- Network Bridging homing is still rampant in ride sharing. In many situations the best growth strategy for a platform may be to Attempts to prevent multi-homing can connect different networks to one also have unintended side effects. In another. In any platform business, one research project, Feng and Hui Li success hinges on acquiring a high of Carnegie Mellon University examined number of users and amassing data what happened in 2011 when Groupon on their interactions. Such assets can retooled its deal counter—which tracks almost invariably be valuable in the amount of people who have signed multiple scenarios and markets. By up for a specific offer on its site—to show leveraging them, firms that have ambiguous ranges, rather than precise succeeded in one industry vertical numbers. It then became more difficult often diversify into different lines of for LivingSocial to identify and poach business and improve their economics. the popular merchants on Groupon. As This is a fundamental reason why a result, LivingSocial started to source Amazon and Alibaba have moved more exclusive deals. While Groupon into so many markets. was able to reduce merchant-side multi- homing, the research found, consumers When platform owners connect with became more likely to visit both sites, multiple networks, they can build because there were fewer overlapping important synergies. Alibaba successfully deals on them, and it cost little to bridged its payment platform, Alipay, multi-home. That finding points to a key with its e-commerce platforms Taobao challenge platform firms face: Reducing and Tmall, providing a much-needed multi-homing on one side of the market service to both buyers and sellers and may increase multi-homing on the fostering trust between them. Alibaba opposite side. has also taken advantage of transaction and user data from Taobao and Tmall to Other approaches seem to work launch new offerings through its financial better. Let’s look again at the video services arm, Ant Financial—including a game industry: Console makers often credit-rating system for merchants and sign exclusive contracts with game consumers. And information from that publishers. On the platforms’ user rating system allowed Ant Financial to side, the high prices of consoles and issue short-term consumer and merchant subscription services, such as Xbox Live loans with very low default rates. With and PlayStation Plus, reduce players’ those loans, consumers can purchase incentives to multi-home. Lowering more products on Alibaba’s e-commerce multi-homing on both sides of the platforms, and Alibaba’s merchants can market decreased competitive intensity fund more inventory. These networks and allowed the console makers to be mutually reinforce one another’s market profitable. Amazon, which provides positions, helping each network sustain fulfillment services to third-party its scale. Indeed, even after the rival sellers, charges them higher fees when platform Tencent offered a competing their orders are not from Amazon’s digital wallet service, WeChat Pay, marketplace, incentivizing them to sell through its app WeChat, Alipay remained exclusively on it. Amazon Prime, which attractive to consumers and merchants gives subscribers free two-day shipping because of its tight bridging with Alibaba on many products, helps the company and Ant Financial’s other services. reduce online shoppers’ tendency to multi-home. As the most successful platforms As for Didi and Uber, our analysis doesn’t connect across more and more markets, hold out much hope. Their networks they’re becoming increasingly effective consist of many highly local clusters. at tying together industries. Just as the They both face rampant multi-homing, Alibaba Group moved from commerce which may worsen as more rivals to financial services, Amazon has enter the markets. Network-bridging moved beyond retail to entertainment opportunities—their best hope—so far and consumer electronics. Platforms have had only limited success. They’ve are thus becoming crucial hubs in the been able to establish bridges just global economy. with other highly competitive businesses, like food delivery and Conclusion snack vending. (In 2018 Uber struck a deal to place Cargo’s snack vending When evaluating an opportunity machines in its vehicles, for instance.) involving a platform, entrepreneurs And the inevitable rise of self-driving (and investors) should analyze the taxis will probably make it challenging basic properties of the networks it will for Didi and Uber to sustain their market use and consider ways to strengthen capitalization. Network properties are network effects. It’s also critical to trumping platform scale. evaluate the feasibility of minimizing • multi-homing, building global network structures, and using network bridging to increase scale while mitigating the risk of disintermediation. That exercise will illuminate the key challenges of growing and sustaining the platform and help businesspeople develop more-realistic assessments of the platform’s potential to capture value. THE 30-SECOND TRICK THAT CAN MAKE ANYONE MORE CREATIVE “The reason it works is because empathizing, or thinking about someone in an emotional way, leads to more cognitive flexibility,” says professor Kelly Herd.

By Mark Wilson

If you’re designing a new product or chips for pregnant women. Crucially, half This article was marketing campaign, what’s the of participants were instructed to think published on better source of creativity: Your about these problems cognitively–to May 13, 2019. brain or your heart? That’s a question consider logical solutions. The other half posed by the University of Connecticut of participants were instructed to close and the University of Illinois in a new their eyes for 30 seconds and empathize study published in the Journal of with the end user, to try to feel what Consumer Research. they were going through, before beginning the design. Their conclusion? It’s your heart. It’s more important to think about how your Across trials and tasks, the empathetic audience or users feel than how they designers were found to be measurably might act. And once you know that, you the most creative (the results were can actually change your own thinking to judged by various independent panels), be more creative. and crucially, their ideas were no less practical than the logical group. In other “A lot of people are told to be very words, their creative ideas didn’t come at objective. ‘You’re a professional. Think the expense of realism. about this in an objective way. Don’t get caught up in emotions,’” says Kelly Herd, For instance, when prompted to come marketing professor at the University of up with potato chip flavors for pregnant Connecticut. “But what we find is that women, the cognitive thinkers came up [the empathetic] process actually leads to with flavors like “salt” and “BBQ.” But more creativity.” the empathetic thinkers thought up with flavors like pickles and ice cream, Over a series of five separate trials, Herd sushi with wasabi, and something and co-author Ravi Mehta asked everyday called “margarita for mom.” Sushi and people to conceptualize new products, margaritas are not just surprising choices, like toys for children, grocery carts for they’re both foods that most pregnant the elderly, and new flavors of potato women abstain from for nine months. But why is empathy such an effective else and how they must feel–that can creative tool? Is it that when you begin be anyone from the user for your next to think about someone’s feelings you product, to a relative for whom you need just care about them more and work to buy a Christmas gift. harder? No, says Herd. In fact, the study controlled for that possibility. “I think it can actually be pretty quick,” says Herd. “It’s not like you need to sit “The reason it works is because back and think about this for an hour to empathizing, or thinking about get that benefit. Just taking a moment someone in an emotional way, leads to can shift your thinking.” more cognitive flexibility,” says Herd. • “Cognitive flexibility comes in when thinking about new ideas and new pieces of information as you brainstorm.” Basically, that mental agility helps you consider many possibilities and iterate on ideas more fluidly.

“Empathy actually just makes you better and more cognitively efficient. And that to me is way cool,” says Herd. “If you want to motivate people to be more creative, there’s lots of reach on that. We’re saying you don’t spend any more time or more energy; just do it better.”

So how can you leverage empathy to be more creative? Herd recommends a simple practice. Just spend 30 seconds or a minute thinking about someone WANT TO BE MORE PERSUASIVE? A NEW STUDY SAYS DO THIS 1 SIMPLE THING Please just follow the guidance. Thank you.

By Bill Murphy Jr.

Time is sometimes short. When you’ve But all other things being equal, impolite This article was got something important to say, you answers were less likely to be regarded published on want to make it stick. as correct. May 28, 2019.

Now, a new study published in the Here’s an example of the kinds of journal MIS Quarterly suggests a simple answers we’re talking about, cited in a adjustment some people make (or summary by Cornell University’s Amy maybe that they do automatically), Newman, each provided below in reply that makes their arguments seem more to someone in a conversation by Amazon persuasive. Mechanical Turk workers asking how to transfer their earnings into their bank It’s called “the politeness bias,” and it’s a accounts: bit surprising. Polite answer: “Based on the explanation The researchers -- Shun-Yang Lee of in the worker platform instruction, the University of Connecticut, Huaxia one will need to specify the amount s/ Rui of the University of Rochester, and he would like to transfer. This amount Andrew Whinston of the University of should not be greater than what is Texas at Austin -- studied conversations available for transfer. If this is the first on Stack Exchange, which is a network time transferring, then bank information, of question-and-answer websites and such as routing and account numbers, is communities. also required.

The key thing they found: The more Impolite answer: You need to check polite an answer was, the more likely it the worker platform instruction more was to be rated highly and chosen as the carefully before posting the question, “best answer.” as the answer can be found there very easily. Just go to the Earnings page and It’s not ironclad. If the person offering an enter the amount you wish to transfer opinion is perceived as a true expert, that (make sure this amount is not greater can overcome an impolite response, the than what is available for transfer.) Just researchers said. remember that if it’s your first time transferring money to a bank account consideration to how the people who ask you will also need to enter your bank the question feel about the answers, as account information (routing and opposed to other independent readers. account numbers) otherwise AMT won’t know where to transfer the money to. As Peter Coy at Bloomberg reports, Stack Exchange is actually moving in In both cases the actual substance of the that direction already, as the answer answers is almost identical, but the first that a questioner selects as the best one -- the one that doesn’t include the answer is now called “accepted,” condescending recommendation that instead of “best answer.” the person asking the question check the instructions more carefully before asking The whole thing reminds me of the -- winds up rated higher. classic debate over whether it’s a good thing to teach people to be So, a few takeaways: more persuasive, because inevitably We’re talking about a single website some people who are incompetent here, and written communications or have indecent motives will use the only. That said, it’s a situation in which persuasiveness techniques to spread the people asking the questions and wrong or malicious ideas. the people answering them don’t automatically know anything else about But I don’t know what to do about that. each other. So that should eliminate In the meantime, if you want to spread some other biases. good ideas, all other things being equal, use polite language and don’t insult the All other things being equal, it seems to people you’re trying to convince. be a matter of tone more than simply • using polite words like please and thank you, although those don’t seem to hurt.

In the case of a website like Stack Exchange, the “politeness bias” is a problem, as they don’t want answers to be perceived as more correct simply because they’re more polite. One solution might be to give less CORPORATE INNOVATIONS RELYING MORE ON GOVERNMENT FUNDING, STUDY FINDS

By James Leggate

Corporations are increasingly relying “Technological progress is seen as This article was on federally-supported research for a process through which inventions published on innovation, according to a new study. build on one another,” Hillary Greene, June 24, 2019. a law professor at UConn and one of the study’s authors, said in an online Nearly one-third of patents in the U.S. statement. “In this study, we examine rely on federal research investment, the importance of government- according to the study, which was supported research as contributing to recently published in the journal subsequent inventions.” Science. Researchers from UC Berkeley, the University of Connecticut, Boston In some fields, federal funding played University and Harvard University an even greater role in patents. For looked at links between government example, close to 60 percent of patents grants and patents from between 1926 in chemistry and metallurgy rely on and 2017. federally-supported research.

The number of patents that relied on Federal funding for science has federal research “increased steadily” over repeatedly faced large cuts, the that time, mainly beginning after World researchers noted. They said those War II, researchers said. And while the cuts “might endanger the innovation that percentage of new patents involving increasingly fuels the modern economy.” federal support has remained about the same since 2011, the number of patents The authors of the study said this was that relied on federally-supported the first of its kind to illustrate how much research nearly doubled between 2008 of patenting in the U.S. has relied on and 2017, from 22,647 to 45,220. federal science funding.

Also, patents that rely on federal “This research is an effort to detect, research are considered more important, in a more nuanced way, the myriad judging by their future citations, renewal fingerprints that U.S. federal research rates and novel terminology, according leaves, directly and indirectly, on to the study. innovation by others,” Greene said. Even this study was supported by a downstream impact it has on innovation,” 2015 grant from the National Science Greene said. “And let’s not forget, that Foundation. does not include the social and economic impact of federally-supported research “We hope that it provides insights for the — but that’s for another day.” • government, corporations and citizens about where this funding goes and the

COMBAT TROOPS AT HIGHER RISK FOR OPIOID AND HEROIN ABUSE, STUDY SAYS

By Louis Casiano

American troops exposed to combat percentage point higher than those who This article was face a higher risk of abusing heroin didn’t see action. published on and prescription opioids than service October 14, 2019. members who weren’t, according to Resul Cesur, associate professor of a paper published last month by the healthcare economics at the University National Bureau of Economic Research. of Connecticut, told Military Times he and his colleagues wanted to understand the The study, titled “Did the War on Terror relationship between nearly two decades Ignite an Opioid Epidemic?,” concluded of war with veterans and the opioid crisis. that opioid abuse among veterans who saw combat was 7 percentage points Oxycontin Maker Negotiating higher than those who were deployed but $10 to $12 Billion Opioid never engaged with the enemy. Settlement With State, Local Governments: Report The authors also noted that heroin use Staff Sergeant Matthew Pick, 66th among the same group of veterans was 1 Security Forces Squadron, holds a nasal applicator and naloxone medication nearly 6,500 hundred veterans in the vial, designed to temporarily reverse VA health care system died of opioid- the effects of an opioid overdose at related causes. Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass. Hanscom is the first U.S. Air Force installation In fiscal year 2016, the VA reported to issue the drug to law enforcement treating around 68,000 veterans for personnel under permission of the base opioid addiction. commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mark Herlihy) Among active military members, The Army and Marine Corps had the highest “We have an opioid epidemic in the rates of heroin use, followed by the Navy military population. That is well known. and Air Force. However, drug use in the And nearly three million deployed military is still relatively rare. since 9/11, so what is the impact of this combat?” Cesur asked. “We wanted to The study comes at a time when many know if it was driven by combat or by opioid manufacturers are facing scrutiny some other selection factor. For over their role in exacerbating the opioid example, are people who are prone to epidemic that has killed thousands and opioid abuse drawn to enlist? ... Our ravaged communities. Multiple states evidence shows strong evidence that and communities are suing Purdue the reason why so many military people Pharma -- maker of OxyContin -- over are using opiates is because they are the pharmaceutical giant’s aggressive exposed to combat.” marketing model for drugs that netted the company billions. Cesar noted about a third of opioid abuse among the military and veteran On a positive note, the study’s communities stems from injuries researchers said pain medication suffered during war. Nearly 58 percent prescriptions, opioid-related of heroin abuse was also linked to war hospitalization stays and age-adjusted injury, they found. opioid death rates dropped in states where medical marijuana is legal, the Opioid Doctors Warned Against Times reported. Abruptly Ending Treatment for Pain Patients “While marijuana legalization is certainly Many veterans have been prescribed not a silver bullet, evidence that opioids upon being discharged from marijuana and opioids are substitutes a hospital and many continued to take suggests that access to medical them for a prolonged period, the marijuana may provide an alternative, study concluded. less addictive, and less unhealthy means of treating pain,” they wrote. The Department of Veterans Affairs • reported in 2015 that it saw a 55 percent rise in opioid use among Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, according to the Times. Between 2010 and 2016, WHY IT PAYS TO HAVE GEN Z WOMEN ON BUSINESS TEAMS

By Jennifer Openshaw

For most CEOs, HR partners and It’s about strategy operations directors who have never given much thought to Gen Z, those David Noble, professor and director of This article was the Werth Institute for Innovation and born between 1995-2010, data from a published on Entrepreneurship at the University of February 7, 2019. new report should be their wake-up Connecticut, said the study shows that call: Pay attention to the “innovation “women are less likely to get involved generation” if you want to drive growth in entrepreneurial programming before and global competitiveness. they have a well thought-out idea and team. They’re waiting to a later point to The report, released in a live briefing show up and get involved.” with leaders from KKR, the NASDAQ and accounting firm EY, is based on six How can you recruit, motivate and years of data analyzed from student empower Gen Z, also know as business plan competitions held at NextGen, women in the workforce? UCLA, Rice University and the University of Connecticut. At these schools, like Include NextGen women on many others, students are provided real- teams world learning opportunities to develop It’s not enough to have women in business ventures and compete for prize your firm; be sure they’re involved in money – ranging from $3,000 to innovation and meetings. They are $100,000 – based on the viability of highly ambitious and look for purpose their plans. in their work.

Although women comprise just Despite inequality in access to 22 percent of participants in these capital, EY found that 30 percent of business competitions, 51 percent of women-led companies are targeting the ranking teams (placing first, growth rates in excess of 15 percent second or third) were comprised of over the next 12 months, while a woman founder. their male counterparts will see only 5 percent growth. And more to the point, among the first-place winning teams, 32 percent had Invest in STEEM, not just STEM a woman CEO. Education STEM creates the doers, but the extra “E” for entrepreneurship that will foster the immigration deportation guidance for development of leaders with mindsets youth, by youth. She now has a giant that will enable them to navigate the leg-up for both her college and future future of work. business career.

Jackie Taylor, a partner at EY, says her “I can guarantee you that there are firm is advising companies to embrace other high schoolers equally as driven,” “intrapreneurship” — the concept of Bell said in discussing the report’s harnessing entrepreneurship, but within findings. “If we give them the skills, they a traditional company — to will become the future leaders we need drive innovation. right now. • “Intrapreneurship is also a great way to engage and retain NextGen employees,” she added.

The earlier women start, the better Jody Bell, 16, developed a business plan through Girls With Impact and then launched her venture, In Case of Deportation, to provide one-stop Crain’s Chicago Business

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEALS RISK RUINING CHICAGO The single most powerful factor in a local economy’s health is whether people want to live there. If there’s an attractive quality of life, economies naturally grow. Subsidy and incentive deals rarely make a difference in these decisions.

By John C. Mozena

Illinois is quickly becoming a case study hollowed out the city’s neighborhoods This article was in how not to do economic development. and business community. Today, it’s published on State and local politicians have painted recovering from bankruptcy and isn’t June 10, 2019. themselves into a corner where they even among the 20 most populous cities are driving away the people and in the country. Or look at Cleveland, small businesses who should form the which went from the nation’s sixth- economy’s foundation with crushing tax largest city in 1940 to the 51st today. and regulatory burdens, then making There’s no guarantee that Chicago – or unsustainable deals to exempt a few any other city in Illinois – couldn’t suffer favored companies and developers from a similar fate. those costs. This spiral happens when people A toxic combination of broad fiscal no longer want to live someplace, mismanagement and economic and with the people gone there’s no development policy that’s stuck in the longer any reason for companies to do “smokestack chasing” model of the business there. Unfortunately, that’s the 1900s is putting Illinois’ future at risk. direction in which Chicago is currently Unless something is done to refocus headed. State and city politicians seem state and local economic development determined to find the limit of exactly policy on people, rather than handing how much burden the residents of the out billions of dollars to big corporations, City of Broad Shoulders are willing to Chicago and other Illinois cities risk bear, while simultaneously exempting falling down the same spiral that favored companies and developers from hollowed out the rest of the Rust Belt. bearing those same burdens through subsidies, incentives, tax increment And yes, it can happen here. Consider financing districts and other “economic Detroit: In 1940, it was the fourth-largest development” mechanisms. city in the United States. Decades of mismanagement, conflict and economic For example, Chicago recently obstinacy drove residents away and announced a deal for Macy’s to exempt the retail giant from paying almost $3 they rarely start businesses there and million a year in property taxes at its companies move jobs away to someplace State Street store. In a world full of more attractive to the workers they need. bad economic development ideas, tax incentives for retailers are among the Subsidy and incentive deals rarely worst. Retailers are going to go to where make a difference in these decisions as their customers are, and all the tax other business factors (such as where incentives in the world aren’t going to Macy’s customers are shopping) are make them put a store someplace where usually more important. In the words those customers aren’t. Let’s be honest, of professors at the University of Macy’s wasn’t going to move its flagship Connecticut and University of North store to Gary or Kankakee if Chicago Carolina who recently dug into the real- didn’t cut it a deal on its property taxes. world results of economic development deals, “This simple but direct finding— But that’s $3 million a year that Chicago that incentives do not create jobs— either now won’t have to spend on things should prove critical to policymakers.” like police, fire and EMS services; or on roads or sewers or transit or streetlights. Those policymakers, however, are too Either the city will spend less on these focused on taking credit in press releases fundamental public services that for cutting those deals in the present to underpin the quality of life a city offers recognize the degree to which they’re its residents, or it will have to increase mortgaging the future when those bills the burden on the broad shoulders come due and nobody’s left to pay them. of its other taxpayers even more to compensate. It will be a great American tragedy if Chicago becomes the next once-proud At some point, the cost of living city to learn that lesson the hard way. someplace outweighs the benefits, and • people leave. When people leave, the jobs follow. And when that happens, ask the people of Detroit or Cleveland what value a city’s proud history has compared to the reality of its present mismanagement.

There is a consensus among researchers from across the political spectrum who study the economies of states and cities that the single most powerful factor in a local economy’s health is whether people want to live there. If there’s an attractive quality of life, economies naturally grow from a combination of locally-based startups and larger companies attracted by a local workforce. Conversely, if people don’t want to live in a community, Military Times

COMBAT TROOPS AT HIGHER RISK FOR OPIOID, HEROIN ADDICTION, STUDY SAYS

By Patricia Kime

Combat exposure puts U.S. troops and Resul Cesur, associate professor of This article was veterans at substantial risk for abusing healthcare economics at the published on prescription opioids and even heroin University of Connecticut, said he October 14, 2019. — more so than service members who and his colleagues undertook the deployed but never saw a firefight, study to understand the impact of the according to a working paper published United States’ post 9/11 war footing last month by the National Bureau of and its relationship to the veteran Economic Research. opioid epidemic.

In the study, entitled “Did the War on They were motivated by a study they did Terror Ignite an Opioid Epidemic?” in 2010 that examined the relationship economists with NBER, a non-profit between combat and the development that conducts economic research of post-traumatic stress disorder and and disseminates it to policy makers, revealed that service members who had corporations and academia, determined PTSD also reported taking opioids. that opioid abuse among combat- “We have an opioid epidemic in the exposed veterans was 7 percentage military population. That is well known. points higher than among those who And nearly three million deployed deployed but didn’t see combat. since 9/11, so what is the impact of this combat?” Cesur asked. “We wanted to Regarding heroin use, the authors know if it was driven by combat or by noted that combat exposure also is some other selection factor. For example, associated with higher use rates, are people who are prone to opioid finding that combat-exposed personnel abuse drawn to enlist? ... Our evidence took heroin at more than 1 percentage shows strong evidence that the reason point higher than fellow service why so many military people are using members who never directly engaged opiates is because they are exposed with the enemy. to combat.”

The results are the first to “estimate the The authors said the differences causal impact of combat deployments in appeared to be driven in part by the the Global War on Terrorism on opioid number of personnel wounded in combat abuse,” the authors wrote. and prescribed opioids. About a third of opioid abuse among The authors cautioned, however, that the service members and veterans could cost likely is higher as U.S. troops and be explained by a war injury, noted veterans tend to under-report problems Cesur and his associates, Joseph with addiction or live in areas without Sabia, professor of economics at San access to therapy and medical treatment. Diego State University, and W. David Bradford, in the Department of Public “These are likely to be the lower Administration and Policy at the estimates of the economic impact of University of Georgia. combat on treatment-related expenses,” Cesur said. With heroin, nearly 58 percent of all abuse could be linked to a war injury, Both the Departments of Defense they found. and Veterans Affairs have launched campaigns to curb opioid prescriptions The heroin use research also found that and are conducting research to while abuse of the illicit drug is rare in understand the scope of the problem the U.S. military, Army and Marine Corps within the military and veterans had the highest rates of use, the Navy populations. came in third and Air Force had the lowest rate of heroin use. In 2010, DoD and VA issued new clinical practice guidelines aimed at reducing Nearly 2.8 million U.S. service members opioid prescriptions for pain other than deployed 5.4 million times to Iraq and end of live palliative care, and in 2013, Afghanistan. VA launched an Opioid Safety Initiative aimed at encouraging pain management While its unknown exactly how many approaches that didn’t include opioids. U.S. troops and veterans misuse opioids or use heroin, in 2015, VA officials Opioid prescriptions have dropped by reported they had seen a 55 percent 40 percent at VA since 2012, the result of increase in opioid use disorders among prescribing habits and greater reluctance veterans following combat operations in of physicians to prescribe them. Iraq and Afghanistan, and in fiscal 2016, VA treated roughly 68,000 veterans for This year, Air Force Capt. Carl Beyer opioid addiction. discussed his work at the University of California Davis and David Grant U.S. Air Between 2010 and 2016, 6,485 veterans Force Medical Center at Travis Air Force in the VA health care system died of Base exploring the risk of opioid abuse opioid-related causes. among combat casualties at the Military Health System Research Symposium in Hardest hit has been the enlisted Kissimmee, Florida. population, who tend to make up the bulk of those deploying, and who, According to Beyer, nearly 40 percent of according to previous research, tend to all service members injured in combat be more susceptible to combat related were prescribed opioids at hospital mental health conditions and substance discharge and a quarter continued to use, the NBER study noted. take them for a prolonged period of time following their discharges. Of those, The study estimated that the economic nearly 7 percent developed opioid abuse. impact of opioid addiction among service members is roughly $1 billion a The research may help develop strategies year, and for heroin use, $470 million. for prescribing pain medications to injured personnel and advance studies marijuana may be an alternative.” on alternatives or holistic therapies for managing pain, DoD officials said. To draw their conclusions on the relationship between opioid use and “The DoD and VA are really the only combat exposure, the study authors place in the United States where we have used information from two major studies the long-term care of trauma patients – the National Longitudinal Study of under one health care system so we can Adolescent and Adult Health and the do that long-term research. It’s really 2008 Department of Defense Health and exciting,” Beyer told reporters at a press Related Behaviors Survey. conference during the meeting. From the first study, they derived data The NBER study concluded that combat from 482 male service members, nearly exposure not only increases consumption 13 percent of whom said they used of prescription narcotics and heroin, it prescription drugs for recreational or also increases sedative and tranquilizer non-medicinal purposes. Using the use for non-medical purposes and second study, of 11,542 service men who using opioids together with drugs like reported being in combat, 9 percent said benzodiazepines, which also depress the they used pain relievers for non-medical central nervous system and increase the use and .6 percent reported using heroin. risk of overdose. Cesur said they used the data from The authors added, however, that the 2008 DoD study because its time in states with medical marijuana is frame correlated with results of the other available, pain medication prescriptions, survey and also, the DoD survey was opioid-related hospitalization stays and conducted during a time frame when age-adjusted opioid death rates have a large number of respondents had dropped. been deployed, either to combat or elsewhere. “While marijuana legalization is certainly • not a silver bullet, evidence that marijuana and opioids are substitutes suggests that access to medical marijuana may provide an alternative, less addictive, and less unhealthy means of treating pain,” they wrote.

“Opioids are deadly,” Cesur said. “There’s convincing evidence that use of medical Science Daily

PROMOTIONAL GAMES AT RETAIL STORES INCREASE CONSUMER SPENDING Games of chance are potential goldmines for both brick- and-mortar stores and online retailers

University of Connecticut

Shoppers who win retail discounts Bagchi of Virginia Tech University and This article was through scratch-off tickets or other Thomas M. Anderson of the University of published on October 3, 2019. games of chance are more likely to make Colorado, compared won discounts with a purchase, and spend more money, than straight discounts in terms of conversion customers offered standard discounts rates (the likelihood of making a that apply to everyone, according to purchase) and overall spending, across a new study led by the University of seven studies in 2017 and 2018. Connecticut. The largest study looked at the behavior Games of chance are potential goldmines of 1,073 customers of a mid-sized, for both brick-and-mortar stores and U.S.-based e-commerce company that online retailers, said Stefan J. Hock, specializes in interactive video tutorial. UConn assistant professor of marketing All others examined the behavior of and the lead author of the study in the college students and ranged in size from Journal of Consumer Research. about 200 to 500.

“Winning a discount affects perceptions The researchers found that discounts of luck, which leads to positive store obtained from promotional games attitude, which, in turn, increases always generated greater likelihood of shoppers’ likelihood of making a purchase and overall spending, ranging purchase and their overall spending,” from a 42% to 213% increase. said Hock. Of note, shoppers who believe in luck Surprisingly, even when the discount got a confidence boost from doing well won from a promotional game is smaller in a game of chance and this ‘lucky than a traditional discount -- say only day’ phenomenon seemed to give them 10% versus 20% -- researchers still saw greater buying confidence. That was the same phenomenon. particularly true when the shopper was looking for a self-indulgent item, versus Hock, together with professors Rajesh a necessity. The pleasure derived from scoring a which grows the retailers’ long-term discount at a retailer seems to have profitability. a lingering impact, with the shopper developing a good association with “What we’ve learned is that this type the retailer. In one study, Hock and his of promotion can be cost effective for colleagues found shoppers said they the merchant if the ‘chance’ discount is would be willing to go farther to buy an the same or even less as what a retailer identical item (in this case a candle) from would offer for a straight discount,’’ the store that had offered the promotion, Hock said. rather than selecting a closer competitor. Managers can use these games Retailers Should Use Games strategically as a cost-efficient way to Strategically enhance store loyalty and build brand In the U.S., discounts and promotions equity. However, Hock cautioned, the account for more than 25% of total sales tactic can be overused. of consumer goods. “My word of caution, though, is that it But some large companies, including should be used sporadically. If I ‘win’ a Forever 21 and J. Crew, frequently discount every time I shop, there’s no employ games of chance, with customers perception of luck or chance,” Hock said. taking part in a game with uncertain “Since many brick-and-mortar stores outcome. In fact, it was a scratch card are struggling, this may be a small piece presented to Hock at a prominent of the puzzle that helps them generate clothing store that triggered his interest higher sales.” • in the study.

The increase in sales was driven by more consumers buying rather than a smaller group of consumers each buying more. Because games of chance increase the likelihood that customers will buy, stores benefit from a larger customer base,

Neag School of Education

HOW CHILDREN EVOLVED TO WHINE And how to stop them from driving you bonkers.

By Jessica Grose Illustration by Francesco Ciccolella

This article was published on October 11, 2019.

Little kids are diabolically engineered to such common kid behavior that it was make their parents do what they want. likely a cultural universal. Even certain That’s the overwhelming impression I got types of monkeys whine, said Rose when I talked to a bunch of academics Sokol-Chang, Ph.D., who studied whining about the origins of whining. “Children at Clark University, and now works at the are good at co-opting whatever arsenal American Psychological Association. of behaviors they have” to get parental Monkey and human children alike use attention, said James A. Green, Ph.D., “whining to bridge a gap with an adult,” a University of Connecticut psychology said Dr. Sokol-Chang — which is to say, professor who studies early social they’re whining to get your attention, development. and fast. Babies may develop a whiny The scholars I spoke to agreed that type of cry as early as 10 months, but whining was both an under-researched full-blown whining doesn’t pick up until area in developmental psychology, and they learn to speak, Dr. Sokol-Chang said. Though whining typically peaks in So how do you get your whiny kid to cut toddlerhood and decreases with age, it out already? “I’m not sure it really goes away,” she said, pointing out that adults even whine Ignore the behavior. to their partners. Dr. Dunya Poltorak, a pediatric medical psychologist in private practice in What distinguishes whining from other Birmingham, Mich., said the first thing types of vocalization is how deeply to know is that disciplining children annoying it is — which is why it’s such a for whining can backfire. “Scolding or successful tactic for getting a parent’s disciplining can inadvertently reinforce attention. Dr. Sokol-Chang led an the behavior. They’re looking for a experiment where she asked 26 parents response; when they don’t get a positive and 33 nonparents to complete simple response, they’ll go for the negative math problems while listening to various one,” Dr. Poltorak said. Children look human sounds (infants crying, neutral to you to model behavior, so if you’re speech and “motherese,” in addition yelling, “I can’t stand it when you do that, to whining). Whether or not they were you drive me crazy!” you’re basically parents, participants forced to listen teaching them to give that right back to to whining made more mistakes and you. completed fewer problems; whining proved even more distracting than the Dr. Poltorak recommended finding a sound of infants crying. calm moment and sitting down with your child, saying something like: “I love Though whining is awful for everyone listening to you and I love helping you. within earshot, kids (to say nothing of Let’s practice using our nicest words to aggrieved spouses and, apparently, ask for help, because if you whine or monkeys) reserve whining for people cry or scream, I won’t be able to help they are emotionally attached to; this you.” Then you need to follow through isn’t behavior they’ll try with strangers, and ignore your kid when she asks for Dr. Sokol-Chang said. something in a whiny voice. Children’s Even baby monkeys understand that whiny behavior may escalate when you an annoying noise gets them a faster begin ignoring it, Dr. Poltorak cautioned, response — especially in public. One so be prepared to stay the course; in study of rhesus macaques showed time, they’ll realize whining doesn’t get that mothers attended to their crying them the attention they desire. When infants faster when there were unrelated your child asks for things nicely, make monkeys around; the researchers sure to reinforce that good behavior with surmised that the rhesus mothers were praise, Dr. Poltorak said. concerned that their babies’ cries, which are “high-pitched, grating and nasty to Catch the whine before it starts. listen to,” per the BBC, might provoke Another tactic, which Dr. Sokol-Chang the other monkeys. As Dr. Sokol-Chang recommended, is to try to observe your put it, even monkey parents think, “don’t child’s particular behavioral signs that embarrass me in front of my friends.” tend to lead up to a whine, so that you can give her positive attention before it even starts. But this isn’t always possible, especially if your child starts whining every time you attempt to have a conversation with another adult. Beat them at their own game. whines right back at his grandchildren, telling them: “I’m the expert on whining, Nicholas S. Thompson, an emeritus and you’re not even doing it right. Let professor of psychology and biology at me teach you how to whine properly.” Clark University who worked with Dr. The second his grandchildren saw he Sokol-Chang on her whining studies, was in on their game of manipulation, offered this last strategy, speaking more they got a funny look on their faces, and as an experienced grandpa than as an stopped. academic psychologist. Dr. Thompson •

TO ADD BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS, RECRUIT BLACK SCHOOLTEACHERS Study finds long-term impact of having a black teacher in kindergarten through third grade.

By Scott Jaschik

Many studies have found a positive designed to focus on black student This article was impact on black students from having achievement but provided researchers published on black teachers in elementary and with a rare sample of students randomly January 14, 2019. secondary schools. A new working paper selected to different classes, allowing from the National Bureau of Economic for comparisons based on a variety of Research finds that the positive impact factors. The researchers also replicated may extend far beyond school, to their findings in North Carolina, where the whether black students enroll in college. study found that having a single black teacher at a young age can decrease the The study was primarily based in black dropout rate by about one-third. Tennessee, taking advantage of an experiment in which cohorts of students The key finding in the working paper: were randomly placed in different types “black students randomly assigned of classrooms with different student- to a black teacher in grades K-3 are 5 teacher ratios. The experiment was not percentage points (7 percent) more likely to graduate from high school and exacerbating existing racial wage gaps, 4 percentage points (13 percent) more at least in the short run. To put this issue likely to enroll in college than their peers into perspective, consider the following in the same school who are not assigned a back-of-the-envelope calculation. Of black teacher.” the roughly 3.8 million K-12 teachers in the U.S., approximately 256,000, or 6.7 The researchers describe their findings as percent, are black. Comparing this fraction “arguably causal” and say that they are to the 15.4 percent of K-12 students who “robust” in a series of comparisons they are black suggests that doubling the made. (The Tennessee program has very number of black teachers would begin few Latino participants, so the researchers to get us close to aligning the work force were unable to measure whether the with the student body they are supposed impact was the same there, although they to teach.” write that this is an important research question to study.) The researchers add, “Doing so would necessitate steering 256,000 additional Given the way many colleges struggle to black college graduates from other recruit black students, the findings could occupations into teaching. Using the point to a different approach to, over 2018 March Current Population Survey the long term, increasing black college (CPS), and focusing on females with a enrollment, by trying to educate more bachelor’s or master’s degree, the group black students to be teachers. At the same that comprises most teachers, we find that time, the authors note that the challenge median earnings for blacks who are not for American educators isn’t just recruiting teachers is roughly $49,000 while median more black people into education, but earnings for blacks who are teachers is thinking about all of the consequences of $45,000. Supposing non-teachers who such a move. became teachers were previously earning the median non-teacher income and now earn the median teacher income, efforts “Findings from this research provide some to diversify the teaching work force imply reason to be optimistic as they provide a $4,000 pay cut for 256,000 black a path to reducing stubbornly persistent workers, thus reducing total income for racial attainment gaps,” the authors blacks by more than one billion dollars.” write. “However, they also raise a number of questions, some of which could be addressed in future research, surrounding The authors of the study are Seth efforts to diversify the teaching work Gershenson of American University; force. For example, while our study Cassandra M. D. Hart of the University of provides strong support for the idea that California, Davis; Joshua Hyman of the diversifying the teaching work force could University of Connecticut; Constance ceteris paribus have a strong and positive Lindsay of the Urban Institute; and effect on historically disadvantaged Nicholas W. Papageorge of Johns Hopkins students, a pipeline that could achieve University. • massive growth in the number of black teachers is nonexistent. Hiring practices that attempt to diversify while maintaining high teacher quality would thus necessitate, for example, re-allocating college educated blacks from other lucrative fields to teaching, a relatively low-paid occupation. Doing so might lead to unintended consequences, such as The Hechinger Report

GIFTED CLASSES MAY NOT HELP TALENTED STUDENTS MOVE AHEAD FASTER Survey finds emphasis on developing “creativity” and “critical thinking” instead of acceleration above grade level

By Jill Barshay

One of the big justifications for gifted- writing instruction ranked 19th. Teaching This article was and-talented education is that high academic self-confidence, leadership published on April 8, 2019. achieving kids need more advanced skills and social emotional learning all material so that they’re not bored and ranked higher than teaching above grade actually learn something during the level content. school day. Their academic needs cannot be met in a general education “Teachers and educators are not super class, advocates say. But a large survey supportive of acceleration,” said Betsy of 2,000 elementary schools in three McCoach, one of the researchers states found that not much advanced and a professor at the University of content is actually being taught to Connecticut. “But it doesn’t make sense gifted students. In other words, smart to pull kids together to do the same third graders, those who tend to be a thing that everyone else is doing.” couple grade levels ahead, are largely studying the same third-grade topics The survey, conducted by six researchers that their supposedly “non-gifted” at the National Center for Research classmates are learning. on Gifted Education at the University Connecticut, was presented on April 5, The survey found that instead of 2019 in Toronto at the annual meeting moving bright kids ahead to more of the American Educational Research advanced topics, gifted classrooms are Association. The researchers did not preoccupied with activities to develop disclose the names of the three states critical thinking and creativity, such as they studied but said they were located holding debates and brainstorming. in the South and Midwest. In all three The third most common focus in gifted states, schools are required to identify curriculums is to give students more high achieving students and offer them projects and games, so-called “extension gifted programs. (Many states in the activities” that are tangentially related Northeast don’t have a mandate to offer to their grade-level content. Accelerated gifted education.) math instruction ranked 18th on a list of 26 items that gifted curriculums More than half the gifted students in could focus on. Advanced reading and the three states were white. In one of the three states, almost three-quarters much advanced instruction in of the gifted students were white even either subject. though they made up roughly half the population. In that same state, blacks Sluggish learning for the brightest made up a quarter of the population but Americans may be the consequence. had fewer than 10% of the gifted seats. The researchers also tracked the Hispanics had 7% of the gifted seats and annual state test scores for more than made up 16% of the population. 350,000 students in these three states who started third grade in 2011. Gifted It’s important to point out that the students, on average, began third grade researchers only surveyed schools with academic achievement two grade and district administrators; they didn’t levels above the academic level of actually analyze the content or quality non-gifted students but posted slower of gifted curriculum. Still, it’s revealing academic growth than general education that three-quarters of the schools admit students between third and fifth grades. that they don’t use a separate curriculum Other studies have also found slower especially designed for gifted students in growth for advanced students during the reading or math. Without a curriculum, school year. teachers are making their own decisions about what to teach. One classroom However, it doesn’t seem that gifted in one school might be offering a very education is entirely useless. High different education than another gifted achieving kids who weren’t identified classroom down the hall. for gifted services but still scored above the median score for gifted students Researchers found a wide variation on the third grade test had even slower in how schools teach gifted students. academic growth than students in the Within each state, roughly half the gifted programs. So perhaps these schools put gifted students together critical thinking and creativity exercises in separate classrooms. Other schools are doing something. pull students out of their regular classrooms for a few hours a week This research points to the lack of of gifted instruction. Other times, a consensus on what the goals of gifted teacher is sent into classrooms to work education should be. Many don’t think with gifted students. A fourth common it should be about advancing students approach is to create small groups as quickly as possible. High quality within a class, clustering gifted kids instruction that helps kids who’ve together for many assignments. Most already mastered the basics go deeper schools used a combination of the four into the material may ultimately be approaches, but researchers didn’t find beneficial. And annual state assessments one approach worked better than the may not do a good job of measuring others. Achievement gains were similar this kind of depth, creativity or critical regardless. thinking.

The researchers say their survey is McCoach argues that research supports evidence of a “disconnect” between acceleration, citing a 2004 summary who gets labeled “gifted” and how these of the research evidence conducted by students are actually getting taught in scholars at the Belin-Blank Center at American classrooms. They point out the University of Iowa. She also points that the kids are being selected for these to rigorous studies that found learning programs because they have high math gains for gifted students who learned and reading scores yet they’re not given from different curriculums that combine acceleration with enrichment, such as that even bright kids might do worse on those developed at William & Mary grade-level material emphasized on the College and the University of Virginia. test if they are spending most of their “This is one area where there is the most time on future topics. “Gifted students solid research base,” said McCoach. are the ringers for the state tests,” said “If kids are given more accelerated McCoach. School leaders “don’t want to instruction, we see higher growth.” be shooting themselves in the foot,” she added. Why do schools tend to ignore this research evidence? McCoach speculates I hope this study calms anxious parents that many educators are worried that who worry that their kids will miss out on students who race ahead will face social a great education if they don’t get into a problems at school, even though, she gifted program. And for education policy says, there is no research to support this officials, it’s worth revisiting what the widely held belief. point of gifted education is, especially when the students are disproportionately State testing itself might also discourage white. In the future, McCoach and her school leaders from changing the colleagues plan to study how gifted curriculum for gifted children. Gifted kids programs increase racial segregation. tend to score at the top, propping up In the meantime, the debate over gifted school ratings and rankings; there’s a fear education continues. •

Education News

RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CHARTERS DO BEST FOR CALIFORNIA’S LOW- INCOME AND MINORITY STUDENTS. Now Lawmakers There Want to Slow Their Expansion

By The 74

California’s years-long debate over school expense of charter schools. This article was choice has taken a decisive turn over the published on first few months of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s In February, Newsom convened a June 3, 2019. tenure — and the shift has come at the panel of experts to investigate whether charters siphon funding from school including Newsom himself, formerly the districts. The next month, he signed mayor of San Francisco. a law — repeatedly vetoed by the previous governor — establishing greater The lay of the land transparency requirements for the schools and their leaders. All the while, To understand how controversial charters attention-grabbing teacher strikes in Los are in California, you have to get a sense Angeles and Oakland put the issue of of just how prominent a feature they are charter growth at the top of the state’s in the state’s education landscape. education agenda, alongside teacher pay and school funding. According to state data, more than 650,000 kids attend charter schools in Now a series of bills is moving through California, or roughly 10.5 percent of the legislature that could dramatically all pupils in the state. Those numbers curtail the charter sector’s growth. are huge in both absolute and relative The most contentious of the package, terms: It is, by far, the largest statewide Assembly Bill 1505, which would grant charter enrollment in the country, larger local districts greater leeway to reject than the total populations of Wyoming petitions for new charter schools, has or Vermont; it’s also proportionately passed the state Assembly and now larger than the average statewide charter faces consideration in the state Senate. enrollment across the U.S., which is Others, including a measure to cap the about 6 percent. total number of charters in the state, have lost momentum over the past week. The sector has also reached that Charter School Showdown in impressive scope rather quickly, gaining California: Assembly Moves more than 100,000 new students in Forward with Package of just the past five years. That head- Powerful Regulations as snapping pace of expansion came even Proponents and Teachers Unions as California’s total K-12 enrollment saw Clash persistent declines. Taken together, education observers In other words: A shrinking pool of have seen the past five months as signs enrollees, and the state funding that that California’s long period of virtually goes along with them, has put downward unchecked charter expansion may be pressure on school district budgets at ending. Foes of the privately operated the same time that charters emerged as public schools, most notably the state’s new competition. In an added wrinkle, teachers unions, would relish the California law actually prevents school possibility. districts (which authorize the vast majority of charter schools in the state) But for the students who gain the most from rejecting new charter petitions on from charters, a slowdown or reversal of the basis that they pose a threat to local the sector’s recent growth might not be finances (AB 1505 would revoke that cause for celebration. Those students, prohibition). studies show, are disproportionately black, Latino and low-income children The growing clash for kids and dollars from the state’s biggest cities; ironically, explains why the political battle around they’re also represented by some of the sector has gotten so hot — and the sector’s most prominent critics — expensive. The past few election cycles have seen not too surprising, since California record spending from both teachers charter schools make up a nontrivial unions, which adamantly oppose segment of the national charter data.” further charter expansion, and the deep-pocketed philanthropists who Indeed, a comprehensive 2014 study tend to support it. The money wars from Stanford’s Center for Research on erupted again in the 2018 Democratic Education Outcomes (CREDO) found gubernatorial primary, which pitted that students who attended California charter-friendly former Los Angeles charters performed a bit better in mayor Antonio Villaraigosa against reading, and a bit worse in math, than then-Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who their peers attending traditional public won the endorsement of the California schools. That nuanced picture dovetails Teachers Association. Newsom ultimately with charter performance nationally, raised an unheard-of $58 million on his which is roughly as good, on average, way to earning his party’s nomination, as the public schools run by local school including $1.2 million in donations from districts. the CTA; once that race was decided, the education-related spending migrated But tucked beneath the topline results, to the race for state superintendent the data show that charters perform — a largely ceremonial job with little better for the state’s least advantaged statutory power over charter schools. citizens. Specifically, CREDO found that poor black students at charters gained California’s Campaign for State an average of 36 extra days of learning in Superintendent Costs More Than literacy, and 43 extra days of learning in Most Senate Races. Here’s Why math, compared with those in traditional In that election as well, the union- public schools; poor Latino students backed candidate, Tony Thurmond, gained 22 extra days of literacy and 29 prevailed over his more reform-oriented extra days of math. In general, charter opponent. Thurmond, who said during schools in urban areas, where many the campaign that he wanted a “pause” of those students are clustered, were on new charter openings, now chairs the measured as much stronger than those commission looking into the impact of in suburban and rural areas. charter competition on traditional public schools. The group’s report is scheduled Center for Research on Education to be released in July. Outcomes Those findings were echoed in CREDO’s So how good are they? 2014 study of Los Angeles charters, released the same year, which found The increasing focus on charters’ even stronger results for minority financial effects inevitably leads to the students than were measured statewide. question of their academic effects. But, In yet another paper, this one released much the same as with charter schools the next year and directed at 41 different throughout the country, California’s urban areas, the research group found sector has yielded mixed results. that a majority of charter schools in the Bay Area (encompassing the large “The charter sector in California looks districts of Oakland, San Francisco and like a microcosm of the charter sector San Jose) outperformed traditional nationally,” said Martin West, an public schools in both reading and math. education professor at Harvard. “That’s In a 2018 research brief intended as an Harvard’s West, who examined update on previous research, CREDO California’s charter authorizing practices Director Macke Raymond cast the charter in a paper last year, found that local results for traditionally underperforming districts often struggle to act as truly student groups as evidence that capable authorizers for charter schools — academic improvement can be achieved a deficiency made worse by the meager in every educational setting. In an funding provided by the state to act in interview with The 74, she did observe that role. But although greater resources that enough time has passed since the and oversight might improve the sector’s original studies that “[she couldn’t] really performance, he told The 74 that such tell whether the trends are holding fast proposals have been absent from the or whether they’re changing.” debate raging in Sacramento.

Still, the existing research base strongly “That’s a different set of issues … suggests that the primary beneficiaries animating the debate in California at of charter schools in California are the moment. It seems to me that in historically disadvantaged populations California, you’re seeing a much more in big cities like Los Angeles and concerted attempt to prevent charter Oakland. But nowhere have the calls expansion, at least in districts that for curbing charter growth been louder don’t welcome it, by empowering than in those very cities, where striking districts to deny new charter petitions. teachers demanded official support for More than anything else, that’s what’s a statewide charter moratorium as a going on here.” condition of returning to work. CREDO’s Raymond, while lamenting Preston Green, a professor of education that the data on California’s charter at the University of Connecticut, sector aren’t more current, indicated has warned that the lack of tighter that she didn’t support the slate of new regulations has complicated the financial regulations. state of small districts, potentially leading to a bifurcated school system “I’ve spent 25 years studying what resembling that of the Jim Crow South. happens when monopolies face While he told The 74 that he understands competition — and I’m on the record the appeal of charters as an option here — I’ve never seen any other industry for black and Latino families, he also that allows the monopolist to determine said that he supported a temporary the fate of the new entrant.” moratorium on new charters. •

“We really need to think systematically about how to permit charter schools to exist in a way that won’t deleteriously impact school districts,” he said. “So understand that when I’m calling for a moratorium, I’m not calling for a backdoor closure but, rather, really thinking deliberately about how they can exist and be situated in a way that their inefficiencies are lessened.” WFMZ-TV (Allentown, PA.)

POSITIVE PARENTING: SPATIAL SKILLS BECOME MATH SKILLS We didn’t believe it either.

By Jessica Sanchez

Playtime is lots of fun for your young Furthermore, they found that a specific This article was child, but it could also be an opportunity arithmetic strategy led to higher math published on to improve their math skills. reasoning skills four years later. It’s called June 18, 2019. decomposition, breaking down a harder Spatial skills, or the ability to describe problem into easier math facts. where objects are in relationship to other things, have long been proven The research suggests play that involves to enhance a child’s math abilities. But the child holding and rotating spatial how exactly do these early math skills images in their head is one of the best translate to higher math achievement ways to develop spatial skills. So parents, and learning? encourage your child to play with blocks or puzzles which emphasize how pieces Researchers at Boston College and the can rotate and fit together. University of Connecticut tested 138 first-grade girls on arithmetic, verbal and About three-quarters of the girls in the spatial skills. Then in fifth grade, they study had mothers with a college or tested them on math reasoning. graduate degree.• Researchers found that children who had strong spatial skills in first grade were more likely to perform better on the assessment of math reasoning in fifth grade. Campus Technology

RESEARCH: FLIPPED LEARNING BOOSTS TEST SCORES Teaching and Learning

By Dian Schaffhauser

The latest word on the use of “pre- and 879 didn’t. This article was class activities” — flipped learning — is published on As documented in “The Flipped Effect,” that it improves student engagement November 20, 2019. a paper presented at the American in the class itself as well as students’ Evaluation Association Evaluation assessment scores. A recent study by a team of researchers from Macmillan conference last week, the researchers wanted to answer two big questions Learning and the University of (among several smaller ones): Connecticut examined the use of flipped learning through Achieve, a new Whether the summative assessment Macmillan digital learning tool, and found scores improved for those students in the a “significant effect” with its use. Achieve group; and

Achieve is a set of course tools designed What impact the use of Achieve might with learning science in mind that allows have had on final exam scores, no matter the instructor to give personalized what the student’s previous academic recommendations to students for performance, baseline level of motivation “optimal learning paths.” The pre-class or who the instructor was. activities are one of the resources included in the product that faculty can The pre-class activities could typically choose to implement with their classes. include the use of five- to seven-minute videos describing the course content The study involved 40 instructors at 38 with quizzes or assigned reading with institutions in multiple disciplines who quizzes or both. The goals: to help all used Achieve in their classrooms students gain an understanding of but who could choose to use the pre- vocabulary and core concepts and to class activities or not. All were given a support their longer-term learning half-hour of training on the use of the “through retrieval practice,” as the program. A total of 2,251 students agreed researchers explained. to participate in the study and, based on which course they took, “naturally” To generate the data used in the final fell into the test group (“pre-class analysis, the researchers ran student and users”) or the control group (“non-pre- instructor surveys at the beginning and class users”). In total, 1,372 students end of the semester. Faculty also filled participated in the pre-class activities out weekly Achieve “implementation logs”; and they were interviewed mid- semester. The researchers extracted data from Achieve itself on a weekly basis and at the end of the study, and instructors shared student records at the end of the semester.

The big question — whether testing improved for those students using the pre-course learning activities — came in affirmative. As the report stated, “assigning pre-class activities ... significantly supports better performance on summative assessments within Achieve.” And, likewise, “assigning pre-class activities in Achieve supports better performance on final exams in their course.” In fact, the researchers suggested, “the average difference in assessment scores would represent more than half of a grade in most higher educational institutions.”•

The Department of Kinesiology

YOGA LINKED TO LOWERED BLOOD PRESSURE WITH REGULAR PRACTICE

By Lisa Rapaport

Adults who practice yoga with breathing can be just as, or even more effective This article was and relaxation exercises at least three than aerobic exercise to reduce blood published on April 8, 2019. times a week may have lower blood pressure; but also quantitatively showed pressure than people who don’t, a the importance of emphasizing yoga research review suggests. breathing techniques and mental relaxation/meditation along with For the study, researchers analyzed physical forms during practice,” said data from 49 trials with a total of 3,517 lead study author Yin Wu, a researcher participants who were typically middle- in kinesiology at the University of aged, overweight women and men who Connecticut in Storrs. already had high blood pressure or were close to developing the condition. These “So, yoga, among other lifestyle smaller trials assessed blood pressure before and after participants were interventions (such as diet and randomly assigned either to doing smoking cessation) should be adopted yoga or to a control group without early on even when the blood pressure exercise programs. is still relatively low, and should be continued along with medication when Overall, the people in the yoga groups blood pressure is relatively high,” Wu experienced average reductions in said by email. systolic blood pressure of 5 mmHG (millimeters of mercury) more than those Yoga appeared beneficial, but less in the control groups, and diastolic blood so, when people practiced regularly pressure was reduced by 3.9 mmHG but didn’t focus on breathing and more with yoga. relaxation or meditation. Under these circumstances, yoga was When people with high blood pressure associated with average drops of 6 did yoga three times a week in sessions mmHG more in systolic blood pressure that also included breathing and and 3 mmHG more in diastolic blood relaxation exercises, they experienced pressure compared to the groups average decreases of 11 mmHG more doing no exercise. than control groups in systolic blood pressure and 6 mmHG more in diastolic In adults, a normal or healthy blood blood pressure. pressure reading is considered to be “Our results not only showed that yoga 120/80 mmHG or lower. •

School of Law

WEIGHT DISCRIMINATION IS RAMPANT. YET IN MOST PLACES IT’S STILL LEGAL. Massachusetts may become the second state to add ‘weight’ to its list of protected categories

By Rebecca Puhl

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in meanwhile, courts wrestle with the This article was Atlantic City obsessively monitored the degree to which the Americans With published on weight of its waitresses, according to Disabilities Act covers people who June 21, 2019. 22 of them who sued it in 2008. They have been treated unfairly because would be suspended, for example, if of obesity.) But now Massachusetts they gained 7 percent more weight than lawmakers have introduced a bill that they had when they were hired. But a would make it illegal to discriminate New Jersey judge threw out the suit, on the basis of weight in that state. explaining that state law was silent It’s very concise, simply adding about weight discrimination. The state “weight” (and “height”) to the list of Supreme Court affirmed the decision protected categories in existing anti- three years ago. discrimination law, alongside race, age, sexuality and disability. A hospital in Victoria, Tex., made headlines in 2012 after it imposed a Academic research shows that weight- strict body mass index (BMI) limit on based stigma, prejudice and outright employees — 35, in the obese range, was discrimination are rampant. One review the cutoff — citing patients’ expectations of studies found that 19 percent of adults of what a health-care provider should with “Class I” obesity (a BMI of 30 to look like. It was entirely legal. 35) reported experiencing treatment they viewed as unfair, in various settings. The American legal system offers The figure rose to 42 percent for people strikingly limited recourse for people who were more obese. At each level who have been treated unfairly because of obesity, women reported more of their size. Right now, cases like this discrimination than men. stand a chance mainly in Michigan, where a civil rights law has prohibited The rise in U.S. obesity rates — by now, weight discrimination for more than 40 almost 40 percent of Americans meet years. (A handful of cities have similar the definition — has not reduced such ordinances, though the District’s ban on stigma. A study published this year by discrimination based on “appearance” two Harvard psychologists found that offers less clear-cut protection; overtly negative attitudes toward people based on body weight had declined by differences in public support by only 15 percent from 2004 to 2016; in political orientation. contrast, explicit racism dropped by 37 percent and explicit anti-gay feelings by The testimony of people in favor of the nearly half. Even more strikingly, when Massachusetts bill — proposed, in various the researchers examined “implicit” bias forms, several times in recent years — unconsciously held attitudes, revealed — has been deeply moving. I vividly through careful laboratory testing — recall one woman, a public relations weight bias (unlike every other type) professional, who explained how her appeared to be getting slightly worse supervisor made her undergo over time. humiliating weekly weigh-ins in his office to keep her job. It shouldn’t be surprising that these biases often translate into Many physicians, public health mistreatment of people. One review professionals and legal scholars have of existing research found statistically joined the chorus supporting the significant penalties for people who are Massachusetts bill. So why are lawmakers overweight or obese at every step of the there and elsewhere hesitant to act? employment process: hiring, evaluations, promotion and firing. Estimates of a wage penalty vary, but most studies are Skeptics of such laws offer several consistent that one exists. In medical arguments. They suggest that, unlike settings, reports by overweight people race or age or gender, weight is of biased treatment are legion. (You largely under the control of the wouldn’t have to be overweight, by individual — ignoring genetic and BMI standards, to be protected by the environmental factors, prominent proposed Massachusetts law; it would contributors to obesity. They say anti- cover a case like that of the Borgata weight-discrimination laws could make waitresses, who were punished for minor it illegal for a company to encourage weight gain.) weight loss among employees in an effort to reduce insurance costs. Contrary to popular assumptions, However, it is easy to design a calling negative attention to people’s nondiscriminatory wellness program weight does not motivate them to adopt that promotes healthy behaviors for exercise regimens or otherwise improve all workers, rather than penalizing their health. In fact, research suggests one group. Mostly, skeptics raise the opposite: Weight stigma worsens the specter of an explosion of quality of life for people on its receiving unjustified lawsuits. end, even increasing mortality rates — probably because of such factors as But that hasn’t happened in Michigan: increased stress and depression. In 2018, according to the state’s Department of Civil Rights, out of some There’s strong backing for laws banning 2,100 discrimination complaints received weight discrimination, as studies by my by the state, only 39 concerned weight. team at the University of Connecticut And Michigan’s approach seems to be have shown. From 2010 to 2015, support working. A survey of more than 1,000 for such provisions increased from 73 state residents in 2013 found lower percent to 79 percent, in a representative rates of self-reported weight-based sample of adults nationally. Notably, employment discrimination, particularly our most recent research found no for women, the main targets of mistreatment, relative to rates identified Weight discrimination is a legitimate and in other states. prevalent societal problem. It inflicts pain and suffering, causes financial harm, and In Massachusetts, the amusement park impairs quality of life — and it should be industry objected that the proposed banned, just like other forms of invidious law would make it hard for parks to discrimination. • comply with safety standards — namely, weight and height limits for certain Rebecca Puhl is a professor in the rides. The latest version of the bill department of human development allows exemptions for federal, state and family sciences at the University of and industry safety standards. And Connecticut. She is also deputy director Michigan allows companies to appeal for of the university’s Rudd Center for food exemptions from the law, in rare cases. policy and obesity

Phys.org

GOVERNMENT-FUNDED RESEARCH INCREASINGLY FUELS INNOVATION

By University of Connecticut

For the third year in a row, the Trump cuts in federal funding for science might This article was administration has proposed large cuts endanger the innovation that increasingly published on in science funding across a variety of fuels the modern economy. The study was June 3, 2019. agencies. Although Congress restored published recently in Science. these cuts in the past two years, increased budgetary pressures may By computing new linkages between discourage them from doing so this year. government grants and tens of millions of U.S. patents and scientific papers Now, new research from the University from 1926 to 2017, the multi-disciplinary of California, Berkeley, the University research team demonstrated that almost of Connecticut, Boston University, and a third of patents in the U.S. rely on Harvard University shows that these federal research. Although this may be a conservative estimate, this number has their reliance on federally supported increased steadily over the past 90 years. research. The effect occurs across all fields; as the most extreme example, “Technological progress is seen as almost 60 percent of the patents a process through which inventions in chemistry and metallurgy rely build on one another. In this study we on federally supported research. examine the importance of government- Additionally, the team notes that supported research as contributing to patents that rely on federal research subsequent inventions,” says Hillary “are more important as measured by Greene, Zephaniah Swift Professor of future citations, renewal rates, and novel Law at the UConn School of Law. terminology” than patents that do not rely on federal research. Greene, who is an expert in patent law, came to UConn Law in 2007 after According to Lee Fleming, lead author having previously served as project and professor of industrial engineering director for intellectual property at and operations research at UC Berkeley, the Federal Trade Commission’s Office this study is significant because it is the of the General Counsel. In addition to first to quantify the historical sweep of having served as the inaugural director federal science patenting in the U.S. and of UConn Law’s Intellectual Property and provide data that illustrate how much the Entrepreneurship Law Clinic, she has country’s patenting has relied on federal continued to examine innovation issues science funding since 1926. from many angles, including writing and teaching extensively on the relationship Federal research funding is at the between innovation and competition heart of the current study in more policy. ways than one. In 2015, Greene and her collaborators were awarded “The fact that Professor Greene is the a federal grant from the National first UConn Law professor to be featured Science Foundation in support of this in Science speaks to her truly impressive research. The grant was titled “The body of research,” observes Timothy Reach of the Visible Hand: Government Fisher, dean of the UConn School of Acknowledgments in U.S. Patents and Law. “It is one that both spans diverse Technological Change.” Fleming and legal regimes and engages with multiple Greene were co-principal investigators disciplines to provide valuable insights on the grant. on topics like the impact of government investment on innovation.” “This research is an effort to detect, in a more nuanced way, the myriad The study, the first of its kind, offers fingerprints that U.S. federal research a more holistic view of the impact of leaves, directly and indirectly, on federal funding on innovation. Where innovation by others,” says Greene. “We previous studies established impacts hope that it provides insights for the within particular fields, the current work government, corporations, and citizens provides a historic and quantitative about where this funding goes and the analysis of all U.S. patents—over a long downstream impact it has on innovation. period of time. And let’s not forget, that does not include the social and economic impact The research also establishes that of federally supported research—but corporations have steadily increased that’s for another day.” • School of Pharmacy

Infection Control Today

PROMISING NEW DRUGS TO FIGHT TB

Source: University of Connecticut

Tuberculosis (TB), an ancient and The treatment time is also at least six This article was notoriously difficult disease to treat, months for drug-susceptible strains; published on has killed millions through the course but for drug-resistant tuberculosis, it March 28, 2019. of human history; and the antibiotics can be 18 months and often longer. that have been used to fight the disease Unfortunately, that means adherence in recent history are becoming less to the full treatment, especially in and less effective. In the face of this less industrialized areas, is unlikely or reality, Dennis Wright, professor of impossible for many, Wright says. medicinal chemistry in the University of Connecticut’s Department of At UConn, Wright is taking a new Pharmaceutical Sciences, has improved approach, developing drugs that upon a new way to thwart the tricky target the bacteria in different ways pathogen, mycobacterium tuberculosis from previous classes of drugs. He (Mtb). His findings are published today in says this approach is intended to help Cell Press. circumvent the pathogen’s resistance to existing drugs. Though it may not be apparent in the United States, TB is the leading deadly In recent years, research into the infectious disease in the world, now disruption of the folate pathway in Mtb surpassing HIV, says Wright. And the has been explored as a means of treating areas worst affected by TB are those that the infection. The folate pathway is are becoming increasingly industrialized, essential for the production of nucleic including China, Russia, and India. acids, or the building blocks of DNA and RNA -- the information needed for Current treatment protocols require organisms to reproduce or replicate. the use of multiple drugs, due to the bacteria’s uncanny ability to develop Since it is so important for survival, the resistance to individual drugs. Drug- folate pathway is also highly conserved resistant strains may be on the rise, -- meaning that antifolate drugs could due to poor adherence to treatment target bacteria, fungi, parasites, but protocols, says Wright. also humans. Therefore just the right compound is needed to ensure that the “First-line therapy for drug-susceptible pathogen, and not the host, is impacted. TB is by using three to four drugs in combination,” he says. “The mixture is “It is easy to make very potent necessary because the pathogen is a antifolate compounds, but the master at developing drug resistance.” challenge is in not impacting the human folate pathway,” says Wright. Classical antifolates, like methotrexate, “TB is very interesting because even require active transport into cells; though the folate pathway is highly however, the compounds developed conserved, there are a lot of differences by Wright and his team enter the cell in Mtb and human throughout the passively. Wright says the folate cycle pathway, and those differences are what may also play a role in the bacterium’s we are trying to target.” ability to produce its protective waxy coat, meaning that it could make it easier The promise for antifolate medications for other drugs to get in and help clear a as a new class of drugs for the treatment TB infection. of TB and many other diseases is great. However, there is currently only one Wright says that these two findings were antifolate used to treat TB, called para- validation that the compounds were aminosalicylic acid (PAS). targeting what they had hoped to target; and overall, the researchers found their Wright and his team compared PAS with compounds to be more effective than 60 antifolates they designed to target PAS. a very specific component of the folate pathway called dihydrofolate reductase He is hopeful that funding agencies will (DHFR). A collaborator screened the be interested in this promising class of compounds in cultures of Mtb, including drugs. More work is needed to bring drug-resistant strains. them to the market for the treatment of TB. “The Mtb and human DHFR enzymes differ very slightly, but in fact, that “As people are traveling more,” he says, single amino acid change in the drug “I’m not sure how long TB will stay binding site is enough to give us isolated.” selectivity,” says Wright. Not only did the • compounds have selectivity in inhibiting the pathogenic DHFR, but they also impacted the ease with which the drug enters the bacterium.

Wright says getting the drugs in is challenging, because TB is one of the hardest microorganisms to penetrate. “It is so drug-resistant due to the waxy outer coating, and because it can hide from the immune system.” Philly Voice

COMMON ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUG TIED TO INCREASED RISK OF FALLS IN ELDERLY ADULTS Duloxetine, known as Cymbalta, proved to be worrisome in UConn’s research analysis

By Bailey King

New research suggests that certain other antidepressants, other non- This article was antidepressants increase the likelihood of pharmacological methods, or a placebo. published on falls in older adults. June 18, 2019. They found that SNRIs — including the Researchers at the University of drug duloxetine, known under the name Connecticut and Yale University teamed brand of Cymbalta — proved to be the up for these findings, though the cohort most detrimental to older adults. is a part of an international effort seeking to evaluate the impact antidepressants The team concluded that duloxetine have on aging populations. “most likely increases the risk of falls over longer treatment.” According to a UConn news release, it is estimated that 15 to 20 percent of all “The goal of this publication is to identify adults over the age of 65 suffer from medications that should either be depression. This number jumps to 50 avoided or used with caution in older percent for people who live in nursing adults,” said researcher William L. Baker, homes. faculty member at UConn’s School of Pharmacy. “While these are not specific In their research published in Journal recommendations for which medications of the American Geriatric Society, to use to treat major depressive disorder researchers analyzed a total of 21 in older adults, it does remind clinicians studies in which older adults were to be cautious when using certain treated with selective norepinephrine medications and medication classes reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), selective in this population due to their risk of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), developing side effects.”• Science Codex

WEIGHING RISKS AND BENEFITS OF DRUG TREATMENT FOR MAJOR DEPRESSION

By American Geriatrics Society

Depression is a common and serious risks associated with “potentially This article was problem for older adults. Some 15 to inappropriate medications” is key to published on 20 percent of people aged 65 and building better care for us all as we June 12, 2019. older who live independently deal with age. That’s why a team of researchers symptoms of major depressive disorder. recently reviewed and analyzed studies For residents of nursing homes, the to learn more specifically about the rates of depression may be as high as 50 harmful effects of antidepressants for percent. treating major depressive disorder in adults 65 years of age or older. Their For some people, medication is study was published in the Journal of the an effective part of treatment for American Geriatrics Society. depression. However, when considering whether to prescribe antidepressant The systematic review was performed medication for older adults, healthcare at the University of Connecticut providers must weigh the safety risks Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC). these medications pose against the The researchers reviewed studies that often modest benefits they can provide examined how many older adults compared to other options. experienced a harmful event during the study. For example, tools like the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) Beers Criteria® The researchers looked at patients 65 for Potentially Inappropriate Medication years of age or older who are prescribed Use in Older Adults recommended that serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake healthcare providers avoid prescribing inhibitors (SNRIs) to treat the acute certain antidepressant medications to phase of major depressive disorder older adults who have a history of falls (the earliest stage of the condition, or fractures. These include selective when the goal is to address the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and symptoms associated with an episode tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). That’s of depression). They found that taking because these medications may actually SNRIs led to a greater number of harmful increase the risk of falls and fractures. events compared to people who took a placebo (a harmless sugar pill that has Understanding these and other no effect on health and is prescribed to some study participants to help with “Some of the antidepressants have comparing their results to results from not been studied in older patients with people who were treated with actual major depression, and studies don’t medication). Older adults who took often describe specific side effects. SSRIs experienced about the same Future research in this field is critical to number of harmful events as did people better inform how the safety profiles who took a placebo. of different antidepressants compare in older adults,” said study co-author The researchers said that taking either Diana M. Sobieraj, Pharm.D., FCCP, SSRIs or SNRIs led to a greater number BCPS, Assistant Professor, University of of people leaving the study due to Connecticut School of Pharmacy. • harmful events of the drugs compared to placebos. They also noted that the drug duloxetine, an SSRI, increased the risk of falls.

Elemental by Medium

SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT THE LATEST DRUG RECALL? Cancer-causing chemicals in the popular heartburn drug Zantac have led to its removal from store shelves. Here’s what you need to know.

By Mariana Lenharo you are one of the 75 million Americans valsartan, losartan, and irbesartan, drugs This article was suffering from high blood pressure, you known as angiotensin II receptor blockers published on may have been affected by the recent (ARBs), were recalled. And in September, November 7, 2019. recalls of heart medicines found to the FDA stated that the same type of be contaminated with cancer-causing impurity was found in medicines used agents, or carcinogens. Over the past to treat heartburn, including the popular 18 months, hundreds of lots of generic over-the-counter drug Zantac. The alert has since led to yet more recalls. But it definitely shouldn’t be in the drugs we take, according to a public statement To learn that a medicine you have been by Janet Woodcock, director of the taking for years contains unacceptable Center for Drug Evaluation and Research levels of carcinogens is disturbing. So at the FDA. How these impurities ended up there has been a question that the is the feeling that this has seemingly FDA and some manufacturers have been become a recurrent issue. If you are trying to answer for the past several facing this circumstance, understanding months. some of the nuances and complexities of this issue might help you stay calm and navigate the decisions you will When it comes to the recently recalled need to make next, such as consulting heart meds, the FDA has determined your doctor, talking to your pharmacist, that the problem occurred in the drugs’ checking the lists of contaminant- manufacturing process. Either the plants free drugs, and, ultimately, switching used ingredients that formed NDMA medications. under certain conditions or the impurities resulted from the reuse of materials such as solvents (substances that dissolve The contaminants found in the blood other chemicals) and catalysts (which pressure and heartburn drugs are precipitate chemical reactions). What chemicals called nitrosamines, especially may have happened, according to White, one named N-Nitrosodimethylamine is that some manufacturing plants (NDMA). Studies have found that NDMA send the used catalysts and solvents can cause cancer in animals, and the to other facilities to be reactivated. In compound is classified as “probably this process, they may be mixed with carcinogenic” to humans by the materials used by other plants that International Agency for Research on may contain traces of NDMA. When Cancer. This means that although there the materials come back to the drug is enough evidence from animal studies manufacturer, these traces may end up in that NDMA can lead to cancer, the the drug ingredients. evidence in humans is still limited. (Red meat and certain types of insecticides He believes this type of problem and herbicides are listed in the same could be avoided if the FDA had been category.) inspecting foreign drug manufacturers with the same rigor directed at U.S. These nitrosamines are also far more drugmakers. Most ARBs affected by the common than we might assume. recent recalls are generic drugs coming “NDMA is in virtually all municipal water from overseas or using active ingredients supplies to some extent,” says C. Michael produced abroad. White, a professor at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. Former FDA medical officer David As it turns out, NDMA is a product of Gortler, now a consultant for the group water treatment, and levels of up to 0.1 Former FDA, agrees. “Eighty percent microgram per liter in drinking water to 90% of generic drugs come from are considered acceptable, according India and China, where FDA inspections to the World Health Organization. It is are much too lenient,” he says. “One of even present in some of the food we the reasons these countries can keep eat, especially smoked products and their production cost so low is because processed grilled meat, such as bacon they are using low-quality, impure and burgers. chemical reagents, taking shortcuts, and sidestepping globally recommended impurities got into the drugs, what quality-control procedures in drug people really have been wondering manufacturing.” about is how much risk they were submitted to. “Our patients are quite In response to this critique, an FDA tuned in to medical news, so when spokesperson said in an email that these stories began to come out, they the agency identifies the facilities of obviously generated a lot of interest greatest risk, regardless of their location, and concern,” says James Januzzi, MD, a and prioritizes those inspections. “The member of the board of trustees for the majority of facilities — both in the U.S. American College of Cardiology. and overseas — are operating within the standards U.S. patients deserve,” the At this point, it is nearly impossible to spokesperson added. measure the burden of risk imposed on each individual patient because of As for the more recent problem with the many uncertainties surrounding the heartburn drug ranitidine, including the contaminations. For instance, it is Zantac and other generic versions, the unknown since when the drugs have FDA states that it is still investigating been contaminated. It is also unclear the true source of the NDMA impurities. how much NDMA was in each bottle But the main hypothesis is that the issue of medicine—not every single lot was is not related to manufacturing, as was tested. observed with the blood pressure drugs, but rather chemically related, says the While the FDA considers consuming FDA spokesperson, without specifying up to 0.096 micrograms of NDMA per which chemically related problem is day to be reasonably safe, the levels being investigated. of contaminants found in the recalled blood pressure medications varied An analysis by Valisure, the pharmacy greatly, reaching up to 20 micrograms in a single tablet. But it is hard to pin that first alerted the FDA about the down what this means in terms of cancer presence of NDMA in ranitidine, risk. “Although there is no question that, suggests that the NDMA is the result of in previous experience, the compound the “inherent instability” of ranitidine NDMA has been linked to cancer—and molecule. the concentrations of NDMA in the generic drugs are clearly higher than “At this time, we do not have enough the current cutoffs that the FDA would information on the root-cause analysis approve—it’s been very difficult to of any potential ranitidine impurity to be actually find clear evidence for short- able to provide any further information,” term risk for cancer,” Januzzi says. says a spokesperson for Sanofi, the maker of Zantac. “Our evaluations are In an effort to find numbers to translate ongoing on both drug substance (active the increased risk in the long term, the ingredient) and finished drug product.” FDA estimated that if 8,000 people took the highest dose of the most The danger of stopping the blood contaminated batch of the valsartan pressure treatment is perhaps the most drug every day for four years, there concrete risk for people who take these would be one additional case of cancer meds. over the lifetime of this group of people. Given that one in every three people Regardless of how the cancer-causing in the United States will have cancer in their lifetime, the additional risk has been blood pressure treatment is perhaps the considered relatively small. most concrete risk for people who take these meds. Doctors emphasize that With the ranitidine heartburn drugs, the benefits of heart medications far the levels of NDMA were considerably outweigh what is hypothesized to be a lower, of up to 0.86 micrograms per very small increase in the risk for cancer. tablet, according to FDA tests. Although the amount is higher than the daily The good news is that there are several acceptable dose, it is not much different alternatives to the recalled medications from what you would expect to be available on the market, both for high exposed to if you treated yourself with a blood pressure and for heartburn. generous portion of bacon, for example, “Fortunately, these are not decisions that according to the FDA. patients need to take in isolation,” says Caleb Alexander, MD, co-director of the The fact that the amount of NDMA in Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness ranitidine pills is comparable to what at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School could be found in food goes to show that of Public Health. “We are talking about there is no reason for panic, according conditions for which there are dozens of to Gary LeRoy, MD, president of the options,” he adds. American Academy of Family Physicians. “Are we going to stop grilling burgers The FDA recommends that people because there are very small amounts continue taking what is left of their of NDMA in them? I doubt that very ARB medicine, even if that lot has been much. People should just take necessary recalled, until a doctor or pharmacist precautions, have discussions with their gives you a replacement. To help the physicians about alternatives.” general public and health professionals, the FDA has been updating a list of ARB Although it is too early to assess how drugs that are currently available on these events might affect cancer rates the market. The list states which ones in the long term, the recalls are already have been found to be nitrosamine-free affecting the lives of those in treatment and which ones the agency has yet to for heart conditions in other ways. “The completely assess. most common reaction from patients was of frustration because we needed As for the heartburn medications, to switch their medication,” says some alternatives that the FDA has Januzzi, adding that to get used to a tested and did not contain any NDMA new medicine can be quite a challenge. were Pepcid (famotidine), Tagamet To make matters worse, because there (cimetidine), Nexium (esomeprazole), were dozens of recalls over the course of Prevacid (lansoprazole) and Prilosec several months, some had to be switched (omeprazole). more than once. Apart from consulting a health “On individual levels, there were practitioner and switching to a different examples of patients that, through the medication in case yours was recalled, frustration of having to switch from one there is no other action you should medicine to the next, often came up take. There is no recommendation to with the question: Do I really need to screen people for NDMA exposure or for take this medication?” Januzzi says. At cancers potentially attributed to NDMA, the moment, the danger of stopping the Januzzi says. One last piece of advice by drug expert Gortler is that people should find one pharmacist they trust and stick to that person for guidance. “One of the big problems is that patients lost their relationship with their pharmacist. People go to a chain drugstore — or worse, mail-order pharmacies — and are unable to choose the option of having a traditional, reliable relationship with a pharmacist.”

Drug safety expert Alexander notes that events like these massive recalls, although they may garner public attention and concern, remain rare. “I don’t think that these events suggest any far-reaching and vast fundamental deficiencies on the part of the FDA, but I do think we can learn from them in order to further improve the drug safety system in the U.S.” •

College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources

THE QUEST FOR A TOTALLY AMERICAN CHEESE Move over, Camembert! Three creameries in the U.S. are developing a recipe for a unique cheese they are calling Cornerstone

By Josh Kramer, Modern Farmer

This article was published on January 16, 2019.

If three artisanal cheesemakers in Vermont and Pennsylvania and create a different states followed exactly the new, totally original American cheese. same recipe and procedures, would their cheeses taste any different? One of the participants is Sue Miller, a cheesemaker at Birchrun Hills Farm in That’s the foundational question for Chester Springs, Pennsylvania. Here, in Cornerstone cheese. It’s a collaboration her brand-new facility, is the next phase engineered to express the native flavors of artisanal cheese in the United States. of three creameries in Connecticut, Where does cheese — milk, salt, live would show off the unique taste that is cultures (as in yogurt) and a coagulant indigenous to each creamery. Civitello called rennet — even get its flavor? and Dixon, who had both consulted in At Birchrun Hills Farm, it begins in the countries with centuries of cheesemaking pasture that Miller’s family has been tradition, including Albania and tending for decades. Black-and-white Macedonia, realized they knew exactly Holsteins eat their fill of grass here and how to do it. are milked back at the barn. Dixon and his wife, Rachel Schaal, Miller indicates where the milk is gravity quickly came up with a few guidelines fed, down through a pipe, right into and the name “Cornerstone.” The rules: the cheesemaking vat. This is where raw milk from one herd of cows, with Miller makes Cornerstone, just as the salt produced traditionally and as locally other two producers do. As each cheese as possible, minimally processed animal ages, precise climate and environmental rennet and — the crucial element — fresh controls allow Miller to tailor humidity starter cultures produced from the same and temperature to their desired levels. herd’s milk.

It all seems very state of the art, but To get started, Miller and Mark Gillman we’re still on a working farm. Miller of Cato Corner Farm — brought in when directs me to a window with a white Civitello was sidelined by expansion streak across it. “A cow got out and plans — would have to learn how to licked the window, so I have that charm,” make their own starter cultures. Like she jokes. nearly every cheesemaker in the United States, they were used to buying freeze- Cornerstone, which was designed in dried cultures from large chemical just a few years instead of evolving corporations like DuPont. With a little organically over centuries, is an outlier. practice and troubleshooting, both Almost all American cheeses are based began to warm clean, raw milk overnight on European cheeses that are familiar until it set. to both producers and consumers. This tends to make the “American Originals” This is a common practice in Europe, category at the American Cheese even on an industrial scale, and some Society’s annual competition a bit well-known staples like Parmigiano- frustrating. Reggiano require it. “Freeze-dried cultures are awfully convenient and In 2015, Brian Civitello, a cheesemaker easy,” says Gillman. But they are a recent at Mystic Cheese Co. in Lebanon, development, he says. “It’s remarkable Connecticut, found himself venting over to me that this is how everybody made beers to Miller and Peter Dixon of Parish cheese until 40 years ago and now very Hill Creamery in Vermont. The three few people do,” he says. had about 60 years of cheesemaking experience between them. “I suggested Now, the Cornerstoners say, there are that the three of us — Sue, Peter and fewer high-quality commercial starter myself — come up with a cheese that cultures available. Besides assisting in we define ourselves,” says Civitello. A Cornerstone’s hyperlocal recipe, the truly new, unique recipe would have homemade cultures bring a new level of to be simple, stripping cheese down independence and self-sufficiency to the to its essential elements. The cheese producers. “Because we were all doing it together,” them. Besides, Cornerstone is so new says Rachel Schaal at Parish Hill and without context that no one knows Creamery, “there is this sense of what it’s supposed to taste like. community and collegiality, where we can talk to one another, face problems I’ve had my own opportunity to compare and figure out solutions together.” them. Each version has a distinct rind, smell and flavor, but they all have a Trying to get the consumer’s attention in common sweetness and richness. It’s a crowded marketplace is also a factor. almost like comparing the flavors of “You look at wild-ripened beers and the honeycomb, sweet corn and sugar beets. success those have had,” says Gillman. “People are looking for unique and Since October, Dennis D’Amico, an original.” assistant professor in the department of animal science at the University If Cornerstone takes off, its creators of Connecticut, has been analyzing plan to greatly expand the project. “In microbe samples from each Cornerstone 10 years, it would be rad to have 20 producer. Soon, he will be comparing cheesemakers all making Cornerstone,” them with results from a professional says Schaal. The group even plans to tasting panel. The results should help allow Cornerstone to be made with milk set a microbiotic and flavor baseline for from other animals and heritage breeds Cornerstone. of cow like Ayrshire. At the same time, they’re somewhat wary of unrestricted Very soon, you may get your own chance growth. The group is still considering to compare stones. Civitello expects to production limits and how best to assess begin making Cornerstone as soon as prospective producers. February, with aged stones that may be ready for the next ACS meeting in For now, at least, it’s still only three August. Miller of Birchrun Hills Farm will creameries. Each is now producing also begin making the cheese at her new finished “stones” and cracking them facility. open to taste. One opportunity was at • the 2018 American Cheese Society (ACS) meeting in Pittsburgh. Many attendees tasted the stones and enjoyed them but found it difficult to compare them. Just the fact that they were very different ages when cut made it hard to assess

Korey Stringer Institute

GAME CHANGER: ATHLETE VS. HEAT Scorching conditions are increasingly common at sporting events, creating risks and challenges for athletes.

By Rick Maese

LOVELL CANYON, Nev. — It was 73 Las Vegas is the fastest-warming city in This article was degrees and the early-morning sun was the country, due in part to urban heat published on still rising over the Mojave Desert as island effect, and has seen an average July 15, 2019. nearly six dozen long-distance runners temperature increase of nearly 6 degrees gathered at the start line and anxiously Fahrenheit since 1970. watched numbers tick down on the digital clock overhead. The whole planet is getting warmer, in fact. Across the globe, the past four “Make sure that you’re staying on top of years are the warmest on record. Last your internal hydration and your external year the average temperature across cooling,” the race organizer said into a Earth’s land and ocean surfaces was microphone. 1.42 degrees Fahrenheit above the 20th-century average, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric The runners shook their limbs loose and Administration, and climate watchers bobbed in place, eager for the start. say it’s trending in one direction. Climate The annual race is called Running with projections suggest the planet could the Devil, and it takes place less than warm by 3 or 4 degrees Celsius by the 30 miles from the glitzy air-conditioned end of this century, which would have casinos on the Strip in Las Vegas. The major ramifications for outdoor sports forecast called for an unseasonably everywhere, from recreational weekend cool day in the desert, but the racers — joggers to elite athletes competing on running a marathon, 50 kilometers, 50 the biggest stages. miles or 100 kilometers — had assembled specifically for a physiological test in the “When you talk about climate change heat. and you tell someone it’s a degree hotter — Pfft! — that doesn’t seem like very The people from this area are plenty much,” explained Andrew Grundstein, a acquainted with hot summer days. climatologist at the University of Georgia. Climatologists say many of the Earth’s “When I talk to my students about the hottest places are only getting hotter. difference in a couple degrees, I tell There was a report this year that found them, ‘Remember, when it was 4 degrees [Celsius] cooler, we were in an ice age.’ ” at the start line, they wore long sleeves or no sleeves or no shirts, some armed [Big storms, bigger waves: Warming with backpacks, running belts and water oceans have created a golden age for bottles. They stared ahead at a desolate surfing, but the sport’s athletes worry one-lane road with regular mile-markers what the changes mean] and irregular roadkill. The landscape was a blend of browns and greens with Joshua trees, rabbitbrush and Ponderosa From community races to the Olympics pines lining the route, chipmunks, lizards to the World Cup, event organizers are and rabbits providing the only company. already having to make adjustments to competition schedules and start times. And athletes around the world are having Finally, at 7 a.m.: “Going off in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 to take more precautions as science and — Go!” the race director said to the sound technology evolve to help them cope of claps and cowbells that rang out in an with the heat — or, in some cases, gain a otherwise quiet, empty, warming desert. competitive advantage. ‘It’s pretty extreme’ Events such as tennis’s Australian It was 95 degrees and sticky in Orlando Open have instituted safety measures but 30 degrees cooler inside air- to account for extreme heat. The conditioned Orange County Convention International Olympic Committee and Center. A crowd of more than 6,000 FIFA have formed committees to study gathered in late spring for the annual heat-related issues at major events. Next meeting of the American College summer’s Olympics in humid Tokyo will of Sports Medicine, the largest such feature a marathon that starts at 6 a.m. gathering in the world.

This year’s track and field world Heat-related topics have become a staple championships are in scorching-hot of these meetings, and about 200 people Qatar, where organizers will start the — athletic trainers, doctors, researchers, marathon at midnight. The World Cup physiologists and performance coaches men’s soccer tournament, which usually among them — gathered in Room 303 for takes place in June every four years, has a presentation focused on next summer’s been pushed back to November and Olympics. Doug Casa, head of the December when Qatar hosts in 2022 in Korey Stringer Institute who serves on hopes of cooler weather. a commission dedicated to heat-related issues for the Tokyo Games, offered the The Running with the Devil race, crowd a brief history lesson. intentionally scheduled for extreme conditions, might not be an exact peek “The 1964 Tokyo Olympics, they moved into the future, but it does highlight many to October because of the brutal heat in of the challenges already confronting Tokyo,” he said. “Well, it’s hotter in Tokyo much of the sports world. How does now than it was back in 1964. . . . There’s heat affect performance? What dangers no movement this year. It’s happening at lurk on the outdoor courses and fields the end of July and August in the most exposed to the summer sun? How brutal conditions that you can imagine.” does one stage a safe event in extreme conditions? With an anticipated average temperature of nearly 90 degrees and humidity The racers had various strategies, and topping 55 percent, the Olympics will be on par with some of the hottest athletic “If we do this right — if we prepare for events ever staged. the heat and humidity right — we could beat some people who would normally “It’ll be the hottest Summer Olympics in blow us up,” Wilber said. “So that’s a history,” Casa said. “It’s pretty extreme.” pillar of our strategy: If we can out- science our opponents, our chances of doing better are good because these are The professionals in the large conference things that some people won’t pay as room assembled to discuss ways to much attention to.” keep the world’s best athletes safe and somehow maximize performance To that end, the various U.S. teams have in such difficult conditions. Endurance mostly sorted out travel plans so athletes athletes with prolonged exposure are will arrive well ahead of the Opening more susceptible to the dangers posed Ceremonies, as early as two weeks for by heat, while some athletes — sprinters, some sports. Some will attend training for example — might actually perform camps in the region, and they’ll also better. But almost any athlete competing utilize a U.S. training center in Tokyo. outdoors will face risks.

Those who compete in some outdoor One key to competing in heat is for sports, such as the track and field athletes to acclimatize — to arrive at the athletes, will be sized for specially destination early and exercise for at least engineered ice vests. They’ll be seven to 10 days in the hot conditions. encouraged to wear the vests on bus The prolonged exposure allows the rides to the stadium, during their pre- athlete’s body to adjust: Plasma volume competition warm-up, in the staging area increases, heart rate decreases, sweat and then again post-event to cool down. rate increases, and skin and core temperatures stabilize. “Our job is to make sure they’re prepared for any situation and their body is ready Among those in the Orlando crowd was for the heat and humidity on competition Randy Wilber, the chief physiologist for day,” Wilber said. the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee who has worked with Team USA athletes Oppressive heat since 1993. He has been considering all of It was 82 degrees under the cloudless these factors since Tokyo was awarded sky as the runners on the desert course hosting rights in 2013. began to feel the midday heat. Virtually any training run in Nevada can be “The bottom line is it’s going to be very dangerous, especially for those who hot, very humid. That’s not any surprise,” aren’t acclimatized and if conditions and he said. “It’s how you react to it that hydration levels aren’t closely monitored. matters.”

Runners have had to be airlifted off the Wilber has already devised heat plans Running with the Devil course before, and with his U.S. colleagues. The Tokyo the 2013 race was canceled altogether conditions might not lend themselves when the forecast called for 117-degree to world records in many events, heat. Organizers know they have to take but coaches, athletic trainers and precautions, and water jugs and aid physiologists can still help get the stations are located about every three athletes onto the podium. miles, with more than 3,000 pounds of ice available along the course. In last year’s race, he had struggled in the heat, losing eight pounds. He dropped At one station, about halfway through his down in distance from 100 miles to 50 100-kilometer race, Martin Gruebele, 55, and found himself crawling across the finish line. asked for another scoop of ice for his hat as he prepared for a steep incline. “When that baby runs out, I am walking,” he said, He was armed with a new prerace setting the hat atop his head. strategy — Gruebele did sauna training to increase his heat tolerance — and was determined to conquer the elements. As the temperature climbed, race He felt he was finally appreciating the volunteers kept a closer eye on the complicated, substantial impact heat has runners. The ACSM recommends halting on an athlete’s body. any training and practice activities at 90 degrees. That’s a familiar temperature in Athlete vs. body the Mojave Desert, but Grundstein, the Georgia climatologist, led a 2013 study It was 59 degrees outside on a May that suggests the entire country will be afternoon in Storrs, Conn., but behind a experiencing more dangerously hot days giant door that looks better-suited for a in the future and the sports world needs bank vault, the temperature was cranked to ready itself. way up.

“Expected climate change will lead to a Julie Dunkle, 52, had traveled across the considerable increase in the frequency of country because she wasn’t happy with days with conditions deemed unsuitable how her body had been responding to for sports activity across much of the heat. Dunkle is a triathlete who builds her year around the Ironman World U.S.,” the study found. Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. It’s one of the most demanding sporting The Southeast, the Gulf Coast and Arizona events on the planet and takes place in could average 30 to 50 days of oppressive some of the most unforgiving conditions. heat in some areas — and as many It starts with a 2.4-mile open water swim, as 85 such days in some spots. Other followed by 112 miles on a bike and then areas, such as New England, the Pacific capped with a 26.2-mile marathon run. Northwest or the upper Midwest, which It all unfolds in heat and humidity that presently have fewer than five oppressive wraps itself around competitors and days annually, could see 15 to 30 per squeezes until they can barely breathe. year. Just last week, the temperature in Alaska hit 90 degrees for the first time in Dunkle has competed in all types of recorded history. conditions. But at the Ironman, her body fails her, her muscles seize, and In the desert, only the ultramarathoners her stomach turns into a blender. She were left by late afternoon as sweats profusely and vomits a half-dozen temperatures started peaking. Many of times or more. She has lost as much as 11 the runners who registered were curious pounds over the course of a race. to learn how their bodies respond to the heat. Gruebele is a renowned biophysicist Her body is a puzzle Dunkle keeps who studies animal motion. “Might as well trying to solve, so she came to the Korey do some experiments on yourself,” he Stringer Institute at the University of said. Connecticut for two days of heat testing. She was sealed into the climate chamber, performances affected and will need to where staffers were able to mimic the take added precautions in training and Ironman conditions: 91 degrees with 63 during competition. percent humidity. Heat stroke generally strikes when the “It feels just like Kona,” Dunkle thought body temperature reaches 104 degrees. when she stepped inside the small room When the body can no longer cool itself, 5,000 miles from Hawaii. blood stops reaching vital organs and the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, liver The chamber allows staff members to and muscles can begin to malfunction. re-create environmental conditions from The symptoms can vary, but with the anywhere on the planet. The goal is to put central nervous system compromised, athletes in those extreme conditions and athletes can experience dizziness, fatigue, monitor how their bodies respond. headaches, seizures and nausea. They could pass out and lose consciousness “If your temperature is 102.5 instead altogether. of 104, you’re going to perform better. It’s that simple,” said Casa, head of the Unlike cars, humans don’t come equipped institute. “Because if your temperature is with a temperature gauge to know when lower, you’re not sending much blood to they’re entering dangerous territory. Casa the skin surface, and there’s more blood said there are two “holy grail” pieces of for your heart and your muscles.” technology that could be on the market in the next couple of years: a wearable Dunkle was nearing the end of a two- assessment that measures an athlete’s hour bike ride, and her temperature kept hydration status and another that offers inching upward and reached 102.6. She real-time monitoring of core body had lost about a half-gallon of fluids, temperature. Within the next few years, much more than she could replace. Casa said athletes will be able to swallow a capsule that can transmit data to a “How you feeling?” asked Robert smartphone, watch or bracelet. Huggins, the lab’s president of research and athlete performance and safety. After a brief rest, Dunkle began running on a treadmill. Barely 40 minutes in, that “Not great,” she said. “I feel thirsty, but I familiar feeling bubbled in her stomach. can’t drink anymore.” Her heart rate reached 170 beats per minute. She saw black spots, and her As her temperature rose, her power head started pounding. Dunkle stepped output fell, unable to maintain her target off the treadmill and buried her face in a pace. towel. She was done for the day.

“Think of it like a car,” Huggins explained. “That sensation you felt, that’s your body “How fast can I make the engine go telling you that you’re getting too hot,” without making it overheat?” Huggins told her.

As extreme heat becomes more prevalent Dunkle’s body temperature had reached and events are increasingly staged in 103.9 degrees and was still climbing, and oppressive conditions, athletes who she had lost 6.7 pounds — 4 percent of struggle in heat can expect to see their her body mass — in 2½ hours of exercise. A month later, Dunkle and Huggins got and neck started aching, and Moshinsky on the phone to discuss the test results. thought he was finished. He recommended she avoid hot races. If she insisted, he told her that she needed “More pain than I’ve ever been in my to slow down. life,” he said.

Dunkle was close to tears. “Why even try Moshinsky was nauseous and his gait again?” she thought. was more of a stumble. He was alone in the desert for long stretches, but at the But she also knew she couldn’t just quit. 44-mile mark, he was permitted a pacer, She planned to arrive in Hawaii three and a cousin walked with him for three weeks early for October’s Ironman, miles before his mother took over for a allowing her time to acclimatize, and final leg. then hope that on race day conditions are favorable and her body agreeable. “I brought him into this world; I’m taking him to the finish line,” Susan Moshinsky The way she sees it, it’s not just her announced. trying to conquer an island; it’s an athlete battling her body. The two walked side by side, with Susan telling jokes and stories to keep her son ‘More pain than I’ve ever been in’ alert. Only a dozen racers remained on the course. Unlike last year, Gruebele It was 90 degrees in the late afternoon cruised through 100 kilometers. He lost back in the desert. As the sun dipped only one pound this time, though truth lower, shadows began appearing along be told, he wished it had been hotter. the course and runners were reduced to walking for long stretches. Heat affects competitors differently. Rising temperatures have forced Ryan Moshinsky took respite in a folding athletes and event organizers to make chair at one aid station, momentarily major changes and, at times, lower contemplating life and the decisions expectations. Moshinsky had come that had brought him here. The 21-year- too far to quit. He splashed water on old was the youngest ultra runner in his arms and shielded his head and the field. He had never even entered a shoulders from the sun with a towel. marathon before, but Moshinsky had With a quarter-mile left, Moshinsky targeted Running with the Devil a year started running again, sensing the finish earlier, ambitiously registering for the line was near. 50-miler. More than 11 hours 12 minutes after he But running near his home in the Chicago started, Moshinsky’s run in the sun was suburbs is not quite like the desert, finally over. It was down to 80 degrees, and the race was unfurling all of its but the dry desert air felt hotter. He had weapons on the young runner. To avoid just enough strength left to briefly lift his chafing, he chose to run shirtless, which arms in the air before collapsing into a left him directly exposed to the sun. chair. After 23 miles, he threw up part of his sandwich and couldn’t stomach another “Sit down,” his mother implored. “I love bite. Around 26 miles, his legs began you, but don’t do that again. You’ll give throbbing. Then around Mile 37, his chest me a heart attack.” • HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M DEHYDRATED? THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE Dehydration is a serious health concern - especially during the summer. Here are a few symptoms to be aware of

By Gabrielle Frank

It’s hot outside — and it’s about to get a “People don’t realize the amount This article was lot hotter for millions of Americans this of fluid they can lose in the heat, or published on weekend. The National Weather Service while exercising,” explained Michael July 15, 2019. has issued excessive heat watches, F. Bergeron, Ph.D., and president and warnings and advisories in the Plains, chief executive officer of Youth Sports Midwest and parts of the East Coast. of the Americas. “And it’s important to More heat alerts are expected later note that your hydration needs are very this week, as temperatures in cities like individual,” said Bergeron. Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. could reach 100 degrees. This health issue is more serious than you might think and could land you in the hospital. What can you do to stay cool? Aside from staying indoors, in air conditioning, keeping your body well hydrated is key Heat stroke occurs when the body temperature gets above 105 degrees. to staying healthy during a heat wave. “One of the earliest signs of a heat- related illness is just not feeling right,” Heat can sometimes be very subtle in said Slovis. “There’s no one specific how it affects the body. If you’re out symptom.” in the sun, it can take just 30 minutes or up to a few hours for the heat to How much liquid do we need each day? cause dehydration, nausea or trouble It depends. Here are a few signs you concentrating, said Dr. Corey Slovis, might be dehydrated and tips to stay chairman of emergency medicine at healthy all summer long. Vanderbilt Medical Center. 1. Increased thirst and a dry or Dehydration is a serious health concern. sticky mouth A recent study published in the American “If you feel thirsty, you’re already Journal of Public Health found that more dehydrated,” explained Dr. Laura than half of all children and adolescents Goldberg of Cleveland Clinic Sports in the U.S. aren’t getting enough water. Health. The easiest remedy is to start drinking water (and beverages with migraine, light headedness or delirium. electrolytes) as soon as you notice this, “I’ve seen marathon runners running in but try not to let yourself get to this zigzags because they’re dehydrated. You point. can’t make decisions and feel delirious,” elaborated Goldberg. The best way to prevent this from happening is to meet your daily “You may also experience weakness, hydration needs, for women, the National dizziness, or nausea, because the body Academy of Sciences recommends 2.7 doesn’t have enough fluid to send to liters of water a day (about 11.4 cups), other parts of the body. This could and for men, 3.7 liters (15 cups). Try also result in heat exhaustion. You can to drink more water if you’ve spent collapse if you don’t stop exercising and excessive time in the sun, or exercising. cool down,” warned Bergeron, who also added that these specific symptoms can 2. Signs of fatigue, confusion or also be signs of over hydration, so be anger aware of how much you’re drinking. Studies have found that mild levels of dehydration can affect your mood and 5. Muscle cramps cognitive functions. This is especially “If you’ve been exercising, it’s natural common in the young or elderly, who for your legs to feel tired, but if it’s may seem less alert, or forgetful. more than that and you’re experiencing muscle cramping, that’s a serious sign of A study from the University of dehydration,” Goldberg explained. This Connecticut Human Performance is because of the loss of water and salt Laboratory found that even mild in the body — you also might experience dehydration can alter a person mood, tightness in your muscles, instead of energy and ability to think clearly. The cramping. researchers defined mild dehydration as an approximately 1.5% loss in normal “Wandering and progressively water volume in the body — and the widespread muscle cramping is a certain adverse reaction is the same whether clue of a sodium deficit and dehydration you’re exercising or sitting still. in the fluid spaces surrounding certain muscles,” Bergeron elaborated. “But 3. Dry eyes or blurred vision don’t confuse it with an overworked muscle which would just affect a small “When you’ve been exercising for a area.” long time, you’re sweating and your overall body fluid goes down — this can result in dry eyes or blurred vision,” said To prevent this from occurring, it’s Goldberg, who also noted that any part important to drink sports beverages of the body that is normally moist is that contain sodium, or snack on salted going to feel dry or irritated. pretzels or low-fat cheeses. The sodium helps your body to re-hydrate and retain the water. “Monitor your hydration levels and make sure you’re drinking throughout any form of exercise,” she explained further. 6. Lack of sweat According to Goldberg, this is one of 4. Headaches or disorientation the more serious signs of dehydration. It means your body is in dire need of water. Dehydration can result in a headache or Though, on the other hand, Bergeron 9. Shriveled and dry skin notes that more likely it may be a sign If your skin is hydrated, it will appear of overheating or heat stroke — though doughy. If you’re dehydrated, your skin either can occur in the presence of will lack elasticity and won’t bounce continued sweating. Either way, it’s back. “If you pinch your skin and it crucial to cool down rapidly if you’re not appears thin and doesn’t melt back onto sweating anymore. your body quickly, you’re dehydrated,” said Goldberg. 7. Dark urine “Straw-colored or light yellow urine Some key things to remember when means you’re properly hydrated. If exercising in the summer is that the your urine is dark, or if there’s blood in longer you’re working out, the more your pee, you need to stop exercising water you need. Also, plain water is good immediately,” warned Goldberg. Notably, for you, but a combination of water, perfectly clear urine may mean that you electrolytes and sodium is really the best are over-hydrated. way to stay hydrated.

8. Fever It’s also crucial to understand “Dehydration can lead to hyperthermia that hydrating properly isn’t 100% and a fever-like symptoms (e.g. preventative, if you’re working too hard chills) because over-heating can alter and too long in the summer heat, you your body’s normal temperature ‘set can still overheat no matter how much point,’” explained Goldberg. Excessive water your drinking. So be aware of your overheating is an urgent red flag. Stop body, and stop what you’re doing if you exercising immediately, take an ice bath notice any of these symptoms. and hydrate. •

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M DEHYDRATED? THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE Dehydration is a serious health concern - especially during the summer. Here are a few symptoms to be aware of

By Gabrielle Frank

It’s hot outside — and it’s about to get a in the U.S. aren’t getting enough water. This article was lot hotter for millions of Americans this published on July 17, 2019. weekend. The National Weather Service “People don’t realize the amount has issued excessive heat watches, of fluid they can lose in the heat, or warnings and advisories in the Plains, while exercising,” explained Michael Midwest and parts of the East Coast. F. Bergeron, Ph.D., and president and More heat alerts are expected later chief executive officer of Youth Sports this week, as temperatures in cities like of the Americas. “And it’s important to Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington, note that your hydration needs are very D.C. could reach 100 degrees. individual,” said Bergeron.

What can you do to stay cool? Aside This health issue is more serious than you from staying indoors, in air conditioning, might think and could land you in the keeping your body well hydrated is key hospital. to staying healthy during a heat wave.

Heat stroke occurs when the body Heat can sometimes be very subtle in temperature gets above 105 degrees. how it affects the body. If you’re out “One of the earliest signs of a heat- in the sun, it can take just 30 minutes related illness is just not feeling right,” or up to a few hours for the heat to said Slovis. “There’s no one specific cause dehydration, nausea or trouble symptom.” concentrating, said Dr. Corey Slovis, chairman of emergency medicine at How much liquid do we need each day? Vanderbilt Medical Center. It depends. Here are a few signs you might be dehydrated and tips to stay Dehydration is a serious health concern. healthy all summer long. A recent study published in the American Journal of Public Health found that more 1. Increased thirst and a dry or than half of all children and adolescents sticky mouth “If you feel thirsty, you’re already of exercise,” she explained further. dehydrated,” explained Dr. Laura Goldberg of Cleveland Clinic Sports 4. Headaches or disorientation Health. The easiest remedy is to start Dehydration can result in a headache or drinking water (and beverages with migraine, light headedness or delirium. electrolytes) as soon as you notice this, “I’ve seen marathon runners running in but try not to let yourself get to this zigzags because they’re dehydrated. You point. can’t make decisions and feel delirious,” elaborated Goldberg. The best way to prevent this from happening is to meet your daily “You may also experience weakness, hydration needs, for women, the National dizziness, or nausea, because the body Academy of Sciences recommends 2.7 doesn’t have enough fluid to send to liters of water a day (about 11.4 cups), other parts of the body. This could and for men, 3.7 liters (15 cups). Try also result in heat exhaustion. You can to drink more water if you’ve spent collapse if you don’t stop exercising and excessive time in the sun, or exercising. cool down,” warned Bergeron, who also added that these specific symptoms can 2. Signs of fatigue, confusion or also be signs of over hydration, so be anger aware of how much you’re drinking. Studies have found that mild levels of dehydration can affect your mood and 5. Muscle cramps cognitive functions. This is especially “If you’ve been exercising, it’s natural common in the young or elderly, who for your legs to feel tired, but if it’s may seem less alert, or forgetful. more than that and you’re experiencing muscle cramping, that’s a serious sign of A study from the University of dehydration,” Goldberg explained. This Connecticut Human Performance is because of the loss of water and salt Laboratory found that even mild in the body — you also might experience dehydration can alter a person mood, tightness in your muscles, instead of energy and ability to think clearly. The cramping. researchers defined mild dehydration as an approximately 1.5% loss in normal “Wandering and progressively water volume in the body — and the widespread muscle cramping is a certain adverse reaction is the same whether clue of a sodium deficit and dehydration you’re exercising or sitting still. in the fluid spaces surrounding certain muscles,” Bergeron elaborated. “But 3. Dry eyes or blurred vision don’t confuse it with an overworked “When you’ve been exercising for a muscle which would just affect a small long time, you’re sweating and your area.” overall body fluid goes down — this can result in dry eyes or blurred vision,” said To prevent this from occurring, it’s Goldberg, who also noted that any part important to drink sports beverages of the body that is normally moist is that contain sodium, or snack on salted going to feel dry or irritated. pretzels or low-fat cheeses. The sodium helps your body to re-hydrate and retain “Monitor your hydration levels and make the water. sure you’re drinking throughout any form 6. Lack of sweat 9. Shriveled and dry skin

According to Goldberg, this is one of If your skin is hydrated, it will appear the more serious signs of dehydration. It doughy. If you’re dehydrated, your skin means your body is in dire need of water. will lack elasticity and won’t bounce Though, on the other hand, Bergeron back. “If you pinch your skin and it notes that more likely it may be a sign appears thin and doesn’t melt back onto of overheating or heat stroke — though your body quickly, you’re dehydrated,” either can occur in the presence of said Goldberg. continued sweating. Either way, it’s crucial to cool down rapidly if you’re not Some key things to remember when sweating anymore. exercising in the summer is that the longer you’re working out, the more 7. Dark urine water you need. Also, plain water is good “Straw-colored or light yellow urine for you, but a combination of water, means you’re properly hydrated. If electrolytes and sodium is really the best your urine is dark, or if there’s blood in way to stay hydrated. your pee, you need to stop exercising immediately,” warned Goldberg. Notably, It’s also crucial to understand perfectly clear urine may mean that you that hydrating properly isn’t 100% are over-hydrated. preventative, if you’re working too hard and too long in the summer heat, you 8. Fever can still overheat no matter how much “Dehydration can lead to hyperthermia water your drinking. So be aware of your and a fever-like symptoms (e.g. body, and stop what you’re doing if you chills) because over-heating can alter notice any of these symptoms. • your body’s normal temperature ‘set point,’” explained Goldberg. Excessive overheating is an urgent red flag. Stop exercising immediately, take an ice bath and hydrate. CAN SWEATING MAKE YOU LOSE WEIGHT? Only if you know how to do it right.

By Marty Munson

You put in the work. You put out a ton of the harder you work out, the more you’ll This article was sweat. Surely, you’ve lost weight, right? sweat. But fluid loss doesn’t tell you the published on Downer alert: Sweating only sort of helps whole story. July 30, 2019. you lose weight. Technically, sweating can take your weight down, which “Each person has their own sweat rate, explains why sauna suits are popular and it can change over time,” says with people like wrestlers who need Huggins. So the guy next to you on to make weight in a hurry. If you sweat the treadmill sweating buckets isn’t out 20 ounces of fluid, you’ll “lose” 20 necessarily outpacing you. On top of ounces on the scale. that, how much you sweat can depend on a number of things: But you’ll bring those pounds right back on when you down that much How to lose weight by sweating water after your workout (which you should do), explains Robert A. Huggins, In order to do a quality workout that Ph.D., president of research and athlete actually will burn calories or build performance and safety at the Korey muscle, you have to replace the fluid Stringer Institute at the University of you’re losing. Otherwise, your heart rate Connecticut. “It’s not fat mass, which is will go up and your body will likely slow the weight most people have the goal of down during that workout, which isn’t losing,” he says. going to help you get the weight loss workout you were going for. Of course, over time, working out consistently can help you lose weight, Here’s how it works: “You have a set but you can’t judge how effective your amount of blood that has to go to workout is just by how much you sweat. multiple places when you’re working out—it needs to go to your brain, your Wait, more sweat doesn’t mean muscles, and your skin for cooling,” you got a better workout? Huggins says. When you sweat, your blood volume decreases if you don’t Shedding a lot of sweat isn’t the main replace the fluids you’re losing. Your indicator that you worked hard. True, brain, muscles, and skin still need it, but now there’s less to go around. So 1. Weigh yourself naked before your your heart rate increases, your workout workout; hold the bottles you’ll drink feels harder, and you’ll probably slow during the workout. down (or pass out if you really don’t pay attention to what it’s telling you). 2. Weigh yourself after the workout.

The ultimate way to keep your workout 3. The before/after difference is how going during that session as well as day much fluid you lost, meaning how after day is to replace what you lost with much you’ll want to replace before this simple move, says Huggins. the next session. •

DANGEROUS HEAT FALLS MOSTLY ON TEXAS, PUTTING TOP ATHLETES AT RISK Heat and humidity blister the Lone Star State and much of the U.S. southern rim, an analysis finds

By Eric Roston, with assistance by Eben Novy-Williams, and Brian K Sullivan

On Tuesday afternoon, the Texas Rangers on foods with greater water content. This article was and the Los Angeles Angels were the published on August 21, 2019. hottest teams in baseball. A high-pressure The temperature trends in Texas, though, system pushed the temperature in are anything but usual. America’s Arlington to 103 degrees Fahrenheit. With meteorologists issue excessive heat the humidity, it felt like 110. warnings when the heat index—designed to capture the feeling outside in the Jamie Reed, the Rangers’ senior director shade, with a light breeze—surges past of medical operations, gave players the 105 degrees for more than two hours. usual advice: Keep drinking and load up Texas is home to six of the 10 U.S. cities with the largest increase in excessive- 2001. The University of Connecticut in heat days, including Houston and Austin. 2010 opened the Korey Stringer Institute to focus on research, education, and Even in ostensibly cooler places, the advocacy to protect athletes, soldiers temperature is rising. Dallas now sees and workers from what’s called about 14.5 more days above 90 degrees exertional heat stroke and other heat- than it did in 1979, according to a new related dangers. analysis by the research nonprofit Climate Central. The institute scores states based on their adherence to a set of policies that Overheating Texas cities outrank those states prevent high-school athletes in neighboring states by a considerable from heat-related illness. Low- or no- margin. McAllen, in the state’s south, cost precautions include developing an has seen 31.6 more 90-degree days since emergency plan, acclimating players to 1979. Tyler, about 100 miles southeast of higher temperatures well before a game Dallas, comes in seventh, with 22.1 more and having a cold-water tank on hand scorchers. These cities endure further in case someone overheats, said Doug hardship when humidity enters the mix, Casa, CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute. which is the focus of the Climate Central analysis. Being out in the sun, as athletes Texas teams have developed their own usually are, can add 15 degrees to the strategies to protect their players. Texas experience. institutions have rapidly moved to bring outdoor athletics indoors. A 2016 Stay Hydrated Dallas Morning News report found that in the previous 20 years, Texans had It’s not news that Texas gets hot. It’s spent about $500 million on 144 indoor news that it’s gotten so much hotter just practice facilities. In 2000, there were since “We Are Family” was the song of just 23 such facilities. the summer. The Climate Central analysis dates to 1979, when the University of Idaho’s gridMET temperature database Heating Streak begins. The study uses methodology The Rangers provide players with an similar to a U.S. heat analysis earlier this air-conditioned room just off the dugout. summer, led by Kristina Dahl, a senior There’s a weather bulletin in the locker climate scientist at the nonprofit Union room when they enter, and water or of Concerned Scientists. electrolyte-heavy drinks are widely available. Restrooms even feature color- “What’s great about this study is that coded urine charts so that a player can it takes a look at how conditions have check his hue and see if he’s drinking changed in our lifetime,” Dahl said of the enough. new analysis. Texas already has a lot of days in the high 80s. “They just need a The heat is rough on fans as well. little bit of a nudge from global warming Attendance for Tuesday’s day-game to get over that 90-degree threshold.” with the Angels was just 17,000, roughly 10,000 lower than the season’s average. Such extreme heat can be deadly, The Angels won 5-1, then lost 3-2 in especially under conditions of high the nightcap. Next year, everyone will exertion. Korey Stringer, a Minnesota win: the Rangers’ new air-conditioned Vikings offensive linesman, died of heat ballpark is scheduled to open during the stroke during training camp in August in 2020 season. • HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT HEAT STROKE Exertional heatstroke can cause devastating damage, but it can also be treated quickly

By Peter Stark

“The key thing for people’s outcome is have seizures or vomit while others do This article was the number of minutes their temperature not. Suspect heatstroke if the person published on is over 105 degrees,” says Douglas Casa, can no longer support their body June 18, 2019. CEO of the University of Connecticut’s weight, speaks irrationally, or is hyper- Korey Stringer Institute, named after the irritable or confused. (Casa knows Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman who of heatstroke victims who punched died of heatstroke during an August 2001 a police officer at the finish line of a training camp. Survival is highly likely if race.) To get a true reading of core the core temperature is brought below temperature, use a rectal thermometer. 104 degrees within 30 minutes. Here are Casa’s tips on prevention and treatment. 4. “Cool first, transport second” is the oper­able concept when it comes to 1. Avoid exercising in high temperatures, heatstroke. With mere minutes to or choose cooler parts of the day and act, a victim should be cooled down stay in the shade. If you do exercise before being taken to an emergency in the heat, wear pale-colored, room. Immersing the body in a cold loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, bath lowers temperature the fastest, and acclimate to the conditions by dropping it one degree every three gradually increasing your output over 7 minutes if the water is circulating. to 14 days. 5. Exertional heatstroke in the 2. How much water to drink is the subject backcountry presents additional of some debate. For recreational challenges. Anything that cools the athletes, Casa suggests hydrating victim is helpful, but the best options based on thirst. High-level endurance are to immerse them in a lake, river, athletes should account for other or stream, or wrap them in fabric factors, such as sweat rate. Avoid drenched with ice water from a cooler. drinking alcohol before and during It’s important to cool as much of the strenuous outings. body’s surface area as possible. In the absence of cold water, seek shade, wet 3. Heatstroke symptoms vary. Many the person’s clothing with your water victims are still conscious, and some bottle, and fan them. • Philly Voice

MOST YOUTH WHO SUDDENLY DIE PLAYING SPORTS ARE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS, STUDY FINDS Most victims are between ages 12 and 14, researchers find

By John Kopp

The vast majority of American youth believe the risk of sudden cardiac arrest This article was who die suddenly while playing sports is greater among high school and college published on are middle school age children who athletes. June 18, 2019. experience a cardiac event, according to a new study by the National Athletic “This article puts that into question,” said Trainer’s Association. Shipon, who was not involved with the study. “Is it truly higher risk or is it that Researchers examined 45 sudden sports we never really had the true data?” deaths that occurred between 2007 and 2015 among children ages 6 to 17. More research – and better databases, Sudden cardiac events caused 76 percent including those on sudden cardiac arrest of the deaths. Most of the victims – no – are needed to truly understand the matter the cause – were between the situation, Shipon said. ages of 12 and 14.

There is no streamlined database that The most-sudden youth sports deaths documents sudden deaths in youth – 36 percent – came on the basketball sports. Therefore, the researchers court. Baseball and football each compiled their data by searching for accounted for another 16 percent while deaths reported by media outlets. soccer accounted for another 13 percent.

Still, many of the findings of this study States generally require that high school mirror the research on high school athletes complete a sports physical and collegiate athletes, Shipon said. It with a medical care provider before suggests that states should consider participating in school-sanctioned sports, requiring middle school athletes according to Dr. David Shipon, director to complete a pre-participation of preventive and sports cardiology for examination, too. Jefferson Health.

“The issue is that middle school sports But he said those standards are looser at has a less structured policy than high younger ages, primarily because experts school sports when it comes to a pre- participation physical,” Shipon said. stressing that sudden cardiac death is “There is less emphasis on this issues, preventable. likely because a lot of these kids are playing in recreational sports. They’re “While high school and college sports playing outside of the school.” usually get the spotlight when it comes to the prevention of catastrophic health About 58 percent of the sudden deaths and injury events, this study confirms occurred among organized middle the need to extend best practices and school sports and clubs, researchers policies to the youth and recreational found. Another 40 percent happened in levels to protect all youth athletes,” recreational and youth sports leagues. Lindley said in a statement.

CARDIO CHECK-UP More than two-thirds of sudden deaths “The question always comes up – is there happened during practice, researchers a way to predict these events?” said Dr. found. About 80 percent of the victims Neel Chokshi, medical director of Penn’s were male. Previous research showed Sports Cardiology and Fitness Program, that incident rates for sudden cardiac who was not involved with the study. arrest are highest among African- “Could we have identified these kids American males. ahead of time? That’s a really difficult question that a lot of people are trying to NATA and the National Basketball address.” Athletic Trainers Association jointly released a series of recommendations Having youth athletes complete a pre- that could help prevent future deaths. participation physical could potentially help reduce sudden deaths, Chokshi said. They urged parents to ensure their But he cautioned that screenings do not athletes get a checkup from a always identify predisposition to sudden medical provider trained in detecting cardiac arrest. Sometimes, it takes cardiovascular problems before they participating in athletics for those signs begin playing basketball – even if such to become apparent. an evaluation is not required by the school or league. “The best option is to just be prepared on the really rare instance that such an The associations also suggested parents event would occur,” Chokshi said. ask whether a medical trainer and someone certified in CPR will attend That includes having defibrillators on practices and games. Additionally, hand at athletic events – and people who parents should inquire about venue- are trained to use them and administer specific emergency plans that outline CPR. Organizations like Simon’s Heart, the actions to be taken in case of an a nonprofit based in Lafayette Hill, emergency. Montgomery County, have worked to reduce the challenges associated with The study was conducted by researchers providing these lifesaving measures. at the University of Connecticut’s Korey Stringer Institute. A former NFL lineman, NATA President Tory Lindley urged Stringer died after suffering heat stroke all organized sports leagues to adopt during training camp in 2001. NATA policies that will reduce youth deaths, published the findings in itsJournal of Athletic Training. • Thrive Global

12 NATURAL WAYS TO GET RID OF YOUR STRESS Being bothered by stress is no fun

By Theresa T. Daley

Being bothered by stress is no fun, and This stimulates your nervous system and This article was unfortunately almost everyone has to deal allows your body to relax. So breathe in, published on with it. You can even get spontaneously breathe out … August 27, 2019. bothered by clammy hands, shallow breathing and a heart raging. Fortunately, 3. Warm yourself up there are a number of things that you Heat makes you feel comfortable. can initially do yourself to get this under A study published in the Journal of control. Psychopharmacology showed that warm sensations cause serotonin to be released 1. Work out into your brain, a neurotransmitter that Various studies have shown that regulates your mood. A Japanese study exercising is one of the best ways to get also showed that participants saw their rid of stress. Nearly 3000 participants stress complaints subside after a visit to with different medical conditions were the sauna. Good excuse for a spa day, examined at the University of Georgia, isn’t it? which showed that participants who exercised regularly reduced their stress 4. Go for a walk by 20 percent. The researchers also found A long walk can also help prevent that exercise helped participants who had stress. According to a study at Stanford no serious stress complaints. According to University, surrounded by nature can the National Institutes of Health you can ensure that your symptoms decrease. do the best in jogging, swimming, cycling The researchers studied the mood of or walking to get rid of your complaints. 60 people before and after taking a 50-minute walk. They found that people 2. Take a deep breath who took a walk through nature felt less It may sound obvious, but when you take anxious afterwards than the people who the time to breathe in and out deeply, had walked through the city. Research your stress attack may fade away. By has also shown that spending time in breathing through your stomach for a green space reduces the activity in a 20 to 30 minutes a day – which you part of your brain that is associated with can do by breathing slowly, deeply and depression and mental illness. Forest regularly – your brain gets more oxygen. walk, any one? 5. Meditate to a study by the American Psychological Association. Come on with that personal It is probably no surprise: meditation can pep talk! also help you in many different ways. Even 30 minutes of zen time a day does a lot. The discipline you need for meditation 10. Go to sleep (such as focusing on your breathing, A good night’s sleep is essential if thoughts and feelings without forming an you want to prevent stress. Research opinion about it) can help you to eliminate has shown that a sleep deprivation is negative emotions. Zennnnn … associated with depression, and anxiety and panic attacks. It’s just not clear if the 6. Take a Shower panic attacks keep you awake at night or Hot showers are nice and all that, if a lack of sleep increases the chance of but don’t sleep with the benefits of a panic attacks. In any case, the National refreshing, cold rinse! A cold shower Sleep Foundation recommends that (even a short one) increases the blood you sleep seven to nine hours a night to circulation in the body, waking you up and prevent symptoms. Do you have trouble making you feel more alert and energetic. relaxing before you go to sleep? Then try During a cold shower, your body also these tips to fall asleep faster. releases endorphins, known as one of our “happy” hormones. 11. Go stretch Doing yoga exercises to stretch your 7. Eat oily fish muscles can do a lot of good. A study Fish that is rich in omega-3 fats is not published in the Journal of Alternative and only good for your heart, it can also help Complementary Medicine has shown that you control your fears. Now an omega-3 after three months a group of participants supplement like a fish oil tablet will not who practiced yoga three times a week help you any further: you can get the were less troubled by their fears and best omega-3 fats from the source: try to attacks than a group of participants who eat oily fish three times a week, such as had three times a week went for a walk. salmon, trout or sardines. Pull out your yoga mat!

8. Listen to your favorite music 12. Drink plenty of water It could also help to listen to soothing music. According to an Australian study, Do you feel weak? Drink at least enough listening to relaxing music before doing water! According to a study at the something stressful helps calm your University of Connecticut, participants nervous system. It would even help better suffering from mild dehydration felt very than trying to relax in silence! Choose anxious after walking for 40 minutes on a something that makes you feel good, be treadmill. They were also less able to think it hardstyle, acoustic music or punk rock – clearly and their energy levels became everyone relaxes in their own way! very low, making you feel even more anxious. 9. Get excited

Do you have to do something that makes Do all the above tips not help? Then it sweat fall on your back? Then try to hyped might be wise to seek professional help. If yourself a little before you start. By saying your symptoms get worse and worse, you “I am excited” instead of trying to relax may have to set up a personal plan with a you could perform even better, according therapist to get rid of your symptoms. • College of Engineering

QUEST FOR FIRE This former playwright aims to turn solar and wind power into gasoline

By Robert F. Service

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA—On a San Leandro, California, company that This article was warm March day here, you could almost has also worked on systems like those published on mistake Rob McGinnis for a huckster at the heart of McGinnis’s fuelmaker. But July 3, 2019. newly arrived in a frontier town as he she notes that McGinnis “is a good talker delivers a rapid-fire pitch to an audience who sells things well.” of thousands of would-be investors. McGinnis, a chemical engineer and He has convinced some powerful entrepreneur, isn’t hawking snake oil, investors. In December 2018, he however: His elixir is gasoline. Nearly received $150,000 from Y Combinator, everyone in the developed world is the Mountain View, California, seed hopelessly addicted to it. Collectively, we funder hosting the pitch fair, to build use nearly 3 trillion liters every year. a prototype of his air-to-gasoline– maker. The result was a refrigerator- At the pitch fair, McGinnis wears the size contraption of catalysts, tubes, Silicon Valley entrepreneur uniform of electronics, and filters, assembled a week jeans, a black T-shirt, and black leather before the pitch fest. biker boots. On a theater-size stage, he delivers his spiel, sandwiched between But before the demo, the machine 3-minute presentations for an online sprang a leak. Although it wasn’t personalized clothing store and an outfit operating at the pitch fest, McGinnis’s that would rent scooters by the month. optimism was. He promised audience “We make gasoline from air, water, members that the repaired device would and electricity,” McGinnis announces. extract carbon dioxide (CO2) from the “Today, gasoline sells for $3.50 a gallon air, add it to water, and use a catalyst in California. Next year, we will be selling to rearrange the chemical bonds to it for $3 per gallon.” Other startups make hydrocarbons. The result: fossil peddling ideas at the fair foresee fuel without the fossils. “It can sound markets in the billions, but McGinnis aims like magic, but it’s really just chemistry,” higher. “We’re talking about a $2 trillion [per year] gasoline market,” he says. McGinnis told the audience.

If all that sounds too good to be true, A Promethean project it might be. “I hope they’re right,” says Synthesizing gasoline, instead of refining Olgica Bakajin, CEO of Porifera Inc., a it from oil, isn’t a new idea. German chemists in the 1920s discovered they could turn coal into carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen—a combination known as synthesis gas. Catalysts, along with heat and pressure, could then transform synthesis gas into gasoline and other liquid hydrocarbons.

But McGinnis’s setup requires no heat, pressure, or coal. It uses only air, water, and electricity, which can come from the sun or wind. And with those renewable resources becoming ever cheaper, he’s betting he can deliver gasoline more economically—and far more cleanly— than companies that must find oil, drill for it, ship it, and refine it.

Several other startups and academic labs are pursuing the same dream. “There has been a lot of progress in the last few years” in turning CO2 into more- complex compounds, says Peidong Yang, a pioneer in the field at the University of California, Berkeley.

Yet many of those efforts have stumbled over the expensive, energy- intensive steps needed to separate the hydrocarbons from the water they are produced in. Prometheus relies instead on a proprietary carbon nanotube membrane sieve that it says readily parts the hydrocarbons from water. “If they indeed have a low-energy separation process, that solves a big problem,” Yang says.

Making fuel out of thin air At the heart of a new fuelmaking machine are pipes shot through with tiny carbon mesh tubes that filter fuel from water using little energy. The fuel comes from an electrochemical process that combines water (H2O) with carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. “Rob’s approach has a good chance But he never gave up on science. of competing with fossil fuels,” says McGinnis canvassed the chemistry Matthew Eisaman, a physicist at the State faculty to see whether anyone would University of New York in Stony Brook let him use lab space in the evenings who consults for Prometheus. Eisaman to pursue desalination. Menachem ran a now-mothballed research program Elimelech, a Yale chemical engineer, at Google’s research arm, Google X, that agreed. McGinnis later pursued a Ph.D. aimed to turn the CO2 in seawater into in Elimelech’s lab, constructed a forward liquid fuels. osmosis demonstration, and helped launch a startup company called Oasys Bruce Hinds, a nanotube membrane Water in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to expert at the University of Washington in commercialize the technology. Oasys Seattle, says McGinnis’s published results built five large water treatment plants in on his separation technology inspire China and was eventually bought out by confidence that the approach could its customer there. work. “I’m highly encouraged,” Hinds says. “It can sound like magic, but it’s really just chemistry.” McGinnis has long defied expectations. Rob McGinnis After high school, he enlisted in the Navy, which sent him to Bahrain during the first Gulf War. There, he cleared Even before the buyout, McGinnis felt mines from battlefields and harbors. sidelined from decision-making. He “I didn’t want to do it,” he says of his left Oasys in 2012 to explore other time in the service, but he needed ideas for improving membranes for money for school. He enrolled in Cabrillo separations, initially looking for even College, a public community college better ways to purify water. He chose near Santa Cruz, California, where to pursue membranes made from thin he dreamed up an energy-efficient plastic sheets shot through with myriad approach to desalinating water during carbon nanotubes—tiny hollow tubes a chemistry class. Today, most water made entirely from carbon atoms. desalination uses reverse osmosis, Researchers at Lawrence Livermore which employs energy to push water National Laboratory in California and through a membrane that excludes salts. elsewhere had shown that the tiny McGinnis planned instead to use forward channels allow water to pass through osmosis, which relies on differences in while blocking other molecules. But the the concentration of compounds on lab demonstrations employed dime-size either side of a membrane to move water membranes; larger membranes leaked across; it consumes only about half as and weren’t uniform. “Carbon nanotube much energy. “I prototyped it in my membranes never lived up to the hype,” kitchen,” he says. “I wanted something to says Jeffrey McCutcheon, a membrane distinguish myself to [transfer] to a really separation expert at the University good school.” of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs who collaborates with McGinnis. His school plan worked, and McGinnis moved to Yale University for his McGinnis thought he could solve junior year. He majored in theater and the problem. He formed a company focused on playwriting. “It was really called MatterShift and received lab good training,” he says. “A lot of what space in a startup incubator at UConn. entrepreneurs do is tell stories.” After 5 years, he could make uniform membranes the size of a sheet of liquid contains at least 5% to 10% ethanol paper, consisting of carbon nanotubes and a slight vacuum draws it through embedded in a cheap commodity plastic the filter, the alcohol molecules form called polyethersulfone. a molecular conga line through the nanotubes, excluding nearly all water. The key, McGinnis says, was figuring The filtered solution winds up containing out how to align vast numbers of about 95% ethanol. nanotubes—roughly 2.5 trillion per square meter—so that most pierce McGinnis and his team haven’t published the membrane perpendicularly, as ion those separation results yet. But channels on a cell surface do. Some researchers led by Yang Decai from researchers have speculated that Dalian University of Technology (DUT) in magnetic fields are key to the process, China reported in August 2018 in Nano but McGinnis isn’t saying. “It’s our secret Letters that a similar carbon nanotube sauce,” he says. membrane was highly selective and fast at separating ethanol and butanol In March 2018, he, McCutcheon, and (another alcohol) from water. colleagues reported one possible use for their membranes in Science Advances: If commercialized, such membranes filtering out organic contaminants, could benefit biofuel companies that such as odor-causing compounds, from make ethanol from corn, McGinnis water, while applying only a fraction and others say. Fermentation leaves of the pressure used to push water a solution of 10% ethanol in water. through reverse osmosis membranes. Today, ethanol producers use heat and But McGinnis sees that use as a 6-meter-tall distillation columns to boil demonstration rather than his primary off the ethanol, an energy-intensive commercial target. process that costs about a third as much as the alcohol itself. McGinnis says his In the past year, he and his team have membranes could cut the distillation cost come up with a way to transform by 90% in an ethanol market worth $50 their membranes from flat sheets into billion per year in the United States. narrow hollow plastic fibers dotted with nanotube pores. The researchers can If the membranes work as claimed, “That manufacture those fibers in a continuous by itself would be big,” Peidong Yang process, McGinnis says, cutting them to says. any length and bundling them to make industrial filters. McGinnis is working to prove that they do. Last year, MatterShift and partners “The new piece in the puzzle” at UConn received a $900,000 grant The nanotube filters can perform a far from the Department of Energy to more important feat than removing demonstrate their ethanol separation contaminants, McGinnis says: They technology. Their test uses a 2-meter- separate ethanol from water. Carbon high tube with 1400 nanotube-pocked nanotubes of the right diameter—about fibers, with results expected this summer. 1 nanometer—transport ethanol more quickly than water through their interior. If either MatterShift’s or DUT’s McGinnis explains that ethanol’s carbons membranes prove durable and long- have an affinity for the inside of the lived, bioethanol producers should carbon nanotubes. So if the starting represent an eager market, says David Sholl, a chemical engineer at and other alcohols. the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. McGinnis has already founded The result is the alcohol and water a company called MatterShift Biofuels mixture that goes through the nanotube to commercialize the technology. But fibers. Prometheus has repaired its he envisions a bigger future for his machine since the pitch fair, and it membranes: not just filtering ethanol produces “a pretty steady drip” of fuel, fermented from corn or sugar, but also McGinnis says: 10 milliliters per hour of purifying fuel made from the air itself. alcohol that trickles out a red valve in the back. Over the next month, McGinnis and Synthesizing the fuel is the easy part. his colleagues plan to increase the size of Peidong Yang’s team and groups at Oak their electrodes and catalysts to raise the Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in production rate to 50 to 100 milliliters Tennessee and the University of Illinois per hour. in Urbana have published papers in the past 3 years showing that electricity and nanosize copper catalysts can turn Ultimately, McGinnis plans to add a CO2 and water into a mix of alcohols. second catalytic step using commercially And startups including a New Orleans, available catalysts called zeolites, which Louisiana, company called ReactWell are would convert the mix of alcohols to pursuing related approaches. the larger hydrocarbon molecules found in gasoline. “All of the pieces of this Thus far, the ORNL team has reported process have been proved to work. But the highest efficiency, turning 23% of no one has put them all together,” he the electrical energy into fuel. But all says. “Until now.” He expects the device, the groups using the approach to make when optimized, to produce 20 liters of alcohols face the challenge of separating gasoline per week. the fuel from the water. McGinnis says his membranes are the answer. They are “the Once the machine is working efficiently, new piece in the puzzle no one else has.” electricity will make up about one- third of its operating costs. Renewable In the air-to-fuel machine he hoped electricity prices around the globe are to demonstrate at Y Combinator, the falling, however, and they already sink membranes filter a liquid that flows from near zero at certain times of the day a meter-wide chamber containing two in places where the sun blazes or the electrodes dunked in water. When air wind howls. Prometheus, McGinnis says, blows through the chamber, the CO2 it could easily ramp its electricity demands contains reacts with water, producing up and down to take advantage of the carbonic acid—the same molecule lowest rates, and the machines could acidifying the oceans. That acid, in turn, be sited wherever renewable power reacts on a copper catalyst coating the is cheapest. Next year, the company negative electrode, or cathode, to create CO. The cathode also strips protons plans to build a $500,000 shipping off water molecules, leaving behind container–size demonstration plant that negatively charged hydroxide ions. can produce hundreds of thousands of Those ions travel to a positively charged liters of fuel per year. And last month, electrode, or anode, where they react to it inked its first deal, to begin to sell form water and oxygen gas. Meanwhile, carbon-neutral fuel to Boom Supersonic, at the cathode, multiple CO molecules a Denver company building a supersonic and protons are transformed into ethanol commercial airliner. Even if all goes according to plan, fossil-derived versions. McGinnis will face a long road to compete with the likes of ExxonMobil. At the pitch fair, McGinnis stands next to He’ll have to prove he can build a his prototype and repeats his story for fuelmaker cheaply enough to make its a steady stream of potential investors. gasoline affordable. That could be tough “We want to replace all fossil gasoline,” if turning it on makes sense only when he says. “That would make the world a renewable electricity prices bottom out. better place.” A few hours later, he loads The fuelmaker also works only with a up his wares and moves on in the hope source of clean water. And before he can that one day his dreams turn into an market his invention, he’ll need to prove energy revolution. that his fuels can directly substitute for •

News 8 - wtnh

UCONN RESEARCHERS TACKLE WHICH CHEMO TREATMENT IS BEST FOR CANCER PATIENTS When it comes to cancer, trying to figure out at the onset which chemotherapy works best for the patient, can be challenging.

By Jocelyn Maminta

FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) – When engineering, bio-materials, tissue This article was it comes to cancer, trying to figure out engineering to create this platform to published on at the onset which chemotherapy works July 23, 2019. help save lives,” says UConn Engineering best for the patient, can be challenging. PhD student Lela Daneshmandi. “When we heard about this challenge in chemotherapy and the way cancer Fellow UConn Engineering PhD student patients are treated, we used our Armin Rad and Daneshmandi say saving background and knowledge of biomedical lives can come down to precious time. Rad says, “If the drug is not working, They’ve teamed up with oncologist Dr. which in a lot of cases it doesn’t, the Omar Ibrahim at U-Conn Health for the tumor is progressing and the patient is clinical testing phase. under a lot of unnecessary pain.” The focus is on lung cancer. Genetics play a role. “The sooner we can start treating, lung “The main problem in cancer therapy,” cancer in particular, but all cancers in says Rad, “Is coming from the variation general, a patient’s prognosis improves,” among the people. People are different says Dr. Ibrahim, emphasizing what’s in terms of the type of genetics they being done here could be a game have, the type of mutation that happens changer. inside the tumor. He explains, “Now we’re not guessing or So to help cancer specialists make assuming the medication will work. Now the best decision at the beginning of we’ll know the medication will work.” the process — they’ve come up with technology to determine the most They’ve named the company effective treatment. “Encapsulate.”

The process begins with a doctor The technology should hit the market in sending in a patient’s tumor cells, which two to three years. are then grown and tested for different • types of treatments.

“Our earlier studies showed that there really is a difference between the different drugs that a cancer cell is exposed to and even different doses may affect it. We can modulate the dose, the type of cancer, we an even use a combination of different drugs to see if that can potentially kill highly aggressive forms of cancer.”

— LELA DANESHMANDI, ENGINEERING PHD STUDENT AT UCONN Science Blog

SOLVING INDUSTRY CHALLENGES BY TEACHING MICROSCOPES TO TALK TO EACH OTHER

Cabot Corporation had a mystery PhD candidate Abhinav Poozhikunnath, This article was to solve: the global chemical and who lead the research. Finding them published on performance materials company wouldn’t be easy. The classic method September 17, 2019. was making carbon black for high- would be to burn the material to reduce performance batteries, but finding the volume and then sift through it. But the substance was ever-so-slightly burning destroys any clues that could contaminated. Since contaminants can hint at how the carbon black was getting decrease the performance and shorten contaminated, and could also alter the the lifetime of batteries, this was a contaminant itself. mystery in need of an urgent solution. Now, thanks to a collaboration between Instead, Poozhikunnath decided to the company, UConn researchers, and use a series of microscopes to narrow ZEISS Microscopy, Cabot has a better down the location of the contaminants idea of what the contaminants are and and eventually find them directly. He where they might be coming from—and worked with Shahbazmohamadi in the the researchers developed a new way REFINE lab, which has state-of-the-art to map a material by combining four microscopes of each type and close different kinds of microscopes. connections with ZEISS Microscopy, which also collaborated on the work. “It’s a classic problem in microscopy: finding a needle in a haystack,” says First, Poozhikunnath embedded the UConn engineer and director of the carbon black (which resembles black Reverse Engineering Fabrication, dust or soot) in epoxy to fix it in place Inspection and Non-destructive Analysis so that it could be mapped. Then he (REFINE) lab Sina Shahbazmohamadi. scanned it with x-rays to create a 3D Although finding something microscopic map, the same way a CT scan maps the with a microscope might seem easy, human body. He knew the contaminants it’s actually very difficult. The finer your were metals, and probably a lot heavier point of view, the vaster the territory. than the carbon. That meant the x-rays would bounce off them, making bright “Carbon black is a low density powder. spots in the map. And that’s just what Five grams is a lot of material, volume- happened. wise. And in five grams we are searching for contaminant particles that are five to Poozhikunnath then used a pulsed laser ten micrograms across,” says engineering to remove larger lumps of epoxy and carbon black, followed by a Focused control purposes in the semiconductor Ion Beam (FIB) microscope to finely cut industry, Sina says. away at the lump of epoxy and carbon black until it exposed a contaminant. The The researchers are currently working FIB shoots gallium ions at the sample. with ZEISS to see if they can completely Each atom of gallium chips away a tiny automate the process, with the data from bit of the epoxy or carbon black. It’s like each microscope flowing into Atlas and a very, very fine chisel. helping to guide the next microscope’s investigation. They’re also exploring ways Once the contaminant was exposed, they might use this to train automated Poozhikunath took a picture of it and its systems to find contaminants via surroundings with a Scanning Electron machine learning algorithms. Microscope (SEM). SEMs can take beautiful visual images of microscopic Automating the process so microscopes surfaces, and can also reveal other things can talk to each other and solve a real about the properties of what’s being industrial problem is a valuable result, imaged, depending on how the electrons the researchers say. As was the way the interact with the surface. researchers first learned about it: Cabot reached out to UConn VP for Research He then used Energy Dispersive X-ray Radenka Maric, who has expertise in Spectroscopy (EDS) to analyze the battery and fuel cell materials. Maric, in contaminants and the carbon black turn, told researchers in the Institute for particles surrounding them. Material Sciences about the problem, which is how Poozhikunnath and Using a computer program called Shabazmohamadi got on the case. Atlas, developed with the help of researchers at ZEISS, Poozhikunath and As Shahbazmohamadi says, “Not only Shahbazmohamadi were able to have instruments should talk to each other; the different microscopes “talk” to each faculty should talk to each other, too!” other. With Atlas, the x-ray CT scan • could tell the FIB and SEM exactly where to look to find the contaminants with respect to a fixed point on the sample. This allowed the FIB and SEM to avoid instead scanning the entire lump (which would have been almost impossible, or at least take far too long.)

“This ability to communicate between different instruments is a key technological development that allowed us to succeed,” says Poozhikunath.

In Cabot’s carbon black, some of the contaminant turned out to be flecks of iron oxide. But the same technique could be used to solve many similar problems faced by all kinds of industries. It could also be automated and used for quality

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

‘WHY DON’T THEY GO BACK’: THE INCREASING PSYCHOLOGICAL TOLL OF RACISM IN THE TRUMP ERA

By Zoe Greenberg

Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite has really, really stressful,” she said. “Some This article was seen a string of children of color at nights I find that I can’t sleep. Some days published on her Newton clinic in recent months I have a headache and I can’t explain July 21, 2019. with symptoms of anxiety: insomnia, why.” hypervigilance, a fear that they are not safe at home or that when they As Trump doubles down on attacks return from school, a parent will have against the four women of color in disappeared. Congress known as “The Squad,” which includes Omar and Representative When she presses for more details, the Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, psychiatrist often hears a list of racial some people of color in the Boston terrors, both local and national: swastikas area describe a psychological toll that found in the bathroom at school, racist the episodes, and Trump’s frequent threats against classmates, President overt hostility, have had on their daily Trump’s just last week presiding over lives — not just this month, but in the a crowd of mostly white supporters in many months since the 2016 presidential Greenville, N.C., chanting “send her back! campaign began. send her back!” about Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Some have tried to guard themselves against the everyday tumult coming “I’ve rarely had anyone come and say, from the White House; others have ‘I’m stressed because of racism,’ ” become more vocal in politics. Some Christian-Brathwaite said. Instead, kids have found a grim silver lining, because tell her, “I can’t sleep. My grades are the scourge of racism that some white dropping,” and when she hears their people recently claimed had disappeared specific concerns, she understands that is now impossible to ignore or explain racism is one of the triggers. away. Many said it reminds them of other dark moments of personal and national As a black woman, she feels the strain, history, when racial hostility and tension too. reared up.

“I haven’t watched the news for a “Some of it feels very familiar, and it number of days because I’ve found it just looks like another head of the same beast,” said Sharon Hinton, a 64-year- When Trump attacked the old former teacher. She said she has felt congresswomen on Twitter, asking “Why constantly under stress, with the urge to don’t they go back” to their countries “go undercover” and not draw attention (they are all American citizens), it was to herself. just the latest in what people of color say has felt like a relentless barrage A large body of research backs up her of hostility from the White House: the experience. threat of national ICE raids targeting migrant families; reports of squalid camps at the border where migrant “We have now 20 years of research families are detained; the president’s that connects racism with just about reported use of an expletive to refer to every mental health issue that has certain countries like Haiti, El Salvador, been studied,” said Monnica Williams, and some nations in Africa; his remark a professor and the director of the that there were “very fine people on laboratory for Culture and Mental both sides” of a white supremacist rally Health Disparities at the University of in Charlottesville, Va.; the executive Connecticut. The effect of “vicarious action banning travel from several racism” — seeing, for example, videos of predominantly Muslim countries ; and police shootings of unarmed black men, before his election, Trump’s personal or hearing chants of “Send her back!” — attacks against a federal judge because has not been studied as much, according of his Mexican heritage. to Jessica Graham-LoPresti, an assistant professor of psychology at Suffolk University, but social media indicates the Katherine Hernandez, a member of the experience is certainly on the rise. Service Employees International Union local 32BJ, said when she first learned Donald Trump had won the election, she “People are being now not only exposed cried. to their own experiences of racism, but they’re being vicariously exposed to everyone’s experience of racism,” she Katherine Hernandez, a security officer said, adding that patients often exhibit in Boston and a member of the Service symptoms very similar to those from Employees International Union local post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as 32BJ, said when she first learned that depression and social anxiety. Trump had won the election, she cried. Hernandez came to the United States from the Dominican Republic when Finding individual solutions to a systemic she was 15 and said she sometimes problem can be daunting. One of the encountered people in those early most useful tools that psychologists years who didn’t think she belonged. suggest is simply acknowledging the They would tell her to “go back” to truth of what patients are seeing and her country, just as Trump did to the feeling. congresswomen this month.

“The first piece of what I do with anyone But faced with a hostile president, who comes to my office is really validate Hernandez said, she has been motivated them and say, ‘This is real,’ ” Graham- to fight more vocally for immigrants, LoPresti said of her work as a practicing becoming active in her union and psychologist. “It’s reasonable to be educating her co-workers about having a mental health response.” immigration. “Right now, it’s all about knowing your from Haiti, recalls the terrifying rumors rights,” she said. that would run through Mattapan when he was a child that immigration Perhaps what has been most officers were planning to show up to heartbreaking to some people of color is the local grocery store and round up not that Trump’s words and actions are undocumented people. Jason Johnson, new, but instead precisely that they are 51, has been remembering visiting a used old, part of what some thought was a furniture store in Dallas after college, and bygone era of overt racism. finding the store owner waiting for him with his hand on a gun.

“There was a kind of illusion: We not only said we were post-racist, we said “You live a life kind of experiencing those we were post-racial. Much of that was things, and you can’t be shocked,” said engendered by the election of the first Johnson, who is black. black [president] in American history,” said the Rev. Ray Hammond of the Even if Trump’s words and actions are Bethel A.M.E. Church in Jamaica Plain. not shocking to many people of color, “At this point that is all gone.” they have still left their marks.

He sees a positive side to the dissolution Rev. Jeffrey Brown says his children will of that collective state of denial, though. inherit a world that doesn’t seem much Now that the truth is out in the open, improved from the one he grew up in. “we know what the work is that needs to be done.” The Rev. Jeffrey Brown, an associate pastor of Twelfth Baptist Church and a For some people of color, the Trump era longtime racial justice activist, said he is has produced a reckoning not so much frustrated that his own children have to for them but for some of their white inherit a world that doesn’t seem much neighbors, who denied anything was improved from the one he grew up in. wrong. “They are experiencing things that “I think it’s good in the sense that a lot I heard about and read about my of white folks didn’t believe me when I parents’ going through in the time of said I faced racism, and now they believe segregation,” he said. me,” said Christopher Huang, an Asian- American photographer and activist. Aisha Veras, a 17-year-old Hispanic woman who is entering her senior year of Some said it was not just about what high school, echoed Brown’s sentiments. Trump says or does in 2019, but also She said she was once naive about the about what he dredges up from the past. long history of racism in this country, but is no longer. Sara Orozco, 56, has been remembering being bullied in her Cuban neighborhood “It sucks to know that your grandparents in Miami, where white people from could have probably gone through the the surrounding streets would drive same thing that you’re going through by in their cars, swinging bats at their now,” she said. mailboxes screaming, “Go home, spics!” • Frantz Paillant Jr., 37, whose family is DONALD TRUMP IS STRESSING OUT AMERICA Why the economy doesn’t help the president as much as he thinks.

By Daniel W. Drezner

Political Science 101 says that Donald suggesting that Americans are not feeling This article was Trump should be running on the economy too well. The polling data is one obvious published on for 2020. Political Science 201 says matters metric. According to Gallup, in 2018, more July 24, 2019. are not that simple. The stress of being an Americans were stressed, worried and American under Trump is getting worse. angry than at any point in the last 12 years. That is extraordinary when you consider that the past dozen years includes the The economy is doing pretty well. 2008 financial crisis and multiple terrorist Economic growth is a shade under 3 attacks. Furthermore, American stress percent, unemployment is well below 4 levels are among the highest in the world. percent, and inflation is below 2 percent. Seriously, Americans were as stressed as These are great top-line numbers, thanks Iranians and more stressed than citizens of to the Trump administration’s unwitting Rwanda, Turkey, and Venezuela. discovery of Keynesianism. That’s nuts.

These numbers do not tell the whole story, Does Trump have anything to do with however. The New York Times’ Jonathan this? It is difficult to determine causality, Martin and Maggie Haberman note that but the data is pretty suggestive. Trump while voters give Trump decent marks on inspires a whole host of negative reactions the economy, there’s a soft underbelly in most Americans. Pew polled Americans to those numbers: “most workers are in the spring and asked them to describe still gaining less under Mr. Trump than how Trump’s comments and statements they did during previous times of low made them feel. The top seven responses, unemployment, such as the late 1990s, and in order: concerned (76 percent), fewer than two in five respondents to a confused (70 percent), embarrassed SurveyMonkey poll for The New York Times (69 percent), exhausted (67 percent), this month said their family was better off angry (65 percent), insulted (62 percent) financially today than a year ago.” and frightened (56 percent). I am not a psychologist, but I would reckon that there If the economy is doing well but average might be something going on here. If these Americans aren’t feeling it, that is bad are the dominant emotions that Trump news for Trump. And looking beyond the elicits, and if Trump is everywhere, then economy, there is an awful lot of evidence hey, it’s going to stress a lot of Americans! Even more concrete evidence has come when racial hostility and tension reared to light in the past week. As my Post up... colleagues William Wan and Lindsey Bever reported recently, “Researchers “We have now 20 years of research that have begun to identify correlations connects racism with just about every between Trump’s election and worsening mental health issue that has been studied,” cardiovascular health, sleep problems, said Monnica Williams, a professor and anxiety and stress, especially among the director of the laboratory for Culture Latinos in the United States.” One and Mental Health Disparities at the disturbing JAMA study looked at University of Connecticut. The effect of premature births, an easily quantifiable “vicarious racism” — seeing, for example, metric of stress during pregnancy. After analyzing approximately 33 million births videos of police shootings of unarmed between 2009 and 2017 researchers black men, or hearing chants of “Send her found 3 percent more preterm births than back!” — has not been studied as much, expected among Latina women in the nine according to Jessica Graham-LoPresti, months after the election. an assistant professor of psychology at Suffolk University, but social media It’s not just Latina women who are feeling indicates the experience is certainly on the stress of America under Trump. The the rise. Boston Globe’s Zoe Greenberg reports that psychologists are having to treat “People are being now not only exposed a number of anxiety-related maladies to their own experiences of racism, but among minority clients, including insomnia they’re being vicariously exposed to and hypervigilance. When they dig deeper, everyone’s experience of racism,” she the underlying cause becomes apparent: said, adding that patients often exhibit symptoms very similar to those from As Trump doubles down on attacks post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as against the four women of color in depression and social anxiety. Congress known as “The Squad,” which includes Omar and Representative Ayanna There are a lot of drivers of stress. A Pressley of Massachusetts, some people robust economy should lessen a primary of color in the Boston area describe a driver. But the data is pretty clear. The psychological toll that the episodes, and U.S. economy is not benefiting as many Trump’s frequent overt hostility, have had citizens as one would expect. More on their daily lives — not just this month, significantly, Trump’s racial divisiveness but in the many months since the 2016 and bellicose rhetoric are stressing out an presidential campaign began. awful lot of Americans.

Some have tried to guard themselves against the everyday tumult coming from There are multiple ways to help the White House; others have become alleviate this national anxiety. More more vocal in politics. Some have found social capital will be needed. More a grim silver lining, because the scourge balanced economic growth would be of racism that some white people nice. It is becoming increasingly clear, recently claimed had disappeared is now however, that the best palliative care for impossible to ignore or explain away. U.S. stress levels will be to make sure Many said it reminds them of other dark Donald Trump exits the White House as moments of personal and national history, expeditiously as possible. • WANT TO ENJOY TV? THEN DON’T LIVE-TWEET THE SHOWS, STUDY WARNS Media multi-tasking creates ‘potential pitfalls on audience experience’

By Jennifer Harper

“Live-tweeting has potential pitfalls on “Despite its popularity, live-tweeting This article was audience experience,” reports a new has potential pitfalls on audience published on University of Connecticut study which experience,” said Saraswathi Bellur, July 2, 2019. monitored the experiences of those assistant professor in communication, who watched one screen while tapping who led the research. feverishly on another. It compared the experience of 230 young That is a lot of people. More than half viewers; half live-tweeted a showing of of television viewers ages 18 to 24 — a the classic sitcom “Friends” — and half coveted TV audience — use a second, did not. web-connected device for engaging on social media to chat about what they are “Compared to those engaged in media watching. The practice has an impact. multitasking, participants consuming only one medium were more likely to “Toggling between viewing experience ‘transportation’ into the entertainment and social media lessens content and, in turn, more intensified a person’s ability to escape reality and emotions,” the study said. enjoy a show,” said the study, conducted by the university’s Department of “Given the prevalence of television Communication and published in the shows that actively initiate social Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic media conversations among viewers Media, an academic source. by promoting conversations, more research needs to be done,” the authors The most significant impact of the two- concluded. screen experience was on viewers’ ability • to “transport” into the narrative and become immersed in the televised story, they found. DNA EVIDENCE: THIS NEW ENGLAND ‘VAMPIRE’ WAS NAMED JOHN BARBER IN LIFE

By Morgan Hines

For nearly three decades, researchers skulls dislodged and rolled down the hill This article was including archaeologists, historians and with the boys.” published on DNA experts have been investigating the August 10, 2019. identity of a Connecticut vampire. When one of the boys brought a skull to his mother, she called the police. And now they have new information, a name: John Barber. That call began an investigation into a colonial-era cemetery that seemed to be Barber’s newly-discovered identity helps the final resting place for generations of answer lingering questions about the two families over the years, according to mysterious case of a man who died of Bellantoni. tuberculosis in the early 1800s and was uncovered more than a century-and-a- Fans are confused:Macy Gray talks half later as a mutilated corpse. recent hospitalization and calls herself a ‘vampire’ History suggests Barber’s family or neighbors suspected he had become After ‘vampire facial’:2 people infected a vampire in death. Their efforts to kill with HIV John Barber, the vampire, set in motion a mystery that would span generations. But there was something different in one of the coffins. Nick Bellantoni, emeritus Connecticut state archaeologist and anthropology A skeleton was decapitated. His bones professor at the University of were rearranged into a skull and Connecticut, told USA TODAY that crossbones, Jolly Roger style. he has been on this case since the “vampire” was found in 1990. The mutilation likely happened four or five years after the man — known as “Some kids were playing at a gravel bank JB55 for the initials and age found on his in Griswold, Connecticut,” said Bellantoni. coffin — had died, Bellantoni said. “During one of their slides down, two At the time of Barber’s death in the it could even be festive, according to early 1800s, people believed that the Smithsonian. dead would rise up and infect family members. He died from tuberculosis, When JB55 was discovered, information or consumption, according to the about the corpse was scarce. lesions on his ribs, Bellantoni said.

Bellantoni said they looked at historical “Vampirism was a way to explain the records to learn more. His research unexplainable in an age before modern team was able to find out a bit about medicine existed,” Charla Marshall, the Waltons, the family that lived in lead scientist on the DNA exploration, that area before JB55 and his relatives. told USA TODAY in an email. “The But information about the B family vampire scare was real in New England themselves was lacking. in the 1800s.”

Decades after he was discovered, In a moment of fear during the “Great scientists at the Armed Forces DNA New England Vampire Panic,” families Identification Laboratory in Delaware were digging up their deceased relatives were able to use JB55’s DNA to find a to ensure they couldn’t spread diseases, name. according to the Smithsonian.

Their findings were debuted at a Tuberculosis was one of those illnesses. presentation at National Museum of Health and Medicine on July 23. They Tuberculosis victims could remain have submitted a paper on their work to asymptomatic for years and fall ill much the peer-reviewed journal, Genes. later, strengthening the theory that a dead relative could have come back to Marshall said they used a forensic infect others posthumously. test to look at a DNA profile of the Y chromosome. Vampires were thought to have a pale complexion and protruding teeth, Family surnames, like the Y chromosome, according to folklore. are passed down from father to son. So matching Y chromosomes can be used to Akin to that imagery, the sickness gave predict a surname, Marshall said. its victims a very haggard look. With bulging eyes and sunken cheeks, victims When they searched a public database, became very pale and coughed up they found two individuals with the last blood. Their gum lines would recede, too. name “Barber” who were exact matches to JB55’s profile. The practice of digging up bodies wasn’t uncommon across New England, and in Once they had a last name, they used other regions such as Europe throughout public records from the state to search the world. for J Barber in Griswold.

Sometimes, it was a family-only event, “We came up a newspaper item from voted on by town leaders or it was a 1826 describing the death of Nathan public affair. In places such as Vermont, Barber, son of John Barber,” she said.

Nathan Barber, NB, was also buried in hope that his relatives will come forward the cemetery. after their full report is published.

It wasn’t a too big a task to find Barber’s “It’s been 30 years almost, so it’s nice name, Marshall said. The team treated it to get some closure,” said Bellantoni. as a side project, chipping away when “On the other hand, vampires never they had time. They started searching die so I suspect I’ll be telling this story in 2018. forever.” • They don’t know who the descendants of John Barber are. But, Marshall said, they

EL PASO, RACISM AND RHETORIC: THE GROWING TOLL OF BIGOTRY IN AMERICA For some Americans who are members of minority groups, the intersection of hate and violence has become a looming source of fear.

By Janell Ross and Suzanne Gamboa

EL PASO, Texas — Olivia Ortega is not of tag. The name of a would-be anti- This article was sure she’ll continue speaking Spanish with Muslim bomber, Robert Doggart, who was published on her three bilingual kids in public places arrested in 2015 for plotting to destroy August 15, 2019. in West Texas, after a gunman targeting their community, serves as “it.” “Mexicans” opened fire in an El Paso Walmart earlier this month. And, at a Fort Worth, Texas, church that holds Sunday services in Korean, In upstate New York, children living in a Burmese, Swahili, Spanish and other black Muslim enclave play an adaptation languages, the Rev. Will Aplicano has recently fielded calls from immigrants stress disorder and the tests used by asking if it’s safe for them to gather some clinicians to diagnose it. together to pray. “So the more traumatic events to which For some Americans who are members you have been exposed, the more likely of racial, ethnic and religious minority to experience PTSD.” groups — long the targets of President Donald Trump’s rotating ire — the way Racism’s physical, emotional and that hate and violence can combine financial toll can be so devastating that has moved from the realm of historical the American Academy of Pediatrics knowledge to known risk to, now, issued its first policy statement this week looming fear. on its effect on the health of the nation’s children. Immigrants, Muslims and people of color who spoke to NBC News say they’ve While long in the works, the warning of watched with growing alarm as racist racism’s impact and recommendations rhetoric has become more commonplace, for how doctors should respond seems both on the internet and in their particularly necessary now given the communities, leading to a rise in hate “cultural climate” and recent events, Dr. crimes three years in a row and a drop in Jacqueline Dougé, a pediatrician who co- their sense of security. wrote the policy, said.

For some, catastrophic events like the “Racism is not a new thing or a simple El Paso shooting, which left 22 people thing,” Dougé said. “It’s obviously dead, jolted them into the realities of incredibly complex but presenting America in 2019. differently at present.”

For others, particularly many racial, Almost six months before the gunman ethnic and religious minorities, it marked walked into that El Paso Walmart, a sickening extension of the big and surveyors with the Pew Research small insults, threats and injustices long Center found that a substantial share of a part of American life, even in a country Americans said they have feared for their that promises equality for all. personal safety because of their race or ethnicity. About 43 percent of black It’s that combination, what’s happening respondents agreed, as did 30 percent now and all that’s long happened, that of Latinos and 38 percent of white raises the risk of debilitating trauma for Americans. those exposed to persistent reasons to fear, experts say. Pew researchers did not ask additional questions to probe the reasons behind “When we think about trauma, often those safety concerns. But consider 2019. we think about individual incidents — someone being raped or seeing combat In January, Oregon’s attorney general — but in fact, trauma is cumulative,” said announced efforts to curb a 40 percent Monnica Williams, a psychologist who increase in hate crimes in the state, has researched the impact of racism and Los Angeles reported the largest on mental health at the University of number of hate crimes in a decade. Connecticut and developed the concept The following month, someone of racial trauma-induced post-traumatic smashed the windows of a Ortega, the El Paso mother, said all this Brooklyn synagogue. has kept her on edge.

By April, a man opened fire in a She didn’t appreciate Trump’s false California synagogue, killing one person running commentary on lawlessness in and injuring three others. In May, a El Paso, her hometown, during and after drone dropped leaflets over Sacramento the 2016 election. bearing swastikas and referring to the press as the “enemy,” an idea Before the shooting, El Paso was actually repeatedly expressed by the president. one of the safest cities in the country. The following month, armed neo-Nazis disrupted gay pride events. It’s a city that’s more than 80 percent Latino, where cross-border interactions And, last week, as grieving families held are common, and which at times could funerals for the El Paso mass shooting feel like a bubble, insulated from the victims, police arrested a white man in ethnocentrism sweeping the country. Florida who authorities said appears to But the Walmart shooting, immediately espouse white supremacist ideas online followed by the arrests of hundreds of and who was accused of posting on people in Mississippi immigration raids, social media, “3 more days of probation has raised Ortega’s concerns about left then I get my AR-15 back. Don’t go to Trump’s rhetoric to the level of fear. Walmart next week.”

In particular, Ortega worries about her Madihha Ahussain, special counsel for youngest daughter, 3, who arrived in the anti-Muslim bigotry at Muslim Advocates, world with skin that’s a bit darker than a national civil rights group, is among her siblings, who are 9 and 7. those who see a link between the president’s commentary, his policies Ortega has wondered if the girls’ and rising, if underreported, hate skin could attract the attention of crimes. Trump has often referred to federal agents (who legally can set undocumented immigration as a type of up checkpoints within 100 miles of “invasion,” the same word police say the the border). In Ortega’s post-shooting El Paso gunman used in an anti-Hispanic nightmare scenario, her daughter, an screed posted online. And, as a New York American citizen, could wind up wrongly Times analysis of Fox News broadcasts separated from the family, on the other found, multiple administration officials side of a Trump border wall, if Ortega and political allies of the president have can’t immediately produce the child’s used similar language repeatedly on that birth certificate. network.

“I’m getting scared something will “Yes, we have had hate crimes in the happen to them,” Ortega said of her past,” said Ahussain, who fields calls children, “about the way they talk, the from people afraid to report possible way they look, the color of their skin.” hate crimes and discrimination to authorities. “But now we have individuals in high office using the very same At the University of Connecticut, language and ideas and justifications as Williams and her colleagues have treated the people committing these crimes.” what she describes as a growing number of people of color who have endured the daily indignities of co-workers bristling “And I think many of them feel at their ideas and business owners both vulnerable — emotionally and questioning their presence in ways that economically — and guilty about what seem to mirror Trump’s assaults on the injustices are occurring in our names, intelligence and belonging of any person right now.” of color who questions him. At Fort Worth’s Bethesda Community Williams, who is set to begin new Church — where Sunday services are research soon at the University of held in six languages in addition to Ottawa in Canada, has also recently English — news of the El Paso shooting heard more stories from people stirred a lot of fear among refugee and who describe what felt to them like immigrant congregants, Aplicano, the dangerous encounters with police, pastor who leads the church’s language neighbors and strangers who seem ministries, said. emboldened to say offensive things. “There were people who asked, can we The people with PTSD whom Williams go out on the street?” Aplicano, who has treated are often hypervigilant, immigrated to the United States from meaning they may be jumpy when Honduras, said. “Is it safe? Should we tapped on the shoulder from behind, come to church on Sunday? Is gathering or obsess about possibilities that seem a good idea? Some of them were saying, unlikely to others. And they experience you know, right now I think it’s better physical symptoms, including high blood if I stay home. Should I go to Walmart? pressure and insomnia. The answers here, again, aren’t easy. We can’t pretend that evil does not exist … “The idea of racial trauma, mass, wide- but you cannot stop living. You cannot scale racial trauma, not only should surrender to fear.” not be dismissed,” Williams said, “but the impulse to do so ultimately reveals Aplicano’s congregants are not alone something about anyone inclined to do in their safety concerns. In fiscal year so quickly.” 2015, 715 nonprofit organizations applied for Department of Homeland Security Among young adults, the onslaught grants for groups at “high risk” of an of horrible racial news headlines can attack. Most were religious institutions drive a sense of despair, said the Rev. in need of help making their facilities Kevin Cosby, the president of Simmons more secure. In fiscal year 2019, 2,037 College of Kentucky, a historically organizations applied, the agency told black university, and the pastor of St. NBC News. Stephen Church, a predominantly black congregation in Louisville. Black Americans and Muslim Americans have long ranked among the most “I think there are a lot of young people, frequent victims of hate crimes. in particular, millennials who are struggling with the reality that this is Both realities do not have to be what our country has always been and explained to Tahirah Amatul-Wadud. always will be absent some sort of reset,” She’s one of two lawyers who represent said Cosby, who co-founded the Angela a community of about 200 people Project, an effort to connect black and called Islamberg, about 45 minutes west white Christians, four years ago. of Binghamton, New York. Several of Amatul-Wadud’s siblings, nieces and And while most continue to wear hijabs, nephews also live in the community, few wear the colorful ankle-length founded by black Muslim families four abayas that had been customary off the decades ago when several decided to property. leave Brooklyn. “Nothing about our lives has, since 2015, The community has been the target of been easy,” Amatul-Wadud said. “It’s not multiple plots, including by Doggart, an easy decision, muting who you are, who was recorded by the FBI as saying, trying to be less easily identifiable and “I don’t want to have to kill children, hoping that will provide safety.” but there’s always collateral damage.” • The most recent threat came this year, when a group of white teens from a nearby town were found with homemade explosives and a plan to destroy Islamberg.

“The abnormal has become so normal, so much a part of life,” Amatul-Wadud said.

In the years since Doggart’s arrest, residents have formed a neighborhood watch to monitor the community’s entrance. Women in Islamberg have committed to a buddy system that means never leaving the property alone. Newsday

HISPANICS ON LONG ISLAND, NATIONALLY HAVE LONGER LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN OTHERS

By David Olson

A Latino baby born on Long Island today compiled from National Center for This article was can expect to live until about age 87 Health Statistics data by the University published on on average, according to new research. of Wisconsin Population Health August 15, 2019. White, non-Hispanic Long Islanders Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson are likely to make it until 81, African Foundation. The analysis does not Americans to 80. include Asian life expectancy.

That significantly longer Hispanic life Experts believe the Hispanic life expectancy may have its roots in places expectancy has something to do with like Dulce Nombre de María, El Salvador, immigration. Immigrants in other the birthplace of West Islip resident Western countries also are healthier Ana Cruz. There, families tend to be than native-born residents, research has close, residents often get around on found. They also link it to how Latinos foot and bicycle instead of by car, and often have closer family ties — within both their immediate and extended people typically eat more fresh fruits families — and stronger community and and vegetables, she said. There are no neighborhood relationships. American-style fast-food restaurants.

“Strong families and support systems are “My mother always cooked at home,” related to good mental health, and that Cruz, 30, said in Spanish. “We never went is associated with good physical health out to eat.” and longevity,” said Kyriakos Markides, a professor of aging at the University Researchers are still studying why of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston Hispanics nationally and on Long Island who has been researching the topic for live longer than whites, and have lower decades. rates of cancer and heart disease, even though they have lower median incomes David Hayes-Bautista, director of the and educational levels, and are more Center for the Study of Latino Health likely to be uninsured — factors that and Culture at UCLA, said, “Clearly the usually lead to shorter lives. community, the civil society as a whole, has a huge impact on health care,” but The life expectancy numbers are most research on the life expectancy differences focuses on individuals. El Salvador in 1999, and he’s gained a lot of weight. During the workday, he often More research on how social and family picks up unhealthy meals from delis. networks impact life expectancy also could answer the question as to “why do “It’s hard when you have two jobs and people not do so well?” he said. “What is you don’t have time to stop for an hour lacking in their community?” to eat properly,” said Bonilla, who owns and drives for a car service, and co-owns a fencing company. “You have to eat on A study published in April that found the run.” Latina mothers laughed more often than white, non-Hispanic mothers is another indicator of the Latino health advantage, In addition, people in his hometown in El said Nairán Ramírez-Esparza, lead Salvador walk and cycle a lot more than author of the study and an associate people here, he said. His father, who lives professor of psychological sciences at in El Salvador, has a car, but he usually the University of Connecticut. The study prefers to get around by bicycle. Bonilla was published in PLOS One, an open- said that when he goes to a store two access, peer-reviewed journal. blocks away in West Islip, “I get in the car.”

With Latinos more likely to be close to family members, and with socialization in Bonilla believes one reason Latin general a more important value in Latino American immigrants have higher life culture, they are more likely to have expectancies is because many have “conversations of quality,” she said. “That jobs in fields such as landscaping and construction — he was a construction leads them to laugh more. If they laugh worker before he became a business more, we can assume that that laughter owner — that require physical exertion. will be a factor for their health.”

But “you want your children to be better Diet and exercise also appear to be than you,” said Bonilla, who, along with factors, which could explain why Cruz, is a legal, permanent U.S. resident. immigrants who have lived in the United “You don’t want them to hustle the way States for 20 years tend not to be as you did. You don’t encourage them to healthy as immigrants who arrived more work in construction or landscaping and recently, Markides said. all those industries.”

Studies also show that the “mortality One key reason for the Latino mortality advantage” — lower age-adjusted death advantage is lower rates of smoking, rates — is greater for Latin American said Elizabeth Arias, a demographer for immigrants than for their children and the National Center for Health Statistics grandchildren. who researches mortality rates, including by ethnicity. “Children who grow up in this country become like other children around them,” Arias was co-author of a July report Markides said. “They eat junk food.” from the center that showed a steady decrease in age-adjusted death rates Ana Cruz’s husband of nine years, Miguel for Latinos between 2000 and 2017. Bonilla, 37, said he has a less healthy diet Life expectancy estimates are based since he arrived in the United States from on death rates, which are calculated every year. Arias is researching Asian life expectancy and mortality rates. Data isn’t final, but Yet there are signs the Latino mortality she is finding higher life expectancy for advantage may decline, said Noreen Asians than for whites. • Goldman, a professor of demography and public affairs at Princeton University who authored a 2016 study on the LIFE EXPECTANCY topic that was published in the journal Research in Aging. Latinos on Long Island live on average several years longer than white, non-Hispanic and black High diabetes rates among Latinos and residents. growing obesity rates may decrease the gap between Latino and white mortality rates, she said. NASSAU COUNTY

In addition, declining immigration Hispanic/Latino: 88.6 years from Latin America will have an effect, because of the higher life expectancy of White, non-Hispanic: 82.2 Latino immigrants compared with U.S.- Black: 81.6 born Latinos, she said.

Markides believes immigration, rather SUFFOLK COUNTY than Latin American ancestry, is the main reason for the health gap between Hispanic/Latino: 86.8 years Latinos and non-Hispanic whites. White, non-Hispanic: 80.3

He has studied immigrant communities in Black: 78.4 Canada, Australia and Europe and found that, as in the United States, immigrants in general tend to be healthier. SOURCE: University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute/Robert One reason likely is that people who Wood Johnson Foundation analysis of leave their homelands tend to be National Center for Health Statistics healthier than those who stay behind, 2015-2017 data. The analysis did not Markides said. examine life expectancy of Asians.

Today, there are more people immigrating to the United States from Asia than from Latin America. UCONN STUDY FINDS THAT TRASH TALK LEADS TO ANGER, SHAME, POOR PERFORMANCE

By Alex Putterman

From Muhammad Ali to Larry Bird As part of the study, McDermott This article was to Deion Sanders to Michael Jordan, recruited about 200 volunteers between published on some of history’s greatest athletes have the ages of 18 and 35 and randomly August 7, 2019. used trash talk to invade the minds of sorted them between a control group their opponents in hopes of gaining a and a trash-talk group. She then hired competitive edge. UConn drama students to face the participants in Mario Kart and pepper New research from UConn suggests they them with lines such as, “You are awful were likely on to something. at this game,” “Grab a straw because you suck!” and “My 3-year-old cousin plays better than you do.” According to a study from Karen C.P. McDermott, competitors on the receiving end of trash talk experience anger and McDermott surveyed participants shame, leading to poor performance. before and after they played the game and recorded their levels of cognitive distraction, anger and shame. While McDermott, who just completed her distraction did not seem to affect Ph.D. in communications, studied the performance, anger and shame had a effects of trash talk on about 200 significant impact. participants playing the racing video game Mario Kart. She then analyzed their reported emotions, noting the McDermott said her interest in trash relationship between anger and shame. talk began with then-Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, whose harassment of wide receiver Michael “When we looked at how that connection Crabtree during and after the 2014 NFC was working, it was really them Championship Game made national feeling shame, which is leading to the news. As fans debated whether anger, which then detracts from their Sherman’s bravado made him a hero performance,” McDermott said. or a villain, McDermott began to think critically about how fans reacted to Randy Edsall says players’ attitudes trash talk, what purpose trash talk can are ‘totally different’ from last year in serve and, ultimately, whether trash talk opening days of practice » actually works. McDermott acknowledges that two Not only can trash talk demoralize strangers playing Mario Kart isn’t quite opponents, players said, it can also the same as two high-level athletes with motivate the talker himself. A 2013 a personal history and that her study Florida State study found that video might not translate perfectly to the pros. gamers were markedly more confident She said she hopes future research will when allowed to trash talk than when build on her findings. prohibited from doing so, which helped increase their performance. “There not being that much study on trash talk, there’s so much more that “Trash talk is effective because if you needs to be done yet,” she said. “As trash talk and you don’t back it up, far as a replication study, it would be then why are you trash talking?” UConn interesting to see if you could get it to running back Kevin Mensah said. “If work for athletes as well.” you’re gonna trash talk, then you better be doing the work.” • For several UConn football players, McDermott’s findings rang true.

“I’m a pretty outgoing guy, so trash talk definitely works for me,” Huskies linebacker Omar Fortt said. “Because I like competing, and I know that I’m not gonna let the dude in front of me beat me. So it definitely motivates me because your adrenaline is up and you’ve got to go play.”

As for the idea that trash talk provokes anger and shame from its victims ...

“I definitely believe that,” Fortt said. “Especially if you can back that up. That’s when you got ’em.” TWEETING WHILE WATCHING TV MAKES SHOW LESS ENJOYABLE, STUDY FINDS More than half of people who are 18-24 years old use a “second screen” — a phone connected to social media — while watching TV.

By A. Pawlowski

Armed with a remote in one hand and a “Just because you’re engaged doesn’t This article was phone in the other, TV viewers are now actually mean you may actually enjoy the published on often multitasking — watching a show show.” July 10, 2019. and tweeting about it at the same time. More than half of people who are 18-24 But if you really want to escape reality years old use a “second screen” — a and immerse yourself in the story, put phone connected to social media — while the phone away, the authors of a new watching TV, research has shown. study advised. The study was based on responses from People who live-tweeted a TV show 230 college students who were 19 years enjoyed it less than other viewers old on average. because such multitasking reduced their ability to be “transported” into the All of them watched an episode of plot and be completely absorbed by it, “Friends” while being randomly assigned according to the paper published in the to one of two groups: people in the first Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic group simply watched the show, while Media. people in the other were asked to send at least five tweets about the show while “This kind of behavior is encouraged watching. by the television and movie industry because they’re thinking about it in Afterwards, they filled out a terms of user engagement. But user questionnaire about their level of engagement may not necessarily “transportation,” emotions and translate into enjoyment,” co-author enjoyment. Saraswathi Bellur, an assistant professor of communication at the University of The concept of transportation is one of Connecticut, told TODAY. the big reasons why people read books, watch TV or go to the movies, Bellur believed the findings would apply Bellur said. to people in all age groups. The next step is to test whether live-tweeting would “We feel as though we’re transported also lessen the enjoyment of TV shows elsewhere. That’s the fascination with without a narrative, like a news program, media: For a moment or for a couple sports event or an awards show. of hours, we feel as though we’re somewhere else because the narrative is Her advice to people who really want to so immersive,” she noted. immerse themselves in a TV show and closely follow the plot: Skip the live- It turned out people who were live- tweeting. Or just pause the episode if tweeting experienced lower levels of you really, really feel the need to tweet. transportation, and fewer positive and social emotions, which, in turn, led to It’s not the first time social media has lower levels of enjoyment of the show, been blamed for ruining the enjoyment compared to people who just watched of a leisure activity. Some complain the episode. Instagram travel bragging is killing the family vacation as the social pressure Voluntary interruptions — like typing a to take big trips can add stress to tweet — prevent people from closely something that’s supposed to be following the plot and therefore rob relaxing. • them of the enjoyment of watching the show.

“Multi-tasking is a myth. We don’t really multi-task, we just switch between tasks really quickly,” Bellur said. “The primary task usually suffers.” A ‘HIDDEN CURRICULUM’ FOR LATINO STUDENTS

By Peter Monaghan

Daisy Verduzco Reyes wanted to learn she writes. The Latino students’ This article was how college attendance shapes Latino interactions with one another and published on students’ sense of their place in campus with various other groups on campus December 16, 2018. life, and in broader civic life. So the “influence much more than students’ assistant professor of sociology at academic journeys.” the University of Connecticut spent two years attending meeting after Those interactions shape not only Latino meeting, and organizational event after students’ academic achievement but organizational event, at three colleges of also how they end up “defining what it different kinds. means to be Latino” and engaging and responding to Latinos’ place in American Such dynamics interested her, she said society, Reyes writes. in an interview, because when she went to the University of California at Santa College administrators would do well Barbara as the first member of her San to pay heed to the way similarities and Fernando Valley family to enroll in higher differences in colleges’ cultures affect education, she was troubled by tensions those students, she suggests, because among Latino groups over which political more than 70 percent of college-age stances and actions around ethnic Latinos enroll in higher education, and identity were most worthy. “I wouldn’t Latinos account for more than one-sixth have thought to study different Latino of the United States population. groups if I hadn’t tried to join them when I was in college,” Reyes said. Reyes says that when she undertook to study the campus characteristics that She reports the results of her influence how Latino students come to research in Learning to Be Latino: understand their place on campus and How Colleges Shape Identity in society, she didn’t think the type of Politics (Rutgers University Press, 2018). campus was going to affect her findings, The gist of her findings is that each but it did. campus — one a liberal-arts college, one a regional university, and one a For example, at the research university, research institution — “incorporates Latino groups competed for institutional Latino students differently by adopting funds, which led to conflict among them. and implementing multicultural and diversity projects in its own way,” as At the regional university, almost half of students, compose “a kind of hidden the students were of Latino background, curriculum that greatly extends colleges’ but they spent little time on campus and pedagogical effects,” she writes. It were less attentive to larger issues of shapes students’ sense of “ethnic-racial Latino identity than they were to their boundaries and identities” and, from origins in Latin American countries, such that, the political agendas they may as Mexico and Guatemala. adopt to deal with issues that trouble them. On the liberal-arts campus, cohesion among Latino groups was greater, Administrators can take a variety of steps apparently because all students lived to help Latino students find their way to in something of a campus bubble, and fulfilling political and social roles, Reyes in part because Latino students, who said. Administrators can, for example, are frequently, like Reyes, the first in create courses about their campus’s their families to attend college, often own history of activism against racial felt marginalized on a campus of inequities, or even first-year seminars predominantly affluent students. on educational inequality — “so that the weight of making a change does not rest Other factors that played a role in mainly on Latino students’ shoulders.”• the differences included residential arrangements, the health and variety of diversity programs, policies for incorporating nonmajority students, student-teacher ratio, and racial and ethnic demographics.

In varying combinations, such factors influence how Latino students relate to one another and to others on campus, including administrators. In that sense, the combinations of approaches that help Latino students thrive on campuses, and the harmful forces such as “microaggressions” that they might experience from other WHERE IS THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN YOUR PHONE AND YOUR MIND? As our online existences become less distinct from ‘real life’, experts raise concern about the growing power of big tech

By Kevin Lincoln - PS Mag

Many of the boundary lines in our lives networks, text message conversations, This article was are highly literal, and, for the most part, and email exchanges? published on this is how we’ve been trained to think December 9, 2018. of boundaries: as demarcations shored This is a question with no clear answer, up by laws, physical, legal, or otherwise, and, as the smartphone grows ever more that indicate exactly where one thing essential to our daily lives, that border’s ends and another begins. Here is the only getting blurrier. border of your property; here is the border of your body; here is the border Michael Patrick Lynch, a professor of a city, a state, a nation – and to of philosophy at the University of cross any of these boundaries without Connecticut and director of the school’s permission is to transgress. But one of Humanities Institute, which promotes the most significant boundary lines in interdisciplinary research, says that the our lives is not this way, and one piece of notion of an “extended self” was coined ubiquitous technology is making this line by the philosophers Andy Clark and increasingly permeable and uncertain, at David Chalmers in 1998. a cost that we may only be starting to comprehend. “They argued that, essentially, the mind and the self are extended to those Here’s a thought experiment: where devices that help us perform what we do you end? Not your body, but you, ordinarily think of as our cognitive the nebulous identity you think of as tasks,” Lynch says. This can include your “self”. Does it end at the limits of items as seemingly banal and analog your physical form? Or does it include as a piece of paper and a pen, which your voice, which can now be heard as help us remember, a duty otherwise far as outer space; your personal and performed by the brain. According to behavioral data, which is spread out this philosophy, the shopping list, for across the impossibly broad plane known example, becomes part of our memory, as digital space; and your active online the mind spilling out beyond the confines personas, which probably encompass of our skull to encompass anything that dozens of different social media helps it think. “Now if that thought is right, it’s pretty perceive between the virtual and the clear that our minds have become even physical world” more radically extended than ever before,” Lynch says. “The idea that our — Moira Weigel self is expanding through our phones is plausible, and that’s because our phones, According to data released in 2017 and our digital devices generally – our by the analytics firm Flurry, American smartwatches, our iPads – all these consumers spent five hours per day things have become a really intimate on their mobile devices, and showed a part of how we go about our daily lives. dizzying 69% year-over-year increase in Intimate in the sense in which they’re not time spent in apps like Facebook, Twitter, only on our body, but we sleep and YouTube. The prevalence of apps with them, we wake up with them, and represents a concrete example of the the air we breathe is filled, in both a movement away from the old notion of literal and figurative sense, with the trails accessing the Internet through a browser of ones and zeros that these devices and the new reality of the connected leave behind.” world and its myriad elements – news, social media, entertainment – being with This gets at one of the essential us all the time. differences between a smartphone and a piece of paper, which is that When Moira Weigel, a writer and our relationship with our phones is junior fellow at Harvard University, was reciprocal: we not only put information researching her book Labor of Love: The into the device, we also receive Invention of Dating, she found that 2009, information from it, and, in that sense, it as the Facebook and Twitter mobile shapes our lives far more actively than platforms were taking off and our social would, say, a shopping list. The shopping media identities became increasingly list isn’t suggesting to us, based on woven into our daily life, seemed to be algorithmic responses to our past and a focal point in the transition away from current shopping behavior, what we separate notions of online and IRL (“in should buy; the phone is. real life”). She points to online dating as a good example. Even if you hadn’t met At the beginning of his recent book The someone on an app, you wouldn’t go Internet of Us, Lynch uses a thought out with them before checking out their experiment to illustrate how thin this Facebook profile or their Instagram. Our boundary is. Imagine a device that could online identities had become a part of implant the functions of a smartphone who we were in the world – whether we directly into your brain so that your were aware of it or not. thoughts could control these functions. It would be a remarkable extension of “In the 90s and even through the early the brain’s abilities, but also, in a sense, 2000s, for many people, there was this it wouldn’t be all that different from our way of thinking about cyberspace as a current lives, in which the varied and space that was somewhere else: it almost limitless connective powers of was in your computer. You went to the smartphone are with us nearly 100% your desktop to get there,” Weigel of the time, even if they aren’t – yet – a says. “One of the biggest shifts that’s physiological part of us. happened and that will continue to happen is the undoing of a border “One of the biggest shifts is the that we used to perceive between the undoing of a border that we used to virtual and the physical world.” The debate over what it means for us affect billions of lives with a tweak in the to be so connected all the time is still in code of their products. its infancy, and there are wildly differing perspectives on what it could mean “This is where the fundamental for us as a species. One result of these democracy deficit comes from: you collapsing borders, however, is less have this incredibly concentrated ambiguous, and it’s becoming a common private power with zero transparency or subject of activism and advocacy among democratic oversight or accountability, the technologically minded. While many and then they have this unprecedented of us think of the smartphone as a portal wealth of data about their users to work for accessing the outside world, the with,” Weigel says. “We’ve allowed these reciprocity of the device, as well as the private companies to take over a lot larger pattern of our behavior online, of functions that we have historically means the portal goes the other way as thought of as public functions or well: it’s a means for others to access us. social goods, like letting Google be the world’s library. Democracy and the very Most obviously, this can take the form of concept of social goods – that tradition the omnipresent harassment that many is so eroded in the United States that people experience online, as well as more people were ready to let these private specific tactics, like revenge porn and the companies assume control.” leaking of nude pictures; doxxing, or the revealing of someone’s personal details; Considering the magnitude of the and swatting, the practice of calling a iPhone’s impact, it’s hard to believe Swat team to an individual’s home under that it came out barely over a decade false pretenses. ago. But while the influence of both the phone itself and the tech revolution as Less clear to most people, however, a whole can often feel irresistible – look is the extent to which the companies no further than those usage numbers – that make the technology, apps, and there are measures that could be taken browsers that we use are not just to help shore up our crumbling borders. tracking but shaping our behavior. While this issue has recently come Tim Hwang, a writer and researcher in to the fore as a result of revelations San Francisco who used to work as the like the Cambridge Analytica scandal, global public policy lead for artificial Weigel sees the unfettered access to intelligence and machine learning at our data, through our smartphone and Google, has thought extensively about browser use, of what she calls the big how these devices foster the functioning five tech companies – Apple, Alphabet of the collective in addition to the (the parent company of Google), individual. About a decade ago, he Microsoft, Facebook, and Amazon explains, the rhetoric around the Internet – as a legitimate problem for notions was that the crowd would prevent the of democracy. Thanks to the border- spread of misinformation, filtering it out breaking nature of these technologies, like a great big hive mind; it would also and particularly the smartphone, help to prevent the spread of things the success of these companies has like hate speech. Obviously, this has not put an unfathomable amount of been the case, and even the relatively wealth, power, and direct influence successful experiments in this, such as on the consumer in the hands of just Wikipedia, have a great deal of human a few individuals – individuals who can governance that allows them to function properly. He says that the pessimism views these efforts with suspicion due to resulting from this realization has led us the idea that they often follow the same to give power to the platforms so that playbook as the paternalistic, top-down they can regulate themselves – allowing design infrastructure that created these Facebook to tell us what’s true and problems in the first place. what’s not – but that there is another approach to the way we actually exist in A more fitting example of positive these spaces. change, Weigel suggests, took place in June, when Google employees “Are there tools, are there designs we successfully campaigned for the can put in place to allow communities company to stop its work with the to do a better job at self-governance?” Pentagon on Project Maven, a program Hwang asks. “Do we want to give more that improved the effectiveness of moderation to particular users? Does the military drones. platform want to grant users more power to control issues of harassment and hate “Reading the New York Times, especially speech, knowing that, in some cases, it until about six months ago, whenever might be over-applied?” this tech backlash started, I feel like you could be forgiven for thinking there Weigel sees two potential opportunities were five people in the tech industry,” for limiting the amount of influence Weigel says, laughing. “In fact, these the big five has on consumers. The first are huge companies that employ tens would be legal; she cites a growing body of thousands of people, many of whom of work exploring possible antitrust suits don’t necessarily agree with everything designed to break up these companies. the companies are doing. I think that Writing in Logic, a magazine Weigel engineers have enormous power to co-founded, K Sabeel Rahman, an influence these companies for the better associate professor of law at Brooklyn right now.” Law School who writes about inequality and democracy in the modern economy, compares these potential efforts to Lynch, the University of Connecticut those that broke up the industrialists in philosophy professor, also believes the late 19th and early 20th centuries. that one of our best hopes comes from “Today, as technology creates new forms the bottom up, in the form of actually of power, we must also create new forms educating people about the products of countervailing civic power,” Rahman that they spend so much time using. writes. “We must build a new civic We should know and be aware of how infrastructure that imposes new kinds of these companies work, how they track checks and balances.” our behavior, and how they make recommendations to us based on our behavior and that of others. Essentially, The other option is for workers, many we need to understand the having entered tech with idealistic rather fundamental difference between our than financial motives, to help regulate behavior IRL and in the digital sphere – and restrict their own employers. a difference that, despite the erosion Many have already begun to express regret over the effectiveness of their of boundaries, still stands. innovations, a phenomenon perhaps best exemplified by the Center for Humane “Whether we know it or not, the Technology, led by the former Google connections that we make on the design ethicist Tristan Harris. But Weigel Internet are being used to cultivate an identity for us – an identity that is your friends are due to an algorithm that then sold to us afterward,” Lynch says. is trying to get you to pay more attention “Google tells you what questions to ask, to Facebook,” Lynch says. “That’s and then it gives you the answers to affecting our identity, because it affects those questions.” who you think your friends are, because they’re the ones who are popping up And we should especially recognize higher on your feed.” • this when it seems least clear: in those situations online that most closely seek to emulate the structures and dynamics of real life. Like, for example, This story originally appeared on Pacific your relationships. It isn’t enough that Standard, an editorial partner site. the apps in our phone flatten all of the different categories of relationships we have into one broad group: friends, followers, connections. They go one step further than that.

“You’re being told who you are all the time by Facebook and social media because which posts are coming up from YOU CAN ACTUALLY THINK YOURSELF INTO LOOKING AND FEELING YOUNGER How old you feel has surprisingly strong effects on your health, new studies show. Here’s how to tap into a mindset that’ll keep you energized, healthy, and strong.

By By Mirel Zaman

Age really is just a number. Science four techniques, which have been is finding that how old you feel may scientifically proved to help you stay actually predict how long you’ll live, how young, inside and out. happy you are, and your general state of health for the next two decades, says Don’t stress over the little things. Jennifer Bellingtier, Ph.D., a postdoctoral Even minor irritations like a disagreement psychology researcher at Friedrich with a friend or an unexpected traffic jam Schiller University in Germany. can build up, leaving you irritable and exhausted-which in turn can make you “That mental state is known as subjective feel older, research shows. age, and it reflects your perception of how well you’re growing older,” she One way to avoid becoming says. “If you think you’re aging poorly, overwhelmed by little stressors is to you may be less motivated to exercise, vary your routine, says Robert Leahy, eat well, or engage in other healthy Ph.D., the director of the American behaviors.” (Related: The Best Anti- Institute for Cognitive Therapy. Tweaking Aging Workout You Can Do) your behaviors makes your brain more malleable, so you can maintain a more Subjective age is incredibly powerful. positive point of view in the face of daily Studies show that adults who feel stress. Simple acts like going for a bike younger have fewer signs of brain aging ride instead of a run, or scheduling lunch and better muscular, pulmonary, and or coffee dates with new acquaintances, metabolic functions compared with can make the difference. (Also try these those who feel older. anxiety-reducing techniques for common worry traps.)

Fortunately, perception of age is something you can easily control and Find the upside. change for the better. Start with these Some evidence indicates that perfectionism increases subjective age, Health reports. Being in charge of your says Bellingtier. Perfectionists tend to be life gives you a sense of satisfaction and hard on themselves. They might criticize accomplishment. how they look or how they perform compared with another person in their See new places. workout class and gradually begin to feel Traveling makes adults in their 40s and old. 50s feel younger, according to studies at the University of Connecticut. “Other A technique called positive reframing research suggests that people who are can ease the hypercritical nature of open to new experiences, like learning perfectionism, says Leahy. Let’s say about different cultures, also tend to feel you’re beating yourself up for missing more youthful,” says Bellingtier. (See: a deadline at work. Using positive The Health and Fitness Benefits of Trying reframing, you might focus on the fact New Things) that you’ve learned something valuable about handling your to-dos better. Why? Travel exposes you to activities (Related: These Three Words Are Turning and adventures. Being willing to try You Into a Negative Person) new things may encourage a general curiosity about the world, and that sense This strategy may seem forced when you of wonder can make you feel youthful, first give it a try, but as it becomes more researchers say. Plus, doing things that natural it will soften the edges of your are completely novel activates the brain’s perfectionistic tendencies, and you’ll feel-good dopamine system, studies start to feel younger and happier. (P.S. show, leaving you energized and excited How you feel about your body majorly about life. (Next up: Other things you affects your happiness level too.) can do to slow down your body’s aging process.) Work it out. • Exercise makes you healthier, stronger, and happier, all of which have positive effects on your subjective age.

In a study from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, adults who were asked to increase their daily step count walked away feeling younger than those who were more sedentary. Working on developing your athletic skills through small, manageable goals-like increasing your running distance or advancing your yoga pose-may be especially beneficial, says Bellingtier. (Related: How to Lengthen Your Telomeres with Exercise- and Why You’ll Want to)

Feeling in control increases what experts call personal mastery, and people with a greater sense of that quality felt younger than others, the journal Aging and Mental The Chronicle

UCONN RESEARCHER PROBES NEW ELECTRONIC VOTING TECH

By Michelle Firestone

STORRS — Election Day requires quite a new voting machine or a new pollbook, This article was bit of preparation and planning for poll they ask us to do security audits for the published on workers. new machine,” Russell said. August 14, 2019.

But with the help of new technology, the He said, last year, auditing software was process may soon become more efficient used to audit voting precincts across the in the state of Connecticut. state.

Led by Alexander Russell, a group While, last year, there was a of researchers at the University gubernatorial and other state office of Connecticut Center for Voting election, this year, local candidates are Technology Research (VoTeR Center) are investigating technology that will running for office during the election, enable poll workers to check-in voters which is Nov. 5. electronically. “We carry out the auditing every year “One of the most time-consuming parts and, in the past, we have audited only of the election for the registrars is that, the official, statewide elections,” Russell at the end of the election, they have to said. “In the past, we have not audited enter it into an election database of all primaries, but that’s certainly something the people who voted,” said Russell, who we could consider doing in the future.” has been director of the VoTeR Center for about a year. If all goes well, registrars may soon be using electronic poll books, or Russell, a computer science professor “e-pollbooks,” which typically come in at UConn, studies the security of voting the form of a laptop or tablet, to check technology. in voters.

He has been working at UConn since VoTeR employees are also currently 1999 and has been a principal researcher looking into new technology to tabulate at the center since 2006, becoming votes. director of the center last September. Russell said the current tabulators “Any time the state is trying to select a are a decade old. “One of the major activities that we are “There are tabulators that are still on the looking forward to next year is basically market that don’t do this,” he said. auditing the current entries on the tabulator market to make sure we can Russell said there are tabulators on find something we’re satisfied with,” which people vote on a touch screen. he said.

He said when using technology during Russell said it is “very important” to have an event as critical as the election, it is paper ballots and then have a machine “extremely important to err on the side that counts the ballots. of safety” rather than convenience. •

Big Think

HEARTBEATS ALIGN DURING AN ISLAMIC RITUAL, NEW STUDY FINDS Researchers found that the hearts of Sufi devotees harmonized as one during a mystical practice. And this isn’t the first study to show heart synchronization between people.

By Molly Handon

• Anthropologists at the University • Other studies have also found This article was of Connecticut discovered that published on the heartbeats of Sufi that individuals who are closely October 7, 2019. practitioners synchronized connected emotionally and during an important ritual. socially experience physiological alignment. • Sufism is a mystical component of Islam that emphasizes coming New, unpublished research claims that to know God through direct during an important Sufi ritual, the experience, like trance. heartbeats of participants unified. What is Sufism? metaphor: Their hearts really do beat as one.” Sufism is a mystical dimension of the Islamic faith. Dimitris Xygalatas and Christopher Manoharan, two The discovery, though deeply intriguing, anthropologists at the University of is not unprecedented. Other studies Connecticut who conducted the study, have found that individuals who are describe it as “a meditative and highly closely connected emotionally and devout form of Islamic worship that socially experience physiological emphasizes a heart-based knowledge synchronization. For example, a 2013 of God’s oneness.” This is a spiritual study found that lovers’ heart beats knowledge that Sufis call marifat, which synch up. And, in another study reported practitioners come to know through by Aeon, during intense rituals like direct experience such as meditation, fire-walking, remarkable degrees of dreams, music, ritual, and entrance into heart-rate harmonization were found deep states of religious trance. between the participants of the event as well as onlookers. Similarly to the study on lovers’ heart rates, the study on According to Xygalatas and Manoharan, fire-walking found that the participant’s the largest and most important Sufi heartbeat was more closely aligned with ritual is the dhikr. Translating to those he was in social proximity to, such “remembrance,” it is often referred to as his wife or friends. This correlation by Sufis as “the way of the heart.” This was so strong that researchers were communal ritual lasts several hours actually able to predict the level of social and includes devotees joining together proximity between two people solely by in deep meditation or ecstatic trance, looking at the heart-rate data. and sacred sound and movement including the whirling dervish, a dancing meditation started by the 13th-century A natural explanation Sufi mystic and poet Jalaluddin Rumi. What these heartbeat studies tells us is that, although we may believe we The authors, who study ritual and live our lives in isolated bodies, we are religion, did an in-depth study on a Sufi not physically severed off from the rest Muslim congregation called the Uşşaki of the world. Natural rhythms have order that meets weekly in downtown influence over us and our relations to Istanbul for a dhikr ritual. In the study, others. In fact, according to Michael Xygalatas took a unique ethnographic Richardson, a psychologist at the approach. He monitored 20 of the University of Cincinnati in Ohio, the practitioners’ heart rates using heart harmonization of heartbeats is a part of monitors worn under their garments. a natural law. The reason for doing this was because, according to Sufi’s, during their ritual “The natural law of coupled oscillators hearts are said to “beat as one” as they holds that when two or more rhythms come together to remember Allah. meet, they will become coordinated—a phenomenon seen across the natural “We were curious to see whether this world, from fireflies matching their notion would be supported by biological flashes to groups falling into step,” data,” wrote Xygalatas and Manoharan. Richardson told National Geographic “Our recent (not yet published) research in 2011. shows that their quest to unify hearts in celebration of God does go beyond It has long been the subject of fascination by anthropologists and achieve the social binding benefits of the sociologists that rituals, particularly Sufi’s heart-synching practice, you don’t intense rituals, bind people together. need to attend a dhikr or adhere to any Research like that conducted by religion at all. If group prayer, or walking Xygalatas and Manoharan on Sufis barefoot over scalding coals, isn’t really is starting to give us a glimpse at your thing, similar states can be achieved how bonding is achieved at the simply by snuggling with a pet you physiological level. love, going to a theater performance, or rapturously belting out your favorite Strong social connections have long songs with your friends this weekend. been linked to living a healthier, longer, (Ideally in harmony.) • happier, and more meaningful life. But to

Phys.org

WHAT NEARLY ALL LANGUAGES HAVE IN COMMON—WHETHER YOU SPEAK OR SIGN

By University of Chicago

If you hear someone say “John and In fact, this distinction may be intrinsic This article was Mary kiss,” you’d likely imagine a single to the very development of language, published on May 30, 2019. symmetrical action. But hear them say according to new research co-authored “John and Mary kiss each other,” and by a leading psychologist at the you may construe an entirely different University of Chicago. Published May picture—one in which the parties 28 in the Proceedings of the National reciprocate with two separate actions, kissing the other’s hand. Academy of Science, the study found that sign language users in Nicaragua also

A distinction this subtle might not seem distinguished between the concepts of important, yet it appears across nearly all symmetry and reciprocity—despite having spoken languages. developed their language in isolation. Less than a half-century old, Nicaraguan The researchers studied 27 deaf Sign Language offered researchers individuals in Nicaragua, four of whom their first chance to observe the growth were adult homesigners who each of a new language in real time. In the developed a gesture language outside of mid-1970s, a group of about 50 deaf the signing community. Ranging in age children were brought together to a from 18 to 45, each participant watched school for special education in Managua, a series of video clips showing actions the country’s capital. Because deaf that could be construed as symmetrical individuals in Nicaragua had had (e.g., high-fiving) or reciprocal (e.g., almost no prior opportunities to punching). Participants were then interact, the founding of the school asked in gesture or sign to describe created a situation for them to develop those videos. language without the influence of existing languages. All the signers in the study made formal distinctions in their descriptions despite That such fine linguistic differences exist the fact that, in the videos, the reciprocal in a young language suggests that these events (punching) looked just as properties are universal. The study also symmetrical as the symmetrical events found the distinction among a handful (high-fiving). For example, signers used of homesigners, deaf individuals who a two-handed symmetrical form to interact only with hearing individuals. represent two people high-fiving, but used two one-handed asymmetrical “If language were wiped out tomorrow forms, produced sequentially, to and people had to reinvent it, I bet represent two people punching each they would still distinguish between other at the same moment. symmetrical and reciprocal events,” said study co-author Susan Goldin-Meadow, This type of evidence can help who has helped define the fields of researchers figure out the conditions gesture and non-verbal communication. under which properties of language “Other properties of language might emerge. A property that a homesigner not be reinvented, but this distinction develops, for example, would likely appears to be so fundamental to human emerge in all human communication language that it would be.” systems—even in the absence of a communication partner or a language Researchers showed video clips model. Other language properties might depicting actions that could be require a partner, or a structured learning construed as symmetrical or reciprocal, process to ensure they are passed down then asked study participants to describe from generation to generation. what they saw. Courtesy of Susan Goldin-Meadow, et al. To further this field of research, Goldin- Meadow hopes to study if and when The Beardsley Ruml Distinguished babies begin to distinguish between Service Professor in the Departments events that can be construed as of Psychology and Comparative Human symmetrical or reciprocal. Development, Goldin-Meadow produced the study with Lila Gleitman of the University of Pennsylvania, Ann Senghas But why is such a distinction so of Barnard College, Molly Flaherty of omnipresent in human languages? That’s a question researchers still can’t answer. Swarthmore College and Marie Coppola of the University of Connecticut. “There are many other cognitive symmetrical and reciprocal events, but structures that we don’t bother to it does tell us that this distinction is encode in our language,” Goldin- important to the human mind and to Meadow said. “Our study can’t explain communication.” why languages distinguish between •

Down to Earth Magazine

‘INDIGENOUS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE STEWARDS OF BIODIVERSITY GLOBALLY Down To Earth speaks to University of Connecticut professor Prakash Kashwan about his book, Democracy in the Woods

By Ishan Kukreti

Prakash Kashwan is an associate Excerpts: This article was professor in the Political Science How did the idea of Democracy in the published on department at the University of Woods take shape? Why compare three May 13, 2019. Connecticut, United States. His research, countries that are so different from one scholarship, and teaching focuses on another? climate justice, global climate governance, international and environmental policy This book has its roots in my doctoral and politics, and political economy of research that analysed the Forest Rights development. He speaks to Ishan Kukreti Act (FRA); specifically, the policy debates on his work, Democracy in the Woods: and implementation challenges about the Environmental Conservation and Social relationship between community forest Justice in India, Tanzania, and Mexico. rights and household land rights. This was an extremely exciting project that allowed me to bring together disparate theories. the specific instances of success in India, specifically in the first decade However, in developing the dissertation of the twenty-first century, show that into a book in the year 2012, I wanted the radical potential of socially just to focus on bigger questions of how environmental conservation efforts takes the international and national political root in the interstices of mass politics economy processes and structures shape and formal institutional politics. the relationship between environmental conservation and social justice. An important goal of the book is to bridge the longstanding chasm The questions of forestland contestations between policy scholars who think of are highly salient in India, Tanzania, policymaking as a techno-managerial and Mexico, though each of them process and several types of ‘critical differ significantly in the large political scholarships’, which emphasise the social economic factors that shape the political and cultural aspects of nature-society and policy processes that are central to interface. the book’s argument. While recognising that each of those Could you summarise the book’s main aspects matters, Democracy in the argument for our readers? Woods develops a framework to investigate the ways in which political The main argument is that the and policy processes determine whether relationship between conservation and and how myriad contestations over social justice, which also intimately the environment and social justice mirrors the relationship between the are framed, translated into specific environment and development, is policy proposals in the legislature, and contingent on how social groups with implemented with varying degrees of competing interests in the environment sabotage and success. are represented in the political and policy process. In this book, you have talked about different colonial experiences shaping Through a systematic comparative the forest policies of nations differently. analysis, Democracy in the Woods Why do you think these countries shows that political and policy processes continue to harbour more or less the in these three countries more or less same colonial policies and attitudes inclusive, because of the following even after independence? factors: In a small way, this book seeks to 1. The balance of political and challenge the over-generalisation of economic power that different social the argument about colonial hangover. groups enjoy Chapter 2 in the book engages carefully with the colonial history in each of these 2. The types of political imperatives countries and maps out the differences that policymakers encounter in the long-term effects on them. 3. The ways in which the state functions at national and subnational Mexico’s forest policy is not colonial levels. or neocolonial, while India’s forest policy, other than the FRA, is decisively My analysis of the Mexican case and neocolonial. Even Tanzania’s forest policies and laws offer stronger rights to local residents, though in practice, colonial history and land redistributions Tanzania’s forestry sector remains heavily following the peasant revolution of the controlled by the forestry and wildlife first decade of the twentieth century in agencies — more than 38 per cent of the Mexico, local communities enjoy legal total land there is designated as national ownership of nearly 70 per cent of parks or wildlife reserves. Mexico’s forestland.

Coming back to India’s case, the fact The territorial authority that forest that our forest policy remains colonial is departments (FDs) enjoy in India create not because of some unavoidable path perverse incentives for the ministry dependence, but because it serves the and the FDs to invest their energies in interests of our heavily bloated forest maintaining their control of forestland, bureaucracy and the advocates of which is not same as promoting forest exclusionary conservation, who benefit and biodiversity conservation. from the status quo. We can talk more about this in the You also talk about Mexico’s community context of ongoing policy processes. But forest regime, and how it is more these are the factors that one doesn’t equitable than the other case studies in think about unless one looks across your book. Could you elaborate on how international borders and across different it is different — in essence and practice world regions that operate under an — from India’s under FRA? entirely different framework of resource relations. There are two big differences. The first one is related to the autonomy of forest management powers that are vested in With FRA, India too has tried to move the hands of community groups. While towards a community-owned forest this is a complex topic, it manifests in the management regime. How do you allocation of timber rights — In Mexico, assess India’s performance? community forestry is synonymous with The FRA is a great step forward, but timber rights, while in India, even forest we need to do a lot more to address rights activists do not talk of timber the larger question of the territorial rights. authority of the forest departments. The FDs have sabotaged the FRA While the Mexican community forestry implementation, and this applies not just programme has its own challenges, the to the question of household land rights debates and discussions there are at but also collective forest rights, with the a very different level altogether. The exception of notable successes in parts second difference, which I believe I am of Maharashtra. the first one to bring up in a comparative context, is the ‘territorial authority’ that Second, the FDs have completely undergirds the differences in the power undermined the application of the FRA and authority that forestry agencies provision of Critical Wildlife Habitats enjoy. (CWHs). CWHs offer a valuable framework for making use of the science In India, and large parts of Asia and of conservation, without giving up on the Africa, forestry agencies enjoy territorial procedural rights that the FRA grants to authority, that is, they “own” the lands forest-dependent groups. designated as state forestlands. On the other hand, because of the differences of The question of forest rights is closely Mexico’s REDD+ discussion has been associated with concerns about relatively more transparent and it has conservation and biodiversity. Do you been carried out within the purview think conservation and forest rights of country’s national climate law. In can go hand in hand? And are there the book, I cite concrete examples of any successful examples of national how Mexico’s indigenous and peasant level community-driven conservation federations were able to influence the practices? REDD+ policy, which offers a formal recognition of the carbon rights of the Washington DC-based Rights and indigenous and forest-dependent people. Resources Initiative has done a wonderful job of collating dozens of studies that show that indigenous people Some would characterise this as a and other forest-dependent groups reflection of a greater ‘neoliberalisation’ have been effective stewards of forests of policy process in Mexico, which and biodiversity in hundreds of sites I wouldn’t dispute. However, it is throughout the world. important to recognise that not recognising the community’s rights to benefit from the efforts they put into Other than the Mexican case I studied, forest and landscape conservation leaves Nepal has a very successful community the policy space to the agencies and forestry program, in which communities officials with those perverse incentives to enjoy timber rights. That has aided, not centralise control and use forestlands for adversely affected, forest conservation fast-growing tree crops. in Nepal.

On the contrary, India’s Union Ministry How do the ongoing discussions of Environment and Forests, and the about forest-based climate mitigation FDs, have developed plans and projects interventions shape national policies. to exploit the opportunities offered by Do you believe they have affected international carbon forestry to wrest India’s forest policies? control of areas that were traditionally That is a good question — Democracy under shifting cultivation, but are now in the Woods shows that the same set under more or less fully sedentarised of international policies, such as forest- agriculture. based climate mitigation programmes or REDD+, produce very different effects in The recent efforts to dispossess nearly these three countries. 10 million adivasis and other forest- dependent people of their land rights is First, the policymaking process has certainly motivated by the FD’s interest been very different — the Indian policy in reinforcing its territorial control of process related to REDD+, and I would the land formally designated as state argue, climate policy more generally, forestland. has been least participatory and least transparent, where the ministry has not But, my hope is that these plans will be seriously engaged with credible and defeated. We are seeing the emergence internationally reputed think tanks, such of a robust transnational movement that as Centre for Science and Environment connects community movements to and Centre for Policy Research. global policy debates. Democracy in the Woods, metaphorically speaking, has a fighting chance.• Science Codex

A BETTER WAY TO MAKE ACRYLICS

By University of Connecticut

Acrylics are an incredibly diverse and Science, and colleagues at UConn and This article was useful family of chemicals used in all ExxonMobil have designed a new way published on kinds of products, from diapers to nail of making acrylics at mild temperatures. February 8, 2019. polish. Now, a team of researchers Their technique can be finely tuned to from UConn and ExxonMobil describe avoid producing unwanted chemicals. a new process for making them. The new method would increase energy “Scientists at ExxonMobil Research & efficiency and reduce toxic byproducts, Engineering partnering with professor they report in the Feb. 8 issue of Nature Suib’s group in UConn have been probing Communications. new technologies that can lower energy intensity, skip steps, improve energy The global market for acrylic acid efficiency, and reduce CO2 footprint in is enormous. The world used close the production process of acrylics,” says to 5 million metric tonnes of it in Partha Nandi, a chemist at ExxonMobil. 2013, according to industry group “The recent publication in Nature PetroChemicals Europe. And no Communications describes discovery of a wonder, for acrylics and the closely new route to produce a class of acrylate related acrylates are the building blocks derivatives in potentially fewer steps and for many kinds of plastics, glues, textiles, with less energy.” dyes, paints, and papers. Strung together in long chains, they can make all kinds The technique uses a porous catalyst of useful materials. Acrylate mixed with made of manganese and oxygen. sodium hydroxide, for example, makes Catalysts are materials used to speed up a super absorbent material used in reactions. Often, they provide a surface diapers. Add extra methyl groups for the molecules to sit on while they (carbon plus three hydrogens), and react with each other, helping them to acrylate makes plexiglass. meet up in the right configurations to do the deed. In this case, the pores fill that The current industrial processes role. The pores are 20 to 500 Angstroms for making acrylics require high wide, big enough for fairly large temperatures close to 450 F, and molecules to fit inside. The manganese produce unwanted and sometimes atoms in the material can trade their harmful byproducts, such as ethylene, electrons with nearby oxygens, which carbon dioxide, and hydrogen cyanide. makes it easier for the right chemical reactions to happen. Depending on the UConn chemist Steve Suib, director of starting ingredients, the catalyst can the University’s Institute for Materials facilitate all different kinds of acrylics and acrylates, with very little waste, Suib says.

“We hope this can be scaled up,” he says. “We want to maximize yield, minimize temperature, and make an even more active catalyst,” that will help the reaction go faster. The group also found adding a little bit of lithium helped speed things up, too. They are currently studying the exact role of lithium, and experimenting with ways of improving the manganese and oxygen catalyst. • Research of Michele Baggio

LEGAL WEED IS LINKED TO HIGHER JUNK-FOOD SALES Research suggests marijuana really does give you the munchies

This article was published on August 16, 2019.

IT IS COMMON knowledge that smoking America. Since the mid-1990s, more than marijuana causes cravings for high- 30 states have authorised marijuana for calorie snacks. The condition, known medical purposes and 11 have legalised it as the munchies, is a staple of popular for recreational use. Because these laws culture. (Snoop Dogg, a rapper and were enacted at different times and in notorious stoner, even penned a different places, they created a natural cookbook.) Yet empirical evidence of the experiment for researchers to study the phenomenon and its effects is scarce. effects of marijuana—including its effect Does getting high cause smokers to on food consumption. consume more junk food? And if so, by • how much?

To answer this question, Michele Baggio of the University of Connecticut and Alberto Chong of Georgia State University examined state laws in Market Watch

PEOPLE IN STATES WHERE MARIJUANA IS LEGAL ARE EATING MORE SALTY SNACKS AND ICE CREAM New research from Nielsen looks into the price of cannabis-induced cravings

Here’s something getting a nice high increased in Colorado, Oregon and This article was from recreational marijuana: snack food Washington as recreational marijuana published on sales. became legal in those states. March 4, 2019.

Sales of snacks in states that have Specifically, chip sales increased 5.3%, legalized recreational marijuana had while cookie sales climbed 4.1% and ice a compound annual growth rate of cream purchases increased 3.1% in the 7.2% over the last four years versus 6% aftermath of legalization, professors growth in other states, according to from the University of Connecticut and data released Wednesday from research Georgia State University determined, group Nielsen. using monthly retail scanner data from 2006 to 2016. “Marijuana consumption has been clinically and anecdotally shown to “The increase in sales starts at the time increase a consumers’ appetite and of the legislation becomes effective,” enjoyment of food,” the report said. “And said the findings, published inSocial sales data from within the U.S. Census Science Research Network in April divisions where cannabis has been 2019. Afterwards, the snacking spurt legalized for recreational use supports decreased slightly for ice cream and the munchies’ effect.” chips, but not for cookies, according to the results. There were $29.9 billion in salty snack ‘These might seem like small sales from April 2018 to April 2019, numbers. But they’re statistically according to Nielsen, up from $27 billion significant and economically for the 12 months to April 2017. significant as well.’

The company’s recent research supports —Michele Baggio, assistant an earlier study that determined potato professor of economics at the chip, cookie and ice cream sales all University of Connecticut Colorado and Washington voters opted In fact, when researchers at Boston to legalize recreational use in 2012. University looked at current offerings Oregon’s recreational use became legal at national chains like McDonald’s MCD, in 2015. -0.18%, Wendy’s WEN, -0.26% and Burger King QSR, -1.01% and compared “These might seem like small numbers,” them to menus from the 1980s, the said University of Connecticut assistant calorie counts had climbed noticeably, professor of economics Michele Baggio. they determined. “But they’re statistically significant and economically significant as well.” The calories are rising even as chains and food manufacturers try to also introduce The study noted scientists have more healthful,plant-based options amid theories on the neuroscience behind America’s continuing obesity epidemic. the cannabis-induced cravings, but the phenomenon’s inner workings are still The University of Connecticut study not known. didn’t specify which brands had a boost in sales. See also: In states where marijuana is legal, licensed dispensaries are pushing Fast food and snack product giants like out drug dealers Yum! Brands YUM, -0.04%, Frito-Lay PEP, +0.38% and McDonald’s could not be “A widespread urban myth is that immediately reached for comment. SNAC marijuana consumption is associated International, a snack food industry trade with the so-called munchies, namely association, also did not immediately an irresistible urge to consume large respond to a request for comment. amounts of snack or junk food, such as ice cream, cookies, candies, and the like,” Tim McIntyre, a spokesman for Domino’s the researchers wrote. DOM, -0.03%, told MarketWatch the company analyzes its sales “in myriad The University of Connecticut study may ways, but have yet to look at pizza sales have focused on the three states to the in states with legalized marijuana versus west of the Mississippi River, but 11 states states where it is still illegal.” overall and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana for ages Baggio said his future research laid 21 and older. Illinois’ legalization for the groundwork for a look into any recreational use takes effect next year. links between recreational marijuana and obesity. Baggio said he wasn’t It might harsh their mellow, but pushing for or against legalization. “I’m consumers might want to remember that just interested in whether there are snacking and fast food trips can pack on unintended consequences to the policy,” the pounds. he said. •

A widespread urban myth is that marijuana consumption is associated with the ‘munchies,’ an irresistible urge to consume large amounts of snacks. SF Gate

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA LINKED TO HIGHER JUNK FOOD SALES, STUDY FINDS

By University of Connecticut

New research suggests that an old Average monthly sales of ice cream, This story was marijuana myth might actually be true. cookies and chips rose to 3.1 percent, 4.1 published on percent and 5.3 percent, respectively, February 21, 2019. A study published this month the Social right after a state’s legal marijuana Science Research Network found an system went into effect. increase in the purchase of high-calorie foods in states right after legal marijuana “The increase in sales starts at the time programs are introduced. of the legislation becomes effective,” the study authors wrote. “The effect slightly Experts from the University of decreases in the semesters thereafter for Connecticut, Andrew Young School ice cream and chips, but not for cookies.” of Policy Studies, and the Institute for Corruption Studies examined retail These statistics fall in line with two scanner data from more than 2,000 previous findings. A 2014 scientific study counties across the U.S. from 2006 to by the Smithsonian found that using 2016. marijuana can boost pleasure from foods that smell good, and a 2018 Washington They found causal evidence that State University study found that small marijuana legalization was associated doses of cannabis can release a hormone with higher junk food purchases. that informs the brain of hunger sensations. • HealthLine

HOW LEGALIZING POT IS CREATING A WIDESPREAD CASE OF THE ‘MUNCHIES’

By By Mirel Zaman

The munchies — that sudden increase in that junk food sales in those areas appetite that often occurs after smoking had in fact increased after recreational or ingesting cannabis. use was legal.

It’s one of the most well-known effects The worry that this could add to the of marijuana use and Dr. Jordan Tishler, obesity epidemic if cannabis is legalized a Harvard-educated physician and chief nationwide is a valid concern. executive officer of inhaleMD, says it’s “absolutely real.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimatesTrusted He pointed out that the effect can Source that about 40 percent of adults be “useful in some patients” such as in the United States are considered obese, and those rates are higher in those who are living with chronic areas where corner stores selling chips, nausea and need to have their cookies, and other unhealthy snacks appetite stimulated. are more common than those that sell fresh produce. However, he acknowledged that (for the most part) getting the munchies is an Legalization and snack sales “unhelpful” effect for the average person. The study linking marijuana legalization and increased junk food sales was “There is nothing known to counteract conducted by Michele Baggio, an this phenomenon either,” Tishler told assistant professor of economics at the Healthline. University of Connecticut with a PhD in agricultural and resource economics, That’s one reason some researchers are and Alberto Chong, PhD, a professor at concerned that increased legalization Georgia State University’s Andrew Young of cannabis could increase the growing School of Policy Studies. obesity crisis in the United States. Their work was published in the SSRN A recent study looked at states that online repository (formerly Social had legalized cannabis and found Science Research Network). They used monthly purchase data from consideration many facts, including the the Nielsen Retail Scanner database that added cannabis tourism states see after encompassed 2,000 counties in legalization that could contribute to the the United States and focused on sales of cliche “stoner snacks.” cookies, chips, and ice cream from grocery, convenience, drug, and mass More people in the area immediately distribution stores. after legalization could help explain the increase in snack shopping because Baggio and Chong compared the most people on vacation — whether purchasing trends of those items when they admit it or not — aren’t as health Colorado, Oregon, and Washington conscious as they are in their day-to-day legalized recreational cannabis use. lives, especially if they’re on a pot- infused holiday. Their analysis found legalization led to the following percentage increases: 3.1 Tishler, who has backgrounds in health for ice cream, 4.1 for cookies, and 5.3 for and cannabis, says other studies have chips “immediately after recreational shown that on average recreational marijuana sales began.” users’ body mass index and fasting glucose levels — two indicators of They also found that the increases in metabolic health — are below non-using ice cream and chip purchases dipped Americans. down slightly in the months following legalization, but the increase for cookie “This clearly does not prove that purchases didn’t change. cannabis will lead to obesity, but does serve to counterbalance the implication “These might seem like small numbers,” of this study that cannabis legalization Baggio said in a press release, “but would worsen the obesity epidemic in they’re statistically significant and the U.S.,” he said. economically significant as well.” In the press release announcing the They didn’t include the other states findings of his research, Baggio says that have also legalized recreational he initially wanted to see if there was cannabis — Alaska, California, Michigan, a connection between legalization and Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, and even obesity, but his research didn’t look Washington, D.C. — because there wasn’t at obesity rates, only trends that may at least 18 months of purchasing data to appear in sales data. consider. “I’m not an advocate for legalization or But their research illustrates correlation, not,” Baggio said. “I’m just interested not causation. in whether there are unintended consequences to the policy.” In other words, it showed two things together but couldn’t demonstrate that We’ve known the munchies are one caused the other. real for a while Nevertheless, the medical community It doesn’t examine other grocery sales has known that cannabis increases a — namely healthier snacks like fruits person’s appetite since Johns Hopkins and vegetables. It also doesn’t take into University researchers studied it and published their results in 1985. to minimize its impact on your health.

In that study, nine men were closely One thing Tishler found of the latest watched as six were given “marijuana “munchies” study is that the highest cigarettes” while three were given non- percentage increase was for chips and psychoactive cigarettes. cookies, both of which are crunchy foods. Researchers found those who got the cannabis did consume more calories “Munchies seem to increase desire, not overall, mostly by snacking in between just for food, but for crunchy foods in meals. particular,” he said. “Hence, I advise my patients to have bags of baby carrots on The snacks those research subjects hand, not Doritos.” preferred were often more processed foods higher in salts and fats. Healthy crunchier foods include other fruits and vegetables, which are often Dr. Mary Clifton, a medical internist in available pre-cut in party platters at your New York City who’s also licensed by the nearest grocery stores. state to provide medical marijuana, says that in both rats and humans, the same Hummus, lightly salted nuts, or the thing happens when the cannabinoid classic celery with low-sugar extra receptors — or those that can affect chunky peanut butter are healthy options appetite, pain sensation, and mood — are as well. stimulated.

But there are also other choices to It’s called hedonic eating, and Clifton consider when balancing your cannabis describes it as “the drive to eat to obtain and caloric intake. pleasure in the absence of an energy deficit.” Clifton says if you’re trying to be more conscious of what you’re eating or trying But, she says, study after study has to manage your weight, it’s better to shown that many people who use stick to strains of cannabis with a lower cannabis report sleeping better or feel amount of THC, as this can help stave off like they’re in a better mood. the munchies.

“It may be that in the setting of a good “Modifying your cannabis selection to a mood you may not feel the need to CBD prominent strain won’t release your ingest a lot of food to make yourself feel inhibitions as much and won’t stimulate better, or to lift or improve your mood,” the appetite centers in the brain like THC Clifton told Healthline. “This general will,” she said. improvement in baseline mood may offset ‘the munchies.’” The bottom line Are there healthier ways we can conquer Marijuana use can increase appetite — an the munchies? effect more commonly known as “the munchies.” While there currently isn’t a cure for the munchies, there are steps you can take Some researchers are concerned that legalization of cannabis nationwide could increase the growing obesity crisis in the United States.

A recent study looked at states that had legalized cannabis and found that junk food sales in those areas had increased after recreational use was legal.

However, the study was limited in size and scope. Alaska, California, Michigan, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maine, were not examined as part of the research because there wasn’t at least 18 months of purchasing data to consider.

The study doesn’t prove that cannabis use will lead to weight gain, but it does suggest that legalization of the drug may contribute to the obesity epidemic in the United States.

However, there are steps cannabis users can take to minimize the effects of the munchies, including substituting healthy snacks for unhealthy ones and choosing to use strains of cannabis with a lower amount of THC. •

UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS