RELAX Procrastination isn’t all that bad, as we find out. So go get yourself that cup of tea and read more!

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Mother Nature How science and humanity affects our natural environment

Issue 5 – June 2013 www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet Welcome

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE UNION RCSU Science for life Philip Kent, Editor-in-chief

nimal cruetly is a recently held in California subject that always asked its residents whether Acauses heated debate to ban genetically modified Editor-in-chief and emotional discussions. (GM) crops, and badger Philip Kent This is not the only example has recently appeared in the of where the ethics of science headlines in the UK with the Deputy Editor and nature have collided. Government planning on a Matt Colvin The main focus on this nationwide cull to prevent the issue is investigating how spread of bovine diseases. Editor-elect the two topics are linked, However, exam time is near, Keir Little investingating not just how so there are some articles science affects animals, but less grim in this bumper Sub-editor (Features and Reviews) also the worlds of genetic issue to cheer you up. Flick Jisoo Jean modification and culling to over towards the end of our prevent disease spreading Features for a look at an Sub-editor (Features and Careers) The latter two topics are upcoming revolution to your Fiona Hartley examples of scientific issues sex life, and we have lots of thaat have been debated to an tips to help you procrastinate Sub-editor (Puzzles) extreme length over the past (as if you didn’t need any Jonathan Peek few decates. However, this in more). no way means that the case Best of luck to everyone for Copy Chief is now closed. A referrendum the rest of your summer term! Annina Sartor

With special thanks to the editor’s girlfriend for putting up with the Editor designing Broadsheet. RCSU Awards 2013

Revision A Some images from the Open Clipart The announcement of the RCSU Colours, RCSU President’s Library. Awards and RCSU Club of the Year will be made at the

Broadsheet is the magazine of the Royal College of Science Union (RCSU) RCSU Colours Bar Night Thursday 20th June, 7:00PM Email: [email protected] Web: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet Union Bar Like what you see? Want to Listen to the unveiling of this year’s awards, and enjoy a few drinks to the get involved? Just email in! celebrate the end of another year with the RCSU [email protected]

2 Highlights

Highlights The science of procrastination Aren’t you lucky... we have 24 Page 13 pages of scientific fun this term. Here’s a sneaky peak! RELAX out. So go getProcrastination yourself that isn’t cup all of thattea and bad, read as we more! find

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Animal antics, not just in the lab FREE Pages 4-9 The future of food Page 10 Comment online Mother Nature www.rcsu.org.uk/ How science and humanity broadsheet affects our natural environment

Issue 5 – June 2013

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Don’t panic! Puzzles are still over at the back

State of the Union Ready, steady, go! Mountain Film The RCSU President gives Want to work in science? Enjoy the thrill of his annual roundup! Best get preparing, we mountains from your Page 18 share some ideas. Page 20 armchair! Page 17

There’s more too! Read on to find out what else we have in store...

www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 3 Features

Mark Robinson Matthias Bigge

Going... going... gone?

From the high profile badger to a relatively unknown duck,Laura Kor introduces the history of animal culling in the UK

pening a freezer to find a black of the public are unaware of is the fact trees. As such, many conservationists sack stuffed full of dead squirrels that the culling of other familiar species agree that grey squirrel control is Ois not what most of us would is already legal and active across the unavoidable in order to maintain our expect to happen at work. Yet this is country. In 21st century Britain, killing native countryside. the exact scene I stumbled across a few wildlife is an extremely contentious issue. While many of the other animals being weeks ago, while on placement for a So why are grey squirrels being killed? culled are also non-native, this is not true leading wildlife conservation trust. The Which other species are targeted? And for all targeted species. For instance, reason the squirrels were there? They had what are the pros and cons of culling? the recommendation to shoot a high just been killed as part of a grey squirrel Studying at Imperial, in close vicinity percentage of deer in the UK not only culling initiative in which the trust is a key to the grey squirrel paradise that is Hyde includes introduced species, but also partaker. Park, I am sure most of us are familiar the native red deer. This is due to past Debate over the proposed badger cull with the charms of this fluffy mammal. human action resulting in no natural has been in and out of the news in recent However, away from the bustle of predators being left in Britain to control months. However, what many members London and the eagerly outstretched their numbers. Resultantly, the deer hands of tourists, these same creatures population is seen to be far higher than Blaming animals [for are damaging Britain’s native wildlife. our countryside can support – causing the damage to wildlife] is Introduced from North America in the degeneration of vegetation in woodland both morally obnox- 19th Century, grey squirrels have not which can negatively impact surrounding ious and self-defeat- only been blamed for driving out the wildlife. ing reds, they could also be causing a decline Corvids (birds in the crow family) are “ in woodland birds and damaging native another native group of animals whose

4 Features

Chris Huh

Going... going... gone?

From the high profile badger to a relatively unknown duck,Laura Kor introduces the history of animal culling in the UK

numbers are controlled. However, in The recommenda- wildlife of a foreign country. However, their case, culling is not solely for wildlife tion to shoot a high with the high level of biodiversity loss conservation but also to protect crops and percentage of deer occurring across the globe, perhaps it is farm animals. On a recent visit to a farm in the UK not only right to conserve whatever is possible. during lambing season, the farmer told includes introduced With all these arguments and many me of how rooks had flown in and killed species, but also the na- more at play, it is unsurprising that there several new-born lambs – a substantial “tive red deer” are strong feelings both for and against economic loss for her. culling. It is important to remember that Despite this, there are organisations to the UK from America. Due to their the techniques used are thoroughly and individuals who strongly oppose the migration in winter, they are threatening researched in order to ensure the most culling of animals on several grounds. the survival of endangered white-headed humane methods are chosen, and the cull For instance, Animal Aid, one of the UK’s ducks in Spain. of a species is only licensed if it is deemed largest groups, feel that An eradication programme commenced necessary to protect native wildlife.But there is a strong moral argument against in 2005, with 6,500 ducks having been does this legitimise the purposeful killing it. Their belief is that “blaming animals killed at a cost of £5.1m. At £785 per of animals? Whatever your view, as I [for damage to wildlife] is both morally head, it is no surprise that opponents to picture the startling pile of dead squirrels obnoxious and self-defeating”. the cull not only claim that it is cruel but I discovered in the freezer, the words of The culling of certain animals can also also a waste of money! This was made a wildlife officer involved in mink culling prove more divisive then others. One of more controversial due to the fact that ring true: “Nature is not a Disney story.” the more contentious cases is that of while most of the costs are met by the A pilot of the cull commenced in the UK the ruddy duck, accidentally introduced UK government, the benefits are to the at the beginning of June.

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 5 Broadsheet Debate in association with IC Debating Society

This House Would Ban

Proposition

product of pound shop philosophy. This attributes are retroactively used as ast year 3.8 million animal is damaging and leads, inevitably, to more reasons for acceptability. People experiments were carried out in the animal suffering. often use the arguments concerning LUK and an estimated 115 million Medical testing often requires inducing intelligence or empathy to struggle their worldwide. What’s more, the number a human disease or disorder in order to way out of the moral knots. The argument of animals being used and killed for model the effects and study the results. follows that humans feel empathy or “scientific” purpose is increasing year on I was considering listing what is inflicted have great intelligence, which is why year. It is, therefore, imperative to halt on these animals as a result of these these experiments would be cruel if done the cruel practice. commonplace experimental methods, to humans. Animal testing has pervaded society but to summarise the extent of the This is a peculiar non-sequitur in itself. and everyday life to such an extent animal suffering would be difficult and If an animal had no intelligence or had no that most people have to rationalise unnecessary given the readers’ assumed empathy for other animals, the suffering their participation. Even a person who proficiency with Google. The tortuous would just be as great to the extent that has never used a product or treatment methods and the scale of operations the animal could feel pain. The mental resulting from animal testing (though I alone would be enough to make one’s abilities are irrelevant to the situation. imagine it would be practically impossible) stomach turn, without accounting for the Does low intelligence or lack of empathy has to legitimise their involvement in conditions of the animals’ short lives and imply a lower ability to suffer pain? the present norm of systematic animal regular regulation breaches. Even if this weren’t true, however, most slaughter, unless they become actively These animals feel pain. Not in a mammals do have enough intelligence involved in stopping it. different way to how a human feels pain; to understand that their situation is not The usual justification given involves we share the same evolved framework a favourable one. I imagine a lab chimp the implicit acceptance that causing of pain receptors and nervous system. would understand that very well. suffering to an animal either doesn’t They fear being hurt; a primal instinct In addition, the problem is growing. matter or is of negligible importance. In a that humans should be able to empathise The rate of testing is increasing and word, . with. They struggle when caught, trying becoming more mainstream due to the Now this word is prone to be to escape from what is being done to relatively low cost compared to more disregarded, especially by the Imperial them. This is true for mice as it is for humane alternatives. With each year the student “type” (apologies for the monkeys and apes, all of which are the animal suffering is becoming normalised. generalisation, I prefer to think of it subjects of these experiments. And yet The future of continuous animal testing is as an average). It is relatively easy to this is accepted because they are animals. bleak, with the degradation of empathy negate the importance of the concept Animals are different from humans at its core. by representing it as hippyness and the and so, in order to rationalise it, human

To find out more about debating within Imperial, contact [email protected] Article contributed by Niall Jeffrey

6 Features

Contains Parliamentary information licensed under the Open Parliament Licence v1.0

This House Would Ban Animal Testing

Opposition

hen I wake up in the morning on those with a positive aggregate I don’t generally give thanks benefit can mitigate harm and secures to reduce them are explored. Promising Wfor not having died of polio or that researchers keep what they are functional groups are identified and diphtheria. I don’t have to hope not to doing in perspective. The understanding investigated. There is a small chance that catch cholera, tuberculosis or typhoid. of the benefits of animal testing and a any one of these will lead to anything, I am not normally thinking that if I do realisation that the situation has to be but the gain from discovering something contract something unpleasant, I can fall carefully controlled are not mutually from the accumulation of knowledge back on blood transfusions, anaesthetic, exclusive. from all these various sources leads to synthetically produced vitamins, Unfortunately, the anti-testing lobby billions of human lives being saved. chemotherapy, HIV therapy and gene skews the facts in order to persuade But the study of animals also leads therapy. It is therefore understandable people that animal testing does not to a greater understanding of ecology that when confronted with this debate, actually give the advances in medical and physiology. A greater biological people often give far more weight to science. In fact, BUAV’s (British Union understanding of our world eventually the visible and emotive harms of animal for the Abolition of ) current does lead to benefits for medicine and testing than to the present that could main line of argumentation is that using various other aspects of our existence. have been without animal testing. animals actually damages research. Aside I would like to say that a life saving I cannot say that animal testing does from the fact that individual researchers medicine could have the small print not include suffering, but it can be said are probably best placed to appraise the “No animals were hurt in the making of that animal testing has reduced the scientific benefits of different methods, this medicine”. Unfortunately, for most amount of suffering many times over. A this argument is based on spurious facts medicines, this can’t happen. If this is the world without animal testing would be and a deliberate misunderstanding of case I will have to accept the status quo, unthinkable to modern people. When how animals are used in laboratories. “Some animals were hurt in the making of research involving animal testing unveils Their tagline, “Only 13% of animal this medicine, but many more people will a new technique, the potential benefit experiments in the UK are for the testing live as a result”. from the technique outweighs the harms of new medical products”, may be true, inherent in the research. but it is misleading. Most research in I can fall back on This is not to say that all research any area is not into groundbreaking blood transfusions, involving animals gives more benefit than new territory. Most is used to tweak an anaesthetic, synthet- harm, but the fact that some do, and have existing product or learn more about ically produced vita- shown to in the past, is a reason for the disease mechanism. mins, chemotherapy, legality of animal testing. Regulation to Drugs are developed and changed. HIV therapy and gene ensure that animal testing does focus Side effects are studied and methods “therapy”

To find out more about debating within Imperial, contact [email protected] Article contributed by Niall Jeffrey

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 7 Features

Under the Knife

Animal testing is a story that just can’t be kept out of the news. Yoon Choi explains what its all about and why it won’t be going away any time soon...

Polarqueen

it of despair" - quite an apt It is counterintuitive animal testing still remain to be seen. name for the psychologist for us [...] to deliber- Theodore Roosevelt once famously said, "PHarlow's isolation chamber. ately inflict harm on "Common sense without conscience may Visualize a solitary confinement cell in a each other” lead to crime, but conscience without maximum security prison. Now mentally common sense may lead to folly, which place a baby rhesus monkey inside and "Better them than us." Ironically enough, is the handmaiden of crime." in referring predict how its behavior will change over “the philosophy behind the very first to the anti-vivisectionists. It would be up to a year in the 'pit'. The picture is not a anti-vivisection movement stemmed pushing the envelope too much to call pretty one. But Harlow's experiments did not from the concept of equality & anti-vivisectionists as being "without have their own positive repercussions; humaneness, but from the "fact" that, as common sense", but without hard science if it had not been for Harlow, you would animals are inferior to humans, scientific to back up alternative propositions to have been deliberately subjected to a studies involving animals would not be animal testing, it appears that mice will slightly similar treatment from your own translatable to humans. still be very much part of any laboratory. parents. In the early 19th century, there With an increasing number of pet were a frightening group of people called lovers and naturalists (along with the the Behaviorists who argued that physical rise of Darwin), animal rights began to In April 2013, Imperial was accused contact is harmful to development of a take on a more serious light in the 1860s. of violating the terms of the animal child. That was until Harlow and Bowlby However, laboratory animals still play testing license by an insider British disproved their theory. a central role in science, in particular Union for the Abolition of Vivisection Experiments such as these cannot medical research. And there may be a (BUAV) activist. In a parallel to the be conducted on humans for obvious reason for it lasting through milleniums. at UCL, a BUAV reasons. It is counterintuitive for us, all Although there are a great number of activist has recorded researchers of same species, to deliberately inflict cosmetic companies stating their policy performing surgery on inadequately harm on each other or play with our own against animal testing on their products, anaesthetized mice. Investigation by genetic make-up. At the very heart of the effectiveness & validity of alternative the university is currently under way. animal testing seems to be the thought: testing procedures in comparison to

8 Features

A Brief History of Testing

2nd & 4th BC: Aristotle & Erasistratus among the first to perform experiments on animals 2nd Century: Galen - "father of vivisection" - performs animal dissection 12th Century: Avenzoar introduces animal testing as a way of testing Aristotle, father of surgical procedures animal testing? 1822: British Parliament passes the first animal protection law 1860s: Bergh founds the American Society for the Prevention of 1876: British Parliament passes Cruelty to Animals Act, the first law to be specifically targeted at animal testing 1880s: Pasteur demonstrates germ theory by inducing anthrax in sheep 1883: Madame Martin founds the first anti-vivisection society in France 1890s: Pavlov uses dogs to describe classical conditioning 1903 - 1910: The Brown Dog Affair - Bayliss from UCL condemned by Swedish anti-vivisectionists for performing dissection on a live dog 1922: Insulin successfully isolated from dogs & used in treatment of Ivor Pavlov, of dog training fame diabetes 1957: Soviet dog Laika becomes the first animal to orbit the Earth 1970s: Treatment for leprosy successfully developed using armadillos 1974: Jaenisch produces the first transgenic mammal 1996: Dolly the Sheep - first mammalian clone - born

Dolly the Sheep (Image credit: Toni Barros)

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 9 Features

The fate of GM crops The future of GM crops in California recently went to the vote of the people - could this be the first of many?Christopher Beckingham investigates.

ack in November 2012, Californians would have been awkward is down to the labels. cast their vote on the controversial the complexity of our food network. For Such a ruling would have been B‘Proposition 37,’ which called for the example, the majority of animal feed is highly favourable for the organic food mandatory labelling of GM foods as GM from GM sources which inevitably ends companies, because currently, once an foods (Table 1). Whilst this may seem like up – albeit in trace amounts – finding organic farm has been approved by the an innocuous measure, it sparked serious its way into our food chain. This amount authorities its produce can all be labelled controversy. The proposition had strong of ‘inadvertant’ GM contamination is support from consumer activist groups recognised by governments which are Key elements of Prop 37 and organic food companies but was obliged set acceptable thresholds. In met with staunch opposition from such Japan, certain food-stuffs are allowed to • Some GM foods to be labelled: agricultural behemoths as Monsanto and contain up to 5% unintended GM material, ‘genetically engineered’ or DuPont who’s strategic (and expensive) whereas in Europe the threshold is far ‘partially produced with GE’ marketing no doubt helped them win stricter with only 0.9% unintended GM • Prohibition of terms such as over the public to their ‘no’ campaign. On material allowed in non-GM food. ‘natural’ or ‘naturally made’ from ballot day the people of California chose The current scenario in the USA is GE foods to block the motion. wishy-washy but this proposition would • 0% tolerance for unintentional GE ingredients Had it been accepted, Proposition have introduced a 0% tolerance – a • Consumers can sue farmers/ 37 would have been the first law in the logistical impossibility that could only be food companies for damages USA regarding mandatory labelling of resolved by GM labels on practically every without the need to provide GM-containing foods. One of the most food item. It may have reached the point proof of damage conspicuous reasons why the proposition where consumers would simply ignore

10 Features

The fate of GM crops The future of GM crops in California recently went to the vote of the people - could this be the first of many?Christopher Beckingham investigates.

‘organic’ and ‘GM-free’ despite the fact that there is probably a low percentage A brief explanation of GM crops of unavoidable GM contamination. The larger companies claimed they would One way or another, the manipulation Almost 90% of corn, soybean and cotton lose market share since, for them, the of plant genetics has been going on for planted in the USA are genetically practical impossibility of producing 0% centuries – selective breeding between engineered varieties – essential for our GM food would mean that they would be plants displaying strong characteristics burgeoning world population. Indeed, obliged to place ‘genetically engineered’ is likely to give rise to stronger recently the Food and Agriculture labels on many of their products. This offspring. However, the current furore Organisation (FAO) of the United seemed unduly harsh given that there around GM crops stems from the more Nations acknowledged that genetically would probably be similar levels of GM recent ability to impose direct genetic engineered crops would be necessary contamination in the ‘organic’ produce as changes on plants through genetic for the approximate 60% increase in well! engineering, in practice since the agricultural output required by 2050 to In the end, Californians voted against 1990s. The desirable characteristics so meet worldwide food demands. Proposition 37, probably much to the sought after include greater resistance relief of the big agricultural companies. to drought, wind, disease and perhaps Almost 90% of corn, The fact remains that with rising global most importantly, herbicides. soybean and cotton populations and limited viable arable Genetic engineering has changed planted in the USA land, GM technology and its associated modern agriculture and it’s hard to are genetically engi- foods are likely to provide the fastest, argue that this has been for the worse. neered varieties” safest means of feeding everyone. “

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 11 Features

The Great Condom Revolution

Every couple’s favourite piece of rubber is about to get even sexier, as Clara Clark Nevola investigates... (not literally!)

he condom: a humble object. condom is about to be revolutionised. You may buy it over a counter Really revolutionised. Tand stuff it quickly into your bag as Two designers, Danny Resnic and Ray you leave the shop, you might horde the Chavez, have set out to put some sexy ones that came in your fresher’s welcome into safe with their innovative “Origami” pack or (I assume some people must do condoms. this) you might fill your pockets with the These interesting little things are made ones they give out at the health centre. If of silicone, thicker and looser than their you’re a hockey player, you might have to traditional counterparts, and apparently drink pints out of it at socials. look a little like space ships. They are But leaving hockey players and their folded, much like an accordion, and are extremes aside, it strikes me that such a slipped on rather than rolled, making the useful, downright essential item of our whole thing much less of an intrusive, off- lives (I dare not say daily, as of course we putting faff. are Imperial students) has not been at the The condom is designed to maximise forefront of engineers and innovators pleasure for both partners, being minds. When was the last time a new lubricated and moist on the inside and version of a condom was announced? ridged on the outside. As well as being a The only changes that seem to have mix between a sex toy and a contraceptive, been made since the invention of latex silicone condoms are also much less likely in the 1930s is to add a few stripes, dots to break, and are better at blocking and various vile smelling lubricants. In viruses and bacteria. Some prototypes fact, other than the change of material even have a backflow-prevention system, (from linen to rubber to latex) there meaning that the tip of the condom can have been no radical innovations at all. catch the semen without it later leaking The condom has remained as it was out. originally conceived: a tube blocked off at Currently under development, Resnic one end to stop diseases spreading and plans on having the male condom out by pregnancies happening. 2015, with female and anal-sex condoms I can’t say whether this lack of change following shortly after. depends on the “if it’s not broke don’t I like to think of it as the Great Condom fix it” principle or the fact that engineers Revolution, and hope I’m not getting too Broadsheet can’t imagine what this condom obelisk would look don’t have much use for contraceptives excited about it. But the sound of sexy, like if it was shaped as a ‘space (possibly don’t even know of the existence space ship shaped condoms does sound ship’ condom... but it would of sex...?), but the good news is that the good. probably be awesome (Image credit: Erik Stattin)

12 Features

Reward yourself

cerebral cortex to release a chemical, We should stop blaming Your past papers may say otherwise, dopamine – the happy hormone – and ourselves” but procrastination is in fact good for flood other parts of the brain, such as the “ you. Just ask Shreena Chotai! prefrontal cortex and nucleus acumens 3. Work on the task until the alarm to give that warm, fuzzy feeling. This goes off and mark the task with an chemical is part of the brain’s reward X system. The reward mechanism works to 4. Take a short break (3-5 minutes) t’s close to exam time and I can think of a deliver a sense of pleasure and mediate 5. Every four pomodori take a longer thousand things I’d rather be doing but reinforcement to ensure that the person 15-30 minute break Irevising, watching goats screaming like undertaking this behaviour learns to This system allows working in short humans on YouTube for one, or stalking repeat it. bursts, whilst taking the pressure off. that guy I once knew from school on How is all of this related to Every 25 minutes when the alarm goes off Facebook. Procrastination, the student’s procrastination? Humans have a will be hugely rewarding and (hopefully) curse; we all do it and it usually ends in an tendency to value rewards depending increase the feeling of pleasure. inner dialogue telling us that it’s probably on their temporal proximity, also known too late to begin any work today and will as temporal discounting, the closer the Doctor Who definitely start tomorrow, when the whole reward is in time the higher its value This doesn’t actually mean watch Doctor cycle begins again. Perhaps, we should and the further away it is, the more it is Who, but it is about time travel. stop blaming ourselves but understand discounted. Until the exams get closer; Think about the future and create vivid that the reason that procrastination is Netflix becomes more rewarding until and colourful images in your mind about so relatable is because our brain is hard temporal proximity increases its value. the benefits of the task as if it were wired to do it. Here is a bit of a scientific These other activities we carry out in happening in the present. How do they back up to the issue and a few ways we order to put off the main task gives rise to make you feel? Use this as motivation and can actually beat it! shorter bursts of dopamine- the reward is refer back to these images every time When the brain encounters a imminent, unlike revision for which there you feel yourself reaching for the X-box pleasurable external stimulus, a piece of is only one future reward which is further controller to reinforce those feelings. chocolate cake, a signal is given by the away and more difficult to imagine. You can try to fight it, buying planners, colour Don’t give in coordinating your calendars and become Remember short term gain leads to long an organisational junkie but this alone is term pain, this is probably more difficult not enough: here are a few strategies we as the task at hand usually makes us feel can adopt to unleash the power of the anxious. The idea here is to not give in to brain. the relief provided by procrastination. Embrace the negative emotions that Pomodoro technique come with doing a task and start anyway; The pomodoro technique is a time the downbeat feelings will eventually management tool which helps to provide pass. Try to enjoy the process that you are the user with maximum focus to complete achieving something, instead of thinking tasks quickly and effectively. There are “this is torture”, try and alter this belief five basic steps to its implementation. to “I am being productive”. Our brain is 1. Decide on the task that needs to designed to favour procrastination but be done and write it down there are ways to beat it – we can all be Everyone knows you need one to procras- 2. Set an alarm for 25 minutes, known productive if we set our mind to it and tinate (Image credit: Quickmeme) as a ‘pomodori’ remember you are not in it alone.

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 13 Opinion

The views expressed in this article are those of the Author and not those of Broadsheet Got something to get off your chest? Write us an article! [email protected]

Inclusivity in science, are we doing it wrong?

In a piece many months in the making, our anonymous contributer investigates the reasons why science departments may be going in the wrong direction in getting women to study science.

f there is one constant in science at the moment, it is the drive to explain Iwhy there is a lack of women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) subjects. Despite numerous organisations, and more committees than you can shake a stick at, some big questions still remain: why are there more men in science than women, and are we making any difference in our efforts Science needs a diverse population, but how do you get one? (Image credit: mzacha) to close the gap (if it needs closing at all)? There is the argument that there is a women within the sciences is that men obtaining consistent data, it is unlikely lack of women in science since men are are simultaneously smarter and stupider that clear results that can settle the fundamentally better at science than than women – or more scientifically: the debate on ‘who is better’ are going to women. Anyone who has looked into abilities of men tend to have a larger come out any time soon – attempts to the evidence of the actual differences standard deviation than the same ability consolidate results conclude that, though between the genders will quickly discover in women. This means that when the top the genders do possess some differences, that, despite the underlying structural 10% of people with an ability are looked at but they are effectively equivalent in differences that exist between male and there are more men present than women mental capacity. female brains, there is no real difference (similarly the bottom 10% contains more A lot of the current work in increasing in cognitive abilities between the genders. men than women). the numbers of women in science is Yes studies do exist that show that women So when assessment tests take place based on the assumption that there are are (in general) better at verbal reasoning more men than women will rank highly. the underlying attitudes that “men are whilst men are (in general) better at Consequently more jobs are offered to better than women” and “science is not spacial reasoning (to give two examples men than women. for girls”. These attitudes mean that of common conclusions), but not only However, this effect is nowhere women don’t tend to consider a career are the differences slight they often are near large enough to explain the large in science (when they are young), and dependent on age and the ability of the difference that is present in fields like that male applicants are often preferred person being studied, and contradictory physics and engineering (two of the over equally/identically qualified female data is easy to obtain. worst offenders at gender inequality). applicants (even if only on a subconscious The only ‘intelligence’ explanation as Unfortunately due to today’s climate of level). to why men are more prevalent than political correctness and the difficulty in Organisations like Athena SWAN (a

14 Opinion

The views expressed in this article are those of the Author and not those of Broadsheet Got something to get off your chest? Write us an article! [email protected]

Inclusivity in science, are we doing it wrong?

national charter for women in science) internships just for women – the trouble into important positions when they don’t and the Juno Project (run by the IOP) is that these are the proverbial preacher actually have the necessary skills – of aim to work with universities and other giving a sermon to the choir boys (or in course there are those lucky individuals organisations to help them become this case girls): they either already believe who can make the most of this situation more appealing to women – hoping or just aren’t listening. If you want to get by getting a helpful boost to their career. that this will encourage more women more women (or people in general) into This way you get female role models that to go into science. The hope is that by science you need to target school children are helpful in improving the image of making universities, laboratories, etc. and challenge societal stereotypes. women in science. recognise problems facing women and There is no point putting excessive Until science is as appealing to women work to improve the numbers of women energy into encouraging people who as it is to men, and the issues that in science, so it will be possible to change have already taken the decision to surround employing women (the old “I the stereotypical image of scientists so study science when the energy could be don’t want to hire someone who next more people will consider a career in better put to use in getting more people year will disappear for maternity leave” science thus causing a run away effect. It is studying science in the first place – yes we conundrum) are resolved in a way that interesting to note that science has once have a leaky pipe problem: more women doesn’t put people off considering a again taken a position of prominence on leave science at each career decision career in science then I fear that we will the world stage with people like Brian stage than men – but the volume we start continue to see a disparity genders. Cox being household names and giving with needs sorting. So as much as I get sick of reading science plenty of air time. The other problem with all these about yet another women in SET event The trouble facing all the groups and events targeting women is that you or another award for a female scientists, committees is how to actually get more risk ending up positively discriminating I am glad to see the scientific community women in science and to start changing in favour of women. It would be much working at trying solve the gap between the gender ratio for the better. Many better for women to succeed on their the genders – even if I feel the methods companies have women only events or own merit than have women launched might not be quite right.

References “Structural differences in the cerebral cortex of healthy female and male subjects: a magnetic resonance imaging study”, T. E. Schlaepfer et al. (1995), Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 61(3), pp.129–135 “Is the “gender gap” narrowing?”, C. Holden (1991), Science, 253, pp. 959–960 “The of Sex Differences”. Eleanor Maccoby and Carol Nagy Jacklin (1974) “Consistencies in sex differences on the Cognitive Abilities Test across countries (US and UK), grades (3 – 11), and cohorts (1984, 1992, and 2000)”, Lohman, D. F., & Lakin, J. (2009), British Journal of Educational Psychology, pp. 389-407 “Sex differences in mental test scores, variability, and numbers of high-scoring individuals.” Hedges, L. V., & Nowell, A. (1995), Science, 269, 41-45. “Huge sex ratios at upper end”, [letter to the editor], Stanley, J. C., & Benbow, C. P. (1982), American Psychologist, 27, 972. “Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favour male students”, Corinne A. Moss-Racusina et al. (2012), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 109 16474

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 15 Features

Vaccines - The Art of War

spotting that chink in the armour, and Early vaccines have taught us many An excerpt from the winning entry of exploiting it. lessons – early HIV vaccines failed due this year’s RCSU Science Challenge, to ineffective immune responses being who entered Sir. Roy Anderson’s Selecting a Target made. The latest vaccines aim to create entry. Continued online. The right target makes all the difference. subtly-tuned and overlapping immune Vaccines are typically designed around a responses, best designed to repel the marker, called an epitope, selected from target. n our struggle against infectious the outside of an invading pathogen. We also need to think about how to diseases, battles have been won but This trains the immune system to rapidly deliver the vaccine – existing techniques Ithe war is far from over. recognise and neutralise the invader, a using dead pathogens, or extracted Two hundred years of work has vital head-start in battle. epitopes are not sufficient. New ideas transformed Edward Jenner’s first Picking the right epitope is essential – include using raw DNA to immunise vaccination experiments into a legacy that it will be the calling card of the invader people, or exposing immune cells outside has eradicated smallpox, reduced polio that the immune system remembers. the body before reintroducing them. infection by 99% and measles by 74%. However, successful pathogens often Millions of people, and their descendants, have a high rate of change in their DNA Counter-Insurgency now exist because of this. as they replicate – creating populations Despite best intentions, our immune However, these victories exist in the with a huge range of slightly different systems can sometimes be misdirected shadow of those threats which remain. epitopes even within a single infected by invading pathogens. Pathogens such as HIV, influenza virus individual. Research has shown that during HIV and Hepatitis C virus represent more Pathogens such as HIV use this ability infection, one of our own immune sentinel complicated foes, able to evolve beyond to create a constantly shifting battlefield cells unwittingly carries HIV from the our existing techniques. – altering their epitopes to reset their entry site all the way to its target, deep Fresh innovation is required – a battle- recognisability. This constant guerrilla inside the body. Such hijacking allows plan is needed. warfare keeps the pathogen hidden, and HIV to bypass the dangers of making the immune system guessing. this journey alone, protecting it from the Gathering Intelligence Current research is overcoming this immune system. Without information, the war is already problem using shrewd selection, rather When planning our intervention, we lost. Understanding each pathogen’s than brute force. Avoiding the obvious need to allow for the failings in our own journey, through one host and into the epitopes which can easily be changed, natural response and fill these gaps next, can reveal its most vulnerable researchers are selecting areas which the with carefully designed support. Once moments – our windows of opportunity. pathogen needs to keep fixed in order incorporating these features, a vaccine cine can be readied for deployment in the to maintain its infectivity. This puts the can be readied for deployment in the field. pathogen in a lose-lose situation – either field. Achieving this requires a strong get recognised, or become less infectious. foundation of research – particularly the With the target selected, an appropriate existence models for studying pathogens weapon is required. at the lab bench, rather than in patients. Hungry for more? Some diseases, such as Hepatitis C have In the Armoury This is just an excerpt from this proven challenging to grow in the lab, Vaccines are not all alike. We know the year’s winning essay. Read the rest, slowing efforts to study them. body creates different types of immune and other essays online at http:// Progress is being made in this area, but response according to the pathogen www.rcsu.org.uk/sciencechallenge. each discovery reveals new questions. encountered, and a successful vaccine Don’t forget to enter next year! By improving our tools we inch closer to needs to support the correct reaction.

16 Reviews

Best of Mountain Film Festival

The Royal Geographic Society played host to an exhibition from the Kendal Mountain Film Festival. Fiona Hartley tells you what it’s all about.

he Best of Kendal Mountain who between them have four legs and Film Festival showcases the best five arms. It was a definite feel-good film. Toutdoor films submitted in 2012 The last two films of the night were to the internationally-renowned Kendal also highlights of the evening for me. Mountain Film Festival, and supports the “Tempting Fear” traces several years charity Porter’s Progress. in the life of extreme skier Andreas Held at the Royal Geographical Society, Fransson, with his diary entries invoking which is so close to Imperial’s South a deeply personal atmosphere to the Kensington campus that I’m shocked I film. Finally, “Road Bike Party” ended hadn’t visited it before, I was excited to thingsThe RCSU’s with excitementsite is at www.rcsu.org.uk as Martyn Ashton see a collection of films outside of my performs incredible stunts on the £10k typical viewing. carbon road bike that Bradley Wiggins Of the eight films of the night, I used to win the 2012 Tour de France. especially enjoyed five of them. “Wide This was an enjoyable evening Boyz” is a particularly brilliant film which supporting a worthwhile cause. The Royal details how two English climbers, Pete Geographical Society’s large auditorium is Whittaker and Tom Randall, train in their atmospheric perfect for hosting a cinema “basement of doom” in Sheffield for evening, although a couple of problems two years before heading to the USA to with their projector marred proceedings conquer the world’s hardest offwidth somewhat. Furthermore the Society’s crack climbs. The film’s intensity comes proximity to Imperial means that I’ll be from willing the two to succeed climbing looking out for the festival again next Century Crack – to the viewer’s eye year. this route looks both impossible and agonising! Exhibitions open to the public at the “Capetown” is an insight into the Society occur in the Pavilion, open from traditional Lake District sport of Hound Monday to Friday, 10.00am-5.00pm unless Trailing, and I was intrigued to learn stated otherwise. The current exhibition is about a pastime which I’ve never heard Innovation Everest. For more information of. Meanwhile, “The Gimp Monkeys” on the Society’s events and to check prices, chronicles the first all-disabled ascent of visit http://www.rgs.org/WhatsOn/ Yosemite's El Capitan by three climbers Whats+on.htm

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 17 Reviews

The State of the (RCS) Union

during fresher’s fair were handed out which ultimately along with highly led to pieing of subsidised ice- Temi Ladega (CGCU skating. The union President). Fresher’s does care about also got involved and student welfare I was surprised by a more than you mysterious looking think and with group of fresher’s over 1000 free knocking on the Enjoying their last hours of freedom RCSU branded office door carrying condoms the Medics mascot handed (Phoenix costume). out this year, I need not comment First term was jam packed with further on the sexual activity of career events from Ernst & Young students in the RCSU. James Tsim RCSU President and Deutsche Bank as well as The joint CGCU-RCSU Winter Ball innovative and informative lectures was a sell-out, held at an all exclusive from the Imperial Business School venue with a £10,000 Bar Tab. Some his academic year is coming to a and Imperial Innovations. The aim was people may question whether close with exams and final year to build on the long term benefits for it was a good idea to let the Tprojects and soon the next RCSU students and making them aware of engineers near our RCSU committee will be taking the reins. We the broad range hope that you have enjoyed reading of opportunities RCSU Broadsheet this year and keep inside and outside reading next year! The RCSU this year has of science. RCSU girls or whether had fantastic turn-outs to events, with Welfare Week £10,000 is too Fresher’s enjoying a taste of top class was also a big hit, much. But a bars in Chelsea during our pub crawl, with students fully party with a taking full advantage of our Autumn Ball exploiting the STI gathering of to make friends and amazing discounts at Clinic, Doctor Bike around 700 Suspicious... the ‘RCSU Bookshop’. As usual Mascotry and Self-defence classes. On Imperial students, this is was rife in the RCSU, with us successfully top of that students enjoyed the largest Imperial party acquiring the CGCU Spanner and Bolt the free smoothies which preceeding Christmas and an

18 Reviews

The State of the (RCS) Union

awesome end to an awesome first term. schools. With over £4000 worth of The end of academic year 2012/13 is RCSU RAG this year prizes, a trip to CERN fast approaching, so join the RCSU for has been extremely and a final at the House a final party at Grace Bar on the 25th active such as helping of Lords, this is one of June 2013. Let’s end this year at the in the organisation of the largest science RCSU Summer Ball with a blast. £9000 a cake sale for charity. communication has been placed behind the bar, so get A few members of the competitions in the UK. ready for the PARTY OF THE YEAR! For RCSU team also took A big thank you to our those graduating there is a Final Year’s part in Movember judges, which this Dinner prior to this which comes with a to raise money for year included Lord champagne reception and 3 course meal. Don’t forget our beautiful mascot men’s health. Robert Winston, Sir Finally I hope that you have enjoyed the Currently the Brian Hoskins, Sir RCSU this year and I would like to take this RCSU is running a campaign and Roy Anderson and Dr Jad Marrouche. opportunity to thank all the volunteers in accepting donations to support Towards Easter, the RCSU Spring Ball the RCSU committee for their hard work the Bangladesh Factory disaster. took place at the cosy Warwick Bar. The and wish the best of luck to Plabon Saha, Find out more by going to the theme was Red & White, where we tried RCSU President elect. RCSU’s Facebook page. to challenge some of the conventions -- James Tsim The start of 2013 saw the launch of a formal ball. Girls came dressed in of the RCSU Science Challenge beautiful red and white dresses, whilst hosted by our Science many a man came in red chinos with a Challenge Chair, Ryan white shirt. Browne. This is our The end of term also saw the RCSU annual essay writing Interdepartmental Quiz, where the depsocs came competition, which together to organise this year saw an a successful quiz additional twist with night, intellectually the addition of a challenging many a video category. This student. competition was open to all Imperial students and a large Plabon Saha range of secondary RCSU President-elect More good times are ahead!

Images: U.S. Government, Bob Xu, RCSU, others

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 19 Careers

GET THINKING FOR NEXT YEAR

Research at Imperial

From insects to chemicals, there is much fun to be had on a UROP placement; Laura Kor describes her experiences.

or many of us, the thing we most look forward to during the long summer Fbreak is the opportunity to get as far away from university as possible and clear our minds of anything Imperial-related. However, for anyone considering a career in scientific research, it may well be worth putting this daydream aside and instead getting involved in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme My placement largely consisted of counting insects. But with the wealth of research (UROP). going on at Imperial, the possibilities are endless! UROP placements are organised within Imperial College, with the aim that the There is no straightforward answer Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. student involved gains experience within to this, as it largely depends upon the And even if you have never considered the field of research being undertaken by amount of funding available to your life as a scientist, UROP may be a good a particular member of staff or research UROP supervisor’s department. However, option if you are yet to secure a summer group. A placement typically lasts for even if the department is unable to internship – doing work related to your 6-10 weeks during the summer vacation provide a bursary, it may be possible to subject could help you in the context and may involve carrying out a project apply for one from a “third party sponsor” of your degree, and of course any of your own. There is a list of available such as Imperial College UROP Bursaries. experience to add to your CV can only be opportunities on Imperial’s UROP page. The value of bursaries awarded will vary a good thing! However, if nothing there interests you, it and may be given in different forms. is probably worth contacting any lecturers For instance, when I carried out a UROP you know who specialise in topics which placement in 2011, I was not paid directly Essential Details you do want to get involved with – some but did receive free accommodation in UROP: Undergraduate Research may never have heard of UROP but may halls. Opportunities Programme still be keen to have extra research help Carrying out a UROP placement is Placement length: 6-10 weeks over the summer months. Once you have a great stepping-stone into the world Payment: can range from nothing to organised a placement with a suitable of scientific research. The experience bursaries of up to £300/week supervisor, this can be registered with I gained during my 6 weeks working at Website: www.imperial.ac.uk/urop UROP. Silwood Park definitely helped me to Ideal if you’re thinking of doing a PhD Now to tackle the ever important secure the Year in Industry placement question – are the placements paid? which I am now carrying out with the

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Puzzles

If you require any of these puzzles explaining, head off to the Broadsheet website for instructions. Last term’s answers are available online. Hidato

88 82 81 71 Gogen 90 84 95 78 76 86 96 73

93 2 74 H Q V Words to spell: 16 1 61 Bail, Baroque, Coy, Cramp, Dug, Flesh, 17 9 62 T D C Jar, Jilted, Mile, Minx, Pack, Vowel 22 11 43 49 45

F J B 21 30 39 26 32 38 47 54 Fill in the blank spaces to as to spell all the words in the list 25 28 33 56

We have added a twist for you this time! No numbers can be placed within the black region - Nonogram your trail of numbers must go around it. Let’s finish the year

1 1 1 3 5 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 4 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 3 1 3 1 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 4 1 4 1 1 4 1 4 1 1 3 1 3 1 4 1 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 5 1 2 1 1 3,1,1 1,2,1,1 3,1,3,3,3 1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 3,2,4,1,1,3 0 1,1,1 3,3,3,1,1 1,1,1,1,1,2 6,3,4,3,1,1 1 1 13 1,1,4 5,4,1,1 1,1,2,1,1,1,4 1,1,1,2,1,1,1,1,1 1,1,1,1,1,1,2,1,1 1,2,1,2 17

22 Spotlight

Imperial Events Tankard Time Not got enough science in your life? Come to Imperial events for even more exciting lectures and research. Here’s a few:

Researchers eschew the system of Reinventing Fire international measurements for a Pint Business meets energy in this of Science, as Philip Kent investigates. talk, investigating the proposals and analysis seen in the book, Reinventing Fire. Chemeng LT1, June 11th 2013, 11:00 Booking essential (imperial.ac.uk) Walk into a laboratory of any of the Sadly, Pint of Science had already physical or life sciences and you will be happened this year by the time we went hard pressed to find anything measured in to print, however further events are Imperial units. Yet, this didnt stop a group planned to take place in the future, and of scientists organizing an event called interested persons are recommended Sleep Tight ‘Pint of Science’ - where academics take to look at their website (http://www. Head over to Royal Brompton to over pubs around London and Cambridge pintofscience.com) for future updates. hear a talk all about recent research to share their research. A variety of talks took place in and on the causes of sleeping disorders The whole premise of the event is that around London, with the topics of June 20th 2013, 18:30 you can sit down with a nice pint of your discussions including stem cells, building Booking essential (imperial.ac.uk) favourite drink, and listen about recent body parts, the teenage brain, and work undertaken at Imperial, Kings, Professor Nutt (from Imperial) also came UCL, Oxford, and Cambridge. This year, along to discuss drugs policy. the event focused on ‘Brain, Body, and Broadsheet feels this is an excellent Biotechnology’, with free attendance opportunity to get the public to engage - requiring only pre-registration to get with science, and you should definitely Climate Ignorance your entry ticket. attend next year. As part of the launch of his AXA Chairship, Prof. Prentice discusses the impact of climate change on the biosphere. Heading over the District line, you may one Huxley 308, June 24th 2013, 18:00 Fun with day find yourself at Gunnersbury. Having Booking essential (imperial.ac.uk) woken up from your revision induced stupor, Steam you may wonder what to do with yourself. We recommend you take this opportunity to take a look at Kew Bridge Steam Museum. Kew Bridge is the location of a former Thermodynamic Fun water pumping works, and now hosts a large Part of this year’s series of inaugral museum, of special interest to anyone who is lectures for recent professors, interested to know about the history of water Chemical Engineering’s Prof. Galindo in the capital (or maybe even physicists!) discusses how statistical mechanics If the giant engines (once described by affects industrial processes Charles Dickens as ‘a monster’) are a bit too big Chemeng LT1, July 9th 2013, 17:30 for you, then do keep an eye out for the smaller Booking essential (imperial.ac.uk) engined RCSU mascot, Jezebel, who usually

Background credit: Les Chatfield makes an annual appearance at the museum.

Read and comment online: www.rcsu.org.uk/broadsheet 23 ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE UNION RCSU Donate £5 now to support victims of the recent disaster in Bangladesh

This is the real cost of our cheap clothing www.rcsu.org.uk/donate 100% of your donation will be sent to Save the Children’s emergency fund. Image by AP/Wong Maye-E

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