2016 SPECIAL ENGLISH EDITION

A Magazine from Japan

Our Future with ROBOTS Leaders in the Fight Against INFECTIOUS DISEASES + Much More SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIPS: EXAMPLES FROM NATURE Special Feature OF LIVING IN HARMONY OUR FUTURE WITH ROBOTS Introduction 4 Therapy by Robot: PARO the Robotic Seal 6 oosted by the success of Pixar’s Finding Ocellris clownfish BNemo, clownfish are very popular fish A Vet for Treasured AIBO Robot Pets 8 among the general public. Clownfish have (Amphiprion ocellris) a symbiotic relationship with anemo- The ocellaris clownish is a saltwater ish ne, meaning that they live together while found mainly around Southeast Asia, Special Feature providing each other synergistic benefits. including around the southern islands of LEADERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST The sea has filled Japan. It lives with a host sea anemone and with nematocyst poison, which it uses to inds ways to protect its “house.” INFECTIOUS DISEASES capture small fish and for food. An Indomitable Spirit: Satoshi Omura 12 Clownfish have a special layer of mucus Flashes of Inspiration in the 14 surrounding their body that protects them from the nematocyst, enabling them to Fight Against Infectious Diseases live within the ’ tentacles to pro- The One Health Concept 15 tect themselves from predators. There are various theories on the ben- efits anemone receive from clownfish. Nature Spotlights Anemone also live with and receive nutrients as a byproduct of the algae’s Symbiotic Relationships: Clownfish and Anemone 2 . Clownfish preen the Amazing Secrets: Loggerhead Sea Turtles 10 anemone’s tentacles to remove parasites, Discover the Wonders of Weeds 16 allowing the anemone to spread them out to have a wider surface area to receive light for the algae’s photosynthesis. How- ever, there are still many unanswered questions about the relationship between clownfish and anemone, and this remains SCIENCE WINDOW a source of endless fascination for divers A science education magazine that children and marine researchers. You may have heard about the symbiotic and adults can read together relationship between clownfish and anem- one, but did you know that clownfish have he sense of excitement that comes from learning something that leaves the ability to change genders? All clownfish Tus amazed or wondering “Why?” the seeds that help our minds are born male and each anemone has one grow into ones with a spirit of inquiry toward the world of nature. The Japan mating female and one mating male as well Science and Technology Agency (JST) publishes the science education mag- as a few smaller males living with it. When azine Science Window with the aim of encouraging children and adults alike the female clownfish dies, the mating male to ask questions about their world and indulge their curiosity. This publi- turns into the next mating female, and the cation is distributed to elementary, junior high, and high schools across next largest male clownfish moves up in Japan, and is also available free of charge on the JST website. the hierarchy to become the mating male. This is a special English edition featuring articles from recent Japanese Clownfish lay their eggs within the language issues that introduce cutting-edge robots and work in the fight anemone, and when the babies hatch they against infectious diseases. Japan’s contributions in the areas of science float close to the surface. After about a and technology are important for the creation of a sustainable global soci- week, the unique white band of the clown- ety. We hope that people around the world with an interest in this area, as fish begins to appear on their bodies, the Gint crpet nemone well as in education, will enjoy reading this magazine. protective mucus layer is completed, and (Stichodctyl gignte) Takahiro Shibata they head for the bottom of the sea where Director, Center for Science Communication they search out an anemone to live with The giant carpet sea anemone lives in the Japan Science and Technology Agency by smell. Juveniles learn the smell of the western Paciic Ocean south of Japan’s sea anemone their parents lived with Amami Oshima Island. It attaches itself to from the time prior to incubation inside rocks on the bottom of the ocean in the the egg to immediately after incubation. shallows of reefs. Although deadly to other ish, it is a safe and comfortable home Spring 2016 Special Editor in Chief: Toshio Sato This makes it possible for them to find a Science Window for the clownish that live within it. Issue - English Edition vol. 5 Production: Urban Connections host sea anemone. SW Illustration: Kazunori Maeda President: Michinari Hamaguchi Cooperation: New Tokyo COMpute

2 Writer: Yuko Hiratsuka Science Window 2016 | 3 DISASTER Robots we can depend on Collaboration/Photographs: Editorial RESPONSE in dangerous situations Department of ROBOCON MAGAZINE, Ohmsha, Ltd. Photographs: Provided by Our Future Glory Ltd. (NEXTAGE) and the respective manufacturers and research institutions

V This worm-like, multi-jointed robot EDUCATION AND Robots that assist in robot research with Robots searches for victims RESEARCH and teach us about robotics buried in rubble. More and more robots are being utilized (TAUGIKEN Co., Ltd.) W HRP 4 serves as around the world and are revolution- a platform for the

V development of a izing fields from industry to health care, V NEXTAGE works in tandem with human workers on factory assembly lines. working humanoid disaster response, and how we live our Quince collects information on (Kawada Robotics) robot. (Kawada Robotics, dangerous environments that National Institute of lives. Robots can now provide medical humans cannot enter, such as Mechanizing and optimizing Advanced Industrial disaster sites, with its outstanding INDUSTRY Science and Technology) care for patients and work side by side mobility and measurement functions. tasks for diverse businesses with human workers, and there are also (Tohoku University et. al.) V LEGO® MINDSTORMS® V NAO helps people W This shape-changing robot robots whose sole role is simply to make Education EV3 serves as learn about the investigates nuclear power teaching material to learn about mechanisms of robots. us happy. This article introduces some primary containment vessels with programming robots. (LEGO) (Aldebaran) of these revolutionary robots that are high levels of radiation. (Hitachi GE) W Geminoid looks shaping our world and invites you to think W ASIMO can react exactly like a real person according to its surrounding and helps us explore about what kind of relationship humans environment. (HONDA) what it is to be human. and robots will have in the future. (Intelligent Robotics Laboratory; Ishiguro V MOTOMAN VS100 is a spot welding robot V Strawberry harvesting robot Laboratory, used in automobile production. (Yaskawa (National Agriculture and Food Osaka EXPLORING OUR PLANET Broadening the Electric Corporation) Research Organization) University) AND THE UNIVERSE horizons of humankind MEDICAL AND NURSING CARE

V Rice planting robot Transforming hospitals and helping (National Agriculture and Food patients achieve their dreams Research Organization)

V Tri-TON2, the autonomous unmanned V HAKUTO PFM3 is a V submarine, conducts research on a rover built to explore ROBOTS IN OUR RoBoHon is a charming robotic seabed while moving slowly in the water the surface of the EVERYDAY LIVES telephone that can take care of all and stopping at interesting areas. (Maki moon. It is the subject sorts of tasks. (Sharp, scheduled for Laboratory, Institute of Industrial Science, of a Japanese project launch in 2016) The University of Tokyo) that brings together people of diverse Vda Vinci supports doctors performing

backgrounds, including diicult surgeries. (©Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) V The multitalented Pepper venture companies and can do everything from universities. The rover V All in the name: Honda Walking Assist is attached at the serving store customers to is an applicant in the waist and assists handicapped users when walking. (Honda) entertaining house guests in the living room. (SoftBank

Google Lunar XPRIZE, V

a with an V Robot Suit HAL® helps restore Robotics Corp.) KHR 3HV is a humanoid robot that incentive prize that mobility in people who have disorders comes in a kit and can walk on two legs aims to explore the in the legs. The photo shows a user WRoomba makes (Kondo Kagaku) surface of the moon. in Germany. (Prof. Sankai, University of cleaning the loor (HAKUTO) Tsukuba/CYBERDYNE Inc.) eortless and is a trusty V Asteroid explorer Hayabusa 2 en route to ally for inishing chores. explore the asteroid Ryugu (JAXA) (iRobot)

V HOSPi® is an autonomous HOBBY ROBOTS

V The famous Mars Rover delivery robot V The Segway® PT, THAT ARE FUN explores the surface of that automatically which can be driven TO BUILD Mars. (NASA) transports simply by shifting VThe constantly advancing drugs and other one’s body weight, Robi the walking robot important objects is increasingly being (DeAGOSTINI JAPAN) in hospitals. adopted for security (Panasonic) work. (Segway)

4 Science Window 2016 | 5 Therapy by Robot PARO the robotic baby seal is attracting global attention for its therapeutic effects. We spoke to its developer Dr. Takanori Shibata, Chief Senior Research Scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

PARO IS SOFT AND CUDDLY AND CHARGES IN JUST TWO HOURS.

Children touching and Touching PARO's soft fur and talking to the PARO that is seeing its gentle expression permanently featured at helps alleviate anxiety in Tokyo’s National Museum patients at medical facilities PARO's inventor of Emerging Science and around the world, especially in Takanori Shibata Innovation (Miraikan). Europe and America.

A robot whose sole task is to be a I began to think about pets and the Why has PARO been introduced into medical device that provides neurologi- memories and experiences of the people ees can gain greater understanding of comforting animal companion vital role they play in society despite medical care facilities at a greater rate cal therapy to patients by the U.S. Food who use it. By stimulating the brain, it each other through their interactions not having any direct output. Although in Europe and America than in Japan? and Drug Administration (FDA). helps people remember who they are and with PARO. PARO is full of so much What kind of robot is PARO? most modern pets do not perform any This may be the result of cultural differ- express themselves naturally. Even peo- hidden potential, and I am excited to PARO was modeled to look like a baby specific helpful tasks for their owners, ences, especially differences in our respec- Drawing out memories and words ple who have not spoken for years would find even more uses for it. SW seal. It is soft and its entire body is cov- they still have a vital role in enriching tive impressions of robots. In Europe and naturally want to talk to PARO. ered in artificial fur that people love to the happiness of the people around America, robots are perceived as tools PARO appears to have great potential touch. It is an autonomous robot that them. Instead of a specific work func- built to perform tasks for human beings. for nursing homes and care facilities. Can PARO also play a useful role TAKANORI SHIBATA makes seal noises, blinks, changes its tion, they provide so many moments of In 2003, a survey on perceptions of PARO After patients hospitalized for rehabilita- in education? facial expressions, and moves its head happiness and tranquility. was conducted in seven countries across tion following a stroke use PARO, they PARO has been used for moral and Chief Senior Research Scientist at the and limbs, acting as if it has a mind of its the world, including Sweden, Italy, Korea, are able to sleep well, and their numbers emotional development of students at Human Informatics Research Institute own. People experience joy and a sense Therapeutic effects that have been and Brunei. The results revealed two dis- of calls to the nurses greatly decrease several public schools and special needs of the National of calm while interacting with PARO, recognized around the world tinct directions in the perceptions of its during the night. Once discharged from schools. Students speak to PARO about Institute of and the robot has the potential to greatly use—as a pet and as a therapeutic tool. the hospital, continued use of PARO by their difficulties with interpersonal rela- Advanced increase quality of life for many users Could you tell us about PARO’s popu- patients in the home can greatly help tionships at the school clinic, and PARO Industrial with medical needs. larity, which is growing overseas due to Is there any scientific proof of PARO’s the family members and carers who look also creates opportunities for students Science and the role it can play in medical care? therapeutic effects? after their needs. Its effect on patients to talk with their friends in class. A sig- Technology What inspired you to create this When PARO was launched for sale in With regard to the animal therapy commuting to hospital for treatment of nificant number of children suffer from (AIST), and kind of robot? Japan in 2005, close to 70% were pur- method, which aims to improve the dementia, such as memory clinics, has developmental disorders and I think Professor at I wanted to create a robot that could play a chased by individuals as pets, while symptoms of dementia and depression also been recognized. PARO is a wonderful tool to help them the graduate useful role in society. In the robotics field, only about 20% were purchased for use through the use of , I conducted work through their emotions and build school of the many people with similar goals choose to in medical care facilities. However, in tests on the brainwaves and blood flow How exactly does PARO achieve up their social skills. Tokyo Institute of develop industrial robots, but I wanted Europe and America, PARO robots are in the brains of patients. The test results these effects? Going forward, I think that PARO can Technology. He is also a Visiting Fellow to make a personalized robot that could commonly used as a therapeutic tool in showed that touching PARO stimulated While it may have limited functionality play a role in diverse aspects of society. In of the AgeLab at the Massachusetts be used by the general public, and which medical facilities, and it is rare to see the patients’ brains. Because of these as a piece of machinery, PARO serves a company organization where only sur- Institute of Technology. could potentially create a new industry. them purchased as pets in these regions. effects, PARO was officially certified as a as a catalyst that helps to draw out the face interactions are common, employ-

6 | Interviewer: Toshio Sato / Photos: Teruaki Iida, Takanori Shibata Science Window 2016 | 7 sales network. A.FUN takes on five generations of AIBO was Hiroshi Funabashi in his repair requests for products that made differently. Moreover, workspace with some AIBOs no longer receive support from AIBO are designed so that the waiting to be repaired. their manufacturers. Located in screws for disassembly are hid- a single room in a building close den to every extent possible. to the Keihin Canal in Tokyo, For one repair job, Norimatsu the repair shop’s floor is littered and his colleagues had to meet with well-loved but dated elec- an AIBO designer to find the tronics in for repairs, including locations of the hidden screws. a dual cassette player and kara- They also found a website cre - oke machine. ated by an AIBO fan in the United States that shows how Veterinary Repairs Nobuyuki Norimatsu named his company to dissemble the head. Since Sony’s 2014 announcement about A.FUN to convey both the fun and importance To find replacement parts, Norimatsu discontinuing support for AIBO, repair of monozukuri, the Japanese concept of and Funabashi have various methods, requests for the robots have sharply pouring one’s heart and soul into the pursuit including searching Akihabara, Tokyo’s increased at A.FUN. Norimatsu first of ultimate craftsmanship. electronics district, and placing bids in received a repair request for an AIBO in internet auctions. Rather than throw- 2013. The owner was an elderly women work. “If we can’t find a replacement ing them away, some owners of defunct who was about to enter a nursing home part, all we have to do is create a new AIBOs allow their beloved robots to and she was desperate to have her broken one. We’re able to manage somehow.” become “organ donors” through disas- AIBO fixed so she could bring it with her. Norimatsu’s approach to repairs is sembly to take body parts. “Before taking An acquaintance of the women asked reflective of monozukuri, the Japanese the AIBOs apart, we hold funerals for for Norimatsu’s help, and he accepted, culture of pouring one’s heart and soul the robots to allow their souls to return promising to do his best despite it being into the pursuit of craftsmanship of the to their owners,” explains Norimatsu. his first such repair job. highest caliber. Having gained the know-how to repair Norimatsu enlisted the help of Hiroshi However, sometimes manufacturers AIBO, Norimatsu and his colleagues are Funabashi, a former Sony repair techni- can fall behind in providing repair ser- eager to expand their repair network. cian introduced by a colleague from his vices. Manufacturers tend to focus too Their efforts include hosting seminars days at Sony. Funabashi accepted the much on providing uniform services, so for other engineers who are interested in job because of Norimatsu’s firm convic- they sometimes say something cannot be getting involved. tion that the robot could be fixed. The fixed if it does not meet their own repair two men tackled the challenge of the conditions. “But that’s just the manufac- Repairing items for which there broken AIBO, with issues that mostly turer’s ego at work,” asserts Norimatsu. can be no replacement stemmed from broken moving parts and Norimatsu and his colleagues have When an item breaks, people have the the deterioration of the battery. Due to made it their mission to find new option of either buying a replacement or this, the AIBO’s legs would not move and ever better ways to repair AIBO having it repaired to continue using it. from the joints to the feet and its neck robots. They face numerous challeng- Although in some cases it is cheaper to ony took the world by storm in 1999 was slightly bent. es, including the fact that each of the buy a replacement, many people opt for Swhen it began selling AIBO, the first After three months of contin- repairs due to their emotional A Vet for Treasured dog-like, consumer robot that was a ued efforts, the men succeeded attachment to the object. “Some- pet truly fit for the new millennium. in bringing the AIBO back to thing full of memories has a Sony continued to produce a total of “life.” “After we returned the value of its own. This is why Robot Pets five wildly popular models of AIBO AIBO, I got a call directly from people want to fix things when until 2006, when production ceased. In the owner herself. She was cry- they break,” says Funabashi. March 2014, Sony announced ing tears of joy because she loves “When I repair an item, I do AIBO Robots Get a Second that it would no longer pro- her AIBO like one of her own more than just mend the item vide service support for any children,” Funabashi recalls. itself. I also heal the heart of Chance at a Tokyo Repair Shop of its AIBO models, leaving The AIBO repair success sto- the customer,” says Norimatsu. AIBO owners desperate to ry quickly spread among the There can be no replacement find an alternative source of AIBO owners’ community and for AIBO robots in the hearts of repairs. soon repair requests were com- their owners, and luckily Nori- Pet owners would do anything for the health AIBO owners have found ing in one after another. Nori- matsu and Funabashi have the of their beloved companions, and that a refuge at the repair shop of matsu now has a backlog of 250 skills and passion to restore A.FUN Co., Ltd., a compa- AIBOs waiting to be fixed. these beloved pets. SW includes owners of AIBO robots. The oldest ny established in July 2011 robots are now over 16 years old, above the by former Sony employee Utilizing all available Hiroshi Funabashi carefully repairing Nobuyuki Norimatsu, who resources to tackle challenges an AIBO after disassembly. At irst, A.FUN Co., Ltd average life expectancy of a living dog, but once worked on building “Anything can be fixed.” This is Nori- Funabashi did not even know how to take http://a-fun.biz talented repairmen allow the robots to live on. Sony’s service and overseas matsu’s motto when it comes to repair the AIBO apart. E-mail: [email protected]

8 | Writer: Jiro Urushihara / Photo: Teruaki Iida Science Window 2016 | 9 Female Male

LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES

The is a species found widely in the Paciic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. Amazing The group living in the animal North Paciic uses sandy beaches on Japan’s Paciic secrets south of Fukushima Prefecture and the Sea of Japan south of Niigata Prefecture as spawning grounds. Loggerhead sea Top photos: Male adult loggerhead sea turtles have longer tails than females. Loggerhead Sea Turtles turtles have a larger head Bottom left: When the eggs are dug up and taken to the arti icial incubation than other sea turtles and area, the tops are marked so they are not mixed up. Bottom right: During the Exploring the mystery-filled, long life of the loggerhead sea turtle their shell is dark brown with egg-laying season turtles come ashore from the aquarium tank to an arti icial a heart shape. sandy beach, enabling 24 hour monitoring of the egg-laying process.

t the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium in Japan, children temperature of the during the egg-laying season. With However, the environment faced by wild sea turtles is increas- Aeagerly crowd around the massive glass window to stare 29 degrees Celsius as the demarcation line, sand with a tem- SOME MOTHER ingly severe, with harsh conditions including disruption from excitedly at the loggerhead sea turtles leisurely walking along perature of between 30 and 34 degrees will yield more females, fishing activities, marine pollution, declining sandy beaches the sandy beach inside. “Wow, look how big they are!” “I could while sand between 26 and 28 degrees will yield more males. TURTLES LAY due to development, and natural disasters such as torrential probably ride on their back!” “At the aquarium we artificially keep the temperature between EGGS FOR rain and typhoons. In 1995, the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium became the 29 and 30 degrees Celsius to ensure roughly half the turtles 14 CONSECUTIVE What can you do to help the sea turtles? Kobayashi draws first indoor facility in Japan to successfully breed and utilize born are males and the other half females.” YEARS! attention to the fact that it is essential to make rivers clean- artificial incubation for loggerhead sea turtles. The aquarium’s In addition to the donut-shaped tank with the artificial san- er. “If rivers are clean, the ocean will be too. I want people to donut-shaped tank surrounding a rock hill in the middle is con- dy beach, another tank holds roughly one year old baby sea think about the interconnectedness of people and wildlife.” We nected to an artificial sandy beach. The carefully constructed turtles and their mothers. Under the watchful care of their par- must all remember that our actions directly affect the animals space provides an environment tailored to encourage mother ents, who charmingly fidget with their front flippers, the baby around us. SW turtles to come ashore during the egg-laying season of May to turtles swim around the tank without a care in the world. August to lay their eggs. Most of the artificially incubated baby sea turtles are Turtles are popular subjects of Japanese folklore, as well as released into the wild, but a few remain at the aquarium. PORT OF NAGOYA tales and legends all over the world. Everyone knows that tur- “We release them to increase the population, which has been PUBLIC AQUARIUM tles live a long time, with one saying in Japan even going so declining. The other reason is to research their habitat,” far as to state, “Turtles live 10,000 years.” But how long do sea explains Kobayashi. A joint study initiated by the National The aquarium raises four species turtles actually live? Caretaker Seiju Kobayashi says, “Visitors Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the of sea turtles: loggerhead ask me that question all the time but I actually cannot answer United States in 2003 has attached transmitters to logger- sea turtles, green sea turtles, it. The truth is that we still don’t know how long they live.” head sea turtles around one year of age and tracked them hawksbill sea turtles, and olive The average lifespan of the turtles is not the only challenge by satellite. The assistance of the training ves- ridley sea turtles. Check out their for researchers. The gender of a baby sea turtle cannot be deter- sel Aichimaru of Miya Fisheries High School in website at the link below for more mined for many years after birth. According to Kobayashi, “You Aichi Prefecture has been enlisted to help release information on their program and can’t tell the difference in terms of appearance until the turtles the baby sea turtles and track their journeys. “It is visiting information if you are in Japan! reach around seven to eight years old.” Interestingly, the ratio extremely important to monitor for long http://www.nagoyaaqua.com/english/ of male and female sea turtle babies born differs based on the periods of time.”

10 | Writer: Shigemi Sasa / Photo: Akira Sato Science Window 2016 | 11 The 2015 Nobel Prize

in Physiology or Medicine

Above: Omura at a press conference with Professor William C. Campbell, with whom he shared the 2015 Nobel Prize (Jiji Press) Right: Professor Omura during his junior high school days Far right: The turning point of Omura’s life was meeting Professor Max Tishler at Wesleyan University

Omura and children saved from river blindness through injections “No matter how many times I failed, I never lost hope” of ivermectin (2004, Ghana) – Satoshi Omura

Research in Japan and the sonal network of fellow researchers. using the expression “Sincerity can move Professor Satoshi Omura, United States After he returned to Japan, Omura heaven and earth,” meaning that pouring Next, Omura entered the Kitasato Insti- committed himself to academia-indus- your heart and soul into tackling some- An Indomitable Distinguished Emeritus Professor of tute, where despite his prior career he try collaboration with Merck. The thing will lead to positive results. Omura Kitasato University, received the 2015 was treated just like a new university research laboratory headed by Omura offered his firm support to all motivated, Spirit Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine graduate. Eager to prove himself, Omu- extracted substances that are useful to hardworking people, and did not dis- ra arrived every morning at 6 a.m. and human beings from chemical substanc- criminate based on gender or academic for his work developing preventive zealously tackled each difficult project es that are produced by microorgan- pedigree. For example, Yoko Takahashi, The Life and Research that came his way. His dedication was isms, and expanded its research work who worked as an assistant in Omura’s drugs for infectious diseases. In this soon recognized at the Institute, and with Merck to develop these substances research laboratory after graduating from of Nobel Laureate feature, we look back on his life and by also capitalizing on the techniques into pharmaceutical drugs. During this high school, had her hard work recognized track his career and achievements. he learned at university he was able to time, Omura placed emphasis on some- by Professor Omura. She then earned her Satoshi Omura achieve excellent research and results. thing his grandmother repeated to him doctoral degree and became a profes- Omura’s determination grew stronger since he was a young boy—to be useful sor at Kitasato University. The Omura The discovery that saved millions in Kawana, Ito City, Shizuoka Prefec- This helped him learn about the won- by the day, and he challenged himself to others. Instead of conducting research laboratory has fostered 31 professors and of people ture in Japan. Although scientists have ders of ecology. He only began studying to write a paper in English to submit for purely for its own sake, he began to think 120 students who have obtained doctoral As a Nobel laureate, Professor Satoshi searched for similar microorganisms in earnest during his third year in high publication. His paper received atten- constantly about how he could apply his degrees. Academics who can boast such a Omura was recognized for his work around the world, they have not been school, and decided to go to Yamanashi tion, and he even received a visit from a research to helping people. track record are extremely rare. SW toward the discovery of the chemical sub- found anywhere outside of Kawana. Iver- University. After graduating, he became famous American researcher. From then stance known as ivermectin. Medicine mectin was developed by Omura in col- a teacher at a night school, teaching on, Omura set his sights on becoming a Fostering outstanding researchers created using ivermectin protects peo- laboration with the American pharma- chemistry and physics. Inspired by his researcher who could play an active role Omura racked up achievement after RENSEI ple in the tropics from debilitating and ceutical company Merck. It has become students who somehow managed to in the international arena. achievement in his research on the BABA deadly diseases. Taking just one tablet an effective drug for human beings as balance their studies while working in The greatest turning point of his life chemical substances produced by micro- once a year serves as a preventive mea- well as a wide range of animals. factories, Omura decided to study at came when he went to pursue further organisms, and became a world-class Science journalist and sure against dangerous tropical diseases graduate school at the Tokyo Univer- studies at Wesleyan University in the researcher. He also suffered many disap- author of numerous such as onchocerciasis (river blindness Finding inspiration for his studies sity of Science while working nights. United States. Professor Max Tishler, pointments along the way while building publications on the spread by black flies) and micro filariasis Omura was raised in the countryside Upon graduation, he began to conduct who became his supervisor, championed up this track record of success. Accord- work of Satoshi Omura, (a parasitic disease caused by infection in Yamanashi Prefecture. As the eldest research in fermentation science as an Omura and drew him into interactions ing to Omura, “No matter how many including Satoshi with roundworms). Roughly 300 million son of a farming family, he worked assistant at Yamanashi University. He and exchanges with world-class research- times I failed, I never lost hope. I always Omura: The Chemist people are now taking the medicine. hard on the farm composting, planting learned about the power of microorgan- ers including Nobel Prize winners. Omura approached my research work with the Who Protected 200 Million People from Ivermectin is produced by microorgan- and harvesting rice, working with silk- isms there, leading to his fascination learned the importance of collaboration at conviction that I would succeed.” Disease (Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc.). isms living in the soil near a golf course worms, and catching eels in the river. with the subject. Wesleyan, and was able to expand his per- Omura taught students and researchers

12 Science Window 2016 | 13 Flashes of Inspiration in the Fight Against Infectious Diseases Shunichi Takebe, Science Journalist

he history of mankind has been defined by a battle with The summer holiday that led to the Tmicrobes. Even after entering the 21st century, it has been discovery of penicillin difficult to take an optimistic view toward this battle. This is Alexander Fleming, a microbiologist at St. Mary’s Hospital clear from the turmoil caused by new forms of influenza and in London, liked to amuse himself by working with bacte - the Ebola virus disease. However, human beings have obtained ria. In the summer of 1928, he went for a long vacation powerful weapons in the form of vaccines and penicillin, which while leaving cultured staphylococcus aureus, a harmful have saved millions of people. Their development started due type of bacteria, standing to fortuitous flashes of inspiration brought on through a previ- in its container. When he ous incident. In this article, we will take you on a time warp to returned, he was surprised these moments of inspiration. to find that blue mold had grown and ruined his bacte- The boy and the cowpox inoculation experiment ria for experimenting. The scene of the pioneering vaccination experiment is set in Spores of the fungus peni- a hospital in Gloucestershire in the western part of England cillium notatum, which were at the end of the 18th century. Dr. Edward Jenner pierced being cultivated in another the arm of a young boy, laboratory, had floated into James Phipps, planting Fleming’s culture dish. the pus taken from the When he looked carefully, cowpox boils of Sarah he found that a of Nelmes, a milkmaid who staphylococcus aureus had had cowpox, an infec- dissolved only around the tious disease similar to green mold. This prompted Alexander Fleming but milder than smallpox Fleming to investigate if the that can spread through fungus was releasing a substance that kills bacteria. contact with cows. Seven years before in another chance event, Fleming Eight days later, symp- sneezed during a culture experiment and discovered that his toms similar to that of the mucus had dissolved bacterial colonies. He realized that the milkmaid appeared on enzymes contained in nasal mucus and tears (lysozyme) had Jenner and his cowpox the boy’s arms. After leav- an antibacterial effect. But Fleming was motivated to find an innoculation experiment ing him for one and a half even more powerful substance than the relatively weak lyso- months, Jenner inoculat- zyme. Already familiar with bacteria through his daily obser- ed the youth with pus from a smallpox patient. Despite this, vations, Fleming was able to realize there was something of Phipps showed no signs of smallpox infection, showing the note about the invading penicillium mold that had ruined his significance of Jenner’s experiment. The word vaccine came experiment materials. into use to describe this method because of the experiment’s However, Fleming only thought of using penicillin as an connection to cows. The word “vaccine” has its roots in the antiseptic. The true value of penicillin was discovered by Latin word for female cattle. pathologist Howard Florey and biochemist Ernst Boris Chain. The cowpox inoculation that was carried out on Phipps, the The two generated penicillin, elucidated its chemical structure, son of a servant, would probably have been criticized today for and enabled its mass production. This heralded the arrival of being a bold new experiment on a human subject. However, the era of antibiotics, which dramatically reduced the number Jenner had been developing the approach for many years. As of victims of infectious diseases. Fleming, Florey, and Chain a youth training to become a physician, he heard that milk- shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1945 in maids do not catch smallpox. Although some doctors practiced recognition of their important work. the human smallpox inoculation method, which involved giv- 30 years after winning the Nobel Prize, Chain traveled to ing patients a light case of smallpox, this had led to death and Japan and I had the opportunity to interview him. He had built brought about an epidemic. It was Jenner who was inspired up significant distrust of journalists out of frustration with with the idea of preventing serious smallpox infections by giv- their fixation on lauding Fleming as the great man who created ing people a light cowpox infection. The last naturally occur- penicillin. Although he respected Fleming as the person who ring case of smallpox was observed in a Somalian man in 1977, discovered penicillin, he lamented the fact that he and Florey signaling the eradication of a disease that had caused pock- were neglected by the media despite their role in developing it marks, suffering, and death in millions of people. to its true potential. SW

14 The One Health Concept A rise in communicable diseases is an inevitable result of increasing human interaction around the planet. Can the One Health concept help protect our health in this globalizing world?

Communicable diseases that cross borders and species The increasingly active cross-border movement of people and goods has caused communicable diseases that were once thought to be endemic diseases, such as the Ebola virus disease, to spread around the world. Professor Mitsuo Kaku, who researches the control of communicable diseases at the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, raises alarm bells about the growing risk posed by the globalization of zoonoses (diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans). Many people focus their attention on transmissions from other people, but new influenza viruses can be transmit- seminar also ted from animals such as pigs, and in the case of Ebola can be includes explana- transmitted from bats. In addition, a large number of pathogen- tions on how microorganisms ic microorganisms can enter our bodies from soil, plants, and cause communicable diseases, and the participants are shown lakes that we come into contact with. If we do not properly con- bacteria cultivated in a Petri dish. A popular part of the semi- sider the role of animals and the environment in communicable nar comes when children are given the opportunity to use a diseases, we will not be able to control them. microscope to view the microorganisms from their own or nose on a cotton swab. A picture is then presented to the Making One Health a part of our shared culture children with the title “This is Your Bacteria!” which always Among scientists and doctors, the One Health concept is gar- provokes excited reactions. nering attention as a comprehensive way of thinking about the “The reason why I give out these pictures is that I want chil- connection between human health and animals and the envi- dren to think about the organisms that we coexist with when ronment. In 2004, wildlife protection societies in the United they wash their hands. I want them to know that by washing States proposed the idea of “One World, One Health” in which their hands, they are making their own contribution to the various research domains around the world serve as a bridge to health of all living things, protecting the people they love, and better health. making society a better place.” SW Professor Kaku likes to relate the One Health concept to the phrase “all living things,” which appears in Phoenix, written by Osamu Tezuka, the beloved Japanese comic book writer who Children excitedly also created the famous Astro Boy character. “People, animals, viewing their own plants, and the microorganisms that cause communicable bacteria under a diseases – these can all be described under the label ‘all living microscope at a things.’ We are all connected, and we must all be able to coexist.” handwashing seminar. Viewing communicable diseases from a worldwide point of view, Professor Kaku asserts that a new culture is necessary to combat communicable diseases. “Can we as humans acquire the skills needed to act while thinking carefully about the envi- ronment surrounding us, and then react calmly to the pres- ence of pathogenic microorganisms and find ways to co-exist? Within this philosophy of One Health, a culture is needed for MITSUO KAKU sharing knowledge that allows people around the world to live better lives.” Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine professor involved in the control of Protecting global health starts with washing your hands and diagnostic methods for communicable Professor Kaku has led a seminar instructing children about the diseases, as well as crisis management. importance of washing their hands for more than 10 years. The

Writer: Satoshi Utsugi / Photo: Kazuhiko Monden / Illustration: New Tokyo COMpute Science Window 2016 | 15 The ABCs of Nature Observation Discover the Wonders of Weeds ou can find weeds everywhere – next to roads, when you go Yhiking, inside cracks in the sidewalk, and, often, right under your feet. When you think about weeds, you probably think of some dull, bothersome grass, but if you take a closer look you will discover a world of fascinating complexity and beauty. Tokyo University of Agriculture’s Dr. Rie Miyaura, who is also Secretary of the Weed Science Society of Japan, is enthusiastic about encouraging people to look to weeds as they explore their relationship with the nature around them. She notes that many weeds look alike, and it is difficult to distinguish weeds with- out . Thus, for beginner observers she suggests using an Shepherd's Purse identification guidebook and picking weeds that have flowers, Japanese name: taking them home, and recording observations about them. She Nazuna Henbit Deadnettle adds that making a booklet of specimens would make an excel- The leaves are in the Japanese name: Hotoke-no-za lent summer project for students. Follow our handy instruc- shape of rosettes, (lit. “Buddha’s seat”) tions below to prepare your own specimens and take your first and its berries have a This plant got its Japanese name because steps as a scientist! heart shape. It makes it appears as if the Buddha is sitting on the a sound when shaken, lowers above the leaves. The English name Weeds of the World and many Japanese is much iercer! The fascinating thing about weeds is that children love to play due to their hardy nature and ability to with it. Shepherd’s spread quickly, the same or similar vari- Purse is used in eties of weeds can be observed around Japanese cuisine, and the world. How many of these weeds that was also once utilized grow in Japan have you seen? What are as medicine. they called where you live? SW

QHow to Prepare a Simple Specimen

Creeping woodsorrel (1) (2) (3) Japanese name: Katabami Use wide tape Record your Insert a piece Creeping woodsorrel is sometimes called to stick the observations of newspaper “Sleeping Beauty” in English. In one regional weed to a sheet about the weed, in between the dialect of Japanese, it is called “Sparrow of paper in the such as its name, sheets of paper, Hakama.” Hakama are lowing, divided pants desired shape. the date, the and change Persian Speedwell worn in traditional Japanese clothing. location, type of every day for a Japanese name: environment, and period of about Oinunofuguri sketches of the three days. After One of the lovely lower. that, repeat 23 lowers that brings times every two color to the world days until there in spring. Originally is no longer any from Asia, it has moisture. spread to countries all over the world. Have you had a chance to see it for yourself? Writer: Fumi Hayana / Photos: Hiroaki Kamei

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