New Boundaries | Issue 13 | December 2011
Super-fast DNA testing Speeding up medical diagnosis and crime scene investigation Carbon-rich oceans
The effects of CO2 on marine life Helping people recover from stroke New techniques for restoring touch and movement Miracle metal Copper takes on the superbugs In this issue
Welcome to New Boundaries, the University of Southampton research magazine. In this issue, you will discover how our 1 multidisciplinary collaborations are addressing some of the most challenging issues facing society today. Southampton researchers from Chemistry and Medicine have created new super-fast DNA tests, with applications for both medical diagnosis and crime scene investigation. Find out more on page 4. As well as new diagnostic tools, our researchers from Health Sciences and Electronics and Computer Sciences are pioneering novel therapies to help people rehabilitate themselves after a stroke. Read more on page 16. Superbugs are a major threat to public health: hospital-acquired infections alone affect seven million people each year worldwide. Southampton microbiologists, engineers and clinicians have discovered that copper surfaces could keep infection rates down and save thousands of lives every year. Find out more on page 22. Moving from human health to the health of our oceans, this year a team of Southampton oceanographers, marine biologists and chemists led the largest ever experiment at sea to find out how increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere are affecting marine life. Find out more on page 10. Intrinsically linked to environmental change is our growing population, and this year the number of people on Earth reached seven billion. Migration is one of the main drivers of population change and at Southampton our researchers are investigating its impacts to enable more informed policy making. Read more on page 26. For more research stories, visit our website www.southampton.ac.uk/research Claire Macdonald Editor, New Boundaries
Please send us your feedback We are keen to receive any feedback you have about New Boundaries. If you have any comments or suggestions, please do send them to [email protected] 2 4
1 Super-fast DNA testing Groundbreaking research that could lead to faster medical diagnosis and crime scene investigation. Page 4
2 Carbon-rich oceans Understanding the effects of rising
CO2 levels on ocean life. Page 10
3 Helping people recover from stroke Pioneering new techniques to give back the sensation of touch and movement. Page 16 3 4 Miracle metal Copper could be the next line of defence against superbugs. Page 22
More highlights
Revolutionising optical communications Perspectives from an early career researcher. Page 14
Aerospace innovations An insight into the work of one of our distinguished academics. Page 20
Crossing the borders Understanding our changing global population. Page 26 4 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton Super-fast DNA testing Southampton researchers are developing an innovative technique for DNA testing that is paving the way to point-of-care tests for medical conditions and faster crime scene analysis.
“Previous studies have shown that up to 40 per cent of people diagnosed with chlamydia did not return for treatment, so it would be far better for diagnosis and treatment to occur at the same visit to a clinic.”
Ian Clarke, Professor of Molecular Microbiology
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 5 Tom and his team are pioneering new ways of using DNA for rapid medical and forensic testing
The ability to diagnose disease and identify or genetic disease by using HyBeacons on the “In theory you could people from the DNA sequence of their DNA sequence of bacteria, viruses or people,” diagnose any infectious genome has revolutionised medicine says Tom. and forensic science. However, the time- Towards faster diagnosis or genetic disease by consuming nature of this type of test causes using HyBeacons on problems when the results are needed Tom’s team is currently developing a fast quickly. Southampton researchers are leading test for chlamydia, a common sexually the DNA sequence the way in developing super-fast DNA tests. transmitted infection (STI) that is becoming a big problem, particularly in the western of bacteria, viruses In partnership with international analytical world. Chlamydia can usually be treated with science company LGC, Southampton antibiotics – but only a quarter of women or people.” researchers have developed a new way of and half of men with the condition show any fluorescently labelling DNA with special symptoms, so most people are unaware that Tom Brown, probes, known as HyBeacons. “HyBeacons they have the infection and so continue to Professor of Chemical Biology are like little balls of loosely screwed up string spread it. If left untreated, chlamydia can lead that uncoil easily and find their targets,” to long-term painful infections in women that says project leader Tom Brown, Professor of result in infertility. Ectopic pregnancy is a Chemical Biology. The HyBeacons light up life-threatening condition that has also been when they attach to a specific target sequence linked to prior chlamydial infection. of DNA. Their advantage over existing systems is their very simple structure, which Despite these serious complications, makes them more predictable: they bind many patients who have tested positive for faster to their targets and always work. chlamydia don’t return for their results. “In theory you could diagnose any infectious “Previous studies have shown that up to 40
6 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton per cent of people diagnosed with chlamydia one sample, which would be particularly a 15-minute test that tells people whether did not return for treatment,” says Ian Clarke, useful for diagnosing STIs, as they often they are likely to get any side effects would Professor of Molecular Microbiology at the occur at the same time. be crucial to helping them make an University of Southampton. “This obviously informed choice. Personalised medicine increases the risk of passing on this The University’s Nucleic Acid Research infection, so it would be far better for HyBeacons could also be valuable for Group, led by Tom, made a groundbreaking diagnosis and treatment to occur at the accurately prescribing medicines. Many people who are susceptible to deep vein advance in personalised medicine in the same visit to a clinic.” thrombosis (DVT) take warfarin to prevent 1990s. In collaboration with AstraZeneca, To address this issue, Southampton their blood from clotting. The dosage of they invented a novel real-time polymerase researchers led by Ian, in partnership this drug needs to be tailored for each chain reaction (PCR) method, which copies with LGC and Optigene – a company that person; however, HyBeacons could make a DNA sequence millions of times for rapid manufactures systems for analysing DNA this process easier in the future. Using analysis. The method, known as Scorpion – are designing a chlamydia test that aims HyBeacons, doctors could use a person’s Technology, helps researchers identify to produce results within 15 minutes. individual genetic make-up as part of the mutations in a person’s genome. “Scorpion Having secured £480,000 of funding from calculation and work out the dosage much Primers enable treatment to be tailored to the Engineering and Physical Sciences more easily. HyBeacons could also have a the genetic nature of the disease to ensure Research Council (EPSRC) and the UK’s role for testing a patient’s susceptibility to that the correct therapy is given,” says Tom. Technology Strategy Board, they are the side-effects of certain medicines, such as “If you can understand which drugs are going developing the new test using HyBeacons statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs that to work for which people, you can avoid to detect the presence of the Chlamydia are taken by around seven million people in unnecessary expense and stress, and if there bacterium in urine samples. In the future England alone. Side effects of statins can be is more than one possible drug, you can give doctors could use this type of test to diagnose anything from cramp to kidney failure. them the right one. This could have a huge several different bacterial infections from If statins became available over the counter, impact – prolonging life and saving money.” }
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 7 “One of the great things for me about doing research at Southampton is that we have such fantastic facilities. We have great students and a lot of collaborations across the University.”
Tom Brown, Professor of Chemical Biology
Several of our PhD students and graduates are now developing HyBeacons, funded by ATDBio. Here, Southampton chemistry graduate Rachel Gao, who now works for ATDBio, is purifying a special monomer on a silica gel column for use in the synthesis of HyBeacons
8 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton Rapid crime scene analysis The applications of HyBeacons don’t stop We all have our own unique genetic ‘barcode,’ there; they could be used for a whole host Key facts of other areas, including paternity testing, which is what forensic scientists use to – As a species we share more than 99 identify people from traces left at a crime making sure rare parrots have been bred per cent of our DNA. scene by comparing DNA samples with, legally in captivity rather than illegally for example, the UK’s National DNA imported from the wild, testing sheep for the – The Human Genome Project, Database. However, finding a ‘match’ from prion disease scrapie and also for foot and completed in 2003, revealed that mouth disease. “A portable test for scrapie a DNA sample is a lengthy process and there are approximately 25,000 and foot and mouth could become important suspects often need to be released from genes in our DNA. This is far fewer at any time,” says Tom. “HyBeacons make custody before the results are ready. than was anticipated. Now Southampton scientists and LGC are it possible to test for these out in the field developing an ultra-rapid portable test that rather than taking samples back to the lab, – Using forensic STR analysis, sections could be carried out by non-experts. which minimises the risk of spreading the of the human genome can be infection,” he adds. As a species we share more than 99 per cent of converted into a ‘barcode’ that is our DNA; some of the differences between us Building on strong foundations unique for every individual. lie in the length of the DNA sequence between Southampton’s Nucleic Acid Research Group – In theory clinicians could use certain sections of our genome known as has an impressive history of innovation, HyBeacons to test for multiple short tandem repeats (STRs). To create a multidisciplinary working and enterprise. infections, such as STIs, in one go. genetic profile, forensic scientists take a Tom founded the company Oswel Research sample of hair or saliva, extract the DNA and Products, which synthesises chemically make multiple copies of the STRs at 11 key modified molecules such as DNA, and points in the human genome. To measure the co-founded two spin-out companies, length between the STRs, forensic scientists ATDBio and PrimerDesign. In 2008, in currently need to run the DNA strands collaboration with PrimerDesign, Tom’s through a polymer gel at a high voltage, team produced the first H1N1 swine flu test which takes about a day and needs specialist kit, which was used in Mexico at the early equipment and expertise. HyBeacons could stages of infection. The team has recently be the key to much faster tests. In the same developed a novel technique for linking way as for diagnostic tests, they bind to the DNA strands together using chemical DNA taken from a crime scene, producing a methods. Still in its early stages, this could fluorescent glow. When the mixture is eventually have implications in molecular heated gradually, it stops glowing at a certain biology and biotechnology. The team’s future temperature, proportional to the length of plans include developing small molecules the DNA strands. This so-called ‘melting that interact with nucleic acids to switch temperature’ shows the type of STRs present off disease-causing genes – a big challenge and the exact length of the DNA strands because the human body is extremely adept between them, which can be compared to the at finding ways of adjusting to change. DNA database in order to identify a suspect. “One of the great things for me about doing “This is particularly valuable if you want research at Southampton is that we have such to very quickly determine if someone was fantastic facilities,” says Tom. “We have great present or absent at the scene of a crime,” students and a lot of collaborations across says Tom. “If you have someone in a custody the University. With the development of the suite and you can only keep them for a certain new Institute for Life Sciences, we are looking length of time, you need a fast test to enable forward to being able to collaborate more and you to retain them for longer. If you combine more across the disciplines.” this with the portable equipment, you can do For more information, visit this at the scene of the crime,” he explains. www.southampton.ac.uk/research This research is now in the commercial arena: LGC are hoping to commercialise the technique and they are working with ATDBio, a company based at the University of Southampton and co-founded by Tom, to make the probes. There are also several of our PhD students further developing HyBeacons at the University, funded by ATDBio.
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 9 Carbon-rich oceans
The oceans absorb vast quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) every day, yet the effects on marine life are still poorly understood. This summer, a Southampton-led research team embarked on the largest ever experiment at sea to investigate how increasing CO2 levels are affecting ocean life.
Coccolithophores (pictured) are tiny marine organisms that are widespread in European waters. Researchers led by the University of Southampton are investigating the effects of increasing CO2 levels on these and other marine creatures
10 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton On 6 June 2011, the UK research vessel Southampton, who led the RRS Discovery chemistry on the cycling of carbon and RRS Discovery left Liverpool docks with cruise 366. “Since the onset of the industrial nutrients in the sea, and on how the sea nearly 30 researchers and technicians – revolution, the concentration of CO2 in the interacts with the atmosphere to influence from Southampton, Plymouth, Norwich, atmosphere has increased by more than a climate,” says Dr Toby Tyrrell, Reader in Edinburgh, Essex and elsewhere – on board third. The oceans have mopped up around 30 Earth System Science and coordinator of to study the impact of the oceans’ changing per cent of the human-induced CO2, and this the consortium carrying out this research. chemistry. For the next 35 days the team has made seawater more acidic,” he adds. Microbial processes in the oceans continually of oceanographers, marine biologists and We already know that some microscopic release climate-active gases such as dimethyl chemists made groundbreaking observations marine plants thrive under these conditions, sulphide (DMS) and nitrous oxide (N2O). of the effects of rising CO2 levels on ocean life while organisms with calcium carbonate Previous studies have indicated that more in European waters. shells struggle to form and maintain them, of these gases are released at high CO2 levels, but we don’t yet have a comprehensive which could have significant effects on “One of the main aims of this experiment picture of what the effects are,” he adds. our climate. } was to shed more light on the effects of the increasing acidity of our oceans,” The cruise also looked beyond the direct says Eric Achterberg, Professor of Marine impact on marine organisms and ecosystems. Biogeochemistry at the University of “We studied the impact of the changing
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 11 To find out how ecosystems vary between naturally more acidic and alkaline seawater, the researchers collected samples from different depths to analyse on deck
“Through this project, Floating laboratory phytoplankton – the tiny marine organisms The RRS Discovery is an on-water laboratory that form the base of the food chain – such as we are leading vital that takes measurements in often very the relative abundance of different species. research at the challenging conditions. “The main difference As well as the CTD points, the team also used to working on land is that the laboratory the ‘underway supply’: a pipe that collects forefront of moves constantly,” says Eric. “Activities that water continuously as the ship is moving, international efforts would be trivial on land suddenly become a enabling them to measure the local seawater lot harder with waves at four to six metres without stopping the ship. By collecting to understand the high and the wind blowing at six to seven on such samples, the team could employ a effects of emitting the Beaufort scale.” technique called flow cytometry to find out The researchers made their observations in how numerous viruses, bacteria, protists and enormous quantities several different ways. One key method was smaller phytoplankton were in small samples of carbon dioxide.” to take water samples from different depths of water. and locations and look at how ecosystems Another approach was experimentation vary between naturally more acidic or alkaline Dr Toby Tyrrell, on natural seawater. The team collected seawater. The team made observations seawater from the surface of the sea, put it Reader in Earth System Science at specific points in the ocean using a into separate bottles where the CO2 level ‘CTD’ (CTD literally means ‘conductivity- was changed, and placed the bottles in a temperature-depth’) – a metal frame that controlled laboratory on deck. “We subjected
holds a rack of sampling bottles and an array the natural seawater to the levels of CO2 that of instruments, that is lowered down as far as could occur in the future to give us a glimpse several kilometres below the ocean surface. of what may happen to the marine ecosystem
The instruments measured properties such as atmospheric CO2 continues to rise,” says as the temperature and salinity of the water, Eric. The team carried out these bioassay while water samples were collected in 20-litre experiments to measure how efficiently bottles for analysis on deck. This enabled the minute organisms converted higher levels
team to measure the concentrations of gases, of CO2 into energy through photosynthesis,
such as DMS and N2O, dissolved in the water, or into a calcium carbonate shell. They also as well as to look at different properties of measured the gene and protein expression
12 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton “We urgently need to consider the use of the oceans by future generations, as well as tackling issues such as rising atmospheric CO2 levels, fisheries and wind farm developments in coastal zones.”
Eric Achterberg, Professor of Marine Biogeochemistry of microbial communities exposed to feasibility of some geoengineering options experimentally high CO2 levels to find out to mitigate global change. Key facts how capable microbes were at adapting to The RRS Discovery cruise 366 is part of the – The top 3.3m of the oceans climate change. £12m UK Ocean Acidification Programme, hold as much heat as our entire The next challenge is to analyse and funded by the Natural Environment Research atmosphere. interpret the findings, which will be used Council and two government departments: by modellers to inform, for example, the the Department of Environment, Food – The oceans provide 99 per cent of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Rural Affairs and the Department of the Earth’s living space – the largest
(IPCC) on the effects of different future 2CO Energy and Climate Change. The team is space in our universe known to be emissions scenarios on the marine system. now planning two more cruises as part of the inhabited by living organisms. ocean acidification project: the next one will Protecting our oceans for the future be in the Arctic Ocean in July 2012, and the – More than 3.5 billion people depend on the oceans for their primary Rising CO2 levels are already affecting our final expedition will be in the Antarctic source of food. In 20 years, this oceans. “The warming of the surface layer of region in January 2013. These research cruises the ocean is decreasing its density, resulting build on a strong history of oceanography number could double to 7 billion. in a more stratified, or layered, water column. expertise at the University of Southampton. This is reducing the supply of nutrient-rich “The National Oceanography Centre deep waters to the productive sunlit surface Southampton (NOCS) is one of the leading ocean,” says Eric. This decrease in nutrients centres in the world, and our work on ocean will mean that in the future, the oceans will acidification and ocean productivity is widely be unable to support the abundance and recognised,” says Eric. diversity of marine life they can today, Training the next generation of as well as having a knock-on effect on our oceanographers is a key component of food supply. “The decline in primary these projects, and a significant part of the productivity of the ocean plants and work is done by PhD students and early microorganisms that form the base of the career scientists. Dr Sophie Richier, an food chains in ocean ecosystems will also early career researcher at NOCS who was a ultimately impact on fisheries, which are member of the RRS Discovery cruise 366, says: a vital protein source for large parts of the “Taking part in this research was a once-in- world’s population,” Eric adds. a-lifetime experience for me; it was fantastic
Rising CO2 levels aren’t the only threats to to be surrounded by so many experienced our oceans. In the coastal zones, we are still scientists with different areas of expertise, discharging waste into our seas, causing all working together as a cohesive team and low-oxygen regions to form, which create a a close community. I learned so much during hostile environment. “This situation is the five weeks at sea.” worst in rapidly industrialising countries Together these expeditions add up to an like China, but also noticeable in European exciting new venture in multidisciplinary waters,” says Eric. “There are also regular research, led by the University of reports on overfishing, and we collectively Southampton. Toby explains: “Through have to tackle this issue and move rapidly this project, we are leading vital research to a sustainable fishing industry. We need at the forefront of international efforts to to view the oceans as an asset, and protect understand the effects of emitting enormous them. We urgently need to consider the quantities of carbon dioxide. The knowledge use of the oceans by future generations, gained on these research cruises will inform as well as tackling issues such as rising us in our quest to be intelligent stewards of atmospheric CO levels, fisheries and wind 2 our changing planet.” farm developments in coastal zones.” Oceanographers in Southampton are For more information, visit investigating the impacts ongoing global www.noc.ac.uk/news/rrs-discovery- changes have on the oceans, and also the cruise-366
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 13 Revolutionising optical communications Dr Anna Peacock joined the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) in 2001 to undertake her PhD. After completing her doctoral degree, Anna was employed as a researcher for Stratophase Ltd, an ORC spin-out company. She is now a senior research fellow at the ORC.
14 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton What are the main aims of your research? What do you enjoy most about your work? How would you rate Southampton for early career research opportunities? Q The age of optical communications Q I enjoy the challenge of working on a Q has been enabled by two key technological cutting-edge technology that has the potential Southampton has been an excellent place breakthroughs: semiconductor-based chips, to shape the future of telecommunications for my early career development, both used to process optical data, and low-loss networks. We are one of only a few research in terms of its top-class facilities, as well silica optical fibres, used to transport this teams in the world that have the capability to as supporting me through my funding data. The aim of my research is to combine work in this area, and it is highly rewarding applications and providing me with these two technologies by incorporating to take conceptual ideas and transform them opportunities to grow my research area. semiconductor materials inside the fibre into real-world devices. The strong and competitive research geometry. This will enable the fibres to act environment is immensely stimulating and as processors as well as transmitters of What do you see as your biggest challenge? motivates a high level of research output. light, transforming the way information is Q The biggest challenge has been to What have been your biggest achievements distributed. Ultimately, the combination of convince well-established industries to since joining the University? these capabilities into a single device presents adopt our new technology. This can only be Q enormous potential to make communications achieved by demonstrating the huge potential Winning the support of the Royal Academy faster, cheaper and more efficient. of semiconductor fibres, which continually of Engineering and Engineering and drives us to improve the fabrication and Physical Sciences Research Council What impact will your research have device performance, as well as to search through a fellowship and a first grant was on society? Q for new capabilities unique to the fibres we a big achievement. This confirmation The rate of data traffic is increasing every develop here. of the importance and timeliness of the year, placing a huge stress on existing semiconductor fibre technology has enabled communication infrastructures. The ability Why is Southampton a good place to me to establish independent research to develop semiconductor fibres that will Q do this type of research? activities in this exciting new area. It has increase the speed and capacity of these The ORC is one of the world’s leading been highly rewarding to publish our first systems, while at the same time offering institutes for photonics research, with papers as a new research team, and to receive reduced energy consumption, could be a numerous state-of-the-art laboratories recognition in the form of invited talks key development in preventing an eventual and in-house facilities for fabricating, and feature articles in some of the leading bottleneck, as well as maintaining the characterising and developing a wide range photonics journals. sustainability of the digital economy. of fibre and planar devices of different For more information about research at the The broad wavelength range that these materials. This is an excellent time to ORC, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/orc fibres can transmit light over means that be conducting photonics research at their applications also extend beyond Southampton; opportunities are continually communications and into areas such as arising to establish new collaborations medicine, sensing, imaging and security and exploit the wider range of available monitoring. For example, compact resources within the University’s extensive mid-infrared laser sources could be used Mountbatten clean room complex. in tissue imaging and drug analysis. How important is multidisciplinary What sparked your interest in this topic? Q collaboration to your research? Q Throughout my research career The University’s multidisciplinary approach I have worked on a diverse range of novel is very important because our semiconductor optical fibres including fibre amplifiers fibre work includes aspects of optical physics, (devices that power today’s internet) and materials development and computational microstructured fibres (a new type of fibre modelling. I have been able to use many of that can be used for a range of applications, the facilities, including those in Chemistry, including telecoms, sensing, medicine, Electronics and Computer Science (ECS), aerospace and defence). Both these types Physics and Astronomy, as well as the Iridis of fibre were invented at the ORC here at supercomputing service, which is one of Southampton. What really attracted me the largest university-owned computers to this project was the unique opportunity to in the UK. combine the flexible light-guiding capabilities of fibres with the rich optoelectronic functionality of semiconductors, which opens the door to many new and exciting research opportunities.
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 15 “Currently the recovery rate of arm and hand function after having a stroke is very poor: only around five per cent of people with severe impairment go on to recover useful function.” Jane Burridge, Professor of Restorative Neuroscience
16 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton Helping people recover from stroke Every year around 15 million people globally have a stroke; it’s the third most common cause of death in the UK and the leading cause of severe disability. Now pioneering Southampton research could help people regain movement and feeling in their arms and hands much more effectively after having a stroke.
A stroke happens when the blood supply to part The researchers are able to monitor the activity of the brain is cut off. This causes some of the of the neurones using trans-cranial magnetic brain cells (neurones) to become damaged or die, stimulation (TMS) pulses, which stimulate the breaking the connections between the brain and brain with a weak magnetic field causing small the muscles and often preventing the person from muscle contractions. The relationship between moving their limbs. Southampton researchers the strength of the TMS pulses and the muscle are carrying out groundbreaking research using contraction provides information about the rehabilitation robots and functional electrical connections between the neurones and the stimulation to enable people who have had a stroke muscles. In this way, the researchers are able to move their arms and hands again. They are also to not only see if someone is getting better, but developing novel tactile devices that stimulate the also understand why. The team is conducting a sense of touch to help people regain lost sensation. preliminary trial with five participants using tDCS and rehabilitation robots, to test the technique. A novel combination With funding from the UK’s Wessex Medical Trust, “Currently the recovery rate of arm and hand they will be expanding this into a larger trial with function after having a stroke is very poor: 40 participants who have recently returned home only around five per cent of people with severe after a stroke. impairment go on to recover useful function,” As well as using tDCS to stimulate neurones in says Jane Burridge, Professor of Restorative the brain, Jane’s team is also studying the effect Neuroscience. “This is largely because after a stroke of using functional electrical stimulation (FES) many people have reduced movement so don’t get to activate the muscles of the arm directly while the opportunity to practise exercises,” she adds. participants are exercising in the robot. FES assists Jane is leading the Southampton team conducting them to perform simple tasks repeatedly and so the first randomised controlled trial in the world recover useful movement. In one trial, for example, to study the combination of electrical brain participants played a computer game that involved stimulation – known as trans-cranial direct current moving a ball along a tube. The researchers looked stimulation, or tDCS – and rehabilitation robots. at the difference, or error, between how they The rehabilitation robot supports the arm and helps performed at this task and a perfect score, and it to move, enabling patients to regain movement stimulated the muscle by a controlled amount to and coordination. While practising in the robot, correct for the error. “When you’re practising a tDCS, a low-level continuous electrical current, skill like tennis, you learn and refine your is passed across the brain through electrodes on performance by adjusting to whether you have hit the head. It raises the electrical excitability of the the ball inside or outside of the court,” says Jane. neurones, helping them to send signals to make the “If you have had a stroke and can’t move, then you muscles move. As well as helping patients practise can’t get that practice and correction. The electrical a motor skill, tDCS may also stimulate recovery of stimulation enables people to move their arm damaged neurones so that new connections can and helps them to correct the error and improve be made. at the task.” }
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 17 Southampton researchers are conducting the first randomised controlled trial in the world to study the combination of electrical brain stimulation and rehabilitation robots. The robot (pictured here) supports the patient’s arm to help improve movement and coordination
This study, funded by the Engineering and project, says: “The sensory aspect of stroke “The multidisciplinary Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), rehabilitation hasn’t had much attention so collaboration and is based on an approach known as iterative far, but it is vital. It’s all very well being able learning control: the participants repeat the to move your hand to pick up an object, but state-of-the-art facilities task, see how they have performed and then, when you can’t feel that object, you don’t at the University of through practice, they continually improve. know whether it’s slipping out of your hand These preliminary trials have shown that the or whether it’s hot or cold. The devices we’re Southampton have been technique is very promising and the team is designing will reinforce those perceptions.” now working towards designing systems that The team has now developed three different crucial to the success patients can use at home, improving their of this project.” recovery and bringing significant cost savings devices that provide a sensation by for the NHS. “The long-term aim of this stimulating the receptors in the fingers. Dr Geoff Merrett, research is to give physiotherapists practical These include a ‘vibration’ tactile device; Lecturer in Electronics and Computer Science and smart tools to help stroke patients take a motor-driven squeezer device; and a ‘shape responsibility for their own rehabilitation. memory alloy’ device that, between them, The techniques we are using tap into the way can apply a range of sensations including people normally learn a new skill, and our temperature, pressure and vibration. overall aim is to give them the support that A group of stroke patients and healthy enables them to practise,” says Jane. participants gave detailed feedback on how they felt the devices had performed. Sensory aspect “Most stroke rehabilitation systems ignore Southampton researchers are also developing the role of sensation and they only allow novel devices that help stroke patients people repetitive movement,” says Dr Sara regain the sense of touch in their arms and Demain, a physiotherapist at the University hands. Dr Geoff Merrett, who is leading the of Southampton, who works with people
18 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton who have experienced a stroke. “Our aim is research spans the fields of both health “We have a team of physiotherapists, to develop a technology that provides people science and electronics. “By considering all electronic engineers, biomechanists, with a sense of holding something or of these perspectives, especially in an economic psychologists, and a mechanical engineer feeling something, like, for example, holding climate like this, we hope to come up with all bringing their insights. And with our new a hot cup of tea, and we want to integrate this a device that will be accepted not only by equipment, we have been able to print out with improving motor function.” the patient community, but also by funding the 3D plastic devices directly.” bodies like the NHS,” Cheryl adds. The results showed that participants with This research looks set to have a major the most severe impairments reacted best to The project received initial funding from impact on stroke rehabilitation research. the vibration and the least impaired reacted the University of Southampton’s Adventures As Jane says: “Anyone who has had to endure best to the shape memory alloy devices, so it’s in Research fund, and the team has just the debilitating effects of a stroke, either likely that the final version of the device will secured further funding from the UK’s themselves or in helping a loved one in that include a combination of different modalities. Technology Strategy Board to continue situation, will know just how difficult it can The testing also revealed that the devices this research towards a workable prototype be. Through our research across the different need to be small, light and not obstruct in a few years’ time, which will then be ready disciplines, and with the help of people who movement so that they don’t impede the to go through clinical trials. The ultimate goal have had a stroke, we are really hoping to normal function. “It’s incredibly important is to translate the device out of the clinical transform the recovery process and make to take on board the views of the user from setting and into people’s homes, so it can be life more manageable for those who find themselves in that situation in the future.” day one if you want to create an effective part of a toolkit to be used alongside other technologies such as tDCS, rehabilitation new technology that people will actually use. For more information, visit robots and conventional therapies. We have taken this feedback, as well as www.southampton.ac.uk/research feedback from clinicians and carers, into “The multidisciplinary collaboration and consideration to design new, improved state-of-the-art facilities at the University versions of the devices,” says Dr Cheryl of Southampton have been crucial to the Metcalf, a lecturer in biomechanics whose success of this project,” Geoff says.
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 19 Aerospace innovations Andy Keane, Professor of Computational Engineering, is the Director of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Computational Engineering and is distinguished for his research in aerospace design. Andy, who was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering this year, tells New Boundaries about his research.
20 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton What are the main aims of your What are the potential impacts of your How important is multidisciplinary Q current research? Q research on industry? Q collaboration to your research? My current research focuses on two main The printed aircraft demonstrates what All the work we do is multidisciplinary areas: making the best use of large computer advanced approaches to design can achieve. because all aspects of a design need to be simulations and models during the aerospace It also showed how highly capable unmanned considered together to establish the true value design process, and the impact of latest- aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be designed to of a new concept. This includes traditional generation manufacturing methods on design. meet specific needs and be flown at a much areas such as aerodynamic and stress analysis, Computer simulation and manufacturing lower cost than is usually the case in the along with costing and manufacturing technology are rapidly moving fields and defence and aerospace sectors. The aircraft schemes, right through to simulating the designers need to refine their approaches we flew, including all on-board avionics aircraft’s performance throughout its life and to take advantage of these developments if and the autonomous controller, cost less its benefit to the final end-user. The team at their products are to remain competitive. than £6,000. Southampton has expertise in all these areas. The tools we research assist in this work and The University is also linked to most of the Why is UAV development important? sit alongside the more traditional design major aerospace companies in the UK, packages such as computer-aided design Q UAVs have traditionally been seen who support the research in a range of ways (CAD) packages and finite element analysis as military assets, but they have many from financial support through to helping us (FEA). They address areas such as design civilian uses. They can be used for coastal jointly develop platforms for our research. optimisation and robustness in the face surveillance to support air-sea rescue teams. What successes have you had in of uncertainties, such as inaccuracies in They can be used by farmers to monitor their commercialising your research? manufacturing, how the product is used, and fields or conservationists to study forests, Q wear and tear during service. They also enable and the owners of transmission lines can use We have produced two spin-out companies: groups of methods to be linked and used by them for inspection purposes. They can be Plexus Planning, a supply chain management teams with reduced human intervention. used for scientific missions – for example company, and Dezineforce, a design UAVs can be used to study volcanic ash clouds optimisation service, which was recently Could you tell us more about one of without endangering humans so that the bought by Microsoft. Q your team’s recent successes? safety of an airspace can be established. Are there any other exciting developments Recently we brought together our ideas in The only thing holding back a revolution coming up? rapid design and advanced manufacture by in the use of our skies is the regulatory Q designing the world’s first three-dimensional framework and it’s anticipated that this will The University designed and built the world’s printed aircraft. We went from initial idea change in the next decade to free up a massive first human-powered aircraft around 50 years through the full design cycle to flight trials growth in the use of civilian UAVs. ago, and we are currently trialling another human-powered aircraft that is aiming to take in four weeks and built an aircraft that What opportunities are there for early contained no conventional fasteners or Q career researchers and students in one of the last remaining prizes in the field of fixings such as nuts, bolts and screws. this area? human-powered flight. The aircraft was printed in four large pieces, We have a new advanced MSc course in What is your impression of Southampton complete with all hinged control surfaces autonomous systems that started in October. as a place to do research? pre-assembled and then the parts were simply Q This course is the first of its kind, and will snapped together to make the complete The University of Southampton is an exciting allow young engineers to learn about airframe. All the on-board avionics, control and fun place to work. It allows people to the whole range of exciting technologies systems, power plant and batteries simply develop their ideas and grow their research. required to realise our vision for the UAV snapped into clip fittings, pre-designed into It enables people to work in new areas that lie sector. Students will build and operate the airframe. The resulting aircraft met all the outside the traditional discipline boundaries their own UAVs in small teams using specifications on its first flight and is capable and the University’s aerospace activity is one our range of advanced design tools and of speeds of over 90mph. of the strongest in the world. manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit www.southampton.ac.uk/research
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 21 22 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton Miracle metal Seven million people around the globe contract a healthcare-associated infection each year. According to the World Health Organization, the annual cost is over $80bn. Southampton researchers have discovered that copper may help to eliminate this threat.
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) University of Southampton, has been cause a range of symptoms, from minor researching HAIs for several years. His team discomfort to serious disability, and even has discovered that the natural antimicrobial death. High standards of infection control properties of copper and copper alloys are crucial for containing the spread of these dramatically reduce the presence of infections. But despite widespread hand methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus washing campaigns and improvements in (MRSA) compared with stainless steel, cleaning, infection rates remain unacceptably which is commonly used on surfaces in high. As new strains of bacteria and viruses hospitals. “Although stainless steel looks emerge and spread from hospitals to schools, like a mirror surface to the naked eye, under homes and public transport, or vice versa, the microscope it’s full of scratch marks and researchers face a constant ‘arms race’ to bacteria are able to hide in the grooves,” says find new solutions. Bill. “The reason it’s used is that it’s deemed Professor Bill Keevil, Head of the to be easy to clean and disinfect, but if you Microbiology Group and Director of the look at a magnified image of the surface, Environmental Healthcare Unit at the you can see that this is not the case.” }
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 23 The research team has shown that dry copper surfaces can eliminate superbugs such as Clostridium difficile
In a recent trial, the researchers found that The Southampton research team has shown “We have developed MRSA bacteria remain fully active for days that copper works in several different ways very sensitive assays on stainless steel surfaces, whereas on brass to shut down bacterial cells’ chemistry and (an alloy of copper and zinc), they die in less physiology. Using ‘quenching agents’ to showing that copper than five hours on a moist surface and on inhibit the action of copper, the team worked completely destroys pure copper they are eliminated in under out that the metal releases positively charged 30 minutes. On a dry surface this happens ions and reactive oxygen species, which the bacteria’s DNA in in just a few minutes. quickly kill any bacterial cells that touch it. minutes so they can’t go Earlier this year, the researchers also “We have developed very sensitive assays completed a study of copper’s efficacy showing that copper completely destroys on to become resistant.” against new strains of Escherichia coli the bacteria’s DNA in minutes so they can’t (E. coli), the pathogen that caused the recent go on to become resistant,” says Bill. Professor Bill Keevil, health crisis in Germany, and found they Copper destroys not only chromosomal Head of the Microbiology Group were eliminated from a dry surface in 10 DNA, but also plasmids, which are circular and Director of the Environmental minutes. “We tested E. coli O157, which has pieces of DNA that confer antibiotic Healthcare Unit caused several past outbreaks of severe resistance. These plasmids can move gastrointestinal illness, as well as several between bacteria, passing on the antibiotic other strains, all of which were killed rapidly resistance to different bacterial species. on copper,” says Bill. “The crisis in Germany So copper not only kills these agents but also was caused by a new strain of E. coli O104, prevents mutation and resistance transfer which had never been seen before in an to other potential superbugs. outbreak. Although this wasn’t included in our tests, it’s interesting to speculate that Microscopic scale the outbreak could have been reduced if Detecting signs of life in bacteria requires copper alloys had been used either in the precision equipment, and Southampton food producing facility or in restaurants researchers have developed a unique and shops where contaminated food may microscope for this purpose. The Episcopic have been,” he adds. Differential Interference Contrast (EDIC) How copper kills microscope can look directly at the organisms on a surface and, using simple fluorescent There are many examples in antiquity stains, can tell whether they are alive. showing that copper is beneficial to “We have also developed new methods to health. “The ancient Egyptians used it to look at membrane integrity, respiration and sterilise drinking water and treat wounds; DNA integrity of bacteria, as well as showing Hippocrates in Greece used it to treat leg the generation of reactive oxygen species ulcers and varicose veins; and the Aztecs used from a copper surface in real time,” says Bill. copper oxide and malachite, which is copper carbonate, for skin conditions,” says Bill. Currently there isn’t a single approved test However, until recently, there have been no for antimicrobial touch surfaces, so Bill’s laboratory tests to measure its effectiveness. team has also developed a new test, which he
24 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton hopes will become the international standard. door handles and light switches – in one The test involves incubating the organisms ward were replaced with copper. The trial, Key facts (bacteria, viruses or fungi) on a surface for funded by the UK’s Copper Development – 20-30 per cent of us are up to two hours, and using EDIC to look for Agency, showed that the copper fittings unknowingly carrying signs of life. “There is a real need for a new reduced the numbers of viable organisms test for antimicrobial surfaces, as there are on the copper surfaces by more than 90 per Staphylococcus aureus at all times. some spurious tests out there at the moment cent. This trial has now been repeated in – 51 per cent of patients in that aren’t relevant for a ward environment,” the USA, South Africa, Japan, Germany and intensive care units worldwide Chile, with similar results. “Our colleagues says Bill. have infections. in the USA recently reported that copper Taking on the superbugs alloy touch surfaces caused a 40 per cent – 80 per cent of infectious diseases The Southampton team has been reduction in infection rates in a new hospital are transferred by touch. investigating the antimicrobial properties trial. This is very exciting because it means of copper for over 10 years, and the University that, as a research community, we have – There are 300 different is the leading centre for this research in now shown in several separate studies that antimicrobial copper alloys. the UK. “Over the years this work has copper is effective at reducing microbial developed into a multidisciplinary activity,” contamination and infection,” says Bill, says Bill. “The initial research was done who also presented his team’s results on the by microbiologists, and we now work with antimicrobial mechanisms of copper at the engineers for advice on the metallurgy, as well same conference – the first International as clinicians and infection control nurses.” Conference on Infection and Prevention Control, in Geneva, earlier this year. In early laboratory trials, the team showed that copper killed 10 million MRSA, The team’s research is already having an Clostridium difficile and Acinetobacter impact: some hospitals around the world baumannii bacteria in 45 minutes to two are already starting to incorporate copper hours. When they adjusted their assays to alloys into their wards. With new superbugs the low concentrations of MRSA reported in emerging all the time, Southampton hospital environments, they found that the researchers are at the forefront of finding new ways to tackle them. copper killed all the bacteria much faster – in just 10 to 15 minutes. “Once we saw how For more information, visit effective copper could be, we started talking www.southampton.ac.uk/research to the Department of Health in the UK and the National Institutes of Health in the USA about doing ward trials to find out whether our results in the lab would translate into real benefits in hospitals,” says Bill. In 2009, the researchers conducted a trial at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, UK, in which all the fixtures and fittings – such as
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 25 Crossing the borders This year the world’s population reached seven billion, and with more and more people seeking opportunities abroad, international migration is affecting societies across the globe. Southampton researchers are leading two European studies to investigate the effects of migration and help governments develop informed immigration policies.
Along with births and deaths, migration “Migration is the main driver of population “Migration is the main is one of the three drivers of population change in Europe and this affects the driver of population change. People migrate for a whole host of distribution of resources. Good statistics reasons – to join family, study abroad, find a are needed to study the impacts of these change in Europe better quality of life, or as refugees or asylum population changes,” says James. However, and this affects the seekers. Although migration is thought to he adds: “Unlike statistics for births and increase diversity, innovation and economic deaths, there are no legal requirements for distribution of resources. prosperity for destination countries, collecting migration statistics.” This results currently there is a lack of data on both its in a variety of data sources and measures Good statistics are extent and effects. used to track population movements, needed to study Dr Jackline Wahba and Dr James Raymer, causing an incomplete understanding the impacts of these both based at the University of of these movements. Southampton’s Economic and Social James’s team has already produced the first population changes.” Research Council Centre for Population set of consistent and complete estimates of Change (CPC), are addressing just this migration flows among countries in the EU. Dr James Raymer, issue. They are leading two projects Now they are building a statistical model Reader in Social Sciences within the prestigious €22m NORFACE that incorporates expert judgements and (New Opportunities for Research Funding uncertainty. Once completed, the model Co-operation Agency in Europe) migration will enable national statistical offices and research programme. Their work will help other organisations, such as Eurostat and the governments more accurately keep track United Nations, to see where there are gaps of migration across their borders, as well in existing information so that they may start as understand the challenges faced by to fill them. migrants to help them safeguard their human rights. “Governments are under a lot of pressure right now to make the best use of the data Measuring migration they already have rather than generate Governments need robust information on new data. So the possibilities of combining migration to develop informed policies. information from a number of different
26 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton sources, such as passenger surveys and are coming into their country, dominating geographers and social statisticians all population registers, collected by both the local jobs market and abusing the welfare working together to tackle some of today’s sending and receiving countries, offers a system, but the team’s research has shown most pressing challenges,” says Jackline. relatively cheap and efficient way to improve that this stereotypical view doesn’t stand A growing issue our knowledge of migration patterns and up to scrutiny. They analysed data on more processes,” says James. than 94,000 labour immigrants to the Migration is on the increase, and Southampton researchers are at the cutting Earlier this year, the UK government placed Netherlands between 1999 and 2007 and edge of research to find sustainable, an annual limit on the number of immigrants found that unemployment was more workable solutions. “Ninety-eight per allowed into the UK from outside the likely to result in people returning to their cent of the growth from six billion to seven European Union. Imposing limits in this home country than staying on to find new billion has occurred in developing countries, way could cause unintended consequences, employment or claim benefits. and this increase in population will lead says James. “There are a lot of industries “Our work has shown that people who to more people migrating to Europe,” says that depend on migrants,” he explains. come into the country don’t harm the Jackline. “Migration is one way in which food, “Just to give one example, a lot of people ‘natives’ and they themselves also benefit, energy and healthcare provision around the want to purchase British-grown fruit, but they so migration can work to help balance out world can be balanced out to reduce global also want the prices to remain competitive global inequality. The findings from our study inequalities. If well managed, migration will with food obtained from other countries. in the Netherlands are important because help our growing population to make best use Migrants are brought in to meet this need. they indicate that, contrary to popular belief, of the planet’s resources.” Without migrants, there would be a labour the migrants are not trying to benefit from For more information, visit gap, which could have a detrimental effect the welfare state.” The team is also looking www.southampton.ac.uk/research on the economy.” at the impacts of migration in Germany, Choices and challenges and from February next year, they will also be looking at developing countries, Another team of researchers, led by Jackline, particularly in North Africa. is investigating the socio-economic aspects of migration. They are looking at the choices “Southampton is a great place to do this faced by the migrants themselves and how type of research because we have the leading they integrate into their host country. Many centre for understanding population change people are worried that swathes of migrants in the UK, with economists, sociologists,
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 27 In brief Image: Havant Borough Council Image: Havant Borough
Faster file sharing Nanoscale materials Newspapers help Sending large electronic files faster than Faster computers, smarter sensors and understand floods by email for free is now a reality thanks to more energy-efficient mobile phones could Local newspaper archives have helped scientists from the University of Southampton. be a reality now Southampton scientists University of Southampton researchers to The system allows users to send files within have secured £5m of funding for advanced understand the relationship between high sea and beyond their organisations from their nanotechnology research. levels and coastal flooding in the Solent region own servers with no size restriction. Hi-tech materials underpin a wide variety of along the south coast of England. Coastal Julian Field, Postmaster for Electronics photonic and electronic devices, but how flooding in the Solent has been common over and Computer Science at the University, these materials are layered and patterned the last 70 years and a significant number of developed ZendTo – a free and secure determines properties like data storage, these events have caused repeated damage web-based system. ZendTo is particularly speed and power. Electrodeposition is used and disruption. useful in a customer service environment as in the microelectronics industry to make To highlight the most flood-vulnerable when it sends files, it incorporates customer the minute wires that connect different areas, Robert Nicholls, Professor of Coastal service ticketing references, so that all the components inside the latest computer chips. Engineering, and colleagues, have used digitised references are kept intact. Copper is deposited from solution in water sea-level data for the ports of Southampton within pores in the insulating material that Julian is no stranger to innovative web-based (1935-2005) and Portsmouth (1961-2005) to encapsulates the wires. However, depositing tools. In 2000, he began developing identify extreme sea level events. They then materials from liquids becomes impractical MailScanner, which is now a world-leading examined the daily newspapers The Southern for pores smaller than a few tens of atoms, email security and anti-spam system. It has been Daily Echo and The News along with a range because the liquid will not go into the holes. downloaded over 1.5 million times and is used of other local publications to see how many of in 226 countries by organisations such as the Professor Phil Bartlett and his team of these reported floods. US Space and Naval Warfare Systems researchers from Southampton, Nottingham The team has found that parts of Portsmouth, Command, Vodafone Europe, Amnesty and Warwick, are going to be using supercritical Southampton, Hayling Island, Fareham and International and the British Antarctic Survey. fluid electrodeposition to make and enhance Cowes are vulnerable areas with floods materials at the smallest scale possible. “Ironically, the success of MailScanner and its happening on multiple occasions – the most “Supercritical fluids completely fill a space, strict security protocol means that it imposes severe flooding was in December 1989. like a gas, but can dissolve things, like a liquid, limits on files being sent by email, which led to and their properties can be adjusted by “While the occurrence of extreme sea levels the development of ZendTo, which has no size changing the temperature and pressure. has increased throughout the data, the number or type restrictions,” says Julian. Their extreme penetrating powers will enable of damaging floods has remained roughly electrodeposition to be used for structures constant and fewer areas have flooded,” far smaller than anything achieved to date,” says Robert. “A combination of new and says Phil. improved coastal defences in high-risk areas and less stormy periods since the 1990s are The five-year programme funded by the the main reason for this decline,” he adds. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council could revolutionise nanomaterial design and make technological devices faster, smaller and smarter.
28 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton Languages at war
A major factor in the success of military since 2003. The University of Southampton The University of Southampton’s Professor intervention in foreign lands is the ability to has been involved in a study that showed that Mike Kelly led the research into language understand and interact with the people you good language provision can have a major encounters during the peacekeeping mission meet. Researchers are now studying the way effect on the success of a military operation. in Bosnia-Herzegovina. “There is still no war is ‘spoken’ by focusing on the people who alternative to training troops in how to Using Bosnia as a case study, Southampton give a voice to the military. communicate with people from other researchers have concluded that the military languages and cultures,” says Mike. “You don’t British forces in Afghanistan currently employ increasingly depend on locally employed have to be fluent, but you need to make an a total of 650 local interpreters, and the linguists, who may not be professionals with effort to communicate. And you really do Americans employ 9,000 in Iraq. It is a the necessary skills and knowledge and are need someone on your side who can speak dangerous job in which hundreds have died often treated with suspicion by both sides. the language.”
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 29 In brief
Threat of asteroid collision
Southampton scientists have developed The Near Earth Object Mitigation Support harm’s way,” says Hugh. “A key thing about a new software tool that could help System (NEOMiSS), designed by PhD this system is that it will allow decision- governments decide how to respond to the student Charlotte Norlund and supervisors makers to adjust their information sets as the threat of an asteroid or comet hitting Earth. Professor Peter Atkinson and Dr Hugh uncertainty around the predicted location Lewis, provides information about the of an impact diminishes,” adds Peter. The chances of a Near Earth Object (NEO) ability to evacuate a threatened region before “The question then is when to take action impact are very small, but just one impact an impact. By combining models of the to alter the asteroid’s path or to evacuate a could be devastating to the human race and physical effects of an impact with historical city in the face of diminishing uncertainty.” the planet. Many NEOs that pass close to knowledge of hurricanes, volcanic eruptions Earth have been identified, including the and tsunamis, the system predicts the 400m asteroid 2005 YU55 that approached to vulnerability of the region. within 325,000km of the Earth in November 2011. But if an impact was predicted, “The early results show that some regions procedures would need to be in place in of the world would require a considerable order to save lives. amount of time to get their population out of
30 New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton Saving lives Joy of music for all Tackling identity-related crime The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) There is music to cater for all types of tastes, Counterfeit identification documents in partnership with the University of but getting enjoyment out of music for a deaf represent an increased threat to national Southampton and 28 other organisations person is nearly impossible. Now, Southampton security. Southampton researchers are now worldwide reports that 3.6 million lives could researchers are investigating how patients with embarking on a £1.85m project to tackle be saved by upgrading midwifery services in a cochlear implant can ‘hear’ music. identity-related crime. developing countries. Cochlear implants can enable people with A recent assessment by the National Fraud Each year 358,000 women die while pregnant severe to profound hearing loss to perceive Authority estimates that identity fraud costs or during childbirth, some two million babies and understand speech. However, current the UK over £2.7bn a year. The Super-Identity die within 24 hours of being born and technology doesn’t allow the same with music (SID) project, led by psychologist Dr Sarah 2.6 million stillbirths occur, all because of due to the complexity of the sound produced. Stevenage, examines a range of physical and inadequate healthcare. behavioural cues to predict other unknown Music professor David Nicholls, project information about us, in order to build an The State of the World’s Midwifery 2011 report, composer Dr Ben Oliver and Dr Rachel van accurate identity. launched at the Triennial Congress of the Besouw from the University’s Institute of Sound International Confederation of Midwives in and Vibration Research (ISVR), with the help of “The ways in which we reveal our identity are Durban, South Africa, in June, confirms that a £109,000 grant from the Arts and Humanities rapidly changing. We signal who we are through there is a significant gap between the number Research Council, are looking at ways to help our physical presence, and through the way of practising midwives and the number needed patients from the South of England Cochlear that we behave, but now this can occur both to save lives. Implant Centre, based at the University. in a real-world context and a cyber context,” says Sarah. The team hopes to identify cues Southampton statistician and demographer Through innovative music workshops in in a cyber environment such as use of social Professor Zoë Matthews was instrumental in conjunction with the Southampton Community networking sites and browsing patterns which analysing the data and writing parts of the (SoCo) Music Project, the team will explore the might indicate identity and give valuable cues report. “We collected completely new data on aspects of music that can be appreciated by to signal changes in behaviour or intention. the midwifery workforces in 58 ‘resource poor’ patients through listening, computer-based and countries where nearly 60 per cent of the practical activities. The system works by building a network of world’s babies are born,” she says. information up about a person. It can also “We want to build a computer tool kit of quantify the certainty associated with the The report highlights that unless the listening exercises that people can listen to information, so the end user can have a level competencies of the existing midwives are at home, which will help them to distinguish, of confidence in the accuracy of the data. addressed and an additional 112,000 midwives recognise and appreciate different musical This will offer significant value to security are trained, deployed and retained, many of sounds,” says David. and intelligence services. the countries surveyed will not achieve the internationally agreed goal that all pregnant For more information on these stories, visit women should have a skilled health worker www.southampton.ac.uk/research to assist in childbirth.
New Boundaries | December 2011 | University of Southampton 31
www.southampton.ac.uk/research [email protected] +44 (0)23 8059 3815