Future-oriented science education manifesto

As citizens of the world, we are dealing with all kinds of complex issues and challenges, such as climate change, global health, multiculturalism, social justice, artificial intelligence and new technologies. These challenges require us to build visions of the future that empower our actions today. This will define the future for all of us. Research shows that people expect the future to be greatly influenced by science and technology. We, however, need to ensure that the advancements in science are in line with the futures we envision. It is, therefore, essential to think critically about the possibilities and pitfalls of science-driven innovations and to connect them in an interdisciplinary way. This will increase scientific literacy, agency, and responsible research and innovation. Significant overlap exists between futures thinking skills and scientific competencies, such as problem-solving and critical and creative thinking. However, extending the scientific competencies with additional skills related to futures thinking, like time perspective, agency beliefs, openness to alternatives, systems perception, and concern for others, will further enrich science education and prepare students for tomorrow. We, therefore, share: 10 RECOMMENDATIONS TO STIMULATE FUTURES THINKING IN YOUR CLASSROOM.Non peer reviewe

Taking stock and re-examining the role of science communication

Eight science communication research projects have been funded by the European Commission since 2018. These projects are a response to one of the European Commission's 'Science with and for Society' (SwafS) funding calls ¿ 'SwafS-19: Taking stock and re-examining the role of science communication.' Together these projects have received almost ¿10 million in research funding, and each has been affected to some extent by the COVID-19 global pandemic. This paper provides an overview of the eight projects, how they adapted to the challenges caused by the pandemic, and the subsequent implications for science communication policy and research funding

Le trasformazioni e le tendenze attuali del giornalismo scientifico

The debate presented here is inspired by one of the PaSTIS research network seminars organised in Padua on January 2010, and focused on the relationship among science, technology and mass media. The first contribution is a report by an insider in the field, the scientific journalist Elisabetta Tola. She has been working for Radio3 Science as a speaker, as well as for the weekly radio programme Pigreco Party and the scientific communication agency Formicablu. Drawing on these field experiences, she is able to provide an expert up-to-date insider’s perspective on scientific journalism. The contribution is followed by two comments by Massimiano Bucchi and Federico Neresini. Both place Elisabetta Tola's contribution in the context of the most recent debates within Science and Technology Studies regarding the work and tasks of scientific journalism.Il dibattito su tecnoscienza e giornalismo che presentiamo in queste pagine prende spunto da uno degli incontri seminariali organizzato presso l’Università di Padova dall’unità di ricerca Pa.S.T.I.S. sul rapporto tra scienza, tecnologia e mass media nel gennaio 2010. In particolare, il testo che apre il dibattito costituisce un resoconto degli argomenti proposto da un’esperta e «addetta ai lavori», la giornalista e comunicatrice scientifica Elisabetta Tola. L’autrice ha una vasta esperienza nel mondo del giornalismo scientifico, annoverando tra le sue attività la collaborazione con Radio3 Scienza (di cui è una delle conduttrici), con il settimanale radiofonico scientifico Pigreco Party e con l’agenzia di comunicazione scientifica Formicablu. Queste sue attività le permettono, come emerge nelle seguenti pagine, di poter offrire uno sguardo dall’interno, aggiornato e smaliziato, attorno alle questioni e alle trasformazioni che riguardano il mondo del giornalismo scientifico. Il contributo è seguito da due brevi commenti di Massimiano Bucchi e Federico Neresini, i quali provvedono a inquadrare gli argomenti e le osservazioni della giornalista scientifica con alcune delle questioni e dei dibattiti che si sono recentemente sviluppati negli studi sociali sulla scienza e la tecnologia attorno al lavoro e ai compiti del giornalismo scientifico

Multimedia report of II Intensive Creative Workshop on Future - Deliverable 2.4

<p>Deliverable 2.4 "Multimedia report of Intensive Creative Workshop II on Futurisation" explains how the second FEDORA Creative Workshop was designed, organised and performed. It will refer in some parts to Deliverable 2.3, due to their close connection. New languages and formats were part of the frame given to participants, enriched by the results from the First Creative Workshop and by presenting case studies coming from the benchmarking phase.</p><p>The workshop took place in Bologna, Italy, on the 21st and 22nd of April 2022, and gathered 9 experts from 4 European countries and 9 different knowledge and artistic fields. After 8 hours of intense work, the experts developed three prototypes that reflect the ethos of the FEDORA project and that could well be tested and tried in educational environments.</p><p>This document is the fourth deliverable of Work Package 2, "Exploring new languages, narratives and arts in science education - Analysis of Blindspot 2", led by formicablu.</p&gt

Novel human herpesviruses and multiple sclerosis

It has been suggested that human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) might be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, studies of the association between HHV-6 and MS are hindered by the difficulty in discriminating between latent and active infection. We undertook a study to determine whether HHV-6 establish a systemic active infection in the course of MS, and to investigate possible roles of HHV-7, a herpesvirus closely related to HHV-6. To discriminate between latent and active infection, we analysed viral transcription. The results indicate that both viruses are prevalent in PBMCs of MS patients as in healthy controls, and that viral sequences are maintained in a non-trascriptional state. These observations indicate that further studies should define the state of viral persistence in the central nervous system

Novel human herpesviruses and multiple sclerosis

It has been suggested that human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) might be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, studies of the association between HHV-6 and MS are hindered by the difficulty in discriminating between latent and active infection. We undertook a study to determine whether HHV-6 establish a systemic active infection in the course of MS, and to investigate possible roles of HHV-7, a herpesvirus closely related to HHV-6. To discriminate between latent and active infection, we analysed viral transcription. The results indicate that both viruses are prevalent in PBMCs of MS patients as in healthy controls, and that viral sequences are maintained in a non-transcriptional state. These observations indicate that further studies should define the state of viral persistence in the central nervous system

Development of a Sensitive and Specific Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Based on Recombinant Antigens for Rapid Detection of Antibodies against Mycoplasma agalactiae in Sheep

We developed a new recombinant enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (rELISA) for serodiagnosis of contagious agalactia (CA), a disease caused by Mycoplasma agalactiae in sheep and goats. The assay is based on two M. agalactiae surface proteins, namely, P80 and P55. Identification of these immunodominant and common antigens was accomplished by examining the antibody response elicited in sheep during experimental infection and comparing it to the protein expression profiles of 75 M. agalactiae field strains. Our rELISA was tested with 343 sera, collected from sheep with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of CA (n = 223) and from healthy animals (n = 120). All sera had previously been tested by Western blotting (WB) for reactivity against M. agalactiae. In addition, our rELISA was compared with a commercial routine ELISA based on inactivated antigens (CHEKiT). Among the 223 samples that were WB positive for M. agalactiae, 209 (93.7%) tested positive for rP80-P55 with our ELISA, whereas only 164 (73.8%) tested positive with the CHEKiT ELISA. Among the 120 samples tested that were WB negative for M. agalactiae, 96.7% were confirmed as negative with our rELISA, while only 75.8% were confirmed as negative with the CHEKiT ELISA. A comparison of the results with receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that the differences observed between our rELISA and the CHEKiT ELISA are statistically significant. The use of recombinant peptides instead of inactivated antigens could significantly improve the discrimination of positive and negative animals, bringing significant advantages in controlling the import/export of live animals and helping in eradication of this economically detrimental disease

Acute Painful Neuropathy in a Heroin Body Packer

A broad range of peripheral neurological complications have been recognized in heroin addicts. Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) involvement, usually secondary to trauma during loss of consciousness, commonly manifests as compressive neuropathy or rhabdomyolysis. Other, rare, non traumatic PNS lesions include poliradiculopathy, plexopathy, Guillan-Barrè syndrome and mononeuropathy. Acute heroin related non compressive neuropathy is rare, and the aetiology is still unclear. In heroin abusers painful acute neuropathy has rarely been described. We report the case of a 33-year-old male with a history of heroin abuse. He was found in his home in coma, maintaining the same sitting position for several hours. He was admitted to the intensive care unit, where rhabdomyolysis complicated by acute renal failure was diagnosed, requiring treatment with haemodialysis. A Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed the presence of several foreign bodies in sigma and the urinary exams showed high concentration of opiates, revealing that the patient was a body packer. Further laboratory exams showed Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection with normal liver function. Upon awakening, five days after admission, the patient complained of severe burning pain, mechanical allodynia, itch, tingling and pinprick sensation in both feet and legs. The Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions (DN4) scale was 8/10, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scale score was 9/10 and Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) score was 37. Neurologic examination showed reduced sensitivity to temperature and pinprick in both legs and feet. Neurophysiological evaluation, performed 4 weeks after admission, showed normal nerve conduction studies. Thermal Quantitative Sensory Testing (t-QST) showed a patchy distribution of cold and warm hypoesthesia in the lower limbs. The patient also described positive symptoms (hyperalgesia and aftersensation following hot stimuli, mechanical static and dynamic allodynia) in the same areas. Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) performed in both arms and feet was normal. Laser Doppler Flowmetry showed reduced local vasodilation after heat stimulus (C-mediated local axonal reflex) and normal vasoconstriction reflex (mediated by adrenergic sympathetic fibres) distally in the legs. The patient declined undergoing a skin biopsy for diagnostic purposes. The clinical and neurophysiological findings indicate the presence of small fibre neuropathy, with main involvement of C fibres, following a length-dependent distribution. To relieve the severe painful symptoms the patient was treated with gabapentin, fentanyl, duloxetina and pregabalin, with a gradual resolution of pain. The follow up examination, performed after 12 months, showed an improvement of the small fibre related symptoms with resolution of spontaneous pain and attenuation of itch, tingling and pinprick sensation, confirmed by the t-QST evaluation. A broad range of peripheral neurological complications have been recognized in heroin abusers. Peripheral nerve lesions in drug addicts may be caused by injection of substances in the vicinity of a nerve, local infection or nerve compression during coma. Combined nerve or plexus lesions and rhabdomyolysis have been reported in relation to possible trauma but they may occur also without apparent trauma to muscles or nerves. In these latter cases toxic or allergic reaction to heroin or adulterants are probably more important causes of rhabdomyolysis and nerve lesions than limb compression. Reports on acute heroin-related non compressive neuropathy are scarce. Dabby et al. described six patients who developed acute PNS injury following intravenous or intranasal heroin self administration with no evidence of compression injury or inflammation. Four patients had plexopathy and two had symmetric distal axonal sensorimotor neuropathy; five had concomitant rhabdomyolysis. They proposed that a toxic mechanism could be responsible for acute neuropathy following heroin abuse. In heroin abusers painful complications have been reported, but the pain was related to myelopathy, plexopathy, sciatic neuropathy and rhabdomyolysis4; none of these cases had length-dependent symptoms or clinical signs of small fibre damage. Numerous studies in humans and animals report that opioids can elicit abnormal pain, like thermal hyperalgesia and/or mechanical allodynia, following both acute and chronic administration of morphine, heroin, methadone, fentanyl and remifentanil. The mechanism responsible for the tactile and thermal hypersensitivity observed following opioid exposure is still unclear. Many hypotheses have been put forward, including sensitization of peripheral nerve endings or second-order neurons, enhanced descending facilitation of nociceptive pathways, increased production, release and decreased re-uptake of neurotransmitters involved in nociception, activation of glial cells and opioid associated epigenetic changes in Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) methylation. Prolonged exposure to opioids results in long-lasting neuroadaptive changes that promote a state of hypersensitivity to normal non-noxious tactile and to noxious thermal stimulation that may promote activation of the nociceptive system. The aetiology of acute PNS complication in heroin addicts can be related to different mechanisms. The impurities and additives present in illicit drugs may cause allergies and have their own toxic effects; mechanical trauma is a potential mechanism of focal nerve injury and rhabdomyolysis. Evidence of an immunologic cause has been found in three patients who developed acute brachial plexopathy and rhabdomyolysis after heroin administration and in one heroin addict who developed a lumbosacral plexus neuropathy and responded to steroid therapy. We describe the case of a body packer who developed acute painful neuropathy with involvement of small nerve fibre with concomitant rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. The patient was HCV positive; all the other causes of Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN) were excluded. In our patient there was no evidence of an inflammatory or immunologic process and mechanical factors probably didn’t play a major role in the pathogenesis. The patient had a history of prolonged lying before arriving to the emergency room but the neuropathy was symmetric and distal, being inconsistent with focal trauma or compression. Acute renal failure and haemodialysis can be possible causes of SFN but in our patient there was not a correlation of the symptoms with the haemodialytic sessions and there was not an improvement of symptoms after achieving normal renal function. HCV infection can play a role in SFN, but the acute presentation of the symptoms in temporal relation with heroin intoxication and their gradual improvement suggest that a toxic effect of heroin or added substances can be responsible for neural and muscle toxicity in our patient. In conclusion a careful neurophysiological evaluation should be considered in heroin abusers presenting with acute pain to rule out SFN

Molecular approaches for improved biological control of plant diseases

Summary: Environmental and consumer concerns and subsequent protective legislation have focused scientific interest on the development of microbial inoculants as environmentally acceptable methods of replacing or decreasing the use of chemical pesticides for crop protection. While potential bioccontrol agents have been identified among fungal, actinomycete and bacterial species, molecular biology techniques are being increasingly employed to enhance the efficacy of these natural isolates. Such techniques include the development improved inoculants capable of enhanced biocontrol metabolite production or with the ability to synthesise combinations of these metabolites. The exploitation of microbial inoculants as effective biocontrol agents involves the introduction of large numbers of microorganisms in to the soil environment. Ensuring that these procedures are compatible with sustainable, economically viable and environmentally friendly agricultural practice has involved monitoring and assessing the impact of microbial inoculants on phytopathogens and indigenous beneficial microflora