Journalists Need to Know How to Write about Science - and We Can Teach Them

Journalism students' ability to write a news story from a scientific journal article after four hours of instruction was examined by sending the raw stories to the scientist source(s) for rating in a number of criteria, including accuracy, correct interpretation and degree of trivialisation or sensationalism. This pilot study with students from almost entirely non-scientific backgrounds allowed comparison with results of similar investigations in the United States. Source responses showed a generally high degree of satisfaction with the students' work

The Gardens Nearby: A narrative podcast exploring soil contamination and community gardening in Burlington, VT

The city of Burlington, Vermont (Burlington) is home to the Burlington Area Community Gardens (BACG), a program of the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department. This program has a 50-year legacy in the Burlington community and today comprises 14 garden sites that serve over 1,400 people. Within the framework of food sovereignty, community gardens are valuable, multi-functional spaces that positively benefit residents and neighborhoods alike. However, planting gardens in reclaimed urban spaces may come with food safety concerns. Like other cities that have an industrial heritage, some of Burlington’s urban areas may have soils with high levels of toxic heavy metals and other contaminants. This project seeks to understand the impact soil contamination has had on the development and implementation of community gardens across Burlington. The project also explores the continued implication of soil contamination and the resulting complexities of gardening in an urban area. Through interviews with 13 gardeners and key figures within the gardening community, a three-part narrative podcast is woven together. The Gardens Nearby, details how soil contamination fits into a larger problem of available open space for community gardens, the resiliency of residents and neighborhoods faced with soil contamination, and the resounding benefits these community gardens have for individuals and communities alike. Lastly this project intends to utilize place-based change methodology and adult learning theory to inspire and engage residents as a means to support the development and prioritization of community gardens across Burlington

Investigating the potential role of recombination regulator PRDM9 in mitochondria /

PhD ThesisAt present, 805 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions have been described. Short direct repeat regions of DNA flank many of these deletions, suggesting that specific regions of the mtDNA molecule have a susceptibility to deletion formation. Despite this, the exact underlying cellular mechanisms facilitating mtDNA deletions are unclear. PR domain 9 (PRDM9) is a meiotic-specific protein responsible for determining the site of recombination in the nuclear genome. Through its zinc finger repeat region, PRDM9 binds a specific DNA consensus sequence, and acts as a methyl transferase, opening chromatin for DNA crossover events to occur. This is of interest as mitochondrial DNA also contains PRDM9 binding motif sites. This thesis outlines the experimental steps taken to determine if PRDM9 has any involvement in mtDNA maintenance and viability. Firstly, an in silico approach was used to screen mtDNA sequences from 31,551 individuals for the presence of the PRDM9 binding motif, identifying multiple putative binding sites in and around known deletion forming flanking regions. In addition, population and phylogenetic stratification showed differential mtDNA binding motif patterns, potentially explaining the variable deletion frequencies between mtDNA haplogroups and populations. Secondly, to test the potential interaction between PRDM9 and mtDNA, complete genotyping of the PRDM9 zinc finger repeat region in a cohort of 48 mitochondrial single deletion patients and 50 healthy controls was performed. However, there was no association between PRDM9 haplotype and the formation of mtDNA deletions. Heterozygous individuals were significantly increased in the patient cohort compared to controls although no particular allele was associated with mtDNA deletion. Finally, PRDM9 protein levels were interrogated in cell lines and tissue samples. However, due to timing of expression it was not possible to reliably detect nascent protein using commercially available antibodies. To overcome this, stable cell lines overexpressing Flag-tagged PRDM9 were created. Low levels of PRDM9 expression were detected by immunoblotting indicating overexpression had worked but also indicating that PRDM9 turnover in cells is likely rapid. iv Given the data presented, and despite the presence of multiple putative PRDM9 binding sites in almost all mitochondrial genomes studied, we conclude that it is unlikely that PRDM9 has a significant effect on the maintenance of mtDNA. However, to the best of my knowledge this is the first stable PRDM9 overexpression model created and it has provided a unique insight into some of the functions of this protein

Science, Journalism, Democracy and Technology

Journalism has a vital and urgent role to play in societies that are increasingly the paymasters for and the recipients of scientific and technological development in which they have little or no say. What amounts to the gagging and blindfolding of citizens in the science-policy debate is in contrast to the rapidly growing demands for increased democratisation throughout the world, which, as an important part of the agenda, have included demands for democratisation of science and the scientific informing of democracy. Whether they are being immediately heeded or encouraged, citizens continue to pressure governments and the science establishment for greater transparency in science policy and development, along with a greater share of the discussion about the application of such policy and development. This paper will seek to show that most areas of the 'public sphere' appear no longer capable of facilitating this broad social movement. However, new public demand, and the facilities of new technology indicate that journalism, which has thus far failed to demonstrate any great interest or ability in resolving science issues in the public sphere, can be seen as positioned to take on this function - even if by default - in the 21st century

The determination for the modal age level for grades seven and eight for the difficulty of the principle: molecular motion varies with temperature.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityThe problem of this investigation was to establish three a test re-test technique a learning index of the scientific principle, "Molecular Motion Varies with Temperature". This learning index will indicate the approximate mental age level at which this princfiple can be taught effectively to children of similar ability and background. A review of the literature established that the teaching of principles is an effective method for teaching science. After selecting the principle seven demonstrations were devised to illustrate the principle as completely as possible. In devising the demonstrations the author tried to make them simple, infallible, and dynamic. The time allotted for this material was approximately 15 minutes. [TRUNCATED