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Whaling decision, artificial sweetener debate, squids
SMC Heads-Up: Whaling decision, artificial sweetener debate and colossal squids
Issue 297 19-25 September 2014
Whaling resolution agreed, defied
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) has voted in favour of a resolution restricting Japan's 'scientific whaling' program, but a representative of the country says they will proceed anyway.
At a four day meeting in Slovenia, the commission voted in favour of a resolution put forward by New Zealand to impose limits on future scientific whaling permits, requiring non-lethal alternatives to be considered for any approved scientific research on whales.
Previously Australia, with the support of New Zealand, took Japan to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), claiming their whaling program was not scientific and therefore illegal. In March, the ICJ ruled that the program was not scientific. These rulings were submitted alongside the resolution to the IWC.
Following the commission's vote yesterday, Japan announced that it will be proceeding with a new programme, starting in 2014-15 and without the commission's approval.
"We will be providing and submitting a new research plan in the Antarctic Ocean so that we implement research activities starting from 2015," said Joji Morishita, head of Japan's delegation,speaking to the Associated Press. "And all these activities are perfectly in accordance with international law, scientific basis as well as the ICJ judgement."
"We are disappointed with their announcement," Gerard Van Bohemen, the leader of the New Zealand delegation told the Guardian. "We thought it important that there was a strong statement agreed about the interpretation and application of the court's decision but in the end it wasn't possible to reach consensus on that."
The Science Media Centre has gathered reactions from New Zealand experts:
Dr Rochelle Constantine, Senior Lecturer. School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, comments:
"It is disappointing but not surprising that Japan has announced its intention to resume lethal whale research activities in the Southern Ocean and to not agree with a proposal to evaluate their research programme by the International Whaling Commission scientific committee.
"Whilst the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling was clear about the short-comings of the JARPAII research programme, the Japanese government has chosen to interpret the ICJ findings in a different way."
You can read more media coverage and expert commentaryon the Science Media Centre website.
On the science radar this week...
'Fembot' beetles, healthy humans house viruses too, little Nemo really is a big swimmer, and smells attract us to similar political voters.
Sweeteners and glucose intolerance
A study published in Nature earlier this week suggests that consuming commonly used artificial sweeteners may actually increase the body's post-meal uptake of sugars and the risk of developing glucose intolerance.
The Israeli researchers tested a range of non-caloric artificial sweeteners including saccharin, aspartame and sucralose, often used in diet soft drinks and sugar-free desserts, on mice and and collected data from almost 400 humans in a nutritional study over two and a half years.
They found that the sweeteners affect gut microbes, which in turn contributes to glucose intolerance and raised blood sugar levels. The study's results suggest that artificial sweeteners may exacerbate, rather than prevent, metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
However, Otago University professor of human nutrition and medicine Jim Mann tells the New Zealand Herald that the study did not prove non-caloric sweeteners were "unsafe and useless" and indicated more research needed to be done.
"No, this doesn't mean you should go and eat sugar because if you take sugar-sweetened beverages - which is the main thing people are on about that we should cut down - the main alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages is not beverages with non-caloric sweeteners. The main alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages if you are thirsty should be water, milk and dilute fruit juice," he said.
Professor Mann also pointed out that there had been a lot of theories about artificial sweeteners over the years including that saccharin caused bladder cancer, which was later disproved.
Elaine Rush, Auckland University of Technology professor of nutrition, also told the New Zealand Herald that people should limit their exposure to artificial sweeteners, as well as alcohol and caffeine as they all affected how people functioned and microbes were important in young immune systems.
You can read more media coverage and expert commentary on the Science Media Centre website.
Disasters, media and the public
The Science Media Centre is hosting a communications workshop for natural hazards researchers, scientists and engineers -- Disasters, media and the public.
Communicating vital information to the public during disasters is an essential, but sometimes daunting, responsibility for scientists and engineers.
This workshop, opened by the Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser Sir Peter Gluckman, will cover a range of practical and research-based insights into effective science communication for different audiences, including media and members of the public.
Date: Friday, 10 October 2014
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Location: Wellington - Royal Society of New Zealand
Fees: $120 (Natural Hazard Research Platform members qualify for 50% subsidy - please contact NHRP for more details)
This workshop has been organised with support from: Natural Hazards Research Platform; Joint Centre for Disaster Research (Massey/GNS); Science Media Centre; Massey University; Engaging Social Science (eSocSci); and the Royal Society of New Zealand.
You can see the full workshop programme here and download a printable flyer here.
Quoted: Māori Television
"A lot of people label these kinds of subjects as nerdy and geeky but it's not like that. It's a whole lot of fun and when you get into it, get involved, it's awesome."
Aiden Ferguson-Rudolph comments on the country's first Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Centre at AUT.
Science and the Election Q&A 2014
Election day is tomorrow! Wondering where political parties sit on the science-related issues of the day? The Science Media Centre is onto it.
In the lead up to theSeptember 20 election, the SMC has been quizzing the political parties on their polices around some of the big scientific issues facing the country.
Check out the results on ourElection 2014 SMC Q&Apage covering topics such as science funding, the environment and genetic modification.
Read responses from political parties on the Science Media Centre website.
The Friday video...
Colossal squid examined by scientists at Te Papa
Policy news and developments
Boost for Māori science and innovation - A further $1.8 million will be invested over the next two years to develop the science and innovation potential of Māori knowledge, resources, and people for the benefit of New Zealand.
Measles outbreak over - Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has welcomed the end of the recent measles outbreak in New Zealand.
Notice of hearing for Solvigo application - a hearing will be held on 25 September in Wellington for an application to import Solvigo, an insecticide used to treat thrips and other insect pest in commercial onion crops.
Funds for Kea conservation - The Government is providing $90,000 from the Community Conservation Partnership Fund to support the Kea Conservation Trust to ensure this endangered iconic species will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.
New From the SMC
Experts respond:
Artificial sweeteners: Consuming commonly used artificial sweeteners may actually increase blood sugars and the risk of developing glucose intolerance, suggests new research.
Whaling decision: Experts comment on the International Whaling Commission's decision on whaling and 'scientific research'.
MBIE funding announced: The government has announced the recipients of the 2014 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment funding round, injecting $139 million into innovative and exciting research projects over the next six years.
Rheumatic fever vaccine: Australian and New Zealand researchers are teaming up to tackle the challenge of developing a vaccine for rheumatic fever.
Colossal squid examination: Watch a recording of scientists thawing and dissecting a colossal squid, streamed live from Te Papa earlier this week.
From the SMC Network
From the UK SMC:
Expert reaction to non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) and glucose intolerance
Expert reaction to phthalates in pregnancy and asthma in children
Expert reaction to autism, schizophrenia and birth size
Expert reaction to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression
Expert reaction to new study of groundwater contamination above shale gas fields
From the Australian SMC:
Infographic: Syphilis at record breaking levels in Australia
EXPERT REACTION: Solar flares to light up the sky this weekend
Sciblogs highlights
Some of the highlights from this week's Sciblogs posts:
Daily aspirin for preventing cancer and heart disease - where to from here in NZ? Nick Wilson and Tony Blakely take a close look at the little white pill.
Public Health Expert
It's time we did something about sugar - Fluoride, although helpful, is not a "silver bullet" that can stop sugar causing cavities, writes Ken Perrott.
Open Parachute
Monday Micro - from cat poo to kai moana! Siouxsie Wiles is surprised by research linking a feline parasite to dolphin deaths.
Infectious Thoughts
Food: Getting lost in social constructivism - Matt Nolan applies some sociological theory to the concepts of healthy food and choice.
Dismal Science
Research highlights
Some of the research papers making headlines this week.
Blood test for depression: Scientists have developed a blood test that, for the first time, provides a diagnostic measurement for adults with depression. The blood test detects the levels of nine chemical 'markers', which the study authors say will help tailor treatments. The researchers also suggest the test could identify those vulnerable to depression who don't yet have symptoms.
Faulty wells, not fracking, to blame for gas leaks: A study of noble gas isotopes in groundwater above the Marcellus and Barnett Shale formations in the US finds that fugitive shale gas leaking into groundwater originates from faulty well casing and cement construction rather than from horizontal drilling or hydraulic fracturing deep underground.
Global population not slowing: A new report suggests that contrary to past projections arguing that global population will peak around 2050, the world's population is unlikely to stabilize this century. The results, based on a statistical analysis of the most recent population projections from the United Nations, point to Sub-Saharan Africa as the primary engine driving this unexpected growth through 2100.
Sharks help hospitals battle superbugs: Coating hospital surfaces with microscopic bumps mimicking the scaly surface of shark skin keeps superbugs from 'setting up house', according to a new study. Researchers found that the textured surface harboured 94 percent less MRSA bacteria than smooth surfaces and even fared better than copper, a leading antimicrobial material.
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
Depression and TMS: A non-invasive method of brain stimulation, called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is effective in treating depression in some patients who do not respond to pharmaceuticals, according to a new study. The study, covering 307 patients diagnosed with depression, found that after 12 months, 68 percent of patients achieved symptomatic improvement with 45 percent reporting complete remission.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
Upcoming sci-tech events
For these and other upcoming events, and more details about them, visit the SMC's Events Calendar.
• NZ Applied Neuroscience Conference - 18-20 September, Auckland. A gathering of minds to reduce the burden of neurological disorders in New Zealand and internationally.
• Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference - 23-24 September, Wellington. A forum for natural hazard planners and researchers to discuss the integration of hazard information into effective risk management.
• High Pressure Freezing: the new Ice Age - 23 September, Dunedin. Department of Anatomy Departmental Seminar by Allan Mitchell.
• Reintroduction Biology: restoring species in a changing world - 23 September, Dunedin. Inaugural Professorial Lecture: given by Philip Seddon of the Department of Zoology.
• Controlled Drinking: The Science and the Art - 24 September, Christchurch. Simon Adamson, Deputy Director of the University of Otago's National Addiction Centre, looks at how how clinicians can effectively advise and monitor controlled drinking as an appropriate alternative to abstinence.
• What if... Women could balance work and family responsibilities? - 24 September, Christchurch. Annick Masselot, Associate Professor in law at the University of Canterbury, argues that care-giving underpins the functioning of the economy and as such should be valued equally to other activities in the public sphere.
• Space Flight and Research - 26 September, Christchurch. Doug Walker, of the University of Canterbury's Physics and Astronomy department, talks about NASA's space shuttle programme and his work in looking at globular clusters.
• The Dark Side - 26 September, Christchurch. RASNZ Beatrice Hill Tinsley Lecture: Tamara Davis talks about dark matter and dark energy, which have thrown scientists a 'curve ball' when it comes to understanding the universe.
• Three Minute Thesis competition final - 26 September, Wellington. Masters and Doctoral students have three minutes to talk about their thesis topic in a way that will engage non-scientists, with the winner receiving $3000.
Science Media Centre NZ
Our aim is to promote accurate, evidence-based reporting on science and technology by helping the media work more closely with the scientific community.
The Science Media Centre is New Zealand's only trusted, independent source of information for the media on all issues related to science. Thousands of news stories providing context from and quoting New Zealand researchers have been published as a direct result of our work.
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