Environmental Biology a hot subject

*Environmental biology a hot subject*
The Straits Times, 31 Oct 2009
By Grace Chua
*NUS, NTU to offer more courses in recognition of field’s growing value*

ENVIRONMENTAL biology is making a comeback here as well as worldwide, as
universities recognise the discipline’s role in the study of climate change and environmental issues like pollution.

Both the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) plan to revamp their curricula to include more topics in the field, and the latter has applied for funding to set up a Research Centre of Excellence for environmental science.

As NUS’ biological sciences head Paul Matsudaira put it: ‘Singapore is at the epicentre of some of the major and most challenging environmental
problems that have to be addressed.

‘The equatorial location is one asset, since tropical environmental problems are comparatively under-researched.’

Like other biology disciplines such as molecular biology and genetics,
environmental biology is the study of living things, but in terms of their surroundings.

For example, it looks at how pollution and climate change affect species and biodiversity. Thus ecology, ecotoxicology and conservation biology might be considered aspects of environmental biology.

NUS, for instance, is offering several new courses on ecology and
evolutionary biology this year, and in the last two years, it has hired at least four new faculty members in biology.

Meanwhile, NTU’s school of biological sciences has hired several
international faculty members to study microbial ecology, said provost
Bertil Andersson.

NTU’s attention to environmental biology, the school’s expertise in earth sciences and its experience in environmental engineering are all part of a new university-wide Sustainable Earth initiative, which is expected to be launched formally in February next year.

But these changes are not driven solely by university administrations. They have also come about because of rising student interest.

One in five life sciences majors at NUS, for example, now opts for
environmental biology modules, up from 12 per cent seven years ago.

NUS started its integrated life sciences curriculum in 2001 and NTU started its School of Biological Sciences the following year, as part of a nationwide drive to train more students in the field.

But NUS biological sciences graduate Huang Danwei, now 28, felt he was not getting enough training in biodiversity and ecology. So in 2006, he and 10 others met the dean to propose curriculum changes.

The department listened to them, and classes in biodiversity and ecology are now available in the first- and second-year syllabuses.

There is demand for people with taxonomy skills and biodiversity know-how as fields like climate modelling and conservation grow.

For instance, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s Institute of High Performance Computing had a recent job posting for a research officer with ‘expertise in data management, database, climate change scenarios and biodiversity’.

But will these changes translate into real environmental policy changes or scientific advances?

Professor Matsudaira said he expects the biggest impact to come from the
development of science-backed environmental policy, where Singapore will
directly influence the Asia-Pacific region.

‘Because we are scientifically strong, we will train students and scientists for jobs in government, research and industry,’ he said.

However, students and universities should not jump on the bandwagon simply because the field is hot, warned National Institute of Education biologist Shawn Lum.

‘We should do it not because it’s a fad, but because as educational
institutions and as a country, we value it as a worthy field and endeavour, and our interest in it is not going to fall by the wayside the moment the next big thing comes along,’ he said.

caiwj@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Creating a graph – online tutorial

Online tutorial for creating a graph by National Education Center for Education Statistics.

Earth Pulse 2010 by National Geographic

A collection of beautiful graphics, updated figures and statistics in excellent diagrams.

Earth Pulse 2010 by National Geographic

Issues covered:
1. Population
2. Consumption of resource
3. Human Footprint

Ecological Corridor for Bukit Timah and Central Catachment

Finally plans for an Ecolink connecting Bukit Timah and Central Catchment Reserve.

This conservation corridor will offset the impact of fragmentation caused by the Bukit Timah Expressway which dissected the original continuous forest area into 2. Built over the Bukit Timah Expressway, the Ecolink is hourglass shaped and will be 50m at its narrowest point.

Some readings on conservation corridors

Consequences and Costs of Conservation Corridors – Simberloff and Cox 1987

A framework for the design of wildlife conservation corridors With specific application to southwestern Ontario – Fleury and Brown 2002

Article in Straits Times 6 Sept 2009 by Grace Chua

Bridge to link two nature reserves by 2013
By 2013, there will be a new green link between the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Area.

Conservationists had long bemoaned the separation of the two reserves by the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE) since its construction in 1986.

The road prevented plant and animal species from moving between the two forest tracts.

The new eco-passage will arch over the 50m-wide BKE and be sited at a suitable narrow point between the reserves. Its construction was announced yesterday at the opening of the National Parks Board’s Dairy Farm Nature Park.

A tender will be called at the end of this year and construction will start next year.

The bridge, 50m wide at its narrowest point and planted with dense trees resembling a forest habitat, could help populations of animals like the critically-endangered banded leaf monkey to recover.

Four to six years ago, there were thought to be fewer than 20 of the small dark-furred monkeys – a number too small to be sustainable – but now there are about 30 living around the Central Catchment Area.

The eco-link could help them migrate to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve to find other food sources.

A hiking trail at one edge will also enable humans to move between the reserves.

National University of Singapore conservation biologist Navjot Sodhi said of the bridge: ‘Every plan to connect habitats is a good plan but how it pans out – only time will tell.’

‘I hope NParks will do surveys to see how species are moving between the reserves,’ he added.

Also launched yesterday was a national document which outlines Singapore’s strategy for protecting its plants, animals and ecosystems.

The eco-link and Dairy Farm Nature Park are key components of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which describes five strategies:

- Safeguarding biodiversity.
- Taking biodiversity into account in policy-making.
- Improving knowledge of the natural environment.
- Raising public awareness of biodiversity.
- Strengthening local and international partnerships.

‘It’s not just scientists and government. Every individual plays a part in making conservation work in Singapore,’ said Dr Lena Chan of NParks’ conservation division.

Marine biologist Chou Loke Ming of the National University of Singapore said the plan recognises the importance of biodiversity and sets up a framework to protect it.

The plan is available online at www.nparks.gov.sg/nbsap.

Grace Chua

Department of Biological Sciences, NUS, 60th Anniversary Lectures

Department of Biological Sciences, NUS, 60th Anniversary Lectures

All lectures @ LT 31: 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Register at: http://www.dbs.nus.edu.sg/60anniversary/public_lectures.html

Tues, 18 August 2009
Prof. Paul Matsudaira – ‘Movement is Life’
Prof. Leo Tan – ‘Confessions of a Nature Addict’

Tues, 1 September 2009
Assoc. Prof. Hugh Tan – ‘Cultivating the Native Plants of Singapore’
Dr. Chew Fook Tim – ‘Your Sweat: Wound Healer, Virus Inhibitor and Bacteria Killer’

Tues, 15 September 2009
Prof. Richard Corlett – ‘Plants on the Move: Seed Dispersal and Climate Change’
Assoc. Prof. Lim Tit Meng – ‘Programmed Cell Death: What Happens When the Programme Fails?’

Tues, 29 September 2009
Adj Assoc. Prof. Stella Tan – ‘CSI: NUS – Forensic Science and the Law.’
Prof. Peter Ng – ‘Climate Change and Marine Biodiversity – Lessons from a Small Red Dot’

Menstrual cycle animations

Good resource on the Menstrual cycle.

From msnbc

From PBS

Biology Overseas Fieldtrip to Tanjung Sutera Resort, Sedili 13-14 March 2008

39 students and 5 teachers went to Tanjung Sutera Resort, Sedili for a field studies course. The focus of the trip will be a visit to an palm oil mill and an investigation on rocky shore ecology. Despite the very wet weather, all of the trip’s objectives were met.

The team first went to the Felda palm oil processing mill where short presentation on the various stages of palm oil processing was conducted, the students also had a chance to examine the products at various stages of palm oil processing before going for a short tour of the mill.

At Tanjung Sutera resort, the team continued their discussion on the issue of using palm oil as a biofuel. Once the weather clears up, they quickly moved down to the rocky shore for a quick walk to explore the various organisms at the high intertidal region. Amongst the interesting things seen were land crabs, hermit crabs, goose barnacles, and the shell of a horse shoe crab. The team moved back for dinner when it started raining.

After a short lesson on intertidal ecology, the team went down for an amphibian survey. They had the good fortune of seeing the four lined tree frog, banded bull frog, dark spotted chorus frog and also the asiatic toad. What is particularly interesting were the banded bull frogs congregating together at a pond and the males trying to out do each other with their mating calls. The result was this cacophony of frog calls, bull frogs dominating the majority of the air time, chorus frogs sneaking in between.

The next morning’s weather was perfect for the rocky shore transect. All spent a good 2 hours exploring the various zones where the transition of organisms at various zones were very distinct. As they progressed toward the low intertidal zone, organisms such as sea anemone, sea cucumbers and swimming crabs began to appear. The interplay of abiotic factors and biotic factors were clearly shown in the students’ transect data.

Photos of the trip here

.

This was a compact field studies courses with ended with more questions for everyone to ponder over. For the coming term, there will be a Kent Ridge walk organised by the Sec 4 Bio and History RA students.

Resource on Ecological studies on Amphibians – Sodhi, N.S., Bickford, D., Diesmos, A.C., Lee, T.M., Koh, L.P., Brook, B.W., Sekercioglu, C.H., Bradshaw, C.J.A. 2008. Measuring the Meltdown: Drivers of Global Amphibian Extinction and Decline. PLoS ONE 3(2): e1636. (PDF)

Antibacterial Products May Do More Harm Than Good

From Scientific American

Strange but True: Antibacterial Products May Do More Harm Than Good
Antibacterial soaps and other cleaners may actually be aiding in the development of superbacteria.
By Coco Ballantyne

Tuberculosis, food poisoning, cholera, pneumonia, strep throat and meningitis: these are just a few of the unsavory diseases caused by bacteria. Hygiene—keeping both home and body clean—is one of the best ways to curb the spread of bacterial infections, but lately consumers are getting the message that washing with regular soap is insufficient. Antibacterial products have never been so popular. Body soaps, household cleaners, sponges, even mattresses and lip glosses are now packing bacteria-killing ingredients, and scientists question what place, if any, these chemicals have in the daily routines of healthy people.
Traditionally, people washed bacteria from their bodies and homes using soap and hot water, alcohol, chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. These substances act nonspecifically, meaning they wipe out almost every type of microbe in sight—fungi, bacteria and some viruses—rather than singling out a particular variety.

Soap works by loosening and lifting dirt, oil and microbes from surfaces so they can be easily rinsed away with water, whereas general cleaners such as alcohol inflict sweeping damage to cells by demolishing key structures, then evaporate. “They do their job and are quickly dissipated into the environment,” explains microbiologist Stuart Levy of Tufts University School of Medicine.

Unlike these traditional cleaners, antibacterial products leave surface residues, creating conditions that may foster the development of resistant bacteria, Levy notes. For example, after spraying and wiping an antibacterial cleaner over a kitchen counter, active chemicals linger behind and continue to kill bacteria, but not necessarily all of them.

When a bacterial population is placed under a stressor—such as an antibacterial chemical—a small subpopulation armed with special defense mechanisms can develop. These lineages survive and reproduce as their weaker relatives perish. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” is the governing maxim here, as antibacterial chemicals select for bacteria that endure their presence.

As bacteria develop a tolerance for these compounds there is potential for also developing a tolerance for certain antibiotics. This phenomenon, called cross-resistance, has already been demonstrated in several laboratory studies using triclosan, one of the most common chemicals found in antibacterial hand cleaners, dishwashing liquids and other wash products. “Triclosan has a specific inhibitory target in bacteria similar to some antibiotics,” says epidemiologist Allison Aiello at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

When bacteria are exposed to triclosan for long periods of time, genetic mutations can arise. Some of these mutations endow the bacteria with resistance to isoniazid, an antibiotic used for treating tuberculosis, whereas other microbes can supercharge their efflux pumps—protein machines in the cell membrane that can spit out several types of antibiotics, Aiello explains. These effects have been demonstrated only in the laboratory, not in households and other real world environments, but Aiello believes that the few household studies may not have been long enough. “It’s very possible that the emergence of resistant species takes quite some time to occur…; the potential is there,” she says.

Apart from the potential emergence of drug-resistant bacteria in communities, scientists have other concerns about antibacterial compounds. Both triclosan and its close chemical relative triclocarban (also widely used as an antibacterial), are present in 60 percent of America’s streams and rivers, says environmental scientist Rolf Halden, co-founder of the Center for Water and Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Both chemicals are efficiently removed from wastewater in treatment plants but end up getting sequestered in the municipal sludge, which is used as fertilizer for crops, thereby opening a potential pathway for contamination of the food we eat, Halden explains. “We have to realize that the concentrations in agricultural soil are very high,” and this, “along with the presence of pathogens from sewage, could be a recipe for breeding antimicrobial resistance” in the environment, he says.

Triclosan has also been found in human breast milk, although not in concentrations considered dangerous to babies, as well as in human blood plasma. There is no evidence showing that current concentrations of triclosan in the human body are harmful, but recent studies suggest that it acts as an endocrine disrupter in bullfrogs and rats.

Further, an expert panel convened by the Food and Drug Administration determined that there is insufficient evidence for a benefit from consumer products containing antibacterial additives over similar ones not containing them.

“What is this stuff doing in households when we have soaps?” asks molecular biologist John Gustafson of New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. These substances really belong in hospitals and clinics, not in the homes of healthy people, Gustafson says.

Of course, antibacterial products do have their place. Millions of Americans suffer from weakened immune systems, including pregnant women and people with immunodeficiency diseases, points out Eugene Cole, an infectious disease specialist at Brigham Young University. For these people, targeted use of antibacterial products, such as triclosan, may be appropriate in the home, he says.

In general, however, good, long-term hygiene means using regular soaps rather than new, antibacterial ones, experts say. “The main way to keep from getting sick,” Gustafson says, “is to wash your hands three times a day and don’t touch mucous membranes.”

Social networks illustrate how disease can spread

Social networks illustrate how disease can spread

By Anne Harding

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – The best way to stop the next influenza pandemic in its tracks could be to shut down schools and keep students at home, according to the authors of a new study of social contact networks.

Based on the way they interact with one another, high school students “may form the local transmission backbone of the next pandemic,” Dr. Robert J. Glass of Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and his daughter, Laura M. Glass, suggest.

Networks for an entire community must be created to fully understand how to contain a potential epidemic, the senior Glass added in an interview. “With that kind of understanding you can then ask questions about where to target interventions,” he explained.

To develop the network described in the current study, the researchers surveyed elementary, middle and high school students about how and with whom they spent their time. Each person’s social network was characterized by the groups to which he or she belonged (such as the household, a class, or a sports team) along with the smaller network of person-to-person contacts within each of these groups.

The researchers then gathered information on the size of these groups, how many people a person was connected to within it, the amount of time he or she spent in the group, and the closeness of the contact a person had with individuals in that group.

They then evaluated the flu transmission potential of various contacts based on the degree of closeness and how much time a person spent in those contact activities.

Households, classes, groups of friends and sports teams all represented networks with “high potential for the transmission of influenza,” the researchers found. The older a child was, the more important outside connections became, with 75 percent of those in high school having social contacts outside the home conducive for transmitting influenza.

If it turns out that young people are a key route of influenza transmission within a community, closing schools and keeping children at home could help to shut down an epidemic, the researchers say. However, they add, similar studies in other groups within the community must be done to understand the other ways that the disease might spread.

“There are a whole bunch of things that you can learn from doing this kind of thing,” Glass noted. Networks can not only be used to study the spread of other types of disease, he added, but could also be used to identify individuals who are at-risk because they are less connected than others.

SOURCE: BMC Public Health, online February 14, 2008.

On digestion

Good animation and summary of the digestive system by national geographic magazine.

Digestive System

Article on Obesity.

Good photo gallery on the digestive system.