For this issue on disproving urban myths and false science, The Biochemist interviewed Dr Nita Pillai, Director of Programmes and Operations at Sense about Science. Sense about Science is an independent charity that promotes public interest in sound science and evidence, working with decision makers, world-leading researchers and community groups to raise the standard of evidence in public life. It focuses on socially or scientifically difficult issues where evidence is neglected, conflicting or misunderstood.
为了驳斥都市神话和伪科学这一期，《生物化学家》采访了Sense about science项目和运营主任Nita Pillai博士。Sense about Science是一个独立的慈善机构，它促进公众对可靠科学和证据的兴趣，与决策者、世界领先的研究人员和社区团体合作，提高公共生活中的证据标准。它侧重于社会或科学难题，证据被忽视，冲突或误解。
{"title":"Interview with Dr Nita Pillai, Director of Programmes and Operations at Sense about Science","authors":"N. Pillai","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_138","url":null,"abstract":"For this issue on disproving urban myths and false science, The Biochemist interviewed Dr Nita Pillai, Director of Programmes and Operations at Sense about Science. Sense about Science is an independent charity that promotes public interest in sound science and evidence, working with decision makers, world-leading researchers and community groups to raise the standard of evidence in public life. It focuses on socially or scientifically difficult issues where evidence is neglected, conflicting or misunderstood.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47293289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in the human body. Known for its primary role in movement, muscle also plays important roles in regulating metabolism, maintaining body temperature and providing large stores of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Muscle cells (known as ‘muscle fibres’) can rapidly adapt to exercise or disuse by changing size and function. Many myths and misconceptions have proliferated through the years related to skeletal muscle, exercise training and human performance. Some of these myths have spanned centuries, but more recent research has passed doubt on these stories. In this article, we address common misconceptions, including the ‘go big or go home’ and ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ approaches to training. Clarification of these myths could positively impact individual exercise programs/therapies and their outcomes.
{"title":"Busting muscle myths","authors":"J. Bagley, A. Galpin, Kevin A. Murach","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_142","url":null,"abstract":"Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue in the human body. Known for its primary role in movement, muscle also plays important roles in regulating metabolism, maintaining body temperature and providing large stores of protein, carbohydrates and fats. Muscle cells (known as ‘muscle fibres’) can rapidly adapt to exercise or disuse by changing size and function. Many myths and misconceptions have proliferated through the years related to skeletal muscle, exercise training and human performance. Some of these myths have spanned centuries, but more recent research has passed doubt on these stories. In this article, we address common misconceptions, including the ‘go big or go home’ and ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ approaches to training. Clarification of these myths could positively impact individual exercise programs/therapies and their outcomes.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48484503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The 2022 John Maddox Prize was awarded to Nigerian biochemist Dr Eucharia Nwaichi for her work engaging communities in conflict to address pollution in the oil fields of the Niger Delta with research. She has been able to resolve a dispute between local communities and an oil company on the effects of liquid waste on fish stocks in Rivers State, diffusing a conflict that threatened to escalate into violence. Eucharia persevered and succeeded despite the intense and often dangerous levels of conflict, and personal risk to herself, from representatives of a different oil company whose officials confiscated her recordings and data.
{"title":"Celebrating those who stand up for science against the odds: interview with 2022 Maddox Prize Winner Eucharia Nwaichi","authors":"Charlay Wood, Orla Lappin","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_140","url":null,"abstract":"The 2022 John Maddox Prize was awarded to Nigerian biochemist Dr Eucharia Nwaichi for her work engaging communities in conflict to address pollution in the oil fields of the Niger Delta with research. She has been able to resolve a dispute between local communities and an oil company on the effects of liquid waste on fish stocks in Rivers State, diffusing a conflict that threatened to escalate into violence. Eucharia persevered and succeeded despite the intense and often dangerous levels of conflict, and personal risk to herself, from representatives of a different oil company whose officials confiscated her recordings and data.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45170325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Black students and researchers in higher education (HE) face scarcity of relatable role models in STEM subjects. Black women are under-represented in STEM and their outlook is under-researched. We undertook this project to understand the perspectives and challenges of black women in STEM HE. This qualitative research identified themes from semi-structured interviews of self-identified black female students and academics in UK HE. Black women face challenges due to both sexism and racism in academia, and under-representation in STEM subjects leads to isolation. Role models, mentors and academic support networks can be a source of inspiration and facilitate career progression.
{"title":"Lived experiences of black women pursuing STEM in UK higher education","authors":"Deborah Inyang, Jacob Wright","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_134","url":null,"abstract":"Black students and researchers in higher education (HE) face scarcity of relatable role models in STEM subjects. Black women are under-represented in STEM and their outlook is under-researched. We undertook this project to understand the perspectives and challenges of black women in STEM HE. This qualitative research identified themes from semi-structured interviews of self-identified black female students and academics in UK HE. Black women face challenges due to both sexism and racism in academia, and under-representation in STEM subjects leads to isolation. Role models, mentors and academic support networks can be a source of inspiration and facilitate career progression.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42847176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
By hindering our ability to mount a swift and unified response to the challenges humanity is faced with, scientific misinformation poses an existential threat to our lives and civilization. To exemplify the detrimental effect of scientific misinformation on our collective response to current global challenges, the first section of this article discusses the impact of vaccine hesitancy and climate change denialism. This is followed by an evaluation of how critical aspects of the scientific method and the skills required to gauge the reliability of scientific sources are implemented in school curricula at the primary and secondary levels. The final section builds upon the previous two to provide suggestions on strategies to empower future generations with the scientific literacy and critical thinking skills required to rise up to the challenges they will undoubtedly be faced with.
{"title":"Our students learn science in school, but are we teaching them how to identify scientific misinformation?","authors":"A. Siani, Charlotte V. Hipkiss","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_135","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_135","url":null,"abstract":"By hindering our ability to mount a swift and unified response to the challenges humanity is faced with, scientific misinformation poses an existential threat to our lives and civilization. To exemplify the detrimental effect of scientific misinformation on our collective response to current global challenges, the first section of this article discusses the impact of vaccine hesitancy and climate change denialism. This is followed by an evaluation of how critical aspects of the scientific method and the skills required to gauge the reliability of scientific sources are implemented in school curricula at the primary and secondary levels. The final section builds upon the previous two to provide suggestions on strategies to empower future generations with the scientific literacy and critical thinking skills required to rise up to the challenges they will undoubtedly be faced with.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44822305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Celebrating award winners","authors":"Heather Doran","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_137","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45471613","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Biochemical Society identifies and celebrates outstanding science communication talent in molecular biosciences with its annual Science Communication Prize. Zuzana Osifová (Charles University, Czech Republic) won the first prize in the 2022 written category with her entry, ‘Meanwhile in an anorexic mind’.
{"title":"Meanwhile in an anorexic mind","authors":"Zuzana Osifová","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_132","url":null,"abstract":"The Biochemical Society identifies and celebrates outstanding science communication talent in molecular biosciences with its annual Science Communication Prize. Zuzana Osifová (Charles University, Czech Republic) won the first prize in the 2022 written category with her entry, ‘Meanwhile in an anorexic mind’.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45993000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Electrospray ionization (ESI), for which John Fenn was awarded a share of the 2002 Nobel Prize in chemistry, has revolutionized the use of mass spectrometry for biological and clinical applications. Developed in the late 1980s, building on the pioneering experiments by Malcom Dole’s lab, John Fenn et al. demonstrated the use of ESI for the ‘soft ionization’ of biologically important ‘molecular elephants’, allowing high molecular weight biopolymers (i.e., proteins) to be analysed by mass spectrometry. Here we describe the principles and mechanisms of ESI. Using the field of proteomics, we provide illustrations of how ESI has underpinned discoveries in this field for decades and is enabling emerging methods even today.
{"title":"Electrospray ionization: “We taught elephants to fly”","authors":"R. Maher, E. Emmott","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_127","url":null,"abstract":"Electrospray ionization (ESI), for which John Fenn was awarded a share of the 2002 Nobel Prize in chemistry, has revolutionized the use of mass spectrometry for biological and clinical applications. Developed in the late 1980s, building on the pioneering experiments by Malcom Dole’s lab, John Fenn et al. demonstrated the use of ESI for the ‘soft ionization’ of biologically important ‘molecular elephants’, allowing high molecular weight biopolymers (i.e., proteins) to be analysed by mass spectrometry. Here we describe the principles and mechanisms of ESI. Using the field of proteomics, we provide illustrations of how ESI has underpinned discoveries in this field for decades and is enabling emerging methods even today.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47657609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Biochemical Society identifies and celebrates outstanding science communication talent in molecular biosciences with its annual Science Communication Prize. Iris Floria (University of Glasgow, UK) won 3rd Prize in the 2022 written category with her entry, ‘Microbial predators: an unlikely ally’.
{"title":"Microbial predators: an unlikely ally?","authors":"Iris Floria","doi":"10.1042/bio_2022_133","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2022_133","url":null,"abstract":"The Biochemical Society identifies and celebrates outstanding science communication talent in molecular biosciences with its annual Science Communication Prize. Iris Floria (University of Glasgow, UK) won 3rd Prize in the 2022 written category with her entry, ‘Microbial predators: an unlikely ally’.","PeriodicalId":35334,"journal":{"name":"Biochemist","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43861019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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