Science News Digest 21st March 2011
In the science news this week, we take a look at how government cuts are affecting forensic science analysis, how Nasa is planning to ‘nudge’ space junk out of the way, why human empathy appears to be illogical and finally… a three parent IVF procedure?
Forensic Science Service feels financial strain as analysis rates drop
The Forensic Science Service (FSS) has seen a dramatic fall in evidence received for forensic analysis. Scientists have said that the reduction in evidence received is as high as 25%. Police have commented that the reduction is partly for financial reasons, but deny any declines in standards as a result.
However, others have a different opinion. Forensic scientist Roger Blackmore told the BBC: “Where police have had to skimp on examination or items submitted they may actually miss evidence”.
Even when evidence is sent for forensic analysis, it’s not always in the most efficient manner, says FSS scientist and spokesman for the Prospect Union John Page: "Also, submissions aren't necessarily all going to the same provider so it's creating a mish-mash service for the criminal justice system.”
However, a Home Office spokesperson said: "The FSS is making huge financial losses and it is vital that we take clear and decisive action.” and “It is not the sole provider of forensic services to the criminal justice system and it has lost market share over time due to increasing competition.
Whilst competition may be a factor in the reduction the FSS has seen, Cambridgeshire Police and Suffolk police have both reported having to cut back on DNA testing as whole, regardless of which facility it’s sent to.
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The limits of human empathy
Various studies and research have indicated that humans have trouble comprehending disasters. The bigger the disaster, and the more fatalities and injuries involved, the harder it is to comprehend. The Guardian cited psychologist Paul Slovic as describing the odd phenomena as being “Psychic numbing”, whereby when a disaster strikes a few people, more empathy is shown towards them.
However, the larger the disaster is in scale, the more the degree of empathy drops as people tune out. This seemingly disproportionate reaction difference results in smaller disasters or difficulties receiving more support and donation than a catastrophic one.
Charities, already aware of the issue, specifically centre appeals on individual people as opposed to reporting statistics about a region.
In a study, Deborah Small led a team of academics who found that people were more likely to donate money to an appeal that focused on an individual. Furthermore, when statistics were used in the appeals, interest began to dwindle.
‘Space junk” threatens future space travel
‘Space Junk’ is discarded debris, pieces of spacecraft, abandoned satellites and missile shrapnel drifting throughout low-earth orbit. There are currently around 370,000 pieces of it, and it’s started to cause problems. There have been serious accidents when ‘space junk’ has collided with satellites, which has the ability to cause serious damage as they occur at more than 3,000 metres per second. However, with the increase in debris, plans are being made to ‘nudge’ the debris before it poses a threat to space travel.
The instance of there being too much debris for it to be safe to fly out is known as ‘Kessler Syndrome’, and Nasa have feared the possibility of it becoming a reality for over 30 years.
In order to avoid being ‘grounded’ by the space junk, Nasa has made plans to ‘nudge’ it off course. Their theory is that because photons in laser beams carry a tiny amount of momentum in them, they could potentially nudge objects and slow them down. By directing the laser toward debris, it could be possible to change its course by as much as 650 feet per day. This, in theory, would move it far enough to avoid collisions with space stations or satellites.
For more information, see The Daily Mail.
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And finally....
Three-Parent IVF procedure under review
Scientists are reviewing whether or not a new ‘three-parent IVF’ procedure should be approved. The procedure will help couples affected with mitochondrial diseases by extracting the nucleus from the fertilised egg and placing it in a donor egg.
Because mitochondrial DNA are not present in the nucleus of a fertilised egg, the resulting embryo would not inherit the disease.
Babies born with mitochondrial diseases can suffer a range of ailments, including fatal heart and neurological disorders.
The technique was developed the department of reproductive medicine at Newcastle University. Alison Murdoch, head of the department, told the Telegraph: "We are not ready to do this in patients now but the science is progressing very rapidly and we need to get Parliament to discuss this again now.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health told the Telegraph: "We have asked the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to co-ordinate an expert group to assess the effectiveness and safety of a new technique to treat mitochondrial disease.
"This is in response to a request from researchers asking the Department of Health to make new regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act to allow this treatment. “
Forensic Science Service feels financial strain as analysis rates drop
The Forensic Science Service (FSS) has seen a dramatic fall in evidence received for forensic analysis. Scientists have said that the reduction in evidence received is as high as 25%. Police have commented that the reduction is partly for financial reasons, but deny any declines in standards as a result.
However, others have a different opinion. Forensic scientist Roger Blackmore told the BBC: “Where police have had to skimp on examination or items submitted they may actually miss evidence”.
Even when evidence is sent for forensic analysis, it’s not always in the most efficient manner, says FSS scientist and spokesman for the Prospect Union John Page: "Also, submissions aren't necessarily all going to the same provider so it's creating a mish-mash service for the criminal justice system.”
However, a Home Office spokesperson said: "The FSS is making huge financial losses and it is vital that we take clear and decisive action.” and “It is not the sole provider of forensic services to the criminal justice system and it has lost market share over time due to increasing competition.
Whilst competition may be a factor in the reduction the FSS has seen, Cambridgeshire Police and Suffolk police have both reported having to cut back on DNA testing as whole, regardless of which facility it’s sent to.
------------------------------------
The limits of human empathy
Various studies and research have indicated that humans have trouble comprehending disasters. The bigger the disaster, and the more fatalities and injuries involved, the harder it is to comprehend. The Guardian cited psychologist Paul Slovic as describing the odd phenomena as being “Psychic numbing”, whereby when a disaster strikes a few people, more empathy is shown towards them.
However, the larger the disaster is in scale, the more the degree of empathy drops as people tune out. This seemingly disproportionate reaction difference results in smaller disasters or difficulties receiving more support and donation than a catastrophic one.
Charities, already aware of the issue, specifically centre appeals on individual people as opposed to reporting statistics about a region.
In a study, Deborah Small led a team of academics who found that people were more likely to donate money to an appeal that focused on an individual. Furthermore, when statistics were used in the appeals, interest began to dwindle.
‘Space junk” threatens future space travel
‘Space Junk’ is discarded debris, pieces of spacecraft, abandoned satellites and missile shrapnel drifting throughout low-earth orbit. There are currently around 370,000 pieces of it, and it’s started to cause problems. There have been serious accidents when ‘space junk’ has collided with satellites, which has the ability to cause serious damage as they occur at more than 3,000 metres per second. However, with the increase in debris, plans are being made to ‘nudge’ the debris before it poses a threat to space travel.
The instance of there being too much debris for it to be safe to fly out is known as ‘Kessler Syndrome’, and Nasa have feared the possibility of it becoming a reality for over 30 years.
In order to avoid being ‘grounded’ by the space junk, Nasa has made plans to ‘nudge’ it off course. Their theory is that because photons in laser beams carry a tiny amount of momentum in them, they could potentially nudge objects and slow them down. By directing the laser toward debris, it could be possible to change its course by as much as 650 feet per day. This, in theory, would move it far enough to avoid collisions with space stations or satellites.
For more information, see The Daily Mail.
-------------------------------------
And finally....
Three-Parent IVF procedure under review
Scientists are reviewing whether or not a new ‘three-parent IVF’ procedure should be approved. The procedure will help couples affected with mitochondrial diseases by extracting the nucleus from the fertilised egg and placing it in a donor egg.
Because mitochondrial DNA are not present in the nucleus of a fertilised egg, the resulting embryo would not inherit the disease.
Babies born with mitochondrial diseases can suffer a range of ailments, including fatal heart and neurological disorders.
The technique was developed the department of reproductive medicine at Newcastle University. Alison Murdoch, head of the department, told the Telegraph: "We are not ready to do this in patients now but the science is progressing very rapidly and we need to get Parliament to discuss this again now.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health told the Telegraph: "We have asked the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to co-ordinate an expert group to assess the effectiveness and safety of a new technique to treat mitochondrial disease.
"This is in response to a request from researchers asking the Department of Health to make new regulations under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act to allow this treatment. “
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