Archive for April, 2007

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Spreading science through societies by reaching women and children

Published by
niall
19 April 2007 in Program and Session. 0 Comments
19 April 2007
11:00 amto12:30 pm
icon for podpress  Spreading science through societies by reaching women and children [90:59m]: Download

PRODUCER: Cathy Reade

CHAIR: Rosemary Okello-Orlale

SPEAKERS: Annmaree O’Keeffe, Jacqueline Ashby, Subbiah Arunachalam

SESSION REPORT: Empowering rural women farmers with science—key to achieving food security

by Imelda V. Abano

In many parts of the world, it is the women who are responsible for food security, yet rural women farmers have little access to the benefits of research and innovation, said Jacqueline Ashby, a development sociologist and presently the Director of the Rural Innovation Institute at the Center for Tropical Agriculture in Colombia.

Professor Ashby said that 80 percent of the world’s 1.2 billion poor depend on agriculture for their survival and that rural women in developing countries play critical roles in guaranteeing food security and well-being for the entire community.

“Empowering women in most developing countries with science is key to achieving food security. We should communicate with them on what new plant varieties and new technology is being developed in order for them to improve their crop production,” Prof. Ashby said.

To help the rural women farmers in the developing countries, Prof. Ashby said that a new strategy is now being introduced — the participatory plant breeding (PPB).

PPB has been proposed as a way to address three problems of conventional plant breeding, namely its low effectiveness in marginal environments, the long time needed to develop a variety and the poor level of adoption, particularly in developing countries.

“Although it is difficult to introduce this new technology to women farmers in the developing countries we are determined to help them and so we partner with several organizations,” she said.

There are currently more than 80 programs worldwide using PPB in a number of different countries and crops. These countries are in Syria, Jordan, Eritrea and Egypt on barley, durum wheat, bread wheat, lentil and chickpea. The first varieties identified through PPB are already in farmers’ fields in Syria, Egypt, Eritrea and Yemen. Other countries such as Jordan and Eritrea are increasingly using PPB as their national breeding strategy.

Reporting science in emerging economies

Published by
niall
19 April 2007 in Session. 1 Comment
icon for podpress  Reporting science in emerging economies [82:38m]: Download

PRODUCER: Julie Clayton

CHAIR: Alison Leigh

SPEAKERS: Tata Padma, Jia Hepeng, Nalaka Gunawardene, Christina Scott, Talet Ng’andwe, Luisa Massarani

SESSION REPORT: Emerging economies face different challenges

by: Aleem Ahmed

Lack of capable science journalists, communication gap between media and scientists, restrictions on reporting against the “official” opinion of the state, lesser-qualified public relations officers at S&T organizations, enormity of imported themes having little or no relevance with the society, non-existence of science-dedicated news services at local level, reluctance in media to report science, and the dearth of government interest to disseminate the scientific knowledge among the masses were the most common problems that science journalists from developing countries highlighted in this session.

Emphasizing the need for local-language science journalism, Christina Scott from South Africa revealed that there are 11 popular science magazines in her country. Among them, only one – having the smallest circulation – is in English, while the others are published in local languages.

Luisa Massarani from Brazil, who also coordinates SciDev.Net in Latin America, pointed to a huge communication gap between science journalists and scientists/ PR officials in the region: if a journalist contacts them to have their opinion regarding some S&T-related issues, generally they don’t respond. She also complained about the lack of and quality of public relations officers at R&D institutions and universities. For her, a small number of news agencies (like EurekAlert, AlphaGalileo and press.nature.com) are yet another problem that a Latin American science journalist has to face.

Voicing similar concerns, Talent Ng’andwe, a science journalist associated with SciDev.Net from Zambia, said the media in his country is free to report anything, except the opinions challenging the official viewpoint of the government – irrespective of their scientific and technical credibility. Additionally, Zambian newspapers consider political news items as the only qualifiers for the front page. And, if published, S&T-related reports find the least prominent place at the inner pages of these newspapers.

But for Nalaka Gunawardene, CEO, TVE Asia Pacific, Sri Lanka, the “immature demand for science” is an important obstacle in his country. For him, government’s unwillingness to enhance public understanding of science, arrogant attitude of concerned officials towards science reporting (using the brutal logic of with-us-or-without-us), and the sacredness of expensive ‘charismatic mega-science’ projects are the core problems that Sri Lankan science journalists are still to overcome. In other words, the lethal combination of nationalism and charismatic mega-science paralyses the real investigative science journalism in Sri Lanka. But, in the face of all these difficulties, “science (journalism) happens,” he said.

Despite making news in recent years, the overall picture of science journalism in India “isn’t completely rosy,” said Tata Padma, SciDev.Net’s South Asia coordinator from India. She noted that the science reporting in Indian media accounts for merely 3 percent of the overall coverage – heading to decrease further. Though the coverage of some scientific issues is increasing and a few investigative reports on science are getting published, the circumstances for science journalism aren’t as favorable as presented before the world. For example, there is no science-dedicated TV channel from India; most of the old Indian magazines of science are now closed while the officials are, generally, of the opinion that no one needs to know science. Like other developing countries, PR officers usually avoid media and there is no organized news service for science in India. More enthusiastic science journalists are needed to change this scenario, but the circumstances discourage new people to report science in the media.

For Jia Hepeng, regional coordinator of SciDev.Net in China, his country is facing a dilemma: China has greatly increased the spending on R&D in science and technology during recent years, yet has paid very little attention to the public communication of science – portraying a scenario almost identical to the other developing countries. But, additionally, Hepeng also suggested that science journalists might help improve the quality of science reporting in local media – by providing them with detailed coverage. He also stressed non English-speaking science journalists to improve their English-language skills, so that they can have a better international recognition.

During the discussion, various journalists from the other developing countries shared similar experiences and criticized their respective governments regarding the neglect of science journalism. Besides this, Nalaka Gunawardene observed a disparity or “non-equity” between science journalists from North and South. That is, an equally competent and capable science journalist of the developing world can only become an assistant for the (documentary-making) projects undertaken by the organizations from the developed nations. Answering a question from the audience, Christina Scott termed science magazines of the developing countries as “extremophiles” because they manage to survive in the most hostile conditions of their societies.

Finally, this plenary session ended with more voices of concern – rather than discussing the realistic, on the ground and practical strategies for the survival of science journalism in developing countries. Hopefully, during the next World Conference of Science Journalists, the WFSJ shall devote a session to discuss the survival strategies for the science journalism in the developing countries.

Coming in from the cold (sponsored lunch: Australian Science Media Centre)

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18 April 2007 in Lunch and Program. 0 Comments
18 April 2007
12:30 pmto2:00 pm
icon for podpress  Coming in from the cold [58:29m]: Download

A two course sit-down lunch presented by the Australian Science Media Centre and theSouth Australian Government

The challenges that face society at local and global scales make it abundantly clear that knowledge of science and technology is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity. How do we build a more proactive scientifically literate society? It’s time for science to come in from the cold.

In this stimulating lunch dialogue, Professor Tim Flannery, Australian of the Year will address this challenge. He will be joined by the Hon. Paul Caica MP, Minister for Science and Information Economy, South Australia, who will outline aunique strategy based on the ideas from Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield’s time as ‘Adelaide Thinker in Residence’.

Board and Science Advisory Panel members from the first of these ideas, the Australian Science Media Centre, will join journalists for this event. Chaired by the Director of the London-based Science Media Centre, Fiona Fox.

Life and Death in 2020: How will science respond? (Part 2: mp3 only)

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18 April 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments
icon for podpress  Life and Death in 2020: How will science respond? (Part 2) [85:27m]: Download

This post is solely to hold the second (part 2) mp3 file. It appears iTunes and other feed readers can’t see two or more files attached to the one post. All text content relating to this session can be found in the joint part 1 and 2 post.

Using science to influence decision makers for action (a workshop presented by the ASC)

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18 April 2007 in Workshop and Program. 0 Comments
18 April 2007
4:00 pmto5:30 pm

PRODUCER: Toss Gascoigne

SPEAKERS: Michael Hartmann, Fiona Poletti, Kathy Williams

SESSION REPORT: Progress: It’s all in the telling

By Graeme Stemp-Morlock

In a very active discussion at this ASC workshop, delegates heard how to urge political action, information science could really use.

The most important thing is preparation according to Fiona Poletti, a former ministerial staffer and lobbyist. “If you’re in the minister’s door, they will know who you are, what your issue is and how long you can talk, so make sure you know what you’re doing there.”

Michael Hartmann, a lobbyist with the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC), Association convinced delegates that politicians were just people. “Don’t be intimidated,” said Michael, “they get dressed in the morning too.” Hartmann also suggested, “the reason politicians got into the job in the first place is they want to help people – it’s definitely not for the money.”

The panel also discussed how to get politicians to an event. Be sure to get the appropriate politician, alert them well beforehand,
organise events around the parliamentary schedule or their appointments if possible, and be prepared for plans to change.

Kathy Williams, general manager of Bunker Freight Lines and deputy chair of the Collections Council of Australia, suggested inviting both the appropriate minister and the shadow minister. “If you invite someone from the government and the opposition, it keeps them on their toes, and they are sure to be there.”

There were many other helpful tips, below is a selection of hints:

• Leave something behind. For example, a brochure on your organization and the proposed policy or program.

• “Be aware that sometimes you get a politician on a bad hair day,” said Williams. “Thank them for their time, and come back on another
• day.”

• Use the media, but don’t blab private conversations to reporters or the minister might never want to see you again.

• “Spend time with the backbenchers, especially if they are noisy in the party room,” said Hartmann. “Remember backbenchers eventually
• become ministers or even prime ministers.”

• Hope for a 15-30 minute discussion in their office, but be prepared for a 2 minute talk as they run to a meeting.

• Take a “real” person with you, eg. from the industry or group you represent. But, keep the number of people in the meeting down to 2-4.

• Don’t tell facts and figures. Tell stories.

Seducing gatekeepers: getting more science past your editor

Published by
niall
18 April 2007 in Program and Session. 0 Comments
18 April 2007
3:30 pm
icon for podpress  Seducing gatekeepers: getting more science past your editor [81:10m]: Download

PRODUCER: Tom Noble

CHAIR: Peter Calamai

SPEAKERS: Deborah Smith, Garry Linnell, Peter Fray

SESSION REPORT: Science does sell

By Laura Garcia Oviedo

Convincing media editors to give more space to science stories is difficult but not impossible. That was the main idea expressed during this session.

Debora Smith, who works at the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, said science writers must use many strategies to be sure that their science story gets into the newspapaper.

“You have to sell it well, and make it as simple and interesting as possible to common people without trivialazing the story”, said Smith.

And she added: “Journalists try every time to get to the page one. Some stories are so interesting that they cross the line and reach the page one without problems, but other stories don’t”.

A good strategy to convince editors that a story deserves a space, said Smith, is getting good photographs, and graphics.

Mariko Takahashi, science news editor of the Asahi Shimbun Japanese newspaper, pointed out that are basic elements in a newspaper story. For example, it must include a date, it must have a big influence on society, it must surprise people, it must be interesting and it must be easy to understand.

But science stories present some problems, said Takahashi. It is difficult to find an exact date of a scientific discovery. Although some news is sometimes surprising to scientists is not always surprising to people. And headlines don’t always contribute to a good understanding of the story.

To avoid these problems he advised: to use the date when a paper is published or a speech is delivered, to point out the impact on society and to implement a writing style that gives surprise to readers.

Toronto Star journalist, Peter Calamai, chaired this session. He concluded: “If editors are good journalists, and they have the same values as you as a journalist, they are going to be able to recognize a good story”.

Coal: fuel of the future

Published by
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18 April 2007 in Program and Session. 0 Comments
18 April 2007
2:00 pmto3:30 pm
icon for podpress  Coal: fuel of the future [88:12m]: Download

PRODUCER: Michelle Riedlinger

CHAIR: Bernie Hobbs,

SPEAKERS: Peter Cook, Doug Holden, Ian Lowe, Wang Yu

SESSION REPORT: Leading edge technologies maximize coal efficiency

By Jia Hepeng

More efficient use of coal, using new technologies, provides cheaper energy and reduces carbon dioxide emissions, according to the panel discussion at this session.

Peter Cook, head of CO2 Cooperative Research Centre of Australia predicts that the world’s use of coal will continue to grow, to 10.5 billion tons in 2030, despite its dwindling share in the world energy market.

He said, “The future of coal depends on costs, capacity, cleaner technologies and the availability of new energy sources.”

Increased coal consumption is thought to be a major contributor to increased carbon dioxide — global warming. As Australia faces increasing pressure, internationally and domestically, to cut carbon emissions, the call to reduce coal consumption and production has been growing.

However, Cook notes, studies show that a 50 percent increase in coal burning efficiency delivers up to three percent reduction of carbon emission per unit of coal consumption. With more new technologies, which dramatically increase coal efficiency, coal can “continue to be a reliable, securable, sustainable and clean energy.”

Australia’s heavy reliance on coal is shared by other countries, particularly China.
Wang Yu, a Chinese energy journalist from Beijing-based China Daily, revealed that in 2006, China produced 2 billion tons of coal, with two thirds of this used for electricity generation. In the near future, it is unlikely to reduce the world’s economic powerhouse’s reliance on coal.

While welcoming researches on cleaner coal, Ian Lowe, president of the Australian Conservation Foundation, complained that too many resources have been given to the sector, while research and development funding for sustainable energy is too small.

Lowe refutes the saying that Australians rely on coal for their jobs, saying the renewable clean technologies, such as growing plant for biofuels, are more labour intensive and hence the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energies will not result in lost jobs.

Controversies in Evidence-Based Medicine (Workshop by the Australasian Medical Writers’ Association)

Published by
niall
18 April 2007 in Workshop and Program. 0 Comments
18 April 2007
4:00 pmto5:30 pm

PRESENTER: Chris Del Mar
SESSION REPORT: Medicine breakthroughs: The Clayton’s Promise

By Andreas von Bubnoff

Why is it that medical studies that are widely reported in the media sometimes later turn out to be wrong? One reason is that there are many different designs of medical studies, which means that the quality of the evidence is different as well.

In this workshop on Controversies in evidence-based medicine, Chris Del Mar, Dean of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University in Queensland, used many examples to explain how different study designs affect the reliability of medical studies.

For example, he said, a randomized controlled clinical trial found that beta-carotene can increase the risk for cardio-vascular disease. The trial overturned the results of previous observational studies, most of which had suggested a benefit of beta-carotene in the diet.

Randomized clinical trials, or RCTs, are more reliable than observational studies, because they get rid of certain biases such as differences between people who choose to eat beta-carotene from people who don’t. Such people may be different in ways other than taking beta-carotene.

One useful source of information on RCTs, Del Mar said, is the so-called Cochrane Collaboration, which pools the results of several clinical trials.

The results of such pooling of trials can sometimes even change clinical practice, he said. “I am amazed that you guys haven’t tapped into that much more,” he said. “There is more information on RCTs in there than in any other database in the world.” Unfortunately, he added, free access to the data is only available in some countries where governments are paying for a national subscription such as in Australia, but not in others such most of the U.S.

Del Mar also explained when a study is considered statistically significant. He said that even statistically significant results can sometimes be meaningless if the effect is below the clinically important threshold.

Water Wars

Published by
niall
18 April 2007 in Program and Session. 0 Comments
18 April 2007
4:00 pmto5:30 pm
icon for podpress  Water Wars [90:55m]: Download

PRODUCER/CHAIR: Jenni Metcalfe

SPEAKERS: Tim Flannery, Asa Wahlquist, Mike Young, Mike Rann

SESSION REPORT: Is Australia running out of water?

By Imelda V. Abano

Water in Australia is emerging as a scarce commodity, fueled by population pressures, intensive irrigation and erratic weather patterns brought on by global warming.

Addressing science journalists at this session, climate change expert and author Tim Flannery said Australia’s drought was part of a global dry spell that threatened the planet’s future.

“While water shortage is a global phenomenon not just in Australia, the present drought had already put huge strain on river systems,” Flannery said adding that scientists have found a 10 to 15 percent decrease in rainfall over a 50 year period.

He warned that climate change will likely make things worse for water resource management in the Murray-Darling Basin. “The water that’s available for us to use is declining because of this warming trend.”

The Murray-Darling Basin is one of Australia’s foremost river systems responsible for irrigating the country’s crops. Australia is faced with water scarcity in the Murray-Darling Basin as a result of diverting large quantities of water for use in agriculture.

University of Adelaide Professor Mike Young said managing water supply is the biggest climate-change adaptation facing Australia.

“We need to build mechanisms that make people aware of the value of water and to cope with these changes,” Prof. Young said.

Prof. Young said there is an urgent need for “well-designed urban and rural water allocation: and trading systems that offer ways of ensuring that this system will be effective.

“We need to work-out with the government and talk to the community about this problem,” he said.

On the other hand, South Australia’s premier, Mike Rann said the issue of water has been paramount. He suggested a need to introduce legislation next year and adaptation with the prevailing issue of water in Australia.

“What we’re seeing with this drought is a frightening glimpse of the future with global warming,” Rann said.

Uncovering the hobbit, Homo floresiensis

Published by
niall
18 April 2007 in Program and Session. 0 Comments
17 April 2007
11:00 amto12:30 pm
icon for podpress  Uncovering the hobbit, Homo floresiensis [87:43m]: Download

PRODUCER/CHAIR: Paul Willis

SPEAKERS: Deborah Smith, Chris Turney, Bert Roberts

SESSION REPORT: The Hobbit saga continues

by Piyaporn Wongruang

A new round of excavations in the so-called Hobbit cave will be resumed in the hope that it will end the lasting controversies in the human evolution scientist community.

Dr Chris Turney, a scientist from Australia’s University of Wollongong, said excavation will resume between June and July at the Indonesian cave where they originally found the remains of the new species of modern human Homo florensiensis, now dubbed the Hobbit because of its dwarf-like characteristics.

Dr Turney joined his colleague, Dr Richard Roberts, and the Sydney Morning Herald’s science editor Deborah Smith in this session, Uncovering the Hobbit

In 2003 the team first discovered the remains of skeletons and skulls, which were relatively contemporary — around 18,000 years old up to nearly 100,000 years — and relatively smaller, when compared to other designated remains including Homo erectus and Neanderthals.

The first set of remains was discovered in Liang Bua Cave on Flores Island of Indonesia. The team believed that it was a woman about a meter tall in height.

A few years later, the species drew much criticism, or verbal bombarding, from some scientists in the field, and even from those once worked on the same team. They claimed this species had some disorder that made their skull relatively small. Therefore it was not a new species. Dr. Turney is working on carbon dating these remains.

“It would be lovely to find another example. If there was another complete skeleton, it would help demonstrate that, yes, this is a new species,” said Dr Turney, acknowledging that such the skeleton was rare.

Depending on available funding, the team plans to go deeper into the back of the cave where they have already found piles of bones that have not yet been identified.

Collaborating researchers have also been working on different sites including the Western side of the island and Sulawesi.

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About

This is the post-conference blog for the 5th World Conference of Science Journalists which took place in Melbourne, Australia from 16 to 20 April 2007.

Acknowledgments