Science Spin Issue 68

ISSUE

68

January/February 2015

€5 including VAT £4 NI and GB

SCIENCE

SPIN

IRELAND’S SCIENCE NATURE AND DISCOVERY MAGAZINE

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ChiLLinG prospeCt as iCeLand’s voLCanoes Continue to erupt Magic bullets improve delivery of old drugs Geologists get ready to unlock resources Lab-on-a-disk

What is the impact of science?

How can I work with digital humans and still have time for real ones?

There can be no answers without people who ask questions. People like Kristy Myers.

Kristy Myers’ workplace is cyberspace. She and her team develop the software used for virtual simulations of production processes. This helps make business more efficient and creates safer work environments. It’s a demanding job that requires dedication and commitment.

But because Kristy is able to work flexitime, she can

balance her family life and her work life.

Siemens is always looking for people who are looking for new ways of doing things. Because to discover great answers, you have to ask big questions. How can you turn your curiosity into a career? Dare to ask.

siemens.com/careers

SCIENCE SCIENCE

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Cover — The volcano at Holuhraun is active, making it extremely dangerous to enter the area. Photographs by photographer and guide, Iurie Belegurschi, https//guidetoiceland.ie

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Is there something in science that has you puzzled? Our panel of scientific experts is ready to answer your questions. Send in your question with your name and we’ll do our best to satisfy your curiosity.

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question@sciencespin.com Upfront

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Impact of science

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Lab-on-a-disk

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Volcanics under ice

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Flint

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Bio-opportunity

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Ask a scientist

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Dr How

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Is it just for profit or do we expect more from science?

Just load a tiny sample, pop it into a reader, and get a result

Eruptions under Iceland’s glaciers have the potential to cast a chilling cloud over Europe

Where to find and identify one of Ireland’s common rocks

The antibodies that keep invaders at bay can deliver existing drugs with greater precision and give a boost to Ireland’s pharma sector

Is uranium running out and what happens to your cup of tea in a lift?

Naomi Lavelle

Picture research Source Photographic Archives

Family Science Christina Campbell shows how to make a robotic hand

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Spin Store and multimedia T A Kennedy www.spinstore.eu

Young scientists

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Geologists at work

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Printing Turner Group, Longford

Gorse fires, eye droppers, residual radioactivity and leaf miners at work on holly

An new body has been created to apply Ireland’s geological knowledge

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SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 1

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See our new website for information on marine research and development — www.marine.ie

Detection

UPFRONT

Blood can contain biomarkers that indicate the presence of pathogens or disease. however, a problem in detecting minute levels of biomarkers is that they are hard to pin down and when close to a sensor surface the signal becomes confused.

Researchers at the University of limerick have found a way to improve detection and, as dr damien thompson explained, the trick is to get the biomarker molecule to slow down and insert a barrier between it and the sensor surface. the slowing down is achieved using a silicon oil coat to act as a breake, and the layer of insulation is created with alkanes, common chemicals consisting of hydrogen and carbon. according to the researchers, this approach has the potential to obtain diagnostic results quickly using a simple hand-held instrument.

Diabetes

It has always been assumed that the pancreatic cells that produce insulin cannot regenerate. however, scientists in switzerland have produced evidence to show that this might only be true of adults.

In a study of mice, Prof Pedro herrera and his team at the University of Geneva, found that cells producing another hormone, glucagon, have a capacity to switch over to producing insulin. this occurred in pre-pubescent mice that had been genetically modified to develop diabetes. the discovery suggests that there is some capacity for self-healing in humans, particularly when young. however, as the researchers pointed out, there is a long way to go before diabetes patients might be able to benefit from these findings.

Out of control

lockInG up law-breakers is not a good solution to crime, and as has been noted about Irish prisoners, a high proportion have psychiatric problems. Being incarcerated in a prison environment is hardly likely to help, and a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry supports that view. Researchers from the karolinska Institutet in sweden conducted a follow-up study of 27,000 prisoners released between 2005 and 2009 and found that these people have an 18 times higher rate of suicide compared to the general population. as the researchers noted, it was already known that a similar high risk exists in australia, Britain and the Usa.

Science adviser gets the chop the european commission has abolished the position of Chief Scientific Adviser, a move condemned by Euro science as harming the consultation process. euro science is the body that iniated the bi-annual esoF events to showcase european science.

Toulouse for ESOF

Following stockholm, Munich, Barcelona, turin, dublin and copenhagen, Manchester will host the european science open Forum in 2016. Following this, in 2018 it will be the turn of toulouse. according to the organisers, euroscience, toulose and the Midi-Pyrénées area is the leading region for spending on research in France. www.euroscience.org

Population collapse

the collapse of Bronze age society, beginning about 900 Bc and accelerating rapidly after 800 Bc has often been attributed to the onset of colder, wetter conditions. however, dr katharina Becker from the department of archaeology at University college cork has found evidence to show that climate change was not responsible. archaeological records show that the wet chill only began about two genertions after the population decline. the collapse was not just in Ireland, but population declined across continental europe. a team of scientists from Ucc, University of Bradford, University of leeds and Queen’s in Belfast published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Recent construction work during the celtic tiger years gave the scientists access to many sites enabling them to study climatic and other changes.

While the evidence shows a rapid change in climate, this did not trigger a population collapse, but, of course it would not have helped the survivors. one possibility is that there was, in effect, a trade war, sparked off by iron replacing bronze. communities producing bronze had established a network for supply of materials and for trade. this society is believed to have been dominated by a warrior class. Introduction of iron is likely to have been highly disruptive leading to widespread conflict.

Bronze Age torc discovered

by Lough Foyle

GALWAY FIELD STUDIES CENTRE AT GALWAY ATLANTAQUARIA We are delighted to announce that we are expanding our range of Leaving Certificate Ecology Studies from the Seashore to incorporate Grassland and Woodland Habitats from the 1st of March 2015 at Terryland Forest Park.

STUDENTS WILL BE AIDED BY OUR TRAINED GUIDES THROUGH A RANGE OF ACTIVITIES INCLUDING: • Selecting, mapping and describing their study area.

• Using grassland and woodland keys to identify 5 examples of flora.

• Carrying out a quantitative study of the flora present.

• Carrying out a quantitative worm study within the habitat • Using a range of apparatus such as moisture and ph meters, pooters, and baited traps to measure abiotic factors and identify the range of fauna living in the habitat.

TO BOOK YOUR ECOLOGY FIELD STUDY CALL (091) 585100 OR EMAIL INFO@NATIONALAQUARIUM.IE

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 2

46246900, © Sergey Nivens, #40018163; © Vasilius #34649707646; © Natis, #38736659, 2013. Source: Fotolia.com.

46246900, © Sergey Nivens, #40018163; © Vasilius #34649707646; © Natis, #38736659, 2013. Source: Fotolia.com.

46246900, 46246900, 46246900, © Sergey © Sergey ©Nivens, Sergey Nivens, #40018163; Nivens, 46246900, #40018163; #40018163; © Sergey Vasilius © Vasilius ©Nivens, #34649707646; Vasilius #34649707646; #40018163; #34649707646; © Natis, ©© Vasilius Natis, © #38736659, Natis, #34649707646; #38736659, #38736659, 2013.2013.

Source: 2013. © Natis, Source: Fotolia.com.

Source: #38736659, Fotolia.com.

Fotolia.com.

2013. Source: Fotolia.com.

VISIT THE EUROPEAN UNION STAND (NUMBER 30) AT THE BT YOUNG SCIENTIST AND TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION This year, the EU stand in the World of Science and Technology (Stand number 30 in the Industries Hall) has a special focus on Food Research. Every day there will be interactive areas where you can:

Information officers from the European Commission Representation in Ireland, the EU’s Joint Research Centre and the European Parliament Office in Ireland will be available to assist you with questions about EU policies.

l Test your knowledge about food and exercise by taking part in the ‘Food4Me Quiz’. You will be surprised at what you learn and could even take home a prize!

So drop in to see us at the EU stand No. 30 and find out more about what the EU is doing in the area of Food Research - we look forward to meeting you!

HORIZON 2020 HORIZON 2020 HORIZON 2020 HORIZON 2020

Excellent Science l Learn how packaging protects our food and For anyIndustries questions about the European how we can protect the environment when weCompetitive Union: dispose of it in the correct way.

Excellent Science Better Society Excellent Science TheScience European Commission Representation in Excellent Competitive Industries Ireland website is: www.euireland.ie Competitive Industries Free resources for students, parents, teachers and Excellent Science Competitive Industries can visit us in person: European Union House, Better Society the general public will be available on the theme of You Better Society Competitive Industries Better Society 18 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 Food Research, Horizon 2020 – the EU’s €80 billion Call Better Society us: 0 1 634 11 11 Follow us: Research & Innovation Programme (2014-2020) Facebook - @EUIreland Twitter - @eurireland and on the European Union in general.

HORIZON 2020

The European Union’s €80 billion The Union’s €80 billion Research & Innovation Programme The European European Union’s €80 billion Excellent Science The European Union’s €80 billion Competitive Industries Research & Innovation Programme (2014-2020) Research & Innovation Better Society Programme Research & (2014-2020) Innovation Programme Funding available for researchers, universities, (2014-2020) businesses including SMEs, and others (2014-2020) Funding Funding available available for for researchers, researchers, universities, universities, Funding available for researchers, universities, businesses including SMEs, and up now! businessesSign including SMEs, and others others businesses including SMEs, and others Funding available for researchers, universities, businesses including SMEs, and others

Sign up now!

Sign Sign up up now! now!

Sign up now! www.ec.europa.eu/horizon2020

The European Union’s €80 billion

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@EU_H2020 #H2020

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Filling out your CAO? Explore careers in Science, Tech, Engineering & Maths at — www.SmartFutures.ie

Reel Life Science

UPFRONT

More than 250 three-minute videos about science were entered to the reel Life Science competition. entertaining and informative, the videos were produced by primary and secondary school students around the country.

The competition has become a great success, and Dr enda o’Connell, from NUI Galway, who leads the project said judges had been overwhelmed by the calibre of productions and how students had enjoyed communicating science.

5th and 6th class primary school students from Sooey National School in Sligo were declared winners for their lively reenactment of the “secret life of honeyees.” The video, made by the students under the direction of their teacher, Thomas egan, has earned the school €1,000 to be spent on resources.

The Secondary School prize went to Julien Torrades from Summerhill College, Sligo, for his “History of Medicine.” Made under the supervision of his art teacher, Jonathan Cassidy, Julien’s prize of €1,000 will support the college’s science programme.

Students from rosses Community School, Dungloe, Co Donegal, received second prize for their video about the Austrian physicist, Lise Meitner ,“The hero that time forgot.”

Students from Causeway Comprehensive School in Co Kerry won third prize for “Gravity in a nutshell”, fifth year students from St Andrew’s College in Dublin were shortlisted for their

Students from Sooey Nationa School celebrate their win. video on vision, and Transition Year students from St Mary’s School for Deaf Girls in Dublin were also shortlisted for their production about Alexander Fleming.

An additional prize, voted on by viewers, went to students from St Michael’s House Special National School for their video about the usefulness of trees.

All videos can be viewed at

www.reellifescience.com

website: www.gsi Email: gsisales@gsi.ie

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 4

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UPFRONT

Stand-in gene

Broader education

Orla Feely, Chair of the Irish Research Council, said schools should stop boxing students into channels. Speaking at the IRC’s annual conference, Orla remarked that from primary school onwards students were being led to believe that they are scientific, but not creative, or business-minded, but not linguistic.

This does not help students acquire the diverse skills that they will need in later life. As Orla pointed out, solving problems often requires an ability to cross academic divides and work in collaboration with other experts.

Women in technology

For the third year running Intel has presented scholarships to women studying science, engineering or technology. In november seven third-year students received awards. The students received a cash grant, mentoring and an opportunity to work on the Intel Leixlip campus The scholars are Shauna O’neill and Una ní Artaigh from TCD, Fionnula McCourt, Brid Roberts and Ellen La Bas from UCD, Ciara Walsh from Maynooth University, and Catherine Galvin from UCD.

Sea Science

An exhibition about marine science and the oceans has been opened at the Galway City Museum. Visitors are welcome from Tuesdays to Saturdays and the museum is open from 10am to 5pm.

Motor Neurone Disease

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 5

www.nationalaquarium.ie

In the majority of cases it is not known why people develop Motor neurone Disease. In Ireland about 110 new cases are reported each year, and in only 10 to 15 per cent can a cause be identified. It is thought that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are involved in all the other cases.

To gain a better understanding of causitive factors, a study of over 200,000 people worldwide has been launched. Scientists from Trinity College Dublin are to genetically map at least 15,000 people with MnD and 7,500 of those without the disease.

Through the project’s website, www.projectmine.com/ country/ireland the public can make donations to sponsor DnA profiling.This data will be exchanged freely among researchers working on this and other diseases that appear to have a genetic basis.

One of the issues that researchers want to explore is that some of the genetic factors that are associated with MnD also occur in healthy individuals. This indicates that a number of factors may be involved.There is also a suspicion that a connection exists between MnD and other conditions such as autism and schizophrenia. Confirming such links could help researchers to develop treatments for a range of diseases.

Galway Atlantaquaria is expanding the range of Leaving Cert Ecology Studies

In reviewing the literature on cancers, researchers from the University of Iowa found that about half involved a mutation of a gene known as PTEn. This mutation was observed in 40 per cent of breast cancers, 70 per cent of prostate cancers, and nearly half of all leukemia cases.

This discovery made Prof David Soll wonder if any other gene exists that could act as a substitute. As he and his team reported in the journal Plos One, this possibility is suggested by the occurrence of two related genes in an amoeba, Dictyostelium discoideum. The amoeba has a gene known as ptenA and mutation causes defects to occur. However, when a closely related gene, known as Ipten, is overexpressed, it compensates for the mutation in ptenA. This raises the possibility that a similar back-up could be found for the human PTEN gene. The researchers have identified two possible back-up genes, and one of the challenges is to find a drug that will promote one of these back-ups to go into overdrive.

The occurrence of a back-up would not come as a surprise to David Soll who said that redundancy, in the form of a fall-back position, is quite common in nature.

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UPFRONT

Learning about wind energy engineering StudentS can learn all about harvesting energy from wind in an education module for schools. experts from Siemens and AG education Services have developed classroom lessons on how wind turbine technology works together with lots of inforation about rising demand for energy, renewables, the engineering involved and other related topics. the modules have been prepared as part of the Science in Action schools programme to give students a good grasp

of how science and technology is part of their everyday lives. Lessons are all the more effective because they are based on real examples Gary O’Callaghan from Siemens commented that the aim is to inspire the next generation of engineers. “We are happy to provide our expert knowledge to deliver education material to students,” he said. Education can benefit greatly from having a significant input from industry.

Novel view on schizophrenia

reCent research at the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) in Cork has highlighted the important role played by gut micro-organisms in maintaining good health. It has now been suggested that the genes in gut bacteria may even influence our mental state. dr ted dinan, Professor of Psychiatry and researchers at APC have found that when mice are raised with an impoverished gut population they begin exhibiting behaviour similar to human schizophrenia, such as social withdrawl.

Given that gut micriobiotica have been shown to have a strong influence on general health, Prof dinan’s suggestion is that the same could be true for mental health. As he pointed out, it is hard to explain why disorders such as schizophrenia arise. evidence supports a genetic link, but as Prof dinan argues, this is not the whole story, and it is possible that genes from gut bacteria are also involved in triggering the condition.

Indirect evidence in support of this view comes from the use of an antibiotic, minocyline, used to treat acne in teenagers. Studies have produced evidence that this treatment has an unexpected side-effect on symptoms such as hallucination, delusions and social withdrawl.

Alumina

Corroding stores

LOnG-term storage of nuclear waste continues to be a problem, especially for older power plants. According to tom Scott from the university of Bristol, 30 to 40 year old drums of spent uranium from Britain’s power stations are beginning to bulge. the spent uranium is embedded in concrete contained within 500-litre stainless steel drums. A small number of these drums, said tom, are showing signs of strain, and the most likely cause for this is corrosion of the uranium. In a similar way that internal rusting causes reinforced concrete in buildings to crack and crumble, corrosion of uranium increases its volume, resulting in a build up of pressure.

While this explains why drums are showing signs of strain, determining what exactly is going on is quite difficult. Because the contents are so radioactive, the drums can only be manipulated by machinery behind thick concrete and lead glass barriers. to get around that problem, tom Scott and the researchers at Bristol made small scale versions of the drums, in which matchstick-sized bars of uranium were embedded. these were deliberately stressed to see how the uranium reacts to various conditions. to determine what happens internally, the team used powerful X-rays and tomography to identify and model the different products of corrosion.

One of the aims of this work is to determine how much uranium hydride is being produced. uranium oxide is the normal product of corrosion, but if water becomes involved hydrogen is released. If enough hydrogen is present, uranium hydride would be produced, and this is flammable.

In November, Tom Scott presented the team’s findings at an international AVS conference in the USA. AVS is an interdisciplinary body for science and technology.

As tom reported, the study has been underway for the past two years, but it has to continue so that a response plan can be drawn up. If something like reprocessing has to be considered, he said, we need to find a solution before there is a serious problem.

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 6

One of europe’s largest alumina refineries, located in County Limerick, produces about 1,990,000 tonnes of alumina every year. red mud remains as a residue, and up to now the only option has been to retain this as waste within a 180 ha impoundment.

Around the world, alumina refineries are also producing red mud, and the volume is believed to be increasing by 120 million tonnes a year.

Instead of storing red mud as landfill waste there is a potential to use it as a raw material for use in cement, ceramics and electronics. this is the aim of an international BRAVO (Bauxite Residue and Aluminium Valorisation Operations) project being led by the university of Limerick under the co-ordination of dr Lisa O’donoghue.

A number of international companies and institutes are among the 31 partners involved in this six-year project. One of the potential benefits is recovery of materials that could displace european imports.

SFI Researchers Celebrate the

E

PoweR oF SCIenCe

ight of Science Foundation Ireland’s research centres and their colleagues in universities and local communities around Ireland came together this year to organise a new festival called Celebrate Science. Events took place during Science week, with something for everyone of all ages, from robotics to photonics, from crystals to disgusting digestion, from nanotechnology to big data, from global warming to smashing science movies!

The Celebrate Science Festival kicked off Science Week in Cork with a Family Day at UCC’s Western Gateway building which attracted more than 4,000 attendees of all ages. Red FM broadcast live from UCC on the day, which was organised by the APC (Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre), Infant Centre, the Insight Centre for Data Analytics, IPIC (the Irish Photonics Integration Centre) and MaREI (the Marine & Renewable Energy Centre). All ages enjoyed a huge variety of activities from Sarah Hayes’ Science Magic Show to workshops on Disgusting Digestion, Fun with Food, Lego, Light Fantastic, MathsWorks and molecular biology to hands-on demos of how your Xbox can be powered with renewable energy, test-driving a remotely-operated underwater vehicle, listening to baby brainwaves with a musical stethoscope, or making crystals. The StarDome and Alimentary Adventures gastrointestinal inflatable tunnel also proved extremely popular, as did CIT’s speared balloons, Formalab’s synthetic biology demos and Trend Micro’s Oculus Rift. Events continued throughout Science Week with three Public Forums on Climate Change, Superbugs and C-Sections, an Open Night at Tyndall National Institute and numerous activities at schools in Cork.

In Limerick, the SSPC (Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Chemistry) and Lero — the Irish Software Research Centre and their University of Limerick colleagues organised many activities for Celebrate Science, culminating in city centre activities at the weekend, which included great Science Busking at the Milk Market and an Open Day showcasing research, altitude and crystal growing workshops at the Hunt Museum. Afterwards a fabulous Pub Science took place at the Locke Bar with fast five minute talks given by researchers on a range of topics from: ‘why do bubbles in Guinness sink?’ to ‘above the clouds’.

In Dublin Insight Centre for Data Analytics, AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research), UCD Science Expressions and Happenings hosted the Smashing Science Film Festival at CHQ with science demos and science films each evening from 13-15th November. The festival began with a celebration of 60 years at CERN and a screening of the award winning documentary “Particle Fever” followed by a discussion moderated by broadcaster and mathematician Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain. A screening of “Moneyball” provided the focus for discussion on big data and analytics in sport moderated by Off the Ball Newstalk sports journalist Adrian Barry. Irish Times journalist Una Mullaly moderated discussion on materials following a screening of the classic “The Man in the White Suit”.

In Galway, the Insight Centre Celebrate Science included a plethora of activities with guided tours of the Computer & Communications Museum, Researcher Talks, Insight Open Day, Planet Comics and Coder Dojo workshops.

The Celebrate Science festival www.celebratescience.eu was funded through SFI Discover’s education & Public engagement programme http://www.sfi.ie/discover-science-engineering-dse/

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 7

ImPaCt of SCIENCE at this year’s Science foundation Ireland Summit the debate focused on what sort of returns do we expect from our investment in research? tom Kennedy reports that while opinions about impact vary scientists are not making a strong enough case for value

W

hat is investing in science worth to society? The answer to that question depends on what sort of answer you are looking for. These days, the main focus is on getting a financial return, but as a number of speakers at the recent SFI Summit pointed out, there is no quick and easy way to measure the impact of investment in scientific research.

In spite of economic constraints, Ireland has continued to put money into science, but as Mark Ferguson, Director of SFI observed, big grants are seen as an investment, so the government wants to see a financial return. However, as he added, although scientists have a strong case to make, they are quite bad at selling themselves. At government meetings, he said, scientists are ill-equipped to argue against models put forward by economists projecting how social housing or road building is supposed to yield a return. “If you look at the assumptions behind these models, they are b… awful,” he said. “They have these calculations based on the most spurious of data, and if you point this out, some distinguished economist will come in and say “but you are not an economist’”. In contrast to this outward show of confidence, a scientist, when queried, typically hums and haws and finally states that it is all very difficult.

The scientific community, said Mark Ferguson, has to become more articulate in presenting views on impact, otherwise, as he remarked, “the other guys are eating your lunch.”

Orla Feely, Chair of the Irish Research Council, said that Ireland is still at an early stage in the determination of impact, and that it is not all about money. If we ask about impact, she said, do we mean economic returns, educational achievements or enhancement of culture? The answer, she said, is yes to all, so the question then becomes what is the appropriate mix? “We are behind the curve on this compared to other countries,” she said, “but that gives us an opportunity to look at what others have done and learn from this.”

On the economic front the international experience has been that the overall investment in research only starts to show a return after fifteen to twenty years. For Ireland that is a problem because the main funding agency, SFI, was only established in 2003. However, as Mark Ferguson pointed out 90 per cent of those who go into research end up in industry, so, there is a relatively short-term economic gain. “Irrespective of the other outcomes,” he said, “you always end up with a trained person,” and taking the example of Denmark, there is indisputable evidence to show that the investment pays off. “In Denmark,” said Mark, “you can see that educating someone to a PhD level and subsequently a post-doc produces a greater return to the exchequer than any

other form of state intervention.” Surprising as this might seem, tax returns show that investing in knowledge produces a better financial return than any other form of state support for industry.

The same is probably true for Ireland, but as Mark explained, we have no way of knowing because, up to now, there was no long-term tracking of researchers. “If you ask the universities where are the people we funded five years ago, they have no idea,” he said. “We need to do a much better job of tracking our human capital,” he said, and, in a move to improve that situation, researchers will only succeed in securing a second SFI grant if they can provide a satisfactory report on what they have achieved with the first grant.

The theme for this year’s Summit was “Illustrating impact”, and to give an idea of this from a US perspective, Garret Fitzgerald from the University of Pennsylvania and winner of the St Patrick’s Day Science Medal, explained that in his own field of medical research an 8 to 10 percent success rate might be achieved after 20 years. This is a bit like hitting the jackpot in a lottery, and at best, he said, the only practical approach is based on trying to improve the odds. Getting researchers established early in their career, he said, is important, and he noted that since he got his first grant in 1980 at age 30, the average age for medical researchers in the US has gone way up to 46. “The number of Principal Investigators aged 55 or older now surpasses the early arrivals of 36 or younger,” he said, adding that “this is a demographic disaster.”

In this respect, countries such as China are surging ahead, and Ireland is also in a much better position to launch researchers into a productive life-long career. “In Europe,” commented Mark Ferguson, “the chances of getting funding are twice as high as they are in the USA, and the individual chances in Ireland are higher still.” On that point, Mark said SFI is now embarking on the recruitment of at least 50 outstanding researchers.

However, as Garret Fitzgerald warned, there is a danger of expecting too much too soon, and drawing on his own experience, in establishing the Institution for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, he said that it took ten years before researchers came up with two significant results, one of which has transformed the prognosis of leukaemia, and the other involves gene therapy to cure one type of blindness. The institution, embracing a medical school, childrens’ hospital and pharmacy school, is a highly regarded success, but as Garret points out, no one could have predicted which of the many worthwhile projects would have led to signing up a multi-million dollar deal with Novartis. In this particular case, the researcher, who had come

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 8

up with some promising results, was unable to get any funding, so the Institution stepped in with long-term support. Now, said Garret, the researchers on this project have money coming out of their ears.

How do you know if a researcher is going to deliver results?

That’s next to impossible, said Garret. Even with the right kind of qualifications, luck and personality comes into play, and as Garret remarked, “all the usual indicators, such as citations and awards are flawed.”

More than 100 researchers have gone through Garret’s lab and he regards the so-called impact factors as a bit of joke so he casts those aside, relevant experience is down on the list, and he looks at the individual. If researchers are smart and get on with

a team, they are in. “Intelligent people who are interactive,” he said, “can pretty well learn most things.”

As he argues, it is completely unrealistic to expect one hundred per cent success, and besides he thinks this sort of approach is wrong. Apart from the fact that research, by nature, is a quest, scientists exist in a community. Whether they are seen as productive or not, is not the core issue, because without their collective engagement science cannot thrive, and there can be no winners. If the same measures were applied in literature or the visual arts, said Garret, culture would be in a poor state. Van Gogh never sold a painting in his lifetime, and before Ulysses was published privately, Joyce’s manuscript was rejected 17 times.

Flawed approach to measuring achievement Like the way record companies used to go out into the shops to buy their own records to go up on the hit parade, scientists get up to all sorts of tricks to jack up the citation rate. In what Garret called the “Armani effect” researchers often tag onto leading papers in the hope of basking in reflected glory.

Luke O’Neill from TCD, remarked that this obsession with getting papers published is “such a corrupting process” but it is perfectly understandable that everyone wants to get their name up there in a prestige journal.

As far as Luke is concerned, the peer-review process does not work any more. Reviewers are busy, they read the title, scan the text and that’s about it. Cited papers cite other cited papers, and

about half the papers published in Nature are never referred to again, so there is a mountain of research that does not make it into the upper circle.

In Luke’s view, this situation is only going to get worse because there are a lot more people in the game now. Compared to the beginning of his career, Luke said that there are about 40 times the number of post-docs and they are all queuing up to get papers published. Luke said that he was not sure if this is the best way for all of them to go, and he wondered how much individual scientists working outside the top circle of self-citations are losing out. As the example of Watson and Crick shows, he said big discoveries do not always require lots of people.

The Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Limerick invite you to come to UL to share the career experiences of our graduates.

Graduates will give brief presentations on their careers to-date outlining the opportunities and horizons opened to them since graduating. This will be followed by an informal Q&A session with the opportunity to meet and chat with presenters and university faculty.

Spring Schedule 2015 UL Graduate Career Information Evenings: 15 January 2015

Mechanical, Aeronautical and Biomedical Engineering NEW BTech Aircraft Maintenance & Operations

22 January 2015

Electronic and Computer Engineering

12 February 2015 Civil Engineering, Product Design & Technology, Design & Manufacture Eng, Construction Management, Management Technology 28 February 2015 Computer Science and Information Systems (incl Computer Games, Digital Media, Music Media & Performance Technology, Computer Systems) 26 March 2015

SAUL & Portfolio Information

22 April 2015

Life Sciences and Chemical and Environmental Sciences (incl Pharmaceutical & Industrial Chemistry, Biochemistry, Food Science & Health, Equine Science)

18 June 2014

Mechanical, Aeronautical and Biomedical Engineering NEW BTech Aircraft Maintenance & Operations Electronic and Computer Engineering

22 June 2015

Other important diary dates include: l 4 January 2015 UL Post Grad Day l 10 January 2015 UL Open Day l 8 - 14 February 2015 Engineers Week l 20 August 2015 Special Mathematics Entrance Exam. Second chance Maths Exam for those who meet the CAO requirements for entry to Faculty of Science and Engineering BEng and BSc programmes.

For a full list of all degree programmes and further information

visit www.scieng.ul.ie Tel: 061 202642

CAREER PROFILE

Supported by

WORKING IN CHEMISTRY

What do you do on a typical day in your job?

Dr Niamh O’Reilly, Global Open Innovation Manager, Henkel, Dublin.

Where are you from?

Newtownforbes, a small village in Co Longford.

What was your first job?

My family owns a bar so my first job was there at weekends collecting glasses, taking orders and cleaning. I loved the buzz when it was busy.

How did you get interested in Chemistry?

I always enjoyed maths and science at school, probably because I had great teachers for these subjects and really liked the problem solving and the creative side of these subjects.

What did you study in college?

I started with quite a broad range with chemistry, physics and maths and I eventually decided to focus on the chemistry path, mainly due to a great bunch of postgrads who really taught me about the practical side of chemistry. After Maynooth, I went to Queen’s in Belfast to do my postgrad in inorganic chemistry where the journey of discovery continued. Nothing ever happens as you expect, which is all part of the fun.

At Henkel, innovation and research and development (R&D) is at the heart of what we do.

I start each day by catching up with both internal and external project teams from all over the globe to discuss new project concepts and hear updates on the progress of key projects. We have a lot of important projects running here in Dublin that serve global customers in a variety of application areas.

We could be working on anything from electronic devices or automotive projects, to things like wind energy.

What is the best thing about your job?

Working in innovation provides us with the opportunity to be problem solvers on behalf of our customers. I get great pleasure out of meeting customers and seeing projects that we have worked on. For example, last year I saw where an adhesive product I was developing would be used in the new car engines. Henkel really focuses on developing our people so there’s a great opportunity for continuous learning through courses/training that are made available.

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

Meet with friends and family, travelling, running and tennis. I am also involved in youth work – I did some voluntary Chemistry teaching in Tanzania before I joined Henkel, and up to recently was involved with Girl Guides here in Dublin.

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 10

CAREER PROFILE

Clare O’Donnell, Chemistry Laboratory Supervisor, Allergan Pharmaceuticals Ireland, Co Mayo.

Where are you from?

Achill Island, Co Mayo.

What was your first job?

My first job was as a Medical Sales Assistant in Stenson’s Pharmacy on Achill Island when I was 16.

How did you get interested in Chemistry?

I loved working in the pharmacy where my interest in chemistry originated. There were a great variety of things to learn, especially the working of different medications for human and veterinary use.

ecology, oceanography and zoology. I was doing a BSc in applied biopharmaceutical and healthcare science at GMIT Galway when I started working for Allergan. They actively encourage employees to pursue further education, so I’m now studying for my MSc in pharmaceutical manufacturing technology in Trinity College Dublin.

What do you do on a typical day in your job?

As the supervisor of a chemistry laboratory, my typical day involved working with team leaders and technicians on the testing of raw materials, inprocess and final product. I answer queries from other departments that work together to produce our quality products. Health and safety is a priority in Allergan, so a major part of my job is making sure that safety standards are maintained within the laboratory at all times.

What is the best thing about your job?

Working with talented and dedicated people. I feel fortunate to work in such an innovative environment, knowing that we are providing top quality products that improve the quality of life for patients.

What did you study in college?

What do you like to do when you are not at work?

I did an un-denominated science degree course in NUI Galway, where I studied chemistry, physics, biology and math physics, as well as statistics, marine

At the moment — study! But otherwise, reading, hillwalking, fishing and swimming.

Cpl Science, Engineering & Supply Chain is unique in that we have strategic partnerships with the majority of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device companies in Ireland and globally.

As a result of our reputation for quality, excellence, delivery and understanding of our clients’ needs we are also the first port of call for any new scientific business ventures that are considering setting up in Ireland.

Cpl truly appreciates and values finding the “perfect technical match” and we provide candidates and clients with an individualised, quality service, carefully tailored to meet the specific needs of our customers.

CPL Resources plc, 83 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Phone: +353 1 614 6000 Email:info@cpl.ie www.cpl.ie

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 11

A

fter having a blood sample taken, and with further slowing down, the waiting days or even weeks for sample is channelled on to another test results to come back is almost chamber for collection.

Instead of sending samples off to a enough to make patients ill. As Jenifer This extraction, which takes about centralised lab, Tom Kennedy reports that ten minutes, is the first of a twoGaughran, research student at DCU remarked, “I end up googling all the test results could be produced in minutes stage process. In the second stage, likely diseases I might have.� the RNA sample is purified, using from a spinning disk With what has become known as another set of channels, and while a lab-on-a-disk, she said, such delays the driving centrifugal force is just are likely to become a thing of the the same, the arrangement is more past. Instead of sending samples complex. The sample is introduced The lab-on-a-disk sandwich held together off to a centralised lab, a relatively to a chamber filled with thousands with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. low-cost point-of-care device has of tiny 10-micron sized glass beads. been developed with the capacity to Electrostatics makes the RNA stick to deliver results within minutes. the beads, and when the disk spins The lab-on-a-disk looks like an the aqueous fluid is pushed off to the ordinary DVD or CD, but instead of outside. However, the fluid’s passage playing a tune, the centrifugal forces is blocked by a hydrophobic (waterproduced from spinning set off a hating) membrane, so it has to take cascade of actions. The interior of another route up into a collection the disk has channels, and spinning chamber. forces the drop of blood and other An organic solution of isopropanol fluids to move through them. and ethanol is then introduced to At DCU Jenifer began her studies the sample, and this time, the fluid, with physics and the idea that on meeting the hydrophobic barrier centrifugal microfluidics could be simply passes through. applied in such an unusual way had Finally, water is added, the a great appeal to her. For her postdisk spins, and again, the passage graduate degree, Jenifer is working is blocked, so the washed and with a cross-disciplinary team at the uncontaminated RNA ends up in a Biomedical Diagnostics Institute on third chamber, ready for collection developing a disease detecting laband analysis. on-a-disk.

The entire process, said Jenifer, takes less than 25 minutes and At a recent meeting of the Institute of Physics Jenifer described all it requires is a small 25-microlitre sample of blood. how a disk can be engineered to perform the sort of complex To manufacture the disks, the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute tasks that would normally only be possible in a well-equipped has a laser cutter and milling machine capable of creating a lab. To detect something like a cancer, she said, it is necessary suitable set of micro-channels and chambers. The disks, said to find the right markers, such as elevated levels of a specific Jenifer, normally have two or three layers of tough see-through RNA. Extracting the RNA from the blood sample takes time plastic held together with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Multiple and expertise in the lab, but on the disk the procedure is fully sets of channels can be etched onto a single disk, and with these automated. The blood sample and the RNA extraction chemicals four tests can be carried out at a time. are placed on the disk, and The results, said Jenifer, are Jenifer talking about the lab-on-a-disk at the Institute of Physics just as good as the much more spinning forces the two fluids out meeting. to the edge where they mix. The time-consuming and expensive cells are torn open in a process conventional procedures. A lot known as lysis, releasing the more is possible, she said, and contents, including the RNA, her aim is to have extraction to which being relatively low in detection on disk using a small density floats to the top. When portable device by the time she the spinning disk slows down, the has her PhD. Imagine, she said, air, which has been compressed what a difference that would by fluid entering closed channels, make not just for GPs and their sends the sample back into a patients, but also for people living second chamber. Repeating spins in remote areas far from medical result in very effective mixing, care.

Load the blood and chemicals

Spin and the two liquids are forced into chambers where they mix

Slow the spinning and compressed air forces the liquid back

Slow further and the liquid is forced down into the collection chambers

Spin the disk RNA sticks to beads

Load the sample

Blocked by hydrophobic barrier so goes up into syphon

Water soluble filter

Hydrophobic filter

Load organic solution

Organic solution collects

Load the water The RNA dissolves

Spin and aqueous solution meets the hydrophobic barrier and goes down into the chamber

By controlling the spin, the process goes through a series of stages. Phase one of extraction is shown in the top panel, and phase two for purification is above.

Eruption at Fimmvörðuháls at dusk photographed by Henrik Thorburn.

Living under a cLoud

T

he Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010 was a relatively minor event, yet it grounded thousands of flights. Other, bigger eruptions are likely to occur in Iceland, and Tom Kennedy reports that when this happens volcanic experts would like us to be prepared to live with the consequences.

North American plate

Reykjavik

Eyjafjallajökull

In 2010 the Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption took everyone by surprise. Out of the blue, thousands of flights were being grounded by ash from a volcano with a name that seemed to come straight out of an ancient Icelandic saga.

The response to this event, said Chris Bean, Head of the UCD Geophysics

Eurasian plate

Vatnajökull glacier

100 km

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 14

Group and Seismology Lab, was just not good enough. Eruptions in Iceland, as the Earth’s techtonic plates tear apart, are nothing new, yet in 2010 no one knew what to do about the spreading plume of ash. In the absence of geological information, models created by atmospheric scientists were based on guesswork, and, as Chris explained, it was weeks before anyone could work out how to match up data sets.

This was not a particularly big eruption, said Chris, but because of its disruptive impact it came as a wake-up call reminding us that wherever we live, we cannot afford to ignore volcanics.

If Eyjafjallajökull had not been capped by ice, and if the wind had come from a different direction, the 2010 eruption might have passed unnoticed except for the few hundred Icelandic inhabitants who had to move out of the area.

This is just one of the numerous eruptions that have led to Iceland being called the land of Fire and Ice. There is a long history of eruptions, often far greater than Eyjafjallajökull. One year-long series of eruptions in 1783 killed sixty per cent of Iceland’s cattle and wiped out about 22 per cent of the population, and such events will continue to occur. “In 2011”, said Chris, there was a much smaller event, over 900 flights were cancelled, but most people are unaware of it.” The ash-bearing winds did not come over Europe.

In a way this is like assessing risk with a throw of a dice, and to avoid being caught out again, a European project called Futurevolc was established. As the

name suggests, the aims of this project are to identify the warning signs and understand what’s going on below the surface so that we know how to minimise the impact of eruptions. The Futurevolc project was set up in 2012 and it involves 26 partners across Europe, of which University College Dublin is one.

“These things don’t just come out of nowhere,” said Chris, “there is a buildup,” and it is rare for an eruption to occur without warning. With Eyjafjallajökull seismic activities were recorded in 2009 and steadily increased until the eruption in 2010.

It is not possible to predict when a volcano is going to blow, but as Chris explained, we can pay attention to the warning signs, and we can become much better at anticipating the consequences.

From detection of warning signs to monitoring and tracking of emissions following eruption, he said has to be seen as one continuous stream.

Chris is particularly interested in developing an early warning system, and as he explained, one of the challenges in Iceland is that many of the volcanoes are hidden. “You can get an eruption going into the ice and nothing is happening on the surface.” However, a few hours later it can break through the ice, and compared to other eruptions, this type is extremely explosive. If we can monitor the seismic signals from deep below, said Chris, we can at least get a few hours warning.

Multiple volcanoes exist under the ice, and as Chris explained, the eruptions underneath Iceland’s biggest glacier are giving rise to concern. There is intense volcanic activity beneath the Vatnajökull glacier. A deep caldera exists below the glacier around which magma rises to meet and melt the ice. About twice in every century there are eruptions, making it hazardous to enter the area around Bárdarbunga.

Activity here has been increasing, and recently a deep fissure began spreading out creating a 50 km long dyke which emerged at Haluhraun, about 10 km north of the glacier adding about 70 km2 to an existing lava field.

“It is fortunate that it went beyond the glacier,” said Chris, “otherwise we would have had an extremely explosive eruption.” This would have been a major event, much more so than Eyjafjallajökull, and we cannot rule out the possibility that next time we will not be so lucky.

It is thought that the volcano is collapsing to form a deep depression known as a caldera. Within a year this volcanic crown, buried under 850 metres of ice, has fallen by 44 metres, and

Lava flowing down from Eyjafjallajökull there is a lot going on, suggesting that something major is about to happen.

About 35,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide are being emitted every day. “The whole thing could fall down,” said Chris, “There is a lot of disruption and a lot of atmospheric pollution,” he said, yet “its not big in the media.”

The fissure eruption at Haluhraun, said Chris, is the biggest since the Laki event in 1783. This 19 month long series of eruptions released so much sulphur dioxide that it is thought to have resulted in the deaths of 23,000 people in Britain, particularly those working outdoors.

“For six or seven years,” said Chris, “there were unstable weather conditions in Europe. Poverty increased, particularly in France. The Laki eruption may even have precipitated the French Revolution.”

Monitoring the activities below ground is difficult, and Chris explained that one problem with seismic signals is that they show activity without indicating where it comes from. Activities below the Vatnajökull glacier, he said, create some kind of ground vibration, which he compared to a single note, changing in amplitude but varying a bit in frequency. The note is continuous and the same in every direction, so as Chris explained, pin-pointing sources of activity is difficult. The scientists have been placing seismometers around the active area linked via Rijevick to the lab at UCD. Less than a second later, said Chris, scientists can study these recordings, and if necessary, they can put emergency services on high alert.

l

Lava spreading out after emerging from below Vatnajökul glacier. Photograph Iurie Belegurschi, https//guidetoiceland.ie

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 15

A few weeks ago eruption from the volcano at Holuhraun was continuing to escalate, making it extremely dangerous to enter the area. Photographs by photographer and guide, Iurie Belegurschi, https//guidetoiceland.ie

ASPECTS OF IRISH GEOLOGY EXPLAINED — SIMPLY

Paddy Gaffikin on what we need to know about

IrIsh FLINT

‘........the God of Jacob turned............ flint into a spring of water.’

Book of Psalms.

A broken sample of flint from Cavehill in north Belfast. Note the white crust/ patina.

A flint nodule from the Co. Antrim Chalk.

(The scaler is 10cm long.)

General description

Sometimes called a rock, and sometimes called a mineral, flint is usually grey or black but can also be reddish, brown, yellow to violet depending on chemical impurities.

Small amounts of iron oxide, for example, produces a red/brown colour. The word ‘flint’ is from the Old English meaning ‘a hard stone’.

Even those who have never seen a sample of flint would understand the metaphors like ‘skinflint’, ‘heart of flint’ and the similes ‘set one’s face like flint’ and ‘as true as flint’. It has the distinction of being one of the few rocks/minerals to be alluded to by name in the Bible (e.g. Book of Psalms, Deuteronomy, Isaiah). In Ireland, it is only found in situ in the north east, in the chalk, but it has been transported by ice, during the last Ice Age, as far as Dublin and beyond. Samples, for instance, can be found on the Co. Dublin beaches. Flint is composed of almost pure silica (SiO2) and, consequently, it cannot be scratched with a steel penknife; in other words it is harder than steel. The silica is in the form of tiny needle-like crystals and is described as cryptocrystalline.

Flint is only found in chalk but note that a rock/mineral, called chert, which has the same chemical composition as flint and similar properties to flint,

can occur in limestones (other than chalk). Today, in many parts of the world, dealers specialising in rocks and minerals sell specimens of flint to collectors. This rock/mineral occurs in many places in Europe and Asia and in some parts of America and Africa. It has to be pointed out that the ‘flint’ in cigarette-lighters is not true flint but is actually Misch-metal, which is an alloy of cerium and other rare-earth metals with iron.

see today. There are other theories but none is accepted by all! Perhaps some young aspiring geologist reading this will, in future years, take up the challenge of discovering, unequivocally, the origin of flint.

Often the flint is found with a white patina/crust and could, superficially, be mistaken for chalk. But this covering is white silica, not calcium carbonate, and thus cannot be scratched with a steel penknife.

How did the flint form?

In what forms does flint occur?

It is still a bit of an enigma as to how flint formed. The puzzle has exercised the skills of a myriad of geologists over the years. One theory is that it originated from the silica skeletons of sponges. Once deeply buried in the accumulating chalk sediment, the pressure and temperature caused the silica (from sponges) to dissolve in the water circulating through the sediment.

(Silica, under normal conditions, is only sparingly soluble in salt water.)

Subsequently, when conditions were right, the silica precipitated from solution to form the flint deposits we

In situ flint can occur in one of three main shapes.

(1) As nodules – ‘lumps’ – of various sizes.

(2) As a tabular – slab-like – shape.

(3) As a barrel-like, cylindrical, or pear-like shape lying at right angles to the bedding planes of the Chalk. These forms are called paramoudras, a name thought to have been derived from the Gaelic for ‘sea-pears’. Good examples of paramoudra flint, up to 1m long, can be seen in the Chalk at Clarehill Quarry, Co. Down.

Flint nodules Tabular flint

Diagrammatic representation of the three main shapes of flint.

Paramoudra flint SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 17

ASPECTS OF IRISH GEOLOGY EXPLAINED — SIMPLY In 1816 the Dean of Westminster and distinguished geologist, Rev William Buckland, described finding numerous flint stuctures around Moira, Co Down, one to two feet in length and no two the same. The engraving, from the Proceedings of the Geological Society was based on his sketches. Buckland, noting the hollow interiors and broken bases, suggested that these fossils may have been created by sponge-like organisms.

Flint and the Stone Age people

Our distant ancestors, the Stone Age people, who lived in Ireland over 4,500 years ago, used flint for making implements like axes, arrowheads and scrapers because it is able to break along curved planes leaving razor-sharp edges and because of its hardness. To say flint is the world’s oldest industrial rock/mineral would not be an overstatement. The likelihood is that it was first discovered by the early Stone Age people in Africa after they experimented for many years with quartz pebbles and igneous rocks such as basalt.

Some Neolithic (late Stone Age) flint arrowheads

Localities where flint can be seen: Flint can be seen in situ where Chalk occurs. Samples of flint, however, are usually common on most beaches on the east coast of Ireland.

• Co. Antrim. Age: around 80 million years old (Late Cretaceous).

(1) The inland side of the Antrim Coast Road, approximately from Larne to Garron Point; (2) Belfast Zoo, (opposite car park), accessed from Antrim Rd., about 9km

from city centre and (3) Chalk Quarry at 1079 Upper Crumlin Rd., about 6km from Carlisle Circus, north Belfast.

• Co. Down. Age: around 80 million years old (Late Cretaceous).

Clarehill Quarry, 500m SE of Moira.

NOTE: Before entering any working quarry, permission MUST be obtained from the site manager and safety clothing MUST be worn.

Why

choose the Faculty of

Engineering, Mathematics & Science at Trinity College Dublin?

• The Faculty is part of the oldest University in Ireland • The University Library is one of the largest and best stocked in Europe • You can avail of our world class research facilities and laboratories • You will be part of a unique student body with over 15,500 students from over 90 different countries • There are aver 100 societies and 50 sports clubs for students to join

UG courses include: • Nanoscience – Physics and Chemistry of Advanced Materials • Geography & Political Sciences • Earth Sciences • Human Health & Disease • BA (Mod) Computer Science

What can you study?

The Faculty has excellent undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including: • 4 year honours degrees • Taught Postgraduate programmes

• Masters programmes • PhDs

Students are offered a variety of options from across 8 Schools:

Biochemistry & Immunology

Chemistry

Computer Science & Statistics Engineering

Genetics & Microbiology Natural Sciences Mathematics Physics

The Faculty accommodates a wide range of research interests including: Bioengineering Bioinformatics Energy Immunology Nanoscience Neuroscience The Environment Transport

• BAI Engineering

Science in TCD Looking for excellent training in Science with maximum flexibility & choice? See our Science course (TR 071) which offers no less than 17 specialist areas.

www.tcd.ie/Science

Why not see what we can offer YOU by visiting us at:

www.ems.tcd.ie

Accessing Environmental Information

It stArts In your bAckyArd thinking globally and acting locally has been made a little easier by the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mapping application called My Local Environment or Timpeall an Ti. My Local Environment provides easy access to information about the environment close to where people live, work or play.

My Local Environment is the latest in a number of tools developed by the EPA to make environmental data more accessible, and to frame it in a local setting. My Local Environment makes it even easier to access live data and learn about the quality of the environment.

My Local Environment can be found by clicking the “My Local Environment” link on www.epa.ie or directly at http://gis.epa.ie/ myenvironment#/search. to use, enter your address or click a point on the map and select the search radius you would like to use. the map will centre on your location and the search results show what types of features are present in your area. A brief explanation of each topic is presented along with an opportunity to browse to another EPA web page to learn more. Existing EPA WebGIs tools – such as the splash website – appear in My Local Environment too.

Pictured at the launch of My Local Environment are Fiona O’ Rourke (EPA GIS Team) and Laura Burke (EPA Director General)

the EPA has an important role to play as an environmental data provider. Part of this role is to make data as easy to access and understandable as possible. My Local Environment is an active and ongoing initiative. Please visit http://gis.epa.ie and use the contact us link to tell us what you think of the work done so far and what you would like to see added and developed in the future: your views would be very welcome.

you will find information about the following on My Local Environment: What Air Quality Stations are near me?

What water features are near me?

What EPA Regulated Activities are near me?

What Historic Mines are near me?

What is my soil type; subsoil type; landcover class?

Provides a list of local Air Monitoring sites; a user can click on each site to view the current air quality and any related information on the Air Quality Index for Health.

Provides a list of local sites e.g. bathing water, rivers, coastal, groundwater etc. and indicates their status - bathing Water status; river status; coastal status; transitional status; Groundwater status.

Provides a list of all licensed sites (Licensed IPPc Facilities, Licensed Waste Facilities); by clicking on further information a user can access PdF documents available online including: • All licences granted to-date.

• Applications received by the EPA since 1 December 2004.

• Some applications received by the EPA before December 2004.

• Annual Environmental Reports for 2008 onwards. users can click the hyperlink to see the overview report that was done for each mine site.

Examples: “your soil type is Man made” “your subsoil type is Man made” “The Corine 2006 Landcover map classes your location as Discontinuous urban fabric’’. click the hyperlinks to see pop up boxes.

What is my Coal Restricted area type?

Example: “you are in a coal restricted area”. click the hyperlink to see a pop up box.

What is my Air Zone type?

Example: “you are in Air Zone type x conurbation.” click the hyperlink to see a pop up box.

What is my River catchment area?

Example: “you are in the river catchment area x.” click the hyperlink to see a pop up box.

What is my River Basin District?

Example: “you are in Eastern river basin district.” click the hyperlink to see a pop up box.

What is my aquifer type and aquifer vulnerability?

Example: “your aquifer type is Ll.” “your aquifer vulnerability is M.”

What Radiation Monitoring locations are near me?

Provides information about radioactivity monitoring of the Irish environment. Links to the radon Map and informs users about radon in their area e.g. “this is a High radon Area”. click the hyperlinks to see further information in pop up boxes.

Antibodies giving Irish industry a healthy boost Ireland’s pharmaceutical sector has a lot to gain as antibodies give existing drugs a new lease of life

W

e are constantly under attack.

Surrounded by germs, all waiting to invade, yet good health lasting from infancy to old age is thought to be normal. Without our billions of tiny antibodies, leading the attack on invaders, life as most of us enjoy it, would be impossible.

One of the remarkable things about antibodies is that so many different types exist, each equipped to seek out a particular foreign body and tag it for destruction. There are millions

By changing the CDR binding tip, the antibody can seek out and latch onto different antigen targets

of different types, said Prof Richard O’Kennedy, who happily admits to loving antibodies. Not only does he find them fascinating, but as he pointed out to members of the Institute of Chemistry of Ireland when they met for their annual congress in Limerick, he also sees them as representing a huge opportunity to boost Ireland’s biopharma industry. At DCU’s Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, Richard and a large team of researchers have been looking at how the ability

Modified antibodies can be used to deliver drugs with much greater precision

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 20

Prof Richard O’Kennedy

of antibodies to seek out invaders can be employed for disease diagnosis and more effective drug delivery.

Although there are probably as many antibodies as there are diseases, they all have a similar structure.

Richard described them as a bit like himself, two legs and two arms, and it is the tip of an arm that makes them all different. This tip, known as the Complementary Determining Region (CDR), is the part that latches on to the target, know as the antigen. This might, for example, be a distinctive molecule on the surface of a cancer cell, and once the binding occurs, the antibody gets to work. The antibody, explained Richard has a few weapons in its armoury. It can attack directly, it can target the supporting blood vessels or it can get other proteins or cells to come in for the kill.

As long ago as 1897 the ability of antibodies to seek out their targets was known, and Richard said that the Nobel Prize winner, Paul Ehrlich, was the first to suggest that they might be used in medicine as “magic bullets” for delivery of drugs. However said Richard, it was not until the 1990s that this possibility began to become a reality through the production of monoclonal antibodies. In the 1970s, César Milstein and others discovered

that it is possible to produce antibodies that are specific to just one type of antigen by fusing previously challenged spleen cells from a mouse with cancer cells. The mouse cells contributed the antibodies and the cancer cells enabled the hybrid to keep on dividing. These highly specific antibodies could be used for diagnosis of diseases and scientists could now think of producing potential carriers for piggy-backing drugs directly to the intended targets.

Richard said he had been lucky enough to meet César before he got the Nobel Prize, and when asked about why he had undertaken this research the scientist had replied that it was because he was curious. César had not been thinking of possible applications, and at the time, the Medical Council funding the research took the view that the findings had no value. The discovery, said Richard, was never patented, yet antibody drugs will shortly be the most valuable ones ever developed.

Whenever a case to be made for supporting basic research, said Richard, this is a good example, but, as he added, it took a century to go from concept to application.

Five of the top drugs worldwide are now based on antibodies, and as Richard pointed out, this is just the beginning, and Ireland is in a very strong position to benefit from this. The knowledge is in place as is the industry, he said. Nine of the top ten pharma companies are already in Ireland and of the 83 manufacturing plants 33 are FDA (Federal Drug Administration) approved.

At the Biomedical Diagnostic Institute, said Richard, researchers from different disciplines come together to work on antibodies. As Richard explained, his own knowledge of biology would not be of much use unless there are chemists involved.

“Chemists are very good at making things stick together,” he remarked.

Much of the research involves playing around with molecular structures, and Richard said researchers can produce antibodies with specific binding properties, they can make derivatives and get them to glue killer toxins onto specific cells.

At the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, DCU, a large team experts from different disciplines work together on research

Richard loves antibodies, and he also has a fondness for chickens.

Chickens, he said have a high ambient temperature, so their antibodies are more stable than ours. They lay eggs full of antibodies, which can be harvested, and from these all sorts of derivatives can be synthesised, including those with human inclusions.

The all important CDRs, he said are amino acids, and chemical engineers can do a lot with them to make them work in different ways. “It’s a bit like playing with Lego,” said Richard, and the more they understand about their molecular structures, the more they can do to match them up with particular targets.

This approach to drug delivery is highly effective, and as Richard explained, many drugs, such as those

More than a century ago Paul Ehrlich suggested that antibodies could be used as ‘magic bullets’

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 21

used against cancers, have such dreadful side effects that patients often do not want to use them. This is because the drugs are not specific to one target, and for example, a drug that kills tumours is also likely to kill other fast-growing cells. Once a marker is identified, and a complementary CDR attached to the arm of a antibody, precise targeting to the diseased cells is possible.

“Antibodies are good, but we want them to be better,” said Richard, and there is a big opportunity to match them up with existing drugs, making them more effective while giving them a new lease of life. “You can do a lot,” he said, “one end of the antibody can bind onto a drug and the other end can bind onto something like a toxin, so we get a combination of actions.” With this approach, he said, dosage goes down and you get a thousandfold better targeting.

Using antibodies in diagnostics is already well established, with lots of start-ups in Ireland, and Richard said we can expect to see big improvements in this field. As reported elsewhere in this issue, it is possible to automate testing for a variety of diseases by incorporating antibodies into the channels of a chip or disk. Because chemists, engineers, physicists and biologists are working together, said Richard, this is a fast developing field.

The day is not far off, he said, when all we will need is an app on our phone to take and send a reading from your skin to a GP who can than make an initial diagnosis.

Report, Tom Kennedy

Ask a scientist

More than 25 experts from a wide range of fields including biology, physics, chemistry and astronomy are ready to answer your questions. If there is something that puzzles you, let the panel know. Email questions, with your name and contact to

question@sciencespin.com

What colour is the Moon?

As Joseph Cashell explained in our last issue, we see the Sun and the Moon through the filter of our atmosphere.

George Reynolds explains further that the reflectance from the surface is also important. “The Moon’s regolith, ‘soil’, is composed of minerals containing titanium etc. that reflect a grey-white.”

In a similar way, Mars mainly reflects red light due to the high iron content of the surface regolith.

Niall Boohan notes that there is an additional factor in determining what colour we see. The Moon, he notes, is generally lower in the atmosphere than the Sun, so light from the Moon has to travel through more of our atmosphere.

“The Earth’s atmosphere absorbs red/ yellow light, so that’s why the Moon appears bluer in colour.” l Joseph Cashell, Tyndall National Institute. www.tyndall.ie

How deep can mines go?

As Niall Boohan explained in our last issue, as mines go deeper they get hotter, so much so that cooling becomes a serious engineering challenge.

George Reynolds points out that temperature is not the only problem, and in fact is not the limiting factor in how deep mines can go. “Rather it is the rock pressure which causes rock to bulge inwards to fill any void, ” he said. “The pressure is a function of depth and the average rock density and when it exceeds the internal rock strength, the rock literally explodes or “spalls” in dangerous rockbursts. Mines can be cooled, but there is little that can be done about rock pressure — 4 km is probably close to the limit for mining and 12 km for drilling (smaller void diameter). The Irish readers might have been interested to learn that the Navan mine (largest zinc mine in Europe) already exceeds 1 km as it extends under the M3 motorway, a record in this country.

Is the Moon moving away?

The Moon is indeed moving away, but as George Reynolds from Metrics Consulting pointed out it is not slowing down. If it did, the Moon would spiral back towards the Earth.

George explains that “tidal friction is slowing the rotation of the Earth about its axis and this momentum is being transferred to the Earth-Moon system rotation appearing as an increase in rotational speed, meaning that the Moon has to move away or outwards to a higher orbit and is keeping its velocity constant, in fact.” l George Reynolds from Metrics Consulting is a geophysicist with a background in geology, physics and chemistry.

If I go down a lift and let go of my cup of tea, what happens?

If the lift is descending at constant speed the person holding the cup of tea will move downward feeling as if they were just standing on the ground. If the person drops the cup of tea while the lift was descending, the cup and the tea will both fall with acceleration equal to gravity (9.8 ms2). The tea will stay in the cup while falling down until it hits the floor creating a mess! (Try this with a paper cup with a few holes in the side, put some water in and drop it. While the cup is falling the water will not come out of the holes as both the water and the cup are falling with the same acceleration). If however the cable supporting the lift snapped, then the lift, the person, the tea and the cup will all fall with acceleration equal to gravity. If the person let go the cup of tea it will remain suspended beside the person. Unfortunately all will hit the floor when the lift crashes on reaching the bottom of the shaft. l Nicola Murphy teaches science at St Oliver’s Community College in Drogheda.

Joseph Cashell adds that if the lift was accelerating faster than the fall of gravity, the cup would hit the ceiling. To remain suspended, the lift would have to be travelling at exactly the same acceleration, 9.8 ms2, but as he said, “If you drop your coffee cup in an elevator and it remains suspended in front of you, you may not have much time left to appreciate the physics. l Joseph Cashell, Tyndall National Institute. www.tyndall.ie

How much uranium is there?

In estimating the known resources, Margaret Franklin in our last issue gave a figure in megatons, but as George Reynolds points out, while this term has become common, mineral resources should more properly be expressed in tonnes.

George Reynolds also adds that opinions can differ on what constitutes ‘low-grade’. In the industry, he said, “A grade of 0.1% would be considered a high grade as most deposits are of the order of 0.02% uranium (200 parts per million).

The high-grade deposits of 20% are an exception occurring in only a few related mines in Canada and are mined by remotecontrolled machines to reduce radiological exposure.”

Like other resources, estimates can vary according to the data available. “The evidence from drilling,” said George Reynolds, “is very incomplete,” and there is a difference between what are known as ‘reserves’, ‘indicated reserves’ and ‘inferred reserves’, the latter being a projection, and so much greater in reported tonnage.

The three-fold terminology is used by geologists to make it clearer what they are talking about, and also to suit the stock market when trading in mining company shares.

Finally, there is one thing the estimates agree on and that is it will be a long time before we have to worry about a shortage of uranium.

Why can we strike a spark?

It might not be obvious, but iron in oxygen can burn. Finely divided particles of iron catch fire, and that is why we can see sparks flying from a grinding wheel. In the past sparks created by striking a hard piece of flint against iron were used to light dried tinder.

George Reynolds informs us that the type of spark produced during grinding is used to determine the difference between ferrous metals, such as wrought iron, mild steel, manganese iron or cast iron. “Not surprisingly, this is known as the ‘spark test’.

George also points out that it is iron, not magnesium (as mentioned in our last issue) that sparks.

Do you have a question? Drop it off at the Science Spin stand at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition and we’ll get our team of experts to come up with answers.

Awards of Science & Maths Excellence 2014-2015

All primary schools which meet the criteria can apply for an Award of Science & Maths Excellence in 2014/15. Over the last number of years a gap has arisen between schools completing the minimum requirement to meet the award criteria, and those carrying out more extensive work in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). To reflect this divide DPSM will make two awards in 2014/15. Ú A Certificate of STEM work in the school. Ú A Plaque of STEM Excellence for deeper engagement; whole school involvement, external science engagement e.g. collaboration with other schools, visits to centres, events or speakers visits to school.

The adjudication panel will make the final decision on which will be awarded to each school.

Process From January 5th until March 20th 2015 you can register your school’s intention to apply for an AoSME on the website (www.primaryscience.ie). This is to give us an indication of how many schools will be participating in the coming year. We will be asking at that stage whether you intend to apply for the Certificate of STEM or the Plaque of STEM Excellence.

Immediately after the Easter holidays you will receive an application form (if you have registered) which must accompany your Log of Evidence. Closing date for receipt of Logs of Evidence accompanied by the application form is 5pm on Wednesday 13th May 2015.

Logs of Evidence Ú Logs are simply evidence that the STEM work has been carried out. Your log should provide only the evidence that the adjudication panel needs to demonstrate that your school meets all the criteria required. Ú The evidence included can be students’ accounts of work carried out, photos, videos, etc. Ú Logs can be paper based or electronic. For the sake of the planet we recommend electronic! Ú We will give details of how to submit your electronic logs (to a file sharing site) on the application form.

Logs will NOT be accepted by email. Ú Logs should be divided, and marked clearly into sections as per each Step of the Criteria (eg Step 1 – Science, Step 2 – Technology, Step 3 - Engineering, Step 4- Maths, Step 5 – STEM Showcase).

Note: While we celebrate your effort, we don’t need to see everything the school has done - just that each criterion has been met.

Tips from previous schools which received the Award of Science & Maths Excellence ✔ Take a whole-school approach - The AoSME criteria are part of the science and maths curriculum anyway but it is a great incentive to receive an award for your efforts. ✔ Be organised and plan the programme with class teachers at the beginning of the school year. ✔ Assign different tasks to different classes – Remember if each class meets one or two of the criteria the load is shared!

✔ Start early and keep an account of all the STEM you do during the school year, building up the documentation slowly and consistently. ✔ Remember to document everything you do so you can easily synopsise when preparing your Log of Evidence. Photos and pictures can tell as much as or more than long written accounts. ✔ Nominate one person to compile the Log of Evidence and ensure that it is ready for submitting in time for the deadline!

For more details on the Awards please log on to www.primaryscience.ie

Dr. How’s Science Wows

Junior science by Dr. Naomi Lavelle

...exploring density

WHAT IS DENSITY? Density is the mass of an object per unit volume. A bit of a mouthful but think of it this way... if you have a stone and a marshmallow of the same size and shape… which one do you think is heavier? The stone!

So if they are the same size (volume) then why does one weigh so much more than the other?

If you remember that everything is made up of molecules… the heavier object simply has more molecules packed more tightly together (a greater mass); the molecules in the lighter object (in this case the marshmallow) are much more loosely packed together (a smaller mass)!

The stone is said to have a greater density than the marshmallow.

Both these objects have the same volume but the molecules in cube A are more tightly packed than the molecules in cube B.

A

B

Therefore cube A has a greater density than cube B.

MAKE A DENSITY COLUMN You will need: A clear glass, golden syrup or honey, maple syrup, milk, washing up liquid, water, food colouring, cooking oil or baby oil, a clear alcohol (we used isopropanol but you could use methylated spirits or vodka – with adult supervision!), funnels, a dropper or a spoon.

What to do: Place some water in a glass and add a few drops of food colouring and mix. Place some alcohol in another glass and add a few drops of a different food colouring. Mix. Carefully add each layer in the following order…. golden syrup, maple syrup, milk, washing up liquid, coloured water, cooking oil, coloured alcohol; Try to add each layer carefully down the side of the glass, using a spoon, a dropper or a funnel . Make sure each liquid makes a complete layer that fully covers the layer underneath. If the layers mix a little, allow to settle before adding the next layer.

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE DENSITY OF WATER As density is mass per unit volume it is often expressed in grams per cubic centimetre (g/cm3).

The molecules in water spread out as it begins to freeze therefore ice is less dense than liquid water.

Water is said to have a density of 1.

That is why ice floats on water.

Objects with a density of less than 1 will float in water.

Ice is approximately 8.3% less dense than liquid water.

A BIT OF HISTORY A Greek scientist called Archimedes (250 BC) is credited with discovering the concept of density. The story goes that Archimedes was given the task of determining if the newly minted King’s gold coins were genuine (or if they had been mixed with silver).

Archimedes was pondering this idea while lowering himself into the bath. When he noticed how his body displaced a volume of water he realised he had cracked it! If he compared a coin of pure gold with the newly minted ones he could check if they displaced the same amount of water i.e. that their densities were the same. Turns out they were not and the King was beings duped!

They say that Archimedes was so excited when he realised the solution that he jumped out of the bath and ran all the way home naked shouting “Eureka, Eureka”…. (“I found it, I found it” in Greek).

What is happening? We added the most dense material first (the golden syrup) and then the next dense and so on. So each layer is a little lighter or less dense than the previous one and therefore floats on it. You can of course add other things are leave some of these layers out!

Workshops for Science Teachers

Inquiry and its Assessment in Science 2 n d & 3 r d June 2015 Dublin City University

For All Science Teachers:

The CASTeL research team, at Dublin City University, invites you to participate in a summer school on Inquiry and its Assessment in Science which will be hosted at DCU, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 over 2 days in June 2015.

Date

Time

2nd June

9:30 am – 4:00pm

3rd June

9:30 am – 4:00pm

Session Focus

Inquiry – what it is and what it is not!

What questions can lead to inquiry?

Implementing inquiry Developing students’ thinking through inquiry Assessing skills developed through inquiry

The summer school will provide strategies for addressing the issues raised above and will include copies of teaching resources developed as part of two EU-funded projects in Inquiry Based Science Education (SAILS and ESTABLISH).

Topics addressed are suitable for Junior Cycle and can be extended to relate to Senior Cycle. 

Register by emailing castel@dcu.ie

This summer school is provided free to participants through the support of the SAILS project which has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 289085.

Accommodation is available on request.

FAMILY SCIENCE With Christine Campbell

Welcome to the first edition of Family science for 2015. Thanks to BT the New Year always starts on a high for family science with the Young Scientist Exhibition. It is such a fantastic exhibition with an electric atmosphere. Best wishes to all of you who have been working so hard on your projects over the last few months. I am really looking forward to meeting you all there and hearing about your projects. There are always so many interesting projects, so many students eager to share their findings with all from the smallest child to the most eminent scientist. This exhibition is a must do for every family with children from about 7 years of age.

For the older students January is CAO time, the time when students who will be sitting their leaving certificate in June have to list their preferred college courses for the first time. Of course changes can be made over the coming months but this is the time to start the decision process.

For those of you who are undecided or have no idea which path to follow, my recommendation would be to consider science or engineering seriously. Science and engineering cover such a wide range of subjects and gives students a better appreciation of the world around them. I also think that for most people college is a final opportunity to study subjects such as physics and chemistry in a formal environment.

The evening classes lists are full of courses in practical skills from woodwork to mosaics and oil painting, you can study languages from all over the world, learn about business and book keeping, cookery and other life skills but never do I see courses on science advertised for mature students. Therefore if you only pick science because this might be your last chance to get an in depth knowledge of the subject, then I think that is a good reason for your choice.

Move on a few years and consider where a degree in science or engineering can take you? Recently I met a science teacher working in a school in Donegal. She was talking to me about her recommendation to her students and as I reflect on it I think it is sound advice. Her advice is to consider a career in the

area of bioengineering. Her reasons are sound. These graduates are snapped up by the medical device sector. This sector, although a relative recent arrival in Ireland is extremely important to our economy. It employs 25,000 people in manufacturing and research facilities all across the country. There are about 300 different companies in this sector and interestingly instead of all being foreign multinationals approximately half of them are indigenous Irish companies. Another bonus is the wide geographical spread of these companies – they have a presence in every county in Ireland. Students from her school who followed her advice ported being offered multiple jobs on gradation - a novel situation in these times of high unemployment.

For further information about careers in this sector check out the smart futures website. Teachers might even invite smart futures volunteers to

February is the time for focusing on Engineering in Ireland.

Feb 8th – 14th is Engineers Week so do check out events and activities in your area SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 26

come into their schools and talk to the students about what their work entails.

Bioengineering is a relatively new discipline. It is the application of engineering to medicine and biological systems for the purpose of healthcare. Traditionally engineering encompassed disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical and was almost exclusively applied to man made and industrial systems. The application of engineering to biological systems has led to great advances in healthcare.

One well known application is the development of prosthetic limbs. It isn’t many years since artificial hands were metal hooks and the bionic man was purely fictional. Bioengineering has brought great advances to both the appearance and the functionality of false limbs. Other areas of research include the engineering of artificial organs, the engineering of DNA and the design and manufacturing of devices used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and deterioration in the human body.

There have been so many improvements in treatments as a result of this new area of engineering. One I came across recently is giving great benefits to type 1 Diabetics. Diabetics have to monitor their glucose levels and for most this involves pricking their finger and testing the blood sample. A monitoring system is now available where the diabetic wears a glycometer which is continually measuring their glucose levels and transmitting the information to an app on their phone. Having real time information allows the diabetic to not just have an immediate reading but also allows them to see trends and make more informed decisions.

February is the time for focusing on Engineering in Ireland. Feb 8th – 14th is Engineers Week so do check out events and activities in your area

Make a hand

Instead of an experiment this time I am going to pose an engineering challenge for you. The challenge is to make an artificial hand. The hand must have fingers that bend and could catch a paper ball. In engineering cost is also important so I challenge you to make the hand with a budget of less than €2.00 per hand.

This might be enough information for you to make the hand and if so just get started. If you need more help, read on.

The first thing to consider is how an actual human hand works. The hand is made up of 4 fingers and a thumb. It contains 27 bones, 14 of which are finger bones. Each finger has 3 bones and the thumb has 2.

The finger bones are connected by joints and ligaments. Each finger has 3 joints and these joints can move in one direction only.

The muscles that control the movement of the fingers are mostly located in the forearm. Muscles are connected to bones by tendons, so the tendons are like long strings that run from the forearm to the end of each finger. When the muscle pulls the tendon, the finger bends.

This collection of bones and tendons is covered by skin.

Please send us photos of any hands you design and make.

What to do:

l Draw around the outline of your hand on the paper or card and cut it out l Mark all your joints. l For each finger cut a straw so it is the length from your fingertip to your wrist. You can use the cardboard hand to measure this. l Where each joint should be cut a notch out of the straw. I usually flatten the straw and cut a triangle.

This cuts a diamond shape out of the straw and allows the straw to bend at this point.

palm. The bottom finger joint should line up with the top of the palm.

Putting the fingers behind the palm and the thumb in front give more of a 3D hand. l Attach the cardboard outline to your hand. l Pull the tendons to make your fingers bend.

l Make these cuts where each joint should be. Try to make all the joints on the same side of the straw This makes all the bones.

For those of you who would like to make a hand but are not sure how to start, here is a suggested method.

You will need:

l A piece of card or paper pencil l 5 drinking straws – fat ones are easiest to work with. l 3m string – I prefer nylon string l sticky tape l scissors l ruler l a piece of corrugated cardboard about the size of the palm of your hand l a glove – this is an optional extra false nails – another optional extra anything you think you could use to improve the model

l To make the tendons cut 5 pieces of string. Each piece should be the length from your fingertip to your elbow – approximately 20cm each.

Thread a string through each straw so approx 2 cms protrudes from the end of the finger. Fold it over and secure the string to the finger using sticky tape. Repeat for each finger. l Make a palm out of a piece of corrugated cardboard and using sticky tape secure each finger to the SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 27

Engineering is all about making improvements so make and test any modifications that you think might improve the hand.

Some people like to put the finished hand skeleton into a glove.

You could even add nails and manicure them!

Don’t forget to send photos of your hands to us.

Christine Campbell christine@anyone4science.com

www.anyone4science.com

BT YOUNG SCIENTIST AND TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION

Leaf miner When out for a forest walk, three fifth year students from Magh Ene College in Bundoran, Co Donegal, Rebecca Wymby, Alannach Nic A Bhaird and Heather McGowan, noticed some unusual marks on holly leaves. The glossy dark green surface had pale yellowish spots, and as the students reasoned, there had to be a cause for this discolouration. As Alannach said, “we were looking around for a possible project, and we thought this would be something to investigate.�

The three students began to make enquiries, and found that the larvae of a tiny flying insect, Phytomyza ilicis, is responsible. The fly, said the students, is so small that it is hard to notice. The female arrives early in the year and lays eggs on the young and tender leaves. On hatching, the larvae travel up the mid-rib and munch their way outwards into the leaf before emerging as adults. Only 27 per cent of these larvae survive, and as the students found, most of these are killed by parasites, while birds, such as blue-tits pick off about 10 per cent.

By going out into different areas in the adjoining counties, Sligo and Leitrim, the students found that the leaf miners had been at work in about 43 per cent of the holly trees, although they had not reached remoter areas where holly trees were less common.

Although the leaf miners are not harmful, and holly trees do not appear to suffer, the students pointed out that leaves are disfigured, making them less attractive as Christmas decorations.

Rebecca Wymby, Alannach Nic A Bhaird and Heather McGowan at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, and above, a hole left by a bird picking out a leaf miner from a holly leaf.

Measuring radioactive fallout

FOLLOWiNG the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 there were widespread concerns as a plume of radioactive material spread out over Europe. in northern counties restrictions were imposed on sheep farming, and in some parts of Wales these were only lifted recently. in ireland the restrictions came to an end in 2000 and while there is no further cause for concern, two third year students from St Fancheas in Fermanagh, Anne Kellagher and Kaylea Conlin, were curious to know just how much radioactive caesium 127 remained in the soil.

The students set out with augers to collect samples of soil in different upland locations. Visiting the Mournes, Fermanagh and Donegal, the students extracted samples from about one metre depth and brought them back to school where their teacher, Mr Cox, helped with testing using a Geiger counter.

The students found that radiation levels were quite low, and what they were detecting also included fallout from nuclear tests and hospital waste. One surprise was that levels in Donegal were higher than the Mourne mountains, but overall, they concluded that radiation levels could have to be a lot higher to be any cause for concern.

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 28

Anne Kellagher and Kaylea Conlin have been looking at radioactive fallout from Chernobyl.

BT YOUNG SCIENTIST AND TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION

Eye dropper

As anyone who has ever tried this, getting drops into the eye is usually a hit and miss experience. Noticing how difficult this was, particularly for the older generation, three students from Desmond College in Limerick, shannon Naughton, Sarah O’Grady and Aoife Larkin decided to see if delivery of drops could be improved.

They hit on the idea of dispensing drops into the eye through a small suspended ring. As they explained, the ring is a bit like a lampshade, and when it hangs straight the drops go into the eye.

The user can see when the ring is straight, and as the students said, this makes it a lot easier for people to take their drops.

They did not know if anything like this existed, so decided to “give it a go.”

However, finding out how to suspend the ring properly was a challenge. The students tried out different materials including thread and fishing line, but these were not satisfactory. Eventually they tried using fine metal links and found that these worked best. As they explained, suitable links can be bought in any DIY store, and making up the ring only takes a few minutes.

Burning gorse

Is burning gorse good or bad for the environment? As three students from the Dominican Convent in Drumcondra, Dublin, noted a recent blaze on Howth Head engulfed over 16 ha, leaving the ground charred and bare of vegetation.

Aine Gourley, Niamh Elliott Sheridan and Christen Mooney wondered what sort of impact these sort of fires have on wildlife, and as they noted it takes about five years for vegetation to reach its normal height again.

In the past gorse fires were not so big a problem because land was more intensively used for grazing and vegetation was collected for bedding and fuel. As these practices diminished, the gorse advanced.

On looking into this the students found that gorse is highly invasive, especially on acid soils, and burning can give other vegetation a chance to recover. However, burning is risky, fires quickly go out of control, and repeated burning results in a loss of biodiversity.

Just leaving gorse to spread is not a good option, but instead of fires keeping it under control, the students suggested that mechanical methods and hand cutting could be a better way to maintain

Sarah O’Grady, Shannon Naughton, and Aoife Larkin with the directed eye dropper.

Having solved one problem, the students said they were now going to see what they could do to stop blinking.

This was the students’ first time at the exhibition, but they aimed to come back, possibly with some improvements. The

great thing about the show, they said, is that its not just all about working. They enjoyed working on the project, but they also had fun and made a lot of new friends.

diversity. Apart from fire, gorse has one other enemy, the goat. The students said that a project, called Goats for Howth, has been launched, and it will be interesting to see how this works out.

Goats also gobble up lots of other plants,

so like gorse, they too will have to kept under control. It is all about keeping a balance, said the students.

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 29

Aine Gourley, Niamh Elliott Sheridan at the RDS with their project on gorse.

Students

look to the sea for future careers

The future of marine science and technology looks positive in Ireland with developments in marine research gathering momentum and students looking for new career opportunities.

“It is a good time to think about a career in the marine, as the Government’s plan, ‘Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth’ continues to be well supported with its ambitious economic objective for growth in our marine and maritime sectors,” explained Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute.

To achieve the goals of developing a thriving maritime economy, healthy ecosystems and engaging with the sea, we need to increase our knowledge of the ocean and its dynamic systems. Ireland’s marine researchers recently secured €5.5m in the EU Blue Growth funding awards from Horizon 2020. This shows that Irish marine researchers are performing really well carrying out research to the highest standards across State, third-level and SME sectors.

With a range of potential careers available in today’s market including marine biology, oceanography, geologists and geographers mapping the seabed, to technical operators and engineers developing novel marine technology or renewable energy devices, the Marine Institute in Galway recently opened its doors for transition year students to show what it is like working in the marine sector.

The students got to meet staff and scientists who demonstrated their work in fisheries ecosystems management, oceanography, marine biology, seafood safety, ocean chemistry and seabed mapping. They also got to see the work of the research vessels involving the RV Celtic Explorer, RV Celtic Voyager and the remotely operated vehicle ROV Holland 1, where the vessels have been involved with some major discoveries over the last number of years. This has included the filming of cold water corals off the continental shelf and the discovery of the hydrothermal vents in the Mid-Atlantic.

“With alliances being developed with the EU, USA and Canada through the ‘Galway Statement’ there is a growing capacity for research and development, and real opportunities for students to pursue careers in ocean exploration. As our oceans are all interconnected, careers in this sector also provide opportunities internationally,” said Dr Heffernan.

For more information showing the importance of our ocean resource see the Marine Institute website www.marine.ie. It also provides some information on marine careers and training opportunities, including our own annual bursar programme for third level students.

A Transition Year students got to take part in “CSI” experiments with Triona McGrath in the chemistry labs during their visit to the Marine Institute open day.

B Paddy Giles and Dylan Hamill Pres Athenry learn about shellfish monitoring at the Marine Institute in Oranmore Galway.

C Dave O’Sullivan talks to students about the importance of seabed mapping and the INFOMAR programme, highlighting the need to learn about our national resource.

D Grace Meehan, and Sinead Caffrey from Presentation College Athenry learn more about marine technology while using the mini Remotely Operated Vehicle at the Marine Institute in Oranmore Galway.

E Simon Spain from Ballygar Co Galway got to learn about the fisheries research that the Marine Institute does in Oranmore Galway.

Photographs by Andrew Downes Photography

www.marine.ie

A

B

C

D

E

Work in progress at the Tara Mines, Europe’s largest producer of zinc.

BuIldINg oN Natural rESourCES

W

By applying our geological hat have rocks and By applying their knowledge geologists are knowledge, John said Ireland geology got to do with the economy? Quite all set to provide Ireland’s economy with has a lot to gain economically by helping Europe meet this a lot, observed Prof John a firmer foundation. tom Kennedy reports demand. Ireland can also help Walsh who heads up the recently established Centre on the establishment of a new world-class itself to cut down on expensive imports. Fossil fuels remain for Research in Applied research centre, iCrag a critical element in Ireland’s Geosciences, iCRAG. All supply, yet we have huge we have to think about with a compelling illustration, John oil imports and 15 per cent of our are the three essentials, energy, raw flashed up two satellite images of electricity is generated by Columbian materials and water, to realise just how Europe at night. One from 1992 coal. As John explained, geologists much we depend on geology. Yet until and one from 2010 comparing the are in a good position to improve that now geology was not up there with IT situation, and, to take one example, and Pharmachem on the State’s science brightness of illumination. The difference over eight years, said John, 50 per cent of Ireland’s medium-term agenda. is a good indicator of how demand for gas requirements will soon come from With iCRAG now among SFI’s five energy and materials has risen sharply. off-shore resources as the Corrib field new world-class research centres, comes on stream. together with ADAPT for digital The aim with iCRAG, he said, connectivity, CONNECT for future Flaring to is to increase the success rate in networks, CÚRAM for medical confirm yield unlocking more of these oil and gas devices, and LERO for software, from the Corrib resources. At present, he said, our geology’s status has been given a gas field. neighbours, Britain and Norway, well-deserved, and many would say, have been much more successful in overdue boost. making new discoveries. In Norway Establishing iCRAG meant the success rate is 14 per cent, in bidding for a slice of SFI’s funding, Britain 17 per cent, but in Ireland so as John explained, success only 3 per cent of the wells produce depended on making a convincing an economic return. However, as case to show why investing in John said, while Ireland has a more geology would be of enormous challenging environment, there is a benefit to the economy. To begin

SCIENCE SPIN Issue 68 Page 31

well-established potential, and a better understanding of what we have will improve the success rate in securing an energy supply. This, in turn would give Ireland a competitive advantage as a base for international industry.

Whether we like it or not, said John, fracking has resulted in electricity prices going down in the US, and with energy we can’t afford to price ourselves out of the market.

A higher success rate would also have a knock-on effect in making more money available for investment. In Britain and Norway, said John, the petroleum industries are currently the biggest investors in the economy.

ICRAG’s aim is to apply our knowledge more effectively in unlocking natural resources. A great deal of that knowledge already exists, said John, but through iCRAG the expertise at UCD, UCC, NUI Galway, TCD and DIAS will be co-ordinated and applied in collaboration with industry partners. On excellence of expertise, said John “we have it in isolated islands, and iCRAG will give cohesion and scale to the geoscience community.”

Between cash and kind, said John, iCRAG has raised the equivalent of €32 million, with 85 per cent of the €24.5 million coming from SFI and rest from industrial partners. As John remarked, “this will get geoscientists into a place they have never been before.” Starting up in the new year with 54 PhDs, 43 post-docs and an operational staff, iCRAG has six years in which to prove itself.

Raising the standing of geoscience will make Ireland into a more attractive territory for exploration companies, and as John pointed out, investors are always going to be attracted first to countries where the back-up is good and the risks are relatively low. With minerals, Ireland is already the largest producer of zinc in Europe, but as John said, Ireland’s two active mines will need to be replaced, and to make this happen we need to make sure that there is sufficient information and expertise in place.

Mention geology, and most people might think of oil, gas or minerals, but another area that iCRAG will be involved in is water. The Geological Survey of Ireland has been mapping ground water resources, and this is the sort of data that iCRAG will

Irish geologists have built up considerable expertise which can be applied in future projects.

Here, cores from the Tara Mine show provide information on where minerals occur.

be drawing on in partnership with industry. “The importance of water is under-rated,” said John, and one of the reasons why industries choose to set up in Ireland is that they can get a sufficient supply. Often this comes from groundwater, and in the case of the food producing plant, Glanbia, the demand is equal to that of a town with a 30,000 population. The water can be there, but it often takes geological expertise to find it. At the Lisheen mine, Co Tipperary, geologists discovered a fault, a displacement of five metres, from which flowed enough water to provide 15 per cent of Dublin’s supply. This knowledge is likely to help geologists track down

other deep sources of underground water.

As Frank observed, funding iCRAG is the biggest investment ever made in Irish geoscience, yet the return is expected to be high. Investors are big spenders. Shell put one billion Euro into developing the Corrib field, 300 Irish companies were involved, and 1,000 people employed. Overall, the geo sector has been estimated to employ about 30,000 people and be responsible for 3 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, and John is quite confident that this is just a beginning.

“Discovering just one new mine,” he said, “would pay SFI’s investment many times over.”

l

300 Irish companies were involved in developing the Corrib gas field and work involved building the longest tunnel in Ireland.

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