Promoting RRI and active citizenship in an inquiry-based controversial socio-scientific issue: the case of cholesterol regulation with statins

ABSTRACT

Science education is an important dimension of the European Commission’s Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) objectives; however, RRI is not an explicit focus of biology teaching and few biology teachers have experience in integrating RRI in classroom practice. This study examines the impact of a three 80-minute RRI and active citizenship module on 11th grade biology students, based on the SSIBL pedagogical framework. A representative national sample of 11th grade biology students in Cyprus (n = 398) participated. A pre-post research design examined impact in relation to students’ conceptual understanding regarding cholesterol and its regulation, their understanding of the controversy about cholesterol regulation, awareness of RRI components, feeling of responsibility and willingness to act. Analyses indicated statistically significant gains in conceptual understanding and the understanding of the controversy about cholesterol regulation and awareness of RRI components, as well as in students’ socio-scientific accountability (feeling of responsibility and willingness to act). Conceptual understanding showed increased correlations with Controversy understanding and RRI understanding forming the three of them the cognitive elements of individuals understanding. All of the examined variables are deemed, as of great importance for the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative biology RRI and active citizenship modules.     

灵长类动作理解的镜像神经机制研究进展

灵长类动作理解(understanding of actions)的神经机制是认知神经科学研究的重要内容,它的阐明对于揭示灵长类特有的一些高级认知行为的本质和过程具有重要意义。就灵长类动物而言,个体对其同类做出动作的识别以及理解是其一切社会行为的基础,但是迄今为止我们对其动作理解的神经机制还知之甚少。随着镜像神经元成为近年来国外认知神经科学与认知人类学研究的热点,人们通过神经生理学和脑成像等技术,陆续发现和证明了其在灵长类动作理解过程中的重要作用。本文综述了近年来关于灵长类动作理解的镜像神经机制的研究成果,介绍了镜像神经元在灵长类动作理解过程中的一些新认识及其在该能力进化和发育等方面的作用,并对当前一些实验中遗留的问题与灵长类动作理解领域的未来研究方向作了反思与展望。     

The effect of teaching the nature of science on students’ acceptance and understanding of evolution: myth or reality?

The results of studies of the nature of science (NOS) as a factor that enhances students’ understanding of evolution have been inconclusive. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to test the role of NOS instruction in enhancing students’ learning about evolution. We used a quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-tests to investigate the impact of teaching evolution with and without NOS in two classes with 15–16-year-old students, who were randomly assigned to these two classes. To measure their understanding of NOS and their acceptance and understanding of evolution, we used three different instruments that have been shown to generate reliable and valid inferences in comparable populations. The main results of this study were that, in the class in which the teaching of evolution included NOS instruction, the students’ understanding of NOS and their acceptance of evolution significantly improved. However, irrespective of the use of NOS instruction, both classes increased their understanding of evolution. These results support the claim that NOS instruction may influence students’ acceptance of evolution but not their understanding of evolution and natural selection.     

Systems biology approach to bioremediation

Bioremediation has historically been approached as a 'black box' in terms of our fundamental understanding. Thus it succeeds and fails, seldom without a complete understanding of why. Systems biology is an integrated research approach to study complex biological systems, by investigating interactions and networks at the molecular, cellular, community, and ecosystem level. The knowledge of these interactions within individual components is fundamental to understanding the dynamics of the ecosystem under investigation. Understanding and modeling functional microbial community structure and stress responses in environments at all levels have tremendous implications for our fundamental understanding of hydrobiogeochemical processes and the potential for making bioremediation breakthroughs and illuminating the 'black box'.     

Prospective elementary science teachers’ understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the context of multiple biological levels as nested systems

In this study, Turkish prospective elementary science teachers’ understanding of photosynthesis and cellular respiration has been analysed within the contexts of ecosystem knowledge, organism knowledge and interconnection knowledge (IK). In the analysis, concept maps developed by 74 prospective teachers were used. The study was carried out with prospective teachers in their final year who were enrolled in the special teaching methods course. The results show that prospective teachers’ understanding of photosynthesis, cellular respiration, energy flow and matter cycling is quite different from one another’s. In addition, the present study revealed that prospective elementary science teachers showed weak understanding of energy flow and matter, cycling and cellular respiration concepts and IK category but they had strong understanding of photosynthesis concept. Prospective teachers also experience difficulties in understanding connections between macro- and microbiological systems. The study concludes with suggestions for more meaningful biology education.     

Toward a Phenomenological Account of Embodied Subjectivity in Autism

Sensorimotor research is currently challenging the dominant understanding of autism as a deficit in the cognitive ability to ‘mindread’. This marks an emerging shift in autism research from a focus on the structure and processes of the mind to a focus on autistic behavior as grounded in the body. Contemporary researchers in sensorimotor differences in autism call for a reconciliation between the scientific understanding of autism and the first-person experience of autistic individuals. I argue that fulfilling this ambition requires a phenomenological understanding of the body as it presents itself in ordinary experience, namely as the subject of experience rather than a physical object. On this basis, I investigate how the phenomenology of Maurice Merleau-Ponty can be employed as a frame of understanding for bodily experience in autism. Through a phenomenological analysis of Tito Mukhopadhyay’s autobiographical work, How can I talk if my lips don’t move (2009), I illustrate the relevance and potential of phenomenological philosophy in autism research, arguing that this approach enables a deeper understanding of bodily and subjective experiences related to autism.     

From structure and dynamics to biomolecular functions: The ubiquitous role of solvent in biology

Biological activity requires a solvent that can provide a suitable environment, which satisfies the twin need for stability and the ability to change. Among all the solvents water plays the most important role. We review, analyze, and comment on recent works on the structure and dynamics of water around biomolecules and their role in specific biological functions. While studies in the past have focused on understanding the biomolecule–water interactions through a hydration layer; recently the attention has shifted towards understanding functions at a molecular level. Such a microscopic understanding clearly requires elucidation of detailed dynamical processes where solvent molecules play an important role. Finally, we comment on the advances made in understanding the role of water inside a biological cell.     

Ultraviolet Insights: Attempting to Resolve Enigmatic Patterns in Pelagic Freshwaters – The Historical Context and a View to the Future

While great advances have been made in our understanding of pelagic freshwater communities and ecosystems in recent years, several unexplained patterns continue to evade our understanding. While no single factor can explain these enigmatic patterns, recent increases in our understanding of the ecology of ultraviolet radiation (UV) are consistent with UV playing an important role. Here we present a brief overview of why UV has historically received so little attention in pelagic freshwater ecosystems, review some of the important aspects of the ecology of UV that are important to these enigmatic patterns, and discuss how this new understanding of the ecology of UV may provide some insights into these previously unexplained patterns. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The osteocyte

Osteocytes are the most numerous cells in mature bone and have the potential to live as long as the organism itself. However, study and subsequent understanding of osteocyte biology has been thwarted by the remote location of the cell in the mineralized matrix. This review is intended to synthesize current understanding of osteocyte biology and to suggest future paths that will promote understanding of this obscure cell and translation of knowledge to disease prophylaxis and management.     

Mycobacterium marinum: the generalization and specialization of a pathogenic mycobacterium

Mycobacterium marinum is being used increasingly as a model for understanding pathogenic mycobacteria. However, recently discovered differences between M. marinum and M. tuberculosis suggest that adaptation to specialized niches is reflected in unique strategies of pathogenesis. This review emphasizes the areas in which studying M. marinum has made contributions to the understanding of tuberculosis, as well as the potential for using characteristics unique to M. marinum for understanding general issues of host-pathogen interactions.     

Individual behaviour and population dynamics: lessons from aphid parasitoids

An increasing number of researchers are studying behaviour in the hopes of understanding population dynamics or improving biological control efforts of insect pests by natural enemies. However, it is unclear exactly how behavioural studies will improve our understanding of these population level processes. In this paper we argue that in order to understand population level processes, the problem must be approached from a population biology perspective. A comprehensive understanding of certain behaviours will provide little towards our understanding of host-natural enemy interactions. For example, using an aphid-parasitoid model, we examined the effect that a commonly studied behaviour, variance in host selection by aphid parasitoids, has on aphid-parasitoid population dynamics. Differential host selection does not qualitatively alter classic Nicholson-Bailey dynamics, but only results in quantitative differences in aphid-parasitoid population sizes. Irrespective of the degree of aphid instar preference, a large increase in the number of aphids is followed by a large increase in the number of parasitoids, decimating the aphid population. Thus, studying some behaviours, such as variance in host selection, will not contribute substantially to an understanding of aphid-parasitoid population dynamics.     

Cleft lip: unilateral primary deformities

The understanding and management of all aspects of unilateral cleft lip deformities continue to evolve. Just as we are entering the era of exciting advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of craniofacial disorders, expansion of our understanding of the dynamic relationships of the structural and soft-tissue components of cleft deformities has assisted surgeons in achieving progressively improved and consistent outcomes for these patients. The anatomic and physiologic complexity of unilateral cleft lip deformities has been recognized for centuries, and generations of researchers have cumulatively contributed to our current understanding. This article examines the history, classification, anatomy, and controversies in the surgical management of unilateral cleft lip deformities, allowing surgeons to formulate a reasoned, longitudinal management plan for their patients on the basis of the available current data.     

Exploring new methods and materials for enantioselective separations and catalysis

In this article, we will review and highlight some recent computational work on enantioselective adsorption and catalysis in zeolites and metal–organic frameworks. The design, development and understanding of chiral structures will help expand the utility of nanoporous materials into chiral technology. The highlighted works are examples of how molecular simulations can provide a fundamental understanding of chirality in nanoporous materials. This understanding is essential to help in the design and development of next-generation enantioselective separation devices and catalysts.     

Unwinding RNA's secrets: advances in the biology, physics, and modeling of complex RNAs

The rapid development of our understanding of the diverse biological roles fulfilled by non-coding RNA has motivated interest in the basic macromolecular behavior, structure, and function of RNA. We focus on two areas in the behavior of complex RNAs. First, we present advances in the understanding of how RNA folding is accomplished in vivo by presenting a mechanism for the action of DEAD-box proteins. Members of this family are intimately associated with almost all cellular processes involving RNA, mediating RNA structural rearrangements and chaperoning their folding. Next, we focus on advances in understanding, and characterizing the basic biophysical forces that govern the folding of complex RNAs. Ultimately we expect that a confluence and synergy between these approaches will lead to profound understanding of RNA and its biology.     

Mining viral protease data to extract cleavage knowledge

MOTIVATION: The motivation is to identify, through machine learning techniques, specific patterns in HIV and HCV viral polyprotein amino acid residues where viral protease cleaves the polyprotein as it leaves the ribosome. An understanding of viral protease specificity may help the development of future anti-viral drugs involving protease inhibitors by identifying specific features of protease activity for further experimental investigation. While viral sequence information is growing at a fast rate, there is still comparatively little understanding of how viral polyproteins are cut into their functional unit lengths. The aim of the work reported here is to investigate whether it is possible to generalise from known cleavage sites to unknown cleavage sites for two specific viruses-HIV and HCV. An understanding of proteolytic activity for specific viruses will contribute to our understanding of viral protease function in general, thereby leading to a greater understanding of protease families and their substrate characteristics. RESULTS: Our results show that artificial neural networks and symbolic learning techniques (See5) capture some fundamental and new substrate attributes, but neural networks outperform their symbolic counterpart.     

Experimental models of Schistosoma mansoni infection

Experimental models of Schistosoma mansoni infections in mammals have contributed greatly to our understanding of the pathology and pathogenesis of infection. We consider here hepatic and extrahepatic disease in models of acute and chronic infection. Experimental schistosome infections have also contributed more broadly to our understanding of granulomatous inflammation and our understanding of Th1 versus Th2 related inflammation and particularly to Th2-mediated fibrosis of the liver.     

New ways to target old receptors

Numerous important drugs target cytokines and growth factors or their receptors. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing receptor activation and signaling has lagged in key areas, however, limiting drug discovery efforts to relatively few basic strategies. Recently, substantial progress has been made on several aspects of this problem. These include improved methods for establishing the mechanism of receptor activation, a clearer understanding of the biochemical basis for differential signaling by ligands that act through a common receptor, new methods for measuring the affinities of steps in receptor activation on live cells, and progress toward a systems level understanding of receptor signaling. These advances are providing a new understanding of the function of these receptors that presents opportunities for the development of improved drugs.     

Evolution, museums and society

Visitors to natural history museums have an incomplete understanding of evolution. Although they are relatively knowledgeable about fossils and geological time, they have a poor understanding of natural selection. Museums in the 21st century can effectively increase public understanding of evolution through interactive displays, novel content (e.g. genomics), engaging videos and cyberexhibits that communicate to a broad spectrum of society, both within the exhibit halls as well as outside the museum.     

Evaluating changes in land cover and their importance for global change

During recent years, much progress has been made in integrating traditional natural science disciplines and in the developmnet of multidisciplinary models. This is crucial for an increased understanding of the dynamics of the Earth system. The domination of human activities in altering these dynamics is still increasing. However, few research projects have focused directly on understanding the motives for such intensification. It has only recently been acknowledged that improved understanding of human driving forces of global change is required to enable meaningful projections of plausible future states of the Earth system.     

The challenges of modelling antibody repertoire dynamics in HIV infection

Antibody affinity maturation by somatic hypermutation of B-cell immunoglobulin variable region genes has been studied for decades in various model systems using well-defined antigens. While much is known about the molecular details of the process, our understanding of the selective forces that generate affinity maturation are less well developed, particularly in the case of a co-evolving pathogen such as HIV. Despite this gap in understanding, high-throughput antibody sequence data are increasingly being collected to investigate the evolutionary trajectories of antibody lineages in HIV-infected individuals. Here, we review what is known in controlled experimental systems about the mechanisms underlying antibody selection and compare this to the observed temporal patterns of antibody evolution in HIV infection. We describe how our current understanding of antibody selection mechanisms leaves questions about antibody dynamics in HIV infection unanswered. Without a mechanistic understanding of antibody selection in the context of a co-evolving viral population, modelling and analysis of antibody sequences in HIV-infected individuals will be limited in their interpretation and predictive ability.