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UConn insect expert David Wagner on the troubling decline of the mayfly

One of the world's oldest flying insects is in trouble. Mayflies are in serious decline and, after 300 million years in existence, their dwindling population should be an alarm bell for all of us. More than just a bug with a short life span flying masterfully near creeks, rivers, and ponds, the mayfly plays a serious role in local ecosystems and the environment at large. A key component in the food chain, the mayfly nymph feeds off of algae, plants, and rotting leaves, cleaning up nature's mess while growing large enough to become a meal itself -- for fish, amphibians, lizards, birds, and even humans. Without mayflies, the ripple effect upwards could mean calamity for the planet. In a recent Washington Post Magazine deep-dive, UConn insect expert David Wagner offered his perspective on the on the plight of the mayfly: I reached out to David Wagner, a biologist and lepidopterist at the University of Connecticut, for context, thinking that perhaps the problems were isolated or overblown. He has studied insects for decades and reviewed numerous scientific studies about them from around the globe. He did not provide much comfort. There’s a growing body of research suggesting that the world is in the midst of its sixth mass extinction, he said. The losses of all kinds of creatures appear to be driven by climate change, habitat degradation, pollution and other ecological stressors. In a paper for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last year, “Insect Decline in the Anthropocene: Death by a Thousand Cuts,” Wagner and several other scientists delivered a stark warning about the disappearance of insects. The report did not focus on mayflies, but Wagner told me they are among the most vulnerable of the world’s insects because of their need for clean, well-oxygenated water. “Mayflies are reliable ‘canaries in the coal mines’ for freshwater systems,” he explained. “And their future prospects, especially in areas that are drying or warming, are bleak.” September 19 - Washington Post Magazine Dr. David Wagner is an expert in caterpillars, butterflies, moths, and insect conservation, and he's commented extensively on the current decline of insects worldwide. Click his icon to arrange an interview today.

25th Anniversary African American Art Song Alliance Conference

25th Anniversary African American Art Song Alliance Conference Organized by Dr. Darryl Taylor October 13 - October 16, 2022 The African American Art Song Alliance, founded by Professor of Music Dr. Darryl Taylor in 1997, is one of the nation’s leading advocacy organizations, representing Black composers of Western classical art songs. Its quinquennial conference is unique and inspirational for scholars and performers of this music. Learn more about the conference and its events on the website at music.arts.uci.edu. Come be part of this community of like-minded supporters! The Alliance remains focused on maintaining accessibility for the audience it serves and the larger population. They have made registration free and open to the public for the conference and its events. To learn more about the African American Art Song Alliance, visit their website at https://artsongalliance.org To speak to Dr. Taylor about the conference, contact Tom Vasich at 1-949-285-6455 or tmvasich@uci.edu.

Tokyo International Conference on African Development

Aston University co-hosted parts of the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD8). There was a total of six talks hosted by the University, five of which are available to catch up on below. TICAD8 is the eighth event of TICAD, having been initiated by Japan in 1932. The conference brings together international organisations and business representatives from African countries and Japan to promote the digitalisation of African nations to keep pace with other leading economies. Cyber security and data privacy were two of the main topics up for discussion as well as central bank digital currencies (CBDC). CBDC is a government-issued fiat currency, that is, a currency not backed by a commodity such as gold. The use of an ideal CBDC will eliminate over 100,000 armoured cars carrying cash for ATM machines all over the world, reducing CO² emissions. Experts say transitioning to fiat currency requires the highest level of cyber security. The digitalisation of the healthcare sector in Africa Professor Georg Holländer of Oxford University speaks with Aston University visiting professor - and GVE founder - Koji Fusa. The discussion focuses on the benefits of an electronic health record for both an individual and the health care provider but will also relate these benefits to issues of public health and research. The technical challenges of providing the conventional infrastructure to establish health care records will be touched on with a focus placed on data security. Reasons will be pointed out that impede the uptake of electronic health records, especially in low and middle income countries, and possible solutions are presented to overcome this problem. CBDC and private sector digital currency will facilitate the digitalisation of nations of African countries CBDC will require the highest security and privacy protection. Professor Koji Fusa, Cyber Security Innovation Centre, Aston University, CEO of GVE Ltd discusses the benefits of a comprehensive digitalisation of fiat currency. This will become a powerful digital infrastructure which could expand into other areas like healthcare. The cyber security issue pointed by the US NIST in 2016 could be solved by having a different set of systems which could reduce the risks being presented by international hacking groups having quantum computers in the future. The World Bank's support for digitalisation of Africa Takashi Miyahara, the Executive Director of the World Bank Group, presents this talk in his personal capacity. Mr. Miyahara introduces the World Bank’s contribution to date, and Japan’s collaboration with the Bank, for digital development of Africa. Mr. Miyahara worked for the Ministry of Finance of Japan since 1986 before he took the current position in January 2021. Vaccine and climate transition in Africa René Karsenti, senior adviser and honorary president of the International Capital Market Association (ICMA), former board chair of the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm), honorary director general of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and member of the Global Advisory Board of GVE Ltd, talks to Aston University's Koji Fusa about vaccine and climate transition in Africa: two major challenges, lessons from innovative ESG financing and future endeavours. Health and vaccine finance, climate transition and sustainable finance have sparked a revolution in thinking about innovative solutions leading to implementing successfully new humanitarian finance such as IFFIm, financing GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, as well as other new ESG investments to achieve a positive impact. He says: "Needs remain huge in Africa. "We are now at a decisive moment in such ESG investments. We have evolved in a few years from a situation where investors knew - and cared - little about what their investments were supporting, to one where purpose matters more than ever. "But only by recognizing the urgency for action particularly in Africa and the power of ESG investment, collaboration, technology and innovation would get us there." Cyber security, financial integrity and developments Professor George Feiger is the executive dean of the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University. He suggests truly secure data transfer has the capability to transform more than medicine and finance in the efficiency sense and also holds out the promise of helping to clean up the even more consequential problem of looting of the state.

Advantage Ukraine? A surprising surge has Russia in retreat

The war in Ukraine has taken a surprising turn. A hard surge in the northeast of the country has seen Ukraine soldiers reclaiming lost ground and in some cases, even pushing Russian troops back to the border. It's a David and Goliath scenario, and at the moment, Ukraine finally seems to have the upper hand over the larger and more equipped Russian forces that have been clawing away at the country since February. There's been an enormous amount of media attention and reporters are looking to experts for perspective, opinion and explanation. “It seems to be a complete failure of logistics and strategy tactics on the Russian side," said Dr. Craig Albert, director of the Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies at Augusta University.  "Everything is just falling apart; their lines are collapsing. Troops are running and leaving behind all their ammunition, leaving vehicles, leaving weapons. That’s just astonishing to me that it is such a disorganized kind of retreat. Russia can use all their propaganda and say they are retrenching elsewhere and trying to solidify their forces further east and further south, but it’s a disorganized retreat and they’re losing lots of numbers but leaving all their equipment to the Ukrainians." Albert can explain what could happen next in Ukraine, as there are several possible scenarios and outcomes in the long and short term of this war. And if you’re a journalist looking to know more about what lies ahead as the war between Ukraine and Russia continues and how it may impact the United States, then let us help with your questions and coverage. Albert is director of the Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies at Augusta University. He is a leading expert on war, terrorism and American politics. This is an important national and international issue. Albert is available to speak with media – simply click on his name to arrange an interview today.

Manuka honey could help to clear deadly drug-resistant lung infection – research

• Scientists develop a potential nebulisation treatment using manuka honey to clear a drug resistant lung infection that can be fatal in cystic fibrosis patients • Aston University researchers combined the antibiotic amikacin with manuka honey as a novel treatment for Mycobacterium abscessus • Using the manuka honey combination resulted in an eight-fold reduction in the dosage of the antibiotic A potential new treatment combining natural manuka honey with a widely used drug has been developed by scientists at Aston University to treat a potentially lethal lung infection and greatly reduce side effects of one of the current drugs used for its treatment. The findings, which are published in the journal Microbiology, show that the scientists in the Mycobacterial Research Group in the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University were able to combine manuka honey and the drug amikacin in a lab-based nebulisation formulation to treat the harmful bacterial lung infection Mycobacterium abscessus. Manuka honey is long known to have wide ranging medicinal properties, but more recently has been identified for its broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. Now scientists have found that manuka honey has the potential to kill a number of drug resistant bacterial infections such as Mycobacterium abscessus – which usually affects patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) or bronchiectasis. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, CF is a genetic condition affecting around 10,800 people - one in every 2,500 babies born in the UK -and there are more than 100,000 people with the condition worldwide. The NHS defines bronchiectasis as a long-term condition where the airways of the lungs become widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection.. In the study, the researchers used samples of the bacteria Mycobacterium abscessus taken from 16 infected CF patients. They then tested the antibiotic amikacin, combined with manuka honey, to discover what dosage was required to kill the bacteria. As part of the study the team used a lab-based lung model and nebuliser - a device that produces a fine spray of liquid often used for inhaling a medicinal drug. By nebulising manuka honey and amikacin together, it was found they could improve bacterial clearance, even when using lower doses of amikacin, which would result in less life-changing side-effects to the patient. In the UK, of the 10,800 people living with CF, Mycobacterium abscessus infects 13% of all patients with the condition. This new approach is advantageous not only because it has the potential to kill off a highly drug resistant infection, but because of the reduced side effects, benefitting quality of life and greatly improving survival chances for infected CF patients. Mycobacterium abscessus is a bacterial pathogen from the same family that causes tuberculosis, but this bug differs by causing serious lung infections in people (particularly children) with pre-existing lung conditions, such as CF and bronchiectasis, as well as causing skin and soft tissue infections. The bacteria is also highly drug resistant. Currently, patients are given a cocktail of antibiotics, consisting of 12 months or more of antimicrobial chemotherapy and often doesn’t result in a cure. The dosage of amikacin usually used on a patient to kill the infection is 16 micrograms per millilitre. But the researchers found that the new combination using manuka honey, required a dosage of just 2 micrograms per millitre of amikacin - resulting in a one eighth reduction in the dosage of the drug. Until now Mycobacterium abscessus has been virtually impossible to eradicate in people with cystic fibrosis. It can also be deadly if the patient requires a lung transplant because they are not eligible for surgery if the infection is present. Commenting on their findings, lead author and PhD researcher Victoria Nolan said: "So far treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary infections can be problematic due to its drug resistant nature. The variety of antibiotics required to combat infection result in severe side effects. "However, the use of this potential treatment combining amikacin and manuka honey shows great promise as an improved therapy for these terrible pulmonary infections. “There is a need for better treatment outcomes and in the future we hope that this potential treatment can be tested further.” Dr Jonathan Cox, senior lecturer in microbiology, Aston University said: “By combining a totally natural ingredient such as manuka honey with amikacin, one of the most important yet toxic drugs used for treating Mycobacterium abscessus, we have found a way to potentially kill off these bacteria with eight times less drug than before. This has the potential to significantly reduce amikacin-associated hearing loss and greatly improve the quality of life of so many patients – particularly those with cystic fibrosis. “I am delighted with the outcome of this research because it paves the way for future experiments and we hope that with funding we can move towards clinical trials that could result in a change in strategy for the treatment of this debilitating infection.” Dr Peter Cotgreave, chief executive of the Microbiology Society said: "The Microbiology Society is proud to support the scientific community as it explores innovative solutions to overcome the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance. This study demonstrates one of many ways in which microbiologists are pioneering new methods to tackle drug-resistant infections, by incorporating natural products, like manuka honey, into existing therapies." For more information about the School of Biosciences, please visit our website.

Bivalent Boosters are Here: Our Expert Explains What You Need to Know

Updated COVID-10 booster shots are rolling out across the United States, and these new bivalent formulations target the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that have become the dominant circulating strains as well as the original form of the coronavirus. UConn Health's Dr. David Banach, an infectious diseases physician and hospital epidemiologist, spoke with UConn Today about the latest CDC vaccination guidelines and the significance of these updated boosters: What’s the difference between the monovalent and bivalent vaccines? The monovalent vaccines are the ones that have been available thus far. They contain a small piece of the mRNA component of the virus based on the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, sometimes termed as the “ancestral strain,” and are designed to generate an immune response to that original virus. We’ve seen with the omicron variant — and specifically with the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which have appeared most recently — the virus has changed. The bivalent vaccine contains both the portion of the original ancestral virus mRNA as well as a portion of mRNA that is specific for the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants that have been circulating most recently. The hope is, by more specifically targeting the most recent subvariants, the bivalent boosters will reduce the impact of COVID both on individuals who received them as well as the population. Conceptually it’s analogous to what has been done with the influenza vaccine. The technology’s a little different but it’s based on the same idea. It’s targeted against both the original strain and the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of omicron. What becomes of the monovalent vaccine? At this time the vaccination program will be a primary vaccine series with the original monovalent vaccine and booster doses using the bivalent vaccine. Why wouldn’t we just start people with the bivalent vaccine? Data showed the monovalent vaccine upfront provides that high level of protection. The bivalent vaccine has not been evaluated as a primary vaccine candidate, so we don’t have the data to support its use in that context. That’s how it was originally designed, to be a booster. Dr. Banach is a leading voice on the fight against the COVID-19 virus, and he's available to speak with the media. Click on his icon to arrange an interview today.

FBI data shows murders are up, and our experts are ready to help with your coverage

FBI data shows murder rates are up, with the latest figures showing a staggering 21,570 murders happening nationwide in 2020. Dr. Kim Davies teaches a sociology of murder course at Augusta University and was recently interviewed on the topic by a local CBS affiliate. Davies has developed the course to help educate students and get them thinking about ways they can bring awareness to the violent crime problem. Students put a tick on the sidewalk in chalk to represent every murder to offer a better understanding of the number of families affected. “If I put that number on the board, it looks like a big number," said Davies. "But nobody really knows what that is. If we tick every mark and we say, ‘Look, that’s a victim,’ it means more to the students.” Davies also reiterates that even though this current number is probably the highest it’s ever been since she's been offering this class, it's not at an all-time high. "Murder was higher in the '90s when I was in grad school, but it’s been going down, down, down. Hopefully it’s not a trend where we continue up, but we’re back up.” If you’re a journalist covering true crime or any other aspect of this topic, then let us help with your stories. Davies is a sociologically trained criminologist with academic focus is on homicide and violence. Her most recent book, The Murder Book: Understanding Homicide Today, explores topics such as the increase in mass murders, the change in Stand Your Ground laws across the country and police shootings as it relates to the Black Lives Matter movement. Davies is available to speak with media about this subject – simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.

Aston University welcomes new Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive

• Professor Aleks Subic has taken up the role of Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, joining Aston University from RMIT in Australia • Professor Subic is a recognised global leader in technology and innovation. Aston University has welcomed Professor Aleks Subic as its new Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive. He has joined Aston University from RMIT in Australia where he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Science, Engineering and Health and Vice President for Digital Innovation. Prior to that, he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) at Swinburne University of Technology. Professor Subic is a recognised global leader in technology and innovation in higher education, leading on Industry 4.0 strategy and digital transformations across the university sector and with industry and governments both in Australia and internationally. He has received a number of prestigious awards for his work, including the Australian Business Innovation Award and the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame Award. He is a passionate and lifelong advocate for multiculturalism, equality, diversity and inclusion, leading through clear actions and strategic initiatives at enterprise level. These include creating and appointing the first Dean of STEMM Diversity & Inclusion in Australia, establishing Women in STEMM Fellowships and mentoring scheme, Indigenous Research Fellowships, scholarships and internships programs, and creating an innovation precinct with start-up accelerators and industry incubators focused on founders from diverse backgrounds and access. On joining Aston University, Professor Subic said: “I am arriving at a pivotal time in the University’s history, to build on the strong foundations established by its leaders and staff, past and present, and to develop and lead our new bold strategy. Our next stage of development will be ambitious, aiming to achieve our full potential within a rapidly changing world. “I can see huge potential for creating a globally relevant university, a leader in science, technology and enterprise – by transcending academic disciplines, applying the knowledge we create and driving innovation, to improve the lives and livelihoods of those with whom we work. “Building on our collective expertise, experience and professional networks, I look forward to supporting our students, industries and communities in Birmingham and the West Midlands region, as well as our strategic partners nationally and internationally.” Professor Subic is married to Tatjana, and they have three children: Sandra, Katarina and Stefan.

MEDIA RELEASE: CAA survey finds majority of parents report dangerous driving behaviours in school zones

A recent school zone safety survey conducted on behalf of CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) indicates that 78 per cent of Ontario parents report having seen unsafe driving behaviours and only 37 per cent consider the roads around their child’s school to be safe. Some of the most common unsafe driving behaviours parents have witnessed include speeding, double parking and stopping at undesignated areas. “We all have a role to play in keeping our school zones safe,” says Tracy Marshall, manager of community relations at CAA SCO. “These dangerous driving behaviours can lead to serious consequences and CAA is urging motorists to slow down and follow the rules of the road when driving through school zones.” The survey also identified that more than half of parents in the province (66 per cent) support the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) in school zones, with 79 per cent believing its presence would deter speeding around schools. According to the survey, two in three parents consider that ASE should remain permanent in school zones. “When you’re behind the wheel, you have the responsibility to look out for everyone else around you, including parents, guardians and children,” says Marshall. “It’s important to always watch out for Community Safety Zone signs as they indicate areas where public safety is of special concern and drive with caution through school zones, residential areas and any other areas where children may be walking or playing.” Motorists should also keep an eye out for school buses that are now equipped with amber and red upper flashing lights. Under the new system, upper flashing amber lights will turn on as the bus slows down, indicating that drivers need to be cautious and slow down too. The amber-red system will hopefully provide more clarity when to stop, preventing illegal passings and dangerous sudden stops. CAA reminds motorists that it is an offence to pass a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. Fines for a first offense range up to $2,000. It can also result in a significant number of demerit points. Motorists can also use the following CAA tips to ensure they are staying safe in school zones: Help reduce traffic with active school travel: Encourage your kids to walk or ride to school to ease traffic congestion. If your school is a further distance, CAA encourages parents and guardians to park a block away and walk to school, if possible, to reduce traffic and make school zones safer. Slow down: Know the speed limit in your neighbourhood’s school zones and respect them. Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to drop off your kids at school to avoid rushing. Follow the rules of the road near school buses: Always stop for a stopped school bus with its upper flashing red light and/ stop arm activated and wait for children to get safely on or off. Stay alert and watch for children or parents/guardians crossing the road when the bus moves on. Choose a safe spot to drop off and pick up your children from school: Follow your school’s rules and avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks, dropping off or picking up your kids on the opposite side of the street, and stopping in moving traffic as kids rush out. Instead, use the designated drop off areas or consider a spot a bit farther away from school that is easily accessible and safe. Make eye contact with passing pedestrians and cyclists: With the excitement of going back to school, anticipate that children may not easily see or hear your moving vehicle. Use eye contact to ensure pedestrians are aware of you driving your vehicle. Watch for CAA School Safety Patrollers: As one of the largest youth volunteer programs in Canada, they play an important role by keeping their peers safe on school buses and in school zones. Keep a lookout for their bright safety vests. CAA supports safety in school zones through the CAA School Safety Patrol® program, developed to protect and educate elementary school children on safe road-crossing practices. CAA’s Ontario Road Safety Resource is a toolkit with valuable lesson plans for teachers to help educate students about road safety. To learn more please visit www.caasco.com/schoolzone The study, commissioned by CAA SCO and conducted by Dig Insights between April 13th to 22nd 2022, surveyed 1,402 Ontario parents/guardians between the ages of 18 and 74 with children attending school from kindergarten to grade 8. The margin of error for a sample of this size is plus or minus 2.6% at the 95% confidence level.

What does Joe Biden's forgiveness of student loans mean for debt relief?

President Joe Biden has made progress on a campaign promise to provide relief for those burdened with student debt. This plan offers targeted debt relief as part of a comprehensive effort to address the burden of growing college costs and make the student loan system more manageable for working families. The President is announcing that the Department of Education will: Provide targeted debt relief to address the financial harms of the pandemic, fulfilling the President’s campaign commitment. The Department of Education will provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education, and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers are eligible for this relief if their individual income is less than $125,000 ($250,000 for married couples). No high-income individual or high-income household – in the top 5% of incomes – will benefit from this action. To ensure a smooth transition to repayment and prevent unnecessary defaults, the pause on federal student loan repayment will be extended one final time through December 31, 2022. Borrowers should expect to resume payment in January 2023. -- White House Fact Sheet, Aug. 25 The announcement made big waves politically and news coverage is still heavy with reactions to the plan and just who it will benefit. “For some students, they will be completely debt-free afterward," said Wendy Habegger, a lecturer of finance in the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University. "The majority are still not going to be debt-free but instead of you having to pay an extra year, it might cut your pay time down. What this is going to do is give you money to start doing some of the other things that you have put off. You can now focus on building up an emergency fund, building up a savings account. You can put it toward your retirement.” The announcement also includes extending the student loan pause a final time through Dec. 31, 2022. “One of the good things about this debt reduction and debt forgiveness is that the Biden administration is making some very firm attempts to go in and fix some of the payment programs that are broke. So when individuals have to start paying in January, they will be able to pay a reduced amount,” said Habegger. “What’s not going to stop is the accrual of future debt. So we really need to look at the underlying problem and the costs of higher education and see if we can bring that down.” This topic will require ongoing coverage, so if you’re a reporter looking to know more, then let us help. Wendy Habegger is a respected finance expert available to offer advice on making the right money moves during volatile times. To arrange an interview, simply click on her icon now.