COVID-19 Mini Issue

COVID-19 MINI ISSUE

Science And Technology News And Views Magazine

In this issue, we discuss topics surrounding the current pandemic. Featuring an interview with Maria Sharif

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COVID-19 Issue

THE SATNAV TEAM: Chair Mia Wroe MXW858@student.bham.ac.uk Vice chair Daisy Cave DNC828@student.bham.ac.uk Treasurer Anna Shortt AES815@student.bham.ac.uk Secretary Charlotte Tomlinson CXT838@student.bham.ac.uk Layout Editors Luke Kurowski-Ford LSK709@student.bham.ac.uk Molly Sun-Wai MSX1199@student.bham.ac.uk Life Sciences Editor Katie Fegan KXF762@student.bham.ac.uk Physical Sciences Editor Anwesha Sahu AXS1603@student.bham.ac.uk

ARTICLES

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"A pandemic will come":Contagion, a 2018 prediction Anna Shortt BioSoc careers conference series: the importance of communicated, international, and interdisciplinary science in the age of COVID-19 Mia Wroe COVID-19 and brain styles, a catalyst for poor mental health Lara Williams Pandemic Android: an overview of the recent NHS COVID-19 app Charlotte Tomlinson COVID-19: Parallels with Past Pandemics Sarah Lloyd Maria Sharif: Research Diaries Daisy Cave Numerical models, the butterfly effect and COVID-19 Emma Willett Could COVID-19 revolutionise the daily commute? A review of the new e-scooter trials in the UK Matthew Morris Adapting to the “New Normal”: Is Remote Research Here to Stay?

Katie Fegan

Tech and Review Editor Aysh Yapa

Copy Editor Lauren Malin LAM823@student.bham.ac.uk Publicity Officer Matthew Morris MCM823@student.bham.ac.uk Website Manager Shona Ferguson SJF082@student.bham.ac.uk November 2020 | SATNAV | 3

"A pandemic will come": Contagion, a 2018 prediction Anna Shortt covers a short review of Contagion, a 2018 documentary predicting the spread of a deadly virus.

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or the first few minutes, you could be forgiven for thinking this 2018 documentary is a more recent production; its talks on quarantines, airport closures and the importance of handwashing are very en vogue. The giveaway is the thrill of foreboding which trickles down your spine as the camera pans to crowds of smiling, mask-less people.

Headed by mathematician Dr Hannah Fry, Contagion foretold of a future coronavirus heralding from south east Asia, which jumps from animals to humans, and has the potential of halting society as we know it. According to Dr Fry, the UK government regards such a virus as the country's greatest potential threat even above terrorism and natural dis-

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asters.

In spite of this, the area is criminally under researched, the data sets about how communities interact and the movements of the population simply do not exist on a large enough scale to make reliable data models. The show sets its own task of creating a data set by releasing an app called BBC Pandemic which replicates the infection abilities of a virus. Once they hit

"... regards such a virus as the country's greatest potential threat." their target of 10,000 downloads from the British public, Dr Fry begins as patient zero and the simulation begins.

Back in 2018, the results should have been sobering. In current times, the figures seem almost amusingly familiar.

With no measures implemented to contain the spread of the virus, immunity assumed to be impossible and an R number of 1.8, the “infected� population of the UK rises to approx. 43 million, with 886,877 fatalities in four months (the predicted minimum time to develop and

COVID-19 Issue

deploy a vaccine). A second model assumes that the population wash their hands 5-10 times more than normal. This measure alone saves approximately 13 million from infection.

It seems however that science fell short of communicating the potential effects of

with spare body bags) in an effort to subdue this mysterious and new-fangled ‘R’.

Yet Contagion tells of such a value with confidence and knowledge, and indeed of so many other concepts which were alien to me until this year.

The science in Contagion is not new, approximately the same as you would "...We spent my sister’s 15th birthday learn glancing over outside... under a gazebo on loan from this evening’s headthe local mortuary (which I later lines. What is fascinating about this learned had been patched up with program is learning spare body bags)." that COVID-19 was not unprecedented such a virus to the general population. In but under researched and suffered from an ironically amusing segment, Fry quespoor scientific communication. Two years tions the public on what disaster killed the ago, Fry asserted that this is a question of most people in the past century. The sug“when, not if” a pandemic hits, which begs gestions range from CO2 emissions, tsunathe question of why we were not better premis and both world wars. Upon learning of pared? How many lives could we have the death of up to 100 million people, the saved with improved scientific communiccommon response is Spanish flu who? We ation? How many lives has Dr Fry saved by appeared in 2018 to be woefully ignorant the research conducted in Contagion? of coronaviruses and pandemics. When Boris Johnson announced in May the plans to ease lockdown restrictions, I assumed that this ‘R’ number was a new concept, something dreamed up in response to COVID-19. We spent my sister’s 15th birthday outside in the cold, socially distancing from family friends, under a gazebo on loan from the local mortuary (which I later learned had been patched up

Where to watch: The more risk averse will be able to access this on BBC iPlayer. Other UoB students can also watch for free on Box of Broadcast.

Watch it if: You are still confused as to why COVID-19 is different to the flu.

Give it a miss if: You are an epidemiologist.

Suggested further research: In a NumberPhile podcast entitled Crystal Balls and Coronavirus – with Hannah Fry, Dr fry critically evaluates this 2018 documentary from a 2020 perspective.

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BioSoc careers conference series: the importance of communicated, international, and interdisciplinary science in the age of COVID-19 Mia Wroe covers BioSoc’s 2nd Careers Conference, where Dr Steve Unwin discusses how great ape conservation can provide a template for ethical and effective science during the pandemic.

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eaders of SATNAV magazine will Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group Hub, a publicly available, free-to-access Canvas page updated in real time by know that our student groups and so(OVAG). OVAG is a global network encomcieties here at the University of Birmingpassing a multitude of different sectors, OVAG. It includes an FAQ covering the pofrom non-governmental organisations and tential effects of COVID-19 on great apes ham have been working hard to adapt to the new challenges of COVID-19. The Bioindustries to zoos and veterinary colleges. and the conservation field, alongside adlogy Society (BioSoc) are no exception; this Together, they work collaboratively in the vice for different industries (including year, they have introduced their very first best interests of great apes, ensuring they mining, agriculture, and forestry) that can virtual Careers Conference series. Consistand the environments they call home rebe accessed quickly and easily, by mobile if ing of alumni and staff from needed. “there is no greater weapon than an army their own department, the ‘You have to be first, people of effective science communicators” believe the first thing they hear, series showcases the potential career paths that Life Sciences' students can main protected. This work is an excellent which is why we have such a problem with take and the impact that COVID-19 has example of the multidisciplinary ‘One fake news at the minute,’ says Dr Unwin. had on these fields.

Health’ approach to public health, conserThe information hub is an attempt to SATNAV was kindly invited to attend vation, and policy-making, of which Dr battle this wave of misinformation, providthe second installment in the Careers ConUnwin is an advocate—as he says, ‘no single ing a sort of ‘one-stop shop’ for those workference series, led by University of Birmdiscipline has all the tools.’. ing with great apes throughout the ingham lecturer and zoo health As the COVID-19 pandemic tightens its pandemic. It is only this kind of co-operamanagement expert Dr Steve Unwin. Dr grip on the world, OVAG have been at the tion and willingness to share knowledge, Unwin is a renowned figure in internationforefront of action to protect great apes unaffected by political spats and the unal conservation and veterinary health, havfrom the disease and to create a positive reasonable demands of business and inestablished multidisciplinary precedent should another pandemic take ing dustry, that can protect vulnerable species conservation networks of professionals and hold in the future. Their co-operative apfrom the current pandemic. workers across Africa and SouthEast Asia. proach means they have a unique cumulatCurrently, the medical field is (underIn his lecture, Dr Unwin discussed the efive knowledge from across all sectors standably) dominating the media, but the fects of the pandemic on great ape conserinvolved in great ape conservation—from medical field has an unfortunate tendency and the importance of vation researchers and people on the ground to into paint animals as enemies and humans as communicated, international, and interdisdustry management and government. This heroes. It is perhaps then natural to think ciplinary science in the age of COVID-19. information has been collated into the Non “what is a threat to us?” rather than “what Dr Unwin is a founding member of the Human Primate COVID-19 Information threat are we to the environment?”.

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COVID-19 Issue

However, Dr Unwin believes that this is the key to understanding the spread of COVID19. The transition to home working, both in the UK and worldwide, has given people the opportunity to ‘get back to nature’ in a way that many have not experienced before. Nevertheless, conservation groups have missed a huge opportunity to educate the public on the environmental effects of COVID-19.

‘Effective conservation is all about people,’ says Dr. Unwin, ‘and scientists are not typically good at lay person communication.’ Science communication is not only at the forefront of great ape conservation, but also the fight against COVID-19.

Until a vaccine is found, there is no greater weapon than an army of effective science communicators, trained in their own respective fields. They can engage the general public with the science of the pandemic, and allow them to understand the reasonings behind new COVID-19 restrictions.

If there is one lesson we can take away from OVAG’s approach to mitigating the pandemic, it is that international and interdisciplinary science should not be at the mercy of politics and governmentaldis-

putes. The principles by which OVAG operates sets an example of ethical science that can (and should) be adopted across all fields of scientific research. Using a co-operative, global approach to develop a COVID-19 vaccine is just one example of the many things we could achieve if all science was planned in such a way. With a potential impending political storm over the discovery, manufacturing, and sale of such a vaccine approaching, this is an excellent opportunity for us to re-evaluate how we do science and how we communicate it to the masses. We must acknowledge that humans as a part of the environment, and work together for a better future; both for us, and for the great apes.

Thank you to BioSoc and Dr Steve Unwin for allowing SATNAV to cover this lecture. You can take part in BioSoc’s Careers Conference series by joining the society at https://www.guildofstudents.com/studentgroups/societies/biosoc/.

Non Human Primate COVID-19 Information Hub: https://umnadvet.instructure.com/courses/ 324

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COVID-19 and brain styles, a catalyst for poor mental health Lara Williams explains how our underlying brain circuitry may shape our mental health response during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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OVID-19 is not only a threat to our physical well being, our mental health is also in jeopardy. Whilst most are now familiar with the physical symptoms of the novel coronavirus, the mental burden associated with the disease is less understood.

However, research published in Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health earlier this year suggests that recognising brain styles, how the reflective and logical parts of the brain work together to process emotional, and cognitive data may allow us to understand why certain individuals are predisposed to mental health dysfunction as a result of the pandemic.

The brain is the most important organ of the nervous system. The different sections of the brain act like a circuit to work together via the communication of neurons. When under chronic stress, such as stress caused by the pandemic, the default circuit mode is impacted, altering the way in which the brain functions. For example, those with a ruminative brain style often suffer with repetitive and intrusive thoughts that cause them to compulsively focus on feelings of anxiety, sadness, and distress. A ruthless cycle of questioning what might happen can lead to low and even depressed moods: ‘What will happen if I catch the virus? What if someone vulnerable catches it because of me? I should probably just stay home’ and so on. An individual with a ruminative brain style is said to have an overactivation within the rumination-related network, causing increased activity within the default mode network (DMN). The DMN involves a group of brain regions that become active when we have any thoughts which are not connected to our immediate external environ-

ment. In other words, the DMN is responsible for our introspectiveness and mind wanderings. This plays a significant role in obsessive thoughts and overthinking, such as those expressed by individuals experiencing various forms of OCD. COVID-19 poses a very real threat to our health; ruminators are susceptible to heightened states of ‘threat seeking’. During a health crisis, ruminatorsare

likely to honein on threats surrounding a person’s physical health, this may cause increased symptom checking and body scanning. Remaining on high alert for perceived threats, both internally and externally, leaves individuals more vulnerable to experiencing health-related anxieties and to developing various anxiety disorders. With the daily influx of negative news surrounding the pandemic, these thoughts only become further compounded.

The introduction of social distancing measures and, in extreme cases, social isolation—has greatly stinted access to one of our core human needs, social engagement.

Confined to our homes and kept apart from support networks, the consequences

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again, creating a ‘reward circuit’. Anhedonia is one of the core characteristics of clinical depression and is also found to be related to other mental health disorders.

As individuals with an anhedonia brain style already experience some degree of blunted anticipatory reward, the removal of social engagement is likely to have negative mental health consequences. A social anhedonia cycle is formed, or further fuelled, when an individual does not (or cannot, due to local lockdown measures) engage in any activities that promote pleasure, rendering them unable to experience the needed ‘reward’. Consequently, they lose the motivation required to participate in experiences and activities that once brought them joy. Due to the lonely nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals may find themselves stuck in this cycle more effortlessly. The cycle likely culminates in social withdrawal, as research shows that these individuals become increasingly less likely to reach out to others or seek any help and support that may be needed. ventral tegmental It is clear that the implications of fallarea (VTA) within the ing ill to the virus, and the restrictions put midbrain when pleasure is experienced. in place to limit its spread, are two major The VTA then sends this dopamine to varisources of mental health concern. However, ous other regions of the brain, including research suggests that some individuals are the amygdala (controls emotions), the nucmore predisposed to negative mental health dysfunction than “the consequences of social others thanks to their underlying brain style. Future isolation have undoubtedly been studies will be needed to detrimental to mental health” understand the changes leus accumbens (for motor function), the the pandemic has had on mental health at hippocampus (for memory formation), and the population level. However, in the the prefrontal cortex (for attention and meantime it’s important that we bear these planning). This tells the body to engage differences in mind, and try our best to be with the positive stimulus over and over kind to those around us. of social isolation have undoubtedly been detrimental to mental health, particularly for those living alone or shielding. Anhedonia, or the inability to experience pleasure, is caused by an under engagement of the brain’s reward network. The brain’s reward network is a circuit that controls and regulates our ability to feel pleasure. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is released from the

SOURCE: HAGERTY, S.L. AND WILLIAMS, L.M., 2020. THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON MENTAL HEALTH: THE INTERACTIVE BRAIN, BEHAVIOR, & IMMUNITY-HEALTH, P.100078.

ROLES OF BRAIN BIOTYPES AND HUMAN CONNECTION.

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Charlotte Tomlinson provides an outline of the new NHS COVID-19 app, how it works, and its efficacy so far.

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n the 24th of September, the Government launched a new app in England and Wales originally developed by NHSX, called NHS COVID19.

The purpose of the app was to use contact tracing to track those who have been exposed to the virus. Contact tracing is where personal data (information that can be used to identify a living person) is used to catalogue people who may have been in contact with an infected individual. Users could also check alert levels in their area, book a test, and check into venues by scanning a QR code.

How does the contact tracing app work?

The app requires the user to enter the first half of their postcode and records the model of their phone. Any users/phones they have been in contact with are recorded via Bluetooth. This is done by exchanging random ID numbers with other devices in the vicinity, which have the app downloaded. The user is then notified via Apple and Google’s Exposure Notification system. So the idea is, you sign into a place by scanning the QR code, and if someone else there later reports a positive test through the app, you would be notified.

The app has a 'centralized' model, meaning a central server belonging to an organisation is involved. Therefore, the NHS can use the data to track the spread of the infection. Recorded positive cases go straight to the central server, then the server can then alert app users that have encountered the positive case. Any data recorded would be deleted after 28 days.

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Pandemic Android: an overview of the recent NHS COVID19 app

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How successful has the app been so far?

For the app to be effective in stopping the pandemic, 56% of the UK population need to download it. So far, the app has been downloaded over 10 million times, with 460,000 businesses printing QR codes and users making 1.5 million venue check-ins. This is a positive response from the public, indicating that the app can be an effective and central feature of the Test and Trace program in monitoring and containing the spread of the virus.

However, the unprecedented amount of data collection by the Government raises ethical questions about data privacy rights. For instance, it has been reported that restaurants have been selling their customers’ names, addresses and phone numbers to the highest bidder (often credit and insurance companies).

Data hoarding is a significant problem with the centralised model. Data stored in the model is meant to be deleted after 28 days, but reported positive cases are kept for longer. Initially Public Health England wanted positive cases stored for 20 years, but campaigning from the Open Rights Group has reduced that to eight.

Germany moved from a centralised to a 'decentralised' model, meaning no central server is involved and everything happens on individual phones instead. This avoids less personal data being shared and ensures more protection over privacy.

Many users have also complained about false notifications from the app. Many have received a notification about possible exposure, with no follow up information regarding whether or not they should selfisolate. This faulty notification is due to differences in the iOS and Android operating systems, which NHSX cannot directly fix but has to work around due to server commitments. If this were a decentralised system, Google and Apple would have to guarantee its software’s compatibility with the different operating systems.

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COVID-19: Parallels with Past Pandemics Sarah Lloyd compares the COVID-19 pandemic with other notorious pandemics from across history.

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s it possible to think of COVID-19 and fall with the onset of the Antonine Plague. not think of the word ‘unprecedented’?

A legion of Roman soldiers enThe phrase has been adopted by journalists, countered what experts now believe to be politicians, and the public alike to describe smallpox as they returned from conquering recent times. In reality, humanity has faced Parthia (modern-day Iran). Unknowingly, numerous pandemics “despite this advance in medical throughout history. Although our medical knowknowledge, superstition and lucky ledge has expanded charms remain to this day.” considerably since the dark they brought the disease back to Rome. ages, there are striking similarities between the current pandemic and these plagues of From there, it spread to all areas of the emthe past. Furthermore, human nature in repire via the extensive network of Roman sponse to unknown disease remains conroads and trade routes. The Mediterranean stant. Can looking into these past coast was hit particularly hard as the residpandemics provide insight into our very ents bore no natural immunity to the own? pathogen. Overall, an estimated 60-70 million people died. One could argue that the Pandemics are inevitable in interconnectivity that led to the sucan interconnected world, ft. cess of the Roman Empire was in fact a double-edged sword. This imThe Antonine Plague: Recent advances in transportation pressive transport system was vital make it easier than ever before for humans in bringing the deadly disease to to travel across the world, but unfortuEurope. nately this also extends to the microbes we Border closures and travel restrictions have been introcarry. Thanks to air travel, COVID-19 was able to spread to all corners of the globe in duced in a bid to slow down less than 6 months. the spread of COVID-19.

In the past, rapid advances in internaHowever, these changes are tional travel have led to outbreaks of disnot sustainable for our naease. The Roman Empire is remembered tions’ infrastructure such as primarily for its successes: a large army, an crucial aspects like the global extensive empire, and the establishment of travel of goods and people. Does populous cities and trade routes around the this mean that further pandemworld. However, in 165–180 AD, these ics are inevitable? global conquests contributed to its down-

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Fear prompts desperate attempts for cures, ft. The Black Death: The Black Death (1346–1353 AD) was an outbreak of the bubonic plague (pathogen:Yersinia pestis) that spread across Eurasia and Africa, believed to have been carried by infected fleas. It was devastating, killing an estimated 75–200 million people.

No one knew what caused the disease.

However, people were desperate and turned to anything that might offer them protection. Supposed treatments included bloodletting, potions, and urine baths, there were even reports of people rubbing live chickens onto their wounds!

Although these ‘cures’ sound superstitious—and ridiculous—to a 21st century audience, let us consider what measures some have taken to combat COVID-19.

Homemade potions are still going strong: despite no scientific backing, the Western Indian state of Gujarat distributed the homeopathic drug Arsenicum Album-30 to over half of its residents. Similarly, a Community Church in South Korea believed administering salt water would ‘kill’ COVID-19. Ironically, the same spray bottle was used on all participants without proper sterilisation

COVID-19 Issue and, subsequently, 46 devotees contracted the virus. Let’s not forget amulets: in the U.S. alone, ‘Virus Shut Out Protection’ pendants, ‘anti-coronavirus mattresses’ and ‘5G BioShields’ all claim to protect users from the effects of the disease.

As for animal cures?

Peruvian governor Elmer Caceres Llica suggested that eating llama meat cures COVID19. In the Middle East, self-proclaimed ‘Islamic medicine specialist’ Mehdi Sabili claimed that camel urine should be consumed to the same effect.

Indian politician Swami Chakrapani maintained that a person should drink cow urine to be cured of COVID-19. But only if the cows were Indian.

We live in a technological revolution, with all the latest information readily available at our fingertips. Yet despite this advance in medical knowledge, superstition and lucky charms remain to this day.

Take-home message: Life in the 21st century is undeniably different to that of our ancestors. Our understanding of disease transmission and treatment has drastically improved.

Nowadays, you are more likely to die from a non-communicable illness such as heart disease than from a pathogenic plague.

However, viruses and bacteria continue to mutate, creating novel strains that pose a threat to modern society. In early 2020, humanity saw the rise of one such pathogen.

But there are some clear consistencies between COVID-19 and infamous pandemics from the distant past. One thing is for certain: COVID-19 is most definitely not ‘unprecedented’.

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Maria Sharif: Research Diaries Daisy Cave interviews Maria Sharif on how COVID-19 has affected her PhD and science communication.

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aria Sharif, founder of the Research Diaries blog on Instagram and YouTube, is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham. Maria’s research focuses on how the immune system can be stimulated to fight cancer she has recently returned to the lab following four months of working from home, due to the COVID-19 lockdown. In September 2020, she became a published equal first author in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. SATNAV interviewed Maria in September, after a busy day at the lab, to discuss her journey with science communication, as well as her experiences of overcoming rejection and how her field has been impacted by COVID-19.

You run a blog called Research Diaries, could you talk a bit about your journey in science communication?

‘Yes, so I did a Master's in Cancer Sciences, which is an MRes (a Research Masters). At some point, when I was doing a project in the lab, I was quite intrigued by my project and I really liked what I was doing. Instead of throwing it onto my personal Instagram I decided to start a separate Instagram account, where I can just talk about science and what it's like to work in the lab. Because, when I was going into science, I didn't really know what ‘Research Scientists’ actually did in the lab.

I didn't know anybody from that

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background and on the news, you only really hear “researchers have found this or this,” but you don't really see what they do and how they do it. So, I decided to start my Instagram and it's like a diary of my journey through science and at the same time, I try to break down the topic of my research and say what it is that I'm researching.

I think my blog is mainly aimed at undergraduate students, in Biomedical or Biological Sciences. I also want to try and do some more basic posts that are not just for scientists. I've tried it a couple of times, for example I did a post on “What is Cancer” in February. I just like sharing my enthusiasm for what I do and promoting research life, to say “this is what we do as scientists”.’

Speaking of outreach, there are a lot of new students about to start university, following the recent scandal with A Levels. Many may feel a sense of failure or rejection. Have you ever felt a similar way and do you have any words of advice or encouragement for new students?

‘Absolutely, in academia, I've been rejected a few times. My initial career plan was to do medicine. I didn't get the A level results that I wanted, so I didn’t get any offers to study medicine, but I ended up

COVID-19 Issue getting an offer for Biomedical Science at the University of Birmingham. It was the only offer I had, I didn't have any interviews for medicine, I just got rejected straight away and I was quite upset by that.

But, as I went through my biomedical science course, I realized that I really enjoyed it. I still planned to try and apply for medicine again at graduate entry level but still, I didn't even get an interview. It is actually fortunate that it didn't happen, because I'm really glad that I ended up liking science and staying in science. I'm really happy with where I am now and it isn’t something that I saw myself in when I was 16 or 17 and applying to university; I never even imagined that I would enjoy being in labs.

Being rejected: it's not the end of the world. Also, during my journey in science I've been rejected from some PhD programs and that was quite upsetting, but I ended up doing some work as a research technician and that was beneficial for my current PhD because I got to do some really exciting work that was directly related to the project that I'm doing now. I'm quite glad that all of those rejections happened, because now I’ve found something that I'm truly passionate about. Don't be disheartened by rejections, because you never know what those new opportunities will bring you.’

That is great advice, especially at the minute, about not comparing yourself with what other people are doing.

‘Exactly. That's another thing: everybody's different, even as a PhD student, everybody’s projects are different and they go at different paces. Some people get published during their PhD, some people don't. It's nice to look at others, but not to compare or think negatively of yourself. The main take home message is don't put yourself down.’

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Your PhD is lab-based: how did your routine shift when you were working from home and do you have any advice for students who are now having to work remotely for the first time?

‘Planning is the key here. The good thing about lockdown was the flexibility. I had a lot of time on my hands and I could do anything I wanted with it. What I liked doing was writing a plan the day before–I think planning is the main thing when you work from home. Obviously don't work 24/7, set yourself a time when you should finish working for the day and after that time you can do what you want. So balance your work with chill time. It's really important because otherwise you just end up being absorbed into work and will be quite overwhelmed by it all.’

Now that you are back in the lab, how is it different to before lockdown? What's the new normal like for you?

longer to plan and organise the work.

Now, we're more actively back. When we first started, I saw one or maybe two people from my team; it was very empty.

Whereas now, we’re getting back on track and we see each other more. We have our ‘team tea time’ in the middle of the day together, like before lockdown – but now socially distanced, obviously. We get to see each other more and talk about work, which is nice, but I've never seen the university this empty.’

There have been many news stories about how cancer has been indirectly impacted by the effects of COVID-19.

Have you heard any stories about that?

‘Not so much in my lab or services, but a lot of clinical trials have been suspended, including those testing new treatments for cancer, heart disease and other serious conditions. I think there's about 9000 trials suspended and 1500 have permanently closed. That's a lot of trials: that's thousands and thousands of patients we’re talking about here. People who are supposed to get the treatments that they signed up for on the trial are not going to get it and so their disease is going to progress. Thousands have also missed their

‘Initially, there were no more than two people in the group office, for my team.

When we first started we were encouraged to work from home if we didn’t have to be in the lab. In the lab, we have certain bays where people work and there's no more than one person per bay. There “Don't be disheartened by are about six of us who work in the lab, so we have to plan rejections, because you never around each other. We also know what those new have a lab where we do tissue opportunities will bring you.” culture (any kind of cellular work), normally two people can screenings as well as vital life saving work there, but now it's no more than one person. For my work in immunology, I treatments. It has been quite devastating to work with blood a lot. We get immune cells see, especially as I'm a cancer research from human blood, so you have to find the scientist, I'm passionate about patients donors and make sure they're available, getting the right care. COVID has taken and at the same time I have to find priority, and I wish I could say for certain, somebody who will take the blood. It takes “oh, yes, there's been progress in more planning in advance, and although I immunotherapy development,” but at the always try to find people in advance, not moment, unfortunately, it's just all kind of many people are in all the time nowadays, overshadowed by coronavirus. This year is due to all the rules in place, so it takes even really all about coronavirus, as much as I

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wish there was more to mention on cancer research. It is still happening, of course, but currently the battle with coronavirus has been highlighted more than anything else.

In academia, some funding applications have been delayed, because people in the funding bodies/committees are not working normally, due to the lockdown.

Also, PhD students had to have their projects extended and their funding extended, but it is quite nice, because they can come back after the lockdown and finish any work they haven't finished. I've been quite lucky in the sense that I'm only in my second year.

Maria's blog (Research Diaries) can be found at: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ research.diaries/?igshid=4soz60j50vqx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCm89PPLP2lmlEA6RrKPEDSw Twitter: https://twitter.com/ ResearchDiarie5

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Numerical models, the butterfly effect and COVID-19 Emma Willett dives into the usage of computer models and whether the models produce accurate enough results.

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OVID-19 and the associated lockdown tions which affect us all, the consequences measures have dominated our news are severe. for much of the last year. Among many Some experts have raised concerns new things brought to light by these about the precision with which the results strange and uncertain times, the use of of these models are reported, suggesting computational modelling in modern scithat they are misrepresented as definite ence has hit the headlines. No longer solely forecasts and should be treated with more of interest to research“Simplifying complex caution. The need for care is twofold. First, ers spending long hours nuanced results and making reliable predicilluminated by the glow of computer screens into black and white tions from any model refilled with endless lines quires a long, iterative statements is harmful� of code, these models process of comparing obhave been influential in the UK governservational data, identifying weak areas of the model and implementing improvement’s policy decisions throughout the pandemic. ments. Therefore, models are constantly Doing science on a computer is now updated as more data becomes available common practice across a wide range of and, while this is a natural part of the scientific process, the changing predictions disciplines, including medical research. In silico modelling complements the more can be confusing to the public or delibertraditional in vitro (experimenting in glass) ately distorted for political gain. and invivo (experimenting within a living Second, uncertainty is intrinsic to the organism) approaches and informs clinical problem of epidemic spread because it is decisions about everything from drug characterised by exponential growth. This design to surgery. It is also used to describe means that small differences in the initial and predict the spread of disease in a popuconditions are rapidly amplified, and the same model predicts a wide range of outlation and the consequences of any intervention. comes. Commonly referred to as the butterIt is important to remember, however, fly effect, this feature of exponential that the information derived from a model systems was initially described in relation is only as good as the model itself and to weather forecasting more than 50 presenting results without context can be years ago. Consequently, the reliability of extremely misleading. In the case of COVmodels decreases rapidly as you look furID-19 spread, where model predictions are ther into the future: while we may be able a major driver behind the rules and restricto predict what will happen in the next

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week-or-so, the possible predictions of the model diverge as we move to the medium or long-term.

Therefore, the real value of these models does not lie in sweeping predictions and definite statements, but in comparing the relative probability of different outcomes.

Ultimately, computational modelling cannot tell us how to solve the problems we face today. Though models can guide us by revealing the probable outcomes of our actions, hiding their limitations or overstating their results leads to poor decisions and a loss of confidence in otherwise sound science. Simplifying complex and nuanced results into black and white statements is harmful, and it is time to present the public with the inherent uncertainties. The idea is not so alien, we see the same thing every day in the weather forecast as the percentage chance of rain or reduced detail in the long-range projection.

Perhaps it is time for a COVID forecast, showing all the shades of grey, to help everyone understand the science behind the policy.

COVID-19 Issue

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Could COVID-19 revolutionise the daily commute? A review of the new e-scooter trials in the UK Matthew Morris recognises the use of e-scooters in response to travelling during COVID-19.

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ince the easing of lockdown and the beginning of a return to normality, an increasing number of people are returning to their places of work.

However, many commuters rely on public transport to get to their offices, something which the Government wants to avoid to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. One form of transportation which has taken the rest of Europe and the US by storm is the e-scooter. Similar to a traditional push scooter but with a battery-powered motor attached, the e-scooter seems like an interesting candidate to encourage people away from crowded buses and trains.

“The e-scooter seems like an interesting candidate to encourage people away from crowded buses and trains" The UK has been slow to adopt any change in policy to allow these e-scooters on to public streets; e-scooters have previously been banned from use on UK roads, cycleways or public footpaths, with use only permitted on private land. This is partly down to concerns regarding the safety of e-scooters - of both the rider as well as bystanders. There have been numerous incidences

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COVID-19 Issue

in cities such as Paris and Berlin regarding deaths associated with levels at 300% above normal at its peak during the pandemic. The e-scooters, with riders colliding with motor vehicles as well as move away from public transport has also clearly been seen, with collisions of riders with pedestrians. As well as abroad, accidents trips down 90% compared to pre-pandemic levels in April. have been reported in the UK with people illegally riding privately- Although this has climbed back up following lockdown easing, owned e-scooters on public roads. In July 2019, Emily Hartridge, a they are still nowhere close to pre-pandemic levels.

TV presenter and YouTube This major shift in personality, was killed after she commuter habits has "Although many doubt the usefulness of collided with a lorry while riding an e-scooter compared to a traditional bike, resulted in both her e-scooter in London. challenges and their popularity in other major European Despite the concerns cities is evident..." opportunities, but the over safety, the UK Government Government must tread had planned to start trials of rental e-scooters in 2021. However, in carefully when introducing new modes of transport to cities. Effort May, the Government announced that, specifically as a result of must be taken to make sure this new trend in private COVID-19, the trial of rental e-scooters would be brought forward transportation can be implemented safely and effectively. to summer 2020. The trial would include Birmingham, amongst other cities, but surprisingly not London. This new legislation only applies to rental e-scooters with licensed providers, making the use of privately-owned e-scooters still illegal on public roads. In Birmingham, the Swedish start-up Voi has been given the license to run e-scooter rental in the city. To be granted this license, they had to meet stringent new regulations outlined by the UK Government. To ride a rental e-scooter, you must possess a full or provisional UK driving license, have full motor insurance for the escooter (this is provided by the rental company) and have a speed restriction of 15.5 MPH, with a lower limit of 5 MPH in pedestrianised areas.

So, why is this significant? This is a major step by the Government into a new way to commute. Although many doubt the usefulness of an e-scooter compared to a traditional bike, their popularity in other major European cities is evident and this trial shows the Government is committed to introducing new forms of environmentally friendly transport. There is already evidence that people’s commutes have been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cycling has become much more popular than before, with cycling

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Adapting to the “New Normal”: Is Remote Research Here to Stay?

Katie Fegan reflects on the impact that COVID-19 has had on the UK’s academic research scene.

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n the world of academia, experimental research sits firmly at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation.

But what happens to research institutions when their members find themselves unexpectedly—and indefinitely—evicted from the laboratory following a global health crisis?

Postgraduate and early-career researchers have faced unprecedented disruptions to their work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are typically employed through short, fixed-term contracts; many feared that the virus would not only derail time-sensitive projects, but would also prompt a hiring freeze in an increasingly oversaturated job market. With all non-essential experimental work forced to a halt, researchers were tasked with maintaining productivity away from the bench. Now, seven months since UK universities first entered lockdown, it is time to reflect on the impact that COVID-19 has had on the country’s academic research scene.

Features such as Chemistry World’s ‘Chemists Amid Coronavirus’ offer insight into some of the practices adopted by research teams during the pandemic. Unable to collect new data, many used the unexpected respite from practical work to write existing data into research papers and grants. Meanwhile, others turned to tech-

nology as a means to contribute to science: webinars, podcasts, and even virtual reality-based learning environments have been developed to disseminate research and offer virtual training. The result? By shifting focus away from the lab, researchers have had the unique opportunity to learn new interdisciplinary skills. From coding in Python to creating your very own science blog, these resources are set to boost employability and generate higher quality re-

“academic productivity is not...confined to the four walls of the laboratory” search outcomes in the long-term.

The distribution of this content via social media, most notably on Twitter, has expanded pre-existing virtual communities to far beyond the reach of any institution.

Whilst this is clearly beneficial for scientific collaboration, hashtags such as #BlackinSTEM and #WomeninSTEM continues to provide minority researchers with a muchneeded platform for networking. The online community has also offered support to researchers during a time of uncertainty and physical isolation.

International conferences required radical changes to their format in response to sustained lockdowns and social distancing.

However, the switch to virtual meetings has left some questioning the need for physical symposia going forward. Too often, early career researchers are prevented from attending major conferences due

to the cost of travel and registration. In addition, many in-person events unintentionally discriminate against the needs of disabled academics. Live streaming and archiving presentations would ensure that cutting-edge research reaches the widest possible audience. Furthermore, less travel would dramatically reduce academia’s carbon footprint, arguably a necessary step in the fight against climate change.

As universities reopen their doors for the upcoming academic year, it is clear that research institutions have a social responsibility to integrate remote working into academic culture permanently, at least in some capacity. Of course, working remotely will never fully replace the need to obtain experimental data in the lab. Some will maintain that networking at physical conferences inspires ideas in a way that Zoom could never hope to emulate. Importantly, prolonged isolation from university support networks will have devastating consequences for mental health and wellbeing.

The events of 2020 have demonstrated that academic productivity is not, as was perhaps previously thought, confined to the four walls of the laboratory. Instead, the pandemic has provided some wellneeded food for thought on aspects of the old system that are, in many ways, long overdue a change. Moving forward, universities must embrace these changes to academic culture as their employees continue to navigate life through the midst of a global crisis.

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