A few weeks ago, Scientists Without Borders participated in the United Nations Global Youth Assembly, "The UNWIRED GENERATION - Youth Leveraging Technology for the Millenium Development Goals." Hundreds of delegates between the ages of 16-25 and from countries around the world gathered together to discuss how mobile technologies ranging from Twitter, viral videos, mobile applications, and crowdsourcing can topple oppressive governments, locate refugees, and generate
solutions to pressing global health problems. In panels and workshops, Scientists Without Borders presented on using "Collaborative Platforms for Expert Innovations" in the area of global health.
Among the many topics discussed at the Assembly, a common theme emerged: technology is a powerful tool, but human relationships generate and implement the solutions. This newsletter continues that spirit. We want to give you more opportunities to participate in meaningful science challenges, to share what you do to advance science without borders (whether it’s photos or lab equipment), and discuss with us and each other the intersection between social networks and science.
We hope to hear from you.
Warmest regards,
Shaifali
Shaifali Puri
Challenges from the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health
At Scientists Without Borders, we like to highlight the work of colleagues trying to address global development challenges through open innovation. Canada’s McLaughlin-Rotman Centre for Global Health just released a report on agro-biotechnology in Africa and it seemed like an opportune moment to mention that the McLaughlin-Rotman Centre also hosts the Grand Challenges Canada program.
Grand Challenges Canada seeks to end early childhood mortality in the developing world via sponsoring challenges and offering scientific, technological, business, and social solutions.
Click if you would like to learn more about the Grand Challenges Canada program or try your hand at offering a solution.
We Want to See You in Action! Submit your Photos, Videos, Blogs for a Chance to Win Cash Prizes!
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but ourFacebook page is… a little empty. We’d like to see you in action—whether it’s testing water quality in the field, teaching students, examining specimens in the lab, meeting partners, or your innovations being deployed in communities around the world.
Scientists Without Borders is hosting a contest to highlight your best photography, writing and videos on our site, on Facebook, and via this newsletter. Share you what you and your organization does to advance science without borders.
Please submit only content that you have permission to share and credit any supporting colleagues or organizations. The winning submissions will be highlighted on our website, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and in this newsletter!
Submit all content to our Facebook page, by Friday, February 10, 2012. We’ll vote over 10 days until Monday, February 20, 2012 (simply like your favorite content) and Scientists Without Borders announce the winners online and in the next newsletter.
Prizes Include:
$100 first place and $50 second place prizes for:
- Photos of you and your innovations in action (high resolution images please)
- Your best article or blog posts on scientific innovation, collaboration and global development (send links).
$250 first place and a $100 second place prizes for:
- Videos of you, your technology, or your organization at work (send links)
*Photo Above: Northwestern University’s Earth Team: Eneda Hoxha, Simeon Bogadnov, Toan Phan, and Chris Wilmer—third place winners of Scientists Without Borders’ Maternal and Health and Nutrition Challenge.
Do You Have Items or Expertise You Can Offer on the Exchange?
Perhaps the holiday season brought you a new notebook computer and you’re wondering what to do with your older machine. Did your lab buy a new microscope at the end of the calendar year? Did you just replace the automated external defibrillators in your office? Have you resolved to volunteer more in 2012? Consider donating your time, expertise or equipment through our Exchange.
On the other side of the coin, if you need a specific protocol, a professional connection, or a new devise, please feel free to request them via the Exchange.
The Exchange is the place to offer resources you have or to find those you need. Please remember that Scientists Without Borders does not get involved in the transfer, execution, or delivery of any resources posted or requested through the exchange. To view all items, or to post your own, click here.
Photo Credit: Flickr, icoro.photos
Book club: What do you read?
Scientists Without Borders is starting a biweekly "book" club and discussion. The selections won’t always be book-length, but we hope to foster a discussion about science, technology, development, and open innovation.
So, if you’ve ever wanted to read
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks but needed some peer pressure to do it, if you just drafted a paper and want peer comments, if your colleague has a clever blog, pass on your suggestions!
Our first selection is Thomas Lin’s
New York Times article "
Cracking Open the Scientific Process."
Here are a few questions to guide our reading:
- Does the peer-review process encourage or curtail your participation in open science?
- Do you participate in science-based social networks? If so, how do you use them? If not, what are barriers to your participation?
- How do you obtain prestige and peer-recognition when you participate in scientific exchange outside the journal/peer-review system?
Post your answers in the blog!
Upcoming FREE Webinars Presented by The New York Academy of Sciences
Dual Use Research: H5N1 Influenza Virus and Beyond
Thursday, February 2, 2012 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (EST)
*For FREE access to this webinar, enter Code SWB2012H5N1 (all in caps) when registering.
The US National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity recently recommended that Nature and Science ask the authors of highly controversial studies with the avian influenza virus, H5N1, to remove certain methodological details. This perceived censorship, which aimed to minimize the risk of these findings being misused by would-be bioterrorists, is unprecedented and has sparked heated controversy in the scientific community. A discussion between scientists, publishers and legal experts will explore the myriad issues surrounding the impending publication of these two studies and measures that will need to be undertaken to ensure the safety and security of future such research.
Chemical Biology of Infectious Diseases: TB, Toxins, and Biofilms
Thursday, February 9, 2012 | 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM (EST)
*For FREE access to this webinar, enter Code SWB2012CHEMBIO (all in caps) when registering.
This symposium will cover topics important in infectious disease, discussed on a molecular level. We will examine mechanisms by which bacteria coordinate group behavior, including biofilm formation and virulence, using small molecule signal transduction pathways; strategies for detecting pathogens, including as weapons of biological warfare; and structure- and function-based approaches to the development of practical new medical treatments.
