Cell Biology

Cultivating co-existence and community: The Eritrean and Ethiopian Students’ Association – The Gateway Online

A University of Alberta student group is setting an example for their communities by creating solidarity between Eritrean and Ethiopian students on campus.

The Eritrean and Ethiopian Students Association (EESA) began in 2017 to address a growing Eritrean and Ethiopian student body. Jostina Johannes, fifth-year criminology student and EESA co-president, said the group was also created as a result of the self-love and celebration of blackness movements happening at the time.

There was a general consciousness around embracing yourself and it aligned with the natural hair movement too, she said. There was this general societal celebration of self and in the wake of those times, EESA was born.

In embracing their culture and identity, Johannes said starting the group also served to undermine a negative stigma surrounding Ethiopia and Eritrea resulting from the 1980s Ethiopian famine.

To the public, some people still view [Ethiopia and Eritrea] through that negative stigma of the hut and the flies, she said. Yes there was a drought, but were more than that.

Bethel Seyoum, fifth-year psychology and vice-president (secretary) added the group was created to allow first-generation Ethiopian and Eritrean students space to discuss navigating their culture with their Canadian identity.

Were kind of in a weird as first-generation kids, so creating a space where we all understand ourselves in our communities, theres not really a space like that, Seyoum said. [The EESA] is our way of creating that.

Creating a combined Eritrean and Ethiopian association may seem like a small decision, but in the context of the two countries histories, creating the EESA was a large step forward.

As EESA explained, Ethiopia and Eritrea were once the same country, but split after conflict. This separation, however, has created a lot of friction between the two communities. In spite of this, the EESSA wanted to put their older generations disputes to bed.

In our parents generation there were a lot of animosities between the two countries but for us, I think were much more open-minded because we see similarities between each other, Seyoum said.

I remember going to Heritage [Festival] as a kid and there was an Eritrean Pavillion, she continued. I was so confused because it was the same clothes and the same food as [Ethiopians]. [The division] wasnt really talked about much, I didnt even know [Eritrea] existed.

Despite the tension in the older generations, Elfas Johannes, third-year civil engineering student and EESA event planner and community outreach coordinator, finds that a major bonding site for the group is discovering how similar their parents actually are.

It seems like all of our parents are more-or-less the same and you can connect over it, laugh over it, Elfas Johannes said. Its a nice space to allow people to open up.

As the first group in Edmonton to join members from the two communities, EESA often finds that a majority of their event attendees are not only from the U of A, but also come from NAIT, MacEwan University, and even high schools in the city.

There are definitely movements [for reconciliation] online, but in Edmonton we are revolutionary, Jostina Johannes said. There isnt anything like this in the city, so its a safe space for anyone.

Divisions, however, go beyond just the two countries. According to the ESSA, politics, cultural groups, religion can also be very divisive issues in the greater Eritrean and Ethiopian communities.

For Natnael Abate, third-year cell biology student and the other co-president of EESA, leaving these kinds of labels at the door is a key tenet of the group.

The main goal is to appreciate both cultures, share knowledge and explore the similarities between [all of us], he said. Its about bonding without certain barriers.

In fostering co-existence and unity, the EESA holds various events throughout the year, open to anyone who wants to learn more about Ethiopian and Eritrean culture.

The event Injera and Chill is a cornerstone event for the group. This annual event centres around showcasing Eritrea and Ethiopias traditional dish injera, alongside games, dancing, and performances.

Its an opportunity to get a literal and metaphorical taste of our Eritrean and Ethiopian culture, Elfas Johannes said.

Beyond that, the EESA also collaborates with the Teddy Outreach Foundation to create a mentorship program for Eritrean and Ethiopian youth in the city. The group is also planning to create an Edmonton version of the popular Eritrean and Ethiopian meme account BunaTime and a Valentines Day matchmaking event called Habaesha, a play on the colloquial term Habesha.

For Natnael Abate and Elfas Johannes, participating in the EESA provides them with the opportunity to learn more about their culture and themselves.

You dont feel alone, there are familiar faces out there that you can interact with, Abate said.In the past few years I havent been following up on my culture, but [being in EESA] gives your initiative to start learning more about it.

Ive been gaining a better understanding of myself, where I come from and where I want to go, Elfas Johannes said. I think its rooting me Im embracing my culture, Im identifying with it, Im learning more about my culture with every single interaction I have.

I need to learn about where I came from because ultimately, I need to know where I came from to know where Im going.

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Cultivating co-existence and community: The Eritrean and Ethiopian Students' Association - The Gateway Online

Cell Biology

MicroRNA Exhibit Unexpected Function in Driving Cancer – Newswise

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Nature Communications

Newswise PHILADELPHIA -- Researchers long thought that only one strand of a double-stranded microRNA can silence genes. Though recent evidence has challenged that dogma, its unclear what the other strand does, and how the two may be involved in cancer. New research from Thomas Jefferson University has revealed that both strands of some microRNA coordinate to act on the same cancer pathways, across multiple cancers, to drive aggressiveness and growth two hallmarks of poor prognosis for cancer patients.

This coordination of activity is really surprising, says senior author Christine M. Eischen, PhD, professor and Vice Chair of the department of Cancer Biology at Jefferson and co-leader of the Molecular Biology and Genetics program at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC) Jefferson Health. We know that the strands dont hit the same target sequences. But despite that fact, we see that they are working together.

Researchers have not paid much attention to the both sides of microRNA, in part because reagents created to probe microRNAs were aimed at only one strand, so as a field, we werent looking at the whole picture, says Dr. Eischen.

The work was published in Nature Communications, February 20th, 2020.

First author Ramkrishna Mitra, PhD, a Research Instructor in Dr. Eischens lab, started by using a computational approach that allowed him to search for both strands of the microRNA. Our data showed that one strand of many of the pairs were not degraded as previously thought. We saw large numbers of both pairs in many cancers, says Dr. Mitra.

Looking at data from 5200 cancer patient samples from 14 cancer types, the researchers found 26 microRNA pairs that both appeared either more active and abundant or less active and abundant across multiple cancers.

We then narrowed our search for the biggest effects, says Eischen. Dr. Mitra developed a new computational biology approach, in part, through the analysis of the genes essential for cancer cell survival and growth across 290 cancer cell lines to identify the pathways both microRNA pairs impacted across multiple cancer types. The researchers also determined which microRNA pairs had a bigger impact on driving or suppressing cancer growth together than either strand alone.

They found two pairs, named miR-30a and miR-145 that fit the bill. Each pair has different target genes, but the targets hit the same cancer pathways, says Dr. Eischen. These microRNAs help keep cancers in check as seen both in patient data and in tumor cell lines. As a result, many cancers, such as kidney, lung, breast, become more aggressive when they lose these microRNAs and this impacts patient survival.

To validate the findings of their computational work, the researchers replicated what they found using an experimental approach. They forced expression of miR-145 and miR-30a in lung cancer cell lines, which reduced the cancers aggressive traits, specifically its growth and migration.

The SKCC has a longstanding history of discovery related to small RNA function in cancer, and Dr. Eischens breakthroughs have significant potential for understanding both tumor development and tumor progression, says Karen Knudsen, PhD, Executive Vice President of Oncology Services at Jefferson Health, and the Enterprise Director of the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Jefferson Health, one of only 71 NCI-designated cancer centers in the US.

Support for this study was provided by NCI R01CA177786, the Pellini Foundation, the Herbert A. Rosenthal endowed chair, NCI Cancer Center core grant P30CA056036 that supports the MetaOmics core facility and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center.

Article Reference: Ramkrishna Mitra, Clare M. Adams, Wei Jiang, Evan Greenawalt, and Christine M. Eischen, Pan-cancer analysis reveals cooperativity of both strands of microRNA that regulate tumorigenesis and patient survival, Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14713-2, 2020.

Media Contact: Edyta Zielinska, 215-955-7359, edyta.zielinska@jefferson.edu.

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MicroRNA Exhibit Unexpected Function in Driving Cancer - Newswise

Cell Biology

Caribou Biosciences and ProMab Biotechnologies Announce Sale and Assignment Agreement for Humanized scFv Targeting BCMA – BioSpace

Feb. 19, 2020 13:00 UTC

BERKELEY, Calif. & RICHMOND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Caribou Biosciences, Inc., a leading CRISPR genome editing company, and ProMab Biotechnologies, Inc., a biotechnology CRO/CDMO specializing in antibody engineering and CAR-T development, today announced a sale and assignment agreement under which Caribou gains access to a ProMab humanized single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the B Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) for use in allogeneic engineered cell therapies. Caribou intends to utilize this scFv in the development of its CB-011 program, an allogeneic CAR-T therapy targeting BCMA-positive tumors including multiple myeloma.

We are excited for the opportunity to have access to this highly advanced, humanized molecule and believe it will significantly advance our promising CB-011 CAR-T program, said Steven Kanner, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer of Caribou.

We anticipate that our humanized BCMA scFv will aid greatly in Caribous efforts to further its allogeneic CAR-T program, and hope our technology continues to improve the field of preclinical and clinical stage immunotherapy research by providing broad choices of validated antibodies, said John Wu, MD, Chief Executive Officer of ProMab.

Under the terms of the agreement, ProMab received an upfront payment and is eligible for royalties on net sales of licensed products containing the BCMA scFv.

About Caribou Biosciences, Inc. Caribou is a leading company in CRISPR genome editing founded by pioneers of CRISPR-Cas9 biology. The company is developing an internal pipeline of off-the-shelf CAR-T cell therapies, other gene-edited cell therapies, and engineered gut microbes. Additionally, Caribou offers licenses to its CRISPR-Cas9 foundational IP in multiple fields including research tools, internal research use, diagnostics, and industrial biotechnology. Interested companies may contact Caribou at licensing@cariboubio.com. For more information about Caribou, visit http://www.cariboubio.com and follow the Company @CaribouBio. Caribou Biosciences and the Caribou logo are registered trademarks of Caribou Biosciences, Inc.

About ProMab Biotechnologies, Inc. ProMab Biotechnologies focuses on developing and commercializing mouse, rabbit, and human monoclonal antibodies as well as chimeric antigen receptor-T Cell (CAR-T) products. ProMabs CAR-T platform covers both hematological and solid cancers with intensive in vitro and in vivo pre-clinical validation designed for safer and better treatment. As a CRO in the immunology field for 19 years, ProMab offers standard laboratory procedures and animal studies for antibody discovery through the integration of the newest techniques in antibody library construction, next generation sequencing, unique humanization modeling, high-throughput screening, and artificial intelligence analysis systems. ProMab aims to out-license antibodies validated in CAR-T therapy in the preclinical stage or to bring CAR-T technologies to the early stage market of clinical study. ProMab has partnered with top biotechnology startups, medical institutions, and pharmaceutical companies to advance the development of cell therapies as well as bispecific antibodies targeting multiple cancers. For more information, visit http://www.promab.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200219005112/en/

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Physiology

From the lab to the gym: U of T Mississauga physiology students receive hands-on experience – News@UofT

A group ofundergraduate physiology students at the University of Toronto Mississaugaare ditching their lab coats in favour of gym clothes.

The students are hitting the gym and getting their hearts pumping for a fourth-year course created and taught byBryan Stewart, a professor in the department of biology and cell and systems biology. The course relies on a first-time partnership with the Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre (RAWC).

Every second week, the students head to the RAWC for their lab, where they use a myriad of tests to measure physiological responses to activity, including blood pressure and respiratory output. Each session has a specific component; one week students might use electrocardiograms,the next they may learn about respiratory volume.

Students analyze the data theyve collected during the weeks between labs.

Students measure respiratory volume during a fourth-year physiology lab held at the RAWC (photo by Drew Lesiuczok)

It is the only course on campus like this, says Stewart, noting the hands-on experience is useful not only for for students heading into the medical field, but for anyone who wants to speak intelligently with health-care providers about electrocardiograms or gas levels when they, or their relatives, receive care.

It is important they are exposed to this, Stewart says.

Athulya Ajith, a fourth-year biology and psychology student, signed up, in part, because she had never gone to the RAWC to work out and this was one way to stay fit and healthy while also learning new skills.

The equipment is cool to see, she says, adding that the lab gives her a chance to see results on an actual subject and gives her exposure to testing equipment before she goes to medical school.

Stewart, who recently completed a one-year leave after serving as the vice-principal, research at U of T Mississauga, developed the class as a natural continuation of the third-year physiology class he previously taught.

I have always wanted to do a lab course, says Stewart, whose first degree was in human kinetics. The third-year class is a foundational physiology course, Stewart says, while the focus of this new course is about adaptations to a variety of environments.

Students use exercise and activity to learn about adaptation, such as examining how someones physiology adapts when training, or answering questions like why a resting heart rate decreases over time with exercise. The focus, Stewart says, is what happens on a physiological level.

Stewart says the partnership with the RAWC is new for both the gym and the academic arm of the university. The RAWC not only gives students access to exercise equipment, but provides them with a real-world environment where they have to troubleshoot or work around other users.

I am really happy with the level of support Ive gotten both from my department and from the deans office, Stewart says, adding that he plans to continue the course in upcoming years.

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From the lab to the gym: U of T Mississauga physiology students receive hands-on experience - News@UofT

Physiology

How the time of day affects global brain fluctuations? – Tech Explorist

Circadian rhythms govern diverse aspects of physiology, including sleep/wake cycles, cognition, gene expression, temperature regulation, and endocrine signaling. Similarly, studies of brain function in both humans and animals have documented time of daydependent variation at multiple scales of brain organization.

Despite the clear influence of circadian rhythms on physiology, most studies of brain function do not report or consider the impact of time of day on their findings.

A new study suggests that the strength of the brains global signal fluctuation shows an unexpected decrease as the day progresses.

Scientists analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of approximately 900 subjects who were scanned between 8 am and 10 pm on two different days as part of the Human Connectome Project.

Various investigations have indicated that the brains global signal changes more unequivocally when one is drowsy (for example, after inadequate rest) and changes less when one is progressively alert (for example, after espresso).

Based on known circadian variation in sleepiness, the authors speculated that global signal fluctuation would be lowest in the morning, increment in the mid-afternoon, and dip in the early evening.

Instead, they observed a combined decline in global signal fluctuation as the day progressed. This global decline was generally conspicuous in visual and somatosensory brain regions, which are known for communicating dynamic fluctuations inside people after some time.

Over the entire mind, time of day was additionally connected with marked diminishes in resting-state functional connectivitythe associated action between various brain regions when no specific task is being performed.

Csaba Orban, the first author of the study, said, We were surprised by the size of the overall time-of-day effects since the global fMRI signal is affected by many factors and there is substantial variation across individuals. At the present moment, we dont have a good explanation of the directionality of our findings. However, the fact that we also observed slight time-of-day-associated variation in the breathing patterns of participants suggests that we may also need to consider clues outside of the brain to understand these effects fully.

Based on the study, scientists suggest that time of day of fMRI scans and other experimental protocols and measurements, as this could help account for between-study variation in results and potentially even failure to replicate findings.

Thomas Yeo, the studys senior author, said, We hope these findings will motivate fellow neuroscientists to give more consideration to potential effects of time of day on measures of brain activity, especially in other large-scale studies where subjects are often scanned throughout the day for logistical reasons.

The study is published in the journal PLOS Biology.

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How the time of day affects global brain fluctuations? - Tech Explorist

Physiology

Time of day influences brains global signal fluctuation – News-Medical.net

Feb 19 2020

As the day progresses, the strength of the brains global signal fluctuation shows an unexpected decrease, according to a study published on February 18 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Csaba Orban and a multi-disciplinary team of scientists from the Faculty of Engineering, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and N.1 Institute of Health at the National University of Singapore.

The negative association between time of day and brain signal fluctuations was strongest in visual and somatosensory regions. Image Credit: Csaba Orban, CC BY

Circadian rhythms govern diverse aspects of physiology including sleep/wake cycles, cognition, gene expression, temperature regulation, and endocrine signaling. But despite the clear influence of circadian rhythms on physiology, most studies of brain function do not report or consider the impact of time of day on their findings.

To address this gap in knowledge, the team analyzed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data of approximately 900 subjects who were scanned between 8 am and 10 pm on two different days as part of the Human Connectome Project (HCP; http://www.humanconnectomeproject.org/). Multiple studies have shown that the brains global signal fluctuates more strongly when one is drowsy (e.g. after insufficient sleep), and fluctuates less when one is more alert (e.g. after coffee). Based on known circadian variation in sleepiness, the authors hypothesized that global signal fluctuation would be lowest in the morning, increase in the mid-afternoon and dip in the early evening.

Instead, they observed a cumulative decrease in global signal fluctuation as the day progressed. This global decrease was most prominent in visual and somatosensory brain regions, which are known for expressing dynamic fluctuations within individuals over time. Across the whole brain, time of day was also associated with marked decreases in resting-state functional connectivity the correlated activity between different brain regions when no explicit task is being performed.

We were surprised by the size of the overall time-of-day effects, since the global fMRI signal is affected by many factors and there is substantial variation across individuals. At the present moment we dont have a good explanation of the directionality of our findings. However, the fact that we also observed slight time-of-day-associated variation in the breathing patterns of participants suggests that we may also need to consider clues outside of the brain to fully understand these effects.

Csaba Orban, first author of the study

Based on the findings, the authors recommend that researchers explicitly report the time of day of fMRI scans and other experimental protocols and measurements, as this could help account for between-study variation in results and potentially even failure to replicate findings.

We hope these findings will motivate fellow neuroscientists to give more consideration to potential effects of time of day on measures of brain activity, especially in other large-scale studies where subjects are often scanned throughout the day for logistical reasons."

Thomas Yeo, studys senior author

This work is one of the first studies to come out of the recently established Centre for Sleep and Cognition at the National University of Singapore. The Centres director, Michael Chee, a co-author of this study, believes the results will stir broader interest in the effects of time of day or circadian variation on human physiology.

Source:

Journal reference:

Orban, C., et al. (2020) Time of day is associated with paradoxical reductions in global signal fluctuation and functional connectivity. PLOS Biology. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3000602.

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Physiology

How low oxygen levels in the heart can cause arrhythmias – Futurity: Research News

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New research reveals the underlying mechanism for a dangerous heart disorder in which low oxygen levels in the heart produce life-threatening arrhythmias.

The discovery, made with human heart muscle cells derived from pluripotent stem cells, offers new targets for therapies aimed at preventing sudden death from heart attack.

Our research shows that within seconds, at low levels of oxygen (hypoxia), a protein called small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is linked to the inside of the sodium channels which are responsible for starting each heartbeat, says Steve A. N. Goldstein, vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of California, Irvine and professor in the School of Medicine departments of pediatrics and physiology and biophysics.

And, while SUMOylated channels open as they should to start the heartbeat, they re-open when they should be closed. The result is abnormal sodium currents that predispose to dangerous cardiac rhythms.

Every heartbeat begins when sodium channels open and ions to rush into heart cellsthis starts the action potential that causes the heart muscle to contract. When functioning normally, the sodium channels close quickly after opening and stay closed. After that, potassium channels open, ions leave the heart cells, and the action potential ends in a timely fashion, so the muscle can relax in preparation for the next beat.

If sodium channels re-open and produce late sodium currents, as observed in this study with low oxygen levels, the action potential is prolonged and new electrical activity can begin before the heart has recovered risking dangerous, disorganized rhythms.

Fifteen years ago, the Goldstein group reported SUMO regulation of ion channels at the surface of cells. It was an unexpected finding because the SUMO pathway had been thought to operate solely to control gene expression in the nucleus.

This new research shows how rapid SUMOylation of cell surface cardiac sodium channels causes late sodium current in response to hypoxia, a challenge that confronts many people with heart disease, says Goldstein. Previously, the danger of late sodium current was recognized in patients with rare, inherited mutations of sodium channels that cause cardiac Long QT syndrome, and to result from a common polymorphism in the channel we identified in a subset of babies with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The information gained through the current study offers new targets for therapeutics to prevent late current and arrhythmia associated with heart attacks, chronic heart failure, and other life-threatening low oxygen cardiac conditions.

The National Institutes of Health funded the study, which appears in Cell Reports.

Source: UC Irvine

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Physiology

New group created to highlight centenary of Aberdeen pioneer of insulin and help find a cure for diabetes – Press and Journal

A new voluntary organisation has been established in Aberdeenshire to help tackle the scourge of type 1 diabetes.

The JDRF group, based in Westhill, which meets for the time tomorrow, is planning a series of events to commemorate the discovery of insulin in 1921 by a trio of scientists.

Among their number was John MacLeod, a former Aberdeen Grammar School pupil, who studied at Aberdeen University before going on to win the Nobel Prize.

And the Macleod Centenary Group has been set up to support JDRF in its mission to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

It comprises a broad range of people across many organisations, including Aberdeen University and Aberdeen FC, who have pledged to mark the centenary by raising the profile of JDRF, awareness of type 1 diabetes and the significance of insulin.

Carol Kennedy, regional fundraiser in Scotland for JDRF, which is the worlds leading type 1 diabetes research charity, said it was important to recognise Mr MacLeods place in history and use his achievements as the catalyst for making new scientific breakthroughs in the future.

She told the Press and Journal: We want to ensure that as many people as possible realise the vital contribution John MacLeod made in helping so many people with diabetes through his pioneering work with insulin.

The charity exists to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its many complications.

At a global level, our volunteers and staff have already been responsible for raising more than 1 billion to support research.

But we know there is still a lot of work to be done and the latest projections estimate an increasing number of young people are being diagnosed with this.

It is a chronic condition, one which has a lifelong impact on those who are affected by it and their families.

We want to spread the word and ensure we do all we can to search for solutions.

We will be holding a series of meetings throughout the year leading up to when JDRF will be marking the anniversary in 2021.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which cannot be prevented and is not linked to lifestyle factors.

People with the condition rely on multiple insulin injections or pump infusions every day just to stay alive.

It normally strikes children and stays with them for the rest of their lives. In the UK, it affects about 400,000 people in the UK, 29,000 of them children.

In Scotland, it impacts 32,000 people in Scotland, 6,000 of them children.

Further information is available at http://www.jdrf.org.uk.

John James Rickard MacLeod was born in Dunkeld in Perthshire in 1876, but soon after his birth, his clergyman father, Robert, was transferred to Aberdeen and the family relocated.

He attended Aberdeen Grammar School and, after being recognised as an intellectually gifted youngster, entered Marischal College at Aberdeen University to study medicine.

MacLeod moved to Canada upon graduating and became director of physiology at Toronto University, where he became interested in research on patients with diabetes.

Insulin was developed during his time there in 1921, after he had engaged in groundbreaking work with students Frederick Banting and Charles Best.

Following their collaboration, MacLeod received a Nobel Prize along with Banting, although he and the latter subsequently fell-out over their rival claims of who had contributed most to the discovery.

He returned to Scotland in 1928 to become Regius Professor of Physiology at Aberdeen University and later became Dean of the University of Aberdeen Medical Faculty.

He died in 1935 and is buried in Aberdeen. There is also a plaque near his old house.

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New group created to highlight centenary of Aberdeen pioneer of insulin and help find a cure for diabetes - Press and Journal

Physiology

Lawmakers hear emotional testimony but take no action on transgender – 6 On Your Side

Originally posted on IdahoEdNews.org on February 19, 2020

Supporters called it a matter of fairness. Opponents called it government-ordered discrimination and state-sanctioned exploitation.

Restricting transgender girls and women from playing in school sports could subject young people to invasive physical exams, innuendo and bullying and outing, said the opponents. How many lives need to be harmed or lost? asked Jen Moore, a licensed professional counselor.

Forcing girls and women to compete against, and lose to, boys and men could drive female athletes to take their lives, said Brian Stutzman, an Idaho Falls father. To allow XYers to play in an XX world is not fair to either group, said Stutzman, referring to the chromosomal differences between the genders.

After 90 minutes of emotional testimony, lawmakers took no action Wednesday. The House State Affairs Committee will take up the transgender athletics bill again Thursday, and could vote.

House Bill 500 which sponsors have titled it Fairness in Womens Sports Act would ban transgender girls and women from competing in girls and womens sports. Rep. Barbara Ehardt, the bills House sponsor, said her bill followed the spirit of Title IX, the landmark federal policy that opened intercollegiate athletics to female athletes.

We absolutely should not be going backwards, said Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, a former college basketball player and coach. We should not be giving up these opportunities to boys and men, because they already have these opportunities.

Sen. Mary Souza, HB 500s co-sponsor and a critical care nurse, focused on physiology. Men have denser and stronger bones, tendons and ligaments and greater lung capacity. While the female pelvis is shaped for delivering a child, the male pelvis is shaped differently which gives boys and men an inherent advantage in track.

Science and common sense tells us that males are physically stronger than females, said Souza, R-Coeur dAlene.

The balance of testimony came from opponents who focused on the emotional toll HB 500 could exact.

One speaker read testimony on behalf of Chris Mosier, a Chicago-based transgender triathlete. In his testimony, Mosier challenged the notion that anyone would change gender simply to dominate in athletics. We need to call this bill what it is: a dangerous attack on young people.

Oliver Cowan, a Boisean who began his gender transition at age 23, disputed the notion that people change genders casually or quickly. That just isnt how it works. The transition is long and difficult, he said, and denying students the ability to play in sports would only complicate the process.

Transgender students already live and go to school in Idaho, ACLU Idaho policy director Kathy Griesmyer said. They should have the same chances to succeed and thrive.

Griesmyer said her group will sue if HB 500 passes saying the bill is discriminatory and represents an invasion of student privacy.

Committee members had pointed questions Wednesday, which could signal their leanings as a committee vote looms.

Im curious as to how you would define a woman, Rep. Julianne Young, R-Blackfoot, asked Griesmyer.

Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, asked Griesmyer if the ACLU had considered the science of the issue when it reviewed HB 500. Griesmyer said her group focuses on legal and constitutional issues.

Other questions focused on the physicians examination that would be used to determine gender. Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello, asked Ehardt if students would be subject to pelvic examinations; Ehardt said the process would glean information from non-invasive blood and urine samples. Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, asked whether student-athletes already have to get a physical before competing. They do.

Rep. Brooke Green, D-Boise, questioned whether HB 500 is needed in the first place. She asked Ehardt if anyone has ever challenged an Idaho student-athletes eligibility, based on gender.

At this point, that has not happened, but it is just around the corner.

Committee members heard essentially the same thing from Ty Jones, executive director of the Idaho High School Athletics Association, the states governing body for school sports. Invited to speak by Green, Jones said the IHSAA has never received an eligibility appeal based on student gender.

IHSAA policy allows transgender girls to participate in girls sports, after completing at least 12 months of hormone treatment. Otherwise, transgender girls must compete in boys sports.

HB 500 is one of several bills on transgender policy before the Legislature this year. Ultimately, the last word on any of these bills belongs to Gov. Brad Little.

Meeting with reporters at an Idaho Press Club breakfast Wednesday morning, Little suggested the transgender bills might relate more to national trends than anything taking place in Idaho. He said he hasnt seen the bills and did not tip his hand, but added, Im not a big discrimination guy.

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Lawmakers hear emotional testimony but take no action on transgender - 6 On Your Side

Cell Biology

Journal of Cell Biology | Rockefeller University Press

Matthus Mittasch, Vanna M. Tran, Manolo U. Rios, Anatol W. Fritsch, Stephen J. Enos, Beatriz Ferreira Gomes, Alec Bond, Moritz Kreysing, Jeffrey B. Woodruff

Centrosomes withstand microtubule-mediated forces during spindle assembly, yet they are disassembled by similar forces during mitotic exit. Mittasch et al. use nanorheology to probe the material properties of centrosomes and how they change during the cell cycle. In anaphase, the centrosome scaffold becomes weak and brittle, thus allowing force-induced disassembly.

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Journal of Cell Biology | Rockefeller University Press