JACST：Online Press Webinar The Seven Samurai of Science ~Confronting Global Challenges~ | 公益財団法人フォーリン・プレスセンター（FPCJ）

Japan Association of Communication for Science and Technology (JACST)

JACST：Online Press Webinar The Seven Samurai of Science ~Confronting Global Challenges~

2021.02.16

JACST：Online Press Webinar

The Seven Samurai of Science

~Confronting Global Challenges~

Learn about the latest top-level research in COVID-19, ecology, aging society, natural disaster, space, cultural resources -

February 4, 2021

Japan Association of Communication for Science and Technology (JACST)

International Public Relations Group

Japan Association of Communication for Science and Technology (JACST) will hold an online webinar on February 18, for the press to introduce "The Seven Samurai of Science ~Confronting Global Challenges~".

This press webinar is an opportunity for researchers from scientific research institutes and universities including Osaka City University, Shinshu University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama National University, and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan to introduce their latest research.

The novel coronavirus pandemic has caused us to re-examine life, our ways of living, and the future of humanity. It has increased people's expectations for science and the humanities to build a better future.

Join our global online press webinar introducing research topics from Japan that we believe will lead the world in addressing global issues in an easy-to-understand manner. See below for further information.

【Research Topics and speakers】

１．Research on COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases

(Yasutoshi Kido, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University)

In 2020, the entire human race witnessed that infectious diseases heeds no border. However, the speed of innovation, developing of a vaccine in just one year, symbolizes the progress of science. We have been conducting research on malaria and other neglected tropical diseases endemic to the Congo and Kenya as we believe these locations serve as the front line of international infectious diseases. We will introduce the progress of our translational research by showing molecular markers for some of the results of our research, as well as countermeasures against COVID-19.

(Japanese)　

https://research-soran17.osaka-cu.ac.jp/html/100001448_ja.html

(English)

https://research-soran17.osaka-cu.ac.jp/html/100001448_en.html

２．A glimpse into how infectious diseases were dealt with in the Edo period, the function of Ukiyo-e as a medium, and its evaluation as a work of art

（Mayumi Sugawara, Professor, Graduate School of Literature and Human Sciences, Osaka City University)

Ukiyo-e is often referred to as one of Japan’s representative art forms. However, its actual role was more of a “medium“. For example, did you know that the “herpes painting“ was a talisman to ward off plagues? In the latter half of the 19th century, Europe saw a boom of interest in Japan. Ukiyo-e was loved by impressionist painters such as Van Gogh. This caused the medium to receive an unexpectedly high acclaim in Japan, which had a mixed effect on later research on Ukiyo-e. This exhibition will introduce the latest in Ukiyo-e research.

(Japanese)

https://research-soran17.osaka-cu.ac.jp/html/100000594_ja.html

(English)

https://research-soran17.osaka-cu.ac.jp/html/100000594_en.html

３．Shindai Crystal for water purification, bio-devices, and next-generation batteries

(Katsuya Teshima, Professor, Research Initiative for Supra-Materials, Shinshu University)

"Shindai Crystal" refers to the environmentally-friendly flux method of growing designer inorganic crystal materials developed at Shinshu University. The flux method allows crystals to be grown at low temperatures with inexpensive equipment with a high degree of designed-functionality. Professor Teshima develops Shindai Crystals for use in water purification by ion-exchange reactions of heavy metal ions and some types of anions (in Sub-Sahara Africa), for use in energy-related fields such as lithium-ion batteries, bio-devices that are gentle on bodies such as artificial joints, and other functional uses.

(Japanese)

https://shindaicrystal.com/

(English)

https://shindaicrystal.com/en/

４．Going sustainable in construction - Using “liquid metal” to make eco-friendly concrete

(Masatoshi Kondo, Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology)

Did you know that in Japan alone, 30 million tons of concrete are disposed of each year? Skyscrapers, roads, bridges, dams, and other structures that make up the foundations of society are built with concrete. However, due to its limited reuse, concrete that has finished its role can become a huge waste. To address this, we have developed an eco-friendly concrete that uses liquid metal, as well as a method for recycling the material. This will allow society to grow and renew its infrastructure with greater sustainability.

(Japanese）

https://www.slideshare.net/TokyoTech/2019-204671198

https://www.titech.ac.jp/news/2019/044481.html

５．"Interval Walking Training" to achieve health longevity: evidence and its effect

( Shizue Masuki, Professor, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University)

Interval Walking Training (IWT) is a walking method developed at Shinshu University that repeats fast walking and slow walking every 3 minutes. By continuing this simple exercise regimen for 5 months, it was demonstrated that the physical strength of the middle-aged and elderly improved by 20%. The symptoms of lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension and hyperglycemia are improved by 20%, as are medical expenses which are reduced by 20%. We have also succeeded in developing a smartphone app that enhances the versatility of the system. This research began in Nagano prefecture, a place known for longevity, and we propose this as a solution to address the issues faced by aging societies all over the world.

(Japanese)　

https://www.shinshu-u.ac.jp/faculty/medicine/chair/i-sports/research/

https://www.jtrc.or.jp/

(English)

https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-11/su-qoq110119.php

https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-09/su-ire090220.php

６．Prediction of damage by typhoon from 1,000 simulations

（Hironori Fudeyasu, Professor, College of Education,Yokohama National University）

My specialty is meteorology, especially typhoons. In recent years, typhoons have become more severe due to climate change, and have caused significant damage in various areas. Using numerical simulations, meteorological observations, and machine learning, we hope to elucidate the mechanisms of typhoons and contribute to the mitigation of typhoon damage and the development of ways to utilize typhoon energy. Using the results of our research, we have developed a typhoon hazard map covering all of Japan and a real-time damage prediction website for typhoons and heavy rains.

(Japanese)

http://www.fudeyasu.ynu.ac.jp/

http://www.fudeyasu.ynu.ac.jp/risk/

https://cmap.dev/

https://www.ripo.ynu.ac.jp/topics/YNUResearch/YNUResearch004_20180320.pdf

(English)

https://cmap.dev/

https://www.ripo.ynu.ac.jp/topics/YNUResearch/YNUResearchen004_190417.pdf

７．GALAXY CRUISE: Unlock Mysteries of Galaxy as a Citizen Astronomer

(Kumiko Usuda-Sato, Senior Specialist, Public Relations Center, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan）

Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) mounted on the Subaru Telescope is a giant digital camera with an extremely wide field of view. Since 2014, HSC has taken vast cosmic images over the course of 300 nights. Studying statistically the shapes of interacting galaxies allows us to unlock the secrets of the history responsible for the diversity of galaxies. However, it is very challenging for researchers to conduct such studies because the vast cosmic images contain innumerable galaxies. GALAXY CRUISE is the first citizen science project of NAOJ. In this project, amateur Citizen Astronomers identify interacting galaxies and classify their shapes and features after completing a simple training course. This project is likened to a cruise ship where many crew members sail together on the cosmic ocean and Citizen Astronomers explore the Universe captured by the Subaru Telescope. As of January 15, 2021, there are 6262 Citizen Astronomers from 80 countries and regions registered, and the total number of galaxy classifications has exceeded 1.2 million. We will soon be able to study the effects of interaction on galaxy evolution based on the classification results from Citizen Astronomers, and hopefully in the near future based on classification results from artificial intelligence (AI) as well.

(Japanese)

https://galaxycruise.mtk.nao.ac.jp/　https://www.nao.ac.jp/news/topics/2019/20191101-prc.html https://www.nao.ac.jp/news/science/2020/20200811-subaru.html

(English)

https://galaxycruise.mtk.nao.ac.jp/en/index.html

https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/news/topics/2020/20200219-prc.html

https://www.nao.ac.jp/en/news/science/2020/20200811-subaru.html

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Galaxy_Cruise (Japanese)
https://twitter.com/Galaxy_Cruise_e (English)

――――――――――――――＜Overview＞――――――――――――――

※This webinar will be conducted via "live streaming" using ZOOM webinar organized by the JACST. You can feel free to join us at any time during the webinar.

■Date and Time： February 18, Thursday 14:00 -16:35 (JST)

（※Registration deadline: February 16）

■Language： Japanese・English（Consecutive interpreting）

■Admission： Free

■The number of seats: 100

■Time Table:

14:00-14:05 JST (05min.)　Opening remarks

14:05-14:17 JST (12min.) Shindai Crystal for water purification, bio-devices, and next-generation batteries

14:18-14:30 JST (12min.) "Interval Walking Training" to achieve health longevity: evidence and its effect

14:30-14:55 JST (25min.)　 Going sustainable in construction - Using “liquid metal” to make eco-friendly concrete

14:55-15:20 JST (25min.)　 Prediction of damage by typhoon from 1,000 simulations

15:20-15:30 JST (10min.)　Break

15:30-15:55 JST (25min.)　GALAXY CRUISE: Unlock Mysteries of Galaxy as a Citizen Astronomer

15:55-16:15 JST (20min.)　Research on COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases

16:15-16:35 JST (20min.)　A glimpse into how infectious diseases were dealt with in the Edo period, the function of Ukiyo-e as a medium, and its evaluation as a work of art

[Application]

Please refer to the email we sent.
*We will not be accepting applications by email.

[Remarks]

・ Zoom Webinar will be used, all participants' cameras will be turned off from beginning to end. The participant's microphone will be unmuted only during the question asked.

・ This online press webinar will be recorded. After the event, the video will be released on the websites and SNS of JACST and the institutions to which each researcher belongs.

[Contact: For registration by foreign press only]

Foreign Press Center Japan (Ms. Yoshida and Ms. Hamada)

e-mail: sc@fpcjpn.or.jp

Phone: 03-3501-5251

[About Japan Association of Communication for Science and Technology (JACST):]

Japan Association of Communication for Science and Technology (JACST) is a network for public relations (PR) professionals from research institutes and universities to share challenges encountered in PR activities beyond the boundaries of their organizations to find and provide resources and support through learning together. About 200 PR professionals from 130 organizations are participating in the network (as of February 1, 2021).

https://sites.google.com/view/jacst/

Contact：JACST Office：jacst-office@googlegroups.com

[Contacts for Research]

・Hiroko Tsuzuki (Former group leader of the JACST International Public Relations Group, PIO)

　Public Relations Center, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

　hiroko.tsuzuki@nao.ac.jp

・Rina Matsuki

Global Exchange Office, Osaka City University

matsuki@osaka-cu.ac.jp

・Hitomi Thompson (PIO)

Shinshu University Innovative Research & Liaison Organization

thompson@shinshu-u.ac.jp