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Carbon Footprints Beyond Earth: Balancing Space Aspirations

Maira Masood
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Carbon Footprints Beyond Earth: Balancing Space Aspirations

The pursuit of uncovering the mysteries beyond our sight, the enigmas concealed within the cosmos, and the boundless wonders that space hides have perpetually captivated the human imagination. In an endeavour to address the myriad questions that occupy our thoughts, humanity launched space missions to unveil answers to satiate our curiosity.

Without a doubt, space missions offer substantial advantages, both in material and abstract terms. These include broadening the frontiers of human knowledge, bolstering a nation’s economic standing, propelling progress in science and technology, fostering international collaboration among countries with a common interest in space exploration, and a multitude of other benefits.

Nonetheless, beyond these advantages, space exploration brings about a significant threat in the form of pollution, particularly regarding carbon emissions. These emissions pose a substantial risk to the well-being of Earth’s inhabitants and the overall atmosphere and have the potential to impact the execution of space missions in various ways.

“Exploration is wired into our brains. If we can see the horizon, we want to know what’s beyond” ~Buzz Aldrin

The scarcity of discourse regarding the effects of carbon emissions on space missions can be attributed to two primary reasons. Firstly, the apparent benefits of these space missions outweigh their adverse consequences. Secondly, the space industry operates on a relatively modest scale, with only a few missions conducted each year, rendering the environmental impact of this sector negligible when compared to others.

Space X released 61 rockets in outer space in 2022 alone, setting the bar for space mission provisions exceedingly high.
Space X released 61 rockets in outer space in 2022 alone, setting the bar for space mission provisions exceedingly high.

Enhancements in space travel missions

Nevertheless, the landscape of space exploration and its associated emissions has undergone significant transformation in recent times. The frequency of space missions has surged, propelling an intensified push for even more triumphant ventures. Space X released 61 rockets in outer space in 2022 alone, setting the bar for space mission provisions exceedingly high.

Elon Musk, SpaceX’s CEO, stated that the ultimate design goal for Starship is to launch up to three times a day, equivalent to approximately 1000 flights a year, with the hopes of reaching the goal of at least one flight every two weeks in 2023. Currently, the Space X launch rate out of Florida is only at least once every three days. By 2024, the company aims to increase space launches and increase the launch rate to once every two days.

Consequently, with these advancements, it is inevitable that emission levels will increase, thus amplifying the environmental consequences.

Unmasking the Concerns

  • Emanation of Noxious Substances

Different types of emissions are discharged from rocket engines, contingent upon the specific type of fuel utilized. The four prevalent types of propellants include kerosene, hypergolic fuels, liquid hydrogen (cryogenic), and solid fuels. The rocket launch exhaust releases gases such as carbon dioxide with traces of black carbon and alumna. These gases capture heat and sunlight, with black carbon, a significant constituent of soot, being particularly effective in this regard. Soot possesses the capability to absorb light across all wavelengths, rendering it a potent contributor to atmospheric and climatic impacts.

  • Repercussions on Ozone

The act of launching rockets is a significant emitter of black carbon and alumina, leading to the warming of the stratosphere. Moreover, the elevated temperatures during rocket launch and re-entry induce the formation of nitrogen oxides, which damage and deplete the ozone in the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere. The emission of other elements, like NOx and HOx, has the potential to significantly harm the ozone layer by accelerating its depletion rate. Researchers caution that without adequate regulation, rocket emissions could surpass the ozone depletion caused by Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODSs) by the year 2050.

  • Reverberations of the Emissions

Considering the extent of emissions produced by rocket engines and their impact on the ozone layer, it represents a substantial concern that warrants close attention. Scientists estimate that during launch, “rockets can emit between 4 and 10 times more nitrogen oxides than Drax, the largest thermal power plant in the UK, over the same time period”.

Swift depletion of the ozone layer results in heightened UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface, resulting in a rise in the occurrence of eye cataracts, skin cancer, as well as immune and genetic irregularities. The worldwide reduction in stratospheric ozone is strongly associated with the increasing presence of chlorine and bromine in the stratosphere, originating from the production and release of CFCs and other halocarbons.

Halocarbons are industrially manufactured for various purposes (in refrigerators, air conditioners, and industrial chillers), propellants for aerosol cans, agents for creating plastic foams, firefighting materials, and solvents for dry cleaning and degreasing.

In a separate 2019 report authored by the Center for Space Policy and Strategy, the issue of space emissions was likened to the challenge of space debris, which the authors argued poses an existential threat to the space industry. They wrote, ‘Today, launch vehicle emissions uniquely parallel the space debris problem. Rocket engine exhaust released into the stratosphere during the journey to orbit has a detrimental impact on the global atmosphere.

While the current effects of rockets on the global atmosphere are relatively minor in comparison to other human activities, the expanding scope of space missions, each with its distinct objectives, underscores the need to establish and enact policies aimed at mitigating the potential risks posed by rocket emissions to both the natural and operational environments.

Identifying ways to address the challenge

While the extent and diversity of rocket emission effects remain unclear, the environmental impacts of these explorations are becoming more significant with the growing popularity and feasibility of space tourism. Various measures can be taken to enhance the environmental sustainability of space missions.

  • National Environmental Policy Act

The environmental consequences of space launches fall within the purview of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In the past decade, NEPA statements on the environmental impact of launches have indicated that these space launches have no discernible short-term or long-term effects apart from temporary ground-level impacts.

At present, the primary focus of space missions extends beyond cargo transportation to the International Space Station and satellite launch services. It now encompasses in-space transportation, planetary explorations, crewed missions, suborbital transportation, and space tourism. As the number of rocket launches continues to increase, it might become crucial to consider the cumulative impacts in the future.

It is evident that substances beyond carbon compounds are emitted during the launches of these space missions. Consequently, regulations concerning the monitoring and assessing all types of emissions should be incorporated into NEPA. When addressing cumulative impacts, NEPA’s statements should encompass a comprehensive examination of all the noxious and detrimental substances released to provide an accurate assessment of the magnitude of the challenges at hand.

  • Clean Air Act

The Clean Air Act of 1970 is a federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers rocket launching as the mobile source, and hence the rocket launch emissions are not considered.

In 2021, the EPA established regulations for controlling aeroplane greenhouse gas emissions. Similarly, as the provision of space missions continues to expand, it is imperative for the EPA to enact rules and establish standards for rocket launch emissions. It’s worth noting that monitoring should not be limited to greenhouse gases but should also encompass other pollutants like carbon particles.

  • Grasping the value of space missions in the context of climate intervention

It is crucial to recognize the importance and the delicate nature of climate intervention in the context of space missions. Sensors can be installed on space vehicles to calculate the amount and type of exhaust gases and pollutant matter released at different time intervals post-launch. These statistics can offer a substantial dataset for assessing and suggesting remedies for the emerging problem of carbon emissions. Elon Musk shares the same thought that opening space for humanity is an aim, but we must make it affordable to do so.

Furthermore, it is essential to develop eco-friendly rocket fuels and propulsion systems that minimize the release of harmful gases and pollutants, thus mitigating the environmental impact of space missions.

Space travel is an exciting venture. Making life sustainable in space demands a lot: Capital, brains, and foresight. With the current levels and concerns of global warming and climate change, it is pivotal to develop effective strategies that will impart two-fold benefit: Satisfy the curiosity of mankind for space exploration and inflict minimum damage on the already deteriorating environmental conditions.

“We’re running the most dangerous experiment in history right now, which is to see how much carbon dioxide the atmosphere…can handle before there is an environmental catastrophe” ~Elon Musk

References:

Also, Read: History of space exploration

Carbovigilance: Carbon Footprint of Pharma with Formulation Researcher Dr Sajid Asghar

Sadia Hakim
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Carbovigilance: Carbon Footprint of Pharma with Formulation Researcher Dr Sajid Asghar

“As to diseases, make a habit of two things — to help, or at least, to do no harm”. ~ Hippocrates

The pharmaceutical industry is thought to provide relief to patients. Still, it, in turn, intentionally or unintentionally, is providing a source for diseases, changing disease patterns and antibiotic resistance, and raising concerns about its long-term effects on human health. Recently, the term ‘Carbovigilance’, coined by Dr Ray and coworkers, has surfaced to highlight the impact of the pharmaceutical industry on greenhouse gas emissions and underscore the importance of curtailing the global pharmaceutical footprint. We had the opportunity to interview a formulation researcher, Dr Sajid Asghar, concerning the environmental impact of the pharma industry in this regard.

Dr Sajjad Asghar

Dr Sajid Asghar is currently an Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmaceutics, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), Pakistan. He has significant domain knowledge in the design of modern drug formulation approaches and has made contributions in peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. Dr Sajid Asghar supervises postgraduate students as the primary supervisor and teaches drug delivery courses to undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, GCUF. Moreover, he is also involved in the evaluation of his Master’s and PhD thesis in Pharmaceutics as a jury member at the national level.

Dr Sajid Asghar completed his PhD in Pharmaceutics (December 2014) from China Pharmaceutical University, funded by a scholarship from the Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC). In 2015, he designed an Intrinsic Principles of Drug Delivery course for the PhD Pharmaceutics programme at GCUF that incorporated the physiological, anatomical, and pathological factors for designing drug delivery systems.

Here are a few excerpts from his recent conversation with Sadia Hakim, who is an independent science and non-fiction writer based in Punjab, Pakistan.

Sadia: Let us know about your research work on novel drug formulation.

Dr Sajid: Since 2017, I have successfully completed three research grants aimed at designing novel drug formulations for improved therapeutic outcomes as a Principal Investigator. It enabled me to further develop my quantitative and conceptual skills in analyzing the problems of delivering drugs to a specific site and at a desired rate. Other than the exciting research findings, the students I have trained have gone on to secure different positions and funding for the advancement of their careers.

I am also engaged with international researchers. Since 2015, I have been working with Dr. Yanyu Xiao from China Pharmaceutical University on research proposal development, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.

In 2021, I collaborated with Prof. Thierry Vandamme from the University of Strasbourg, France, for a joint publication in Drug Delivery Reviews on the role of phytochemical-loaded nanotechnological products against microbial resistance and biofilms. Recently, I received the Seal of Excellence for a research proposal submitted to EC under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Call 2022 with INSTITUTE REGIONAL DE ONCOLOGIE (IASI), Romania.

Photo: Sadia Hakim
Photo: Sadia Hakim

Sadia: What’s the significant difference you observe in the pharma industry of Pakistan compared to other countries?

Dr Sajid: The Pakistani pharmaceutical industry relies on the business of generic products, which indicates a lack of effort in the research and development of new drug products, especially biotechnological therapeutic products. On the other hand, the international pharmaceutical industry invests in novel drug modalities, improved processing methodologies, and the development of new materials for pharmaceutical applications.

The pharmaceutical industries of developed countries adhere to strict quality control measures, and the relevant regulatory framework imposes stringent standards. In contrast, the regulatory framework in Pakistan has not been able to force the local industry to adhere to the international quality standards and compliance of Good Manufacturing Practices.

Due to the economic dynamics of the local market, the Pakistani pharmaceutical industry lacks the infrastructure and the technological capabilities for innovative and cutting-edge research in pharmaceutical manufacturing. In addition, owing to the meagre support by the Government in R&D, there is a lack of academia-industry bridging in the local pharmaceutical sector to foster innovation and meet global quality standards.

Sadia: What are your thoughts on the Carbon Footprint of the pharma industry? Can you share your insights on the potential of drug product design in reducing the environmental impact of medicines?

Dr Sajid: Due to the critical role of pharmaceutical products in the healthcare sector in fighting chronic diseases and pandemic outbreaks, very little attention has been paid to the environmental impact of the pharmaceutical industry. In the last few years, reports have surfaced to identify the massive environmental impact of the pharmaceutical product cycle. Multinational pharmaceutical industries have begun to realize the threat and are committed to Green Products and Processes by the end of 2050.

A drug product in the market comes after a series of complex and energy-intensive processes, such as extraction of medicinal ingredients from natural sources or their chemical synthesis and purification, dosage form manufacturing using various pharmaceutical adjuvants obtained through different sources and complex processes, packaging, distribution, utilization, and disposal.

Sadia: Would you provide some ideas on reducing the Carbon Footprint in the pharmaceutical industry as a formulation scientist?

Dr Sajid: The environmental impact of pharmaceutical manufacturing can be mitigated by rationalizing the drug product design, such as promoting the use of biodegradable materials for drug manufacturing, lowering organic solvent consumption, avoiding high energy processes, using statistics (such as Quality by Design; QbD) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for improving manufacturing process efficiency, designing combination drug products, and rationalizing the healthcare practices. Governments should offer subsidies to the pharmaceutical industries for incorporating Green Practices in their product cycles to compensate for the operational cost and the associated revenue reduction.

The use of smart pharmaceutical excipients offering multiple roles in the manufacturing processes could also help in the aim of achieving a sustainable environment. For example, using natural therapeutic oils rather than synthetic oils or fats in the preparation of pharmaceutical topical emulsions or creams will allow a reduction in the dose of the medicine due to the therapeutic activity of the natural oil.

Similarly, synthetic polymers used in the design of tablets and matrices could be replaced by biodegradable polymers obtained from plants and microbes that would assist in the disposal of unused or expired pharmaceutical products more energy-efficiently.

Sadia: What do you think about the role of unnecessary prescriptions in contributing to the Carbon Footprint of medicines?

Dr Sajid: The unethical practice of overprescribing medication, often overlooked, is not only harmful to the health of patients and the dignity of the medical profession, but it also poses a significant threat to the Earth’s environment. Each stage of pharmaceutical manufacturing, from the extraction of raw materials to manufacturing, distribution, consumption, and eventual disposal, involves energy-intensive processes, and unnecessary prescriptions exacerbate these environmental impacts.

Healthcare providers play a pivotal role in prescribing practices, and efforts to promote judicious prescribing can have a positive impact. There is a need to develop a regulatory framework to monitor and regularize prescription practices and rationalize the use of medicine by healthcare providers. Moreover, patient awareness programs should be designed to educate and empower patients to realize the need for lifestyle changes for a healthy community.

Due to the economic dynamics of the local market, the Pakistani pharmaceutical industry lacks the infrastructure and the technological capabilities for innovative and cutting-edge research in pharmaceutical manufacturing. ~ Dr Asghar

Sadia: Do you believe it’s high time we needed a novel drug delivery system with a lower carbon footprint than other drug delivery systems?

Dr Sajid: I believe combination drug products could be a way forward to reduce the carbon output of the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. By combining several drugs into a single formulation, the need for redundant resources diminishes from the raw material extraction to manufacturing and distribution, resulting in a reduction in the need for packaging and dispensing of separate drugs, contributing to the reduction in energy consumption and wastes associated with the single drug product manufacturing.

Combination drug products consolidate these processes in a more efficient and eco-friendly pharmaceutical production cycle. Using nanoscale materials to administer multiple drugs has the potential to improve treatment options for patients, thus improving the quality of life for various populations and lowering the burden for healthcare providers.

Patients with multiple health conditions, especially the ageing population, have to deal with an assortment of medications and have a requirement for supervised administration of medicine. The decreased need for specialized care offered by combination drug products will reduce healthcare provision travel, which will ultimately contribute to the reduction in transport-related emissions.

Moreover, the disposal of unused combination pharmaceutical products will also require less effort than the disposal of unused multiple single products. Hence, this approach requires less energy and materials for the manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and handling of drug products, leading to a sustainable pharmaceutical sector.

Sadia: Where do you see yourself in the long run? Do you have any advice for young students aspiring to be formulation scientists?

Dr Sajid: I seek out research projects with a strong international focus to broaden my worldview and foster cross-cultural understanding to increase my competitiveness for R&D within pharmaceutical companies and beyond, such as technology transfer, scientific consulting, or entrepreneurial ventures.

It will help in my personal growth as I pursue tolerance, adaptability, and intercultural communication skills, which are valuable in an increasingly globalized research community and seek the initiatives to work in consulting and advisory roles in government bodies, policy groups, and public health organizations.

I would suggest the youth build a temperament to embrace failure, critically evaluate themselves more than anything, learn from their mistakes, and never quit. Formulation science is the interplay of physical pharmacy, biopharmaceutical chemistry, and disease biology. A strong foundation will pave the way for the development of novel drug delivery approaches and for the improvement of conventional dosage forms.

Be inquisitive and never hesitate to explore outside the conventional boundaries. Adopt the changing technologies and needs of the era, network with people from diverse fields, and collaborate to bring new perspectives to the research. Finally, stick to scientific ethics, as there is no shortcut to success.

Also, Read Genetics in the Spotlight: Perspectives from a Scientist and Communicator Dr. Alex Dainis

KILLER COAL— Pushing the World into Darkness 

Saadeqa Khan
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KILLER COAL— Pushing the World into Darkness 

“The overwhelming majority of scientists say there can be no more coal mines if we’re to have any chance of a safe climate. Medical organisations increasingly recognise health risks, with the British Medical Journal describing climate change as “a health emergency'” – Dr Kate Charlesworth, Climate Councilor

Coal is a carbon-rich black rock that forms deep underground over thousands of years of heat and pressure and releases energy when burned. Coal remained a vital energy source for centuries, fueling industrial revolutions and powering economies worldwide. However, in an era where environmental concerns are at the forefront, the use of coal has become a topic of intense debate. 

Coal combustion releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, leading to global warming and climate change. Coal-fired power plants also emit pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, contributing to air pollution and harming human health and the environment.

On the contrary, coal offers several advantages, such as its abundance, affordability, and reliability as a constant source of electricity. But its drawbacks, including detrimental environmental impacts, public health risks, and contributions to climate change, shouldn’t be taken for granted.  

the dark saga of the present society's dependence on fossil energy and the issue of peak oil and fossil fuel depletion. 
The dark saga of the present society’s dependence on fossil energy and the issue of peak oil and fossil fuel depletion. 

Taming the dark flames of coal

Coal is the black flesh of the earth that makes up the spine of the world’s power grid. Together with oil, it accounts for over 60 per cent of all energy annually, which we use in daily life. In some senses, these two Dark Monarchs can be seen as the black soul of modern society.

The story of the dark twins and their role in the present actually started several centuries ago with the rise of mechanisation and industry. From here, the dark saga of the present society’s dependence on fossil energy and the issue of peak oil and fossil fuel depletion begins. 

The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to 19th century that saw significant changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining and transportation that profoundly impacted the socio-economic and cultural conditions worldwide. 

The dawn of the Industrial Revolution marked a critical turning point in human history that influenced almost every aspect of daily life in some way. The most crucial event is undeniably the appearance of steam engines and the taming of the dark flames of coal.

Since then, our burning of fossil fuels has steadily increased. We now annually burn over 4,000 times the amount of fossil fuels burnt during 1776. Burning fossil fuels has far-reaching effects on our climate and ecosystems.

The concerns over the environmental impacts of coal have been rising over the years. Life holds more significant value than the energy resources to run it. Without life, and life of quality at that, abundance of energy makes no sense. But humankind has ruined the planet only to meet its energy requirements. 

Among the chaos and voices rising worldwide, the future of the coal industry has been swinging like a pendulum. As if the technical, economic, and environmental factors are insufficient, now the political factor stands between its growth and decline.

Life holds more significant value than the energy resources to run it. Without life, and life of quality at that, abundance of energy makes no sense.

Coal consumption set to reach a new high

According to a new IEA report, global coal demand had increased only marginally in 2022 but was enough to push it to an all-time high amid the energy crisis. The world’s coal consumption is forecasted to remain unchanged in the following years without more robust measures to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy resources. 

The same report reveals that global coal use had risen by 1.2% in 2022, surpassed 8 billion tonnes in one year for the first time and beat the previous record set in 2013. The report forecasts that coal consumption will remain flat at that level by 2025 due to its robust demand in emerging Asian economies. 

According to economists and experts, coal will remain in the global energy system as the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions, even though a range of conflicting forces has shaken its markets. 

Amid the global energy crisis, the higher natural gas prices are leading to increased reliance on coal for generating power, creating detrimental environmental impacts. China is the world’s largest coal consumer, where summer heat waves and drought are common. Still, China’s coal power generation has increased in recent years despite the Coronavirus pandemic that had slowed down demand in 2020. 

“The world is close to a peak in fossil fuel use, with coal set to be the first to decline, but we are not there yet,” said Keisuke Sadamori, the IEA’s Director of Energy Markets and Security. “Coal demand is stubborn and will likely reach an all-time-high in coming years, pushing up global emissions.”

“At the same time, the energy crisis is accelerating the focus on renewables, energy efficiency and heat pumps. This will moderate coal demand in the coming years. Government policies will be key to ensuring a secure and sustainable path forward,” Sadamori added. 

Pushing the World into darkness!

The saga of the Industrial Revolution and how fast it changed the world is a sunshine story about how human ingenuity and technology overcame previous limitations and allowed society to prosper. 

However, that picture is unfair and fails to observe the shivering whispers of the black heart on everything, namely the energy that drove all machines and powered all the factories. 

There is no other opinion that few of the machines would have worked without wielding suitable energy sources. Mechanisation during industrialisation significantly changed the way society observed and behaved. Engineers and scientists have invented numerous devices, processes and technologies that influence everyday life and provide abundant goods, merchandise and possibilities. There are many factors, reasons and explanations for all that happened during the Industrial Revolution. 

Still, we can not shut the voices raising their concern about over-dependence on carbon as an energy resource, eventually darkening the planet. Despite the knowledge about how it contributes to climate change, coal combustion still accounts for 40 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions from energy use. To achieve the Paris Agreement Climate Goals, worldwide power sectors should stop using coal without carbon capture and storage by approximately 2050. 

According to climate experts, focusing on coal combustion’s environmental and health-related externalities may not be sufficient to phase out coal. Instead, it will be crucial to see the coal phase-out as fair and legal and that the process accords with political realities. 

Policymakers should understand in more detail who will be impacted by a transition away from coal. How societal groups can be effectively compensated, and how powerful vested interests can be counterbalanced.

References:

https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:343046/fulltext01.pdf

https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/examining-the-pros-and-cons-of-coal-as-an-energy-source

https://www.iea.org/news/the-world-s-coal-consumption-is-set-to-reach-a-new-high-in-2022-as-the-energy-crisis-shakes-markets

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0866-1

Also, Read: Bioenergy — A Potential Solution to Energy Shortage Amid Climate Emergency

The Dark Side of the Digitalized Era: ATTACK GRAPHS

Maheen Khan
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The Dark Side of the Digitalized Era: ATTACK GRAPHS

Cyber-attacks are no longer science fiction; they are a stark reality threatening our digital way of life. Digitalization through technology is virtually taking hold of all growth ladders worldwide. Even in Pakistan, from remote jobs to Siemens’ controllers modulating electricity generation, Nadra NIC identification, cloud infrastructure, money transactions, etc.

Every organization in the professional world has to transfer their data to technology, giving access to all the confidential and vital information of every individual. This is how the growth of digitalization comes with an increment of risk of data breach by a third intruder known as a cyber-attack. 

And this is how cybersecurity and digitalization go hand in hand.

“We apologise for the inappropriate messages sent through Bykea. We can confirm that this was a third-party communication tool which got compromised,”  1:21 AM. JUN 13, 2023_Bykea app.

Recent News of a security intrusion in the Bykea app has caused panic among its users. Such security issues, even when resolved, leave a lasting impression of mistrust among the people. As a result, many Pakistanis, including myself, have refrained from using the Bykea app for an extended period, taking extra precautions to avoid being hacked. 

Consequently, Bykea experienced hindered progress in its operations, with a decline in its number of users and financial losses for the company. Not only apps like Bykea are vulnerable to third parties, but the economy, reliability, or government-related database services are also in great danger. 

Criminal Cyber-attacks are primarily intended to steal financial assets by stealing data, disrupting business, manipulating confidential data or simply selling on the dark web for dark money.
Criminal Cyber-attacks are primarily intended to steal financial assets by stealing data, disrupting business, manipulating confidential data or simply selling on the dark web for dark money.

THE HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF CYBER-ATTACKS

The intrusion in the Bykea app is not the first cyber-attack in history; the evolution of cyber-attacks began in the late 1960s. The very first attack was taken into account when Leonard Kleinrock, a renowned professor of UCLA on the mission of ARPANET (the world’s first network connection built on October 29, 1969), sent a message “LOGIN” to Stanford Research Institute in the essence of the first digital message sent in the history but to the astonishment the system crashed delivering only first two letters “LO”. 

The second cyberattack was observed in the face of the first virus, CREEPER, created by Robert Thomas in 1970. The virus used to print a message stating “I’m the Creeper: catch me if you can” in the network. However, in 1971, its anti-virus REAPER was created. Cyber-attacks grew and grew larger; their roots expanded from an error message, invading the systems and stealing useful, confidential information in the war. 

Cyber Attacks are mainly observed in three types. Criminal Cyber-attacks are primarily intended to steal financial assets by stealing data, disrupting business, manipulating confidential data or simply selling on the dark web for dark money. Whereas Political and Personal cyberattacks are more focused on seeking personal enmities or personal desires. 

Whether or not cyber-attacks can be used relatively is a debated topic. Some argue that cyber-attacks can be used within ethical boundaries as a valuable tool for the defence system. At the same time, the potential for collateral damage and violation of privacy makes the word “fair” in the context of cyber-attacks challenging.

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES OF INFORMATION SECURITY

The important frameworks to understand the implementation of cybersecurity measures are mainly divided into 3 goals: CIA or, conversely, AIC.

  • Confidentiality is the process of coding the data from one system to another. This way, if the data transferred from System A to B by any change gets hacked, the intruder cannot access the coded/ encrypted data until he has the key to decode/decrypt like System B. Hence, the data will be secured and confidential. 
  • Integrity: It refers to refraining from data breaches like in the case of a 1969 message sent by a professor at UCLA, where the “login” message was modified by a third party as “Lo”. It is the second main goal of cybersecurity to maintain the accuracy and trustworthiness of data.
  • Availability: The availability module assures that the Data is available 24/7 to the concerned authority. Otherwise, the websites crash or heavy load on the server become a vulnerable threat to the security system as it is more feasible for attackers to attack heavy traffic on the networks; such types of attacks are known as DDoS attacks, where attackers can exploit the data regardless of the traffic level.

INSIGHTS BY CYBER SECURITY EXPERTS

I have collected a few insights from cyber security experts to get you an idea of how Cyber-Attacks are evolving drastically. Based on published reports by (the Department Of Homeland Security 2014, Sebastian Bortnik 2012, APWG 2013, An Osterman Research Paper 2015), and a conference held in the USA (Cybersecurity Standford, CA, 2014), It was recognized that clever cyber criminals might be capable of launching attacks that can harm the reliability, accessibility, or confidentiality of cyber services or government-related database services.

In addition to this, in 2014, it was informed by the APWG (Phishing Activity Trends Report) that confidential as well as essential data of Pakistan started to get hacked by accessing such websites. Another discussion by the dignitaries of the delegation states that about $445 billion is lost annually due to cyber-crimes in online security.

“Attack graphs provide a powerful visualization of potential attack paths, helping us understand complex security vulnerabilities in interconnected systems.” – Dorothy Denning, Cybersecurity Pioneer. (Source: Denning, D. “Graph-Based Intrusion Analysis.” Proceedings of the 2001 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy)

AN ESSENTIAL TOOL OF CYBERSECURITY: ATTACK GRAPHS

In today’s interconnected digital landscape, the interaction of complex systems or simple embedded systems and elements with the environment can sometimes become challenging to manage. This can lead to uncertain or unexpected system behaviours. 

Such situations are often referred to as system execution or run. Sometimes, these executions lead to adverse effects known as failure scenarios. These failure scenarios then trespass specific correctness rules defined for the system. If the cause of the failure scenario is not a typical malfunction of the system but a foreign intrusion, it is an Attack Graph.

Under the surface, the attack graphs were initially known to be finite automata called state enumeration graphs in the early ages. After that, the definition was refined by AND/OR  graphs, called exploit dependency, and later generalised as a particular case of Bayesian networks called Bayesian attack. Therefore, various definitions of attack graphs are cycling in today’s era, engulfing novices with difficulties in understanding this field of study.

 The first-ever concept of an attack graph was put forth by Phillips and Swiler in 1998. An Attack Graph is a specific type of model used to specify the behaviour and potential problems in managing the computer systems. It discloses the vulnerable points in a system that could be exposed to the intruder. It holds a significant position as a crucial tool in cybersecurity, which unleashes the critical and vulnerable points in the system that might be exposed to hackers. 

By mapping out vulnerabilities and identifying potential exploitations by third parties, security analysts can effectively defend against and address the most critical vulnerabilities in the system. This proactive approach helps safeguard organizations with large amounts of data from intrusion and misuse. Given the prevailing security issues in Pakistan, this subject holds great importance.

Understanding Attack Paths Through An Example

Think of an attack graph as a map showing how a hacker might move through different nodes, essentially machines or devices in a network, to exploit weaknesses and gain unauthorized access. To illustrate, let’s delve into an example involving three machines: A, B, and C.

Machines B and C play respectively as a web server (a system that delivers web content like websites) and database (which stores and manages the data). The network’s firewall allows HTTP and SSH requests from machines A to B. HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)  and SSH (Secure Shell) help to connect the client’s request to the server. Normally, a user on machine A will make an HTTP request on machine B, which will then go through the database on machine C. 

However, if the direct access from machine A to C is blocked by the firewall, any SSH request from machine A to C will be considered blocked. This indicates an attacker’s intrusion who successfully launched a command injection attack on the web server (machine B), gaining a foothold and later further exploiting a vulnerability in the database server in machine C; he will perform a SQL injection attack (Structured Query Language) which involves accessing and manipulating the data through coding. In this way, the intruder will gain access to the restricted data.

To Conclude the example, if an attacker compromises a web server (machine B) and then exploits a database server (machine C), they could gain access to restricted data.

An Overview of the Operation Of An Attack Graph

The reason behind categorizing an Attack Graph as a Graph is generally because it encloses the relationship between two entities, like any other graph, through interconnected nodes.

Creating attack graphs involves:

  • Identifying potential attack paths: This initial step involves identifying all the possible ways an attacker can avail throughout the network. 
  • Analyzing vulnerabilities: In the second phase, any possible entry point that could attract the intruder is firmly studied and examined.
  • Establishing attack templates: Through attack vectors and tactics, attack templates are created to enhance the clarity of each node by managing data in an organized way.
  • Constructing the graph itself: Lastly, a graph is created with nodes and edges specifying the network and vulnerable points, respectively. 

Various other tools can be used to generate these graphs. Once created, they assess network vulnerabilities, predict attack paths, and identify weak points that need reinforcement.

CHALLENGES FACED BY ATTACK GRAPHS

Attack Graphs can be challenging to handle on a larger scale. Attack graphs can become large and complex in an extensive network, making them difficult to manage. Also, dynamic changes in networks and devices make traditional analysis methods less effective.

Researchers use intelligent agents and algorithms to streamline graph creation and analysis to address these issues. One promising approach involves simplifying attack graphs using the A* prune algorithm. Moreover, modern techniques like the Random Forest algorithm help predict and identify attack locations, improving the effectiveness of the cyber defence.

In the context of IoT (Internet of Things) technology, where various devices are interconnected, challenges arise due to diverse devices, rapid changes, and specific communication protocols. Attack graphs need to consider these factors to model vulnerabilities accurately.

TO CONCLUDE ON THE ESSENCE OF CYBER CRIMES  IN PAKISTAN 

Pakistan faces a shortage of skilled security analysts. Despite a considerable number of doctors, teachers, writers, and business professionals, the field of cybersecurity lacks expertise. According to FIA (Federal Investigation Agency), Pakistan can bear such attacks due to the lack of cybersecurity expertise. Raising awareness about cyber threats and tools like attack graphs in cybersecurity is essential for securing our nation.

Attack graphs are handy because they highlight how vulnerabilities spread. When one node is compromised, nearby nodes become susceptible, forming a chain reaction. By analyzing these graphs, security experts can pinpoint areas that need strengthening and design strategies to mitigate potential threats.

Currently, there is a lack of awareness among many people in Pakistan regarding these vital aspects of cybersecurity. If Pakistan invests in nurturing security analysts and cybersecurity professionals, it can significantly enhance the protection of its prominent organizations.

Looking to the future, as technology advances and threats evolve, understanding and using attack graphs becomes vital. Organizations can proactively defend their systems by predicting and analyzing potential attack paths. As researchers continue to refine and simplify these techniques, they enable a more secure digital future.

References:

Also, Read: Dr. Abro speaks on the role of Cyberspace in the National Security

Is Limited Light Exposure Causing Sadness and Depression in the Modern World?

Gulle Lalah
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Is Limited Light Exposure Causing Sadness and Depression in the Modern World?

In today’s world, we are surrounded by the comforts and advancements technology has brought us. However, amidst these luxuries, a fundamental aspect often goes overlooked – our exposure to natural light.

Enclosed buildings and apartments, with limited sunlight penetration, have become a norm of modern architecture. However, this shift in the modern lifestyle has given rise to an alarming situation of increased depression and sadness cases. This article significantly explores the biological correlation between limited light (sunlight) exposure and the resulting mental health problems, as it correlates to depression.

Lack of Sunlight and Seasonal Affective Disorder ‘SAD’
Lack of Sunlight and Seasonal Affective Disorder ‘SAD’. Photo Gulle Lalah

Sunlight Exposure and Mental Health

Several studies have revealed an association between limited sunlight exposure in routine life and its long-term impact on mood, particularly in developing depression.

A survey was conducted to study the effects of sunlight duration on the incidence rate of depression in China. It was found that little exposure to natural light indeed poses a greater risk of developing depression. Therefore, awareness campaigns should propagate the importance of sunlight to the general public (Ji et al., 2023).

The role of sunlight in preventing depression is evident through the example of ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ (SAD), characterized by depressive episodes in winter and a happy mood in the spring and summer when more exposure to sunlight is available. This suggests that natural light exposure indeed impacts the circadian rhythms in a way that leads to depression (Komulainen et al., 2023).

Research has revealed the role of ambient temperatures and sunlight exposure on suicide incidence cases (Gao et al., 2019). Similarly, a study recruiting participants from Greece, Victoria, Australia, and Norway showed a positive association between increased duration of sunlight exposure and reduced rate of depression and suicide cases (White et al., 2015).

Participant Based Studies

The effect of sunlight exposure on mental health was studied, with over 780 Operating Room Nurses (ORNs) from hospitals in China. ORNs are exposed to a low dose of daily sunlight as part of their work routine and the environment. It was revealed that this lifestyle had significantly impacted the sleep cycles and mental health among ORNs, suggesting a need for new policies to avoid such work environments where limited light exposure may lead to mental health problems (Wang et al., 2023).

Similarly, a case-control study, including over 1800 Finnish participants, explored the impact of limited sunlight exposure for 1 year. This controlled environment exposure was then followed by an analysis of results, which suggested a strong link between limited sunlight exposure and the development of specific depressive cases (Komulainen et al., 2023).

Scientific Explanation of Sunlight Linking with Mood Swings

Although studies from different populations have established a strong correlation between daily sunlight exposure and the prevention of depression, there is a need to dig deeper into the scientific and biological explanation of this phenomenon.

According to different research studies, there are three main mechanisms which may be involved in ameliorating the risk of depression under healthy sunlight exposure:

Sunlight Impacts Mood through Vitamin D

This might be new to know that vitamin D is not only a bone mineral but also helps to regulate the happy hormones in our body, i.e., serotonin and dopamine. A study by Spedding (2014) found the favourable management of depression through daily vitamin D supplementation, acting as an anti-depressant.

However, dependence on vitamin D supplementation instead of natural sunlight exposure may lead to heart problems and risk to other health conditions (Razzaque, 2018). It has been shown that outdoor activities and sunbathing can help to increase the blood’s  25-hydroxy vitamin D levels and significantly improve mental health (Taniguchi et al., 2022).

Vitamin D Production Under Sunlight. Photo Gulle Lalah
Vitamin D Production Under Sunlight. Photo Gulle Lalah

Sunlight and the Serotonin Synthesis Pathway

Sunlight exposure stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) associated with mood and sleep cycle. Extended periods spent indoors or in areas with limited light can lead to decreased serotonin levels, potentially contributing to feelings of sadness and depression.

Disrupting the serotonin synthesis pathway due to limited sunlight exposure can significantly affect mental health. How sunlight regulates the serotonin pathway is quite an interesting mechanism.

When we are exposed to sunlight, our eyes have specific photoreceptors (light receptors)  that absorb the blue light wavelength. This signals the brain to make serotonin (Azmitia, 2020). Today, bright light is used as a therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder ‘SAD’. This therapy also works by enhancing the levels of serotonin in the brain (Bilu et al., 2020; Maruani & Geoffroy, 2019).

Happy Hormone ‘Serotonin’ under the influence of Sunlight
Happy Hormone ‘Serotonin’ under the influence of Sunlight. Photo Gulle Lalah.

Melatonin Synthesis Pathways

We are all familiar with the suntan we get from outdoors on a bright sunny day and how we want to avoid it by staying indoors. However, this very suntan may be your saviour from depression. Biologically, the sleep cycle (circadian rhythms) and moods are related to the secretion of a hormone called melatonin by the brain’s pineal gland.

This happens during the night, so melatonin induces sleepiness and helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. This melatonin comes from the chemical conversion of melanin (the skin pigment from sun exposure). Insufficient sunlight exposure disrupts melatonin synthesis, leading to irregular sleep patterns and an increased risk of mood disorders, including depression. (Havaki-Kontaxaki, 2010)

Sunlight and Healthy Sleep-Wake Cycle Regulation by ‘Melatonin’. Photo Gulle Lalah
Sunlight and Healthy Sleep-Wake Cycle Regulation by ‘Melatonin’. Photo Gulle Lalah

Concluding Remarks

Understanding the relationship between limited sunlight exposure and mental health may enable individuals to take proactive steps in preventing conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), mood swings, and depression. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to adopt an indoor lifestyle, leading to several depressive and anxiety cases.

The post-COVID time should promote a healthy living style with enhanced and healthy daily dosage of sunlight exposure to promote mental well-being. This can be done by incorporating healthy habits into our busy schedules, e.g., taking frequent outdoor breaks, walking, or spending time in well-lit areas and planning family trips and outings in a more natural outdoor resort (Taniguchi et al., 2022). Embracing sunlight and inviting the positive influence of nature into our lives can illuminate a path towards a happier and healthier future.

“Mental health needs more sunlight, candour, and unashamed conversation.”   

 – Glenn Close

References:

  • Ji, Y., Chen, C., Xu, G., Song, J., Su, H., & Wang, H. (2023). Effects of sunshine duration on daily outpatient visits for depression in Suzhou, Anhui Province, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(1), 2075-2085.
  • Wang, J., Wei, Z., Yao, N., Li, C., & Sun, L. (2023). Association Between Sunlight Exposure and Mental Health: Evidence from a Special Population Without Sunlight in Work. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 1049-1057.
  • Komulainen, K., Hakulinen, C., Lipsanen, J., Partonen, T., Pulkki-Råback, L., Kähönen, M., … & Elovainio, M. (2022). Associations of long-term solar insolation with specific depressive symptoms: Evidence from a prospective cohort study. Journal of psychiatric research, 151, 606-610.
  • Taniguchi, K., Takano, M., Tobari, Y., Hayano, M., Nakajima, S., Mimura, M., … & Noda, Y. (2022). Influence of external natural environment including sunshine exposure on public mental health: a systematic review. Psychiatry International, 3(1), 91-113.
  • Bilu, C., Einat, H., Zimmet, P., Vishnevskia-Dai, V., & Kronfeld-Schor, N. (2020). Beneficial effects of daytime high-intensity light exposure on daily rhythms, metabolic state and affect. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 19782.
  • Azmitia, E. C. (2020). Evolution of serotonin: sunlight to suicide. In Handbook of Behavioural Neuroscience (Vol. 31, pp. 3-22). Elsevier.
  • Maruani, J., & Geoffroy, P. A. (2019). Bright light as a personalized precision treatment of mood disorders. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 85.
  • Gao, J., Cheng, Q., Duan, J., Xu, Z., Bai, L., Zhang, Y., … & Su, H. (2019). Ambient temperature, sunlight duration, and suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Science of the total environment, 646, 1021–1029.
  • Razzaque, M. S. (2018). Sunlight exposure: Do health benefits outweigh harm? The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 175, 44-48.
  • White, R. A., Azrael, D., Papadopoulos, F. C., Lambert, G. W., & Miller, M. (2015). Does suicide have a stronger association with seasonality than sunlight? BMJ open, 5(6), e007403.
  • Spedding, S. (2014). Vitamin D and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing studies with and without biological flaws. Nutrients, 6(4), 1501–1518.
  • Havaki-Kontaxaki, B. J., Papalias, E., Kontaxaki, M. E., & Papadimitriou, G. N. (2010). Seasonality, suicidality and melatonin. Psychiatrike, 21(4), 324-331.
  • Kent, S. T., McClure, L. A., Crosson, W. L., Arnett, D. K., Wadley, V. G., & Sathiakumar, N. (2009). Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants: a REGARDS cross-sectional study. Environmental Health, 8(1), 1-14.

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Also Read: BREAKING THE ODDS IN FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY IN PAKISTAN

Breaking the Odds in Field Epidemiology in Pakistan

Saadeqa Khan
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Breaking the Odds in Field Epidemiology in Pakistan

Epidemiology studies the determinants, dynamics, and distribution of diseases in populations. Countries worldwide now focus on additional support to strengthen public health systems to detect and respond to outbreaks efficiently.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that field epidemiologists are essential for providing decision-makers with information to develop effective health interventions. The global health community voices the need for more investment in training and research in this area.

The Ministry of National Health Services Pakistan, in collaboration with the Center for Diseases Control U.S., executes and imparts a comprehensive epidemiology training program as an advanced two-year and a three-month frontline course with a focus on building a skilled workforce of epidemiologists and public health professionals, equipped to address the evolving health challenges for a resilient healthcare system in Pakistan.

Dr Nadia Noreen is a medical doctor and public health specialist with an MBBS, MPH, and MSc in Epidemiology, a graduate of the 2-year advanced postgraduate Pakistan Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP), and pursuing a Doctorate (PhD) in Public Health. She is also a member of the Training Programs in Field Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network (TEPHINET), the global network of field epidemiology training programs building a workforce to protect all people from public health threats. 

Nadia currently works as the technical lead/focal person for International Health Regulations (IHR) for Border Health Services (BHS), a Department of the National Ministry of Health in Pakistan. BHS is responsible for implementing IHR and the cross-border spread of disease across the Points of Entry in Pakistan.

Seaports serve as vital hubs of trade, commerce, and international connectivity, so we must continue to provide our border health personnel with excellent training to have the necessary skills to conduct surveillance appropriately and manage risks effectively. 

Her journey blends the power of resilience and the beauty of selfless love. Nadia is a born struggler, facing life’s challenges with steadfast determination, strength, and compassion. The loss of her father during the early days of medical school was undoubtedly a dismaying moment, but she made a conscious decision not to let adversity define her. Instead, Nadia emerged as a source of strength for her family, particularly for her beloved mother, who is her whole world.

Below are a few excerpts from her recent conversation with Scientia Pakistan’s Chief Editor, Saadeqa Khan.

In Pakistan, among limited available opportunities, FELTP training is a unique and excellent opportunity for persons interested in public health and epidemiology to continue their education and training.
In Pakistan, among limited available opportunities, FELTP training is a unique and excellent opportunity for persons interested in public health and epidemiology to continue their education and training. Photo Dr Nadia

Saadeqa: Field epidemiology is primarily considered a male-dominant field in Pakistan. How do you overcome obstacles and hurdles you face?

Dr Nadia: As a graduate of FELTP Pakistan, I proudly acknowledge the strengths, skills, and knowledge gained through the FELTP training without any gender discrimination. FELTP Pakistan provides equal career advancement opportunities based on merit rather than gender. In Pakistan, among limited available opportunities, FELTP training is a unique and excellent opportunity for persons interested in public health and epidemiology to continue their education and training.

Pakistan FETLP is modeled after the U.S. Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) and has a unique, applied training approach focusing on “learning by doing”. FETP trainees (also known as residents, fellows, or officers) spend 75-80% of their time maximizing hands-on training in the field and only a limited but quality time in the classroom.

Classroom time is spent learning the principles of epidemiology, disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and biostatistics.

Field placements give fellows hands-on experience investigating outbreaks, establishing and evaluating disease surveillance systems, designing and conducting public health studies, and training other healthcare workers.

Learn more about how FETPs train here:  How We Train | Division of Global Health Protection | Global Health | CDC

To date, TEPHINET, with the support of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has trained more than 23,000 disease detectives to build disease outbreak and response capacity in more than 80 countries, including 286 field epidemiologists from 2-Year Advanced FETP and 338 from short course Frontline in Pakistan.

Working as a field epidemiologist in Pakistan has been a pleasant and positive experience. My journey as an epidemiologist involved in frontline response and emergency preparedness is a testament to my training, areas of expertise, and commitment to public health and saving lives. By excelling in this field, I have paved the way for many other females and inspired them to pursue careers in epidemiology and public health.

Saadeqa: Pakistan’s FELTP has made significant strides in promoting gender equity. Would you like to brief us about it? How did you contribute to their efforts?

Dr Nadia: FELTP Pakistan provides equal opportunities for training irrespective of gender based on a competitive selection screening process and accepts the most qualified candidates. Diversity inclusion is a priority in the selection of fellows and program officers.

Women and minority group representation in Pak-FELTP has been emphasized to ensure a workforce more closely resembles Pakistan’s population distribution. There are 42 female graduates (accounting for 20% of the total graduates), and nine female fellows are currently enrolled in the program.

Saadeqa: Where did you get the idea of the Training of Trainers (TOT) capacity-building workshop for Seaport workers? What were the objectives?

Dr. Nadia: The primary objective of the workshop was to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, strategies, and competencies required to serve as effective trainers of other seaport personnel, build workforce capacities, and improve surveillance systems at the Points of Entry in compliance with IHR to enhance global health security.

Seaports serve as vital hubs of trade, commerce, and international connectivity. However, they also present unique challenges regarding health security and preventing and managing potential outbreaks. The importance of surveillance at these entry points increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the potential for rapid disease spread and increased risks associated with potential trade restrictions.

In my capacity as a subject matter expert and the technical lead/focal person for International Health Regulations (IHR) for Border Health Services (BHS), which is a Department of the National Ministry of Health in Pakistan, it is a routine part of my responsibilities to build workforce capacity and train BHS staff to improve surveillance and disease detection and response at Pakistan’s Points of Entry (POEs).

I have designed several capacity-building sessions in the past at various POEs with the support of partner organizations to strengthen core capacities at POEs and improve emergency response. In the spirit of progress and innovation, these initial pilot TOT served as bridges connecting potential to proficiency. I intend to extend this learning experience to all Points of Entry (POEs) for workforce development.

“My journey as an epidemiologist involved in frontline response and emergency preparedness is a testament to my training, areas of expertise, and commitment to public health and saving lives.” ~ Dr Nadia Jamil Qureshi

Saadeqa: What was the experience of these workshops, and what are the outcomes?

Dr Nadia: Conducting TOT workshops to strengthen core disease detection and response capacities at seaports has been a wonderful experience and has tremendously impacted how we conduct surveillance and manage risks at points of entry in Pakistan.

Seaports serve as vital hubs of trade, commerce, and international connectivity, so we must continue to provide our border health personnel with excellent training to have the necessary skills to conduct surveillance appropriately and manage risks effectively. 

The target audience for these TOT sessions includes staff from different sectors working in coordination at all the seaports. The TOT workshop served as a platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices and allowed participants to gain valuable insights and learn from each other’s experiences.

The skills gained from this pilot workshop will help to accelerate emergency response and nurture a culture of continuous improvement that will safeguard public health within Pakistan’s seaports and contribute to a safer, healthier global community.

The most wonderful outcome of these workshops is the sense of empowerment, ownership, belonging, and confidence instilled in the participants and the belief that together we can make a difference in health outcomes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a test case for many sectors, particularly the public health sector, and increased the need for trained and skilled human resources to manage the pandemic on the frontlines.

Saadeqa: SEAPORT entry points in Pakistan are mostly bypassed regarding healthcare facilities. How did you train seaport workers and health personnel to manage an outbreak response at seaports and ship sanitation operations?

Dr Nadia: Cross-border health threats represent a considerable challenge to both developed and underdeveloped countries. Therefore, the practical application of health measures at points of entry is essential to prevent the spread of disease across borders.

Pakistan has designated and maintained core capacities at 18 Points of Entry. The capacity required at all times for the point of entry is developed but not sustained due to logistics and human resource constraints.

Pakistan has three international seaports, namely the Port of Karachi, Bin Qasim, and Gawadar, which are the designated seaports as per the IHR list of authorized ports to issue Ship Sanitation Certificates along with developed referral systems/ linkages with tertiary care facilities.

The training content for the workshops was crafted and adopted from the latest updated guidelines of WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with detailed, comprehensive learning of IHR, Global Health Security (GHS), and ship sanitation adopted from Guide to Ship Sanitation Third Edition by WHO, CDC Vessel sanitation programme, CDC maritime guidance, Vector and reservoir control program, public health events on board ships management handbook by WHO.

My writing and computer skills acquired through FELTP training enabled me to develop comprehensive training materials like presentations, case studies, and flip charts.

Saadeqa: I read a fascinating story of two female crane operators working at Karachi Sea Port. You visited there: are you pleased with the working environment there for females?

Dr Nadia: Seaports are hubs of ceaseless activity, diversity, and ingenuity. My visits to seaports have always been enjoyable as the work environment for females is very supportive. For example, a female medical officer has been serving as a port Health officer for over the years. Likewise, my experience at seaports in a leadership role for over three years has been enriching. An environment emphasizing skills, knowledge, and collaboration supports it.

This environment keeps us focused on the work rather than gender and creates a brighter, healthier, safer, and more prosperous future for all of us on the frontline of public health.

Saadeqa: What strategies should we implement to increase gender inequity in such places?

Dr Nadia: The working environment for females in all places and walks of life must be safe, inclusive, and free from discrimination. Employers and organizations must ensure that female workers have equal opportunities, access to training and career development, and are treated with respect and fairness.

Promoting gender diversity in the workplace benefits individual women and contributes to the overall success and innovation of organizations. Encouraging more women to pursue careers in non-traditional fields is a step in the right direction towards achieving gender equality and creating inclusive work environments.

It's a powerful testament to the importance of family and parents nurturing their children's dreams and aspirations. Photo Dr Nadia/ CDC, U.S.
It’s a powerful testament to the importance of family and parents nurturing their children’s dreams and aspirations. Photo Dr Nadia/ CDC, U.S.

Saadeqa: Is there anything else of public interest I missed that you can add about your or FELTP’s efforts to promote gender and health equity in Pakistan?

Dr. Nadia: First, I want to express my profound acknowledgement of my mother’s selflessness, dedication, and support that have shaped my life. I want to pay a heartfelt tribute to the sacrifices she has made, the encouragement she has provided, and the prayers she has offered for my well-being and success.

It’s a powerful testament to the importance of family and parents nurturing their children’s dreams and aspirations. It’s a reminder that behind every success story is often the enduring dedication, motivation, and prayers of a loving parent. My father in heaven and my mother in my home are my real heroes.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely acknowledge and express my heartfelt gratitude to the exceptional teachers and mentors at FELTP who have played a pivotal role in shaping my drive for continuous learning and skill development.

I am also deeply appreciative and pay profound gratitude to my competent authorities at the National Health Ministry and headquarters, whose commitment to fostering an enabling and inclusive environment has been instrumental in my professional journey.

Their dedication to creating a workspace where everyone, regardless of background or identity, can thrive, contribute, and flourish is commendable. Within this nurturing environment, I have found the inspiration to excel and support others in reaching new heights.

As I move forward, I carry the invaluable lessons, mentorship, and supportive framework my teachers, mentors, and competent authorities provide. With their continued guidance and the foundation they have laid, I am empowered to embrace challenges and opportunities and contribute positively to my field and beyond.

A profound “take-home” lesson I have learned throughout these years of continuous response and engagement is that health security knows no boundaries, and the collaborative strength of diverse voices leads us to a safer, healthier world.

Acknowledgement:

The said piece of TOT was done with the support of Jhpiego- an affiliate of John Hopkins University, under the patronage of the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordinations.

Also, Read: Sania Alam— The Super Learning Queen

Viral Conjunctivitis— All You Need to Know

Mohamaad Irtaza Tafheem
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Viral Conjunctivitis— All You Need to Know

Recently, over 10,000 conjunctivitis incidents have been reported in Punjab alone, and it’s still increasing. At the same time, the metropolis of Karachi is also at risk for the outbreak despite decreasing cases lately. Within a few weeks, due to a conjunctivitis outbreak in Punjab, schools were closed for a few days to prevent transmission.

With an increasing outbreak in different regions of Pakistan and some at risk, it’s better to know about this disease and how to protect ourselves and others from it. 

What is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis, or “Pink Eye”, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva (the outer transparent layer of your eye and inner linings of your eyelids), with dilated blood vessels infiltrating white blood cells into the conjunctiva and removing foreign particles. The disease may result in swelling of conjunctiva and eyelids, accumulating water inside your tissue (known as edema). Also, the eye redness is due to dilated blood vessels and the pain from this inflammation.

What causes Conjunctivitis?

It can be caused by infection (such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites) or by non-infection means (through reactions with allergens, toxins, or a deregulated immune system).

The disease becomes complicated to diagnose, whether direct or indirect, based on its aetiology. For instance, Gnorrhoea, a sexually transmitted disease, can develop Conjunctivitis, apart from other organ complications.  

Among all these causes, viral Conjunctivitis is the most common globally. 

Viral Conjunctivitis

The virus infection accounts for a significant fraction of all cases related to eye diseases. Adenovirus (AdV) is the most common among many pathogens, with around 90% of all viral eye infection cases. 

Adenovirus

The species is classified into seven (A to G), comprising more than 100 strains. The virus is a 90 – 100 nm, non-enveloped nucleocapsid embedded inside with double-stranded DNA of 35k base pairs. Among the seven, D is known to have many strains causing Conjunctivitis, with AdV-D8, D19, and D37 found to be abundant among overall AdV conjunctivital cases.

At present, no specific treatment for conjunctivitis has been developed.
At present, no specific treatment for Conjunctivitis has been developed.

How is it transmitted?

AdV conjunctivitis is commonly spread by interacting with infected individuals. The fluid exposed by the patient, due to frequent eye rubbing can affect your eyes if exposed. Also, improper hygiene practices and improper chlorination of swimming pools can transmit the illness as well. 

Diagnosis

Several interpretations were made to distinguish bacterial and viral Conjunctivitis. However, most symptoms overlap, and it becomes hard to deduce the cause based on physical examination. Specific lab tests, like microbial culture, can detect the bacterial cause and see the viral reason, Real-Time PCR with 94% specificity and 89% sensitivity. 

Current Treatment

At present, no specific treatment has been developed. However, published studies directed to finding the AdV conjunctivitis treatments were based on lab culture. Fortunately, most cases are non-severe and take around a week or two to get cured. 

Also, based on public health experts’ recommendations, avoid taking unprescribed medication alone. To seek an emergency, visit a healthcare institute and make an appointment. Make sure to take a leave from your work and have rest. 

Preventions

Even if you get through with it, there might be a risk of drawbacks, affecting your eyes for an extended period. It’s better to take preventive measures, protecting your eyes and your loved ones. 

Make a habit of hand-washing frequently, and if you interact with an infected individual, keep your distance from them and avoid making physical contact, even handshakes. If you did, wash your hands and avoid rubbing your eyes unless cleaned.

Furthermore, wipe exposed surfaces or disinfect surfaces in healthcare institutes. The virus, being non-enveloped, is stabilized on the surface for an average of three weeks. And ensure properly chlorinated swimming pools. 

And yes, if you are still reading this article, protect yourself and your family from the current outbreak of Conjunctivitis. 

Note: Mohammad Irtaza Tafheem wrote this piece in collaboration with Dr. Muhammad Hamza Khan.

ABOUT THE COLLABORATOR: Dr. Muhammad Hamza Khan, currently a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, is a Surgical Skills Faculty of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. He has over nine years of experience interacting with eye patients and presenting at conferences worldwide.

REFERENCES:

  • Azari, A. A., & Arabi, A. (2020). Conjunctivitis: a systematic review. Journal of ophthalmic & visionresearch, 15(3), 372.
  • Azari, A. A., & Barney, N. P. (2013). Conjunctivitis: a systematic review of diagnosis and treatment. Jama,310(16), 1721-1730.
  • Muto, T., Imaizumi, S., & Kamoi, K. (2023). Viral Conjunctivitis. Viruses, 15(3), 676.
  • Rajaiya, J., Saha, A., Ismail, A. M., Zhou, X., Su, T., & Chodosh, J. (2021). Adenovirus and the cornea: more than meets the eye. Viruses, 13(2), 293.
  • Zhang, L., Zhao, N., Sha, J., Wang, C., Jin, X., Amer, S., & Liu, S. (2016). Virology and epidemiology analyses of global adenovirus-associated conjunctivitis outbreaks, 1953–2013. Epidemiology & Infection,144(8), 1661-1672.

Also Read: THE GERM FILES: SEVEN BOOKS ABOUT DISEASES OUTBREAKS TO ADD TO YOUR TBR

Scientia Pakistan serves as a Community Partner of SJF23

Scientia Pakistan
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Scientia Pakistan serves as a Community Partner of SJF23

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Scientia Pakistan is a community partner of this year’s highly anticipated Science Journalism Forum 2023 (SJF23)!

Mark your calendars as SJF23 is set to take place from the 23rd to the 26th of October, focusing on the theme "Seeking Best Practices."
Mark your calendars as SJF23 is set to take place from the 23rd to the 26th of October, focusing on the theme “Seeking Best Practices.”

The Science Journalism Forum is returning for its 4th Edition, and this year, it brings a set of unique advantages, promising an exceptional experience you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendars as SJF23 is set to take place from the 23rd to the 26th of October, focusing on the theme “Seeking Best Practices.”

Join at: https://sciencejf.com/shop/

Here’s a sneak peek into what SJF23 has in store for you:

  • Tailored Guidance: To ensure you make the most of your experience, SJF23 is providing a special-tailored guide designed to lead you through SJF23 based on your unique interests. Whether you’re a seasoned science journalist or just starting out, this guide will help you navigate the event with ease.
  • Innovative Tools: Dive into a treasure trove of innovative tools that have not only revolutionized science journalism but continue to shape its future. 
  • Best Practices and Success Stories: SJF23 will feature presentations from prominent speakers in the field who will share their success stories and shed light on the best practices in science journalism. 
  • Impactful Initiatives: Discover impactful science journalism initiatives that have left an indelible mark on the field. These initiatives have shaped the course of science journalism in profound ways and continue to drive positive change.

But that’s not all! Secure your ticket now with 50% OFF by using promo code (Insert Promo Code). Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to be a part of SJF23 with this unbeatable offer.

Also, Read: All Set for Lahore Science Mela

AI-Descartes: The AI Scientist Revolutionizes Scientific Discovery

Mohsin Iqbal
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AI-Descartes: The AI Scientist Revolutionizes Scientific Discovery

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the scientific discovery process by enabling the combination of data and theory to derive meaningful and accurate models of natural phenomena. One powerful approach to this integration is AI-Descartes, a method that combines logical reasoning with symbolic regression. By leveraging the strengths of both techniques, AI-Descartes allows scientists to derive scientific laws and formulas that are not only empirically accurate but also consistent with prior knowledge expressed through logical axioms.

René Descartes: A Renaissance Man

René Descartes, a prominent figure of the Renaissance, made significant contributions to philosophy, mathematics, and science. He possessed many skills and knowledge, making him a true polymath. Descartes’ philosophy placed great importance on rationality and logical reasoning, which laid the foundation for his famous statement, “I think, therefore I am.”

This idea was instrumental in shaping the notion of a machine mind distinct from its physical form, a key concept in AI.
This idea was instrumental in shaping the notion of a machine mind distinct from its physical form, a key concept in AI.

During the 17th century in France, Descartes played a crucial role in developing artificial intelligence by introducing the concept of dualism. According to Descartes, the mind and body are separate entities that are interconnected. He believed it was possible to mentally separate these “substances,” such as the mind, from the physical body. This idea was instrumental in shaping the notion of a machine mind distinct from its physical form, a key concept in AI.

Descartes also viewed animals as “automata,” or self-moving machines, following predetermined instructions like programmed machines do today. He applied his theories practically by improving clock designs and constructing robot-like machines, effectively bridging the gap between philosophy and technology. This foresight demonstrated his understanding of the potential relationship between humans and machines.

By leveraging the strengths of both techniques, AI-Descartes allows scientists to derive scientific laws and formulas that are not only empirically accurate but also consistent with prior knowledge expressed through logical axioms.

The Power of Symbolic Regression

Artificial neural networks (NN) and statistical regression are commonly used to discover patterns and relationships in data. Neural networks provide “black-box” models focusing on prediction, while regression models require a predetermined functional form and concentrate on parameter fitting.

Symbolic regression (SR) offers a different approach by allowing the functional form to be composed from a given set of operators and calculated from the data. SR models are often more interpretable than NN models and require less data, making them suitable for discovering laws of nature from experimental data.

The Challenge of Model Derivability

While SR can generate models that fit the data, identifying scientifically meaningful models consistent with prior knowledge is the challenge. Previous approaches have focused on balancing accuracy and complexity, but they must guarantee consistency with known background theories.

The problem becomes more complicated when logical axioms are involved, and automated theorem provers need help to generate theorems consistent with experimental data from a set of known assumptions.

Introducing AI-Descartes: Combining Reasoning and Symbolic Regression

AI-Descartes has been developed to address the challenge of derivable scientific discovery. AI-Descartes combines logical reasoning with symbolic regression to enable principled derivations of models of natural phenomena from axiomatic knowledge and experimental data. This approach integrates statistical and symbolic AI techniques to synthesize models that are both data-driven and based on first principles.

The Discovery Process

The AI-Descartes system follows a discovery cycle inspired by Descartes’ scientific method. Rather than starting with hypotheses derived from theory and testing them against data, AI-Descartes generates and assesses them against known background theories. The system consists of two main modules: the symbolic regression (SR) and reasoning modules.

The SR module outputs a set of candidate formulas that fit the data but may not be derivable from the background theory.
The SR module outputs a set of candidate formulas that fit the data but may not be derivable from the background theory.

The SR module takes as input a set of operators, a grammar, and constraints on the functional form. It uses mixed integer nonlinear programming to find an expression that minimizes the least-square error between the model and the data. The SR module outputs a set of candidate formulas that fit the data but may not be derivable from the background theory.

The reasoning module is responsible for assessing the derivability of the candidate formulas. It takes the background theory and the candidate formulas as input and uses automated theorem provers and deductive reasoning to determine whether a formula is derivable. If a formula is derivable, it is returned as the chosen model for prediction. If none of the candidate formulas are derivable, the reasoning module provides a quality assessment based on the distance between the formulas and the background theory.

Experimental Validation

The AI-Descartes system has been tested on three problems to validate its capabilities.

  • The first problem involves deriving Kepler’s third law of planetary motion from solar system data and background theory. The system rediscovered Kepler’s third law, demonstrating its ability to extract meaningful formulas from data and logical reasoning.
  • The second problem focuses on Einstein’s relativistic time-dilation formula. While the system did not recover the formula from the data, it helped identify the formula that best generalizes it. The system could determine the theory that better explains the phenomenon by analyzing the reasoning errors with different sets of axioms.
  • The third problem involves Langmuir’s adsorption theory, which includes material-dependent coefficients. The system used existential quantification to logically prove one of the extracted formulas by relating the SR-generated models’ coefficients to the background theory coefficients.

Industry Insights

AI-Descartes possesses a distinct advantage when it comes to handling intricate real-world data. While typical models, such as symbolic regression programs, tend to become overwhelmed by the minutiae, attempting to account for every minor alteration, AI-Descartes effortlessly sifts through the chaos.

It is akin to discovering the melody in a noisy room – this AI model hones in on the crucial patterns concealed within the data. The result? Models that are more transparent and dependable avoid excessive analysis and accurately reflect the occurrences within the data.

Tyler Josephson, co-author of the study and an assistant professor at UMBC, clarifies, “In this work, we relied on human experts to formalize the axioms of the background theory in a computer-readable format. If any axioms were missed or incorrect, it would hinder the system’s functionality.”

This implies that the experts translated the fundamental assumptions or principles of the theory into a format that the AI system could comprehend. Any errors during this process could limit the effectiveness of the system. Josephson adds, “In the future, we aim to automate this process, allowing us to expand our exploration to various domains of science and engineering.”

Conclusion

AI-Descartes demonstrates the value of combining logical reasoning with symbolic regression to obtain meaningful models of physical phenomena. By integrating data and theory, AI-Descartes synthesizes models that are both data-driven and based on first principles. This approach could revolutionize the scientific discovery process by accelerating the discovery of models consistent with prior knowledge. AI-Descartes is an accessible and knowledgeable guide, helping researchers uncover meaningful scientific insights from their data.

References:

Also Read: HIPPOCRATES VS PASTEUR: IS MODERN MEDICINE AN UPGRADE?

A look at the case of Thalassemia in Pakistan

Maham Maqsood
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A look at the case of Thalassemia in Pakistan

Nasreen* sobbed as she told the story of her family. She had lost two of her children to thalassemia. Two of them were lying on the hospital bed in front of her as blood was being transfused into their bodies. Her husband was the sole earner of her family who labored hard to keep the lives of their children safe and provide medication and treatment for their condition. This was my experience at a thalassemia center in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan and sadly, Nasreen’s story is not the only one. There are many people experiencing similar pain and difficulties due to a lack of consultation and awareness. The blood disorder of thalassemia occurs around the world and some of its sub-types are extremely lethal.

Thalassemia has a high incidence in Pakistan

The deadly blood disorder

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder i.e. it is a disease which an individual inherits from parents. The number of red blood cells in the body is extremely low which is due to unavailability of the compound hemoglobin, that carries oxygen in the fluids.  The mutation in the genetic material i.e. the DNA causes disruption in the normal production of the blood cells leading to anemia. There are several types of thalassemia depending on the number of the mutated genes one receives from one’s parents and it is also proportional to the severity of the disease. The symptoms appear at a very early age.

The hemoglobin molecule is made up of two chains i.e. alpha and beta-globin, both of which can be affected by mutations. If there is one alpha gene missing than the person is a silent carrier and the increased number of missing genes corresponds to the extremity of this disorder. The most extreme cases are: Hydrops fetalis relating to mutation of alpha chains, Beta thalassemia major and Cooley’s anemia relating to mutations in beta chains. The symptoms are decreased blood production, growth of various organs such as the spleen, abnormalities of bones, and growth issues. The only treatment of severe cases is blood transfusions with medications. Some have frequent transfusions in a month especially those exhibiting severe symptoms, and some may have transfusions once in a while.

The symptoms of Thalassemia appear at a very early age.

Addressing Thalassemia in Pakistan

As mentioned in the beginning, I got to experience the environment at a thalassemia center and noted some important points regarding the occurrence of this disease in this region of the world. One of the main reasons why the incidence is higher is because of cousin marriages. These marriages have been a tradition for a very long time and seemingly there aren’t any problems with it as such. But in certain areas, there are families that have genes for deadly disorders like thalassemia. The establishment of a relationship between such individuals may result in a doomed household. According to my observation, most of the patients had the disease in their family and certain couples had all their kids affected because both parents were the carriers of this disease. This shows that lack of awareness and education leads to a terrible situation.

For longtime survival it is necessary that it is addressed at the very beginning and treatment should be started after immediate diagnosis. Pakistan Thalassemia Welfare Society was developed by experts and qualified doctors from around the country in this regard. It is under the direct management of the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan. There has been the establishment of different centers for blood transfusion, most of which aim to offer treatment for free or subsidized rates. The Society is also a recognized member of Thalassemia International Federation, Cyprus and keeps itself updated about the latest and ongoing research in this mentioned health sector. Pakistan Thalassemia Welfare Society is also registered with the Pakistan Science Foundation and works with the help of donations and funds from their members and other philanthropists throughout the country. It also works to raise awareness about the disease and provide counseling to the people. Every month, different donors from colleges, universities, Pakistan Red Crescent Society, and the Armed Forces Institute of Transfusion help to provide required blood to patients.

Many transfusion centers have been established across the country

These days not only the government has started to take steps to address the issue, but private groups are also diving in to provide their help and support. Many transfusion centers have been established across the country as mentioned and some of them do more than just providing blood. They also provide counseling to families of affected individuals and assist in marriages by genetic testing. Many programs have been introduced to make the people more aware of the ways through which they can combat this issue and save the lives of their families. In many cases, counseling encourages people to seek proper guidance for their future decisions and to avoid troublesome circumstances.

Issues during treatment

There are various issues that patients may face while seeking treatment. The most common is the lack of availability of blood. Often, patients are not able to find donors at blood transfusion centers and they must undergo a great deal of trouble to get one. This especially happens during the months of summer when the most generous blood donor group i.e. the students is not available. There are also many side effects of the treatment such as the buildup of iron in body fluids after repeated transfusions which is dangerous in high amounts to the vital organs of the body like the heart, liver, etc. Again, therapies and medications are required to lower and stabilize iron concentrations.

There are various ongoing efforts that address to control this disease and provide support to the patients. Not only do such individuals need medical support but they also require emotional assistance. Their lifespan depends on the quality of treatment and the severity of the disease. In the West, many thalassemia patients have lived a long life but unfortunately, in Pakistan, the lifespan of such beings isn’t very extended and there is a need to put in more effort at research and medical level to develop efficient therapies and treatments.

*Note: Names have been changed to main confidentiality.

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