Rare Angel shark filmed in Cardigan Bay on underwater camera
A juvenile angel shark was caught on camera in September 2021 in Cardigan Bay.Ms Perry said the latest sighting "comes at a crucial time, as the Senedd and UK government discuss a ban on bottom trawling in marine protected areas".
"These findings highlight the urgent need to protect these fragile habitats from damaging activities like bottom trawling," she said.Angel sharks, known as a "flat shark", spends much of the time camouflaged in the sediments on the seabed, where they lie in wait for fish.In 2019, experts said sightings suggested Wales could be a key habitat for the angel shark which has had a stronghold around the Canary Islands.
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Reuters
7 minutes ago
- Reuters
UK scientists find genes linked with chronic fatigue syndrome
Aug 6 (Reuters) - Researchers at the University of Edinburgh said on Wednesday they have discovered differences in the DNA of people with chronic fatigue syndrome that should help dispel the notion that the debilitating condition is psychological or driven by laziness. Their study found eight areas of genetic code that are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy volunteers. The finding provides 'the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person's chance of developing the disease,' the researchers said in a statement. The key features of the condition include worsening of fatigue, pain and brain fog after even minor physical or mental activity. Very little has been known about the causes of ME/CFS, and there is no diagnostic test or cure. The condition is believed to affect around 67 million people worldwide, the researchers said. The DecodeME study analyzed DNA samples from 15,579 people who reported having chronic fatigue on a questionnaire and 259,909 people without it, all of European descent. Gene variants that were more common in people reporting ME/CFS were linked to the immune and nervous systems, according to a report of the study that has not yet been peer-reviewed. At least two of the gene regions relate to how the body responds to infection, which aligns with reports that the symptoms often start after an infectious illness, the researchers said. Another gene region has previously been identified in people with chronic pain, another common symptom of the condition. The findings 'align with decades of patients reporting on their experiences,' researcher Andy Devereux-Cooke said in a statement, adding that they "should prove game changing in the ME/CFS research field.' 'These results will not mean that a test or cure will be developed straight away, but they will lead to a greater understanding," he said. Scientists who were not involved in the study said using volunteers who self-reported chronic fatigue syndrome rather than restricting participation to those with a diagnosis from a medical professional somewhat weakened its conclusions. They called for larger studies to replicate the results. Substantial work will be necessary 'to translate these findings into new treatments," said Dr. Jackie Cliff, who studies infection and immunity in ME/CFS at Brunel University of London. "This will take considerable investment in academia and by industry.'
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Breakthrough genetic study offers treatment hope for ME patients
Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) could have genetic roots, researchers have found, in the biggest scientific breakthrough yet into the disease. A team at the University of Edinburgh analysed DNA samples from people with ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), in a hunt to uncover the biological roots of the illness. About 400,000 people in Britain have the disease, which leads to profound exhaustion and pain, but until now scientists knew 'next to nothing' about what causes it. The new study revealed eight 'signals' in genetic code where people with ME tended to have markedly different gene variants compared to the healthy population. It is the first robust evidence that genes predispose people to the disease and suggests that ME may be caused by processes in the immune and nervous systems.
Channel 4
an hour ago
- Channel 4
ME linked to your genetics
We're a long way from a diagnostic test or cure for ME , but the world's largest genetic study into the disease is celebrating a breakthrough. The University of Edinburgh's Institute of Genetics and Cancer has found a genetic link in the DNA of people with ME, compared to the general population. Scientists said the findings offer the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person's chance of developing the disease. The Decode ME study, uncovered eight areas of genetic code in people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) that are markedly different to the DNA of people without the condition. The DNA of more than 15 and a half thousand people across the UK was analysed, in the five year study led by Professor Chris Ponting. We were the first broadcast team to be given access to the results of the study – and we joined Professor Ponting three weeks ago, as he went to meet Sarah Chadfield, one of its participants. Sarah was an active school teacher before being diagnosed with moderate ME twelve years ago. Simple tasks can now trigger days of suffering. She says her chair has become the centre of her world. 'It is like my body's in distress' she says, 'and it's screaming at me. It's not exactly pain, it's deeper than pain and I just have to sit down.' It's estimated that around four hundred thousand people in the UK suffer from ME. But many feel the disease is misunderstood – by friends, family and the healthcare profession. Something Professor Ponting is hoping the initial results of this study can change. He's come to tell Sarah what they've found. They both sit down in the living room and we're invited to witness the moment. 'So what we have found,' says Chris, 'are eight places in people with ME's DNA that, on average, are different. Our first step is to demonstrate that there's a biological, organic difference. In fact eight differences at LEAST between people with ME and others. And now that we have narrowed it down to these very small slices of our DNA, we can then tell everyone in the scientific community that it's their job, it's up to them now to find out what has gone wrong for so many people.' 'What we have found are eight places in people with ME's DNA that, on average, are different. Our first step is to demonstrate that there's a biological, organic difference.' – Professor Chris Ponting Sarah looks happy as she listens to an impassioned Chris. 'You've ascertained it's a thing,' she says. 'It's a thing,' he replies. The conversation flows. 'What I would love,' says Chris, 'is for anyone who doesn't think it's a thing – that this is not an organic illness – for them to have in front of them, the evidence that you have just told me – that it's a thing.' 'That was my motivation for doing it when I first saw it,' says Sarah. 'To legitimise this thing that I have. To validate it. And give it a name. It does exist. It now exists on my DNA. It's not in here,' as she points to her head. 'I've not made it up and I'm not imagining it. It's real. It's in my body isn't it?' Last year, Channel 4 News reported on the case of Maeve Boothby-O'Neill . A coroner ruled she died at the age of 27 – from malnutrition caused by severe ME. Her story highlighted a need for better support and treatment options within the NHS. 'We still hear from people where their doctor doesn't believe that they have a 'real' illness.' – Sonya Chowdhury 'There are some fantastic doctors and clinicians out there,' says Sonya Chowdhury, the Chief Exec of Action for ME. 'But we still hear from people where their doctor doesn't believe that they have a 'real' illness. That it's a result of deconditioning, or something else. So from the minute we publish these results, people can go into their doctors surgery and say 'here are genetic causes for the illness that I have. Now how are you going to support me?'' Chris, who is clearly passionate about the research his team has done, was keen to make some points clear to us: 'Eighty per cent or more of people with ME are female. And as a female dominant disease it has not been A – believed and B – well funded to the level that male dominant diseases have been. For me it's hugely exciting. It is significant in so many ways. At a personal level for people with ME – they are telling me this is a breakthrough for them. But then scientifically this lights the path for the future science that will be done for people with ME. It is not the end of what is needed. It is the end of the beginning of what is needed.' And Sarah is left with a sense of optimism: '20 years ago when it was 'yuppy flu' – we've gone from that to where we are now. So in 20 years' time you'd like to think that there's going to be a diagnosis, there's going to be treatment, there's going to be a pathway. That's what I've got from today. It's all actually going on out there – so I don't feel hopeless. I'm telling that to myself,' she says, 'there may be hope.' 'In 20 years' time you'd like to think that there's going to be a diagnosis, there's going to be treatment, there's going to be a pathway. I'm telling myself, there may be hope.' – Sarah Chadfield ME Delivery Plan: will it make a difference? 'There's so little real understanding of ME in the NHS', says campaigner Chronic fatigue treatment inadequate, say campaigners
