Latest news with #AberystwythUniversity
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025: Second day winner announced
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The winner of Drama Medal at the 2025 Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro, was announced yesterday (Tuesday May 27.) And the prize was won by Elin Undeg Williams from Betws Gwerfil Goch, Denbighshire It is exactly fifty years since the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Drama Medal was introduced as one of the main ceremonies - at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Llanelli in 1975. This year the competitors were required to write a play or monologue suitable for performance for any medium for no more than two actors, and no longer than 15 minutes. According to the judges, Heiddwen Tomos and Sêra Moore Williams, 14 plays were received in a 'very high standard' competition, with both judges 'very pleased with the promise and confidence show in all the plays.' Elin is 18 years old and studying Welsh, History and Religious Education at Ysgol Brynhyfryd. She plans on studying Law and Professional Welsh at Aberystwyth University in September. She is a keen member of Uwchaled Young Farmers Club and is looking forward to competing as a member of Aelwyd Llangwm at the Eisteddfod the end of the week. Elin would like to thank her teachers in the Welsh Language Department at Ysgol Brynhyfryd for being so supportive and thank her family for everything. The judges said: 'This is a timely play with clever dialogue around a difficult situation. From the first reading we both loved the play. There are special moments that really touch the heart. The writing is special and captivates the reader. "There is a real depth and understanding of characters that could easily be identified with. The message is gripping and the tenderness between the two characters sustains the play.' Second in the competition was Ffred Hayes from Cardiff, and Mali Grigg from Bangor in third place. Both are members of the latest Cwmni Theatr yr Urdd (Urdd's Youth Theatre Company) production Ceridwen . Elin will be given the opportunity to spend some time with Theatr Cymru and receive further training with the BBC. Elin received a special medal created by jeweller Rhiannon from Tregaron. The drama Medal is given by The Welsh Drama Society. Elin's work will be published by Cyhoeddiadau'r Stamp Publications immediately after the ceremony. It will be available to buy in pamphlet format at the Eisteddfod or from local bookshops across Wales. Owain Sparnon has created the artwork for the cover; he's local to the Eisteddfod area and was one judges in the main art awards this year. The first, second and third in the competition will have the opportunity to attend the Olwen Course at Canolfan Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in memory of Olwen Dafydd, thanks to the Olwen Griffith Trust. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Urdd Eisteddfod 2025: Second day winner announced
The winner of Drama Medal at the 2025 Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr, Parc Margam a'r Fro, was announced yesterday (Tuesday May 27.) And the prize was won by Elin Undeg Williams from Betws Gwerfil Goch, Denbighshire It is exactly fifty years since the Eisteddfod yr Urdd Drama Medal was introduced as one of the main ceremonies - at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Llanelli in 1975. This year the competitors were required to write a play or monologue suitable for performance for any medium for no more than two actors, and no longer than 15 minutes. According to the judges, Heiddwen Tomos and Sêra Moore Williams, 14 plays were received in a 'very high standard' competition, with both judges 'very pleased with the promise and confidence show in all the plays.' Elin is 18 years old and studying Welsh, History and Religious Education at Ysgol Brynhyfryd. She plans on studying Law and Professional Welsh at Aberystwyth University in September. She is a keen member of Uwchaled Young Farmers Club and is looking forward to competing as a member of Aelwyd Llangwm at the Eisteddfod the end of the week. Elin would like to thank her teachers in the Welsh Language Department at Ysgol Brynhyfryd for being so supportive and thank her family for everything. The judges said: 'This is a timely play with clever dialogue around a difficult situation. From the first reading we both loved the play. There are special moments that really touch the heart. The writing is special and captivates the reader. "There is a real depth and understanding of characters that could easily be identified with. The message is gripping and the tenderness between the two characters sustains the play.' Second in the competition was Ffred Hayes from Cardiff, and Mali Grigg from Bangor in third place. Both are members of the latest Cwmni Theatr yr Urdd (Urdd's Youth Theatre Company) production Ceridwen. Elin will be given the opportunity to spend some time with Theatr Cymru and receive further training with the BBC. Elin received a special medal created by jeweller Rhiannon from Tregaron. The drama Medal is given by The Welsh Drama Society. Elin's work will be published by Cyhoeddiadau'r Stamp Publications immediately after the ceremony. It will be available to buy in pamphlet format at the Eisteddfod or from local bookshops across Wales. Owain Sparnon has created the artwork for the cover; he's local to the Eisteddfod area and was one judges in the main art awards this year. The first, second and third in the competition will have the opportunity to attend the Olwen Course at Canolfan Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in memory of Olwen Dafydd, thanks to the Olwen Griffith Trust.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Why are these scientists trying to collect dolphin poo?
When you think of dolphins frolicking in the sea, you may be picturing a warm, sunny, tropical island somewhere. But did you know there are around 200 bottlenose dolphins living in Cardigan Bay just off the coast of Wales? Well, scientists have been studying the pod of dolphins for years, but they have come up with a new way to learn more about them. By studying their poo. The team of conservationists funded by the Nature Networks Fund in collaboration with Aberystwyth University are trying to learn more about the dolphin's relationships and movement patterns. They are therefore attempting to collect poo samples from as many dolphins in Cardigan Bay as possible using nets after the marine creatures do their 'business'. They will then be able to send the poo to Aberystwyth University to be analysed to help understand what they have been feeding on and therefore, where they are getting their food from. With enough data (poo), they will also be able to build individual profiles for each dolphin and perhaps even find similarities between biological family members. But the poop isn't the only thing they will be looking closely at. They will also attempt to match the samples with photo identification records of the dolphins gathered on camera by members of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Sarah Perry, the trust's marine conservation and research manager, said she hoped the study would "unravel the mysteries of bottlenose dolphin ecology in Cardigan Bay"."This project covers an area of research that we have aspired to embark on over the past decade or so, and we are excited that it has come to fruition at a time when it is even more important that we build on our knowledge of the species in the waters around us."
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
The 3 simple at-home tests to check how well YOUR brain is really ageing
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHILE it's impossible to predict your exact lifespan, experts have developed simple tests over the years to gauge how well (or how badly) a person is ageing. The sit-to-stand test has gained popularity in recent years, with the aim to measure how many times a person can rise from a seated position to a standing position and back within 30 seconds. 3 Cognitive fitness is a good measure of how well a person is ageing Credit: Getty The test can be a predictor of frailty and mortality - lower scores may indicate a higher risk of falls and reduced mobility. But if you want to really understand how well you're ageing, it's important to look beyond physical health. Mental sharpness, emotional resilience and social connection matter just as much, says Marco Arkesteijn, a lecturer in sport and exercise biomechanics at Aberystwyth University. Writing for The Conversation, he advises a better way to test how well you're ageing is to assess your cognitive fitness, which includes skills like attention, memory and flexibility. Three tests he recommends are the Trail Making Test, the Stroop Task, and Dual-task Challenge. He says: "These kinds of tasks test how well your brain handles competing demands – a key ability that becomes even more important as we age. "This skill is known as cognitive flexibility, and it helps you adapt to changing situations, switch between tasks and manage distractions." Trail Making Test 3 The Trail Making Test involves connecting dots in a specific order Credit: Getty The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a neuropsychological test used to assess visual attention, task switching, and executive function. It involves connecting dots in a specific order. A subject is given a sheet containing the dots (numbers and letters) and a pencil. 10 second one leg stand test For part A, the subject is instructed to connect the numbers in numerical order as quickly as possible. For part B, the subject is instructed to connect the alternating numbers and letters in the correct sequence. The time taken to complete each part is recorded. Part A measures psychomotor speed and visual search. Part B measures executive function, including set-shifting and inhibition. Time difference between part A and part B can indicate difficulties with task switching and executive function. As well as being a test for ageing you can do at home, the TMT is used in various clinical settings, including evaluating brain injury, identifying early signs of dementia, and tracking progress after brain injuries and other neurological conditions. Stroop Task The Stroop task is a psychological experiment designed to measure cognitive interference, specifically the interference between reading a word and naming the colour it's written in. Participants are presented with colour words, and the task is to name the colour of the ink the word is printed in, even when the word itself contradicts that colour. The word "RED" might be printed in blue ink, creating a conflict between the word's meaning and the ink colour. Signs of difficulty with the Stroop task include slower reaction times, increased errors, and finding it hard to override the automatic tendency to read the word rather than identify the colour. In clinical settings, the Stroop task can be used to assess attention deficits and cognitive flexibility, such as evaluating individuals with ADHD or other neurological conditions. Dual-task Challenge 3 The Dual-task Challenge involves performing two tasks simultaneously, such as walking and talking Credit: Getty A Dual-task Challenge involves simultaneously performing two tasks, often a motor task and a cognitive task, to assess the impact of one task on the performance of the other. This approach is used to study how attention and cognitive resources are allocated and how multitasking can affect performance, particularly in areas like gait and balance. Common dual-task scenarios include walking while talking, counting while performing a physical exercise, or paying attention to a conversation while walking. Struggling with dual-task challenges can manifest in various ways. You might experience decreased performance in either or both tasks, increased reaction times, or changes in physical movement like reduced walking speed or balance issues. Specifically, you could notice difficulties with tasks requiring cognitive flexibility, executive function, memory, attention, and processing speed. In some cases, people may also report increased falls or a fear of falling due to the challenges of dual-tasking, especially when combined with occupational demands. Dual-task training is used in rehabilitation, particularly for individuals with neurological conditions or injuries, to improve balance and gait, and it's also used in research to understand how cognitive abilities influence physical performance. But the most important thing to do when doing these tests is to complete them a few times at the start, then retest yourself once a month. That way you can track improvements or deterioration. Arkesteijn says: "Cognitive changes may be slower to notice than physical ones, so regular checks can help reveal progress over time." But he adds: "There's no single test or score that can capture how well you're ageing. Think of it more like a jigsaw puzzle. "Physical health, mental agility, emotional balance, social connection - they all matter, and they all interact. "And of course, even if you perform well now, some changes inthe future may be beyond your control. "No test can fully predict what lies ahead."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Dolphin 'mysteries' to be solved by collecting poo
Conservationists are hoping to learn about a group of bottlenose dolphins that make their home in Welsh waters - by studying their poo. About 200 bottlenose dolphins are said to live in and around Cardigan Bay and, although they have been studied for several years, experts want to learn more about their relationships, breeding potential and movement patterns. Analysis of samples will help them to understand what they have been feeding on and where and help build individual profiles for each dolphin. They will also attempt to match the samples with photo identification records of the dolphins gathered on camera by members of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales. Surfing snake spotted on north Wales beach Bottlenose dolphins spotted killing dolphin juvenile 'I heard someone say shark and thought it's a hoax' The trust secured funding for the project from the Welsh government's Nature Networks Fund in collaboration with Aberystwyth University. The samples will be gathered by net after the dolphins defecate and then analysed by university scientists using techniques to extract detailed data about the animals' diet using environmental DNA (eDNA). Sarah Perry, the trust's marine conservation and research manager, said she hoped the study would "unravel the mysteries of bottlenose dolphin ecology in Cardigan Bay". "This project covers an area of research that we have aspired to embark on over the past decade or so and we are excited that it has come to fruition at a time when it is even more important that we build on our knowledge of the species in the waters around us." Dolphin calf rescued in New Quay Concerns over sudden drop in sightings of porpoises Aberystwyth University: Department of Life Sciences Sea Watch Foundation: Cardiff Bay bottlenose dolphins Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales
