Latest news with #CardiffMetropolitanUniversity
Business News Wales
22-05-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
New Research on Long-Covid Offers Hope for Patients Living with Condition
Dr Richard Webb A new clinical study from Cardiff Metropolitan University – in collaboration with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTM UHB) – has highlighted new biomedical insights into long-Covid. The researchers say it could take existing studies one step closer to finding treatment for patients living with the condition. Long-Covid is a new condition which can affect people who have previously had the Covid-19 virus. Symptoms can include heart disease, muscle and joint pain, extreme tiredness, coughing, shortness of breath and memory difficulties. The clinical study – 'Seasonal variation in the associations between self-reported long-Covid symptoms and IL-6 signaling-related factors' – from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB included DNA and blood samples taken from 175 participants who had previously had the Covid-19 infection. The bloods taken measured levels of two proteins, 'Interleukin-6 (IL-6)' and 'Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R)', while the DNA sample was used to detect which variant of IL-6R gene, known as 'IL-6R genotype', was present. IL-6 and IL-6R are made by the immune system to fight infection. IL-6R is the receptor that IL-6 attaches to – like a key fitting into a lock. This connection allows IL-6 to send signals that trigger an immune response. Craig Greenstock Craig Greenstock, 63, from Pontypridd took part in the study and was first admitted to hospital in December 2020 at the height of the pandemic after being diagnosed with CovidPneumonitis. He was previously fit and healthy. Craig went on to spend the next nine weeks in hospital, initially placed on a ventilator within the intensive care unit before being moved to various wards. He has since been diagnosed with long Covid and suffers with bouts of fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog, PTSD, night terrors and is being treated with three daily pumps for asthma related symptoms. A nodule was also discovered on Craig's lung following the infection. Craig said: 'I can safely say that when I was first admitted to hospital and what then developed was the scariest time of my life, both physically and mentally. 'I was extremely unwell for some time, with my family being given 24 hours for my condition to improve. My symptoms following the virus have been so significant it has resulted in me having to retire from work.' Participants were also asked to complete a questionnaire sharing their current long Covid symptoms at different times throughout the year to see if the change in seasons affected the condition, and to help get an accurate diagnosis. The purpose of the study – which was funded through The Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board Collaborative Research Fund – was to better understand how these IL-6-related factors contribute to the risk of long-Covid and possibly initiate future strategies for using them as biomarkers predictive of risk. The results from the participants tested highlighted that long-Covid sufferers had elevated levels of IL-6 compared to those who had regained full health. The results also showed the risk of getting long-Covid appeared to be increased in patients with a particular type of IL-6R genotype, known as the 'AA' genotype. Dr Richard Webb, a Principal Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences in the Centre for Cardiovascular Research, Innovation and Development (CURIAD) at Cardiff Metropolitan University is leading on the study. He said: 'While interpretation is complicated by seasonal variations, the findings from the study point towards possible future use of IL-6 and IL-6R genotype as biomarkers predictive of long-Covid risk, which may bring advantages regarding the management and treatment of the illness.' Dr Ceri Lynch is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine and Critical Care Research Lead at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board and has worked alongside Cardiff Met on the long-Covid symptoms study. Dr Lynch said: 'This collaborative research between Cwm Taf Morgannwg and Cardiff Metropolitan University has shown some interesting and exciting findings with regard to the risk factors for developing long-Covid. We would like to continue this work, with the ultimate aim of identifying an effective drug treatment for the condition.' Craig added: 'I was very fortunate to have a positive attitude to life and fairly healthy, so strong enough, physically and mentally, to be able to fight the virus and ongoing recovery. 'I would be prepared to try any medicine that could improve my standard of life back to anywhere near where it was before I fell ill.' The team of researchers from Cardiff Met and CTM UHB will now look at how the findings from this study can be integrated into and support The Post-hospitalisation Covid-19 study (PHOSP-COVID) – which includes leading researchers and clinicians from across the UK working together to understand and improve long-term health outcomes for patients who have been in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19.
Wales Online
20-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
University staff and students to protest as jobs go and compulsory redundancy notices served
University staff and students to protest as jobs go and compulsory redundancy notices served Compulsory job losses "a red line" that will affect students too, said staff at Cardiff Metropolitan University Staff and students are joining forces to protest against compulsory job losses at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The rally at the Llandaff campus on Thursday May 22 is the start of an "escalating campaign" against the cuts, the UCU union, representing staff said. The UCU said that despite getting a £1.73m funding boost from the Welsh Government in February, Cardiff Met still aims to cut up to 14% of its teaching workforce with compulsory redundancy notices served in April. The proposed compulsory redundancies come on the back of three rounds of voluntary severance.. "Collective consultation closed on Monday May 19th and despite calls from the union, Cardiff Met continues to threaten compulsory redundancies for up to 61 academic staff members across the university, with over 100 put on notice of being at risk," the UCU said. Gareth Lloyd, UCU Wales official said:'This is very disappointing. The Minister for FE and HE made it clear that the additional cash should be used to cover operating costs and take pressure off staff budgets. Whilst we are keen to work in partnership and find solutions, compulsory redundancies constitute a red line which cannot be crossed. When it comes to saving money, we will never let managers see our members' jobs as the path of least resistance'. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Llandaff campus, Cardiff Metropolitan University He said staff are worried not just for those whose jobs are at risk but also the workload for potential remaining staff and the effect on next year's students. Owen Stickler, senior lecturer in animation, said: 'We are all concerned that redundancies would impact on staff workload and morale as well as being detrimental to the student experience.' Article continues below Most of the academic jobs on the line are 'student facing' with implications for learners as well as staff, the union said. The cuts will inevitably involve larger classes and less one to one contact time for students, staff warned. Jan Huyton, programme director at the university, said: 'Obviously the student experience will be affected as services are put under strain, because we are not currently over-staffed on service delivery to students.' UCU negotiators at Cardiff Met have submitted their counter proposal outlining how the university can move forward without compulsory redundancies. A branch spokesperson from Cardiff Met UCU said: "We realise that these are tough times for universities, but cutting front line staff is not the way forward. We have met with all of the members at risk, and the institutional loss of academic knowledge would be substantial". Staff morale is said to be "at rock bottom". Those who have been identified are equally perplexed as many of them are previously valued staff with excellent track records. One member of staff affected said: "I find it deeply concerning that we are in this position, especially because of the contribution we have made to all aspects of academic life over the past few years; excellent student reviews, high quality research and increasing innovation, without a hint of management unhappiness. "It appears very unfair and unjustifiable that we have suddenly been targeted as being at-risk of redundancy. This situation is affecting morale and good will among the staff, something which has always considered to be very important working at Cardiff Met.'] A Cardiff Met spokesperson said: 'Cardiff Metropolitan University, like many universities across the UK, is working hard to safeguard its long-term financial sustainability in the face of changing contexts for higher education in the UK. We are doing this so that we can continue to make a positive difference to individuals and communities in Wales and the wider world through our progressive and distinctive teaching, research and innovation. 'We know that this is an uncertain and difficult time for all staff, and especially for those who are directly affected. We value the relationship that we have with our recognised trades unions and the contribution that they make to our university, and we fully respect the rights of trades unions to act on behalf of their members. "We are committed to open, constructive dialogue and will continue working closely with all recognised trade unions and their representatives throughout this challenging period.' Cardiff Met currently employs 1,600 permanent and fixed term staff and has more thanr 31,000 students from 130 countries enrolled on programmes located in Cardiff and at 12 "collaborative partners" around the globe. It said the £1.73m funding was provided to universities across Wales from Welsh Government earlier this year was to help them meet capital costs associated with estate maintenance and digital projects to reduce operating costs as well as improving environmental sustainability. "This work, when undertaken, will allow us to make more savings in the future," the spokesperson added. Thursday's planned rally follows protests at Cardiff University over proposed job losses and department closures there. Job cuts are also planned at the University of South Wales and Bangor. Cardiff University last week issued an update on redundancies with 650 staff still under threat of losing their jobs there and you can read details of that here. Bangor University staff also received a message from their Vice Chancellor, Professor Edmund Burke last week, saying a further 78 jobs will go there. Bangor announced 200 job cuts earlier this year saying it needed to make savings of £15m. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David announced plans in January to end undergraduate teaching at its Lampeter campus, the University of South Wales have also announced job cuts and Swansea University is carrying out a "curriculum review".. Official estimates from Universities Wales puts the joint combined deficit of all universities here at £70+ by the end of this academic year. Only UWTSD and Wrexham University ended last academic year not in deficit. Article continues below MPs are due to hear from Vice chancellors of universities in Wales when they appear before them to discuss the ongoing financial pressure and challenges for higher education. The Welsh Affairs Committee hearing next month will look at what the UK Government and the Welsh Government could do to "ensure a sustainable future for the sector" amid widespread job and course cuts.
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
S4C launches two journalism bursaries to attract new talent
The Welsh broadcaster has announced a sports journalism bursary and the annual T. Glynne Davies journalism scholarship. They hope the bursaries will appeal to people with minority ethnic heritage, disabilities, or from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. The journalism scholarship is also open to anyone who is the first to speak Welsh fluently within their family. The S4C sports media bursary offers a place on Cardiff Metropolitan University's MSc sports broadcasting course. The T. Glynne Davies journalism scholarship offers a place on the MA JOMEC broadcast journalism course at Cardiff University and S4C, BBC and ITV work experience. Llion Iwan, S4C's chief content officer, said: "S4C is helping people from all backgrounds in Wales to develop the necessary skills to become part of our workforce. "We encourage anyone with a desire to work in the broadcasting industry to apply for these great opportunities." The deadline to apply for both scholarships is Monday, June 2, 2025.
South Wales Argus
10-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Water Safety Wales' resources for primary schoolchildren
In a bid to lower the figure, Water Safety Wales (WSW) has launched bilingual, interactive educational resources for primary school children. The resources, aimed at children aged three to 11, were introduced at Cardiff Metropolitan University Cyncoed Campus. They include presentations, videos, and other interactive materials, all accessible for free via the Hwb platform. Sarah Wathan, headteacher of St Philip Evans RC Primary School, said: "We are excited to be the first school to implement these resources. "Our students' safety is our top priority, and these materials will play a vital role in their education." The resources reinforce the Water Safety Code, which includes lifesaving tips such as assessing the safety of swimming spots, staying together, floating to live if in trouble, and calling 999 if someone else is in trouble. Hanna Guise, Swim Wales' Learn to Swim manager and chair of the WSW Education Subgroup, said: "Being water safe and competent is essential for all children. "These resources will help instil these important skills from a young age." WSW encourages headteachers across Wales to adopt these resources in their schools and urges parents to advocate for their use to ensure essential water safety education for their children.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baber to leave Cardiff Met for French side Nice
Gareth Baber will leave Cardiff Metropolitan University to become head coach of Nice, the Welsh side announced. Cardiff-born Baber, 52, led Fiji to gold at the Tokyo Olympics and silver at last year's showpiece in Paris - losing 28-7 to hosts France in the final. He is now set to take up a role with the ambitious French side - who are currently bottom of the Pro D2, the second tier of rugby in the country. Baber said: "With over 500 student players involved and performance teams competing at the highest levels at Cardiff Met Rugby, we've created an environment that supports excellence on and off the field. That legacy is something I'm really proud of. "@stadenicois is an ambitious and exciting project, and I'm looking forward to playing a part in shaping its future. "It's a fantastic opportunity to put my vision into practice in a professional environment, and I'm proud to take this next step." Regions in jeopardy unless WRU deal is signed Davies, Cuthbert and Hibbard on Wales' Lions woes Evans 'disappointed' at Wales' Lions quota Former scrum-half Baber had spells with clubs including Pontypridd and Dragons during his playing career. Prior to taking up the role with Welsh Rugby Union Premiership side Met, he worked as assistant attack and skills coach at United Rugby Championship outfit Edinburgh having previously coached at Cardiff. Cardiff Met said: "It's been a privilege to have Gareth as part of the Cardiff Metropolitan University family, and we're thrilled to see him embrace this exciting new adventure with Nice Rugby."
