Latest news with #PortsmouthUniversity
Scottish Sun
22-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
I became a first aider after my brother died on camera – why parents MUST save hotel addresses before their holiday
People can drown in 5cm of water, so it's important to known the safety precautions LIFE SAVING I became a first aider after my brother died on camera – why parents MUST save hotel addresses before their holiday Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PARENTING professional has revealed how she trained in first aid after witnessing her brother die on camera. Kate Ball, who is now the powerhouse behind Mini First Aid, is now urging parents to get clued up on vital skills. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Kate Ball became a child first aid expert after her brother died on camera Credit: instagram/noahsarkfamily She shared her own heartbreaking story on Giovanni Fletcher's Parenting SOS podcast. Kate's world was rocked when her brother, just 20 months her junior, passed away in a terrifying incident. After finishing their respective degrees, her brother went out to celebrate his geography finals at Portsmouth University. "He went out celebrating as students do, and he decided one they had done their celebrating to go and watch the sun come up on the beach in Portsmouth," Kate shared. "They sat on the Portsmouth beach and he ran in front of one of his friends, and one of his friends was filming him, and he ran up to the camera and he went 'I'm knackered.' And then he laid down and he died. 'He literally laid down because his heart had been put under so much pressure with this run, acceleration and everything else, and he went into cardiac arrest. 'The young people on the scene didn't know what to do and they called the emergency services. "They said he made a funny noise. One of them wrote in his memorial book, 'I'm sorry I couldn't save you'. 'We never hold any malice towards any of those young people because ultimately it wasn't their fault. It was his heart that wasn't working." But the painful question remains: "The fact that there wasn't correct CPR until the paramedics arrived means that we will never know if the outcome could've been different." What to do if your baby is drowning It was this experience that sparked Kate's mission. She said: "In my learning brain, I'm going, I'm teaching people to learn stuff all the time, all be it about chocolate at the time, how on earth can you not know how to save somebody's life and that's where Mini First Aid came from." With summer upon us, Kate is now urging parents to be extra vigilant, whether you're off on a dream holiday or just enjoying the garden. "Sometimes when you are distracted, especially because we are on our devices, and a lot of us are still trying to work while we do everything else, what we need to do is just do a little bit more," she advised. It's a "very unsexy phrase," but "we just need to do a risk assessment." Safety first She explained that this means thinking: "What could happen, what could I make safe before I do this." These could be simple things like "making sure your kids put a helmet on before you go out on scooters or on a bike," or if you're visiting someone with a pond, "you go 'Oh okay, I need to make that safe before they go and play in the garden'." Even ensuring they've got "their suncream on, that they are wearing hats, that they are wearing sunglasses, there's so many things." She continued: "If you were just able before you start your day, or the night before, to just go 'I just need to consider what I have in place' because the prevention then means that you don't even have to do the first aid if it's not going to happen. Kids are going to have bumps and scrapes, and that's where you need to make sure you've got a first aid kit with you Kate Ball 'What we see in A&E in the UK and I imagine that this will reflect similarly globally, is there are so many young children going to hospital with accidents that could've been prevented. 'We see a rise of that in the summer, particularly water related incidents like drowning. "So if you just take a moment to make sure that I've made it as safe as I can. "I know that you can't wrap your kids up in cotton wool. Kids are going to have bumps and scrapes, and that's where you need to make sure you've got a first aid kit with you." Swimming safety advice Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer: How to stay safe at the beach Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: "If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety. "If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard." How to stay safe at the swimming pool Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: "Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency. "It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life". An Auqabliss spokesperson added: 'Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool. 'Children may try to grab these from the pool's edge and fall in." How to stay safe at a waterpark Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: "Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult. "And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently. 'Waterparks are often very busy places and it's easy to lose sight of a child in a split second." She also warns that "we see a huge number of incidents of it happening when you just arrive on holiday." This is because "you've all got that new moment of excitement, where you are staying. Perhaps you are checking out the bedrooms, who is going to sleep where, and that's where the kids go and explore, and that's when can happen." Royal Life Saving Society Organisations like the RLSS (Royal Life Saving Society) "who are very focused on life saving and safety around water will talk about swimming pool safety." "If you are going to a holiday place that has a pool, and you are checking out where everyone is going to sleep and the kids are walking towards the pool, because that looks cool," she said. "Again just being on almost heightened alert when you have just arrived somewhere, so that if you can prevent an incident from happening." For very young children, Kate suggests taking some safety products with you. You can drown in less than 5cm of water. Pools have got to be covered and gated Kate Ball She said: "You can pack things like door jammers to stop doors slamming, corner protectors. You can pack them and take them with you. "Sometimes you might see this beautiful holiday property that looks great and then you look at piece of furniture, and then you go 'I'd never have that at my house because it's got sharp edges'. "You can challenge them and say what have you got in the way of baby safety.' But when it comes to holidays, Kate has one major tip. "Put the address (of your hotel) in your phone, so that you've got it on the notes page of your phone, so that if you have to ring the emergency services, that you can articulate where you are." she explains. This is especially crucial "if English is not the first language spoken in that area." You can even send that information in a text. 3 Kate has become the founder of Mini First Aid Credit: instagram/noahsarkfamily She also reminds parents to not forget about researching the area on Google maps to find the local pharmacy or medical center ahead of the trip. "Google Translate is brilliant," she added. "It will tell you enough. If you speak into your phone, and you can say that to a pharmacist. Then they can help you and support you with that." When it comes to water, Kate had some sobering facts. "You can drown in less than 5cm of water. Pools have got to be covered and gated. The best pools are gated,' she explained. 'Really good hotels will have things like you have to scan your room key to get into the pool, but the key thing is supervising." Another vital tip involves swimwear colours. How to keep your kids safe in warm weather Hot weather is fabulous, a wonderful trip to the beach or enjoying time in the garden! However, when temperatures skyrocket it can become dangerous. Save The Children have compiled 10 heat safety tips for keeping children safe in a heatwave. 1. Light clothing, heavy suncream Choose lightweight, light-coloured, and breathable fabrics (such as cotton), and use lots of suncream to protect you and your child from the heat and potential sunburn. 2. Drink lots of fluids Remember to drink plenty of liquids, regardless of your activity level. Check your baby's nappy for concentrated (dark in color) urine, which can indicate dehydration. 3. Get lots of rest Try and limit activities. Make sure that children get lots of rest when they are active. NHS advises to 'try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm'. 4. Keep children entertained Children may become anxious or restless from being kept indoors. Plan for indoor activities and games. 5. Reassure children Children may be stressed by the heat. Remember that children take their cues from their parents and caregivers, so try to keep calm and answer their questions openly and honestly. Also stick to regular bath and sleep times for your child. 6. House safety/cooling tips During the day, keep rooms cool by closing blinds/curtains, especially in rooms facing the sun. Using a fan to circulate air in the room is your child's school sun policy. 7. Never leave children unsupervised in parked cars Even in less threatening temperatures, vehicles can rapidly heat up to dangerous temperatures. A child left inside a car is at risk of severe heat-related illness or death, even if the windows are cracked open. 8. Stay informed Listen to local news and weather channels for health, safety and weather-related updates. 9. Know how to identify heat-related illnesses Look for signs of heat-related illnesses/conditions such as heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps, and severe sunburn. If children show these symptoms, seek medical assistance. Refer to the NHS website for a complete list, and how to remedy them. 10. Read the NHS guidance for babies The NHS advises giving your baby a cool bath before bedtime and keeping nightwear to a minimum. Your baby will sleep most comfortably at room temperature between 16C and 20C, a nursery thermometer will help you monitor the temperature of the baby's room. 3 Family time on holiday can be one to remember by knowing safety tips Credit: Getty "This is all about putting your children in a really bright colour and avoiding those bluey, greeny colours," she revealed. "When you go under the water it makes them much harder to spot. So if you are looking for a missing child around water then it's tricky." And if you do lose your child near water, as well as shouting their name, "you shout what they are wearing because that means that the people around you can help you look."
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Looksmaxxing: When grooming turns problematic & misleading
AI-generated image for representative purposes only G en Z and Gen Alpha have been popularising numerous maxxing trends like sleepmaxxing, geomaxxing, testosteronemaxxing, rizzmaxxing, starvemaxxing, etc. over the past year. Now, the trend of looksmaxxing is gaining traction. Rise in the number of looksmaxxing influencers, viral content and rising beauty pressure to score romantic connections fuels the trend's resurgence. WHAT IS LOOKSMAXXING It is a maxxing trend that promotes pseudoscientific methods to achieve everything – from pouty lips to chin extensions and almond-shaped hunter eyes. The trend is a mix of basic grooming and extreme techniques. WHY LOOKSMAXXING IS PROBLEMATIC Looksmaxxing may seem to be just another grooming trend, but its roots are troubling. Experts say it's tied to incel (involuntarily celibate) ideology, with many influencers exploiting young men's insecurities to promote appearance-based fixes aimed at attracting women. 'The ideology is being rebranded as looksmaxxing,' said Anda Solea, a Portsmouth University researcher. 'While we work to protect women from gender-based violence, we must also be mindful of young men and boys.' THE TREND IN INDIA Though it began on TikTok, the trend has gained traction among Indian social media users too, particularly male beauty and skincare influencers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Psychologist Parth Gupta says, 'In India, where mental health conversations around men are still rare, such trends can trigger body dysmorphia, low self-esteem, depression, and social anxiety.' Looksmaxxing can fuel unhealthy comparisons, pressure of masculinity and a constant urge to 'improve' based on external validation. This can lead to dissatisfaction and push them towards risky or costly procedures without expert guidance Dr Debeshi Bhattacharjee, a cosmetologist DO THE BASIC Maintain oral hygiene for clean, white teeth Stay authentic to be attractive Prioritise daily exercise, sufficient sleep, hydration and a balanced diet Embrace realistic grooming habits Work on self-acceptance. Try therapy, journaling, or honest conversations with mentors Boost confidence through skills, achievements and personal growth, not just by fixating on looks (As suggested by Parth Gupta, a psychologist & Dr Debeshi Bhattacharjee, a cosmetologist) KEY TYPES SOFTMAXXING A minimal skincare routine, healthy diet, daily workouts, and stylish clothes to boost attractiveness HARDMAXXING Using steroids, plastic surgery, and leg-lengthening procedures to enhance attractiveness. It can involve the following techniques: Bone-smashing: Hitting facial bones with hard objects to stimulate bone growth and change the shape Teeth-whitening: Applying hydrogen peroxide to the teeth Mewing: An unproven method of pressing the tongue to the mouth's roof to improve jawline and facial structure There is limited scientific evidence claiming the effectiveness of mewing. Further, using hydrogen peroxide in moderation can help in teeth whitening, but overuse can cause sensitivity. Bone smashing, however, is a false technique and can cause injury to facial bones and skin Dr Satish Bhatia, a dermatologist LOOKSMAXXING SUB-TRENDS GYMMAXXING Building an ideal physique through strict workouts and diet plans, often tied to misleading masculinity MONEYMAXXING Refers to career building, investing, flaunting wealth and financial success to boost attractiveness One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
The Guardian
08-04-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Secret to stronger pour-over coffee with no extra beans unlocked by scientists
Forget expensive beans and pricey filters – if you want a stronger cup of pour-over coffee, just add water slowly, steadily and from a height, researchers say. While there are myriad ways to make coffee – from moka pots to cafetieres and barista-style machines – pour-over coffee is an everyday staple for many. Now scientists say they have discovered how to make a stronger cup using the same quantity of ground coffee. Dr Arnold Mathijssen, a co-author of the study from the University of Pennsylvania, said pouring the hot water slowly from a goose-neck kettle increases the contact time between the water and the coffee grounds, while pouring from a greater height increases mixing, both of which result in more coffee being extracted. But he added: 'If you pour too slowly, or if you go too high, then the jet tends to break up into these smaller droplets, and that's what you want to avoid as well.' Writing in the journal Physics of Fluids, Mathijssen and colleagues report how they carried out a number of experiments involving transparent silica gel particles – representing ground coffee – that were illuminated with a laser sheet, which were recorded with a high-speed camera. While slow pouring increases contact time, the team found that at low heights the velocity of the water was too low to dig into and disturb the bed of particles. Water poured from greater heights resulted in greater agitation of the particles, but the team found that water must flow in an unbroken jet to dig into the bed of particles and displace those at the bottom of the funnel – a process that results in particles building up on the sides and then falling in, creating an avalanche-like effect that increases mixing. 'The increased height compensates for the slow pouring. You only get the avalanche if there is enough energy available,' Mathijssen said. When the team applied their findings to coffee itself, they found pouring from a greater height resulted in stronger brews, provided an unbroken flow of water was used. The team add that a good starting point for those at home is to reduce the amount of ground coffee by 10%, say from 20 to 18 grams per cup, then taste the coffee produced by pouring the hot water at different heights – keeping to a limit of about 30cm for safety. Researchers have previously revealed that to make the perfect espresso every time, it is best to use coffee that is ground slightly coarser than normal. Both that study and the new research found that the proposed adjustments meant less coffee was needed to produce a drink of given strength. Experts say this is important given that climate breakdown is already causing problems for cultivation of the Coffea arabica plant. Prof Jamie Foster, of Portsmouth University, who was not involved with the new research but carried out the study on espresso-making, said it seemed 'totally plausible' that the proposed method would lead to a stronger cup of pour-over coffee and a more optimal use of the coffee grounds, and he saw no reason why similar logic could not be applied to cafetiere-style brewing. 'Of course, there is a cheat open to those who prefer cafetiere coffee,' he said. 'That is, put in a spoon and give the grounds a stir, but perhaps a cleverly chosen pour could save dirtying cutlery.'
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Water appeared in universe not long after Big Bang, say scientists
Over 1,000 quintillion litres of water exist on Earth, mostly making up the huge oceans that cover the surface, but when did water first appear in our universe?Well a new study suggests this important resource formed 200-400 million years after the Big Bang, when the universe formed, which is thought to have happened 14 billion years ago. This is a lot earlier than previously thought. Dr Daniel Whalen from Portsmouth University and co-authors published their findings in the journal Nature Astronomy. Using computer simulations the researchers created the explosions of two the virtual supernovae - the name for when a star explodes - the temperatures were found to be high enough to turn the former star gases into Oxygen. This gas then cooled and mixed with another gas hydrogen which formed water. Scientists say their discovery shows that habitable worlds could have formed billions of years earlier than previously thought. They also say the simulations show that water was a key part of the first galaxies and that the amount formed then is only a tenth of what is seen in the galaxy today.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Water May Have Come Into Existence Far Earlier Than We Ever Realized
Life's most vital elixir may have formed within 200 million years of the Big Bang, new research suggests. Conditions for producing water were thought to be lacking this early on because heavier elements like oxygen were scarce, but new simulations indicate the baby Universe could still have been wet. Cosmologist Daniel Whalen from Portsmouth University in the UK and colleagues virtually recreated the explosions of two stars using early Universe parameters, and found the means to make water were already present as early as 100 million years after the Universe exploded into existence. The video below illustrates gases of hydrogen, helium, and lithium from the Big Bang coalescing into the first stars, releasing heavier elements like oxygen into the Universe during their explosive deaths: "Our simulations suggest that water was present in primordial galaxies because of its earlier formation in their constituent haloes," the researchers write in their paper. Today, highly metallic stars have an abundance of oxygen in their cores, but the first stars were made almost entirely out of hydrogen and helium. These early stars likely burnt hot and fast, making it hard for astronomers to catch traces of them, but new data from JWST may have just revealed the first direct evidence of their existence. Whalen and team simulated the explosion of these early stars, one that was 13 times and another 200 times the mass of our Sun. Within the first second of the virtual supernovae, the temperatures and pressures were high enough to fuse more of the former star gases into oxygen. In the aftermath of this cataclysm, the expelled energized gases, stretching out as far as 1,630 light-years, began to cool. The rapid cooling happened faster than the material coalesced, causing ionized hydrogen molecules to pair up, forming water's other key ingredient: molecular hydrogen (H2). As these particles jostled about, particularly in the denser regions of the supernova haloes, oxygen collided with enough hydrogen to make the Universe wet. What's more, these denser clumps of supernova leftovers, with their higher concentrations of metals, likely also become the sites of the next generation of heavier element-filled stars and future planet formation, the researchers suspect. "The higher metal content… could, in principle, lead to the formation of rocky planetesimals in protoplanetary disks with low-mass stars," Whalen and team say. This means the potential planets could also harbor water. Several stars may also form together in the same region, the researchers explain. "If so, several supernova explosions may occur and overlap in the halo," Whalen and colleagues explain. "Several explosions may produce more dense cores and, thus, more sites for water formation and concentration in the halo." In areas where the halo gas is sparse, multiple explosions would destroy the formed water, but in the denser cloud cores, H2O has a higher chance of surviving, thanks to dust shielding it from radiation. The team's calculations suggest the amount of water produced by the earliest galaxies may have been only ten times less than what we see in our galaxy today, suggesting one of life's major ingredients was amply abundant very long ago. This research was published in Nature Astronomy. Fast Radio Burst Traced Back to The Last Place We Expected Blue Ghost Makes History With Perfect Moon Landing: Amazing Photos This Star Goes Nova Every 80 Years. Here's Where to Look For It in 2025.
