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Business News Wales
2 days ago
- General
- Business News Wales
New Project Awarded £1.8m to Boost Science in Schools
An education project led by the Institute of Physics (IOP) has been awarded more than £1.8 million through the Curriculum for Wales grant support programme. Details of the funding for 'Boosting Science Education in Wales,' a partnership between the IOP, the Royal Society of Chemistry and Science Made Simple, were announced by Welsh Government. The project will deliver a suite of support activities for teachers and technicians, working from early years through to GCSE level and will cover professional development, specialised coaching and mentoring. It will also produce bilingual science teaching resources and deliver a series of confidence-boosting workshops for primary and secondary school teachers and technicians. The programme will deliver more than 250 activities and events over three years, and work with schools across the length and breadth of Wales. Emma Tamplin, the IOP's Learning and Skills Manager for Wales, said: 'We're delighted to have been awarded this funding, which is aimed at bringing the new curriculum in the sciences to life. Scientific literacy is a key skill for work and for life. Physics alone supports more than 100,000 jobs in Wales, but science also teaches us the critical thinking skills we need to be engaged citizens. 'Our approach puts teachers and technicians at the heart of our work, recognising that inspiring and confident teachers can transform their students' lives. By working with this generation of teachers, we hope that our project will inspire future generations with a love of science, and a curiosity about the world we live in.'
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Tyre particles: How EVs are a climate solution with pollution problem
By eliminating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) play an important role in the fight against climate change. However, while contributing to solving one problem, they may be adding to another. A new study by Indian researchers has found that EVs may be bad news for tackling air pollution. The study, published in Soft Matter, a journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry, has shown that EVs, on account of their greater weight, experience higher wear and tear in their tyres compared to conventional vehicles, and release substantially larger numbers of small plastic particles in the atmosphere. This could have adverse implications for the health of both humans and the environment. How tyres are degraded The disintegration of automobile tyres results in the release of small rubber particles that are air pollutants. The normal wear and tear of tyres produces particles of broadly two sizes – one, about 1-10 micrometres; the other, more than 100 micrometres. Particles of intermediate sizes are also produced, but they are relatively fewer in number. The study by researchers from the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), IIT Bombay, and Columbia University in the US has, for the first time, established the relationship between the weight and speed of a vehicle to the size of the plastic particles released from tyres as a result of wear and tear. ('Mechanism of microplastic and nanoplastic emission from tire wear', Shankar Ghosh et al.) The tyres of heavier and faster-moving vehicles produce a higher proportion of smaller particles, shows the study. Unlike the larger particles that settle on the ground due to gravity, smaller particles remain suspended in the air, adding to the concentration of air pollutants. The study also brings out, for the first time, that particles of different sizes are produced by different physical processes of degradation of tyres. Thus, degradation caused by sudden braking or encounters with potholes, which the researchers call 'primary fragmentation', results in the release of mainly smaller particles of varying sizes. And gradual wear and tear, called 'sequential fragmentation' in the study, leads to the release of mainly larger particles. Thus, an improvement in road quality would likely reduce the release of larger particles, but would have little effect on the smaller particles. Global relevance of study The results of the study are globally relevant because of the ongoing push for the adoption of EVs. Electric vehicles are significantly heavier than conventional petrol vehicles because of the batteries – which can weigh anything between 300 kg and 900 kg. The weight of the batteries necessitates the reinforcement of the vehicle frame, which adds to the overall weight. Typically, an EV is at least 15-20% heavier than a comparable conventional vehicle. EVs are also able to accelerate more rapidly. This can lead to additional stress on the tyres due to increased friction and heat generation. The tyres of EVs are, therefore, likely to undergo a greater degree of primary fragmentation, releasing larger amounts of smaller plastic particles that add to the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere. The findings of the study shed new light on the relatively lesser-studied negative impacts of the deployment of EVs, which is being incentivised around the world. Road transport accounts for almost 10% of global GHG emissions, the result primarily of the burning of fuel in vehicles. EVs account for just about 2% of the global vehicle stock, but they contributed to about 20% of new car sales across the world last year, according to an International Energy Agency report. In India, about 2.5% of cars sold in 2024 were electrics, according to a recent report by S&P Global. The government aims to take this figure to about 30% by 2030. In China, EVs accounted for almost half of all car sales last year. Potential responses The researchers say their findings call for different kinds of response measures. Current air quality regulations in most countries are aimed at controlling PM2.5- and PM10-size particles. Tyre fragments are smaller than these. With the proliferation of EVs, and tyre fragments becoming a more noticeable constituent of air pollution, these regulations would probably need to be expanded. At the same time, tyre manufacturers would need to invest in research and development to produce sturdier tyres that are better suited to heavier EVs. Also, emissions standards would probably need to account for non-exhaust emissions from vehicles. The researchers have also suggested possible technological fixes – such as the possibility of capturing the small tyre fragments at the time of their release, preventing them from getting into the atmosphere.
Belfast Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
NI business chief pays tribute to staff after getting lifetime award: ‘Our mission is advancing human health'
Mr Armstrong oversees Almac's entire operations globally and leads the strategic direction of the business, which supports the global biopharmaceutical industry with drug development activities. His career has spanned more than four decades since he graduated as a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 1981. He held several technical and senior management positions within the company before being appointed to the board of directors of one of its subsidiaries as chief operating officer. Appointed CEO of Almax Group in 2002, Alan oversees the entire group's operations globally and leads the strategic direction of Almac. In 2013, he was awarded an OBE by the Queen for services to the economy in Northern Ireland. The judging panel commented that they were 'delighted' to recognise Alan's lifetime of work in the accolade. They said: 'His principles are second to none and he has grown Almac to such a significant global company – but stayed true to the legacy left by founder Sir Allen McClay.' On receiving the award, Alan said it was a collective achievement, stating that it also a recognition of the company's success and growth throughout the years. 'Being nominated for this award is a tribute to Almac as a company. The company is made up of great people, who truly deserve that recognition.' He added: 'At Almac, our mission is advancing human health. It's fulfilling to be part of developing products and compounds that will ultimately help humanity. Along the way, we're creating many jobs, and I'm proud to see people getting great opportunities and developing within the organisation.' Highlights: Belfast Telegraph Business Awards 2025 The award-winner said his motivation lies in driving the company's growth and creating opportunities for people across the industry. He stated, 'There's a lot of construction and development happening within our organisation – new facilities, factories, and more. A lot of investment is going into developing the company for future growth. It's exciting to see the company grow and witness the entire fabric of the organisation evolve.' 'I love seeing the company grow. I love seeing people grow and develop within the industry – I love to see people employed. It's rewarding to see more people employed and creating more opportunities for others,' Alan added. The CEO offered a simple message to aspiring professionals: 'Keep your feet on the ground, work hard, and enjoy the journey as you go.'
Rakyat Post
06-05-2025
- Health
- Rakyat Post
Garlic Can Improve Mental Health?
Subscribe to our FREE Nowadays, more and more people are opening up about mental health problems – from stress and anxiety to depression. This shows that it is important to take care of our minds as much as our bodies. Did you know that garlic can help improve your mental health? Yes, the garlic that's sitting in your kitchen can do more than adding flavour to your food! A master's student in psychology recently shared a video through his Tiktok account (@ about the benefits of garlic for emotional and mental well-being. According to him, garlic's main active compound, allicin, possesses powerful antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. When garlic is crushed or chopped, an enzyme called alliinase is activated, triggering the production of allicin. This active compound is known to kill bacteria, fungi, and parasites. But how does this relate to mental health? Photo: Freepik Surprisingly, one hidden reason behind emotional and mental problems could be parasites in the body, like Toxoplasma gondii or tapeworms. Even though they're tiny, these parasites can trigger the brain's immune system, particularly cells called microglia, which work to fight off the parasites. In the process of eliminating these parasites, microglia may unintentionally cause inflammation in the brain. This inflammation has been closely linked to mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and mental confusion. Not only does garlic fight off parasites. It can also help reduce oxidative stress, improves neurotransmitter function, and supports healthy blood vessels in the brain. All of these can potentially contribute to better focus and emotional stability. To get the maximum benefits, garlic should be crushed and left to sit for 5–10 minutes to activate the allicin. After that, just chew it raw and wash it down with warm water, as demonstrated in the video. It is best to eat it with or after meals if you have stomach problems. He also recommends consuming one or two cloves a week, especially during times when you're feeling emotionally unstable or mentally overwhelmed. Garlic might not fix everything, but adding it to your diet could be an easy and natural way to take care of both your mind and body. However, take note that is a mere recommendation and not an actual, scientifically proven fix. A journal in the Royal Society of Chemistry notes that in a large general population, a study they conducted demonstrated for the first time that moderate raw garlic consumption is associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms in females, but not in males. 'Additional prospective studies with long-term follow-up and randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm the preliminary results of the current study,' the Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
CNA
21-04-2025
- Health
- CNA
Growing concerns over UK's ‘forever chemicals'; cost of clean-up may top US$12b a year
Synthetic chemicals have been widely used in consumer products around the world since the 1950s. At the University of Birmingham, there is ongoing research into the impact of PFAS. One of its recent studies on bottled water from 15 different countries found that about 99 per cent contained forever chemicals. Stuart Harrad, an environmental chemistry professor at the university, said these chemicals are also prevalent in the human body due to their widespread use, adding: 'The point to make is, are those concentrations that are in us likely to cause us harm?' There is growing pressure by campaign groups to continue the recent trend of lowering PFAS exposure and start mass clean-up efforts. But the price tag to remove the chemicals is massive. Even if PFAS emissions stop immediately, a targeted clean-up of the existing pollution in the UK would cost about US$0.5 billion a year for the next 20 years, according to the Forever Lobbying Project, a cross-border investigation looking at the finances involved. If emissions remain uncontrolled, that estimate jumps to US$12 billion a year due to their prevalence and persistence. HOW CAN PFAS BE REMOVED? Experts said incineration is a potential disposal option after the chemicals are gathered through methods like water filtration. But the process is expensive and energy-intensive. 'Some of the options being considered are things like sonolysis, (which is) using soundwaves to break apart PFAS, or electrochemical oxidation, which uses electric current to shock the PFAS and basically break them apart,' said the Royal Society of Chemistry's Metzger. 'Research is happening into other methods that might lower the energy intensiveness, and hopefully the cost that goes along with that.' Most observers, however, believe that a clean-up will not succeed until production is drastically reduced. While some manufacturers are starting to use less harmful alternatives, it is estimated that more than a million tonnes of PFAS are still produced globally each year.
