Latest news with #UEA
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover hidden vulnerability putting beloved bird species at risk: 'These findings can help us understand the threats'
A new study led by the University of East Anglia suggests a new metric for understanding a species' vulnerability to our changing environment, as relayed by Using this metric, researchers have determined that some beloved bird species are at greater risk than others. The study, which was published in the Journal of Biogeography, sought to better understand bird species' tolerance to climate conditions, or their climatic niche breadth. To do this, researchers looked at population trends of 159 bird species across 29 European countries paired with 30 years of climate data. They then considered factors such as the species' migratory status, average body mass, and diet. The results found a decreasing population in 58 of the observed species, stable populations in 68 species, and an increasing population in 33 species. The declining species tend to live within smaller ranges and are less resilient to various climate conditions. "These findings can help us understand the threats associated with climate change and allow for rapid assessment of the importance of climatic factors on population trends, providing an invaluable tool for targeting species conservation," UEA researcher Karolina Zalewska said. Researchers believe that indexing the climatic niche breadth of these bird species is crucial for the conservation of all species. By incorporating this additional metric into climate risk assessments, conservationists can better understand exactly how climate conditions impact these species. In turn, this should help to better protect them. "Our results emphasize the importance of understanding and incorporating the level of exposure to climatic variability when assessing vulnerability to climate change and long-term population declines," Zalewska said, according to the findings. The UEA study offers another step in the path toward protecting animal species from shifting climate patterns. While stopping these shifts in their tracks won't happen tomorrow, other conservation efforts are proving effective. Ecological restoration efforts on the Yangtze River have helped the near-extinct Yangtze finless porpoise population increase. On a larger scale, a recent review of 186 studies on conservation strategies found that global conservation efforts are making a measurable difference. According to the Endangered Species Coalition, there are many ways you can help protect endangered species. Some of the most accessible options include upgrading to a natural lawn, reducing your use of herbicides and pesticides, and buying more sustainable products. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Business Mayor
15-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Recognition from colleagues helps employees cope with bad work experiences
Being appreciated by colleagues can help employees cope with negative experiences at work, according to a new study involving the University of East Anglia (UEA). Researchers found that employees experience 'embitterment' — an emotional response to perceived workplace injustice — on days when they are assigned more unreasonable tasks than usual. This negative emotion not only affects their work but also spills over into their personal lives, leading to an increase in rumination, the repetitive dwelling on negative feelings and their causes. This can result in difficulty detaching from work, ultimately preventing recovery from job-related stress. The findings also reveal that this harmful cycle takes place mainly on days when employees receive less appreciation from their colleagues than usual. Published today in the journal Work & Stress , the study involved researchers from UEA, in the UK, the University of Cyprus, and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in Greece. The authors say it emphasises the importance of workplace recognition in mitigating the emotional toll of perceived 'illegitimate' tasks that are considered as unnecessary and/or unreasonable, and how this can help protect employees' wellbeing. Co-author George Michaelides, Professor of Work Psychology at UEA's Norwich Business School, said: 'Our findings underscore how assigning unreasonable tasks can violate employees' sense of fairness and harm their emotional wellbeing. It also emphasises the crucial role of supervisors in minimising such tasks and prioritising core responsibilities. 'Additionally, fostering a culture of appreciation among colleagues can serve as a protective factor, helping employees cope with workplace stress. Organisations can support this by equipping employees with the skills to express gratitude effectively, creating a more positive and resilient work environment.' Read More How ads aimed at rural Indian buyers may be missing a big trick Lead author Dr Evie Michailidis, from the University of Cyprus, added: 'The importance of appreciation for mitigating feelings of embitterment cannot be overstated. Without appreciation, unreasonable tasks foster feelings of embitterment that spill over into private lives, making it harder to mentally disconnect and recover after work.' The study highlights the dynamic nature of embitterment and suggests that unnecessary and unreasonable tasks are potential predictors of this emotion, which in turn can interfere with employees' ability to recover from work during their time off. Most importantly, it allowed the team to test the boundary conditions under which these relationships are stronger or weaker. Unnecessary tasks could be those employees believe perceive as pointless and lacking relevance to their role — for example writing a report that no one will read — undermining their sense of purpose and value in the workplace. Unreasonable tasks are often those employees consider exceed their role, capabilities, or responsibilities — such as asking a senior employee to perform a novice's work — generating a sense of injustice because they might violate expectations of fairness and respect in the workplace. Appreciation has been recognised as an important buffer to the effect of illegitimate tasks and the threat to professional identity an employee experiences when exposed to them. It refers to getting recognition for achievements and qualities by?significant others at work, such as supervisors or colleagues. The team collected data from 71 employees using daily surveys over five working days. These surveys helped the researchers track individual's feelings of embitterment, the degree to which they had to engage with illegitimate tasks, how much appreciation they felt from their colleagues and supervisors, and how much they thought about work during their time off. Participants worked in different industry sectors, with most in accounting and finance.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
UEA students call for lower bus fares in Norfolk and Suffolk
'Cash-strapped' students call for bus discount 14 minutes ago Share Save Andy Trigg BBC News, Norfolk Share Save Andy Trigg/BBC First Bus runs the majority of bus services in Norwich A group of "cash-strapped" university students called on a bus company to increase the age of its young people discount. First Bus East of England, which provides services in Norfolk and Suffolk, currently offers discounted fares to young people aged five to 19. However, Get on Board, a campaign group set up by students at the University of East Anglia (UEA), wanted the limit raised to 25 to help with the cost of living. Piers Marlow, managing director of First Bus East of England, said he was "surprised by the campaign given the range of value fares already available". In January, along with other bus firms, First Bus East of England, which runs the majority of bus services across Norwich, increased the cost of adult single fares to £3. It came after the government scrapped the £2 fare cap, which had been introduced by the Conservative government to ease the impact of inflation. A spokesperson for Get on Board said it wanted First Bus to rethink its pricing strategy to "introduce a fairer system". "The cost of travelling by bus from the university campus to the city centre and back is simply unaffordable for most students now," the spokesperson said. "With the cost of living increasing year by year, student loans don't stretch very far, but using the bus service is essential for all students." Andy Trigg/BBC Piers Marlow said he has not been contacted by the campaign group Get on Board started an online petition and said it planned to protest. Piers Marlow, Managing Director, First Bus East of England, said: "While we understand that the cost of living is putting pressure on many people, including students, we're surprised by the campaign given the range of value fares already available — including single fares capped at £3 under the government's national scheme. "We can confirm that we have not been contacted directly by the campaign group, but we'd be happy to speak with them to discuss their concerns and proposals." Other bus operators, such as Stagecoach and Transport for London, offer discounts to university students. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Euronews
06-05-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Is your heart ageing faster than you are? UK scientists develop tool to track its ‘functional age'
ADVERTISEMENT Imagine undergoing a medical scan and immediately learning your heart is ageing faster than you are – and that without lifestyle changes, you're likely to develop cardiovascular problems. Scientists in the United Kingdom have created a tool to do just that. Researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) analysed data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans from 557 people – including 336 with obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes – in the UK, Spain, and Singapore. They measured traits like the size of the heart's chambers and how well it pumps blood, which are often used to predict cardiovascular outcomes. They then developed a formula to determine the heart's 'functional age'. Related New AI tool that can predict death could be a game-changer for prolonging heart patients' lives On average, the hearts of people with health risk factors were 4.6 years older than their actual ages, according to the study published in the European Heart Journal. People with obesity experienced even more acceleration in functional heart ageing. 'People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should – sometimes by decades,' Dr Pankaj Garg, a cardiologist and the study's lead researcher, said in a statement. Related Just 1 in 9 people in France has optimal heart health, government agency says The tool has some limitations. It doesn't take into account how long the patients had their health issues, and those studied only included people who lived with these conditions into older age – an issue known as 'survivor bias'. The study group was also small, and the model would likely need to be tested in a broader group of people before it is used. Even so, the researchers said they hope doctors could eventually use the tool to counsel patients at risk of heart health problems, and to make it easier for them to diagnose cardiovascular diseases. Related Older people are more likely to face serious heart problems in the US than in Denmark 'By knowing your heart's true age, patients could get advice or treatments to slow down the ageing process, potentially preventing heart attacks or strokes,' Garg said, citing lifestyle changes like healthy diet and exercise. 'It's about giving people a fighting chance against heart disease," he added.
India Today
05-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Think you're young? New science reveals how your heart is ageing faster than you
Heart health has become one of the most important aspects of the modern lifestyle as a surprising jump in heart-related ailments and deaths is noted globally.A new MRI scan has now revealed the possibility of pinpointing the accurate age of the heart and scientists have noted it's not the same as our at the University of East Anglia (UEA) have unveiled a new way of uncovering the 'true age' of your heart using MRI, offering a lifeline to millions by catching problems before they become deadly. The team has now developed a new formula to calculate the heart's functional age. (Photo: Getty) advertisement 'Imagine finding out that your heart is 'older' than you are. For people with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity, this is often the case," said Dr Pankaj Garg, from UEA's Norwich Medical School and a consultant team studied MRI scans from 557 people - 191 healthy individuals and 366 with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity. They then used advanced imaging to measure things like the size and strength of the heart's team has now developed a new formula to calculate the heart's 'functional age' and checked it against healthy hearts to make sure it was accurate.'Our new MRI approach doesn't just count your birthdays - it measures how well your heart is holding up. We found that an MRI scan can reveal your heart's 'functional age' - how old it acts, not how old you are," Dr Garg added. advertisementThe team discovered that in healthy people the heart age was similar to chronological age. But for patients with things like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and atrial fibrillation – their functional heart age was significantly higher.'People with health issues like diabetes or obesity often have hearts that are ageing faster than they should - sometimes by decades. So, this could help doctors step in early to stop heart disease in its tracks. This is a game-changer for keeping hearts healthier, longer," Dr Garg data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) revealed a significant 12.5% rise in heart attack cases in 2022 alone raising big Watch
