Latest news with #UKResearchandInnovation
The Herald Scotland
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Mosquitoes found as far north as Shetland in new study
The project, which was awarded a £1.25 million grant from UK Research and Innovation and Defra in 2023, is the first to assess the risk of mosquito-borne pathogen emergence in Scotland under current and future climate change scenarios. Since May 2024, members of the public have sent researchers hundreds of images of 21 species of mosquito, and pictures of bites. Mosquitoes are a natural part of Scottish ecosystems and can have positive impacts on the environment through their role in food webs, according to researchers. They said they do not pose a health risk at present, and can be mistaken for midges. READ MORE: Loch Lomond campaign launched to form 'deeper' nature connection Scottish island awarded Global Geopark status by UNESCO 'Ambitious' project to catalogue Scotland's ancient trees begins As mosquito activity in Scotland picks up moving towards summer, the Mosquito Scotland team are urging the public to continue sending in sightings, which will enable the project to accurately track and understand the ecology of the insects, after they began to spread avian malaria in England. Sightings of mosquitoes were sent to the Mosquito Scotland team every month in 2024, with reports peaking in the spring and summer but also continuing in cooler months right up to December, according to reports submitted online. Mosquitoes were spotted across the length and breadth of Scotland, with a sighting in the Shetland Isles now the northernmost record for the UK. Reports show they are most commonly reported in woodland areas – particularly in pine forests in the east of Scotland, as well as indoors in cities. Researchers were able to confirm three mosquito species, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor and Aedes rusticus, were the main source of nuisance biting. Researchers aim to find out which mosquito species are present, where they are found, whether they are harbouring any diseases, or if they could become infected by pathogens that may expand into the UK with climate change. Mosquitoes can be found in colder, more remote parts of Scotland, where they are most active from May to October. Dr Georgia Kirby said: 'There were several areas of Scotland where we received lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits – understandably, as most people don't want to hold still for a photo while they're being bitten by insects. 'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects. 'Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.' Researchers advised using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves during summer months when mosquitoes are active in forested areas, which also protects against other biting pests such as ticks and midges. Heather Ferguson, professor of infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow, who leads the project, said: 'We are delighted and grateful for the positive response and enthusiasm from members of the public. 'Their participation has helped fill large gaps in our understanding of mosquitoes both in Scotland and the UK, which is allowing us to build a picture of how the biodiversity benefits, and any potential risks, posed by these species will respond to environmental change. 'We would love to hear more from the public in 2025.'
The Independent
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Mosquitoes found as far north as Shetland in study examining pathogen risk
Mosquitoes have been found as far north as Shetland, according to a citizen science project which studied the insects. Scientists at the University of Glasgow received more than 700 reports of mosquitoes across Scotland, which found they can live even in colder months including December. The project, which was awarded a £1.25 million grant from UK Research and Innovation and Defra in 2023, is the first to assess the risk of mosquito-borne pathogen emergence in Scotland under current and future climate change scenarios. Since May 2024, members of the public have sent researchers hundreds of images of 21 species of mosquito, and pictures of bites. Mosquitoes are a natural part of Scottish ecosystems and can have positive impacts on the environment through their role in food webs, according to researchers. They said they do not pose a health risk at present, and can be mistaken for midges. As mosquito activity in Scotland picks up moving towards summer, the Mosquito Scotland team are urging the public to continue sending in sightings, which will enable the project to accurately track and understand the ecology of the insects, after they began to spread avian malaria in England. Sightings of mosquitoes were sent to the Mosquito Scotland team every month in 2024, with reports peaking in the spring and summer but also continuing in cooler months right up to December, according to reports submitted online. Mosquitoes were spotted across the length and breadth of Scotland, with a sighting in the Shetland Isles now the northernmost record for the UK. Reports show they are most commonly reported in woodland areas – particularly in pine forests in the east of Scotland, as well as indoors in cities. Researchers were able to confirm three mosquito species, Aedes cantans, Aedes punctor and Aedes rusticus, were the main source of nuisance biting. Researchers aim to find out which mosquito species are present, where they are found, whether they are harbouring any diseases, or if they could become infected by pathogens that may expand into the UK with climate change. Mosquitoes can be found in colder, more remote parts of Scotland, where they are most active from May to October. Dr Georgia Kirby said: 'There were several areas of Scotland where we received lots of reports of bites but very few photos of the culprits – understandably, as most people don't want to hold still for a photo while they're being bitten by insects. 'We had suspected that midges or clegs could be responsible, but in our follow-up investigations we invariably found that these locations were swarming with mosquitoes – proving that people in Scotland are good at recognising them and distinguishing them from more familiar insects. 'Most of these sites were areas of dense woodland, which is a key habitat for several aggressive human-biting mosquito species.' Researchers advised using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves during summer months when mosquitoes are active in forested areas, which also protects against other biting pests such as ticks and midges. Heather Ferguson, professor of infectious disease ecology at the University of Glasgow, who leads the project, said: 'We are delighted and grateful for the positive response and enthusiasm from members of the public. 'Their participation has helped fill large gaps in our understanding of mosquitoes both in Scotland and the UK, which is allowing us to build a picture of how the biodiversity benefits, and any potential risks, posed by these species will respond to environmental change. 'We would love to hear more from the public in 2025.'
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Scrapping of Teesside hydrogen plant plans 'disappointing'
BP's announcement that it had dropped plans for a "green" hydrogen plant has been described as "bitterly disappointing". The multinational had previously sought planning permission to build a power plant in Redcar, which would have produced hydrogen by breaking down water using as part of a shift in strategy away from renewables, the firm has now scrapped the scheme. Leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Alec Brown, said that despite the "blow", BP remained committed to "innovative projects" in the region. BP had previously said the construction of HyGreen would create up to 500 jobs with the likelihood the "majority" would be taken by people living in the Middlesbrough and Stockton electricity used at the plant would have mainly been derived from low carbon sources and the hydrogen would have been used by firm said it would now be focusing on other projects in the area including Net Zero Teesside and a blue hydrogen plant. 'Decarbonisation blow' Brown said: "This is bitterly disappointing news - but we remain optimistic about the future."He said his administration would support all those, including BP, working on green energy projects in the region. Brown also said these schemes would "help secure jobs" and have "huge potential".Prof Sara Walker, who is leading a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) project into the integration of hydrogen into the wider energy landscape, said the news was a "blow to the decarbonisation of Teesside and to the overall development of green hydrogen in the UK".However, she said that the government had backed another green hydrogen project in Teesside, developed by EDF. Tees Valley Mayor Houchen said the combined authority had seen "incredible progress" in its plan to develop Teesside as a "global centre for green energy" and there remained "huge interest" from investors. But he did not provide a comment on BP scrapping a scheme he had previously described as a "coup for the region" that would create "well-paid, good quality jobs". Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New research begins to study the effect of vaping on children
New research has been announced to look at the long-term impact of vaping on young people's health and wellbeing. Vapes are small devices that hold a liquid containing nicotine, an addictive substance found in cigarettes, as well as other harmful used by some adults to help them stop smoking, and it's illegal to sell vapes to anyone aged under 18. Despite this, NHS research last year found that a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds have tried vaping and nearly 1 in 10 vape UK government has asked for more research in this area, as well as running a new campaign with influencers to raise awareness of the harms of vaping. What will the new research look at? The landmark study is being funded by UK Research and Innovation, and will follow the lives of 100,000 young people aged 8-18 over the next 10 will collect lots of information about their biology and behaviour, so that the researchers can build up a picture of what impacts their health - including Sleet, Chief Executive at Asthma + Lung UK, said: "The number of non-smokers, particularly young people, taking up vaping is extremely worrying. "The long-term impact of vaping on the lungs isn't yet known, so research into its effect on young people, is really important." Alongside this, two other studies from University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will be looking into the effects of UK government is also teaming up with YouTube and Instagram stars - like scientist Big Manny - to create content on social media that raises awareness of the potential harms of part of a series of measures designed to reduce the number of people using nicotine products, including the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. What is the Tobacco and Vapes Bill? The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a set of proposed new laws that would bring in more restrictions on vapes and was brought forward by the previous UK government, led by Rishi Sunak. When Keir Starmer became prime minister, his new government said it was committed to the would mean that cigarettes would be banned for anyone born after 1 January would be smoking bans outside schools and playgrounds, and some outdoor places could become vape-free, plan also aims to make vapes less appealing to children, with changes to the flavours and packaging of vaping products.
Sky News
19-02-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Government launches new vaping study and campaign to warn teens of the dangers
The government is backing a new study to track the long-term effects of vaping on young people – and launching an anti-vaping campaign aimed at teenagers. The study will track 100,000 young people over 10 years. It will monitor them from the age of eight up to 18, collecting health data and tracking their wellbeing and other behaviours. The long-term effects of vaping are not fully known. It's hoped the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)-funded study will provide the most detailed information yet on its long-term impacts on young people, officials said. Two other new studies will capture the latest data in vaping research. Public health minister Ashley Dalton said: "We know that vaping can be a useful tool to quit smoking, but it's crucial we have clear evidence on the long-term health harms, especially for young people. "This landmark series of studies, combined with our first nationwide youth vaping campaign, will help drive evidence-based, decisive action to protect our children's future." This is a crucial study to help inform choices Health correspondent @ashishskynews It's a bit of a public health dilemma. We know smoking kills so vaping has been promoted as a safer alternative, a useful tool to help adult smokers to quit. But youth vaping has skyrocketed in recent years, with a quarter of 11 to 15 year olds having tried it – mostly young people who had never tried a cigarette before taking up the e-habit. The problem here is we don't yet fully understand the dangers of vaping. So this new government-backed study will provide the most detailed information yet on the impacts of youth vaping. The 10-year study will track 100,000 young people and collect health data as well as monitoring information other physical and mental behaviours. This will be crucial data to help people to make informed choices. The government has introduced tough legislation to stop current 15-year-olds from ever being able to buy cigarettes. They will be the first smoke-free generation. But potentially also a generation of vapers doing incalculable harm to their bodies. We just don't know. Yet. The YouTube and Instagram campaign - called Love Your Lungs - will see influencers such as Big Manny appeal to teenagers aged 13 to 18. It is the first nationwide campaign across England to inform young people about vaping and nicotine addiction, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said. The department has also commissioned a video which shows a woman in a toxic relationship, but it transpires her 'partner' is her vape. Sarah Sleet, chief executive at Asthma and Lung UK, said: "The number of non-smokers, particularly young people, taking up vaping is extremely worrying. "The long-term impact of vaping on the lungs isn't yet known, so research into its effect on young people is really important."
