Latest news with #UniversityCollegeLondon
Graziadaily
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Why Lucy Punch Decided To Face Her Fears On Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters
Lucy Punch's acting career has taken her from the school corridors of St Trinian's to her maisonette in SoHa (south Harlesden) in Amandaland to 'the shark capital of the world' with ITV. Despite often being cast as snooty, posh characters who think getting the bus is below them, the real life Lucy was brave enough to submerge herself in shark infested waters in the name of entertainment on Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters. With an impressive list of credits up her sleeve, here's everything you need to know about Lucy, including the noughties films you may have seen her in before. Lucy Punch is an English actress from Hammersmith in London. She performed with the National Youth Theatre between 1993 and 1997 and then enrolled at University College London before dropping out to pursue acting. She is perhaps best known for her role as Amanda in Sharon Horgan's hit series Motherland , which earned her a spin-off show called Amandaland which launched in February this year. Lucy is 47 years old. She was born on 30 December 1977. Lucy has starred in everything from the Woody Allen film Into the Woods to A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix, Bad Teacher and the How to Build a Girl series where she played Sylvia Plath. Speaking about her triumphant role as Amanda in Motherland and Amandaland, Lucy said, 'I've always thought of Amanda as an arrested teenager. She's a mean girl. Now it's almost like she's coming of age, growing up a bit, having to make friends, having to try.' Of course, Lucy's most recent project took her to the Bahamas to conquer her fear of sharks. 'We really are right in the middle of nowhere in the sea on our own with a load of sharks but I'm hoping when Tristin comes he's going to reassure us about what we are doing and that it's safer than it looks,' she said in the first episode. She is joined on the new show by Helen George, Ade Adepitan, Rachel Riley, Dougie Poynter, Lenny Henry and Ross Noble. Lucy has reportedly been with her partner Dinos Chapman since 2014 and they live together in LA. Dinos is one half of the visual art duo The Chapman Brothers. He has two daughters from his previous marriage to Tiphaine de Lussy. While Lucy has two sons aged nine and three. No, Lucy is notoriously private about her personal life and does not have social media. Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters is on Mondays on ITV1 at 9pm or you can stream the entire series on ITVX. Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).
Scoop
21 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Effective Partnerships Can Stop The Next Pandemic
21 July 2025 Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar, a professor of infectious diseases at University College London, issued this warning at a recent meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York. It is not a question of if but when, and Dr. Abubakar believes the answer is sooner than anyone wants in part because the global healthcare system remains drastically siloed. This is a problem because, intrinsically, a pandemic cannot be stopped by one country alone. 'Infectious diseases will not respect borders. Therefore, health systems to ensure equity, dignity and universal access must also be agile to implement policies across borders,' Dr. Abubakar said. Rather, stopping pandemics — and promoting broader global development — requires robust partnerships and consistent investment in multilateral systems as a practice, not just an ideal. 'If we are to meet the ambitions of the 2030 Agenda, we must reimagine cooperation, not as a transactional action but as a dynamic, inclusive and future-ready partnership,' said Lok Bahadur Thapa, vice president of ECOSOC. A goal to unite all goals The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development is convening at UN Headquarters in New York to discuss progress – or lack thereof – towards the globally agreed 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first 16 SDGs deal with specific aspects of development — such as poverty, gender equality and climate change — but the 17th puts forward a path to achieve the others. And this path lies in embracing global partnerships between State governments, civil society organizations, communities and the private sector. However, with an annual financing gap for the SDGs which exceeds $4 trillion, the partnerships of today are not sufficient to realize the goals for tomorrow. 'We must forge truly transformative partnerships that break traditional silos: governments, civil society, the private sector and multilateral institutions all have roles to play in an inclusive coalition for sustainable development,' Dima Al-Khatib, director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) said at an HLPF event. Prioritize prevention, not reaction Right now, the current health system, which includes pandemic preparedness, is oriented towards halting health emergencies once they emerge as opposed to proactively preventing them, according to Dr. Abubakar. Member States recently adopted a pandemic prevention treaty which endeavours to do just this — limit the likelihood of future pandemics. But for many, this emphasis on prevention extends beyond pandemics to issues like rehabilitation services and primary care, both of which experts say are critical investments not only in human well-being but also in peace and security. Moreover, these types of preventative medicine are cheaper than reactive medicine, according to Mandeep Dhaliwal, the Director of Health at the UN Development Programme (UNDP). 'It's important to invest in prevention as much as it is in treatment, and it is more cost-effective because … you're turning off the tap,' Ms. Dhaliwal said. However, convincing investors to support preventive care can be difficult because, when done correctly, tangible results are not necessarily visible. Health is in every system Nevertheless, investing in preventive medicine like primary care and the socioeconomic determinants of health — such as climate and nutrition — can help ensure that health systems are holistically supporting people before a crisis begins. 'Health is not a silo… the factors that influence health are often outside the health sector,' Ms. Dhaliwal said, citing the example of air pollution which is a climate problem that inherently influences health. This sort of holistic investment requires robust partnerships which work to ensure that every initiative — no matter how seemingly distanced — considers health implications. 'We have too often treated [health] as a downstream issue, something that improves only if other systems are working. But we now understand that health and well-being is not simply the result of good developments. It's the starting point,' said Tony Ott, a professor of agricultural sciences at the Pennsylvania State University. The weak link in the health system Migrants and displaced people tend to be among those least likely to have access to preventive medicine and often those most impacted by the social determinants of health. 'Migration and displacement, whether it's driven by conflict, climate change or economic factors, are defining factors in terms of our health,' he said. By the end of 2024, 123.2 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, a decade-high number which proves that in the 10 years since the SDGs were adopted, the world has regressed in relation to displacements. For Dr. Abubakar, these displaced people — and the millions more voluntary migrants — embody why the health system simply cannot continue to silo itself and must instead embrace cross-border partnerships. 'Health systems must ensure access to essential services regardless of immigration status … Any community without access is that weak link that may mean we are all not protected,' Dr. Abubakar said, referring to the next pandemic. Communities at the centre The idea of partnerships as foundational to achieving the SDGs is logical for many people. After all, the goals are universal in nature and demand global collaboration. But this collaboration, especially for health, must do more than just engage experts — it must engage the people who seek out healthcare. Dr. Abubakar said that all health policies must be culturally appropriate to local contexts, something which can only happen if communities are placed at the centre of healthcare. 'The new future that I see would embrace global partnership, including countries irrespective of income level, public and private sector, academic and civil society. And within this framework, communities must be at the centre… not just as recipients but as co-creators of solutions.'
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Why England can learn from Scotland after first measles death in a decade
The NHS in England could learn important lessons from Scotland after a measles death in Liverpool last week, experts say. Comparative data shows that vaccine uptake in Scotland is considerably higher than in England, with nearly 90 per cent of children fully protected against measles by age five. The difference, say experts, is most likely to be explained by the fact that access to GPs and other primary health care facilities is much better north of the border 'Everybody talks about [vaccine] hesitancy, but the main thing that's stopping uptake is access,' Dr Helen Bradford, Professor of Children's Health at University College London, told The Telegraph. 'That includes knowing what vaccine is due and when, being able to make an appointment, and actually getting to that appointment – all of which can be really difficult for some families.' News of the death of a child in Liverpool of measles comes as Britain's vaccination rates have fallen to the lowest of any G7 country, including the US. The problem appears to be being driven by the performance of the NHS in England. At least 89.2 per cent of Scottish children are fully vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine by age five, compared to just 83.9 per cent in England. At the same time, Scotland has much better access to primary care – with 76 GP's per 100,000 people, compared to just 58 per 100,000 in England. 'General practice [in England] has continually had resources withdrawn, but at the same time delivers most of the childhood vaccinations,' said Dr David Elliman, an honorary senior associate professor and medical doctor at UCL. Access, he added, was the most important issue. 'In a GP practice, most parents are happy to have their children immunised. Some may have questions, but as long as they receive clear and satisfactory answers, they're usually comfortable proceeding,' he added. During the pandemic – a time where nearly all health systems saw a noticeable decrease in routine vaccinations – Scotland's coverage of routine childhood jabs actually increased. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found a 14.3 per cent increase in children receiving the second dose of the MMR vaccine on time during the first lockdown in Scotland compared with vaccination levels in 2019. England saw a net fall in the same period of 1.93 per cent. The researchers linked the boost to flexible working for parents – which meant they could attend vaccination appointments – and better access to mobile vaccination centres. In 2018, the Scottish Government took the decision to transfer the responsibility for delivering vaccinations from GP practices to regional health boards as part of a plan to boost uptake. While most vaccines are still administered by GPs, the shift gave health boards the flexibility to tailor services for harder-to-reach communities. Unlike in England – where families often struggle with rigid booking systems, the so-called '8am scramble' for same day appointments, and limited availability – Scotland offers vaccinations in several different settings like schools, A&E departments, and at home visits. 'We need to get away from being too rigid in what sort of settings we give the vaccine in. Traditionally it's either been a community clinic or general practice but we ought to be doing it more in the places that parents go to, and particularly children who are at high risk,' said Dr Elliman. 'That means more immunisations in hospital settings and in neighbourhoods,' he added. Scotland's better vaccination rates appear to be positively influencing outcomes. So far this year, England has recorded 529 measles cases, while Scotland has had just 27. In 2024, those numbers were even more dramatic: 2,911 cases were recorded in England, compared to just 24 in Scotland. While population size partly explains the disparity – England's population is more than eleven times larger than Scotland's – it doesn't account for an almost 120-fold difference in infection rates, say experts. Only last week, the health secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged the need for better access to primary health care in England. Under the government's new NHS 10-year plan, he committed to rolling out 'neighbourhood health services' to try and 'end the 8am scramble and make it easier to see your GP,' referencing the country's maddening and archaic GP booking system. The document also includes a plan to boost vaccine uptake by allowing nurses and midwives that carry out home visits to administer vaccines in England. Yet it is unclear when the new measures will come into force: England currently faces a 5,000 shortfall in the number of health visitors needed to provide the mandated four at-home visits required for every child in the country under school age. Scotland outcompetes England in this area, too. About 90 per cent of Scottish children receive at least their first four scheduled reviews, compared to just short of 65 per cent in parts of England, including London. 'These are the public health nurses that have contact with all young families with young children, often the first port of call, the first place that parents will ask questions about immunisation. The numbers [in England] have gone down dramatically, which for those people who have got questions means there isn't always somebody obvious to ask,' said Dr Bradford.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Mapped: The UK regions where smoking is most common after stark new figures released
The number of cigarettes smoked in Britain every year has been revealed in a shocking new study from Cancer Research UK and University College London (UCL). Smokers are getting through an estimated 28.6 billion cigarettes each year on average, equating to 78 million every day. The study draws on data from the Smoking Toolkit Study between 2022 and 2024. It estimates that adults who smoke consume an average of 10.4 cigarettes daily, with 5.5 per cent of smokers exceeding 20 cigarettes a day The figures are also broken down by region, showing which areas in the UK have the highest proportion of smokers, and which region has the highest average number of cigarettes smoked. The data shows that it is the South West that has the highest proportion of smokers at 15 per cent of the adult population. Meanwhile, Scotland and Yorkshire are joint-lowest at 13.3 per cent. Amongst all adults, the average is 13.9 per cent. However, smokers in southern regions smoke proportionally less cigarettes a year than those in the north and Scotland. Smokers in the North East average 598 cigarettes a year – the highest of any region – while London is the lowest at 423. The analysis finds that this points to significant inequalities in cigarette consumption, with individuals from more deprived backgrounds smoking an average of 11 cigarettes daily, compared to 9.4 per day among those in wealthier areas. In light of the figures, charities are calling on the government to speed up its upcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill which is currently passing through Parliament. The legislation aims to create a 'smoke-free generation' by preventing the sale of tobacco products to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009, effectively raising the legal smoking age each year. Cancer Research UK's executive director of policy, Dr Ian Walker, said: 'While great strides have been made to bring down smoking rates, we can't afford to be complacent. Every week, around 550 million cigarettes are still smoked in Britain – that's enough to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool. It's vital that everyone, wherever they live, can access the support they need to quit smoking for good. 'The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is a historic opportunity to help stub out the harms of smoking, but it's frustrating that the legislation isn't progressing through Parliament as quickly as it should be. 'Tobacco is a toxic product that should have no place in our future, and I urge all parliamentarians to back a smoke-free UK and prioritise this Bill when it returns to the House of Lords. This world-leading legislation has strong political and public support that can't be ignored.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Britain boosts computing power in $1.3 billion AI drive
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain set out its plan to invest 1 billion pounds ($1.34 billion) in computing infrastructure to drive the development of artificial intelligence, which will increase its public compute capacity 20 fold over the next five years. The race to develop AI is intensifying, with the United States, China and India emerging as front runners, putting pressure on Europe to make up lost ground. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the funding at London Tech Week last month, where he shared the stage with Nvidia's chief executive Jensen Huang. The tech leader said Britain needed to boost its computing infrastructure to deliver the full potential of its leading artificial intelligence research base. The government said on Thursday it would bring together the country's most powerful supercomputers – Isambard-AI based in Bristol and Dawn in Cambridge - in an AI Research Resource (AIRR) system, delivered with partners including Nvidia, HPE, Dell Technologies and Intel. Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, launched the Isambard supercomputer on Thursday. "Britain has top of the class talent in AI and our plan will put a rocket under our brilliant researchers, scientists, and engineers – giving them the tools they need to make Britain the best place to do their work," he said. University College London researchers are already using the supercomputer to line up pioneering AI tools which could revolutionise cancer screening in the National Health Service, the government said. Using prostate cancer as its initial test case, they are developing one of the first scalable AI models dedicated to medical imaging - using AI to analyse MRI scans and identify patients in need of treatment sooner, it said. Working alongside the AI Research Resource, Britain said it was also setting up a network of National Supercomputing Centres, with the first based in Edinburgh. Meanwhile, Germany wants AI to drive 10% of its economic output by 2030 and make AI an important tool in central fields of research, according to a document seen by Reuters on Tuesday. ($1 = 0.7460 pounds)
