Latest news with #UniversityOfBath
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Great British pentathlete to study astrophysics while pursuing Olympics dream
A Great British pentathlete is to study astrophysics at university while aiming to compete in the Olympic Games, having achieved high A-level grades. Sebastian Forrest, 18, from Gloucestershire, studied at Millfield School and is celebrating his results – an A* in Maths, A in Physics (Engineering), and B grades in Further Maths and Chemistry. He will now go on to study astrophysics at the University of Bath while aiming to participate in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032. Millfield School said Seb was the youngest elite modern pentathlete on the world-class programme, gaining UK Sport funding, at the age of 17. The athlete has also represented Team GB in international appearances, competing in U17, U19, Junior and Senior events. Seb earned multiple podium finishes, including winning gold at the 2024 European Cup in Barcelona. His performance there led to his selection to represent Great Britain at competitions including the Senior Hungarian Open, U19 European Championships, U19 World Championships in Lithuania, and the Junior U22 World Championships in Hungary. Speaking of his decision to attend Millfield for sixth form, he said: 'I joined Millfield because having everything on campus made training and studying much easier. 'With dedicated sport specialist coaches for each discipline, I knew I was in the perfect environment to succeed.' Seb is passionate about maths and physics, with his interest in space leading him to pursue an astrophysics degree. Alongside his studies, he will continue to compete at elite level in modern pentathlon. Antonia Cord, head of modern pentathlon at Millfield, said: 'We are incredibly proud of Seb and all he has achieved. 'His work ethic and commitment to both sport and academics are remarkable. 'He genuinely enjoys the challenge of balancing both, and that's what makes him stand out. We look forward to seeing him continue his journey in modern pentathlon beyond Millfield and wish him every success in the future.'
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Massive ladybird swarm descends on UK, largest Since 1976
Britons have been forced to take shelter in their cars as thousands of ladybirds descend on towns and cities across the country. In seaside resorts like Weston-Super-Mare, beachgoers faced a 'ladybird apocalypse' as 'millions' of the insects covered every available surface. On Thursday, a sudden swarm of beetles even brought about a temporary pause in play at the Lord's test match against India. Experts say this is the largest sighting since the famous 'ladybird invasion' of 1976. Scientists say that these sudden swarms are due to the recent spell of hot weather, just like the exceptionally hot summer of 1976. On TikTok, several users have shared videos of ladybird swarms descending on UK towns. In one viral clip, a woman is covered in the swarming bugs as the caption reads: 'Take this as your sign not to go to the beach today.' Other posts show ladybirds crawling in their hundreds over prams, cars, umbrellas and even people's food. Professor Stuart Reynolds, an insect biologist from the University of Bath, told MailOnline: 'Ecology is complicated and this is a multi-factor problem, but it's for sure that the recent hot, dry weather has something to do with it. My suggestion is that favourable weather conditions over the last few months have led to a boom in aphid numbers on crop land and woodland. Ladybirds eat aphids, so this has led to a consequent boom in ladybirds.' Although the sightings might seem alarming, Professor Reynolds claims there is 'absolutely nothing to worry about.' Professor Reynolds says: 'It's happened before and will happen again. Boom and bust cycles are common in nature. Ladybirds may give you just a little nip sometimes - just to check whether you are edible or maybe because your skin is a bit salty - but they won't do any damage. It's not a plague! Ladybirds are lovely and we should celebrate them! Everyone loves a ladybird!' Over the last few weeks, Britain's weather has been exceptionally warm, with temperatures peaking at 34.7°C (94.5°F) last Friday. Like all insects, ladybirds and aphids speed up their life cycles during the warm weather, which means more insects are born. However, the recent heatwaves have been so hot and dry that both vegetation and aphids have started to die off. 'The last few weeks have been unfavourable to aphids, so that the poor ladybirds now have nothing to eat,' says Professor Reynolds. This leads them to fly off looking for grub elsewhere.' In addition to food, the ladybirds are also coming together to find mates, which leads to even larger local swarms. Although it might seem like it on social media, the insects probably aren't deliberately making their way to the beach. Professor Reynolds says that there are probably swarms 'all over the place', but they just happen to be more obvious in busy seaside towns like Weston-Super-Mare. Despite their alarming appearance, the experts say that we should welcome the swarms with open arms. Seeing so many ladybirds is a particularly good sign since they are a key predator as well as being a food source for larger animals like birds. Professor Tim Coulson, science author and biologist at the University of Oxford, told MailOnline: 'Predators, like ladybirds, are incredibly important components of ecosystems. Take away predators, and all hell breaks loose. We should cherish our ladybirds! Definitely do not kill the ladybirds as they keep the numbers of pest species down. Much better to have ladybirds than to spray crops with insecticides to kill the aphids.' Likewise, Professor Helen Roy, one of the world's leading ladybird experts from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, told MailOnline: 'Ladybirds are much-loved insects. So, I hope people can enjoy seeing so many ladybirds and celebrate these incredible insects.' Ladybirds aren't the only insects to have swarmed the UK amid the recent warm weather. Britain has also faced a surge of wasps, an expert has warned. Andrew Dellbridge of Ace Pest Control in Norfolk said the spring sunshine had lured wasps out of hibernation early, giving them more time to grow. And though they'll die off come winter, the head start means this year's nests are already surpassing last year's in size, with months still to go. Now wasps are experiencing a 'population explosion', Mr Dellbridge said, and Britain faces a wave of jumbo nests before winter.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Huge swarm of LADYBIRDS hits the UK: Terrified Brits are forced to hide in their cars as thousands of beetles descend on towns and cities - in largest sighting since 1976
Britons have been forced to take shelter in their cars as thousands of ladybirds descend on towns and cities across the country. In seaside resorts like Weston-Super-Mare, beachgoers faced a 'ladybird apocalypse' as 'millions' of the insects covered every available surface. On Thursday, a sudden swarm of beetles even brought about a temporary pause in play at the Lord's test match against India. Experts say this is the largest sighting since the famous 'ladybird invasion' of 1976. Scientists say that these sudden swarms are due to the recent spell of hot weather, just like the exceptionally hot summer of 1976. On TikTok, several users have shared videos of ladybird swarms descending on UK towns. In one viral clip, a woman is covered in the swarming bugs as the caption reads: 'Take this as your sign not to go to the beach today.' Other posts show ladybirds crawling in their hundreds over prams, cars, umbrellas and even people's food. @benwalters746 Help 😂😂😂 we used to love playing with ladybirds when we was at school #foru #foryoupage❤️❤️ #holiday #amazing #ladybird #infestation #stothys #essex #seaside ♬ Jump Little Ladybird - Mini Vibes Professor Stuart Reynolds, an insect biologist from the University of Bath, told MailOnline: 'Ecology is complicated and this is a multi-factor problem, but it's for sure that the recent hot, dry weather has something to do with it. 'My suggestion is that favourable weather conditions over the last few months have led to a boom in aphid numbers on crop land and woodland. 'Ladybirds eat aphids, so this has led to a consequent boom in ladybirds.' Although the sightings might seem alarming, Professor Reynolds claims there is 'absolutely nothing to worry about.' Professor Reynolds says: 'It's happened before and will happen again. Boom and bust cycles are common in nature. 'Ladybirds may give you just a little nip sometimes - just to check whether you are edible or maybe because your skin is a bit salty - but they won't do any damage. 'It's not a plague! Ladybirds are lovely and we should celebrate them! Everyone loves a ladybird!' Over the last few weeks, Britain's weather has been exceptionally warm, with temperatures peaking at 34.7°C (94.5°F) last Friday. Do ladybirds bite? Ladybirds can and do bite humans when they are swarming. However, they do not have any venom, and their bites are perfectly harmless. At most, these bites will feel like a small pinch and produce very minor irritation. Bites are also rare and generally not due to aggression. Experts say that ladybirds will only 'nip' you to see if you are edible when they are hungry or if your skin tastes particularly salty. Like all insects, ladybirds and aphids speed up their life cycles during the warm weather, which means more insects are born. However, the recent heatwaves have been so hot and dry that both vegetation and aphids have started to die off. 'The last few weeks have been unfavourable to aphids, so that the poor ladybirds now have nothing to eat,' says Professor Reynolds. 'This leads them to fly off looking for grub elsewhere.' In addition to food, the ladybirds are also coming together to find mates, which leads to even larger local swarms. Although it might seem like it on social media, the insects probably aren't deliberately making their way to the beach. Professor Reynolds says that there are probably swarms 'all over the place', but they just happen to be more obvious in busy seaside towns like Weston-Super-Mare. Despite their alarming appearance, the experts say that we should welcome the swarms with open arms. Seeing so many ladybirds is a particularly good sign since they are a key predator as well as being a food source for larger animals like birds. Professor Tim Coulson, science author and biologist at the University of Oxford, told MailOnline: 'Predators, like ladybirds, are incredibly important components of ecosystems. Take away predators, and all hell breaks loose. 'We should cherish our ladybirds! Definitely do not kill the ladybirds as they keep the numbers of pest species down. Much better to have ladybirds than to spray crops with insecticides to kill the aphids.' Likewise, Professor Helen Roy, one of the world's leading ladybird experts from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, told MailOnline: 'Ladybirds are much-loved insects. So, I hope people can enjoy seeing so many ladybirds and celebrate these incredible insects.' Ladybirds aren't the only insects to have swarmed the UK amid the recent warm weather. Britain has also faced a surge of wasps, an expert has warned. Andrew Dellbridge of Ace Pest Control in Norfolk said the spring sunshine had lured wasps out of hibernation early, giving them more time to grow. And though they'll die off come winter, the head start means this year's nests are already surpassing last year's in size, with months still to go. Now wasps are experiencing a 'population explosion', Mr Dellbridge said, and Britain faces a wave of jumbo nests before winter. He said: 'What I would expect to do in September–October as far as size of nest and multiple wasps within a nest, we're getting now. 'By September–October, the right back end of the season before they all die off, we should be in massive nest territory.'
Telegraph
25-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Fake flea treatment ‘could poison your cat'
Pet owners have been warned of fake flea treatments that are poisoning animals. Government officials have issued an alert that counterfeit over-the-counter veterinary treatments are being sold illegally with many containing toxic chemicals. One cat was treated with fake anti-flea medication that contained an insecticide, which caused the animal to become seriously ill. Smokey the cat became very sick and spent a week at the vet and required surgery to survive. Owner Alan Wall, from Preston, sent the product to be tested and analysis at the University of Bath revealed it contained Pirimiphos-methyl, an insecticide that is harmful to cats. The drug, which was a fake 'Frontline' product, also only contained one of the two active compounds and was therefore likely to not be fully effective in treating fleas. The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) on Wednesday sent a warning to owners and urged caution when buying these products. Dr Heilin-Anne Leonard-Pugh, a veterinary surgeon at VMD, said: 'Pirimiphos-methyl is toxic to cats. 'Exposure to this insecticide can prevent the cat's body from breaking down a substance called acetylcholine, leading to an overstimulation of the cat's nervous system. 'This can cause symptoms such as vomiting, uncoordinated gait, muscle tremors, weakness, paralysis, increased sensitivity to touch, difficulty breathing, restlessness, urinary incontinence, low heart rate and seizures. In some cases, even death can sadly occur. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a counterfeit medicine, seek veterinary advice immediately.' Telltale warning signs that the product is not authentic and likely fake are spelling errors, poor-quality packaging, unusual smells and missing information. Owners have been warned to be wary when buying online and told that if the price seems very cheap then it probably is too good to be true and should be avoided. Any suspicions about counterfeit products should be reported to Trading Standards, officials say, who will investigate any counterfeits. Data from the VMD reveals there were 122 seizure notices for the selling of unauthorised animal medicines and supplements in 2024, which prevented 18,000 illegal items from reaching consumers. Caroline Allen, RSPCA Chief Veterinary Officer, said she was 'very concerned about counterfeit vet treatments on sale'. 'We appreciate financial pressures can lead some owners to look for cheaper treatments online but they could be unwittingly putting their beloved pets in serious danger,' she added. The IPO's Deputy Director of Enforcement Helen Barnham, said: 'We are a nation of animal lovers, and criminals dealing in counterfeits are targeting pet owners with complete disregard for the animal's wellbeing. 'We are urging pet owners to be vigilant when purchasing any type of animal treatment, and beware of any offers that 'look too good to be true'.'
The Guardian
16-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Is it true that … there's no gain without pain?
The words may have been printed on gym vests for decades, but is 'no pain, no gain' actually true when it comes to the benefits of exercise, such as improved cardiovascular health or increased muscle mass? 'Not strictly,' says Dr Oly Perkin from the University of Bath's Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism (CNEM). 'A better way of putting it is that you may make more gains if you experience a bit of pain.' The kind of 'pain' we're talking about isn't necessarily harmful. It's your body's way of signalling effort – 'and more effort tends to signal more reward'. This may include a feeling of discomfort and a desire to stop if you have a racing heart or burning muscles: a stress response that evolved to regulate exertion. Perkin adds: 'If exercise didn't induce some discomfort, we'd all just do it constantly, and be fatigued.' Then there's delayed onset muscle soreness (Doms), the ache you can feel a day or two after a workout. 'It's thought it may be a protective mechanism – your body's way of telling you that muscle needs time to recover,' says Perkin. But your starting point matters. When you begin exercising, movement may feel more uncomfortable, but as your body adapts, you may move more efficiently or develop stronger mental resilience. Then it will feel easier, but you'll probably still be making gains. Doms is also more likely to be caused by some exercises than others, no matter your level of exertion. Workouts that are new to you are more likely to trigger it, so can those, like running downhill, that cause muscles to stretch while under tension. 'You don't need to experience a lot of pain to make improvements,' says Perkin, especially if you're starting from a low baseline. Low-impact exercise such as walking and cycling can be really effective – particularly when done for extended periods of time. 'Any movement – even if it doesn't feel tough – is far better than doing nothing,' he says.
