Latest news with #UniversityOfPlymouth
Times
17-07-2025
- Health
- Times
Is it safe to go wild swimming? Find out in 15 minutes
'T his could be a game changer, it's absolutely brilliant,' Jo Bateman, the swimmer taking South West Water to court over sewage discharges into the sea, said after trialling the world's first water quality testing kit that can give results in 15 minutes. Stood on the water's edge of Exmouth beach, where she used to enjoy daily swims before her health was harmed by pollution in the water, she is part of the Friends of the River Exe group spearheading the use of a handheld device, the Bactiquick, which promises real-time testing of the water. Developed by scientists at the University of Plymouth, it can warn of the potential health risk before people take the plunge. Traditional tests used by the Environment Agency and water companies can take 24 hours or more to get results from samples, which have to be cultured in a laboratory. Furthermore, they detect only
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Why the world's oceans are getting darker
A recent worldwide study led by researchers from the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory finds that more than 20 per cent of the world's oceans, equating to about 75 million square kilometres, have gotten darker in the past two decades, a phenomenon known as ocean darkening. Ocean darkening refers to changes in water clarity that reduce the depth of the photic zone, i.e., the sunlit layer of the ocean where 90 per cent of marine life lives and where sunlight and moonlight trigger ecological interactions. For their paper, scientists used satellite and numerical data to track changes in the photic zone between 2003 and 2022. They found that 21 per cent of the global ocean has darkened, and more than 9 per cent -- or 32 million sq km -- saw the photic zone shrink by more than 50 metres. In 2.6 per cent of the world's oceans, the depth of the photic zone was reduced by 100 metres. Significant darkening was found in both coastal waters and major open-ocean areas, particularly, the Gulf Stream, Arctic and Antarctic regions, and coastal and enclosed seas like the Baltic Sea, where agricultural runoff is high. But not everything is getting dark. Around 10 per cent of the area studied, which is about 37 million sq km, got lighter. A map focused on the UK and North Atlantic Ocean showing changes identified through this project – red areas indicate regions where the oceans are getting darker, while blues indicate regions where they are getting lighter. Image and caption courtesy of the University of Plymouth SEE ALSO: The paper outlines several factors that may be causing oceans to darken. Near coastlines, runoff from agriculture, increased rainfall, and sediment flow bring nutrients and organic materials into the water. This encourages plankton growth and reduces water clarity. In the open ocean, algal blooms and rising sea surface temperatures are likely driving ocean darkening. 'There has been research showing how the surface of the ocean has changed colour over the last 20 years, potentially as a result of changes in plankton communities,' Dr. Thomas Davies, Associate Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth, says in a statement. 'But our results provide evidence that such changes cause widespread darkening that reduces the amount of ocean available for animals that rely on the sun and the moon for their survival and reproduction. We also rely on the ocean and its photic zones for the air we breathe, the fish we eat, our ability to fight climate change, and for the general health and well-being of the planet. Taking all of that into account, our findings represent genuine cause for concern.' A 50-metre reduction in a photic zone means animals that need light will be forced to congregate closer to the surface, which could result in more competition for food and resources. "That could bring about fundamental changes in the entire marine ecosystem,' says Professor Tim Smyth, Head of Science for Marine Biogeochemistry and Observations at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The study offers new insight into how our oceans are changing over time, and what that could mean for marine ecosystems. While the full ecological impact of ocean darkening is unknown, the findings highlight the importance of continued monitoring and research into the connections between ocean light, climate change, and human activity. Click here to view the video
The Independent
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Struggling with lower back pain? This activity could help
A recent study suggests that spending time in nature can alleviate chronic lower back pain, which affects over a quarter of Americans and is the sixth-most costly condition in the U.S. Researchers at the University of Plymouth found that nature provides physical and mental benefits, including stress and anxiety reduction, for individuals with chronic lower back pain. The study, based on interviews with 10 participants experiencing chronic lower back pain for 5 to 38 years, highlighted the importance of natural features like fresh air and the sound of running water in promoting tranquility. Experts recommend that people with chronic back pain consider incorporating nature into their coping strategies, while taking precautions such as using proper hiking techniques and equipment. Researchers suggest making natural spaces more accessible through better paths, seating, and virtual reality innovations to ensure everyone can benefit from nature's therapeutic effects.
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
RNLI holds young adult water safety course for Plymouth students
The University of Plymouth has collaborated with the RNLI, Swim England and Plymouth Active Leisure to teach students how to stay safe in the RNLI held a young adult water safety programme in May teaching students how to call for help correctly and how to use a was followed up by an open water swimming session at Tinside Cove which was run by Swim England and Plymouth Active Chhadva, a postgraduate student who cannot swim, said: "I loved it and definitely feel more confident and I would like to learn how to swim now." Digital and social media student Grace Uwe added: "I felt it was essential to have some experience and know the basics of saving myself in the water."I feel like I've learnt how to stay safe and I'm planning to do more swimming lessons now." Associate director of student support at the University of Plymouth Steve Gaskin said the sessions had been important to teach students "how to keep themselves and their loved ones safe" in the water."This event was an exciting opportunity for students of all swimming abilities to learn more about the open water and we are very grateful to the RNLI, Swim England and Plymouth Active Leisure for their support in delivering it," he single piece of advice which the RNLI has urged the students and the wider public to remember and share is: "If you find yourself struggling in water, float to live".
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
University of Plymouth research finds 20% of ocean now darker
More than a fifth of the global ocean has become darker over the past two decades, according to University of Plymouth process, known as "ocean darkening", occurs when changes to the ocean's upper most level reduce the depth at which sunlight can study, published in Global Change Biology, found 21% of the global ocean had become darker between 2003 and for ocean darkening were believed to be down to factors such as changes in algal bloom dynamics, shifts in sea surface temperatures and artificial light, researchers said. The study found more than 9% of the ocean - an area similar in size of Africa - had seen a reduction in light by more than 164ft (50m).A further 2.6% of the ocean saw a reduction of more than 328ft (100m), it said. While the precise implications of the changes were not wholly clear, researchers said large numbers of the planet's marine species and ecosystem services could be Thomas Davies, associate professor of Marine Conservation at the university, said: "There has been research showing how the surface of the ocean has changed colour over the last 20 years, potentially as a result of changes in plankton communities."But our results provide evidence that such changes cause widespread darkening that reduces the amount of ocean available for animals that rely on the sun and the moon for their survival and reproduction." 'Fundamental changes' Dr Davies said ocean darkening could have an impact on the air humans breathe, the fish they eat and the world's ability to fight climate change."Our findings represent genuine cause for concern," he Tim Smyth, head of Science for Marine Biogeochemistry and Observations at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, said some marine animals that need light could come closer to the surface as a result of the would cause increased competition for food and the other resources, he warned."That could bring about fundamental changes in the entire marine ecosystem," he said.
