Latest news with #UniversityofExeter
ITV News
a day ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Post Office campaigner Sir Alan Bates to be honoured by University of Exeter
Sir Alan Bates, who campaigned to expose the Post Office Horizon scandal, is among those being awarded an honorary degree from the University of Exeter. Hundreds of sub-postmasters were pursued for apparent financial shortfalls which were actually caused by faults in the Horizon accounting software. A damning report into the scandal has concluded at least 13 people may have taken their own lives after being accused of wrongdoing. His story was featured in the ITV drama 'Mr Bates vs the Post Office'. Sir Alan, who previously lived and worked in Exeter, said he feels very honoured. 'I am well aware of the important work the University of Exeter Law School has undertaken to investigate the impact on the mental health of victims and the families of sub-postmasters involved with the Post Office Horizon scandal," he added. Former Exeter MP Sir Ben Bradshaw and Professor Penny Endersby, Chief Executive of the Met Office will also be recognised for their work. Prof Enderby said: 'Exeter has a fine reputation as one of the best places in the UK to research and study all aspects of climate, environment and sustainability, with increasingly global standing.' Also receiving honorary degrees are Andrew Ng, the founder of DeepLearning AI and Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières. Other political recipients include former leader of the Green Party Caroline Lucas, Baroness Warsi and Sir Sajid Javid.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scottish Sun
Cruel bullies branded me a 16st ‘whale' – now I'm a ripped size 6 thanks to 6 simple weight loss rules
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AT 16 stone at just 15, Jessica Turner faced relentless bullying at school and was cruelly called a 'whale' by classmates. Five years on, the student from Surrey has lost half her body weight, and those same bullies are suddenly trying their luck on Instagram. 9 At 5ft 3inches, Jessica Turner weight 16 Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 After shedding the weight the 20-year-old became a fitness influencer Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 Jessica wants to help others adopt healthy habits Credit: Kennedy News and Media 'I never really got any male attention before uni... but now I get doors held open for me all the time,' Jessica, now a fitness influencer, said. After years of comfort eating and zero exercise, the now University of Exeter student ballooned to 16st 5lbs at just 5ft 3in tall. 'I looked at food as a source of comfort. I had very low self-esteem, so I didn't like going out very much,' Jessica recalled. While at school, people would often make comments. "Someone said I was walking up the stairs 'too slowly', and another actually called me a whale,' she explained. 'They would laugh at me. I never felt like anybody found me attractive." The turning point came during the 2020 Covid lockdown when Jessica, then 15, decided to take control. 'Covid hit and everything shut down and I thought 'I've got an opportunity to better myself and I have a lot of time on my hands'.' Starting with YouTube home workouts, inspired by Joe Wicks and Chloe Ting, she slowly fell in love with fitness and nutrition. 'Once you start seeing results, it gets easier,' she said. Jessica, now a successful fitness influencer, credits a protein-rich diet and regular exercise for her dramatic transformation, losing an incredible 8st 3lbs since 2019. 'I was 105kg [16st 5lbs], so my health was on the line,' she said. 'I was bigger than my mum and most people in my family. "I felt so miserable in myself that I didn't really care what I was eating.' Her diet used to revolve around calorie-laden junk food. 'I used to eat lots of cakes and chocolate because it would give me short-time gratification,' Jessica explained. 9 Jessica now credits a protein-packed diet and fierce workout routine for sculpting her size 6 figure. Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 Before the transformation she lived on junk food Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 Her journey hasn't just changed her body, it's changed her confidence and life trajectory. Credit: Kennedy News and Media 'After school, I'd do a little Tesco shop and get a bag of sweets and chocolates.' Now her typical day looks very different. Breakfast might be protein pancakes topped with Greek yogurt, berries, and honey. Lunch could be an omelette with cheese and ham, plus a side salad. And dinner is typically something like a Mexican chicken rice bowl, packed with peppers, onions, and avocado. 'I make sure I eat at least five fruits and veg every day, and I hit my protein goals, eating over the government-recommended amount of 2,000 calories a day," the health fanatic said. "You don't have to be scared of eating; you can achieve your goals without starving yourself.' 'If I can do it, so can you' Alongside the diet overhaul, Jessica took up weightlifting to tone up. 'I had loose skin on my arms and legs, my inner thighs in particular. "Only when I started weightlifting did I start to build muscle. I haven't looked back since.' Her journey hasn't just changed her body, it's changed her confidence and life trajectory. 'If I hadn't gone through my weight-loss journey, I wouldn't be at a Russell group uni and I wouldn't be studying law,' Jessica explained. She said her social life has transformed too. "People 100 per cent treat me differently, even on the street. "When you're a bigger girl people don't respect you as much. I never had someone hold the door open for me, but as a girl now I get that all the time.' Many of Jessica's bully's now follow her on Instagram, but Jessica hasn't forgetten how they made her feel. 'Then you have guys trying to speak to me [on Instagram] and I'm like 'no, I still remember what you did'.' Jessica hasn't had any long-term relationships yet. 'I'm very career oriented so I'm prioritising that," she said. 'I want to share my journey not just to celebrate how far I've come, but to inspire others," she said. "I want to show that no matter where you start, it's possible to rise, grow, and achieve what once felt out of reach. "If I can do it, so can you.' 9 Jessica used food at a source of comfort Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 'If I hadn't gone through my weight-loss journey, I wouldn't be at a Russell group uni and I wouldn't be studying law,' Jessica says Credit: Kennedy News and Media
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Cruel bullies branded me a 16st ‘whale' – now I'm a ripped size 6 thanks to 6 simple weight loss rules
AT 16 stone at just 15, Jessica Turner faced relentless bullying at school and was cruelly called a 'whale' by classmates. Five years on, the student from Surrey has lost half her 9 At 5ft 3inches, Jessica Turner weight 16 Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 After shedding the weight the 20-year-old became a fitness influencer Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 Jessica wants to help others adopt healthy habits Credit: Kennedy News and Media 'I never really got any male attention before uni... but now I get doors held open for me all the time,' Jessica, now a fitness influencer, said. After years of comfort eating and zero exercise, the now University of Exeter student ballooned to 16st 5lbs at just 5ft 3in tall. 'I looked at food as a source of comfort. I had very low self-esteem, so I didn't like going out very much,' Jessica recalled. While at school, people would often make comments. "Someone said I was walking up the stairs 'too slowly', and another actually called me a whale,' she explained. 'They would laugh at me. I never felt like anybody found me attractive." The turning point came during the 2020 Covid lockdown when Jessica, then 15, decided to take control. 'Covid hit and everything shut down and I thought 'I've got an opportunity to better myself and I have a lot of time on my hands'.' Most read in Wellness Starting with YouTube home workouts, inspired by Joe Wicks and Chloe Ting, she slowly fell in love with fitness and nutrition. 'Once you start seeing results, it gets easier,' she said. GP-approved tips to really lose weight safely - and keep it off Jessica, now a successful fitness influencer, credits a protein-rich diet and regular exercise for her dramatic transformation, losing an incredible 8st 3lbs since 2019. 'I was 105kg [16st 5lbs], so my health was on the line,' she said. 'I was bigger than my mum and most people in my family. "I felt so miserable in myself that I didn't really care what I was eating.' Her diet used to revolve around calorie-laden junk food. 'I used to eat lots of cakes and chocolate because it would give me short-time gratification,' Jessica explained. 9 Jessica now credits a protein-packed diet and fierce workout routine for sculpting her size 6 figure. Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 Before the transformation she lived on junk food Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 Her journey hasn't just changed her body, it's changed her confidence and life trajectory. Credit: Kennedy News and Media 'After school, I'd do a little Tesco shop and get a bag of sweets and chocolates.' Now her typical day looks very different. Breakfast might be protein pancakes topped with Greek yogurt, berries, and honey. Lunch could be an omelette with cheese and ham, plus a side salad. And dinner is typically something like a Mexican chicken rice bowl, packed with peppers, onions, and avocado. 'I make sure I eat at least five fruits and veg every day, and I hit my protein goals, eating over the government-recommended amount of 2,000 calories a day," the health fanatic said. "You don't have to be scared of eating; you can achieve your goals without starving yourself.' 'If I can do it, so can you' Alongside the diet overhaul, Jessica took up weightlifting to tone up. 'I had loose skin on my arms and legs, my inner thighs in particular. "Only when I started weightlifting did I start to build muscle. I haven't looked back since.' Her journey hasn't just changed her body, it's changed her confidence and life trajectory. 'If I hadn't gone through my weight-loss journey, I wouldn't be at a Russell group uni and I wouldn't be studying law,' Jessica explained. She said her social life has transformed too. "People 100 per cent treat me differently, even on the street. "When you're a bigger girl people don't respect you as much. I never had someone hold the door open for me, but as a girl now I get that all the time.' Many of Jessica's bully's now follow her on Instagram, but Jessica hasn't forgetten how they made her feel. 'Then you have guys trying to speak to me [on Instagram] and I'm like 'no, I still remember what you did'.' Jessica hasn't had any long-term relationships yet. 'I'm very career oriented so I'm prioritising that," she said. 'I want to share my journey not just to celebrate how far I've come, but to inspire others," she said. Read more on the Irish Sun "I want to show that no matter where you start, it's possible to rise, grow, and achieve what once felt out of reach. "If I can do it, so can you.' 9 Jessica used food at a source of comfort Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 'If I hadn't gone through my weight-loss journey, I wouldn't be at a Russell group uni and I wouldn't be studying law,' Jessica says Credit: Kennedy News and Media 9 She said her social life has transformed too Credit: Kennedy News and Media
Scoop
4 days ago
- Climate
- Scoop
Extreme Weather Underscores Urgent Need For Collective Effort Ahead Of World's Premier Climate Adaptation Event
As the Northern Hemisphere experiences another major heatwave, and other parts of the world grapple with extreme weather events, experts are calling for the urgent acceleration of adaptation efforts to help manage the life-threatening impacts of a rapidly changing climate. Among them is Professor David Frame of the University of Canterbury, who said planning for adaptation must become a crucial part of life in the 21st century to help prepare for, and mitigate, some of the risks the world is facing. 'Climate change is amplifying many extreme events across the globe, which is why Northern Hemisphere summers have become punctuated with headlines about heatwaves, wildfires and drought.' 'As the climate continues to change, our extremes will too. This is why it's vital that communities do whatever they can to prepare for the extreme weather hazards that are emerging as part of climate change,' he said. Hundreds of international scientists, researchers, policymakers and thought leaders will soon gather to discuss how the world can adapt to climate change at Adaptation Futures 2025 (AF2025), in Ōtautahi Christchurch, New Zealand this October. The largest event of its kind will provide an opportunity to learn from experts working at the forefront of innovation and science. Professor Katrina Brown of the University of Exeter in the UK said making adaptation a priority was critical, but it was important that efforts were done in an integrated and coordinated way. 'We have to demonstrate how adaptation benefits different sectors of society and also how it works for nature, society and the economy. Not only is it necessary for the short term, but it's important for the long term sustainability and wellbeing of populations around the world.' 'Across Europe in the last few years, we've seen an increase in death rates associated with extreme heat, and here in the UK we are experiencing our third major heatwave within a month. We see a repeated pattern where the people who are most affected are the elderly, people with underlying health problems, and people who live in poor quality housing or are homeless, and the subsequent issues of more emergency call-outs and a fragile health system. This means adaptation is a social justice issue.' She said events like AF2025 were important for cross-national learning about adaptation research and action, as well as hearing from diverse voices including Pacific and Indigenous representatives – which is one of the core themes of this year's event. 'We are at a decisive point where we need to take action now. There are many things we can do, and lessons we can learn from other countries. Bringing a critical mass of scientists, researchers and policymakers together at AF2025 to test these ideas around accelerating adaptation is very important. We're going to learn from people at the frontline of the climate crisis, including Pacific and Indigenous people, and hear the latest science and where adaptation has been successful,' Professor Brown said. 'People are realising that climate change isn't just about a gradual couple of degrees warming across the board, it's about massive disruptions and uncertainty. Across the world, we are experiencing these extreme conditions and a growing realisation that we are very poorly prepared. There are a range of options around nature-based solutions which show a lot of promise and benefit but we urgently need to be investing in adaptation efforts now.' Adaptation Futures is the flagship event of the United Nations' World Adaptation Science Programme (WASP). This year, it will be co-hosted by WASP and Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), in a hybrid format allowing people to join in person or online. AF2025 will bring together scientists, governments, businesses and leaders. This year's event has a particular emphasis on issues for the Pacific and Indigenous people and is supported by a sponsorship consortium of national and international partners, and foundation sponsor, the Adaptation Fund.
Sinar Daily
5 days ago
- Health
- Sinar Daily
'Groundbreaking' drug could slow down progression of type 1 diabetes
LONDON - A 'groundbreaking' drug to slow down the development of type 1 diabetes is being tried by a handful of patients in the UK, reported Xinhua. Teplizumab, which is already approved in the United States (US), trains the immune system to stop attacking pancreatic cells, delaying the need for insulin by an average of three years. A handful of people are being given the medicine on a case-by-case basis while it is reviewed for wider use on the NHS. - 123RF photo With type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, meaning blood sugar levels are no longer regulated by the body. If blood sugar is too high or too low, it can cause serious health problems and even death. People with type 1, therefore, need daily insulin. Dentist and mother-of-two, Hannah Robinson, from Devon, is the first adult in the UK to try the drug in the hope it can delay the condition. She is having treatment at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust after discovering during pregnancy she was in the early stages of developing type 1. A handful of people are being given the medicine on a case-by-case basis while it is reviewed for wider use on the NHS. The 36-year-old said: "For me, this new drug offers more freedom and the chance to focus on my health before I have to start thinking differently and managing life as somebody needing daily insulin. "This isn't just about what I eat or monitoring my glucose, it is also about having more control and not feeling defined by my condition. "This treatment could potentially pave the way for a future cure for type 1 diabetes, which is incredible. I feel very lucky to be part of this." The new drug teplizumab must be given at the earliest stage of the disease to be effective. Dr Nick Thomas, diabetes consultant and academic clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter, said: "This new treatment represents a really exciting shift in how we manage type 1 diabetes. "For the first time, we will be able to provide targeted treatment early enough in the process to alter the underlying immune process, aiming to slow down how quickly people need insulin. "Approximately half of all type 1 diabetes cases develop in adulthood, and Hannah will be the first adult in the UK to receive this treatment. "I hope that in the future, we may be able to stop people with early type 1 diabetes from needing insulin at all." Experts at the Royal Devon and the University of Exeter are using genetics and other testing to spot people at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes. The hope is that more people could be offered the drug to delay type 1. Dr Lucy Chambers, head of research impact and communications at Diabetes UK, said: "For people in the early stages of type 1 diabetes, teplizumab offers a groundbreaking opportunity to buy them precious extra years insulin-free. "Right now, it's only available in research settings - and while the excitement is real, urgent work is still needed to ensure it reaches everyone who could benefit. "That means securing a UK licence for teplizumab, establishing national screening programmes to identify people with early-stage type 1 diabetes before symptoms appear, and preparing the NHS to deliver this treatment at scale. "Diabetes UK is proud to be at the forefront of these efforts - funding pioneering research and working closely with the NHS towards a future where immunotherapies become the first-line treatment? for tackling the autoimmune attack at the root of type 1 diabetes." Professor Richard Oram, consultant physician at the Royal Devon and professor at the University of Exeter, said: "Excitingly, teplizumab is the first drug with the potential to delay type 1 diabetes, but needs to be given before clinical diagnosis due to high blood glucose. "It is really important to find new and improved approaches for identifying individuals at elevated risk." - BERNAMA-dpa
