Latest news with #UniversityofPlymouth
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Students' fears over 'endangered' arts faculty
Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition launched by students in response to a review proposing cuts to courses and redundancies at the University of Plymouth. Focussing on proposals for the Arts, Humanities and Business department, it warns the cuts could "endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth". Proposals, which are under consultation until July, are also understood to place the university's cinema and art gallery "under review" in what one student described as "disproportionate targeting" of the arts. The University of Plymouth said avoiding compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of student experience, was its "number one priority". It comes after the university said about 200 jobs may be affected by budget cuts. The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, which includes the School of Art, Design and Architecture, has been asked to make £4.6m in savings, according to a document seen by the BBC. The student petition appeals for the university to "halt" the proposed redundancies and course closures and engage in "transparent consultation" with students and staff. It requests the "financial rationale" be published in a bid to find "fairer alternative solutions that do not disproportionately target the arts". The unnamed student behind the petition said: "These cuts endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth and represent a clear departure from the university's stated values of inclusivity, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration." They said staff redundancies could result in students being "left without suitable academic supervision", while international students may seek education elsewhere. Students have also been creating posters protesting at the proposed cuts and displaying them around the university. The University and College Union (UCU) has written an open letter to three of the region's MPs outlining the impact of the cuts. The letter says: "The Schools of Art, Design and Architecture may see the loss of undergraduate programmes in Fine Art, Acting, Drama, Musical Theatre and Music, as well as postgraduate programmes across the School. The Arts & Culture programme, including the public-facing gallery and cinema, which recently hosted events for British Arts Show 9 is also proposed for closure." The BBC has asked MPs Luke Pollard, Rebecca Smith and Fred Thomas - to whom the letter was addressed - for comment. The university, which employs more than 2,500 staff and serves more than 19,000 students across its two main campuses said it had to "make savings and difficult decisions" along with the majority of UK universities. The BBC has asked the university detailed questions about the proposals and their impact, but it declined to answer them. But, in a statement, it said it was doing everything possible to "look after our staff and avoid compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of our student experience, which is our number one priority". It added: "We are reviewing a number of the university's operations during a process of consultation with colleagues that is scheduled for completion in July. "It would be inappropriate to comment further regarding specific departments until that process has concluded, but we have been in touch with our current students to reassure them and ensure they are aware of support available to them. "Any changes to our provision will be aimed at making the University of Plymouth more resilient and better able to meet the demands of students, now and into the future." More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ University faces £22m budget shortfall University announces potential loss of 200 jobs Arts firms 'in middle of perfect storm'
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Petition launched over 'endangered' Arts faculty
Nearly 2,000 people have signed a petition launched by students in response to a review proposing cuts to courses and redundancies at the University of on proposals for the Arts, Humanities and Business department, it warns the cuts could "endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth". Proposals, which are under consultation until July, are also understood to place the university's cinema and art gallery "under review" in what one student described as "disproportionate targeting" of the arts. The University of Plymouth said avoiding compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of student experience, was its "number one priority". It comes after the university said about 200 jobs may be affected by budget Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business, which includes the School of Art, Design and Architecture, has been asked to make £4.6m in savings, according to a document seen by the student petition appeals for the university to "halt" the proposed redundancies and course closures and engage in "transparent consultation" with students and staff. It requests the "financial rationale" be published in a bid to find "fairer alternative solutions that do not disproportionately target the arts". The unnamed student behind the petition said: "These cuts endanger the future of creative education at Plymouth and represent a clear departure from the university's stated values of inclusivity, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration."They said staff redundancies could result in students being "left without suitable academic supervision", while international students may seek education have also been creating posters protesting at the proposed cuts and displaying them around the university. The University and College Union (UCU) has written an open letter to three of the region's MPs outlining the impact of the letter says: "The Schools of Art, Design and Architecture may see the loss of undergraduate programmes in Fine Art, Acting, Drama, Musical Theatre and Music, as well as postgraduate programmes across the School. The Arts & Culture programme, including the public-facing gallery and cinema, which recently hosted events for British Arts Show 9 is also proposed for closure."The BBC has asked MPs Luke Pollard, Rebecca Smith and Fred Thomas - to whom the letter was addressed - for comment. The university, which employs more than 2,500 staff and serves more than 19,000 students across its two main campuses said it had to "make savings and difficult decisions" along with the majority of UK BBC has asked the university detailed questions about the proposals and their impact, but it declined to answer in a statement, it said it was doing everything possible to "look after our staff and avoid compulsory redundancies, whilst protecting the quality of our student experience, which is our number one priority".It added: "We are reviewing a number of the university's operations during a process of consultation with colleagues that is scheduled for completion in July."It would be inappropriate to comment further regarding specific departments until that process has concluded, but we have been in touch with our current students to reassure them and ensure they are aware of support available to them."Any changes to our provision will be aimed at making the University of Plymouth more resilient and better able to meet the demands of students, now and into the future."
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
How the seas could hold the key to climate change
Devon and Cornwall are at the global heart of finding sea-based solutions to climate change thanks to hundreds of scientists in the region, its universities have said. Their research has included restoring seagrass and oyster beds, looking into seaweed as a sustainable food source, and whether marine fungi can combat Martin Attrill, from the University of Plymouth, said scientists were working to understand our seas and how to protect them."When you look at Devon and Cornwall, and you add up everything we have, we're one of the global leads for marine science," he said. "We rival anywhere in California, or Australia, or Europe, for the actual amount of knowledge that is coming from this one region," he Attrill's research in marine ecology encourages the re-emergence of seagrass meadows in Jennycliff Bay, around Drakes Island, in Cawsand Bay, and opposite Devonport Dockyard, the university the University of Exeter said Dr Ruth Thurstan was part of an international collaboration exploring historic oyster beds lost during the Victorian said: "Oysters really tell us what our seas used to be like."In the past, we've discovered that they formed vast reefs, so going back and looking at sources about oysters tell us about the changes our marine environments have undergone as a result of our activities."She also said the research was helping to establish locations and aims for worldwide oyster bed restoration projects. 'Largest in Europe' The UK's first large-scale mussel farm is 3km (1.8 miles) off the coast of Sidmouth in Devon. It was developed with help from Dr Emma Sheehan from the University of said: "The way that mussels are grown and harvested is extremely sustainable, and, in addition, they're working hard on all these other environmental benefits - they're filtering our oceans."Lines of "mussel rope" are fixed to the seabed on a site that could "become the largest in Europe".Dr Sheehan said their mussel studies began in 2013, with data now showing the species could "restore and regenerate" also provided "incredible" habitats for species including lobsters, small sharks and rays and cabs."We're just now starting to track these animals to understand how they use the farm and whether they're spilling over and having benefits to the local fisheries," said Dr Sheehan. Research also includes technological innovations, including seaweed as a sustainable food Mike Allen, from the University of Exeter, has founded company SeaGen, saying: "We cannot hang around. "We need to make a difference and reverse climate change. All big ideas start somewhere."All the problems of the world - these global problems – they are all a series of local solutions."At the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth, Michael Cunliffe is looking at the potential of microscopic fungi in the sea to change our lives on ocean can serve as a "carbon sink", absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide to slow the rate of global warming."The carbon cycling of the ocean is critical and it really matters for everybody on the planet," he said. "Fungi certainly have a role in processing of carbon in the marine environment."He also said he was investigating whether marine fungi might offer some help in countering viruses and and so-called superbugs - drug-resistant Ed Gasson at the University of Exeter is part of an international and interdisciplinary group of researchers exploring Antarctic ice sheets."It's incredible that... [a] beach here in north Cornwall actually tells us something about what was going on in Antarctica in the past – and in the future as well," he scientists' work is the subject of a new series developed and presented by Anna Turns from The Conversation, in partnership with BBC Radio Devon.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Can a dietary supplement provide the first effective treatment for liver cirrhosis?
Liver disease, a major global health concern, leads to millions of deaths annually due to complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Excitingly, a new study is exploring the potential of the dietary supplement HMB to treat cirrhosis, a condition affecting thousands in the UK. Liver disease accounts for two million deaths annually and is responsible for 4% of all deaths (1 out of every 25 deaths worldwide). The deaths are caused largely due to the complications of cirrhosis and liver cancer . What makes cirrhosis far more dangerous is that it is irreversible, and measures are taken to manage the condition, and in some a liver transplant is required. However, recent research has begun to explore whether certain dietary supplements can help, not just in managing cirrhosis but possibly even reversing or halting its progression. A new study led by scientists and clinicians from the University of Plymouth, the University of Southampton, and Imperial College London has looked into the possibility of treating cirrhosis with a dietary supplement. Before we delve into the details, let's try to understand what liver cirrhosis is. Cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver is scarred and permanently damaged. Scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue and prevents the liver from working normally. This scar tissue also partly blocks the flow of blood through the liver. As cirrhosis gets worse, the liver begins to fail. Liver cirrhosis can increase the risk of developing liver cancer , specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Can a dietary supplement cure liver cirrhosis A dietary supplement, Β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate, otherwise known as HMB, used predominantly to build muscle bulk, prevent muscle loss as a result of ageing or illness, is to be trialled as a potential treatment for chronic liver disease. To understand this, the scientists and clinicians will test its potential in 60,000 people in the UK who have been diagnosed with cirrhosis. In the UK, this condition is most commonly caused by harmful alcohol use or fatty liver disease. In severe cases, some patients even require a liver transplant. As the condition worsens, it leads to over 75,000 hospital admissions and costs the NHS £17 billion annually. Through this study, the scientist will be looking at if taking HMB can offer a safe and effective way of improving patients' physical function and quality of life. Experts in liver disease, dietetics, and immunology from the University of Plymouth, University of Southampton, and Imperial College, London will be leading the trial. 'Cirrhosis is a condition that can have a significant impact on a person's physical and mental wellbeing. But while there are treatments in development, at the moment, there is nothing we can prescribe that directly addresses the condition. HMB has been identified as having the potential to fill that gap, with no suggestions at this time that there will be adverse side effects. This trial will hopefully enable us to test that fully, and establish whether HMB can indeed deliver real benefits for people with cirrhosis and those around them,' Dr Ashwin Dhanda, associate professor in Hepatology at the University of Plymouth and a Consultant in Hepatology at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, and the project's Chief Investigator, said in a statement. 7 Ways to check for fatty liver at home Patients have played a crucial role in shaping the study design. Lesley Manning, who previously underwent a liver transplant, is part of the project team and represents individuals with lived experience of advanced cirrhosis. 'Living with advanced cirrhosis is very debilitating. It makes you feel like you have no energy or strength, and there are no treatments out there to help manage your symptoms. I believe you need to look after yourself and the BOOST trial is testing something simple and safe that may improve the quality of life of people with advanced cirrhosis,' she said. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
New York Post
2 days ago
- Science
- New York Post
Earth's oceans are growing darker, threatening marine life worldwide: study
Oceans around the globe have become darker over the last two decades, leaving researchers fearful for their marine inhabitants, according to a new study. Professor Thomas Davies of the University of Plymouth said in a study published in the Global Change Biology journal there is growing concern for the marine ecosystem. Advertisement Satellite data from NASA's Ocean Color Web data portal showed 21% of the planet's oceans had darkened between 2003 and 2022. According to Davies, the majority of marine life lives in the photic zones of the ocean, which is where sufficient light penetrates to stimulate photobiological processes. The photic zone, which is 200 meters deep, is where global nutrients and carbon budgets sustain the planetary fish markets. This is the area where light reaches marine life that lives closer to the surface of the ocean. Advertisement These ocean inhabitants rely on both the moonlight and sunlight for hunting, mating, reproduction and other important milestones. 4 Oceans around the planet have been getting darker over the last two decades, which has left researchers fearful as to what will happen to their marine inhabitants. peangdao – 4 New research shows satellite data from NASA's Ocean Color Web data portal reveals that 21% of the planet's oceans had darkened between 2003 and 2022. Getty Images The upper level of the ocean is where microscopic organisms and different types of plankton live. Advertisement With the oceans beginning to darken, it will cause creatures that rely on light to begin moving closer to the surface, potentially creating a cramped living space. Using satellite data and an algorithm-derived measure of the attenuation of light in seawater, Davis was able to measure how deep each photic zone was around the world. 4 Most of marine life lives in the photic zone of the ocean, says Professor Thomas Davies of the University of Plymouth. University of Plymouth Among the darker oceans, 9% of their photic zones were 50 meters more shallow, and 3% of the oceans' photic zones were 100 meters more shallow. Advertisement The reasoning behind the darkening of oceans far offshore is less clear. 4 The photic zone is 200 meters deep, and it is where global nutrients and carbon budgets sustain the planetary fish markets. AP Global warming and changes in ocean currents are thought to be involved in this phenomenon, according to the study. Despite an overall darkening, about 10% of oceans, or 37 million square kilometers, have become lighter over the past 20 years, the study found. It also found that most coastal areas have seen an increase in light. However, the study found that this does not translate into a net reduction in photic zone depth near shorelines. Davies predicts the implications of ocean darkening could be severe for marine food webs, global fisheries and carbon and nutrient budgets.
