Biological Anthropology student at the University of Kent wins Oxford University Press award

 

Jenny Martin, a University of Kent student from Herne Bay, has been awarded the Oxford University Press (OUP) Achievement in Biosciences Award.

 

The aim of the Award, which is presented to students who have shown exceptional promise in experimental work, exams or their studies in general, is to encourage students in their study of the biosciences. The winners receive £100 worth of OUP books.

 

Jenny, who is studying for a BSc in Biological Anthropology at the University’s Department of Anthropology, was nominated by the Department’s Biological Anthropology Research Group because of her consistent dedication to the programme and for achieving the best aggregate marks in her course.

 

Jenny Martin said: ‘I was surprised to receive the Award, and very grateful for the recognition of my achievements. I have chosen some great books that will be useful during the remainder of my time at the University of Kent.’ 

 

Dr Sarah Johns, Lecturer in Biological Anthropology at Kent, said: ‘We are so pleased that Jenny has received this award as it is a reflection of her hard work over the past two and a half years, and her dedication to becoming a biological anthropologist. The Award will strengthen her CV and the book prize will also assist with her studies in the final year of her degree.’

 

Biological Anthropology is the study of human adaptation, evolution and variation. A relatively new subject at the University of Kent it includes ecological, archaeological, psychological and forensic methodologies in its research and teaching. Its research group members are engaged in exploring a diverse range of topics such as male-female aggression in chimpanzees, the evolutionary advantages of teenage motherhood and life history events as evidenced in human skeletal remains.

 

 

The University of Kent is one of the UK’s most dynamic universities. The first institution within the county to be granted a university charter, it now has over 16,000 students studying at Canterbury, Medway and Tonbridge and is a major educational, economic and cultural force throughout Kent.

 

In the 2007 National Student Survey, the University was ranked not just top in the region for course satisfaction, it was among the top ten nationwide. It also has a strong international presence and, according to the 2007 Sunday Times University Guide, it ‘can claim to be Britain’s only international university’ as a result of recent developments including the University’s expanding Brussels campus and its ‘involvement as one of five partners (and the only non-French one) in the bilingual University of the Transmanche’. The Guide ranked Kent 42 out of 123 participating higher education institutions in the UK, an increase of four places from the 2006 printed edition.

 

More than 80% of research staff work in departments which contain research of national or international levels of excellence and the University’s commitment to its research activities was recognised by the shortlisting of one of its academics for Young Researcher of the Year in the 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) Awards.

 

The University’s Law Clinic was also shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category. Last year, Kent was one of only five UK universities shortlisted for the THES Institution of the Year award.

 

Human health, agriculture and the environment to benefit from bioengineering project at the University of Kent

Human health, agriculture and the environment to benefit from bioengineering project at the University of Kent

 

Martin Warren, Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Kent’s Department of Biosciences, has been awarded over £750,000 from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council for a study into biochemical pathways that could ultimately lead to improved health benefits for humans, as well as the development of important new technologies and products for agriculture and bioremediation (the use of plants or microorganisms to clean up pollution or contaminated material).

 

Elderly people, those with a vitamin B12 deficiency – a state that is associated with neurological disorders, megablastic anaemia and developmental problems in unborn babies – or anyone on a strictly vegetarian diet may benefit substantially.

 

This study will investigate biochemical pathways, how they are controlled and how they can be engineered to enhance the metabolic ability of the host cell. It will explore the limitations and consequences of engineering complex metabolic pathways (the chemical reactions carried out by a cell) into different organisms, such as taking the genetic software that allows bacteria to make vitamin B12 and transferring it into bacteria that are unable to make B12.

 

Professor Warren said: ‘Vitamin B12 is unique among the vitamins in that it is the only one whose synthesis is restricted solely to bacteria. We plan to take the genetic software that allows bacteria to make vitamin B12 and transfer it into bacteria that are unable to make B12, as well as into yeast and a higher plant, thereby conferring upon these organisms the ability to make this essential nutrient.’

 

For this project Professor Warren and his team will take advantage of the latest developments and technologies in metabolic engineering.

 

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Professor Martin Warren went to Southampton University where he read Biochemistry as an undergraduate. He stayed on in the Biochemistry Department to do a PhD, which initiated his interest in the genetics and biochemistry of tetrapyrrole biosynthesis. After completing his PhD studies, he moved to Texas A & M University, where he worked as a research associate on vitamin B12 biosynthesis.

In 1991 he took up a lecturing position in the School of Biological Sciences at Queen Mary, University of London, where he stayed until 1995 when he moved to a Senior Lecturer position at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London. He was promoted to Reader of Biochemistry in 1998 but then moved back to the School of Biological Sciences at Queen Mary in 1999 to take up a Personal Chair. In 2005 he moved to the University of Kent, where he is Professor of Biochemistry.

He has published numerous articles on tetrapyrrole biosynthesis and the biochemistry underlying inherited retinopathies, as well as co-authoring a popular book on the link between tetrapyrrole biosynthesis and the madness of George III.

Professor Warren is a member of Kent’s Protein Science Group. The Group consists of several research teams who share a common interest in proteins: their structures and functions; their synthesis, folding and modification in the eukaryotic cell; their interactions with cells and tissues; and their production and biomedical applications. The Group exploits a wide range of methods (biophysical, chemical, molecular biological and genetic) and utilises advanced proteomic, mass spectrometric and NMR techniques to study a wide range of proteins; for example, fungal prion proteins, motor proteins such as myosin and molecular chaperones and protein folding catalysts.

(2)

 

The University of Kent is one of the UK’s most dynamic universities. The first institution within the county to be granted a university charter, it now has over 16,000 students studying at Canterbury, Medway and Tonbridge and is a major educational, economic and cultural force throughout Kent.

 

In the 2007 National Student Survey, the University was ranked not just top in the region for course satisfaction, it was among the top ten nationwide. It also has a strong international presence and, according to the 2007 Sunday Times University Guide, it ‘can claim to be Britain’s only international university’ as a result of recent developments including the University’s expanding Brussels campus and its ‘involvement as one of five partners (and the only non-French one) in the bilingual University of the Transmanche’. The Guide ranked Kent 42 out of 123 participating higher education institutions in the UK, an increase of four places from the 2006 printed edition.

 

More than 80% of research staff work in departments which contain research of national or international levels of excellence and the University’s commitment to its research activities was recognised by the shortlisting of one of its academics for Young Researcher of the Year in the 2007 Times Higher Education Supplement (THES) Awards.

 

The University’s Law Clinic was also shortlisted in the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category. Last year, Kent was one of only five UK universities shortlisted for the THES Institution of the Year award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooking project a recipe for success in communities

 

A team of health and nutrition experts at Leeds Trinity & All Saints have launched an exciting new project designed to create the perfect recipe for promoting community cohesion through cooking.

 

The “Cooking Communities” project, based in Leeds, will offer after school clubs where “cooking champions”, older people recruited locally, will teach practical cooking skills to pupils who will be encouraged to share their new found skills by cooking for their families and neighbours.

 

In the longer term, the project team will develop a toolkit to enable teachers and volunteers to roll out the cookery clubs across the city, and will promote initiatives to bring people together to share food from different cultures and communities.

 

The All Saints Educational Trust, which supports work in nutrition education, is funding the project through its All Saints Saxton Fellowship. Dr Judy Donnelly and Dr Rosie Connell of Leeds Trinity won the fellowship, worth £125,000 over three years, in a highly competitive bidding process.

 

Rosie and Judy were inspired to put in a bid after their pilot scheme “Cool Cooks” drew a positive response from the children involved, who clearly enjoyed cooking and consuming the fruits of their labours. The fellowship has funded the appointment of nutritionist and research fellow, Lisa Gatenby, to expand the original idea.

 

For Lisa, who has worked in the food industry and nutrition education for many years, the project is the perfect opportunity to use her experience to really make a difference to people’s lives.

 

She said, “I first got interested in cooking when I was about 13 and started cooking for my family. I’m thrilled to be working on a project that will bring cooking skills to today’s youngsters and promote healthy eating for life.”

 

The project was officially launched to an invited audience of representatives from local primary care trusts, education services and community groups, whose partnership in the project will be central to its success.

 

Jo Odu, Extended Services Network Leader working in schools in the Meanwood area of Leeds, said, “This exciting project has huge potential and sits very well with our work in extended services, by bringing generations together within communities and filling the gaps in children’s knowledge about ingredients and cooking.”

 

For more information about Cooking Communities, contact Lisa Gatenby on 0113 283 7100 ext 351, or email l.gatenby@leedstrinity.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

IBM, Universities Collaborate On Technologies for the Aging Workforce

IBM, Universities Collaborate On Technologies for the Aging Workforce

The University of Dundee has formed a collaboration with IBM and the
University of Miami to develop new software technology tools to
accommodate the needs of older workers and help them adapt to and remain
productive in the changing workplace of the 21st century.

Workforces in developed countries are ageing and the available pool of
younger workers is shrinking at a fast rate. High percentages of skilled
workers are approaching or reaching retirement age by the end of the
decade. And as these workers retire, they take with them valuable
skills, experience, training and knowledge.

As this trend continues, companies can use this opportunity to
innovate-and even gain competitive advantage-by ensuring skilled older
workers have the tools they need to be effective and by offering
advantages to promote retention. One way to support maturing workers who
have age-related disabilities is to find new ways to increase their
comfort level and ability to use technology.

For many organizations, the answer is accessibility - the development
and integration of structures, systems, tools, and processes that
facilitate the inclusion of more people - irrespective of their age,
abilities or personal challenges.

The collaboration between the School of Computing at Dundee, IBM and
the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami will focus on
issues related to training and worker communication, especially in
environments where there is a multigenerational workforce.

"IBM strives to aid companies in developing solutions to accommodate
the maturing workforce, as well as prolong and increase productivity,
said Vicki Hanson, Manager, Accessibility Research for IBM and
Leverhulme Visiting Professor at the University of Dundee.

The aim is to develop `open source' software tools that can be shared
easily among developers and the people who need them most.

"This collaboration is a superb opportunity for our group in Dundee
to apply our wide experience of research with older people, and of
developing better ways of accessing technology, in an exciting new
transatlantic partnership with IBM and the Miller Medical School in
Miami," said Professor Peter Gregor, Head of the School of Computing
at the University of Dundee.

"The open source focus makes the challenges particularly rewarding
because it means that knowledge gained and systems developed will be
available freely to the people who need them and to other
developers."

The collaboration team is comprised of researchers from the IBM T.J.
Watson Research Center, Professor Gregor and colleagues at the
University of Dundee, and Professor Sara Czaja from the University of
Miami Miller School of Medicine. The project will target both training
and collaboration technologies, with an eye to the unique needs of older
workers.

The IBM Research team, lead by Dr Hanson, has worked for the past
several years on website usability for older adults. Through Corporate
Citizenship partnerships with key organizations serving older adults,
the IBM researchers have created software deployed worldwide that
addresses many needs of older users. (For more information on the
available solutions, please visit:
http://www3.ibm.com/able/solution_offerings/research.html)

At the University of Dundee, within the Assistive and Healthcare
Technologies Group, there are eight faculty, including three full
Professors and Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellow, Dr Anna Dickinson, who
have a focus on older people and assistive technologies. The university
take a multidisciplinary approach to the problem with researchers not
only from the School of Computing, but also from Psychology, and from
the Schools of Media Arts & Imaging and Design in producing
visualizations and interaction scenarios.

At the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the collaboration
will build on research conducted at
The Center for Research and
Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) and the Center on
Aging. CREATE is a multidisciplinary, cohesive Center of research and
education on aging and technology funded by the National Institutes on
Aging. The team at Miami, led by Dr. Sara Czaja involves researchers
from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Industrial
Engineering and the Center on Aging. An emphasis of the research
program at Miami is on technology in work/employment settings.

"Older workers represent an extremely valuable resource," said
Professor Czaja. "However they need to have tools available to them to
be able to compete in today's technology-driven workplace. We are
excited about the opportunity to collaborate with IBM and Dundee as it
provides us with a unique opportunity to have the results of our
research efforts translated into actual products and tools. It also
provides a wonderful opportunity for our students."

NOTES TO EDITORS

About IBM

The work is part of IBM's Open Collaborative Research (OCR) program -
an initiative designed to foster research connections between IBM and
universities. OCR projects are designed to focus on topics that are
deemed especially important or difficult and where open collaboration
would benefit the academic and industrial research partners involved and
the world at large.

By design, the IBM OCR program accelerates the innovation and
development of open software across a breadth of areas, thus enabling
the development of related industry standards and greater
interoperability, while managing intellectual property in a manner that
enhances these goals.

Under IBM's OCR program, results developed between IBM Research and
top university faculty and their students for specific projects will be
made available as open source software code and all additional
intellectual property developed based on those results will be openly
published or made available royalty-free.

To remain competitive, businesses and governments worldwide must evolve
and adapt by creating strategies that maximize the potential of every
worker, regardless of their age or physical abilities. IBM believes that
accessibility can play a critical role in helping companies maximize the
skills and knowledge of maturing employees, while creating a meaningful
connection to younger generations of workers.

For more information about IBM, please visit www.ibm.com.
For more information about IBM's Open Collaboration Program, please
visit XX

Press contact:

Steven Tomasco, IBM Media Relations, 914.945.1655, stomasc@us.ibm.com

UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE & THE OCR PROJECT

Dundee's role in the project
We will develop a series of software tools specifically designed to
improve the ability of older people to continue to continue to take
part
fully in employment and make a unique contribution to the workforce.
The development process will rely on substantial user involvement
throughout along with support from our partners in Miami and at IBM.

Relevant work already done at Dundee in this area
We have developed software tools for people with cognitive
difficulties
to improve communication and allow better access to information,
simplified interfaces for training purposes for older first-time
computer users, and explored innovative techniques for requirements
gathering about the use of technology by older people.

Advantage of working with IBM
Working with IBM will assist in the immediate transfer of our ideas to
those who can benefit from them, particularly with the open source
approach. It will also provide us with access to the thinking and
innovative ideas of people working within IBM. IBM has also brought
us together with expertise from the University of Miami Miller School
of Medicine.

Pam Ann Competition

Pam Ann, Come Fly With Me is available to own on DVD now!

Following the hugely successful sell out tour earlier in the year, Sassy, kitsch, glitzy and glamorous A-list air hostess to the stars, Pam Ann is about to release her debut DVD - Come Fly With Me. Celebrity fans of Pam Ann include Cher, Elton John and Madonna. For anyone who has ever traveled by plane - this DVD is for you.

A night with Pam Ann is guaranteed to be the most unforgettable "in flight" experience of your life. Pam Ann - Come Fly With Me captures the air hostess with the mostest at her outrageous best and was filmed during her sell-out one night only spectacular appearance in London's West End. Pam Ann was joined by her gorgeous dancers - Pam's People, and together they performed an extraordinary show with glamorous costume changes and sparkling participation from the audience, culminating in a standing ovation. All this plus extra features including Pam Ann's Safety Video, Global Alliance and The Air Strip are available for the first time on this fabulous DVD.

Pam Ann never stops working. She has just performed a sell out run at the Edinburgh Festival throughout August and will be performing her live show in November at The Shaw Theatre, London, followed by four nights in New York at the prestigious Joe's Pub. Pam Ann also recently appeared on Britain's Next Top Model as a judge and mentor, Project Catwalk (as a mentor) and has recently filmed a major viral campaign for British Airways (which launches in October).

Pam Ann - Come Fly with Me is released on DVD by Starz Home Entertainment on Monday 29th October 2007. RRP: £19.99 Cert: 18.

We are giving away 3x Pam Ann - Come Fly With Me on DVDs. For your chance to win simply complete the following:

:

Enter Competition

Competition closes on the 13th Dec 2007. Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries

DELL PC COMPETITION

KALYPSO, THE KINGS ON CAMPUS

Kalypso Media today tossed its mortarboard skywards to cheer the announcement of lifesim title Campus, for PC out now. Combining elements from RPG and adventure genres,Campus takes us back (or forwards) to the heady days spent walking the university halls, and stops to buy us all a pint in the union on the way back.

Players begin their university careers in merry ol' England as a humble 'fresher', but will travel across the globe, throughout the course of the game, to a variety of countries to complete their education. Picking up friends along the way is key to furthering your objectives and helping you deal with problems encountered on the way. The ultimate goal of the game is to achieve a career in science, but the pace of this game is very much up to the player.

Click Here For More Info

------------------------------------

The Student Zone Competition

The Dell Computer Prize

To get your hands on this great prize, all you have to do is recommend 5 of your friends and get them to register by clicking on the link below.

Register Here

It's that simple!!

Don't forget that your 5 friends MUST register to The Student Zone - Failing to register will result in your entry being invalid.

Once we have verified that your friends have signed up before Midday on Saturday 15th December 2007, you will be entered into the prize draw

The Prize*

1 x Dell Inspiron - 530s PC
1 x Kalypso, The Kings On Campus

Once your friends have registered to the site, they too can be entered into the draw if they sign up five of their friends.

The prize draw will be randomly selected on
Saturday 15h December 2007

Please check that your friends have registered and then email us (below) your name and your 5 recommended friends names and email addresses for us to verifiy for your chance to win this Dell Inspiron - 530s PC .

contact@thestudentzone.com

HURRAH - A YEAR OF TA-DAH Competition

HURRAH - A YEAR OF TA-DAH

The nation's favourite pop stars release their new DVD Hurrah A Year of Ta-Dah on November 12 through Polydor.

As you''d expect from the New York band, this is no run of the mill music DVD. Featuring a 90-minute live spectacular shot at London's new O2 arena in front of 20,000 adoring fans and a 60 minute documentary filmed around the world since last summer, plus a whole load of exclusive DVD extras, Hurrah gives a unique glimpse into the crazy and colourful world of Scissor Sisters.

The DVD also includes a live concert filmed at London's 02 that captures the high-energy hysteria during of the band''s sold-out Kiss You Off tour of this summer. You get to see the show close up and witness what The Independent described as "the venue being transformed into the biggest disco in the world." The DVD captures the carnival atmosphere of the tour, from the amazing stage set to the barely-there costumes to the fantastic light show, not to mention the small matter of an (already) impressive collection of hits.

In the documentary you see what happens when the band travel the world, from Australia to America and everywhere in between, promoting their multi-million selling album Ta-Dah. As well as the highs, you get to see what life is really like on the road with Scissor Sisters.

There is behind the scenes footage ranging from their guest role in American daytime soap opera Passions, to the She's My Man video shoot with celebrated Japanese artist Nagi Noda.

Extras on the DVD include an acoustic gig filmed for GCap at an intimate venue, where the band perform rarely-heard stripped down versions of four of their biggest hits and all 4 music videos from Ta-Dah.

We are giving away 3x Scissor Sisters DVDs. For your chance to win simply complete the following:

Competition closes on the 15th Dec 2007.

Winners will be selected at random from all correct entries.

University Of Gloucestershire Appoints Its First Professor Of Sustainabili

A leading Professor of Sustainable Development, Daniella Tilbury has joined the University of Gloucestershire and will head up a new Sustainability Institute.

The Institute, under the leadership of Professor Tilbury, will co-ordinate the wide range of sustainable practises currently undertaken by the University, which has established an international reputation for it’s achievements in sustainability theory, leadership and practise.

Professor Tilbury, who comes to Gloucestershire from the Macquarie University in Sydney, was the founding director of the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES), which was established by the Australian government department of the environment and heritage. Her research work in strategic development has attracted over six million dollars from national and international resources including the United Nations, World Conservation Union, the European Union and British Council.

Since undertaking her doctoral study at the University of Cambridge in the 1990s, Professor Tilbury has facilitated sustainability, education and change management programmes for NGOs, corporate and government agencies across the globe, has lectured in over 50 universities and produced over 100 books and articles.

Professor Tilbury holds a number of high-profile international roles including chairing

the United Nation’s Global Monitoring and Evaluation Experts’ Group for the Decade of Education in Sustainable Development and co-leads the UNESCO-IUCN Indicators project in the Asia Pacific.

“There is a real opportunity for the University to contribute meaningfully, and uniquely, to the global sustainability agenda.” said Professor Tilbury.

“We will be building upon our excellent portfolio of sustainability work to provide education, training, research and support for policy-makers and leaders in both the public and private sector.”

The University of Gloucestershire is recognised as a sector leader in sustainability by the Sustainable Development Commission, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and for being the first English university to achieve registration to ISO 14001,

the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management systems.

The University embeds it’s commitment to sustainability through its teaching, research, management, administration, supporting business and industry and by working with local authorities.

For more information about sustainability and the university’s work please visit http://www.glos.ac.uk/sustainability/index.cfm

Diversity Under The Spotlight At University Of Wolverhampton

Diversity under the spotlight

Diversity and equality in education and healthcare will come under the spotlight at an event at the University of Wolverhampton tomorrow.

The Diversity in Action Conference will present findings from local research and showcase student work to promote diversity, equality and cultural competence in professional training and higher education.

The programme includes accounts of diversity in education from students, a talk about the issue of veiling and and a presentation about widening participation in higher education by the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Geoff Hurd.

Tomorrow’s (Friday, November 16) event at the Wolverhampton City Campus will be attended by students, staff and representatives from the police force, ambulance service, community groups, colleges and Primary Care Trusts from all over the West Midlands.

Key speakers include Surinder Sharma, who is the National Director for Equality and Human Rights at the Department of Health.

Organiser Dr Patricia Bond, Reader in Primary Care at the University’s Centre for Health and Social Care Improvement, said: “The purpose of this conference is to disseminate the findings from a research project led by Professor Mel Chevannes, former Dean of the School of Health, and Dr Patricia Bond, Reader in Primary Care, entitled ‘Mainstreaming cultural competencies and equality in the nurse curriculum’.

“In doing so, we wanted to open up a forum for discussion about cultural competency in Higher Education and use this opportunity to showcase student work. To kick-start the process of discussion we have some excellent external and student speakers.”

Dance Experts Take To The Floor At Major Event

Dance science researchers from the University of Wolverhampton have pirouetted their way to success after clinching three awards at an international event.

Six University representatives attended the 17^th Annual Meeting of the International Association for Dance Medicine & Science, held in Canberra, Australia.

Frances Clarke, a Lecturer from the dance department at the School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, received the President's award for Poster Presentation. Her presentation was about stability during dance movements in two types of jazz shoe. 

Manuela Angioi, a PhD student, received a Student Award, in recognition of her research on video analysis of contemporary dance performances.

And Emily Twitchett, also a PhD student, was awarded the Poster Design Award, for her work, which portrayed physical demands of ballet performances.

The University had further success, as PhD student Jeff Russell headed up the Reviewer’s Panel, which decides the various awards offered to participants for the quality of poster presentations and content, and Dr Matt Wyon was appointed to the Board of IADMS as well as presenting, and Professor Yiannis Koutedakis chaired a number of lectures and movement sessions at the event.

Professor Koutedakis said: “Our University is one of the leading institutions in dance medicine, and particularly dance science, in Europe and we are delighted with our success at this event, which is the most prestigious meeting in the field.”

63 per cent of diabetics risk serious foot problems by wearing the wrong-sized shoes

More than six out of ten people with diabetes are walking around in the
wrong-sized shoes, exposing themselves to serious foot problems that
could lead to amputation, according to research in the November issue of
IJCP, the International Journal of Clinical Practice.

Published to coincide with World Diabetes Day (14 November) the study,
by the University of Dundee, has been welcomed by an expert in podiatry.
She says that ulceration can have serious implications for patients and
health services, including impaired quality of life, increased
amputation risk and even elevated death rates.

The United Nations, which passed a landmark resolution in December 2006
recognising diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease, has
designated World Diabetes Day as an official United Nations Day for the
first time in 2007.

And the World Health Organization has said that the number of people
suffering from diabetes could double to 366 million by 2030 and that 80
per cent of diabetic foot amputations could be prevented.

A hundred patients aged 24 to 89 volunteered to take part in the
shoe-size study carried out at a general diabetic clinic at Ninewells
Hospital Medical School in Dundee, Scotland.

Patients who were also attending specialist foot clinics were excluded,
as were patients who had problems standing or were wearing specially
provided footwear.

"All the patients had their feet fully examined and measured while
they were both sitting and standing" explains co-author Dr Graham
Leese, a consultant at the clinic, which forms part of University of
Dundee.

The team found that 63 per cent of the patients were wearing the
wrong-sized shoes. For example, 45 per cent were wearing the wrong width
fitting, with the majority being too narrow.

"When people stand up their feet change shape as the arch of the foot
flattens and the foot becomes wider and longer" explains Dr Leese.
"Taking both these sets of measurements into account, only 37 per
cent of the patients were actually wearing the right-sized shoes.

"Interestingly, patients who didn't have problems with lack of
feeling in their feet - a common problem with diabetes - were just as
likely to wear badly fitting shoes as those who did.

"We also discovered that almost a third of the patients said they
took a different shoe size to the one they were actually wearing. This
isn't helped by the fact that shoe sizes vary from make to make."

45 per cent of the volunteers had experienced previous problems with
their feet, including ulcers, callouses, bunions, corns or swelling.
Despite this, 22 per cent never checked their own feet and only 29 per
cent checked them daily.

Foot problems could be reduced by adults being offered foot-measuring
services in shoe shops, say the researchers. They would also like to see
manufacturers developing standardised shoe sizes and expanding the range
of length and width fittings that they offer, especially for patients
who have no feeling in their feet.

Podiatry expert Andrea Parnes, from the University of Ulster, agrees.
She points out that, given the scale of the problem, it would make
commercial sense for manufacturers to work with health professionals to
expand their existing ranges.

In her accompanying editorial she calls for greater research into the
problem, pointing out that the study also raises concerns about patients
with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

The current issue of IJCP also includes a special supplement, which
expresses support for the United Nation's resolution on diabetes and
highlights practical examples that have been shown to improve diabetes
care.

These range from raising government awareness worldwide to empowering
patients at grassr
oots level.

New Dundee Research Collaboration to Evaluate Drug Safety Risks Early

Evaluating the safety of drugs early in development to ensure the

safety of patients is a major issue facing the pharmaceutical industry
as shown by some recent high profile withdrawals of new drugs in the
later stages of testing.

CXR Biosciences Ltd. today announces a major new £3 million
collaborative research and development program aimed at predicting the
safety risks of new drugs earlier in their development. The three-year
project is a collaboration between CXR Biosciences, Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals, and the University of Dundee and is co-funded by the
Technology Strategy Board. An important feature is that this
collaboration aims to take the results of industrial and academic
laboratory research directly into clinical practice.

A team of scientists at CXR Biosciences headed by Professor Roland Wolf
will work with Wyeth scientists and core lab staff based at the new
Translational Medicine Research Centre (TMRC) in Dundee. The University
of Dundee is also part of the collaboration involving the research group
of Professor Mike Ferguson at the College of Life Sciences, and clinical
researchers Dr. John Dillon and Professor Andrew Morris at the School of
Medicine.

The scientists will identify 'biomarker' proteins whose presence in
the blood indicates the very earliest effects of a drug that could
eventually lead to toxic damage in organs such as the liver, heart or
muscle. The researchers will then develop assays to measure circulating
levels of these biomarkers to allow the early evaluation of the possible
toxic effects of new drugs before side effects develop. The tests could
also be useful in the diagnosis of certain types of disease.

The assays will be used in the laboratory to identify drug candidates
that present too high a safety risk to be advanced into clinical trials.
They will also be used in the clinic to give warning of drugs that could
cause harm if treatment were to be continued or if the dose level were
to be increased.

Professor Roland Wolf, co-founder of CXR Biosciences said: "This is
an extremely exciting programme of work linking academic research with a
biotechnology company and a major pharmaceuticals company. It is unique
in such drug safety programmes in taking the science all the way from
the laboratory to the clinic".

Professor Mike Ferguson from the University of Dundee said: "We are
very pleased to contribute our expertise in the technology of
'proteomics' to this important programme. It is particularly
satisfying to collaborate with clinicians and scientists from the
biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in a truly
multi-disciplinary study that will lead to safer medicines for
patients" .

NOTES TO EDITORS

About CXR Biosciences
CXR Biosciences Ltd. is dedicated to advancing innovative approaches
for drug development and safety assessment and supports numerous
programs to research and commercialise new technologies for the
pharmaceutical industry. The company has business relationships with
over sixty customers and collaborators, including pharmaceutical
companies, chemical companies, biotechnology companies, leading
universities and research institutions. CXR Biosciences Ltd. is located
in Dundee, Scotland. More information can be found at
www.cxrbiosciences.com

About the Technology Strategy Board
The Technology Strategy Board is a business-led executive
non-departmental public body, established by the government. Its
mission is to promote and support research into, and development and
exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK
business, in order to increase economic growth and improve the quality
of life. It is sponsored by the Department of Innovation, Universities
and Skills (DIUS).

Contact:
Dr. Peter Mulderry, (petermulderry@cxrbiosciences.com) Head of Proje
ct
Management, CXR Biosciences Ltd.
Tel : +44 (0) 1382 432 156

SCRYMGEOUR RESEARCH SEMINAR - University ofAberdeen

SCRYMGEOUR RESEARCH SEMINAR

Peter Duff, Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of
Aberdeen, will be giving the final Scrymgeour Research Seminar of this
semester on Wednesday 14 November at 4pm.

His talk is entitled "Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission:
Reflections on Miscarriages of Justice".

Professor Duff has published extensively on many aspects of criminal
justice policy, evidence and procedure, including victims, juries, and
disclosure of evidence. He has been a member of the Scottish Criminal
Cases Review Commission since its inception in 1999.

The Commission has dealt with a number of high profile cases, and has
recently referred the case of Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi,
convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, to the High Court of Justiciary."

The Scrymgeour Research Seminar series is organised and hosted by the
School of Law at the University of Dundee. Today's event takes place
at 4 pm in the Mooting Court Room at the School, which is based within
the Scrymgeour Building in Park Place.

Yorkshire batsman is bowled over by Leeds Trinity's new sports facilities

 Yorkshire batsman is bowled over by Leeds Trinity’s new sports facilities

 

Yorkshire county cricketer Andrew Gale took time out from training to join the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Brian Cleasby, and the Bishop of Leeds, Rt Rev Arthur Roche, at the official opening of Leeds Trinity & All Saints’ new sports centre last Thursday.

 

At the opening ceremony Andrew and the Lord Mayor unveiled a plaque in the sports hall before the Bishop, who is Chair of the Board of Governors of Leeds Trinity, said prayers to dedicate the new building.

 

Andrew, who was named Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s Cricketer of the Year in 2006 for his excellent batting, showed Leeds Trinity’s student cricket team how it should be done during a session in the indoor nets in the new sports hall.

 

Andrew said, “This is a top facility, so my best advice for the lads is to make use of it and keep practising!”

 

Bishop Arthur was so impressed with the new sports facilities that he opted to try them out for himself, taking the bat while Andrew bowled him a few balls.

 

The Bishop said, “The new sports centre is an immense achievement, providing an exceptional facility for the whole area and an opportunity for the interaction that is vital between an institution such as ours and the local community.”

 

Leeds Trinity has invested over £2 million in the new sports centre, which is open to the whole community.

 

With membership costing just £19.99 a month, and an excellent range of facilities on offer, the centre already has 600 members signed up and is being used widely by Leeds Trinity’s students and staff, external sports clubs and local residents.

 

For more information call our sports centre team on 0113 283 7155 or visit www.trinityfitness.co.uk

 

Public Lecture On Peptides - University of Wolverhampton

NEWS RELEASE

Public lecture on peptides

A University of Wolverhampton professor will give a free public lecture on new discoveries in the scientific field of peptides.

Professor John Howl, an expert in Molecular Pharmacology, will give the next talk in the University’s Public Lecture series on Wednesday, 21 November, at 6pm.

His talk, Adventures in Peptide Space, will focus on current research into peptides, which are folded strings of amino acids. Professor John Howl will illustrate the diverse properties and numerous applications of peptides in chemistry, biology and medicine.

Professor Howl said: “The presentation will consider the history of peptide synthesis and some modern trends within the field. I will present some of our more recent findings at the University of Wolverhampton.”

The lecture, which is free and is open to all, will take place in the Lecture Theatre in the Millennium City Building at the University’s Wolverhampton City Campus.

Cardboard furniture the future for Unis?

Cardboard furniture the future for Unis?

A University of Wolverhampton student is hoping to take the world of design by storm with his new line in furniture – made of cardboard.

David Chidlow, who has just completed his final year in Product Design (Furniture), has designed recyclable, flat pack furnishings that could revolutionise university residences.

The set of drawers is made of corrugated cardboard, with plastic fixings, and could be decorated by students to individualise them. The shelves also act as a lid for the drawers, creating three boxes which could be sent out in flat pack form to students before they start university.

David, from Worcester, recently exhibited his prototype at the Degree Show exhibition at the School of Art and Design.

The 21-year-old student is hoping that a business sponsor might be prepared to take on his idea and make it a success.

He said he came up with the idea as a means or personalising furniture for students leaving home for the first time. “It would be like having new furniture for each student, and cardboard is cheap, recyclable and sustainable,” David said.

“You can print directly onto it, apply digital images or perhaps city maps or useful contacts information, or leave it completely blank and decorate it yourself and have a totally individual piece of furniture. At the end of the year the cardboard could just be recycled.”

David added the drawers were light-weight and sturdy, and special coatings could be added to make them water and flame proof. He has looked into the possibility of making a wardrobe using the same principles.

If you are interested in David’s idea, email him at contact@davidchidlowdesigns.co.uk.

College News: Bedford College Offer Unique Training for Care Home Management

Foundation Degree helps training need in care industry - Bedford College is offering a unique 3 for 1 deal to those in care home management.

This fast growing industry is struggling to keep up with the changing training demands made upon aspiring and existing managers – now there is a solution which provides the relevant professional training in care and management as well as the very latest degree level learning.

The package covers NVQ Level 4 in Care, the Registered Manager’s Award and the Foundation Degree in Care Management which separately would cost over £4,000 but is offered over two years at £1,225 per annum.

It is a fast and furious course because that is the way customers want it. They attend college one afternoon a week and the rest is home or work-based evidenced study. It takes two years to complete all three qualifications.

None of the quality is lost because much of the learning overlaps – and students have the benefit of sharing experiences at their weekly college sessions – from which they gain a great deal.

“It’s a tough job being a care home manager and we want to provide all the help we can,” explained Assistant Director of Care at Bedford College, Margaret Bond.

The benefit of the courses, in particular the Foundation Degree, run in conjunction with the University of Bedfordshire, is that it empowers managers to deal more effectively with professional challenges such as inspections by the Commission for Social Care Inspectorate (CSCI) which monitors care homes against the Care Standards 2000 legislation.

One graduate of all three courses is Remi Wamala who is Manager of the Crescent Nursing Home in Bedford. This home for clients with mental health needs is part of the Apex Care Home Group, a family owned business, which has three homes in total in the county.

Said Remi: “Completing these courses meant we at the Crescent Nursing Home could provide improved care plans, improved supervision and improvements to our services in general.

It enabled me to get better CSCI reports because I was able to provide inspectors with the information in the right way to demonstrate the professionalism of care which is actually provided here.

Now two fellow staff members are taking the course as we can see the practical benefits. It has really helped to motivate people.”

Apex Care Homes General Manager Andrea Thasan said: “It is very helpful to have access locally via Bedford College to professional training for our staff. This is an ever-changing industry where we have to balance our time between providing the best possible care for our clients whilst having to evidence we are doing just and complying with all the current legislation. Apex Care Homes prides itself on its record of providing a caring and supportive environment from well trained staff for all our 100+ residents in our homes in Bedford and Luton.”

Bedford College provides all levels of NVQ training relevant to the care industry from Level 2 and 3 and including Level 4. In some cases funding can be found to help cover the costs. >From September 2007 the College will be mapping the Foundation Degree in Child & Adolescent Studies to two NVQs to provide the same value for time and money!

Photo shows Remi at the Crescent Care Home with Bedford College’s Margaret Bond and Karen Snowdon, left

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University of Gloucestershire Signs Agreement with Gloucestershire College

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, Professor Patricia Broadfoot and Greg Smith, Principal of Gloucestershire College have signed an official agreement that will build stronger links between the two education providers.

Managers from both organisations met at the Hester’s Way campus of Gloucestershire College this week to about ways of working together in the future for mutual benefit of their students. The collaboration will include opportunities of progression for students from further education courses to University level study, working on a joint international student recruitment strategy and developing joint courses.

Vice-Chancellor, Patricia Broadfoot said, “This partnership will strengthen, expand and formalise the existing links that exist between our two institutions and provide opportunities in the future that will enhance educational and training opportunities within the county and beyond.”

Greg Smith added, "It is vital to the future development of the Gloucestershire economy and the economic well-being of the county that the two institutions creatively combine their collective resources to jointly develop a first class further and higher education system, in order to develop the skills base of our county. I therefore welcome this step change in our relationship with the University of Gloucestershire."

Staff from the institutions will meet on a regular basis to develop joint policies and strategies.

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BBC New Music Shorts 2007 Winners Announced

Five aspiring filmmakers have won the opportunity to make a £5000 music-based short film that will be premiered at the BBC Electric Proms and online on BBC Film Network, before commencing a UK festival tour.

The winning ideas for BBC New Music Shorts 2007 were chosen from 456 entries and films will be made under the guidance of experienced producers from Warp Films. Each ‘short’ is inspired by music from four leading independent record labels - Domino Records, 679 Recordings, Warp Records and Ninja Tune.

The commissions are as follows

Track: 'Slippin' by Wiley (Ninja Tune/Big Dada)
Filmmaker: Jason Nwansi
Synopsis: Kids on a school trip to a museum have a strange encounter with some mummies. Thriller meets Night at the Museum in this funny, original take on a grime video.

Track: 'Dry Lips' by Lightspeed Champion (Domino)
Filmmaker: Stephen Irwin
Synopsis: Champ faces his self doubts about his ability to fly after his lady love leaves him. A story with a heart told in eloquent black and white animation.


Track: 'Twin Tub Twin' by King Creosote (679 Recordings)
Filmmakers: Anastasia Kirillova / Matteo Manzini
Synopsis: The stories of couples who've been together over 50 years come together in this charming and unsentimental film on how relationships last. A unique and ambitious short that blends animation and documentary.

Track: 'Bad Is As Bad Does' by The Earlies (679 Recordings)
Filmmaker: Jonny Madderson
Synopsis: A satire on what happens behind closed doors at a G8 summit on world poverty. A live action black comedy that is more about the humour than the politics.

Track: 'Farewell Farewell' by Gravenhurst (Warp Records)
Filmmaker: John Thole
Synopsis: A man in a costume makes his way to a party in a field, where he finds himself turned into a human pinata. Surreal, absurd and yet completely satisfying, the idea also combines a very different and unique experimental filming technique.

BBC Electric Proms, Film Network and New Talent invited budding filmmakers to submit ideas for ‘shorts’ in April. The selection panel included producers and commissioners from Warp Films, the record labels and the BBC, who were all highly impressed by the level of the applicants this year. The submissions were of a high standard, with many of the applications including extensive visuals and personalised submission packs.

BBC Electric Proms Festival Director Lorna Clarke said: “Film and new talent are an integral part of the Electric Proms, and the New Music Shorts are a great example of the kind of creativity we are wanting to celebrate.”

BBC Electric Proms Film Programme Producer Pamela Casey said: “The high quality of entries made the selection process a difficult one this year. The range of styles and stories in the commissioned projects will blow everyone away when they're finally premiered at the Electric Proms.”

BBC New Talent Campaign Producer Shirley Rush said: “These winners represent the diverse mix of highly talented filmmakers emerging in the UK and we hope this experience will develop their skills further and provide an opportunity to establish new contacts and networks in this competitive industry”.

Following the successful inaugural festival, BBC Electric Proms 2007 will take place from 24 to 28 October 2007. The event will be broadcast across BBC television, radio, online and via the red button for digital viewers. The five winning films will also be available to view exclusively on the Film Network website www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork


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Drama for Young People Tackling Gun & Knife Culture opens in London

Drama for young people, by young people tackling gun and knife culture opens in London 28 July

A thought-provoking drama going on a national tour this summer will tackle the spate of knife and gun killings that has plagued youth culture and community at large. The two hour long drama Life on the Stairs put together by London-based FAITH Drama Productions, headed up 25-year-old Gbemisola Ikumelo, uses drama with hip hop, grime and dance to try to keep young people away from a life of crime.

The organisers hope the play will highlight the importance of positive living and speak to young people about the negative effect of gang war, gun/knife crimes and revenge killings.

Last year, the play written by Gbemisola Ikumelo, a 2003 Carlton Hobbs Award winner, debuted at the Stratford Rex in London to rave reviews. Around 1,000 people turned up over five days to watch the gritty, uncompromising and often hilarious drama. Among the guests were celebrities Antonia Okonma of ITV’s Bad Girls, Josephine Melville of Casualty fame and Chandra Ruegg from the ex-Channel 5 drama Family Affairs.

This year, the play has been revised and will go on its first national tour focusing on the cities of London and Birmingham. More than 35 young people will form the cast and crew of the play. In London, Life on the Stairs will show on July 28 at People Show Studios, Pollard Road, London E2 6NB at 2pm and 7pm. The afternoon show is followed by a post-show discussion. And in Birmingham, Life on the Stairs will show for eight days from 3 to 11 August at the Crescent Theatre, Sheepcote Street, Birmingham B16 8AE.

Many of the young actors appearing in the play come from disadvantaged backgrounds – some have faced poverty, homelessness and even had a first hand experience of criminal gang culture. For these young adults, being involved in the play has given them the opportunity to turn a new leaf.

“I used to be involved with a gang,” states 18-year-old Michelle*, “but joining this (FAITH Drama Productions) has given me the chance to hang out with different peeps and gain self-confidence and better acting skills.”

19-year-old Chantelle from Birmingham adds, “Our roads today are getting worse. You never know when another life may go. Young men are being killed like it's a joke. When I found out someone I knew, Meshack Tesfa Bernard- Brown had been shot last year and Odwayne Anthony Barnes just been stabbed a few months ago, I was upset as these are our talented young men, which is why FAITH Drama Productions is such an important organisation as they are allowing teens to realise that they have been blessed with talents to go out and help other people."

Throughout the year FAITH trains volunteers through weekly drama workshops resulting in a showcase of their newly learned abilities on Life on the Stairs. Gbemisola Ikumelo explains, “We believe the story and issues raised in this play is very relevant to young people. We hope to rally the youngsters to speak out against gun crime and gang violence."

FAITH has also launched a three minute online video campaign to generate support for Life on the Stairs. The campaign aims to get a minimum of 1,000 people pledging a pound to support the drama. More info about FAITH Drama Productions at www.faithdrama.org.uk or by phoning +44 (0)7958 172 398

Tickets to the show costs just £5. For the Birmingham show, call the Crescent Theatre box office on 0121 643 5858 or visit www.crescent-theatre.co.uk/Y2007/life_on_the_stairs.html

To book tickets for the London show, contact 07958 172 398