In December 2010 I went to The Appyfeet Centre in Edinburgh to check out the latest dermatological treatment for tired feet. Click on the above video to find out more…
I should point out that Dr. Garra don’t actually supply to Appyfeet. It’s a bit unclear in my report- apologies for that.
Edinburgh: UK\’s new cycling capital?
February saw the launch of the innertube maps by Edinburgh cycling charity The Bike Station. It also marked the first pedal-powered radio broadcast in Edinburgh. Listen to the above track to find out more!
“I’ve been stabbed because of my sexuality.”
This pupil is one of thousands of victims of homophobic bullying in schools across the UK. Almost two thirds of young people, in the gay community, experience bullying in secondary schools. The charitable organisation Stonewall, which lends support to the gay community, found that homophobic bullying, after taunting because of weight, is the most frequent form of abuse in secondary schools. It is three times more prevalent than bullying due to religion or ethnicity. Unfortunately, a culture of homophobia exists in many school environments and this creates problems for young people trying to come to terms with their sexuality.
The represenation of dance in the media has generated renewed interest in the art form. The popularity of shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars reflects the growing trend for ballroom dancing among the general population. The film Strictly Ballroom also inspired people to learn how to gracefully waltz across the dance floor. The choreography and colour in the film is beautiful and ballroom dancing never looked so attractive. It served to draw attention to dances which had been forgotten or passed unnoticed by the ordinary member of the public. The most intriguing aspect of these dances does not lie in the elaborate choreography. What makes them fascinating is the stories that the dancers tell through the movement of their bodies. As with any good novel or film, a good dance will have emotion and history behind it. None show this more than the dances of Latin origin. Continue Reading »
The moonlight plays along their intense features. The movement of their feet along the floor sounds in the ears of their captive audience. Locked in a close embrace the pair skirt the edge of the dance floor capturing the attention of all around them with their elaborate movements. A skilled couple will create an air of tension when performing an Argentine Tango.
Tango: the dance of passion. Courtesy of Nation.
By Orla Ni Sheaghdha
Key research in the link between sex hormones and brain functions is currently underway at Durham University. Scientists have discovered that there is a positive correlation between elevated levels of hormones and performing mental tasks. These findings have come out of tests conducted on women currently involved in hormone therapy (HT). The study is being lead by Dr. Markus Hausmann who is a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the university. This has been ongoing for the last eight years and the most recent results have been discovered in the past week. Continue Reading »
Literature is promoted in the UK as a means of exploring heritage
The word “literature” has many different connotations. For some, it depicts shoolboys in Victorian workhouses or Regency women trying to land a rich husband. For others, it is an avenue for exploring human nature and the culture of a given author. The UK, and Scotland in particular has a rich cultural heritage, often seen in the literary works produced by the local writers. There are many societies which endeavour to inform people about culture in the UK. One such organisation in Scotland is the Saltire Society. Professor Ian Campbell, of the Edinburgh branch, provides an overview of what is involved. Continue Reading »
By Orla Ni Sheaghdha
James Cameron’s film Avatar may fall into the science fiction category but the idea of virtual bodies existing for people may not be as unrealistic as some might think. Technological advances in the medical world have brought forward the idea of “medical avatars” being used in the treatment of patients in the future. In 2006, the Virtual Physiological Human (VPH) initiativewas set up across Europe to investigate the use of ICT in the development of treatment of patients. The project will span over ten years and is currently costing the European Commission about 350 million euro to fund. There are over 20 active VPH projects across Europe, each improving on the recent innovations in the research of biotechnology and medical advances.
The aim of the project is to make diagnosis of varying diseases more all-encompassing. Rather than seeing the human body as a collection of individual organs, the virtual body would allow it to be seen as a single multi-organ system. This “medical avatar” would contain both medical data of the person in question and detailed knowledge about how their bodily systems work. This combining of information would make it easier to diagnose current symptoms, to anticipate any future illness, and to predict the side- effects of any drugs used for treatment. The response of the virtual body to any treatment drugs could be tested before any prescriptions given to the actual patient. This is being researched in the preDICT programme, one of several projects being run by the VPH initiative. The advantages of this particular aspect of the project include a reduced need for animal experimentation when testing new drugs. It also allows for the elimination of any drug-related allergies without incurring risk to the patient themselves.
The Avatar is soon to become a reality
Other perceived benefits of the VPH initiative include the preventative approach it takes to the treatment of diseases, particularly various forms of cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease. NeoMARK is a project for an ICT enabled prediction of cancer reoccurrence. IMMPACT looks at the use of images in Ablation cancer treatment. PredictAD aims to use patient data to make healthcare in Alzheimer’s Disease more personalised. These are just a few of the innovations being put forward by the VPH initiative and it is yet to be seen what the results will yield.
For now, the pseudo-bodies are still in the test stages but it may not be too long before members of the public will have their own avatar. Scientists and medical experts working on the project are satisfied with the progress of the initiative and it could only be a matter of years before the real world merges with the virtual. One director’s dream is close to realisation.
By Orla Ni Sheaghdha
The most recent Spending Review handed down by the government means bad news for smaller businesses in Scotland. With cuts to public sector spending, many companies risk becoming insolvent. Scottish Enterprise offers advice for entreupeneurs trying to survive the recession, to combat this risk. Some smaller companies seem to be bucking the trend and are expanding rather than closing down. One such company is Xtreme Karting.
By Orla Ni Sheaghdha
The latest setback in the development of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner occurred yesterday when an aircraft was grounded over Texas during a test flight. The carrier made an emergency landing in Laredo when smoke was detected in the rear cabin, furthest from the cockpit. The fourty-two crew members were safely evacuated with only one sustaining a minor injury. Lynn Lunsford of the Federal Aviation Administration stated that “the pilot landed and advised he was declaring an emergency.” Continue Reading »
OrlaNiSheaghdha.com 