Latest news with #JennyEdwards
South Wales Argus
21-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Fynnon's Retreat is taking place at St Fagans to boost wellness
The retreat, called Ffynnon, takes place in St Fagans and the launch was led by holistic practitioners from across Cardiff. It was created by nutritional therapist Molly Harvey-Love, breathwork facilitator Jenny Edwards, and yoga and sound healing teacher Claudia D'Arezzo. Ms Edwards said: "Many retreats are a full week or weekend long, we wanted to offer something for busy people who can get all of the benefits of a longer retreat, but still be back to do bedtime." The event included yoga, breathwork, sound healing, and a nourishing lunch. Attendees were also given a resource journal to support ongoing wellness at home. One participant said: "A restorative retreat that helped release stress and emotions using a variety of tools from movement, breathwork, nourishment and connection." More information can be found on the Ffynnon Retreats' Instagram page.
NZ Herald
16-06-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Our Changing World: Getting ready for H5N1 bird flu
New Zealand, Australia and Oceania are the last places in the world where H5N1 bird flu has not yet been detected. Photo / Jenny Edwards RNZ Five years after Covid-19 reached New Zealand shores, we are bracing for the arrival of another deadly virus: a strain of bird flu called H5N1. The current bird flu pandemic started in Asia in 2020, when a
RNZ News
16-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Our Changing World: Getting ready for H5N1 bird flu
New Zealand, Australia and Oceania are the last places in the world where H5N1 bird flu has not yet been detected. Photo: Jenny Edwards Five years after Covid-19 reached New Zealand shores, we are bracing for the arrival of another deadly virus: a strain of bird flu called H5N1. Follow Our Changing World on Apple , Spotify , iHeartRadio or wherever you listen to your podcasts The current bird flu pandemic started in Asia in 2020, when a low pathogenic strain of H5N1 mutated into a high pathogenic strain. Usually, high pathogenic strains causing illness and death are confined to domestic poultry like chickens and ducks. Outbreaks either peter out or are controlled - like the outbreak on two chicken farms in Otago in late 2024. Photo: AFP But this strain was different. It began to infect, kill and spread in wildlife - both birds and mammals. In October 2020 it began to spread rapidly across Africa and Europe, with devastating impact for some species. Numbers of great skuas in the United Kingdom, for instance, declined by 76 percent . Just a year later, in late 2021, it reached Canada and the United States , having island-hopped via Iceland. By October 2022, the virus was causing enormous numbers of deaths in seabirds and marine mammals across South America. Southern elephant seals were particularly hard hit, with more than 17,000 dead animals reported in a single breeding colony in Argentina. Elephant seal, South Georgia Island. Photo: © Cole Yeoman / Antarctic Heritage Trust In October 2023, it jumped from South America to South Georgia, South Sandwich and Falkland Islands, in the subantarctic. The Guardian reported at the time that "dead seals blocking the way" was preventing visitor access to explorer Ernest Shackleton's grave on South Georgia Island. In February 2024, two skuas became the first confirmed cases on the Antarctic Peninsula . In October 2024, hundreds of king penguins and elephant seal pups were found dead from H5N1 in the subantarctic Crozet and Kerguelen islands. These very remote islands lie halfway between South Africa and Australia in the southern Indian Ocean, which means that the virus has already moved more than halfway around Antarctica . King penguins on the subantarctic Crozet Islands. Photo: Sebastien Traclet via iNaturalist (CC BY-NC 4.0) Genetic testing showed that the virus on these islands originated in South Georgia, more than 6000 kilometres away. It is not known what species carried the virus to Crozet and Kerguelen islands. New Zealand, Australia and Oceania are the last places in the world where H5N1 bird flu has not yet been detected. To date, H5N1 bird flu has impacted at least 485 bird species and 48 mammal species worldwide. It is prevalent among marine mammals and seabirds that breed in large, tight-packed colonies, such as sea lions and gannets. Breeding colony of tākapu Australasian gannets with the Farewell Spit lighthouse in the background. Photo: Alison Ballance It also occurs in animals that scavenge the carcasses of infected animals, such as giant petrels and skuas. And it has infected dairy herds in the United States, leading to growing concerns about human cases - but as yet, there are no signs of person-to-person transmission. As it edges closer, New Zealand officials have been on high alert. This includes testing any birds that look sick, and those that are in remote locations, such as New Zealand's subantarctic islands. They are also keeping an eye out for clues identified by their northern counterparts. The northern or Atlantic gannet, which has colonies around the UK, northern Europe and Canada, has been especially hard hit by bird flu. The largest gannet colony in the world is on Bass Rock in Scotland, home to more than 75,000 breeding pairs of gannets. Bird flu struck in 2022 , and at the height of that breeding season researchers counted just 21,000 occupied nest sites, a decline of more than 70 percent. The normal light blue colouration of a gannet's eye (left) versus the black iris (right). Photo: Alison Ballance At the time, researchers noticed some gannets with black eyes , rather than the usual pale blue. Nearly 80 percent of a small sample of these black-eyed birds had antigens against bird flu, showing they had been infected and recovered. New Zealand ornithologists Rob Schuckard, David Melville and Steve Wood then heard of a sighting of a black-eyed tākapu Australasian gannet in Western Australia. Juvenile and subadult tākapu from New Zealand spend several years in Australian waters before they begin breeding, so birds from the two countries overlap and could potentially pass on infections. As gannets are possible candidates for bringing bird flu to New Zealand, and as black irises might indicate a prior bird flu infection, the ornithologists set up a surveillance study of tākapu breeding at Farewell Spit. Rob Schuckard at the Farewell Spit tākapu Australasian gannet breeding colony. Photo: Alison Ballance The Birds New Zealand study comprised monthly visits, starting in September 2024. On each visit, the team was alert for any signs of potential infection, such as sick birds in the colony, or dead gannets on the beach. No bird flu was detected. One hundred and fifty gannets were caught, weighed and banded. Swabs from their mouth and cloaca were sent to Professor Jemma Geoghegan at the University of Otago for a virome study, investigating background levels of viruses in various New Zealand bird species. Measuring eye pressure in an Australasian gannet. Photo: Alison Ballance To their own surprise, the team caught and banded three tākapu with black irises and saw a further two or three. These are the first black-eyed gannets recorded in New Zealand. Dr Megan Jolly, a wildlife vet from Massey University's Wildbase hospital, was able to take a close look at one black-eyed gannet. Her initial assessment is that this bird had experienced some kind of infection, but not bird flu, that had caused inflammation in its eyes. New Zealand has been preparing for the possible arrival of H5N1 bird flu, with the aim of minimising potential damage to wildlife, the agricultural sector and human health. A multi-agency working group has brought together staff from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Conservation, Health NZ, and the poultry industry. Early detection of the virus is a priority, and the public is asked to report signs of unusual illness in wildlife or sightings of three or more dead birds in one place to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Free tennis lessons held in Banbury park for first time
The first in a series of free tennis lessons took place in Banbury last weekend. The session ran from 10am to 11am on Saturday, May 24, at People's Park, teaching participants a variety of tips and techniques. Following the success of this initial class, Banbury Town Council is encouraging more residents to join future lessons, which will be held every Saturday at the same time and location. It is the first major initiative to be launched at the tennis courts since their refurbishment last summer. The refurbished courts, located in the heart of Banbury, have become popular with residents. Following the refurbishment, members of the public can book slots using a booking system on Banbury Town Council's website. People taking part in the free tennis lessons in Banbury (Image: Banbury Town Council) Booking a match is as simple as selecting a free time from the online calendar on the 'book your slot' page. Once booked, the player receives a one time code to access the courts. If the courts are not being used and the player has internet access, they can book when they get to the courts. The courts are available to use year-round, and the booking system ensures there is less confusion or clashing of schedules among players. Councillor Mark Cherry, former town mayor and chairman of Banbury Town Council's General Services Committee, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone, regardless of age or experience, to take part in an exciting sport that bridges communities, backgrounds, and entire generations. "We've seen People's Park tennis courts transformed into a wonderful venue that Banbury can be proud of, and it's great to see such programmes making the most of these first-class sports facilities." The new sessions are part of a partnership between Banbury Town Council, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and experienced tennis players Shola Adebisi and Jenny Edwards, and are part of the LTA's national Free Park Tennis programme. Jenny Edwards and Shola Adebisi (Image: Banbury Town Council) Mr Adebisi, head coach at Banbury Tennis Academy, brings a wealth of experience, with more than a decade supporting young players across the UK. He has previously been named National Junior Champion and was crowned the 2021 LTA Oxfordshire Coach of the Year. Ms Edwards, an LTA L2 coach PTR instructor, is also a teaching veteran, having taught tennis to people of all ages, from four-year-olds up to adults. Her previous roles include head coach of BWE Club Adderbury and head of tennis at Bloxham School. Ms Edwards is efficient at breaking down the different elements of becoming a good player. To sign up for future sessions at People's Park, residents can visit the LTA website.
ABC News
01-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
ACT, NT, Queensland and Tasmania yet to include breast density reports as part of routine mammograms
Canberra woman Jenny Edwards feels very lucky. This year her routine mammogram showed a few small white spots, prompting a call for her to come back for a better look. A 3D scan and ultrasound found a small tumour, and also revealed Ms Edwards had high breast density. "I had no idea I had dense breasts, [or that they] were hiding various lumps," she said. "As well as a tumour in my left breast I had two fibroadenomas — which are other sorts of benign lumps — and in my right breast I had a cyst. Ms Edwards is now undergoing radiation treatment, and said she was lucky those few white spots were caught at all, particularly given her dense breasts and the fact she had no known family history of breast cancer. Breast density refers to the amount of glandular and connective tissue in the breast, compared to fatty tissue, as seen on a mammogram. High breast density not only makes breast cancer harder to detect through routine 2D mammography, but is also an independent risk factor for developing breast cancer. BreastScreen Australia is the national screening program, jointly funded by the federal, state and territory governments, to provide free mammograms through state-run services. There have long been calls for BreastScreen Australia to change its national policy not to record participants' breast density, nor report it to them. Last week, BreastScreen Australia updated its policy to recommend that everyone screened be informed in writing of their breast density, and encouraged to have further discussions with their GP about additional screening options. But currently only New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia measure and report breast density. Breast Cancer Network Australia's Vicki Durston said a person's access to potentially lifesaving information about their breast density and cancer risk shouldn't be dependent on where they lived. "We need every state and territory to act now to provide this information, along with clear pathways for supporting women at higher risk. "The progress being made elsewhere shows timely implementation is both achievable and beneficial for women." In a statement, the ACT government said it was "working on plans to introduce recording and reporting of breast density following mammograms", but it did not have a timeline for implementation. On their websites, BreastScreen Queensland says it's "actively working towards statewide implementation of breast density recording and reporting", while BreastScreen NT says breast density will be included in results by 2026. Kym Berchtenbreiter, who has lived experience with breast cancer, said if she had known she had dense breasts when she received a negative mammogram result her outcome may not have been as severe. "If I'd known that I had extremely dense breasts … I could have looked into the possibility of having supplemental screening, and perhaps my outcome might not have been as severe as it was," Ms Berchtenbreiter said. "[Instead] within 12 months of that negative result I was subsequently diagnosed with early breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and years of hormone blocking treatment. "But I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm still here to tell this story. "There are others who are not that fortunate because interval cancers got missed in a screening." Ms Berchtenbreiter said it was important to inform people of their breast density because looking for a tumour in very dense breast tissue was "a bit like looking for a polar bear in a snowstorm". "It's vital that women are informed about their breast density, so they can make informed decisions about supplemental screening options," she said. "We are so fortunate to have a breast screening program in Australia but let's make it even better, and save more lives, by having a national commitment to reporting breast density." Statistics from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) show last year 58 people were diagnosed with breast cancer every day in Australia, most of them women. The AIHW estimated 3,272 women and 36 men — or one in nine Australians — died from breast cancer in 2024. National Breast Cancer Foundation CEO Cleola Anderiesz said nobody could tell their own breast density. "The size of your breast, or how firm or not firm your breast feels, doesn't give you any indication of your breast density. It has to be detected through a mammogram," Ms Anderiesz said. "What it measures is the relative amount of dense breast tissue — so glandular and connective tissue, which actually appears white on the mammogram — compared to non-dense — or fatty — tissue, which appears dark." She said early detection was critical to improving outcomes from a breast cancer diagnosis. "For example if your breast cancer is diagnosed at what we call stage one, where it's still confined to your breast, your five-year survival outcomes are actually 100 per cent. "So it's a really important thing for women to be informed about because they can then have a shared conversation with their GP or their breast specialist about their level of risk of developing breast cancer — and ultimately that knowledge is power." Ms Edwards said her message to others who didn't know if they had dense breasts was to "go get screened". "I've got an adult daughter who now, because of her family history, I suspect also has dense breasts. "It would be good to know that so she can monitor things earlier than the free mammograms, which kick in at 40."
