Latest news with #Macleod
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
How a 14-year-old's medical treatment in 1922 revolutionized diabetes care and led to a historic four-way Nobel Prize split
The invention of insulin in 1922 marked a turning point in medical history. Sparked by Frederick Banting's idea and tested on diabetic patients, the treatment saved lives and revolutionized diabetes care. Though the Nobel Prize honored Banting and Macleod, internal conflicts led Banting to share credit with Best and Macleod with Collip, reflecting a complex legacy. In 1922, 14-year-old Leonard Thompson became the first person to receive an insulin injection, a breakthrough that transformed diabetes from a fatal disease into a manageable condition. (Images: X/ University of Toront , iStock) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads From Farm Boy to Medical Pioneer: Banting's Unlikely Journey Trial, Error, and Triumph: The Birth of Insulin Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Miracle Drug Emerges The Nobel Prize Controversy Beyond the Breakthrough In 1922, the world witnessed one of the most transformative moments in medical history. A 14-year-old boy named Leonard Thompson , lying comatose from type 1 diabetes at Toronto General Hospital , became the first human to receive an injection of insulin. That one injection, administered by Dr. Frederick Banting and medical student Charles Best, not only saved Leonard's life—giving him thirteen more years—but also turned a fatal condition into a manageable one. It marked the beginning of modern diabetes treatment, a path paved by hope, controversy, and scientific to an article from Science History Institute, Frederick Grant Banting wasn't always on the fast track to scientific fame. The youngest son of Methodist farmers from Alliston, Ontario, he almost became a minister before switching to medicine. After serving in World War I and returning with a shrapnel injury, he struggled to establish his surgical practice in London, Ontario. It was in his role as a lecturer at a medical school that a chance encounter with a medical journal sparked an idea that would later reshape an article on the pancreatic islets of Langerhans , Banting jotted down a bold idea: to isolate the internal secretions of the pancreas that controlled blood sugar. He pitched it to John Macleod, a renowned physiologist at the University of Toronto. Skeptical but intrigued, Macleod gave Banting lab space, ten dogs, and a young assistant named Charles the summer of 1921, Banting and Best began their experiments, using dogs to test how pancreatic extract could affect diabetes. Through duct ligation and pancreatectomies, they observed the remarkable effects of what they called "isletin"—soon to be renamed insulin. After refining the extract with the help of biochemist James Collip, the team tested it on Leonard the initial injection in January 1922 had minimal impact, Collip's improved purification method led to a second, far more successful attempt. Leonard's blood sugar dropped significantly, and insulin had proven its worth. This event signaled the dawn of a new era in insulin, diabetes management relied on near-starvation diets—sometimes as low as 500 calories a day. These regimens prolonged life but at a devastating cost to quality of life. Insulin changed everything. By the end of 1923, Eli Lilly had already begun mass production, and diabetic patients were regaining strength, eating balanced meals, and living fuller treatment's impact was swift and profound, and insulin became one of the 20th century's greatest medical 1923, the Nobel Committee awarded the Prize in Physiology or Medicine to Banting and Macleod. Outraged that Best wasn't recognized, Banting announced he would split his award with him. In a move that mirrored this gesture—and perhaps attempted to quell the growing tension—Macleod shared his winnings with the scenes, the collaboration was far from harmonious. Banting grew increasingly suspicious of Macleod, accusing him of seeking credit, while a heated dispute broke out between Banting and Collip over the insulin purification process. Yet, despite these personal clashes, the collective efforts of all four men changed medical story of insulin isn't just about science—it's about persistence, chance, and complex human dynamics. It traces back to 19th-century researchers like Paul Langerhans, who first identified the islets in the pancreas, and German physiologists Oskar Minkowski and Joseph von Mering, who discovered the connection between the pancreas and it was in the laboratory at the University of Toronto where all the strands finally came together. The discovery of insulin remains a striking reminder of how one idea, sparked by curiosity and followed by relentless experimentation, can rewrite the fate of millions. And it all began with one injection in 1922.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
Fatal Hawks Nest helicopter crash investigation releases its findings
FINDINGS into a helicopter breaking up mid-flight amid turbulence and sparking a crash that killed its pilot near Hawks Nest have been released. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) launched an investigation after the chopper's voyage from Cessnock towards the state's Mid North Coast on October 26, 2023. It struck turbulence while passing over Yacaaba Headland near Hawks Nest "likely in the form of rapidly rising air", the regulator said. The crash killed pilot Ed Kraft and his dog Roxy. Mr Kraft, from Jindabyne, was flying to either the Kempsey or Forster areas with his dog on board when they disappeared. "The helicopter was flying on autopilot at an indicated airspeed of 115 knots, 45 knots above the manufacturer's maximum recommended speed for flight in significant turbulence," ATSB director transport safety Stuart Macleod said. "This speed ... reduced the time available for the pilot to respond by applying a gentle aft cyclic input to reload the main rotor disc." Mr Macleod said the pilot had been eating and "had food in their right hand", meaning they used their left to deal with the change in conditions. The shift to their left hand reduced their ability to slow the chopper's turn down in a timely manner, he said. The investigation examined footage from an onboard video camera that it found showed the helicopter began rolling to the right, and the pilot "did not apply aft cyclic to reload the main rotor" enough to prevent it tipping further. "Instead, the pilot progressively applied increasing left cyclic during the right roll, increasing the risk of an extreme teetering event, where the spindles of the main rotor contact the main rotor shaft, precipitating a breakup," Mr Macleod said. Initial findings released in January last year revealed the main rotor had likely impacted the cabin, and struck and separated the tail boom, during the crash sequence. After breaking up, the helicopter hit the waters of Providence Bay. Police divers found the wreckage of the chopper on the ocean floor two days after the crash. The finalised investigation alleged that an asymmetrical horizontal stabiliser fitted to Robinson series helicopters "significantly contributes to uncommanded right roll rates ... adding to the risk of an in-flight break-up" in certain conditions. "Pleasingly, Robinson Helicopter Company has developed a symmetrical horizontal stabiliser that is being fitted to all new Robinson helicopters, and is available as a modification for all existing Robinson helicopters," Mr Macleod said. Robinson R66 and R44 helicopters can be overhauled with the new part, and the company will also update safety notices to give pilots improved guidance around the risks. "The modification significantly reduces the right roll if a lowG condition is encountered, allowing pilots more time to recognise and respond to the situation," Mr Macleod said. FINDINGS into a helicopter breaking up mid-flight amid turbulence and sparking a crash that killed its pilot near Hawks Nest have been released. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) launched an investigation after the chopper's voyage from Cessnock towards the state's Mid North Coast on October 26, 2023. It struck turbulence while passing over Yacaaba Headland near Hawks Nest "likely in the form of rapidly rising air", the regulator said. The crash killed pilot Ed Kraft and his dog Roxy. Mr Kraft, from Jindabyne, was flying to either the Kempsey or Forster areas with his dog on board when they disappeared. "The helicopter was flying on autopilot at an indicated airspeed of 115 knots, 45 knots above the manufacturer's maximum recommended speed for flight in significant turbulence," ATSB director transport safety Stuart Macleod said. "This speed ... reduced the time available for the pilot to respond by applying a gentle aft cyclic input to reload the main rotor disc." Mr Macleod said the pilot had been eating and "had food in their right hand", meaning they used their left to deal with the change in conditions. The shift to their left hand reduced their ability to slow the chopper's turn down in a timely manner, he said. The investigation examined footage from an onboard video camera that it found showed the helicopter began rolling to the right, and the pilot "did not apply aft cyclic to reload the main rotor" enough to prevent it tipping further. "Instead, the pilot progressively applied increasing left cyclic during the right roll, increasing the risk of an extreme teetering event, where the spindles of the main rotor contact the main rotor shaft, precipitating a breakup," Mr Macleod said. Initial findings released in January last year revealed the main rotor had likely impacted the cabin, and struck and separated the tail boom, during the crash sequence. After breaking up, the helicopter hit the waters of Providence Bay. Police divers found the wreckage of the chopper on the ocean floor two days after the crash. The finalised investigation alleged that an asymmetrical horizontal stabiliser fitted to Robinson series helicopters "significantly contributes to uncommanded right roll rates ... adding to the risk of an in-flight break-up" in certain conditions. "Pleasingly, Robinson Helicopter Company has developed a symmetrical horizontal stabiliser that is being fitted to all new Robinson helicopters, and is available as a modification for all existing Robinson helicopters," Mr Macleod said. Robinson R66 and R44 helicopters can be overhauled with the new part, and the company will also update safety notices to give pilots improved guidance around the risks. "The modification significantly reduces the right roll if a lowG condition is encountered, allowing pilots more time to recognise and respond to the situation," Mr Macleod said. FINDINGS into a helicopter breaking up mid-flight amid turbulence and sparking a crash that killed its pilot near Hawks Nest have been released. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) launched an investigation after the chopper's voyage from Cessnock towards the state's Mid North Coast on October 26, 2023. It struck turbulence while passing over Yacaaba Headland near Hawks Nest "likely in the form of rapidly rising air", the regulator said. The crash killed pilot Ed Kraft and his dog Roxy. Mr Kraft, from Jindabyne, was flying to either the Kempsey or Forster areas with his dog on board when they disappeared. "The helicopter was flying on autopilot at an indicated airspeed of 115 knots, 45 knots above the manufacturer's maximum recommended speed for flight in significant turbulence," ATSB director transport safety Stuart Macleod said. "This speed ... reduced the time available for the pilot to respond by applying a gentle aft cyclic input to reload the main rotor disc." Mr Macleod said the pilot had been eating and "had food in their right hand", meaning they used their left to deal with the change in conditions. The shift to their left hand reduced their ability to slow the chopper's turn down in a timely manner, he said. The investigation examined footage from an onboard video camera that it found showed the helicopter began rolling to the right, and the pilot "did not apply aft cyclic to reload the main rotor" enough to prevent it tipping further. "Instead, the pilot progressively applied increasing left cyclic during the right roll, increasing the risk of an extreme teetering event, where the spindles of the main rotor contact the main rotor shaft, precipitating a breakup," Mr Macleod said. Initial findings released in January last year revealed the main rotor had likely impacted the cabin, and struck and separated the tail boom, during the crash sequence. After breaking up, the helicopter hit the waters of Providence Bay. Police divers found the wreckage of the chopper on the ocean floor two days after the crash. The finalised investigation alleged that an asymmetrical horizontal stabiliser fitted to Robinson series helicopters "significantly contributes to uncommanded right roll rates ... adding to the risk of an in-flight break-up" in certain conditions. "Pleasingly, Robinson Helicopter Company has developed a symmetrical horizontal stabiliser that is being fitted to all new Robinson helicopters, and is available as a modification for all existing Robinson helicopters," Mr Macleod said. Robinson R66 and R44 helicopters can be overhauled with the new part, and the company will also update safety notices to give pilots improved guidance around the risks. "The modification significantly reduces the right roll if a lowG condition is encountered, allowing pilots more time to recognise and respond to the situation," Mr Macleod said. FINDINGS into a helicopter breaking up mid-flight amid turbulence and sparking a crash that killed its pilot near Hawks Nest have been released. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) launched an investigation after the chopper's voyage from Cessnock towards the state's Mid North Coast on October 26, 2023. It struck turbulence while passing over Yacaaba Headland near Hawks Nest "likely in the form of rapidly rising air", the regulator said. The crash killed pilot Ed Kraft and his dog Roxy. Mr Kraft, from Jindabyne, was flying to either the Kempsey or Forster areas with his dog on board when they disappeared. "The helicopter was flying on autopilot at an indicated airspeed of 115 knots, 45 knots above the manufacturer's maximum recommended speed for flight in significant turbulence," ATSB director transport safety Stuart Macleod said. "This speed ... reduced the time available for the pilot to respond by applying a gentle aft cyclic input to reload the main rotor disc." Mr Macleod said the pilot had been eating and "had food in their right hand", meaning they used their left to deal with the change in conditions. The shift to their left hand reduced their ability to slow the chopper's turn down in a timely manner, he said. The investigation examined footage from an onboard video camera that it found showed the helicopter began rolling to the right, and the pilot "did not apply aft cyclic to reload the main rotor" enough to prevent it tipping further. "Instead, the pilot progressively applied increasing left cyclic during the right roll, increasing the risk of an extreme teetering event, where the spindles of the main rotor contact the main rotor shaft, precipitating a breakup," Mr Macleod said. Initial findings released in January last year revealed the main rotor had likely impacted the cabin, and struck and separated the tail boom, during the crash sequence. After breaking up, the helicopter hit the waters of Providence Bay. Police divers found the wreckage of the chopper on the ocean floor two days after the crash. The finalised investigation alleged that an asymmetrical horizontal stabiliser fitted to Robinson series helicopters "significantly contributes to uncommanded right roll rates ... adding to the risk of an in-flight break-up" in certain conditions. "Pleasingly, Robinson Helicopter Company has developed a symmetrical horizontal stabiliser that is being fitted to all new Robinson helicopters, and is available as a modification for all existing Robinson helicopters," Mr Macleod said. Robinson R66 and R44 helicopters can be overhauled with the new part, and the company will also update safety notices to give pilots improved guidance around the risks. "The modification significantly reduces the right roll if a lowG condition is encountered, allowing pilots more time to recognise and respond to the situation," Mr Macleod said.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
75 years of public forestry conservation work in Glen Affric
Regarded as one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, it contains one of the best (and third largest) examples of the Caledonian Forest that once covered much of Scotland. FLS North Region Manager, Alex Macleod, said: 'Glen Affric is a special and spectacular place. We have been working here for a long time, working with other landowners, and community and volunteer groups, on the long and slow process of restoring the Caledonian forest in this iconic Glen. 'In all that time, we estimate that we've protected and restored hundreds of hectares of Caledonian Pinewood through planting and allowing natural regeneration of Scots Pine and native broadleaves. READ MORE: 'That Affric looks as it now does belies the fact that this most natural looking of destinations is under constant management. But it is a fitting testament to the success of decades of effort that has included planting and forest management, as well as fencing and – crucially – deer management to protect the young trees. 'Where possible we are using natural processes to protect and restore the rare habitats and species in the area but it's unlikely that Glen Affric will ever be wholly free of management but we can thank those mid-20th century foresters for having the long-term vision that has helped us create what is there today.' Amongst its many designations, it is a Caledonian Forest Reserve, a site of special scientific interest, a national scenic area and a national nature reserve, as well as holding several other European conservation designations. Deer management has been pivotal to success. When the Forestry Commission acquired Glen Affric (1948) years of unchecked deer browsing meant that there were very few Scots pine trees under 100 years of age. Some of those trees had to be felled to make space for the millions of young trees (grown from local Scots pine seed) planted by the Forestry Commission in fenced pinewood reserves at the start of the forest regeneration process. In the 1950s the Commission was still fulfilling its post-war remit to increase tree cover, so also planted species like lodgepole pine and Sitka spruce. However, within 20 years, the evolution of forestry knowledge and thinking saw a reversal of this policy and the reduction of non-native species from key areas. The core pinewood is anticipated to be free of non-native species within the next decade but productive forestry will continue to have a presence in the Glen both to allow ongoing restructuring of forests and provide local economic benefit. Mr Macleod added: 'The 75 years of work has seen a significant protection and expansion of the Caledonian woodland, major improvements in the structure of woodlands and the reach of montane woodland, as well as the restoration of wetlands, peatland and other open land habitats. This has been a real boost for biodiversity with a wide range of animal, bird and insect species – from dragonflies to red deer, and mountain hares to golden eagles. 'It has also been a real boost for visitor numbers, with the Glen renowned as a high value, high quality recreation area and visitor destination. 'High visitor numbers– and the potential impact that this could have – climate change and wildlife management are going to be the main challenges that we will continue to address as we move towards us reaching our centenary in Glen Affric. 'We remain fully committed to the sensitive stewardship of Glen Affric on behalf of the nation and to our continued partnership working with our neighbours, the local communities and stakeholders, such as Trees for Life, Affric Highlands and the Deer Management Group, to ensure that Glen Affric is cared for future generations to experience and enjoy.' A good deal of experience has been built up about the practical application of interventions over 75 years of work but there is still scope for more science and research to be done to better understand both how these interventions affect the less visible species and functions, and what natural processes are doing in Glen Affric.
Leader Live
25-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Flintshire Social Services to bring children's care in-house by 2030
The plans are the authority's response to Welsh Government's policy of eliminating profit from the care of looked-after children by 2030. But a new report says that additional funding needs to be found for the council to achieve its target in time. According to the report from Social Services Chief Officer Craig Macleod, to bring all children in care under the full responsibility of Flintshire County Council under its 'Care Closer to Home' strategy, the authority needs 30 additional residential care beds, three additional respite beds and fostering provision for an extra 52 children to bring all profit-making care services in-house. Currently there are 270 children in the care system across Flintshire. Of those who have been put into care 86% are in the independent residential care while of those in foster care 41% are with independent fostering associations. Under the Welsh Government plans, any independent organisations that operate 'for profit' will no longer be able to offer care services for looked after children from 2030. Organisations that invest all surpluses back into care will remain unaffected. Flintshire's strategy is to invest more in family stability and support to reduce the number of children coming into the care and fostering system through early intervention. Nevertheless, some children will still require the safety net of the care system and that is where significant investment is required. 'Having established effective systems to support children and families on the edge of care our intention is to now focus on reducing the number of children who are supported though out of county arrangements,' said Mr Macleod's report. 'Our approach is to develop arrangements that better meet the needs of the child, secure improved outcomes are more cost effective and reduce the overall number of residential provisions that the local authority would need to develop to shift from reliance on the 'for profit' market. 'We have an established project through a partnership with a local company that provides specialist intensive therapeutic support to children to enable them to safely step down from high cost residential and foster placements. The focus of the project is to take a child-focused approach to transition children and young people from residential care to a family-based setting where their assessed need determines this as being appropriate and is in their best interests.' Flintshire currently has 50 children in residential care, mostly with independent providers. It's current in-house capacity is for just nine. Adding new capacity, such as residential homes for small numbers of children with sleep-in staff requires funding however. While Flintshire has set aside £2 million to develop in-house provision, it remains reliant on external funding to realise its ambitious vision. 'A revenue bid has been submitted by Welsh Government to seek funding from the Eliminating Profit and Radical Reform Grant Fund 2025/2026 -2027/2028. 'Whilst we await the outcome of the bid, if the children and young people standard spending assessment formula was applied we would expect to receive in the region of £760,000 in revenue for each of the next three years,' wrote Mr Macleod. 'A capital bid has also been prepared to the Housing with Care Fund and Integration and Rebalancing Capital Fund. In line with the funding requirements a business case has been developed and submitted to Welsh Government for consideration. 'Given our funding position our financial capacity to achieve this whole system change is limited. Additional funding is needed to deliver the eliminating profit agenda with the scale and pace necessary to comply with legislation and deliver a shared ambition to radically reform the current model to improve outcomes for children and young people.' Councillors will review the proposals in the Joint Education, Youth and Culture and Social and Health Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Macleod wary of Japan as Wales seek end to losing streak
Back-row forward Josh Macleod expects a Japan side coached by veteran boss Eddie Jones to pose plenty of problems when Wales bid to end their lengthy winless run next month. Wales travel to Japan on the back of 17 straight Test defeats -- a record for a major nation -- since they last enjoyed a victory, over Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France. Former Australia and England coach Jones, now in charge of Japan for the second time, hopes to extend that woeful sequence during a two-Test series in Kitakyushu and Kobe on July 5 and 12 respectively. "I'm not too familiar with him (Jones) myself but I have heard on the grapevine that he's got certain attributes. I think we'll find those out on the pitch," said Macleod on Wednesday. "No Test game is easy, but as a group we haven't shied away from it (the losing streak). "We've touched on the fact that we are looking to end that, we've got a job to do in the conditions. We've got to pull together and stay tight as a group, look to produce on the pitch and get that win." Macleod has returned to the Wales squad to provide loose forward competition for Taulupe Faletau, Aaron Wainwright and others following a career blighted by injuries. The 28-year-old was denied a Six Nations debut against Scotland in 2021 after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in training. Macleod had to wait until the 2022 clash against Georgia to win his first senior cap, only to then miss the 2023 World Cup with a shoulder injury. "I've had a decent bit of bad luck over the years," said the twice-capped Macleod. "This year one of my focuses has been to stay fit and do all I can off the pitch to hit that target. So far, so good." jdg/jc
