Latest news with #Nuffield
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Misunderstood illness leads to dark urine as doctor shares red flags
A doctor has revealed some of the biggest myths about the condition Hepatitis continues to be a widespread illness globally, yet it's often surrounded by myths and misunderstandings. Countless people mistakenly believe that it transmits through everyday social interactions such as sharing utensils, hugging, or kissing – or that it's an inherited condition passed through generations. Ahead of World Hepatitis Day (July 28), we chatted with Dr Yiannis Kallis, consultant hepatologist and gastroenterologist at Nuffield Health St Bartholomew's Hospital, to bust these myths and shed light on the various types of hepatitis. What is hepatitis? "Viral hepatitis is an infection of the liver with a virus," Dr Kallis said. "There are five different types of viral hepatitis: hepatitis A through to E. Some cause an acute but transient infection; others may cause a chronic, persistent infection over many years and may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer." What causes hepatitis? Dr Kallis went on: "Hepatitis A and hepatitis E are spread via the oral route. This means that they can be caught by drinking contaminated water or by eating infected food, much like a type of food poisoning or gastroenteritis. "These viruses are more prevalent in the developing world, but they can also, rarely, be acquired in the UK." Nevertheless, hepatitis B, C and D (called 'delta') are acquired through contact with contaminated blood. "For example, through blood transfusion, sharing needles, the use of poorly sterilised medical/dental equipment, or at childbirth," Dr Kallis went on. "These are termed the blood-borne viruses. Hepatitis B and delta may also be spread through sexual contact." What are some symptoms of hepatitis? Dr Kallis said: "Most people who catch a chronic viral hepatitis have no symptoms when they first acquire the virus and are unaware that they have it. This is especially the case if it is transmitted at childbirth or in childhood, which is the commonest time to catch chronic hepatitis B or C." He also noted that certain types of viral hepatitis, when contracted in adulthood, can result in jaundice and other general symptoms of feeling unwell. "Jaundice is a yellow discolouration of the eyes and skin and is usually accompanied by very dark-coloured urine," he continued. "If anyone becomes jaundiced, they should seek medical attention." Another sign of chronic viral hepatitis ( B or C) may be persistent abnormalities in liver blood tests. Dr Kallis added: "This is sometimes found by chance or during a general health check-up. If someone has persistently abnormal liver blood tests, they should see their GP or a liver specialist to ensure that this is properly investigated." What are some of the biggest misconceptions about hepatitis? "The blood-borne viruses (hepatitis B, C and delta) are very unlikely to be caught by holding hands, kissing, sharing cutlery etc," Dr Kallis said. "This is a misconception. It is also uncommon for hepatitis C to be caught through sex." Can hepatitis lead to serious complications? "Hepatitis A and hepatitis E generally only cause a transient illness from which the liver function fully recovers, and the virus is cleared," Dr Kallis said, but noted a few rare exceptions to this. "Chronic hepatitis B, C or delta can lead to the development of cirrhosis, liver cancer or liver failure over many years," he added. "Hepatitis delta can only occur in people who also have hepatitis B infection. Chronic viral hepatitis is a leading cause of death due to liver disease globally and in some countries is a leading cause of cancer." Can hepatitis be prevented? "Careful food hygiene and only drinking clean water are ways to reduce the risk of hepatitis A or E infection, particularly whilst travelling within the developing world," Dr Kallis said. There are also vaccines available for certain types of hepatitis. He continued: "There are effective vaccines against hepatitis A and B infection, but there is no specific vaccines for hepatitis C, D or E. But the transmission of blood-borne viruses can be prevented by not sharing needles among people who inject recreational drugs and sexual transmission risk can be minimised by the use of barrier methods such as condoms."
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
HMP Huntercombe 'particularly challenged' by drugs, say inspectors
A prison was "particularly challenged" by potent illicit drugs which found their way into inmates' hands, inspectors have Huntercombe was visited by Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB), which said it was concerned by the number of prisoners who appeared to be under the influence of "known and unknown substances".The prison, in Nuffield, Oxfordshire, has capacity for 520 foreign nationals - most of whom are deported after their sentences have ended - and was said to be "generally safe".A Prison Service spokesperson said it acknowledged "there is more to be done" there to improve it. IMB, which assesses prisons, immigration removal centres and short-term holding facilities, said inspectors were "concerned about the level of illicit items and drugs" entering the said the jail saw a "significant increase" in drug taking in August and resources were reallocated at short notice to prison's hot water system was "not fit for purpose" and showers on the wings and in its gym were "unreliable and often out of order", inspectors "ageing" system was found to have caused "tremendous anxiety" because up to 70 prisoners, who have a limited time to wash, needed to wait for two working hot water problems and "failing" central heating were found to be issues by the IMB for the last five years but it said it was still "unclear when work will start" to fix said it would "continue to press and monitor this issue of poor infrastructure until work begins and a new functional system is in place". The Prison Service spokesperson added: "We welcome the IMB's recognition that HMP Huntercombe is generally safe and that staffing has improved significantly. "But we acknowledge there is more to be done and will carefully consider these findings." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
18-06-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Why your cup of tea could soon be grown in the UK – and be better for you
It's not every day you find yourself standing in a tea garden in Devon, surrounded by rows of Camellia sinensis – the same plant species used to make tea in India, China and Japan. But there we were, in the heart of Dartmoor, picking fresh tea leaves from plants that are thriving in the UK's cool, damp climate. It's a surprising sight, and one that could become more common. Britain may be known as a 'nation of tea drinkers', but might there be opportunities for it to increasingly be a nation of tea growers? Our research has involved working with growers in Devon and Wales to explore the chemistry of UK-grown tea. We're using a technique called 'metabolomics' to understand what's going on inside the leaves, and how different growing conditions, processing methods and even fermentation (like making kombucha) affect the final cup. Tea competes with coffee to be the UK's favourite drink, but almost all tea leaves are imported. With concerns about climate change, food security and sustainability increasing, there's growing interest in whether more food, including tea, can be grown in the UK. We chose mid-Wales and south-west England for our project because of their mild, wet climates, which are surprisingly well-suited to tea cultivation. Dartmoor, in particular, has a unique microclimate and varied soils that make it an ideal test site. There's also a strong local appetite for sustainable farming and agricultural innovation. Wales already has a tea pioneer in Lucy George, a Nuffield farming scholar who began growing tea near Cardiff in 2014. Her brand, Peterston Tea, is now sold in Welsh shops and around the world. She believes that slower growth in Wales' cooler climate may actually improve flavour, making Welsh-grown tea more than just a curiosity. What we found One of our studies used metabolomics and machine learning to explore the chemical diversity of UK-grown tea. Metabolomics involves analysing the small molecules – known as 'metabolites' – in a sample. These include sugars, amino acids and polyphenols, as well as more complex 'bioactives' like catechins and flavonoids. These types of compounds influence flavour, aroma and potential health benefits. We used method called 'direct injection mass spectrometry' to create a chemical fingerprint of each sample. Then we used machine learning to spot patterns and differences. We also looked at how the chemistry of the leaves changes depending on the time of day they're picked and how they're processed. Our findings show that tea grown in the UK has a rich and diverse chemical profile. Different varieties, picking times and processing techniques all influence the concentration of beneficial compounds like catechins and flavonoids. The other study was a human trial, which found that drinking green tea from Dartmoor with rhubarb root for 21 days significantly reduced LDL (bad) cholesterol and total cholesterol, and without disrupting the gut microbiome. This suggests that UK-grown tea could be developed into a functional food, supporting health. This product is now being sold by a tea company in Carmarthenshire, west Wales. This is exciting because it means we can tailor how we grow and process tea to enhance both its flavour and its health benefits. And it opens the door to a potential new UK-grown tea industry. It could play a part in supporting the rural economy, reduce reliance on imports and offer a more sustainable future for UK agriculture. On a global level, this kind of research helps us understand how plants respond to different environments, which is crucial for food security in a changing climate. What's next? We're now investigating how different tea varieties and processing techniques – like steaming, oxidation and novel drying methods – influence the tea's chemical make-up. These techniques could help preserve more of the beneficial compounds and make it easier to develop new tea-based products like powders or supplements. Another human study is looking at how kombucha affects well-being, memory, inflammation and stress. We're also continuing to test how different varieties of tea respond to the UK's conditions, and how we can refine growing and processing techniques to produce high-quality, health-promoting tea on home soil. As climate change reshapes what we can grow and where, tea may just become one of the UK's most unexpected and exciting new crops. Amanda Lloyd is a Researcher in Food, Diet and Health at Aberystwyth University. Nigel Holt is a Professor of Psychology at Aberystwyth University.
Irish Examiner
28-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Nuffield Ireland calls for agri-leaders for 2026 scholarship
Applications are now open for Nuffield Ireland's 2026 scholarships. Nuffield Ireland awards up to six scholarships per year and individuals with a passion for advancing agriculture and rural communities are invited to apply for this leadership programme before August 22 this year. The scholarships encourage the development of future leaders in their industry and promotes networking through the exceptional global Nuffield Network. Successful applicants will be awarded a bursary of €18,000 towards the cost of the programme, including international travel for a minimum of 10 weeks in an 18-month period. The selected scholars must complete a written report and present their findings at the Nuffield Ireland annual conference within two years of being awarded the scholarship. Reflecting on his own experience as a scholar, Nuffield Ireland chairman Joe Leonard said: 'A Nuffield scholarship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop your leadership skills, discover yourself, other cultures and agricultures, travel the world to research an important agricultural topic of your choice, all while joining an exceptional global network of top-level agribusiness leaders. It will simply change your life.' How to apply Applicants must fill in a detailed application form, provide two references and come forward with a well-thought-through research topic of their choosing. The topic must be relevant to the Irish agrifood ecosystem and aim to help improve one or more aspects of the economic, social or environmental sustainability of agri-food systems. The selection process then shortlists applicants for a preliminary competency-based interview, with those who make it through facing a final, more in-depth interview. Between three and six scholars are selected each year and are then introduced at the annual Nuffield Ireland conference, which is scheduled to take place this year on Friday, November 14. Application forms can be downloaded here and must then be filled in and forwarded to exec@ before the closing date on August 22, 2025. Read More Teagasc and Kepak host knowledge transfer event for beef discussion groups
Business News Wales
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Applications Open for Arwain DGC Sponsored Nuffield Farming Scholarship
Arwain DGC has announced the sponsorship of a Nuffield Farming Scholarship, offering an opportunity to undertake international research into antimicrobial stewardship. Applications are open for the '2026 Nuffield Farming Arwain DGC Scholarship', which is worth more than £15,000. The deadline for applications is July 31st, 2025, at noon. Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust is a registered charity that aims to 'inspire passion in people and develop their potential to lead positive change in farming and food.' The scholarships were first awarded in 1947, and since then, more than 1,000 scholars from the UK have undertaken travel and studies to advance agriculture. To further their knowledge and understanding of their chosen study, scholars can travel anywhere in the world for a period of no less than eight weeks. On their return, they will compile a written report along with a five-minute video and present their findings at the Annual Nuffield Farming Conference. Arwain DGC is a Welsh Government-funded programme dedicated to preventing antibiotic resistance in animals and the environment by supporting farmers and vets through data-driven decisions, innovative technologies, and best practices. Its goal is to continue to position Wales as a global leader in the fight against AMR, by nurturing collaboration, promoting innovation, and sharing knowledge, to ensure that antibiotics remain effective for animal and human health for future generations. Dewi Hughes, Arwain DGC Programme Manager, said: 'We're delighted to partner with Nuffield and offer this scholarship opportunity. I encourage anyone with an interest in antimicrobial stewardship and who wants to make a difference to animal and human health to apply for this fantastic opportunity.' 'The successful scholar will have the opportunity to travel the world and see first-hand the different approaches taken in different countries to address antimicrobial resistance. 'We hope that these invaluable insights could further help Welsh farmers and vets to reduce the need to use antibiotics, and ensure antibiotics keep working for future generations. 'We encourage anyone who is interested to contact us or contact Nuffield Farming directly to make an application. Good luck!' Applicants for the '2026 Nuffield Farming Arwain DGC Scholarship' need to study topics related to Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS). Topics could include antibiotic resistance and ways of reducing the risk, strategies that other countries are using or developing to use antibiotics responsibly, or innovation/innovation that avoids the need to use antibiotics in livestock production. Also, the scholar must live and work in Wales to be eligible for funding. For more information about the '2026 Nuffield Farming Arwain DGC Scholarship', potential applicants can contact Arwain DGC at arwaindgc@ or visit here . They can also chat with members of the Arwain DGC team who will be present at the forthcoming Royal Welsh Agriculture Society's Spring Festival (Llanelwedd May 17th & 18th) and the NSA Welsh Sheep event in Brecon on May 21st. Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust also holds regular Zoom drop-in information and Q&A sessions.
