Latest news with #PlymouthUniversity
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Murdered Plymouth University lecturer awarded posthumous PhD
A university lecturer who was murdered has been awarded a posthumous Chick was stabbed to death in January by her estranged husband, who was jailed for 27 gathered to mourn the 48-year-old, who was also a former nurse, at a candlelit vigil at Plymouth Hoe, with her partner saying "she cared about everyone and was so proud of her family".Plymouth University said the degree would be an "enduring part of her legacy" and a way its staff and students would "continue to remember her". It said: "As well as being an incredibly valued nurse, lecturer, tutor and colleague, Claire was also studying for a PhD at the time of her tragic death earlier this year. "Her PhD was centred around supporting and developing resilience in student nurses, something she was incredibly passionate about, and the award is deserved recognition for everything she achieved."
The National
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Some microplastics pollute water more than others
Microplastics are one of the biggest threats to global water health, with research piling up to show they are everywhere, from oceans and rivers to the air we breathe. The biggest culprits are synthetic textiles and car tyres. A single washing machine load of acrylic clothes − made from a synthetic material often used as a wool substitute − can release an estimated 730,000 fibres into wastewater, according to Plymouth University. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that man-made fabrics account for thirty-five per cent of all primary microplastics in the ocean. Car tyres, the second-largest source at 28 per cent, shed micro and nano-particles as they erode during driving, contaminating the air, soil and waterways. But the problem is bigger than just fast fashion and transport. Microplastics come from other everyday items, such as cleaning products and road markings, making them nearly impossible to avoid. World Ocean Day June 8 marked World Oceans Day, spotlighting the urgent need to protect our seas. In the UAE, Dr Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, warned that the health of the world's oceans is at serious risk: 'Covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth's surface, our oceans are undeniably essential to human lives and livelihoods,' she said. Abu Dhabi has led the region's fight against plastic pollution, introducing a single-use plastic ban on June 1, 2022. By the end of 2024, the campaign had removed 360 million plastic bags from circulation. Globally, the numbers are staggering. According to the UN Environment Programme, humans have produced 9.2 billion tonnes of plastic since the 1950s — 7 billion tonnes of which is now waste. By 2060, plastic waste could nearly triple to one billion tonnes annually if current trends continue. 'Plastic pollution is one of the gravest environmental threats facing Earth,' said Elisa Tonda at the UNEP. 'But it's a problem we can solve.' The Human Impact Emerging research in animal and human cells suggests microplastics may be linked to cancer, heart disease, and reproductive problems. In the UAE, the urgency hits close to home. 'We eat seafood. That plastic enters our food chain, and it stays in our bodies. It's toxic. This isn't just about the environment — it's about public health,' said Ms Al Mazrouei.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Bay 'still recovering' from bottom trawling
Part of the seabed off the Jurassic Coast is "still recovering" from the effects of bottom trawling 17 years after it was banned there, marine researchers have said. A consultation is being held on government proposals to extend the ban on the practice of dragging large nets along the seafloor. Some fishing organisations have criticised the plans and questioned the environmental impact of bottom trawling. Dr Emma Sheehan, associate professor of marine ecology at Plymouth University said, ending bottom trawling when Lyme Bay, off the Dorset and Devon coast, became a Marine Protected Area in 2008 has made a "positive change". The government proposal would expand the ban on bottom trawling from 18,000km2 to 48,000km2 (about 18,500 sq miles) of the UK's offshore areas that are already designated as protected. A UN Ocean Conference is taking place in France amid warnings from Sir David Attenborough that bottom trawling is destroying areas of the seabed and marine life. Researchers have studied the impact of ending bottom trawling in Lyme Bay since the introduction of the MPA. Dr Sheehan said large areas of the bay had already been "heavily degraded" by 2008. "[MPAs] tried to prevent the most destructive fishing methods so the seabed habitats that are so important for conservation and fisheries can be protected," she continued. Dr Sheehan said species including scallops, conga eel and black sea bream and appeared to have benefited from the ban. "We keep seeing positive change, year on year. "We still haven't go a plateau in the recovery. We're nowhere near there - it's still recovering, year on year." The government's plan would see similar protections extended to 41 of England's 181 MPAs. "It needs to happen - I'm in full support of this and it will have huge positive benefits for our marine environment," Dr Sheehan said. The UK's National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has opposed the move to ban bottom trawling. Chief executive Mike Cohen previously said: "Trawling does not damage most of the seabed. "Trawls penetrate the sediment very little, if at all, in most areas and trawling has been carried out for well over 100 years," he said. A 12-week consultation will run until 1 September and will seek the views of the marine and fishing industry. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. UK proposes wider ban on destructive ocean bottom trawling Reef species increase in whole site management University of Plymouth
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Bay 'still recovering' from bottom trawling
Part of the seabed off the Jurassic Coast is "still recovering" from the effects of bottom trawling 17 years after it was banned there, marine researchers have said. A consultation is being held on government proposals to extend the ban on the practice of dragging large nets along the seafloor. Some fishing organisations have criticised the plans and questioned the environmental impact of bottom trawling. Dr Emma Sheehan, associate professor of marine ecology at Plymouth University said, ending bottom trawling when Lyme Bay, off the Dorset and Devon coast, became a Marine Protected Area in 2008 has made a "positive change". The government proposal would expand the ban on bottom trawling from 18,000km2 to 48,000km2 (about 18,500 sq miles) of the UK's offshore areas that are already designated as protected. A UN Ocean Conference is taking place in France amid warnings from Sir David Attenborough that bottom trawling is destroying areas of the seabed and marine life. Researchers have studied the impact of ending bottom trawling in Lyme Bay since the introduction of the MPA. Dr Sheehan said large areas of the bay had already been "heavily degraded" by 2008. "[MPAs] tried to prevent the most destructive fishing methods so the seabed habitats that are so important for conservation and fisheries can be protected," she continued. Dr Sheehan said species including scallops, conga eel and black sea bream and appeared to have benefited from the ban. "We keep seeing positive change, year on year. "We still haven't go a plateau in the recovery. We're nowhere near there - it's still recovering, year on year." The government's plan would see similar protections extended to 41 of England's 181 MPAs. "It needs to happen - I'm in full support of this and it will have huge positive benefits for our marine environment," Dr Sheehan said. The UK's National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has opposed the move to ban bottom trawling. Chief executive Mike Cohen previously said: "Trawling does not damage most of the seabed. "Trawls penetrate the sediment very little, if at all, in most areas and trawling has been carried out for well over 100 years," he said. A 12-week consultation will run until 1 September and will seek the views of the marine and fishing industry. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. UK proposes wider ban on destructive ocean bottom trawling Reef species increase in whole site management University of Plymouth
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Bottom trawling: Lyme Bay 'still recovering'
Part of the seabed off the Jurassic Coast is "still recovering" from the effects of bottom trawling 17 years after it was banned there, marine researchers have said.A consultation is being held on government proposals to extend the ban on the practice of dragging large nets along the fishing organisations have criticised the plans and questioned the environmental impact of bottom Emma Sheehan, associate professor of marine ecology at Plymouth University said, ending bottom trawling when Lyme Bay, off the Dorset and Devon coast, became a Marine Protected Area in 2008 has made a "positive change". The government proposal would expand the ban on bottom trawling from 18,000km2 to 48,000km2 (about 18,500 sq miles) of the UK's offshore areas that are already designated as protected. A UN Ocean Conference is taking place in France amid warnings from Sir David Attenborough that bottom trawling is destroying areas of the seabed and marine have studied the impact of ending bottom trawling in Lyme Bay since the introduction of the MPA. Scallops and conger eels Dr Sheehan said large areas of the bay had already been "heavily degraded" by 2008."[MPAs] tried to prevent the most destructive fishing methods so the seabed habitats that are so important for conservation and fisheries can be protected," she Sheehan said species including scallops, conga eel and black sea bream and appeared to have benefited from the ban."We keep seeing positive change, year on year. "We still haven't go a plateau in the recovery. We're nowhere near there - it's still recovering, year on year."The government's plan would see similar protections extended to 41 of England's 181 MPAs."It needs to happen - I'm in full support of this and it will have huge positive benefits for our marine environment," Dr Sheehan UK's National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations has opposed the move to ban bottom executive Mike Cohen previously said: "Trawling does not damage most of the seabed. "Trawls penetrate the sediment very little, if at all, in most areas and trawling has been carried out for well over 100 years," he said.A 12-week consultation will run until 1 September and will seek the views of the marine and fishing industry. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
