Latest news with #Talbot
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Air pollution uneven across town: research
Research shows air quality is not consistent across Gore — instead air pollution gathers in two specific areas of the town. A study from Niwa indicated during winter last year, Environment Southland contributed funding to place 28 clarity monitors that measure PM2.5 levels to assess the variation in air quality across Gore. PM2.5 and PM10 are types of particulate matter small enough to be inhaled and reach deep into the lungs and are used as indicators of air quality. Environment Southland said in a statement the monitors were deployed in a uniform grid across the urban area of the town and measured the PM2.5 levels daily between April 22 and June 25. Environment Southland team leader air and terrestrial science Dr Nick Talbot said the council funded the project because it had the responsibility to monitor air quality in its airsheds. "Part of that responsibility is determining whether the permanent air monitoring station is in the right place. "Gore has only had two exceedances of the National Standards for Air Quality in four years, both of which were last year. "While that looks great on the surface, we wanted to ensure that it was an accurate reflection of what the air quality was for the town. "We need to make sure the monitoring station is located in the right area to measure correctly." The work revealed one large area in the southwest of the town and another smaller area in East Gore experienced higher levels of air pollution in winter. "Plumes of smoke are found not to move as freely in Gore as in Invercargill. Instead, they pool in specific locations due to hilly topography and airflow. "This work clearly shows that the monitoring site adopted by council is on the fringe of the correct location to accurately represent the concentrations of pollution in the worst affected areas of Gore." The amount of air pollution in those areas compared with the rest of the grid clearly indicated the number of homes using fireplaces was the cause, Dr Talbot said. As a result, a temporary testing site has been placed in West Gore for two years to measure the air quality throughout winter. "Our message for those at home this winter is that home heating is one area where people can make the biggest difference to our air quality. "Not only does burning wet wood create a large amount of smoke, it gives off much less warmth than dry wood." Environment Southland operates a Good Wood approved suppliers' scheme, in which firewood retailers voluntarily agree to supply wood at the recommended moisture level of less than 25%. — APL
San Francisco Chronicle
25-06-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Valkyries fill-ins create tough roster decisions as EuroBasket players return
The Golden State Valkyries have some decisions to make. Center Temi Fagbenle on Wednesday became the first player to return from EuroBasket after Great Britain was eliminated, spelling the end of Aerial Powers' Valkyries tenure. Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy), Julie Vanloo (Belgium) and Janelle Salaün (France) are still several games away as their teams advanced into the tournament's semifinals. The Valkyries will need to make at least three more cuts, even four if Iliana Rupert (France) joins the team this summer, as her agent Omar Bendjador told the Chronicle was the plan. Guards Bree Hall and Kaitlyn Chen and forward Chloe Bibby are likely to be those cuts. Laeticia Amihere signed after the Valkyries waived center Kyara Linskens on June 8, so she is more likely to stay with the team as one of their few post players. Bibby, though, has made a case as a capable WNBA player. She has averaged 11.5 points and 1.5 steals per game over two contests in which she has been used as a 3-point shooting big. The 6-foot-2 forward will be joining Australia for the Asia Cup from July 13-20, which could impact whether she is kept on the roster. The Valkyries had expected Bibby to be a temporary addition, but her play has made it a more complex decision. 'They could have chosen somewhere else,' head coach Natalie Nakase said of Bibby, Amihere and Chen. 'So we're just so super grateful that they chose us. And then again, it's just another opportunity for them to show their talents to the whole league.' Another element of the roster shuffle is where veteran forward Steph Talbot fits. The Australian has started the past four games but totaled 10 points — including being shut out in two contests — and went 0-for-8 from 3-point range. She was noticeably frustrated by her recent performances when she spoke with reporters after practice on Tuesday. 'Obviously my shot has not been falling lately, and trying to find time to work on that when we play so many games is tough,' said Talbot, a career 35.1% shooter from deep. 'But focusing on other things, rebounding, making the right reads, getting my teammates open, the little things I can do to help. … I'm not sure if I'm doing a very good job at (not overthinking). If I'm open, I am a shooter, so to continue to shoot that and trust that, I guess, it's gonna turn, it's not gonna stay down forever.' Nakase has still praised Talbot's contributions, including her 10 rebounds in Sunday's win over Connecticut. 'She's the ultimate pro, and it's not easy to go from not playing to now starting,' Nakase said. 'So as long as Steph plays with effort, she communicates and she plays the right way, that's all I'm asking for.' But as roster decisions loom, and with the potential addition of Rupert, it might come down to Amihere or Talbot. With Zandalasini filling a similar role as a lengthy 3-point shooting forward, Talbot might become redundant if her shot doesn't get going. Ionescu back to the Bay: New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu stepped onto the Valkyries court at Chase Center for the first time on Wednesday, and the Walnut Creek native said she had given out 50 tickets to family and friends for the game. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr visited Ionescu before shoot-around as the three-time WNBA All-Star prepared for her first game at Chase Center. 'I've come into this arena many times as a fan, so it's a little different being able to take the court and get shots off and understanding I get to come back to the Bay Area and play a game, which is really exciting,' she said on Wednesday. 'I knew that (sellouts were) going to happen as they announced this team. I just knew how supported basketball is in the Bay Area, and knowing the Warriors laid down the framework and the foundation for being a basketball town. So as soon as the Valkyries came, I knew they would get a lot of support and attention.' On Tuesday, Ionescu told the New York Post that New York is 'where I want to be for the rest of my career.' She is expected to hit free agency this offseason, and the Valkyries had been considered a potential destination. Leite's recovery: Rookie point guard Carla Leite told the Chronicle on Wednesday that she suffered her back injury after falling during the Valkyries' loss to Dallas last week. 'It's not that serious,' she said. 'Felt a pain in my leg from hitting (my back), so I just need my body to recover.' Leite was listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against New York and didn't participate in shoot-around. Bonner a possibility? The Indiana Fever waived wing DeWanna Bonner on Wednesday after reports surfaced that the 37-year-old was requesting a trade. The six-time All-Star signed with Indiana in the offseason but played in just nine games before missing time with a personal matter. On Wednesday, she said in a news release that she wasn't a fit with the Fever. According to Front Office Sports, her preferred destination is Phoenix, where her fiancée and former teammate Alyssa Thomas plays. Two sources told the Chronicle on Tuesday night that the Valkyries had not made an attempt to trade for Bonner but didn't dispute there might be interest in her as a waiver claim. The Valkyries and Washington are the only teams that have the cap space to take on her $200,000 contract, but it will be dependent on whether Phoenix makes a move to sign her, as Bonner prefers, at the veteran minimum.
Economic Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Alberta has become the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to cross more than 1,000 confirmed measles cases in 2025
What is measles? Live Events Situation in Ontario (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Health officials confirmed 24 new infections within a single day, bringing the total to 1,020 by Friday noon(June 20). Of those, 25 cases remain active. Though no deaths have been reported in Alberta , experts warn the situation is becoming more serious, particularly for vulnerable Primary and Preventive Health Services Ministry confirmed that at least one baby has been born with congenital measles. While exact numbers were not shared, officials stated there were 'fewer than five' such cases, all involving unvaccinated mothers. Additionally, 20 pregnant individuals have contracted measles , with fewer than five requiring is highly contagious but largely preventable through vaccination. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella ( MMR ) vaccine offer nearly complete protection. Experts say 95 percent vaccine coverage is necessary to achieve herd immunity, a benchmark many areas in Alberta still fall short James Talbot, Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, says the 1,000-case milestone is a warning sign: 'If the measures were working, we'd see the numbers going down and we wouldn't see spread to new areas. And both of those are happening.'Talbot expects a summer spike in infections as travel increases, warning that cities like Edmonton, which had avoided major outbreaks, could soon see a rise. Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported the first new Edmonton cases on Friday since early May, just a day after warning of exposures in the city, including at the Stollery Children's Hospital on June 18 and born in or after 1970 with fewer than two documented MMR doses may be at has administered more than 67,000 measles vaccine doses, a 55 percent increase over the same period last year. In the South Zone, uptake rose 130 percent. Still, health experts worry that if immunization rates don't improve, more severe outcomes such as brain damage, miscarriage, and death could to national data, between one and three in every 1,000 measles patients die. Another one in 1,000 may develop encephalitis, a potentially fatal brain the first province to pass 1,000 cases in April, now reports nearly 2,180 cases, including six congenital infections and one infant death. Combined, Ontario and Alberta now account for more than 90 percent of all measles cases in Canada this year.'If we don't act faster,' Dr. Talbot warns, 'Canada could lose its measles elimination status by October, a public health achievement held since 1998.'For now, AHS urges anyone experiencing symptoms, fever over 38.3°C, cough, red eyes, or a rash, to call the measles hotline (1-844-944-3434) before visiting clinics or hospitals.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Alberta has become the second Canadian province, after Ontario, to cross more than 1,000 confirmed measles cases in 2025
Alberta faces a measles surge, with over 1,000 cases reported. Congenital infections are also confirmed. Experts warn of a summer spike due to increased travel. Edmonton reports new cases after a period of lull. Vaccination rates need improvement to prevent severe outcomes. Ontario has over 2,000 cases. Canada risks losing its measles elimination status if action is not taken faster. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is measles? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Situation in Ontario Health officials confirmed 24 new infections within a single day, bringing the total to 1,020 by Friday noon(June 20). Of those, 25 cases remain active. Though no deaths have been reported in Alberta , experts warn the situation is becoming more serious, particularly for vulnerable Primary and Preventive Health Services Ministry confirmed that at least one baby has been born with congenital measles . While exact numbers were not shared, officials stated there were 'fewer than five' such cases, all involving unvaccinated mothers. Additionally, 20 pregnant individuals have contracted measles, with fewer than five requiring is highly contagious but largely preventable through vaccination. Two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella ( MMR ) vaccine offer nearly complete protection. Experts say 95 percent vaccine coverage is necessary to achieve herd immunity, a benchmark many areas in Alberta still fall short James Talbot, Alberta's former chief medical officer of health, says the 1,000-case milestone is a warning sign: 'If the measures were working, we'd see the numbers going down and we wouldn't see spread to new areas. And both of those are happening.'Talbot expects a summer spike in infections as travel increases, warning that cities like Edmonton, which had avoided major outbreaks, could soon see a rise. Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported the first new Edmonton cases on Friday since early May, just a day after warning of exposures in the city, including at the Stollery Children's Hospital on June 18 and born in or after 1970 with fewer than two documented MMR doses may be at has administered more than 67,000 measles vaccine doses, a 55 percent increase over the same period last year. In the South Zone, uptake rose 130 percent. Still, health experts worry that if immunization rates don't improve, more severe outcomes such as brain damage, miscarriage, and death could to national data, between one and three in every 1,000 measles patients die. Another one in 1,000 may develop encephalitis, a potentially fatal brain the first province to pass 1,000 cases in April, now reports nearly 2,180 cases, including six congenital infections and one infant death. Combined, Ontario and Alberta now account for more than 90 percent of all measles cases in Canada this year.'If we don't act faster,' Dr. Talbot warns, 'Canada could lose its measles elimination status by October, a public health achievement held since 1998.'For now, AHS urges anyone experiencing symptoms, fever over 38.3°C, cough, red eyes, or a rash, to call the measles hotline (1-844-944-3434) before visiting clinics or hospitals.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Daily Record
Two-year-old boy found dead on camping holiday after disappearing from caravan
The toddler, who had been staying in a trailer with his family, is believed to have left their mobile home without anyone noticing. A two-year-old boy who went missing from a caravan during a family camping trip for Father's Day has tragically been found dead. The toddler, who had been staying in a trailer with his family, is believed to have left their mobile home without anyone noticing. Early on Saturday his family reported him missing while they were camping in the Manorlands area of Utah, the Summit County Sheriff's Office said. A passer-by reportedly found the boy unresponsive in a drainage or runoff ditch, around one mile downstream from where he had been camping with his family, at around 11.15am. The Sheriff's Office reported that the two-year-old was rushed to a hospital in Wyoming before being moved to a Salt Lake City hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An investigation has been launched and, as reported by the Mirror, authorities are looking into when the boy was last seen alive. It is thought to have been a "tragic accident", officials have said. The Sheriff's spokesperson, Skyler Talbot, told local news outlets: "We are fairly early in the investigation. However, at this time, there's nothing to indicate this is more than a tragic accident. "We are going to be working with the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner, and we hope to have some preliminary results from them as to the cause and manner of death, hopefully in the coming days." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. It is unclear exactly how far away it was from their campsite to the water where the boy was found, but Talbot said it was within eyesight and walking distance. The spokesperson said: "It's certainly not lost on us that this is Father's Day. This is incredibly tragic. There's a mother who's lost her son; there's a father who's lost his son; and there's a grieving family. "We are going to investigate this fully, but right now, our thoughts are with the family during this time."
