Latest news with #UniversityOfStAndrews
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Nessie hunters are telling the truth! Bombshell study says those who spot the monster really are seeing something in the loch
Nessie spotters are telling the truth and really do see something in the loch, a jaw-dropping new study has revealed. But those who describe a monster with a long body forming hoops above the water may be telling porkies, the paper suggests. Experts made their findings while examining whether Nessie sightings were influenced by popular depictions of the mythical monster. What they discovered was that the stereotypical Nessie – with her body looping above the loch – is only described in a small number of sightings. And that suggests that most witnesses are being truthful, according to Charles Paxton, a statistician at the University of St Andrews, and co-author of the study. Dr Paxton said: 'The wider conclusion is that it would be wrong for people to assume that people are just making up their experiences 'I'm sure there are liars and exaggerators and things like that, but I also think that most people are reporting their own experiences. 'That doesn't mean there actually is a Loch Ness Monster, but I think witnesses, broadly speaking, are telling the truth as they've experienced it.' The loch, in the Scottish Highlands, has become synonymous with the legendary creature. The modern fascination with Nessie began in April 1933, when Aldie Mackay reported seeing a whale-like creature in the loch To see how Nessie is portrayed in popular culture, the team examined postcards depicting the mythical monster. They found that roughly 30 per cent of the sample group depicted the creature with its body looping in and out of the water. Yet only 1.5 per cent of sightings described Nessie this way. Dr Paxton said: 'There is a mismatch there. 'And that kind of implies to me that the witnesses aren't necessarily being influenced by this imagery that they see in every souvenir shop around the loch.' Those few sightings which do describe a 'hooped' Nessie are false, the researchers believe. For one thing, such a creature is 'biologically impossible', Dr Paxton said. 'It's a really inefficient way to move through water,' he explained. Some people, such as Alan McKenna, founder of Loch Ness Exploration (LNE), believes elusive 'standing waves' might explain sightings of the mythical monster Nessie sightings might just be 'standing waves' Some experts say 'standing waves' might explain sightings of the mythical monster. Alan McKenna, founder of Loch Ness Exploration, said: 'A standing wave occurs when two boat wakes of the exact same frequency and amplitude are moving in opposite directions on the loch surface. When the two boat wakes finally meet and interfere with one another the results have the potential to create a standing wave.' The peaks of standing waves, rising above the calm waters, could be mistaken for 'humps' above the surface. 'And so if people report that, they're at best mistaken or they're telling untruths.' Dr Paxton's co-author, the naturalist Adrian Shine, added: 'Basically serpents undulate laterally – horizontally – as they move through the water. 'And of course they can derive some traction from that, but not if these loops are coming out of the water. 'As a means of progression in water, it's impossible. There's nothing to push against.' Mr Shine, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and founder of the Loch Ness Project, says he is a 'sympathetic sceptic' when it comes to the monster. But he says the study lends credibility to those who claim to have seen Nessie. He said: 'Since they are not reporting the loops, which are the stereotypical depiction, their testimony is more likely to be true, sincere and well-observed than not.' He added: 'Our findings lend credibility to the witnesses. The burden of the paper is that the witnesses are not being influenced by the popular stereotype.' The mythical creature has captured the attention of people around the world for decades (artist's impression) Yet he remains doubtful that any mythical monster is behind the sightings. The true cause could be a mixture of boat wakes and birds, among other things. Dr Paxton was more circumspect on the Nessie debate. 'I think the Loch Ness Monster exists as a reported phenomenon,' he said. The new study was published in the journal Endeavour. What IS the Loch Ness Monster? Rumours of a strange creature living in the waters of Loch Ness have abounded over the decades, yet scant evidence has been found to back up these claims. One of the first sightings, believed to have fuelled modern Nessie fever, came in May 2, 1933. On this date the Inverness Courier carried a story about a local couple who claim to have seen 'an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface'. Another famous claimed sighting is a photograph taken in 1934 by Colonel Robert Kenneth Wilson. It was later exposed as a hoax by one of the participants, Chris Spurling, who, on his deathbed, revealed that the pictures were staged. Other sightings James Gray's picture from 2001 when he and friend Peter Levings were out fishing on the Loch, while namesake Hugh Gray's blurred photo of what appears to be a large sea creature was published in the Daily Express in 1933. The first reported sighting of the monster is said to have been made in AD565 by the Irish missionary St Columba when he came across a giant beast in the River Ness. But no one has ever come up with a satisfactory explanation for the sightings - although in 2019, 'Nessie expert' Steve Feltham, who has spent 24 years watching the Loch, said he thought it was actually a giant Wels Catfish, native to waters near the Baltic and Caspian seas in Europe. An online register lists more than 1,000 total Nessie sightings, created by Mr Campbell, the man behind the Official Loch Ness Monster Fan Club and is available at So what could explain these mysterious sightings? Many Nessie witnesses have mentioned large, crocodile-like scutes sitting atop the spine of the creature, leading some to believe an escaped amphibian may be to blame. Native fish sturgeons can also weigh several hundred pounds and have ridged backs, which make them look almost reptilian. Some believe Nessie is a long-necked plesiosaur - like an elasmosaur - that survived somehow when all the other dinosaurs were wiped out. Others say the sightings are down to Scottish pines dying and flopping into the loch, before quickly becoming water-logged and sinking. While submerged, botanical chemicals start trapping tiny bubbles of air.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study Finds Water Isn't the Best Drink for Hydration
For years, the common belief has been that if you need to get hydrated, water is the best bet. However, a study says that is not the case. According to CNN's Lisa Drayer, the study done by the University of St. Andrews in Scotland that compared the body's hydration responses to different drinks discovered that water did not produce the best results. Instead, it was drinks that contained a bit of protein, fat and/or sugar. Now, that's not to say that water isn't good for hydration, but there are better alternatives, the study says. Surprisingly, milk was one of those alternatives. The reasons behind that have to do with lactose, which is a sugar, and milk's protein and fat. Those three things help to slow down fluid emptying from the stomach. In addition, sodium and potassium also aid in keeping the body hydrated. The study warns that not all drinks with sugar, like juice and soda, are created equal when it comes to hydrating. Drinks that contain higher levels of concentrated sugar are found to be worse hydration methods than water. Such beverages stay in the stomach for longer, but also pull water from the body as it processes the sugar. When it comes to alcohol, stronger forms, like whiskey, for example, actually dehydrate, while beer shows better results. Coffee can be effective at hydrating, also, but that depends on how many milligrams of caffeine are consumed. The sweet spot is approximately 80 milligrams of Finds Water Isn't the Best Drink for Hydration first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 27, 2025
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Alan Cumming to receive honorary degree from University of St Andrews
Actor Alan Cumming is to receive an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews during a week of graduations for students from almost 90 countries. More than 2,200 students will gather at the University of St Andrews from June 30 for summer graduation ceremonies. Graduates from 88 different countries, including Canada, Australia and Nepal will receive their awards in the Younger Hall from June 30 to July 4. The graduation ceremony season will include nine 'distinguished individuals' honoured for their contributions to sport, politics, science, medicine and the arts. Marvel actor and The Traitors US presenter Alan Cumming will receive an honorary degree on Thursday July 3, while BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner will be presented with one on Friday July 4. Sustainability campaigner Sara Parkin and US golfer Judy Rankin will also receive the accolade during the week. Also recognised will be Russian-American scientist Eugene Koonin and political theorist and feminist writer Professor Cynthia Enloe. There is one ceremony on June 30 at 2pm, while the other ceremonies will occur twice in one day.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Actor Alan Cumming to receive honorary degree from University of St Andrews
ACTOR Alan Cumming is to receive an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews during a week of graduations for students from almost 90 countries. More than 2200 students will gather at the University of St Andrews from June 30 for summer graduation ceremonies. Graduates from 88 different countries, including Canada, Australia and Nepal will receive their awards in the Younger Hall from June 30 to July 4. READ MORE: Scottish Government removes WhatsApp from all official devices The graduation ceremony season will include nine 'distinguished individuals' honoured for their contributions to sport, politics, science, medicine and the arts. Marvel actor and The Traitors US presenter Alan Cumming will receive an honorary degree on Thursday July 3, while BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner will be presented with one on Friday July 4. Sustainability campaigner Sara Parkin and US golfer Judy Rankin will also receive the accolade during the week. Also recognised will be Russian-American scientist Eugene Koonin and political theorist and feminist writer Professor Cynthia Enloe. There is one ceremony on June 30 at 2pm, while the other ceremonies will occur twice in one day.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Comedian Alan Cumming to receive honorary degree from University of St Andrews
Actor Alan Cumming is to receive an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews during a week of graduations for students from almost 90 countries. More than 2,200 students will gather at the University of St Andrews from June 30 for summer graduation ceremonies. Graduates from 88 different countries, including Canada, Australia and Nepal will receive their awards in the Younger Hall from June 30 to July 4. The graduation ceremony season will include nine 'distinguished individuals' honoured for their contributions to sport, politics, science, medicine and the arts. Marvel actor and The Traitors US presenter Alan Cumming will receive an honorary degree on Thursday July 3, while BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner will be presented with one on Friday July 4. Sustainability campaigner Sara Parkin and US golfer Judy Rankin will also receive the accolade during the week. Also recognised will be Russian-American scientist Eugene Koonin and political theorist and feminist writer Professor Cynthia Enloe. There is one ceremony on June 30 at 2pm, while the other ceremonies will occur twice in one day.
