Latest news with #UniversityofBrighton
BBC News
11-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
University of Brighton researchers to host inclusive swim session
Researchers from the University of Brighton are to hold an inclusive open water swimming session to focus on making blue spaces, such as seas, lakes and pools, more accessible to people with sight session will take place at Sea Lanes in Brighton on 11 June, starting at 10:30 for the event have been extended to all adults with visual impairments from across Sadie Rockliffe said: "Nature and wellness spaces are often designed with sight in mind – assuming visual appreciation as the main form of engagement. But many people, even sighted swimmers, close their eyes in the water." Outdoor swimming is increasingly recognised for its health and wellbeing benefits, many blue spaces remain inaccessible to people with visual impairments, the university said. It added that blue spaces are often designed with sightedness as the can overlook the importance of other senses – such as touch, sound, rhythm, and temperature – which are essential for many swimmers, with or without Rockliffe added: "My research explores how blue spaces can be experienced through touch, sound, rhythm, and movement, but also through the materials and supports that make interdependence (the dependence of two or more people or things on each other) possible. "It's not just about swimming – it's about creating space for people to explore and enjoy something many take for granted, in ways that feel welcoming, supported, and open to different ways of being."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Student wins international award for AI injury prediction platform
A student has won an international award for creating an AI platform that predicts injuries in elite athletes. Abdulmalik Alshamari, a first-year software engineering student at the University of Brighton, developed Champions Hub, a web-based platform that uses open-access player data and a custom-built algorithm to predict injury risks with more than 80 per cent accuracy. Advertisement The system analyses nine key metrics, including fatigue, workload, recovery, and training load, to detect early warning signs of injury. Even in its development phase, the platform has shown remarkable predictive power. Abdulmalik's Champions Hub correctly predicted Gabriel Jesus injury in January (Image: University of Brighton) It correctly forecast a 71 per cent injury risk for Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus just eight days before his season-ending injury in January. It also accurately predicted injuries for Real Madrid defenders Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão just four days before they occurred. Over the past four seasons, clubs in Europe's top five football leagues have suffered more than 14,000 injuries, costing an estimated €2.3 billion. Advertisement Champions Hub aims to reduce these losses by helping teams proactively manage player health. Abdulmalik's innovation recently won second place for sustainability at the prestigious AI League, a global sports tech challenge featuring more than 1,800 participants from 20 countries and more than 600 advanced submissions. Abdulmalik, who moved from Saudi Arabia to Brighton to study his degree, was awarded 100,000 SAR (approximately £21,000) to further develop the platform. He said: "This platform isn't just about technology—it's about protecting athletes, saving clubs money, and using AI for good. Advertisement "Since arriving in Brighton, I've felt empowered not just as a student, but as a solution builder. "The support and environment here have helped me turn an idea into a global solution." Jennie Harding, senior lecturer and course leader of software engineering at the University of Brighton, praised Abdulmalik's achievement. She said: "These are the kind of practical, real-world problems that we love to see students thinking about and helping to solve. "At Brighton, we are proud to develop students who will tackle global challenges through technology. "What Abdulmalik has achieved in just his first year in the university is nothing short of remarkable and we're excited to see what he does next." Abdulmalik hopes to pilot his platform with professional teams in Europe and across the world, especially in the Middle East where he's from.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brighton and Hove health survey 'not an easy read', director says
Brighton and Hove's largest ever health survey is "not an easy read" as it shows "inequalities affecting our communities", the council's director of public health Counts – conducted by Brighton & Hove City Council's public health team and the University of Brighton – is carried out once every survey showed that 56% of adults living in the most deprived areas of the city were in good or better health - compared to 76% in the least deprived Vass, the council's director of public health, said: "The findings are not an easy read, [they are] covering sensitive areas and evidencing health inequalities affecting our communities - while recognising their strengths and resilience." The survey found:25% of those living in the most deprived areas smoked, compared to 9% of those living in the least deprived areas37% of those in the most deprived areas drank alcohol at increasing, higher risk or possible dependence level (combined) rates compared to 48% living in the least deprived areas65% of those living in the most deprived areas of the city did less than 30 minutes of sport and fitness activity in the last week, compared to 48% living in the least deprived areas69% of people thought they were in good, very good or excellent health, but 24% recorded a low happiness score20% had taken drugs not prescribed to them and not available at a chemist or pharmacy in the last 12 months19% of those who gambled experienced at least one gambling-related harm37% were a healthy weight, 36% were overweight and 25% were obese The survey, which was carried out between March and April 2024, received responses from more than 16,500 people - representing 7.2% of the city's population aged 18 or answered questions on topics including general health, emotional wellbeing and alcohol and drug the first time, the 2024 survey also included questions on gambling-related harm, suicidal thoughts, harassment and hate results will inform the city's Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and strategies to improve health and reduce inequalities.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Study reveals psychological impact of ghosting and gaslighting
Being ghosted or gaslit may trigger depression and paranoia among young people, a study has revealed. Ghosting is the act of cutting off all contact, while gaslighting is a term used when someone is made to question their perception of reality. The psychological effects and mental health toll of these actions in romantic relationships have now been studied by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Researchers surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, to explore how these subtle but damaging behaviours - such as suddenly cutting off all contact, manipulating someone to question their own reality, or attempting to control a partner's routine - are connected to mental health issues like depression and paranoid thinking. 'The digital age has provided enormous opportunity for social connections but also comes with some risks. Ghosting, in particular, is almost exclusively enacted in online settings,' Professor Rusi Jaspal, co-author and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton, said. 'As the use of social media and dating apps grows, so too does the risk of encountering harmful behaviours like ghosting, which our research links to poorer mental health outcomes.' The survey revealed there are clear links between these behaviours and poor mental health. Researchers found ghosting and coercive control were both linked to increased feelings of paranoia. Similarly, gaslighting was linked to symptoms of depression. Study authors accounted for people's age, income and personality traits like how sensitive they are to rejection and uncertainty - two traits researchers explain are also associated with poor mental health. Younger people and those with lower incomes were particularly at risk of experiencing poor mental health as a result of gaslighting or ghosting. Researchers suggested this added to the growing concern that dating app culture may be contributing to a mental health crisis. The study highlights how romantic relationships, even those that do not involve physical violence, can still affect mental wellbeing. Study authors concluded there is a need for effective psychological interventions that support victims of abusive relationship behaviours to cope with the 'distress' associated with gaslighting and ghosting. They hope that this could 'prevent the onset of depression and paranoid ideation'. Researchers suggested cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could help individuals manage the distress associated with experiences like ghosting or gaslighting, by building resilience, self-esteem and coping strategies.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Ghosting and gaslighting could trigger depression and paranoia, study finds
Being ghosted or gaslit may trigger depression and paranoia among young people, a study has revealed. Ghosting is the act of cutting off all contact, while gaslighting is a term used when someone is made to question their perception of reality. The psychological effects and mental health toll of these actions in romantic relationships have now been studied by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Researchers surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, to explore how these subtle but damaging behaviours - such as suddenly cutting off all contact, manipulating someone to question their own reality, or attempting to control a partner's routine - are connected to mental health issues like depression and paranoid thinking. 'The digital age has provided enormous opportunity for social connections but also comes with some risks. Ghosting, in particular, is almost exclusively enacted in online settings,' Professor Rusi Jaspal, co-author and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton, said. 'As the use of social media and dating apps grows, so too does the risk of encountering harmful behaviours like ghosting, which our research links to poorer mental health outcomes.' The survey revealed there are clear links between these behaviours and poor mental health. Researchers found ghosting and coercive control were both linked to increased feelings of paranoia. Similarly, gaslighting was linked to symptoms of depression. Study authors accounted for people's age, income and personality traits like how sensitive they are to rejection and uncertainty - two traits researchers explain are also associated with poor mental health. Younger people and those with lower incomes were particularly at risk of experiencing poor mental health as a result of gaslighting or ghosting. Researchers suggested this added to the growing concern that dating app culture may be contributing to a mental health crisis. The study highlights how romantic relationships, even those that do not involve physical violence, can still affect mental wellbeing. Study authors concluded there is a need for effective psychological interventions that support victims of abusive relationship behaviours to cope with the 'distress' associated with gaslighting and ghosting. They hope that this could 'prevent the onset of depression and paranoid ideation'. Researchers suggested cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could help individuals manage the distress associated with experiences like ghosting or gaslighting, by building resilience, self-esteem and coping strategies.
