Latest news with #environmentalScience
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Yahoo
Man charged in murder investigation after scientist fatally injured on Dundee street
A 20-year-old man has been charged after police launched a murder investigation into the death of a scientist who was found seriously injured on a street in Dundee. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, had been found in the city's South Road at around 4:25pm on Saturday. Emergency services rushed to the scene but despite treatment from paramedics, the mother who lived in the area was pronounced dead at the scene. The force confirmed a 20-year-old man has been charged in connection to the death. 'A post-mortem has taken place and her death is now being treated as murder,' the force said on Sunday. Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, the officer in charge of the inquiry, said his thoughts are with Dr Gomo's family. Det Supt Sharp added: 'Our enquiries are continuing and I remain satisfied that the incident poses no wider risk to the public. 'At this early stage of the investigation we are following a number of lines of inquiry.' Ms Machonesa said she and Dr Gomo went their separate ways after their studies. Dr Gomo was an environmental and water resources scientist and her specialisms included water resources management, environmental sustainability, and policy. According to social media, she was employed by Scottish Water in water resources planning. She was awarded a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, where her doctorate looked at the links between the environment and policy making in the Zambezi river basin, particularly in Malawi. After her death, Dr Gomo's high school and university friend paid tribute her 'brilliance in the classroom' which 'was only matched by her emotional intelligence'. Angela Machonesa, who studied with her at Chinhoyi High School and the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, said in a social media post: 'She was the kind of person you'd go to when you needed clarity, not just of mind, but of heart. She listened. She cared. She uplifted. 'No wonder she went on to earn her PhD. It was only natural. Her path was written in the stars long ago. To serve. To lead. To heal. And she was doing just that. 'But now, that dream, our Fortune's dream, has been violently, senselessly, stolen from us all. She added: 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise.' A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the man arrested is to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday. He said he is 'acutely aware of content circulating on social media' and urged members of the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the incident. There will be an increased police presence in the area. Witnesses and anyone with information on the incident have been asked to contact the force on 101 quoting incident number 2283 of July 5 2025. They can also speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Independent
06-07-2025
- The Independent
Man charged in murder investigation after scientist fatally injured on Dundee street
A 20-year-old man has been charged after police launched a murder investigation into the death of a scientist who was found seriously injured on a street in Dundee. Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, had been found in the city's South Road at around 4:25pm on Saturday. Emergency services rushed to the scene but despite treatment from paramedics, the mother who lived in the area was pronounced dead at the scene. The force confirmed a 20-year-old man has been charged in connection to the death. 'A post-mortem has taken place and her death is now being treated as murder,' the force said on Sunday. Detective Superintendent Peter Sharp, the officer in charge of the inquiry, said his thoughts are with Dr Gomo's family. Det Supt Sharp added: 'Our enquiries are continuing and I remain satisfied that the incident poses no wider risk to the public. 'At this early stage of the investigation we are following a number of lines of inquiry.' Ms Machonesa said she and Dr Gomo went their separate ways after their studies. Dr Gomo was an environmental and water resources scientist and her specialisms included water resources management, environmental sustainability, and policy. According to social media, she was employed by Scottish Water in water resources planning. She was awarded a PhD in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Dundee, where her doctorate looked at the links between the environment and policy making in the Zambezi river basin, particularly in Malawi. After her death, Dr Gomo's high school and university friend paid tribute her 'brilliance in the classroom' which 'was only matched by her emotional intelligence'. Angela Machonesa, who studied with her at Chinhoyi High School and the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe, said in a social media post: 'She was the kind of person you'd go to when you needed clarity, not just of mind, but of heart. She listened. She cared. She uplifted. 'No wonder she went on to earn her PhD. It was only natural. Her path was written in the stars long ago. To serve. To lead. To heal. And she was doing just that. 'But now, that dream, our Fortune's dream, has been violently, senselessly, stolen from us all. She added: 'A child will now grow up without the love and presence of a mother. A family will mourn a daughter who once lit up their home with hope and promise.' A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the man arrested is to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday. He said he is 'acutely aware of content circulating on social media' and urged members of the public not to speculate on the circumstances of the incident. There will be an increased police presence in the area. Witnesses and anyone with information on the incident have been asked to contact the force on 101 quoting incident number 2283 of July 5 2025. They can also speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover toxic 'forever chemicals' that can impact human FERTILITY in 98% of UK rivers
A chemical that could affect human reproduction has been found in major rivers across the UK. Researchers analysed samples from 32 rivers across the UK's four nations and found traces of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in 31 of them. TFA is a type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), a group of human-made chemicals used widely in consumer products that do not break down for thousands of years. This particular 'forever chemical' is thought to damage fertility and child development, and some experts want it to be classed as toxic for reproduction. For the study, scientists sampled five rivers in Wales, three in Northern Ireland, 13 in Scotland and 11 in the north of England. They found 98 per cent contained traces of TFA, with the highest concentration recorded on the River Kelvin in Glasgow. This concentration – 78,464ng (nanograms) per litre – is the second highest TFA river contamination ever recorded globally. The only river not to contain traces of the chemical was the River Ness, which flows from Loch Ness to the Moray Firth. 'This molecule is everywhere,' Alistair Boxall, professor of Environmental Science at the University of York, told the BBC. 'We will all be drinking water containing TFA every day – so we'll be exposed throughout our lifetime. 'It's that long-term, low level exposure that is the big concern.' Recent studies in the EU have found TFA to be widespread. It has been detected in wine and food, human blood and breast milk. In the last two decades TFA levels in drinking water in Germany have increased fourfold, and experts are trying to establish what impact it might have on human health. Authorities there have applied to the European Chemicals Agency for TFA to be classified as toxic for reproduction and harmful to the environment. They cited studies that showed TFA affects rabbit and rat foetuses. If approved, the classification could lead to recommendations about how products containing TFA should be controlled. Dangerous PFAS can enter our bloodstream Known as 'forever chemicals', PFAS are manmade and used in non-stick water-proof products and firefighting foams. They are ubiquitous, appearing in everything from cosmetics to clothing to products that scrub away grease and oil. Due to their abundance, PFAS chemicals can contaminate drinking water and cause health problems when consumed by humans. According to the US's Endocrine Society, PFAS chemicals affect our biology by mimicking fatty acids – the building blocks of fat in our bodies. They also act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) due to their ability to interfere with hormone systems. Germany currently holds the record for the highest TFA concentration ever recorded, with a sample from the Neckar River measuring 140,000ng per litre in 2016. TFA is currently found in a wide range of products including cereal, bread, pasta, some personal care products and cleaning products. It is also found in pesticides and in certain refrigerants used in air conditioners. Experts warned TFA is persistent, with no viable way to remove it from the environment, and that concentrations are expected to increase. The study, which was funded by environmental charity Fidra, concludes: 'The widespread detection of TFA in UK water samples provides compelling evidence of the presence of TFA and PFAS in UK waterways. 'These data should be further analysed to try and establish the drivers of TFA contamination in UK surface waters and routes for source control should be prioritised.' The team added: 'We urgently need a PFAS restriction to prevent further contamination of forever chemicals.' Currently there are no rules or regulations in place to identify or reduce the concentrations of TFA either in the environment or in drinking water supplies in the UK. The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), which monitors and regulates drinking water quality in England and Wales, has just commissioned its own research. 'The information signposted by the University of York suggests that TFA can be formed from the degradation of PFAS-containing pesticides,' Ann Bunting, Principal Inspector at the DWI, said. 'It is important that the fate of pesticides and other chemicals in the environment is understood, in order to protect drinking water sources.' A spokesman for Water UK, which represents the UK's water companies, said: 'We want to see PFAS, including TFA, banned and the development of a national plan to remove it from the environment which should be paid for by manufacturers.' The 31 rivers found to contain toxic 'forever chemicals' Northern Ireland River Bann River Cusher River Lagan Scotland River Dee River Don River Nith River Tay River Ythan River Almond River Kelvin Kilmarnock Water River Forth River Helmsdale River Thurso River Wick England River Blyth River Derwent (Northumberland) River Tyne River Wear River Wansbeck River Aire River Calder River Colne River Foss River Ouse River Derwent (Yorkshire) Wales Cardiff Bay Melingruffydd stream River Ogmore Roath Park Brook River Taff
