inews--2020-05-26--Pick For Britain jobs near me: how to apply for UK fruit picking jobs following Government appeal

Pick For Britain jobs near me : how to apply for UK fruit picking jobs following Government appeal A new farming campaign is here to offer work for those who have lost their jobs because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic This is what you need to know about signing up to pick fruit and veg ( Photo : Shutterstock ) A new government website , Pick for Britain , aims to connect those who have found themselves without work due to coronavirus and farms who are facing labour shortages .
This is everything you need to know , from what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
What is the campaign ?
The Pick for Britain website states : “ Pick for Britain helps bring workers and employers together and ensures the UK can continue to deliver the best quality British fruit and veg for everyone to enjoy .
The website explains that “ some of the work will depend on the weather , so flexibility in terms of hours you work will be required ” and that “ a good level of fitness is usually required ” .
What work is available ?
There are four main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , depending on the farm you apply to .
Picking will include working outside in the fields , in polytunnels or glasshouses , picking fruit and vegetables such as strawberries , apples , peppers and asparagus .
What are hours and pay like ?
This is what you need to know in regards to questions you might have about things like pay , hours and training : Those working on the farms will be classed as key workers by the government , which means that you will be able to travel to and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still be able to attend their local school as a child of a key worker .
Furloughed workers can sign up for Pick for Britain as long as their contract with their current employer allows it , or their employer agrees .
How to sign up ?
To see what jobs are available , just head to the jobs section of the Pick for Britain website here .
You ’ ll then be able to see a list of available jobs - click on the job you ’ re interested in and you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that specific employer .
If you own a farm or small business and need to advertise individual jobs , you can use the government ’ s free ‘ find a job ’ service to advertise your vacancies to those looking for work .

A new government website, Pick for Britain, aims to connect those who have found themselves without work due to coronavirus and farms who are facing labour shortages.
This is everything you need to know, from what work is available to how to sign up.
What is the campaign?
The Pick for Britain website states: “Pick for Britain helps bring workers and employers together and ensures the UK can continue to deliver the best quality British fruit and veg for everyone to enjoy.
“Here, you will find growers, recruiters, and agencies that have job opportunities across the country.”
There is a wide range of roles available to choose from, varying from business to business.
The website explains that “some of the work will depend on the weather, so flexibility in terms of hours you work will be required” and that “a good level of fitness is usually required”.
The campaign is in partnership with:
Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
Association of Labour Providers
British Growers
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
National Farmers Union
What work is available?
There are four main types of work you could be undertaking, depending on the farm you apply to.
Picking will include working outside in the fields, in polytunnels or glasshouses, picking fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, apples, peppers and asparagus.
Packing will involve working in a packhouse to sort the fruit or vegetables and pack into units, ready for distribution.
Plant husbandry is all about keeping plants and farms healthy, and will require tasks such as planting, weeding, plant management and maintenance.
Farms may also have vacancies for workers to operate forklifts, tractors and vans.
What are hours and pay like?
This is what you need to know in regards to questions you might have about things like pay, hours and training:
Pay: your pay will be dependent on your employer and the time of work you do – however, you will always be paid at leads the national minimum/living wage
Hours: farms tend to work from first thing in the morning under mid-late afternoon, with packing done in shifts that can carry on until later in the day. Your hours will, again, be dependent on the employer and the type of work, so you’ll need to discuss this with the farm you apply to
Training: where necessary, full training will be given to individuals
Age: you’ll need to be at least 18 years old to work on the farms, but depending on the farm there may be some roles available for those as young as 16
Those working on the farms will be classed as key workers by the government, which means that you will be able to travel to and from work, and your children may still be able to attend their local school as a child of a key worker.
Furloughed workers can sign up for Pick for Britain as long as their contract with their current employer allows it, or their employer agrees.
Individual farms may also offer volunteer positions.
How to sign up?
To see what jobs are available, just head to the jobs section of the Pick for Britain website here.
You can narrow your search to England, Scotland or Wales, or alternatively do a national search instead.
You’ll then be able to see a list of available jobs – click on the job you’re interested in and you’ll be taken to the website for that specific employer.
From there, you’ll see the details of how to apply for that role on the individual websites.
Information for employers
If you own a farm or small business and need to advertise individual jobs, you can use the government’s free ‘find a job’ service to advertise your vacancies to those looking for work.
If you are a GLAA licensed recruitment company, or a grower, that has their own employment website, then Pick for Britain can add a link to your website on the jobs page.
You can submit your request for this on the Pick for Britain website by filling out the short online form.
The form requires the following information:


inews--2020-05-26--When is the next UK lockdown review? Date the Government will review coronavirus rules - and what to

When is the next UK lockdown review? Date the Government will review coronavirus rules - and what to expect

When is the next UK lockdown review ?
Date the Government will review coronavirus rules - and what to expect The government has asked SAGE to examine whether it can safely change regulations to allow people to expand their household group Lockdown measures are now slowly starting to ease across the UK , with the Prime Minister announcing the first few changes to guidance in a national address on 10 May .
The changes announced in England included allowing unlimited amounts of exercise , sunbathing in local parks , outdoors picnics , driving to other destinations for day trips , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to meet in a public place , providing a two metre distance is maintained .
When is the next lockdown review ?
This means the next review should take place on Thursday 28 May , with any amendments likely to be enforced a few days later , most likely on 1 June .
What changes are likely to be made ?
The next review will first consider the effects of the changes made at the last review , with any further amendments to be warranted by the current alert level .
The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next step will be made no earlier than Monday 1 June , subject to it being safe to do so .
Schools could begin to reopen for more children from 1 June , with the government expecting pupils to be able to return to early years settings , and for Reception , Year 1 and Year 6 to be back in school in smaller sizes , from this point .
The government is due to issue further guidance on how this will be approached , including which businesses will be covered in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Will visiting family and friends be allowed ?
Currently , in England people can meet with one person from a different household in a public place , providing social distancing is maintained , but visiting the homes of family and friends is still not allowed .
However , the government has asked SAGE to examine whether it can safely change regulations to allow people to expand their household group to include another household in the same exclusive group .
The intention of this would be to allow those who are isolated some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting some families to return to work , by permitting the sharing of childcare .
What restrictions are currently in place ?
People are still urged to work from home for the `` foreseeable future '' , but those who can not do so are allowed to travel to work if their workplaces are open .
Meeting one person from a different household in a public place is allowed , providing they maintain a two metre distance , and people can enjoy unlimited amounts of exercise , along with day trips to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May , Scotland has abandoned its cap on daily exercise , but Scots have been warned against meeting up in groups at parks or beaches , and to avoid sunbathing , picnics and barbecues .

Lockdown measures are now slowly starting to ease across the UK, with the Prime Minister announcing the first few changes to guidance in a national address on 10 May.
Boris Johnson unveiled the government’s three-phase plan to bring the country out of lockdown, outlining a “road map for reopening society”.
The changes announced in England included allowing unlimited amounts of exercise, sunbathing in local parks, outdoors picnics, driving to other destinations for day trips, and permitting one person from different households to meet in a public place, providing a two metre distance is maintained.
The new guidance only applies in England, as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are adopting their own approach to the next phase of lockdown.
When is the next lockdown review?
The government must review lockdown measures every three weeks, with the next update due to take place nine weeks after lockdown began on 23 March.
The last review was held on 7 May, with Mr Johnson making changes to the rules three days later on 10 May.
This means the next review should take place on Thursday 28 May, with any amendments likely to be enforced a few days later, most likely on 1 June.
What changes are likely to be made?
The next review will first consider the effects of the changes made at the last review, with any further amendments to be warranted by the current alert level.
The government’s current aim is that the next step will be made no earlier than Monday 1 June, subject to it being safe to do so.
The current planning assumption for England is that the second step may include the following measures:
A phased return for schools
Schools could begin to reopen for more children from 1 June, with the government expecting pupils to be able to return to early years settings, and for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 to be back in school in smaller sizes, from this point.
Opening non-essential retail
If it is safe to do so, non-essential retailers will reopen in phases from 1 June.
The government is due to issue further guidance on how this will be approached, including which businesses will be covered in each phase, along with the timeframes involved.
Permitting cultural and sporting events
Cultural and sporting events could be allowed to take place behind closed doors for broadcast, while avoiding the risk of large-scale social contact.
Reopening more local public transport
More local public transport in urban areas will be reopened, subject to strict measures to limit the risk of infection.
Will visiting family and friends be allowed?
The government is considering a range of options to help ease social restrictions.
Currently, in England people can meet with one person from a different household in a public place, providing social distancing is maintained, but visiting the homes of family and friends is still not allowed.
However, the government has asked SAGE to examine whether it can safely change regulations to allow people to expand their household group to include another household in the same exclusive group.
The intention of this would be to allow those who are isolated some more social contact, as well as supporting some families to return to work, by permitting the sharing of childcare.
What restrictions are currently in place?
These are the lockdown measures currently in place across the UK’s four nations.
England
People are still urged to work from home for the “foreseeable future”, but those who cannot do so are allowed to travel to work if their workplaces are open.
Meeting one person from a different household in a public place is allowed, providing they maintain a two metre distance, and people can enjoy unlimited amounts of exercise, along with day trips to other destinations within England.
Visiting and sunbathing in local parks is also allowed, as well as outdoor picnics, providing social distancing guidelines are followed.
Scotland
As of 11 May, Scotland has abandoned its cap on daily exercise, but Scots have been warned against meeting up in groups at parks or beaches, and to avoid sunbathing, picnics and barbecues.
Travel is allowed for exercise, but this should ideally be done close to the home and all unnecessary travel should still be avoided.
The ‘stay at home’ message remains, meaning people should not leave their households to visit family members or friends.
Scots have also been urged to wear a face covering, such as a scarf or homemade mask, in busy places where maintaining social distancing is difficult, including on public transport and in supermarkets.
Wales
Going outside to exercise more than once a day is now allowed, but should still be done locally and not a significant distance from the home.
The current advice on social distancing and visiting family remains the same, with the only changes being the increase in the amount of exercise and the reopening of garden centres.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is allowing groups of between four and six people who do not share a household to meet up outdoors, while maintaining social distancing.
Visits to immediate family indoors is also allowed, provided social distancing is adhered to, with the exception of those who are shielding.
People can travel up to five kilometres from their home to exercise, while those who have been staying at home under all circumstances can leave their homes for exercise or a drive, providing they avoid contact with other people.
Outdoor spaces and public sports amenities will now start to reopen.


inews--2020-05-26--What's on TV tonight: David Olusoga returns to trace the history of a house in Bristol in A House Th

What's on TV tonight: David Olusoga returns to trace the history of a house in Bristol in A House Through Time

What 's on TV tonight : David Olusoga returns to trace the history of a house in Bristol in A House Through Time Also , hosts present live from their homes for the new series of Springwatch as The A Word continues Pick of the day : A House Through Time David Olusoga returns to trace the history of another single dwelling , this time in his adopted city of Bristol – and Number 10 Guinea Street reveals a particularly rich and fascinating past .
The clue ’ s in the name , the street having been built in 1718 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the slave trade from Africa .
Other tenants include another slave-shipper , who was captured by pirates , as well as a political satirist called John Shebbeare , who was notorious enough to feature in a Hogarth cartoon .
All that and the tragic tale of a foundling – you wonder how the current owners feel about their home ’ s often nefarious history .
Lockdown seems ironically to have brought many of us closer to nature this glorious ( weather-wise ) spring , but the corona-crisis brings its own logistical headaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ format has the presenters broadcasting live from near their homes .
Chris Packham is joined by his stepdaughter , zoologist Megan McCubbin , with whom he ’ s been self-isolating in the New Forest ; Iolo William is in west Wales , and Gillian Burke is at the Beaver Project in Cornwall .
They are joined tonight by Steve Backshall at his home on the banks of the Thames , while Michaela Strachan calls in from South Africa – where it ’ s currently autumn .
Bake Off : The Professionals is back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Channel 4 ) Despite Liam Charles and Tom Allen ’ s best efforts , this Bake Off spin-off lacks the charm or viewer investment of watching amateurs excelling themselves .
Instead we have 12 new teams of professional duos mostly failing to meet the exacting standards of the extremely French Benoit Blin and his intimidating co-judge Cherish Finden .
Six teams begin by creating 24 identical strawberry tarts and a fruit salad with the inevitable “ twist ” .
Alison ( Morven Christie ) organises a sponsored walk to raise money for Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode of Peter Bowker ’ s sensitively written “ autism drama ” .
Volunteering brings the family back together , but on the day , Joe ( Max Vento ) refuses to leave his room , the pressure of being the centre of attention proving too much for him .
In different circumstances you might call this docuseries about “ the country ’ s most unique hotel brand ” a free advertisement .
Now it seems redundant ( or furloughed , like a fair few staff no doubt ) – Yew Lodge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering the double coronavirus whammy of serving East Midlands Airport .
When this was filmed , however , manager Heather was fighting off the incursion of rival hotel chains by instigating some new attractions – which included a spaceship and Victorian-themed escape rooms .
Part two of the comedians ’ journey into leather on willow , as Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan continue their trip to follow England on their Test tour of South Africa .
As the match they find themselves watching comes to a dramatic finale , will the excitement be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport is worth his attention ?

Pick of the day: A House Through Time
9pm, BBC2
David Olusoga returns to trace the history of another single dwelling, this time in his adopted city of Bristol – and Number 10 Guinea Street reveals a particularly rich and fascinating past. The clue’s in the name, the street having been built in 1718 by a sea captain who was enriched by the slave trade from Africa. Other tenants include another slave-shipper, who was captured by pirates, as well as a political satirist called John Shebbeare, who was notorious enough to feature in a Hogarth cartoon. All that and the tragic tale of a foundling – you wonder how the current owners feel about their home’s often nefarious history.
Springwatch 2020
8pm, BBC2
Lockdown seems ironically to have brought many of us closer to nature this glorious (weather-wise) spring, but the corona-crisis brings its own logistical headaches for the Springwatch team. A revised format has the presenters broadcasting live from near their homes. Chris Packham is joined by his stepdaughter, zoologist Megan McCubbin, with whom he’s been self-isolating in the New Forest; Iolo William is in west Wales, and Gillian Burke is at the Beaver Project in Cornwall. They are joined tonight by Steve Backshall at his home on the banks of the Thames, while Michaela Strachan calls in from South Africa – where it’s currently autumn.
Bake Off: The Professionals
8pm, Channel 4
Despite Liam Charles and Tom Allen’s best efforts, this Bake Off spin-off lacks the charm or viewer investment of watching amateurs excelling themselves. Instead we have 12 new teams of professional duos mostly failing to meet the exacting standards of the extremely French Benoit Blin and his intimidating co-judge Cherish Finden. Six teams begin by creating 24 identical strawberry tarts and a fruit salad with the inevitable “twist”.
The A Word
9pm, BBC1
Alison (Morven Christie) organises a sponsored walk to raise money for Joe’s class, in the latest episode of Peter Bowker’s sensitively written “autism drama”. Volunteering brings the family back together, but on the day, Joe (Max Vento) refuses to leave his room, the pressure of being the centre of attention proving too much for him.
A Very British Hotel Chain: Inside Best Western
9pm, Channel 4
In different circumstances you might call this docuseries about “the country’s most unique hotel brand” a free advertisement. Now it seems redundant (or furloughed, like a fair few staff no doubt) – Yew Lodge, just off the M1 in Leicestershire, suffering the double coronavirus whammy of serving East Midlands Airport. When this was filmed, however, manager Heather was fighting off the incursion of rival hotel chains by instigating some new attractions – which included a spaceship and Victorian-themed escape rooms.
Rob & Romesh vs Cricket: The Test
9pm, Sky One
Part two of the comedians’ journey into leather on willow, as Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan continue their trip to follow England on their Test tour of South Africa. As the match they find themselves watching comes to a dramatic finale, will the excitement be enough to persuade cricket-sceptic Beckett that the sport is worth his attention?


inews--2020-05-26--Not all children grow out of being 'picky eaters' and efforts to change the habit may make it worse,

Not all children grow out of being 'picky eaters' and efforts to change the habit may make it worse, study finds

Not all children grow out of being 'picky eaters ' and efforts to change the habit may make it worse , study finds A study in the US found that children can become established fussy eaters by age four Not all children grow out of being 'picky eaters ' , according to research conducted in the US ( Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty ) Not all children grow out of being “ picky eating ” and parents ’ efforts to change the habit may have the opposite effect , a study has found .
According to research in the US journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eaters by age four .
Families reported on children 's eating habits and mothers ' behaviours and attitudes about feeding when children were four , five , six , eight and nine .
Families reported on children 's eating habits and mothers ' behaviours and attitudes about feeding ( Photo : LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty ) It found that picky eating was stable from preschool to school-age , suggesting that any attempts to expand food preferences may need to occur when children are toddlers to be most effective .
Senior author Megan Pesch , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children 's Hospital , said : `` Picky eating is common during childhood and parents often hear that their children will eventually 'grow out of it . '
But that 's not always the case.
” The pickiest eaters often experienced increased pressure to eat certain types of foods and stay away from others .
The authors of the study said this backed up previous research suggesting pressuring children to eat foods they dislike does not lead to a well-rounded diet later in life or encourage better health or development .
Dr Pesch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were pickier had mothers who reported more restriction of unhealthy foods and sweets .
`` These mothers of picky eaters may be trying to shape their children 's preferences for more palatable and selective diets to be more healthful .
But it may not always have the desired effect . ''
It is unknown if children who are picky eaters would have become even more selective if they did not receive higher levels of controlling feeding behaviors .
Dr Pesch said there was a silver lining for parents because while research found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ index , most are still in the healthy range and not underweight .
`` We still want parents to encourage varied diets at young ages , but our study suggests that they can take a less controlling approach , '' she said .

Not all children grow out of being “picky eating” and parents’ efforts to change the habit may have the opposite effect, a study has found.
According to research in the US journal Pediatrics, children can become established picky eaters by age four.
The study followed 317 low-income mothers and their children over a four-year period.
Families reported on children’s eating habits and mothers’ behaviours and attitudes about feeding when children were four, five, six, eight and nine.
Common issue
It found that picky eating was stable from preschool to school-age, suggesting that any attempts to expand food preferences may need to occur when children are toddlers to be most effective.
Senior author Megan Pesch, a paediatrician at Michigan Medicine C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, said: “Picky eating is common during childhood and parents often hear that their children will eventually ‘grow out of it.’ But that’s not always the case.”
The pickiest eaters often experienced increased pressure to eat certain types of foods and stay away from others.
The authors of the study said this backed up previous research suggesting pressuring children to eat foods they dislike does not lead to a well-rounded diet later in life or encourage better health or development.
Eating restrictions
Dr Pesch said: “We found that children who were pickier had mothers who reported more restriction of unhealthy foods and sweets.
“These mothers of picky eaters may be trying to shape their children’s preferences for more palatable and selective diets to be more healthful. But it may not always have the desired effect.”
It is unknown if children who are picky eaters would have become even more selective if they did not receive higher levels of controlling feeding behaviors.
Dr Pesch said there was a silver lining for parents because while research found fussy eaters have a lower body mass index, most are still in the healthy range and not underweight.
“We still want parents to encourage varied diets at young ages, but our study suggests that they can take a less controlling approach,” she said.
She added that more research was needed “to better understand how children’s limited food choices impact healthy weight gain and growth long term”.


inews--2020-05-26--Top universities say they would have to admit large numbers of students with low or no grades to hit

Top universities say they would have to admit large numbers of students with low or no grades to hit access targets Even if privileged students were capped , universities would have to admit students with low grades to hit targets , the Russell Group says On current trends , academically selective universities would have to admit large numbers of students with low grades or no qualifications to hit targets for evening up participation - even if privileged students are capped - the Russell Group has claimed ( Photo : Dan Kitwood/Getty ) Top universities might have to admit large numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no qualifications at all in order to meet official targets for widening access to higher education , it has been warned .
The elite Russell Group of universities said that unless there was a major change in wider society , targets to eliminate the gap between people from rich and poor families going to university will be missed .
The Office for Students watchdog has set a target to even up participation at the most academically selective universities .
Within twenty years it wants to completely eliminate the current gap between students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the most highly represented areas going to these universities .
However , according to a report by the Russell Group , even if student numbers from the most privileged backgrounds were capped , universities would still have to increase the numbers coming from the least privileged areas by 640 per cent in 20 years .
To hit the target universities would therefore have to admit large numbers of students with low grades and some with no academic qualifications , the report says .
While the group recognised that universities would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they said that a `` wider drive '' was needed in society to tackle inequality right from children ’ s earliest years .
“ To eliminate gaps in access to university , work needs to start much earlier in the education lifecycle , ” the report says .
“ A focus solely on university admissions will not address embedded inequalities .
What universities can do is only part of the picture.
” However , the report could lead to accusations that elite universities are seeking to offload their responsibilities for widening access .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and participation at the OfS , said : “ The current crisis has revealed different experiences and outcomes across our educational system , so it is more important than ever to make progress on tackling inequality in higher education .
”

Top universities might have to admit large numbers of students with low grades and some with no qualifications at all in order to meet official targets for widening access to higher education, it has been warned.
The elite Russell Group of universities said that unless there was a major change in wider society, targets to eliminate the gap between people from rich and poor families going to university will be missed.
The Office for Students watchdog has set a target to even up participation at the most academically selective universities.
Within twenty years it wants to completely eliminate the current gap between students from the most under-represented areas and those from the most highly represented areas going to these universities.
‘Wider drive’
However, according to a report by the Russell Group, even if student numbers from the most privileged backgrounds were capped, universities would still have to increase the numbers coming from the least privileged areas by 640 per cent in 20 years.
To hit the target universities would therefore have to admit large numbers of students with low grades and some with no academic qualifications, the report says.
While the group recognised that universities would have to play their part in widening access, they said that a “wider drive” was needed in society to tackle inequality right from children’s earliest years.
“To eliminate gaps in access to university, work needs to start much earlier in the education lifecycle,” the report says.
‘Embedded inequalities’
“A focus solely on university admissions will not address embedded inequalities. What universities can do is only part of the picture.”
However, the report could lead to accusations that elite universities are seeking to offload their responsibilities for widening access.
Chris Millward, director for fair access and participation at the OfS, said: “The current crisis has revealed different experiences and outcomes across our educational system, so it is more important than ever to make progress on tackling inequality in higher education.”


inews--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: One in five students want universities to push start date back to January

Coronavirus : One in five students want universities to push start date back to January Eighteen per cent said they did not want to start in September if they can not be on campus One in five students think that universities should push their start date back to January because of the coronavirus crisis , a survey has found .
While some universities have announced that they are delaying the 2020-21 academic year by a few weeks , most have said they plan to start the new year at the normal time in the autumn .
But a survey by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myunichoices website found that 21 per cent of students said universities should delay their start to January .
Eighteen per cent said they did not want to start in September if they can not be on campus .
Newcastle University is among a number of Russell Group institutions which expect to deliver a 'combination of online and face-to-face on-campus learning activities ' in the next academic year ( Photo : Ian Forsyth/Getty ) Amid continuing uncertainty about what form tuition will take next year , a fifth of students ( 19 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer value for money .
Eighty-nine per cent said their school or college is not giving them the advice they need so parents are having to act as careers advisors .
Fifty per cent said the university admissions service UCAS is not offering them the information they need to be able to make the right decisions .
The Office for Students has called on universities to provide clarity to applicants this summer about what sort of teaching they will receive next year .
With universities already having to contend with a predicted collapse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also choose to stay away in the autumn it could be disastrous for the higher education sector .
According to the poll , only 7 per cent of students say they will definitely defer .
However , more than a third ( 37 per cent ) said they have not made their minds up yet about what they will do next year .
Professor Alan Smithers , director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham , said : “ The fact that one in five of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t go if they can ’ t start on campus spells financial freefall for the universities , particularly the less popular .
“ There were already difficulties due to the drop in the number of 18-year-olds and the travel problems of overseas students , but coronavirus could be the final straw .
We are likely to see a significant reorganisation of the sector . ''

One in five students think that universities should push their start date back to January because of the coronavirus crisis, a survey has found.
While some universities have announced that they are delaying the 2020-21 academic year by a few weeks, most have said they plan to start the new year at the normal time in the autumn.
But a survey by One Poll of 1,000 18-year-olds for the myunichoices website found that 21 per cent of students said universities should delay their start to January.
Eighteen per cent said they did not want to start in September if they cannot be on campus.
Lack of information
Amid continuing uncertainty about what form tuition will take next year, a fifth of students (19 per cent) said that virtual courses do not offer value for money.
The survey also highlighted a severe lack of information for students.
Eighty-nine per cent said their school or college is not giving them the advice they need so parents are having to act as careers advisors.
Fifty per cent said the university admissions service UCAS is not offering them the information they need to be able to make the right decisions.
Student deferrals
The Office for Students has called on universities to provide clarity to applicants this summer about what sort of teaching they will receive next year.
Last week i revealed that most members of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities are planning a “hybrid” approach mixing online and face-to-face teaching.
With universities already having to contend with a predicted collapse in international students, if UK students also choose to stay away in the autumn it could be disastrous for the higher education sector.
According to the poll, only 7 per cent of students say they will definitely defer.
‘Financial freefall’
However, more than a third (37 per cent) said they have not made their minds up yet about what they will do next year.
Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, said: “The fact that one in five of those planning to go to university won’t go if they can’t start on campus spells financial freefall for the universities, particularly the less popular.
“There were already difficulties due to the drop in the number of 18-year-olds and the travel problems of overseas students, but coronavirus could be the final straw. We are likely to see a significant reorganisation of the sector.”
But he added that “universities that can weather the storm will emerge stronger for the experience”.


inews--2020-05-26--Microplastic particles from tyres are polluting rivers and oceans

Microplastic particles from tyres are polluting rivers and oceans Tyres emerge as a major source of plastic pollution in government-backed research study Plastic particles shed from vehicle tyres are likely to be a major source of ocean plastic pollution , according to a groundbreaking study by the University of Plymouth .
Tyre particles in the air are entering rivers and oceans from wastewater treatment centres , stormwater drains , and directly from the air , the study confirms .
They could rival textile fibres as one of the largest sources of plastic pollution , the scientists said .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metres of the river network - and more than 500 million square metres of estuaries and coastal waters - are at risk of contamination .
“ This is really one of the first studies quantifying how many tyre particles are entering the marine environment , lead author Professor Richard Thompson told i. Tyre particles can enter streams and rivers through stormwater vents ( Photo : ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty ) Prof Thompson stressed that tyre particles are not usually measured in plastic pollution studies , so they are an extra source of pollution over and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ textile fibres and microbeads .
“ It ’ s not about taking your foot off the accelerator on other sources , which we already know about , ” he said .
The study , funded by the Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs , makes clear more research is still needed to work out how far the particles travel and what harm they do to marine life .
However , Prof Thompson urged policymakers and manufacturers to start thinking about solutions - such as designing tyres which shed fewer particles - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work out what could be done to reduce these man made particles entering the environment , ” he said .
“ That would be a good precautionary thing to do anyway , and we might find that it ’ s actually cheaper to act now to stop them going in , rather than wait until we have discovered every last thing about harm .
”

Plastic particles shed from vehicle tyres are likely to be a major source of ocean plastic pollution, according to a groundbreaking study by the University of Plymouth.
Tyre particles in the air are entering rivers and oceans from wastewater treatment centres, stormwater drains, and directly from the air, the study confirms.
They could rival textile fibres as one of the largest sources of plastic pollution, the scientists said. In the UK alone, around 100 million square metres of the river network – and more than 500 million square metres of estuaries and coastal waters – are at risk of contamination.
“This is really one of the first studies quantifying how many tyre particles are entering the marine environment, lead author Professor Richard Thompson told i.
A new source
Prof Thompson stressed that tyre particles are not usually measured in plastic pollution studies, so they are an extra source of pollution over and above common sources of microplastics such as textile fibres and microbeads.
“It’s not about taking your foot off the accelerator on other sources, which we already know about,” he said.
The study, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, makes clear more research is still needed to work out how far the particles travel and what harm they do to marine life.
However, Prof Thompson urged policymakers and manufacturers to start thinking about solutions – such as designing tyres which shed fewer particles – now.
“Let’s try to work out what could be done to reduce these man made particles entering the environment,” he said. “That would be a good precautionary thing to do anyway, and we might find that it’s actually cheaper to act now to stop them going in, rather than wait until we have discovered every last thing about harm.”
Domestic Marine Minister, Rebecca Pow, said: “Reducing plastic pollution in the ocean is one of the greatest environmental challenges that we face. This study will help us face that challenge by identifying areas for future research, such as changes to roadside drainage and textile design.”


inews--2020-05-26--Coronavirus latest: Mothers disproportionately hit by school closures, job losses, furloughing and w

Coronavirus latest: Mothers disproportionately hit by school closures, job losses, furloughing and working from home

Coronavirus latest : Mothers disproportionately hit by school closures , job losses , furloughing and working from home During lockdown , mothers only been able to do a third of the uninterrupted paid-work hours of fathers Four-year-old Lois Copley-Jones , who is the photographer 's daughter , disturbs her mother Ruth , who is homeworking on the third day of the nationwide school closures on March 25 , 2020 in Newcastle Under Lyme ( Photo : Gareth Copley/Getty ) Mothers have been disproportionately hit by school closures , job losses , furloughing and the shift to working from home during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found .
Researchers from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the UCL Institute of Education surveyed 3,500 families with two opposite-gender parents to find out how they were sharing paid work and domestic responsibilities .
The study found that mothers are more likely than fathers to have left paid work since February .
Those still in paid work have seen a bigger proportional reduction in hours of work than fathers , and are also more likely than fathers to be spending their work hours simultaneously trying to care for children .
The combined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-parent households are on average only doing a third of the uninterrupted paid-work hours of fathers .
Before lockdown , mothers did around 60 per cent of the uninterrupted work hours of fathers .
The researchers said this sharp reduction in the time that mothers are spending dedicated to paid work could cause lasting harm to their careers when the lockdown is lifted .
Mothers are also 23 per cent more likely than fathers to have permanently or temporarily lost their jobs during the crisis .
Of those who were in paid work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent more likely than fathers to have permanently lost their job or quit , and 14 per cent more likely to have been furloughed .
In families where the father has lost his job while the mother kept hers , men and women split housework and childcare responsibilities fairly equally , but in all other types of households mothers spend significantly more time on domestic responsibilities .
The IFS said the lockdown could result in an increase in the gender pay gap and hit mothers ’ health .
Lucy Kraftman , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ The vast increase in the amount of childcare that mothers are doing under lockdown , which many are juggling alongside paid work , is likely to put a strain on their well-being . ''
However the study did find that lockdown has resulted in some changes in the behaviour of fathers , who have increased the time they spend on housework and childcare .
Fathers are on average now doing childcare during nearly twice as many hours as in 2014–15 .
Sonya Krutikova , deputy research director at the IFS , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes in the attitudes of fathers , mothers , children and employers about the role of fathers in meeting family needs for childcare and domestic work during the working week .

Mothers have been disproportionately hit by school closures, job losses, furloughing and the shift to working from home during the Covid-19 crisis, a study has found.
Researchers from the Institute for Fiscal Studies and the UCL Institute of Education surveyed 3,500 families with two opposite-gender parents to find out how they were sharing paid work and domestic responsibilities.
The study found that mothers are more likely than fathers to have left paid work since February.
Those still in paid work have seen a bigger proportional reduction in hours of work than fathers, and are also more likely than fathers to be spending their work hours simultaneously trying to care for children.
Harm to careers
The combined effect is that during lockdown mothers in two-parent households are on average only doing a third of the uninterrupted paid-work hours of fathers. Before lockdown, mothers did around 60 per cent of the uninterrupted work hours of fathers.
The researchers said this sharp reduction in the time that mothers are spending dedicated to paid work could cause lasting harm to their careers when the lockdown is lifted.
Mothers are also 23 per cent more likely than fathers to have permanently or temporarily lost their jobs during the crisis.
Of those who were in paid work before the lockdown, mothers are 47 per cent more likely than fathers to have permanently lost their job or quit, and 14 per cent more likely to have been furloughed.
Gender pay gap
In families where the father has lost his job while the mother kept hers, men and women split housework and childcare responsibilities fairly equally, but in all other types of households mothers spend significantly more time on domestic responsibilities.
The IFS said the lockdown could result in an increase in the gender pay gap and hit mothers’ health.
Lucy Kraftman, a research economist at the think-tank, said: “The vast increase in the amount of childcare that mothers are doing under lockdown, which many are juggling alongside paid work, is likely to put a strain on their well-being.”
Behaviour of fathers
However the study did find that lockdown has resulted in some changes in the behaviour of fathers, who have increased the time they spend on housework and childcare.
Fathers are on average now doing childcare during nearly twice as many hours as in 2014–15.
Sonya Krutikova, deputy research director at the IFS, said: “This may bring about changes in the attitudes of fathers, mothers, children and employers about the role of fathers in meeting family needs for childcare and domestic work during the working week.
“It may serve as an impetus for a more equal sharing of childcare and housework between mothers and fathers after lockdown ends.”


inews--2020-05-26--Huntington's disease changes can be detected 24 years before symptoms show

Huntington 's disease changes can be detected 24 years before symptoms show UCL researchers say their findings could help with clinical trials by pinpointing the best time to begin treatment Researchers from University College London ( UCL ) say their findings could help with clinical trials by pinpointing the best time to begin treating the disease .
Scientists would ultimately like to treat people before the genetic mutation has caused any problems , such as difficulty moving or concentrating .
However , until now , it was unknown when the first signs of damage emerged – but as there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ susceptibility , researchers have a unique opportunity to study the disease before symptoms appear .
There is currently no cure for Huntington ’ s , a hereditary neurodegenerative disease affecting around 7,000 people in the UK , but recent advances in genetic therapies hold great promise , experts believe .
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and University of Iowa were also involved in the new study , published in The Lancet Neurology .
The team investigated a large number of Huntington ’ s mutation carriers at a much younger age than previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mutation took part alongside 67 others without the mutation who served as control subjects for comparison .
The study involved the most extensive testing of Huntington ’ s ever performed , including tests of thinking , behaviour , brain scans and proteins in spinal fluid .
The mutation carriers were , on average , 24 years ahead of the predicted disease onset , based on their age and a genetic test .
They exhibited no changes in thinking , behaviour or involuntary movements commonly found in the disease , and there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But researchers did detect a subtle increase in the spinal fluid of a neuronal protein called neurofilament light ( NfL ) , which is often the product of nerve cell damage .
Just under half ( 47 per cent ) of the mutation carriers had NfL values in their spinal fluid above the range of values found in the control group , at 24 years before disease onset , suggesting the authors have identified a crucial point at which brain changes first start occurring .
NfL values correlated with predicted time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tabrizi , the study lead , said : “ Ultimately , our goal is to deliver the right drug at the right time to effectively treat this disease – ideally we would like to delay or prevent neurodegeneration while function is still intact , giving gene carriers many more years of life without impairment .
“ As the field makes great strides with the drug development , these findings provide vital new insights informing the best time to initiate treatments in the future , and represent a significant advance in our understanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the study , Dr Paul Zeun , also from UCL , said : “ We have found what could be the earliest Huntington ’ s-related changes , in a measure which could be used to monitor and gauge effectiveness of future treatments in gene carriers without symptoms .
”

The earliest brain changes due to Huntington’s disease can be detected 24 years before clinical symptoms show, according to a study.
Researchers from University College London (UCL) say their findings could help with clinical trials by pinpointing the best time to begin treating the disease.
Scientists would ultimately like to treat people before the genetic mutation has caused any problems, such as difficulty moving or concentrating. However, until now, it was unknown when the first signs of damage emerged – but as there is a genetic test for Huntington’s susceptibility, researchers have a unique opportunity to study the disease before symptoms appear.
There is currently no cure for Huntington’s, a hereditary neurodegenerative disease affecting around 7,000 people in the UK, but recent advances in genetic therapies hold great promise, experts believe.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and University of Iowa were also involved in the new study, published in The Lancet Neurology. The team investigated a large number of Huntington’s mutation carriers at a much younger age than previously examined in detail – 64 people with the mutation took part alongside 67 others without the mutation who served as control subjects for comparison.
The study involved the most extensive testing of Huntington’s ever performed, including tests of thinking, behaviour, brain scans and proteins in spinal fluid. The mutation carriers were, on average, 24 years ahead of the predicted disease onset, based on their age and a genetic test. They exhibited no changes in thinking, behaviour or involuntary movements commonly found in the disease, and there was very little evidence of brain scan changes.
Nerve cell damage
But researchers did detect a subtle increase in the spinal fluid of a neuronal protein called neurofilament light (NfL), which is often the product of nerve cell damage. Just under half (47 per cent) of the mutation carriers had NfL values in their spinal fluid above the range of values found in the control group, at 24 years before disease onset, suggesting the authors have identified a crucial point at which brain changes first start occurring. NfL values correlated with predicted time to disease onset.
UCL’s Professor Sarah Tabrizi, the study lead, said: “Ultimately, our goal is to deliver the right drug at the right time to effectively treat this disease – ideally we would like to delay or prevent neurodegeneration while function is still intact, giving gene carriers many more years of life without impairment.
“As the field makes great strides with the drug development, these findings provide vital new insights informing the best time to initiate treatments in the future, and represent a significant advance in our understanding of early Huntington’s.”
Co-first author of the study, Dr Paul Zeun, also from UCL, said: “We have found what could be the earliest Huntington’s-related changes, in a measure which could be used to monitor and gauge effectiveness of future treatments in gene carriers without symptoms.”


inews--2020-05-26--Unprecedented, BBC4, review: an impressive artistic first response to coronavirus

Unprecedented , BBC4 , review : an impressive artistic first response to coronavirus Leading playwrights , including James Graham , have produced a short series of dramas in response to the current crisis Unprecedented , a short series of dramas by a group of leading playwrights , was commissioned a week before the lockdown was announced on 23 March .
It represents an artistic first response to a situation nobody can yet fully comprehend .
Three separate pieces were squeezed into this opening half-hour slot , each featuring actors delivering their performances via video conference .
James Graham ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War ) Viral introduced us to three teenage boys unable to take their A-levels .
It bounced between their contrasting viewpoints .
Tyler worried about being unable to visit his sick grandmother ; Louie was horrified by this new age of travel restrictions and mountains of debt ; and Alex confessed he was bisexual , only to find his friends already knew .
Alex ’ s comment that coronavirus is “ like Captain America – he went in the ice and when he came out the world had changed ” summed things up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solo turn in Charlene James ’ s Penny .
He played Ray , a homeless man who had been moved into a hotel during the emergency .
He told his story direct to camera , struggling with the gadgetry to get through to his friend , the unseen Penny .
He was sceptical about why the authorities had suddenly decided he needed saving .
“ They never cared about us before , why now ?
[ ... ] People have been distancing themselves socially from me for years.
” His desperation to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered she was his dog .
The theory that every crisis is an opportunity informed John Donnelly ’ s Going Forward , which took the form of a Zoom call to discuss the delivery of some life-saving equipment .
The meeting was hosted by the bullying Siobhan ( Frances Grey ) , who couldn ’ t understand why her suppliers couldn ’ t deliver immediately .
Soon , she learned that smart technology does not always make you smart .
The BBC wants to turn BBC Four into a repeats-only channel , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case for its defence .

Unprecedented, BBC Four, 10pm ★★★★
Unprecedented, a short series of dramas by a group of leading playwrights, was commissioned by Headlong and Century Films a week before the lockdown was announced on 23 March. It represents an artistic first response to a situation nobody can yet fully comprehend.
Three separate pieces were squeezed into this opening half-hour slot, each featuring actors delivering their performances via video conference.
James Graham’s (Quiz, Brexit: The Uncivil War) Viral introduced us to three teenage boys unable to take their A-levels. It bounced between their contrasting viewpoints. Tyler worried about being unable to visit his sick grandmother; Louie was horrified by this new age of travel restrictions and mountains of debt; and Alex confessed he was bisexual, only to find his friends already knew. Alex’s comment that coronavirus is “like Captain America – he went in the ice and when he came out the world had changed” summed things up nicely.
Lennie James delivered a virtuoso solo turn in Charlene James’s Penny. He played Ray, a homeless man who had been moved into a hotel during the emergency. He told his story direct to camera, struggling with the gadgetry to get through to his friend, the unseen Penny. He was sceptical about why the authorities had suddenly decided he needed saving. “They never cared about us before, why now? […] People have been distancing themselves socially from me for years.” His desperation to see Penny was painful – especially when we discovered she was his dog.
Read More: We will all lose out if BBC Four is sacrificed for BBC Three
The theory that every crisis is an opportunity informed John Donnelly’s Going Forward, which took the form of a Zoom call to discuss the delivery of some life-saving equipment. The meeting was hosted by the bullying Siobhan (Frances Grey), who couldn’t understand why her suppliers couldn’t deliver immediately. Soon, she learned that smart technology does not always make you smart.
The BBC wants to turn BBC Four into a repeats-only channel, but innovative projects like Unprecedented make an excellent case for its defence.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-05-26--3D simulations of moment asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs show 'deadly angle', scientists say

3D simulations of moment asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs show 'deadly angle ' , scientists say The asteroid crashed into the earth at the 'deadliest ' angle of 66 degrees The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs struck the Earth at the most deadly angle , researchers believe .
Scientists have created the first 3D simulation of the moment an asteroid struck the earth at the “ deadliest angle of 66 degrees ” - an event that triggered a nuclear winter and wiped out dinosaurs .
The angle of this asteroid strike caused tonnes of sulphur to be unleashed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sun from the Earth and brought on the nuclear winter that laid waste to dinosaurs and 75 per cent of life on earth 66 million years ago .
Drawn from a combination of 3D numerical impact simulations and geophysical data from the site of the impact , the new models are the first fully 3D simulations to reproduce the event .
It charts the initial impact to the moment the final crater , now known as Chicxulub , located in present-day Mexico was formed .
The team of researchers from Imperial College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and The University of Texas at Austin , examined the shape and subsurface structure of the crater using geophysical data to feed into the simulations that helped diagnose the impact angle and direction .
Lead researcher Professor Gareth Collins , of Imperial 's Department of Earth Science and Engineering , said : `` For the dinosaurs , the worst-case scenario is exactly what happened .
The asteroid strike unleashed an incredible amount of climate-changing gases into the atmosphere , triggering a chain of events that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that it struck at one of the deadliest possible angles .
`` Our simulations provide compelling evidence that the asteroid struck at a steep angle , perhaps 60 degrees above the horizon , and approached its target from the north-east .
We know that this was among the worst-case scenarios for the lethality on impact , because it put more hazardous debris into the upper atmosphere and scattered it everywhere - the very thing that led to a nuclear winter . ''
Researchers say that while the study has given important insights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helps to understand how large craters on other planets form .

The asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs struck the Earth at the most deadly angle, researchers believe.
Scientists have created the first 3D simulation of the moment an asteroid struck the earth at the “deadliest angle of 66 degrees” – an event that triggered a nuclear winter and wiped out dinosaurs.
The angle of this asteroid strike caused tonnes of sulphur to be unleashed into the upper atmosphere.
This blocked off the sun from the Earth and brought on the nuclear winter that laid waste to dinosaurs and 75 per cent of life on earth 66 million years ago.
Now the first ever fully 3D simulations reproduce the whole dramatic event.
Simulations
Drawn from a combination of 3D numerical impact simulations and geophysical data from the site of the impact, the new models are the first fully 3D simulations to reproduce the event.
It charts the initial impact to the moment the final crater, now known as Chicxulub, located in present-day Mexico was formed.
The team of researchers from Imperial College, London, the University of Freiburg, and The University of Texas at Austin, examined the shape and subsurface structure of the crater using geophysical data to feed into the simulations that helped diagnose the impact angle and direction.
Climate-changing gases
Lead researcher Professor Gareth Collins, of Imperial’s Department of Earth Science and Engineering, said: “For the dinosaurs, the worst-case scenario is exactly what happened. The asteroid strike unleashed an incredible amount of climate-changing gases into the atmosphere, triggering a chain of events that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This was likely worsened by the fact that it struck at one of the deadliest possible angles.
“Our simulations provide compelling evidence that the asteroid struck at a steep angle, perhaps 60 degrees above the horizon, and approached its target from the north-east. We know that this was among the worst-case scenarios for the lethality on impact, because it put more hazardous debris into the upper atmosphere and scattered it everywhere – the very thing that led to a nuclear winter.”
The simulations were performed on the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) DiRAC High Performance Computing Facility.
DiRAC comprises supercomputers at Cambridge, Durham, Leicester, and Edinburgh.
Researchers say that while the study has given important insights into the dinosaur-dooming impact, it also helps to understand how large craters on other planets form.
The results are published in Nature Communications.


inews--2020-05-26--Boy, 12, keeps calm as bear stalks him during a hike in Italy

Boy , 12 , keeps calm as bear stalks him during a hike in Italy Alessandro Franzoi was filmed by his family as he tentatively walks away from the brown bear that is following him Alessandro Franzoi was praised for his composure despite being stalked by the brown bear ( Photo : Twitter/Loris Calliari @ loriscalliari ) A 12 year-old boy showed superhuman calm as he slowly evaded a bear that was stalking him during a hike in the Brenta Dolomites in northern Italy .
Alessandro Franzoi was filmed by his family as he tentatively walks away from the brown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkable calm and with some gentle encouragement from his mother 's partner he slowly makes his escape , looking back once to see the bear .
At one heartstopping moment , the animal can be seen in the background rearing up on its hind legs .
Alessandro walked away calmly from the bear ( Photo : Twitter/Loris Calliari ) Alessandro only briefly and quietly calls for his mother during the terrifying ordeal .
His ice-cool composure , has won him praise on social media with people lauding his “ courage ” .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viral , was shared on Twitter by Loris Calliari and captioned ( translated from the Italian ) : “ a meeting with @ 'bear of this morning over the Sporminore hut . ''
The family , who live in the village Sporminore , were having a walk after a picnic in the northeastern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige , in Sudtirol , when the bear began to take an interest in Alessandro .
His uncle , named as Federico , told La Stampa : `` Alessandro walked a few metres ahead of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one point we saw him coming out from the woods and being followed by the bear .
Obviously we were terrified , but he was calm.
” According to his family Alessandro had just been studying how to behave if you come across a bear in the woods while reading at home during lockdown .

A 12 year-old boy showed superhuman calm as he slowly evaded a bear that was stalking him during a hike in the Brenta Dolomites in northern Italy.
Alessandro Franzoi was filmed by his family as he tentatively walks away from the brown bear that is following him.
Showing remarkable calm and with some gentle encouragement from his mother’s partner he slowly makes his escape, looking back once to see the bear.
At one heartstopping moment, the animal can be seen in the background rearing up on its hind legs.
Terrifying
Alessandro only briefly and quietly calls for his mother during the terrifying ordeal.
His ice-cool composure, has won him praise on social media with people lauding his “courage”.
The 45-second video, which has now gone viral, was shared on Twitter by Loris Calliari and captioned (translated from the Italian): “a meeting with @ ‘bear of this morning over the Sporminore hut.”
The family, who live in the village Sporminore, were having a walk after a picnic in the northeastern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige, in Sudtirol, when the bear began to take an interest in Alessandro.
Calm
His uncle, named as Federico, told La Stampa: “Alessandro walked a few metres ahead of us in order to collect stuff and at one point we saw him coming out from the woods and being followed by the bear. Obviously we were terrified, but he was calm.”
According to his family Alessandro had just been studying how to behave if you come across a bear in the woods while reading at home during lockdown.
“Animals and forests are his passion,” added his uncle.


inews--2020-05-26--A House Through Time, BBC2, review: David Olusoga finds sinister tales of slavery behind a pleasant

A House Through Time, BBC2, review: David Olusoga finds sinister tales of slavery behind a pleasant facade

A House Through Time , BBC2 , review : David Olusoga finds sinister tales of slavery behind a pleasant facade Olusuga explored Bristol 's historic link with slavery in the first episode of the third series of this unlikely hit David Olusoga ’ s A House Through Time , which uses a single building as a keyhole through which to peer back into history , has been an unlikely hit .
Previous series visited Liverpool and Newcastle , and this time Olusoga has chosen Bristol : the city ’ s historic link with the slave trade was his theme .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street , built in 1718 by Captain Edmund Saunders , who trafficked slaves from Africa to the Caribbean .
In fact , Saunders built three houses and lived in No 11 Guinea Street , though No 10 is the only one still standing .
This was occupied by another slaving captain , Joseph Smith .
In the Slave Voyages database Olusoga found a reference to Smith buying 276 “ human beings ” in Nigeria .
The dramatic story of Smith ’ s capture by pirates and a tragic tale of a foundling baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventful address .
The later occupation of No 10 by the political writer Dr John Shebbeare triggered an appearance by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop .
However , the slavery theme resurfaced with an account of a Jamaican man named Thomas running away from the house , and gave Olusoga the chance to expatiate on the then current fashion for keeping black servants “ as fashion accessories ” .
Olusoga is a fine presenter with a gift for treating history with an accessible touch , but let ’ s hope Bristol ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series .

A House Through Time, BBC Two, 9pm ★★★★
David Olusoga’s A House Through Time, which uses a single building as a keyhole through which to peer back into history, has been an unlikely hit. Previous series visited Liverpool and Newcastle, and this time Olusoga has chosen Bristol: the city’s historic link with the slave trade was his theme.
The chosen house was No 10 Guinea Street, built in 1718 by Captain Edmund Saunders, who trafficked slaves from Africa to the Caribbean. In fact, Saunders built three houses and lived in No 11 Guinea Street, though No 10 is the only one still standing. This was occupied by another slaving captain, Joseph Smith. In the Slave Voyages database Olusoga found a reference to Smith buying 276 “human beings” in Nigeria.
The dramatic story of Smith’s capture by pirates and a tragic tale of a foundling baby proved that Olusoga had found an especially eventful address. The later occupation of No 10 by the political writer Dr John Shebbeare triggered an appearance by Private Eye editor Ian Hislop.
However, the slavery theme resurfaced with an account of a Jamaican man named Thomas running away from the house, and gave Olusoga the chance to expatiate on the then current fashion for keeping black servants “as fashion accessories”.
Olusoga is a fine presenter with a gift for treating history with an accessible touch, but let’s hope Bristol’s sinister past won’t overshadow the series.
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-05-26--Dominic Cummings has 'severely undermined trust and confidence in public health advice', opposition

Dominic Cummings has 'severely undermined trust and confidence in public health advice', opposition parties say

Dominic Cummings has 'severely undermined trust and confidence in public health advice ' , opposition parties say The leaders of the SNP , Liberal Democrats , Greens , Plaid Cymru , SDLP and Alliance held a joint conference call to co-ordinate their response The leaders of the SNP , Liberal Democrats , Greens , Plaid Cymru , SDLP and Alliance held a joint conference call to co-ordinate their response to the ongoing dispute .
They wrote to the Prime Minister and chief scientific adviser , saying : “ This issue is a now primarily a question of maintaining trust and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is now a matter of record that Mr Dominic Cummings broke multiple lockdown rules .
He is yet to express any apology or contrition for these actions .
There can not be one rule for those involved in formulating public health advice and another for the rest of us.
” Boris Johnson ’ s controversial chief adviser Dominic Cummings was unrepentant about appearing to breach lockdown rules ( Photo : Jonathan Brady/PA Wire ) Calling for more clarity in the Government ’ s messaging , the six leaders said : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be achieved by removing Dominic Cummings from his post without further delay.
” They were not joined by the Labour leader , Sir Keir Starmer , who has stopped short of demanding Mr Cummings ’ resignation so far .
The Labour MP Anna McMorrin hit out at the No 10 adviser as she revealed she had been unable to see her partner after he had a heart attack during lockdown .
She said : `` For many weeks we ’ ve all had to make intolerable sacrifices , unable to see our loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final moments . ''
David Lammy , Labour 's shadow Justice Secretary , has written to Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland demanding that he urgently clarify the lockdown rules after the row over Mr Cummings ' behaviour .
He asked whether it is now the Government 's position that parents can break the lockdown if they fall ill and are worried about being able to care for their children .

Dominic Cummings has “severely undermined trust and confidence in public health advice”, opposition leaders have claimed in a letter to Boris Johnson.
The leaders of the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and Alliance held a joint conference call to co-ordinate their response to the ongoing dispute.
They wrote to the Prime Minister and chief scientific adviser, saying: “This issue is a now primarily a question of maintaining trust and confidence in public health advice.
“It is now a matter of record that Mr Dominic Cummings broke multiple lockdown rules. He is yet to express any apology or contrition for these actions. There cannot be one rule for those involved in formulating public health advice and another for the rest of us.”
Clarity over lockdown
Calling for more clarity in the Government’s messaging, the six leaders said: “We are clear that this can now only be achieved by removing Dominic Cummings from his post without further delay.”
They were not joined by the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, who has stopped short of demanding Mr Cummings’ resignation so far.
The Labour MP Anna McMorrin hit out at the No 10 adviser as she revealed she had been unable to see her partner after he had a heart attack during lockdown.
She said: “For many weeks we’ve all had to make intolerable sacrifices, unable to see our loved ones who are unwell or in their final moments.”
Read More: Labour has held off calling for Dominic Cummings to resign because Keir Starmer knows No 10 wants to turn row into a straight political fight
David Lammy, Labour’s shadow Justice Secretary, has written to Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland demanding that he urgently clarify the lockdown rules after the row over Mr Cummings’ behaviour.
He asked whether it is now the Government’s position that parents can break the lockdown if they fall ill and are worried about being able to care for their children.


inews--2020-05-26--Dali-Theatre Museum virtual tour, review: It lurches about drunkenly, but there are astonishing work

Dali-Theatre Museum virtual tour, review: It lurches about drunkenly, but there are astonishing works to be discovered

Dali-Theatre Museum virtual tour , review : It lurches about drunkenly , but there are astonishing works to be discovered Dalí wanted the museum to be a journey into his world , writes Florence Hallett Salvador Dalí ’ s house at Portlligat on the Costa Brava is straight out of the pages of a lifestyle magazine , its sunbaked white walls dazzling in the sunshine , and light pouring in from every angle .
It was a fisherman ’ s hut when Dalí moved there in 1930 , extending it over 40 years like “ a true biological structure ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work for himself and his wife , Gala , with every window letting in a view of the sea .
The house is one point of the Dalí Triangle : another is the Gala Dalí Castle at Púbol , not far from Girona .
Dalí moved here after the death of his wife in 1982 ; in her lifetime it was her domain “ where she could reign like an absolute sovereign ” and in death it became her mausoleum .
The final point in this Catalan tour is the Theatre-Museum at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most diverse collection of works by Dalí and , with its red walls and roof-topping giant eggs , a striking addition to the skyline since its inauguration in 1974 .
It was the house at Portlligat that I wanted to visit , and though a virtual walk was advertised it is actually the Theatre-Museum at Figueres that you can visit online , though a rudimentary 3D experience of both Portlligat and Púbol is available via the Salvador Dalí website .
The Surrealist artist was born at Figueres , and the theatre , destroyed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of his childhood landscape , and the location of one of his earliest exhibitions .
Dalí wanted the museum to be a journey into his world ( Photo : PAU BARRENA/AFP/Getty ) The rebuilding of the theatre began in 1960 , in response to a request from the mayor , who asked Dalí to donate one of his artworks to the town .
Characteristically , Dali pledged a museum , saying : “ Where , if not in my own town , should the most extravagant and solid of my work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass cupola , the theatre itself forms the heart of the building , a massive , light-filled space dominated by the backdrop designed by Dalí for the ballet Labyrinth , which premiered in New York in 1941 .
Like many virtual tours , this one tends to lurch about drunkenly , and a heavy mouse-finger will leave you gazing disoriented at a ceiling , or nose to nose with a no-exit sign .
Randomly clicking on rooms unaided by an audio guide leaves you hopelessly under-informed , but you ’ ll occasionally stumble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the painted ceiling in the Palace of the Wind , or the sofa in the Mae West room , modelled on the film star ’ s lips .
Dalí wanted the museum to be a journey into his world , and the abiding feeling is of the pull of the real thing .

Dali Theatre-Museum, Artists Studio Museums Online ★★★
Salvador Dalí’s house at Portlligat on the Costa Brava is straight out of the pages of a lifestyle magazine, its sunbaked white walls dazzling in the sunshine, and light pouring in from every angle. It was a fisherman’s hut when Dalí moved there in 1930, extending it over 40 years like “a true biological structure” to make a home and a place to work for himself and his wife, Gala, with every window letting in a view of the sea.
The house is one point of the Dalí Triangle: another is the Gala Dalí Castle at Púbol, not far from Girona. Dalí moved here after the death of his wife in 1982; in her lifetime it was her domain “where she could reign like an absolute sovereign” and in death it became her mausoleum. The final point in this Catalan tour is the Theatre-Museum at Figueres, home to the largest and most diverse collection of works by Dalí and, with its red walls and roof-topping giant eggs, a striking addition to the skyline since its inauguration in 1974.
It was the house at Portlligat that I wanted to visit, and though a virtual walk was advertised it is actually the Theatre-Museum at Figueres that you can visit online, though a rudimentary 3D experience of both Portlligat and Púbol is available via the Salvador Dalí website. The Surrealist artist was born at Figueres, and the theatre, destroyed during the Spanish Civil War, was a part of his childhood landscape, and the location of one of his earliest exhibitions.
The rebuilding of the theatre began in 1960, in response to a request from the mayor, who asked Dalí to donate one of his artworks to the town. Characteristically, Dali pledged a museum, saying: “Where, if not in my own town, should the most extravagant and solid of my work endure?”
Crowned with a great glass cupola, the theatre itself forms the heart of the building, a massive, light-filled space dominated by the backdrop designed by Dalí for the ballet Labyrinth, which premiered in New York in 1941.
Like many virtual tours, this one tends to lurch about drunkenly, and a heavy mouse-finger will leave you gazing disoriented at a ceiling, or nose to nose with a no-exit sign. Randomly clicking on rooms unaided by an audio guide leaves you hopelessly under-informed, but you’ll occasionally stumble on something astonishing and often famous, like the painted ceiling in the Palace of the Wind, or the sofa in the Mae West room, modelled on the film star’s lips. Dalí wanted the museum to be a journey into his world, and the abiding feeling is of the pull of the real thing.
salvador-dali.org/en/museums/dali-theatre-museum-in-figueres/visita-virtual/
THEARTSDESK.COM


inews--2020-05-26--Jamaican bobsleighers keep fit during lockdown by pushing a Mini Cooper

Jamaican bobsleighers keep fit during lockdown by pushing a Mini Cooper The pair have also fashioned a mini gym in their garden as they set their sights on the Winter Olympics Bobsleighers Shanwayne Stephens and teammate Nimroy Turgott , who have been isolating with each other since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown , have their eyes on the Winter Olympics 2022 and the world championships in February .
With little training equipment to hand they have had to improvise ... with Shanwayne ’ s fiance Amy ’ s Mini Cooper to be specific .
They have been pushing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an industrial estate to stay in shape .
Their normally resistance training comprises them pushing sleds , but without access to them the Mini seemed like a good substitute .
They have also made a mini gym in their back garden .
Shanwayne admits they have had to “ make do with what we ’ ve got.
” Who are these determined men ?
Shanwayne , 29 , moved to Peterborough , Cambridgeshire , from Jamaica when he was 11 years old .
He is a gunner with the RAF Regiment and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elite athlete scheme .
His role is the driver .
Nimroy , 27 , who lives in Jamaica , travelled to the UK after the pair competed in bobsleigh and skeleton world cup in Austria in January .
He is the pilot and the brakeman .
However when lockdown was enforced he went into isolation with his teammate in Peterborough .
The duo has represented Jamaica since 2017 .
This streetcar saga sounds like a good plot for a film .
Too late .
There has already been one : the 1993 comedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team that , against the odds , competes in the 1988 Winter Olympics .
This was loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsleigh team 's debut in competition during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Canada .
Shanwayne and Nimroy have now brought their own version of Cool Runnings to Peterborough .
The comparisons have not gone unnoticed by the pair .
Shanwayne is delighted as that film set him on his current normally icy path .
I loved that movie as a child and it taught me never to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he tells the BBC .

Bobsleighers Shanwayne Stephens and teammate Nimroy Turgott, who have been isolating with each other since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, have their eyes on the Winter Olympics 2022 and the world championships in February.
With little training equipment to hand they have had to improvise…with Shanwayne’s fiance Amy’s Mini Cooper to be specific.
They have been pushing it “up and down the street” on an industrial estate to stay in shape. Their normally resistance training comprises them pushing sleds, but without access to them the Mini seemed like a good substitute. They have also made a mini gym in their back garden.
Shanwayne admits they have had to “make do with what we’ve got.”
Who are these determined men?
Shanwayne, 29, moved to Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, from Jamaica when he was 11 years old. He is a gunner with the RAF Regiment and is part of the force’s elite athlete scheme. His role is the driver.
Nimroy, 27, who lives in Jamaica, travelled to the UK after the pair competed in bobsleigh and skeleton world cup in Austria in January. He is the pilot and the brakeman. However when lockdown was enforced he went into isolation with his teammate in Peterborough. The duo has represented Jamaica since 2017.
This streetcar saga sounds like a good plot for a film.
Too late. There has already been one: the 1993 comedy Cool Runnings which follows a Jamaican bobsleigh team that, against the odds, competes in the 1988 Winter Olympics. This was loosely based on the true story of the Jamaica national bobsleigh team’s debut in competition during the 1988 Winter Olympics in Canada.
Shanwayne and Nimroy have now brought their own version of Cool Runnings to Peterborough.
The comparisons have not gone unnoticed by the pair. Shanwayne is delighted as that film set him on his current normally icy path. I loved that movie as a child and it taught me never to give up on my dreams,” he tells the BBC.


inews--2020-05-26--Humans have beneficial bacteria lurking in our noses that fight infection, study finds

Humans have beneficial bacteria lurking in our noses that fight infection , study finds They have developed a nasal spray to squeeze more of them up people 's nostrils A woman sniffs wine in Bordeaux in 2017 .
Scientists are learning more about the human nose ( Photo : Georges Gobet/AFP/Getty ) Humans have beneficial bacteria lurking in their noses that can help fight infection , according to scientists who have developed a nasal spray to squeeze more of them up their nostrils .
Researchers at the University of Antwerp found that people with chronic nasal and sinus inflammation had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upper airways .
As part of the study , published in the Cell Reports journal , they developed a nasal spray that could deliver the bacteria to the nose so that they could colonise the breathing passages of healthy volunteers .
Sarah Lebeer , the report ’ s senior author , said she became interested in microbiota of the nose when her mother underwent lifelong problems with headaches and chronic rhinosinusitis .
She had previously studied them in the gut .
She said : “ My mother had tried many different treatments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a pity that I could not advise her some good bacteria or probiotics for the nose .
No one has ever really studied it.
” Although most lactobacilli prefer to grow in the absence of oxygen , the researchers found those in the nose have adapted to cope with more oxygen .
They also have flexible , hair-like tubes that allow them to adhere to the surface cells in the nose .
Some participants in the study who were given the bacterial spray said they felt they could breathe better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aim is now to develop treatments for people with sinus conditions .
Leeber said : “ Sinusitis patients don ’ t have a lot of treatment options .
We think that certain patients would benefit from introducing beneficial bacteria into their nose to reduce certain symptoms .
”

Humans have beneficial bacteria lurking in their noses that can help fight infection, according to scientists who have developed a nasal spray to squeeze more of them up their nostrils.
Researchers at the University of Antwerp found that people with chronic nasal and sinus inflammation had fewer of the so-called lactobacilli in their upper airways.
As part of the study, published in the Cell Reports journal, they developed a nasal spray that could deliver the bacteria to the nose so that they could colonise the breathing passages of healthy volunteers.
Sarah Lebeer, the report’s senior author, said she became interested in microbiota of the nose when her mother underwent lifelong problems with headaches and chronic rhinosinusitis. She had previously studied them in the gut.
Bacterial spray development
She said: “My mother had tried many different treatments, but none worked. I was thinking it’s a pity that I could not advise her some good bacteria or probiotics for the nose. No one has ever really studied it.”
Although most lactobacilli prefer to grow in the absence of oxygen, the researchers found those in the nose have adapted to cope with more oxygen. They also have flexible, hair-like tubes that allow them to adhere to the surface cells in the nose.
Some participants in the study who were given the bacterial spray said they felt they could breathe better after taking it.
The researchers’ aim is now to develop treatments for people with sinus conditions.
Leeber said: “Sinusitis patients don’t have a lot of treatment options. We think that certain patients would benefit from introducing beneficial bacteria into their nose to reduce certain symptoms.”


inews--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: UK's biggest retail chains announce safety measures as they plan to reopen stores on 15

Coronavirus: UK's biggest retail chains announce safety measures as they plan to reopen stores on 15 June

Coronavirus : UK 's biggest retail chains announce safety measures as they plan to reopen stores on 15 June Shops must take 'necessary steps ' to become Covid-19 secure ahead of the the 15 June reopening Some of the UK ’ s biggest retail chains will open their doors again on 15 June after Boris Johnson said non-essential stores could begin to welcome back shoppers .
But they must take “ necessary steps ” to become Covid-19 secure ahead of the lockdown milestone and customers will find the shopping experience far from normal after being told to restrain themselves from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of shops that can open includes shops selling clothes , shoes , books and electronics as well as specialist outlets such as charity shops , auction houses , tailors and gift shops at museums and heritage sites .
Michael Gove , the Cabinet Office Minister , said people would have to hold back from testing out goods ( Photo : Sky News ) Department store chain Debenhams , one of the highest profile companies rocked by the Covid-19 closures when it tumbled into administration last month , will open at least 120 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain closed with hundreds of job losses .
Ikea is planning to open 19 stores in England and Northern Ireland with a series of measures including reduced numbers of shoppers and distancing wardens on patrol in stores .
Marks and Spencer , which has kept its food halls open , has warned that fashion and homeware sales could be 70 per cent lower for the current quarter , is working to reopen the clothing sections of its stores and will introduce safety measures .
“ We have planned and delivered robust shop trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have progressed well allowing us to now move to open an increased number of our shops from mid-June , ” a spokesperson for the company said .
The John Lewis Partnership has said it is preparing for a phased reopening of its department stores .
It did not confirm an opening date but said its preparations to reopen sites have been “ informed ” by social-distancing measures at its Waitrose supermarkets , which have traded throughout the pandemic .
Poundland will reopen 26 stores which have been closed throughout the outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers , with door marshals and floor markers helping people maintain social distancing .
There will be no self-checkouts .
One way systems , traffic lights and screens Bookshop staff will ask shoppers to leave any book they touch on trolleys to be wheeled into storage for at least three days .
Screens , customer limits and one-way systems will also be in place , but in-store cafes will remain closed .
Other unusual measures include plans by supermarket chain Aldi to roll out a new traffic light system at entrances to control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it looks to new technology to deal with coronavirus restrictions .

Some of the UK’s biggest retail chains will open their doors again on 15 June after Boris Johnson said non-essential stores could begin to welcome back shoppers.
But they must take “necessary steps” to become Covid-19 secure ahead of the lockdown milestone and customers will find the shopping experience far from normal after being told to restrain themselves from trying on clothes and make-up.
Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office Minister, said people holding back from testing out goods in stores “is a new normal”.
The list of shops that can open includes shops selling clothes, shoes, books and electronics as well as specialist outlets such as charity shops, auction houses, tailors and gift shops at museums and heritage sites.
Safety measures explained
Department store chain Debenhams, one of the highest profile companies rocked by the Covid-19 closures when it tumbled into administration last month, will open at least 120 stores, but at least 12 will remain closed with hundreds of job losses.
Ikea is planning to open 19 stores in England and Northern Ireland with a series of measures including reduced numbers of shoppers and distancing wardens on patrol in stores.
Marks and Spencer, which has kept its food halls open, has warned that fashion and homeware sales could be 70 per cent lower for the current quarter, is working to reopen the clothing sections of its stores and will introduce safety measures.
Bakery chain Greggs hopes to open around 800 of its stores in the middle of next month.
“We have planned and delivered robust shop trials using our new operational safety measures and they have progressed well allowing us to now move to open an increased number of our shops from mid-June,” a spokesperson for the company said.
The John Lewis Partnership has said it is preparing for a phased reopening of its department stores. It did not confirm an opening date but said its preparations to reopen sites have been “informed” by social-distancing measures at its Waitrose supermarkets, which have traded throughout the pandemic.
John Lewis stores have been closed to the public since the lockdown was announced in March.
Poundland will reopen 26 stores which have been closed throughout the outbreak, meaning that 51 will be open to customers, with door marshals and floor markers helping people maintain social distancing. There will be no self-checkouts.
One way systems, traffic lights and screens
Some stores are introducing unusual reopening measures.
Waterstones said it will put books into a 72-hour quarantine after they are handled by customers.
Bookshop staff will ask shoppers to leave any book they touch on trolleys to be wheeled into storage for at least three days. Screens, customer limits and one-way systems will also be in place, but in-store cafes will remain closed.
Other unusual measures include plans by supermarket chain Aldi to roll out a new traffic light system at entrances to control numbers going into its 875 stores as it looks to new technology to deal with coronavirus restrictions.
Boots said it is launching a new virtual beauty service after temporarily removing testers and face-to-face consultations from stores.


inews--2020-05-26--Coronavirus: Faulty gene linked to dementia 'doubles risk of Covid-19'

Having two copies of e4 variant of ApoE gene , found in European ancestry , could be reason why dementia patients more at risk , study suggests A faulty gene called ApoE4 , found in people of European ancestry , is linked to double the risk of severe Covid-19 , even when they were not affected by dementia , a study found .
As a result , some people may be genetically predisposed to be more severely affected by the coronavirus .
One in 36 people of European ancestry are thought to have two faulty copies of this gene .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Gerontology : Medical Sciences , could help explain why people with dementia have been most at risk as the disease is one of the most common underlying health conditions among those who have died from Covid-19 in the UK .
Study leader David Melzer , a professor of epidemiology and public health at Exeter University , said : `` Several studies have now shown that people with dementia are at high risk of developing severe Covid-19 .
This study suggests that this high risk may not simply be due to the effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or exposure to the virus in care homes .
The majority of people living with dementia , and their spousal carers , are in the over-70s group ( Photo : Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire ) He added : `` The effect could be partly due to this underlying genetic change , which puts them at risk for both Covid-19 and dementia . ''
Study co-author Dr Chia-Ling Kuo , of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in the US , said : `` This is an exciting result because we might now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gene causes vulnerability to Covid-19 .
This could lead to new ideas for treatments . ''
She said : `` We do n't yet know how this Alzheimer 's risk gene might make people more susceptible to the virus .
Despite the large study group , only 37 people with the risk gene tested positive for Covid-19 , and we must be careful about the conclusions we draw from such small numbers .
`` These findings will need to be followed up with further research to see if this link could present avenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spires-Jones , deputy director at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh , added : `` An important limitation of the current paper is that this type of observational study can not prove that the ApoE4 gene is the cause of the observed increased risk of Covid-19 .
`` The scientists did a thorough job of trying to control for other things associated with ApoE4 that could account for the risk , but it is still possible that there is an unknown related factor causing the increased risk .
@

People with a genetic mutation that increases the risk of dementia also have a greater chance of having severe Covid-19, scientists have revealed.
A faulty gene called ApoE4, found in people of European ancestry, is linked to double the risk of severe Covid-19, even when they were not affected by dementia, a study found. As a result, some people may be genetically predisposed to be more severely affected by the coronavirus. One in 36 people of European ancestry are thought to have two faulty copies of this gene.
The study, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, could help explain why people with dementia have been most at risk as the disease is one of the most common underlying health conditions among those who have died from Covid-19 in the UK.
Study leader David Melzer, a professor of epidemiology and public health at Exeter University, said: “Several studies have now shown that people with dementia are at high risk of developing severe Covid-19. This study suggests that this high risk may not simply be due to the effects of dementia, advancing age or frailty, or exposure to the virus in care homes.
He added: “The effect could be partly due to this underlying genetic change, which puts them at risk for both Covid-19 and dementia.”
Study co-author Dr Chia-Ling Kuo, of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine in the US, said: “This is an exciting result because we might now be able to pinpoint how this faulty gene causes vulnerability to Covid-19. This could lead to new ideas for treatments.”
‘Caution’
However, Dr Carol Routledge, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, urged caution when interpreting these findings.
She said: “We don’t yet know how this Alzheimer’s risk gene might make people more susceptible to the virus. Despite the large study group, only 37 people with the risk gene tested positive for Covid-19, and we must be careful about the conclusions we draw from such small numbers.
“These findings will need to be followed up with further research to see if this link could present avenues for new treatments.”
Professor Tara Spires-Jones, deputy director at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, added: “An important limitation of the current paper is that this type of observational study cannot prove that the ApoE4 gene is the cause of the observed increased risk of Covid-19.
“The scientists did a thorough job of trying to control for other things associated with ApoE4 that could account for the risk, but it is still possible that there is an unknown related factor causing the increased risk.”