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Campus News

Spotlight

April 15th, 2013

Fertility ‘glue’ helps older women get pregnant

A Nottingham fertility clinic has seen pregnancies among older women increase by almost one-fifth following the introduction of an innovative product to aid conception.

Using Embryoglue, Nurture Fertility, run by the University, has seen a 19% increase in clinical pregnancies among women over the age of 34 who have previously had unsuccessful IVF cycles.

It is the only fertility clinic in the East Midlands offering Embryoglue, a viscous solution containing the compound hyaluronan which mimics the natural secretions found in the womb to increase the chances of embryo implantation.

Nurture Fertility’s Director of Research Dr Nick Raine-Fenning said: “The beauty lies in the fact it is a naturally occurring substance found in all of us but one that seems to have a very special role in the womb at the time of implantation.”

Pregnancy rates after IVF rose from 36% to 55% when Embryoglue is used in women aged over 34 who have had two or more unsuccessful cycles. A larger clinical trial of Embryoglue in all patients is planned.

The first patient to receive Embryoglue was Marie Lander, 39, of East Goscote, Leicestershire, who gave birth to twins Niamh and Niall following four years of trying for a baby with her husband Paul.

Primetime TV exposes children to smoking

April 15th, 2013

Children are being exposed to millions of tobacco images and messages every week on primetime television, according to University researchers.

Doctors and academics at the University-based UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies are calling for stricter controls on the portrayal of, and references to, smoking in TV programmes.

The research, published online in the BMJ journal, Tobacco Control, says smoking and tobacco content frequently feature in films marketed to children, which is known to spark their interest in starting to smoke.

Dr Ailsa Lyons, Research Fellow at UKCTCS, said: “Our detailed research points to the urgent need for more stringent curbs on tobacco imagery. This would help curb the uptake of smoking among young people, who spend an average of 2.5 hours in front of the TV every day.”

“The appearance of real brands in fictional programmes, such as soap operas, is of questionable legality and we would call for the regulations and guidelines on tobacco content to be reviewed to protect children. We would recommend that television programming remove gratuitous depictions of tobacco, particularly smoking and tobacco branding, from programmes aimed at young people, or, in the UK, scheduled before the 9pm watershed.”

The researchers analysed the weekly content of all five free-to-air UK TV channels, broadcast between 6pm and 10pm on three separate occasions, four weeks apart, in April, May, and June 2010.

The researchers logged use of a tobacco product; implied use; the presence of tobacco paraphernalia, such as packs and ashtrays; and other references to tobacco, such as a news report. The authors also looked for tobacco branding and merchandising.

In all, the 420 hours of recordings comprised 613 programmes plus 1121 adverts and trailers. Among the 613 programmes, a third (210; 34%) had tobacco content. This occurred at least once in more than half of reality TV (67%), films (64%), and comedy (52%) and in half of soap operas (49%) and drama (48%).

Over two thirds of tobacco content (69%) featured in the 75% of hours of programmes broadcast before the 9pm watershed, when more adult-themed programmes begin.

This translates into 59 million instances of tobacco imagery/messaging, 16 million of tobacco use, and 3 million tobacco brand appearances every week.

Tobacco advertising, sponsorship and promotion in TV programmes is banned in the UK, but imagery included for artistic or editorial reasons is exempt.

Tags: BMJ journal, Dr Ailsa Lyons, Tobacco Control, UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies
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Join John’s hill walk

April 15th, 2013

A new audio walk developed by University researchers is to help walkers unlock the rich history of a Cumbrian beauty spot buffeted by a notoriously strong wind.

The audio walk, written by a team in the School of Geography, will be narrated by weather broadcaster John Kettley, who will guide visitors on a 10-mile walk up Great Dun Fell, the second highest hill in the Pennines.

A smartphone app to accompany the walk is also being developed by the team.

The walk is part of The Royal Geographical Society’s (with the Institute of British Geographers) Discovering Britain project. The guide is freely available to download in mp3 and printed formats.

The area is home to the UK’s only “named” wind, the Helm Wind, which was studied by the celebrated climatologist Gordon Manley FRGS in the late 1930s.

Professor Georgina Endfield, Professor of Environmental History, said: “The British weather is very much a part of our national identity — in fact you could argue that we are obsessed with it. But it’s also the case that people often remember key events in association with the weather. Weather becomes parts of peoples’ lives, in this way. Manley recognised and was intrigued by this association and it is his work on weather, place, and culture that is framing this overall study.”

John Kettley, who began his career at the BBC in Nottingham in 1980, said: “I love to hear people getting excited about weather, and from my own upbringing in West Yorkshire I’m also a big fan of getting out in the great outdoors.

“If you combine that with the connection to Gordon Manley — whose book Climate and the British Scene was the first I ever owned on weather as a 10-year-old boy — this project presented me with an ideal opportunity.”

The 2,782ft Great Dun Fell is famed for its connection to the Helm Wind. Shaped by the landscape and climatic conditions, the Helm Wind — referred to by Manley as a “roaring torrent of air” — has caused devastation and even death. Locals tell of farm machinery being blown away and sheep flying around like pieces of wool. One gardener fled Brussels sprouts being blown off their stalks by the wind and ricocheting like bullets!

The guide and app has been funded as part of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) project Weather Walks and Weather Talks: Exploring Popular Climate Histories and Futures.

The team is recruiting volunteers to test the walk and app.

Visit: http://tiny.cc/UofNGreatDun

Tags: Discovering Britain project, Georgina Endfield, Gordon Manley, Great Dun Fell, Helm Wind, Institute of British Geographers, John Kettley, Professor of Environmental History, School of Geography, The Royal Geographical Society, Weather Walks and Weather Talks: Exploring Popular Climate Histories and Futures
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Life Cycle 3: Get involved

April 15th, 2013

University Park will mark the start of the ride on Monday 19 August and its end on Sunday 1 September, when there will be a free community day.

The public can also join two community rides to mark Life Cycle 3’s last day.

Keen cyclists can join the final stage from Nevill Holt, Leicestershire, to University Park. The 55-mile route is open to experienced riders aged 18 and over. Transport to Nevill Holt, where the ride will start at 9.30am, will be available. Entrants are encouraged to set a fundraising target of £300.

Suitable for less-experienced riders and children aged 10+, the Community Life Cycle will take place along Big Track, starting and ending at Lakeside Arts Centre, University Park. The 10-12 mile ride starts at noon. Entrants are encouraged to set a fundraising target of £50.

The community day promises live music, a barbecue and a great atmosphere. There will also be cycle challenges and free bike maintenance, as well as a chance to find out more about stroke rehabilitation research.

For more on Life Cycle 3’s community events, visit:
http://nott.ac.uk/cycle

Tags: community day, Life Cycle 3, University Park
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Issue 66

March 15th, 2013

Posted in Cover Story, Issue 66 | Comments Off on Issue 66

Live Longer – Give Up Sex

March 12th, 2013

Professor Lord Robert Winston:

Live Longer — Give up Sex
Wednesday 10 April, The University of Nottingham Medical School, Lecture Theatre A1, Queen’s Medical Centre, 6pm.

Lord Winston is speaking as part of the Society for Reproduction and Fertility Sex in Three Cities lectures. He is Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College, London, where he runs a research programme in the Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, on improvements in transgenic technology in animal models, with a long-term aim of improving human transplantation.

Tags: Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies, Imperial College London, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Live Longer — Give up Sex, Professor Lord Robert Winston, Professor of Science and Society, Sex in Three Cities, Society for Reproduction and Fertility
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Spotlight

March 12th, 2013

Monitoring health of nation during 2012 Olympics

A clinical monitoring system that receives data from 3,000 GP practices played a crucial role in helping to safeguard public health during the London 2012 Olympics.

QSurveillance, a not-for-profit partnership between The University of Nottingham, healthcare software provider EMIS and ClinRisk Ltd, monitored the UK for outbreaks of infections such as vomiting and diarrhoea that could have affected people attending the Games.

The system provided key data for The Syndromic Surveillance Report developed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). It analysed and interpreted real-time health information to identify potential public health threats and alert the NHS.

Dr Julia Hippisley-Cox, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and General Practice at the University and co-founder of QSurveillance, said: “With such a large population influx during London 2012, ensuring that response to public health issues could be immediate and effective was essential and for that, regular, accurate data was needed.

“With access to 3,000 GP practices across the UK, we were able to provide immediate updates 100% of the time, on trends and hot spots for symptoms by analysing patient consultations. It was an honour to have been involved in such an important project for the UK.”

No major threats were detected throughout the monitoring period.

Bank offers internship grants to students

Small and medium-sized businesses are to benefit from grants of £1,500 from Santander to help them employ University of Nottingham students.

The Santander internship programme will provide 10 grants to businesses in the region which want to employ students for a 12-week internship until the end of June 2013. The grant from Santander represents 50% of the student’s salary, with the business funding the remainder.

Mike Carr, Director of Business Engagement at the University, said: “We are very keen to support local businesses and have a range of programmes to do this. The Santander internship programme adds to this portfolio of support activity and means that local small and medium sized companies have even more incentive to take on a talented University student to help improve their performance. We are keen to talk to any businesses that are interested in taking part in the Santander internship programme, or would like to find out about the range of services that we offer to businesses.”

For more on the Santander Internship programme call Steve Upcraft on 0115 74 84 555, or go to www.ingenuitygateway.com/santander-internships

University’s research links with rising power Brazil

The Universities of Nottingham and Birmingham have strengthened their collaborations with Brazilian institutions after securing research funding.

Academics have won funding from the São Paulo Research Foundation to undertake joint research, including magnetic resonance imaging; how chemicals in the brain affect moods, which will lead to new medications to prevent anxiety and depression; Brazil’s rise (it overtook the UK economy in 2011); urban water quality management.

Nottingham’s Professor of Genetics and Conservation, Olivier Hanotte, also won funding to work with Brazilian colleagues to examine how cattle can adapt to different tropical environments and the fitness of hybrid cattle.

Tags: ClinRisk Ltd, Director of Business Engagement, Dr Julia Hippisley-Cox, EMIS, Health Protection Agency (HPA), Mike Carr, Olivier Hanotte, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and General Practice, Professor of Genetics and Conservation, QSurveillance, Santander, Santander internship programme, São Paulo Research Foundation, The Syndromic Surveillance Report
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Bulletin board

March 12th, 2013

Veteran political film-maker focuses on life of Boris

The BBC’s Michael Cockerell told the behind-the scenes story of the making of a new TV documentary about the Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

‘The Life of Boris Johnson’ was hosted by the School of Politics and International Relations.

Visit: http://tiny.cc/UoNPoliticsevents

Things to think about from Sir Paul Smith

The fashion designer and entrepreneur Sir Paul Smith, who grew up in Beeston, is the latest guest speaker at a networking event hosted by the University’s Business School.

Sir Paul’s presentation, in the Sir Colin Campbell Building, Jubilee Campus, on Wednesday 20 March, is on the theme “Things to think about”.

The event, which is fully booked, is part of the Business Leaders Series, which are open to Business School and University alumni, students, and staff as well as visitors from business and industry.

These events are an opportunity to gain unique and inspiring insights into the careers of leaders in their fields and to meet people from the business and University communities. The events are free but all attendees need to register.

Visit: http://tiny.cc/UoNbusinessevents

Students share advice on security

Students braved wintry weather in order to help police spread crime-prevention advice during this year’s Dunkirk Week of Action.

Volunteers knocked on doors to pass on simple advice to help fewer people fall victim to burglary.

Students living off campus are being told to close all windows and lock all doors before going out, to put all laptops and valuables out of sight and use free services such as Smart Water, to mark their property so that it can be traced.

Melanie Futer, Manager Off-Campus Student Affairs, said “Most burglars are opportunists, and a third of student burglaries happen when homes have been left insecurely.

“By offering some simple advice, we can help more students to take responsibility for their possessions and make sure they don’t give burglars any chances.

“The Love Your Stuff crime prevention campaign has been a great success in the past, as shown by the decrease in the number of burglaries.

“This year we are once more spreading the crime prevention message by working closely with students and the police.”

Nottinghamshire Police are also urging students to register electrical items, including mobile phones and computers, on the Immobilse property database. This helps police reunite stolen items with their owners.

Author McGregor explores Lincolnshire

The Centre for Regional Literature and Culture is hosting Lincolnshire Landscapes, a day of talks and creative practice inspired by the landscape of Lincolnshire on Tuesday 16 April.

Speakers will include performance artist Mike Pearson of the University of Aberystwyth, visual artist Simon Read from Middlesex University, and author and honorary professor Jon McGregor and cultural geographer Sophie Hollinshead, both from The University of Nottingham.

Visit: http://tiny.cc/UoNLincslandscape

Tags: BBC, Boris Johnson, Business Leaders Series, Business School, Dunkirk Week of Action, Jon McGregor, Lincolnshire Landscapes, Manager Off-Campus Student Affairs, Mayor of London, Melanie Futer, Michael Cockerell, School of Politics and International Relations, Sir Paul Smith, Sophie Hollinshead, The Centre for Regional Literature and Culture
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Innovation gift

March 12th, 2013

The Haydn Green Charitable Trust has donated £1.5m to the University to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.

The gift will build on the achievements of the University’s Institute for Enterprise and Innovation (UNIEI) as a national centre for entrepreneurship education.

UNIEI was founded at Nottingham University Business School in 2000 and now helps hundreds of students every year — at undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA level — to develop the entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to thrive as business leaders.

In honour of the endowment, UNIEI is being re-named The Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Dr Vince Cable MP, Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, unveiled a plaque in the Sir Colin Campbell Building on Jubilee Campus to recognise the generosity of the Haydn Green Charitable Trust.

The gift was presented by Hardev Singh, on behalf of the charity’s trustees. Mr Singh said: “The Haydn Green Charitable Trust has been set up by its trustees in the loving memory of the late Haydn Carrick Green, who passed away suddenly in 2007. Haydn was a successful Nottingham businessman, whose entrepreneurial flair brought innovative financial products to the market.

“The trustees believe that they must also help to build innovative and entrepreneurial structures within charitable or voluntary sectors by collaborating or by providing financial assistance. By launching the Haydn Green Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship under the leadership of The University of Nottingham, the trustees are confident that this Institute will continue to further the mission of the University by providing a truly international education, inspiring the students, producing world-leading research and benefiting the community with bold innovation and by encouraging excellence in entrepreneurship, which will help to improve life for the individuals and societies in the UK and worldwide.

“The trustees are also very grateful to Professor Nathu Ram Puri of The Puri Foundation for the invaluable advice and tremendous effort he has put in to help us and the University to launch this Institute.”

Professor Puri, Honorary Freeman of the City of Nottingham, said: “Haydn was a dear friend and I am delighted to help and advise the trustees. I was already in discussions with the University for a similar initiative and was pleased for it to be taken up by the Haydn Green Charitable Trust.”

By supporting the Institute’s education programmes and research, the endowment will benefit students and regional businesses as well as help meet a key Government goal of developing entrepreneurial skills.

The University is currently engaged in its biggest-ever fundraising campaign. Impact: The Nottingham Campaign is delivering the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future.

Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are proud to be associated with the Haydn Green Charitable Trust, and delighted they wish to collaborate with the University to develop the Haydn Green Institute. The Trust joins a very special group of benefactors who have helped to transform the impact our University is having. This generous gift will ensure we continue to improve on the outstanding programmes and opportunities offered through UNIEI.”

UNIEI was launched by Professor Martin Binks, with support from the Department of Trade and Industry and the East Midlands Development Agency.

Professor Binks is now Dean of the Business School and has led entrepreneurship education that includes a popular MBA in Entrepreneurship, MSc, numerous cross-disciplinary MSc Entrepreneurship programmes in the University; as well as thriving undergraduate entrepreneurship programmes in the UK, China, Malaysia that involve the support of business people and entrepreneurs who mentor hundreds of Nottingham undergraduates every year.

Professor Binks said: “The resources generated by this donation will enable the Institute, the Business School, and the University to broaden and deepen the development of entrepreneurial skills that are so important in today’s economy. This will encourage innovation and growth in the short, medium, and long term both regionally and nationally.”