News: December 2011

It’s not just “because it’s there”

Mountaineer George Mallory may have quipped that people climb Everest ‘because it’s there’. In fact, the reasons why people seek extreme sports such as high altitude mountaineering are far more complex. Sport psychologists at Bangor University are recognised world-leaders in establishing the psychological motivations for taking part in extreme sports.

Publication date: 29 December 2011

Bangor’s expertise in ‘world-changing’ technology

An area of research in which Bangor University is a world leader, is described by this month’s (December) issue of Scientific American as one of ten ‘world-changing ideas’.

Publication date: 16 December 2011

Bangor Professor leads speakers at international conference

Bernardo Batiz-Lazo, Professor of Business History and Bank Management at Bangor Business School, delivered the key note address at the first international conference organised by the Tolani Institute of Management Studies (TIMS) in Gandhidham, Gujarat (India). The town bears the name of India's founding father because the announcement of the decision to house the Sindhi community (a group of people relocated after partition) in that area was Gandhi's last act on the day he was killed. The Institute itself is part of an educational group that educates over 8,000 students thanks to the effort, financial support and vision of K. B. Tolani (1893-1988).

Publication date: 15 December 2011

Erosion of traditional ‘taboos’ threatens Madagascar’s lemurs

Madagascar is world famous for its unique animals, many of which are protected by law, but recent research has demonstrated that illegal hunting of these protected species may be widespread and pose an urgent threat the country’s globally important biodiversity. Research by a team from Bangor University and the Malagasy organization Madagasikara Voakajy, reported in the online scientific and medical research journal, PLOS ONE suggests that hunting of protected species in eastern Madagascar is increasing due to rapid social change, as appetites for meat increase and traditional taboos protecting the species, especially lemurs, become less powerful.

Publication date: 15 December 2011

University researchers seek feedback from older carers of people with dementia

People aged 65 and over who have experience of looking after somebody with dementia can contribute towards research currently being carried out by academics at Bangor University. Health economists there are investigating the economic demands of caring for people with dementia. The results of their research will contribute towards shaping health and social care policies across the UK.

Publication date: 15 December 2011

‘WINSS’ of €2.6 million for science careers in Ireland and Wales Job Sustainability Programme

A €2.6 million project to develop and sustain jobs in the sector at the interface between chemistry and life sciences has been announced. Funded under the Ireland Wales 2007-2013 INTERREG IVA programme and managed in Wales by Bangor University’s School of Chemistry. The “Wales Ireland Network for Scientific Skills” (WINSS) will assist companies that work across chemistry, life sciences and material sciences. The project will provide a range of specialist skills training to develop the expertise needed by the sector.

Publication date: 14 December 2011

High Anxiety - beating fear is the key to extreme sports appeal

Sport Psychologists within the School are now recognised world-leaders in establishing the psychological motivations for taking part in extreme sports.

Publication date: 13 December 2011

Scallop Association funds collaborative project to help define English Channel Scallop fishery

A new industry-funded PhD research project is now underway at Bangor University to help improve understanding of the scallop fishery in the English Channel.

Publication date: 12 December 2011

Arthritis Care and Research (ACR)

SHES staff have provided three out of 18 accepted articles in a special edition of the ACR on 'Muslce and bone in the Rheumatic Diseases'.

Publication date: 12 December 2011

Credit Ratings Research at Bangor Business School

On 5 th December 2011, the credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) attracted news headlines by placing the credit ratings of 15 eurozone nations under review (‘watch’) for downgrade. Using a 15-year dataset, researchers at Bangor Business School identified that S&P has tended to act earlier than other agencies in placing sovereign government ratings under review for downgrade.

Publication date: 8 December 2011

A new Strategic Alliance working for Wales

Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities will announce a new Strategic Alliance on Wednesday 7th December that signals a new phase in the partnership between the two institutions.

Publication date: 7 December 2011

Major report identifies significant gaps and weaknesses in children’s health information

Children and young people who have chronic health conditions or need operations don’t always have access to the high-quality, child-friendly information they need to understand what is happening to them. That is the key finding of a three-year study funded by the National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation (NIHR SDO) programme and led by Bangor and Cardiff Universities.

Publication date: 5 December 2011

Bringing up children in a bilingual community

Approximately 70% of the population in Gwynedd, the stronghold of the Welsh language, report that they speak Welsh. Many parents who themselves grew up speaking Welsh, and also many who grew up speaking only English, are bringing up their children as bilinguals. And most children begin their schooling in Gwynedd through the medium of Welsh.

Publication date: 1 December 2011