News: May 2020

How Local Authorities can encourage citizen participation in energy transitions

European citizens could become co-designers and leaders of renewable and sustainable projects involving energy production, transport and social developments rather than having such projects imposed upon them, following a new European Union (EU) Clean Energy for all Europeans package.

Publication date: 27 May 2020

Tropical forests can handle the heat, up to a point

Tropical forests face an uncertain future under climate change, but new research published in Science suggests they can continue to store large amounts of carbon in a warmer world, if countries limit greenhouse gas emissions. The world’s tropical forests store a quarter-century worth of fossil fuel emissions in their trees alone. There are fears that global heating can reduce this store if tree growth reduces or tree death increases, accelerating climate change. Dr Simon Willcock of Bangor University’s School of Natural Sciences was one of an international research team who measured over half a million trees in 813 forests across the tropics to assess how much carbon is stored by forests growing under different climatic conditions today.

Publication date: 22 May 2020

Bangor University & Santander Universities supporting People Power for PPE

Santander Universities are supporting Bangor University and the region to create free PPE.

Publication date: 20 May 2020

A conversation about primate conservation

School of Natural Sciences PhD researcher Zoe Melvin interviews the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Director of Species Conservation (Africa), Dr Tim Davenport As the new BBC One series Primates draws to a close this Sunday (17th May, 8:15 PM BST) primatologists from Bangor University (@BangorPrimates) continue their Twitter coverage of the series on Twitter under the hashtag #BangorDoesPrimates.

Publication date: 14 May 2020

Bangor scientists turn damaged wetlands into carbon stores

A team of scientists have developed a new method to help damaged peat bogs capture more carbon, cutting the release of greenhouse gases. The group, led by researchers from Bangor University in North Wales, say their work could lead to new practises being developed for peatland restoration.

Publication date: 12 May 2020

What our sewage can reveal about Covid-19 infection rates in the community

Scientists at Bangor University are working with Welsh Water and United Utilities to monitor the background levels of coronavirus within different areas. The scientists have shown that tracing the dead virus which is shed naturally, can provide an early warning of when certain areas may be approaching a next peak of Covid-19, as symptoms can take up to two weeks to emerge, and around 20% of the population or more show no symptoms when they are infected.

Publication date: 11 May 2020

Healthy gut microbiomes can influence farmed fish

We’ve all probably heard or read something about how a healthy gut microbiome can affect our overall health. The gut microbiome is as vital to animals and fish as it is to us humans. We have microbiomes in different parts of our bodies, on our skin, for example. Microbiomes are made up of communities of different microorganisms, viruses and germs and these communities play an important role in the way in which we function. There is even evidence to show that a poor gut biome can lead to ill-health or even disease. With around 45% of the fish we buy and eat globally coming from farmed sources, understanding the fish gut microbiome is essential to supply this demand.

Publication date: 11 May 2020

Discovery of a WW2 Landing Craft off Wales ends 77 year old mystery

A collaboration between a team of marine scientists and technicians based in the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University, working with internationally renowned nautical archaeologist and historian Dr Innes McCartney from Bournemouth University has resulted in the unexpected discovery and identification of a landing craft which was mysteriously lost at sea during WW2.

Publication date: 5 May 2020

Tsunami video wins Silver Publishers’ Award of the Geographical Association

An educational video on tsunamis, made by Time for Geography in collaboration with Bangor University and the University of Dundee, has received the 2020 Silver Publishers’ Award by the Geographical Association. The Silver Award is the highest accolade given annually for materials associated with geography in schools and colleges that make a significant contribution to geographical education and professional development.

Publication date: 4 May 2020

Lockdown challenges – what evolution tells us about our need for personal space

Humans are intensely social creatures. We all need company and social contact. But for many of us, being at home for long periods with a small group of people – even those we love best – can become frustrating. One key to understanding why constant contact with our family feels so unusual comes from looking at how social groups work in other primate species. This article by Vivien Shaw of the School of Medical Sciences and Isabelle Winder of the School of Natural Sciences is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Publication date: 4 May 2020

Tsunami video wins Silver Publishers’ Award of the Geographical Association

An educational video on tsunamis, made by Time for Geography in collaboration with Bangor University and the University of Dundee, has received the 2020 Silver Publishers’ Award by the Geographical Association.

Publication date: 1 May 2020

3D printing of PPE safety visors

School pupils and teachers of Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn, with support from Creo Medical, make 3D printed safety visors guided by Ilan Davies (a PhD student at the School of Computing and Electronic Engineering working with Creo Medical).

Publication date: 1 May 2020

Top placements with Natural Resources Wales for three exceptional Bangor forestry students

Three Bangor University students have secured 12-month placements with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as part of their BSc Forestry (with sandwich placement) degrees. They will get the chance to find out what NRW’s approach to the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR) is all about.

Publication date: 1 May 2020