News: June 2020

Don’t disturb the sleeping oystercatchers

Zoologists from Bangor University have shown how human activity could be disturbing oystercatchers, a near-threatened British bird. Published in the Journal of Zoology , the research studied to what extent these birds have their sleep disturbed by walkers and their dogs, and by more distant noises from passing boats, and what effect this might be having on both their need for sleep and their alertness to any threats.

Publication date: 29 June 2020

How is ‘lock-down’ affecting our use of green-spaces?

We know that access to green spaces and to nature can affect our mood and even our mental health and well-being. The on-going ‘lock-down’ restrictions have changed that access. What effect will this have on our wellbeing? And what can this tell us about the importance of such access and the experiences of different socio-economic groups? Bangor University’s School of Natural Sciences have been awarded funding from the UK’s Economic and Society Research Council to answer some of these questions.

Publication date: 26 June 2020

Noisy humans make birds sleep with one eye open – but lockdown offered a reprieve

Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial for your well-being, as any new parent will tell you. Chronic sleep loss can have a range of effects on the body, from impaired memory to an increased risk of heart attack . But it’s not just humans that need regular sleep. Most animals, from insects to primates, undergo a state of reduced awareness at some point in their day that we can think of as sleep . This article by Graeme Shannon , Lecturer in Zoology, School of Natural Sciences is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Publication date: 25 June 2020

Artificial night sky poses serious threat to coastal species

The artificial lighting which lines the world’s coastlines could be having a significant impact on species that rely on the moon and stars to find food, new research suggests. Creatures such as the sand hopper (Talitrus saltator) orientate their nightly migrations based on the moon’s position and brightness of the natural night sky.

Publication date: 23 June 2020

School announces free learning activities around rainbows and colours

The School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering announces a new programme of activities around rainbows and colour, to encourage school children to keen learning.

Publication date: 22 June 2020

Pilot programme to measure coronavirus prevalence in waste water treatment plants

A pilot programme which will flag early signs of the coronavirus in Welsh communities by monitoring sewage systems, has been awarded almost half a million pounds - the Health Minister Vaughan Gething has confirmed. The frequent monitoring of coronavirus levels at waste water treatment plants can offer a signal of the infection rate in the community and provide early sign that coronavirus is present.

Publication date: 20 June 2020

Bangor marine energy research in UK Parliamentary briefing

A UK Parliament POST on Marine Renewable Energy cited recent Bangor University research on the role of marine energy for a low-carbon, resilient, and sustainable future.

Publication date: 19 June 2020

Enterprise By Design Goes Digital and Thrives Through Trying Times

Bangor University’s multidisciplinary programme, Enterprise by Design , looked a little different this year. The challenge brings students together from seven Schools and subject areas within the University to work together in teams over a 10-week period. This year the students responded to real world briefs set by partner businesses, Anglesey based sea salt company Halen Môn and climbing gear manufacturer DMM, based in Llanberis.

Publication date: 18 June 2020

Researchers present at the virtual Eurographics and EuroVis conference

Researchers at the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering from Visualisation Data Modelling and Graphics group presented their research online as the Eurographics and EuroVis conferences went virtual.

Publication date: 16 June 2020

Fabricating over 2000 masks, here’s how we did it

A team of researchers at Bangor 3D Printed 2000 face shields, which have been distributed to local frontline workers.

Publication date: 12 June 2020

Coronavirus: wastewater can tell us where the next outbreak will be

Fairly early in the COVID-19 outbreak, scientists discovered that the virus that causes the disease – SARS-CoV-2 – is shed in faeces . But unlike the virus found in mucus and spit, the bits of virus found in faecal matter are no longer infectious, having lost their protective outer layer. They are merely bits of RNA – the virus’s genetic material. But these bits of RNA are very useful because they allow us to track outbreaks through the wastewater system. This article By Prof Davey Jones of the School of Natural Sciences is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Publication date: 9 June 2020

Bangor University experts on a mission to provide hay fever relief for millions

Researchers from North Wales are studying the DNA of pollen to provide new hope for millions of hay fever sufferers across the UK

Publication date: 9 June 2020

Coming of age in 2020 – the summer without exams or school proms

The transition from childhood to adulthood is marked by humans in a wide variety of ways across the world. Many of these “coming of age” celebrations are held at puberty. For instance, the filing of front teeth in Bali is said to ease the “sad ripu” or six evils of lust, greed, wrath, pride, jealousy and intoxication. In contrast, the Jewish bar mitzvah marks the point at which children are deemed to be responsible for their own actions. This article by Isabelle Catherine Winder , School of Natural Sciences and Gwyndaf Roberts , and Vivien Shaw , School of Medical Sciences is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article .

Publication date: 8 June 2020

A green university choice

With many young people wanting to reduce their environmental footprint, students looking for a ‘green’ university can be assured that if they choose Bangor, they will be studying at a university which is word-leading for its commitment to recycling and sustainability . Not only was the University recently placed 7th in the world for recycling and sustainability, measured against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the north Wales institution is also ranked 10th in the world for its green credentials according to the Green Metric World University Rankings .

Publication date: 5 June 2020

A new research centre to study the growing problem of plastic waste

A new research Centre has been established at Bangor Universty to study the growing problem of plastic waste. The Plastic Research Centre of Wales (PRC Wales) is the first of its kind in the country and brings together a wide variety of academics, students, organisations and industries.

Publication date: 4 June 2020

Six PhD studentships awarded for environmental science research Bangor University

Six high-calibre graduates from universities across the UK have been awarded prestigious studentships from the Natural Environment Research Council for PhD research projects at Bangor University.

Publication date: 1 June 2020