Can we ever fully trust personal gene tests?
(Thinkstock) Kits sold to consumers that predict health risks from our genes have been hit by major concerns over their reliability. Nic Fleming investigates why. “Neurological conditions, 60% probability,” a nurse in green scrubs reads in a monotone voice. A young woman cradles her newborn while an anxious new father looks on. “Manic depression, 42% […]
Stewartby film studio plans approved at former quarry site
Home of Production Home of Production said their new base will “promote biodiversity and adopt renewable technology” Construction on a new film studio at a former quarry has been approved following a council planning meeting. Plans for the studio in Houghton Conquest, near Stewartby, were approved by Central Bedfordshire Council. Home of Production wants to […]
Sport 2050: Snowless snow sport? How climate change could impact winter sports
Skiing without snow, ghost-town resorts and repurposed ski jumps? Climate change, and the warmer winters it will create, has cast doubts on the future of winter sports as we know them. Winter snow sports are facing an existential threat, industry experts say, with new data showing the most recent winter of 2049 was the warmest […]
What support is available for my business?
PA Media A car drives through flood water on Canal Quay in Newry Businesses in parts of Northern Ireland hardest hit by flooding have been left counting the cost of the damage. Many have told BBC News NI that their insurance does not cover flooding. Insurers will look at a lot of information including flood […]
Floating wind farm records UK’s top results for potential output again
BBC These turbines were towed into place from Norway The world’s first full-scale floating wind farm off Peterhead has been recorded as having the UK’s best results for capturing potential output offshore for the third year. Five giant wind turbines make up the Hywind Scotland development, about 15 miles (25km) off Aberdeenshire. It reached an […]
Rural areas facing ‘alarming’ care home closures
Getty Images Rising costs and a recruitment crisis are leading to an alarming rate of care home closures – especially in rural areas, care home leaders have warned. New data from Public Health Scotland showed the number of homes across the country dropped by a fifth in a decade. The care home sector said large […]
Covid-19 pandemic ‘hit wellbeing’ of children with sight loss
smirart/Getty Images The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an “alarming decline in emotional health and wellbeing” for some blind or visually-impaired children. That is according to a report from Angel Eyes NI, an organisation that supports children and young people with visual impairment in schools. It said the likes of lockdown and home-learning had increased […]
Five ways to fix our ailing High Streets
PA Oxford Street, in London, will be pedestrianised by 2018 There are more shop closures on our High Streets than there are openings, so how can we encourage people to stop checking out of these once thriving centres? Research from the Local Data Company showed that 14 shops closed every day in the first half […]
The truth about ‘medbeds’ – a miracle cure that doesn’t exist
BBC One TeslaBiohealing facility is in a converted motel in a small town on the Mississippi River Strange corners of the internet are awash with chatter about miracle devices that can cure nearly any ailment you can think of using the power of mystical energy. Some companies charge thousands for these “medbeds” – but their […]
The graphic design of a pariah state
BBC This printed poster from the exhibition is captioned: “Let’s innovate the fishing industry!” Fishing is a huge industry in North Korea but under international sanctions it can’t sell its seafood overseas. Getty Images It’s not uncommon to find state-published comic books distributed amongst the more privileged classes. Comics are just one of many mediums […]