In
the news
Biologist
Professor John Altringham was scientific adviser to BBC
TV's Natural World programme Top Bats. His
study of Britain's most common bat, the pipistrelle, in
the North Yorkshire Dales was featured with other international
research into the flying mammal. Working with colleague
Kirstie Park, Professor Altringham discovered a new species
of native bat in 1996. The new species is as yet without
a name.
Researchers
behind University spin-off company Sound Foresight know
plenty about bats' use of echo-location; trials of their
'bat cane' are under way. The cane emits high-frequency
sounds to detect obstacles and causes pads on the handle
to vibrate, helping the blind navigate busy streets. The
Times explained that the device would be
tested in 'America by the American Council for the Blind,
because the organisation has the biggest world membership.'
Website Ananova reported that the 'device could be on
sale by the end of this year'.
In
a letter to the Times Educational Supplement,
Ken Hall from the school of education noted one of his
student's observations on teacher care: "Computer lessons
always end with teacher checking that all the mice have
been turned over and they still have balls." Surely an
example of 'teacher care beyond the call of duty', mused
Ken Hall.
The
use of terahertz waves to read books without opening their
cover (Reporter 478, page 1) gained regional
coverage. Dr Bob Miles has developed a 'device that would
make even Superman jealous' according to the Yorkshire
Evening Post. Terahertz imaging uses waves that
make molecules vibrate which is then used to determine
the chemicals present. In the Yorkshire Post,
Dr Miles explained its applications: "Until now we've
been focusing on medical applications of the technology.
Unlike X-rays, terahertz waves are not harmful, so there
are no exposure worries for practitioners or patients."
BBCi
reported that poverty may be associated with rates of
tuberculosis infection. The findings emerged from a study
by Professor Rhys Williams and Dr Kamran Siddiqi from
the Nuffield Institute for Health. Conducted in Kirklees,
the work suggested that factors such as poor housing or
nutrition might weaken the immune system, increasing the
likelihood of illness following exposure to the disease.
The
Daily Telegraph advised savers that mutuals
pay higher interest rates than banks or converted mutuals,
based on research by the University's international institute
of banking and financial services. The study (see Reporter
475) compared the average interest paid on a range of
amounts at several organisations. "The survey is likely
to aid the mutuals' defensive action against carpetbaggers
by demonstrating that they do deliver better value to
savers," suggested the Telegraph's finance
correspondent Tessa Thorniley.
