Apr132017

News story: Online analytical tool launched to aid invertebrate conservation

DEFRA
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Natural England and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) have launched a new online database and analytical tool called Pantheon, which helps us better understand conservation status and habitat-related traits of invertebrates.

From the weevils perched on the leaves of our trees to worms burrowed deep in the earth beneath our feet, invertebrates play a crucial role to improve the ecology of our natural environment.

James Cross, Chief Executive at Natural England said:

Pantheon is a fantastic example of how we are pushing the boundaries of science and IT to benefit invertebrate conservation. Researchers, ecologists and land managers will have access to a wealth of data.

This database will play an important role in identifying trends to better protect our natural environment.

Pantheon was developed to assist invertebrate nature conservation in England. Users import lists of invertebrates into the database, which then analyses the species, attaching associated habitats, resources and conservation status against them.

This information can then be used to assign quality to sites, assist in management decisions and prompt further other ecological study. This database will help site managers, researchers, ecological consultants and is also available to the public.

With contributions from Buglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, this project brings together 10 years’ worth of work by Natural England’s scientists to make it easier than ever to understand the importance of invertebrates in England.

Pantheon can tell users which species are typical of woodland canopies, dead wood and shaded woodland ground layers. It can identify how many species from a selected site are using flower-rich habitat and which specific flowers they need. In the future, Pantheon will also help users understand the impact of climate change on species communities in the wider countryside and protected places, such as National Parks.

Dr Hannah Dean, database and informatics specialist at the CEH, said:

CEH is working to develop innovative, world-class outputs that advance scientific knowledge and understanding. Pantheon combines an extensive online database with a set of analytical tools. Together these deliver vital information on invertebrate species and their habitats, enabling evidence-based decisions that support the conservation of natural resources.

Explore the Pantheon database, which is free to use.

Apr132017

News story: Online analytical tool launched to aid invertebrate conservation

HM Government
image_pdfimage_print

Natural England and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) have launched a new online database and analytical tool called Pantheon, which helps us better understand conservation status and habitat-related traits of invertebrates.

From the weevils perched on the leaves of our trees to worms burrowed deep in the earth beneath our feet, invertebrates play a crucial role to improve the ecology of our natural environment.

James Cross, Chief Executive at Natural England said:

Pantheon is a fantastic example of how we are pushing the boundaries of science and IT to benefit invertebrate conservation. Researchers, ecologists and land managers will have access to a wealth of data.

This database will play an important role in identifying trends to better protect our natural environment.

Pantheon was developed to assist invertebrate nature conservation in England. Users import lists of invertebrates into the database, which then analyses the species, attaching associated habitats, resources and conservation status against them.

This information can then be used to assign quality to sites, assist in management decisions and prompt further other ecological study. This database will help site managers, researchers, ecological consultants and is also available to the public.

With contributions from Buglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, this project brings together 10 years’ worth of work by Natural England’s scientists to make it easier than ever to understand the importance of invertebrates in England.

Pantheon can tell users which species are typical of woodland canopies, dead wood and shaded woodland ground layers. It can identify how many species from a selected site are using flower-rich habitat and which specific flowers they need. In the future, Pantheon will also help users understand the impact of climate change on species communities in the wider countryside and protected places, such as National Parks.

Dr Hannah Dean, database and informatics specialist at the CEH, said:

CEH is working to develop innovative, world-class outputs that advance scientific knowledge and understanding. Pantheon combines an extensive online database with a set of analytical tools. Together these deliver vital information on invertebrate species and their habitats, enabling evidence-based decisions that support the conservation of natural resources.

Explore the Pantheon database, which is free to use.

Apr132017

News story: Headley Court team leading ground breaking hip pain research

MOD
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The Military Hip Rehabilitation Outcome (MILO) study is funded with a grant from Arthritis Research UK and brings together university academics, industry partners and MOD collaborators to investigate issues surrounding the risk factors and treatment of hip pain in the armed forces.

Little is currently known about the causes of hip pain in military personnel and the evidence supporting popular treatment options is inconclusive. The MILO research programme consists of 2 separate studies.

Study 1 will compare the effects of a residential rehabilitation programme with conventional out patient care and

Study 2 will examine the occupational risk-factors for hip pain in UK military personnel.

Commenting on the importance of this programme the Director of Defence Rehabilitation, Col John Etherington said:

Musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) are a major problem affecting the health and operational readiness of our personnel. We know that approximately 19% of the trained UK armed forces on strength currently have a diagnosed MSKI with army personnel the most likely to be medically downgraded.

Along with several other programmes, this research is essential to ensure our people receive the right treatment for their hip pain at the right time. Crucially, the results will also allow us to exploit initiatives that could prevent the development of the condition in currently serving and future generations of military personnel.

Gp Capt Alex Bennett the Head of Research at Headley Court who leads the study group explained how determining the causes and optimal treatment for hip pain has important implications for young physically active military personnel:

The first step to delaying or preventing the development of hip pain is to determine the causes. The MILO study will look at the role of occupational physical activity as a potential cause of hip pain and may open the door to preventing hip damage.

We are also conducting the first study evaluating in-patient versus out-patient treatment options in young active adults with hip pain. The results will provide evidence to inform clinical practice and ensure military personnel receive the most effective available treatment. This vital research will greatly improve our understanding of hip pain in the UK military context

A dedicated MILO study clinic has been established at Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) Headley Court. Anyone with questions about the research programme should email Mr Russ Coppack at dmrc-clinicalresearchmanager@mod.uk or phone 01372 947 103.

Apr132017

New bilingually produced thriller set to provide £4m economic boost

Welsh Government
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Part funded through the Welsh Government’s Media Investment Budget, which is advised by Pinewood Pictures  the series has been jointly commissioned by S4C and BBC Wales.

The eight part returnable series will film back to back in English and Welsh in the same way as the hugely successful Y Gwyll/ Hinterland.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“This is another great project that is not only being filmed in Wales but also set in Wales with funding support from our Media Investment Budget. It will provide great opportunities for Welsh crews, facilities companies and local suppliers and provide a significant boost to local economies. 

“The past five years have seen Wales become one of the most successful areas in the UK for high end television drama, and I am delighted that Un Bore Mercher/Keeping Faith has joined the growing showreel of made-in-Wales drama productions.”

This latest high end drama from Vox Pictures is co-written by Matthew Hall ( New Street Law, Blue Murder) and adapted into Welsh by Anwen Huws (Gwaith Cartref, Pobol y Cwm). It stars Eve Myles (Torchwood, Broadchurch and Victoria) in the lead character Faith.

The series tells the story of lawyer, wife and mother Faith (Myles) as she fights to find the truth behind the sudden disappearance of her husband. She comes to discover that her beautiful, idyllic home town in West Wales harbours many dark secrets that threaten the lives of Faith and her family. 

Director is Pip Broughton (Under Milk Wood and Aberfan, The Green Hollow) who is co-producing with Nora Ostler (Gwaith Cartref, Y Gwyll/Hinterland) for Vox Pictures. Executive Producers are  Gwawr Martha Lloyd (S4C)  Maggie Russell (BBC Wales) and Adrian Bate for Vox Pictures. 

Filmed on location in the Vale of Glamorgan, Carmarthenshire, Laugharne and in Pencoed studios, this new and distinctive series will premiere this autumn in Welsh as Un Bore Mercher on S4C  followed by the English language version, Keeping Faith on BBC One Wales early next year.