Swansea University-based biotech company Bionema has launched a product that can trap chafer beetles, whose larvae is responsible for millions of pounds worth of damage to grass and turf. An ADAS Consultancy report has calculated the economic cost of chafer grubs at up to £85m a year for golf courses in the UK, from lost … Continue reading New trap for bugs could stop damage to golf courses

Scientists at University of Queensland and Swansea University’s Department of Physics have developed a new, more sensitive method to measure ultrasound waves. The new sensor, capable of detecting vibrations of living cells, may revolutionise everything from medical devices to unmanned vehicles. World first experiments at the University of Queensland have combined modern nanofabrication and nanophotonics … Continue reading Ultra ultrasound to transform new technology

A report from the Bevan Commission, a leading health and care think tank, has found the NHS in Wales uses over three hundred and seventy separate indicators and measures to monitor and evaluate its performance, leading to confusion, wasted opportunities and time. The Bevan Commission report, Measuring health outcomes – a complex system, also reviewed … Continue reading NHS Wales gathering “mostly useless” information

Plans for a £200m Wellness and Life Science Village in Llanelli have been unanimously approved by Carmarthenshire Council’s planning committee. However, WalesOnline reports the decision will now be referred to the Welsh Government. Ministers will decide whether or not to call the outline application in before approval is actually granted, or otherwise. The project has … Continue reading Wellness and Life Science Village secures council backing

Researchers analysing soil from Ireland long thought to have medicinal properties have discovered that it contains a previously unknown strain of bacteria which is effective against four of the top six superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics, including MRSA. Antibiotic resistant superbugs could kill up to 1.3 million people in Europe by 2050, according to … Continue reading Superbug fighting soil found in Irish churchyard

As people look forward to celebrating Christmas with their loved ones tomorrow, there are many others without close family and friends whose loneliness and social isolation becomes particularly hard to bear. In Wales 17% of people report being lonely according to the National Survey for Wales 2016-17, and although loneliness is more commonly associated with … Continue reading New loneliness resource offers help and advice

Psychology researchers from Swansea University have launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund research that will examine what contributes most to people’s attractiveness. Previous research has already shown that attributes like facial symmetry, humour and strength influence attraction, but only when creating “hypothetical” partners in artificial scenarios. In this research, Swansea University reports Dr Andrew G … Continue reading Crowdfunding to find out what makes people attractive

Bionema Ltd, a leading biotech Swansea University-based company, has received a grant award from Innovate UK to further develop technology that could help combat pests which cost the worldwide economy billions every year. The £765,000 grant was awarded under Innovate UK’s Open Competition and will fund part of a collaborative project with the University of … Continue reading Bionema receives £765,000 Innovate UK grant

Do you have trouble recognising people, even family and friends? Do you find it difficult to tell one expression from another in someone’s face? If so, Swansea University experts are keen to hear from you, as they are researching a condition that affects people’s ability to see differences between faces. The condition, known as developmental … Continue reading Study looking for people with difficulty recognising faces

80% of people aged between eleven and sixteen spend two or more hours a day sitting still playing on phones, watching TV or travelling in cars. Swansea University reports this statistic is revealed as part of a special report card which gives young people an F for sedentary behaviour. The figure rises to 87% weekends. … Continue reading Majority of teens spending hours every day sitting still