Latest news with #DavidHunter
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Chapel Milton's Victorian viaduct to undergo £7.5m upgrade
A landmark railway viaduct spanning a Derbyshire valley is set to undergo a 7.5m of the 160-year-old twin viaducts at Chapel Milton, near Chapel-en-le-Frith, will be improved by Network Rail between now and the Victorian structure allows two freight lines to transport about 25,000 tonnes of stone, cement and limestone a day across the Black Brook Valley from four Peak District Hunter, from Network Rail, said it required a "modern touch to make sure freight trains can pass over it safely and efficiently for generations to come". He added: "Each train takes about 76 wagons off the roads."The longevity of the viaduct is essential to the success of the economy and reducing the carbon footprint of the construction sector." Preparatory work has already begun ahead of the main upgrade project, which will include repairing brickwork, installing handrails and guardrails to improve safety for workers and strengthening the Great Rocks line will close between 29 August and 7 September while the track is removed and replaced by contractor first line of the Chapel Milton Viaduct was opened in 1867 for trains from London St Pancras to and from Manchester, with the second fork towards Sheffield operational from was built for passenger services, but is now solely used for are being invited to an information event between 16:00 and 19:00 BST on Wednesday at Chinley Chapel to find out more about the work and its impact on the community.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Clyde announce they will now train at New Douglas Park after Accies' exit
The Bully Wee have benefitted from Hamilton Accies' move away from the stadium Clyde have announced they will train at New Douglas Park this season, following Hamilton Academical's move away from the venue. The Bully Wee are tenants at the facility - owned by Hamilton Stadium Limited and not Hamilton Accies FC - and will now be able to train at the venue in a move that offers "greater operational efficiency and a stable base as their pursue a home of their own." Clyde previously trained at Ochilview in Stenhousemuir as Hamilton's first team occupied the facilities for most of the week, so this will be a big boost for boss Darren Young and his players. Accies departed New Douglas Park last month amid a disagreement with the stadium owners over a potential sale and, ironically, they now intend to play at Clyde's former home at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. A club statement read: "Clyde FC is pleased to confirm that the team will train at New Douglas Park, now known as the Hamilton Community Stadium, for the duration of the 2025/26 season. This marks a significant step in streamlining the club's operations, as all footballing and off-field activities will now be based at a single venue. "The move ensures greater operational efficiency and provides a stable base as the club continues to pursue its long-term strategic goal of relocating to a permanent home of its own. Hamilton Community Stadium offers a high-quality environment that supports both the day-to-day needs of the club as well as the part time playing squad." Club Director David Hunter added: 'Consolidating our training and operational activities at Hamilton Community Stadium is a positive and practical step for the club. It allows us to focus more effectively on both football performance and the broader off-field strategy. "While our ultimate aim remains securing a permanent home of our own, this agreement offers valuable stability in the short term. We're grateful to the stadium's owners for their continued support and commitment to helping us progress. "The club looks forward to playing matches and training at Hamilton Community Stadium and the focus remains on continuing preparations for the season ahead with renewed clarity." Meanwhile, the Bully Wee have announced their pre-season schedule for this summer. The Bully Wee kick off their pre-season schedule with a visit to Albion Rovers on June 26, before hosting Queen's Park in a Glasgow Cup tie. Both matches will be played behind closed doors. The club continue their preparation on Tuesday, July 8 when they travel to Kelty Hearts. The match will take place at the Fife side's New Central Park home, with a 7.45pm kick off. Admission prices have been set at £10 adults, £5 for concessions and under-16s, with under-12s free with a paying adult. The first competitive match arrives on July 12 when they host Motherwell in the group stages of the Premier Sports League Cup.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Common Childhood Virus Linked to Alzheimer's Development in Old Age
A study published 30 years ago is striking up new conversation about the potential connection between the common cold sore and Alzheimer's disease. Published in The Lancet in 1997, researchers compared DNA extracted from the brains of elderly people with and without Alzheimer's, and in some of them, found herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1)—an infection often contracted in childhood—dormant in the nerves. Ultimately, researchers predicted that those with HSV-1 and a specific gene, called the ApoE-e4 gene, had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. Meet the Experts: David Hunter, M.D., an assistant professor and neurologist with UTHealth Houston, Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious disease doctor at Memorial Hermann Health System; and Mark Santos, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Touro University Nevada. Study co-author Ruth Itzhaki, Ph.D., summarized her team's findings in a recent article for The Conversation and noted that, over the years, additional work has surfaced to support hers. But what does it all mean, exactly? If a cold sore pops up, should you be concerned about dementia? We reached out to experts who explained everything. 'HSV-1 is a common virus to which almost everyone is exposed early in life,' says David Hunter, M.D., an assistant professor and neurologist with UTHealth Houston. 'It is best known for causing cold sores and is closely related to chicken pox and mononucleosis.' What these viruses have in common is that they are neurotropic, meaning they linger in the nervous system long after the initial illness, explains Linda Yancey, M.D., an infectious disease doctor at Memorial Hermann Health System, and can be reactivated by stress or lowered immunity. That's how, for instance, chicken pox can manifest later in life as shingles, adds Dr. Hunter. The virus's ability to infiltrate the nerves is believed to get it past the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that shields the organ from infection via the bloodstream. Thanks to that entry point, Dr. Hunter says, HSV-1 is the most common cause of viral brain inflammation in the United States. 'There is no vaccine for HSV and almost everyone will get it by adulthood,' Dr. Hunter adds. Cold sores are a mild case of it, and symptoms can be treated with antiviral drugs. Dormant HSV-1 may be reactivated by illness and reach the brain, explains Mark Santos, Ph.D., an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at Touro University Nevada. This can trigger brain inflammation over time, known as herpes encephalitis,and in people with genetic risk factors, like the ApoE-4 gene, contribute to Alzheimer's development, he adds. 'We don't entirely know why ApoE-4 is a risk factor for Alzheimer's,' adds Dr. Hunter. 'The link to HSV could be that ApoE-4 impacts the blood-brain barrier and makes it easier for HSV to enter.' And the inflammation caused by that entry may heighten Alzheimer's risk. 'It is now universally accepted that inflammation in the brain is a key step in the development of Alzheimer's,' Dr. Hunter reiterates. In the three decades since the original study, doctors and researchers have learned much more about Alzheimer's disease and its connection to viral inflammation. For instance, several studies have found that being immunized for any disease (like COVID-19 or the flu) reduces Alzheimer's risk, says Dr. Hunter. 'Several other studies have shown that reducing inflammation in the brain helps prevent Alzheimer's,' he adds. Santos concurs. 'Since 1996, additional studies have found HSV-1 DNA in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's. Lab studies have also shown that HSV-1 infection can trigger the buildup of amyloid-beta and tau—proteins strongly associated with Alzheimer's pathology,' he explains. However, there are a few disclaimers to note. Firstly, the posed risk is associated with people who contract HSV-1 in early life, giving it time to progressively cause inflammation. The risk may be lower in adults, says Santos. 'That said, if someone has other risk factors (like a weakened immune system or APOE-e4), adult-onset HSV-1 could still have long-term consequences,' he adds. Still, neurotropic viruses are extremely common, Dr. Yancey reiterates. 'This makes it difficult to tease out whether they are causing neurologic problems or are simply common in the general population, including people with neurologic problems,' she adds. In other words, because most people end up with HSV-1 doesn't necessarily mean that most people will get Alzheimer's. 'Most cold sores aren't a cause for concern,' Santos adds. 'They're common and usually well-controlled by the immune system. But for people with frequent outbreaks, weakened immunity, or APOE-e4, it may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider. The concern is not a single cold sore, but long-term viral activity in the brain.' More research, including long-term studies, is needed to make any solid associations, Santos and Dr. Yancey conclude. 'The current data is based on population-level surveys. There is no way to predict on an individual patient's level whether this has a meaningful impact,' says Dr. Yancey. Future research will, hopefully, at least help experts understand how antiviral treatment affects Alzheimer's risk, as well as identify better ways to detect when HSV-1 is active in the brain. 'The hope is that understanding how infections contribute to Alzheimer's will open up new ways to prevent or treat it—especially before symptoms start,' says Santos. Being vaccinated, exercising, engaging in mental stimulation, and maintaining a heart-healthy diet are all known ways to lower dementia risk, our experts say. Avoiding smoking or nicotine use of any kind can also 'drastically' reduce the risk, says Dr. Yancey. All of these habits and choices work together to support both immune and brain health. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
BreakingNews.ie
29-05-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Gangland killer argues court was wrong to dismiss eyewitness evidence of gunman height
A gangland gunman convicted of murdering dissident Republican Michael Barr in a Dublin pub in 2016 has argued that the trial court was wrong to dismiss the evidence of a witness concerning the height of the man who pulled the trigger. Counsel for David Hunter (46) also argued that Hunter's privacy rights had been breached by the introduction of mobile phone evidence during his trial, in which he was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court in September 2020. Advertisement Liverpool native Hunter, with an address at Du Cane Road, White City, London, had denied the Kinahan Cartel murder of 35-year-old Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin's north inner city on the night of April 25th, 2016. At his trial before the non-jury, three-judge Special Criminal Court, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, presiding, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh, said that the evidence had been heard in a "compelling way" that Hunter was one of the two gunmen who entered the Summerhill pub and murdered Mr Barr by shooting him. Hunter's involvement in the murder had been "fully proved" and the court was "sure of his guilt", remarked Mr Justice Owens. The judge noted that the murderers had failed to burn out the getaway car, which had been abandoned at Walsh Road in Drumcondra a few minutes after the killing, and they had also dropped a burner phone at the getaway scene. Advertisement He said the major part of a DNA profile taken from a ski mask recovered from the car during the investigation into the shooting of Mr Barr matched the profile of Hunter. In a voluntary statement to gardaí, Hunter said that the ski mask was his but that he had dropped it in a car driven by another man when he visited Ireland two months before the murder on a car-stealing exercise. Hunter also claimed he had used the mask on various ski trips with his children to Norway, France, Spain, Scotland, Austria and Switzerland. Mr Justice Owens said that the circumstantial evidence in the case "pointed inextricably" to Hunter's guilt and the facts taken together had established the father-of-five's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and no other rational explanation could be drawn. At the Court of Appeal on Thursday, Hunter's legal team argued that the trial court erred in rejecting the evidence of witnesses present in the Sunset House that said there was a difference in height between the two assailants who entered the pub and killed Mr Barr. Advertisement Michael Bowman SC said that the trial court had set out that Hunter was being convicted because someone dropped a mobile phone at the scene and the car used by the gunmen failed to burn out, meaning that latex masks were not destroyed by the fire. Counsel said that a witness in the pub was very clear in the physical description he gave, identifying a distinction in height between the two men. This witness had said the gunman was wearing a ski mask under a latex mask, but Mr Bowman said the trial court had refused to acknowledge what the witness had seen. He said that this witness identified the gunman as being six feet one or two, while Hunter is five feet ten. Concerning the ski mask from which a DNA profile of Hunter was obtained, Mr Bowman said that in February 2016, Hunter 'on the spur of the moment' came to Ireland for a two-day period to steal cars, bringing the ski mask with him for this purpose. 'It's a very careless criminal who would leave his ski mask behind in a car that was stolen,' remarked Mr Justice John Edwards. Advertisement Mr Bowman said that the ski mask was correctly observed by the witness in the pub, adding that Hunter does not conform with the height of the assailant given, which meant that there was potentially another individual who wore that mask. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remarked that this would make Hunter 'a victim of coincidence' if he had left the mask in a car six weeks before, only for it then to turn up in a car used in a murder. 'Life is a series of unfortunate coincidences,' said Mr Bowman. Hunter's legal team also raised a ground of appeal concerning the mobile phones in the case, arguing that even if the appellant accepted or refused ownership of one of the phones, he was entitled to challenge the phone evidence on the basis of a breach of his privacy rights. Advertisement It was submitted that the trial court erred in finding that the mere fact that the material in question may pertain to criminal activity meant it could not attract privacy rights. On behalf of the State, Dominic McGinn SC said that at the time of the trial, only two of those involved in the shooting were apprehended, while a third man had not been identified. He said that Hunter and co-accused Eamonn Cumberton were of the same height. Mr McGinn said that of the latex masks found in the car, each had a dominant DNA profile, with one that matched Hunter, one that matched Cumberton, and the last that matched the third man involved, Christopher Slator. He said that each DNA profile from these masks was paired to different items in the car, with Hunter's profile also found on the ski mask. Ireland Dentist given lifetime ban on owning animals in 'a... Read More 'The possibility that perhaps someone else picked it up and put it on, that would have required them to leave none of their profile on it,' said Mr McGinn. Concerning the admissibility of the phone evidence, Mr McGinn said there had been a vast change in the legal position concerning mobile phone data since then, but the investigation team could not be faulted for using the legislation at the time to get the information required. Mr Justice Edwards said the court would reserve judgement in the case. Hunter is one of three men to be found guilty of murdering dissident republican Michael Barr. In January 2018, Eamonn Cumberton, of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, was convicted of murdering the Tyrone native, while in July 2022, Christopher Slator, of Carnlough Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, was also convicted.
The Courier
27-05-2025
- The Courier
Handgun-wielding robber left Stirling woman terrified in flat invasion
A robber armed with a handgun terrorised a woman in a bid to get money from a Stirling flat where he believed a sex worker lived, a court heard. David Hunter, 39, forced his way into the property after brandishing the weapon when the victim answered the door. Advocate depute Martin Crawford told the High Court in Edinburgh: 'The accused believed the property to house a sex worker. 'He grabbed the woman by the neck with one hand and pushed the gun into her side with the other.' The prosecutor said: 'She did not know the accused. She was terrified by the accused's actions.' The intruder began repeatedly making demands for money and took her to the kitchen at gunpoint, where she tried to look for money. She attempted to call the police but Hunter took her phone. He began rifling through a bedroom to find cash and she again made a bid to escape but Hunter grabbed her and dragged her back into the flat. A delivery driver heard a scream and saw the victim in the doorway in a state of distress. Hunter let go of the woman, who did not speak English but was able to gesture to witnesses she had been choked and to call the police. Hunter climbed out of a back window and walked towards a man, pointing the gun at him. He then returned to the common close where the flat was and brandished the weapon at other witnesses before leaving. Hunter, of Lambert Terrace, Alloa, was tracked down through descriptions of his appearance and CCTV footage. The advocate depute said: 'He was interviewed by police, during which he repeatedly said he had no memory of the events of the afternoon.' The recycling centre worker admitted assaulting the woman and robbing her of a mobile phone on September 5 last year, when he appeared at court via a video link to prison. He pointed the handgun at her, seized her neck, demanded money, grabbed her phone from her, seized her by the head and body and struggled with her. The court heard Hunter was previously jailed for sexual assault and for dangerous driving. Defence solicitor advocate Gordon Martin said the handgun used by Hunter was an airsoft BB pistol. Judge Lord Scott told Hunter: 'You have pleaded guilty to an extremely serious charge.' He adjourned sentencing for the preparation of a background report and risk assessment. He told Hunter he will continue to be remanded until a sentencing hearing on July 15 at the High Court in Glasgow.
