Latest news with #UniversityofKent
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Science
- BBC News
Scientists trying to grow Devon tea plants in space
Scientists are using plants from Devon to test whether it is possible to grow tea in space. Seedlings cultivated near Ashburton have been planted in soils which are similar to those found on the Moon and Mars as part of a research project at the University of Kent. The team said the aim was to be able to ultimately grow food in space for people who are based on space stations and the Moon in the future. Jo Harper, who owns Dartmoor Estate Tea which provided the plants, said it was a "mind-blowing" idea. 'New age of space' Prof Nigel Mason, who specialises in molecular physics at the University of Kent, said this could contribute to research into whether food can be grown in added: "We're moving into a new age of space, where we no longer just want to explore, but we want to settle space, we want to put people onto space stations and build bases on the Moon."As soon as you consider that, one of the first things you want to know is, 'what will people eat?'"The fun part of the project is to to see whether we could grow things on the Moon, but a lot of the basic work is also about how crops and plants survive harsh environments and poor soils, and poor soils are a big problem with climate change." Researcher Anna-Marie Wirth, 22, said she thought it was "really cool" tea plants were being tested. "Tea is a huge part of British culture and cultures around the world," she will monitor how the plants develop over the course of 30 days, with temperature, humidity and lighting controlled to mimic conditions in have been grown in space before after a small food-growing trial by Italian and American scientists. Kathryn Harper, from the Dartmoor Estate Tea, said people needed the drink, "even in space"."If they're growing it themselves, then those on the International Space Station would have access to their daily brew, their daily cup of tea," she results of the experiment are expected in summer 2025.
The Hindu
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Aneka Theatre's ‘Raktha Vivaha' to be staged at Ranga Shankara
The Kannada play Raktha Vivaha will be staged at the Ranga Shankara in Bengaluru on June 14, 2025 (Saturday). Directed by Apoorva Anagalli, the play is an adaptation of the popular work of Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca. The play, based on Garcia Lorca's Blood Wedding (Spanish: Bodas de sangre), is a tragic story of a girl who is torn between two young men in a repressive society. This love triangle, woven around complex themes such as passionate love, male arrogance, a woman's loneliness and human-nature conflict, is based on a true incident. The play is produced by the Aneka Theatre Group. Apoorva Anagalli is a stage actress and director trained at the University of Kent in England, the National School of Drama in New Delhi, and Ninasam in Shivamogga, Karnataka. Her theatre productions attempt to fuse creative experimentation with traditional Indian art forms and modern theatre design techniques. She is researching the revival of folk art forms of coastal Karnataka as well as theatre in education. She has directed more than 20 plays till now and has given over 300 stage performances in prestigious festivals Raktha Vivaha will be staged at 7:30 pm at Ranga Shankara. The tickets are priced at Rs 200. Visit BookMyShow or contact 9718080422 or 9448050950.
Edinburgh Live
11-06-2025
- Edinburgh Live
Madeleine McCann police in 'major breakthrough' with Christian Brueckner probe
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An expert has suggested that new evidence may "significantly strengthen" the case against Christian Brueckner, the suspect in the Madeleine McCann disappearance. A grim new documentary about Madeleine McCann has unveiled distressing discoveries at Christian Brueckner's abode, which include images of children in swimming attire, toddler toys, and appalling stories of child snatching. During the investigation, an 80gb hard drive was unearthed, containing photos and a computer key, possibly providing the impetus for detectives to associate the suspect with Madeleine's vanishing. The contents of the hard drive also positioned Brueckner at the epicentre of the search zone around Arades Dam in Portugal. It was disclosed in the documentary that Brueckner expressed desires to "capture something small and use it for days". Robert Green, a Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Kent, opines that finding "mask, guns, and hard drive" may necessitate a more intensive inquiry into Brueckner's history. Speaking to The Mirror, he remarked: "The discovery of items such as a mask, guns, and particularly the hard drive, indicates a potential link to further criminal activity, which may warrant a more thorough investigation of the suspect's past," reports the Mirror. It's thought the fresh search is linked to the continued quest for answers in the Madeleine McCann case, with the hope that new evidence might crack it. Investigators constantly review existing evidence and chase leads they think might pay off, especially in cases that have gone unsolved for years. A newly unearthed letter from prime suspect Brueckner is said to mock German police's efforts to tie him to Madeleine McCann's disappearance. In the handwritten note, seen by German newspaper Bild, he allegedly writes: "Are there any traces of her in my vehicle? Any other traces of her in my possession? Photos? Is there a body? No, no, no." A document also places the suspect at the location of a search for Madeleine McCann, where he reportedly said "she did not scream" while discussing the British toddler with an associate. He also shares a chilling kidnapping story, including: "A very small girl enters the room. She's definitely not older than five." The latest search for clues related to Madeleine McCann's disappearance lasted three days in Praia da Luz last week, near where Brueckner is known to have camped. Brueckner spent time in the Praia de Luz area of Portugal between 2000 and 2017, with his home just a mile from the Ocean Club, where the McCann family stayed when Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007. Years on, investigators reportedly discovered that his mobile phone had received a call near the holiday flat complex approximately an hour before the three year old was reported missing.
Irish Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Major breakthrough in Madeleine McCann case as new evidence uncovered
Investigators involved in the probe into Madeleine McCann's disappearance 18 years ago could strengthen their case against the prime suspect, Christian Brueckner, after new evidence emerged, a forensic expert has claimed. The Mirror reports how a disturbing new documentary into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in Portugal in 2007 has uncovered new evidence at Christian Brueckner's home, including photographs of young children in swimwear, toys and horrific stories of kids being kidnapped. Among the evidence was an 80gb hard drive that contained images, as well as a laptop key. The hard drive also placed Brueckner at the centre of the search location in the Arades Dam area, with the documentary reporting that the German suspect wanted to "capture something small and use it for days". Professor of Forensic Science at the University of Kent, Robert Green, believes discovering "musk, guns, and hard drive" may warrant a more "thorough investigation" into Brueckner's past. He told The Mirror: "The discovery of items such as a musk, guns, and particularly the hard drive, indicates a potential link to further criminal activity, which may warrant a more thorough investigation of the suspect's past. "The rationale behind the renewed search could stem from the ongoing pursuit of justice in the Madeleine McCann case and the hope that any additional evidence could lead to a breakthrough. Investigators continually assess existing evidence and pursue lines of inquiry they believe could be fruitful, especially in cases that have remained unresolved for many years." A letter from Brueckner, who denies any involvement in the disappearance of the British girl, which was recently discovered is believed to have been targeted at police in Germany and their attempts to connect the convicted criminal to Madeleine's disappearance in Portugal. German publication Bild quotes the note as reading: "Are there any traces of her in my vehicle? Any other traces of her in my possession? Photos? Is there a body? No, no, no." Brueckner was also placed at the location of a search for Maddie by a document in which he allegedly said "she did not scream" as he discussed the British toddler with an associate. He also shared a harrowing kidnapping story, including: "A very small girl enters the room. She's definitely not older than five." Last week, the latest search for clues into the disappearance of Madeleine was launched by both German and Portuguese authorities. The search, conducted between Praia da Luz - where Madeleine disappeared on May 3, 2007 - and the area where Brueckner resided lasted a number of days. It's understood that Brueckner spent time in Praia de Luz between 2000 and 2017 and his home was quite close to the Ocean Club, the accommodation in which the McCann family were staying when she suddenly disappeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What parents should consider before sharing photos of their children online
While Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have previously shared official portraits of their two children, Archie and Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, they have chosen to keep both out of the spotlight since their departure from royal duties and move to California in 2020. But, coinciding with the release of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, earlier this year, the Duchess of Sussex returned to social media – offering fans a snapshot of her family's new life in the Golden State. The first tidbit Meghan shared was part of a tribute to her late dog Guy, where both Archie and Lili could be seen playing with the pup, and audio of them talking could be heard alongside the backing track. Then, we later saw snippets of the children in a Reel of Meghan making biscuits with friends. She also previously shared a video on Instagram Stories, showing her and Lili wearing matching beekeeping outfits as they approached a beehive. Today, celebrating her daughter's fourth birthday, Meghan posted two black-and-white images of them both – one taken recently, the other of when she had just given birth. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (@meghan) In all of these pictures, though, she has chosen to keep her children's faces out of shot or obscured to protect their identities. Of course, Meghan and Harry have both expressed their desire for privacy over the years, instead choosing what, when and how they share information with the public (for the most part). But, they're not the only parents who choose to shield their kids' faces when sharing photos and videos online. This is becoming a particularly pertinent trend among parents since various updates to data-sharing policies and Meta's announcement that it would be using certain user images and content to help train artificial intelligence (AI) models. Even so, "sharenting" – the movement of parents sharing content of their kids online – has long been a hot topic of debate. Some argue that social media allows them to connect with other parents and similar communities, as well as give updates to family and friends. But others brandish the exercise as irresponsible and exploitative – and that's before we even get to kids having access to their own social media accounts and how to navigate that. So, here's what you need to know. First things first, it's important to understand what tech companies can do with images and information. Dr Jason Nurse, a reader of cyber security at the University of Kent, tells Yahoo UK that, depending on the social media platform, there is a risk that images can be shared and used in different ways. He explains: "Companies don't usually 'own' the pictures uploaded to them. Rather, by uploading photos, we are typically agreeing to grant the platform a licence to use our content. This could include obvious actions, such as displaying content on one's profile page, but it may also allow them to use a person's content for other purposes. "This doesn't necessarily mean that photos will appear in other places online (e.g. in advertisements), but it is wise to always read the terms of service before using social media sites," he adds. Developer OpenAI, for example, has previously confirmed that it uses copyrighted material and data from the internet in order to train its chatbot, ChatGPT. Snapchat has also said that by using its AI-generated selfie feature, users' images may be used in ads and sponsored content. Dr Nurse says that while some platforms may have different rules, generally speaking, private settings are more of a safeguard when it comes to protecting your content, particularly if you're worried about sharing pictures of your children. "For some, private accounts primarily control which other individuals on (or off) the platform can view posts or photos. This therefore may not naturally translate to greater restrictions on social media platforms," he explains. "For others, setting photos or posts to private may afford users a higher level of privacy even in terms of their use by the platform itself; this has been discussed especially around private posts, with some platforms like X confirming that such posts are not used to train AI." Additional online safety threats, according to Dr Nurse, include photo misuse and exploitation and privacy violation. "Sharing photos of children exposes them to this long before they are even able to curate their own digital presence," he adds. "Shielding their faces, as Meghan has done, can be a good way to protect their identities, as our faces are our most distinguishing features." Jenny Warwick, a BACP-accredited counsellor who specialises in providing support for parents and carers of adolescents and teenagers, stresses: "Once images are online and 'out there' – they are 'out there'. They become widely accessible and can be downloaded, altered, shared and circulated without your consent. Even the most innocent photos can be exploited and misused by people whose intention is not innocent. It's a horrible thought, but unfortunately, it's a reality that highlights the potential for harm." She adds: "Additionally, due to the long-lasting and often permanent imprint of digital footprints, your children are inheriting an online presence that they have not or could not have chosen, which can impact their futures. It also opens up the risk of identity theft as personal information, such as full names, locations, or school uniforms, for example, can be used fraudulently." While Warwick understands the motivation behind posting can range from pride and love to a desire to feel less lonely, she says it's important to assess what can happen beyond the immediate post. She says: "Sharing our children's milestones helps boost a sense of connection and community, so we feel supported and less alone. We want to keep memories of our kids' childhood, and social media platforms make it easy to create a digital scrapbook or diary. Plus, likes, comments and engagement can give a sense of validation and social approval, which feels rewarding. "But when sharing about your child online, consider their future feelings by asking yourself if you would want this information or content shared about you. Avoid posting personal details like full names, school names, locations or dates of birth." "Ask yourself if the content could be misinterpreted or misused, particularly in the case of photos taken at bath time, the beach or during emotionally vulnerable moments," Warwick continues. "While sharing humorous or cute content might feel fun, ask yourself if this is respecting your child's dignity. Is this something they might feel embarrassed or ashamed of if they were aware of it? Ask your child how they feel about a photo being shared. Even very young children can express their consent or dissent." Warwick warns that, while sharing pictures can build a sense of family connection and pride if done mindfully, children may also feel pressure to "perform" for the camera rather than just being themselves. "They may feel embarrassed or ashamed – particularly if their private or vulnerable moments are made public," she says. "If they're feeling overly scrutinised or 'known' online, this can impact their mental health, and they may develop anxiety or challenges with their identity." She adds: "If your children discover that things were shared without their knowledge, they might feel betrayed, undermining their trust in caregivers to prioritise their well-being. Plus, when their boundaries and consent aren't considered, they will struggle with boundaries and distinguishing between public and private in their own lives." Finally, Dr Nurse advises: "I would always suggest parents consider the implications of sharing such photos, and weigh them up against the risks. If sharing is deemed appropriate, it's really important for parents to limit what's included in the photos of children and who can access them. "Ideally, I suggest always limiting viewing to a small circle of family members or friends, and asking them never to re-share photos without your consent." Read more about parenting: How a social media curfew could impact your children (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read) 5 ways to support your child's talent as Beyoncé's daughter Blue Ivy returns to the stage (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read) Why sleepovers have become a new nightmare for parents (Yahoo Life UK, 12-min read)
