Latest news with #UniversityofSurrey
CairoScene
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Meet the TikToker Bringing Arab Dance-Offs to Pre-Party Rituals
Rama Nazha's viral videos turn bathroom dance-offs into masterclasses, introducing her friends, and the world, to the irresistible sounds of Arab music. When Rama Nazha's TikToks first appeared on my For You page, it felt like an algorithmic stroke of luck. At the time, I was caught in a kind of cultural limbo - missing the pace and familiarity of London while basking in the warmth and rhythm of the Arab world. Her videos seemed to fuse the two worlds effortlessly: London edge with unmistakable Arab flair. I knew I had to reach out and chat to her about her newfound fame, teaching the world not only about Arab music, but how to dance to it. With energy so inviting, you can binge watch her videos, with a pre-drink in hand, and just by watching it you feel a part of girls night. You've probably seen her videos. A brightly lit bathroom, a killer Arab track, and a group of girls getting ready like they're about to headline Coachella. But behind the camera? A cultural mixtape - Syria, Lebanon, and London all in perfect sync, and has already hooked 80,000 listeners. Nazha was born in Syria and moved to Lebanon in 2011, at the height of the war. Her path then took her to the University of Surrey, and eventually to London - 'Hampshire wasn't the vibe,' she laughed. She studied media and communications, which, looking at her page now, feels almost prophetic. While her mother plugged her into niche Arab sounds from day one, it wasn't until Nazha landed in London, almost 20 years later, that she started to dance. It's what keeps her videos both grounded and global: 'They're this hybrid of Arab-coded, London-coded vibe which so many people can relate to part of it, but then they also want to know the other part.' It's like she's crafted a cultural remix that feels familiar enough to pull you in, but fresh enough to make you want to stick around and learn more moves. Long before the title 'Arab-pop ambassador of TikTok', there was just a girl, a mirror, and a great playlist. 'I used to post a lot with Arab music. People kept commenting, 'your music taste is wild,' or 'what even is this, I need more.' So one day, my friend was getting ready in my bathroom, I put on a playlist, and I thought - let's just film it.' That spontaneous video? It exploded. Since then, Nazha's account has become a safe space for Arabic music lovers and curious ears alike. She didn't set out to be a cultural conduit, but that's exactly what's happened. 'People from the US, Canada, and South America are DMing me, 'I don't understand the lyrics, but I need this playlist.' Or asking me to write song names in English letters.' And Arab artists are noticing too. Saint Levant, Eliana, and others have already shown love. She confessed all too casually that, 'Saint Levant loves the videos, he is so sweet, an angel'. I asked her what the next iteration might look like - kitchen dance-offs, maybe even some balcony serenades. She didn't hesitate, 'Absolutely,' she grins. 'I've already dragged the girls to an Arab night here in London. We had the coin belts out, my friend was cooking - it was a whole thing.' The point is clear: you don't need to be in a traditional Arab setting to move to the music. Culture, for Rama, isn't confined to geography or decor. It lives just as loudly in a Hackney flat with tea brewing in the kettle as it does at a wedding in Beirut. Music is the one language that knows no borders, and Rama's the stamp that proves it. What was once a personal ritual, like the Henna nights she watched growing up in Syria, is now a universal one. 'Those nights were everything. All the aunties, the music, the dancing, the getting ready. I wanted that here, but I didn't have a big group of Arab girlfriends.' So, she made her own community. Her friends may not speak Arabic, but they dance like they do. With playlists called 'Introducing my bestie to my fave Arabic songs' and 'THE Arabic playlist,' which feature artists from Eliana to Umm Kulthum and have over 13,000 likes, it's clear Rama isn't just curating music - she's curating a movement. Upon my eventual return to London, I'm at peace now I know that an Arab night is right around the corner - because thanks to people like Rama, diaspora isn't a distance, it's a playlist.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Two red flag signs that could mean you have Britain's deadliest cancer
NHS launches pilot scheme for GPs to scour their medical records and contact patients who have two "red flag" signs of pancreatic cancer GPs will scour their medical records for patients who have two red flag signs that they may have pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the UK's tenth most common cancer but it has the lowest five-year survival rate of any common cancer. Most people with pancreatic cancer die within a year of diagnosis and only 7% survive five years or more. That is because symptoms are vague and most people are diagnosed only once the cancer is widespread. Now an NHS pilot in England will see 300 participating GP practices search their medical records of patients who are aged over 60. Doctors will contact patients if they have the two red flag signs - which are a recent diagnosis of diabetes and sudden weight loss. Professor Peter Johnson, NHS National Clinical Director for Cancer: 'Pancreatic cancer is responsible for so many deaths because patients don't usually notice symptoms until the cancer is at an advanced stage, which is why we need to find new ways to pick it up. Through initiatives like this and the upcoming 10 Year Health Plan the NHS is determined to go a step further – not just treat people at an advanced stage but to go out into communities and seek people out who might be unwell without any symptoms so we can provide people with the most effective treatment. 'The NHS is seeing and treating more people with cancer than ever, and early diagnosis is key to ensure patients have the best chance of receiving effective treatment. If your GP practice identifies you as at risk of pancreatic cancer, I urge you to come forward for testing as soon as possible.' Around 10,500 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year and it kills around 10,000 people annually. Early Warning Signs Around half of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer have been diagnosed with diabetes recently. The NHS pilot will focus on this and a record of sudden recent weight loss in the over 60s age group who are at greater risk. Other possible symptoms of pancreatic cancer include: Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) Abdominal or back pain Changes in bowel habits (pale or greasy stools, dark urine) Itchy skin Loss of appetite Nausea Fatigue Dr Agnieszka Lemanska, expert at the University of Surrey and Lead Evaluator for the pilot, said: 'Unexplained weight loss can be an early warning sign, especially in people with diabetes, but it is not always picked up. We are creating tools which will help us use GP records more effectively to identify people through simple body weight and blood glucose control measurements. "This could be key to spotting pancreatic cancer early. The success of this pilot relies on high quality and complete GP data, and with this scheme we are working to improve monitoring of body weight and blood glucose control.' The pancreas is a large gland that produces digestive juices and hormones. Surgical removal is the only potentially curative treatment but only a small percentage of patients are eligible because the organ is so hard to reach. GP teams already know the signs to look for, but this new scheme provides almost £2m in targeted funding to help practices reach out to those most at risk. Alfie Bailey-Bearfield, spokesman for Pancreatic Cancer UK, said: 'Diagnosing more people with pancreatic cancer earlier, when the disease is most treatable, would make the single biggest difference to improving survival, so we are delighted to see significant further investment from NHS England towards that incredibly important goal. 'We're proud to have been involved in shaping this new case finding pilot, which will support GPs to proactively find people with pancreatic cancer among one of largest groups known to be at increased risk: those aged over 60, with new onset diabetes who have recently lost weight without trying to do so. Many of the people who are referred for a CT scan during the pilot will not have pancreatic cancer, but for those that do, the impact could be lifesaving." Family doctors taking part in the new pilot will then contact patients and send them for urgent blood tests and CT scans to rule out cancer. If successful, it will be expanded nationwide. Health Minister Karin Smyth, herself a skin cancer survivor, said: "As someone who has faced cancer personally, I know all too well the fear that comes with a diagnosis and the precious value of catching it early. This targeted approach to identify people at risk of one of the most lethal cancers could give more people a fighting chance and spare the heartbreak of countless families. "Through our Plan for Change, we are utilising the latest technology and techniques to improve cancer outcomes and transform care to give more families hope in the face of this devastating disease."
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New research reveals an unexpected remedy for anxiety and stress: 'Can improve mental health'
Feeling stressed or anxious? Research suggests a walk in the woods might be just what the doctor ordered. An international study co-led by the University of Surrey and the University of Ghent has outlined how forests provide mental health benefits. The institutions examined 164 forests across five European countries and detailed how different forest characteristics, such as canopy density and tree species diversity, can affect various health outcomes. Specific features like a dense canopy were both good and bad. A high density offers shade and better air quality, but it can also increase the risk of ticks and the disease they carry. While the type of forest has mixed effects, one clear takeaway emerged: forests benefit the mind. The study, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, showed that a forest setting reduces anxiety and stress. Being in a forest also increases positive emotions. If people thought a forest was more biodiverse and natural, it was more beneficial for mental health. The findings suggest our connection to nature plays a major role in our well-being, and it reinforces an intuitive truth: spending time in nature is restorative. The study also covers physical health benefits. Dense canopies can reduce heat stress, and they can also improve air quality by trapping particulate matter, which is especially important in cities. Increasing tree species diversity had a limited effect on health, but adding a variety of trees is still considered a beneficial practice for ecosystem health. Dr. Melissa Marselle, an environmental psychology lecturer at the University of Surrey, described nature's medicine. How often do you worry about toxic chemicals getting into your home? Always Often Sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Our study shows that forests generally provide a mental health benefit, reducing anxiety and stress, regardless of their biodiversity or structure," she said. "As one in six people in England experience anxiety and depression each week, this research suggests that simply being in a forest can improve mental health." She noted that the United Kingdom should preserve urban forests for the benefit of its citizens, and she also suggested that time spent in green spaces should be prescribed by the country's National Health Service for people with mental health issues. Telling someone to "touch grass" isn't just a meme anymore. The idea of "nature prescriptions" is gaining traction globally. The profound impact natural environments have on our health is a bare necessity. When you need a mental reset, don't go doom-scrolling. Visit your nearest forest — science says it could do you a world of good. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Miami Herald
12-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
New super-black paint could fix satellite light pollution problem
By Dean Murray British researchers are working to solve the problem of Elon Musk's reflective satellites by painting them black. A new partnership between Surrey NanoSystems and the University ofSurrey is aiming to tackle what has become a major concern for astronomers worldwide. They are working on using Surrey NanoSystems's newest product, Vantablack 310, which is a super-black coating. When Vantablack 310 is applied to a surface, it reflects only 2% of incoming light, meaning it absorbs the remaining 98%. This high level of light absorption makes the coated surfaces appear extremely dark, helping to minimise the unwanted brightness from satellites that can disrupt the work of stargazers. More than 8,000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites already orbit Earth, and projections estimate a rise to 60,000 by 2030, partly driven by the development of mega-constellations. To combat this problem, satellite operators have begun experimenting with mitigation strategies, including dark coatings and changes to satellite position, though the negative impact on ground-based measurement persists. Surrey NanoSystems, with a heritage in ultra-black technologies, says their new solution, Vantablack 310, is a handleable, customer-applied coating, resistant to the challenging LEO environment. The technology will be trialled on the Jovian 1 mission, scheduled to launch in 2026, which will be the first satellite mission from JUPITER – the Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education and Research. One side of a shoebox-sized CubeSat will be coated with Vantablack 310, marking the first UK-led initiative to explore solutions for reducing satellite brightness. The initiative aims to not only improve space sustainability but also demonstrate the efficacy of Vantablack 310 as a hull-darkening solution. Dr. Keiran Clifford, Senior Technologist and project lead at Surrey Nanosystems, said: "Our latest coating technology, Vantablack 310, offers super-black performance across a wide range of viewing angles, while remaining robust to the challenging LEO environment. "We're proud to be working with our partners at the University of Surrey to deliver innovations in the satellite sector, ensuring sustainable and equitable access to a night sky for all." Researchers from the University of Surrey are developing ways to evaluate the experiment from Earth. The post New super-black paint could fix satellite light pollution problem appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Technology 'key' to reviving bus travel in Surrey
Public transport in Southern England is struggling because it has "failed to keep up with the digital age", a study has found. Researchers at the University of Surrey said "simple innovations", such as easy payment systems, e-ticketing, and mobile applications, could improve ridership and passenger added that these tech-driven changes could increase the number of people on buses by more than 30%. Rebecca, who was waiting for a bus at Redhill, told BBC Radio Surrey that the reliability of buses was one reason why she did not take them very often. Others, like 65-year-old David, said the cost of tickets was also an issue. The study used machine learning to analyse survey data, which helped researchers identify key factors that influence whether people choose the bus over their private cars. "We discovered that passengers want a seamless, hassle-free experience," said Dr Wolfgang Garn, one of the authors of the study and associate professor in analytics at the University of Surrey. "If paying for a bus journey feels complicated or outdated, people are more likely to opt for driving instead."The findings also highlighted several critical issues that undermine bus usage, including inconvenient payment processes, a lack of clear information about bus routes and fares, and concerns about reliability and security.
