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Crime continues to fall on Merseyside
Photograph with thanks to BBC - Copyright BBC
AS part of the BBC's
Stargazing
LIVE activities across the UK,
the Liverpool Astronomical
Society are holding an event
with the Sefton Council's Coast and Countryside Service at the The
Ainsdale Discovery Centre. The event, called:- "Stargazing"
is on Friday, 27 January 2012, and will give visitors the chance to
have a go with basic astronomical kit and also hear talks inside,
even if the weather is poor. If you are under 18, you must ask your
parent/guardian before taking part though and be accompanied by an
adult. For more information you can call: - 01514890270 or
email. Location:- The Promenade, Ainsdale-on-Sea,
Southport.
The strongest Solar Storm in 7
years!
A massive blast of plasma
spewed from the Sun, at 03:59 GMT on Monday, triggering the
strongest stream of protons seen since 2005. "There is no risk
from these blast of plasma to people on Earth, but as a rare
precaution, some polar flights might had been re-routed to avoid
exposing pilots and passengers to excessive radiation." said
the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Centre. European Space Agency
(ESA) added:- "While the flare was stronger than average, no
visible effects on the ground are expected. It is likely to cause a
minor geomagnetic storm, but that again is not expected to have any
serious effect on ground infrastructure, such as land based phone
networks and power grids. An energetic eruption of this level can
disrupt satellites, so operation teams at ESA and other
organisations are closely monitoring the storm. If this happens, it
could possibility affect some communications satellites’
transmissions for a short while. The excessive radiation might
trigger Aurora displays at high latitudes over the next few days."
So keep an eye out for the Aurora, as it is said that it has been
seen in some parts of the Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern
England. Sadly for many of us on Merseyside, the skies have not been
clear, but do look for it! If you do see it, please let us know,
especially should you get a photograph! For us on Earth this is an
event that many will never realise happened, but do take a thought
for the astronauts in the International Space Station... They are
currently living and working on the SSI, but even though they are
not in any major danger, they will need to take shelter in special
areas of the station, to avoid the excessive radiation. |
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Cycle recycle
scheme a success for Southport pupils
AN appeal for unwanted
bikes from charity Sustrans has resulted in 25 bikes being donated
to Holy Trinity CE Primary school in Southport to help its pupils be
more active. Sefton Council has also provided the pupils with locks,
lights and helmets. Sustrans has been working in schools in
Southport for three years encouraging children to make the school
journey by bike and has seen the proportion of pupils cycling to and
from those schools rise from 5% to 12%. However, Sustrans only began
work at Holy Trinity school last September and many of the children
have not had access to their own bikes, which has stopped them from
cycling more often.
Mary Kelland, Sustrans Bike It
Officer in Southport, said:- "The donated bikes have already
been redistributed to pupils that will put them to good use and who
can now make a more active journey to and from school. We’re still
keen to collect unwanted bikes and issue to other children in the
area so if anyone has a bike in the shed or garage that is no longer
needed, we’d be very grateful to receive it."
Children who cycle to school are much more likely to be physically
active than their peers, reducing their risk of obesity and
diabetes. An active journey to school can also mean pupils are more
receptive and ready to learn when they get there. Holy Trinity Head
Teacher Sue Mawdsley said:- "Since Sustrans came to work with
our pupils the children have become really enthusiastic about
cycling and more are cycling to and from school. More active
children are more alert in the classroom and it’s great to see what
a difference the cycle recycle scheme has made already."
To donate a bike, please contact Mary Kelland on:- 0778 000 6 955 or
email:-
mary.kelland@sustrans.org.uk.
Also Sustrans is currently leading the 'Free Range Kids'
campaign, aimed at encouraging children to be more active and
independent by walking and cycling more often for their daily
journeys. To support the campaign visit:-
sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids.
Insulin
anniversary
AS the world marks the 90th
anniversary of the first successful use of insulin, NHS Diabetes is
reminding healthcare professionals of its free e-learning modules
for the safe use of the life-saving hormone. NHS Diabetes Director
Anna Morton said:- "There were 5,000 patient safety incidents
reported between 2003 and 2009, including one death and one case of
severe harm after clinicians misinterpreted the abbreviation of the
term ‘unit’. A further three deaths and 17 other incidents occurred
between January 2005 and July 2009 where an intravenous syringe was
used to measure and administer insulin. Nearly 70,000 healthcare
professionals have taken our free Safe Use of Insulin course since
it was created in 2010 in response to these findings from the
National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). We’ve also launched a further
e-learning module on intravenous insulin infusions, with forthcoming
modules on the safe management of hypoglycaemia and the safe use of
non-insulin therapies. If you haven’t already please do register for
any of these courses via our
website. Do the course, save a
life." |
