News

Company at forefront of stress breakthrough

Published

9 years ago

April 4, 2016

Directors: Dr Frederic Boy and Sian Roderick

A WHITLAND company could join the fight against stress and mood swings, following research by Swansea University Doctors.

Magstim, which has been at the cutting edge of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for many years, could find themselves developing research recently carried out at the University of Swansea.

Brain scientists and psychologists at the university are developing a new technique which can reduce the impact of stress on mood and help improve your emotional wellbeing.

Dr Frederic Boy, who works at both the College of Human and Health Science and the School of Management at the university, is leading the research. And his work is already receiving international interest in the short period since his paper was published in scientific journal Frontiers in Psychology.

Dr Boy said: “When facing stressful events, the frontal regions of the brain are particularly active and constantly appraise the positive or negative emotions which are generated, and that will, in turn, shape how we react to situations.

“Over time, the negative impact of stressors build up and the physical and emotional wellbeing may be compromised. We asked ourselves – can the impact of stress on the brain of a non-depressed individual be reduced?”

Along with fellow academic Sian Roderick, new brain science research employing weak electrical impulses to stimulate the frontal cortex by placing electrodes on the top of the head has been developed.

And if this sounds like a intimidating process, Sian says the technique is actually very simple and the stimulation is very subtle. She said: “We don’t want anyone to think this is like electrical treatments used in the past. The volunteers were all very relaxed with the process and the stimulation lasts for a very short period and feels like a much weaker version of a TENS machine, for example.”

Dr Boy added: “Advances in transcranial electrical stimulation techniques mean we are able to investigate different clinical and nonclinical people and specific areas of the human brain and see how those regions regulate people’s behaviour.

“What was clear is that the way people behave results from a complex interaction between a number of genetic, social and environmental factors.”

The scientists studied 66 healthy young women, with no history of psychiatric disorders or substance dependence. The volunteers filled in questionnaires, which helped assess different aspects of their current mood, the building bricks of the emotional and physical wellbeing. They underwent a course of 12 min-a-day brain electrical stimulations sessions for five days. A total of 22 individuals received an ineffective, but realistic, placebo stimulation, while the 44 others were administered a real, active stimulation.

Dr Boy explained: “This technique employs electrical power that is more than a thousand times lower than the one used by an energy saving light bulb, and result in a feeble tingling lasting a few seconds in the first instants of the stimulation session.”

Over the duration of the research, the team found that those volunteers who received the active stimulation gradually reported having experienced less negative mood states in the past day. On the contrary, participants in the placebo group did not report notable changes in mood.

“This type of treatment has been accredited by the NHS to be used to treat depression last August. We have shown that weak electric stimulation is also effective to improve the mood of those who are not depressed, but are still affected by the consequence of a stressful, restless and demanding lifestyle,” added Dr Boy, who is Head of Translational and Consumer Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology.

“This technique is based on robust scientific research and we hope it will be developed to create an over-thecounter device which can be used to improve mood and lower stress.”

With the recent statistics showing that more and more young people, are turning to medicating their emotional wellbeing – the number of young people in the UK prescribed anti-depressants increased by more than 50% between 2005 and 2012, according to the new study – could Dr Boy’s research lead to a reduction in this worrying trend?

“Yes, we are hopeful this research can assist in the treatment of low mood without having to resort to medication. “As well as the possible side effects this type of treatment can have on the patient, prescribing drugs in the first instance is a huge drain on the NHS. We are aiming to align our work with the Prudent Healthcare agenda set out by the Health Minister.

“As a university we are excited to be part of ARCH (A Regional Collaboration for Health).

“The ARCH partners are working to use innovation and research to drive health service improvements and we believe this research could be a part of this transformational approach.

“We hope that in developing a device which people can choose to use we are also empowering the population to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.”

Dr Boy and Sian Roderick are both directors of the emerging life science firm Neurotheraputics, and are hopeful their research can be developed by West Wales medical devices firm Magstim.

The Whitland-based company, who pioneer and manufacture non-invasive magnetic stimulation devices, say they are excited by the research.

Charles Hounsell, Magstim product specialist, said: “Magstim is delighted to explore opportunities with Swansea University to expand our understanding of therapeutic techniques using neurostimulation devices.

“The field of non-invasive brain stimulation is expanding rapidly and we are hugely excited about the potential benefits of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). We look forward to discussing this research further with Dr Boy and his team.”

News

Fewer road casualties recorded in first year of Wales’ 20mph speed limit

Published

21 mins ago

January 30, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST year of Wales’ controversial 20mph speed limit saw around 100 fewer people killed or seriously injured on roads previously subject to 30mph restrictions, according to government figures.

New data on road casualties was cautiously welcomed by the Welsh Government, while former transport minister Lee Waters, who led the policy, described it as “the most successful road safety intervention in modern times.”

Statistics indicate that road casualties on 20mph and 30mph roads fell by 26% compared to the previous year, with ten fewer fatalities recorded. The period from July to September 2024 saw the lowest number of casualties on these roads since records began in 1979.

Policy controversy and review

The default speed limit on most urban roads was lowered from 30mph to 20mph on 17 September 2023, with certain exemptions in place. Introduced under former First Minister Mark Drakeford, the policy has been one of the most divisive initiatives since Welsh devolution, with nearly half a million people signing a petition demanding its repeal.

Public backlash prompted a review, and councils are now considering whether some roads should revert to 30mph. The Welsh Government has also commissioned a five-year study assessing the economic costs and benefits of the scheme, with findings expected in 2029.

Cautious optimism over casualty reduction

Government officials have urged caution in directly linking casualty reductions to the 20mph limit, noting that road collisions have been steadily declining over the past decade. The Welsh Government’s chief statistician has stated that at least three years of data are needed for a meaningful analysis of the policy’s long-term impact.

Figures released on Wednesday show that between July and September 2024, 410 road casualties were recorded on 20mph and 30mph roads. These included three fatalities, 90 serious injuries, and 317 minor injuries—a 35% reduction compared to the same period in 2023 and the lowest figures on record.

Over the full 12 months from October 2023 to September 2024, road casualties on these roads were 28% lower than the previous year.

Political reaction

Current Transport Secretary Ken Skates said the trend was “encouraging” and reiterated that the full effects of the policy would take time to assess.

“We know there is a way to go, and we’ve always said it will take a number of years to see the full impact of the policy,” he said. “But to see the figures for this quarter at their lowest level is positive.”

Former minister Lee Waters, now a Labour backbencher, told Herald.Wales: “We can now say with confidence that in its first year, the speed limit reduction represents the most successful road safety intervention in modern times.”

However, the policy has divided opinion both within the Labour Party and among the wider public. First Minister Eluned Morgan has acknowledged that there were issues with its implementation.

The Welsh Conservatives remain critical of the rollout. Shadow Transport Secretary Peter Fox said: “While we welcome any decrease in road casualties, these figures don’t tell the whole story. Our concern remains the way the 20mph speed limit has been implemented.

“The Welsh Labour Government’s default approach has created confusion and frustration for drivers. Their current review must address these implementation issues and ensure a more sensible and effective approach.”

News

Carmarthenshire man found guilty of murder of Sophie Evans, 30,

Published

26 mins ago

January 30, 2025

Court Reporter

A CARMARTHENSHIRE man has been convicted of murdering his son’s partner after falsely claiming she was scamming him out of his mother’s house deeds.

Richard Jones, 50, of Burry Port, was found guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Feb 1) after a jury took less than three hours to reject his defence of diminished responsibility. He will be sentenced on Monday (Mar 3), when the court will determine the minimum term he must serve before being eligible for parole.

Harrowing details revealed

The court heard that Sophie Evans, 30, a mother of two, was found dead in her home on Bigyn Road, Llanelli, on Friday (Jul 5 2024). She had been strangled and left lying face down on the kitchen floor, covered only by a bath towel. A post-mortem confirmed she died from compression to the neck, with defensive wounds indicating she had fought for her life.

Jones, a regular visitor to Ms Evans’ home, was arrested later that day after making multiple calls and messages to family and friends. During police interviews, he admitted to killing her but claimed he had “lost his head” when she failed to acknowledge an alleged scam.

The jury was shown messages exchanged between Jones and his ex-partner, Tracey Thompson, in which he called his son, Jamie Davies, and Ms Evans “scamming thieves” and stated he had “taken care of the problem.”

Prosecution: ‘Callous indifference’

During the trial, consultant psychiatrist Dr Dilum Jayawickrama told the court that Jones was “100% certain in his beliefs” that he had been tricked into signing over his mother’s property. However, prosecutor Mike Jones argued that Jones “was not experiencing significant emotional distress” at the time of the killing and had shown “callous indifference” to his actions.

He highlighted Jones’ behaviour in the aftermath of the murder, including CCTV footage capturing him leaving the crime scene in a hurry before stopping at a bakery to buy food. Later, he returned home to Burry Port, where he was arrested.

‘Scumbag’ shouts in court

As Jones was led to the cells following the verdict, shouts of “scumbag” erupted from the public gallery. Jurors received applause from members of the public as they exited the courtroom.

Judge Geraint Walters told the court that the only sentence available for murder is life imprisonment. He will decide on Monday (Mar 3) the minimum number of years Jones must serve before being considered for release.

Until then, Jones remains in custody.

Speaking to The Herald after the case, Detective Superintendent Gareth Roberts, said: “The guilty verdict of the court is welcomed. Our thoughts at this time are with Sophie and the family and friends who loved her. Sophie was a young mother, beloved family member and friend. Richard Jones has been found guilty of what was a senseless, cowardly act triggered by anger and temper. Sophie was within her own home and not in a position to defend herself from Richard Jones’ cruel act of violence. The family will take some comfort that he’s now removed from society and cannot harm any others.”

Education

Milestone for Welsh Education in Pembrokeshire as Ysgol Gymraeg Bro opened

Published

43 mins ago

January 30, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EDUCATION Cabinet Secretary Lynne Neagle MS has officially opened Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro, a new £13.9 million Welsh-medium primary school in Pembroke.

The state-of-the-art facility, designed for pupils aged three to 11, was funded through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, alongside the Welsh Medium Capital Grant, the Childcare Offer Capital Grant, and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro welcomed its first pupils last September and currently has 148 children enrolled. The development includes:

A 33-place full-day childcare provision available year-round

A 30-place nursery

A 210-place primary school

The Cabinet Secretary was greeted at the school today (Thursday, January 30) by Cllr Steve Alderman, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, and Executive Headteacher Dafydd Hughes.

Mr Hughes said the investment from the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council had created an outstanding educational facility. He described it as “an exciting new chapter for Welsh-medium education in Pembrokeshire, following in the footsteps of Ysgol Hafan y Môr in Tenby and Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest.”

Before unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion, Lynne Neagle told pupils: “It is a privilege to officially open this fantastic new school and see first-hand how it will empower the learners at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro, as well as providing Flying Start childcare.

“This investment, through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, reflects our commitment to Welsh-medium education and meeting the Cymraeg 2050 targets. I’m grateful to Pembrokeshire County Council and everyone who has helped make this remarkable facility a reality.”

The Minister later toured the school, seeing the new facilities in action.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said the new school marked a significant step forward in the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

“This is yet another historic day for the Welsh language in Pembrokeshire,” he said. “The opening of a brand-new Welsh-medium school to serve the south-west of the county is a hugely significant milestone and a fitting tribute to the strong foundations laid by the former Welsh stream of Ysgol Gelli Aur / Golden Grove School.

“Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro demonstrates that the status of the Welsh language is being fully supported by Pembrokeshire County Council, and my sincere congratulations go to all those who have worked to make this possible.”

The main contractors for the project were Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd.