Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 14 Februari 2015 | 16.12
Scientists are using new technology to create heart muscle patches that beat in sync with a patient's heart.
One of the major stumbling blocks with heart surgery is that grafted tissue does not always beat in sync with the rest of the heart.
But experts are now growing heart muscle cells from stem cells that contain proteins sensitive to light.
Light will then be used to control their beat.
This would reduce the effects of heart failure by cutting the chance of rhythm problems.
The groundbreaking research has brought together rival professors - Chris Denning from the UK and Lior Gepstein in Israel.
Prof Denning, from the University of Nottingham, said: "For years, Professor Gepstein and I have been competing to be the first in our field.
"But this project means that instead of each team doing the same things twice, we will be coordinating our efforts to ensure we can help heart patients as soon as possible."
The research is being funded by the British Heart Foundation and the British Council's Britain Israel Research and Academic Exchange partnership.
"The grant ensures we can work on a very promising technique for solving one of the major challenges in regenerative medicine to mend a broken heart," Prof Denning added.
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Video:Frantic Efforts To Save Bin Lorry
By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent
Frantic attempts were made to stop a Glasgow bin lorry as it killed six people last December, Sky News has learned.
Two men were inside the cab with the driver at the time, desperately trying to rouse him after he had collapsed.
The pair, who Sky News has chosen not to name, shouted to him that he was killing people and shook him.
But their efforts were hampered by a metal rail inside the cab, which separates the driver and the crew, who sit on a raised bench in the rear.
It presented an obstacle and inflicted injuries on at least one of the pair as they were jostled by the erratic movement of the vehicle.
1/5
Gallery: Victims Of Glasgow Bin Lorry Crash
Jacqueline Morton, 51, who had left work early to collect her granddaughters
Stephenie Tait, 29, was a teacher at St Philomena's Primary school
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Gillian Ewing, 52, was also killed in the accident
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Jack Sweeney, 68, from Dumbarton, was killed along with his wife and granddaughter
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Erin McQuade, 18, with her grandmother Lorraine Sweeney, aged 69
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A succession of collisions meant the driver's weight shifted on the steering wheel which, in turn, caused sudden changes in the lorry's course.
There was an air-brake in the cab which slowly reduces speed but neither of the two crew was trained in how to drive the bin lorry and so neither knew how to bring it to a halt.
The vehicle only came to rest after crashing into the Millennium Hotel in Glasgow's George Square.
The two crew members first realised something was wrong after they had stopped to make the penultimate pick-up of their round outside the Primark store in Queen Street.
1/11
Gallery: Images From The Scene In Glasgow After The Bin Lorry Crash
The lorry crashed into the Millennium Hotel at the top of Queen Street in the city centre
One police officer said it first mounted the pavement 300 metres down the street
]]>
As the vehicle set off again, it swerved and then proceeded on its fatal journey, about 400 metres towards George Square.
The driver has been named as 58-year-old Harry Clarke and he has spoken of how the victims were on his mind "every minute of every day".
Following the incident, a blood sample was taken from him and he tested negative for drink-driving.
He has since reportedly said that he was diagnosed with a heart condition following the crash on 22 December last year.
Video:Aftermath Of The Crash
Examination of on-board monitoring equipment showed it travelled at just over 20mph for roughly 40 seconds as the tragedy unfolded.
As a bin lorry driver, he was routinely required to insert a driver's tacho-card - a digital device that records a driver's details such as hours spent on the road and speed driven - into a dashboard slot.
He had not done so on the day of the crash.
Whether that was a factor or a minor irregularity that has no relevance to the crash will be a decision for Scotland's Crown Office.
Video:Funeral For Victims Of Lorry Crash
The office is currently considering a police report on the incident. It will also decide whether or not a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) will take place into the circumstances of the crash.
The GMB Union, which represents the two crew members on board the refuse truck, has told Sky News it would welcome an inquiry.
Cal Waterson, regional organiser of GMB Scotland, said: "I wouldn't like to speculate at the moment because we're still waiting for the police report to be published but, obviously, there was pressure being put on the accelerator.
"How would the crew have been expected to prevent that? That's something that I hope a Fatal Accident Inquiry would look into and be able to come up with some recommendations whereby we can put in some overriding device in the rear of the cab or something similar."
Video:Witness: Lorry Knocked People Down
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Glasgow Bin Lorry Crash: Panic Inside The Cab
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Video:Frantic Efforts To Save Bin Lorry
By James Matthews, Scotland Correspondent
Frantic attempts were made to stop a Glasgow bin lorry as it killed six people last December, Sky News has learned.
Two men were inside the cab with the driver at the time, desperately trying to rouse him after he had collapsed.
The pair, who Sky News has chosen not to name, shouted to him that he was killing people and shook him.
But their efforts were hampered by a metal rail inside the cab, which separates the driver and the crew, who sit on a raised bench in the rear.
It presented an obstacle and inflicted injuries on at least one of the pair as they were jostled by the erratic movement of the vehicle.
1/5
Gallery: Victims Of Glasgow Bin Lorry Crash
Jacqueline Morton, 51, who had left work early to collect her granddaughters
Stephenie Tait, 29, was a teacher at St Philomena's Primary school
]]>
Gillian Ewing, 52, was also killed in the accident
]]>
Jack Sweeney, 68, from Dumbarton, was killed along with his wife and granddaughter
]]>
Erin McQuade, 18, with her grandmother Lorraine Sweeney, aged 69
]]>
A succession of collisions meant the driver's weight shifted on the steering wheel which, in turn, caused sudden changes in the lorry's course.
There was an air-brake in the cab which slowly reduces speed but neither of the two crew was trained in how to drive the bin lorry and so neither knew how to bring it to a halt.
The vehicle only came to rest after crashing into the Millennium Hotel in Glasgow's George Square.
The two crew members first realised something was wrong after they had stopped to make the penultimate pick-up of their round outside the Primark store in Queen Street.
1/11
Gallery: Images From The Scene In Glasgow After The Bin Lorry Crash
The lorry crashed into the Millennium Hotel at the top of Queen Street in the city centre
One police officer said it first mounted the pavement 300 metres down the street
]]>
As the vehicle set off again, it swerved and then proceeded on its fatal journey, about 400 metres towards George Square.
The driver has been named as 58-year-old Harry Clarke and he has spoken of how the victims were on his mind "every minute of every day".
Following the incident, a blood sample was taken from him and he tested negative for drink-driving.
He has since reportedly said that he was diagnosed with a heart condition following the crash on 22 December last year.
Video:Aftermath Of The Crash
Examination of on-board monitoring equipment showed it travelled at just over 20mph for roughly 40 seconds as the tragedy unfolded.
As a bin lorry driver, he was routinely required to insert a driver's tacho-card - a digital device that records a driver's details such as hours spent on the road and speed driven - into a dashboard slot.
He had not done so on the day of the crash.
Whether that was a factor or a minor irregularity that has no relevance to the crash will be a decision for Scotland's Crown Office.
Video:Funeral For Victims Of Lorry Crash
The office is currently considering a police report on the incident. It will also decide whether or not a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) will take place into the circumstances of the crash.
The GMB Union, which represents the two crew members on board the refuse truck, has told Sky News it would welcome an inquiry.
Cal Waterson, regional organiser of GMB Scotland, said: "I wouldn't like to speculate at the moment because we're still waiting for the police report to be published but, obviously, there was pressure being put on the accelerator.
"How would the crew have been expected to prevent that? That's something that I hope a Fatal Accident Inquiry would look into and be able to come up with some recommendations whereby we can put in some overriding device in the rear of the cab or something similar."
Obese people could lose benefits worth up to £100 a week if they refuse to diet, as a review into sickness payments is ordered by David Cameron.
Drug addicts and alcoholics could also lose benefits if they refuse treatment that would help them get a job, in a move aimed at stopping people claiming as a "lifestyle" choice.
"Too many people are stuck on sickness benefits because of issues that could be addressed but instead are not," said the Prime Minister.
"Some have drug or alcohol problems, but refuse treatment.
"In other cases people have problems with their weight that could be addressed, but instead a life on benefits rather than work becomes the choice.
Video:Obesity 'Could Bring Down The NHS'
"It is not fair to ask hardworking taxpayers to fund the benefits of people who refuse to accept the support and treatment that could help them get back to a life of work.
"The next Conservative government is determined to make sure that the hardest to help get the support they need to get them back to a fulfilling life."
Ministers estimate there are almost 100,000 people claiming sickness benefits on the grounds of treatable conditions such as drug or alcohol addiction, or obesity.
At present, there is no requirement for such people to undertake treatment, meaning it is possible to claim without making efforts at recovery.
Of the 2.5 million claiming sickness benefits, about 1.5 million have been claiming for more than five years.
Mr Cameron says he has asked Professor Dame Carol Black to undertake a rapid review in to how best to help those suffering from long-term yet treatable conditions back in to work.
"In particular, I have asked her to consider whether people should face the threat of a reduction in benefits if they refuse to engage with a recommended treatment plan," he said.
"It is vital that people who would benefit from treatment get the medical help they need."
Professor Black, a leading Government adviser on health, work and welfare, said: "I am deeply interested in trying to overcome the challenges these types of benefit claimants pose.
"These people, in addition to their long-term conditions and lifestyle issues, suffer the great disadvantage of not being engaged in the world of work, such an important feature of society."
Explaining the reasons for the threat to axe benefits from the obese, drug addicts and alcoholics, a Government source said: "As well as the unwarranted expense, this represents an unproductive waste of human potential."
Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum told Sky News: "Obesity is the issue which might bring down the NHS.
"We have the most appalling problem and so far the coalition government have done absolutely nothing serious about it. If this is a sign they are taking obesity serious then I think this is something they should be considering."
He added: "You've got to be very careful about how you do it because all those people who are fat because they have a metabolic and a medical syndrome attached to it, they have got to be protected.
"But for the people who just eat and eat and eat and refuse to take any kind of treatment, then I think there is a salvo that has to be fired across their bows."
However, disability campaigner Ellen Clifford was outraged by Mr Cameron's proposal, telling Sky News: "If you threaten taking away people's benefits that's not actually going to help people. It didn't work in the Victorian times, it's not going to work now.
"That isn't going to suddenly snap people out of an enduring condition. It's punitive and it's savage."
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 13 Februari 2015 | 16.12
A woman has been charged with the murder of an 81-year-old resident at a care home.
Heather Davidson is accused of killing the man at the privately run Sowerby House in North Yorkshire.
The 53-year-old is due to appear at Northallerton Magistrates' Court.
Detectives previously said Ms Davidson, from Thirsk, has no known connection to the home.
Police were called on Wednesday afternoon after the pensioner was found dead in his room.
Senior investigating officer DS Dai Malyn said: "We ask that consideration is given to the residents and the families connected to the care home at this time.
"The home has not been closed; however, there are areas within the home which are still being examined.
"Specially trained police family liaison officers have been deployed to support the deceased's family.
"At this moment we are not in a position to release the identity of the deceased."
Local councillor Mark Robson, who lives 50 yards from the care home, said: "We have not experienced this sort of thing before and hopefully we won't again.
"Our concerns have to be with his family but also our thoughts are with the staff and residents who must be going through an awful time."
Activist network Anonymous is planning a day of action to expose establishment child abuse and cover ups.
The group, best known for high-profile computer hacks, has codenamed its latest task 'Operation Death Eaters' and is demanding an end to secrecy around abuse networks.
It says it will collect and then publish mass information on abuse scandals in the UK and around the world in the hope of ensuring people are fully aware of "paedo-sadist" abuse.
A London-based activist, who uses the pseudonym Jake Davis, told Sky News: "This isn't a situation where we are looking to create mayhem. It's about giving the public information so we can confront these problems that go back decades.
"The stories that are coming out are the torture and murder of children with our trusted politicians and that is unacceptable.
Video:Anonymous Targets Child Abusers
"You have to ask: Why are they protecting them?"
The group has recently published videos to YouTube promising to expose "paedo-sadists" and warning abusers that they should have been "expecting us".
There are concerns though about Anonymous' plan to expose abusers and whether its activities may hamper ongoing investigations - potentially putting children at further risk.
Former head of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP), Jim Gamble, told Sky News: "It's fraught with so many difficulties.
"If there are people that have skills and abilities within Anonymous who actually want to do something positive to help law enforcement and others to inhibit paedophiles operating so freely online, then coming forward and working in some kind of framework would be great.
"But in the absence of that framework then there is the chance there could be some reckless disclosure, and from that reckless disclosure lives, and innocent lives, could be ruined.
"People make mistakes. We, during my time in law enforcement, made mistakes.
"We had information that we thought meant one thing and when we got to the back end of it, it actually meant something different.
"So jumping to conclusions, sharing information that hasn't been verified and doing it in a mass public way is going to have a far bigger downside than the deterrents on the upside will be."
Anonymous said activists were due hand out flyers on its day of action at events later in Glasgow, London, Leeds, Rochdale and Birmingham.
Co-ordinator Heather Marsh told Sky News the purpose of Operation Death Eaters is to open people's eyes to the scale of abuse networks.
She said: "We need the database to connect all news articles and court cases because we cannot visualise a beach if we are only ever presented with isolated grains of sand."
Earlier this week the group claimed to have closed down Twitter and Facebook accounts used by Islamic State (IS) terrorists, also known as ISIS.
Another new video posted to YouTube warned: "ISIS, we will hunt you, take down your sites, accounts, emails and expose you."
Its campaign against jihadists' websites started after the shootings at Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris.
A National Crime Agency spokesman said: "We understand anyone wanting to help protect children, but would always urge against any action which might jeopardise existing law enforcement investigations or other public inquiries.
"Anybody who thinks they have information relating to child sexual exploitation or abuse can report it to the NCA's CEOP Command via our website."
The British family of a prisoner in Guantanamo Bay have pleaded with the US government to send him home to London.
In their first interview, the teenage sons of Shaker Aamer told Sky News how their hopes of a reunion have been raised and then dashed.
Mr Aamer has been detained without trial inside the maximum security prison for 13 years - even though he was cleared for release in 2008.
The British government has lobbied on his behalf, and his case has attracted cross-party support, but there has been no explanation as to why he has not yet been freed.
Although he was born in Saudi Arabia, his wife and four children are British citizens. They barely remember their father; indeed his youngest son, Faris, was born on the same day as Mr Aamer arrived at Guantanamo on Valentine's Day 2002.
Video:Shaker Aamer's Sons Make Plea
Faris celebrates his 13th birthday on Saturday and told Sky News: "It's upsetting and quite shocking that I've never met him in my entire life."
His 15-year-old brother Micheal spoke of how their hopes have been dashed.
"We felt very happy," he said.
"We thought there might be a chance for him to come home, but it just kept getting delayed.
"We just felt more sad because nothing happened. We've seen other people with their parents... seen how they enjoy themselves, how they're so close to them.
"It's like there is a part of our heart that is missing because we've been yearning for him to come home for many years and nothing's happened yet."
Mr Aamer took his young family and pregnant wife to Afghanistan in 2001. He says he was working for a humanitarian charity.
But a few weeks later the 9/11 attacks put the country at the centre of America's so-called War on Terror.
Video:Pressure Grows For Detainee Release
His family escaped to Pakistan but Mr Aamer says he gave himself up to the Northern Alliance and was then handed over to US forces.
After detention at Bagram Airbase he was moved to Guantanamo.
The Pentagon compiled a lengthy list of allegations claiming he had ties to al Qaeda.
His lawyer insists the allegations are false and are the result of torture or false confessions to earn rewards.
And his supporters stress that if the Americans actually believed them, they would not have cleared him for release.
Guantanamo spokesman Lt Col Myles Caggins told Sky News: "In 2009 Shaker Aamer's detention status was reviewed. As a result he was placed in a category we call 'eligible for transfer'.
"At some point in the future we will find a new home for him to be repatriated or resettled to."
But Micheal was unimpressed when he saw the video.
Video:2012 - Boyle Calls For Release
"I feel very sad because the man said they were going to try to find him a home," he said.
"But his home is here in London with his family."
There have been various theories about the delay.
Some say the US may prefer to see him sent to Saudi Arabia, where he is less likely to speak publicly about allegations of torture. There is also the issue of compensation.
Lt Col Caggins said: "We make these moves after a rigorous inter-agency process between our security officials, law enforcement and intelligence officials to ensure that transfer will be to a place that can maintain security assurances and human rights protections for those former Guantanamo detainees."
Mr Aamer's lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith, scoffs at that.
"The most obvious person in the entire world to release is Shaker Aamer because he would be coming to the country with the best record of released prisoners, Britain," he said.
"And he would be coming to a place where we know his human rights are going to be respected, and he's been cleared for eight years, and he's got a wife and four children. What on earth is the argument against it?"
Video:Archive - Guantanamo Bay in 2003
At least in recent years the family have been able to speak to their father. The International Red Cross has organised Skype video calls. Micheal remembers the first.
"We were all very excited," he said.
"We were very energetic. We couldn't wait to see him. And then when the call finally happened, we couldn't believe it was actually him.
"His voice. We hadn't heard it for such a long time.
"It was very surprising to hear his voice again. It was a shock. Skype has been very good at lifting our hopes up again because we've been able to speak to him, see how he's doing, and he's a very funny person.
"He always makes jokes. He lightens the mood a lot of the time. We talk about what's going on in our lives, how our education is."
Mr Aamer's wife and daughter preferred to stay in the background and not be interviewed. Because both boys are under 16, Sky News has agreed not to show their faces.
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 12 Februari 2015 | 16.12
A man and two women have been arrested on suspicion of terror-related offences.
The man, aged 31, is being held on suspicion of being concerned in the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism and his arrest comes as police search five addresses on Merseyside..
Officers from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit and Merseyside Police raided the houses after "intelligence received" from law-enforcement agencies.
Police said the searches were expected to take many hours or even days.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole from the North West Counter Terrorism Unit, said: "It is our intention to carry out a thorough, professional investigation to determine the circumstances and details of the activity reported.
"We are taking all measures necessary to ensure public safety, which is our primary concern.
"Members of the public will see a lot of police activity at a number of addresses in the coming hours and possibly days.
"However, it is absolutely vital to stress - and, I hope, at the same time, reassure the public - that there is no current threat or evidence of an imminent attack."
Anyone with concerns about suspicious activity should contact local police or the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789321.
Meanwhile, officers from the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit have arrested two women from Walsall in connection with Syria-related offences.
One, aged 23, was held on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism and the other, aged 33, is accused of failing to disclose information.
The arrests are the latest of dozens since the UK raised its international terrorism threat level to "severe" in August.
A paramedic who stood over a heart attack victim for a couple of minutes as he lay dying outside hospital has been sentenced.
Matthew Geary, who had his hands in his pockets, wrongly assumed Carl Cope, 47, was drunk and CCTV footage showed he left him collapsed in the road, a court heard.
Geary, 36, failed to provide any help to the patient despite seeing him stumble and fall to the ground outside Walsall Manor Hospital, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The paramedic, who had taken no equipment from his ambulance, was filmed apparently talking to Mr Cope, and was seen lifting and dropping his limp arm.
After two minutes he was seen walking away and then went to summon security staff who tried to rouse Mr Cope but the judge said "it was all too late".
Matthew Geary has resigned from West Midlands Ambulance Service.
The defendant, of Great Wyrley, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to breaching health and safety laws by failing to conduct a proper examination of Mr Cope or to attempt prompt resuscitation.
Sentencing, Judge John Warner condemned the paramedic's actions as "callous and uncaring" and wholly at odds with his job, and gave him a suspended eight-month prison term.
He ordered Geary to complete 240 hours of community service and suspended his custodial sentence for two years.
Judge Warner described Mr Cope's treatment as a "truly lamentable" sequence of events.
Prosecutor Gordon Aspden told the judge that Mr Cope, from Bloxwich, near Walsall, was taken to hospital by Geary in June 2012, after he called an ambulance for treatment following chest pains.
Although Mr Cope was not in good health and had a heart condition, ECG tests conducted by ambulance staff suggested his symptoms were not cardiac-related.
Carl Cope lay dying outside Walsall Manor Hospital
He was then taken to Walsall Manor but decided to leave its accident and emergency department to buy a drink from a nearby shop.
But as he returned to the department, Mr Cope collapsed yards away from its main entrance in an area in full view of Geary and other ambulance staff.
Security camera video handed to a police inquiry into the incident showed four staff members walking past Mr Cope, and Geary standing over him for around two minutes before walking into the hospital.
The court heard Geary had handed Mr Cope over to nurses at the hospital and was later seen chatting about football as the patient was slumped beside a bin outside its Accident and Emergency department.
The judge criticised medical staff for discussing the "ownership" of Mr Cope as he lay dying, telling Geary: "It was almost as if he was some kind of chattel.
"Eventually you went over to him, not providing medical help and asked security to deal with it. Security eventually came out and tried to rouse Mr Cope but it was all too late.
"There was no excuse in my judgement for the way you failed to act. Without any justification you had obviously come to a view about him."
Geary has since resigned from West Midlands Ambulance Service.
Lawyers for British passengers who were caught up in the Costa Concordia disaster plan to sue the cruise operator after captain Francesco Schettino was found guilty of multiple manslaughter.
Judges ruled Schettino, 54, was responsible for the deaths of 32 people after the ship struck rocks off Giglio Island in January 2012.
Schettino has been jailed for 16 years. He is expected to appeal the verdict, meaning it could be years before he is imprisoned.
Lawyers have begun issuing proceedings in Italian courts against cruise firm Costa Crociere Spa on behalf of four British crew members.
Proceedings have also been issued on behalf of six British expatriates living in Spain who were aboard the ship, and two passengers from Ireland and Canada.
Video:Costa Concordia Captain Guilty
They are seeking damages for injuries and psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress, flashbacks and nightmares.
Some passengers have already received compensation over the disaster.
Philip Banks, from law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing the victims, said: "All of our clients suffered a horrendous ordeal which some may never truly overcome.
"The trauma they have been through has left some of them needing specialist therapy and counselling to come to terms with what happened and enable them to begin to move on with their lives.
"Although nothing can turn back the clock, the settlements we have already secured will help those affected to access the treatments they need, cover their lost earnings from time they have had to have off work and replace the personal items they lost on board.
"It will also compensate them for pain and suffering."
Video:Time Lapse: Concordia Under Tow
Joe Stribley, 23, from Maidstone in Kent, was on the Costa Concordia when it struck a jagged reef near the Tuscany shoreline.
He worked on the ship as a dancer and was off duty in his cabin when he felt the vessel rock to one side.
"I looked out of my cabin door and could hear glasses falling off the shelves and smashing on the floor. Then came the signal to abandon ship," he said.
"I saw that the ship was starting to sink and extreme panic set in and I thought that I was going to die.
"People started to jump into the water and, feeling this was my only option, I did the same and managed to get to the shore."
Mr Stribley became withdrawn when he got home as he struggled to deal with shock.
Video:Chilling Video Of Sunken Liner
He said: "Every time I closed my eyes I could see it all happening again and I couldn't sleep for several weeks as I suffered from terrible flashbacks and nightmares.
Schettino was not present as Judge Giovanni Puliatti read out the verdict at a theatre in Grosseto, which had been especially adapted into a courtroom so the victims' families could attend the trial.
In the long-running trial, which began in July 2013, prosecutors claimed that Schettino lured passengers into a false sense of security by not ordering an immediate evacuation.
They had been seeking a 26-year sentence for the disgraced seaman.
