University of Portsmouth University of Portsmouth

The railways are part of our country’s heritage – and for many of us, a regular part of our lives. What can we learn from the past to ensure train travel is safer than ever in the 21st century?

In the last in the current series of Life Solved, Dr Mike Esbester explains how a growing historical database of railway accidents, going back over 150 years, could create safer journeys and be a useful resource for those exploring their family’s past.

With 21,000 cases documented so far, the Railway Work, Life And Death Project reveals how staffing levels have changed over the years and how passenger and employee safety is addressed today, compared to the approaches of old.

The project is particularly timely as current-day rail union members have held industrial action in 2022, citing – amongst other things - concerns over staffing levels. And whilst advanced technology is increasingly available, can decades-old records of accidents inform today’s safety procedures?

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects


Dr Mike Esbester is a Senior Lecturer in History

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/mike-esbester


Read more about the project


https://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/
https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/caution-railway-safety-1913

The Railway Work, Life And Death database can be downloaded here

https://www.railwayaccidents.port.ac.uk/the-accidents/

University of Portsmouth researchers are using techniques, normally reserved for athletes, to help aid weight loss and address the challenges of diabetes.

In the latest episode of Life Solved, Dr Ant Shepherd takes us through a unique project to investigate how altitude and temperature could be of benefit to millions of people in the UK.

The project is currently taking place in the 'Extreme Environments Laboratory' at the University Of Portsmouth, using both state-of-the-art techniques but also more familiar features like hot tubs!

In the podcast Ant takes us through the results of the experiments that have already been conducted and explains why he thinks it is entirely possible that the technology needed to address the obesity crisis could be an integral part of people's homes in the future.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects


Dr Ant Shepherd is a Senior Lecturer in the School Of Sport, Health & Exercise Science

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/ant-shepherd


Read more about the project

https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/call-for-volunteers-with-type-2-diabetes-to-trial-weight-loss-technology

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-61864181


For advice on diabetes

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/

University of Portsmouth researchers are using the latest digital technology to help more of us uncover the secrets of our seas.

In the latest episode of Life Solved, Dr Ann Coats takes us through a cutting-edge project to investigate shipwrecks around the UK coastline and reveal more about our maritime past.

By drawing together research from across different disciplines, the Unpath’d Waters Project (UNPATH for short) has been working with museums and exhibitions such as Portsmouth’s Mary Rose, to design immersive exhibitions.

But other specialist groups are also gathering information about our past, from landscapes to ocean scientists, by studying the UK’s shipwreck hotspots.

In the podcast Ann takes us through the stages to this enormous project, and its big picture of creating an astounding, accessible resource upon the history of our seas.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects


Dr Ann Coats is a Reader in Maritime Heritage

https://port.academia.edu/AnnCoats

Find out more about UNPATH and its role in the UK’s Maritime Heritage

https://unpathdwaters.org.uk

https://historicengland.org.uk/research/current/discover-and-understand/coastal-and-marine/unpathd-waters/

The Mary Rose has been immersing visitors in the past life of this ship and its residents

https://maryrose.org

Find out more about famous shipwrecks and the history behind them

https://www.history.co.uk/articles/there-are-40000-shipwrecks-around-the-british-isles-here-are-the-most-fascinating

https://www.historyhit.com/guides/shipwrecks-you-can-visit-in-the-uk/

https://www.businessinsider.com/shipwreck-photos-history-2018-4?r=US&IR=T

It’s possible there’s a fifth form of matter out there, and you might be using it right now.

University of Portsmouth research stretches across the disciplines to help us understand our world better. And in today’s episode of Life Solved we hear from one academic who might be about to transform our concept of reality!

Dr Melvin Vopson thinks he might have found the missing piece to understanding matter in our universe, and he’s planning an experiment to find out if “information” is the fifth form of matter.

Get ready for some complex physics, brilliant theory and a workout for your mind as Melvin takes us through this exciting new theory – and its possible implications!

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects


USEFUL LINKS

Dr Melvin Vopson

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/melvin-vopson

https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/new-experiment-could-confirm-the-fifth-element

Melvin on The Conversation

https://theconversation.com/profiles/melvin-m-vopson-304487

Is information the fifth element of matter?

https://www.iflscience.com/information-fifth-state-matter-physicist-aims-prove-63035

https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2020/06/09/what-are-the-fifth-and-sixth-states-of-matter/?sh=67a3c9814a7f

https://futurism.com/the-byte/physicist-information-new-form-matter

What are the states of matter?

https://www.livescience.com/46506-states-of-matter.html

Claude Shannon

https://www.quantamagazine.org/how-claude-shannons-information-theory-invented-the-future-20201222/

You might not give a second thought to a well-fitting piece of sports clothing, but when your kit isn’t up to scratch, it can be a real disadvantage to your game.

That’s what Dr Jenny Burbage and her team have been addressing through their innovative research in breast health and biomechanics here at the University of Portsmouth.

In this episode of Life Solved Jenny shares how inconsistent products, sizing systems and a lack of historic research has left many women wearing the wrong bra for their sport or shape. She discusses what actually makes a good sports bra and the considerations we should have when looking for the right fit.

It’s her hope that by addressing the gap in knowledge in this field of biomechanics, we can also address inequalities not only in women’s sport but in fields such as the military and police too.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects


USEFUL LINKS

Dr Jenny Burbage @jenny_burbage

https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/jenny-burbage

Breast Biomechanics and Riding Bras

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/breast-biomechanics-exercise-induced-breast-pain-mastalgia-breast

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/better-riding-bras-needed-644411

Sport Bra Use

https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/en/publications/sports-bra-use-preferences-and-fit-issues-among-exercising-female

Bras and the Women’s Euros

https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/bespoke-bras-given-to-top-sportswomen-to-boost-performance

Jenny is part of the University’s Breast Health Research Group

https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-groups/research-group-in-breast-health

How to Buy The Right Bra

https://www.stylist.co.uk/fashion/how-to-buy-correct-bra/535700

How can a background in mapping cause you to end up tracking illegal gold miners, and using drones to assist in humanitarian crises?

Professor Richard Teeuw is a geomorphologist and remote sensing scientist at the University of Portsmouth. In this episode of Life Solved he explains how his work in geoinformatics and disaster risk reduction has led him to work on tackling challenges here on earth.

Thanks to revolutionary modern technology, Richard’s helping more and more organisations embrace mapping and imagery for good. And it’s not just satellite mapping either. His work with uncrewed aircraft systems or drones is helping rescue teams and communities work safely and affordably to save lives in the face of disaster.

You can find out more about this work and other research at the University of Portsmouth website: https://www.port.ac.uk/research/research-projects


USEFUL LINKS

Professor Richard Teew @Chewwy_Teeuw
https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/structure-and-governance/our-people/our-staff/richard-teeuw

Use of drones and mapping in disaster risk reduction

https://phys.org/news/2018-02-hurricane-survey-worldwide.html

Tackling Illegal Gold Mining in Columbia

https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/helping-in-the-fight-against-illegal-gold-mining-in-colombia

https://blog.maxar.com/earth-intelligence/2022/combating-illegal-gold-mining-in-the-amazon-rainforest-with-maxars-high-resolution-satellite-imagery

What is a Cubesat?

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cubesats/overview