search
date/time
Cumbria Times
Weekend Edition
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturefictionCartoons
No cookies. No tracking. No advertising.
86%
14%
Renewable vs. non-renewable power generation across the region (updated every 30 minutes)
Renewables includes biomass(2.3%), nuclear(27.6%), solar(0.3%) and wind(55.9%). Excludes imports
What Is Holding Back Development Of Medicines And Pharmaceutical Drugs?
My younger brother died with a brain tumour at the age of 33. Twenty years after his death, the same treatments are being offered to people with his type of tumour: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, all of which may delay the inevitable, but at a cost. I’m not unusual; most people know or love someone who suffers from a common disease for which there is no cure. In fact, compared with most people, I’ve probably got off lightly so far.
Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay
NASA Picture of the Day: Pic du Pleiades
show more/less
Near dawn on November 19 the Pleiades stood in still dark skies over the French Pyrenees. But just before sunrise a serendipitous moment was captured in this single 3 second exposure; a bright meteor streak appeared to pierce the heart of the galactic star cluster. From the camera's perspective, star cluster and meteor were poised directly above the mountain top observatory on the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. And though astronomers might consider the Pleiades to be relatively close by, the grain of dust vaporizing as it plowed through planet Earth's upper atmosphere actually missed the cluster's tight grouping of young stars by about 400 light-years.
Asteroid Flybys Over the next 7 Days
NameDateMin Dia. (m)Max Dia. (m)Rel. Velocity (mph)Miss Distance (miles)
(2021 HC3)9th Dec12828856,40242,036,632
516155 (2016 DP)10th Dec24955724,54636,304,485
(2023 WZ2)11th Dec18340960,37226,398,103
416801 (2005 GC120)12th Dec31269859,27928,209,539
(2012 VC82)12th Dec27561649,22645,751,048
(2010 TS149)13th Dec26559431,64919,090,495
(2011 WN15)16th Dec31971489,40819,051,501
620071 (2011 WN15)16th Dec31370189,40819,051,501
Tis’ The Season To Plug Your Plastic Use
photo supplied by Natural Course
An estimated 125,000 tonnes of excess plastic is generated at Christmas time, which once discarded seriously threatens marine life in the Irish Sea. This plastic waste mountain is the equivalent of the weight of over 3. million emperor penguins.
3:22 PM 6th December 2023
New Research Into Expansion Of Life-Saving HIV Testing Programme
A new research project has been announced to evaluate an expansion of the hugely successful HIV opt-out testing programme to new sites across England.
6:03 PM 5th December 2023
How To Make The Most Of Your Mobile Data
Photos: Spusu
By 2025, it’s thought that consumer data usage will rise to 98GB per month. In 2016, this figure was less than 2GB. Mobile data is vital to enabling internet access when Wi-Fi isn’t accessible, keeping us connected no matter where we are. But it’s easy to exceed your plan’s allowance, which can come at a costly price.
1:00 AM 2nd December 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 1 December 2023
Image by Wilfried Pohnke from Pixabay
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
8:41 PM 1st December 2023
New Data Reveals The Passwords That Could Get You Hacked!
Image by Gino Crescoli from Pixabay
Only half of internet users are somewhat familiar with best practices of password security. Therefore, it may not come as a surprise that in 2022, over 24 billion passwords were exposed by hackers.
9:00 AM 25th November 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 24 November 2023
Image by Tumisu from Pixabay
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
6:30 PM 24th November 2023
New UK Funding For Space Technology Projects
The UK Space Agency has announced 23 ground-breaking projects that could boost UK leadership in new space technologies and applications around the world.
9:34 PM 21st November 2023
Landmark Deal To Boost Nation’s Health And Save NHS £14 Billion
New voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG) will boost nation’s health, save NHS £14 billion and support research investment.
9:15 AM 21st November 2023
The 10 Most Common Scams And How To Spot Them
Black Friday/Cyber Monday is one of the biggest shopping events in the calendar worldwide, and with a rise in online shoppers hunting for a bargain before Christmas comes increased opportunities for cybercriminals. Personal finance company Wealth of Geeks are warning shoppers who rush to grab the best deals to be extra vigilant of circulating scams that appear year on year.
1:00 AM 18th November 2023
Poems For Fraud Awareness Week: The Firewall
For International Fraud Awareness Week we are publishing poems every day this week as a timely opportunity to consider fast, effective techniques of raising public awareness of the digital world. Experts at Scams.info harnessed AI technology to create scam-aware adaptations of classic poems to raise cyber-security awareness.
1:00 AM 17th November 2023
Poems For Fraud Awareness Week: The Fraudulent Odyssey: Navigating The Digital Realm
For International Fraud Awareness Week we are publishing poems every day this week as a timely opportunity to consider fast, effective techniques of raising public awareness of the digital world. Experts at Scams.info harnessed AI technology to create scam-aware adaptations of classic poems to raise cyber-security awareness.
1:00 AM 16th November 2023
Antibiotic Resistant Infections And Associated Deaths Increase
Antibiotic resistance is once again on the rise after declines in the pandemic, with more dangerous strains of bacteria spreading in communities and hospitals.
11:07 AM 15th November 2023
Cystic Fibrosis Drugs Kaftrio And Kalydeco Licensed For Patients Aged Two To Five Years Old
For the first time, 2- to 5-year-old patients with a certain type of cystic fibrosis could access cystic fibrosis drugs Kaftrio and Kalydeco.
11:04 AM 15th November 2023
Poems For Fraud Awareness Week: The Scam Untravelled
For International Fraud Awareness Week we are publishing poems every day this week as a timely opportunity to consider fast, effective techniques of raising public awareness of the digital world. Experts at Scams.info harnessed AI technology to create scam-aware adaptations of classic poems to raise cyber-security awareness.
1:00 AM 15th November 2023
Chickenpox Vaccine Recommended In Childhood Immunisation Programme
A childhood varicella (chickenpox) vaccine would be offered in 2 doses, at 12 and 18 months of age.
5:17 PM 14th November 2023
Poems For Fraud Awareness Week: I Surfed Cautious as a Cloud
For International Fraud Awareness Week we are publishing poems every day this week as a timely opportunity to consider fast, effective techniques of raising public awareness of the digital world. Experts at Scams.info harnessed AI technology to create scam-aware adaptations of classic poems to raise cyber-security awareness.
1:00 AM 14th November 2023
Poems For Fraud Awareness Week: Ode To Fraud Awareness
For International Fraud Awareness Week starting today we are publishing poems every day this week as a timely opportunity to consider fast, effective techniques of raising public awareness of the digital world.
1:00 PM 13th November 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 10 November 2023
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
3:11 PM 10th November 2023
Thousands Diagnosed With HIV, Hepatitis B And C Following Programme
An emergency department opt-out testing programme for bloodborne viruses has helped to diagnose thousands of people with serious infections.
9:56 AM 10th November 2023
New Funding To Fuel Space Sustainability
Illustration of space debris around Earth. Credit: ESA/ID&Sense/ONiRiXEL, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO.
The UK Space Agency is funding research into refuelling an upcoming mission to remove space junk, which could help prolong the life of satellites and prevent adding more debris to the space environment.
10:06 AM 7th November 2023
Suspect You Have Experienced A Side Effect Or Incident From A Healthcare Product?
Whether you’re a patient, healthcare professional or carer, this year’s #MedSafetyWeek campaign is calling on you to help improve the safety of medical products by reporting any suspected side effects and adverse incidents to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
4:01 PM 6th November 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 3 November 2023
Image by Katja Fuhlert from Pixabay
The latest national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report, which includes respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) data, and national norovirus and rotavirus surveillance report, have been published along with the latest public health advice.
2:00 PM 3rd November 2023
UKHSA Campaign: ‘Get Winter Strong’ With Flu And COVID-19 Vaccines
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England are urging those eligible who’ve not yet come forward for the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to ‘get winter strong’ and join the millions of others in taking up the offer ahead of the festive and new year season when flu and COVID-19 are expected to peak.
9:47 AM 1st November 2023
AI Summit Is Dominated By Big Tech And A “Missed Opportunity”, Civil Society Organisations Tell Prime Minister
More than 100 civil society organisations from across the UK and world have today (Monday) branded the government’s AI Summit as “a missed opportunity”. “AI must be shaped in the interests of the wider public.
4:32 PM 30th October 2023
Definition Launches AI Digital ‘Assistant’
Definition has built its own internal AI assistant that combines multiple generative AI models and gives users access to them via a single secure interface. Definition AI ensures Definition’s team can use genAI safe in the knowledge that the data inputted is not used to train the associated foundation models and any outputs remain secure.
1:01 AM 26th October 2023
Half Of Brits Admit They Know Nothing About The Universe
A staggering 49 percent of Brits admit they know nothing about space, according to a new survey from Livat Hammersmith ahead of the launch of the SpaceLab, giving the whole family a passport to space through a series of interactive and educational activities at the meeting place.
3:40 PM 25th October 2023
Airports At Greater Risk Of Common Wi-Fi Scam
Lucy Brown
Features Writer
Image by 420494 from Pixabay
Analysis of 34 major UK airports reveals that 53% fail to make the name of their Wi-Fi network clear to customers online. Cybersecurity experts warn holidaymakers risk falling victim to an ‘Evil Twin attack’ if they unknowingly connect to a bogus Wi-Fi network.
1:03 AM 21st October 2023
Almost £14 Billion Worth Of Old Mobile Phones Collecting Dust In UK Homes
Image by Bruno from Pixabay
Brits are hoarding almost 150 million old, unused mobile phones and other tech devices worth a staggering £13.9 billion, new research has revealed. The independent survey of 2,000 UK adults showed that more than a quarter of the nation (27%) are holding onto two old devices, a further fifth (19%) have three and 17% even have four or more.
1:00 AM 21st October 2023
Opinion
Trick Or Treat: How To Save On Your Mobile Contract
Image: Spusu
Did you know that the average Brit will spend almost £21,000 on electronic devices in their lifetime? This includes 16 mobile phones, eleven cameras and 13 laptops. On top of this, contracts are increasing at a scary rate, with some mobile customers receiving price hikes of up to 17.3 per cent in 2023. Spooked? Fear not.
1:00 AM 21st October 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 19 October 2023
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
4:07 AM 20th October 2023
How Switching To An eSim Could Save You Money
Always on the hunt for a good deal? Savvy shoppers who are looking to save money on their mobile phone contracts might have seen the word ‘eSIM’ floating around. But what is an eSIM, and can it really save you money?
1:00 AM 16th October 2023
Consultation Launched To Ban Wet Wipes Containing Plastic
A consultation on banning wet wipes containing plastic across the UK has been launched today under plans to tackle plastic pollution and clean up waterways.
3:30 PM 14th October 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 13 October 2023
‘Come forward now for vaccination’ urges UKHSA This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.
5:27 PM 13th October 2023
National Cybersecurity Week: Essential Guide For Non-Techies
With National Cybersecurity Week charting our calendar, it's critical for everyone to step up and navigate the cyber terrain with a newfound perspective — especially if you count yourself as part of the 'non-techy' crowd. Cyber experts Geonode are here to help you manoeuvre through it all. We've put together a comprehensive guide full of tips that our non-techy readers will benefit from.
11:56 AM 11th October 2023
Searches For Meningitis Jab Soar 400%
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Nationwide Google searches for the pneumococcal vaccine - which protects against serious illnesses like pneumonia and meningitis - have risen by 400% over the last week.
1:00 AM 7th October 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 28 September 2023
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
8:19 PM 28th September 2023
UK Launches £65 Million Funding Call For Space Technologies And Applications
Artist's impression of laser-based communications between cubesats in space. Credit: Northumbria University.
The UK Space Agency has announced up to £65 million of funding for ground-breaking innovations that could boost UK leadership in space technologies and applications.
8:21 AM 28th September 2023
COVID-19 Variants Identified In The UK – 22 September 2023
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in the UK
4:25 PM 24th September 2023
The Worst Places To Connect To Public Wi-Fi
Reports suggest that 87% of UK businesses have adapted to hybrid working, with 44% of UK workers currently working remotely in 2023. With the flexibility of remote work enabling UK employees to work from public workspaces or coffee shops, as an employer, how can you ensure those working for you are doing so securely whilst connected to public Wi-Fi?
1:00 AM 23rd September 2023
Vulnerable Urged To Take Up COVID Vaccine
A social care leader has urged older and vulnerable adults to take up the new covid vaccine as well as having their flu jabs this autumn. Mike Padgham, Chair of the Independent Care Group (ICG) said people should not risk getting sick this winter, particularly as a new Covid-19 variant is currently causing some concern.
1:00 AM 9th September 2023
MHRA Approves Pfizer/Biontech’s Adapted COVID-19 Vaccine (Comirnaty) That Targets Omicron XBB.1.5
The vaccine was approved after it was found to meet the UK regulator's standards of safety, quality and effectiveness
4:37 PM 5th September 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 31 August 2023
This fortnightly flu and COVID-19 report brings together the latest surveillance data along with the latest public health advice.
8:10 PM 31st August 2023
Mixing Vocals In Under 5 Minutes!
Jonny Goode
Composer and Musician
Mixing vocals is like painting a musical picture. Using EQ, you can make vocals shine. Start by removing low rumbles below 80-100 Hz with a high-pass filter. Smooth out harsh sounds by cutting frequencies around 2-5 kHz, and soften sharp "s" sounds by reducing 7-9 kHz. For presence, boost the range between 2-5 kHz to help vocals stand out.
1:00 AM 12th August 2023
Home Recording: How To Mix Electric Guitar with a Channel Strip
Jonny Goode
Composer and Musician
Mixing electric guitar with a channel strip is a common practice in audio production to process the guitar signal and achieve a desired sound. A channel strip is a device or software plug-in that combines various audio processing tools into a single interface, typically including an EQ (equaliser), compressor, and sometimes additional features like saturation or de-esser.
1:00 AM 5th August 2023
Flu And COVID-19 Surveillance Report Published - 3 August 2023
Weekly national influenza and COVID-19 report, COVID-19 activity, seasonal flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses.
5:20 PM 3rd August 2023
Bimervax COVID-19 Vaccine Authorised By MHRA
The new vaccine from HIPRA Human Health has been authorised after meeting the MHRA’s required safety, quality and effectiveness standards.
4:14 PM 1st August 2023
Big Wins In Mixing Acoustic Guitar
Mixing acoustic guitar involves adjusting and balancing various elements of the guitar's sound to achieve a clear, pleasing, and well-integrated result in your mix. Here are some steps and tips to help you with the process:
2:00 AM 29th July 2023
Game-Changing Fund Opens In UK To Boost Science And Tech Research
£50 million Research Ventures Catalyst to support cutting-edge research, built on partnerships with private and philanthropic investors.
11:12 AM 26th July 2023
Home Recording: Mixing Bass Guitar EQ Tips
Mixing bass guitar can be challenging, as it plays a crucial role in defining the low-end foundation of your mix. Here are some EQ tips to help you achieve a balanced and powerful bass guitar sound: 1. High-pass filter: Start by applying a high-pass filter to remove unnecessary low-end rumble and frequencies below the bass guitar's fundamental range.
1:00 AM 22nd July 2023
more