News.Scotland.Org

November, 14

Now sale of alcohol will be done in a sophisticated manner in shops, soon it will get a separate area in the supermarkets. It is known that the Scottish government is all set to ban the display of alcohol in stores. Earlier, Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary mentioned that alcohol will not be sold like a ‘pint of milk or packet of tattie scones’ in supermarkets. This massive decision has raised a severe feeling of discomfort among the retailers, who are against this decision.

It was noticed that alcohol was available so easily in every supermarkets and shops with more and more cross-merchandising generating a wrong message to the masses. Beer placed next to barbecues and other things will be a past from now, this decision will oblige these supermarkets to sell alcohol in a different shelf or area.

With the on set of the festive season the decision has raised some serious concern for the shopkeepers, who now has a mammoth task on hands. Christmas is nearing and all shopkeepers are busy to generate their sales and in between this new change will be a challenge for them says retailers like Asda. This new bevvy culture will refine the market look and will give alcohol a separate area to woo its fans.

In recent years it is clearly seen that alcohol has taken a prime place in almost all shops and supermarkets. That too the way these hard drinks are displayed and promoted can fascinate even a non-drinker. Even many strange cross-merchandising was seen, like beer displayed next to barbecues and white wines in the lingerie departments. Even the checkout area remains flooded with wines; all over alcohol is projected so heavily which was a worry sign. But sooner or later the Scottish government has decided to restrict the area for alcohol sale in shops and supermarket.

This new way of merchandising is making buyers attracted towards the new alcohol culture and getting the innocent buyers to flow along this wave of promotion. Hope after this decision the alcohol lovers would get a separate area to grab their favourite bottle, while the rest buyers can enjoy their shopping without the alcohol effect.

November, 13

Have you ever thought of an acne drug that would lead one to the extent of depression which will end them to suicide? It sounds quite strange but this is what a research report tells. Acne, known to be one of the massive problems among British teenagers and adults, for which they resort to drug to treat this disorder. In this series of drug, Roaccutane has been a famous name, treated as a “magic bullet” to kill acne since a long time. It has been found that this drug creates a sense of depression for the user and further leading to suicide, claims the study.

The research conducted thus reveals that the drug disrupts the formation of serotonin in the brain which results to a gloomy feel. This makes the user feel depressed and makes them to think even ending their lives. It is reported that this drug has been a cause for several deaths in both the UK and the US. Medical science tells that any disturbance in the serotonin levels in human body is a danger sign which senses mind for such extreme steps.

According to Dr Sarah Bailey, from University of Bath, Serotonin is an essential chemical which relays signals from the nerve cells to various other cells in the body. While in the brain it is thought to play to regulate and control behaviours like aggression, anger and sleep. If the amount of serotonin is reduced in the body then it can lead to depression, anxiety, stress and many such behaviours.

To test this change in mind levels, the drug was tested in mice which showed some behavioural change. The mice which were drugged Roaccutane did’nt showed any sign of fighting to escape. This showed the change in the behaviour of the mice due to the drug.

It is known that acne is one of the biggest problems which all growing youths and adults are facing and everyone is concerned about the was they appear. In such situation drugs are the only hope for these youths to beat the acne stress. As seen in the research which points out the side effect of such drugs, now the youths are left with a more stressful situation as to which drug to rely on to treat their acne trouble. On the other hand the drug manufacturer Roaccutane said, this drug has treated several patients successfully and in some case it is seen that severe acne can lead to change in mood and depression. The company spokesperson also pointed out that the drug carries a warning that some patients may find some mood changes, including increase in depression.

So now the time will tell the further consequences of this acne drug, now the situation has turned more volatile as it’s the matter of life. Though everything is left to the youths who have to decide what is good for them and what not.

November, 12

Now beer drinkers have to pay more in order to quench their thirst. With the increase in the prices of beer, now this refreshing drink would get bitter for these brewers. It is known that with the increase in the prices of raw material this sudden hike in beer rates has came into picture. The new hike in prices would come into effect from next year. The steep rise in the prices of malt, barley, glass and aluminium is the main cause for this sudden rise.

Another factor responsible is the heavy rains which destroyed the barley cultivation in Europe and affected the quality of the barley crop. While it was noticed that, drought in Australia havocked the barley cultivation, creating a decline in the quantity of raw material for the preparation of beer. This in turn made the cost of barely to rise in the market, with the increase in the prices of glass, fuel and aluminium adding to the woes.

This unpredicted price rise has made the farmers worried and forced them to plant corn to cope up with the rapid demand for biofuels. On the other hand market analyst said that this upward trend in the prices of beer will not bother much to the big suppliers and supermarkets, but the small players will have to bear tough times ahead. Nigel Pollard of Scottish and Newcastle said even brewers would face the brunt of price rise and it will be tough for them to sustain this spiraling cost. He also hinted that lot much is in the offing to march upwards along with beer rates. He said this price rise will effect the rates of other alcoholic beverages like cider and soft drinks too.

The beer manufacturers and traders are not left with any other option, and have to up the rates of bear. It is for sure that this new year beer fans have to get ready to pay more to relish this bubbly delight.

November, 10

In a sensational judgment a man was sentenced two-and-a-half-year imprisonment for his abnormal act of making 15000 obscene phone calls to women. The accused allured women by claiming himself a researcher for Marks & Spencer, Paul Kavanagh 40 use to ask these women in the beginning few simple questions like about their socks and cardigans and then starts the dirty talking asking them about their underwear and giving them indecent suggestions. This act of public annoyance by Paul Kavanagh got apt treatment by the law and was sentenced imprisonment by the London’s Southwark Crown court here yesterday.

The Judge of the case Peter Testar said “It seems to me that the defendant was taking drink and cocaine and making these calls for the purposes of sexual gratification and, to my mind, for the purposes of cruelty.” It was seen that the way this accused use to call these women, he presented himself as if he is taking any survey with a set of questions which he asked them. After getting the details about the women he used to call them again and again, creating a sense of fear in the minds of these women.

In his statement accused Paul Kavanagh agreed to have been made about 15000 calls from October 1995. It was known that he used to make these calls from unregistered pay-as-you-go telephones, so that he leaves no clues for someone to trace him. But as all criminals leave clues by-mistake, he also gave police an essential clue when he told one woman that he liked the way her hair is today. In the same way he asked another woman some other thing giving some traces to police.

The victims whom Kavanagh targeted mostly used to feel unsafe and uneasy and threatened even to stay alone in home. These victims of the phone menace also feared of being followed by the accused, even the Judge agreed the fact that this incidence had an immense effect to these women. This telephonic harassment and obscenity was nothing a small act to get escaped with, and it cost the accused imprisonment and banning him to use his phone on the charge of anti-social behaviour for four years.

November, 9

A worry signs for those women who use contraceptive pills for a long time, study conducted in this field showed that such women possess double the risk of having cervical cancer than other women. In this new research it was found out that cervical cancer affects more over those women who have a habit of consuming contraceptive pills for continuous period. It also pointed out the fact that, ten years after stopping to take the pill the threat of cervical cancer reduces. It was noticed that previously also research has been done in this regard, the outcome of which confirmed that the risk cervical cancer is associated with the period of use of the contraceptive pill. As the period of use increases the risk also increases.

The study has revealed the duration after which the danger of cervical cancer is lower. Women can avoid this disease easily and nothing to panic, but the other side of the study showed that contraceptive pills can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and cancer of womb lining. It is known that contraceptive pills are mainly used by a large section of women these days, but the long use can be risky for them, with the fear of cervical cancer.

Whereas Dr Jane Green of Oxford University in her The Lancet medical journal has mentioned that “The incidence of cervical cancer increases with age and so the contribution of hormonal contraceptives to the lifetime incidence of cervical cancer will depend largely on the effects at older ages, when most women are past users.”

With the study and its final conclusion will help women to stay away from the risk of cervical and cancer and plan out the way to deal with contraceptive menace.

What is Cervical Cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which certain body cells don’t function right, divide very fast, and produce too much tissue that forms a tumor. Cervical cancer is cancer in the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus (womb). The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a baby grows during a woman’s pregnancy. The cervix forms a canal that opens into the vagina (birth canal), which leads to the outside of the body.

November, 8

The Scottish television industry is all set for a revival; this glossy nation has witnessed a sudden fall in the television production in recent years. With many famous prime-time dramas like Dr Who and Life on mars doing great, the time has come for this industry to come up with such new drama series to boost the television industry on the north of the border. Commenting in this regard the Chairman of a commission set up to save Scots broadcasting said, Scotland has moved to a slower side in the television production part, which has to be revived soon.

This downward trend in the Scottish television production sector has also influenced the viewers a lot with lowering their interest to watch the programs. Even the new broadcasting commission, set to monitor and enhance the standard of the Scottish television industry has agreed to the fact that these dramas are a key element to revive this sector. This concept is clearly proved by the way viewers appreciated and liked the Dr Who series which got a huge success.

The Chairman of the Broadcasting commission, Blair Jenkins said dramas are the souls of the television industry, the way these dramas have flourished in our industry tell the importance of them in the lives of viewers. “If you look at the north-west of England, there is now a halo effect from dramas like Life on Mars.” This helps in both way from the financial front and talent front, such things keeps the industry going. He also felt the need to revive the news coverage in Scotland, this industry has also seen a set back in recent years.

The Scottish television industry’s quest for this revival could place this industry again in the main stream. Hope soon Scottish TV will regain its form and get more space in the hearts of viewers and becomes more economically strong.

November, 7

Its Poker all the way in Britain these days, this gambling event has fascinated a huge number of gaming enthusiast to play poker online. Though it is noticed that majority of the gamer are still novice and are yet to understand the rules and how to play with the real moolah. In recent years it was seen that more and more internet users are logging on to these gaming sites to play poker in UK. The survey conducted by Mintel a market analyst revealed the fact that people have shown interest in poker with the increase in the television coverage of this game.

This interesting game is a fine way of gambling which makes it more popular, the rest of gambling forms may seems to lack the cool nature which poker has, said Matt king, Mintel’s senior leisure analyst. The report also showed that majority of the players took part in the game without gambling any money they just played it for fun. Mr Matt is confident of more people taking part in poker in coming years. After the execution of the 2005 Gambling Act, the poker industry is ready to flourish immensely as now gamers can enjoy poker in pubs, the act has widen the scope for poker.

In this era of technological advancement internet game has taken a huge shape; people are choosing the easiest way to get along with friends and enjoy the array of games. The study also showed that people like both live and online games in the same manner; with the excitement in live games they still feel it as interesting as online ones.

The study also stated, with the increase in the publicity and featuring of poker in television, more and more people were attracted towards it. This has helped a lot in the rise in poker players in Britain. It is for sure that in coming years this game will take a huge shape in UK with many new players putting in real money, no matter they enjoy this gaming action online or live. This new trend of gambling has become a hot affair these days.

November, 6

All those moms who breastfeed their babies are gifting their child a healthy life ahead. It is found that breastfed babies are at lower risk of heart disease in their future life. This study has made moms to stop feeding their babies with bottled milk for avoiding heart diseases in them. The study has showed how essential the mother’s milk is to the baby, even to stay away from major heart diseases.

The growing trend of moms who have not accepted the breastfeeding seriously, visible from the figures of last year showing a drop in the percent of mothers who breastfed their babies. If we look to the positive effects of breastfeeding, we can find that those adults who were breastfed while infants were fifty-five percent more likely to possess high levels of good cholesterol. This protects the person from heart diseases and other heart ailments. Another positive side of breastfeeding is it reduces the chances of obesity; those who are breastfed have a lower body mass index (BMI) in comparison to those who have been bottle-fed in childhood.

It was noticed that in many cases mothers avoid breastfeeding their babies either due to their highly professional chores or some prefer to avoid for being in shape. Many such reasons have been the main concern for moms not taking this matter seriously, but after the research, again the fact is clear that how essential the mothers milk is for the baby. According to Dr Nisha Parikh, lead researcher on the study, said: “This was a modest reduction in BMI, but even a modest reduction leads to significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular disease-related death.”

Many experts and child researchers pointed out the fact that even though the study revealed the good effects of breastfeeding for babies, but at some phase mothers should be left at their own stand. Mother should not be suppressed to breastfeed their babies, it should be left to them, otherwise it should lead them into some pressure and worry. As there are many children doing great even after being bottle-fed in early days, so mother should themselves understand the benefits of breastfeeding and make their own decision without any guilt.

November, 5

A scary news for those young boozers who like to experiments with their drinks to get that extra energy in every drink they take. So if you are mixing your alcohol with energy drinks then you could be risking yourself. This new trend of boozing, mainly seen by young drinkers who like to mix it with some energy drink to enjoy more energetically in the clubs all the night. In a study conducted on 4000 students, it was seen that consuming alcohol mixed with energy drinks has doubled the risk of clubbers hurting themselves or taken advantage sexually. It is also found that the cocktail, made of alcohol and energy drinks contains high levels of caffeine which again is a matter of concern.

The change in the nature of consumption of alcohol by youngsters has shown that by mixing alcohol these young drinkers have raised the amount of consumption of alcohol in comparison with other drinkers. They are also more exposed to take sexual advantage of others and also being taken advantage of themselves. This psychology also points out the fact that nowadays youngsters are inclined towards drinking more, so they mix alcohol with energy drinks which helps them to consume more liquor. According to Dr Mary Claire O’Brien, a lead researcher in this study said, the risk of serious and potentially deadly consequences is so much higher for those who mix energy drinks with alcohol.”

Even researchers feel the need of proper guidance to youngsters and educate them with the risk of mixing alcohol with energy drinks. The students should understand how fatal this experiment could result for them and others. Parents should also come up and take the initiative to make their wards aware of the ill-effects of this new trend of drinking. Also they should check the amount of alcohol they are consuming.

November, 3

Law is after all law no one is above that, this is proved in a incident in which a minister has to bear a fine for his offence. This may be an eye-opening incident for those imprudent people who use their mobile phones while driving. It was noticed that yesterday the immigration minister Liam Bryne has to face a fine for using his mobile while driving. Showing an act of modesty the 37-year-old minister in his letter to Sutton Coldfield Magistrate’s Court mentioned his offence and felt guilty of breaking the law. This cost the minister a fine of £35 and a £15 victim surcharge, he was charged under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act 1998.

In the letter Mr. Byrne wrote to the court stated that he was attending an important call on a deportation matter while driving. He also expressed his guilt over the act and accepted that it is not an excusable offence. Later considering the guilt plea by Mr Byrne the magistrates gave him a relaxation in the fine. The counterparts of Mr Byrne were pleased by the self realization of the minister for the crime he committed and later accepting the mistake before the court, it has also send a strong message out to those erring drivers who breaks such laws regularly.

It was known that the whole incident occurred on July 6th this year, while Mr. Byrne was driving along Tyburn Road in Birmingham, he was using a hand-held mobile phone, which comes under an offence. Stating his views on this incident, Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson, a former Labour minister whose private member’s bill raised a ruckus over the outlaw of using mobile phones while driving expressed happiness on the way Mr. Byrne accepted his offence and felt guilty over it.

All are mostly aware of the hazards and risks involved on talking in mobile phones while driving. The law strictly is enforced to keep a check on such offences and will also help to bring down the rapidly increasing road accidents. But the important factor is how people will accept this law for their betterment.