Serial Killers, Excessive Drinking And Lifestyle Timebombs At The BA Festival Of Science

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Article Date: 14 Aug 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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The BA Festival of Science will take place in Liverpool from 6-11 September bringing over 350 of the UK's top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. In addition to talks and debates at the University of Liverpool, there will be a host of events happening throughout the city as part of the European Capital of Culture celebrations. The extensive programme of events incorporates a number on health and fitness, including the following highlights.

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the biggest problems of our day, with children starting to drink alcohol at a very early age. 'Alcohol, binge drinking, and cognitive processes' will bring together key speakers to discuss alcohol use in young people, particularly the cognitive 'risk factors' for heavy drinking in youth and the notion that heavy drinking during adolescence might produce long-lasting changes in cognitive processes.

Healthy eating is a matter of debate from parliament to the school gate. But, how much do we really understand about what is in our foods? 'What am I eating exactly?' will explore how current EU research is tackling issues important to us all, including food quality and safety, food allergies, food composition, and future diet and health advice. Topics discussed in the event include the healthy (or not so healthy) credentials of ethnic food, the prevalence of food allergies, and whether superfoods are really that super.

Obesity is a growing concern - warnings that half the UK population will be obese within 25 years fall on deaf ears, large stomachs and sweet teeth. 'Fat of the land or land of the fat?' will discuss the different factors affecting our weight, before a number of speakers put forward possible solutions to the growing problem. The event also includes a debate led by BBC Radio 4's Quentin Cooper, and an opportunity to experience what it feels like to gain 10kg. Can science solve the problem of Britain's ever-expanding waistlines?

In 'Mismatch: the lifestyle diseases timebomb' two leading medical scientists, Peter Gluckman and Mark Hanson, will explain that we have built a world that no longer fits our bodies. They believe that our genes limit our capacity to adapt to the modern urban lifestyle and that many of our modern health problems (including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity) can be understood in terms of this fundamental growing mismatch.

Every two minutes someone in the UK has a heart attack and Liverpool has one of the highest rates of heart disease in the UK. In 'The UK's biggest serial killer' the British Heart Foundation's Professor Andrew Newby will discuss some of the BHF's cutting-edge research and identify the biological culprits behind heart attacks. This includes recent work that has identified a culprit behind the plaque ruptures responsible for a large number of heart attacks.

This year's BA Festival of Science is organised by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) in partnership with the University of Liverpool. It is supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills, the Liverpool Culture Company and the Northwest Regional Development Agency. The Press Centre is sponsored by AstraZeneca.

For further information about the BA Festival of Science, visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience.

Notes

1. Speakers have been asked to submit press papers for their talks, which include a summary of the talk and what is newsworthy about their research. Press papers will be available from late-August at http://www.the-ba.net/presspapers.

2. To register for access to the press papers or to the Press Centre at the BA Festival of Science, visit http://www.the-ba.net/pressregister.

3. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation that exists to advance the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including National Science and Engineering Week, the annual BA Festival of Science, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges. The BA also organises specific activities for the science communication community in the UK through its Science in Society programme. For more information, please visit http://www.the-ba.net.

4. The University of Liverpool is a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive institutions in the UK. It attracts collaborative and contract research commissions from a wide range of national and international organisations valued at more than £108 million annually. For more information visit http://www.liv.ac.uk.

5. The Liverpool Culture Company was established by Liverpool City Council in 2000 to lead the city's bid to be European Capital of Culture 2008. In June 2003, following a two-year nationwide competition featuring 12 cities, Liverpool was chosen as the UK's representative for 2008. The programme for 2008 includes more than 350 events and festivals - many of which are free - delivered in collaboration with major cultural institutions, artists, performers and venues throughout Liverpool and beyond. For more information visit http://www.liverpool08.com.

6. The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: supporting business growth and encouraging investment; matching skills provision to employer needs; creating the conditions for economic growth; connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; and promoting the region's outstanding quality of life.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency