Simon Anderson

REI Co-op has reduced the percentage of annual merit-based pay raises for hourly retail workers, leading to widespread employee dissatisfaction. The new pay raise percentages are significantly lower than in previous years, causing frustration among the workforce.

The study focuses on the bioremediation potential of the AcCO6 mutant enzyme in the purification of alkylglycosides. Initial experiments established the enzyme's activity towards various alcohol substrates, with octanol identified as the most effective. Kinetic parameters were determined, showing significant differences in catalytic efficiency among the alcohols tested. Further optimization of reaction conditions using GC-FID analysis revealed high conversion rates of octanol and decanol to their respective aldehydes, with minimal over-oxidation. The addition of catalase improved conversion rates by degrading hydrogen peroxide by-products and increasing soluble oxygen concentration.

The Shorten Labor Government plans to invest $10 million to expand the Facility for Intelligent Fabrication (FIF) and $1 million to establish a 3D BioPrinting Facility at the University of Wollongong (UOW). The FIF, a collaboration between UOW, TAFE NSW, and Weld Australia, will receive funding for industrial robot cells, training robots, and augmented reality welding simulators. The 3D BioPrinting Facility, supported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, will focus on printer manufacturing, biomaterials, and bio-inks. Bill Shorten emphasizes Labor's commitment to innovation and education.

A young man who committed political violence against a 71-year-old woman at a Women's Rights rally in New Zealand received a discharge without conviction, leading to international outrage. The article criticizes the New Zealand government, Labour and Green parties, and various organizations for their involvement in suppressing women's rights and promoting gender ideology. It highlights the mishandling of the case by the police and the broader societal issues related to gender ideology, freedom of expression, and political violence.

The article discusses the use of a biocatalyst to improve the purification process of alkylglycosides, highlighting the collaborative research efforts of scientists from Keele University and Croda Europe Ltd. The study emphasizes the potential of biocatalysis in bioremediation, offering a sustainable approach to chemical purification. The research is presented as a factual scientific study with contributions from multiple authors.

The article discusses the inadequacies of current UK laws in protecting all individuals from workplace harassment and bullying. It critiques the limitations of the Equality Act 2010 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, highlighting the challenges victims face in obtaining redress. The author, Simon Anderson, proposes legal reforms to offer better protection and suggests removing the requirement for harassment to be related to a protected characteristic. The article also examines a recent private member’s bill by Rachael Maskell MP, which aimed to address workplace bullying but had several shortcomings.

An escaped mental health patient is believed to have murdered 86-year-old Beryl Purdy in her home in Broomfield, Somerset. The suspect, who was missing from a non-secure mental health unit, was found unfit for police custody and transferred to a secure unit. The incident has shocked the local community, where Mrs. Purdy was a well-respected church warden and active community member. The police are continuing their investigation, and the village remains cordoned off.

The Traction framework, developed by Sniffer and IIED with input from The Open University and funded by the Scottish government, is designed to help communities globally adapt to climate change. Piloted in diverse locations such as Scotland's Outer Hebrides and Malawi, the framework focuses on policies, governance, data, collaboration, and ethical considerations. It aims to support comprehensive adaptation actions and is available for free online. The framework has already helped communities like those in the Outer Hebrides to better understand and prioritize climate resilience actions.

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5is) like sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, known for treating erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension, show potential cardioprotective effects. They enhance the cGMP–PKG axis, reducing pathological hypertrophy, ischemic injury, and improving cell survival. Clinical studies indicate PDE5is improve exercise capacity and ventricular function in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), though results in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) are mixed. PDE5is also show promise in reducing infarct size and arrhythmias post-myocardial infarction (MI). Despite proven safety profiles, their efficacy varies with heart failure subtypes, necessitating further clinical trials to confirm benefits in specific patient groups.

Cleaning and catering staff at four South London hospitals, organized by GMB, have secured a 17% pay rise from outsourcing giant ISS after a series of strikes. The article highlights the abusive management practices of ISS, the disparity in pay and conditions for outsourced workers, and the broader context of privatization and cuts in the NHS. It emphasizes the effectiveness of militant labor action and calls for coordinated strikes and the nationalization of outsourced services. The text is highly critical of ISS, the Tory government, and the capitalist system, while praising the solidarity and determination of the workers.