Scots Agricultural College strike called off
Today's planned strike at the Scottish Agricultural College has been called off after a meeting between management and the union Prospect, which will now ballot members on a revised pay offer. More than 600 staff held a three-hour strike earlier this month over pay.
British kids avoiding school toilets
Urgent legislation is needed to bring toilets in British schools up to acceptable hygiene levels, says a study published today. Researchers from Newcastle University and Göteborg University in Sweden found that some children avoided using toilets altogether because of the condition of the facilities and a fear of bullies. This could increase the risk of health problems such as urinary tract infections, constipation and incontinence, the study said.
Soton get share of £5m for bespoke drugs research
Chemists and physicists at the University of Southampton have been awarded a share of £5 million for research they say could revolutionise biological and medicinal science. If successful, their research might lead to life-saving drugs being individually tailored to each person's unique DNA for maximum effect. The project is one of seven to receive a share of £21 million funding from the Research Councils UK Basic Technology Programme.