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Microscopic birthday message sent to the Queen
Microscopic birthday message
The scientists used a Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron microscope to inscribe the message.

Etched onto the hair of a corgi

A microscopic message has been sent to the Queen to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Scientists at the University of Nottingham decided to etch ‘Happy 90th Birthday Your Majesty' onto a hair from a corgi to demonstrate facilities at their new Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (NMRC).  

Dr Michael Fay and Dr Christopher Parmenter, stars of the award winning YouTube Channel Periodic Table of Videos, used a Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron microscope to inscribe the message.

The machine is capable of etching and manipulating materials with nanoscale precision by a focused beam of Gallium ions while imaging the structure by a beam of electrons.

The NMRC opened earlier this week and is teeming with the very latest in microscopy.
The centre allows scientists to peer into the fundamental world of the very, very small and addresses some of the major challenges facing humanity – medicine, materials for energy production, storage, electronic devices and novel catalysts.

“This centre will be one of the largest and most advanced clusters of instrumentation for nanoscale and microscale research in the UK,” said Andrei Khlobystov, professor of nanomaterials and director of the NMRC in the faculty of science. “We anticipate it will have significant regional, national and global impact.”

The University of Nottingham already holds the world record for creating the smallest test tube and for writing the smallest version of the periodic table on human hair. 

Image (C) University of Nottingham

 

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.