This level of sleep deprivation increases the risk of serious injury or fatality in safety critical situations. Published in Science Advances, the biomarker used a combination of markers found in the blood of healthy volunteers. Together, these markers accurately predicted when the study volunteers had been awake for more than 24 hours under controlled laboratory conditions. The biomarker detected whether individuals had been awake for 24 hours with a 99.2 percent probability of being correct, when compared to their own well-rested sample. When a single sample was considered without the well-rested comparison (similar to a diagnostic blood test), it dropped…

(L-R) Back row – Gary Norwood from 2Logic, Viren Dhunday, on work placement with the council’s People Development and Experience Team, Keene Bathan, Waste Logistics and Quality Officer at the council following work experience, Sarah Prescott, council Youth Employment Support Manager, Tiah Faulkner, a Level 4 Data and Information Governance Apprentice at the council following work experience, Councillor Chris Burden, council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, and Emma Wheway from Elec Training. Front row – Students from The Khalsa Academy in Wolverhampton Employment partners have come together to issue a rallying call to Wolverhampton businesses to…

Wolverhampton’s Yo! Summer gets underway next week with a wide range of activities on offer to children and young people. They include 35,862 places available for eligible children and young people, as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, delivered at 46 locations across the city by 36 providers thanks to over £1 million worth of investment. There’s something for everyone with activities ranging from sports and outdoor adventures to arts and crafts, trips, drama and productions, martial arts, cooking, snooker and much more – visit Yo! Wolverhampton Young Opportunities for full details. These activities and food are…

A computer generated image of what the approach to the new outdoor market canopy could look like heading from the bus station (Image credit: Greig & Stephenson Architects) The multi million pound redevelopment of Bilston Market is set to get underway next week. City of Wolverhampton Council is investing more than £5 million in major improvements to the market that will deliver “the absolute best market in the West Midlands” with more modern, more accessible, and more vibrant spaces for traders and the local community. Works are set to officially begin on Wednesday 23 July and will feature better…

Poundland founder Steve Smith Steve Smith launched the retail chain Poundland in 1990. From humble beginnings he worked his way up from selling on market stalls to running the multi-million-pound retail business which he went onto sell almost 20 years ago. Speaking recently at the first ever We Are Walsall 2040 conference, Smith originally from Willenhall, was optimistic about the future of the borough: “It is the people of Walsall who make me most proud to come from this area. I built my business with good people and with good people, who work hard, you can achieve a great deal.”…

“Simpson & Partners, the UK based sustainable EV manufacturer welcomes the UK Government’s reintroduction of the Electric Car Grant, offering up to £3,750 off new fully electric vehicles under £37,000. Bringing back this support originally phased out in 2022 marks a vital step in reducing the upfront cost barrier and accelerating the shift to low-carbon transport. The additional £63 million investment in EV charging infrastructure is equally encouraging. By addressing practical concerns like cross-pavement charging for households without driveways and depot charging for fleets, this scheme helps ensure the transition to electric mobility is accessible to more people, not just the early…

Sandwell Council is proud to launch Stop For Life Sandwell, a new community stop smoking service designed to help people quit and live healthier lives. Run by behaviour change specialists ICE, the service is free and available to anyone living, working or registered with a GP in Sandwell. Support includes: One-to-one behavioural support Tailored quit plans Advice on Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and vapes, plus 12 weeks of free products The Best-You healthy lifestyles app The service is welcoming, easy to access and here to help people take that first step – or try again – on their journey to…

Daily Mail front page from October 1988 A teacher who tragically died whilst saving approximately 50 children from drowning on a school trip has been awarded an Elizabeth Emblem. Bernard Butt was on a school trip to Egypt in 1988. Until his tragic death, Mr Butt was teaching at the former TP Riley Comprehensive School, now Walsall Academy, in Bloxwich. The school trip had been organised as part of the school’s history studies. It was on that trip where a SS Jupiter cruise liner ship collided with a cargo ship near Piraeus in Greece, and within 40 minutes,…

M6 J9 resurfacing areas of closure – National Highways network (Blue) local authority network (Red) Carriageway resurfacing works on the M6 Junction 9 roundabout will be taking place every night from Sunday 20 July to Friday 8 August between 10pm and 5am. Whilst working is taking place the whole roundabout, including exits from, and accesses to, the motorway will be closed. Anyone passing through or intending to use Junction 9 is advised to plan ahead of the roadworks taking place and be aware of the diversions in place if travelling northbound or southbound of the M6 or passing through…

Birmingham City Council tenants in more than 2,000 households are now living in greener, warmer council homes thanks to a scheme that won a Retrofit Project of the Year award. Birmingham City Council’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) programme won the Retrofit Project of the Year for the Midlands and Wales at the Unlock Net Zero Awards. The scheme – completed by sustainable regeneration specialist Equans, on behalf of the council – has helped tenants save £600-£1200 each year on energy bills, depending on the home and measures installed. Solar panels placed on buildings can save residents as much as…