Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Dr_Aust_PhD @draustphd.bsky.social · 6h

Which would hardly be a major surprise, given SUVs are bigger & heavier than older saloon cars (so more kinetic energy). They are also 'taller', so will hit you (the pedestrian) higher up on your body where more of your vital organs are. Likely to matter a lot when kids are the pedestrians hit.

David Zipper @davidzipper.bsky.social · 8h

Deep dive into the surge in US pedestrian deaths:

"It’s not that more pedestrians are getting hit by vehicles; it’s that the ones that are getting hit are more likely to die."

"[That] seems like fairly strong evidence for the theory that the rise in large SUVs is behind the uptick in ped deaths."

Why Are So Many Pedestrians Killed by Cars in the US?

It’s unfortunately not uncommon for pedestrians to be killed by cars in the US.

www.construction-physics.com

1 2 1

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Best for Britain @bestforbritain.org · 5h

Our latest research shows: Tory voters are now more than twice as likely to consider Brexit a failure for the UK (46%) compared to a success (22%).

https://leftfootforward.org/2025/10/even-tory-voters-say-brexit-has-failed-and-damaged-uk-economy-poll-finds/

Even Tory voters say Brexit has failed and damaged UK economy, poll finds

The polling also shows that Brexit is also much more likely to be considered a failure (38%) than a success (24%) by GE2024 Tory voters.

leftfootforward.org

8 28 71

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · 8h

Margaret Thatcher recognised the need to provide asylum for refugees, as well as the need to distinguish them from immigrants. No hope of that from her successors, of course.

Ian Gow MP (Thatcher's PPS) to Tony Marlow MP 23 August 1979:

12 60 170

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Professor Judith Smith @profjudithsmith.bsky.social · 10d

New paper in @bjgp.bsky.social by @luisaptg.bsky.social @jaketreenotsea.bsky.social @hughalderwick.bsky.social and me, exploring the implications of the NHS Ten Year Plan ambition to shift care from hospital to community, and what it means for general practice👇🏻

The Health Foundation @healthfoundation.bsky.social · 12d

Writing for @bjgp.bsky.social colleagues focus on the 10-Year Health Plan's shift from hospital to community and consider its implications for general practice, drawing on existing evidence to explore the good, the bad and the potentially ugly.

Read more ⬇️

From hospital to community? The good, the bad, and the ugly of the 10-year plan to move care to the community

Labour’s 10-year health plan for England, published on 3 July, set out three strategic shifts — from hospital to community, sickness to prevention, and analogue to digital. This editorial focuses on the first — shifting care from hospital to community — and considers its implications for ge...

bjgp.org

4 5

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 1d

Aggregate Result of the 122 Council By-Elections (for 125 Seats) since the 2025 Local Elections:

RFM: 47 (+40)
LDM: 32 (+10)
CON: 13 (-15)
LAB: 12 (-30)
GRN: 11 (+3)
Ind: 5 (-4)
Local: 3 (-3)
SNP: 1 (-1)
PLC: 1 (=)

Explore: electionmaps.uk/byelections-...

7 17 42

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 1d

Kenn Valley (Teignbridge) Council By-Election Result:

🔶 LDM: 50.4% (+11.0)
➡️ RFM: 23.1% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.6% (-19.0)
🙋 Ind: 8.2% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.5% (-13.9)
🌹 LAB: 2.7% (-9.9)
🙋 Ind: 0.5% (New)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.

4 34 140

Martin Rathfelder @rathfelder.bsky.social · 1d

Monthly income fluctuations associated with poorer health, more anxiety & depression. Income volatility may harm physical & mental health. Policy interventions that smooth income flows could be positive for population health. Does Universal Credit harm or help? www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Why is income volatility associated with poor health? Longitudinal evidence from the UK and France

There is some evidence that income volatility (fluctuations in income over time) negatively affects mental and physical health, independently of the l…

www.sciencedirect.com

1 1

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Trussell @trusselluk.bsky.social · 1d

Over HALF of people turning to food banks are struggling with a mental health problem.

Worrying about money isn't just numbers. It's the sleepless nights, stress and emotional toll that comes with facing hardship.

#WorldMentalHealthDay

16 25

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Stuart McDonald @actuarybyday.bsky.social · 1d

What if ageing isn’t the problem - but our systems are?

My new blog explores how changing #demographics is affecting retirement, #health, and the economy.

The question is not whether demographic trends will reshape our world – it’s how we will choose to respond.
🔗 www.lcp.com/en/insights/...

Beyond the numbers: How demographic change is rewriting the rules of retirement, health and growth

Explore how demographic change is reshaping health, pensions, and the economy, with key insights from Beyond Curious season 4.

www.lcp.com

5 5

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Tim Onion @bencollins.bsky.social · 2d

Autism antibodies are stored in the foreskin.

Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 2d

Besides linking Tylenol in pregnant women to autism, RFK Jr. now says circumcision is part of the reason why kids are autistic.

"Children who are circumcised early have double the rate of autism, and it's highly likely because they're given Tylenol. None of this is positive..."

700 1.1K 6.7K

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Resolution Foundation @resfoundation.bsky.social · 1d

🏘️ 221,000 dwellings were approved in the year to June 2025, down by 7% on the previous year, and now at the lowest level since 2014.

Read our blog on the latest planning data⤵️ buff.ly/jdQnf5Q

Chart showing estimated number of dwelling units granted permission and net additional dwellings in the 12 months to the period shown: England

1 4

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Britain Elects @britainelects.com · 1d

✅ Liberal Democrat HOLD

Yesterday's Widcombe and Lyncombe (Bath and North East Somerset) council by-election result:

LDEM: 44.4% (-11.8)
GRN: 15.4% (+0.6)
LAB: 12.2% (+4.7)
REF: 11.9% (+11.9)
CON: 8.6% (-12.8)
IND: 4.8% (+4.8)
IND: 2.6% (+2.6)

+/- 2023

Estimated turnout: ~35% (-18)

Andrew’s Previews | Andrew Teale | Substack

"All the right votes, but not necessarily in the right order". Click to read Andrew’s Previews, by Andrew Teale, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

andrewteale.me.uk

7 31

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

HOPE not hate @hopenothate.org.uk · 1d

Reform UK's councillor numbers were steadily boosted by defections and by-elections, but they’re finding it somewhat hard to keep hold of the ones they’ve already got.
hopenothate.org.uk/2025/10/10/c...

Countdown: The steady shedding of Reform councillors and officials continues… – HOPE not hate

Drunken displays, racist rants and dodgy deals are just some of the reasons that Reform councillors and officials are dropping like flies… While Reform UK...

hopenothate.org.uk

3 22 62

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Sarah Jackson @drsarahejackson.bsky.social · 1d

In a letter published today in the BMJ, we call for urgent action to correct misperceptions of vaping.

As long as public perceptions of vaping are misaligned with evidence, the opportunity for vaping to further reduce smoking is being missed.

www.bmj.com/content/391/... @ashorguk.bsky.social

3 4

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Resolution Foundation @resfoundation.bsky.social · 1d

Wealth gaps between age groups have widened sharply in recent years.

The difference between those in their early 30s and early 60s has more than doubled in real terms since 2006-08, from £135,000 to £310,000.

Find out more about these trends in our latest report on wealth⬇️

buff.ly/Ya8kInK

Chart showing median real family net wealth per adult, by five-year age group: GB
Most age groups saw their wealth rise in the latest period, but gains were far from equal. Those aged 50-54 recorded the largest increase – typical per adult family wealth rose by £35,000 between 2018-20 and 2020-22 – but people in their late 30s saw only a £9,000 rise. These larger gains for older groups have widened existing wealth gaps: the difference between those in their early 30s and early 60s has more than doubled in real terms since 2006-08, from £135,000 to £310,000.

2 4

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Healthwatch @healthwatch.bsky.social · 1d

Interesting as also say they are “hiring 8,500 extra mental health workers”. Though a bit suspicious when they say ‘workers’ and not ‘professionals’.
www.gov.uk/government/n...

£50 million boost for groundbreaking mental health research

People with mental health issues to benefit from groundbreaking research, backed by £50 million in government funding

www.gov.uk

4 3

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Andy Cowper @hpiandycowper.bsky.social · 1d

Stunning irresponsibility from leaders in the BMA.

Somebody needs to go after them for this, very publicly and very, very hard: www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcar...

BMA leaders suggest GPs ‘overwhelm A&Es’ in revolt against NHS reforms

A letter sent by senior members of the union has been condemned for advising doctors to sabotage the Pharmacy First scheme, which they claim undermines them

www.thetimes.com

1 10 18

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Iain Roberts @slowbikeiain.bsky.social · 1d

In 2024 across the whole of the UK just one pedestrian was killed by a cyclist.

Peter Walker @peterwalker99.bsky.social · 2d

One day - *one day* - a UK newspaper will do a similar count of motor vehicles speeding inside a 20mph zone.

In 60 minutes I saw 172 cyclists run these lights – it’s a matter of time before they kill someone

The offenders included Lime bike riders, school children and a woman in high-heeled boots

10 30 140

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

The Associated Press @apnews.com · 2d

Pope Leo XIV has blasted how wealthy people live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while the poor suffer. In his first teaching document Thursday, Leo confirms that he is in perfect lockstep with Pope Francis on matters of social injustice.

Pope Leo blasts economy that marginalizes poor while wealthy live in bubble of luxury

Pope Leo XIV has blasted how wealthy people live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while the poor suffer.

bit.ly

530 5.1K 20K

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Josiah Mortimer @josiah.writes.news · 1d

Only one by-election, but there's no doubt Lib Dems are performing strongly in many (previously) Conservative areas right now

Election Maps UK @electionmaps.uk · 1d

Kenn Valley (Teignbridge) Council By-Election Result:

🔶 LDM: 50.4% (+11.0)
➡️ RFM: 23.1% (New)
🌳 CON: 9.6% (-19.0)
🙋 Ind: 8.2% (New)
🌍 GRN: 5.5% (-13.9)
🌹 LAB: 2.7% (-9.9)
🙋 Ind: 0.5% (New)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.
Changes w/ 2023.

8 24 110

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Reform Party UK Exposed @reformexposed.bsky.social · 2d

Reform UK’s Councillor Rowland O’Connor, St. Columb Major, has resigned from the party.

A conspiracy theorist who claimed 17m people have died from the COVID vaccine, among many other claims.

26 110 270

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Campaign for Better Transport @bettertransport.bsky.social · 1d

Did you know, a 2019 study found older people with bus passes are likely to report better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms?

This #WorldMentalHealthDay we're highlighting the links between better transport and mental health.

Two elderly passengers seated inside a bus with a sign indicating the bus is stopping ahead. Text underneath image says: Better transport reduces isolation and boosts wellbeing.

5 4

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Keep Our NHS Public @keepournhspublic.bsky.social · 1d

Do you work in Primary Care, or are you a patient who wishes the service operated better for everyone?

Then this FREE one-day conference is for you!

Come along to network and find out how we can improve our local services.

Register here 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/campaignin...

2 2

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Patients Association @patients-association.org.uk · 1d

A fairer GP funding system is essential to tackling health inequalities.

We welcome the government's review of the Carr-Hill formula — a long-overdue chance to make funding fairer and improve access for those who need it most. buff.ly/Wd7ROzh #HealthInequalities #NHS

Patients from deprived and coastal communities have been left behind by an outdated and unfair GP funding distribution system; this review of the Carr-Hill formula is a long-overdue chance to put that right.

3 2

Reposted by Martin Rathfelder

Resolution Foundation @resfoundation.bsky.social · 1d

Passive wealth accumulation – where wealth increases due to rising asset prices – has been responsible for more than half the increase in average family wealth between 2010-12 and 2020-22.

Read more about what's been happening with household wealth in Britain in our latest report ⬇️

buff.ly/Ya8kInK

Chart showing estimated mean change in family wealth per adult over preceding two years, by type of wealth accumulation: GB

Since the start of the 2010s (2010-12), passive gains have accounted for 53 per cent of the growth in average family wealth, with the remaining 47 per cent coming from active accumulation.

4 7