5 hours agoViral XComments Off on Major Irish theme park launches new 35m high panoramic attraction – but visitors need to act fast
FOTA Wildlife has unveiled a new panoramic Ferris wheel – allowing visitors to take in the sights of the park at 35-metres-high.
The popular attraction is located near Carrigtwohill in Co Cork and it is just 20 minutes from the city centre.
Fota Wildlife Park has launched a new attractionAlamyThe park welcomes about 430,000 visitors yearlyAlamyA 35-metre-high panoramic wheel has opened at Fota Wildlife ParkDarragh Kane
The elevated view showcases savannah, the renowned cheetah run, and the bison and lechwe paddock.
And viewers can get a unique perspective on species such as giraffes, zebras, meerkats, and free-roaming wallabies and nearby historical landmarks like Fota House and Belvelly Castle.
Since opening to the public on June 23, 1983, Fota Wildlife Park has expanded from 73 to 100 acres.
The park has also grown its animal collection from 59 species to 108, with zebras and giraffes being some of the first species to enter the park back in the day.
Director of Fota Wildlife Park, Aileen Tennant, said: “The Panoramic Wheel is another tool in showcasing Fota Wildlife Park’s commitment to animal care, conservation and sustainability while creating memorable experiences for visitors.
“This stunning attraction not only offers guests a breathtaking view of the park’s wildlife and their vast habitats, but it also showcases the historic beauty of Fota Island, the Great Island and Cork Harbour.
“Since its installation, the Wheel has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response, significantly boosting the experience of a family day out at the park and the number of people visiting us.
She said the success helps them continue delivering “essential work in conservation, education and research”.
Aileen added: “In recent years we have committed to a process of decarbonising our operations and the Panoramic Wheel provides a clear view of the recently installed solar panels on the administration and education buildings and the refurbished giraffe house, a project co-funded by the Government via the Office of Public Works.”
The Panoramic Wheel will only be available to visitors until June 8.
President of Cork Chamber, Rob Horgan, said the park’s commitment to conservation and sustainability is “inspiring”.
He said: “From solar-powered facilities and rainwater harvesting to energy-efficient habitats like the giraffe house, Fota Wildlife Park is leading the way in responsible operations to ensure they are doing the very best for the environment and wildlife.
“The installation of the Panoramic Wheel allows visitors to experience this wonderful facility from a whole new perspective, offering breathtaking views.”
Head of Visit Cork, Seamus Heaney, added: “As one of the region’s premier attractions, drawing over 430,000 visitors each year, Fota Wildlife Park stands as a cornerstone of the tourism industry in Cork and Munster.
“Visit Cork is thrilled to witness the launch of this dynamic new experience—an exciting development that is set to boost visitor numbers, especially during the shoulder season, and further solidify the park’s pivotal role in the region’s tourism landscape.”
Over the years, Fota Wildlife has given a massive €4million to Irish and international conservation programmes.
President of Cobh and Harbour Chamber, Toddy Stafford, said “Fota Wildlife Park is a vital driver of tourism and economic growth in Cobh, supporting local businesses, accommodation providers, jobs, and our community’s identity as a top destination.
“The new Panoramic Wheel will enhance the visitor experience to the area, encouraging more people to visit Great Island and surrounds and help to sustain a thriving local economy.”
The park is located on 100 acresAlamyFota Wildlife has given €4m to Irish and international conservation programmesAlamyThe wheel will offer aerial views of the 100-acre parkDarragh KaneThe Ferris wheel is available until June 8Darragh Kane
GettyIn the UK, two hundred million packets are bought over the counter each year[/caption]
And now, a US study has found that paracetamol may do a lot more than simply take the edge off your headache.
The drug, also called acetaminophen, is a workhorse painkiller, mainly because it’s viewed as cheap, safe and effective.
But scientists from Ohio State University found the drug may induce risky behaviour.
“Acetaminophen seems to make people feel less negative emotion when they consider risky activities, they just don’t feel as scared,” explained neuroscientist Prof Baldwin Way from Ohio State University when the findings were published, in 2020.
“With nearly 25 per cent of the population in the US taking acetaminophen each week, reduced risk perceptions and increased risk-taking could have important effects on society.”
Meanwhile, in the UK, two hundred million packets are bought over the counter each year.
That’s perhaps no surprise, given packs of 16 can cost as little as 49p at some pharmacies.
According to the NHS, paracetamol “rarely causes side effects” and is safe to take regularly “for many years”.
In England alone last year, GPs made out 14.8 million prescriptions for paracetamol, according to official NHS statistics.
The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that acetaminophen’s effects on pain reduction extend to psychological processes.
The new research, published in Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, suggests that taking acetaminophen may alter or impair people’s ability to perceive and evaluate risks.
In a series of experiments with over 500 university students the team tested how a single 1,000mg dose of acetaminophen (the recommended maximum for adults in the US) affected risk-taking behaviour.
They compared it to a placebo group that received a fake pill.
Participants were asked to pump an inflatable balloon on a computer screen, earning imaginary money for each pump, but risking losing it all if the balloon popped.
The results revealed that students who took acetaminophen were more likely to take risks during the exercise, pumping (and bursting) their balloons more than the placebo group, who were much more cautious.
“If you’re risk-averse, you may pump a few times and then decide to cash out because you don’t want the balloon to burst and lose your money,” Baldwin said.
“But for those who are on acetaminophen, as the balloon gets bigger, we believe they have less anxiety and less negative emotion about how big the balloon is getting and the possibility of it bursting.”
‘Acetaminophen may reduce anxiety’
Participants also completed surveys in two experiments, rating the perceived risk of various scenarios, like betting a day’s wages, bungee jumping, or driving without a seatbelt.
In one survey, acetaminophen seemed to reduce perceived risk compared to the placebo group, though this effect wasn’t seen in another similar survey.
While these experiments may not reflect real-life situations, the team found a significant link between taking acetaminophen and increased risk-taking, even if the effect was subtle.
The researchers also considered that acetaminophen’s impact might come from reduced anxiety.
“It may be that as the balloon increases in size, those on placebo feel increasing amounts of anxiety about a potential burst,” they explained.
“When the anxiety becomes too much, they end the trial.
“Acetaminophen may reduce this anxiety, thus leading to greater risk- taking.”
The team said that future research should explore other psychological factors and the biological mechanisms behind acetaminophen’s effects on decision-making.
Can you take ibuprofen and paracetamol together?
If paracetamol is Britain’s first port of call, ibuprofen is a close second.
Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, works in a slightly different way to paracetamol and helps to reduce inflammation.
According to the NHS, it can be taken together with paracetamol.
The NHS says: “It’s safe to take paracetamol with other types of painkiller that do not contain paracetamol, such as ibuprofen, aspirin or codeine.”
However, you should not take paracetamol alongside any other medication that contains paracetamol
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Marvel Rivals is topping the charts of the live service and hero shooter genre, and it seems like NetEase Games didn’t expect this level of success. The game drew in millions of players in such a short period of time, so it’s no surprise that there are some technical issues. Players have found a number […]
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5 hours agoViral XComments Off on I’m a Rangers fan but I’m GLAD I never played for the club – even though I wanted to
HE grew up dreaming of playing for the club.
But by the end of his career, he was GLAD he never turned out for Rangers.
The TimesPlaying over 300 Premier League games is not a bad substitute for missing out on playing for your boyhood heroes[/caption]
PLZ SOCCERJames McArthur was a guest on PLZ Soccer and discussed his career[/caption]
Despite supporting the club as a boy, James McArthur admits it was a blessing in disguise that he never pulled on the famous royalblue.
Instead he enjoyed a fine career down in England after his meteoric breakthrough at Hamilton alongside fellow wonderkid James McCarthy (who of course DID turn out for his boyhood heroes Celtic at the end of his career).
He was also a Scotland squad regular for much of the 2010s, winning 34 caps before announcing a somewhat surprising retirement from international football not longer after turning 31.
The midfielder was linked with Rangers whilst at Hamilton and again during various points of his career down south, including when he was coming to the end of his nine-year stint at Selhurst Park.
But in an interview with PLZ, he revealed that for the sake of his family he is relieved he never played for the Light Blues.
He also believes it wouldn’t have been the right time if he joined Gers at the end of his career, with injuries taking their toll and potentially leading to him being labelled a failure,
Asked if he had wanted to play for the Ibrox club, McArthur said: “Obviously as a fan, yes.
“But as a family man, probably not.
“I love the way I can walk down the street and not get bothered.
“I love that my kids aren’tRangersandCeltic players’ kids, like ‘That’s his, that’s his!’ My kids are who they are.
“Probably earlier on, I would have liked to have played for them but not at the end because I couldn’t move anymore.
“As a fan, you don’t want to go somewhere where you know you can’t succeed with your body, with getting injured and you then become probably a failure in a lot of people’s eyes.
“I’m happy with the way my career turned out and I wouldn’t change it.”
Kenny Ramsay - The Sun GlasgowMcArthur scored four goals for Scotland in his 34 caps[/caption]
