Face

• Our latest study shows that a loss of visual sensitivity can predict dementia 12 years before it is diagnosed.
• Our research was based on 8,623 healthy people in Norfolk, England, who were followed up for many years.
• By the end of the study, 537 participants had developed dementia, so we could see what factors might have preceded this diagnosis.
• People who would develop dementia were much slower to see this triangle on the screen than people who would remain without dementia.

Recognising faces

• We have some evidence which suggests that people with dementia tend to process new people’s faces inefficiently.
• In other words, they don’t follow the usual pattern of scanning the face of the person they are talking to.
• So this early issue in not recognising people you have just met could be related to ineffective eye movement for new faces, rather than being a pure memory disorder.

Can eye movement improve memory?

• Previous research on the matter is mixed, but some studies found that eye movement can improve memory.
• In other studies, eye movements from left to right and right to left done quickly (two eye movements per second) were found to improve autobiographical memory (your life story).
• Also, using deficits in eye movements as a diagnostic is not a regular feature, despite the possibilities in eye movement technology.

Eef Hogervorst receives funding from the Dunhill Medical Trust [email protected] receives funding from Road Safety Trust. He is affiliated with Applied Vision Association. Ahmet Begde does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• My recent study looked at the inequalities rural and regional young classical musicians face, which are unknown to their city-based counterparts.
• There are systemic music inequalities in Australia based on where you live and where you go to school.
• Inner-city, private school kids are often the most likely to access music education.
• These challenges compound and these students may be less likely to go on to tertiary education and careers in classical music.

‘Right from square one’

• So, they were set up with amazing technique and they had the opportunity to go to schools that had an amazing music program.
• To compare my journey to some of my peers who’ve grown up in the city, some of them learned from a teacher who had reached an elite level, a professional level, on the instrument […] right from square one.
• My study participants often struggled to find a sense of belonging in communities where classical music was not visible or popular.
• One musician reflected on their feelings of isolation and lack of understanding from their non-music peers:
  I am really into classical music.

‘My first experience with a real orchestra’

• One initiative to address music inequality is the Regional Youth Orchestra NSW, created by regional conservatoriums.
• The NSW regional conservatoriums are located in diverse communities and aim to address disadvantage by offering inclusive music opportunities.
• The youth orchestra program brings together young musicians from across rural and regional NSW several times a year for intensive residential music camps.
• It was actually my first experience with a real orchestra […] I’m very fortunate for that, and I’m really glad I got to do that […] I’d never really even met an oboist before.

‘It doesn’t matter where you come from’

• As one told me:
  I’m determined to prove that it doesn’t matter where you come from.
• I’m determined to prove that it doesn’t matter where you come from.
• Read more:
  Arts organisations say they want to be 'cultural leaders' – but are they living up to their goals?

Mandy Hughes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• Pascal Michard, Aéma Groupe Chairman of the Board of Directors, said:
  "In 2023 we completed the group's structure, and confirmed our mutualist mission at the service of everyone.
• Since 2021, Aéma Groupe has invested more than 6 billion euros in green, social and sustainable bonds, including more than 1.3 billion euros in 2023.
• Aéma Groupe's first strategic plan, Cap 2023 "Building to conquer", established a new leading mutualist player in the French insurance market.
• Encouraged by this successful growth, the group has announced a new strategic plan: "Aéma 2026: À vos marques!” ["Aéma 2026 : on your marks!” - the French word “Marque” means “Brand”].

• 4 April 2024 – Stability and change have always been part of Plant Construction at Germany’s largest biogas producer EnviTec Biogas – and not just in the plant construction systems themselves but also as regards the makeup of top management in this foundational segment.
• Following a transitional period, the new trio becomes the management team at EnviTec Plant Construction – EnviTec Anlagenbau GmbH & Co. KG - with effect from 1 April 2024.
• “The biogas market continues to develop apace and project volumes are increasing,” comments CTO and Plant Construction Managing Director Jürgen Tenbrink.
• A relatively new face at EnviTec, Jakob Falkenstein joined the company a year ago as Head of Project and Construction Management.