Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

November 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Long Covid turned my life upside down, says scientist

Five years on from contracting Covid, medical scientist Rebecca Broni is still living with its effects and now faces a cut in financial support.

www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...

November 28, 2025 at 10:56 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Why have so many people stopped posting on social media?

Time spent on social media platforms peaked in 2022 and has since gone into steady decline, especially among teens and twentysomethings

November 27, 2025 at 8:56 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Inquest into death of 16-year-old at Limerick hospital

An inquest has opened into the death of a 16-year-old girl at University Hospital Limerick.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

November 26, 2025 at 1:25 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Thai woman's cremation stopped as knocking on coffin heard, temple staff say

The general manager of a Buddhist temple was startled to see her "opening her eyes" as the coffin opened, AP news agency says.

www.bbc.com

November 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Campaign for younger blood donors launched at Croke Park

Club and county allegiances were put aside at GAA HQ in Croke Park today as players came together as part of a campaign aimed at boosting the number of young blood donors.

www.rte.ie/news/uk/2025...

November 25, 2025 at 3:45 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

'Too little, too late': Key points from UK Covid Inquiry

One of its headline findings is that 23,000 fewer people would have died in England during the first wave had the government introduced a lockdown one week earlier, writes Tommy Meskill.

www.rte.ie/news/munster...

November 23, 2025 at 9:38 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Expert raises public health concerns about Cork water quality

The current quality of Cork city's drinking water is a "potentially serious public health concern", according to a legal submission made by a prominent public health specialist

November 21, 2025 at 8:44 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Flu cases increasing 'unusually early' in EU

The European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) has said that influenza cases are increasing unusually early in the EU this season.

November 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

November 19, 2025 at 8:59 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Govt agrees to public inquiry into child spinal care

The Government has agreed to a statutory public inquiry into spina bifida and complex scoliosis services.

November 18, 2025 at 10:15 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Families to be asked for input on child spinal inquiry

The Government will work with families on the terms of reference for a public inquiry into the care of children with scoliosis and spina bifida "to get this right", the Tánaiste has said.

November 15, 2025 at 7:34 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Wexford hospital apologises over care to elderly patient

Wexford General Hospital has apologised to the family of an elderly woman who died there earlier this year, saying it was not the level of standard it aims for.

November 13, 2025 at 9:31 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Statutory inquiry into children's spinal care expected

The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the Government is anxious to help the family of the late Harvey Morrison find answers about his care.

November 12, 2025 at 8:30 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Harvey Morrison's parents to meet Tánaiste and Minister

The parents of the late Harvey Morrison are due to meet Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill later today, to discuss their son's care.

November 12, 2025 at 3:54 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

HIQA has said it recommended the development of a comprehensive strategic plan, to address the safety concerns which prompted its review of urgent and emergency healthcare services in the HSE Mid West...

November 12, 2025 at 10:54 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Northern Lights illuminate Irish skies

The Northern Lights were visible across the country last night, with red and green hues illuminating the night sky.

www.rte.ie/news/health/...

November 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

More State investment in cancer medicine trials urged

A new report has called for more State investment in trials of cancer medicines, which it says save lives and bring access to new treatments that would otherwise be unavailable to patients.

www.rte.ie/news/health/...

November 10, 2025 at 9:47 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Children waiting up to 13 years to see psychologist

New figures obtained by RTÉ News show that up to August this year, children in Dublin were waiting up to 13 years to be seen by a primary care psychologist.

November 10, 2025 at 8:55 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

McDonald says Morrison waiting list report 'devastating'

The Sinn Féin leader has described as "devastating" a newspaper report that claims nine-year-old Harvey Morrison was taken off a surgery waiting list because Children's Health Ireland believed he was ...

www.rte.ie/news/world/2...

November 9, 2025 at 4:33 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

DNA pioneer James Watson dies aged 97

James Watson, the Nobel laureate co-credited with the pivotal discovery of DNA's double-helix structure, has died aged 97, his former lab said.

November 8, 2025 at 10:06 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

BreastCheck set to miss screening target for third year

The Director of Clinical Affairs at the Irish Cancer Society has said it is "very disappointing" that the national screening programme for breast cancer looks set to miss its screening target for a th...

November 7, 2025 at 12:42 PM

Reposted by Fergal Bowers

David McCullagh

@mcculld.bsky.social

This is great fun - a smart, twisty historical thriller from @mylesdungan.bsky.social

November 7, 2025 at 9:14 AM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Apology for family over woman's misreported smear tests

Portiuncula University Hospital has apologised to the family of a woman who died from cervical cancer and acknowledged that there was a missed opportunity to diagnose her illness earlier, which ultima...

November 5, 2025 at 2:38 PM

Fergal Bowers

@fergalbowers.bsky.social

Audit finds gaps in access to beds in stroke units

A new audit on stroke care in Ireland has highlighted persistent gaps in access to beds in dedicated stroke units and specialist multi-disciplinary staffing, which are central to best practice.