Cardiologist, Author, Speaker & Media Health presenter
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ross Walker
Robots can run faster than elite human sprinters, but are they really athletes?
A humanoid robot running 100 metres in 9.39 seconds sounds extraordinary. At this week’s World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, one machine reportedly beat the world record held by Usain Bolt, while another jumped higher than Javier Sotomayor’s long-standing high jump mark. On the surface, these achievements appear to represent a new frontier in sport. But comparing robotic and human performance is fundamentally flawed.
Robots can run faster than elite human sprinters, but are they really athletes? Original
A humanoid robot running 100 metres in 9.39 seconds sounds extraordinary. At thisweek's World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, one machine reportedly beat theworld record held by Usain Bolt, while another jumped higher than JavierSotomayor's long-standing high jump mark. On the surface, these achievements appear to represent a new frontier in sport. Butcomparing robotic and human performance is fundamentally flawed.
Animal Social Network Structures Across the Fast-Slow Continuum
1 Introduction Life history strategies are defined by trade-offs between survival, development and behaviour, which are in turn subject to constraints imposed by resource availability, environmental conditions and allometry (Stearns 1998; Healy et al. 2019). A well-known trade-off that shapes life history strategies is the fast-slow continuum, describing the relative allocation in lifespan and reproduction, termed speed of life (Silk and Hodgson 2021; Healy et al. 2019).
Reflective Cycles of Learning: Methods of Measuring, Monitoring, and Evaluation Within Sport-for-Development
ABSTRACT This article explores how community sport teams intentionally strive to improve members’ emotional wellbeing through evaluative practices. The findings reveal that evaluative systems sustainability relies on democratic, deliberate, and participative processes prioritizing connection and relationship building across organizational ecosystems. Systems must be delivered in alignment with participants’ individual and collective needs.
A future for British–Scottish basketball: factors constraining the sport
ABSTRACT With the creation of the Mayor of London’s Basketball Taskforce in 2024, investment from the NBA in 2025, Glasgow hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games 3 × 3 event, and two British professional teams from London and Manchester proposed to enter the NBA Europe League in 2027, basketball in Britain is growing.
Become a free MediaPost member now to read this article
by Ross Walker , 32 minutes ago With Amazon, most marketers are sitting on a gold mine but counting pennies. That’s because they’re approaching the platform backwards. The store isn’t the big idea, the demand-side platform is. It provides an unparalleled first-party springboard to advertising profitably across the Internet. Yet agencies and clients stick to advertising on the store because that inventory shows a higher ROAS.
Search Books and Reviews
Easy steps to prevent, manage and even reverse high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes in 9 weeks. Type 2 diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health crises of our time. But what if your diagnosis didn’t have to be permanent? The Blood Sugar Repair Plan gives you the knowledge, motivation and structure to prevent, manage and even reverse diabetes.
Become a free MediaPost member now to read this article
by Ross Walker , 41 minutes ago Since Prime Day has moved to late June, now is the time to get in gear. There’s more riding on the event this year for three reasons. Coming earlier, it sets up the whole summer. Competition on day one will be more intense, because marketers got a four-day practice run last year. And consumers affected by inflation are waiting for deals. Six moves can get you ahead this year. Set margin targets.
Become a free MediaPost member now to read this article
by Ross Walker , 12 minutes ago With Amazon, most marketers are sitting on a gold mine but counting pennies. That’s because they’re approaching the platform backwards. The store isn’t the big idea, the demand-side platform is. It provides an unparalleled first-party springboard to advertising profitably across the Internet. Yet agencies and clients stick to advertising on the store because that inventory shows a higher ROAS.
Caught in Nepal’s protests, I witnessed how sport can bring people hope during times of crisis
ON September 8, the day before my holiday in Nepal was scheduled to end, police in the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities opened fire on young members of the public who were protesting against government corruption. At least 19 people were killed across Nepal that day, and over 300 more were injured. Images of police brutality quickly spread throughout the country and internationally. More people took to the streets the following morning to show their dissatisfaction with the government.
Nepal shows that sport can bring people hope in times of crisis
On September 8, the day before my holiday in Nepal was scheduled to end, police in the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities opened fire on young members of the public who were protesting against government corruption. At least 19 people were killed across Nepal that day, and over 300 more injured. Images of police brutality quickly spread throughout the country and internationally. More people took to the streets the following morning to show their dissatisfaction with the government.
Caught in Nepal’s protests, I witnessed how sport can bring people hope during times of crisis
On September 8, the day before my holiday in Nepal was scheduled to end, police in the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities opened fire on young members of the public who were protesting against government corruption. At least 19 people were killed across Nepal that day, and over 300 more injured. Images of police brutality quickly spread throughout the country and internationally. More people took to the streets the following morning to show their dissatisfaction with the government.
Caught in Nepal’s protests, I witnessed how sport can bring people hope during times of crisis
By Ross Walker, Lecturer in Sports Management, University of Stirling On September 8, the day before my holiday in Nepal was scheduled to end, police in the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities opened fire on young members of the public who were protesting against government corruption. At least 19 people were killed across Nepal that day, and over 300 more injured. Images of police brutality quickly spread throughout the country and internationally.
Caught in Nepal’s protests, I witnessed how sport can bring people hope during times of crisis
On September 8, the day before my holiday in Nepal was scheduled to end, police in the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities opened fire on young members of the public who were protesting against government corruption. At least 19 people were killed across Nepal that day, and over 300 more injured. Images of police brutality quickly spread throughout the country and internationally. More people took to the streets the following morning to show their dissatisfaction with the government.
Healthy Living - July 27th
You can now log in once to listen live, watch live, join competitions, enjoy exclusive 3AW content and other benefits. You will soon need to register to keep streaming 3AW online. Register an account or skip for now to do it later.
Healthy Living - July 6th
You can now log in once to listen live, watch live, join competitions, enjoy exclusive 3AW content and other benefits. You will soon need to register to keep streaming 3AW online. Register an account or skip for now to do it later.
Transforming Scottish Basketball: Exploring the Student Impact, 1890s-1930s
Abstract The 1930s were a transformational era for Scottish basketball. This article discusses the impact of American students in the development of basketball in Scotland. It documents their role and efforts from their arrival in 1929 until the beginning of World War II in 1939.
The Role of Pace of Life in Animal Social Networks
Abstract Pace of life history is a key axis of variation in life history strategies that captures the evolutionary trade-off between investing in lifespan versus reproduction. It has been suggested that social behaviour, and therefore network structure, may vary with pace of life, but formal theory remains scarce. We develop a novel mathematical model to examine how differences in demographic turnover may constrain emergent social network structures in natural populations.
James Naismith, the investor of basketball, was Scottish. Why this crucial part of the game’s history is often ignored
Statue of James Naismith, inventor of basketball, in Almonte, Ontario, Canada, on 24 May 2023. (Photo by Nigel Jarvis on Shutterstock) Tension, excitement, glamour and big bucks: basketball’s popularity is soaring around the world, with 3.3 billion people interested in the game, according to one study.
Basketball was invented by a Scot - a crucial and often ignored part of the game’s history
By Ross Walker, Lecturer in Sports Management, University of Stirling Widely regarded as being created by a Canadian in America, the history of basketball often overlooks the role played by the strong Scots heritage and influences that informed James Naismith’s identity, character and values. Read complete article © The Conversation -
Basketball was invented by a Scot - a crucial and often ignored part of the game’s history Original
Tension, excitement, glamour and big bucks: basketball’s popularity is soaring around the world, with 3.3 billion people thought to be interested in the game according to one study. Strongly associated with North America, where players like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Caitlin Clark dominate the ratings, basketball is widely regarded as the creation of a Canadian, James Naismith.
Elucidating the Role of Primary and Secondary Sphere Zn2+ Ligands in the Cyanobacterial CO2 Uptake Complex NDH-14: The Essentiality of Arginine in Zinc Coordination and Catalysis
Abstract The uptake of inorganic carbon in cyanobacteria is facilitated by an energetically intensive CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM). Specialized Type-1 NDH complexes function as a part of this mechanism to couple photosynthetic energy generated by redox reactions of the electron transport chain (ETC) to CO2 hydration.
Making a 2024 marketing plan? Don’t bother unless it includes YouTube Shorts
18 hours ago The side hustle culture is upon us — are you ready to act? No longer just a weekend passion project, side hustles have become a way of life for many. In fact, as of the beginning of 2023, nearly 50% of Americans have a side hustle — even if they're making $100k annually at their traditional 9- 5 …
Sharp Shooters Camera Club holds post-Christmas dinner
The Sharp Shooters Camera Club had their annual post-Christmas dinner at the Ranch Hand on Jan. 3. Marden and Jessie Phelps showed photos taken on their recent trip to Africa. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 24. Dean and Christine Lake will show photos from their recent trip to Switzerland and there will be a review of "people at work" assignment photos. Ross and Linda Walker have a photo display at Arctic Circle, and Marden and Jessie Phelps at Bear Lake Drug.
Sharp Shooters Camera Club
The Sharp Shooters Camera Club had their annual post-Christmas dinner at the Ranch Hand on Jan. 3. Marden and Jessie Phelps showed photos taken on their recent trip to Africa. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Jan. 24. Dean and Christine Lake will show photos from their recent trip to Switzerland and there will be a review of "people at work" assignment photos. Ross and Linda Walker have a photo display at Arctic Circle, and Marden and Jessie Phelps at Bear Lake Drug.
Northern Financial Lines Seminar on Claims Inflation
After Ross Walker's very useful summary of where we are with UK inflation: at 6.7% in early September 2023, and down sharply in October to 4.6% compared to the government CPI target of 2%, we collectively discussed the dynamics impacting unprecedented claims inflation, and compared notes about what we're seeing in the market at the moment. Insurance inflation has been trending higher than consumer inflation and has generally been more volatile. So, what's behind it?
Airing our emotional laundry.
Just a glance through drafts, ideas and stories shows that most of what I put down is in response to being thrown far from my centre, and is for the most part, an attempt to swim back to calmer waters. It has made me ask the question - why do I write? And why do I write on a public-facing medium rather than in a journal that remains hidden, if after all my writing is only for me?
Aussies urged by leading Cardiologist to have a ‘lifestyle check’ on World Heart Day
by Australia’s leading Integrative Cardiologist, Dr Ross Walker According to the latest AIHW data, Australians are losing 670,000 years of healthy life due to all forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with coronary heart disease remaining the leading cause of death in the nation. It also reports that healthcare spent on cardiovascular disease in Australia in 2019-20 was $12.7 billion. This is more than any other disease. ‘Humans were never meant to live beyond 30 years back in the caveman era.
5 vital lifestyle checks that older adults can adopt to help improve heart health
Dr Ross Walker shares how older adults can help ensure optimal heart health. Source: Getty Images. According to the latest AIHW data, Australians are losing 670,000 years of healthy life due to all forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with coronary heart disease remaining the leading cause of death in the nation. It also reports that healthcare spend on cardiovascular disease in Australia in 2019-20 was $12.7 billion. This is more than any other disease.
UCU: Queen Margaret victory shows the way forward
A recent struggle at Queen Margaret University (QMU) in Edinburgh has ended with a win for the local UCU branch. In May, following the launch of the union’s national marking and assessment boycott (MAB), the university’s bosses threatened 100% pay deduction for those QMU staff participating, as they have done at at least 27 other institutions. In response, the QMU UCU branch mobilised its forces and threatened 18 days of strike action. After just one day out, the bosses were forced to back down.
Safe and effective microbial control - The Dentist
Antimicrobials are crucial for safe and effective dental treatment in certain situations. They are designed to prevent, disrupt and destroy pathogens, reducing the risk of infection. However, overuse or incorrect use of antimicrobials is exacerbating the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), so it is important that dental professionals understand the risks and are aware of the protocols or products available to help. The global threat of AMR AMR has become a major concern around the globe.
Square pegs and pigeons
What does it mean to be a white cisgender 35 year old male identifying father of 2 searching for a career, fulfilling the cracks and crevices that make a content human being whilst trying to be a human in a world of grey. This is what it looks like ... (the ellipsis, not the rest of these words, just the ellipsis). I got no fuckin' idea. What I do know is that your hard is different to my hard. But I can't reduce mine or inflate yours because you are you and I am me. My situation is not yours.
How to give your energy levels a boost
In this fast paced, crazy world we live in, we are all constantly looking for a quick ‘pick me up’, whether it’s a sugary treat, a coffee or an energy drink. Despite how tasty they are, opting for these artificial boosters is an unsustainable way of gaining energy and will inevitably leading to another crash. It’s seems obvious to always go for healthy lifestyle choices, however many of us still fail to do so.
Vale - The Merry Medic
Every now and then, a human being emerges who makes an extraordinary mark on society. On November 27th 2022, one of those extraordinary human beings passed away a few days before his 95th birthday. In my opinion, this man was one of the greatest Australians of the modern era. I am referring to the extraordinary Dr James Wright, a.k.a. John Knight.
Aspirin and Paracetamol - Surely these “age old” painkillers are harmless?
With the increasing sophistication of clinical trials, the medical world and the better educated general public with easy access to Dr Google is becoming more aware of the potential complications and long-term side effects of chronic pharmaceutical therapy. Also, with increasing longevity, many people are suffering chronic illnesses and require multiple therapies for relief and treatment of their underlying conditions.
Was Timothy Leary Correct?
Since the time of recorded history, human beings have been trying to alter their consciousness with a variety of legal and illegal substances.
Managing low back pain; what has changed?
Co-authored by Dr Stephanie Mathieson Most people will experience low back pain in their life. For some of us, it feels like it is a daily occurrence, and there is a documented greater prevalence of low back pain with or without leg pain in persons 40 years and older. Most cases of low back pain are considered to be non-specific, meaning there is no identifiable cause.
A major risk factor for all diseases
Over the past (almost) three years, much of the medical debate has been centered around the COVID-19 pandemic. To this point, we are approaching 650 million cases of Covid with just over 6.6 million deaths from this infection. But, the World Health Organization has estimated that 16% of all deaths around the globe are directly linked to pollution, representing many more deaths than the COVID-19 pandemic.
A major risk factor for all diseases
Over the past (almost) three years, much of the medical debate has been centred around the COVID-19 pandemic. To this point, we are approaching 650 million cases of Covid with just over 6.6 million deaths from this infection. But, the World Health Organisation has estimated that 16% of all deaths around the globe are directly linked to pollution, representing many more deaths than the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy-A Hard end for the hardened sports star
The recent untimely and tragic death of the rugby league player and coach, Paul Green was yet another shock for the sporting world. The autopsy results were just released revealing that Paul had severe Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, better known by its acronym CTE.
Is it a big issue?
There is a registry known as the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD). Recently, their 2020 data was released suggesting that one in three cases of infertility were directly as a consequence of problems with the male. Male infertility is related to having a low sperm count, sperm dysmotility (this is where the sperm are poor swimmers for some reason) or abnormally shaped sperm that typically have some chromosomal abnormalities.
Male infertility - Is it a big issue?
There is a registry known as the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD). Recently, their 2020 data was released suggesting that one in three cases of infertility were directly cause as a consequence of problems with the male. Male infertility is related to having a low sperm count, sperm dysmotility (this is where the sperm are poor swimmers for some reason) or abnormally shaped sperm that typically have some chromosomal abnormalities.
COVID-19, Is the treatment worse than the complaint?
Many aspects of our behaviour and life have been turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Interestingly, this disease has also caused a significant divide in the population with a small, but very vocal, minority of anti-VAXXERs and conspiracy theorists making very loud noises about the entire way this pandemic has been managed. Recently, two major trials have brought into question the “go to” oral antivirals against SARS-CoV2.
The norm rather than the exception!
It is probably not an exaggeration to say that almost all adult males and post-menopausal females suffer a degree of sleep apnoea. This condition may also occur in children and women in their reproductive years. But, in the vast majority of cases, the apnoea is only mild and does not require investigation & intervention. One important question can determine whether you need to have your sleep apnoea investigated further.
COVID-19: Is it finished?
In September 2022, the World Health Organization declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight. These comments were made following the lowest global monthly death figures in September 2022 since March 2020 when COVID-19 first established itself as a pandemic around the world. Another interesting comment from the World Health Organization was an estimation that close to 20 million deaths were averted in 2021 due to the widespread use of vaccination.
Hemingway's Paris: A Writer's City Through Words and Pictures
(Note: This article is excerpted from a taped radio interview between Robert Wheeler, Pauline Frommer and Arthur Frommer. See below for more information). Pauline Frommer: We're about to talk about my father's favorite city on Earth and, Dad, is Hemingway one of your favorite authors? Arthur Frommer: Well, he certainly is, as he is of so many other people, and that is why we are all so fascinated by Robert Wheeler's book Hemingway's Paris.
Artificial sweeteners: Are they a healthier alternative?
For many decades we have seen increasing numbers of overweight and obese people with clear evidence that this results from excessive caloric intake and, in particular, the intake of processed carbohydrates, especially related to the variety of sugars added to food and beverages. Although many people are sedentary, it has been estimated that our weight is typically related to calories in versus calories out.
Suicide - Are there any answers?
The last two weeks in Australia have seen the death of a number of celebrities and icons, all from natural causes until the shocking case of the suicide of the much-loved rugby league player and coach, Paul Green, at the age of 49. The question so many people ask is why? Paul was a highly decorated rugby league player and also an NRL Premiership-winning coach, about to take up a high-profile position at the new rugby league team, the Dolphins.
To Meat or not to Meat - that is the question!
I have often said, “fish for therapy and meat for enjoyment”. As a committed carnivore, I will admit that I do enjoy eating a variety of natural meats and acknowledge that it would be better for the planet in many ways if we were all vegetarian.
To Eat or Not to Eat - that is the question
About 20 years ago, I wrote a book titled 'Diets don't Work'. I made the point that you go on a diet like you go on holiday. What happens when you go on a holiday? You come home! What happens when you go on a diet, typically after a month or two, you go back to your old eating habits. The only way to maintain a healthy eating habit is to do just that and to make it a lifelong commitment.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ross
Contact Ross, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack