The £3.6 million equipment will enable researchers to measure trace levels of radioactive elements, particularly actinides, in samples from UK nuclear facilities and natural environments.
Researchers at Lancaster University successfully transferred digitally encoded information wirelessly using nuclear radiation, achieving 100% successful transmission tests. This novel approach uses fast neutrons, which can penetrate materials like metals, making it ideal for safety-critical scenarios and emergency rescue operations.
A new study of online relationship support finds that men tend to experience emotional pain more than women when their relationship takes a turn for the worse. The study analyzed over 184,000 people who posted their relationship problems online and found that communication problems were the #1 most frequent issue, with nearly 1 in 5 pe...
A new study by Lancaster University identifies four major concerns that hinder the adoption of reusable packaging: affordability, digitalization challenges, regulatory hurdles, and data collection limitations. To address these concerns, researchers propose implementing a track and trace system using unique barcodes to enable businesses...
The UK's new visa for Hong Kongers is framed as a haven for Britain's former colonial subjects, but Professor Michaela Benson warns of 'undoubtedly colonialist overtones'. The visa scheme has been criticized for its selective nature and perceived biases towards certain migrants.
Deploying honeybees on solar parks in the UK could raise crop yields and financial returns, with soft fruits and oilseed benefiting the most. The study found that prioritizing these crops within a 1.5km honeybee foraging radius around solar parks could boost values by £80 million annually.
A study from Lancaster University found that a serious game, 'Point of Contact', increased players' awareness of Covid-19 transmission risk and favorability towards health over livelihood. The game's impact was significant, with 87% of participants saying they would be more careful in following Covid-19 preventative guidance.
Large-scale solar farms have a cooling effect on surrounding land, reducing temperature by up to 2.3°C at 100m away from the park boundaries. The study highlights the need for consideration in solar park design and location to minimize negative impacts.
The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a 'huge' impact on sexual abuse survivors going through the criminal justice system, with support services reporting referral increases of up to 366%. Services have reported supporting clients for longer periods due to delays in the justice system.
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed a new method to generate renewable biofuel additives from organic waste using nuclear radiation. This process could help increase the proportion of petrol with renewable content from 5% to 20% by 2030, reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change.
A study of over 2,000 European retirees found that internet usage after retirement is associated with better cognitive scores. Specifically, female retirees who regularly surfed the internet recalled more words on a word recall test compared to their non-internet-using counterparts.
A new study suggests that computing and ICT could be responsible for a greater share of greenhouse gas emissions than previously thought, potentially surpassing the aviation industry. The researchers argue that historical evidence shows ICT's footprint has increased despite efficiency gains.
A novel approach to improve fitness for surgery, known as 'prehabilitation', has been shown to reduce cancer patients' hospital stay by 1.8 days compared to standard care. This study suggests that prehabilitation can benefit patient outcomes and potentially confer a survival advantage.
Researchers measuring the impact of the Montreal Protocol found that banning CFCs preserved plant's ability to absorb CO2, preventing a further acceleration of climate change. The study predicts a 2.5°C rise in global temperatures without the ban, exceeding the 1.5°C limit seen as critical for avoiding climate damage.
Research from Lancaster University finds that low-earning and high-earning women are taking more control of their finances, with high-earning women 'going solo' in money management. Meanwhile, low-earning women are seeing a relaxation of male control over household finances.
A study published in The Lancet found that at least 11.1% of COVID-19 patients in 314 UK hospitals were infected after admission, with rates rising to 16-20% in mid-May 2020. Researchers attributed the high transmission rates to limited facilities for case isolation, diagnostic testing challenges, and airborne transmission.
A study of 1,349 Malawian women aged 16-26 found that nearly 13% reported difficulty conceiving, with 85.5% seeking help. Traditional healers were the most common source of support, used by 44.4% of women.
Researchers at Lancaster University have developed an intranasal COVID-19 vaccine that shows promising results in pre-clinical animal trials. The vaccine reduces the impact of the disease and transmission of the virus, with hamsters showing complete protection from lung infection and inflammation after two doses.
Researchers found no significant statistical or economic difference in yield or revenue between discriminatory and uniform auctions. The study suggests that Treasuries worldwide can shift focus away from auction rules towards market stability and primary dealer systems.
Research by Lancaster University has found elevated levels of toxic chemicals, known as 'forever' chemicals, in the Arctic Ocean. These chemicals, used in products like stain-proof uniforms and non-stick pans, can accumulate in sea ice due to long-range transport from the atmosphere.
Climate change poses a pervasive threat to the availability of essential micronutrients from marine fish catches, impacting 40% of countries, including tropical nations. Fisheries micronutrient supplies are less vulnerable to overfishing, but climate change is more critical.
A major drought and forest fires in the Amazon rainforest killed billions of trees and plants, emitting 495 million tonnes of CO2 and turning a carbon sink into a big polluter. The damage lasted for multiple years, with only a third of emissions re-absorbed by plant growth.
The article highlights a new book that advocates for a human rights framework to be central to the planning of post-COVID UK social policy. The authors argue that this approach prioritizes medical care, food, housing, and digital technology, which are essential for addressing inequality and ensuring equity, justice, and sustainability.
Researchers will analyze and map environmental, social, and economic factors that impact cancer diagnosis in a regional patient data set. The study aims to identify correlations between potential causes and common types of cancer in the region.
African countries can better interpret complex data with a new data-driven framework, tracking and predicting country-level case incidence. The framework considers factors like testing capacity, social policy, landlocked status, temperature, and humidity.
A new global fish nutrition database is being made freely available to help combat malnutrition. The database provides vital nutritional data on over 5,000 fresh and marine fish species, which can be used to identify the most nutritious fish and support the protection of local food environments and ecosystems.
Researchers at Lancaster University have demonstrated that the recent observation of field effect in superconductors can be explained by a simple mechanism involving electron injection. The team's findings unambiguously refute the claim of novel physics behind the phenomenon.
Lancaster physicists create novel method using nanoscience to detect individual quantum vortices in superfluid helium, revealing simpler dynamics than classical turbulence. This breakthrough could provide clues on solving the Navier-Stokes Equations, governing fluid flow.
A new experiment has found that the accuracy of a clock is directly proportional to the amount of heat supplied, with more energy consumed resulting in more accurate timekeeping. This discovery has implications for future technologies and suggests that clocks are constrained by thermodynamics.
A Lancaster University research team has created a groundbreaking interactive paper using the Gather Town platform, allowing for parallel conversations and collaborative 'writing'. The innovative prototype aims to collapse barriers between video conferencing, research conferences, and publication traditions.
Child vaccination rates in Africa are significantly lower where people distrust local and national authorities. A study of 167,000 children across 22 African countries found that mistrust in courts, parliament, and government can lead to a 11% increase in unvaccinated children.
Research from Lancaster University Management School found that potentially polluting firms choose locations based on local income demographics, leading to higher toxic releases in poorer areas. Firms reduce pollutant releases and increase waste management spending in higher-income areas.
A new concept rapidly analysing for virus presence can detect viruses within 20 seconds, enabling clinicians to decide treatments and isolate patients. Additional tests are needed to identify specific virus types.
Scientists found that eradicating rats from tropical islands restores critical nutrient cycles to coral reefs within 16 years. Seabird populations are increasing on islands where rats have been eradicated, boosting the health of surrounding ecosystems and improving their chances of rebounding.
A Lancaster University-led team reviewed evidence on solar park land management practices to enhance pollinator biodiversity. They highlighted ten ways to protect and even enhance bee populations, including sowing wildflowers and connecting parks to nearby habitats.
A 2019-2020 canine vomiting outbreak was identified as a variant of canine enteric coronavirus (CeCoV), affecting male dogs more than females. A national surveillance system is being developed to monitor canine health.
Scientists from Lancaster and Manchester Universities have received a £1.49 million grant to research the use of robots for nuclear decontamination. The ALACANDRA project aims to improve the interpretation of robot-derived information from complex, cluttered spaces contaminated with dispersed radioactivity.
A new study suggests that floating solar farms could help protect lakes and reservoirs from some of the harms of climate change, such as blooms of toxic blue green algae. However, further research is needed to understand the likelihood of both positive and negative impacts on water temperature and stratification.
A study analyzing over 73,000 fathers' cases reveals significant childhood adversity and economic hardship as key factors in repeat care proceedings. Fathers are often viewed solely as risks, but the research argues for a more nuanced analysis of their resources and needs.
Researchers at Lancaster University have made a breakthrough in measuring miniscule levels of plutonium pollution in soils to differentiate between local and global sources. This innovation could help inform clean-up operations around nuclear power plants, saving time and money.
Researchers found that dogs infected with Leishmania parasites have a more attractive odor to female sand flies than uninfected dogs. This increased attractiveness could lead to enhanced infection and transmission opportunities for the parasite.
Experts argue that a 'regulatory ecosystem' is necessary for trustworthy AI, rather than relying on public education or increased transparency. Drs Knowles and Richards propose the use of AI documentation, such as IBM's AI Factsheets, to empower specialists in assessing trustworthiness.
New research highlights how extreme rainfall associated with climate change harms babies' development, leading to smaller birth-weight and premature birth. The study found that even non-extreme intense rainfall resulted in lower birth-weight, with children from disadvantaged households facing the most severe effects.
Researchers found that people's writing styles change when switching between identities, reflecting norms of the relevant group. The ASIA tool kit can assess group identity from writing style, showing promise for mental health studies and policy interventions.
Researchers successfully manipulated magnets at the atomic level using ultrashort laser pulse excitation, reducing magnetic switching time by 1000 times. This breakthrough enables novel means to control magnetism, essential for efficient data processing technologies.
Researchers discovered that female language style is associated with higher impact and more views for TED Talks. A simpler and more personally engaging female-typical language style was found to be more predictive of talk impact than male-typical language style.
Researchers at Lancaster University are developing a new arsenal of artificial intelligence and data science tools to help UK businesses achieve net zero. These cutting-edge algorithms will automatically analyze vast amounts of data to identify new insights and recommend ways to slash energy consumption.
Dr Peter Garraghan aims to unshackle ICT systems from growing energy demand with a new approach to sustainability. He will develop a system that can dynamically reconfigure its components to operate within limited renewable energy targets.
Researchers developed 'Reactive Video', a system that adapts video playback to mirror the position of a viewer's body and matches speed to their movements. This technology helps novice viewers learn new skills more accurately and reduces physical strain, making it ideal for fitness videos and instructional content.
Researchers at Lancaster University have discovered a crystalline material that can capture and store solar energy for several months at room temperature. The energy is released on demand as heat, providing a promising solution for renewable heating systems and environmentally-friendly applications.