A one-year study has found that Avastin and Lucentis have similar effectiveness in treating the most common cause of blindness in developed countries. The treatment approach, where drugs are administered as needed rather than monthly, resulted in almost identical levels of vision improvement.
Astronomers at Queen's University Belfast have gathered direct evidence of a supermassive black hole shredding a star that wandered too close. The discovery provides insights into the harsh environment around black holes and the types of stars swirling around them.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast reveals women face a higher risk of care home admission due to their partner's age. The research found that on average, women have partners who are approximately 5 years older, and those with limiting long-term illnesses were more likely to be admitted to care homes.
The World Cyber Security Technology Research Summit at Queen's University Belfast is a crucial platform for addressing global cyber security threats. The event brings together leading cyber security experts and government policymakers to discuss technology research and combat future threats.
Professor Stephen Smartt will lead a €2.3 million research project to discover how the first chemical elements were created in the Universe. The goal is to find the first ever supernovae, or exploding stars, in the Universe and understand their role in creating these elements.
Cystic fibrosis patients are vulnerable to Pseudomonas infection, which can be deadly. Researchers at Queen's University are working on a vaccine to combat this threat.
Researchers warn that Ireland's indigenous small mammals, such as the wood mouse and pygmy shrew, will die out in up to 80% of their available habitat due to the introduction of foreign species. The study found that invasive species have already led to a significant decline in native species populations.
Smoking doubles the risk of developing oesophageal cancer in people with Barrett's Oesophagus. A 13-year study involving over 3000 patients found those who smoked tobacco were twice as likely to develop cancer.
Dr. Sandra Van Schaeybroeck's research aims to identify ways to increase survival from bowel cancer by developing new treatment strategies and understanding drug resistance. The £688,000 Cancer Research UK Clinical Scientist Fellowship renewal will support her work for another three years.
A decade-long study found that regular aspirin intake halves the risk of developing hereditary cancers, including bowel and womb cancers. The study involved nearly 1,000 patients and found a 50% reduction in incidences of hereditary cancer among those taking aspirin.
Two teams from Queen's University Belfast are working on different approaches to cure Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in premature babies. The first team aims to tackle the disease at an early stage, while the second team investigates using stem cells from umbilical cords to repair damaged eyes.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have pioneered a needle-free test for medicines in premature babies, reducing trauma and improving accuracy. The new approach uses blood spots obtained from heel-pricks, allowing for more precise dosage calculations and better treatment outcomes.
A study found that late cancer diagnosis is a major factor in hospital cancer deaths in Northern Ireland, where over half of patients prefer to die at home. The study highlights the importance of early recognition of cancer symptoms and improving community services to support patients' wishes.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a new drug that prevents tumor growth by cutting off their blood supply, showing promise for treating prostate and breast cancers. The treatment targets tumor angiogenesis using an entirely different pathway than existing therapies.
Scientists at Queen's University have won a £2 million grant from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to study dark matter, dark energy, and the Sun. The funding will support international collaborations with top universities, including Harvard and Vanderbilt.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast warn that the Irish hare faces a serious threat from the invading European 'brown' hare. The study suggests that disease, parasite transmission, and climate change may give the invasive species an edge over native species.
A €3 million research project aims to deliver better ways to ensure the quality and safety of animal feeds in Europe. The QSAFFE project, led by Queen's Centre for Assured, Safe and Traceable Food (ASSET), involves 11 partners from six countries and will work on developing new technology to detect contamination quickly and at low cost.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast analyzed 2,439 food recalls over the past decade, revealing a significant increase in recalls due to operational mistakes and food fraud. The study highlights the need for improved traceability and safety measures in the food industry.
Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have developed a gene delivery system that targets and kills breast cancer cells using an innovative nanoparticle transport system. The iNOS gene forces cancer cells to produce poisonous nitric oxide, leading to cell death or increased vulnerability to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have discovered the role of an enzyme that causes life-threatening damage to the heart when cancer patients receive chemotherapy, restricting treatment doses. New drugs targeting this enzyme could reduce heart damage and increase survival rates.
A £1.74 million grant from the National Institutes of Health has been awarded to improve treatment outcomes for Cystic Fibrosis patients by studying the role of anaerobes in lung damage.
Professor Alan Stitt has received a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award to support his ground-breaking research on vascular stem cells and eye disease treatment at Queen's University. The award aims to retain top researchers in the UK and reflects the excellence of the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science.
A €12 billion annual economic impact of invasive species worldwide and a new $4 million project will control invasive plants like giant hogweed in Ireland and Scotland's river catchments. The CIRB project aims to restore biodiversity and prevent environmental damage.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast are developing discrete self-aligning flat antennas for satellite broadband and TV, promising to reduce power consumption and weight. The project aims to create a completely self-contained solid-state self-steering antenna that can operate in various frequency ranges.
Scientists from Queen's University Belfast are developing a new technology using wearable sensors to create ultra-high bandwidth mobile internet infrastructures. This innovation has the potential to reduce the density of mobile phone base stations and bring significant social benefits, including improved healthcare and remote gaming.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast are investigating a potential new treatment for lung disease that uses statins to reduce inflammation and improve survival rates. The study aims to free up healthcare resources and allow more people to return to work sooner, with the potential to save thousands of lives each year.
A new study by Queen's University Belfast found that Northern Ireland's lizard population is under threat from agricultural intensification, which may lead to their disappearance from the landscape. The researchers highlight the need for a new ecological network to preserve heath and boglands, essential habitats for the species.
Research from Queen's University Belfast suggests that Irish hare populations are declining due to changes in farming practices. Hares require a specific patchwork of grassland and tall vegetation for feeding and hiding, but silage fields are mistakenly identified as suitable habitats, leading to traps and population declines.
A report by Queen's University Belfast finds that Northern Ireland's social housing provision is inadequately funded, violating international human rights standards. The report recommends increasing funding for new social housing and tackling land banking practices to address the housing crisis.
Parasites in invasive species can cause significant harm to local invertebrates, fish stocks, and ecosystem services. The discovery challenges previous thinking that parasites-free invaders do well in new locations.
A new research study is exploring the effects of dark chocolate on cardiovascular health in people with high blood pressure. Participants will be given 50g of dark chocolate daily for eight weeks to examine its impact on blood vessel health and the risk of developing heart disease.
Scientists from Queen's University Belfast have successfully boosted the endangered freshwater mussel population through a 12-year cultivation project, releasing over 300 mussels into the wild. The conservation team can track the mussels using Passive Integrated Transponders, allowing for relocation and monitoring of the animals.
Research from Queen's University Belfast reveals that Ireland's ethnic minorities want more autonomy to express their cultures in future events. The study highlights the differences in experiences between those born in Ireland and new ethnic minority communities.
A new vaccine for liver fluke is being developed through a £1 million international research effort led by Queen's University Belfast. The parasite causes significant losses in the livestock industry, resulting in billions of pounds in economic losses each year. Scientists will work with partners in India and Wales to uncover an effect...
The €3.5M grant will support a four-year project to enhance water and wastewater treatment plant performance, leading to improved surface and ground water quality. Researchers from seven institutions in the UK, Ireland, and Germany will collaborate on this Marie Curie ITN.
A recent study by Queen's University Belfast found that hares are eighteen times more abundant in areas managed by the Irish Coursing Club than similar sites in the wider countryside. This suggests that active population management positively increases hare abundance.
Researchers at Queen's University have developed a new calibration curve that extends radiocarbon dating back 50,000 years, providing valuable insights into human evolution and climate change. The INTCAL09 curve improves earlier parts of the calibration curve and will be used worldwide by archaeologists and earth scientists.
Oyster, developed by Queen's University Belfast and Aquamarine Power, is the world's only hydro-electric wave energy device producing power. It has the potential to meet up to 20% of the UK's energy demands and provide enough energy to power 9,000 homes.
The £30 million Centre for Secure Information Technologies (CSIT) will create 80 new positions and become the UK's principal centre for counteracting malicious cyber-attacks. Leading edge research will help keep crime off the internet, combat anti-social behaviour, and safeguard electronic information.
A new electronic device, developed by Queen's University Belfast's ECIT team, will enable complex imaging of clouds at short wavelengths, providing unprecedented data on atmospheric conditions. This breakthrough is expected to lead to more accurate global weather forecasts and valuable insights into climate change.
A team of Queen's scientists will train thousands of people in Eastern India on a novel chemical-free arsenic removal method over the next three years. The program aims to empower local communities to manage natural resources and address deeply entrenched arsenic contamination of groundwater.
Researchers from Queen's University Belfast have developed an antioxidant supplement that may slow down sight loss in elderly people. The CARMA supplement, containing carotenoids and co-antioxidants, was shown to preserve macular pigments and slow down progression from early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to late AMD.
Astronomers from Queen's University Belfast have proposed a new physical interpretation of the 2008 supernova SN2008ha, suggesting it could be from a massive star. The team, led by Dr. Stefano Valenti, found a weak explosion with unusual properties that differ from those associated with white dwarf stars.
A recent study by Queen's University Belfast and Antrim Area Hospital found that one in four nursing home residents are carrying the bacteria MRSA. The study highlights the need for improved infection control strategies in nursing homes to combat this major problem.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed an eco-friendly way to dissolve wood using ionic liquids, a process that could transform into biofuels, textiles, and paper. The new method uses mild conditions of temperature and pressure, producing low toxicity and biodegradability.
A new report reveals a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with cancer in Ireland, but also shows that survival rates are rising for certain types of cancer. The report highlights the importance of prevention and early detection in reducing the burden of cancer.
A recent study published in Animal Behaviour has shown that crabs suffer from pain and retain a memory of it. The research found that shocked crabs were more likely to move towards new shells, indicating they recall the experience.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed new antimicrobial agents to combat hospital-acquired infections. The agents, made of ionic liquids, kill colonies and prevent bacterial growth in biofilms, providing a promising solution for MRSA and other resistant microbes.
Scientists at Queen's University have detected giant twisting waves in the lower atmosphere of the Sun, known as Alfvén waves. These waves transport energy into the Corona or outer layer, carrying heat and explaining why it reaches temperatures of over a million degrees.
Experts from Queen's University are in India to advise on reducing parasitic infections that destroy plants and animals, costing the world economy $200 billion annually. The delegation will share their expertise on managing drug resistance in livestock and promoting modern agricultural practices.