Researchers at the University of Bath found that straw could provide a sustainable solution to meet the UK's housing targets, reducing emissions and storing carbon. The study suggests that scaling up straw construction could store between 1.8 and 3.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
A new study from the University of Bath warns that over-reliance on generative AI may weaken managers' ability to build moral insights, contextual understanding, and practical know-how. The research suggests that AI can strengthen managerial judgement when used as a tool for reflection, rather than a replacement for thinking.
Employees advocating for climate action are more likely to receive recognition when their efforts support business goals, while purpose-led activism often goes unrecognized. Researchers found that organizations tend to reward environmental initiatives when they contribute to commercial objectives, such as attracting clients, expanding ...
A new study from the University of Bath found that people with different political beliefs disagree on poverty definitions, with right-leaning individuals drawing narrower lines and left-leaning individuals adopting broader definitions. The research highlights the importance of understanding how people define poverty, as it shapes perc...
A €8 million Horizon Europe grant will fund a project to develop practical tools and a transferable framework for creating sustainable neighborhoods. The Regenerative Neighbourhood Design Tool will help communities play a more active role in planning decisions, using immersive AR and VR tools to model and evaluate designs.
A global initiative, Global Wastewater Day, was launched to harness wastewater as an early warning system for public health protection. The initiative brings together scientists, governments, and public health organisations to establish a coordinated global wastewater intelligence network.
A study suggests that overconfidence persists not due to its costs but because of them, serving as a reliable signal for ability. Only the most capable individuals can afford to sustain high self-belief without severe consequences.
Researchers developed a toolkit to tap into the influence of people we trust, such as celebrities and neighbours, to encourage sustainable behaviour. The four-dimensional framework analysis highlights key messengers, audiences, modes of influence and behavioural domains.
Researchers have developed a new membrane technology that efficiently separates water from isopropanol, a widely used solvent in pharmaceuticals and electronics. The new membrane reduces energy consumption and improves purity levels, making it an attractive solution for a more climate-friendly chemical industry.
A team of scientists has identified a multi-step process where neutrophils are guided to specific tissue sites to confront infecting microbes or viruses. The study found that a signaling complex formed by TRPV2 and CB2R directs migration selectively toward sites of infection.
A new study reverses the classic Dunning-Kruger effect, suggesting that high-ability people are more overconfident than low performers. The researchers argue that flawed statistical analysis led to the original finding, and when corrected, it reveals a universal human trait of overconfidence among the most capable.
Revolver Therapeutics, a spin-out company from the University of Bath, has won the Health category of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Emerging Technologies Competition with its proprietary discovery platform. The platform generates and tests millions of constrained peptide drug candidates directly inside living cells, selecting for mo...
Researchers have developed a new assessment tool to standardize reporting of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies. The Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reporting Assessment Tool (TMS-RAT) helps compare results, build on each other's findings, and support progress in brain stimulation research. This tool addresses the need f...
A novel, two-sided dressing made from sustainable polymers has been developed to deliver antibiotics directly to wounds during critical early stages of infection. The dressing reduces bacterial growth and biofilm formation by over 90%, promoting healing and reducing the risk of treatment failure.
The University of Bath's Centre for Climate Adaptation & Environment Research has joined the STRIVE mission, a NASA Earth System Explorer project aiming to improve weather forecasting and climate modeling. The team will focus on understanding atmospheric waves and their impact on energy transport.
Scientists discovered a direct link between estrogen and gut inflammation in Crohn's disease. The study used zebrafish models to show that estrogen signalling plays a crucial role in maintaining normal gut health. This finding could lead to more personalized approaches to treatment, especially for females affected by the disease.
Researchers have found that cats show comparable patterns of brain deterioration as they age, similar to humans. This study, part of the Translating Time project, aims to unlock new insights into human ageing and disease by comparing cat and human brain development.
Global analysis finds that removing criminal penalties for cannabis possession does not increase levels of use, but commercial sale of cannabis is associated with higher rates of addiction and health risks. Tightly controlled legalisation, such as in Uruguay, shows little evidence of changes in cannabis use.
The University of Bath has recruited leading psychiatric geneticist Professor Laura Huckins to lead mental health research, focusing on eating disorders and PTSD. She aims to provide answers and treatments for vulnerable populations, combining genetic data and human brain studies to predict individual responses to their environment.
Professor Tony James has been awarded Honorary Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society in recognition of his significant contributions to fluorescence chemical sensing, molecular identification, and diagnostic chemistry. He is a renowned expert in supramolecular chemistry and chemical sensing with broad international influence.
A proposed 'polluter pays' tobacco levy scheme could raise billions in tax revenue and prevent thousands of hospital admissions. The UK could generate £1-£4.9 billion over five years, depending on the level of price cap and implementation speed.
Researchers at the University of Bath discovered that a fungus can break down hard-to-recycle construction waste and turn it into sustainable insulation. The resulting biomaterial has comparable thermal performance to conventional insulation products with significantly lower carbon emissions.
Researchers are developing a multi-organ model on a chip to study the complex interactions between organs, hormones, and cells in diabetes and dementia. The GlucoBrain project aims to understand how signals move between the brain, gut, and pancreas, potentially leading to new treatments for millions affected by these diseases.
A new study by Professor Chris Dawson found that childhood disadvantage is linked to lower levels of trust in others, with intelligence having half the effect on social benefits. The study analyzed data from over 24,000 people across the UK and suggests that stable childhood environments may be crucial in shaping life chances.
Researchers have discovered that prickly pear cactus fibers can be extracted and used to create sustainable composite materials. The fibers' natural structure provides a honeycomb-like support system, making them suitable for lightweight, low-load applications.
A study from the University of Bath reveals widespread psychological distress among people who remain isolated due to Covid-19. The research found a vicious cycle of fear driving withdrawal from social contact, reducing confidence to re-engage with the world and reinforcing isolation.
A team of researchers has uncovered a promising new target for antimalarial drug design, identifying an enzyme called aminopeptidase P from the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The new inhibitors have been shown to bind more strongly and selectively than existing compounds, demonstrating potential as a new class of drugs to combat malaria.
New research found that bird species with a skewed sex ratio are primarily caused by demographic factors, not the other way around. The study of 261 bird species revealed that one sex is more likely to die before reproducing due to differences in survival rates.
A digital single-session intervention (SSI) has been shown to meaningfully improve young people's sense of hope and control over their lives. The tool provides short, accessible and evidence-based psychological support and wellbeing activities, increasing feelings of hope and self-agency while reducing feelings of being out of control.
A study by the University of Bath found that elite MBA graduates hold top management positions and CEOs more frequently than those with non-elite MBAs or no MBA. The benefits of an elite MBA were not evenly spread between men, women, and minorities, and varied according to economic conditions.
Researchers Dr Íris Luz Batalha and Dr Maria Shchepinova from the University of Bath have been awarded funding to test new ideas in tackling global health challenges. They will develop precision-targeted therapies for antimicrobial resistance and investigate why treatments for Type 2 diabetes don't work for everyone.
Researchers found that far-right influencer Tommy Robinson used his Telegram channel to comment on events and legitimise violence during anti-immigration protests in 2024, shaping followers' interpretations of events without issuing direct instructions. The study identifies key tactics used by influencers to create emotional conditions...
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a breakthrough method for chemically recycling acrylic plastics using lower temperatures and sustainable solvents. The new process delivers over 95% conversion of the plastic and yields high-quality monomers, offering a clear pathway toward genuine circularity in acrylic materials.
Research warns AI can compromise creativity, critical thinking with overly automated learning systems; 'learning vaults' suggested to safeguard adaptive knowledge. HR teams must ensure continued access to first-hand learning and human interaction.
A new open access database of cactus ecology and evolution could help scientists and conservationists save species from the brink. The CactEcoDB offers an unprecedented window into the evolution, ecology and conservation needs of one of the world's most distinctive and endangered plant families.
Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered a renewable, bio-based polymer membrane capable of efficiently capturing toxic 'forever chemicals' from water. The new membrane can trap and hold over 94% of PFOA from water, allowing for rapid, reliable, and reusable cleanup.
A new study reveals US and UK volunteer fighters in Ukraine experience high levels of mental and physical health difficulties, including PTSD, moral injury, and poor quality of life. Many struggle to access healthcare after deployment, instead relying on fellow volunteers for support.
Researchers propose a strategy that encourages individuals to adopt a neutral stance, allowing groups to become more responsive, decisions to become easier to reach, and shifts in consensus to happen smoothly. By doing so, neutrality creates valuable breathing space for reassessment, making it easier for a group to change its mind when...
The West of England, a region with exceptional potential, is limited by structural constraints. Key findings include export strength, world-leading innovation clusters, and a strong but place-specific labour market.
Researchers have developed a bacterial system to create millions of potential drug molecules that can target difficult-to-treat cancers. The approach combines chemical peptide stabilisation with the TBS assay to screen for effective peptides, which can then be tested in more complex tissue models and animal studies.
Research from the University of Bath's Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations reveals that hairdressers can prompt climate conversations and inspire change. Salon owners reported successful conversations with clients about sustainability, leading to changes in habits such as water and energy usage, and even dietary choices.
Researchers at the University of Bath developed an AI tool that predicts building emissions from simple text descriptions, providing architects with real-time feedback on sustainability. The tool uses machine learning and natural language processing to estimate embodied carbon and suggests improvements to environmental conditions.
The University of Bath has been welcomed as a full member of the CMS Collaboration at CERN, gaining access to latest data, facilities, and computing infrastructure. The partnership strengthens the university's research impact in particle physics, enabling advancements in detector upgrades and cooling systems.
New study exposes biased social media curation and systemic discrimination against Dalits in India. The research highlights how digital platforms shape, limit, and sometimes erase the histories and experiences of groups already facing discrimination offline.
Scientists have developed a new catalyst that uses sunlight to break down polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of water-repellent chemicals linked to increased cancer risk. The technology could be scaled up for detection or removal from the environment and human body.
Research from the University of Bath reveals that childhood adversity can alter the expression of genes associated with educational attainment, leading to differences in risk tolerance and patience. Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds may prioritize short-term needs over long-term gains, creating hidden barriers to social mobility.
The University of Bath has achieved a record number of finalist status in this year's everywoman in Technology Awards 2026. Academics from various departments have been recognized for their leadership, innovation and commitment to advancing women in technology.
The Arctic is experiencing a rise in human-generated underwater noise due to melting ice and increased activity, disrupting wildlife and local communities. A new study from the University of Bath provides a clear framework for monitoring noise in Arctic waters, urging authorities to revise thresholds used to assess noise levels.
A new study from the Universities of Bath and Waterloo finds that people are more emotionally affected by anticipating negative future outcomes than positive ones, shaping economic behaviour. Individuals with stronger negative anticipatory emotions are more likely to avoid risk and less willing to wait for delayed outcomes.
A new study by the University of Bath and Tampere University found that individuals exposed to problem gambling within family or friend networks are more likely to develop their own gambling issues. Strong family relationships significantly reduce this risk, whereas friendships do not provide a comparable protective effect.