A new study found that glaciers ending in lakes lose 57% more ice than land-ending glaciers, accounting for over half of glacier ice loss. These glaciers, which cover over half of the world's glacier area, tend to be much larger than those ending on land and lose ice around 57% faster relative to their size.
Researchers created a mechatronic metamaterial that behaves like a 'time crystal,' allowing individual units to organize into a single rhythm. The material, made of elastic structures, sensors, electronics, and actuators, can be used to develop multifunctional robots that coordinate themselves without central control.
Scientists have created a new family of materials whose behavior can be tuned by changing their metallic recipe, enabling the creation of highly adaptable materials for various applications. By combining up to 16 different metals, researchers can predict and control the material's properties, such as magnetism and gas absorption.
A study of 9,000 injury patients in Africa and South Asia found that access to care, hospital route, and service type significantly impact survival and recovery. Patients arriving by ambulance had significantly worse outcomes, challenging the assumption that faster treatment leads to better outcomes.
A study reveals extensive damage to mitochondrial DNA in vulnerable brainstem neurons, but also identifies a protective response involving the PINK1 gene. This response is more pronounced in individuals who survived longer after their Parkinson's diagnosis.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have identified a critical receptor, P2X7, that drives neuroinflammation in the brain. Blocking this receptor with an existing drug may block pathways to major brain conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers have identified a mechanism called Precipitation Induced Recrystallisation (PIX) that enables metals to self-refine their internal structure through heat treatment alone. This process reduces average grain size by up to 90% in alloys relevant to aerospace applications and fusion energy systems.
A new global study found that delays in accessing surgical assessment for suspected appendicitis are associated with a significantly higher risk of life-threatening complications, including perforation. The study, led by University of Birmingham researchers, analysed data from over 45,000 patients across 112 countries, revealing major ...
An international study has established age-specific ultrasound reference values to distinguish normal joint changes from early signs of inflammatory arthritis. The study analysed over 28,000 joints from 802 healthy volunteers and developed new thresholds for normal and abnormal findings, which will help clinicians identify inflammatory...
IMS Solutions launches with a £1.1 million Seed round to develop a stratification test for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) and a urine test for Adrenocortical Carcinoma (ACC), aiming to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. The technology platform detects unique steroid signatures in urine and blood, offering a mor...
The University of Birmingham and EPRI have collaborated to advance fusion energy technologies through the FURESHMA programme. The £2.63 million project aims to test advanced shielding materials capable of protecting critical components from extreme fusion conditions.
Dexter AI Ltd extracts and analyzes Real World Data from any data source, enabling medical researchers to deliver actionable insights and testable hypotheses quickly and securely. The platform has been used in over 150 high-profile studies, including work on Long COVID and common health conditions.
A new study by the University of Birmingham reveals that TikTok's design can make it difficult for young people to distinguish between trustworthy and misleading mental health advice. The study found that young people tend to rely on relatability rather than reliability when seeking mental health advice on the platform.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham and UCL published a comprehensive analysis of ultrasound detectors used in photoacoustic tomography, a medical imaging technology. They established a standardized 'noise-equivalent pressure' landscape, revealing the performance capabilities of 82 detectors across four main types.
Research from the University of Birmingham and other institutions found that interacting with AI-powered customer service robots can reinforce or alter a consumer's self-perception. The study explores how mirroring and mimicry can lead to a 'robotoid humanness' where consumers become more like robots, raising ethical concerns.
Scientists create a new material that changes from a gel to a liquid-like state under ultraviolet light, and can be rebuilt using heat or dismantled by acid. The discovery could lead to the design of smart sensors, switchable catalysts, and materials that capture and release selected molecules on demand.
Researchers have developed a novel method to make a green-synthesised MOF using a scalable water-based process, which reduces estimated production cost and retains strong lead-capture performance. The material has been tested on real-world water samples, showing remarkable efficiency in removing lead from chemically complex solutions.
Researchers combined AI, genetics, and gut microbiome analysis to shed light on intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease. They identified a shared set of 43 key genes linked to disease progression and found that bowel fibrosis is driven by ongoing immune activation, damage to the intestinal lining, and changes in gut bacteria.
Researchers reveal a new attack surface exposed to malicious and compromised SIMs, allowing attackers to gather information about devices, interfere with connectivity, and serve as entry points for further cyberattacks. The study highlights four attacker scenarios leading to malicious or compromised SIMs and eSIMs.
Scientists have discovered a new process that forms cloud-forming particles in the Arctic atmosphere when melting sea ice meets open ocean. This combination of marine life and sunlight releases a chemical mixture that seeds the sky with particles, increasing cloud cover and affecting global climate.
Researchers reveal that spacecraft observations can conceal the true movement of particles in near-Earth space, challenging traditional assumptions about radiation belt dynamics. The study highlights a fundamental challenge for space scientists: different physical processes can produce similar observational evidence.
Lip cosmetics products are routinely ingested and absorbed through lip tissue, but existing frameworks were never designed to assess this dual-pathway exposure route. Researchers found significant gaps in testing and regulation, including inadequate absorption data and outdated ingestion assumptions.
Under elevated CO2 levels, trees work with microbes to 'mine' soil nutrients, increasing nitrogen availability by 30%. This 'faster but tighter' cycle supports tree growth and productivity.
PeroCycle announces global ambitions to decarbonise steel, cement, and chemicals industries with patented technology. Strategic partnerships with PKU Pioneer and io consulting enable rapid progress for PeroCycle.
A new study reveals human impacts have fundamentally reshaped biodiversity patterns on islands worldwide. Island endemic species account for 75% of recorded anthropogenic extinctions, while many have received introduced species that now outnumber native flora and fauna.
Teenagers and young adults have the highest individual environmental impact from their diets, producing the highest per-capita food-related GHG emissions worldwide. Meanwhile, population ageing is contributing to an increase in global dietary greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to older people living longer and having fewer children.
A team of international researchers has successfully demonstrated a breakthrough in detecting satellites and space debris in orbit using repurposed radio telescopes. This technology can increase sensitivity by more than tenfold, enabling the detection of smaller objects at greater distances.
Researchers have found 17 gene variations in alpha-actinin-2 associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of sudden cardiac death. These variations affect the protein's stability and interactions, highlighting potential targets for new treatments.
The European Law Institute has approved its first comprehensive framework for dealing with digital assets and personal digital content after death. The rules provide a dual legal framework recognizing the need for protection, privacy, and dignity in digital inheritance.
Researchers analyze the 'ringdown' phase of black hole collisions to test Einstein's theory of General Relativity and uncover secrets about these mysterious objects. Future observatories may reveal fresh evidence for new physics and challenge current models.
A new project developed by the University of Birmingham and Mind in Camden aims to improve understanding and response to people who hear voices, particularly when linked to suicidal thoughts. The resources encourage listening, curiosity, and collaboration to help individuals make sense of their experiences and feel more supported.
A new study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that patients with adrenal tumors have unstable cortisol levels, leading to increased cardiovascular risk. Those with persistently elevated cortisol levels face a greater risk of worsening high blood pressure and cardiometabolic burden over time.
Healome Therapeutics has secured £2m in funding to develop an eye drop technology that combines drug retention, lubrication, and protection. The platform aims to reduce dosing regimens and improve patient outcomes for diseases affecting the surface of the eye, including dry eye disease and rare ocular surface conditions.
A large clinical trial found that an AI support tool improved the quality of clinical documentation and treatment planning, but did not significantly change short-term patient outcomes. The study involved over 9,600 patients in Kenya and used a randomized controlled design to test the effectiveness of the AI tool.
A new study reveals that improving one element of a healthcare system can lead to worse patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries due to systemic interconnectedness. Enhancing trust in the healthcare system had the greatest impact on clinical outcomes, but increased demand from more patients can quickly overwhelm services.
A study published in Psychological Medicine found that a laxative drug, Prucalopride, improved executive function and memory in patients with depression. The research suggests that targeting serotonin receptors may help alleviate cognitive problems associated with depression.
A University of Birmingham scientist creates a 'mini universe' with ultracold atoms to test ideas in quantum cosmology and gravity. The experiment demonstrates that time can emerge from changes within a quantum system, revealing a version of time known as 'entropic time', which flows consistently and orders events.
A new study published in Educational Review found that schools recognized for their character education provision outperform others in GCSE exams. Recognized schools showed a consistent academic advantage, especially from 2018-19 onwards.
Scientists studied four subspecies of British Wrens, each found on a specific island in Scotland, to understand the evolutionary paths leading to 'island syndromes'. The study found that two subspecies, those from Shetland and St Kilda, evolved spectacular gigantism.
Researchers use helioseismology to track sound waves inside the Sun, finding a gradual change in structure just beneath the surface that spans multiple cycles. This discovery reveals a shift towards more tightly confined magnetic activity near the surface, with implications for space weather predictions.
A study by University of Birmingham researchers has identified a new biomarker associated with response to therapy in Ewing Sarcoma and other tumour types. Patients with high aneuploidy scores were significantly more likely to benefit from the treatment, which combines irinotecan and PARP inhibitors.
The Lancet MedZero provides comprehensive carbon analytics across healthcare products, enabling evidence-based decision-making for hospitals and health systems. The platform aims to reduce waste, improve patient care, and tackle climate change, with over 14,000 entries at launch.
A feasibility study assesses the integration of PeroCycle's patented carbon recycling technology into Jindal Steel's operations, aiming to reduce CO2 emissions and lower reliance on fossil-based agents. The partnership could set a new global benchmark for low-emission steel production in the Middle East.
Birmingham researchers demonstrate a new, sustainable way to break down toxic pollutants in wastewater using sunlight and molecular-thin catalysts created using an innovative mechanical approach. The method increases degradation performance by up to 2.5 times compared to bulk raw material.
A new study with over 3,700 UK participants found that better cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of future depressive episodes in those with a history of depression. In contrast, worse cognitive performance was linked to a lower risk of relapse in both individuals with previous depression and control participants.
A study published in Cancer Medicine reveals that the same genes active in pancreatic cancer are also linked to obesity and diabetes, driving inflammatory and immune pathways. This discovery helps explain poorer cancer outcomes for those with metabolic disease and offers new avenues for targeted treatment.
Researchers fine-tune a new type of glass made from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that efficiently trap gases like CO2 and hydrogen. The discovery provides a new design framework for making customized MOF glasses with tailored properties, enabling applications in gas separation, chemical storage, and advanced coatings.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have developed a novel perovskite catalyst that can produce substantial yields of hydrogen in a temperature range of 150-500°C, and be regenerated at temperatures between 700 and 1000°C. The process is more cost-effective than green or blue hydrogen production methods.
Researchers have developed a scalable and sustainable method for producing graphene, a key material in electronics and technologies. The technique uses high-intensity vibrations to 'split' and 'peel off' molecular-thin layers of material, resulting in higher production rates and reduced solvent waste.
A 10-year study found that obesity leaves a lasting impact on the immune system, with helper T cells carrying a long memory of being overweight. This 'memory' can lead to ongoing risk of obesity-related conditions even after weight loss.