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University of Birmingham


New guide could help scientists see deeper into the human body using light and sound

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Reviews Methods Primers·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 20, 2026

‘Switchable’ smart gel may pave way for next-gen drug delivery and sensing tech

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2026

Greener processing makes novel material cheaper for water decontamination

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalGreen Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2026

AI helps to open new routes to earlier diagnosis and treatment of Crohn’s disease

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalFrontiers in Artificial Intelligence·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2026

Spacecraft observations may conceal how particles really move through near-Earth space

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeObservational study·DateAug 5, 2026

Teen diets drive highest climate emissions, but older people fuel global surge

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Food·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 22, 2026

AI support tool improved clinician decisions in real-world primary care trial

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 26, 2026

Wider focus holds key to unlocking improvement in global injury care

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalBMJ Global Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2026

Listening to the Sun reveals previously hidden changes to solar cycle

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 27, 2026

Researchers identify new indicator for response to therapy in pediatric cancers

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMay 22, 2026

Scientists unlock new way to engineer next generation glass

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2026

Water splitting catalyst creates hydrogen at low temperatures

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.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 30, 2026

Oval orbit casts new light on black hole - neutron star mergers

Researchers analyzed gravitational-wave data from LIGO and Virgo detectors, revealing an oval orbit just before merger, which is unlikely according to theoretical models. The study corrects underestimated black hole mass and overestimated neutron star mass, suggesting a birthplace in an environment with many interacting stars.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMar 11, 2026

Mpox immune test validated during Rwandan outbreak

Researchers developed an antibody test for Mpox that accurately identifies those with infection and vaccine-derived antibodies, helping authorities prioritize vaccine use and study disease transmission. The test, validated in Rwanda, uses only four key antibody signatures to ensure affordability and accessibility.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalThe Lancet Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026