A £1.2M grant will upgrade the CLIMB COVID-19 project's computational equipment to process genomic data globally. Researchers can analyze genomes from local populations in relation to global datasets, facilitating equitable data sharing and fighting pandemic diseases.
Researchers investigate how COVID-19 has changed sex offender behavior, providing insights for protecting vulnerable individuals. The study aims to understand how social and economic changes have impacted offender patterns and victim vulnerability.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have discovered a biological imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant cells that links gum disease to chronic kidney disease. A 10% increase in gum inflammation reduces kidney function by 3%, highlighting the importance of periodontal care for patients with chronic kidney disease.
A new study suggests that a bedside EEG test can aid in prognosis for unresponsive brain injury patients by measuring their response to speech. The strength of these responses is correlated with the patient's outcome and can help clinicians make effective treatment decisions.
A third of all newborns and half of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) babies are vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D levels vary by ethnicity, season, and deprivation indices.
A University of Birmingham team used Daphnia to test the effects of Roundup on keystone species. They found significant harm to animals' metabolism and gut function, even at approved regulatory levels. The results offer a starting point for tracking herbicide impacts across different species.
A UK national study found that children with cancer who test positive for COVID-19 have mild infections or are asymptomatic, with no deaths reported and only 5% requiring intensive care support. The study's real-time data helped inform shielding advice for this group of patients.
Research finds that particulate emissions from cooking can survive in the atmosphere for several days, contributing to poor air quality and human health. The study's findings have significant implications for climate change and city planning.
Researchers developed two intervention programmes targeting moral factors and educating young elite athletes about the risks of performance-enhancing drugs. Both approaches were equally effective at deterring doping over a six-month period. The 'moral' programme focused on honesty, fair play, and the consequences of doping, while the '...
Human fingerprints have a self-regulating moisture mechanism that helps avoid dropping objects, enabling the development of better prosthetic limbs and virtual reality environments. By regulating skin moisture, fingerprints maximize friction on various surfaces, giving primates an evolutionary advantage in dry and wet conditions.
Researchers found that flavanol-enriched cocoa drink improved blood oxygenation levels in the brain, leading to enhanced cognitive performance. Participants completed complex tasks faster and with higher accuracy after consuming the flavanol-rich drink.
A new UK study sheds light on the effects of benzopyrene exposure on human cells, revealing new insights into DNA repair mechanisms and their connection to cancer development. The research suggests that understanding these mechanisms could help predict individuals more susceptible to cancer-causing agents.
A new research project explores how counter-terrorism affects public perceptions and urban atmospheres in Europe's cities. It assesses the impact of terror threats on everyday life through a large-scale international survey and in-depth studies of five European cities.
A new study reveals that routine pre-operative COVID-19 testing can significantly reduce the risk of respiratory complications and save lives. Researchers found that using nasal swab tests to confirm asymptomatic patients were not infected with SARS-CoV-2 led to a lower rate of post-operative complications.
A new study reveals that Amazon trees dying at a faster rate are those with higher growth speeds, which are more vulnerable to climate change. The research found that drought is also driving tree death, particularly in the southern Amazon.
A new study reveals India's slow transition to clean cooking fuels due to women's perceptions of firewood as a better option for family wellbeing. The research found that both firewood and LPG users believe their chosen fuel supports at least some key dimensions of wellbeing.
Researchers are developing an oral spray to treat severely painful blisters and scarring in EB patients. The spray contains anti-fibrotic molecules to prevent scarring and promote healing, aiming to improve symptoms such as eating difficulties and poor dental health.
A new study suggests that smartphone acceleration sensors can provide a low-cost measure of road roughness, allowing engineers to prioritize maintenance and reduce costs. This approach could also be used to assess the condition of rural roads in developing countries.
A new project aims to create household sprays and coatings that capture COVID-19 aerosol droplets, inactivating the virus. Researchers will use additives to provide long-lasting protection against the virus, with a focus on surface characteristics.
A clinical trial called REPAIR-MDS will test repurposed drugs to improve hematological responses in MDS, reducing or reversing life-limiting deficiencies in red blood cells. The trial aims to improve the outlook for people with this rare condition, which has limited treatment options.
Researchers call for increased palliative care in China to address non-malignant disease management and family involvement. A systematic review highlights the need for better pain control, truth-telling, and emotional support.
A new study found that our brains use different approaches to avoid harm to ourselves versus others. When learning to avoid harm to others, decisions are automatic and efficient, but when avoiding harm to oneself, choices become more deliberative and future-focused.
A new €639,000 EU-funded project will develop cost-effective space cooling technologies powered by green technologies. The CO-COOL RISE consortium aims to accelerate the adoption of these innovations in the marketplace.
Astronomers observe a direct connection between stellar material and bright flare emitted as star is consumed, revealing the origin of obscuring dust and debris. The study provides insights into supermassive black holes and matter behavior under extreme gravity conditions.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have discovered a universal scaling law for touch sensitivity using seismic waves. The law enables better understanding of touch experiences across species, predicting similar sensations despite differences in force and receptor depth.
A new study reveals that athletes using legal sport supplements are more likely to dope than those using food and superfoods. Researchers surveyed 573 athletes and found a significant correlation between the use of ergogenic and medical supplements and doping attitudes.
Researchers found that patients treated in 'COVID-19 free' areas had better outcomes and lower rates of death from lung infections. This study, covering 9171 patients across 55 countries, shows setting up COVID-19 free hospital areas can minimize risk during the pandemic.
Researchers found a significant correlation between matched DBS and serum samples, with minimal differences in results. DBS achieved 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 S glycoprotein antibodies.
A study by the University of Birmingham found that police officers experience stress and anxiety when they perceive a violation of their psychological contract, leading to feelings of anger and frustration. The researchers also discovered that fairness and self-efficacy play a crucial role in mediating this relationship.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of water security, with nearly a quarter of households in low-income countries struggling to access clean water. Experts are urging policymakers to prioritize behavioral change, knowledge promotion, and investment in water infrastructure to address this pressing issue.
Researchers used routing apps to model real-time road traffic emissions, providing valuable insights into traffic flows and emissions hotspots. The study found that crowd-sourced data from routing apps could be used to calculate speed-related emissions and provide more accurate emissions models.
Researchers found that depression is an intrinsic part of early phase psychotic disorders and suggest targeting depression as a key factor in treatment. The study suggests antidepressants alongside anti-psychotic drugs could be an effective additional first-line treatment for psychosis.
Researchers found that setting vehicle ventilation correctly can reduce exposure to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2 by up to 49% and 34%, respectively. By closing windows and taking a 'cleaner' route, passengers can significantly lower their inhalation dose of air pollution.
Researchers identified an enzyme that breaks down mucus in the gut, providing a potential biomarker for intestinal diseases. The discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a reliable method to predict an individual's susceptibility to pain using alpha wave frequency. This breakthrough could help clinicians understand how patients will react to surgery and develop more effective pain management strategies.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham and international partners have developed a technique to miniaturize sensing devices using cold atoms and optical metasurfaces. The resulting devices are significantly smaller, with potential applications in various industries.
A new study suggests that a simple urine test could significantly improve the detection of adrenal cancer by detecting excess adrenal steroid hormones. The test was found to be more accurate than imaging tests in diagnosing cancerous adrenal masses, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and healthcare costs.
The National Lung Matrix Trial, the world's largest precision medicine clinical trial for NSCLC, matches treatments to genetic changes in cancer. It found that targeted therapy is challenging due to genomic complexity and the need for more sophisticated models.
A new sequencing technology will help scientists better understand the mechanisms of rare nucleotides thought to play an important role in the progression of some diseases. These modified nucleotides are crucial additions to the genetic code, but their detection is difficult and comes with high error rates.
A new study found that specific infant sleep problems can signal mental disorders in adolescents, including psychotic experiences and borderline personality disorder. The research analyzed data from over 7,000 participants and found associations between irregular sleep routines and shorter nighttime sleep.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have created a new thermoplastic biomaterial with shape memory properties, enabling it to be stretched and molded but reforming into its original shape when heated. The material offers a stable, long-lasting option for medical devices such as bone replacements.
A new UK study found that faecal microbial transplantation (FMT) is more effective than antibiotics in treating Clostridium difficile infection, with higher cure rates and lower recurrence rates. FMT was also shown to be significantly more cost-effective, reducing hospitalization days and offering better quality of life for patients.
A new study reveals strong links between exposure to air pollution and COVID-19 transmission. Analysis of air pollution, COVID-19 cases, and fatality rates in London demonstrates a connection between increased levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM2.5) and higher risk of viral transmission.
A new £20M research program will enhance UK's space weather monitoring capability, enabling faster and more accurate predictions of solar superstorms and severe space weather events. The University of Birmingham leads the effort, developing data modeling technology to underpin the work.
Families facing COVID-19 disruptions struggle with precarious lives, anxieties, and accelerated routines. To cope, they employ 'grounding' and 'aerial' activities, balancing daily needs with creative expressions of love and support.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a 'smart' system that controls energy storage and release in wind turbines to regulate the national grid. The system uses variable speed rotors to keep pace with electricity demand, reducing the risk of power cuts and supporting widespread wind energy use.
A major study published in Nature Communications reveals that normothermic machine perfusion assessment can recover enough livers from discarded donors to allow successful transplantation. This breakthrough technique has significant implications for the liver transplant waiting list and demand for transplants far outstrips supply.
A University of Birmingham team has created a hands-on educational tool using Jenga to explain lithium-ion battery operation and characteristics. The game helps students visualize electrochemistry and redox reactions, demonstrating the importance of rate of charge and performance over time.
Researchers reprogrammed T-cells to recognize proteins as part of the body, preventing autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. The study's findings have important implications for treating autoimmune conditions and may lead to advances in overcoming autoimmunity.
A global study found that COVID-19 patients undergoing surgery experience substantially worse postoperative outcomes than similar patients without SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study reported a 30-day mortality rate of 23.8%, with higher rates in men, older patients, and those with severe pre-existing medical problems.