University of Birmingham scientists developed an off-grid desalination system powered by solar energy to combat water shortages in the Jordan Valley. The prototype, built from affordable parts, can recover up to 80% of salinized water for irrigation purposes.
Researchers found that athletes who focus solely on winning will engage in antisocial behavior, while prosocial behavior from teammates can boost performance and enjoyment. Coaches' coercive practices also lead to moral disengagement and negative team spirit.
A new study is using advanced brain imaging and non-invasive brain stimulation to help patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness. The RAINDROP trial aims to improve communication and recovery rates for these patients, who remain trapped in their unresponsive bodies despite retaining higher levels of awareness.
Researchers discovered an alternative pathway for testosterone production that contributes to the development of male characteristics in human girls with a genetic disorder. The study found this pathway is present and active during fetal development and plays a key role in shaping external genitalia in newborns with CAH.
Neuroscientists at University of Birmingham demonstrate directional coupling between neocortex and hippocampus during episodic memory formation and retrieval. The study reveals a bidirectional flow of information, with distinct gamma frequencies contributing to encoding and retrieval.
A study found that people eat up to 48% more food when dining with others than alone. This 'social facilitation' effect is driven by ancient hunter-gatherer instincts that still influence modern dietary behavior, leading to overeating in the presence of others.
Researchers identified four patterns of stylistic variation in Trump's tweets: conversational, campaigning, engaging, and advisory. The style shifted systematically depending on communication goals, revealing a systematic campaign ahead of the 2016 US Presidential elections.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new 3D printing technique called Suspended Layer Additive Manufacturing (SLAM) that can create soft biomaterials for repairing body defects. The technique uses a polymer-based hydrogel with self-healing properties, allowing for precise detail and support without sagging.
Researchers found that older men who never exercised before could build muscle at a similar rate as master athletes, highlighting the benefits of starting exercise later in life. The study suggests that regular physical activity can help delay age-related decline and improve overall health.
Engineers have designed a robotic system to automate the disassembly of component parts, a key task in remanufacturing. The new process can reduce energy and raw materials usage by up to 90% and CO2 emissions by over 80%.
Researchers analyze data from Gaia satellite and spectroscopy to find that older stars move more rapidly in and out of the Galaxy's disk. The findings provide insights into the history of our Galaxy and inform theories about star formation and evolution.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that fortifying wheat flour with vitamin D alone would save the public purse £65 million by reducing healthcare demands. Combining this with targeted supplementation could prevent 33% of cases, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Researchers argue that robots must understand the reason behind their actions to work alongside people safely and effectively. This shift in thinking is necessary as automation increases and human-robot interaction grows.
A new study by the University of Birmingham found that large-scale tree deaths worldwide are responsible for more than a tenth of total tree deaths. The research used satellite observations and computational models to calculate the impact of these events on carbon storage, revealing that they account for 12% of global tree mortality.
A new study suggests that stellar collapse causes instabilities, preventing the formation of heavier black holes. The researchers propose that nuclear star clusters might act as 'black-hole nurseries', providing an ideal environment for generating generations of black holes.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have successfully extracted and modified a compound from feverfew to kill chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in laboratory experiments. The compound, parthenolide, works by increasing reactive oxygen species levels in cancer cells, causing them to die.
A study by the University of Birmingham found that homeless individuals in the UK often experience casual neglect, discrimination, and inadequate resources when accessing NHS services. Specialist healthcare centers for homeless people show high satisfaction rates but are underfunded.
Researchers develop a new method to detect rheumatoid arthritis by analyzing hand blood content using infrared spectroscopy. The technique can provide an early diagnosis and assess treatment effectiveness, potentially leading to better long-term outcomes for patients.
University of Birmingham researchers found that the BRCA1 gene changes shape to protect vulnerable DNA until copying machinery can be restarted. This discovery could help understand how cancers develop and potentially identify new ways to suppress tumors.
A recent study by the University of Birmingham has identified a key pathway involved in protecting bacteria against antibiotics. The researchers discovered that phospholipids are transported towards the outer membrane through a series of proteins, which could lead to the development of new antibiotic treatments.
A team of researchers has found a balance between hot gas, stars, and other materials in galaxy clusters. The study validates the prevailing cold dark matter theory and provides insight into the relationship between ordinary matter and dark matter.
A University of Birmingham study found nearly one in eight homeless individuals received support for substance dependence, while nearly one in five had access to alcohol misuse treatment. The study also identified a high prevalence of infectious hepatitis C among the homeless population.
A new study reveals that globally recognized surgical guidelines led to a significant reduction in post-operative deaths at the English National Health Service (NHS) between 1998 and 2014. The greatest reductions were seen in oesophagogastric and breast surgery, with a consistent downward trend over the 16-year period.
A systematic review found that most non-cancerous adrenal tumors do not grow significantly over time, eliminating the need for repeated imaging. Patients with mild cortisol excess may still develop cardiovascular disease, but guidelines should be revised to reflect this low cancer risk and monitor metabolic health instead.
Scientists have discovered that re-purposing existing drugs or combining therapies may help treat patients with difficult-to-treat autoimmune diseases. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that fibroblasts play a critical role in the formation and maintenance of tertiary lymphoid structures.
Experts argue that current water cycle diagrams are misleading due to lack of human interaction representation, leading to a false sense of water security. A new set of diagrams shows human influence on nearly all parts of the cycle, highlighting the need for better understanding and global solutions to the world's water crisis.
Research found that participants who shifted their sleep/wake timings could bring forward their bedtime and wake-up time by two hours, leading to improvements in depression, stress, and daytime sleepiness. Participants also reported better mental well-being and increased cognitive performance during the morning.
Researchers have developed a new technique to analyze sperm that tracks its tail movement, providing vital information for understanding male fertility. This technology has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
Neuroscientists have discovered that controlling brain waves through rhythmic neural stimulation can improve memory performance. The study, published in Trends in Neurosciences, suggests that this technique may be a promising tool for improving memory and potentially treating conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have identified a crucial connection between specific fibroblast cells in the joint and two types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The discovery could lead to the development of targeted therapies that alter the behavior of these fibroblasts to reduce inflammation and tissue destruction.
Research in mice found that breastfeeding can transfer immunity beyond the period of breastfeeding, driven by immune cells rather than antibodies. This protection was transferred from mothers exposed to worm infections before pregnancy and provided lifelong benefits to their infants.
A comprehensive network of sites has been developed to conserve and utilize the genetic diversity of wild crop relatives, enabling plant breeders to create more resilient crops. The 150 identified 'hotspot' sites worldwide are crucial for tackling global food security challenges and preserving nature conservation.
Researchers used chemical composition of stars to determine Gaia Sausage's age, estimating it formed around 12.5 billion years ago. The study suggests a collision with the Milky Way disrupted star formation in our galaxy.
Researchers have uncovered details of microalgae's light-harvesting system, which is up to 95% efficient, using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient organic solar panels, increasing energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
A new study led by the University of Birmingham found that athletes are more likely to dope if they can justify their actions morally. Athletes with strong moral identities were less likely to cheat, while coaches' behavior and performance climate also played a significant role. The research aims to develop anti-doping interventions fo...
A large trial has found that progesterone treatment can increase the chances of a baby being born for women who experience early pregnancy bleeding and have a history of miscarriage. The study involved over 4,000 pregnant women and showed a significant increase in live births among those receiving progesterone treatment.
Researchers found that cancer cells can capitalize on temporary gaps in endothelial cell layers caused by physical forces and mechanical stresses, allowing them to migrate through and colonize new organs. This opportunistic approach complements chemical signaling and enables cancer cells to spread more efficiently.
Researchers found that a 'superbug' clone of E. coli called ST131 has evolved to prevent itself from becoming the sole dominant clone, allowing it to colonize the human gut more competitively than other strains. The discovery provides insight into how this process happens and may help develop strategies to prevent it.
Researchers have found distinctive differences in white matter pathways among young people with conduct disorder, linked to callous behavior and reduced empathy. The study may help clinicians diagnose the condition more accurately and guide effective interventions.
A new global initiative led by the University of Birmingham aims to better understand how plastics are transported and transformed in rivers, accumulating in river sediments. The project's first results show a complex picture with a huge diversity in types and sources of plastic in selected river estuaries.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a way to combine multiple skyrmions into 'skyrmion bags' that can store and transfer data more efficiently. This breakthrough technology has the potential to increase data storage capacity, reduce power consumption, and pave the way for next-generation computing devices.
A large study led by the University of Birmingham found that treating women with normal thyroid function and thyroid peroxidase antibodies with Levothyroxine did not increase live-birth rates. The researchers suggested that previous recommendations to use Levothyroxine in these women may have been based on limited evidence.
A new study by the University of Birmingham has found that high levels of testosterone and other androgens may cause a brain condition leading to blindness in women. The research, published in JCI Insight, suggests that female androgen excess may be a driver of abnormal brain pressure in people with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
A large-scale international trial led by the University of Birmingham examined if antibiotics can prevent surgical complications after miscarriage surgery. The trial showed that giving a preventative single dose of antibiotics prior to surgery did not result in a significant reduction in pelvic infection within 14 days post-surgery, bu...
A University of Birmingham study found that children who received cultural information about magpies valued the birds' cultural significance and believed it should be protected. In contrast, those given only scientific information showed less regard for cultural heritage and its connection to conservation.
Research at the University of Birmingham reveals that young forests are a substantial contributor to the world's carbon sink, accounting for around 25% of total carbon dioxide absorption. These forests, typically in temperate zones, have been re-growing on land with previously experienced human activities.
A new study led by the University of Birmingham found that biodiversity on land has been stable for at least 60 million years, contrary to previous assumptions. The research analyzed fossil data from thousands of sites and found that interactions between species limit the number of species that can co-exist.
A study by University of Birmingham researchers found lower brain connectivity in 'night owls' compared to morning larks, leading to poorer attention, slower reactions and increased sleepiness. This can be particularly problematic for those forced to fit into a societal 9-5 working day that doesn't align with their natural rhythms.
Researchers have developed an innovative new software that measures electrical activity in the heart, which may help identify potentially lethal arrhythmia. The open-source ElectroMap software can detect, map, and analyze arrhythmic phenomena for various data types, leading to a deeper understanding of heart diseases.
A study led by the University of Birmingham found that poor diet is partly responsible for the decline of a major Atlantic seabird nesting colony. The researchers analyzed feathers from over 180 specimens and found that changes in the birds' diets coincided with their population decline.