Researchers developed nanoribbons with tailored electronic properties, enabling flexible electronics, ultra-small circuits and more efficient solar cells. The discovery paves the way for unprecedented control in next-generation technologies.
A new study found that breast milk helps maintain a balance of beneficial bacteria in babies' developing gut microbiomes, including E. coli and Bifidobacterium. This mutualistic relationship supports healthy infant development and may have implications for future synbiotics.
New research uses transcripts from the Enron scandal to analyze linguistic moves made by energy traders to manipulate trust and encourage collusion. The study identified a 'playbook' of trust-related moves, including 'bond', 'build', 'confide', 'probe', and 'repair', which can inform practical interventions in combating fraud.
Researchers have shown that PEPITEM supplementation can prevent or delay inflammatory arthritis by regulating the immune system. The study found that PEPITEM reduced arthritic joint swelling and inflammatory changes comparable to current standard care.
A new study finds that air pollution alerts issued in China's cities significantly reduce PM2.5 levels and prevent nearly 54,000 premature deaths over a five-year period. The alerts trigger short-term actions to limit pollution, resulting in a 30-40% reduction in acute mortality risk due to PM2.5.
In Ghana, Pakistan, Rwanda, and South Africa, more than half of seriously injured patients failed to reach medical care within an hour. Patients using informal means arrived quicker than those traveling by ambulance.
PsyMetRiC, a new web-based risk prediction tool, forecasts cardiometabolic disorders in young people with psychosis. The algorithm predicts significant weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes within specific time frames, enabling meaningful discussions and interventions.
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.
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.
Researchers analyzed over 40 years of astronomical data to find detectable changes inside the Sun during four quiet periods. The study reveals that even small differences in solar magnetic activity produce measurable changes in the Sun's internal structure.
Researchers design nanoagents to carry antibiotics deep into bacterial infections, releasing them upon gentle ultrasound activation. This approach reduces antibiotic resistance and improves treatment of biofilm-related infections.
The Baskerville National Compute Resource (NCR) will benefit researchers in various disciplines with advanced data processing capabilities. The facility harnesses accelerator technology to process vast amounts of data at incredible speed, helping researchers achieve breakthroughs faster than ever before.
SynapTrack enables faster and more accurate detection of fraudulent activity using blockchains and cryptocurrencies, reducing false positives by a substantial margin. The system has been tested with real-life data from the Bybit hack, tracing hackers with 98% accuracy.
A new study reveals that air-conditioning use will more than double by 2050, causing up to 8.5 GtCO₂‑eq per year in the worst-case scenario. This is equivalent to around 74–183 billion transatlantic return flights and adds 0.03°C to 0.07°C of global warming.
A new material composed of rice grains can bend, buckle, or stiffen differently under slow movements versus sudden impacts without electronics or sensors. This innovative material has potential applications in soft robotics, creating machines lighter, safer, and more adaptable.
Researchers have developed a definitive guide to safely navigating health information on AI-powered chatbots, addressing the risk of 'hallucinated' or factually incorrect advice. The Health Chatbot Users’ Guide focuses on harm reduction and maximises benefits to users, offering a pragmatic and neutral approach.
A new study published in Nature Communications found that people are more willing to help others when they experience poorer conditions. The researchers tested willingness to help in different contexts and found that people were more likely to stop what they were doing to help others in a poor environment than in a richer one.
A new study reveals that the surrounding microenvironment plays a crucial role in driving basal cell development, leading to treatment failure. The study also discovers intermediate tumor subtypes that could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
A new study from the University of Birmingham found that air frying fatty foods produces fewer VOCs and ultra-fine particles compared to other cooking methods. However, repeated use without cleaning can negate some benefits for indoor air quality.
A recent study found that organic matter carried from rivers into the Arctic Ocean creates more clouds and keeps the region cooler. Aerosol particles formed by this biological matter act as 'seeds' for cloud formation, increasing their ability to form bright, long-lasting clouds.
PeroCycle strengthens its leadership team with the appointments of Allan Baker and Ruth Herbert. Allan brings expertise in sustainable finance, infrastructure, and energy transition, while Ruth has a wealth of experience from working across government, industry, and the low-carbon technology sector.
A UK-wide childhood screening program for type 1 diabetes has been shown to be effective in detecting early stages of the disease. By identifying children at risk, families can prepare for a potential diagnosis and receive timely treatment, reducing the need for emergency hospitalizations.
Researchers found that autistic and non-autistic individuals produce distinct emotional facial expressions, with autistic adults exhibiting more unique and complex expressions. The study suggests that these differences in facial expressions may contribute to difficulties in recognizing each other's emotions.
The University of Birmingham has launched a new facility for separating and recycling rare earth magnets, reducing the UK's reliance on imports. The facility uses an innovative hydrogen-based process that can recover over 400kg of rare earth alloy per batch.
Researchers developed a new way of measuring indoor air pollution by analyzing human movement, showing elevated levels of pollutants during occupied periods. The study provides a new approach to designing healthier indoor spaces, combining Birmingham's air-pollution expertise with radar-based sensing and optimization techniques.
New study finds psychosis delusions emerge from emotional experiences, bodily reactions, and linguistic fabric. Participants described intense emotional embodiment and disembodiment, with some experiencing positive feelings of awe and love.
A new international study found significant changes in gut bacteria at the onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a condition that affects the digestive system. The study reveals a loss of beneficial anaerobic bacteria and an increase in oxygen-tolerant bacteria, which may trigger inflammation.
A new UK-based study found that adults who experience a head injury face a substantially higher risk of attempting suicide compared to those without such injuries. The 20-year population-based matched cohort study analyzed data from over 1.8 million adults and found that people with head injuries were 21% more likely to attempt suicide.
A study published in Science Signaling has identified the MRAP2 protein as a key player in supporting the function of appetite-regulating proteins MC3R and MC4R. The findings suggest that mutations in this protein may contribute to reduced energy balance and obesity risk.
A phase two trial found that adding dinutuximab beta to chemotherapy improves the best objective response rate and overall survival time for children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma. The treatment resulted in a significant increase in patients' tumors shrinking after six cycles of treatment.
Researchers detect strong evidence for an atmosphere on ultra-hot super-Earth TOI-561 b, challenging the idea that small planets can't sustain atmospheres. The planet's unusually low density is explained by a thick volatile-rich atmosphere that circulates heat and cools the nightside.
A major meta-analysis found that nitrous oxide can offer fast-acting depressive symptom relief for adults with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. The study showed significant improvements in mood within 24 hours, but repeated dosing over several weeks was needed to sustain clinical benefit.
Scientists have developed a new material that converts motion into electricity with greater efficiency than traditional lead-based ceramics but without using toxic lead. The material, based on bismuth iodide, has potential applications in a wide range of innovative devices.
Research by University of Birmingham scientists reveals that lower-income individuals are more likely to own cheaper, higher-emitting vehicles contributing disproportionately to local urban air pollution. Spending an additional £10,000 on a diesel vehicle is associated with a 40% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions per litre.
A new study reveals that widely cited statistics on global water and food security are based on weak evidence and poorly connected to current data. The findings suggest that irrigation's role in global food and water security is highly ambiguous, ranging from 18% to 50%, and its share of global freshwater withdrawals is uncertain.
Scientists at the University of Birmingham have developed a new class of MRI contrast agents that are significantly more efficient and stable than current clinical agents. The novel metallo-coiled coil approach demonstrates a 30% increase in MRI relativity and unprecedented enhancement in chemical and biological stability.
A global study of participants from six countries found that addressing psychological distance and the threat to one's way of life are most effective interventions in boosting motivation for environmental efforts. The study suggests that making climate action a patriotic duty can increase willingness to exert physical effort.
Delta.g appoints Ewen Stevenson as Chair of its Board, bringing experience in financial governance and strategic transformation to support the company's growth. The appointment follows a £4.6 million oversubscribed seed round led by Serendipity Capital.
A new study from the University of Birmingham found that consuming flavanols can preserve blood vessel function in young healthy men during periods of uninterrupted sitting. The researchers tested whether high-flavanol cocoa could prevent FMD declines, and found significant protection against vascular dysfunction.
A new study reveals Low-Cost Source Apportionment (LoCoSA) is being used to great effect across the Global South, offering a powerful tool for improving public health and environmental policy. Researchers are now putting their findings into practice in Uganda, identifying and understanding dominant sources of Kampala's air pollution.
A study published in npj Clean Air found significant reductions in NO2 and NOx pollution following the introduction of ULEZ in 2019. The team also found that the benefits extended beyond the designated zone, indicating a wider spill-over effect.
PeroCycle appoints Dr Harriet Kildahl as Technical Director, leveraging her expertise in closed-loop carbon recycling. The technology converts CO2 into a valuable resource, enabling industries like steel and cement to adopt net-zero manufacturing.
A recent study found that UK heatwaves have led to unseasonable drying of vegetation, bypassing natural ecological processes that limit the spread of wildfires. The extreme heat conditions increased the risk of wildfire incidents, with a 500% increase in 999 calls and 14 major incidents during the 2022 heatwave.
A new study found that implicit biases impact how much effort individuals, both autistic and non-autistic, put into charitable behaviors. While explicit biases were not a factor, participants showed self-bias in decisions, prioritizing their own efforts over others.
Scientists have unveiled a new detector concept that uses optical cavity and atomic clock technologies to detect gravitational waves in the milli-Hertz frequency band. This approach provides an immediate, cost-effective means to explore the mid-band range, which hosts signals from compact binaries of white dwarfs and black hole mergers.
A new research project found that a global sponsorship programme would improve perceptions of refugees in the UK, providing equal rights and entitlements. The existing three main schemes, Community Sponsorship, Homes for Ukraine, and Communities for Afghans, have shown success despite disparities in scale and approach.
Delta.g, a UK-based quantum technology company, has raised £4.6 million in an oversubscribed seed round to accelerate the development and deployment of its gravity sensing platform. The platform directly tackles gaps in spatial intelligence, delivering high-resolution data for infrastructure, transportation, and dual-use cases.
A new study suggests that Amazon forest trees have increased in size by an average of 3.2% every decade over the past few decades. The research found that both large and smaller trees have benefited from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, leading to a significant increase in tree size.
Exposure to lower levels of air pollutants is associated with improved vision in children, suggesting that reducing exposure could slow the progression of myopia. Children who live in areas with cleaner air have better vision, especially younger students.
Scientists used long-read whole-genome sequencing to analyze methylation patterns in urine DNA, identifying bladder cancer. The approach outperformed existing tests in detecting cancer even at low tumour DNA levels.