A study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific found that carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) contaminated the entire ICU, with samples detected on bed units, ventilators, and equipment. The researchers highlight the urgent need for targeted infection prevention and control measures to stem the global...
A new E-MOTIVE solution dramatically improves outcomes for women experiencing postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. The study found a 60% reduction in severe bleeding and fewer blood transfusions, potentially saving thousands of lives globally.
A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice found that women exposed to domestic abuse have a significantly higher risk of developing asthma and other atopic diseases. The research, led by the University of Birmingham, analyzed patient records and found a 52% increased risk of atopic disease ...
Researchers have observed beta-arrestin molecules directly controlling receptor-mediated signals in living cells using advanced microscopy. The study reveals a new mechanism of how these proteins interact with receptors on the plasma membrane, enabling efficient control of signal flow and desensitization.
A new study reveals a higher prevalence of stunting and wasting among poor children, while overweight children live in richer homes. Researchers are calling for an integrated approach to tackle the 'double burden' of child malnutrition.
A randomized controlled trial shows that a best endovascular treatment first revascularisation strategy is more effective in preventing major amputation and death than a vein bypass first strategy for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia. The study, BASIL-2, recruited 345 patients from the UK, Sweden, and Denmark and found ...
Researchers have developed a 'vein-on-a-chip' device that mimics the human vein, eliminating the need for animal models in some studies. The device, which includes structures called valves and endothelial cells, allows scientists to study mechanisms of blood clot formation in a realistic manner.
Researchers discover that brain cells die from lack of energy when autophagy, a natural cleaning process, malfunctions. Compounds boosting NAD levels can improve neuron survival and combat age-related neurodegeneration.
A review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on athletes' help-seeking for mental health, highlighting the need to understand their attitudes and experiences with services. Athletes face challenges in accessing support, with lower rates of help-seeking compared to the general population.
A diet high in fruit and vegetables is associated with a lower miscarriage risk, with significant reductions seen for each food group. The meta-analysis of 20 studies found that consuming high amounts of fruit may reduce the risk by up to 61%, while high vegetable intake is linked to a 41% reduction.
A new study suggests that esport athletes can benefit from using 'imagery ability' techniques to build rich and vivid multi-sensory images of success. The technique, called Layered Stimulus Response Training, has been shown to improve imagery ability levels and sporting performance in regular athletes.
Early mammals reduced skull bones to redirect stresses during feeding, allowing brain size increase. The combination of miniaturization, reduced skull bones and insect-based diet enabled ancestors to thrive before dinosaurs' extinction.
A new study calls for internet access to be declared a basic human right to address socio-economic disparities. In developing countries, internet access can determine education, healthcare, housing, and employment outcomes. The study advocates for free internet access and digital skills training to ensure equal opportunities.
Researchers have made significant discoveries about DELLA proteins, a family of 'promiscuous' proteins that regulate various plant functions. The study reveals complex interactions between DELLA proteins and transcription factors, which could lead to designing new crops with improved resilience and yields.
A new study reveals that the English language is biased towards addition when it comes to improvement, leading people to overcomplicate things. This linguistic bias is found at multiple levels of language structure and use, influencing decisions and behavior.
Researchers developed a SMART approach to engage with communities in developing real-time early warning systems for floods, combining meteorological data with social factors. This approach aims to improve protection for vulnerable people and properties, particularly in mountainous regions.
A new study published in Environment International reveals that vehicle exhaust filters have limited impact on reducing ultrafine particles, which are a major contributor to air pollution. The research shows that current filters are not effective at removing smaller liquid particles, highlighting the need for alternative measures to re...
A new approach to describing network connections can help predict system strong and weak points, crucial for understanding disease spread and communication networks. Researchers found that mapping hierarchies and incoherence within a system enables prediction of strong and weak connections.
A new study has found that increased rumination is a predictor of greater severity of suicidal ideation in young people with major depressive disorder. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, suggests that elevated cognitive rumination is associated with lower cortical surface area and suicidal ideation.
A study by University of Birmingham's School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences found that mental fatigue impairs physical exercise performance. Researchers measured cognitive tasks on a group of 16 men and women, showing increased exertion during physical exercise among mentally fatigued participants.
Researchers discovered that great apes deliberately spin themselves to dizzy, mimicking human behaviors like whirling dervishes. This study suggests that humans may have inherited the need for altered states from their evolutionary ancestors.
A phase two trial found that exenatide significantly reduced brain pressure and monthly headaches in seven patients with Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension (IIH). The study showed a rapid action of the drug, with results indicating significant reductions in brain pressure and headache days compared to the placebo arm.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have devised a way to fabricate a complex structure, previously found only in nature, to control light in the visible range. This new approach uses self-assembled colloidal particles to create chiral photonic crystals with tailored optical properties.
Researchers discover that graphene oxide's surface oxygen content is crucial for its antibacterial activity, with different interaction modes leading to distinct effects. Understanding this relationship can help design safer materials and combat antimicrobial resistance.
A cheap charcoal air filter can significantly improve in-vehicle air quality, reducing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels by up to 90%. The study found that NO2 concentrations were on average 14.3 times lower with activated carbon filters fitted compared to pollen filters.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have developed a new type of high-performance 'phase shifter' that uses a liquid Gallium alloy to control microwave and millimetre-wave radio signals. The prototype testing shows low signal losses and extremely low phase deviation over a wide bandwidth.
Researchers at University of Birmingham develop AI diagnostic tool to predict ulcerative colitis flare-ups with 89% accuracy. The system identifies markers of inflammation and healing, providing analytical support for clinicians in managing the disease.
River temperature is a critical measure of water quality, regulating physical, chemical, and biological processes in flowing waters. Rising temperatures are linked to climate change and human activities, impacting ecosystems, human health, and industries.
A review of 25 years of AI health tech research found that only 24% of studies include patient-reported outcomes, but there has been an increase in recent years. Experts emphasize the importance of integrating patient voices into AI models to support personalized care and prevent digitalization of healthcare.
Researchers found that strengthening hip abductor muscles can provide effective compensation for weaknesses in knee extensor muscles, leading to improved mobility in people with below-the-knee amputations. The study tested the hypothesis in eight military personnel who had undergone a lower limb amputation and showed promising results.
A new study reveals that rising energy prices triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict could push up to 141 million more people around the globe into extreme poverty. Households' energy costs are likely to rise by 62.6% - 112.9%, contributing to a 2.7% - 4.8% hike in household expenditure and cost-of-living pressures.
A major international trial found that patients with 'discordant' HPV test results, where the two types of tests show different results, have significantly worse outcomes than those who tested negative in both tests. The study also found that smoking status is a significant factor, with smokers at higher risk of worse outcomes.
A new study found that E. coli K-12 has accumulated numerous genetic changes compared to its original isolated bacteria, making it less suitable as a model organism. This discovery highlights the rapid evolution of bacterial genomes and challenges the long-standing use of a single strain in research.
Researchers found that elevated CO2 levels increase water use efficiency in trees by adjusting stomata opening and closing. The 'g1 number' tool helps predict tree responses under future atmospheric conditions.
A 319-million-year-old fossilized fish has provided the oldest example of a well-preserved vertebrate brain, shedding new light on the neural anatomy and early evolution of ray-finned fishes. The discovery reveals that brain evolution in these animals unfolded more complexly than previously thought.
A study at the University of Birmingham found that women can recall details of sexual assault with accuracy, regardless of moderate alcohol intake. The research challenged courtroom perceptions of intoxicated women as unreliable witnesses.
A recent study found that China's cleaner heating policies in northern cities, including Beijing and Tianjin, reduced premature deaths from air pollution by 23,000 in 2021 compared to 2015. The stricter policies led to a significant decrease in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations.
A new study reveals that EU consumers are 'exporting' negative environmental impacts to their Eastern European neighbours while keeping economic benefits within the EU. The bulk of environmental pressures and impacts associated with EU consumption are felt in countries outside the bloc, with uneven distribution of costs and benefits wi...
A new study reveals a significant increase in nocturnal production of nitrate radicals in China, which could exacerbate air pollution and pose a major health threat. The country's 'hot-spot' for nitrate radical production may worsen ozone and fine particulate pollution if emissions are not reduced.
A new study reveals that ancient chimaeras were suction feeders, contrary to their modern shell-crushing behavior. The research, led by the University of Birmingham, analyzed a rare three-dimensional fossil and found evidence supporting this alternative feeding method.
A new study reveals that 'poetic meditation' can improve qualitative data analysis by offering researchers a unique sensory experience and approach to data collection. Researchers at the University of Birmingham and Kedge Business School found that this technique allows them to capture unexpected insights and deal with uncertainty.
New research finds Filamin A positions GABA-B receptors to control brain activity and slow down electric impulses. This discovery could lead to new therapies for neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and epilepsy.
New research shows climate change played a key role in dinosaurs' rise to success during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. The planet's warming after the Triassic-Jurassic mass extinction event allowed sauropod-like dinosaurs to thrive and expand across new territories, becoming the dominant species.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham identified a novel mechanism for platelet activation in pathogenic blood clotting. The mechanism, involving platelet receptor glycoprotein I alpha (GPIbα) and anti-microbial protein S100A8/A9, is not blocked by classical anti-platelet drugs and accelerates fibrin activation and thrombosis.
Research reveals significant disparities in perinatal outcomes between babies born to Black and white mothers in high-income countries, with Black women experiencing twice the neonatal mortality rate. The study analyzed 2.2 million pregnancies across 20 countries, highlighting systemic issues that need international attention.
The University of Birmingham has developed a validated symptom burden questionnaire for Long COVID, which can now be translated into hundreds of languages. The questionnaire, called SBQ-Long COVID, aims to capture the complexities of Long COVID and develop or test new treatments.
A recent gamma-ray burst has been identified as a kilonova, shedding light on the merging of neutron stars and black holes. The event produced an excess of infrared light and lasted about a minute, contradicting the typical short duration of such explosions.
A study published in Science Advances shows that tPBM can improve working memory in people with conditions like ADHD. The therapy, applied to the right prefrontal cortex, showed significant improvements in memory performance and brain activity.
A new paper by researchers at the University of Birmingham argues that a 'one size fits all' approach to treating early psychosis may not be effective. Instead, they propose using machine learning techniques to deliver tailored treatment plans that address individual needs and improve outcomes.
Research found that while broad T-cell response against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is currently protective, recognition of seven out of ten T-cell targets mutated in COVID-19 variants is impaired. The study suggests ongoing mutation could lead to decreased overall immune system protection.