UK researchers found a lack of awareness and access to proper bereavement support among ethnic minority communities, with limited evidence on suitable services. The review emphasizes the need for involving community members in service development and delivery to meet specific needs.
A new study suggests that governments must fundamentally change their economic systems to provide decent living standards for all while cutting global average energy use in half. Improving public services, reducing income disparities, and scaling back resource extraction are key strategies.
A recent study has made a breakthrough in understanding the process that leads to pulmonary embolism, a condition that kills over 2,000 people in the UK each year. Researchers have identified a protein called fibrin as crucial in stabilizing clots and preventing fragments from breaking loose.
Researchers successfully replicated traditional clinical trials using virtual patient populations, speeding up the trial process by months. The in-silico approach shows huge potential for optimizing medical device design and reducing risks associated with treatment.
A new study predicts severe drying of the Amazon forest, threatening its viability and biodiversity. The eastern part of the Amazon is expected to face extreme drought by the end of the century, with reduced rainfall comparable to major droughts in 2005 and 2010.
Researchers found that children who attended childcare outside the home during COVID-19 made greater gains in language and thinking skills, particularly among those from less advantaged backgrounds. The study recommends sustainable funding for nursery provision, promotion of funded places in target areas, and removal of administrative ...
A new study suggests that invasive insect and animal species share similar challenges with human diseases, including pandemics. The research team proposes integrated approaches to prevent future pandemics and the spread of invasive species, combining ecology and medicine to improve prediction, prevention, treatment, and mitigation.
A recent study found that African tropical rainforests removed 1.1 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide per year during the 2015-2016 El Niño event, equivalent to three times the UK's carbon emissions in 2019. The forests continued to function as a carbon sink, with only modest impacts from extreme heat and drought.
A group of scientists recommends introducing new mechanisms to keep pathogen levels in building air flow low, citing the need for a paradigm shift in building design and operation. This approach can also reduce exposure to other air pollutants and improve wellbeing.
A study by researchers from the University of Leeds and colleagues found that 80% of community water supply systems in Ghana, Mali, and Niger had at least one lead-containing component. Sixty percent of tested water samples contained lead, with nine percent exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines.
Researchers developed a test using artificial intelligence to measure proteins in advanced bowel cancer patients, predicting treatment benefits. The technique could help doctors and patients decide on the best treatment options, targeting those with higher protein levels.
Scientists at the University of Leeds have created a material that mimics human cartilage, providing shock-absorbing and lubrication properties. The new material has shown great potential in engineering, particularly in bearings, and could challenge traditional oil-lubricated systems.
Research reveals that submarine volcanic eruptions can release massive amounts of energy, enough to power the whole US, by forming megaplumes and dispersing ash. The study suggests that these eruptions lead to rapid emptying of hot fluid reservoirs within the earth's crust.
A new study found that respiratory diseases increased by nearly a quarter in Iceland following the Holuhraun lava eruption in 2014-2015. The research highlights the need for decision-makers to prepare for health issues associated with returning emissions from volcanic eruptions.
The permanent rise of oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere, a pivotal period in Earth's history, occurred 100 million years later than thought. This change led to a 1.5 billion year period of climatic stability before another major period of rising oxygen and climate instability.
Iron, a micronutrient crucial for phytoplankton, is being released from deep ocean sediments, providing a new source of nutrition for drifting marine organisms. This finding challenges previous expectations and has significant implications for studying the ocean carbon cycle and managing the marine environment.
An international team of researchers has discovered a new type of basalt beneath the Pacific Ocean, which was formed during large and exceptionally hot volcanic eruptions. The discovery suggests that ocean floor eruptions sourced in the Earth's mantle were even hotter and more voluminous than previously thought.
A study of 500,000 participants found that eating 25g of processed meat daily was associated with a 44% increased risk of developing dementia. In contrast, consuming 50g of unprocessed red meat daily was linked to a 19% lower risk of the disease.
Researchers from the University of Leeds have established that lightning strikes played a vital role in creating conditions for life to emerge on early Earth. The team discovered large amounts of phosphorous minerals, essential for life, in fulgurite formed by lightning strikes.
A study linking glacier-fed rivers to higher rates of plant material decomposition reveals a major process in the global carbon cycle. The research found that warmer river water temperatures and reduced sediment movement create conditions favourable for fungi growth, leading to increased carbon dioxide release.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a new study identifying genetic mutations that suggest VEXAS syndrome is more prevalent than first thought. The disease affects only men and causes unexplained fevers, painful skin rashes, and reduced blood cell count.
Scientists are opening up photosynthesis to nanoscale investigation using a novel approach that combines hybrid membranes with advanced microscopy techniques. This research aims to reveal the behavior of individual protein molecules and gain a deeper understanding of how proteins interact to convert sunlight into chemical energy.
The UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals will have both positive and negative impacts on the world's forests. Positive impacts are associated with education, well-being, and social progress, while damaging impacts are linked to energy, infrastructure, and transportation.
Research found that new energy contracts designed for a low-carbon future can benefit all types of customers, but only younger, higher-income individuals with higher education are likely to adopt them. This could widen the gap between those who benefit from the market and those who lose out.
A new study has identified genetic variations that may contribute to the development of keratoconus, a progressive eye condition causing sight loss. The findings could lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially new therapeutic targets.
Researchers created a detailed brain map of C. elegans, uncovering modular structure and variation in neural circuits that complement core circuitry found across animals. The study's findings suggest the worm's brain processes information through layers, with convergence of different neural circuits enabling integration and coordination.
Research finds widespread increases in ice speed across the Getz sector, with some ice accelerating into the ocean by nearly 50%. Thirteen glaciers are thinning and flowing more quickly into the ocean, contributing to a total loss of 315 gigatonnes of ice between 1994 and 2018.
Researchers will use a combination of data from scientific monitoring, citizen scientists, and high-tech sensors to assess UK insect abundance and diversity. The project aims to provide definitive evidence on whether insects are declining overall and inform environmental policies to protect them.
The Earth lost 28 trillion tonnes of ice between 1994 and 2017, equivalent to a sheet of ice 100m thick covering the UK. The rate of ice loss has increased markedly over the past three decades, driven by warming oceans and atmosphere.
Phosphorus-containing minerals from wind-blown dust fuel algal blooms on the Greenland Ice Sheet, darkening the surface and contributing to increased melting. The blooms, particularly in the Dark Zone, have significant implications for future ice sheet melting and sea level rise.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a decrease in radiotherapy treatment courses, particularly among older patients. The new study reveals that the English NHS adapted its services quickly to protect patients, with some types of cancer seeing increased use of radiotherapy.
Researchers found a sharp drop in hospital admissions for heart failure and heart attacks, approaching pre-pandemic levels. The decline may be linked to fear of contracting COVID-19, warning that delays can lead to life-limiting complications or death.
A new research hub will be established at the University of Leeds to map dynamic protein interactions. Professor Sheena Radford's work focuses on understanding the fleeting interactions between proteins that shape or destroy memories, with implications for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Scientists have identified the way viruses like poliovirus and common cold virus 'package' their genetic code, allowing them to infect cells. The discovery opens up possibilities for developing drugs or anti-viral agents that can stop such infections.
A UK trial using computer algorithms shows that early-stage cancer patients can better manage their symptoms and improve their physical wellbeing through remote monitoring. The eRAPID system provided instant advice on symptom management, leading to a cost-effective solution with better patient outcomes.
Researchers assess opportunities to improve nature monitoring, increase access to green spaces, and reduce pollution with robotics. However, they also warn of potential negative impacts on the environment, including waste generation and social inequalities.
A new study finds that the global food system must be transformed to prevent widespread biodiversity losses and habitat destruction. By analyzing the impact of agricultural expansion on nearly 20,000 species, researchers estimate that millions of square kilometers of natural habitats could be lost by 2050.
Research finds that tropical trees' lifespans decrease above 25 C, with implications for animal habitats, air quality, and carbon stocks. The study suggests that global warming will exacerbate tree mortality, affecting biodiversity and CO2 emissions.
New research uses microbubbles to deliver anticancer drugs directly to tumour sites, improving efficacy and reducing harm to healthy cells. The technology allows for targeted delivery of highly toxic drugs with precision, increasing potency and reducing side effects.
A new study from the University of Leeds finds that rapid and deep emissions cuts can significantly slow down global warming over the next twenty years. Reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement aims to limit temperature rises and prevent unprecedented near-term warming rates.
A study suggests that COVID-19 guidance in Sweden led to reduced exposure to heart attack triggers such as stress and intense physical activity. The proportion of patients attending emergency cardiac angiography units dropped by 38% on days when people stayed close to home, indicating a potential reduction in heart attack risks.
A team of scientists has developed a visualization technique that reveals the intricate mechanism by which a key protein involved in muscle activity shuts itself down to conserve energy. This discovery provides new insights into how genetic mutations in this protein can lead to various diseases.
A systematic review of palliative care services worldwide reveals significant variations in length of care provided to patients, with the average global duration being just 18.9 days. The study highlights a stark shortfall in palliative care provision, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Researchers found that multiple forms of a viral protein increase the virus's competitive advantage and replication rate. The study suggests that this may be why foot-and-mouth disease is so successful in infecting its hosts.
Scientists have discovered how drug-like small molecules can regulate the activity of therapeutically relevant ion channels, providing new avenues for drug discovery. The study reveals how Pico145 binds to TRPC5 channels, preventing them from opening, and highlights the importance of individual amino acid residues in this binding site.
A team of scientists from the University of Leeds has developed a new hydrogel to act as an alternative to saliva without additional lipid content. The formulation can also replicate lubricating properties in food products, providing a potential solution for dry mouth therapy and non-obesogenic nutritional technologies.
New research suggests that T. gondii infection alters human behavior by lowering norepinephrine levels, which control stress response and neuroinflammation. This finding may contribute to the development of antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia and other neurological disorders.
Scientists from the University of Leeds monitored air quality during Bonfire Night events and found elevated concentrations of soot, which is around 100 times its normal level. The research highlights the potential health impacts of pollution on individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in treating atrial fibrillation has led to a substantial reduction in stroke cases, resulting in cost savings for the NHS. Analysis shows that prescribing DOACs increased by £733m from 2011 to 2017, but reduced stroke cases by 11%.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed a biomimetic tongue surface using 3D printing, replicating the complex texture and mechanical properties of a human tongue. The new technology enables testing of oral processing properties of food, nutritional technologies, and pharmaceuticals without relying on human trials.