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University of Leeds


Meltwater lakes are accelerating glacier ice loss

A new study reveals that meltwater lakes at glacier margins cause ice to recede much further and faster than glaciers terminating on land. This finding has significant implications for estimates of recession rates and ice mass loss, potentially leading to under-estimates in the coming decades.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateOct 9, 2020

Decent living for all does not have to cost the Earth

A new study estimates that the energy needed to provide decent living standards in 2050 could be met with less than 40% of today's global energy, roughly equivalent to levels in the 1960s. The research suggests that sweeping changes in consumption and widespread deployment of advanced technologies are necessary for achieving this goal.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·DateOct 1, 2020

The intricate protein architecture linked to disease

Researchers at the University of Leeds have visualised the structure of amylin fibrils, a key player in type 2 diabetes, and discovered an intricate architecture that makes some sequences more prone to aggregation. This finding suggests a potential explanation for the rapid onset of disease in individuals with early-onset type 2 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateSep 14, 2020

Halving the risk of infection following surgery

Researchers found that using CHG halves the risk of infection in certain types of surgery compared to povidone-iodine (PVI), with significant implications for global healthcare. The study, published in Annals of Surgery, suggests a simple switch could reduce infections and improve patient outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateSep 11, 2020

Trees living fast die young

A global analysis of over 200 thousand tree-ring records reveals that fast-growing trees have significantly shorter lifespans than slower-growing ones. This challenges predictions of increased carbon storage in forests over the long term, suggesting that growth-lifespan trade-offs may lead to a reduced forest carbon sink.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 8, 2020

COVID recovery choices shape future climate

A new study suggests that incorporating climate policies into economic recovery plans can significantly reduce global warming. By investing in green industries, countries can lower traffic pollution and improve air quality, leading to immediate health benefits and a cooling effect on the climate.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Climate Change·DateAug 7, 2020

New Zealand's Southern Alps glacier melt has doubled

A new study found that glaciers in New Zealand's Southern Alps have lost more ice mass than remains today, with a doubling of ice loss since the Little Ice Age peak extent. The rate of ice loss has accelerated over the past four decades, posing significant impacts on local communities and global sea-level rise.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 7, 2020

COVID-19: The long road to recovery

Researchers identified a pattern of longer-term symptoms in COVID-19 patients, including fatigue, breathlessness, and psychological distress. The study found that some patients experienced symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), highlighting the need for specialist rehabilitation services.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Medical Virology·DateAug 6, 2020

Pristine environments offer a window to our cloudy past

A new study uses satellite data to understand global cloud composition during the industrial revolution, finding that early-industrial aerosol concentrations were much higher than estimated by climate models. This could mean human-generated atmospheric aerosols are not having as strong a cooling effect as previously thought.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 27, 2020

A world drowning in plastic pollution

A team of global experts predicts that plastic waste flowing into the seas each year could more than double by 2040, with 710 million tonnes expected to be discarded into the environment. Improving waste collection services is seen as the single most effective step in reducing pollution.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience·DateJul 23, 2020

Gold mining restricts Amazon rainforest recovery

A new study reveals that gold mining significantly restricts Amazon forest regeneration, leading to substantial losses in carbon sink capacity. The research highlights the urgent need for active land management and restoration to recover tropical forests on previously mined lands.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Applied Ecology·DateJun 29, 2020

Study confirms "classic" symptoms of COVID-19

A major review of COVID-19 scientific literature confirms a cough and fever as the most common symptoms, with fatigue, loss of smell, and difficulty breathing also reported. The study analyzed data from over 24,000 patients across nine countries, ratifying the World Health Organisation's initial symptom list.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 24, 2020

New insight into the Great Dying

A new study shows that the collapse of terrestrial ecosystems during the Permian-Triassic extinction, also known as the Great Dying, directly disrupted ocean chemistry. This finding highlights the importance of understanding inter-connectedness of ecosystems in the face of environmental challenges.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 11, 2020

Revealing links between education and a good diet

Researchers analyzed data from 27,334 individuals across 12 European countries to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status, education, and diet. The study found that higher educational status was associated with improved nutritional intake, particularly iron and total folate. This highlights the need for targeted policies ...

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 7, 2020

The architecture of a 'shape-shifting' norovirus

Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a dynamic shape-shifting mechanism in noroviruses, which may help explain their potent pathogenicity and inform vaccine development. The study's findings could lead to the creation of more effective vaccine candidates using virus-like particles (VLPs).

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 31, 2020

Assessing the the global problem of poor sanitation

The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) has secured a grant to develop data collection techniques for assessing the scale of challenge in safely dealing with sewage waste. On-site sanitation, such as pit latrines, is used by 3.1 billion people worldwide, but few countries keep data on waste treatment, posing major health risks.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalFrontiers in Environmental Science·DateMar 25, 2020

Shining a light on international energy inequality

A new study examines energy inequality across 86 countries, revealing extreme disparities in energy footprints and consumption patterns. The research shows that the top 10% of consumers consume roughly 20 times more energy than the bottom 10%, with significant inequalities in transport, heating, and electricity.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Energy·DateMar 16, 2020

Changing the debate around obesity

A leading health psychologist argues that negative attitudes towards weight gain affect patient treatment quality. Research shows that obesity is a complex condition with multiple causes, and using positive language can help promote understanding.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology·DateMar 3, 2020