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University of Leeds


Freedom of Information legislation: Fit for purpose?

A study by University of Leeds researchers found high levels of non-disclosure due to refusal, partial refusal, or non-response to FOI requests. The current FOI Act is deemed unfit for purpose, with only 24% of requests resulting in full disclosure, and many authorities failing to respond within the statutory 20-day period.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalParliamentary Affairs·DateFeb 19, 2020

Children's packed lunches lack nutritional quality

A recent study found that fewer than two in every 100 packed lunches meet nutritional standards, with an increase in vegetables and a decrease in sugary food. The researchers argue that the Government should make fresh vegetables freely available in schools and that the food industry should develop healthier options.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBMJ Open·DateJan 13, 2020

Breathing new life into the rise of oxygen debate

A study published in Science reveals that the three major oxygenation events on Earth occurred spontaneously due to feedbacks between the global phosphorus, carbon, and oxygen cycles. This new theory drastically increases the possibility of high-oxygen worlds existing elsewhere, making intelligent life more common.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScience·DateDec 10, 2019

Greenland ice losses rising faster than expected

The Greenland ice sheet has lost 3.8 trillion tonnes of ice since 1992, with the rate of ice loss increasing seven-fold over three decades. The study's findings show that the ice sheet is tracking the IPCC's high-end climate warming scenario, predicting 40 million people will be exposed to coastal flooding by 2100.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateDec 10, 2019

Changing experiences of the natural world

A growing digital connection to wildlife is crucial for securing broad public support for wildlife protection, according to a new study. Digital innovations such as fitness apps, live feeds, and virtual reality experiences are changing cultural relationships with wildlife.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalOne Earth·DateNov 22, 2019

Fungi could reduce reliance on fertilizers

A study by University of Leeds researchers found that introducing fungi to wheat can boost nutrient uptake and potentially lead to new, climate-resilient crop varieties. The partnership between wheat and soil fungi could help reduce the use of fertilizers, a major contributor to global carbon emissions.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateOct 23, 2019

A new approach to tackle superbugs

A novel approach to tackle superbugs has been discovered using nanocapsules made of natural ingredients, which can prevent bacteria from attaching to stomach cells. The research aims to reduce antibiotic-resistant strains and is a potential preventative measure.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·DateOct 17, 2019

The rare molecule weighing in on the birth of planets

Astronomers have discovered a rare form of carbon monoxide in the dust and gas disc around a young star, revealing it to be much heavier than previously thought. This finding provides new insights into the formation of planets and challenges existing theories about planetary system formation.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateSep 12, 2019

Finding an effective way to reduce pressure ulcers

A recent study by the University of Leeds found that high-tech air mattresses provide only minimal gains in preventing pressure ulcers compared to specialist foam mattresses. The study involved over 2000 patients and showed that the benefits were mostly limited to those who were completely immobile, confused, or had nutritional deficits.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEClinicalMedicine·DateSep 3, 2019

Heart attack care in Sweden superior to UK

A new study comparing heart attack care in Sweden and the UK found that patients in Sweden had lower mortality rates for both STEMI and NSTEMI forms of heart attacks. The results suggest improved outcomes due to increased use of invasive treatments and recommended medications in Sweden.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalCardiovascular Research·DateSep 2, 2019

Better tests needed for urinary tract infections

A new study found that nearly half of patients with UTIs were not tested for the infection, leading to unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions and increased risk of antibiotic resistance. The researchers argue that doctors need access to rapid diagnostics tests to accurately diagnose and treat UTIs.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEClinicalMedicine·DateAug 12, 2019

Scientists create the world's thinnest gold

Researchers at the University of Leeds have created a new form of gold that is just two atoms thick, making it the thinnest unsupported gold ever created. The ultra-thin gold material has been shown to be 10 times more efficient as a catalytic substrate than traditional gold nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalAdvanced Science·DateAug 6, 2019

'Tickle' therapy could help slow aging

A new study at the University of Leeds suggests that transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) may help slow down an important effect associated with ageing. The therapy, which delivers a small electrical current to the ear, has been shown to improve physiological and wellbeing outcomes in over-55s.

Building up an appetite for a new kind of grub

A new report highlights edible insects as a viable option for meeting growing global demand for food in a sustainable way. The benefits of increasing insect consumption have been explored, but technological and processing approaches are needed to overcome commercialization barriers.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalComprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety·DateJul 1, 2019

New regulator of immune responses discovered

Researchers at the University of Leeds have identified a new internal regulator that helps control the body's response to fight infection. The discovery has the potential to help find new drugs to tackle autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and scleroderma, by suppressing the immune system.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateMay 29, 2019

Using the past to unravel the future for Arctic wetlands

Researchers reconstructed past moisture conditions and vegetation histories to understand how Arctic wetlands have responded to warming temperatures over the last century. The study found that under certain conditions, Arctic wetlands may transition into peatlands, creating new natural carbon storage systems.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 28, 2019

24% of West Antarctic ice is now unstable

Researchers from the University of Leeds found that Antarctica's ice sheet has thinned by up to 122 meters in places, with rapid changes occurring in West Antarctica. The team tracked changes in snow and ice cover using satellite altimeter measurements and a regional climate model.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 16, 2019

Unequal pain relief at home for dying patients

A study of 43,000 people who died in England found that only 10% of non-cancer patients received palliative care at home, compared to 66% of cancer patients. Patients who accessed palliative care at home experienced better pain relief, with 66% experiencing good pain relief, similar to those receiving care in a hospice.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBMC Medicine·DateMar 21, 2019

Stillbirths more likely if diabetes in pregnancy not diagnosed

Women with undiagnosed gestational diabetes are at a significantly increased risk of stillbirth, according to new research. The study found that the risk of stillbirth was over four times higher in women who developed signs of gestational diabetes but were not diagnosed, highlighting the importance of proper screening and diagnosis.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBritish Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology·DateMar 19, 2019

'More work needed' for new IVF technique

A randomised controlled trial involving over 2,700 couples found that the new IVF technique PICSI did not significantly improve success rates for male infertility, with a success rate of around one in four couples. However, it did reduce miscarriages by 39% compared to standard ICSI treatment.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 31, 2019

Helping the anti-parasitic medicine go down

A team of researchers has developed a novel pharmaceutical formulation to administer triclabendazole, an anti-parasitic drug used to treat flatworm infections. The new nanocapsule formulation produces capsules less than one micron in size and is 100 times more soluble than its current tablet form.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPLOS ONE·DateDec 12, 2018