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University of Leeds


Warmer springs can reduce summer plant productivity

A new study reveals that warmer springs in northern regions lead to reduced plant productivity in summer and autumn months. The team used satellite images to survey 41 million km2 of land and found that the early onset of spring does not continue into the summer, resulting in depleted water resources and reduced biomass.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateOct 3, 2018

Sugar in yogurt leaves a sour taste

A survey of 921 yogurts found that most had high sugar levels, with organic yogurts having the highest average content. Natural, Greek, and 'Greek-style' yogurts were exceptions, containing lower amounts of sugar and higher levels of protein.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalBMJ Open·DateSep 18, 2018

Growing a dinosaur's dinner

Researchers at the University of Leeds grew herbivore dinosaurs' diet by mimicking atmospheric conditions similar to those found roughly 150 million years ago. The study showed that many plant species had significantly higher energy and nutrient levels under high CO2 concentrations.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPalaeontology·DateJul 13, 2018

Antarctica ramps up sea level rise

A recent climate assessment reveals that Antarctica's ice sheet has been losing mass at an unprecedented rate, contributing to a threefold increase in global sea level rise. The continent's ice losses have risen from 53 billion tonnes per year in the 1990s to 159 billion tonnes per year since 2012.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2018

Satellites track vanishing Antarctic ice

Satellite monitoring reveals Antarctica's glaciers, ice shelves, and sea ice are changing due to climate warming, threatening sea levels with a potential increase of over 50 meters. The continent's ice sheet holds enough water to raise global seas by more than 50 metres.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature·DateJun 13, 2018

Peatland contributions to UK water security

Scientists from the University of Leeds developed a global index identifying peatland-fed water as a significant source of drinking water in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The study estimates that peatlands support the equivalent of 71.4 million people globally, with most of these areas being in the British Isles.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Sustainability·DateMay 15, 2018

The effects of diet on the start of the menopause

A large UK cohort study found that eating oily fish and legumes was associated with a later onset of menopause, while consuming refined pasta and rice was linked to an earlier start. The study's findings could have implications for women's health and wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health·DateApr 30, 2018

Transplant-damaging virus comes into focus

Scientists have created a detailed image of BKV, a virus affecting kidney and bone marrow transplant patients, which may aid in developing antiviral therapies. The new structures allow researchers to visualize potential targets for blocking the virus's entry into cells or preventing its assembly.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalStructure·DateApr 26, 2018

Antarctica retreating across the sea floor

Researchers from the University of Leeds have created the first complete map of how Antarctica's grounding line is shifting. The study found that eight of the ice sheet's largest glaciers are retreating at an extreme rate, with some losing over 25 meters per year.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Geoscience·DateApr 2, 2018

Up to 38 percent of all annual childhood asthma cases in Bradford may be caused by air pollution

A new study suggests that air pollution from traffic-related emissions is a significant contributor to childhood asthma cases in Bradford, with up to 24% of annual cases potentially attributed to this factor. The research highlights the need for policies aimed at reducing traffic-related air pollution to mitigate its effects on childre...

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalEnvironment International·DateMar 27, 2018

A good life for all within the planet's means

A study by the University of Leeds found that no country satisfies basic human needs while using resources sustainably. The research analyzed 151 countries and their resource use and well-being achievements, revealing that only wealthy nations like the US and UK meet basic needs without exceeding global environmental limits.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Sustainability·DateFeb 5, 2018

New insight into climate impacts of deforestation

A study led by the University of Leeds found that reactive gases emitted by forests have a net cooling effect, outweighing their warming impact. This means deforestation could lead to higher temperatures than previously anticipated, highlighting the need for better understanding of forest climate impacts.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 11, 2018

New depth limit for deep-sea marine burrows

Scientists discovered fossil evidence of deep-sea marine life burrowing up to eight meters below the seabed, which is four times deeper than previously thought. The findings suggest that deep-sea burrowing marine life may be more abundant than previously considered.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 10, 2018

How fungi helped create life as we know it

University of Leeds scientists find fungi essential for establishing breathable atmosphere by transferring phosphorus to plants. The amount of phosphorus transferred could have dramatically altered the ancient atmosphere, influencing the timing of oxygen generation.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateDec 18, 2017