Researchers have discovered that brittle stars use thousands of light-sensitive cells in their skin to navigate complex environments. The team found these photoreceptors on the entire body surface and embedded them in the skin, challenging a long-held lens-based hypothesis.
Researchers discovered Asian elephants in Sri Lanka respond with alarm and retreat to bee sounds, similar to African counterparts. The study aims to develop effective community-based beehive fence deterrent systems to reduce human-elephant conflict and protect the endangered species.
A study published in PNAS found that conflict in Ukraine has increased the risk of HIV outbreaks due to displaced people moving from war-affected regions to areas with higher risk of transmission. The research suggests that harm reduction services should be scaled up and international support provided to prevent further transmission.
A new study reveals that DNA mismatch repair (MMR) preferentially protects genes from mutations, rather than non-genic regions of the genome. The research, led by Prof. Nicholas Harberd at the University of Oxford, has important implications for understanding cancer development and human health.
An international team has discovered an 'astonishing' overabundance of massive stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy. The study used detailed analyses of nearly 1,000 massive stars to determine their distribution, revealing that massive stars are much more abundant than previously thought.
A new set of principles addresses the moral challenge of climate change by providing scientifically-grounded tools for investors and companies to assess corporate strategy. The principles include committing to net zero emissions, developing a profitable net zero business model, and setting quantitative mid-term targets.
Children spend increasing amounts of time on screen-based devices, but research shows they combine technology with other activities. The study highlights key gender differences in gaming habits and time spent engaging in various activities, revealing that children are not addicted to screens.
Scientists propose that Martian surface reacted with water and then absorbed it, increasing rock oxidation. The planet's composition, temperature profile and iron content made the surface prone to reaction, dragging water down into the mantle.
A new study found that limiting digital device use in young children may not improve their wellbeing, but rather lower positive affect. The researchers suggest that the quality of parental engagement and social interaction with technology may be more important for children's psychological wellbeing.
Scientists discovered tick fossils trapped in amber, providing direct evidence of ticks parasitizing dinosaurs. The ticks were found attached to a dinosaur feather and offered the first direct fossil evidence of ticks feeding on dinosaurs.
A new study reveals that extinct marine reptiles called sauropterygians evolved similar inner ear proportions to modern aquatic reptiles and mammals. The research found that nearshore sauropterygians had ears similar to those of crocodiles, while fully-aquatic plesiosaurs had ears similar to sea turtles.
Peregrine falcons use proportional navigation guidance similar to guided missiles, which could be applied to small drones. This method relies on line-of-sight information and doesn't require target speed or distance data. The research may also provide insights into pursuit behaviors of other predatory species.
Research found that red-bellied lemurs with strong social bonds have similar gut microbiomes, which may contribute to their immunity. The study suggests that sharing a similar microbiome within a social group can have a positive health impact and potentially prevent infections.
A study by University of Oxford researchers found that puffin colonies traveling great distances during winter often face difficulty breeding due to environmental factors like competition and habitat quality. The study provides new insights into seabird migration behaviors, highlighting the costs associated with long-distance travel.
A new four-part framework is proposed to value water for sustainable development, guiding better policy and practice. The framework highlights the need to measure, value, trade off, and manage water effectively to achieve safely-managed drinking water and sanitation.
A new study by The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford found that heart failure cases are on the rise in the UK, with the poorest people being the most affected. The study analyzed data from four million people in England and found a 12% increase in new cases between 2002 and 2014.
A new study shows that chimpanzees can work together without external cues to complete a number sequencing task, demonstrating advanced coordination skills. Young chimpanzees showed higher accuracy and speed in taking turns, while mothers were faster individually, highlighting asymmetry in information transmission.
A new study published in the International Journal of Astrobiology suggests that aliens could have evolved in a similar way to humans, with natural selection playing a key role. The research uses evolutionary theory to predict the biological make-up and behavior of complex alien life forms.
A new study from The George Institute for Global Health at the University of Oxford found a strong link between high blood pressure and mitral regurgitation, a condition that makes the heart less efficient at pumping blood. Lowering blood pressure through exercise, diet or medication may reduce the risk of developing this condition.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that male attendees asked 80% more questions than female attendees at a large international conference. The researchers suggest that this disparity may be linked to gender inequality and stereotypes affecting women's confidence to speak publicly.
A new Oxford University study reveals apprenticeships vary widely across countries in management and learning style. Employers' incentives play a crucial role in making the model successful, with Denmark and Germany showing higher engagement rates.
Researchers have discovered that patients with non-freezing cold injury, also known as 'trench foot,' have a significant reduction in nerve fibers within the skin. This damage causes chronic pain experienced by these patients. Understanding the root cause of the condition may lead to new treatments and improved prevention strategies.
An international team has produced a catalogue and atlas of the world's reptiles, linking it with existing maps for birds, mammals, and amphibians. The new data reveals urgent conservation concerns, including drylands and deserts, where conservation action is vital.
A new Oxford study reveals that cultural and moral acceptance of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) play a significant role in their usage across Europe. The study found that countries with more accepting attitudes towards ART reported higher rates of usage, regardless of economic factors.
A new report by the University of Oxford evaluates claims about grass-fed beef and its impact on greenhouse gas emissions. The study finds that while grazing can sequester carbon, this effect is time-limited and outweighed by emissions at the global level.
Researchers used flat worms to study the role of migrating stem cells in cancer. They found that regulatory genes controlling cell migration are also essential for planarian stem cells, providing a promising model for understanding human cancers.
Researchers have shown that gene therapy can reprogram cells at the back of the eye to become light sensitive, potentially reversing blindness. In a study, mice blind from retinitis pigmentosa regained vision and recognized objects in their environment after receiving melanopsin gene therapy.
Researchers found that certain physical phenomena, such as the thermal Hall conductance, cannot be simulated efficiently due to a negative sign or complex quantities involved in quantum Monte-Carlo methods. This limits the scalability of large-scale quantum simulations and provides reassurance for theoretical physicists.
New research from Oxford University sheds light on the formation of the Earth and its depletion of vital chemical elements. By simulating early Earth conditions, scientists found that melting and evaporation played a key role in shaping the planet's chemistry.
Researchers suggest that understanding the root cause of fan violence could lead to positive outcomes and even reduce extremism. By harnessing motivations such as loyalty and belonging, football fans can be encouraged to channel their energy into pro-social activities.
Researchers from the University of Oxford and international partners found that achieving the Paris Agreement's goal of 1.5°C global warming requires more ambitious emission cuts than initially estimated. The study suggests that limiting total CO2 emissions to below 240 billion tonnes could achieve this goal.
Researchers at Oxford University have discovered that tectonic plates are weaker than previously believed, thanks to laboratory experiments. The study sheds light on how plates break and form new boundaries, with implications for understanding earthquake-generating faults.
Researchers found that birds use olfaction to navigate over long distances, outperforming previous theories about the role of Earth's magnetic field. The study tracked Scopoli's shearwaters and showed that anosmic birds followed a different orientation pattern during their return journeys.
Scientists warn of alarming gaps in basic knowledge of deep sea life as human activities intensify. Despite this, recent technological advancements enable the collection of genetic information about populations, shedding light on their interconnectedness.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have developed a new method to 3D-print laboratory-grown cells into high-resolution tissue constructs. The approach improves cell survival rates and enables the fabrication of patterned cellular constructs that mimic natural tissues.
Researchers used Next-Generation Sequencing to identify a new viral lineage distantly related to herpesviruses in fish genomes. The discovery could lead to the identification of viruses in other species, potentially preventing outbreaks before they happen.
A new royalty system for wildlife imagery could generate significant revenue for conservation efforts, particularly for carnivorous species like lions. The idea proposes that a portion of income from products featuring wildlife images be allocated to support conservation initiatives.
Researchers used RFID technology to track badger movements, finding that individuals often visit multiple locations outside their social groups. This challenges the long-held assumption of territoriality and anti-social behavior in badgers.
Researchers tracked 106 bacterial symbioses in animal, plant, and fungi species, finding that vertically transmitted bacteria are better for hosts. Removing these bacteria can have a significant negative impact on the host, while horizontally transmitted bacteria have less impact.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that tardigrades can withstand all astrophysical catastrophes and will continue to thrive for at least 10 billion years. The research suggests that life on Earth will extend as long as the Sun shines, opening the possibility of life on other planets.
Researchers analyzed brain activity of 100 healthy Portuguese adults and found that those with better cognitive abilities had more stable and structured brain network states. This study provides new evidence linking brain network dynamics to cognitive performance in later life.
Scientists at the University of Oxford are recreating supernovae in a laboratory using lasers, allowing them to study the properties of these explosive events. This research is helping scientists better understand the origins of our universe and the formation of elements heavier than hydrogen and helium.
Ca2+ plays a crucial role in arteriolar function by triggering vasodilation through endothelial cells. The magnitude of these signals depends on IP3 receptors.
The sand rat genome shows a highly divergent GC-rich genomic domain with several essential genes, including the insulin-regulating homeobox gene Pdx1. This region is subject to elevated mutation rates, which could influence evolution and the course of diabetes.
A rare fossil of Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi has revealed the animal's complete skeleton, providing a clear idea of its anatomy and probable lifestyle. The species is thought to have been adapted for life on land, contradicting earlier assumptions that it was aquatic.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered that cancer cells manipulate a natural cell process called nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) to promote their survival. By understanding how NMD affects different types of cancer, scientists may be able to develop new treatments and therapies to control tumour growth.
Researchers found clear links between volcanic activity and the end-Triassic mass extinction. The study revealed repeated large emissions of carbon dioxide from volcanoes, which led to a profound impact on the global climate.
A new study by scientists from the Universities of Oxford, Montana, and the US Forest Service highlights novel approaches to tackling deforestation. The team built a multi-scale model of deforestation on Borneo's island using machine learning algorithms, predicting future deforestation risk faced by remaining forests.
Researchers used genome sequencing to track Zika virus spread across Brazil, discovering it was present a year before first confirmed cases. The study's findings have significant public health implications and could improve responses to future outbreaks.
A new study reveals a global pattern of caterpillar predation driven by tiny arthropod predators like ants, contrary to expectations. The trends show that caterpillars near the Equator are eight times more likely to be eaten than those at the poles.