A minimally invasive liquid biopsy test has been shown to diagnose Burkitt lymphoma rapidly and accurately in sub-Saharan Africa, where delays in traditional testing often prove fatal. The test achieved an overall accuracy of 98% and reduced the time needed to reach a diagnosis by 40 days on average.
A new class of molten planet has been discovered, with a permanent ocean of magma and a unique composition of heavy sulphur molecules. This exoplanet, L 98-59 d, is unlike any known planet in our Solar System and may be the first of its kind in the galaxy.
Researchers have created the first high-resolution molecular atlas of the adult Drosophila melanogaster brain, uncovering how neurons retain a record of their developmental origins. The study found that the genetic diversity of neurons is far greater than previously thought, and that sex differences arise through selective neuronal sur...
Research finds extreme cold and rain reduce young bird growth and survival, but earlier breeding can mitigate these effects. In contrast, hot extremes can boost growth by increasing insect activity and visibility.
A new study reveals that hedgehogs can hear high-frequency ultrasound, up to 85 kHz, which could be used to design sound repellents for cars to deter them from roads. The findings suggest a potential solution to reduce hedgehog deaths, which are a major cause of road traffic accidents.
Researchers at Oxford University developed an ultra-low-cost technique for manufacturing soft robots, using common lab equipment. The new method enables rapid and affordable production of soft robotic actuators, with a material cost of less than $0.10 per unit, and demonstrated strong mechanical performance and durability.
Researchers have identified a master regulator in plants that balances root and shoot growth when nutrients are limited, leading to yield increases of up to 24% in rice plants. This breakthrough could ultimately improve global crop yields while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilisers.
Researchers from the University of Oxford have resolved a long-standing debate about the Moon's magnetic field, finding that it had an extremely strong field at times but was mostly weak. The new analysis suggests that the Apollo samples were biased to record rare events, leading scientists to overestimate the field's strength.
A new study by UK and EU researchers finds that countries with better-targeted climate policies cut carbon emissions significantly faster than those without. The study analyzed over 3,900 climate policies adopted since 2000 in leading economies and found that these policies avoided approximately 3 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022 alone.
A new method allows for precise visualization of modern polymer binders in negative lithium-ion battery electrodes. The study found that small changes in binder distribution can significantly affect charging efficiency and battery lifespan.
The VALIDATE Network has achieved significant milestones in global collaboration for vaccine research, with over £3.5M in grants and £25.5M in follow-on funding secured. The network has supported over 86 novel publications and delivered online seminars and workshops to more than 3,400 attendees.
Researchers propose a new way to observe tightly bound supermassive black hole binaries using gravitational lensing and starlight. The method could reveal key properties of the underlying black hole binary, including masses and orbital evolution.
The James Webb Space Telescope reveals an extraordinary wealth of small organic molecules, including benzene and methane, in the deeply obscured nucleus of a nearby galaxy. The study suggests that cosmic rays are fragmenting PAHs and carbon-rich dust grains, releasing these molecules into the gas phase.
A study of 23 large-scale randomised studies found that statins do not cause the majority of side effects listed in package leaflets, including cognitive impairment and depression. The research provided reassurance to patients taking statins, highlighting the benefits of these life-saving drugs outweighing the risks.
A new study reveals that more than 7,000 adult Magellanic penguins were killed by pumas in just four years, posing a significant threat to the penguin population. The research suggests that high puma predation rates could exacerbate reproductive decline and juvenile mortality, ultimately putting the colony at risk of extinction.
A new study found that the people of Deep Mani represent one of the most genetically distinctive populations in Europe, with many lineages tracing back to the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman period. The research team discovered that present-day Deep Maniot men descend from a single male ancestor who lived in the 7th century CE.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have created magneto-sensitive fluorescent proteins that can interact with magnetic fields and radio waves. The breakthrough uses quantum mechanical interactions within proteins to enable practical technologies.
A decade-long study found that Antarctic penguin species are adapting to a changing environment by advancing their breeding seasons. Gentoo penguins showed the greatest change, with an average advance of 13 days per decade, making them vulnerable to declining food availability and ecosystem collapse.
Researchers found that animals living on convoluted coastlines were more likely to go extinct than those living on north-south orientated coastlines. This study provides new insight into patterns of biodiversity distribution throughout Earth history and highlights the importance of coastline geometry for survival during climate change.
A new study co-led by the University of Oxford found that global aviation emissions can be reduced by 50-75% through combined strategies to boost efficiency. The study reveals enormous variability in emissions efficiency, with some routes producing nearly 900 grams of CO2 per kilometre for each paying passenger.
A new University of Oxford-led study found that exposure to non-optimal temperatures accounts for 3.0% of recorded healthcare costs in England, equivalent to £3 billion annually. Cold days drive cumulative demand surges, while very hot days cause sharp same-day spikes in services.
Scientists have synthesised a new class of materials called state-independent electrolytes that allow negatively charged ions to move freely in solid and liquid states. This discovery opens possibilities for safer, lightweight solid-state devices with potential applications in batteries, sensors, and electrochromic devices.
Researchers have successfully detected the interaction of neutrinos with carbon atoms in a vast underground detector, marking a breakthrough in understanding stellar processes, nuclear fusion, and the universe. The observation uses a unique 'delayed coincidence' method to separate real neutrino interactions from background noise.
A new Oxford University study finds nearly 8,000 animal species could face extinction by the end of this century due to combined effects of climate-driven extreme heat and human land-use changes. The study highlights the urgency of conservation and mitigation actions globally to prevent immense losses to biodiversity.
A new study by the University of Oxford and WCS reveals that connections between coral reefs can stabilize reef health, reducing the risk of collapse. By simulating future reef conditions under different management scenarios, researchers found that a dual approach improving land and sea conditions provides the best outcomes for reefs.
Researchers have identified a massive cosmic filament containing 280 galaxies, many of which are spinning in the same direction as the filament itself. The discovery provides rare insight into how galaxies gain their spin and could inform future efforts to model intrinsic alignments of galaxies.
A study of 3,752 health professionals and researchers from 151 countries finds climate change is combining with poverty and drug resistance to create a major health crisis. The top threats include vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue, which are expected to surge without urgent global action.
Researchers found that elephants can learn to ignore drones within minutes of exposure, opening a new window into their behavior and social interactions. The study's results suggest potential for drones as a cost-effective observation platform in elephant conservation.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have discovered an approach to electrically switch organic LEDs to emit either left- or right-handed circularly polarized light. This could lead to new applications in displays, secure communication systems, and quantum technologies.
Researchers reconstructed the evolutionary history of kissing using a cross-species approach and found it evolved in large apes 21.5 - 16.9 million years ago. The study also suggests that Neanderthals likely engaged in kissing, given their shared oral microbes and genetic material with humans.
The University of Oxford has launched the Nature's Intelligence Studio, a programme that translates principles from biological systems into technologies supporting sustainable innovation. The studio aims to align conservation and industrial decarbonisation through bio-inspired solutions.
A new study by the University of Oxford finds that the energy cost of reading a quantum clock far outweighs the cost of running it, with implications for future quantum technologies. The researchers discovered that the act of measurement itself is a significant source of entropy in quantum timekeeping.
A new study confirms that Saturn's icy moon Enceladus has significant heat flow at its north pole, overturning previous assumptions and strengthening the case that it could support life. The sub-surface ocean is believed to be one of the best places in our solar system for life to have evolved outside Earth.
Scientists uncover a previously unknown function of the enzyme NUDT5, which acts as a molecular scaffold to control purine synthesis and DNA replication. This discovery sheds light on why some patients respond better to long-used cancer drugs.
A new study reveals that island reptiles are more threatened with extinction than mainland species, yet remain largely ignored by researchers. The study found that 30% of island-dwelling reptiles are threatened, while only 6.7% of reptile-focused research publications have studied them.
Oxford researchers have developed soft robots that operate without electronics, motors, or computers, using only air pressure to generate complex, rhythmic movements. The robots can automatically synchronize their actions and perform tasks like sorting beads into containers without external control.
A new study from the University of Oxford estimates that adopting more plant-based diets could reduce global agricultural labor needs by 5-28% by 2030, which is equivalent to 18-106 million full-time jobs. This shift could also cut global labor costs by $290-995 billion per year.
Researchers create plasma 'fireballs' using a laboratory analogue of blazar-driven pair cascades, finding no disruption from beam-plasma instabilities. This suggests that intergalactic medium contains a relic magnetic field likely seeded during the early Universe.
A new Oxford-led study reveals Africa's wildlife ecosystems are running on less than two-thirds of their natural energy, posing risks to biodiversity and the livelihoods that depend on it. The research uses an ecosystem energetics approach to quantify how energy flows through food webs, finding that smaller species now dominate Africa'...
The University of Oxford's OSI tool, a brief therapist-guided online Cognitive Behaviour Therapy platform, will be tested in five countries in Asia and South America. The project aims to ensure the tool works in various contexts and create conditions for its widespread implementation.
The new Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report finds that nearly 8 in 10 people living in multidimensional poverty are directly exposed to climate hazards. Exposure to these hazards exacerbates daily challenges faced by poor people, reinforcing their disadvantages.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that underweight children incur comparable healthcare costs as those with obesity, challenging traditional childhood health priorities. The research tracked healthcare use in over 268,000 children aged 2-15 and estimated £340 million in additional annual NHS costs.
A new study uses general-purpose AI to classify real cosmic events and explain its reasoning without complex training. The model achieved approximately 93% accuracy and provided plain-English explanations for every classification.
New research shows that despite global GDP doubling since 2000, billions of people still lack access to essentials like food, housing, and healthcare. The study reveals that wealthy countries drive most of the ecological overshoot while poorer countries bear the brunt of deprivation.
Despite a US federal government retreat from its net zero target, global climate commitments continue to grow. Corporate net zero targets have matured, with 70% of the largest listed companies having set goals, while US states remain committed to reducing emissions, sustaining domestic and global momentum.
A new study found that US school closures imposed significant economic losses while other measures like mask mandates and testing proved more effective at controlling the virus. The research suggests rapid deployment of these interventions could have saved over 100,000 lives and cut total US impact from £3.7 trillion to £1.5 trillion.
A recent study published in the Lancet Primary Care tracked over 4,800 patients referred to the SCAN Pathway, a cancer diagnosis pathway designed for patients with non-specific symptoms. The study found that early diagnosis of cancers can save thousands of lives and reduce treatment costs for the NHS.
A team of researchers developed an AI-powered tool, called the Virtual Research Assistant (VRA), to filter through thousands of data alerts and identify genuine signals caused by supernovae. The VRA successfully filtered over 30,000 alerts while missing fewer than 0.08% of real supernovae alerts.
A new AI-powered satellite survey reveals a significant shortfall in estimated Serengeti wildebeest numbers, challenging traditional aerial surveys. The study's findings suggest at least 700,000 fewer wildebeest than previously estimated, highlighting the need for accurate data to inform conservation efforts.
Researchers used advanced X-ray imaging to track how tiny defects in stainless steel respond to hydrogen exposure. The study revealed three key changes once hydrogen was introduced, allowing internal defects to move more easily and leading to unexpected failure in metals.