A large prospective study found that incorporating imaging and blood biomarker data into risk assessment improves prediction of adverse cardiac events in people with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The study used clinical history, cardiac MRI, and blood biomarkers to predict outcomes, providing fuller and more accurate predictions.
Researchers at Oxford have demonstrated a new type of quantum interaction called quadsqueezing, a fourth-order effect that was previously unreachable. By controlling complex forms of squeezing, the team has created stronger and more accessible quantum effects for applications in simulation, sensing, and computing.
A new study from the University of Oxford suggests that losing a parent in adulthood can have lasting effects on earnings and mental health. Women with young children experience a larger earnings decline due to the loss of informal childcare.
Researchers have identified a novel molecular imaging agent, 99mTc-maraciclatide, as a potential tool for diagnosing and monitoring endometriosis. The study found that maraciclatide binds to αvβ3 integrin, which is upregulated during angiogenesis in endometriosis.
A new study from the University of Oxford finds that training chatbots to sound warmer makes them up to 30% less accurate and 40% more likely to agree with false beliefs. Researchers tested five AI models, finding that warm models made significant factual errors and validated users' incorrect opinions.
A new study reveals that climate models are less confident in predicting regional rainfall patterns due to uncertainties in large-scale wind patterns. This limits confidence in forecasts of floods and droughts, particularly in regions vulnerable to these events.
Paxlovid helps vaccinated adults recover faster from COVID-19, but does not reduce hospital admissions or deaths. The drug significantly reduces viral load and side effects, making it a valuable treatment option for higher-risk patients.
A team of physicists has discovered a way to boost the intensity of high-power laser light, opening up new possibilities for experiments in quantum electrodynamics. The breakthrough uses an unusual process to create extremely bright ultraviolet light, which can be focused into a tiny point creating immense energy concentration.
New Oxford analysis finds that up to 90% of industrial energy demand could be electrified with existing technologies, but policy failures and technology risks hold back deployment. Electrification offers a pathway to stable and resilient energy costs, reducing exposure to geopolitical disruption and price volatility.
Researchers tested swapping one meat-based lunch option for a vegetarian dish in six English worksite cafeterias, resulting in a 41% increase in choosing a veggie main. The intervention led to healthier and more sustainable meals with lower environmental impact.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that long-term childhood poverty increased sharply among children born after 2013 due to austerity reforms. Nearly one in five children born after this period experience poverty for at least half of their childhood, with severe consequences on education, employment, earnings, and health.
A study of 1,200 musicians in five countries reveals the 'streaming paradox': while artists are more visible than ever, meaningful income remains elusive. Musicians face growing pressure to create engaging content and manage their online presence.
A newly discovered fossil site in southwest China reveals that many key animal groups evolved before the start of the Cambrian Period. The study found fossils of ancestors of modern starfish, sea cucumbers, and chordates, pushing back the timeline of complex animal life by at least 4 million years.
A study published in Nature Communications finds that social capital can significantly reduce the psychological impact of lower income rank, suggesting policies strengthening social connection may be as important as those raising incomes for bolstering wellbeing. The research uses data from over 90,000 people across 109 countries.
A study led by Oxford University researchers reveals that sperm stored for extended periods deteriorates quickly, regardless of male age. Regular ejaculation has been shown to improve sperm quality in humans and animals alike.
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.