A new paper from climate economists at the University of Oxford identifies sensitive intervention points that could unlock significant progress towards the Paris Agreement with the least risk and highest impact. These include critical tipping points in renewable energy, networks of powerful political figures, and windows of opportunity...
A new economic-pandemic model predicts that lockdowns and spontaneous risk reduction lead to similar trade-offs between health and the economy. The model, developed by an international team of researchers, accurately predicted death rates and economic impact in New York City during the first wave of the pandemic.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that bumblebees cannot taste pesticides in nectar, even at lethal concentrations. Bees rely on taste to avoid contaminated nectar, which poses a significant threat to their survival.
Researchers recreated ancient seawater to study nutrient availability, finding a preference for metals like manganese and molybdenum. Greenalite formation removed zinc, copper, and vanadium from seawater, matching the metal choices of early lifeforms.
Research reveals that European wildcats and domestic cats generally avoided mating for 2,000 years after domestic cat introduction. However, rates of interbreeding rose rapidly around 50 years ago in Scotland, likely due to dwindling wildcat populations and habitat loss.
Researchers find that halting deforestation and restoring native vegetation are critical for Brazil to achieve its 2050 net zero goal. The study suggests that nature-based solutions can mitigate nearly 80% of Brazil's net zero pledge and reduce carbon emissions by 781 million tons per year.
Researchers develop integrated photonic-electronic hardware capable of processing three-dimensional (3D) data, doubling parallelism for AI tasks and significantly boosting energy efficiency. The new chip can process 100 electrocardiogram signals simultaneously with high accuracy, outperforming electronic processors.
An international team of scientists has discovered that the largest ever Martian quake was caused by immense tectonic forces within Mars' crust, contrary to initial suspicions of a meteorite impact. This groundbreaking study, led by the University of Oxford, reveals that Mars is more seismically active than previously thought.
A new study by the University of Oxford found that ancient carbon in rocks can release significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, rivaling volcanic emissions. This discovery challenges current understanding of the natural carbon cycle and has important implications for climate change modeling.
A breakthrough technique has been developed by University of Oxford researchers to repair brain injuries using 3D printing. Neural cells can be printed to mimic the architecture of the cerebral cortex, showing structural and functional integration with host tissue.
Researchers found treated sewage discharge to be the best predictor of high nutrient levels and algae blooms in four English rivers, even when agricultural pollution was present. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of sewage on river quality and calls for improved regulations and waste management practices.
Most of the world's largest flowers (genus Rafflesia) are now on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction and lack of conservation efforts. The study highlights the need for a joined-up, cross-regional approach to save these unique plants.
A 20-year experiment found that active replanting with diverse tree species recovers logged tropical forests faster than natural recovery. The results showed that plots with 16 native tree species recovered canopy area and total tree biomass more quickly than those with fewer species.
A new Cochrane review suggests that timed intercourse using urine ovulation tests can improve live birth and pregnancy rates, especially in women under 40. The study found that timing intercourse around the fertile period increased chances of successful conception by 20-28%.
African lion populations are declining due to various threats including habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict. A new study reveals the importance of considering both ecological and socio-political factors in conservation strategies.
Researchers at the University of Oxford's Botanic Garden and Mathematical Institute have found that the shape, size, and geometry of pitcher plants determines the type of prey they trap. The study showed that large, flared rims are suited to capturing walking insects such as ants.
Researchers at University of Oxford have developed a miniaturized soft power source that can alter the activity of cultured human nerve cells, paving the way for miniature bio-integrated devices. The device uses internal ion gradients to generate energy, producing a current that persists for over 30 minutes.
Researchers successfully extracted ancient DNA from a 2,900-year-old clay brick, revealing 34 distinct taxonomic groups of plants. The most abundant sequences were from Brassicaceae (cabbage) and Ericaceae (heather), providing a unique biodiversity time-capsule for the ancient Assyrian site.
UK researchers have developed an evidence-based action plan to address the substantial under-representation of PhD students from ethnic minority backgrounds in postgraduate science studies. The study highlights three areas for improvement: student-facing improvements, admissions procedures, and evaluation processes.
Researchers discovered a deep connection between the sums-of-digits function from number theory and phenotype mutational robustness in genetics. The maximum robustness is proportional to the logarithm of the fraction of all possible sequences that map to a phenotype, with a correction given by the sums of digits function s_k(n).
Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a nanopore-based method to detect post-translational modification variants in proteins. The technique uses directional water flow and measures electrical current disruptions, enabling precise analysis of complex biological processes.
A team of chemists developed a method to generate fluorochemicals without hydrogen fluoride, reducing energy requirements and carbon footprint. The new process mimics natural biomineralization, enabling the synthesis of over 50 different fluorochemicals directly from CaF2.
A groundbreaking Oxford study reveals a significant genetic component to people's probability of participating in genetic studies. The research identified detectable 'footprints' in genetics data that can be exploited statistically to enhance research accuracy for both participants and non-participants alike.
Researchers found that antimicrobial resistance emerges from selection for pre-existing resistant clones, not new mutations. Infections with multiple pathogen clones show increased resistance to antibiotics, but also potential for faster loss of resistance when no antibiotics are present.
A new study published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution suggests that animals first evolved around 574 million years ago. The researchers used advanced analytical techniques to investigate preservation conditions in Cambrian and Neoproterozoic rocks, finding that certain clays were essential for capturing early animal fossils.
Researchers used X-ray computed tomography to visualize dendrite failure in unprecedented detail, revealing separate processes driving initiation and propagation of cracks. The findings point to overcoming technological challenges of lithium metal solid-state batteries, which could improve EV battery range, safety, and performance.
A new study found that climate change is causing the hottest days in North-West Europe to warm at double the rate of average summer days. The difference in trends is most pronounced for England, Wales, and Northern France.
Researchers found that agricultural antimicrobial peptide use can generate broad cross-resistance to the human innate immune response. This has major implications for the design and use of therapeutic antimicrobial peptides.
The study found fossils of beetle larvae in intimate contact with dinosaur feathers, suggesting a symbiotic relationship where the beetles fed on the feathers. The discovery provides insight into coevolution between vertebrates and arthropods over 500 million years, revealing rare evidence of their interaction.
A new study by Oxford researchers has found vedolizumab to be effective in inducing remission in patients with chronic pouchitis after surgery for ulcerative colitis. The treatment improved remission rates and quality of life, making it a game-changer for these patients.
A new study reveals that the most endangered turtles and crocodiles are those with unique life strategies, which carry out critical processes in their ecosystems. The researchers highlight the urgent need for effective conservation management plans to protect these species and their habitats.
The study found that oral transmission has profound effects on music evolution, shaping vocal music towards structures that are easier to learn and transmit. Human transmission biases also play a significant role in evolving musical systems.
A new fossil discovery dating back 247 million years provides the earliest evidence of dipterans, including mosquitoes and flies. The immature insect's preserved breathing system offers insights into its adaptations to a post-apocalyptic environment.
A new model could help locate untapped reservoirs of accessible helium, addressing the current global shortage. The research proposes factoring in nitrogen concentration to account for previously unexplained helium-rich deposits.
A global study of scientific migration reveals female researchers originate from and move to fewer countries, migrating shorter distances than their male counterparts. Gender inequality among mobile scientists varies across countries and over time.
The Operation Pangolin project aims to save the world's eight pangolin species by generating data to inform conservation strategies and implementing wildlife crime prevention efforts in Central Africa. The team will use novel technology and artificial intelligence methods to address the illicit wildlife trade and prevent extinction.
A new study has identified the top factors that determine the success of large carnivore relocation efforts, highlighting the importance of protecting existing habitats. The findings could support global rewilding efforts and contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Researchers used nearly half a million fossils to solve a 200-year-old mystery about the distribution of species on Earth. They found that the modern-day diversity gradient may have arisen from the steepening of the latitudinal temperature gradient, promoting more ecological niches in tropical regions.
A team of scientists found a 16-year-old European hedgehog in Denmark, exceeding the previous record by seven years. The discovery contradicts previous studies suggesting that inbreeding reduces lifespan. The study's results provide valuable insights into the basic life history of hedgehogs and may improve conservation efforts.
A new study reveals that violent countries have significantly shorter life expectancies and more unpredictable lives, affecting both young people and women. The study finds a direct link between violence and lifetime uncertainty, highlighting the need to consider indirect effects of violence on mortality patterns.
A new study finds COVID-19 was the top underlying cause of death from infectious disease among children and young people aged 0–19 years. The risk of death from COVID-19 was substantially lower compared to other age groups, but still a significant concern, with over 1,300 child deaths attributed to the virus in the US.
A new modelling study reveals that most plastic debris on Seychelles beaches originates from distant sources, not the islands themselves. The study provides quantitative estimates of the sources of plastic debris for the Seychelles and other remote islands in the western Indian Ocean.
Researchers have identified a key molecule, retinoic acid, that may be a promising new treatment for hand osteoarthritis. The study found that individuals with certain gene variants had lower levels of retinoic acid, which could lead to the development of disease-modifying drugs.
Researchers tracked elephant footprints with handheld GPS and overlaid it with satellite imagery to understand how plant diversity affects movement. The study found that bull elephants prefer paths with certain plants, while family groups prefer others, leading to a compromise in areas where both are available.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford found that logged rainforests have amplified and diverse ecosystem energetics, supporting similar or greater densities of bird and mammal species. The study challenges the labelling of logged forests as 'degraded' when they are ecologically vibrant.
A new study emphasizes the critical importance of conserving deep reefs in the Western Indian Ocean, which are under threat from multiple stressors. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize conservation efforts and consider the region's growing population and economic pressures.
A new study has identified major barriers to conserving island ecosystems, including poor governance policies and lack of staff training. The research highlights the need for targeted funding and incentives to support frontline conservation workers in their efforts to protect these critical ecosystems.
Research finds most Asian countries have failed to protect at least 17% of land by 2020, and the outlook for achieving 30% protection by 2030 is bleak. To meet targets, Asian countries need to increase their rate of establishing protected areas by up to six times faster.
Research reveals microplastic fibres in all samples, with majority found in Antarctic air, indicating animals breathe them. Antarctic sea ice also traps microplastics, acting as a temporary sink for global plastic pollution.
Researchers discovered antibiotic-resistant bacteria can travel from the gut to the lungs in a patient, highlighting the importance of preventing pathogenic bacteria from translocating to vital organs. The study's findings suggest eliminating resistant bacteria from the gut microbiome could help prevent serious infections.