Researchers used the parallax effect to measure the height of the volcano's plume, reaching an altitude of 57 km, surpassing previous records. The study provides new insights into volcanic eruptions and their impact on the climate.
Scientists have discovered exceptionally well-preserved fossils in China that date back 514 million years, revealing the first animals to build hard and robust skeletons. The fossils show features characteristic of modern jellyfish and cnidarians, including a tubular structure made of calcium phosphate.
A 166-million-year-old Scottish fossil, Bellairsia gracilis, provides insights into the early evolution of lizards. The nearly complete skeleton reveals a mix of ancestral and modern features, shedding light on the ancestry of squamates, which include lizards and snakes.
Research from the University of Oxford and Yellowstone National Park found that wolves with black coats are more likely to survive canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreaks. This suggests that the gene for a black coat may provide protection against the virus, leading to its increased frequency in areas with CDV outbreaks.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in life expectancy globally, with countries in Eastern Europe and the US suffering worst losses. Vaccination efforts partially mitigated these impacts, particularly for older age groups.
Researchers investigated how supraglacial lake drainage affects tidewater glacier flow speed. They found that Helheim Glacier showed a small 'pulse' of movement after lake drainage, likely due to an efficient drainage system. However, for glaciers without such systems, lake drainages may produce a net increase in glacier movement.
Researchers at the University of Oxford discovered that goldfish can accurately estimate distances by processing visual cues. The study found that goldfish use 'optic flow' to estimate distance, unlike terrestrial animals which rely on changes in angle between their eye and surrounding objects.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can survive in the vicinity of supermassive black holes at the centers of active galaxies. This challenges previous studies that predicted their destruction, and reveals new insights into galaxy evolution.
Researchers have developed a breakthrough approach to precisely assemble nanowires on virtually any platform, enabling the creation of highly sensitive optomechanical sensors. The new pick-and-place assembly process uses ultra-thin filaments and adhesive van der Waals forces to transfer nanowires with sub-micron accuracy.
A new study suggests that transitioning to a decarbonized energy system by 2050 can save the world at least $12 trillion compared to continued fossil fuel use. The study shows that rapidly transitioning to clean energy results in lower energy system costs, provides more energy to the global economy, and expands energy access.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the atomic mechanism behind high-temperature superconductors. The study reveals that copper pairs are held together by magnetic interactions in high-temperature superconductors, rather than thermal vibrations.
A new study found patterns of fetal abdominal growth associated with maternal lipid metabolites that track newborn growth, adiposity, and development into childhood. The study monitored over 3,500 babies from birth to 2 years of age, providing insights into the complex interaction between maternal and fetal nutrition early in pregnancy.
Researchers observed Swainson's Hawks hunting a dense colony of Mexican Free-tailed Bats using cameras to reconstruct 3D flight trajectories. The study found that hawks steer towards a fixed point within the swarm instead of targeting individual bats, suggesting a new mechanism for efficient prey capture.
Researchers used spatial transcriptomics to create a map of prostate tissue, revealing areas of healthy cells with genetic characteristics of cancer. The study's findings have big implications for diagnosis and potentially treating specific cancer regions.
A new study estimates the environmental impact of 57,000 food products in the UK and Ireland, providing a first step towards enabling informed decision-making. The research finds that many meat alternatives have significantly lower environmental impacts than their meat-based equivalents.
A new study published in Nature Microbiology reveals high prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in mothers and neonates from 7 LMICs. The researchers found that ARGs were present in neonates within hours of birth, indicating initial colonization with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
A new breath-driven hand prosthesis offers a lightweight, low-maintenance option for children and those in low-resource settings. The device is powered by the user's breathing and provides simultaneous control and actuation, with minimal maintenance required.
The new AI system uses associative learning to detect similarities in datasets, reducing processing time and computational cost. By leveraging optical parallel processing and light signals, the system can identify patterns and associations more efficiently than conventional machine learning algorithms.
A new study by researchers at the University of Oxford found that ageing female wild red deer on the Isle of Rum in Scotland tend to adopt a life of solitude as they grow older. They interact with fewer other individuals within their home ranges and shift to less populated areas of their habitat.
Researchers have discovered rare colonies of Rock Doves, the wild ancestors of common domestic and feral pigeons, on secluded Scottish and Irish islands. The findings provide valuable insights into how the domestic pigeon came to be, with varying degrees of interbreeding between the two forms of the species.
Hawks use a unique flight path to slow down to a safe speed while minimizing the distance from the perch at which they stall. This allows them to control their landings effectively, even when slowing down risks stall, leading to sudden loss of flight control.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have created a new type of computing processor that uses light to process information, achieving speeds faster than traditional electronics. By leveraging multiple polarisation channels, the researchers increased computing density by several orders of magnitude, paving the way for more efficient p...
Scientists have found that axisymmetric 'spike waves' can exceed previously thought limits on ocean wave height, leading to significant implications for maritime safety. The new research revealed the fundamental mechanisms behind highly directional and crossing waves becoming much larger than others.
A study found that Pseudomonas bacterium rapidly develops resistance to Colistin due to a gene called pmrB, which mutates at an extremely high rate. This allows the bacteria to adapt to changing immune system conditions and survive antibiotic treatment.
A new study reveals that Manx shearwaters use dynamic soaring to harvest wind energy and travel efficiently across the ocean. The birds' ability to adapt their flight patterns to optimize energy gain suggests a potentially game-changing strategy for drones and other aerial vehicles.
A population-scale study found COVID-19 vaccination is effective in most cancer patients but offers lower protection and wanes quickly. Vaccine effectiveness was lower (65.5%) in cancer patients compared to the general population (69.8%), with higher hospitalization and death risks despite vaccination.
A long-term international study found tropical tree mortality has doubled in Australia's rainforests over the past 35 years, with average tree death rates increasing by half. The research suggests the main driver is the increasing drying power of the atmosphere due to global warming.
Researchers at the University of Oxford have demonstrated the efficacy of adalimumab in treating early-stage Dupuytren's disease. The trial found that patients receiving adalimumab experienced softening and reduction in size of treated nodules, with sustained effects up to nine months after treatment.
Scientists at the University of Oxford have developed an 'optomemristor' device that facilitates three-factor learning and emulation of biological computations, making it possible to perform complex machine learning tasks. The device uses both light and electrical signals to interact and consume very little energy.
Research reveals high rates of parasitic worm infections in ancient British populations, particularly during the Roman and Medieval periods. The study sheds light on the lives and habits of past populations, providing insights into public health measures.
Researchers have developed a sensor made of sapphire fibre that can withstand temperatures over 2000°C, enabling significant improvements in efficiency and emission reduction in aerospace and power generation. The technology has potential applications in space and fusion power industries.
A new study published in Animal Behaviour found that newborn African savannah elephants can keep up with their mothers' daily movements, contrary to previous assumptions. This remarkable ability allows the calves to benefit from protection against predators and integration into the herd's social structure.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in controlling bacterial nitrogen fixation by cereals, enabling them to produce their own ammonia fertiliser. This development has the potential to reduce reliance on industrially produced ammonia-based fertilisers and mitigate environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at University of Oxford and Leeds found liposomal bupivacaine no more effective than current treatments for post-operative knee pain. The SPAARK Trial showed that the drug did not improve recovery or pain relief compared to bupivacaine hydrochloride alone.
Researchers at the University of Oxford and the University of Pennsylvania have fabricated vibrating nanostrings that resonate at predetermined frequencies. The new approach allows for rapid tuning with higher efficiency, potentially leading to longer-lasting batteries and improved data rates.
A team of researchers used the National Ignition Facility (NIF) to create a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster plasmas, discovering strong suppression of heat conduction in these turbulent environments. The experiments provide insight into complex physics processes and raise additional questions that may be answered in future studies.
A new study finds that large wild animals like elephants and whales can help restore ecosystems and battle climate change by dispersing seeds, clearing vegetation, and increasing albedo. Protecting these animals also supports local biodiversity and ecological resilience in temperate, tropical, and subtropical grassland ecosystems.
Researchers from the University of Oxford's Big Data Institute have created a single genealogy tracing the ancestry of all humans, combining genome sequences from eight databases and 3,609 individual genomes. The study successfully recaptured key events in human evolutionary history, including migration out of Africa.
New research reveals that up to 90% of medieval English heroic or chivalric stories have been lost, with only 38% of similar works in Irish surviving today. The study found significant differences in survival rates for medieval works and manuscripts in different languages.
The study found that the distinctive pattern on the underside of the leaves is crucial for their size and strength. The unique vascular structure allows the plants to occupy a large surface area while maintaining low biomass.
Researchers have identified a new highly virulent HIV variant in the Netherlands, known as VB variant, which shows significant differences in immune system recovery and survival compared to other variants. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent damage from this more rapid decline in immune strength.
Researchers found that a large Early Holocene cemetery in Northern Russia was used for only one to two centuries and reveals human stress caused by a global cooling event. The team believes the creation of the cemetery shows a social response to climate change, with abundant grave offerings indicating complex social systems.
A study reveals a powerful subset of vascular macrophages expressing CLEC4A2 fosters 'good' macrophage behavior, limiting plaque build-up. This discovery challenges the widely held belief that macrophages only play a harmful role in cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from the University of Oxford investigated the behavior of CO2 within a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir in Louisiana, USA. They found that up to 74% of CO2 was dissolved in groundwater, while microbial methanogenesis converted 13-19% of the injected CO2 to methane.
A new method of predicting battery failure has been developed, showing accuracy 15-20% higher than current approaches. The technique uses advanced probabilistic machine learning and is applicable to any battery with a simple electrical circuit model.
Scientists have discovered a new potential treatment to reverse antibiotic resistance in bacteria causing sepsis, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The indole carboxylates class of enzyme blockers can stop MBL resistance enzymes from working, allowing antibiotics like carbapenems to effectively target bacteria.
Researchers found that iron played a crucial role in the development of complex life forms on Earth due to its essential nutrient properties. The study suggests that the amount of iron in a planet's mantle may indicate its potential for supporting life.
Researchers used machine learning to identify patterns in knot theory and representation theory, suggesting new connections that mathematicians were able to prove. This collaboration demonstrates the potential of AI as a tool for guiding intuition in mathematical research.
Researchers found that illegal human settlements have surged to over 50,000 in the Babile Elephant Sanctuary, posing a significant threat to the remaining 250 elephants. The team believes that addressing environmental, poverty, and security challenges jointly is crucial to restoring the sanctuary's integrity.
A new study by University of Oxford and Edinburgh suggests that imposing a carbon takeback obligation on the fossil fuel industry could provide an affordable route to net zero emissions. The policy requires extractors and importers to dispose safely and permanently of CO2, with the fraction rising to 100% by 2050.