Researchers used AI models to produce 50 different forecasts of the storm that pushed back the Allies' invasion of Normandy in June 1944. The model incorrectly predicted calm conditions on D-Day, contrary to Captain James Stagg's analysis, which had warned of poor conditions and a higher risk of dangerous winds.
A survey of 3,013 people found that 66% of respondents are influenced by animal welfare when making purchasing decisions. Shoppers would pay an average of £1.31 per week for improved farm animal welfare, with specific increases for eggs (£1.61), milk (£1.13), and beef (£0.46).
Research from the University of Reading shows that cutting air pollution globally can strengthen the Indian monsoon, increasing rainfall by 0.28 millimetres a day across the country. The study found that regional action alone can have the opposite effect, reducing rainfall in parts of India.
Scientists found that hummingbirds facilitate the creation of new species in bromeliad plants at a rate of 2.77 per million years, compared to 1.46 for other pollinators. This accelerated evolution is attributed to hummingbirds' high-altitude feeding habits and their ability to act as an engine for new species.
A UK study found that people most in danger from heat have the least access to air conditioning, with homes with older residents and single parent families using it the least. The research highlights a 'cooling divide' where those who need protection from heat are least able to get it.
New research found that human body size increased in two stages: initially with early hominins like Australopithecus and later with Homo species, which coincided with changes in diet, movement, and environment. The study analyzed 386 fossils across 21 species of hominins.
The Virtual World of Stonehenge offers an immersive digital tour of the original exhibition, allowing users to explore thousands of years of history. The experience includes interactive content, animation, soundscapes, and rarely seen prehistoric objects, making it a unique way to understand the world of Stonehenge.
A landmark collaboration between the University of Reading and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust developed an AI forecasting tool predicting staff resignations. The tool highlights specific factors driving an individual's risk of leaving, enabling HR teams to intervene early.
A new scoreboard reveals the nations facing climate penalties, ranking countries on six climate indicators, including emissions and heat stress. The top-ranked nations include Paraguay, England, and Scotland, while those with severe projected warming and high fossil fuel dependency struggle.
A recent study found that fewer than one in five people meet the recommended flavanol intake to reduce heart disease risk. The study tracked over 30,000 participants and suggests specific food choices, like blueberries and green tea, can significantly impact flavanol consumption.
A University of Reading research team is developing a potential treatment for chronic nerve pain using tiny stem cell particles. The RESOLVE project aims to reduce inflammation and reset the processes that drive long-lasting pain, offering a different approach to current treatments.
A University of Reading study found that pressure on women to have a natural birth leads to shame and self-blame when expectations are not met. Women reported feeling they had failed as mothers due to medical intervention or complications, highlighting the need for reform in antenatal education.
Reducing methane emissions slows climate change, but also hinders the recovery of the ozone layer by making other ozone-depleting substances more potent. The study suggests that large-scale methane cuts could delay the ozone layer's recovery by 2.4% by 2100 and increase UV radiation exposure by 30-35%
Restored saltmarshes can disappear if fences are not kept in good repair, new research reveals. A study at Rumney Great Wharf found that sedimentation fields, which use brushwood fencing to trap mud and encourage marsh plants to take root, need ongoing maintenance.
A new study published in Nutrition Research analyzed evidence from thousands of people and found that natural trans fats in dairy do not increase the risk of heart disease or type 2 diabetes. The research provides clarity on trans fat labelling policies, giving consumers reassurance about the safety of dairy foods.
A single dose of psilocybin reduces nerve pain for several weeks and makes gabapentin work more effectively. The study found that psilocybin resets the brain's pain networks, making existing treatments significantly more effective.
Scientists have identified three British cheeses with beneficial bacteria that could aid human health. The cheeses contain probiotics, anti-inflammatory compounds, and dietary fibers, making them a potential vehicle for delivery of beneficial gut bacteria.
Professor Hannah Cloke's appointment as Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate highlights the importance of human imagination in understanding and mitigating extreme weather. Her research has already helped communities prepare for floods and extreme weather, and she aims to empower people to take charge of their own futures.
Seabirds are retreating into smaller areas of ocean and travelling further to find new places to live due to rapid climate warming. Scientists found that when temperatures rose quickly, seabirds did not shrink in size, but instead reduced their territories and traveled greater distances.
Researchers found that mouth stem cell proteins can slow down aggressive brain cancer growth, reduce tumour size and enhance chemotherapy effectiveness. The study suggests a new strategy to disrupt the body's defense systems against cancer.
A study analyzing Mumsnet posts reveals thousands of women were dismissed and disbelieved about their pain during routine womb examinations. The research highlights five recurring problems in hysteroscopy procedures, including inadequate information, unequal care standards, and inconsistent pain relief.
Marie Neurath pioneered infographics in children's books from 1944 to 1971, revolutionizing science education. The exhibition showcases her collaboration with scientists and illustrators, featuring over 80 illustrated books.
A new open-access framework, Rapid Evaluation Framework (REF), allows researchers to compare model outputs with real-world observations, providing immediate insight into model performance. The REF accelerates climate model evaluation, making it possible for policymakers and communities to respond quickly to future climate change.
A 300-million-year-old fossil previously thought to be the world's oldest octopus has been revealed to be a nautiloid relative, with modern synchrotron imaging techniques uncovering tiny teeth that prove its true nature. The discovery pushes back the known history of octopuses by around 150 million years.
The book chronicles two centuries of weather stories and observations, including Britain's longest continuous daily weather records. It highlights the diversity of British weather, from scorching summers to devastating floods, and shares insights into climate change.
A novel method testing directly from urine can tell doctors which antibiotic will work in an average of 5.85 hours, reducing the risk of resistance developing and potentially lethal sepsis. The test agrees with reference methods in 96.95% of cases for seven first-line antibiotics.
Researchers at the University of Reading developed a new method to produce whey protein with improved texture characteristics, reducing bitter and peppery notes. The findings suggest that manufacturing changes can improve the taste and texture of protein drinks, making them more appealing to those relying on them.
A landmark report by researchers at the University of Reading warns that weak legal rules on AI avatars are preventing UK businesses from accessing their full growth potential. The report proposes four reforms to ensure responsible use of AI avatar technology, including giving people a legal right over their own face and voice.
A tropical insect has been found to change color from hot pink to green within a fortnight, resembling the young leaves of rainforest plants. This remarkable adaptation allows the insect to blend in with its surroundings, suggesting a finely tuned survival strategy.
A new report sets out ten priority areas for improving climate education in UK schools, calling for coordinated support across the whole education system. The experts argue that while the curriculum review is a welcome step, real change requires attention to issues such as teacher training and sustainability actions.
A new framework identifies 38 competencies for effective healthcare investigators, including technical expertise, empathy, and system understanding. The research aims to shift from blame-based investigations to a more proactive approach to prevent repeated harm to patients.
Scientists have shown that India's summer monsoon actively controls moist heatwaves across the country. Forecasters can predict these events days or weeks ahead using a regional pattern. Advance warning allows rescheduling of outdoor public gatherings, strengthening medical provision, and reducing heat exhaustion deaths.
The IPCC is hosting two major international workshops at the University of Reading in February 2026 to make reports more inclusive and robust. The workshops will explore how indigenous and practitioner knowledge can be integrated with scientific research to create complete climate assessments.
New research found 47% of takeaway foods in the UK exceed their declared salt levels, with curries and pasta failing to match menu claims. Traditional fish and chip shop meals contained relatively low levels of salt due to cooking methods.
Climate change is projected to exacerbate agricultural droughts in Europe and western North America, even in areas with increasing rainfall. Soils will dry out faster than water can replenish them, leading to more frequent and severe crop droughts.
Scientists from the University of Reading have mapped out worst-case climate threats facing the UK, including year-round cooling and rapid sea level rises. The research provides practical tools for policymakers to prepare for extreme outcomes, filling a gap in current planning.
Researchers found that brain regions processing visual information also contain 'maps' of the body, simulating touch sensations when watching movies. This discovery could transform our understanding of conditions like autism, as it may help explain why autistic people struggle with sensory experiences.
A new study published in Trends in Biotechnology suggests that mRNA technology could protect against muscle damage caused by snake venom. The treatment, which teaches cells to produce protective antibodies, has shown promising results in laboratory tests and preclinical models.
Climate change will make monsoon storms in South Asia wetter and weaker, with more storms pushing further inland across India. Scientists found that by the time global temperatures rise 3°C above pre-industrial levels, storms will become about 10% weaker while producing up to 28% more rain.
A five-minute training can significantly improve people's ability to identify fake faces created by artificial intelligence, according to new research. The study found that super-recognisers correctly identified fake faces 64% of the time, while typical participants scored 51% accuracy.
A new study found that rapidly evolving animals, such as the Greater Kudu and Big Horn Sheep, have fewer cancerous tumors. In contrast, non-cancerous tumors showed no significant difference in prevalence across species. The research suggests that evolution built stronger cancer defenses in rapidly changing species.
Vibrant orange-coloured lichens are helping scientists discover dinosaur fossils in Canada. The team found that two lichen species colonise up to 50% of exposed fossil bones but less than 1% of surrounding rock fragments, providing a distinct spectral signature detectable from 30 metres above ground using drones.
Rising air temperatures will cause departing aircraft to create more noise pollution around European airports, with the number of people affected potentially increasing to 2,500. The most disturbing effect will be low-frequency noise, which can cause stress and sleep problems.
Climate change will lead to increased turbulence in flights, causing clearer-air turbulence that can't be seen on radar. Wind shear will rise by 16-27%, making it harder for pilots to avoid sudden jolts, and air stability will decrease by 10-20%.
A study of 94 primate species found that those with longer thumbs had larger brains, indicating a link between manual dexterity and brain evolution. The research suggests that as primates developed better hand skills, their brains grew to process and use these abilities effectively.
A new study found that future changes in ozone will cause 0.27 watts per square meter of extra warming, making it the second largest contributor to future warming after carbon dioxide. This means countries' efforts to ban CFCs and HCFCs have provided less climate benefit than previously calculated.
A new study published in Pharmaceutical Research suggests that planaria, harmless flatworms, react to brain medicines similarly to rodents. This could lead to the development of treatments for schizophrenia and hallucinations, reducing the number of mice and rats used in early medical research.
A study published in PNAS suggests that early primates evolved in North America's cold climate with hot summers and freezing winters, rather than warm tropical forests. This finding challenges the long-held narrative and provides insights into how ancient primates adapted to survive climate change.
A new study in PLOS One discovers a dinosaur tracksite in Alberta, Canada, showcasing the social interaction between different species 76 million years ago. The tracks reveal that multiple species, including ceratopsians and ankylosaurs, walked together, possibly as a defense strategy against predators.
Air pollution across the UK decreased between 2015 and 2024, with nitrogen dioxide and fine particles showing improvement. However, surface ozone pollution increased by 17%, breaching safety limits frequently.