A new study reveals that higher CO2 levels help wild savanna grasses conserve water, reduce drought stress, and continue growing under dry conditions. The study found a 28% increase in grass production in South Africa's Kruger National Park between 1989 and 2021, with implications for fire activity, wildlife, and the carbon cycle.
The study found that mining operations in Africa lead to the destruction of 187,000 hectares of forest between 2001 and 2020. Mines extracting cobalt and copper cause the highest rates of overall deforestation.
Researchers found that suppressing the Integrated Stress Response (ISR) pathway in fruit flies extended their lifespan. The study contradicts previous theories suggesting mild stress might increase longevity. By understanding how ISR affects aging, scientists may develop pharmacological treatments to slow down the aging process.
Young people aged 16-25 are three times more likely to start drinking alcohol than non-alcohol alternatives, according to new research from the University of Sheffield. Despite concerns about a potential 'gateway' effect, no evidence was found that no/lows impact young people's alcohol consumption.
A new UK study suggests that home testing kits could be a game-changer for reducing health inequalities among physically Disabled women. Over 50% of the surveyed women prefer self-testing over traditional clinic visits due to barriers such as discomfort and embarrassment. The proposed scheme will offer DIY test kits to under-screened o...
In Ethiopia's city of Mekelle, spotted hyenas consume organic waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preventing disease. By doing so, they save the city over $100,000 in waste management costs, highlighting the vital ecosystem service they provide.
A new AI-powered tool accurately predicts when MND patients need a feeding tube, allowing doctors to plan the critical intervention at the ideal time. The model's accuracy is high, with an error of just three months in all patients and less than a month in the largest group.
Researchers found evidence that dark matter and neutrinos interact, offering a rare glimpse into the universe's darkest regions. The study casts doubt on the long-standing cosmological model, suggesting interactions between dark matter and neutrinos could explain a discrepancy in cosmic structure formation.
Researchers developed 'iMAPS' therapy to directly address 'mind's eye' imagery in psychosis patients, replacing them with more positive ones. The largest feasibility clinical trial demonstrated its safety and yielded promising results, leading to hopes for a full clinical trial.
A new analytical method reveals that 65.5% of unhatched eggs were fertilized, contradicting previous assumptions. The study's findings can inform management decisions for threatened bird species and potentially accelerate their recovery.
The STIM tool assesses online adverts for risks of human trafficking, helping law enforcement and charities identify potential victims. The tool has already led to multiple arrests and safeguarded dozens of vulnerable people.
Scientists have discovered how to potentially control harmful insect populations by studying a 'selfish gene' that manipulates inheritance. By understanding the molecular basis of this genetic mechanism, researchers believe they can identify novel methods to control certain insects that are globally significant pests and disease carriers.
Scientists have developed a new method to visualize and analyze the complex shapes of DNA molecules using atomic force microscopy. This breakthrough enables researchers to study the tangled structures of DNA in cells, which can lead to insights into diseases such as cancer and neurodegeneration.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that urban landscapes support 43% fewer pollinator species, with a decline in tree canopy and semi-natural habitats driving the loss. Pollinating insects are vital for up to 90% of wild flowering plant species and crop diversity.
Researchers recreated icy moon conditions to study cryovolcanism's role in shaping these celestial bodies. They found that effusive cryovolcanism occurs when liquid water is released as a flow on the surface of icy moons.
Researchers built a digital model of a bee's brain, discovering how movement facilitates accurate learning and recognition of complex visual patterns. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient AI and robots that use movement to gather information.
A new study from the University of Sheffield reveals leg amputation rates are four times as high in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in England. Peripheral arterial disease restricts blood supply, leading to severe infection and gangrene, often necessitating major amputation.
A five-year trial found that discontinuing immunotherapy after 12 months allowed 80.2% of patients to maintain disease control, comparable to those who continued treatment for two years or more. The study suggests that reducing treatment duration may be a viable option without diminishing disease control.
A new database cataloging the maximum body size of marine animals will shed light on species at risk from climate change and habitat degradation. The Marine Organismal Body Size Database (MOBS) covers over 85,000 marine animal species, providing a crucial tool for conservation efforts.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield discovered long-tailed tits' remarkable family bonds persisting throughout migration. The study found that these tiny birds migrate in family units and become crucial helpers for related pairs, mirroring human support systems.
Researchers at University of Sheffield find socioeconomic inequalities persist in low-carbon technology adoption, particularly among disadvantaged groups. The report advocates for targeted interventions and community-level support to level the playing field.
A study published in the British Journal of General Practice found a significant link between chest x-ray referrals and earlier lung cancer diagnosis and better survival rates. Patients attending practices with high chest x-ray usage were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier stage, leading to improved survival rates.
Shrinking Andean glaciers pose a significant threat to the water supplies of 90 million people, with thinning rates 35% faster than the global average. Effective management of water resources and drastic reduction in carbon emissions are crucial to mitigate this impact.
Researchers propose a revolutionary link between time and dark energy, suggesting that the mysterious force driving the universe's expansion may be used to measure time. The study could pave the way for groundbreaking new fundamental theories and breakthroughs in our understanding of the universe.
New University of Sheffield research reveals agrivoltaics can meet UK electricity demand four times over, boosting crop yields and conserving water. Regions identified for effective deployment include Cambridgeshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, and the broader East and South East of England.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new type of back-contact solar cell design using perovskite material and tiny grooves in plastic film. The technology enables scalable, low-cost manufacturing and avoids expensive rare earth metals, making it sustainable and affordable.
Researchers have found that MRSA has a double defence mechanism against antibiotics, involving an alternative division mechanism that allows it to replicate in the presence of antibiotics. This new insight offers hope in treating the life-threatening superbug and other infectious diseases. Understanding this process is crucial for deve...
Researchers uncover critical insights into reproductive challenges faced by threatened species with small population sizes and biased sex ratios. Infertility accounts for an average of 17% of hatching failures in the hihi, primarily due to early embryo death.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield discovered a new sensory capability in bacteria that enables them to directly sense their chemical environment. This breakthrough could lead to innovative treatments that manipulate bacterial motility to enhance antibiotic efficacy.
New research reveals a dangerous combination of warming waters and nutrient overload is degrading freshwater ecosystem functioning. This simplification leads to shorter food chains and vulnerable top predators, emphasizing the urgent global need to reduce pollution levels.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that C.diff can develop resistance to vancomycin in less than two months, tolerating concentrations up to 32 times the effective dose. This rapid evolution poses a significant threat to UK healthcare, as widespread resistance could remove critical treatment options.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield have developed a new form of immunotherapy using nanoparticles that delays the onset of resistance to hormone therapy in prostate cancer. This innovative approach stimulates immune cells called T cells to attack cancer cells, marking a significant breakthrough in treating prostate cancer.
A new study suggests that using special fertilizers and crushed basalt rocks can reduce agricultural nitrous oxide emissions without harming the ozone layer. The research found a 25% reduction in N2O emissions, aligning with efforts to reach net-zero emissions while supporting increased food production.
Scientists have discovered a new insight into why some people are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. The study reveals how the interaction between the APOE gene and Aβ protein influences our likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, with the APOE4 variant increasing risk significantly.
A new study from the University of Sheffield identifies the emotional challenges faced by patients with tooth loss and dentures, including feelings of embarrassment, shame, and difficulty with everyday activities. The research aims to improve patient outcomes and create a more compassionate approach to tooth replacement.
A new study reveals that orchid plants support their seedlings through shared underground fungal networks, which provide essential nutrients. The findings suggest that mature orchids act as a 'parental nurture' to their developing seedlings by sharing sugars via the fungal network.
Researchers have created a stem cell model to investigate neuroblastoma's origins, replicating the emergence of early cancer-like cells. Specific mutations in chromosomes 17 and 1, combined with MYCN gene overactivation, play a pivotal role in aggressive neuroblastoma development.
A new study reveals concerning regional disparities in lower limb amputations caused by peripheral arterial disease, with the North of England experiencing the highest rates. The study highlights the urgent need to improve care and prevention strategies, particularly for people with diabetes.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that around 32% of the global population is at risk of serious health issues due to high levels of arsenic in drinking water. The majority of these countries are in Asia, where rice is a staple food and exposure can be exacerbated by cooking with contaminated water.
A team of international scientists has developed an effective treatment for preventing infection in chronic wounds that does not involve antibiotics. The new method involves the plasma activation of hydrogel dressings, producing a unique mix of chemical oxidants that are effective in decontaminating and aiding healing.
A study found that large-scale forestation initiatives could reduce the CO2 removal benefits by up to a third, offsetting their positive impact on the Earth's climate. The research suggests that combining forestation with other strategies to tackle climate change is crucial for effective long-term action.
A new database of 928 weed species provides a unique insight into the history of agriculture and its ability to adapt to changing conditions. The data reveals trends in arable agriculture over time and how farming practices have varied in different environments, offering potential solutions for modern-day food production.
A study by the University of Sheffield found that breast cancer cells take advantage of nutrients in the extracellular matrix when faced with nutrient starvation. The cells use an ingestion process called macropinocytosis to consume the matrix, breaking it down into energy-releasing substrates.
Scientists studied the evolution of live-birth in marine snails and found that it happened gradually through small incremental steps. The team identified 50 genes associated with reproductive mode and estimated their origin time, showing that innovation can evolve progressively over time.
Scientists have observed bright, brief flashes months after a stellar explosion, confirming that the engine of the LFBOT is a black hole or neutron star. This unprecedented behavior shows that the object emitted multiple supernova-strength optical flares on timescales of less than a minute.
A new study reveals that grasses can transfer DNA from other species into their genomes through lateral gene transfer, giving them an advantage in growth and adaptation. This process could inform future work to improve crop productivity and resilience.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a genetic scar that enables pneumonia-causing bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. The study found that mutations in the pde1 gene act as an evolutionary gateway for this resistance, threatening patient treatment and highlighting the need for control measures.
A new study from the University of Sheffield found that households growing their own food produce more than half of the vegetables and 20% of the fruit they consume annually, resulting in a 70% increase in recommended 5-a-day portions. Households also waste less, with only 0.12 portions thrown out daily.
Researchers warn that unsustainable wildlife trade could alter key ecological processes in biodiverse regions, leading to losses of evolutionary history. The study highlights the need for conservation resources to be directed towards tropical hotspots to prevent extinctions.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that gentle cleansers can be just as effective in killing viruses as harsh soaps. The study tested multiple handwash products and found that gentle cleansers were effective against enveloped viruses, while non-enveloped viruses showed greater resistance. Gentle cleansers may provide a sa...