Researchers at the University of Southampton have demonstrated that a beam of light can be confined to an area 50 times smaller than its own wavelength and even move it at the point of confinement. This breakthrough could lead to advanced manipulation techniques for nanoparticles, biological particles, and microscopic sensors.
University of Southampton researchers propose a new method for diagnosing primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) in young children using nasal nitric oxide measurement while they breathe normally. This approach aims to improve early diagnosis and treatment, reducing the need for invasive procedures and enhancing patient outcomes.
Researchers have reconstructed the brains of two British spinosaurs, uncovering details about their sensory abilities and brain organization. The study suggests that early spinosaurs retained many aspects of common theropod brains, challenging previous assumptions about their semi-aquatic lifestyle.
Researchers from the University of Southampton have discovered that changing how tightly an antibody binds to a target can improve cancer treatments. By reducing affinity, immunomodulatory antibodies can effectively fine-tune the antibody to the desired level and activity.
A research team from the University of Southampton discovered that supermassive black holes are fueled by gas clouds from neighboring galaxies. The study found a link between misaligned gas and active supermassive black hole activity, suggesting that galaxy interactions provide a source of fuel for these phenomena.
A new index reveals North England neighborhoods with the highest risk of food insecurity, particularly in urban areas such as Wirral and Blackpool. The map can help local authorities target support to households most at risk during the cost of living crisis.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that over 95% of people with Long Covid experience some form of stigma, with 76% experiencing it 'often' or 'always'. The study also found that those with a clinical diagnosis of Long Covid were more likely to report stigma than those without.
Land plants evolved about 430 million years ago, transforming river systems and creating thicker soils. The plants' roots helped produce colossal amounts of mud, stabilizing river channels and slowing down sediment transfer to the oceans.
A new study published in Development Cell shows that microglial cells develop in a unique wave-like pattern throughout human brain development. The research, led by Professor Diego Gomez-Nicola, used post-mortem human brain samples to create the largest-ever study on microglial development across the human lifespan.
The UK's reliance on imports for micronutrients poses a challenge due to Brexit and shifting dietary preferences. Researchers warn of the need for policy changes to ensure nutrient security through domestic production and sustainable food systems.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have gained new insight into an antibody's flexibility and its impact on immune response. They found that a more compact, rigid antibody is more active than a flexible one, enabling stronger anti-cancer effects.
A new study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that taking Vitamin D supplements during pregnancy can substantially reduce the chances of babies developing atopic eczema. Babies who were breastfed for more than a month showed a lower risk of eczema, suggesting that supplementation may have long-lasting benefits.
Researchers propose that massive continent stretching triggered a sudden and extreme warming of the planet, leading to the 'Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum' (PETM) event. This theory suggests that intense volcanic activity released large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, causing global warming.
Researchers have identified the remains of Europe's largest ever land-based hunter, a 10m long spinosaurid dinosaur that lived around 125 million years ago. The 'White Rock spinosaurid' was a predator of immense size and likely supported a range of scavengers after death.
A 2000-year record reveals that climate change and human activities significantly impacted Atlantic salmon populations in the River Spey. The study uses a novel method to analyze nutrient levels, providing insights into historical population dynamics.
A new study found that crown-like structures surrounding breast tumors in overweight and obese patients can hinder their response to therapy. Researchers identified a potential molecular biomarker, CD32B, which is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.
A recent study led by the University of Southampton reveals that whale sharks are facing a significant threat from industrialised shipping. The research, which tracked over 350 whale sharks across the globe, found that over 90% of their movements overlapped with global fleets of cargo ships.
A new study reveals that the Stonehenge landscape was once covered in open woodland with meadow-like clearings, inhabited by grazing animals and hunter-gatherers. The research found evidence of aurochs, red deer, elk, and wild boar, suggesting a favorable location for early inhabitants.
A new study projects that climate change will more than double the frequency of intense tropical cyclones globally by 2050, increasing maximum wind speeds by up to 20%. This will disproportionately affect low-income countries and regions that are not currently prone to these events.
A new study has shown that increased levels of turbulence and mixing occurred every night in a coastal bay, similar to those caused by storms. The researchers attribute the signal to shoals of fish spawning anchovies, which mix water layers and impact temperature distribution, nutrients, and oxygen.
A new study by University of Southampton researchers found that a third COVID-19 vaccination improves immune responses in blood cancer patients. The study showed that 92% of patients without recent anti-CD20 treatment had improved antibody responses after the third dose.
Scientists confirm a brief rise in CO2 emissions before the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), an abrupt global warming event. The study reveals unique insights into how Earth's current climate could respond to continued carbon emissions.
Researchers at WorldPop created high-resolution population maps of the Democratic Republic of Congo using satellite imagery and small-scale household surveys. The study estimates population counts and age structures across multiple provinces, helping governments plan public health programs and infrastructure projects.
A team of astronomers discovered neutron stars blowing hot, warm and cold winds while consuming matter from a nearby star. The discovery provides key information about the behaviors of these extreme cosmic objects, which contribute to the formation of new stars and galaxy evolution.
A new study reveals a significant shift in the Northern Hemisphere jet stream position, increasing by up to 330 km and speed by 8% during 1871-2011. This shift is linked to warming Arctic winters and decreased temperature gradients, with implications for climate predictions and storm activity.
A recent study led by Dr Simon Fraser from the University of Southampton found that painkiller prescriptions decreased during the pandemic, but high-risk individuals continued to receive them. The research highlights the need for greater caution when prescribing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to prevent kidney damage.
A team of researchers developed an enhanced version of a modern forensic test to solve a 5000-year-old cold case. The test confirmed the cause of death for a Neolithic man whose remains were found in a mass grave on the coast of Northern Chile, suggesting he died by drowning in shallow saltwater.
A new study by the University of Southampton finds that skilled overseas workers with families face a higher risk of poverty than UK workers and their net incomes are lower under the UK's points-based immigration system. The researchers warn that this could make the UK less attractive for overseas workers who could fill skills gaps.
A new study from the University of Southampton found that expanding renewable energy production sites will not necessarily harm protected areas. The research suggests that careful land use zoning can minimize the impact on biodiversity.
Research by Dr. Sarah Crozier found that children aged eight or nine were more likely to be obese if their mother had a poor diet during – and before – pregnancy. The study, which analyzed data from 2,963 mother-child pairs, suggests that intervening at the earliest possible stage in a child's life can help tackle childhood obesity.
A new study published in PNAS found that large mammals died out at the end of the last ice age due to a warming climate and vegetation expansion. Rewilding efforts with animals like bison and horses are unlikely to reverse this trend, as climate change remains the primary driver of ecosystem changes.
A clinical trial has revealed that COVID-19 patients on ventilators have less surfactant in their lungs due to the virus. The researchers suggest that giving extra surfactant for a longer period could help save lives by supporting breathing and allowing lung cells to repair after the infection passes.
Population movement surged after the end of the second COVID-19 UK lockdown but then fell away suddenly before Christmas 2020. The study analyzed aggregated Facebook data to understand trends in people's movements during the pandemic.
Researchers have found that people with genetic risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have thinner retinas and photoreceptors, even if they haven't yet lost their sight. This early detection could lead to earlier treatment and lifestyle changes to prevent vision loss.
A new study found that bowel cancer patients are at high risk of clinical levels of depression, with over a third experiencing symptoms up to five years after surgery. The study identified risk factors such as pre-existing depression and anxiety, low social support, and poor health.
Researchers found that intense volcanic activity led to a surge in phosphorus levels, driving ocean oxygen levels down and triggering a severe mass extinction. The study suggests that natural weathering of volcanic material may have been responsible for the sudden cooling events.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of having a small for gestational age (SGA) baby in subsequent pregnancies. The research analyzed data from nearly 17,000 mothers who received antenatal care for their first two pregnancies and found that women who smoked at the start of eith...
A new study found that GPs could have saved £2.7 billion for the NHS by prescribing cheaper statin alternatives between 2004 and 2012. If all existing patients on more expensive treatment had been switched, potential savings would increase to nearly half of total costs.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have created nanoparticles that can target and kill deadly bacteria hiding in human cells. The breakthrough could lead to a new treatment method using injectable or inhalation-based antibiotic-laden capsules, potentially saving thousands of lives annually.
A new study found that most personal protective equipment (PPE) masks are not designed for Black And Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and women, leading to inadequate protection. The research highlights the need for further studies on PPE development to account for differences in facial dimensions across gender and ethnicity.
A study published in Environmental Research Letters found that bioenergy crops increase biodiversity by 75% compared to traditional agricultural crops, with benefits for birds, insects, plants, and soil biodiversity.
A new study from the University of Southampton demonstrates a safe method to clean and reuse facemask respirators using advanced low-temperature plasma technology. This technique can remove 99.99% of coronavirus while maintaining filter performance, reducing plastic waste by approximately 70%.
Researchers developed a reusable respirator hood that is significantly preferred by frontline healthcare workers and support staff due to its safety and comfort. The new PPE strategy has also led to cost savings and reduced environmental impact, with over 80% of staff requesting their respirators for future use.
A new study has shown how climate change impacts the ecosystems of large lakes by varying their water layers' mixing through seasons. Mixing controls heat, oxygen, nutrients, and pollutants between layers, shaping ecosystems' adaptations.
A new study found that beaver dams in Scottish streams increase the availability of suitable habitat and abundance of food for brown trout, benefiting their growth and abundance. The research showed that beaver-modified streams had larger trout populations with greater sanctuary from predators.
Scientists have discovered two new species of spinosaurid dinosaurs on the Isle of Wight, providing significant insights into the UK's spinosaurid population. The newly found fossils, including Ceratosuchops and Riparovenator, measure around nine meters in length and suggest a diverse ecosystem with multiple predators.
Scientists successfully differentiate embryonic stem cells into cartilage cells and create three-dimensional pieces of cartilage tissue without any synthetic or natural supporting materials. The generated cartilage tissue is structurally and mechanically comparable to normal human cartilage.
Research finds that human settlement led to increased fires and soil erosion, altering unique island ecosystems in Macaronesia. The study also shows that colonial-era settlers had a greater impact on vegetation than aboriginal settlers.
The study found that store-wide confectionery sales decreased and fruit and vegetable sales increased when unhealthy products were removed from checkouts and aisles, resulting in nearly 10,000 extra portions of fruit and vegetables being sold weekly.
Researchers have created a new technology to enhance therapeutic antibodies' ability to attack blood cancer cells by leveraging the human immune system. This approach combines IgM and IgG antibodies, resulting in a single molecule with increased complement activation.