Researchers have identified a key role for protein OmpA in protecting bacterial cells from environmental stress. The protein acts as a flexible clamp to connect the cell wall and outer membrane, providing mechanical support.
Research from the University of Southampton discovered that Alzheimer's disease proteins can accumulate in the retina and damage it, leading to Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). The study found that Amyloid beta proteins entered retinal cells within 24 hours and damaged the cell's structure.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that endometriosis severely compromises egg quality by blocking maturation and causing damage from reactive oxygen species. Antioxidants may help prevent this damage, providing a potential solution for women struggling with infertility.
Researchers discovered that breaking waves across a rip channel can close the channel and stop currents from traveling far offshore. However, when waves cease to break, rip currents flow far offshore, posing a greater hazard to swimmers.
A new study suggests that pregnant women respond differently to vitamin D supplementation depending on their individual attributes, such as season of delivery and weight gain during pregnancy. Tailoring supplement levels according to these factors may be necessary to achieve optimal vitamin D concentrations.
Indirect effects of rising CO2 levels, such as changes in soil moisture and plant structure, have a bigger impact on ecosystems than previously thought. These effects can explain up to 28% of total plant productivity response and are almost equal to the size of direct effects on evapotranspiration.
An international study has revealed that the UK and France experience the highest number of malaria cases imported from other countries. The research found that countries with the highest average number of imported infections per year were France, UK, and USA.
TB research suggests infection causes autoimmunity, where immune system reacts incorrectly to its own lung tissue. This can lead to the bacteria spreading through coughing, making the person highly infectious.
A University of Southampton study reveals that tropical storms are a significant contributor to the decline of river deltas globally. The researchers used archived measurements to detect sediment concentration changes in the Mekong River delta, finding that one-third of the sediment is due to tropical cyclones.
New research reveals that human transport has a significant impact on the genetics of marine species, disrupting natural patterns and leading to unexpected consequences. The study found a mosaic of genetic patterns in a native invertebrate species, suggesting that anthropogenic activities are altering genetic composition in native ranges.
Researchers will explore materials based on Gallium, Lanthanum and Sulphur (GLS) for IR applications, offering a safer alternative to arsenic-based glasses with improved performance.
Researchers argue that making parents healthier before conception can prevent transmission of obesity risk to future generations. The approach needed is both top-down and bottom-up, requiring clear information about what young people can do to optimize their health for themselves and their children.
A new study by the University of Southampton uses jellyfish to track marine animals' movements and locations, providing a powerful tool against food fraud. The research can also be used to maintain healthy sustainable fish stocks and ensure consumer confidence in marine eco-labelling.
Researchers identified six main themes in community initiatives that can create a more just and sustainable future. These include agroecology, green urbanism, and social movements promoting fair futures.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have demonstrated a nanoscale device called a memristor to power artificial neural networks, enabling efficient learning and pattern recognition. The study showcases the potential of memristive synapses in compact volumes and low energy costs.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new method to harness the unused potential of photosynthesis by introducing an additional enzyme that captures more light energy. This innovation enables the efficient bioremediation of polluted wastewater areas, as shown in their study published in ACS Synthetic Biology.
A rare small-bodied pterosaur, a flying reptile from the Late Cretaceous period, has been discovered in British Columbia, Canada. The specimen is unusual as most pterosaurs from this time were much larger, but this new discovery provides crucial information about the diversity and success of Late Cretaceous pterosaurs.
Researchers found that plants from high-CO2 springs had differences in gene expression, leading to increased growth and photosynthesis, and potentially paving the way for 'planetary greening'. Stomatal pores on leaves also increased in number after exposure to future CO2 levels.
Researchers have mapped estimated internal migration in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, providing vital data for combating infectious diseases like malaria. The maps show webs of connectivity within countries, aiding effective disease control planning and resource targeting.
Researchers discovered 'ecosystem canaries' can provide early warning signs of large, potentially catastrophic, changes in ecosystems. These species often vanish first from a stressed ecosystem, serving as an indicator of an approaching tipping point.
Research from the University of Southampton found that financial difficulties worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression among university students. The study suggests a 'vicious cycle' where financial struggles exacerbate mental health issues, which in turn increase financial stress.
A study of over 66,000 British adults found that volunteering was positively associated with good mental health and emotional wellbeing after age 40. Volunteering may provide a sense of purpose and social connections, particularly for older people who live in isolation.
An online behavioural counselling tool has been shown to be effective in helping people lose weight and sustain weight loss. Participants who used the Positive Online Weight Reduction (POWeR+) programme with brief support from a practice nurse lost more weight than those without, with an average weight loss of over 1kg over 12 months.
Researchers estimate that up to 90 million infections could result from the initial stages of the spread of Zika in Latin America and the Caribbean. The team's projections suggest Brazil is expected to have the largest total number of infections due to its size and suitability for transmission.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have found a potential method for preventing asthma by targeting the ADAM33 gene, which is associated with airway remodelling and inflammation. Stopping the rogue gene can significantly reduce asthma symptoms in mice, suggesting a new approach to disease modification therapy.
The Adaptive Management of Barriers in European Rivers (AMBER) project maps river barriers across Europe to restore dwindling freshwater species populations. Innovative research uses citizen science, remote sensing, and molecular methods to prioritize areas for conservation and optimize barrier management.
Researchers discovered a non-cancerous facial tumor in the fossilized jaw of Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus, a primitive duck-billed dinosaur, providing evidence that dinosaurs were prone to tumors. The discovery sheds new light on ancient diseases and tumours in extinct species.
Researchers identified a network of genes shared by CLL patients and associated with patient survival, which could be targets for treatment. Epigenetic analysis is expected to become widely used for selecting personalized treatments in cancer and other diseases.
Researchers found that supermassive black holes at galaxy centers are likely to have weaker gravitational fields, making them harder to detect. This challenges previous assumptions about the detection of gravitational waves from merging galaxies.
The STARS4ALL project is a EU-funded initiative that aims to promote dark skies across Europe through crowd-sourced data collection and analysis. Researchers are monitoring social media interactions between citizen science volunteers and participants to design new apps and projects for contributing light pollution data.
A new study using fossil records of planktonic foraminifera found that environmental changes control the number of species that can co-exist on Earth. The researchers analyzed the fossil history of 210 evolutionary species and discovered that the limit to species richness is environmentally dependent, varying with climate and geology.
An international team of scientists has found a way to remove anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere by turning it into rock. The process, known as carbonate mineralisation, can take as little as two years and permanently locks away CO2 in basaltic rocks.
Researchers developed synthetic transporters that can carry chloride through lipid-bilayer membranes, potentially replacing faulty channels in cystic fibrosis. The new molecules show high selectivity for chloride over protons and hydroxide, addressing a potential toxic effect.
A consortium of researchers from the University of Southampton and other institutions is leading a project to calculate the role of physical pond conditions in controlling two devastating pathogens affecting Asian aquaculture. The team aims to develop new guidelines for disease management and novel intervention methods.
The University of Southampton is part of a £5.3 million programme to create robust national infrastructure planning tools. It will provide framework for information analysis and networking to inform strategic decisions, pinpoint vulnerabilities and risks.
A new trial aims to assess the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in preventing and treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), with potential to replace some antibiotic treatments. The study's findings could help reduce antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes for women affected by UTIs.
Agricultural practices like animal husbandry and manure disposal are thought to contribute antibiotic-resistant bacteria to soil microbiomes. The study aims to understand the transfer of resistance genes in different soil types and inform government policies.
A team of astronomers discovered a brown dwarf born as a full-fledged star, stripped to its current mass through stellar cannibalism. The brown dwarf was detected in a binary system with a tight orbit around a white dwarf, where the white dwarf's gravity removes about 90% of the companion's mass.
Research shows that 1 in 5 colorectal cancer patients are depressed at diagnosis, and this can significantly impact their quality of life. The study highlights the importance of considering psychological factors in patient care and support.
A team of astrophysicists has detected an intense wind in the neighborhood of a black hole, which is formed in the outer layers of the accretion disc. The wind has a high velocity of 3,000 km/s and plays a crucial role in regulating the accretion of material by the black hole.
The study found a positive association between placental size and offspring bone mass at various ages, even after adjusting for factors such as height, weight, and pubertal status. Larger bones in early life are expected to lead to stronger bones in older adulthood, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Researchers discovered that rainwater can channel up the Alpine Fault and overwhelm contributions from mantle-derived fluids, focusing it onto the fault. This finding sheds light on the trigger mechanisms for major seismic events and has implications for understanding catastrophic earthquakes.
Scientists analyzed ancient ocean sediments to reconstruct past CO2 levels, finding that elevated CO2 led to the early Eocene epoch's extreme warmth and subsequent cooling. The study provides insights into understanding ancient climate and predicting future climate change.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have successfully applied advanced 3D imaging technology to study Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) lung tissue samples. The study found that active scarring in IPF progresses in multiple individual sites rather than a large 'wave', offering new hope for targeted treatments.
Scientists at the University of Southampton have developed a method for reconfigurable optical elements using multimode interference devices. The team shows that intricate interplay between modes can be dynamically controlled, allowing to freely route light in a static silicon element.
A graphene-based sensor and switch have been developed to detect individual CO2 molecules and VOC gas molecules, which are difficult to detect due to their low concentrations. The technology has the potential to improve air quality in homes with good insulation, reducing health problems such as sick building syndrome.
A recent study led by Professor Philip Calder found that children born to mothers who ate salmon during pregnancy were less likely to have doctor-diagnosed asthma. The study compared allergy rates between two groups: those whose mothers consumed salmon twice a week, and those who did not.
A new study found that bone fracture rates differ significantly across the UK, with Scotland and Northern Ireland having the highest rates. The risk is also influenced by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have discovered a second route to jamming, where liquid-like materials solidify without added particles or volume changes, triggered by stirring. This finding provides a new understanding of jamming-related phenomena in various systems.
New research highlights the key role of existing coral reef biodiversity in facilitating rapid adaptation to climate change. The study found that natural selection of existing biodiversity is essential for coping with rising seawater temperatures and other stressors threatening coral reefs.