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University of York


New drugs hope to fight neglected tropical diseases

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the parasites that cause Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis, three neglected diseases affecting 20 million people worldwide. A new chemical has been developed to kill these parasites, offering hope for effective treatments.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature·DateAug 8, 2016

Rare moth in severe decline at its last English site

The Dark Bordered Beauty moth is facing a severe decline due to habitat loss caused by the removal of Creeping Willow plants, which are essential for its caterpillars. Conservation efforts aim to boost Creeping Willow populations and modify grazing regimes to secure the moth's long-term future in England.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 22, 2016

Metal exposure -- a factor in bat population decline

A national assessment of metal contamination in bats reveals high levels of metals such as lead, copper, and cadmium that can cause toxic effects in bat populations. Around 21% of sampled bats contained residues of at least one metal above toxic thresholds, indicating a significant proportion may be affected by metal exposure.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalEnvironmental Pollution·DateJun 9, 2016

Why did we invent pottery?

Researchers found that pottery was used mainly for cooking marine and freshwater animal species, with little evidence of plant processing or deer cooking. This suggests cultural influences played a bigger role than expected in the widespread adoption of pottery.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2016

New effects of ketamine abuse uncovered

Research by University of York scientists shows how ketamine causes inflammation and cell death in the bladder, leading to cystitis. The studies found that direct contact with urinary ketamine is critical to the toxicity, ruling out systemic factors.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateMar 18, 2016

Using mathematics to improve human health

Researchers used mathematical calculations to create a complete picture of protein nanoparticle surface morphology, identifying structures most advantageous for vaccine design. This approach may lead to the development of cost-effective vaccines, including a malaria vaccine set to start clinical testing soon.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateFeb 2, 2016

A far from perfect host

Researchers at the University of York and Exeter have discovered a single-celled protozoa called Paramecium bursaria benefits from exploiting a green algae inside it. The study suggests that symbiosis may not be mutually beneficial, but rather exploitative in nature.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJan 4, 2016

York research points to enhanced detection of Parkinson's

Biologists at the University of York have created a reliable method to detect Parkinson's disease by analyzing fruit flies' visual responses. The study used adapted methods from human vision research and found increased neuronal activity in 'young' flies with Parkinson's mutations, leading to an 85% accurate classification rate.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 25, 2015

Getting under the skin of a medieval mystery

A team of researchers used a non-invasive method to extract protein from medieval parchment samples, identifying the use of multiple mammal species in some manuscripts. The study resolves a long-standing controversy over the origin of 'uterine vellum' and sheds new light on medieval manuscript production techniques.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 23, 2015

What's in a name? More than you think...

A study by psychologists at the University of York analyzed anonymized data from League of Legends to find correlations between user names and in-game behavior. Positive usernames were linked to positive personality traits, while anti-social expressions correlated with similar behavior. Age was also indicated by numbers in user names.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalComputers in Human Behavior·DateNov 17, 2015

Ringing the changes 'opens the road to new medicines'

Researchers at the University of York have developed a new approach to make medicinally important molecules with large rings, called macrocycles. This method allows for their 'growth' from existing rings using ring enlargement reactions, paving the way for the development of new classes of life-saving medicines.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 17, 2015

Conducting gels -- from waste to wealth

Researchers at the University of York have developed a self-assembling gel that can selectively extract precious metals like silver and gold from electronic waste. The gel is then converted into conducting nanoparticles, enhancing its electrical conductance and making it suitable for various high-tech applications.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateNov 9, 2015

Unlocking the mysteries of 'little starlets'

Researchers recreated conditions inside brown dwarfs using a powerful laser, shedding light on their formation and properties. The findings pave the way for further understanding of these mysterious celestial objects, which are difficult to spot due to their small size and cool temperatures.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 6, 2015

Developing the tools to find new generation antibiotics

Researchers at the University of York have developed novel genetic engineering tools to manipulate genes required for antibiotic biosynthesis, enabling scientists to create new antibiotics. The technique has the potential to unlock the antibiotic potential of a significantly larger number of biosynthetic pathways than traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateOct 15, 2015

Research that is simply beyond belief

Researchers found that directing magnetic energy into the brain reduced belief in God by 32.8% and increased positive feelings towards immigrants by 28.5%. The study used transcranial magnetic stimulation to temporarily shut down specific brain regions.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalSocial Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience·DateOct 14, 2015

Re-thinking plant and insect diversity

Biologists at the University of York have found that there is no simple relationship between insect diet and diversity, with some plant-feeding groups being incredibly rich while others are not. The study suggests that other factors play a greater role in explaining diversity.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalThe American Naturalist·DateOct 13, 2015

Green walls: A red card for office worker health?

A new study by University of York academics reveals that green walls can lead to higher levels of ultrafine particles (UFPs) indoors due to the oxidation of outdoor plant species. This could have significant implications for indoor air quality, particularly in offices with high temperatures and pollution.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 5, 2015

Gel study uncovers unexpected dynamics

Research reveals alginate gel biofilms are highly dynamic and exchangeable, challenging previous assumptions about their structure. The findings may lead to new ways of modifying or disrupting these materials to combat bacterial infections in cystic fibrosis patients.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalSoft Matter·DateSep 24, 2015

Researchers propose ecological route to plant disease control

Scientists have discovered a potential ecological route to control plant disease by harnessing the power of soil microbial communities. The study found that increasing competition between resident bacteria and invading pathogens can constrain the spread of bacterial wilt, reducing its devastating impact on global food production.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 24, 2015

Ants on the march in non-native conifer forests

A species of ant, the northern hairy wood ant (Formica lugubris), is thriving in newly formed coniferous forests in the North York Moors National Park. The ant's population has expanded into these plantations, suggesting they provide a suitable habitat for this forest specialist species.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalForest Ecology and Management·DateSep 8, 2015

How newts can help osteoarthritis patients

Scientists at the University of York have developed a technique to rejuvenate human cells from older people with osteoarthritis, allowing them to repair worn or damaged cartilage and reduce pain. The researchers recreated similar conditions in the laboratory by growing human cells as 3D aggregates, enabling them to generate new tissues.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 20, 2015

Protecting the environment by re-thinking death

Researchers have developed a new model of survival that can predict the potential harm caused by thousands of chemicals used daily. By considering death as a continuum between random events and individual tolerance, scientists can analyze every chemical using high-throughput screening, paving the way for further testing.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateAug 4, 2015