The new project, POUNDS (Prediction Of UnqualifieD losseS from offshore wind farm wakes), aims to provide a national-scale assessment of interactions between wind farms, supporting policymakers and industry leaders to optimise offshore wind energy production in the drive to net zero.

The UK government has set a target to reach 43-50 GW of offshore wind by 2030. Rapid progress has already been made with 16 GW now in operation and further projects are ongoing development under the recent Contract for Difference Allocations. Nevertheless, achieving the 2030 target requires an up to three-fold increase of capacity, potentially reaching over 100 GW installed capacity by 2050. 

Such substantial expansion of offshore wind farms means they must be built closer together, making it crucial to understand how this affects predictions of annual energy production.

When large groups of turbines are built in close proximity, they create 鈥榳akes鈥� where wind slows down behind them. and are increasingly impacting the performance of neighbouring farms, reducing the efficiency of the turbines in producing energy and causing conflicts between wind farm operators.

Project Lead , Research Fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering and Management at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淎chieving the target of 43-50 GW of deployed offshore wind farms by 2030 is crucial for NetZero and energy security, but reduction in energy prediction due to wind farm wakes must be addressed.鈥�

鈥淥ur POUNDS project is key to overcoming these challenges, informing policy makers and project developers about strategies to better quantify these losses. Similar initiatives of national importance have been developed in Germany, The Netherlands and the US, and our project aims to support the whole UK offshore wind industry.鈥�

POUNDS, funded by Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Impact Hub, will be carried out in partnership with the UK鈥檚 leading Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) institutes, industry experts, and policymakers, including ORE Catapult, Arup, EDF, RWE, and The Crown Estate.

The project鈥檚 key aims include:

• Assessing how offshore wind farms affect each other鈥檚 energy production, and the revenue implications of these impacts.
• Helping to identify the best locations for future offshore wind farms to minimise these losses and ensure the UK鈥檚 renewable energy targets are met.
• Validating modelled performance data against operational data.
• Improving model accuracy in forecasting wind farm energy production.

As for its methodology, POUNDS will use state-of-the-art mesoscale models 鈥� a type of advanced numerical weather forecasting model 鈥� to model the performance of wind farms spanning UK waters at a resolution of 1 km. It will assess both the wind farms operational in 2023, and the thousands more wind turbines that are planned by 2030.

The analysis will evaluate accuracy of the model relative to real-world data and quantify the effects of inter-farm wakes on predicted energy yield. It will also capture wind-farm wakes and wind-farm performance in comparison to energy export grid data.

This combination of advanced modelling and collaboration with leading stakeholders is designed to support delivery of the UK鈥檚 target to become NetZero by 2050.

, Energy Economist with Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said: "The UK Government's recent   identification of inter-farm wind wakes as an area of focus highlights this issue's importance. This study could make important contributions towards better understanding and planning around them."

, Wind Skills Leader, UKIMEA, Arup, added: "As the UK continues to expand its offshore wind capacity, balancing the need for security and affordability of supply is becoming increasingly complex. To ensure a just transition, which balances private and public interests, it is critical that we take a collaborative approach to advance our scientific understanding of inter-farm wakes and our ability to quantify the impacts."

By modelling the interactions between wind farms more precisely, the team hopes to provide better guidance for developers and policymakers, reduce investment risks, and resolve conflicts between wind farm operators.

POUNDS could ensure that both the UK鈥檚 offshore wind expansion, and 2030 target, remain on track.

The project POUNDS will be officially launched at the , which will be held at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 on 15th April 2025 and is open to academic colleagues.

Further information on the Supergen ORE Impact hub is available .

Commissioned by the band, the roadmap set out clear, measurable targets for the live music industry to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and align with the Paris Agreement.

Using this framework, Massive Attack hosted ACT 1.5 鈥� a one-day music festival over the August bank holiday in 2024.

Analysis in the new report shows that the event had significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to a typical outdoor concert, including:

• 81-98% emissions reduction from power
• 89% emissions reductions from food/catering
• 70% emissions reductions from equipment haulage 
• 73% emissions reductions from artist travel 

The festival was attended by over 32,000 fans and implemented a range of climate measures, including:

• The first ever 100% battery powered festival of its size
• Electric trucks taking batteries offsite to recharge with renewable power
• 100% plant-based catering
• The provision of five times extra show trains one hour after the national network had closed
• Fleets of electric shuttles buses to get fans home. 

To evaluate the event鈥檚 carbon impact, the Tyndall Centre team鈥攍ed by 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Professor Carly McLachlan and Dr Chris Jones鈥攚orked with leading sustainability organisation A Greener Future (AGF). They analysed emissions data from ACT 1.5 and compared it to a hypothetical outdoor concert where environmental measures have not been prioritised.

The results revealed the concert produced the lowest ever carbon emissions from a show of its kind.

It is hoped that the roadmap and insights from the Act 1.5 show are used by other event organisers to transform the live music industry.

Professor Carly McLachlan, Associate Director at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: "This proof-of-concept show could change the landscape for outdoor festivals. It demonstrated that there are real opportunities for promoters, providers, local authorities and central government to create the conditions for the UK to lead the world in super-low carbon events. A willingness to do things differently was demonstrated by the audience and crew members alike. The unwavering commitment to sustainability from senior members of the production team, including the artist, was essential for the success of the show and inspiring to see.鈥�

While many of the attendees took advantage of incentives to travel by low carbon options such as rail 鈥� including VIP bar wristbands for rail travellers, a localised pre-sale, the chartering of trains and the provision of free electric shuttle buses to train stations 鈥� data shows that 5% of the audience chose to fly to the show. Those who flew were responsible for 64% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions of the show.

Robert Del Naja, 3D 鈥� Massive Attack, said: 鈥淢assive Attack are hugely grateful to both the team and the fans that produced a world leading event, and to the scientists and analysts who - via the huge progressive leaps made in producing the ACT 1.5 show - identified a serious emerging issue for all live music events in the context of climate emergency. If fans are encouraged to tour the world to see their favourite artists this sector can simply forget about hitting any emissions reductions targets, let alone Paris 1.5 compatibility. There's a huge question now for tour planning, but also for media and promotor marketing campaigns high on the glitz of epic summer tours that normalise leisure aviation."

Mark Donne, ACT 1.5 Lead Producer, added: 鈥淓vidently this show proved to be the cleanest, greenest festival event ever staged - but in terms of popular take up of clean practices, it feels like we and others working on this stuff are attempting to create smart productions within dumb regulation.

鈥淢usic fans showed quite categorically that they are up for taking the train if there are reliable services available and they can get to the station post-show - but those arrangements are unnecessarily bureaucratic, with dysfunctional timings that must be made simpler.  High polluting power sources like diesel that dominate the festival world, creating huge amounts of greenhouse gas and toxic air pollution for those that live near festival sites, or work on them are cheap and abundant. Central and local government must address this urgently, either via regulation or a deterrent tax. Clean technology is ready 鈥� it just needs to be facilitated; fans want clean shows, that鈥檚 very clear. The challenge for promoters and government now is to meet that need.鈥�

As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered a key player to the transition to cleaner energy. However, the clear, odourless and highly flammable gas is hard to detect using human senses and poses a challenge for its safe deployment.

The sensor, developed by a scientist at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, can reliably detect even the tiniest amounts of hydrogen in seconds. It is small, affordable, and energy-efficient 鈥� and its results outperform portable commercial hydrogen detectors.

The research, in collaborations with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, was published today in the journal .

The operation of the new organic semiconductor sensor relies on a process known as "p-doping," where oxygen molecules increase the concentration of positive electrical charges in the active material. When hydrogen is present, it reacts with the oxygen, reversing this effect and causing a rapid drop in electrical current. This change is fast and reversible at room temperature up to 120 掳C.

The sensor was tested in various real-world scenarios, including detecting leaks from pipes, monitoring hydrogen diffusion in closed rooms following an abrupt release, and even being mounted on a drone for airborne leak detection. In all cases, the sensor proved faster than portable commercial detector, demonstrating its potential for widespread use in homes, industries, and transport networks.

Importantly, the sensor can be made ultra-thin and flexible and could also be integrated into smart devices, enabling continuous distributed monitoring of hydrogen systems in real time.

The team is now focusing on advancing the sensor further while assessing its long-term stability in different sensing scenarios.

Throughout the two-day event held this month, spinout founders presented their innovative projects across Life Sciences, Science & Engineering and Next-Stage Investment categories. These sessions were followed by lively Q&A discussions, with investors and attendees posing insightful questions about the future potential of these groundbreaking technologies.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, delivered a keynote speech on the global impact of university spinouts and reinforced the role of research-led innovation in shaping industries worldwide.

He said at the event: 鈥淥ne of the things that distinguishes 黑料网吃瓜爆料 globally is the connectivity of the city and its institutions and the ecosystem between business, universities and government in a way that is unique in the world.

鈥淚t is the superpower of 黑料网吃瓜爆料. I don鈥檛 know of any other city in the world in which the connectivity between the main institutions in the city are so deep, so dynamic, and so alive.鈥�

Richard Jones, Vice President for Innovation at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, also commended how commercialisation of university research can benefit the wider innovation ecosystem.

Break-out partnering sessions allowed for in-depth discussion and provided invaluable opportunities for spinout teams to meet privately with investors to discuss their commercialisation journeys.

Catherine Headley, CEO at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Innovation Factory said: 鈥淭he conference truly demonstrated the strength and diversity of spinout companies emerging from Leeds, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Sheffield. The level of investor engagement was remarkable, reflecting the exciting momentum behind innovation across the North of England.鈥�

The 2025 Investor Conference reaffirmed the Northern Triangle of Universities鈥� role as a hub fostering cutting-edge innovation collaborations that shape the future of science, technology, and business. It is hoped that fresh partnerships and investments will emerge from the event and that steps will be taken towards real world impact.

LIBRTI is a 拢200 million initiative spanning four years, dedicated to demonstrating controlled tritium breeding鈥攁 crucial step toward realising commercial fusion power plants. By establishing the capability to accurately predict and reproduce tritium production for a given neutron flux and lithium substrate, LIBRTI will help pave the way for large-scale fusion powerplant tritium breeding. This project is supported by a multi-million-pound investment and aims to fast-track fusion fuel development and advance technologies critical to sustainable energy production.

黑料网吃瓜爆料 will leverage its renowned expertise in tritium science and technology and digital engineering to develop an innovative tritium inventory model. Using Bayesian statistics, the model will provide improved predictions and uncertainty quantification, enhancing the safety and efficiency of breeder blanket systems. A breeder blanket system is a key component in a fusion reactor, designed to breed tritium and extract heat to sustain the fusion reaction. It surrounds the fusion core and converts the energy from fusion into a usable form, making it a fundamental element in future fusion power plants.

The project will integrate the advanced model into a digital twin framework, designed to simulate tritium behaviour within different LIBRTI breeder concepts鈥攍iquid lithium, lead-lithium (PbLi), molten salt (FLiBe), and lithium-based ceramic materials. These breeder concepts are being developed in collaboration with digiLab, UKAEA, and partners from Lancaster University, Kyoto Fusioneering, and The University of Edinburgh.

黑料网吃瓜爆料-led initiative will build upon its existing digital fusion industrial metaverse platform, developed through UKAEA鈥檚 Fusion Industry Programme. By adopting a Bayesian Inference-based approach, the project will enable the development of computationally efficient and adaptive models. These tools will ensure real-time tritium monitoring, uncertainty quantification, and predictive analytics, addressing critical challenges in tritium management and advancing the design of next-generation fusion reactors. Tritium is combined with deuterium in fusion reactions to produce helium and vast amounts of energy鈥攎irroring the processes that power the sun and stars. This reaction forms the basis of most fusion power plant designs.

The University鈥檚 collaboration with industrial and academic partners provides unique opportunities for integrating the latest advancements in fusion energy. The project will benefit from data and expertise shared by partners, including Commonwealth Fusion Systems and other LIBRTI awardees. This collaboration ensures a holistic approach to addressing the complexities of tritium inventory management.

The LIBRTI project underscores the UK鈥檚 leadership in fusion energy research and its commitment to developing sustainable energy solutions. The integration of 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 tritium inventory model into LIBRTI鈥檚 breeder systems will play a vital role in achieving the initiative鈥檚 ambitious goals of advancing tritium handling and safety technologies.

Professor Philip Edmondson, Chair in Tritium Science and Technology, 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淭his project exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling some of the most complex challenges in fusion energy. By combining our expertise in tritium science with cutting-edge digital engineering, we are contributing to a sustainable energy future.鈥�

Dalton Nuclear Institute at 20 Years

黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Dalton Nuclear Institute is celebrating 20 years as the biggest and broadest nuclear capability in UK academia. With over 170 PhD researchers, postdocs, and fellows, and 120 academics, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 is the only UK university to cover the full nuclear fuel cycle, as well as fusion, health, and social research. As a trusted authority in the field, the Institute engages with the public, media, stakeholders, and government, driving innovation and shaping the future of nuclear science and technology.

Innovative approach to spintronics

Spin transport electronics, or spintronics, represents a revolutionary alternative to traditional electronics by utilising the spin of electrons rather than their charge to transfer and store information. This method promises energy-efficient and high-speed solutions that exceed the limitations of classical computation, for next generation classical and quantum computation.

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 team, led by , has fully encapsulated monolayer graphene in hexagonal boron nitride, an insulating and atomically flat 2D material, to protect its high quality. By engineering the 2D material stack to expose only the edges of graphene, and laying magnetic nanowire electrodes over the stack, they successfully form one-dimensional (1D) contacts.

Quantum behaviour and ballistic transport

The study explores the injection process via these 1D contacts at low temperatures (20 K), revealing that electron transport across the interface is quantum in nature. The contacts act as quantum point contacts (QPCs), commonly used in quantum nanotechnology and metrology.

First author of the paper, Dr Daniel Burrow, said 鈥渢his quantum behaviour is evidenced by the measurement of quantised conductance through the contacts, indicating that the energy spectrum of electrons transforms into discrete energy subbands upon injection. By adjusting the electron density in the graphene and applying a magnetic field, we visualised these subbands and explored their connection with spin transport.鈥�  

These QPCs, formed by using magnetic nanowires, avoid the need to engineer a physical constriction within the graphene channel, which makes their implementation more practical than previous approaches.

Implications for quantum nanotechnology

The state-of-the-art device architecture developed by the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 team offers a straightforward method for creating tuneable QPCs in graphene, overcoming fabrication challenges associated with other methods. The magnetic nature of the nanoscale contacts enables quantised spin injection, paving the way for energy-efficient devices in spin-based quantum nanotechnology.

Furthermore, the demonstration of ballistic spin injection presents an encouraging step towards the development of low-power ballistic spintronics. Future research efforts will focus on enhancing spin transport in graphene by leveraging the quantum nature of injection via the QPCs.

This research is part of the Horizon Europe Project "2D Heterostructure Non-volatile Spin Memory Technology" (2DSPIN-TECH), supported by a UKRI grant.

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field 鈥� a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by 拢13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

The CDT programme 鈥� led by the Universities of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Sheffield, Liverpool and Birmingham, in partnership with the Fusion Futures鈥� FOSTER programme (Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Teaching Education and Research) at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) 鈥� will enable over 150 post-graduates to tackle the critical challenges of fusion energy.

Fusion energy has never been so prominent in this country, thanks to significant investment from both successive Governments and private capital sources which has accelerated cutting-edge research and development, technical and engineering innovations, and knowledge advancements that have bolstered the UK鈥檚 reputation as the world leader in the sector.

With a focus on advanced problem-solving, the CDT鈥檚 specialist training programme will balance theoretical, practical, and computational training in academic and industrial settings, spanning the entire fusion engineering lifecycle. Students will also gain advanced skills in data-driven modelling and simulation, developing fusion engineering experts (aka 鈥榝usioneers鈥�) who will lead the design, building, safe operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning of fusion power plants.

Training will be led by some of the most respected fusion energy experts from UK academia and industry. Each of the lead university partners has a professorial chair in fusion energy, sponsored by either UKAEA or the private fusion energy company, Tokamak Energy. Training will be enhanced with extensive industry input, with expertise provided from the aerospace, space, automotive, civil, nuclear fission, manufacturing, AI, robotics, and exascale computing sectors.

Doctoral students will work on real-world fusion engineering challenges, collaborating with industrial partners, to earn a Doctor of Engineering (EngD) qualification over the four-year programme. This is the highest degree in engineering, and renowned for its industry focus and impact. The programme will support CDT graduates to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status within a few years.

To ensure accessibility for graduates from across STEM disciplines, all students will begin the programme with three months of foundational fusion engineering training. Delivered in a hybrid format through academic and industry partnerships, this training accommodates both university-based and industry-based students. Throughout the programme, students will receive specialized, project-specific training to deepen their expertise in their research areas. This approach not only strengthens technical skills but also fosters career networks within the fusion engineering industry, supporting graduates in their professional development.

The Fusion Engineering CDT will leverage a 鈥榟ub-and-spoke鈥� model to widen access. An Associate Membership scheme allows any UK university to apply to access the FOSTER studentships and support research and training. UK-based academics who wish to participate in the Associate Membership scheme can express interest via the Fusion Engineering CDT Hub email at fusion-engineering@sheffield.ac.uk.

, UKAEA Chair in Digital Engineering for Fusion Energy at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the Fusion Engineering CDT Principal Investigator, explains: 鈥淪tudents recruited into the Fusion Engineering CDT are expected to work in the fusion industry sector for the next 40 years, where they will face huge challenges and knowledge gaps, at a scale we鈥檝e never encountered before. The CDT will cultivate Fusioneers who are ready to tackle these critical challenges for fusion energy. With training delivered by world-leading experts, we鈥檙e creating a workforce with the skills to design, build, and operate fusion power plants 鈥� who are able to make an immediate contribution."

Nick Walkden, Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER Programme Director at UKAEA, commented: 鈥淚 am delighted that after a very competitive bidding process, we have been able to select an academic team to embark on this exciting collaboration, which will supercharge the development of specialist engineering skills for the fusion sector. The programme combines international research excellence with deep fusion engineering expertise, and we look forward to working together in the coming years to build a world-leading platform for fusion engineering training.

鈥淎 particular highlight of this collaboration is the Fusion Engineering CDT Associate Membership scheme which will provide PhD support to a wider landscape of universities who share our commitment to invest in the future of fusion energy.鈥�

The Fusion Engineering CDT will start recruiting immediately for their first cohort to join at the beginning of the 25-26 academic year. Sign up to receive further news and attend an introductory webinar at www.fusion-engineering-cdt.ac.uk.

The Options Roundabout event on the 19^th February 2025 was the culmination of the which saw our researchers pitch to a panel of commercialisation experts, entrepreneurs and funders. The event was a resounding success and an opportunity for the cohort to network and celebrate their achievements with peers and supporters of the programme.

The programme aims to inspire and accelerate the translation of the knowledge created through academic research into products, services or processes to deliver tangible benefit through a series of bespoke workshops and mentoring opportunities. The workshops helped researchers articulate their ideas by taking them through a lean start-up pathway to explore the commercial potential of their research.

The Innovation Enabling Awards were granted to acknowledge the impact and growth potential with early career researchers receiving between 拢1000 to 拢8000 to further develop the commercial potential of their ideas and businesses.

Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation, presented the Innovation Enabling Awards to the six winning projects.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢8,000

Tiny Human Dramas 

Dr Meghan Rose Donnelly (School of Social Sciences)

鈥�The R2I programme provided me with the skills I needed to take my research out into the world and make a real impact: connecting with industry, refining ideas, building a plan for the future, pitching to potential investors, and much more. R2I absolutely brought me from researcher to innovator.鈥�

Innovation Enabling Award: 拢5,000

Antenatal Education

Dr Holly Reid (School of Medical Sciences)

"The programme and the award have meant that the little idea with which I started R2I, could now be a commercially viable business very soon and that's really exciting."

Innovation Enabling Awards: 拢3,000

Graphene Vision

Dr Rui Zhang and Dr Matthew Lindley (School of Natural Sciences)

"The R2I programme has equipped us with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the entrepreneurial journey. The Innovation Enabling Award will help accelerate the commercialization of our innovation and has given us even more motivation to succeed." 

AI- GPR

Dr Frank Podd (School of Engineering)

鈥淩2I was a fantastic way to learn about the best approach to starting a company, from the inception of an innovation through to the collaborative development of a product with customers鈥� 

Innovation Enabling Awards: 拢1,000

Green Terra Energy Storage

Camilo Salazar (School of Engineering)

&苍产蝉辫;鈥�R2I is a very user-friendly program that provides you with the fundamental tools to start becoming an entrepreneur. The key is to believe in your role, you are already the best.鈥�

Battery Waste Recycling

Dr Amal Nadri (School of Engineering)

The prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the MEC R2I programme will be connected to the wider ecosystem for further support, mentoring and guidance in taking their research ideas forward.

The organisers wish to thank the  Fellowship for their sponsorship of the Innovation Enabling Awards.

Get Involved

If you are an early career researcher looking for an exciting opportunity to develop your innovative thinking and enhance your understanding of creating and developing impact join the next round of the R2I programme. Find out more .

The is supported by the University鈥檚 Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the , the and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

The station, part of the UK鈥檚 programme, will monitor and provide crucial data on key climate-relevant gases, including carbon dioxide (CO鈧�), methane (CH鈧�), and nitrous oxide (N鈧侽). A new high-precision analyser for monitoring atmospheric hydrogen (H鈧�) is also being deployed at the site to monitor atmospheric hydrogen (H鈧�) generated through the growth of the UK鈥檚 hydrogen economy.   

The project is a collaboration between 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Atmospheric Chemistry Research Group at the University of Bristol.

Simon O鈥橠oherty, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of Bristol, added: 鈥淲e can only understand the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by making continuous high-quality, physical measurements of the atmosphere. The current UK network of monitoring stations set up in 2012 has been a huge success in furthering our understanding, however, the addition of the Jodrell Bank station to the network will enhance our ability to determine emissions in the north-west region of the UK.鈥� 

Data collected from Jodrell Bank will be added to a long-term dataset collected by the UK鈥檚 Deriving Emissions linked to Climate Change (DECC) network. These measurements are combined with a computer model that represents the transport of gases from the emission sources to the measurement locations. This enables scientists to estimate the size and location of emissions for each measured gas. The total UK emissions estimated for CH₄ and N₂O using this method are included in the UK鈥檚 National Inventory Report that is submitted annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

As the first site in North West England, the new Jodrell Bank station will provide more granular detail on emissions from Wales and North West England. This will help to improve the accuracy of UK emission estimates and will also permit new studies focused on regional greenhouse gas emissions. Jodrell Bank is also well placed to monitor changes in atmospheric H鈧�) resulting from planned industrial developments near Ellesmere Port. 

Alistair Manning, Met Office greenhouse gas monitoring Scientific Manager, said: 鈥淛odrell Bank is ideally located to monitor emissions from north Wales and the north-west of England. It complements the existing network perfectly and will enable a better spatial understanding of the emissions of greenhouse gases from these regions. The resulting information will enable the UK to better understand its current emissions and monitor its progress to net zero.鈥� 

The GEMMA Programme is a consortium led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), which includes the Met Office, National Centre for Earth Observation, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Bristol, University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, and others working together to create a single integrated network to monitor all sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the UK, funded by NERC and the Building a Green Future Programme. 

Richard Barker, Head of Environment, NPL, said: 鈥淲ith the welcome addition of Jodrell Bank, we can start to provide greater resolution of UK emissions now and also assure the UK network is better suited to the future, more challenging, demands of achieving net zero.鈥�

Scientists from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 used advanced X-ray imaging techniques to examine fossilised bones of the prehistoric flying reptile at the smallest scale, revealing hidden engineering solutions right in the palm of their hands鈥r fingers to be precise.

They discovered that pterosaur bones contained a complex network of tiny canals, making them both lightweight and incredibly strong 鈥� details of its structure that have never been seen before.

The researchers say these ancient adaptations could have the potential to start a 鈥榩alaeo-biomimetics鈥� revolution鈥攗sing the biological designs of prehistoric creatures to develop new materials for the 21^st Century.

The findings are published today in Nature鈥檚 .

The study鈥檚 lead author, Nathan Pili, a PhD student at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淔or centuries, engineers have looked to nature for inspiration鈥� like how the burrs from plants led to the invention of Velcro. But we rarely look back to extinct species when seeking inspiration for new engineering developments鈥攂ut we should.

鈥淲e are so excited to find and map these microscopic interlocking structures in pterosaur bones, we hope one day we can use them to reduce the weight of aircraft materials, thereby reducing fuel consumption and potentially making planes safer.鈥�

The pterosaurs, close relatives of dinosaurs, were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight. While early species typically had wingspans of about two metres, later pterosaurs evolved into enormous forms with wingspans reaching upwards of 10 metres. The size means they had to solve multiple engineering challenges to get their enormous wingspan airborne, not least supporting their long wing membrane predominantly from a single finger.

The team used state-of-the-art X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to scan the fossil bones at near sub-micrometre resolution, resolving complex structures approximately 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair. 3D mapping of internal structures permeating the wing bones of pterosaurs has never been achieved at these resolutions (~0.002 mm).

They found that the unique network of tiny canals and pores within pterosaur bones鈥攐nce used for nutrient transfer, growth, and maintenance鈥攁lso help protect against microfractures by deflecting cracks, serving both biological and mechanical functions.

By replicating these natural designs, engineers could not only create lightweight, strong components but could also incorporate sensors and self-healing materials, opening up new possibilities for more complex and efficient aircraft designs.

The team suggests that advancements in metal 3D printing could turn these ideas into reality.

Nathan Pilli said: 鈥淭his is an incredible field of research, especially when working at the microscopic scale. Of all the species that have ever lived, most are extinct, though many died out due to rapid environmental changes rather than 鈥榩oor design鈥�. These findings are pushing our team to generate even higher-resolution scans of additional extinct species. Who knows what hidden solutions we might find!鈥�

Senior author of the study Professor Phil Manning, Professor of Natural History at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Director of Science at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, added: 鈥淭here is over four billion years of experimental design that were a function of Darwinian natural selection. These natural solutions are beautifully reflected by the same iterative processes used by engineers to refine materials. It is highly likely that among the billions of permutations of life on Earth, unique engineering solutions have evolved but were lost to the sands of time. We hope to unlock the potential of ancient natural solutions to create new materials but also help build a more sustainable future. It is wonderful that life in the Jurassic might make flying in the 21^st Century more efficient and safer.鈥�

With the aerospace industry constantly striving for stronger, lighter, and more efficient materials, nature鈥檚 ancient flyers may hold the key to the future of flight. By looking back hundreds of millions of years, scientists and engineers may well be paving the way for the next generation of aviation technology.

Scientists discovered that even brief exposure to high concentrations of PM may impair a person鈥檚 ability to focus on tasks, avoid distractions, and behave in a socially acceptable manner.

Researchers exposed study participants to either high levels of air pollution - using candle smoke - or clean air, testing cognitive abilities before and four hours after exposure. The tests measured working memory, selective attention, emotion recognition, psychomotor speed, and sustained attention.

Publishing their findings today (6 Feb) in , researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and 黑料网吃瓜爆料 reveal that selective attention and emotion recognition were negatively affected by air pollution 鈥� regardless of whether subjects breathed normally or only through their mouths.

The experts suggest that inflammation caused by pollution may be responsible for these deficits noting that while selective attention and emotion recognition were affected, working memory was not. This indicates that some brain functions are more resilient to short-term pollution exposure.

Co-author Dr Thomas Faherty, from the University of Birmingham, said: 鈥淥ur study provides compelling evidence that even short-term exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities, such as doing the weekly supermarket shop.鈥�

Co-author Professor Francis Pope, from the University of Birmingham, added: 鈥淧oor air quality undermines intellectual development and worker productivity, with significant societal and economic implications in a high-tech world reliant on cognitive excellence.

鈥淩educed productivity impacts economic growth, further highlighting the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on brain health, particularly in highly polluted urban areas.鈥�

Cognitive functioning encompasses a diverse array of mental processes crucial for everyday tasks. Selective attention, for example, helps decision-making and goal-directed behaviour, such as prioritising items on your shopping list in the supermarket, while ignoring other products and resisting impulse buys.

Working memory serves as a temporary workspace for holding and manipulating information, vital for tasks requiring simultaneous processing and storage, essential for tasks that require multitasking, such as planning a schedule or juggling multiple conversations.

Socio-emotional cognition, which involves detecting and interpreting emotions in oneself and others, helps guide socially acceptable behaviour. Although these are separate cognitive skills, they work together to enable the successful completion of tasks both at work in other aspects of life.

Overall, the study highlights the need for further research to understand the pathways through which air pollution affects cognitive functions and to explore the long-term impacts, especially on vulnerable populations like children and older adults.

The study is the first to experimentally manipulate inhalation routes of PM air pollution, providing valuable insights into how different pathways affect cognitive functions. Researchers emphasise the need for further investigation into long-term impacts and potential protective measures.

Globally, air pollution is the leading environmental risk factor to human health, increasing premature mortality. The detrimental impacts of poor air quality on cardiovascular and respiratory systems are widely acknowledged, with links to neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, and Parkinson鈥檚 disease.

PM_2.5 is the air pollutant most responsible for human health effects with some 4.2 million deaths attributed to this size of particle alone in 2015. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that 24-hour and annual limits are below 15 渭g m^鈥�3 and 5 渭g m^鈥�3 respectively.

The asteroid material, delivered in September 2023, contains an abundance of organic molecules, salts, and minerals, some of which have never been observed in meteorites that have fallen to Earth.

The findings, published today in two papers in and , suggest that Bennu originated from an ancient wet world, possibly from the icy regions beyond Saturn.

These discoveries shed new light on how the building blocks of life, such as water and essential chemicals, could have been delivered to Earth鈥攁nd possibly other planets鈥攂y asteroids billions of years ago.

黑料网吃瓜爆料 received part of the sample from asteroid Bennu to support the international analysis effort. In this latest piece of research, Rhian Jones, Professor of Cosmochemistry at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, played a key role in examining the mineralogy of the samples and interpretation of the data.

Professor Jones said: 鈥� is like opening a time capsule from the early solar system. We were surprised to find that the asteroid sample held such a complete library of minerals and some unique salts.

鈥淭he salt minerals discovered in the sample are similar to those in dried-up salty lakes on Earth. We think that these briny conditions played a key role in how water and the ingredients for life might have been delivered to our planet billions of years ago. There is evidence for similar brines on Saturn鈥檚 moon Enceladus and the dwarf planet Ceres. 鈥�

In the , scientists report that they have discovered some key ingredients for life, including 14 of the 20 amino acids that living organisms use to build proteins and all five nucleobases that form DNA and RNA. They also found high levels of ammonia, a potential precursor for these compounds.

Unlike meteorites that fall to Earth and are altered by the atmosphere, Bennu鈥檚 sample was carefully preserved during its journey, with the team protecting every pebble and speck of the Bennu sample while maintaining its pristine quality. As a result, the asteroid sample is giving scientists around the world a rare glimpse at our solar system's earliest days, without having to separate or account for changes caused by exposure to Earth鈥檚 atmosphere.

Professor Jones said: 鈥淪ome of the salts we have found in Bennu have never been seen in meteorites that have fallen to Earth. This is likely because these substances were broken down by exposure to Earth鈥檚 environment. Meteorites similar to the Bennu material are also very rare because they do not easily survive their journey through the Earth鈥檚 atmosphere.鈥�

The new results are the culmination of years of international collaboration involving scientists from NASA, the Smithsonian, London鈥檚 Natural History Museum and Universities across the world.

Professor Jones added: 鈥淭hese results were only possible because of the extremely careful curation of the Bennu sample from the moment the capsule landed. It鈥檚 a testament to what we can achieve with international collaboration and cutting-edge technology.鈥�

The research marks the first in-depth analysis of Bennu鈥檚 organics and minerals and more scientific results from the OSIRIS-REx team are due in the coming months.

NASA has also stored 70% of the sample at Johnson Space Center's curation lab for study by the broader research community, including by scientists who have yet to be born and who will study it with instruments that do not exist today.

NASA鈥檚 Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provided overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson, is the principal investigator. The University leads the science team and the mission鈥檚 science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, built the spacecraft and provided flight operations.

Water pollution is one of the growing challenges of modern life. Many everyday items, from medications to cosmetics, leave behind residues that don鈥檛 fully break down after use. These pollutants often find their way into water systems, where they disrupt ecosystems and cause harm to plants, animals and humans.

The research, published in the journal ,  describes a new method using a molecular structure called a metal-organic cage (MOC). These tiny cages act like traps designed to catch and hold harmful molecules commonly found in our water supplies.

While MOCs have been studied before for gas and chemical capture, they are most commonly studied in chemical solvents where their performance differs significantly from that observed in water. Being able to demonstrate capture of established wastewater pollutants in water is thus a step towards the application of these cages for real-world applications.

Jack Wright, a Researcher at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, who completed the research as part of his PhD, said: 鈥淏eing able to use MOCs in water is a really exciting development. We know how valuable MOCs are for capturing unwanted substances, but until now researchers have not been able to apply them to real-world water systems.

鈥淢any harmful chemicals are difficult to remove from water, and with water pollution becoming a global crisis, this new MOC technology could provide a valuable tool to help clean up water systems and prevent pollutants from entering our ecosystem, particularly in rivers and lakes near urban or industrial areas where wastewater discharge is most common.鈥�

The cages are made up of metal ions connected by organic molecules, forming a hollow pyramid-like structure. These hollow spaces at the centre of these structures are where the MOCs trap specific molecules, like pollutants or gases.

The new structure incorporates chemical groups called sulfonates to make it compatible with water, allowing it to function in real-world water systems, like rivers or wastewater.

It uses a natural effect called hydrophobic binding, where contaminant molecules preferentially 鈥渟tick鈥� to the inside of the cage rather than staying in the water. This allows the material to selectively capture and hold pollutants, even in challenging water environments.

Dr Imogen Riddell, PhD supervisor and researcher at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淥ne of the real strengths of this method is its flexibility. The approach we have developed could be used to design other water-soluble MOCs with different sizes or properties. This opens the door to many future applications, including cleaning up different kinds of pollutants, development of green catalysts or even development of drug delivery strategies .鈥�

Now, the researchers will look to further expand the water-soluble cages, to enable capture of more, different contaminants, and are working  towards the development of robust routes to recycling the cages to support their development as sustainable water purification aids.

In the last few years, researchers have found that surfactants鈥攖he molecules found in soap鈥攃an naturally find its way through a maze using the shortest path, with little penetration into dead ends

The discovery may sound a little peculiar, but the finding mimics transport processes in complex branching networks found in the human body, such as lungs. It may hold the key to understanding how liquids, such as certain drugs, travel through these networks, which could help medical scientists find new and more effective therapies.

Now, scientists at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, working with colleagues from France and the US, have published a theory in the journal explaining the phenomenon.

Dr Richard Mcnair, Research Associate in the Department of Mathematics at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淲hen we put soap into a liquid filled maze, the natural surfactants already present in the liquid interact, creating an omniscient view of the maze, so the soap can intuitively find the correct path, ignoring all other irrelevant paths.

鈥淭his behaviour occurs due to very subtle but powerful physics where the two types of surfactants generate tension forces that guide the soap to the exit.鈥�

The researchers used advanced mathematical models and simulations to replicate how these forces gather an awareness of the maze鈥檚 overall shape and structure. The mechanism can help scientists understand how materials move in confined spaces in complex, branching environments.

Surfactants are substances that help fluids spread. They naturally exist in the human lungs and when doctors treat lung diseases, they sometimes use "exogenous surfactants" (from external sources) to help the lungs work better. However, the surfactants already in the lungs can interfere with these treatments, making it harder for the added surfactant to travel around the airways to where they are most needed.

This research helps scientists understand why surfactant therapies might not always work as expected, especially for diseases like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which has a high mortality rate and may be able to design more effective therapies.

Dr Mcnair said: 鈥淏ut the applications of this research doesn鈥檛 stop there. Many other systems such as microfluidic devices that transport chemicals and other substances through intricate networks could benefit from this insight for informing better designs for these systems, inevitably improving efficiency and reducing costs.鈥�

The research team has already developed preliminary models involving surfactants spreading in realistic lung-scale geometries which could directly connect the findings of this research to clinically important research.

Just like the proteins in our muscles, which convert chemical energy into power to allow us to perform daily tasks, these tiny rotary motors use chemical energy to generate force, store energy, and perform tasks in a similar way.

The finding, from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the University of Strasbourg, published in the journal provides new insights into the fundamental processes that drive life at the molecular level and could open doors for applications in medicine, energy storage, and nanotechnology.

The artificial rotary motors are incredibly tiny鈥攎uch smaller than a strand of human hair. They are embedded into polymer chains of a synthetic gel and when fuelled, they work like miniature car engines, converting the fuel into waste products, while using the energy to rotate the motor.

The rotation twists the gel鈥檚 molecular chains, causing the gel to shrink, storing the energy, much like winding like an elastic band. The stored energy can then be released to perform tasks.

So far, the scientists have demonstrated the motor鈥檚 ability to open and close micron-sized holes and speed up chemical reactions.

Professor Leigh added: 鈥淢imicking the chemical energy-powered systems found in nature not only helps our understanding of life but could open the door to revolutionary advances in medicine, energy and nanotechnology.鈥�

The Ring Nebula is perhaps one of the most photographed objects in the night sky, dating back to its first image in 1886, but its intrinsic structure has been debated for as long as it has been observed.

Now, using Submillimeter Array (SMA) advanced radio-wavelength mapping techniques, the team has determined that the nebula has an ellipsoidal structure, resolving the longstanding debate.

By mapping the emission from carbon monoxide (CO) gas, the observations provided valuable insights into its structure. The CO emission highlights cold molecular gas surrounding the hot gas and dust seen in images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The findings are the result of collaborative work by researchers from institutions including Rochester Institute of Technology, the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard & Smithsonian, Macquarie University, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, alongside 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Professor Albert Zijlstra.

Professor Joel Kastner from Rochester Institute of Technology, said: "We looked at the data and the ellipsoidal structure was obvious, so we could put together a simple geometrical model. Now, we understand the structure of this nebula.

鈥淭he James Webb Space Telescope gives us a collapsed image of what the object looks like in the sky. The SMA allows us to accurately measure the velocities of the molecular gas in the nebula, so we can see what's moving toward or away from us."

Previous theories suggested the nebula might be ring-shaped or resemble a soap bubble. However, the new model, based on SMA data, confirms its ellipsoidal structure and provides a more detailed understanding of the velocities and locations of carbon monoxide molecules ejected by the dying star that generated the Ring Nebula 鈥� detail that can't be inferred from telescopic images, even using powerful NASA space observatories like HST and JWST.

The team鈥檚 findings indicate that roughly 6,000 years have elapsed since the dying star, then a red giant, ejected the molecular gas that envelopes the nebula. The SMA data also reveal high-velocity blobs of gas observed at each end of the ellipsoidal shell suggesting the presence of a companion star influencing the nebula鈥檚 formation.

Professor Zijlstra from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淭he Ring Nebula is an iconic object in the night sky, a favourite for professional and amateur astronomers alike. But understanding the real structure of this nebula has been very hard. The appearance of a ring is deceptive. The new data reveals a slightly deformed barrel seen from the top, with a large bubble coming out through the top and bottom of the barrel. In JWST images, these are seen superposed, but the new data allows us to separate them from their different velocities. The bubble is inclined with respect to the barrel. Now we will need to find out how a star can eject two such different structures in different directions! That remains a bit of a mystery.鈥�

These findings follow , one of the first objects observed by the JWST. This new approach of using the combination of SMA mapping and JWST imaging to tease out the 3D structures of these objects gives scientists a fresh way to understand the final, dying stages of sun-like stars.

Kastner added: 鈥淭he stars that generate planetary nebulae like the Ring and Southern Ring may have produced much of the carbon in the Universe.

鈥淲e can watch that carbon on its way to being recycled into the next generation of stars and planets when we observe these amazing objects.鈥�

The research will be presented at the  on 12 鈥� 16 January 2025 and has been sent for publication in a journal .

The extinction of the Dinosaur was a tumultuous time that included some of the largest volcanic eruptions in Earth鈥檚 history, as well as the impact of a 10-15 km wide asteroid. The role these events played in the extinction of the dinosaurs has been fiercely debated over the past several decades.

New findings, published today in the journal , suggest that while massive volcanic eruptions in India contributed to Earth鈥檚 climate changes, they may not have played the major role in the extinction of dinosaurs, and the asteroid impact was the primary driver of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

By analysing ancient peats from Colorado and North Dakota in the USA, the researchers 鈥� led by 黑料网吃瓜爆料 鈥� reconstructed the average annual air temperatures in the 100,000 years leading up to the extinction.

The scientists, including from the University of Plymouth, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and Denver Museum of Nature and Science in the USA, found that volcanic CO鈧� emissions caused a slow warming of about 3掳C across this period. There was also a short cold 鈥渟nap鈥� 鈥� cooling of about 5掳C 鈥� that coincided with a major volcanic eruption 30,000 years before the extinction event that was likely due to volcanic sulphur emissions blocking-out sunlight.

However, temperatures returned to stable pre-cooling temperatures around 20,000 years before the mass extinction of dinosaurs, suggesting the climate disruptions from the volcanic eruptions weren鈥檛 catastrophic enough to kill them off dinosaurs.

Dr Lauren O鈥機onnor, lead scientist and now Research Fellow at Utrecht University, said: 鈥淭hese volcanic eruptions and associated CO₂ emissions drove warming across the globe and the sulphur would have had drastic consequences for life on earth. But these events happened millennia before the extinction of the dinosaurs, and probably played only a small part in the extinction of dinosaurs.鈥�

The fossil peats that the researchers analysed contain specialised cell-membrane molecules produced by bacteria. The structure of these molecules changes depending on the temperature of their environment. By analysing the composition of these molecules preserved in ancient sediments, scientists can estimate past temperatures and were able to create a detailed "temperature timeline" for the years leading up to the dinosaur extinction.

Dr Tyler Lyson, scientist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, said: 鈥淭he field areas are ~750 km apart and both show nearly the same temperature trends, implying a global rather than local temperature signal. The trends match other temperature records from the same time period, further suggesting that the temperature patterns observed reflect broader global climate shifts.鈥�

Bart van Dongen, Professor of Organic Geochemistry at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, added: 鈥淭his research helps us to understand how our planet responds to major disruptions. The study provides vital insights not only into the past but could also help us find ways for how we might prepare for future climate changes or natural disasters.鈥�

The team is now applying the same approach to reconstruct past climate at other critical periods in Earth鈥檚 history.

The Cockcroft Institute is a partnership between the Universities of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Lancaster, Liverpool, Strathclyde, and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), dedicated to developing and constructing particle accelerators for pure and applied research purposes. 

The Cockcroft Institute is the national centre for accelerator research and development in the UK. It was established almost two decades ago and comprises of over 200 academics and professional accelerator staff dedicated to innovating the future of accelerator science.

The Extreme Light Infrastructure (ELI ERIC) is a research infrastructure with the world鈥檚 largest and most advanced collection of high-power, high-repetition-rate lasers. As an international user facility dedicated to multi-disciplinary science and research applications, ELI provides access to state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge research. 

The ELI ERIC operates as a single multi-site organisation with complementary facilities specialised in different fields of research with extreme light. The Attosecond Light Pulse Source Facility (ELI ALPS), based in Hungary, is primarily aimed at realising bright, ultrafast, laser-driven secondary photon sources, driven by high-intensity, high-average power, few-cycle-pulse lasers. ELI ALPS is also developing state-of-the-art high repetition rate, laser-driven particle (electron, ion, neutron) acceleration beamlines.

The collaboration agreement targets research in laser-driven plasma acceleration, with 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Lancaster providing expertise in laser-particle beam manipulation on ultra-fast (femtosecond, 10-15 second) time scales. STFC will provide insight and expertise in the control and capture of micron-size beams which are generated when laser beams with 100鈥檚 or terawatts of power interact with a plasma.

The collaboration has arisen from research undertaken by 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Lancaster in laser-driven control of electron beams, including in user experiments at the ELI ALPS Facility. The agreement supports the establishment of joint PhD studentships, and a reciprocal arrangement for the exchange or hosting of PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and ELI staff.

Professor Steven Jamison of Lancaster鈥檚 Physics Department and the Lancaster lead in the MoU, said: 鈥淭his MoU is a recognition of the significant research potential that arises through the bringing together of our expertise and facility resources. It is my wish, and expectation, that through collaboration we will achieve important advances in the science and technology of generating and controlling high-energy electron beams with lasers. The technologies being targeted are revolutionary in applications such as x-ray sources and particle beams for high energy physics."

Allen Weeks, ELI ERIC Director General, added: 鈥淲e are thrilled to be partnering with The Cockcroft Institute on laser-driven plasma acceleration which has broad scientific and technological applications, from high-energy physics to next-generation radiation sources. Collaborations like this are at the heart of ELI ERIC鈥檚 mission to push the boundaries of high-energy laser science while also supporting the education and training of PhD students, early career researchers and staff. These exchanges will facilitate connections and engagements between our institutes for both of our benefits.鈥�

January

To start the year, astronomers found a mysterious object in our Milky Way. The unknown object, which was located around 40,000 light years away, is heavier than the heaviest neutron stars known and yet simultaneously lighter than the lightest black holes known. It could be the first discovery of the much-coveted radio pulsar 鈥� black hole binary

Later in the month, two University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 professors,  and , were recognised in the prestigious 2024 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists. The pair were named among the three Laureates in recognition of their research that is transforming medicine, technology and our understanding of the world in the field of Chemical Sciences and Physical Sciences & Engineering, respectively.

February

In February, the Dalton Nuclear Institute welcomed Professor Zara Hodgson as its new Director and 黑料网吃瓜爆料 researchers were awarded 拢4.2 million funding award from UK Research and Innovation to tackle some of the UK鈥檚 most challenging resilience and security problems. 

March

March saw the Faculty of Science and Engineering鈥檚 marketing team successfully launch a new podcast, Big Sisters in STEM, which aims to amplify marginalised voices in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industry. Episode one was launched to more than 1000 listeners and has since been listened to in almost 60 countries. By May 2024, BSIS became the most listened podcast of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and is rated five stars across podcast platforms.

The University was also named an Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE-CSR) in recognition of its internationally leading cyber security research. And new research found that reduced snow cover and shifting vegetation patterns in the Alps, both driven by climate change, are having major combined impacts on biodiversity and functioning of ecosystems in the high mountains.

April

In April, Dr Dean Lomax identified the fossilised remains of what could be the largest known marine reptile. The fossilised remains measured more than two metres long and was identified as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile. Estimates suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25 metres long.

黑料网吃瓜爆料 scientists also started to develop a world-first Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) that integrates cutting-edge imaging and spectroscopy with artificial intelligence and automated workflows (AutomaTEM). The development will accelerate innovation in materials applications for quantum computing, low power electronics, and new catalysts to support the energy transition.

Also in April, six scientists in the Faculty of Science and Engineering were awarded highly prestigious European Research Council (ERC) advanced grants designed to provide outstanding research leaders with the opportunity to pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to major scientific breakthroughs.

May

In May, scientists made an exciting breakthrough in quantum computing. They produced an enhanced, ultra-pure form of silicon 鈥� thought to be the world鈥檚 purest silicon  鈥�&苍产蝉辫; that allows construction of high-performance qubit devices 鈥� a fundamental component required to pave the way towards scalable quantum computers. The finding could define and push forward the future of quantum computing.

Also in May, the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC) was launched, , Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his 鈥渋nvaluable contributions to science鈥� and scientists released the first set of scientific data captured with the Euclid telescope.

June

In June, two Professors in the Faculty were recognised in the King鈥檚 Birthday Honours.  was awarded an OBE for his services to public health, to epidemiology and to adult social care, particularly during Covid-19, while Professor Paul Howarth was awarded a CBE for his significant contribution and service to the nuclear industry and to UK research and development (R&D).

Scientists also unlocked a new design for a robot that could jump twice the height of Big Ben 鈥� higher than any other jumping robot designed to date. Applications of the robot range from planetary exploration to disaster rescue to surveillance of hazardous or inaccessible spaces.

July

July was a bumper month for health research. Scientists in the Department of Earth and Environment Sciences discovered a way to control mutation rates in bacteria, paving the way for new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. In the Institute of Biotechnology, researchers developed a new approach to store and distribute crucial protein therapeutics without the need for fridges or freezers, significantly improve accessibility of essential protein-based drugs. They also uncovered a more efficient and sustainable way to make peptide-based medicines, showing promising effectiveness in combating cancers.

August 

During summer, scientists published findings from their study investigating triggers of explosive volcanic eruptions. For the first time, they were able to effectively simulate how bubbles grow in volcanic magma, shedding new light on one of nature鈥檚 most astonishing phenomena.

A project that aims to advance research software practices across the UK, was awarded a record 拢10.2 million in funding.

September

September was all about ocean waves. The M4 wave energy converter, developed by Professor Peter Stansby was successfully launched in Albany, Australia. The device is designed to harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity, representing a significant step forward for renewable energy technology.

Scientists also discovered that ocean waves could be far more extreme and complex than previously imagined. They found that waves can reach heights four times steeper than what was once thought possible and could have implications for how offshore structures are designed, weather forecasting and climate modelling.

October

October was an exciting month as we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of graphene; the Nobel Prize-winning 鈥榳onder material鈥�, which was first isolated by Professor Sir Andre Geim and Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov.

In the same month, the Department of Maths was gifted a unique mathematical object known as a  - the first known physical example of a new class of shapes called mono-monostatics. The 骋枚尘产枚肠 has the unique serial number 1824, in honour of the University鈥檚 200^th anniversary, which has been celebrated throughout 2024.

November

In November, Professor Carly McLachlan attended a sustainability event at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles III to talk about her work in sustainable live music. She attended the event as part of a delegation representing the Act 1.5 and Accelerator City initiative, alongside Robin Kemp, Head of Creative at Culture Liverpool; and four-time grammy award winning musician Nile Rodgers.

The University also partnered on two new projects 鈥� one in cyber security and one in nuclear robotics 鈥� each supported by a 拢5million grant by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.

Ending the month, scientists unlocked the secrets of one of the most remarkable seed dispersal systems in the plant kingdom 鈥� the squirting cucumber.

December

To end the year on a high, the University鈥檚 Great Science Share for Schools was granted UNESCO Patronage for the second year in a row. Its sibling programme Engineering Educates was also endorsed by UNESCO鈥檚 Ocean Decade for its recent challenge 鈥楳otion in the Ocean鈥�. And a new study from the  describes a novel biological method to convert mixed municipal waste-like fractions 鈥� including food scraps, plastics, and textiles 鈥� into valuable bio-products. 

A group of leading international scientists is calling for a global conversation about the potential creation of "mirror bacteria"鈥攁 hypothetical form of life built with biological molecules that are the opposite of those found in nature.

In a new report published today in the journal , the researchers, including Professor Patrick Cai, a world leader in synthetic genomics and biosecurity, from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, explain that these mirrored organisms would differ fundamentally from all known life and could pose risks to ecosystems and human health if not carefully managed.

Driven by scientific curiosity, some researchers around the world are beginning to explore the possibility of creating mirror bacteria, and although the capability to engineer such life forms is likely decades away and would require major technological breakthroughs, the researchers are calling for a broad discussion among the global research community, policymakers, research funders, industry, civil society, and the public now to ensure a safe path forward.

Professor Cai said: 鈥淲hile mirror bacteria are still a theoretical concept and something that we likely won鈥檛 see for a few decades, we have an opportunity here to consider and pre-empt risks before they arise.

鈥淭hese bacteria could potentially evade immune defences, resist natural predators, and disrupt ecosystems. By raising awareness now, we hope to guide research in a way that prioritises safety for people, animals, and the environment."

The analysis is conducted by 38 scientists from nine countries including leading experts in immunology, plant pathology, ecology, evolutionary biology, biosecurity, and planetary sciences. The publication in is accompanied by a detailed 300-page .

The analysis concluded that mirror bacteria could broadly evade many immune defences of humans, animals, and potentially plants.

It also suggests that mirror bacteria could evade natural predators like viruses and microbes, which typically control bacterial populations. If they were to spread, these bacteria could move between different ecosystems and put humans, animals, and plants at continuous risk of infection.

The scientists emphasise that while speculative, these possibilities merit careful consideration to ensure scientific progress aligns with public safety.

Professor Cai added: 鈥淎t this stage, it鈥檚 also important to clarify that some related technologies, such as mirror-image DNA and proteins, hold immense potential for advancing science and medicine. Similarly, synthetic cell research, which does not directly lead to mirror bacteria, is critical to advancing basic science. We do not recommend restricting any of these areas of research. I hope this is the starter of many discussions engaging broader communities and stakeholders soon. We look forward to hosting a forum here in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 in autumn 2025.鈥�

Going forward, the researchers plan to host a series of events to scrutinise their findings and encourage open discussion about the report. For now, they recommend halting any efforts toward the creation of mirror bacteria and urge funding bodies not to support such work. They also propose examining the governance of enabling technologies to ensure they are managed responsibly.

The Hidden REF awards celebrate the impact and roles that are vital to research but are overlooked by traditional research evaluation. It aims to build a more effective and more equitable system for recognising contributions to research success.

The awards are split into five 鈥榦utput panels鈥� with 24 categories, each organised by output type. The panels include Applications of Research, Communicative Outputs, Context, Practices and Hidden Role.

SEERIH was Highly Commended in the Communicative Outputs panel under the category of 鈥楥ampaigns鈥� for the success of its campaign, a pioneering campaign dedicated to fostering scientific curiosity and education among young learners.

The category recognises campaigns that  initiate change that is adopted across the research community and creates significant positive impact in a broad range of areas, including the way research is conducted, the diversity of the research community, the pipeline of people involved in research, or any other change that can be demonstrated to be beneficial for the research environment.

Professor Lynne Bianchi, Director of SEERIH, said: 鈥淲e are very proud to have had our work recognised in this new competition across the Higher Education sector. It really does shine a light on the campaign which makes research more visible to young children, as well as empowering them to think and work scientifically themselves. We鈥檇 love for more Higher Education Institutions to get involved. I鈥檇 also like to say a special thank you to the Faculty of Science and Engineering's Kerry Wilkins for doing such a great job (as always) in supporting the application.鈥�

and the panellists were chosen based on their experience of the submission categories.

The winners were announced at an online awards ceremony on 29 November. You can find all of the winners and re-watch the ceremony

The endorsement reinforces the programme鈥檚 significant role in inspiring scientific curiosity, inquiry, and global citizenship among young people and underscores its profound alignment with UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) values through inclusive and equitable quality science education and promotion of sustainable lifestyles.

Now celebrating its tenth year, the pioneering initiative empowers children aged 5-14 to explore and share scientific questions they are passionate about with peers, families, and communities worldwide. Topics relate directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, sparking inquiry on issues such as biodiversity, carbon reduction, and sustainable practices.

In 2023-24, the GSSfS campaign reached over 670,000 pupils in more than 3,500 schools, spanning 36 countries. Of these, 50% were in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.

Next year, the campaign seeks to be even bigger with young people responding to the theme 鈥楥onnected Science鈥�. Across a range of free resources teachers, pupils and whole schools are inspired to develop genuine awareness and engagement in global climate action.

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General, UK National Commission for UNESCO, added: 鈥淲e are delighted to grant UK National Commission for UNESCO Patronage to the Great Science Share for Schools campaign for a second time in 2025. Education, Science, and Communication & Information are three fundamental pillars of UNESCO鈥檚 global work, so it is great that the UK National Commission can support an initiative here in the UK that brings these together in such an imaginative and collaborative way. The GSSfS initiative aligns with UNESCO鈥檚 mandate of promoting knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives.鈥�

SEERIH鈥檚 other campaign 鈥�鈥�, has also received UNESCO endorsement of its 鈥楳otion in the Ocean鈥� challenge, which has been recognised by the (鈥極cean Decade鈥�).  

The is a global effort to promote transformative ocean science and aim to inspire actions that will preserve ocean health for future generations.

Newly launched in September 2024, 鈥淢otion in the Ocean鈥� is one of eight challenges within the EPSRC Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) Network led by 黑料网吃瓜爆料. This has been designed to upskill teachers and pupils (7-14 years) in applying design technology, computing and science skills to find solutions to real-world problems.

鈥淢otion in the Ocean鈥� introduces challenges related to ocean sustainability and marine conservation through practical applications of engineering and design.

Professor Andrew Weightman, Programme Director for RAS, said: 鈥淭he new robotics theme within Engineering Educates has taken our outreach to a new level. By working with Lynne and her team we now have a much stronger focus on how our research can inspire curriculum learning. We are really delighted that we can also support the Ocean Decade.鈥�

As extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and freezes become more common due to global heating, understanding how soil microbes 鈥� critical for healthy ecosystems 鈥� respond is crucial.

These microbes play a key role in natural processes like carbon cycling, which helps determine how much carbon is stored in the soil and how much is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, a major driver of global heating.

Researchers from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, working with a network of scientists across Europe, collected soil samples from 30 grasslands in 10 countries. They experimentally exposed the samples to simulated extreme weather events under controlled laboratory conditions to find out how the microbes would respond.

The team found that microbial communities in soils from different parts of Europe each reacted in unique ways to the extreme events. For example, soils from cooler, wetter climates were particularly vulnerable to heatwaves and droughts, while soils from dry regions were more affected by floods.

However, the scientists also found encouraging patterns and signs of consistency. In particular, microbes that can "pause" their activity and go dormant鈥攅ssentially waiting out tough conditions鈥攊n any weather condition.

The findings are published today in the journal .

, Senior Lecturer in Earth and Environment Sciences at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淪oil microbes are vital for our ecosystems. Their ability to adapt or struggle with climate change has a direct impact on soil health, plant growth, food production and carbon storage.

鈥淏y understanding the microbes鈥� 鈥榮urvival strategy鈥�, we can better predict and possibly mitigate future impacts of these extreme weather events, giving us crucial insights to safeguard vulnerable regions.

鈥淏ut our research highlights just how complex and varied the effects of climate change can be. The fact that local conditions play such a huge role in how vulnerable soils are means that a "one-size-fits-all" approach won鈥檛 work when it comes to protecting soil ecosystems, suggesting tailored strategies will be key.鈥�

Each sample site represents the diversity of biogeographic regions present in Europe: alpine (Austria), subarctic (Sweden), Arctic (Iceland), Atlantic (Oxford and Lancaster, UK), boreal (Estonia), continental (Germany), Mediterranean (Spain and GR, Greece) and steppe climate (Russia).

The research offers a key first step in predicting how microbial communities respond to climate extremes, helping inform conservation efforts and climate policies around the world.

, who conducted the research while at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, now a Professor of Earth Surface Science at the University of Amsterdam, added: 鈥淭his study is one of the largest of its kind. By working across multiple countries and ecosystems, we have been able to provide key insights that could guide future research and environmental management strategies ensuring the health of our ecosystems in the face of increasing climate challenges.鈥�

Formed to challenge and disrupt the global conveyor belt market, Ecobelt Ltd is an environmentally ambitious company that champions environmental sustainability and fosters a circular life-cycle approach for belting use.

In the UK alone, 4,000 tonnes of conveyor belts are incinerated or sent to landfill every week.

The 鈥楽ustainable Materials Innovation for Net-zero鈥� award recognises Ecobelt鈥檚 patented innovative belt splice technology to address the main cause of belt failure. The technology extends belt lifespan from months to years, therefore improving the upstream sustainability by reducing the demand for new belts.

Through partnership and collaboration with 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥攕upported by its UKRI Impact Acceleration Account and the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub at the Henry Royce Institute鈥擡cobelt tested the performance of their technology to develop an approach to repair damaged conveyor belts, employing a whole life-cycle environmental impact approach.

The judges from the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining commended Ecobelt鈥檚 technology, citing the robust research base and collaboration with partners as key indicators to Ecobelt鈥檚 commitment to environmental sustainability.

Conveyor belts service virtually all consumer products, production and manufacturing facilities globally, driving a market valued at $6 billion (USD) annually, fuelled by e-commerce and industry 4.0.

Despite this, the industry has been remarkably stagnant in relation to innovation, sustainability and the manufacturing process of materials used in conveyor belts. As conveyor belts are fossil fuel based, manufacturing consumes huge natural resources whilst producing significant Greenhouse Gases 鈥� an issue that Ecobelt seeks to change.

Whilst Ecobelt鈥檚 next steps for commercial scale up are still unfolding, the technology鈥檚 potential for lasting impact in the industrial settings are clear.

Professor Michael Shaver, Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub said: 鈥淥ur world is driven 鈥� both literally and figuratively 鈥� by conveyor belts. Yet we don鈥檛 think of them as essential in championing 黑料网吃瓜爆料 as a sustainable city.

鈥淥ur eyes have been opened by this hidden gem of a local business: Ecobelt have tackled an invisible material flow that is essential to keeping our manufacturing and delivery systems moving by improving material repair, reuse and circularity. It has been a privilege to work on assessing the AnnStuMax technology and quantifying its impressive environmental credentials.鈥�

While most plants rely on external forces such as animals, wind, or water to spread their seeds, this cucumber 鈥� scientifically known as Ecballium elaterium - launches them at high speed in a pressurised jet, sending seeds over 10 metres from the parent plant.

The fruit has long intrigued scientists for its dramatic seed dispersal method, but the exact mechanism and its benefits were poorly understood.

The new research, published in the journal , uses high-speed videography, image analysis, lab experiments and mathematical modelling to examine each phase of the ejection process.

They found that as the cucumber ripens, fluid from the fruit is squeezed into the stem, causing it to stiffen and straighten, and changing the inclination of the fruit so that it is better suited for launching seeds over long distances. The internal pressure in the fruit is so high that, once it detaches from the stem, the fluid and seeds within the shell are explosively launched in a powerful jet.

The finding has important implications for understanding the plant鈥檚 population dynamics and offers insights into evolutionary adaptations related to explosive fruit mechanisms. Its seed dispersal strategy could also inspire new technologies.

Lead researcher Finn Box from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淪eed dispersal is incredibly important for plant survival and population, and we see a wide range of dispersal strategies across the plant kingdom, each adapted to different ecological needs.

鈥淭his research is the first comprehensive mechanical explanation for how the cucumber plant launches its seeds with remarkable speed and precision 鈥� a process almost unheard of in the plant world.

鈥淭he explosive launch of the cucumber plant has evolved over generations to help it survive. The way that the stem is able to re-position itself to the perfect angle and build enough pressure to maximise spread has been key to help regulate the plant鈥檚 population. These mechanisms allow the plant to disperse seeds over a wide area and reduce overcrowding and competition among offspring and other neighbouring plants, ensuring a better chance of survival for the next generation.鈥�

The research could also help scientists better understand how plants might adapt to environmental changes such as temperature, rainfall patterns and soil conditions due to climate change. Effective seed dispersal plays a critical role in this adaptation as it allows them to move on and colonise new, more stable environments.

It is also thought that understanding the mechanics of explosive seed dispersal could inspire new technologies, such as smart medical devices that can eject drugs on demand and thereby increase the concentration of medication at target sites within the body.

The projects are supported through 拢22 million of funding 鈥� of which each will receive 拢5 million - by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.

The first project, CyberFocus, led by Lancaster University, will strengthen and deliver strategic investments in the region鈥檚 cyber ecosystem, fuelling the potential of the North West cyber sector and keeping the UK at the forefront of advance cyber security.

Danny Dresner, Professor of Cyber Security in the Department of Computer Science and the University鈥檚 academic lead for CyberFocus, said: 鈥淭he volatile, risk-filled landscape of cyber security so often gives our adversaries free rein to innovate faster than those who create for the online safety of all of us."

CyberFocus brings together the universities of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Lancaster, Salford, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Metropolitan, Central Lancashire, Cumbria and Liverpool.

It will also be supported by other partners including Team Barrow (Westmorland & Furness Council, and BAE Systems), Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Cumbria LEP, Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Combined Authority and Lancashire County Council.

The project aims to act as a catalyst for cyber knowledge exchange across the North West, fostering a collaborative approach to research and innovation, and helping the region drive economic growth and improve cyber resilience.

CyberFocus aims to:

• Create 85 new collaborative partnerships
• Develop 400 new products, processes, or services
• Secure 拢40m additional funding for the region
• Train 300 individuals in cyber innovation skills

The second project, led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, focuses on nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence. It will connect academia with the supply chain, with the aim of decommissioning the country鈥檚 nuclear legacy, as well as developing technology that can be exploited by the nuclear fusion sector.

Barry Lennox, Professor of Applied Control, in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, is the University鈥檚 lead for this project.

The project will link Cumbria and Oxfordshire 鈥� its' university partners being The University of Cumbria, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and The University of Oxford 鈥� and hopes to mobilise significant knowledge and technology transfer between these areas.

Being the only research focused university with a research base in West Cumbria, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will also attempt to bring other universities into the region and support them, as they develop technology for the nuclear industry.

The project aims to:

• Create 200 business opportunities
• Establish 10 spin-out companies
• Generate 200 new jobs
• Engage 5,000 people in cluster-driven events

UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: 鈥淲e are backing universities across the UK to home in on local strengths in research 鈥� from cybersecurity in Lancaster to maritime in Liverpool, offshore wind in Edinburgh to digital healthcare in Belfast 鈥� to support thousands of local jobs, boost skills and bring new technologies to market.

鈥淭his investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities.鈥�

Other ongoing projects at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, funded by EPSRC PBIAA, include the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC), which is a collaborative project led by the University, aimed at creating a cohesive ecosystem for Industrial Biotechnology innovation. 

UKRI also funds the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), which provides flexible support to progress the commercialisation and translational development of University research.

The team is a collaboration between 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and sector partners, including BASF, Siemens, the Ogden Trust, Primary Science Teaching Trust, the Comino Foundation, the Royal Society, ASE, PSQM, SSERC, Leeds Trinity University, and CREST 鈥� involving hundreds of schools across the UK.

They won the prize in recognition of their work inspiring 5-14 years olds in practical science, through a collaborative campaign focused on pupils asking, investigating and sharing their scientific questions. Supported by their teachers, young people work scientifically to gather evidence, draw conclusions and share their learning with new audiences, from fellow pupils to community groups and dignitaries.

GSSfS is relevant to all young people, in whatever educational setting, anywhere across the world. This year, the campaign reached over 670,000 pupils in more than 3,500 schools, spanning 36 countries.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: 鈥淭he chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.

鈥淭he inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences 鈥� shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.

鈥淭he team鈥�s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.鈥�

The Royal Society of Chemistry鈥檚 prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. This year鈥檚 winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC鈥檚 prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.

The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education 鈥� including teachers, technicians and more. These prizes recognise a wide range of skills 鈥� from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career.

, which aims to improve the way prosthetics for people who have suffered traumatic limb loss work, wowed the judges at the (iGEM) 2024 Grand Jamboree.

The non-profit iGEM Foundation hosts an international student competition each year to promote education and collaboration among new generations of synthetic biologists.

Human-machine interfaces are becoming more advanced, with new technologies harnessing the body鈥檚 electric signals to control devices.

Artificial limbs, known as myoelectric prosthetics, are directed by electrical signals generated by muscle contractions in the residual limb, which can be translated to motion.

However, heavy batteries and motors in myoelectric prosthetics can cause excessive sweating and make the electrodes slip from their contact points, resulting in discomfort and imprecise limb movement.

To solve the problem, the team proposed using synthetic biology to create tiny specially designed wires that work with skin cells.

They engineered a type of bacteria 鈥� Escherichia coli 鈥� to express tiny, hair-like structures known as pili (e-pili) found on electricity conducting bacteria called Geobacter sulfurreducens.

By combining the Escherichia coli with a protein-binding peptide, the team created nanowires that specifically target and bind to proteins at the skin鈥檚 surface, potentially enhancing the precision of an artificial limb.

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 iGEM team were Damian Ungureanu, Devika Shenoy, Francisco Correia, Janet Xu, Jia Run Dong, Usrat Nubah, Yuliia Anisimova, and Zainab Atique-Ur-Rehman.

, said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted our team won gold at the iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree for an innovation which could make a difference for people who need artificial limbs.

She added: 鈥淚 have supervised the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 iGEM teams together with Professor Rainer Breitling since 2013.

鈥淥ur teams, based in the (MIB), have been very successful and have achieved a gold medal all but one of the years that we participated - which is quite an achievement.

鈥淚n 2016, the team also scooped the special award for 鈥楤est Computational Model鈥� and were shortlisted for the 鈥楤est Education and Public Engagement鈥� award.鈥�

This year鈥檚 黑料网吃瓜爆料 iGEM team worked in the MIB labs throughout the summer, with financial and logistical support from the MIB, School of Biological Sciences, School of Social Sciences/Department of Social Anthropology, School of Arts Languages and Cultures, and the Future Biomanufacturing Research Hub.

The team also worked with the (AMBS) to comprehensively explore the social and economic implications of their ideas using a (RRI) approach.

The competition provides an interdisciplinary learning opportunity for students outside biology, by encouraging participants to think beyond their lab work.

Damian Ungureanu, second year Biochemistry student, said: 鈥淲orking with people from different cultural and academic backgrounds has allowed me to substantially develop my communication skills. Even though this was a synthetic biology project, the human practices aspect was just as important as the science. Winning the gold medal felt like the culmination of one year of hard work.鈥�

Devika Shenoy, second year Biomedical Sciences student, said: 鈥淚 am grateful to have gotten the opportunity to work with so many like-minded individuals and under the guidance of skilled advisors and PIs. iGEM has truly broadened my horizons and understanding of how science and synthetic biology can be used to solve world issues.鈥�

The lecture, which celebrates the significant contributions made by women to the study of the Natural Sciences, was delivered in collaboration with the prestigious Linnean Society of London.

Hosted by Dr Maggy Fostier, Faculty Associate Dean for Environmental Sustainability, Professor Bamford took the audience on a journey from her industrial roots in Essex to her conservation work in Costa Rica and Panama, offering insight into the world of plant science and environmental issues like climate change along the way.

She described how her childhood interest in botany had been inspired by wild orchids growing in an abandoned chalk quarry in her local area in Essex. Her passion for plants and wildlife eventually led her to conservation work in Central America, where she has helped protect critically endangered amphibian and bird species from extinction.

She said: 鈥淚t was a great honour to give the 2024 Irene Manton lecture. I wanted to show the importance of taking every opportunity to engage with wildlife and conservation, even in an abandoned chalk quarry reclaimed by nature, and the importance of connecting with people and their communities in order to conserve  endangered species."

Taking place at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Museum, Professor Bamford鈥檚 lecture attracted an audience of academics, conservation enthusiasts, and students from local schools and colleges.

Robbie Blackhall-Miles, former Vice-President of the Linnean Society, also told the gathering that British botanist Irene Manton studied for her PhD at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and went on to an influential career which included becoming the first female President of the Linnean Society.

Amanda was joined by Matt O鈥橠onnell, the Museum鈥檚 Curator of Herpetology, who spoke about his own work as a frog conservationist. He carries out  important frog research and conservation projects in Costa Rica. He also brought along some particularly popular contributors 鈥� several live tropical frogs from the Museum鈥檚 vivarium!

With the aim of the lecture being to encourage young people to explore a career in the natural sciences, Professor Bamford鈥檚 story demonstrated the impact conservation work can have on animals, plants, and the humans who protect them.

Professor Carly McLachlan, Director of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, was among a group of government officials, business leaders and climate organisations at the exclusive conference hosted by King Charles III.

The reception, on 6 November, aimed to accelerate climate action before the UN climate change conference Cop29.

Professor McLachlan represented the University鈥檚 collaboration with Act 1.5, an artist-led research and action initiative incepted by the band Massive Attack to address carbon reduction within live music. Act 1.5 works closely with climate scientists at the , with its name referencing the goal of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5掳C, in line with the Paris Agreement.

At the event Professor McLachlan and the team had the opportunity to discuss their project to the UK鈥檚 climate leaders, highlighting how the live music industry can play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and inspiring sustainable practices across the entertainment sector and beyond.

Following several years of developmental work by Act 1.5 in collaboration with the Tyndall Centre at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, the city of Liverpool was recently named the . The city will become a testing ground for innovative ideas and climate strategies in music, film, and television.

The initiative will officially launch later this month in Liverpool with three nights of live performances and a two-day conference, one for industry and one for the public, dedicated to exploring sustainable practices in the live entertainment sector.

It builds on a commissioned by the band Massive Attack to produce what is anticipated to have been the lowest greenhouse gas emissions show of its size ever staged.

After a year, the Accelerator status will be passed to another global city. The University鈥檚 researchers will work with various 鈥榚xperiments鈥� across the Liverpool City Region to capture and synthesise the insights gained from Liverpool鈥檚 experiences to inform the next Accelerator City.

The Act 1.5 and Accelerator City initiative were represented by Robin Kemp, Head of Creative at Culture Liverpool; and musician Nile Rodgers, alongside Professor McLachlan at the Buckingham Palace Reception. Four-time Grammy Award winner Nile Rodgers will play one of the three nights of shows in Liverpool later this month.

Biocatalysis is a process that uses enzymes as natural catalysts to carry out chemical reactions. Scientists at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and AstraZeneca have developed a new biocatalytic pathway that uses enzymes to produce nucleoside analogues, which are vital components in many pharmaceuticals used to treat conditions like cancer and viral infections.

Typically, producing these analogues is complicated, time consuming and generates significant waste. However, in a new breakthrough, published in the journal , the researchers have demonstrated how a "biocatalytic cascade" 鈥� a sequence of enzyme-driven reactions 鈥� can simplify the process, potentially cutting down production time and reducing environmental impact.

The researchers engineered an enzyme called deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, enhancing its range of functions to efficiently produce different sugar-based compounds, which serve as building blocks for nucleoside-based medicines, such as oligonucleotide therapeutics. These building blocks were combined using additional enzymes to develop a condensed protocol for the synthesis of nucleoside analogues which simplifies the traditional multi-step process to just two or three stages, significantly improving efficiency.

With further refinement, this method could help streamline the production of a wide range of medicines, while significantly reducing their environmental footprint. The team are now continuing this work with the MRC funded , which looks to develop sustainable biocatalytic routes towards functionalised nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides.

The study, led by scientists at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, has revealed that a material known as a metal-organic framework (MOF) - an ultra-porous material - can be modified to capture and filter out significantly more benzene from the atmosphere than current materials in use.

Benzene is primarily used as an industrial solvent and in the production of various chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibres, but can also be released into the atmosphere through petrol stations, exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. Despite its widespread applications, benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, and exposure can lead to serious health effects, making careful management and regulation essential.

The research, published in the journal today, could lead to significant improvements in air quality both indoors and outdoors.

MOFs are advanced materials that combine metal centres and organic molecules to create porous structures. They have a highly adjustable internal structure, making them particularly promising for filtering out harmful gases from the air.

The researchers modified the MOF structure 鈥� known as MIL-125 鈥� by incorporating single atoms from different elements, including zinc, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper to test which would most effectively capture benzene.

They discovered that adding a single zinc atom to the structure significantly enhanced the material鈥檚 efficiency, enabling it to capture benzene even at ultra-low concentrations 鈥� measured at parts per million (ppm) 鈥� a significant improvement over current materials.

The new material 鈥� now known as MIL-125-Zn 鈥� demonstrates a benzene uptake of 7.63 mmol per gram of material, which is significantly higher than previously reported materials.

It is also highly stable even when exposed to moisture, maintaining its ability to filter benzene for long periods without losing effectiveness. Tests show that it can continue removing benzene from air even under humid conditions.

As the research progresses, the team will look to collaborate with industry partners to develop this and related new materials, with the potential of integrating it into ready-made devices, such as air purification systems in homes, workplaces, and industrial settings.

Plastics play a crucial role in healthcare, but the current linear model of using and then incinerating leads to significant waste and environmental harm. Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), materials experts at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will work in collaboration with Vernacare 鈥� specialist manufacturers of infection prevention solutions 鈥� to investigate how the sustainability of plastics can be improved through the creation of more circular products from waste polypropylene (PP) and polycarbonate (PC).  

A 24-month project, led by an interdisciplinary team from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Vernacare, aims to create new insight into the behaviour of real-world polypropylene and polycarbonate products during mechanical recycling. The team will be led by experts including Dr Tom McDonald, Dr Rosa Cuellar Franca, Professor Mike Shaver, Simon Hogg, and Dr Amir Bolouri. It also will advance knowledge on the selection, characterisation and use of plastic to optimise recyclability, while developing understanding of the complex environmental impacts of product design and supply chain. 

Finally, life cycle assessment will be used to evaluate the sustainability for different approaches to the circularity of these plastics. This project will involve the knowledge transfer of the academic team鈥檚 expertise in plastics recycling, plastics circularity and rigorous life cycle assessment. 

Alex Hodges, CEO of Vernacare, explained: 鈥淭hrough this project we aim to change how plastics are viewed and used in healthcare. Our work with 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will ensure we鈥檙e at the forefront in sustainable single use healthcare product research. It will enable us to embed product lifecycle, environment assessment capability and materials research and development into our business culture so that we鈥檙e in pole position, able to lead the market in the development and testing of future solutions. It will also help Vernacare economically, by offsetting a portion of our 拢7m annual polypropylene costs while also broadening their appeal to eco-conscious customers.鈥� 

The research will be conducted through the (SMI Hub), a cutting-edge facility dedicated to sustainable plastic solutions. The SMI Hub is part of the Henry Royce Institute at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund.                                                                                           

Innovate UK鈥檚 Knowledge Transfer Partnerships  funding support innovation by matching businesses with world-leading research and technology. Projects are focused on delivering a strategic step change in productivity, market share and operating process by embedding new knowledge and capabilities within an organisation. Delivered through the Knowledge Exchange Partnerships team, part of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has collaborated on more than 300 KTPs and in the last five years alone, has supported 42 KTPs with a total research value of 拢11 million. 

By working together, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Vernacare aim to lead the way in sustainable healthcare products, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations. 

If you are interested in applying for the Eli & Britt Harari Award 2025, here are the details:

• Applications open: Monday 11th November 2024
• Applicant Support Session: Tuesday 28th January 2025
• Applications close: Monday 10th February 2025
• Find out more information, head to the Award's page on the MEC website .
• Any questions: Contact harari@manchester.ac.uk

Although scientists knew one atom thick, two-dimensional crystal graphene existed, no-one had figured out how to extract it from graphite, until Professor Geim and Professor Novoselov鈥檚 groundbreaking work in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 in 2004.

Geim and Novoselov frequently held 鈥楩riday night experiments鈥�, where they would play around with ideas and experiments that weren鈥檛 necessarily linked to their usual research. It was through these experiments that the two first isolated graphene, by using sticky tape to peel off thin flakes of graphite, ushering in a new era of material science.

Their seminal paper 鈥�, has since been cited over 40,000 times, making it one of the most highly referenced scientific papers of all time.

What Andre and Kostya had achieved was a profound breakthrough, which would not only earn the pair a Nobel Prize in 2010 but would revolutionise the scientific world.

The vast number of products, processes and industries for which graphene could significantly impact all stem from its extraordinary properties. No other material has the breadth of superlatives that graphene boasts:

• It is many times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible
• It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent
• It is the world鈥檚 first two-dimensional material and is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

It鈥檚 areas for application are endless: transport, medicine, electronics, energy, defence, desalination, are all being transformed by graphene research.

In biomedical technology, graphene鈥檚 unique properties allow for groundbreaking biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery and DIY health-testing kits. In sport, graphene-enhanced running shoes deliver more grip, durability and 25% greater energy return than standard running trainers 鈥� as well as the world鈥檚 first .

Speaking at the , hosted by 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Professor Sir Andre Geim said: 鈥淚f you have an electric car, graphene is there. If you are talking about flexible, transparent and wearable electronics, graphene-like materials have a good chance of being there. Graphene is also in lithium ion batteries as it improves these batteries by 1 or 2 per cent.鈥�

The excitement, interest and ambition surrounding the material has created a 鈥榞raphene economy鈥�, which is increasingly driven by the challenge to tackle climate change, and for global economies to achieve zero carbon.

At the heart of this economy is 黑料网吃瓜爆料, which has built a model research and innovation community, with graphene at its core. The enables academics and their industrial partners to work together on new applications of graphene and other 2D materials, while the accelerates lab-market development, supporting more than 50 spin-outs and numerous new technologies.

Professor James Baker,  CEO of Graphene@ 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淎s we enter the 20^th anniversary since the first discovery of graphene, we are now seeing a real 鈥榯ipping point鈥� in the commercialisation of products and applications, with many products now in the market or close to entering. We are also witnessing a whole new eco-system of businesses starting to scale up their products and applications, many of which are based in 黑料网吃瓜爆料."

What about the next 20 years?

The next 20 years promise even greater discoveries and 黑料网吃瓜爆料 remains at the forefront of exploring the limitless graphene yields.

Currently, researchers working with INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, with funding from the European Commission鈥檚 Graphene Flagship, are developing brain implants from graphene which could enable precision surgery for diseases such as cancer.

Researchers have also developed wearable sensors, based on a 2D material called hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), which have the potential to change the way respiratory health is monitored.

As for sustainability, Dr Qian Yang is using nanocapillaries made from graphene that could lead to the development of a brand-new form of , while others are looking into Graphene鈥檚 potential in grid applications and storing wind or solar power. Graphene is also being used to reinforce , to reduce cement use 鈥� one of the leading causes of global carbon dioxide.

Newly-appointed Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair, Professor Rahul Nair, is investigating graphene-based membranes that can be used as water filters and could transform access to clean drinking water.

Speaking at the World Academic Summit, Professor Sir Andre Geim said: 鈥淭housands of people are trying to understand how it works. I would not be surprised if graphene gets another Nobel prize or two given there are so many people who believe in this area of research.鈥�

Discover more

To hear Andre鈥檚 story, including how he and Kostya discovered the wonder material in a Friday night lab session, visit: 

To find out more about 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 work on graphene, visit: 

To discover our world-leading research centre, or commercial accelerator, visit

To find out how we鈥檙e training the next generation of 2D material scientists and engineers, visit:

• .

The new Hub for Advanced Long-acting Therapeutics (HALo) will focus on driving research, public and patient engagement, and the translational infrastructure required for the development and manufacture of new Long-acting therapeutics (LATs).

LATs are predicted to revolutionise treatment of health conditions by replacing extensive periods of daily pill taking with a single administered dose.

The approach addresses the issue of missed daily drug doses, which can cause a range of complications, from a lack of efficacy to pathogen resistance. They will also help patients stay on treatment, make it easier to achieve optimal dosing targets and reduce the burden on health systems.

The project is supported with an 拢11 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). As a key partner, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has been awarded 拢1.5m from the grant to lead efforts to advance multiple strands of LAT research.

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 activity is an interdisciplinary team, led by , Reader in Sustainable Materials. Dr McDonald is Head of Environmental Sustainability and Engagement for the and is also Research Area lead for Chemical Materials Design within the .  

Alongside Dr McDonald is , , and .

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 team will focus on:

• Developing innovative in situ forming implant technologies, which allow for a controlled release of medication directly at the site of need.
• Creating predictive models to evaluate drug release kinetics, helping to optimise LAT formulations for better patient outcomes.
• Quantifying the sustainability benefits of LAT medicines, including reductions in packaging waste and resource use, as part of a broader effort to make healthcare more environmentally friendly.

Dr Tom McDonald said:&苍产蝉辫;鈥淟ong-acting therapeutics have the potential to address significant challenges in drug administration by offering more convenient, effective, and sustained treatment options.鈥�

LATs are emerging as the next landmark for healthcare management; pharmaceutical companies are realising the benefits for clinical outcomes and patient well-being. Such technologies are already in use in fields such as contraception, HIV therapy, and the management of mental health conditions.

By focusing on understanding the physical science that underpins existing successful LAT medicines, HALo will create new proof-of-concept LAT medicine candidates for diseases and conditions where no LAT option exists yet, such as high blood pressure and asthma.

HALo is led by Professor Steve Rannard at the and the Hub will primarily be hosted within its Centre of Excellence for Long-acting Therapeutics (CELT) - the world鈥檚 first academic centre of excellence focussed on LATs.

Professor Rannard said:&苍产蝉辫;鈥淟ong-acting therapeutics have the potential to simplify the administration of medicines, improve clinical outcomes and reduce the costs of healthcare provision.

鈥淭hey are widely predicted to revolutionise disease treatment and healthcare management. HALo provides a much-needed focal point for new LAT developments in the UK and by working with partners it will ensure the UK is on the path to global leadership in this exciting new field.

鈥淭he outcomes from HALo will have far-reaching benefits globally and also enable CELT focus on low and middle-income country healthcare needs where LATs are expected to be transformational.鈥�

HALo brings together academics, industry, clinicians and other stakeholders including patient groups and policy makers. Key partners of the project, include 黑料网吃瓜爆料, Queens University Belfast, the University of Nottingham, alongside the Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Alder Hey Children鈥檚 Foundation Trust and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

HALo is one of  that aim to transform healthcare through the development and application of revolutionary new technologies.

The Moon, like the Earth, has been bombarded by asteroids and comets since its formation, leaving behind craters and basins. However, the exact timing and intensity of most of these events, notably the oldest and largest basin on the Moon, have remained unclear to scientists鈥攗ntil now.

By analysing a lunar meteorite known as Northwest Africa 2995, a team led by scientists at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 have investigated the age of the formation of the massive South Pole-Aitken (SPA) basin 鈥� the Moon鈥檚 oldest confirmed impact site, which is located on the far side of the Moon and stretches more than 2,000 kilometres.

The proposed date is around 120 million years earlier than what is believed to be the most intense period of impact bombardment on the Moon.

The finding, published today in , provides a clearer picture of the Moon鈥檚 early impact history.

, Royal Society University Research Fellow at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淥ver many years scientists across the globe have been studying rocks collected during the Apollo, Luna, and Chang鈥檈 5 missions, as well as lunar meteorites, and have built up a picture of when these impact events occurred.

鈥淔or several decades there has been general agreement that the most intense period of impact bombardment was concentrated between 4.2-3.8 billion years ago - in the first half a billion years of the Moon鈥檚 history.  But now, constraining the age of the South-Pole Aitken basin to 120 million years earlier weakens the argument for this narrow period of impact bombardment on the Moon and instead indicates there was a more gradual process of impacts over a longer period.鈥�

The Northwest Africa 2995 meteorite was found in Algeria in 2005 and is what geologists refer to as a regolith breccia, which means it contains fragments of different rock types that were once a lunar soil and have been fused together by the heat and pressure involved in an impact event.

By analysing the amount of uranium and lead found in a range of mineral and rock fragments within the meteorite, the researchers were able to determine the materials dated back to between 4.32 and 4.33 billion years ago.

The team, which included 黑料网吃瓜爆料, the Institute of Geology and Geophysics 鈥� Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, the Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm, and the University of Portsmouth, then compared these results to data collected by NASA鈥檚 Lunar Prospector mission, which orbited the Moon studying its surface composition between 1998 and 1999. The comparison revealed many chemical similarities between the meteorite and the rocks within the SPA basin, confirming their link and enabling the new age estimate.

, Senior Lecturer at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淭he implications of our findings reach far beyond the Moon. We know that the Earth and the Moon likely experienced similar impacts during their early history, but rock records from the Earth have been lost. We can use what we have learnt about the Moon to provide us with clues about the conditions on Earth during the same period of time.鈥�

This new understanding opens new avenues for future lunar exploration.

from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淭he proposed ancient 4.32 billion year old age of the South Pole-Aiken basin now needs to be tested by sample return missions collecting rocks from known localities within the crater itself.鈥�

Organised by , the workshop provided an engaging platform for sharing the latest advancements in SF₆ leak mitigation, lifecycle management of SF₆ alternatives, retrofill replacement interventions, and new applications for high-voltage systems. The event featured insightful presentations from industry leaders, including Hitachi Energy, GE Vernova and Siemens Energy, and concluded with closing remarks from NGET.

Attendees were offered technical tours of the National Graphene Institute and High Voltage Laboratory, showcasing state-of-the-art research facilities. The event included representatives from network utilities across Great Britain, Ireland and France, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange.

The workshop demonstrated the commitment of key industry players to advance SF₆ alternatives and pave the way for more sustainable power systems in the future.

Led by Professor Deborah Greaves at the University of Plymouth, the Supergen ORE Hub includes co-directors from a consortium of ten universities. From 黑料网吃瓜爆料, serves as a Co-Director and is an Early Career Researcher (ECR) Co-Lead.

The report, aimed at researchers, industry, policymakers, and the public, summarises the current impacts of climate change and the UK鈥檚 progress in reducing carbon emissions. It outlines offshore renewable energy deployment pathways needed for a just, sustainable and secure energy transition, with 2040 identified as a key milestone towards the UK 2050 Net Zero goals.

Key findings from the report include:

• Achieving 100 GW of offshore wind energy by 2040 is critical, requiring a nearly seven times increase in capacity. Radical innovation is essential to optimise and scale up growth.
• Tidal stream energy has the potential to grow alongside offshore wind and could reach over 11 GW of capacity in UK waters. Rapid progress is required, to deliver the EU SET Plan target of 6 GW deployment of tidal stream by 2050.
• Wave energy has significant potential, with an estimated exploitable resource of 25 GW in the UK. Deployment of 12 GW of wave and tidal stream by 2050 could add 拢40 billion GVA to the UK economy and reduce energy balancing costs by 拢1 billion annually. Investment in innovation over the next decade is crucial to achieving this potential.

Professor Tim Stallard said: 鈥淭he ORE Outlook 2040 report highlights the high potential for Offshore Renewable Energy sources to contribute to the UK meeting its Net Zero goals. The growth required cannot be realised by upscaling current approaches alone and urgent action is needed to accelerate innovation and deployment.鈥�

The report also explores ORE development through lenses of planning and consenting, people, supply chain, and infrastructure and grid. Investment in research and innovation is highlighted as crucial to de-risking new technologies, reducing costs, improving performance and ensuring the UK retains its technological leadership on the global stage.

The Supergen ORE Hub, established by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), aims to deliver strategic and coordinated research on sustainable power generation and supply.

The Astrophysics Centre for Multi-messenger Studies in Europe (ACME), funded by the European Union and coordinated by Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), is an ambitious initiative that is designed to provide seamless access to instruments, data and expertise, focussing on the new science of multi-messenger astrophysics.

Multi-messenger astrophysics is a relatively new but rapidly growing field that uses information from various cosmic signals, such as photons, gravitational waves, neutrinos, and cosmic rays, to study some of the most extreme and mysterious phenomena in the Universe like  black hole mergers, neutron star collisions, and supernova explosions. Combining data from multiple sources 鈥� or messengers 鈥� offers a more comprehensive understanding than traditional astronomy alone.

The ACME will bring together 40 leading institutions from 15 countries, including 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 and aims to forge a basis for strengthened long-term collaboration between these research infrastructures irrespective of location and level-up access opportunities across Europe and beyond.

The , which 黑料网吃瓜爆料 operates on behalf of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, and expertise from the will play a crucial role in facilitating these goals.

Professor Rob Beswick from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, who co-leads ACME鈥檚 transnational access programme, said: 鈥淎CME is an incredibly exciting opportunity. This project will bring together a wide range of world-class researchers and astronomical research infrastructure spanning astroparticle and gravitational wave facilities along the entire electromagnetic spectrum, with a common focus to advance multi-messenger astrophysics,鈥� 

The AMCE project will be coordinated by Prof Antoine Kouchner (CNRS/Universit茅 Paris Cite) and Paolo D鈥橝vanzo (INAF). A key element of the project is to develop six new multi-messenger Centres of Excellence across Europe, which will serve as hubs of expertise for all researchers in all aspects of direct and multi-messenger science programmes, providing support from proposals to data analysis and science interpretation.

, who leads JBCA鈥檚 involvement in these new Centres of Excellence says 鈥淭he ACME project will bring many infrastructures and groups together across Europe in a unique collaboration to provide the astronomy and astroparticle communities unprecedented access to data, workflows and expertise. ACME will revolutionise how researchers in multi-messenger fields work and collaborate in the future.鈥�

ACME officially launched in September 2024 at a kick-off meeting held in Paris.

The Nature Genetics communication , published today (02/10/24), has shown that around a year with rare genetic diseases never receive a diagnosis, many dying without the underlying cause being determined.

The researchers also emphasise existing research that calculates the of pursuing lengthy diagnostic journeys rare genetic diseases to the NHS is over 拢3 billion per decade. 

Hospital geneticists rely on published evidence to make diagnoses, but because of inconsistent variant naming, say the authors, they are often unable to locate relevant information, even if it exists. 

Many geneticists, they say, are using simpler but less accurate nomenclature, preventing databases like ClinVar and the Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD) from properly identifying and adding literature to their records. 

However, a system called devised by researchers at the University of Leicester and now based at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 is being used by leading medical journals to give each variant a standardized name.  That allows diagnostic evidence to be shared and found. 

In the communication paper the authors urge doctors to use the system to name genetic variants.

Though rare diseases, caused by variations in DNA sequences, affect fewer than 1 in 2,000 people the sheer number of rare genetic disorders at around 8,000 impact about 8%-10% of births worldwide.

Lead author Dr Peter Freeman from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, whose son has an undiagnosed genetic disorder, is lead scientist in the team that devised and develop VariantValidator.

He said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 widely recognized that doctors often describe DNA variants using various outdated or non-standard naming systems.

鈥淏ut the accurate naming of variants is crucial so that doctors can reference them and provide a diagnosis for patients with a genetic disorder.

鈥淪adly, many people, including my son, have not received the diagnosis they need which has difficult implications for them.

鈥淔or example without a diagnosis it can be very difficult to get a place at an appropriate school, or access desperately needed services.

鈥淚t鈥檚 galling to know that someone out there might have identified the variant which caused his illness, but may not have named it correctly so there鈥檚 no way of finding it.鈥�

He added: 鈥淰ariantValidator has been around for 7 years and is considered the gold standard in terms of naming genetic variants accurately so other clinicians will be able to find the definition and use them.

鈥淏ut in a vast number of cases that is just not happening because it鈥檚 easier and quicker to cut corners or rely on outdated systems only recognisable in specific clinical disciplines.

鈥淭he problem is so widespread I鈥檝e even come across experts responsible for setting clinical standards making these errors when naming variants in genetics focussed policy guidelines鈥�.

鈥淥ur work is with the Human genome, but the nomenclature of genetic variants in viruses and other pathogens are also similarly non-standardised - and that鈥檚 also a problem which needs to be addressed.

鈥淣omenclature should accurately describe the changes in DNA sequencing observed when there is a variant when compared to a standard sequence. But in many cases, this is simply not happening and is part of a complex set of problems that is causing miss or missed diagnoses.鈥�

The paper Standardising variant naming in literature with VariantValidator to increase diagnostic rates is available

The Centre for Innovative Recycling and Circular Economy (CIRCLE) UK team will be led by Dr , Reader is Sustainable Biotechnology at the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Institute of Biotechnology, alongside a team of international academics. Also part of the project are Professors and , and Drs , and Micaela Chacon.

CIRCLE aims to address the global challenge of anthropogenic waste by closing the loop and using it as a feedstock for the chemicals industry. Much of the waste produced by society is a rich source of carbon, a building block for many important chemicals and materials found in everyday products such as plastics, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. CIRCLE will identify and employ novel biotechnological processes to break down this waste into its chemical components and avoid the need for virgin petrochemical feedstocks.

This project will bring together academic expertise from across the globe, including the US, Canada and South Korea.

The 2024 Global Centres awards focus on advancing bioeconomy research to solve global challenges, whether by increasing crop resilience, converting plant matter or other biomass into fuel, or paving the way for biofoundries to scale-up applications of biotechnology for societal benefit.  The programme supports holistic, multidisciplinary projects that bring together international teams and scientific disciplines, including education and social sciences, necessary to achieve use-inspired outcomes. All Global Centres will integrate public engagement and workforce development, paying close attention to impacts on communities.

鈥淎longside replacing fossil fuels, there is an urgent need to replace petrochemical industrial feedstocks across a wide range of sectors. This is a global challenge that requires global solutions and UKRI is delighted to be partnering in the NSF Global Centres 2024 programme to meet this need鈥�, said UKRI CEO, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser. 鈥淭he announcement today will be at the forefront of real-world solutions, from improved recycling to new bioplastics, building a sustainable circular economy. The centres will create the global networks and skills needed to drive a thriving bioeconomy benefitting all.鈥�

The rankings are determined by scholars鈥� H-index, a metric evaluating productivity and citation impact, following examination of over 166,000 profiles across all key scientific disciplines.

, Emeritus Professor of Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology at the University, placed 29^th in this year鈥檚 list with a H-index score of 122 and 82,294 citations.

Deborah said of the recognition: 鈥淚 retired and published my last paper in 2016. It is pleasing to find that the cumulative citation of my research leads to this high ranking and I hope that gives encouragement to those who are currently working in the field of musculoskeletal epidemiology.鈥�

, Emeritus Professor of Physiology and former President and Vice-Chancellor of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, placed 37^th on the list with 49,760 citations and a H-index of 119.

In 79^th position in this year鈥檚 ranking is , Emeritus Professor of Evidence Based Care, with a H-index of 105 and 46,311 citations.

Helen said of the achievement: 鈥淚 have spent my career collaborating with, and supporting, many extremely talented female researchers, and I feel that my success has only been enhanced through these positive working relationships. I jointly led Cochrane Oral Health until 2020, developing a team that continues to undertake methodologically rigorous systematic reviews that inform policy in areas of international policy.

鈥淚 have also been responsible for the design of several NIHR funded randomised controlled trials in dental primary care. The reviews and trials I have collaborated on frequently challenged orthodox care and impacted on the global understanding of effective oral health interventions and practices.鈥�

This year鈥檚 ranking, the third instalment of the list to date, is based on data from a variety of sources including OpenAlex and CrossRef.

The Albany M4 project, led by Professor Christophe Gaudin and Dr. Hugh Wolgamot, and coordinated by Dr. Wiebke Eberling of the University of Western Australia, aims to explore the potential of wave energy to support local decarbonisation efforts along Australia鈥檚 Great Southern coast. The launch is a quarter-scale demonstration model designed specifically for this application and will absorb 1-10kW in the target sea-states. Sensors on the model will provide real-time data on energy production and performance.

The M4 project is fully open-access with all data collected during the device鈥檚 deployment being made available to scientists, developers, and the public. By making the performance data accessible to all, the project aims to drive further innovation in renewable energy.

The M4, or Moored Multi-Mode Multibody, is an innovative surface-riding wave energy converter consisting of multiple floats, connected by beams, in a 1-2-1 float arrangement for the Albany tests. The middle floats each support a hinge, and relative rotation between the bow and stern floats, due to the movement of the waves, creates power in a generator. It uses a single mooring point that allows the M4 to naturally turn and face the waves for better energy capture.

The M4 highlights 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 leading role in renewable energy innovation and has been developed over the past decade with support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the European Union. British Maritime Technology (BMT) was responsible for the structural and mooring design for Albany, while the power take-off (PTO) design was led by Dr Judith Apsley from 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and further developed with the support of Dr Nuwantha Fernando at RMIT University, Melbourne.

The launch, funded with 4.8 million AUD from the WA state government and the Blue Economy Cooporative Research Centre, with similar in-kind contributions, also showcases the wider benefits of emerging renewable technologies, with six local contractors and manufacturers contributing to the building, assembling, deploying, and decommissioning of the device in Albany.

黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Hydrodynamics Lab played a key role in the development of the M4. Located in the heart of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, this state-of-the-art facility allows researchers to simulate ocean conditions and test renewable energy designs. 

Professor Peter Stansby highlighted its importance, stating: 鈥淭he Hydrodynamics Lab is vital for advancing renewable energy research. While computational modelling provides valuable predictions, experimental validation is essential for understanding and optimising complex systems.鈥�

For more information about 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 contributions to offshore renewable energy systems visit our webpage.

The new study, published in today, reveals that under specific conditions, where waves meet each other from different directions, waves can reach heights four times steeper than what was once thought possible.

It has often been assumed that waves are two-dimensional and understanding of wave breaking to-date has been based on these assumptions. Yet in the ocean, waves can travel in many directions and rarely fit this simplified model.

New insights by a team of researchers, including Dr Samuel Draycott from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Dr Mark McAllister from the University of Oxford, reveal that three-dimensional waves, which have more complex, multidirectional movements, can be twice as steep before breaking compared to conventional two-dimensional waves, and even more surprisingly, continue to grow even steeper even after breaking has occurred.

The findings could have implications for how offshore structures are designed, weather forecasting and climate modelling, while also affecting our fundamental understanding of several ocean processes.

Professor Ton van den Bremer, a researcher from TU Delft, says the phenomenon is unprecedented: 鈥淥nce a conventional wave breaks, it forms a white cap, and there is no way back. But when a wave with a high directional spreading breaks, it can keep growing.鈥�

Three-dimensional waves occur due to waves propagating in different directions. The extreme form of this is when wave systems are 鈥渃rossing鈥�, which occurs in situations where wave system meet or where winds suddenly change direction, such as during a hurricane. The more spread out the directions of these waves, the larger the resulting wave can become.

,  Senior Lecturer in Ocean Engineering at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淲e show that in these directional conditions, waves can far exceed the commonly assumed upper limit before they break. Unlike unidirectional (2D) waves, multidirectional waves can become twice as large before they break.鈥�

Professor Frederic Dias of University College Dublin and ENS Paris-Saclay, added: 鈥淲hether we want it or not, water waves are more often three-dimensional than two-dimensional in the real world. In 3D, there are more ways in which waves can break.鈥�

Current design and safety features of marine structures are based on a standard 2D wave model and the findings could suggest a review of these structures to account for the more complex and extreme behaviour of 3D waves.

Dr Mark McAllister from the University of Oxford and Wood Thilsted Partners said: 鈥淭he three-dimensionality of waves is often overlooked in the design of offshore wind turbines and other marine structures in general, our findings suggest that this could lead to underestimation of extreme wave heights and potentially designs that are less reliable.鈥�

The findings could also impact our fundamental understanding of several ocean processes.

Dr Draycott said: 鈥淲ave breaking plays a pivotal role in air-sea exchange including the absorption of C0₂, whilst also affecting the transport of particulate matter in the oceans including phytoplankton and microplastics.鈥�

The project follows on previous research, , to fully for the first time ever at the the at the University of Edinburgh. Now, the team have developed a new 3D wave measurement technique to study breaking waves more closely.

The FloWave wave basin is a circular multidirectional wave and current simulation tank, which is uniquely suited to the generation of waves from multiple directions.  

Dr Thomas Davey, Principal Experimental Officer of FloWave, at the University of Edinburgh, said: 鈥淐reating the complexities of real-world sea states at laboratory scale is central to the mission of FloWave. This work takes this to a new level by using the multi-directional capabilities of the wave basin to isolate these important wave breaking behaviours.鈥�

Dr Ross Calvert from the University of Edinburgh added: 鈥淭his is the first time we've been able to measure wave heights at such high spatial resolution over such a big area, giving us a much more detailed understanding of complex wave breaking behaviour."

The study was conducted by a research consortium including experts from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University College Dublin, ENS Paris-Saclay and TU Delft.

黑料网吃瓜爆料 is proud to share that Dr Bovinille Anye Cho has been announced as a recipient of the prestigious (CDF), a programme aimed at developing underrepresentation in UK STEM academia.

Dr Anye Cho is one of eight outstanding researchers selected in the first cohort of CDFs, who are undertaking groundbreaking research that can benefit society and further human understanding.

His research centres on revolutionising bioenergy processes to become more environmentally sustainable, in particular, anaerobic digestion (AD), which is a process that transforms agricultural and food waste into a clean energy source known as biomethane.

Although an effective way to manage waste, this process also creates a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and impurities, which contributes to global warming.

Dr Anye Cho is exploring the use of microalgae, which can be used to convert CO₂ into valuable food supplements and healthcare products through photosynthesis. In the UK, where tons of agricultural and food waste are generated, incorporating algae technology into the exiting AD facilities could increase the production of clean energy, while yielding high-value bio renewables that are currently heavily dependent on imports.

Dr Anye Cho鈥檚 project aims to employ advanced mathematical modelling and Artificial Intelligence methods to ensure that facilities of various sizes can operate effectively for long durations, enabling stability and boosting the production of clean energy and valuable products. His fellowship will be based in the Department of Chemical Engineering, where he has served as a Research Associate since March 2023. He earned his PhD from the same department in January 2023, completing it in an impressive three years while publishing over 11 original scientific papers.

The Career Development Fellowships are currently running as a pilot programme with researchers from Black and Mixed Black heritage. The CDFs offer four years of funding (up to 拢690,000), mentoring and support to kickstart the careers of researchers from underrepresented groups.

The scheme was launched in response to 11 years of higher education data which showed Black heritage researchers leave academia at higher rates than those from other groups. The impact of this higher attrition rate is pronounced at senior levels of academic careers.

Sir Adrian Smith, President of the Royal Society, said: 鈥淲e need an academic system where talented researchers can build a career, whatever their background. But we know that is not the case in the UK today 鈥� particularly for researchers of Black heritage.

鈥淭he variety and quality of research being undertaken by this first cohort of Royal Society Career Development Fellows suggests a bright future ahead if we can ensure more outstanding researchers develop their talents and follow their research passions.

鈥淚 hope this pilot and the support it offers can be a launchpad to achieve that.鈥�

In addition to their fellowship funding and support from the Royal Society, the award holders will have access to networking and mentoring opportunities supported by the (BBSTEM) network.

If the pilot is shown to be effective, the CDF programme could be expanded to include researchers from other groups, where the data shows there is persistent underrepresentation.

Dr Mark Richards, Senior Teaching Fellow at Imperial College London and a member of the Royal Society鈥檚 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee who participated in the shortlisting and assessment panels for the CDFs, said:

鈥淭here are many reasons scientists from marginalised groups may leave academia, often it鈥檚 because they鈥檙e looking ahead and not seeing themselves reflected in those spaces.

鈥淭his scheme, which offers funding, mentoring and recognition from a body like the Royal Society can be the endorsement to propel these eight excellent academics to go on and grow their own research groups.

Overtime I hope it can become self-sustaining, creating a network of scientists in universities, and beyond, who can help raise aspirations and open doors.鈥�

• Applications for the second year of Career Development Fellowships are due to open on 24 September 2024.
• Find out more about the Royal Society Career Development Fellowships .
• Read the Royal Society鈥檚 CDFs press release .