Skip to content Accessibility statement

News archive: Research press releases 2018

MBE for University of York academic

Posted on Friday 28 December 2018

Emeritus Professor Quentin Summerfield has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours for services to psychology and people with hearing loss.


Revising the history of world’s most important food crop

Posted on Tuesday 18 December 2018

Researchers have traced the genetic lineage of the maize plant and discovered it was most likely brought to South America from Mexico more than 6,500 years ago.


Pathogen predicament: How bacteria propel themselves out of a tight spot

Posted on Tuesday 18 December 2018

Scientists have deciphered how some types of “swimming” bacteria have evolved to be able to escape when trapped in small spaces.


Majority of people with severe mental ill health would like to be more physically active, new research suggests

Posted on Tuesday 18 December 2018

Taking part in regular physical activity is linked to a more positive outlook on general health in people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to a new report.


Expert Reaction: May faces vote of no confidence

Posted on Wednesday 12 December 2018

A lecturer in British politics at the University of York comments on the latest leadership challenge facing Theresa May, ahead of a vote of no confidence that is set to take place on Wednesday, 12 December.


Brain activity shows development of visual sensitivity in autism

Posted on Wednesday 12 December 2018

Research investigating how the brain responds to visual patterns in people with autism has shown that sensory responses change between childhood and adulthood.


Staff shortage leaves home care sector struggling

Posted on Tuesday 11 December 2018

Limited funding and staff shortages are significantly affecting home care services in some areas, a new report from the University of York has found.


Cold comfort – vulnerable groups frozen out of initiatives to keep people warm, report warns

Posted on Monday 10 December 2018

Many disabled people and families with children on low incomes are frozen out of schemes to support fuel poor households, a major new report warns.


New light-based technology reveals how cells communicate in human disease

Posted on Monday 10 December 2018

Scientists at the University of York have developed a new technique that uses light to understand how cells communicate in human disease.


Scientists reveal how chemical that drives cats ‘crazy’ is produced

Posted on Monday 10 December 2018

Researchers have shown how catnip produces the chemicals that send cats into a state of frenzy.


Expert reaction: May set to delay key Brexit vote

Posted on Monday 10 December 2018

An expert in British politics reacts to the news that Theresa May is set to call off the Commons vote on her Brexit deal.


University of York recognised in UK’s Best Breakthroughs list

Posted on Thursday 6 December 2018

The University of York’s world-renowned Centre for Health Economics (CHE) is being celebrated for its transformational impact on the NHS and UK health policy.


Does Ted Hughes’ Pike owe a debt to little-known female poet?

Posted on Wednesday 5 December 2018

New research suggests Ted Hughes’ Pike owes an unacknowledged debt to a forgotten poem by Amy Lowell.


Don’t quibble with a gribble: why a curious crustacean could hold secret to making renewable energy from wood

Posted on Monday 3 December 2018

Scientists studying the digestive system of a curious wood-eating crustacean have discovered it may hold the key to sustainably converting wood into biofuel.


More than half of female heart patients missing out on aftercare

Posted on Friday 30 November 2018

More than 50% of women do not take up cardiac rehabilitation following heart issues, according to a new report.


Could yoga benefit older people with long-term health conditions?

Posted on Thursday 29 November 2018

Researchers are investigating the clinical benefits and cost effectiveness of a specially-adapted yoga programme for older people with multiple long-term health conditions.


Early warnings of the health impacts of climate change are becoming louder and stronger

Posted on Wednesday 28 November 2018

More people worldwide are vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change than ever before, according to a major new report involving researchers at the University of York.


Expert Reaction: Human and lion conflict in the Serengeti

Posted on Monday 26 November 2018

Experts in conservation and environmental change at the University of York comment on the human interactions with the wildlife of the Serengeti, following the story of the Maasai Mara lion pride in the BBC's Dynasties.


Researchers find worrying link between problem gambling and video game loot boxes

Posted on Thursday 22 November 2018

A major new study has provided the first evidence of a potentially dangerous link between problem gambling and video game loot boxes.


DNA with a twist: Discovery could further antibiotic drug development

Posted on Wednesday 21 November 2018

Scientists reveal how a ‘molecular machine’ in bacterial cells prevents fatal DNA twisting, which could be crucial in the development of new antibiotic treatments.


Major new report connects North’s poor health with poor productivity

Posted on Monday 19 November 2018

Poor health has been linked with the North’s poor productivity for the first time, according to a major new report involving research by the University of York.


Expert Reaction: The ultimate survivors of BBC's Dynasties

Posted on Monday 19 November 2018

Marine conservation biologist at the University of York comments on the Emperor Penguin's fight for survival, as depicted in episode two of BBC's Dynasties.


York graduates win £25,000 national video game competition

Posted on Friday 16 November 2018

A team of University of York graduates has won a national competition that could help take their video game into the homes of millions.


Virtual reality singing and gaming focus of new podcast series

Posted on Thursday 15 November 2018

The mental health benefits of virtual reality choir singing and games addressing phobias in young people are the focus of a new series of podcasts from the University of York.


Barnsley poet Ian McMilllan to launch historic dictionary of long-lost words of Yorkshire

Posted on Thursday 15 November 2018

Would you know how to spot a squib, catch the Niffler or use the bark of a Wiggentree? For “Potterheads” the answer will be a resounding yes.


So, you think you’re good at remembering faces, but terrible with names? Study suggests that may be an illusion

Posted on Wednesday 14 November 2018

With the Christmas party season fast approaching, there will be plenty of opportunity to re-live the familiar, and excruciatingly-awkward, social situation of not being able to remember an acquaintance’s name.


Alpine ice shows three-fold increase in atmospheric iodine

Posted on Monday 12 November 2018

Analysis of iodine trapped in Alpine ice has shown that levels of atmospheric iodine have tripled over the past century, which partially offsets human-driven increases in the air pollutant, ozone


York academic wins Research in Film Award

Posted on Monday 12 November 2018

A University of York professor has won a prestigious award for his film depicting the dramatic events of the Oaks Colliery explosions in 1866.


Expert Reaction: Politics and survival in BBC's Dynasties

Posted on Monday 12 November 2018

Evolutionary and comparative psychology expert, Professor Katie Slocombe, comments on the launch of the BBC's major new David Attenborough wildlife series, Dynasties, which opened with the story of a Senegal chimpanzee.


Is there a universal hierarchy of human senses?

Posted on Monday 5 November 2018

Research at the University of York has shown that the accepted hierarchy of human senses – sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell – is not universally true across all cultures.


Could rising CO2 trigger return of eradicated mosquito-related disease?

Posted on Monday 5 November 2018

Research mapping the evolution of mosquitos against rising CO2 levels over millions of years, has suggested that more mosquito-related diseases could have consequences for future human health, as the climate continues to change.


Medics have a part to play in stopping health rumours spreading on the web

Posted on Monday 5 November 2018

Medical professionals are reluctant to engage in correcting health rumours circulating on the internet, a study by the University of York has revealed.


Fern plant infusion keeps the doctor away in Medieval Europe

Posted on Monday 5 November 2018

The remains of a medieval skeleton has shown the first physical evidence that a fern plant could have been used for medicinal purposes in cases such as alopecia, dandruff and kidney stones.


Researchers assess the value of National Parks to our health and happiness

Posted on Saturday 3 November 2018

Researchers have for the first time put a price on the value of taking a break from our overloaded modern lives to spend time in one of the UK’s National Parks.


Scientists develop model to predict drug levels in Europe’s rivers

Posted on Wednesday 31 October 2018

Scientists at the University of York have developed a sophisticated model to calculate the levels of pharmaceuticals in rivers across Europe.


Widening North-South gap blamed on poverty related deaths in younger adults

Posted on Wednesday 31 October 2018

A major study involving the University of York has identified socioeconomic deprivation as a major factor in a sharp rise in deaths among 25 to 44-year-olds living in the North of England.


Air pollution leads to millions of hospital visits for asthma attacks worldwide

Posted on Friday 26 October 2018

Air pollution could be to blame for up to 33 million emergency asthma attack visits to hospital a year, a world study involving the University of York has found.


Expert reaction: Microplastics discovered in human faeces

Posted on Monday 22 October 2018

An expert in the environmental and human health effects of chemical contaminants reacts to a study which found microplastics from up to nine different plastic types in human stools across the globe.


Reading between the lines: Are we as savvy as we’d like to think when it comes to reviews?

Posted on Monday 22 October 2018

Rude staff, slow Wi-Fi, cheap sausages for breakfast… Up to 81% of us think looking at reviews is an important way to avoid a bad experience when making a hotel booking decision, but how good are we at judging which reviews are reliable?


Lord Nelson’s marriage register makes UK voyage

Posted on Friday 19 October 2018

Experts at the University of York will carry out urgently-needed repairs on the parish register recording the marriage of Admiral Lord Nelson, which has arrived in the UK for the first time in over 130 years from its home in the Caribbean.


Distinguishing fatal prostate cancer from ‘manageable’ cancer now possible

Posted on Thursday 18 October 2018

Scientists at the University of York have found a way of distinguishing between fatal prostate cancer and manageable cancer, which could reduce unnecessary surgeries and radiotherapy.


The impact of microplastics on the environment unclear, study suggests

Posted on Wednesday 17 October 2018

Scientists say there is not yet enough evidence to conclude that microplastics (MPs) do or do not cause harm to the environment, following a review of more than 300 global studies.


Brexit debate presents opportunity to tackle the UK’s language learning “crisis”

Posted on Monday 15 October 2018

A new study suggests debate sparked by Brexit offers an opportunity to rejuvenate language learning in the UK.


Expert reaction: Home Office reschedules cannabis-based products for medicinal use

Posted on Friday 12 October 2018

An expert in addiction and mental health reacts to the Home Office announcement that cannabis-based products can be used to treat some medical conditions from 1 November 2018.


Home rehabilitation helps people with heart failure achieve better quality of life

Posted on Thursday 11 October 2018

Researchers have found that a new rehabilitation programme, including simple chair-based exercises at home, could significantly improve the quality of life of thousands patients with heart failure.


Researchers address urgent need to identify species most threatened by climate change

Posted on Thursday 11 October 2018

Scientists are today warning there is an urgent need to identify species most threatened by climate change.


Fruit fly protein could be new tool in tackling disease-carrying mosquitos

Posted on Wednesday 10 October 2018

An insulin-binding protein in fruit flies could provide new opportunities for tackling mosquitoes that carry diseases such as malaria and yellow fever, scientists at the University of York have found.


Never forget a face? Research suggests people know an average of 5,000 faces

Posted on Wednesday 10 October 2018

For the first time, scientists have been able to put a figure on how many faces people actually know– a staggering 5,000 on average.


Mothers of Brazil’s Zika babies visit UK to share their stories

Posted on Monday 8 October 2018

Women whose children were born with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) will share their experiences at an international conference hosted by the University of York.


Assessing health impact of new antimicrobials could encourage further drug development

Posted on Monday 8 October 2018

In a new report, researchers at the University of York have investigated the ways in which the value of new antimicrobial drugs could be assessed to help the NHS decide how much should be paid for them.


Residues on prehistoric pottery reveal secrets of early cheese making

Posted on Thursday 4 October 2018

Analysis of food proteins preserved in 8,000 year-old bowls and jars has revealed early cheese making at the prehistoric site of Çatalhöyük in Turkey.


Neanderthal healthcare practices crucial to survival

Posted on Thursday 4 October 2018

New research has suggested that Neanderthals embraced healthcare practices, such as assisting in cases of serious injury and the challenges of childbirth.


It’s a beautiful game, but how you see it is all in the mind…

Posted on Wednesday 3 October 2018

Scientists have scanned the brains of die-hard football fans to find out why supporters of rival teams often have very different views on the same match.


Traces of opiates found in ancient Cypriot vessel

Posted on Wednesday 3 October 2018

Researchers at the University of York and the British Museum have discovered traces of opiates preserved inside a distinctive vessel dating back to the Late Bronze Age.


Can we trust digital forensic evidence?

Posted on Wednesday 3 October 2018

Research carried out at the University of York has suggested that more work is needed to show that digital forensic methods are robust enough to stand-up to interrogation in a court of law.


Genes key to identifying drug resistant parasites in Brazil

Posted on Monday 1 October 2018

Researchers at the University of York have identified genes in a parasite that could help clinicians predict drug treatment outcomes for patients with visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil.


UK breast cancer deaths set to rise, analysis finds

Posted on Friday 28 September 2018

The number of women dying from breast cancer in the UK could begin to rise for the first time in decades, according to analysis by the York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) and charity Breast Cancer Now.


UK call on all nations to safeguard world’s oceans

Posted on Tuesday 25 September 2018

The UK government is to urge global leaders at the United Nations General Assembly in New York to back a new and more ambitious target for marine protection, supported by science undertaken at the University of York.


Combining multiple CCTV images could help catch suspects

Posted on Monday 24 September 2018

A new study suggests combining multiple poor quality CCTV images into a single, computer-enhanced composite could improve the accuracy of facial recognition systems used to identify criminal suspects.


Negative perception of social housing is outdated, say researchers

Posted on Monday 24 September 2018

Social housing has improved over time, and is not as negatively perceived by residents as is so often thought, a major review has revealed.


Looked after children wait years for adoption, new study finds

Posted on Thursday 20 September 2018

Children in care in Scotland can wait years to be adopted, a study led by the universities of York and Stirling has found.


The nocturnal pollinators: scientists reveal the secret life of moths

Posted on Wednesday 12 September 2018

Scientists have discovered that moths may play a much broader role as plant pollinators than previously suspected.


Report reveals growing impact of cannabis on young people

Posted on Wednesday 12 September 2018

The number of young people admitted to hospital for cannabis-related mental health problems has risen by 54%, according to a new report involving researchers from the University of York.


Watching marine life requires some 'Deep' thinking

Posted on Tuesday 11 September 2018

Scientists at the University of York are to test the neurological and cardiovascular impact of watching aquatic animals.


Peatlands will store more carbon as planet warms

Posted on Monday 10 September 2018

Global warming will cause peatlands to absorb more carbon – but the effect will weaken as warming increases, new research suggests.


Researchers to construct 18th century printing press for modern-day publishing

Posted on Monday 10 September 2018

Researchers at the University of York are constructing a replica of an 18th century printing press owned by a York publisher who established a printing house in Scarborough in 1734.


Review reveals millions of private housing tenants are being failed

Posted on Sunday 9 September 2018

Millions of private housing tenants have been failed over the past decade through poor policy-making and a lack of strategy, a major review carried out by the University of York has concluded.


Common anti-smoking treatment makes no difference in shisha tobacco addiction

Posted on Thursday 6 September 2018

Researchers at the University of York has shown that a drug commonly used to help smokers overcome addiction to cigarettes does not have the same effect in shisha smokers.


Coastal strip in Brazil sheds new light on early farming

Posted on Wednesday 5 September 2018

Humans may have been cultivating plants on a narrow coastal strip in Brazil as far back as 4,800 years ago, according to a new study.


Prehistoric changes in vegetation help predict future of Earth’s ecosystems

Posted on Thursday 30 August 2018

As the last ice age came to an end and the planet warmed, the Earth’s vegetation changed dramatically, researchers have shown.


Scientists decode opium poppy genome

Posted on Thursday 30 August 2018

Scientists have determined the DNA code of the opium poppy genome, uncovering key steps in how the plant evolved to produce the pharmaceutical compounds used to make vital medicines.


Childhood report reveals one in four 14-year-old girls self-harm

Posted on Wednesday 29 August 2018

Nearly a quarter of girls aged 14 (22%) said they had self-harmed in the last year according to a new report by the University of York and The Children’s Society.


Beluga whales and narwhals go through menopause

Posted on Monday 27 August 2018

A study involving researchers from the University of York has discovered that beluga whales and narwhals go through the menopause.


Expert reaction: "Alcohol has no safe level"

Posted on Friday 24 August 2018

An expert in substance abuse reacts to a new study published in the Lancet that suggests there is no safe level of alcohol consumption for the one in three people who drink alcohol worldwide.


Expert Reaction: Virtual reality BBC Proms

Posted on Sunday 19 August 2018

A researcher in virtual and augmented technologies at the University of York comments on the BBC's announcement to introduce a virtual reality experience at the opening of its 2018 Proms.


Food for thought: Global study shows environmentally-friendly farming can increase productivity

Posted on Thursday 16 August 2018

A major new study involving researchers from the University of York has measured a global shift towards more sustainable agricultural systems that provide environmental improvements at the same time as increases in food production.


Prehistoric mummy reveals ancient Egyptian embalming ‘recipe’ was around for millennia

Posted on Wednesday 15 August 2018

The ancient Egyptians developed sophisticated embalming treatments far earlier and across a wider geographical area than had been previously known, forensic tests on a well-known prehistoric mummy have revealed.


White Rose universities awarded funding to nurture next generation of skilled researchers

Posted on Wednesday 15 August 2018

The Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York have been awarded funding by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to support 240 PhD students over five years.


Expert reaction: The use of “spice”

Posted on Friday 10 August 2018

An expert in mental health and substance abuse has appeared on BBC Breakfast to talk about efforts to stem the use of the synthetic drug “spice”.


UK nationals who study medicine abroad are more likely to perform poorly as doctors in training

Posted on Thursday 9 August 2018

A major new study suggests that UK nationals who obtain their medical degrees abroad are more likely to perform poorly during training when they return home to work in the NHS.


Seeing the light: Scientists unlock seed germination process

Posted on Tuesday 7 August 2018

Scientists have identified a key gene that helps seeds decide whether to germinate.


Male birds sing less to females on antidepressants

Posted on Monday 6 August 2018

During courtship male starlings sing less to females who have been fed dilute concentrations of antidepressants, according to a new study led by the University of York.


Expert Reaction: New ONS data on drug deaths

Posted on Monday 6 August 2018

Mental health lecturer Ian Hamilton comments on the latest figures revealing the number of drug-related deaths in England and Wales.


Expert Reaction: Britons addicted to mobile phones

Posted on Thursday 2 August 2018

An expert in sleep patterns at the University of York’s Sleep Laboratory comments on the Ofcom report on the amount of time people in the UK spend on their mobile phones.


Scientists discover why elusive aye-aye developed such unusual features

Posted on Wednesday 1 August 2018

It is one of the most unusual primates on the planet – famed for its large eyes, big ears and thin, bony finger used for probing.


Who killed Freddie Mills?

Posted on Tuesday 31 July 2018

A University of York academic is one of the experts on a new BBC documentary about the mysterious death of celebrity boxer Freddie Mills.


Expert Reaction: What to expect from a blood moon

Posted on Thursday 26 July 2018

Hosts of the astronomy podcast Syzygy comment on what to expect from a blood moon.


“Lol”: Not just a laughing matter

Posted on Thursday 26 July 2018

A University of York undergraduate has shed new light on our evolving use of the “laughing out loud” acronym on social media.


Redefining ‘small-scale’ fishing may help support English fisheries

Posted on Tuesday 24 July 2018

Researchers at the University of York are calling for a re-evaluation of the definition of ‘small-scale’ fishing vessels, following a study that shows the impact of these vessels are underestimated.


Microclimates may provide wildlife with respite from climate change

Posted on Monday 23 July 2018

Sheltered pockets of cooler and more variable conditions in the British countryside may help native species of flora and fauna survive warming temperatures caused by climate change, researchers have found.


Expert Reaction: Should we be worried about future of Netflix?

Posted on Monday 23 July 2018

An expert at the University of York comments on headlines warning of a downturn in Netflix subscribers for the first time in its history.


Secondhand smoke causing thousands of still births in developing countries

Posted on Friday 20 July 2018

Exposure to secondhand smoke is causing thousands of still births in developing countries, according to new research carried out by the University of York.


Expert reaction: Trump's double negative

Posted on Friday 20 July 2018

An expert on the analysis of political speeches and interviews comments on Donald Trump's assertion that he intended to use a double negative at a press conference with Vladimir Putin.


Scientists identify most pressing issues posed by chemicals in the environment

Posted on Friday 20 July 2018

Scientists have identified 22 key research questions surrounding the risks associated with chemicals in the environment across Europe.


Expert Reaction: New guidance on medicinal cannabis

Posted on Thursday 19 July 2018

A University of York expert comments on the Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs' (ACMD) letter to the Home Office setting out short-term advice on the scheduling of cannabis-derived medicinal products.


Study reveals challenges of policing cannabis possession

Posted on Wednesday 18 July 2018

Officers see their own policing of cannabis possession offences as largely ineffective, a study of rank and file officers has revealed.


Research on British teeth unlocks potential for new insights into ancient diets

Posted on Wednesday 18 July 2018

Goofy, yellow and crooked: British smiles have sometimes had a less-than-flattering international image, but a new study has put tartar from our infamously bad teeth to good use.


Expert Reaction: Tom Cruise on a mission for authentic action

Posted on Wednesday 18 July 2018

An expert in Hollywood blockbuster movies comments on the high-stakes stunts in the latest installment of the Mission Impossible franchise.


The origins of pottery linked with intensified fishing in the post-glacial period

Posted on Monday 16 July 2018

A study into some of the earliest known pottery remains has suggested that the rise of ceramic production was closely linked with intensified fishing at the end of the last Ice Age.


Aeroplane lab samples pollution from moorland fires

Posted on Wednesday 11 July 2018

Scientists at the University of York have flown over the plumes of smoke rising from Saddleworth Moor in an adapted research aircraft to sample the atmospheric pollution from wildfires.


Ancient bones from Roman archaeological sites reveal two whale species lost from the Mediterranean Sea

Posted on Wednesday 11 July 2018

Two thousand years ago the Mediterranean Sea was a haven for two species of whale which have since virtually disappeared from the North Atlantic, a new study analysing ancient bones suggests.


Helping the deaf community navigate around our city

Posted on Monday 9 July 2018

A University of York academic is spearheading a project to help deaf visitors navigate their way around the city’s tourist hotspots - via a virtual avatar


Archaeologists step closer to unravelling Army life at Elizabeth Castle

Posted on Friday 6 July 2018

Archaeologists at the University of York have uncovered evidence of a late 17th Century Army barracks at Jersey's Elizabeth Castle, as well as a rare brass button from an Army officer’s uniform.


Sussex Declaration: Researchers authenticate American Independence parchment

Posted on Wednesday 4 July 2018

Analysis of the parchment manuscript of the American Declaration of Independence has shown that it is an authentic document produced in the 1780s.


The impact of the sugar tax in Chile: a bittersweet success?

Posted on Tuesday 3 July 2018

A new sugar tax introduced on soft drinks in Chile has been effective in reducing consumption of sugary drinks, new research carried out in the country has revealed.


Don’t sweat it: Scientists identify key step in production of BO

Posted on Tuesday 3 July 2018

If this surprisingly hot British summer has you fighting off unwelcome armpit aromas, you’ll be pleased to learn that science has just brought us a step closer to blocking body odour (BO).


Universal childcare improves school readiness of immigrant children

Posted on Monday 2 July 2018

Attending universal childcare from age three significantly improves the school readiness of children from immigrant and disadvantaged family backgrounds, say researchers.


Expert reaction: Invasion of Asian Super Ants

Posted on Monday 2 July 2018

Fears that the invasive garden ant, also called the Asian Super Ant, is spreading across the UK are being reported in the UK press. Here, PhD student at the University of York's Department of Biology, Phillip Buckham-Bonnett, discusses the characteristics of the species:


New drugs improve survival times for patients with rare blood cancer

Posted on Sunday 1 July 2018

Survival times for a highly aggressive type of blood cancer have nearly doubled over the last decade due to the introduction of new targeted drugs, researchers have found.


Soy source: Report maps global trade in Brazilian soy

Posted on Friday 29 June 2018

With Brazil set to overtake the United States as the world’s largest producer of soy, a major new report has mapped the global supply chain for the Brazilian bean.


New digital resource matches business brand values to signature music

Posted on Friday 29 June 2018

Researchers at the University of York have developed an algorithm that matches the brand characteristics of a business or industry to a particular type of music to help improve the impact of marketing methods to potential clients and customers.


Expert Reaction: Licensing arrangements for accessing medicinal cannabis

Posted on Thursday 28 June 2018

The Home Office has released new licensing arrangements for accessing cannabis for medical reasons. Lecturer in Mental Health, Ian Hamilton, comments on the process:


Expert Reaction: Putting pen to paper on National Writing Day

Posted on Wednesday 27 June 2018

It is National Writing Day (27 June 2018), where the nation comes together to promote great stories and storytellers. Professor Helen Smith, Head of the University of York's Department of English and Related Literature, comments on the physical work of writing:


Expert Reaction: The Manchester moorland fires

Posted on Wednesday 27 June 2018

With a blaze on Saddleworth moor in Greater Manchester raging since Sunday night, Professor Alistair Lewis from the Department of Chemistry and Dr Richard Payne from the Environment Department tell us about the impact of the fire.


Expert Reaction: Erdogan wins Turkey election

Posted on Monday 25 June 2018

Gulcin Ozkan, Professor of Economics at the University of York, reacts to Recep Tayyip Erdogan's re-election as Turkey's President:


All the world’s a stage: Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre comes to York

Posted on Monday 25 June 2018

University of York academics have contributed their expertise to an ambitious project to bring Europe’s first pop-up Shakespearean theatre to York.


New technology helps to improve treatment for NHS patients with depression

Posted on Thursday 21 June 2018

A new web-based “feedback” technology which allows therapists to accurately monitor how patients with depression are coping has been found to reduce the probability of deterioration during psychological treatment by 74%, a new study has found.


Researchers creating new ‘music dimension’ at Abbey Road Studios

Posted on Thursday 21 June 2018

Researchers at the University of York, working with the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, have completed a trial of new audio technologies that allow listeners of popular music to sample a virtual reality sound experience.


York academic part of ‘dream team’ of scientists who explored remote African forest

Posted on Thursday 21 June 2018

A University of York academic was part of a ‘dream team’ of scientists who scaled a remote volcano in Africa to explore an undisturbed tropical rainforest.


Quantum step forward in protecting communications from hackers

Posted on Wednesday 20 June 2018

Researchers at the University of York have shown that a new quantum-based procedure for distributing secure information along communication lines could be successful in preventing serious security breaches.


Say Cheese! Why a toothy smile makes it easier for you to be identified

Posted on Wednesday 20 June 2018

A fulsome smile in a photo makes it easier for people to identify the individual, say researchers at the University of York.


Expert Reaction: Government urged to consider legalising cannabis

Posted on Tuesday 19 June 2018

Former Conservative party leader, William Hague, has urged the government to reconsider legalising cannabis. Lecturer in Mental Health, Ian Hamilton, at the University of York, reacts to the news:


Rewiring plant defence genes to reduce crop waste

Posted on Tuesday 19 June 2018

A new study suggests plants could be genetically rewired to resist the devastating effects of disease, significantly reducing crop waste worldwide.


Expert Reaction: Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2018

Posted on Monday 18 June 2018

As England begin their FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia, Dr Alex Gillett and Dr Kevin Tennent from the University of York's Management School reflect on why so many nations are eager to host these sporting mega-events:


Award for York start-up tackling street waste in developing nations

Posted on Friday 15 June 2018

A University of York graduate has won a competition for his start-up business which targets plastic waste management in developing nations.


How much should we spend on the NHS?

Posted on Thursday 14 June 2018

As the NHS approaches its 70th birthday, consensus is growing that it needs more money. But what is the ‘right’ amount to spend and what models of funding are best for a healthy and just society?


Rising number of older and female cannabis users developing health problems

Posted on Thursday 14 June 2018

Researchers at the University of York have shown that there has been a 118% rise in those aged over 40 presenting to specialist drug treatment services citing cannabis as their primary health concern.


Expert Reaction: World Cup 2026 to be held in Canada, US and Mexico

Posted on Wednesday 13 June 2018

Dr Alex Gillett and Dr Kevin Tennent, from the University of York's Management School and co-authors of new book 'Foundations of Managing Sporting Events', comment on the announcement that the 2026 World Cup will be held in Canada, US, and Mexico:


UK’s first quantum network launched

Posted on Wednesday 13 June 2018

Researchers at the University of York have teamed up with colleagues at the University of Cambridge and Toshiba Research Europe Ltd to launch the UK’s first quantum network.


Prescription drugs found in York's rivers

Posted on Tuesday 12 June 2018

Scientists have detected 29 different pharmaceutical drugs in York’s two rivers – with some levels higher than previously observed across parts of Europe and Asia.


Research reveals secret to whale shark hotspots

Posted on Friday 8 June 2018

A study has uncovered the secret to why endangered whale sharks gather en masse at just a handful of locations around the world.


You talking to me? Scientists try to unravel the mystery of ‘animal conversations’

Posted on Wednesday 6 June 2018

African elephants like to rumble, naked mole rats trade soft chirps, while fireflies alternate flashes in courtship dialogues. Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of ‘animal conversations’.


Expert Reaction: Jurassic World returns to 3D cinema

Posted on Tuesday 5 June 2018

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom returns to cinemas this week in 3D; Dr Nick Jones, lecturer in film, television and digital culture, at the University of York's Department of Theatre, Film and Television, comments on the continued popularity of 3D technologies:


Taking the inequality debate to the next level

Posted on Monday 4 June 2018

Award-winning author and leading academic Professor Kate Pickett has co-authored a second book looking at inequality and how it affects us individually.


Ancient tooth shows Mesolithic ancestors were fish and plant eaters

Posted on Thursday 31 May 2018

Analysis of the skeletal remains of a Mesolithic man found in a cave on a Croatian island has revealed microscopic fish and plant remains in the dental plaque of a tooth – a first-time discovery for the period and region.


York academic involved in project to rid Galapagos of plastic pollution

Posted on Wednesday 30 May 2018

A leading academic from the University of York’s Department of Archaeology has joined other experts on the Galapagos islands to help develop a plan that will see the archipelago become a model on how to deal with plastic pollution.


Expert Comment: UK child poverty gaps still increasing

Posted on Tuesday 29 May 2018

Professor Jonathan Bradshaw and Dr Antonia Keung, from the University of York's Department of Social Policy and Social Work, have carried out research which reveals that families with children are now living, on average, further below the poverty line than they did 10 years ago.


Students with lower A Levels from poorly performing schools do just as well on medical degrees

Posted on Thursday 24 May 2018

Students from some of England’s worst performing secondary schools who enrol on medical degrees with lower A Level grades, on average, do at least as well as their peers from top performing schools, a new study has revealed.


Yorkshire food manufacturing could be improved by harnessing waste products

Posted on Tuesday 22 May 2018

Researchers have found that 300,000 tonnes of food manufacturing waste is discarded in Yorkshire and the Humber each year, much of which could be used to contribute to the sustainable manufacturing of a variety of products.


Seduction: An industry selling men and women short

Posted on Tuesday 22 May 2018

An industry training men in the art of seduction – estimated to be worth $100 million USD – encourages its clients to treat women and themselves as commodities in a sexual marketplace, a new study has found.


Welfare conditionality is ineffective, authors of major study say

Posted on Tuesday 22 May 2018

Welfare conditionality within the social security system is largely ineffective and in some cases pushes people into poverty and crime, a major study led by the University of York has found.


NHS could save millions by scrapping prescription charges for people with long-term conditions

Posted on Tuesday 22 May 2018

New research by York Health Economics Consortium (YHEC) has found that scrapping prescription charges for people with two long-term conditions could save the NHS in England over £20 million per year.


Expert reaction: Xbox Adaptive Controller for disabled gamers

Posted on Thursday 17 May 2018

Dr Christopher Power and Dr Paul Cairns from the University of York’s Department of Computer Science react to the news that Microsoft are releasing the first ever console controller designed and made specifically for disabled gamers:


Expert Reaction: Yanny or Laurel?

Posted on Thursday 17 May 2018

The release of an audio file that went viral has divided the internet. What do you hear - Yanny or Laurel?


Molecule that acts on human cells might provide hope for cold cure

Posted on Monday 14 May 2018

Researchers have lab-tested a molecule that can combat the common cold virus by preventing it from hijacking human cells.


Down to the last detail: How our ancestors with autistic traits led a revolution in Ice Age art

Posted on Monday 14 May 2018

The ability to focus on detail, a common trait among people with autism, allowed realism to flourish in Ice Age art, according to researchers at the University of York.


Expert Reaction: Alcohol and tobacco report

Posted on Friday 11 May 2018

Alcohol and tobacco are by far the biggest threat to human health around the world, a major report on addictive substances has found.


Wingardium leviosa! A Harry Potter-inspired day at the University of York

Posted on Friday 11 May 2018

Potions, Parseltongue, divination and mythical creatures; the University of York is to celebrate all things magical with a Harry Potter-inspired day as part of the York Festival of Ideas 2018.


York academics in Dead Good Festival

Posted on Wednesday 9 May 2018

University of York academics are taking part in a series of mostly-free talks, workshops, walks and performances exploring dying, death and bereavement.


Imagining the Impossible: York Festival of Ideas 2018 launches biggest programme yet

Posted on Friday 4 May 2018

The award-winning York Festival of Ideas returns from 5-17 June with a programme of over 200 mostly-free events on the theme of “Imagining the Impossible”.


Revealing the remarkable nanostructure of human bone

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2018

Scientists have produced a 3D nanoscale reconstruction of the mineral structure of bone.


Expert reaction: Breast cancer screening error

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2018

The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt revealed in the commons yesterday that 450,000 women aged 68-71 failed to get invitations to breast cancer screening. Dr Karla Evans, from the Department of Psychology, gives her reaction to the news.


Still a hit at 50: University radio celebrates half a century on the airwaves

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2018

Award-winning University Radio York (URY) is celebrating its 50th birthday. The station has been up and running since May 1968 and is believed to be one of the oldest student radio stations in the country.


NHS struggles to improve productivity

Posted on Thursday 3 May 2018

The NHS will find it difficult to stay within budget due to a failure to meet productivity targets, new research from the University of York suggests.


University to host Reith Lecture

Posted on Wednesday 2 May 2018

Eminent historian Professor Margaret MacMillan is to deliver one of the BBC Reith Lectures at the University of York.


Expert Reaction: Is there a cut-off age for learning a language?

Posted on Tuesday 1 May 2018

Researchers at the the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have shown that if you want to have native-like knowledge of English grammar you should ideally start before age 10.


Acupuncture possible treatment for dental anxiety

Posted on Tuesday 1 May 2018

Researchers have found evidence that acupuncture could help people who experience dental anxiety.


Expert Comment: Georgian fascination with conversation

Posted on Tuesday 1 May 2018

Professor John Mee and Dr Chloe Wigston Smith from the Department of English are hosting an event on 3 May at Mansion House about the Georgian art of conversation. Here they tell us about the role of conversation in Georgian society.


Expert Comment: Fatberg Autopsy

Posted on Monday 30 April 2018

Dr John Wilkinson (Environment) was part of a team of experts who took part in Channel 4’s Fatberg Autopsy: Secrets of the Sewers. Here he tells us about what they found when they analysed samples of the giant block of fat removed from sewers under central London.


Home truths – getting and keeping a home is a game of snakes and ladders for many

Posted on Monday 30 April 2018

Working your way up the housing ladder for people on low incomes is a myth, with many trapped on a 'treadmill' of inadequate accommodation, a new study has revealed.


When chemistry gets personal

Posted on Monday 30 April 2018

A University of York academic has outlined his very personal motivation for exploring a particular line of research.


Getting on the ladder: Researchers recruit for major new study on first-time buyers

Posted on Wednesday 25 April 2018

With recently published research suggesting that a third of millennials are unlikely to be able to buy a home of their own, academics at the University of York are looking to recruit first-time buyers in Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds for a major new study.


Bystanders key to tackling cyber-bullying epidemic

Posted on Wednesday 18 April 2018

Researchers looking into how to reduce cyber-bullying among school-age children are calling for workshops encouraging young people to morally engage with the issue to be introduced in schools.


University celebrates tutoring scheme with local school children

Posted on Wednesday 18 April 2018

A GCSE tutoring scheme set up between University of York students and local school pupils is being celebrated at the University on 18 April.


Scientists argue the case for large-scale marine protected areas

Posted on Tuesday 17 April 2018

Large-scale marine protected areas (LSMPAs) are a vital component in the battle to protect the world’s oceans from exploitation, a group of international scientists argue today.


Patients in most deprived areas wait 20 per cent longer for common heart procedure

Posted on Monday 16 April 2018

Researchers at the University of York have shown that waiting times for a common heart procedure are 20 per cent longer for patients living in deprived areas of England compared to patients from more affluent neighbourhoods who attend the same hospital.


The Star attraction: new book reveals detailed picture of Stone Age Britain

Posted on Monday 16 April 2018

The archaeological team that found Britain’s earliest house have today announced that at least two more houses have been found at the site. These houses have now been radiocarbon dated to at least 8,900 BC, several centuries earlier than previously thought.


Game set and match: Judy Murray comes to York

Posted on Thursday 12 April 2018

Former Scottish international tennis player and national coach, Judy Murray, is coming to the York Festival of Ideas to talk about her new book Knowing the Score: My Family and Our Tennis Story.


Explore the universe in new podcast series

Posted on Thursday 12 April 2018

Researchers at the University of York’s Department of Physics have launched a new podcast series focusing on new discoveries in the cosmos and imminent breakthroughs.


£10m to take Yorkshire’s medical technologies expertise to the world

Posted on Tuesday 10 April 2018

Solving the challenges which hamper Yorkshire’s medical technology experts when they attempt to bring innovative products to market is the focus of a new partnership which aims to make inventions more attractive to investors.


Research to raise a few eyebrows: Why expressive brows might have mattered in human evolution

Posted on Monday 9 April 2018

Highly mobile eyebrows that can be used to express a wide range of subtle emotions may have played a crucial role in human survival, new research from the University of York suggests.


Funding boost announced for the region’s bioeconomy

Posted on Thursday 29 March 2018

The University of York is to lead on a £5million project to develop the bioeconomy across Yorkshire, the Humber region and the Tees Valley.


Prehistoric people resilient in the face of extreme climate events

Posted on Monday 26 March 2018

Pioneering early people who lived at the end of the last ice age actually carried on with life as usual despite plummeting temperatures, a study at a world-famous archaeological site in North Yorkshire suggests.


200 million years of marine diversity predicts uncertain future

Posted on Monday 26 March 2018

Species that live in long-term close proximity to each other, such as the delicate marine ecosystems of the coral reefs, are the slowest to recover from damage, researchers have shown.


Expert Reaction: Safety of self-driving cars under question

Posted on Monday 19 March 2018

A self-driving car hit and killed a woman on a road in Arizona this week. Professor John McDermid, from the University of York's Department of Computer Science, discusses the issues around the safety of autonomous systems:


More people miss NHS appointments when clocks go forward

Posted on Monday 19 March 2018

The numbers of missed hospital outpatient appointments increases following the clock change in the spring, researchers have shown.


York academics contribute to new air pollution report

Posted on Thursday 15 March 2018

Evidence and recommendations from researchers at the University of York have been included in a new air pollution report released by the House of Commons.


Expert Reaction: May's ultimatum to Russia

Posted on Wednesday 14 March 2018

Theresa May has announced a series of measures against Russia after it failed to respond to her request for a response on how a Russian nerve agent was used on UK soil.


Compassion helped Neanderthals to survive, study reveals

Posted on Tuesday 13 March 2018

They have an unwarranted image as brutish and uncaring, but new research has revealed just how knowledgeable and effective Neanderthal healthcare was.


East African climate change means future livelihoods increasingly challenged, say scientists

Posted on Monday 12 March 2018

Research at the University of York suggests that, as in the past, human societies in East Africa will face significant challenges to livelihoods in the future, due to the rapid rate of climate change.


Yorkshire school pupils co-create opera about terrorism

Posted on Friday 9 March 2018

Youngsters affected by the horror of the Manchester Arena bombing have taken part in the making of a new opera exploring extremist violence.


First green-screen Macbeth releases in national cinemas

Posted on Friday 9 March 2018

Researchers, students, and graduates from the University of York have collaborated with feature film production company, Goldfinch Studios, to bring the first green-screen movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth to cinemas in the UK.


Fiona Mozley to kick off York Literature Festival

Posted on Thursday 8 March 2018

Fiona Mozley, a University of York PhD student whose debut novel was shortlisted for the 2017 Man Booker Prize, will be speaking at the launch of the York Literature Festival on 15 March.


Memories can be decoded from brain waves during sleep, say researchers

Posted on Thursday 8 March 2018

Research at the University of York has shown that the content of newly formed memories can be decoded from brain activity whilst people are asleep.


Expert Reaction: International Women’s Day

Posted on Thursday 8 March 2018

Dr Ann Kaloski-Naylor, from the Centre for Women’s Studies (CWS), comments on events marking International Women’s Day and Feminism in the 21st Century.


‘Dog-Speak’ important for social bonding between pet and owner

Posted on Tuesday 6 March 2018

Scientists at the University of York have shown that using ‘dog-speak’ to communicate with dogs is important in relationship-building between pet and owner, similar to the way that ‘baby-talk’ is to bonding between a baby and an adult.


Tropical forest protection schemes fail to compete with rubber plantations

Posted on Friday 2 March 2018

Efforts to protect tropical forests in Southeast Asia may fail because protection payments are too low to compete with potential profits from rubber plantations, new research has revealed.


Expert Reaction: What do we know about the impact of pollution on health?

Posted on Friday 2 March 2018

In a report on the impact of pollution on health, Chief Medical Officer of England, Dame Sally Davies, has called on the NHS - as one of the world's largest employers - to cut its pollutant footprint and blaze a trail for the rest of the country to follow.


World Book Day: What do fictional characters tell us about the real world?

Posted on Thursday 1 March 2018

World Book Day is an opportunity to celebrate literature and literary characters, as well as an excuse for school children to dress-up as their favourite hero, villain, or heroine from books throughout history.


World Book Day: Is reading good for our health?

Posted on Thursday 1 March 2018

Georgia Ingles, PhD student from the University of York’s Centre for Early Modern Studies, discusses the various ideas behind therapeutic reading:


Expert Reaction: Study of cannabis potency in the UK

Posted on Wednesday 28 February 2018

Mental health lecturer Ian Hamilton comments on new research which reveals that the UK cannabis street market is increasingly dominated by very high potency varieties of the drug.


Bonobo and chimpanzee gestures share multiple meanings

Posted on Tuesday 27 February 2018

Two closely related great ape species, the bonobo and chimpanzee, use gestures that share the same meaning, researchers have found.


Research challenges use of off-label drug to treat osteoarthritis

Posted on Monday 26 February 2018

An off-label drug prescribed to treat osteoarthritis of the hand when conventional medication has failed is ineffective, according to a study involving researchers from the University of York.


Global fossil fuel emissions of hydrocarbons underestimated

Posted on Monday 26 February 2018

Global levels of ethane and propane in the atmosphere have been underestimated by more than 50 per cent, new research involving scientists at the University of York has revealed.


University of York to launch online degrees in Business Leadership

Posted on Monday 26 February 2018

The University of York has announced a major new partnership with Higher Ed Partners (HEP) UK to offer online Masters degree programmes.


Strawberries safe for children with cancer

Posted on Friday 23 February 2018

A new review from researchers at the University of York suggests dietary guidelines for children with cancer should be changed to allow them to eat strawberries and other fresh foods while undergoing chemotherapy.


More than 200 million medication errors occur in NHS per year, say researchers

Posted on Friday 23 February 2018

A study has revealed an estimated 237 million medication errors occur in the NHS in England every year, and avoidable adverse drug reactions (ADRs) cause hundreds of deaths.


Scottish hospitals see slower decline in deaths

Posted on Thursday 22 February 2018

Researchers at the University of York have found that Scottish hospitals have experienced slower reductions in inpatient deaths than their English counterparts.


Digestive ability of ancient insects could boost biofuel development

Posted on Thursday 22 February 2018

A study of the unusual digestive system of an ancient group of insects has provided new insights into future biofuel production.


Fungal enzymes could hold secret to making renewable energy from wood

Posted on Friday 16 February 2018

An international team of researchers, including scientists from the University of York, has discovered a set of enzymes found in fungi that are capable of breaking down one of the main components of wood.


GP funding has “unfair London bias”

Posted on Thursday 15 February 2018

New research involving researchers at the University of York has revealed that primary care funding in England is not distributed according to local health needs.


Self-delivered cardiac rehabilitation programmes could benefit harder to reach communities

Posted on Thursday 15 February 2018

Self-delivered cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programmes could benefit some “harder to reach” members of society, new research by the University of York reveals.


Expert Reaction: Anti-harassment guidelines announced for film industry

Posted on Wednesday 14 February 2018

Actress and HeForShe spokesperson, Emma Watson, has welcomed new guidelines to help prevent sexual harassment and bullying in the British film, television and gaming industry.


Could sugar chains be the answer to bone growth in osteoporosis?

Posted on Wednesday 14 February 2018

Scientists at the University of York have shown that altering the structure of sugar chains on the surface of stem cells could help promote bone growth in the body.


Carefully managed fire can promote rare savannah species

Posted on Wednesday 14 February 2018

Carefully managed fires generate the maximum diversity of birds and mammals in savannahs, new research from the University of York suggests.


Valentine's Day: Is Jane Austen really that romantic?

Posted on Wednesday 14 February 2018

Is Jane Austen as romantic as her readers think she is or could she be a good antidote to Valentine's Day? Dr Emma Major, from the University of York's Centre for Eighteenth Century Studies, discusses Austen's depiction of marriage in one of her most celebrated works, Sense and Sensibility.


Widower begins fundraising campaign for lung cancer scholarship at University of York

Posted on Thursday 8 February 2018

A widower is set to run two miles every day for a year to help raise money for a lung cancer research scholarship set up in honour of his wife who died from the disease aged just 37.


New technology could reduce spread of antibiotic resistance genes through compost

Posted on Wednesday 7 February 2018

Scientists at the University of York have found a way to remove antibiotic resistant genes from industrial compost, which could prevent them entering the food chain.


Expert Reaction: #Vote100 in the words of Virginia Woolf

Posted on Tuesday 6 February 2018

Professor Helen Smith, Head of the Department of English and Related Literature, comments on how Virginia Woolf's work gave a voice to the concerns surrounding women's right to vote and earn a reasonable wage:


Rapid land changes forecast for East African savannahs

Posted on Tuesday 6 February 2018

A study, presenting a 5,000-year environmental history of the popular tourist destination, Amboseli National Park in Kenya, has shown that the impact of climate change on land is more rapid than previously thought.


Expert Reaction: 100 years of women's right to vote

Posted on Tuesday 6 February 2018

This year it is 100 years since the Representation of the People Act 1918 - the act which allowed some women in the UK the right to vote.


Patient exposure to X-rays depends on how dentists are paid

Posted on Tuesday 30 January 2018

A major study has found a marked increase in the number of X-rays given by dentists who receive payment for doing them.


Ancient lake reveals a colourful past

Posted on Thursday 25 January 2018

Archaeologists say they may have discovered one of the earliest examples of a ‘crayon’ – possibly used by our ancestors 10,000 years ago for applying colour to their animal skins or for artwork.


Prime Minister announces £20 million for Institute of Coding

Posted on Thursday 25 January 2018

A consortium of more than 60 universities, businesses and industry experts will receive £20 million to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap through a new Institute of Coding.


Sex Pistol cartoons to go on display

Posted on Wednesday 24 January 2018

Artwork sketched on the walls of the Sex Pistols’ London home has gone on display in York.


Gap between rich and poor widening, according to Oxfam report

Posted on Tuesday 23 January 2018

The gap between the super-rich and the rest of the world widened last year as wealth continued to be owned by a small minority, a report by Oxfam has revealed.


Not just for Christmas: Study sheds new light on ancient human-turkey relationship

Posted on Wednesday 17 January 2018

For the first time, research has uncovered the origins of the earliest domestic turkeys in ancient Mexico.


University to award eight Honorary Degrees

Posted on Tuesday 16 January 2018

Leading figures from the world of journalism, politics, business and performing arts are to receive honorary degrees from the University of York this month.


No evidence to support link between violent video games and behaviour

Posted on Tuesday 16 January 2018

Researchers at the University of York have found no evidence to support the theory that video games make players more violent.


York Talks puts University research in the spotlight

Posted on Thursday 11 January 2018

More than 700 people attended a day of inspirational short talks outlining some of the world-leading research taking place at the University of York.


Prestigious Breakthrough Prize awarded to York graduate

Posted on Thursday 11 January 2018

A University of York graduate has been announced as one of five recipients of the prestigious 2018 Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences.


Mental health training for North Yorkshire Police

Posted on Tuesday 9 January 2018

Officers and staff at North Yorkshire Police are to receive mental health training developed through a partnership between the police, the University of York and Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).


Who to contact

  • Press office
    pressoffice@york.ac.uk
    01904 322029
  • Out of hours service
    To contact the Press Office out of hours call 07795 315 029 or the Security Centre on 01904 324444