News archive: Research press releases 2021
Trial shows York leishmaniasis vaccine safe and induces immune responses in patients
Posted on Thursday 15 April 2021
The results of the first clinical trial of a new vaccine for a neglected tropical disease have demonstrated that it is safe and induces immune responses in patients with the infection.
Grave goods show gendered roles for Neolithic farmers
Posted on Wednesday 14 April 2021
Grave goods, such as stone tools, have revealed that Neolithic farmers had different work-related activities for men and women.
Latest lockdown had less impact on UK air pollution levels than the first, new analysis shows
Posted on Wednesday 14 April 2021
The latest winter lockdown did not have the same impact on air pollution levels as the first lockdown of 2020, new research from the University of York shows.
New study showing how the brain retrieves facts and personal experiences may help people with memory disorders
Posted on Monday 12 April 2021
A shared set of systems in the brain may play an important role in controlling the retrieval of facts and personal memories utilised in everyday life, new research shows.
Impacts of sunscreen on coral reefs needs urgent attention, say scientists
Posted on Wednesday 31 March 2021
More research is needed on the environmental impact of sunscreen on the world’s coral reefs, scientists at the University of York say.
Steroid hormone could reduce risk of preterm birth for high-risk single baby pregnancies
Posted on Wednesday 31 March 2021
Taking progestogens - steroid hormones - during pregnancy could reduce the risk of preterm birth in high-risk single baby pregnancies, research has shown.
Independent commission places wellbeing and equality at heart of public policy
Posted on Friday 26 March 2021
An independent commission, chaired by Professor Kate Pickett from University of York, has set out a range of measures for transforming public policy related to inequalities.
Sheepskin was the anti-fraud device of choice for lawyers for hundreds of years, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 24 March 2021
Medieval and early modern lawyers chose to write on sheepskin parchment because it helped prevent fraud, new analysis shows.
Community ‘voice’ should guide expanding African cities
Posted on Monday 22 March 2021
Two new environmental policy briefings, aimed at decision makers working on rapidly expanding urban areas in southern Africa, emphasise that local community voices must be included in the early planning stages to minimise ecological impacts.
Poetry session out of this world for lecturer joined live by commander of the International Space Station
Posted on Thursday 18 March 2021
A University of York academic was joined live by the commander of the International Space Station for a Russian poetry seminar.
Mothers caring for children with life-limiting conditions at greater risk of health problems and premature death
Posted on Tuesday 16 March 2021
Mothers of children with life-limiting conditions are more likely to develop serious health problems and die prematurely, compared to mothers caring for children with no long-term health condition, new research shows.
COVID waste: archaeologists have a role to play in informing environmental policy
Posted on Monday 15 March 2021
Archaeologists have a vital role to play in documenting COVID-19 waste but also in informing the policies that may mitigate its longer-term impact, a new study suggests.
New research reveals possible cause of mystery condition that leaves people paralysed
Posted on Monday 15 March 2021
Researchers believe they may have discovered a possible cause of a mystery condition that can leave sufferers suddenly unable to walk, talk or see.
Pandemic likely to result in long-lasting socio-economic impacts on York, new study says
Posted on Thursday 11 March 2021
The Covid pandemic has exacerbated issues of inequality and discrimination in the city, a new report says.
Royal “love letters” revealed as evidence of an unwelcome pursuit
Posted on Sunday 7 March 2021
A series of newly-transcribed letters between the future George IV and his family’s governess, Mary Hamilton, have shed new light on their relationship.
Human instinct can be as useful as algorithms in detecting online ‘deception’
Posted on Tuesday 2 March 2021
Travellers looking to book a hotel should trust their gut instinct when it comes to online reviews rather than relying on computer algorithms to weed out the fake ones, a new study suggests.
Plants set a “bedtime” alarm to ensure their survival, new study shows.
Posted on Monday 1 March 2021
Plants have a metabolic signal that adjusts their circadian clock in the evening to ensure they store enough energy to survive the night, a new study reveals.
Families have high awareness of healthy eating but low income means many struggle to access good food
Posted on Tuesday 23 February 2021
Low-income families have a high awareness of healthy diets but can’t afford good quality and nutritious food, new research shows.
Medieval containers hint at thriving wine trade in Islamic Sicily
Posted on Tuesday 23 February 2021
Researchers at the University of York have found chemical residues of grapes in medieval containers indicating a prosperous wine trade in Islamic Sicily.
Common weed killers favour antibiotic resistant bacteria, new study shows
Posted on Tuesday 16 February 2021
The use of weed killers can increase the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in soil, a new study from the University of York shows.
First videos to show the helix of ‘dancing DNA’ developed by scientists
Posted on Tuesday 16 February 2021
Videos allowing us to see for the first time how small circles of DNA adopt dance-like movements inside a cell have been developed by researchers at universities in Yorkshire.
Long-term environmental damage from transportation projects in Kenya, scientists warn
Posted on Wednesday 10 February 2021
The construction of a major railway through Kenya will have long-term environmental impacts on the area, suggesting more work needs to be done to limit the damage on future infrastructure projects, a major study reveals.
Activists have been silenced by governments during the pandemic, new report says
Posted on Tuesday 9 February 2021
Human rights defenders continue to face arrest, experience attacks, threats and repression during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new report says.
Study to investigate if early dose of antibiotics could save children with leukaemia
Posted on Tuesday 9 February 2021
Children being treated for a form of leukaemia are to be given a daily dose of antibiotics as part of a six-year trial to see if it reduces severe infections.
Challenges of animal ownership during the pandemic should be considered alongside the potential benefits, study shows
Posted on Tuesday 9 February 2021
Animal owners frequently report concerns and worries relating to caring for their animal during the pandemic, new research suggests.
Study suggests environmental factors played a key role in the evolution of human tolerance and friendliness
Posted on Wednesday 3 February 2021
Environmental pressures may have led humans to become more tolerant and friendly towards each other as the need to share food and raw materials became mutually beneficial, a new study suggests.
Films shine a spotlight on discrimination in the screen industries
Posted on Wednesday 27 January 2021
The University of York has collaborated with a Bafta-nominated TV company to produce a series of films highlighting discrimination within the screen industries.
Social media study reveals diabetics’ fear of disrupted insulin supplies because of Brexit
Posted on Wednesday 27 January 2021
Diabetics living in the UK worry about disruption to insulin supplies as a result of Brexit, new research shows.
New scheme provides early escape route for victims of domestic violence, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 27 January 2021
Survivors of domestic violence are being given a better route out of abuse through an innovative early intervention scheme, a new study shows.
Solar material can “self-heal” imperfections, new research shows
Posted on Tuesday 26 January 2021
A material that can be used in technologies such as solar power has been found to self-heal, a new study shows.
Researchers improve data readout by using ‘quantum entanglement’
Posted on Thursday 21 January 2021
Researchers say they have been able to greatly improve the readout of data from digital memories - thanks to a phenomenon known as ‘quantum entanglement’.
NHS advised to recommend ultra-grip shoes to reduce staff injuries
Posted on Wednesday 20 January 2021
Researchers at the University of York have shown that wearing Health and Safety Executive (HSE) rated ultra-grip shoes could reduce injury to NHS staff if they were to be made a recommended part of the uniform.
Whale sharks at risk of injury as they linger at coastal ‘hotspots’
Posted on Tuesday 19 January 2021
Researchers are calling for greater protection for whale sharks after new data revealed the world’s largest fish are increasingly being injured as a result of tourism-related activity.
Ancient DNA reveals secrets of Game of Thrones wolves
Posted on Wednesday 13 January 2021
Extinct dire wolves split off from other canines nearly six million years ago and were only a distant relative of today’s species, a new study says.
Rising health risks mean stronger regulations needed for smokeless tobacco
Posted on Tuesday 12 January 2021
Researchers at the University of York are calling for more stringent regulatory measures to reduce the health burden of smokeless tobacco, a product often found in UK stores without the proper health warnings and as a result of illicit trading.
Extra living costs pile financial pressure on low-income families during lockdown
Posted on Monday 11 January 2021
The pandemic has placed significant financial pressures on poorer households – with the cost of extra food, energy, and remote learning having a greater impact on low-income families, a new study shows.
Scientists reach new milestone in vaccine development for neglected tropical disease
Posted on Monday 11 January 2021
Researchers have taken an important step forward in developing a controlled human infection model to test leishmaniasis vaccines.
Unravelling the mystery that makes viruses infectious
Posted on Friday 8 January 2021
Researchers have for the first time identified the way viruses like the poliovirus and the common cold virus ‘package up’ their genetic code, allowing them to infect cells.
One million COVID-19 Universal Credit claimants have deductions from benefits, study shows
Posted on Friday 8 January 2021
Around one million people who claimed benefits during the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic are having money regularly deducted from their payments, according to analysis by the University of York.
Study uses computer modelling to identify ‘vulnerable sites’ on coronavirus protein
Posted on Wednesday 6 January 2021
Scientists have used computer modelling to identify potential ‘vulnerable sites’ on a key protein found in coronavirus - paving the way for possible new drug treatments in the future.
Women more likely than men to suffer psychological distress from having their homes flooded
Posted on Monday 4 January 2021
Severe weather events such as flooding can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - with women more likely to suffer with the condition than men, new research shows.
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