News archive: Research press releases 2023
3D scans shed new light on mysterious Roman burial practice
Posted on Saturday 3 June 2023
Archaeologists in York have used 3D scans to study the Roman burial practice of pouring liquid gypsum over the bodies of adults and children laid to rest in coffins - the first time this cutting-edge technology has been applied to Roman burials of this type anywhere in the world.
Teachers reluctant to use technology in music teaching, say experts
Posted on Wednesday 31 May 2023
Music in secondary schools is at risk of extinction unless teachers embrace new technologies and incorporate contemporary genres in the classroom, a leading academic has warned.
Research highlights global impact of smokeless tobacco use
Posted on Wednesday 31 May 2023
A review of government control policies has shown a reduction in global smokeless tobacco use, although there are still gaps in research in some countries.
Scientists unearth forgotten children of the past
Posted on Wednesday 17 May 2023
Scientists have unearthed a story of forgotten children of the past, providing the first direct evidence of the lives of early nineteenth-century ‘pauper apprentices’.
Researchers call for action to end mental health related deaths
Posted on Monday 15 May 2023
Researchers have called for radical changes on a global scale to prevent the growing mortality rates of people with mental health problems.
Universal Credit harmful to mental health of lone parents, study shows
Posted on Monday 15 May 2023
A new study has shown that Universal Credit is harmful to the mental health of claimants, particularly lone parents.
Human eyes really do play ‘tricks’ on the mind, say experts
Posted on Tuesday 9 May 2023
A new study has shown that the human visual system can ‘trick’ the brain into making inaccurate assumptions about the size of objects in the world around them.
£1.2 million partnership to address neglected tropical diseases in Africa
Posted on Wednesday 3 May 2023
Researchers at the University of York are part of a new £1.2 million project to support cost-effective and equitable investments for eliminating neglected tropical diseases in southern and eastern Africa.
Research to shed new light on ‘royal tours’ of iconic King
Posted on Tuesday 2 May 2023
A new study aims to shed light on the royal tours of King Henry VIII, one of the most iconic - and controversial - figures in British history.
New insight into the mystery of ancient Gaza wine
Posted on Wednesday 26 April 2023
Research into grape pips found from an excavated Byzantine monastery in Israel hints at the origins of the ‘mysterious’ Gaza wine and the history of grapevine cultivation in desert conditions.
Catch 22: University of York researcher featured in new marine conservation film - inspired by hit BBC series 'Wild Isles'
Posted on Wednesday 26 April 2023
A new campaigning film made by the same team who devised the acclaimed BBC series ‘Wild Isles’ has been released, featuring University of York research that aims to transform the way businesses think about marine life and the UK’s coastline.
Burnout has far-reaching consequences for teachers’ physical health
Posted on Tuesday 25 April 2023
A new study has highlighted the link between teacher burnout and their physical health.
UK schools to help monitor classroom air quality in massive citizen science project
Posted on Monday 24 April 2023
Schools across the country are being asked to take part in a huge citizen science project to help monitor and evaluate the quality of the air in our classrooms.
‘Safety concerns’ key to Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy in pregnancy
Posted on Thursday 20 April 2023
Pregnant women were hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccine as a result of mixed public messaging and concerns over safety, according to the results of a study which analysed social media posts.
Growing divide in regional health inequalities exposed
Posted on Wednesday 19 April 2023
A new report has found a worrying pattern of lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and worse health and wellbeing in the North of England.
Parks and green spaces should feel safe to bolster mental health
Posted on Tuesday 18 April 2023
Researchers have co-produced a series of short films with people who have experienced mental illness to show the benefits of outdoor spaces.
How did Western Mediterranean societies inspire medieval ‘Green Revolution’?
Posted on Friday 14 April 2023
A new £8.8 million research project aims to discover how societies across the Western Mediterranean overcame environmental challenges and inspired a ‘green revolution’ over the course of 1,000 years.
Marine snail named after York researcher
Posted on Thursday 13 April 2023
Howard Peters is already unusual among the University of York’s research scientists, having achieved his PhD in 2014, aged 71, but now, six years later, he has added another distinction to his name – the accolade of having a species of marine snail named after him.
University hosts workshop to improve health systems and services across Africa
Posted on Thursday 6 April 2023
Health experts from the University of York were joined by partners from African Union Member States for a major workshop exploring how to promote an increase in domestic funding for health systems and services across the continent.
Personalised care needed for mental illness and physical health conditions
Posted on Tuesday 4 April 2023
People with severe mental illness can struggle to self-manage long-term physical conditions and need personalised support, a new study suggests.
AI-generated music inferior to human-composed works, according to study
Posted on Tuesday 4 April 2023
Researchers at the University of York have found that current AI-generated music is inferior to human-composed music.
Personal finances increasingly play second fiddle to personality, finds lonely hearts ad study
Posted on Tuesday 4 April 2023
Personality has become a more important factor than finances when it comes to dating, a new study has found.
New digital tool could change the way we see cells
Posted on Tuesday 4 April 2023
A free online tool created by researchers at the University of York could help us better understand cell mutation and resistance.
Ancient DNA reveals African and Asian ancestry of medieval Swahili people
Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023
People living on the ‘Swahili coast’ - the Indian Ocean coast of eastern Africa - have African and Asian ancestry according to new research on ancient DNA.
New partnership to tackle chemical pollution issues in war-torn Ukraine
Posted on Wednesday 29 March 2023
Researchers from Kharkiv and York are launching a new partnership to tackle the many pollution problems faced by Ukraine as it battles with war.
Exhibition celebrates York’s musical heritage
Posted on Monday 27 March 2023
Researchers are appealing for music lovers to share their memories and memorabilia from York’s musical past as part of a new exhibition in the city.
Care leavers face ‘acute challenges’ in transition to adulthood
Posted on Monday 27 March 2023
Care leavers in England are over ten times more likely than their peers to not be working or studying in their 21st year, a new study has shown.
Who put the 'a' in Thomas a Becket? New study sheds light on the “evolution” of the famous name
Posted on Friday 24 March 2023
It is one of the most famous names in British history, a name associated with a gruesome murder which shocked the Middle Ages and changed the course of history.
Poorest children have worse health and educational outcomes in adolescence, new report highlights
Posted on Friday 24 March 2023
Generation Z children born into the poorest fifth of families in the UK are 12 times more likely to experience a raft of poor health and educational outcomes by the age of 17 compared to more affluent peers, according to a new report co-authored by University of York researchers.
Neolithic ceramics reveal dairy processing from milk of multiple species
Posted on Wednesday 15 March 2023
A new study has found evidence of cheesemaking, using milk from multiple animals in Late Neolithic Poland.
Researchers seek views of how extreme weather affects older people
Posted on Monday 13 March 2023
The over 60s are being asked to reflect on how extreme weather affects their health and wellbeing as part of a major new research project.
New social sciences funding to help tackle society’s most pressing challenges
Posted on Tuesday 7 March 2023
The University of York has been awarded £1.25m of government funding to support and enhance its social sciences research.
Report reveals extent of public sexual harassment experienced by Black and minoritised girls in the UK
Posted on Tuesday 7 March 2023
A new report reveals the extent of public sexual harassment (PSH) experienced by Black and minoritised girls in the UK - with many saying it has impacted on their mental health, self-esteem and identity.
GPs left psychologically distressed and overwhelmed by pressures of the pandemic, new study finds
Posted on Monday 6 March 2023
The pressures of the pandemic resulted in some GPs displaying signs of psychological distress and burnout, according to a University of York-led study.
Pioneering new facility will deliver world-leading air quality research in Yorkshire
Posted on Monday 6 March 2023
Researchers at the University of York have secured funding to run a pioneering £1.2 million three-year project that will become a world-leading facility for the study of indoor air quality – shaping how the homes of the future are built.
Cloud computing hub to launch with £2m EPSRC funding
Posted on Friday 3 March 2023
A new £2 million hub, co-led by the University of York, has been launched to investigate the future potential of cloud computing.
Change in UK fishing habits would protect biodiversity, study shows
Posted on Friday 3 March 2023
Changing the UK's fisheries to focus on a variety of smaller species could significantly reduce the future overall impact on marine ecosystems, help to protect biodiversity, and create a more sustainable fishing industry, say researchers from the University of York.
University of York signs cross-sector statement on EU research programmes
Posted on Thursday 2 March 2023
The University of York has signed a cross-sector statement urging rapid progress on UK association to EU programmes, including Horizon Europe, Copernicus and Euratom.
Research to support Christian faith leaders engage with science
Posted on Wednesday 1 March 2023
Researchers have been awarded a five-year, £6.2million grant to support bishops and senior Christian leaders worldwide to engage with science.
Children and young people with profound learning disabilities to benefit from Intensive Interaction research
Posted on Wednesday 1 March 2023
The National Institute for Health and Care Research has awarded £1.8m to examine the effectiveness of a commonly used communication approach with people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD).
University of York to lead a REAL Research Unit with an ambitious programme of research on health and social care
Posted on Wednesday 1 March 2023
The Centre for Health Economics (CHE) at the University of York has been selected to lead a major research programme aimed at improving the quality of decision-making in health and social care.
Emmerdale moves into the metaverse
Posted on Monday 27 February 2023
Two University of York initiatives, XR Stories and the Screen Industries Growth Network (SIGN), are to bring one of the UK’s best-loved soaps into the digital metaverse.
Hunt for plant-based alternative in recovery of metals from mining waste
Posted on Thursday 23 February 2023
Researchers are working to find a plant-based alternative for the recovery of gold, silver and copper nanoparticles from mining waste.
Scientists use satellite images to study the degradation of rangelands in Tanzania
Posted on Wednesday 22 February 2023
East Africa’s iconic rangelands - under threat from climate change and human activity - have the potential to recover from repeated environmental shocks and degradation, a new study has concluded.
Mediterranean hunter-gatherers relied on marine resources more than previously thought
Posted on Wednesday 22 February 2023
New research has revealed humans living on the Mediterranean coast 9,500 years ago may have relied more heavily on a fish diet than previously thought.
Research raises concerns over relationship between major US alcohol research institution and the alcohol industry
Posted on Monday 20 February 2023
A new study has uncovered extensive interactions between one of the world’s leading funders of alcohol research and alcohol industry groups, sparking concern about the industry’s influence on science and public health policy.
Neighbourly cooperation can ensure your genes survive, new research finds
Posted on Monday 20 February 2023
Cooperating with your neighbours, especially if they are distant relatives, can be an effective evolutionary strategy, new research has found.
Study shows how non-native languages interact with each other when multilinguals talk
Posted on Thursday 16 February 2023
People who speak more than two languages are more likely to mistakenly use words from the language they’re least proficient in, new research has shown.
Risk-taking crucial for survival of craft brewing industry during pandemic, study reveals
Posted on Wednesday 15 February 2023
Independent craft brewers were able to weather the Covid pandemic by taking risks and being innovative, a new study has revealed.
Guide developed by SEI researchers plays key role in IKEA’s sustainability and climate report
Posted on Wednesday 15 February 2023
A sustainability and climate report by global retailer IKEA used a landmark guide which was developed by researchers from the Stockholm Environment Institute.
Nothing said “love” more than a powder compact, art historians reveal
Posted on Tuesday 14 February 2023
What would a lover give his sweetheart before the swinging sixties? Chocs, flowers or perfume? Back then, there was one present above all that showed you cared… the powder compact.
Killer whale mums pay high price for raising sons
Posted on Wednesday 8 February 2023
Raising sons is an exhausting experience that leaves killer whale mothers far less likely to produce more offspring, new research has found.
Researchers to help identify best types of emergency food service
Posted on Monday 6 February 2023
Researchers at the University of York are working to identify the types of community food support that are most successful at preventing people from needing emergency supplies.
Facing fears in just three hours of therapy could resolve phobias in children
Posted on Monday 6 February 2023
Common childhood phobias, such as fear of spiders, dogs, and needles, could be resolved in a single three-hour therapy session, compared to the several sessions that is current practice, a study has revealed.
Quality and safety in hospitals to be assessed in new study
Posted on Thursday 2 February 2023
A new study into the quality and safety of patient care in NHS and independent hospitals will look at the substantial changes in the sectors for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
New partnership to harness data networks to tackle cybercrime and food security
Posted on Thursday 2 February 2023
A new research programme is developing ways of extracting information from complex datasets to tackle a number of real-world issues, such as cyberattacks, greener power grids, and food security.
The chemistry of mummification – traces of a global network
Posted on Thursday 2 February 2023
A University of York academic was part of an international team of researchers who have shed new light on the chemical substances used by the Egyptian embalmers.
First solid scientific evidence that Vikings brought animals to Britain
Posted on Wednesday 1 February 2023
Archaeologists have found what they say is the first solid scientific evidence suggesting that Vikings crossed the North Sea to Britain with dogs and horses.
Researchers testing flat roof solar panels in UK first
Posted on Tuesday 31 January 2023
Researchers are testing whether flat roof solar technology is as effective as panels currently used on pitched roofs.
Researchers assess value of intervention programme designed to tackle obesity in children
Posted on Monday 30 January 2023
The University of York is leading a national project to assess the value of a community-based intervention programme aimed at reducing obesity rates in preschool children.
Children at risk of destitution as local services struggle under cost of living
Posted on Monday 30 January 2023
A survey of elected councillors has revealed that 80% of local leaders in the UK are concerned that as services struggle as a result of the cost of living crisis, children will face a life of poverty.
New research reveals role faith institutions play in promoting good health
Posted on Thursday 26 January 2023
Faith institutions, such as churches and mosques, can support people to maintain healthy blood pressure and avoid hypertension through education and awareness, the results of a new study have revealed.
Children in the North most vulnerable to cost of living crisis
Posted on Monday 23 January 2023
A new report, co-authored by a University of York academic, has warned that children living in the North of England are among the most vulnerable to rising living costs.
No ‘one size fits all’ heather management method for protecting carbon-rich peatlands
Posted on Monday 23 January 2023
A major study has provided answers to the ways in which heather-dominated peatland can be managed, with a number of methods to choose from to help tackle the impacts of climate change and biodiversity losses.
Call for more government help for low-income families as energy prices escalate
Posted on Monday 23 January 2023
Families are being hit hard by rising energy prices and need targeted government support, according to new research published that found families with dependent children are being overlooked.
School children support future conservation of red squirrels
Posted on Thursday 19 January 2023
Primary school children across the UK are collecting and sending squirrel food to scientists researching the dramatic decline of the native red squirrel population over the last 150 years.
New study shows ‘self-cleaning’ of marine atmosphere
Posted on Wednesday 18 January 2023
Scientists have shed new light on the ‘self-cleaning’ capacity of the atmosphere.
GPs faced pressures of workload, personal risk and public scrutiny during Covid-19, study reveals
Posted on Wednesday 18 January 2023
GPs felt under-resourced, under-valued and worried about widening health inequalities during the pandemic, new research shows.
Community engagement must be prioritised in elephant ivory debate, say researchers
Posted on Wednesday 18 January 2023
A BBC Radio 4 play, involving two PhD students at the University of York, highlights the ongoing issues of the ivory trade - with a focus on bringing the lesser heard voices of African communities to the fore.
Scientists discover how bacteria use electrical spikes to tolerate antibiotics
Posted on Wednesday 11 January 2023
Researchers have uncovered how some bacteria use electrical spikes to overcome antibacterial drugs, potentially leading to ‘superbugs’ that are resistant to antibiotics.
World-famous Avebury site to be brought to life online for first time
Posted on Tuesday 10 January 2023
The archives of the world-famous megalithic monuments at Avebury in Wiltshire are to be digitised and made available online.
People with Long Covid face barriers in accessing healthcare services, study finds
Posted on Monday 9 January 2023
People living with Long Covid (LC) say they face significant barriers in accessing healthcare services, leaving many with a feeling of hopelessness and neglect, a new study has revealed.
Research highlights the uncertainty that Care-Experienced Graduates face
Posted on Monday 9 January 2023
Research at the University of York has highlighted the financial uncertainty that Care-Experienced graduates face when leaving higher education and transitioning into employment.
Study reveals online fake reviewers suffer from pangs of conscience
Posted on Thursday 5 January 2023
The authors of online fake reviews suffer from pangs of conscience, according to a new study which looked at the process behind their creation.
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