News archive: Research press releases 2025
Bladder cancer may be caused by the body’s response to a common virus, new research suggests
Posted on Wednesday 3 December 2025
Bladder cancer might be caused by our cell’s response to a common virus which infects nearly everyone in childhood, according to new research led by scientists at the University of York.
Tougher action on criminal landlords needed to overhaul failing system
Posted on Tuesday 2 December 2025
Councils and police forces across the UK are failing to crack down on criminal landlords operating at the margins of the private rented sector, according to new research.
Ancient rubbish shows how early farmers learned to live with waste
Posted on Tuesday 25 November 2025
A new archaeological project aims to shed light on how Neolithic rubbish could help understand how Europe’s first farmers adapted to a more settled way of life.
Particle accelerator waste could help produce cancer-fighting materials, study suggests
Posted on Monday 24 November 2025
Energy that would normally go to waste inside powerful particle accelerators could be used to create valuable medical isotopes, scientists have found.
York research helping to shape supportive care for children and young people with cancer
Posted on Thursday 20 November 2025
Pioneering research led by the University of York is transforming supportive care for children and young people with cancer, directly driven by the crucial insights of patients and their families.
Changing tactics: Battle of Atlantic could have played out differently according to mathematicians
Posted on Thursday 20 November 2025
The German Navy’s U-boat campaign in the Battle of the Atlantic could have been far more effective if it was conducted in a less centralised way and with a less hero-oriented military culture, according to new analysis.
York Professor to lead national network, as first men’s health strategy launched
Posted on Wednesday 19 November 2025
A University of York professor is playing a central role in guiding the UK’s first-ever national strategy on men’s health, published by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Northern partnership to drive UK’s bio-based economic future
Posted on Thursday 13 November 2025
Research undertaken at the University of York will underpin a new regional partnership which aims to boost clean growth, create thousands of jobs, and attract major investment in the bio-based economy.
Families from deprived areas and ethnic minorities face the worse indoor air quality, York research finds
Posted on Thursday 13 November 2025
Harmful levels of indoor air pollution have been discovered in UK homes, with families from deprived areas and ethnic minority backgrounds facing the highest levels of exposure, according to a new study co-authored by the University of York.
Employers must take responsibility for tackling online abuse of women, research says
Posted on Wednesday 12 November 2025
Employers must do more to protect women in public-facing professions from online abuse, according to new research.
York academics awarded prestigious ERC Synergy Grants
Posted on Thursday 6 November 2025
Two University of York academics are set to lead ambitious research projects after each securing €10 million in funding from the European Research Council’s (ERC) highly competitive Synergy Grant.
New funding for scientists developing robotic assistance in breast screening
Posted on Tuesday 4 November 2025
Researchers have taken another step towards developing a robotic system that could help people with mobility issues get better access to breast screening procedures.
New research reveals human cost of Ministry of Defence Afghan data leak
Posted on Wednesday 29 October 2025
Afghans report a range of threats and risks including killings and violence as a result of the data breach, new research co-authored by a University of York academic has found.
Integrating museum records with contemporary citizen science data to uncover 166 years of tropical butterfly history
Posted on Wednesday 29 October 2025
A former PhD student at the University of York has used records from museum collections and citizen science projects to show long-term patterns in the species richness of tropical butterflies.
Class, race, ageism and status shaping who stays in general practice, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 29 October 2025
A new study has revealed that hidden social and cultural barriers - not just workload and pay - are driving nurses out of general practice and threatening the stability of primary care.
New research explores how indoor plants can improve human health and our environment
Posted on Friday 24 October 2025
People have been using plants such as ferns and succulents to brighten up their homes for millennia, but how much of an impact do they have on our environment and wellbeing?
University of York to drive regional innovation and growth with new Mayoral funding
Posted on Thursday 23 October 2025
Four innovative research projects have received a funding boost totalling almost half a million pounds from the York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mayoral Investment Fund.
Crop-killing pathogen found to disable plant ‘alarm system’
Posted on Monday 20 October 2025
Scientists have discovered how one of the world’s most destructive plant diseases manages to slip past crops’ defenses - a breakthrough that could help farmers grow stronger, more resilient plants.
Humans driving extinctions on scale not seen since dinosaurs, scientists say
Posted on Thursday 16 October 2025
Human activity may be triggering the greatest extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs, according to scientists.
York Professor to lead regional drive to improve men's mental health
Posted on Tuesday 14 October 2025
A University of York academic is leading a major regional effort to improve men's mental health and strengthen community wellbeing across York and North Yorkshire.
University of York and Bangor University awarded £8m project to support children's literacy in Wales
Posted on Tuesday 14 October 2025
University of York researchers are set to play a pivotal role in a new £8.2 million project designed to support literacy skills for children across Wales.
Dark Matter might leave a ‘fingerprint’ on light, scientists say
Posted on Monday 13 October 2025
Dark Matter, the substance that makes up most of the Universe, could potentially be detected as a red or blue light ‘fingerprint’, new research shows.
Breakthrough in blood test for Alzheimer’s by University of York researchers
Posted on Thursday 9 October 2025
Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in the development of a blood test for Alzheimer’s, creating a new sensor design that is ultra-sensitive, outperforms competing technologies and can be built into a handheld device.
Pharmacists could save the NHS billions of pounds with medicines checks, according to analysis by University of York
Posted on Monday 6 October 2025
The NHS could save billions of pounds through an expansion of pharmacy services that help patients use their medicines effectively, according to new research.
University of York spin-out company receives funding boost
Posted on Monday 6 October 2025
A University of York spin-out company is to receive funding from a consortium of investors to develop its bioinformatics platform.
Societal inequality linked to structural brain changes in children
Posted on Tuesday 30 September 2025
Income inequality in society has been linked to structural changes in the brains of children who go on to experience poorer mental health.
Cancer study to address ‘neglect’ of Gypsy, Traveller and Roma community
Posted on Tuesday 30 September 2025
People from Gypsy, Traveller and Roma (GTR) communities across Yorkshire will join forces with cancer experts to confront deep-rooted health inequalities caused by “a long history of neglect”.
Wolf protection downgrade highlights need for adaptive conservation frameworks, say experts
Posted on Thursday 18 September 2025
Following the European Parliament’s historic vote to move wolves from the strictly protected to protected category, experts are calling on policymakers to ensure the change becomes a catalyst for fairer, more adaptive and transparent wildlife management to meet the challenges of successful species recovery.
York Research maps 27 ways to fix the UK’s food system
Posted on Thursday 18 September 2025
From getting surplus food to families who need it, to making school breakfasts higher-fibre and trimming the carbon footprint of hospital meals, new research sets out 27 practical actions to make the UK’s food system healthier, fairer and more sustainable.
York archaeologist to uncover forgotten stories of ageing
Posted on Tuesday 16 September 2025
A new research project is set to transform how we think about ageing - both in the past and today.
Study reveals delayed marriage reduces obesity risk for urban women in Pakistan
Posted on Tuesday 16 September 2025
Delayed marriage significantly reduces the risk of obesity among urban women in Pakistan, new research has shown.
New study argues that modern plastics form an important archaeological record
Posted on Monday 15 September 2025
It is often seen as the scourge of modern society, littering our highways, byways and beaches. But now a new study argues that modern plastics are also a valuable archive documenting activities and behaviours at a crucial time in our human history.
York researchers behind project to get more No & Low alcoholic drinks sold in city venues
Posted on Friday 12 September 2025
University of York researchers are behind a project to get more no and low (NoLo) alcoholic drinks available in venues across York and North Yorkshire.
York academics join National Opportunity Summit looking at ways to tackle child poverty
Posted on Thursday 11 September 2025
The University of York’s Vice-Chancellor joined colleagues from across the North of England to outline solutions for the millions of children in the UK who are growing up in poverty.
Burial Site challenges stereotypes of Stone Age women and children
Posted on Wednesday 10 September 2025
Study has revealed new insights into Stone Age life and death, showing that stone tools were just as likely to be buried with women and children as with men.
Three York academics elected Fellows of The Academy of Social Sciences
Posted on Monday 8 September 2025
The Academy of Social Sciences has awarded Fellowships to three York academics who have made outstanding contributions to social science and its practical applications.
New project to investigate societal consequences of using synthetic data to train algorithms
Posted on Thursday 4 September 2025
Researchers in the University of York’s Department of Sociology will lead one of the first large-scale, systematic social science studies of synthetic data.
Survival in people with myeloma nearly doubled since 2005
Posted on Thursday 4 September 2025
People diagnosed with multiple myeloma – one of the most common forms of blood cancer – are now living nearly twice as long on average as they were in 2005, according to a new study.
Study shows lack of ‘me time’ for new mothers
Posted on Wednesday 3 September 2025
New mothers only have approximately one hour out of their waking day for rest, according to new research.
University of York awarded funding for fusion research and training
Posted on Tuesday 2 September 2025
The University of York has been awarded a share of £3m for nuclear fusion research and training.
Genetic key to why immune responses differ between men and women
Posted on Thursday 28 August 2025
A new study has uncovered a key difference between the immune system of males and females - and it comes down to a single gene.
New report calls for urgent action against violence towards women and girls
Posted on Wednesday 27 August 2025
A University of York academic has contributed to a major parliamentary report which has revealed the worrying scale of violence against women and girls.
Study links teen vaping to increased risk of smoking and health issues
Posted on Tuesday 19 August 2025
Researchers have shown that there is strong evidence that e-cigarette use may act as a gateway to cigarette smoking and other health issues in young people.
Character from unfinished Jane Austen novel reimagined in special portrait
Posted on Thursday 31 July 2025
Miss Lambe, the only character explicitly of African heritage in a Jane Austen novel, has been brought to life by a contemporary visual artist for a special exhibition celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth.
“Window of opportunity” to address heritage concerns of Cambridgeshire rail project, say researchers
Posted on Tuesday 29 July 2025
A study has shown that the East West Rail project in Cambridgeshire poses a risk to the longstanding relationship between the community and the local environment.
Poor diets fuelling health crisis in the North, report reveals
Posted on Wednesday 23 July 2025
A new report has revealed that the North of England has some of the poorest diets in the country, putting the population at risk of conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and other preventable diseases.
Nightjars at real risk from decreasing genetic diversity, researchers warn
Posted on Tuesday 22 July 2025
There is a significant and concerning decline in the genetic diversity of British nightjar populations over the past two centuries, a study from the University of York has found.
A ‘millet mystery’ in ancient Japan reveals a complex picture of agricultural adoption, research shows
Posted on Monday 21 July 2025
New research into ancient Japanese rice farming suggests that significant technological development does not always mean ‘abandonment’ of cultural practices - particularly culinary traditions.
Wednesday's child is not "full of woe," new study finds, debunking popular nursery rhyme
Posted on Wednesday 16 July 2025
A University of York study has found no link between a child's day of birth and their destiny, reassuring parents that the age-old verse is simply “harmless fun.”
Optical telescope on York rooftop to advance communication between space and earth
Posted on Wednesday 16 July 2025
Two high-precision optical telescopes have been installed on a rooftop at the University of York to help advance methods of quantum communications.
Study helps urban farmers create ‘light recipe’ to increase crop yield
Posted on Thursday 10 July 2025
Researchers have developed a new formula to allow urban farmers to design their own ‘light recipe’ - a combination of different colours of lighting that could help increase crop yields in vertical farms.
Ancient Rhino tooth helps push the boundaries of evolutionary research
Posted on Wednesday 9 July 2025
Scientists have shed new light on the rhino family tree after recovering a protein sequence from a fossilised tooth from more than 20 million years ago.
York academics behind major new report looking at obesity and food insecurity in the North of England
Posted on Tuesday 8 July 2025
A major new report co-authored by York academics shows regional inequalities in levels of children’s food security and obesity.
Focusing on preventing cancer could save both lives and money, study suggests
Posted on Monday 7 July 2025
A shift in focus from treatment to prevention to find cancer earlier could save the UK economy billions of pounds, according to a study involving the University of York.
New research reveals increasing surface meltwater in East Antarctica
Posted on Friday 4 July 2025
A team of researchers, led by the University of York, has discovered a trend of increasing surface meltwater in East Antarctica.
Shifting UK car exhausts to the right could dramatically cut roadside air pollution, new research reveals
Posted on Wednesday 2 July 2025
Harmful air pollutants on UK pavements generated by diesel cars could be slashed by a third if car exhausts were positioned on the right, according to a new study.
A creative, collaborative and sustainable approach to pub crawls could safeguard the British boozer
Posted on Wednesday 25 June 2025
Pubs could safeguard their future by creating more collaborative and sustainable pub crawls, according to research by the University of York.
Study casts doubt on ‘incestuous royalty’ in Neolithic Ireland
Posted on Tuesday 24 June 2025
New research has cast doubts over suggestions an incestuous social elite ruled over the ancient people of Ireland more than 5,000 years ago.
‘Slow pit-cooking’ likeliest method to extract animal teeth for Stone Age ornaments, study shows
Posted on Monday 23 June 2025
Prehistoric people used a culinary method, similar to slow cooking today, to carefully extract animal teeth to use in decorative crafts, such as pendant-making, archaeologists have shown.
Ethical concerns a barrier to use of AI tools in fundraising, new report shows
Posted on Friday 20 June 2025
A new report has revealed that fundraisers have concerns around the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their work with donors.
Prestigious Lister Prize awarded to York academic
Posted on Thursday 19 June 2025
A University of York academic has been awarded the prestigious Lister Institute Research Prize in the 2025 competition, recognising exceptional early-career biomedical scientists in the UK.
Jamming with AI: Jazz trio plays live with AI-generated sound
Posted on Wednesday 18 June 2025
A recent development enabling musicians to improvise live music with AI-generated sound could be the biggest innovation since the advent of sampling, or perhaps even the invention of recorded sound, according to a researcher at York.
High levels of 'forever chemicals' found in UK rivers, study finds
Posted on Monday 16 June 2025
A University of York study into the presence of ‘forever chemicals’ in UK rivers has found some of the highest levels ever recorded.
Famous Ice Age ‘puppies’ likely wolf cubs and not dogs, study shows
Posted on Thursday 12 June 2025
New analysis of the remains of two ‘puppies’ dating back more than 14,000 years ago has shown that they are most likely wolves, and not related to domestic dogs, as previously suggested.
Mayor’s funding awarded to University of York for creative digital project with Walmgate’s communities
Posted on Monday 9 June 2025
The University of York has been awarded funding to lead Walmgate Reframed, an ambitious community heritage project that will celebrate the rich identity of the high street through the production of new-media artwork.
Time-series database offers unprecedented picture of global biodiversity change
Posted on Friday 30 May 2025
Researchers have updated the largest biodiversity time-series database on the planet to include data from over half a million locations worldwide.
Proteins from two-million-year-old teeth reveal unprecedented insights into extinct human relative
Posted on Thursday 29 May 2025
Scientists have successfully extracted ancient proteins from two-million-year-old teeth, a breakthrough providing previously unobtainable details on the biological sex and genetic makeup of an extinct human relative.
Widespread availability of crack cocaine driving high levels of use among marginalised people
Posted on Wednesday 21 May 2025
Easy access to crack cocaine is fuelling addiction and leading to a cycle of hardship, mental health issues and homelessness in deprived communities, particularly in the North of England, a new study suggests.
York professors elected Fellows of the Royal Society
Posted on Tuesday 20 May 2025
Two University of York scientists have been elected Fellows of the Royal Society in recognition of their achievements in the fields of ecology and mathematical virology.
Undervalued nursing staff doing “box-ticking” exercises forcing them out, say researchers
Posted on Tuesday 20 May 2025
A lack of recognition and the de-professionalisation of nursing is driving many to leave the profession in significant numbers, according to the findings of a new study.
World-famous Schöningen spears are 100,000 years younger than previously claimed, new research suggests
Posted on Monday 12 May 2025
Scientists have analysed amino acids locked in snail shells to establish a new age for the world’s oldest complete wooden hunting weapons.
National policing strategy needed to tackle County Lines child exploitation, study shows
Posted on Thursday 8 May 2025
There is no consistent approach to the policing of County Lines drug distribution, leaving children and adults vulnerable to exploitation and harm, according to a landmark study.
The untold story of the environmental impact of AI and big data
Posted on Wednesday 7 May 2025
Our increasingly online lives have a remarkably high energy cost and there is an untold story regarding a huge environmental impact, according to new research from the University of York.
York academics to work on Born in Bradford research programme following major funding boost
Posted on Wednesday 7 May 2025
A team of York academics are to collaborate on a new expansion of the internationally renowned Born in Bradford research programme following a £4.5 million funding boost.
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New research aims to transform treatments of aggressive blood cancer
Posted on Wednesday 30 April 2025
A new study involving researchers from the University of York is set to transform treatments for one of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat blood cancers - acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Billions made by companies involved in UK border security, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 30 April 2025
Research has revealed that over £3.77 billion in government contracts has been awarded to private companies since 2015 for managing border security and small boat crossings in the English Channel.
Study reveals skeletal evidence of Roman gladiator bitten by lion in combat
Posted on Wednesday 23 April 2025
Bite marks found on a skeleton discovered in a Roman cemetery in York have revealed the first archaeological evidence of gladiatorial combat between a human and a lion.
New report provides snapshot of human rights in the City of York
Posted on Wednesday 23 April 2025
A new report documents the impact of the recent cost-of-living crisis and over a decade of austerity measures on the lives and rights of York residents.
Driving down child poverty in Scotland - participants from York's Changing Realities project meet with Scotland's First Minister
Posted on Tuesday 22 April 2025
Parents participating in the University of York's Changing Realities project met with Scotland's First Minister for an in-depth discussion focused on tackling child poverty.
Nature-based activity is effective therapy for anxiety and depression, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 16 April 2025
Researchers evaluating a nature-based programme of activities for patients with mild to moderate mental health conditions have shown that improvements in mood and anxiety levels can be seen in as little as 12 weeks.
Professor Ahmed El Antably to lead new project in School of Architecture
Posted on Friday 11 April 2025
A new research project will examine cultural heritage of Lower Nubia; an area of Egypt submerged following the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s.
Study to recover hidden history of once-banned LGBTQ+ novel
Posted on Friday 11 April 2025
The famously banned novel, The Well of Loneliness, is the focus of a new international project that will bring together generations of readers to uncover how it reached and touched so many people around the world.
Gas boilers now biggest source of air pollution in central London, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 9 April 2025
A new study has revealed a significant shift in the sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution in central London, with gas boilers used for heating now identified as the primary contributor.
Research suggests 700,000 children could be lifted out of poverty overnight by following Scotland's approach
Posted on Thursday 27 March 2025
The Westminster government could cut child poverty in the UK by a sixth – or 700,000 children – if they were to match Scotland’s investment in social security, according to a new report.
Could a deeper understanding of the seasons and how they are changing improve resilience to climate change?
Posted on Thursday 27 March 2025
Are daffodils in bloom earlier? Does cherry blossom appear earlier these days? And are distinct, new ‘seasons’ starting to appear too? New University of York research is examining changing seasons and what this means for how we approach climate change.
Perceived 'burden' of AI greatest threat to uptake in healthcare, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 26 March 2025
The potential benefits of AI to patient care may be overlooked if urgent steps are not taken to ensure that the technologies are effective for the clinicians using them, a new White Paper outlines.
New study on medicinal plants established with York’s twin city in China
Posted on Monday 24 March 2025
Researchers are working with scientists based in York’s twin city of Nanjing to further understanding of how the mint family of plants produce therapeutic benefits.
Digitalising essential services risk widening inequalities for minoritised ethnic communities, research study warns
Posted on Friday 14 March 2025
The rapid digitisation of essential services in the UK is deepening inequalities for minoritised ethnic communities, a major three-year research project involving the University of York has found.
York first higher education institution to sign up to partnership to improve Public Involvement in Research
Posted on Monday 10 March 2025
The University of York has become the first higher education institution (HEI) to join a partnership that fosters better collaboration between researchers and members of the public.
New study to further understanding of mysterious Roman burial practice
Posted on Tuesday 4 March 2025
A new £1 million project will investigate the mysterious Roman burial practice of pouring liquid gypsum over the clothed bodies of adults and children laid to rest in stone or lead coffins before burial.
New research to tackle poor mental health in young mothers
Posted on Thursday 27 February 2025
A University of York researcher is leading a new project to identify ways to boost mental health support for young mothers and birthing parents.
Resources needed for school teachers to address challenges of online misogyny, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 26 February 2025
A new study into the ‘manosphere’ has shown that 90% of secondary school teachers and 68% of primary teachers strongly feel that schools would benefit from teaching material addressing online misogyny.
Study suggests 'local practitioners' needed for policies on coexistence with large carnivores
Posted on Monday 24 February 2025
Researchers have suggested appointing practitioners or stewards to bring together local knowledge and conservation practices to inform policies on coexistence with large carnivores such as wolves, bears and lynx.
Restoring wildlife habitats in wealthy nations could drive extinctions in species-rich regions, experts warn
Posted on Tuesday 18 February 2025
Efforts to preserve or rewild natural habitats are shifting harmful land use to other parts of the world – and this could drive an even steeper decline in the planet’s species, according to new research.
Study sheds new light on bear baiting in early modern England
Posted on Monday 17 February 2025
Archaeologists have created a new model to help identify archaeological bear baiting assemblages in England and beyond.
New £1.2 million study investigates ways to improve emergency healthcare in rural and coastal areas
Posted on Monday 10 February 2025
In a new £1.2 million study, researchers will investigate ways to improve how urgent and emergency care could be improved for patients living in rural and coastal areas.
The early roots of carnival? Research reveals evidence of seasonal celebrations in pre-colonial Brazil
Posted on Wednesday 5 February 2025
Pre-colonial people in Brazil may have gathered in summer months to feast on migratory fish and share alcoholic drinks, a new study suggests.
Climate change impacts in African mountains are greater than previously thought
Posted on Wednesday 5 February 2025
Researchers know that mountain communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change, but there is limited understanding of climate change impacts in most African mountains due to lack of data. This might be surprising given that around 288 million people live in Africa mountain regions.
Insider account of unsolved 1952 London mail van robbery documented for first time
Posted on Tuesday 4 February 2025
A University of York academic has used a series of ‘forgotten’ cassette recordings to help piece together the plot behind an infamous mail van robbery from the 1950s.
London cabbies’ planning strategies could help inform future of AI
Posted on Friday 24 January 2025
Researchers have measured the thinking time of London taxi drivers - famous for their knowledge of more than 26,000 streets across the city - as part of a study into the future of AI route-mapping.
Study to inform government on impact of smartphones and social media on young people
Posted on Thursday 16 January 2025
Researchers are to look at the links between children’s mental health and smartphone and social media use as part of a Government commissioned research project.
Study explains why some osteoporosis drugs may protect against Covid-19
Posted on Tuesday 14 January 2025
Researchers have provided the molecular explanation for why some osteoporosis drugs offer protection against Covid-19.
Scientists show how sleep deprived brain permits intrusive thoughts
Posted on Wednesday 8 January 2025
A new study has shown that sleep deprivation can inhibit the brain’s ability to suppress unwanted memories and intrusive thoughts.