The work focuses on tellurium, a semiconductor of interest for electronic, thermoelectric and optoelectronic applications, where performance depends strongly on the size and shape of the nanostructures produced. Although liquid-phase synthesis is a scalable and relatively low-cost way to make these materials, it has been difficult to observe exactly how anisotropic tellurium structures begin to form and evolve during growth.

Using liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, the researchers tracked the early stages of tellurium formation at the nanoscale. They found that tellurium first appears as spherical seed particles, which then give rise to multiple nanowires. During growth, nearby wires compete for available material, affecting local growth speed and branching. Across the experiments, local nanowire growth rates were measured in the range of 1 to 15 nm per second, depending on electron flux and the presence of neighbouring structures.

, corresponding author at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the National Graphene Institute, said: 鈥淭his study lets us see, in real time, how tellurium nanowires emerge and evolve in liquid. By directly observing nucleation, growth and branching at the nanoscale, we can begin to understand how to control these processes much more precisely. That matters because the performance of tellurium-based materials depends strongly on their size and shape.鈥�

A second key finding was that bismuth seed nanoparticles dramatically change how tellurium grows. In the microscopy experiments, bismuth increased the number of nucleation sites and promoted more highly branched, fern-like structures. Follow-up electrodeposition experiments confirmed that bismuth also lowers the reducing potential needed for tellurium deposition and can substantially increase the amount of tellurium deposited under the same conditions. Together, these results show how insights from real-time microscopy can guide more effective materials synthesis outside the microscope.

Dr Yi-Chao Zou, co-corresponding author, said: 鈥淥ne of the most exciting aspects of this work is that the behaviour we observed in the liquid cell translated into conventional electrodeposition experiments. We found that bismuth seeding not only promotes tellurium nucleation but also makes deposition easier and more productive at a fixed potential. That opens up new possibilities for designing tellurium nanostructures with tailored morphologies for future device applications.鈥�

The study, a collaboration between Sun Yat-sen University, 黑料网吃瓜爆料, the National Graphene Institute and Beijing Institute of Technology, suggests that real-time microscopy can do more than describe nanostructure growth. In this case, it identified a specific way to alter nucleation behaviour and improve deposition under defined experimental conditions. That could help researchers refine how tellurium nanostructures are produced for device-relevant studies, while keeping claims closely tied to the systems tested here.  The team report the findings could help accelerate the optimisation of low-dimensional nanostructures for electronics, energy conversion and sensing applications.

The study, published in , demonstrates how placing graphene close to a magnetic material can influence the spin of electrons without permanently altering graphene itself. By combining this magnetic proximity effect with graphene superlattices and operating at very low charge densities, the researchers were able to strongly tune how spins move through the material. 

鈥淭his work shows that by combining graphene with nearby magnetic materials, we can gain a high level of control over electron spin using electrical signals alone,鈥� said Dr Daniel Burrow, from 黑料网吃瓜爆料. 鈥淚n simple terms, we are learning how to pass information through graphene using the spin of electrons rather than their electrical charge.鈥� 

Electron spin is a quantum property that can act like a tiny magnetic compass needle. While conventional electronics rely on the movement of charge, spin-based approaches aim to use this magnetic degree of freedom to process and carry information, potentially reducing energy losses. 

In the study, the team used cobalt contacts to induce magnetism in graphene through proximity, meaning the graphene itself does not become magnetic. They then injected and detected pure spin currents, allowing them to probe how spin transport changes across different electronic regimes. 

Near the charge neutrality point, where graphene has very few mobile charge carriers, the researchers observed a clear reversal of the spin signal. This behaviour indicates that the magnetic proximity effect creates a spin dependent energy splitting in graphene, which governs how spins travel through the material. 

Importantly, the same effect was also observed at additional neutrality points that appear when graphene is precisely aligned with hexagonal boron nitride. These so called superlattice features show that proximity induced spin control applies not only to graphene鈥檚 original electronic bands but also to those reconstructed by the superlattice structure. 

鈥淥ur measurements show that the same underlying mechanism controls spin transport across all these regimes,鈥� said Dr Burrow. 鈥淭hat tells us we are seeing a robust physical effect rather than something specific to a single device setting.鈥�

The strongest signals were observed in a bilayer graphene superlattice device designed to open an energy gap in the electronic structure. In this specific system, the researchers measured spin polarisations approaching 50 per cent and nonlocal spin resistances exceeding 300 ohms. These values are nearly two orders of magnitude larger than those measured away from charge neutrality in the same experimental platform. 

The study shows that low carrier density, combined with magnetic proximity effects and engineered band structure, can greatly enhance spin filtering and detection. While the work focuses on demonstrating the physics, the authors note that electrical control of spin at low power could be relevant for future spin based electronic technologies. 

鈥淭his research shows that we can engineer graphene systems where spin signals become both large and electrically tunable,鈥� said , a co-author of the study. 鈥淭hat opens up new ways to explore spin transport in two-dimensional materials and brings us closer to using these effects in practical devices.鈥� 

The survey will explore issues including:

• Experiences of travelling as a driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist or public transport user

• Feelings of safety and confidence while travelling

• Worries about road safety and personal security

• Barriers that influence travel choices

• Ideas for improving safety and accessibility

• Evidence to support future changes

The survey is the first part of a wider research project being delivered by 黑料网吃瓜爆料 on behalf of the Safer Roads Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Partnership Board.

Alongside the survey, participants will have the opportunity to take part in follow-up focus groups to provide more detailed insights into their experiences.

The findings will be presented to the Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Safer Roads Partnership Board later this year.

The researchers hope the project will help ensure women's perspectives are better reflected in future road safety policies, interventions and transport planning.

By capturing the insights of women from a wide range of backgrounds, ages and travel habits, the study aims to create a stronger evidence base to support safer, more inclusive streets across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

鈥淚t is vital that everyone feels safe travelling on foot, by bike or in a vehicle, and we need to understand specifically how women experience Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料's roads so we can continue to address barriers they may face,鈥� said Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料. 

"Women use roads and transport networks every day, but their experiences are not always fully reflected in the evidence that informs road safety policy and planning,鈥� said Dr Miles. 鈥淲e know that concerns about safety can influence how, when and whether people travel, yet there has been relatively little research exploring these issues from women's perspectives.

鈥淏y listening to their experiences, we can build a clearer understanding of the challenges women face and identify where improvements could make the greatest difference.

"Road safety is about more than preventing collisions - it's also about ensuring people feel confident and secure when moving around their communities,鈥� said Professor Broad. 鈥淭he insights gathered through this research will help us understand what helps women feel safe, what creates barriers or concerns, and what practical changes could improve their experiences. 

鈥淲e want the findings to support evidence-based action that makes Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料's roads and transport systems safer and more inclusive for everyone.鈥�

Women interested in taking part can complete the survey by .

The team, , received the Stephanie L Kwolek Prize for developing a scalable solid-state lithium metal battery architecture that integrates nanocarbon-enhanced cathodes with solid electrolytes.

The award recognises a collaboration between researchers at PETRONAS, 黑料网吃瓜爆料, and Deakin University in Melbourne. Their work focuses on overcoming key barriers to the commercialisation of solid-state lithium metal batteries, including improving energy density, safety and manufacturability. 

Solid-state batteries replace the liquid electrolyte found in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid alternative, offering potential advantages in stability and performance. However, challenges remain in ensuring reliable operation at scale. The team鈥檚 approach combines nanocarbon-enhanced cathodes with solid electrolytes to deliver a design that can be manufactured using processes compatible with industry. 

The RSC Horizon Prizes, introduced in 2020, recognise teams working on innovative projects at the frontiers of the chemical sciences. The prizes highlight collaborative research that addresses global challenges and demonstrates significant progress towards practical applications.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: 鈥淭he purpose of the Horizon Prizes is to recognise those who are pioneering new techniques, technologies and discoveries. Our winners demonstrate how expertise from across chemistry and related disciplines can be brought together to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges.鈥� 

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料 researchers contributed expertise in nanomaterials and their integration into functional devices, building on the University鈥檚 strengths in advanced materials and energy research. Their involvement in the project reflects ongoing collaborations with international partners and industry to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies. 

The prize is one of a number of Horizon Prizes awarded this year by the RSC, which form part of a wider programme recognising excellence in research, innovation and education across the chemical sciences. 

The rankings assess more than 1,500 institutions worldwide across a range of measures, including research and discovery, employability and outcomes, international engagement and sustainability.   

黑料网吃瓜爆料 achieved an overall score of 84.6 and performed particularly strongly in international research collaboration, ranking 7th globally. The University also ranked 10th for sustainability, 28th for employer reputation and 32nd for academic reputation.   

The results reinforce 黑料网吃瓜爆料's position as one of the world's leading universities, recognised for the quality of its research, global partnerships, teaching excellence and real-world impact.  

黑料网吃瓜爆料 is also one of a small number of global universities that consistently performs strongly in both the global university rankings and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which measure progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since these rankings were introduced in 2019, the University has been placed in the global top ten every year. 

The University was ranked 35th in the . This year's rankings saw particularly strong competition from institutions in China and across Asia, reflecting the intensely competitive global higher education landscape.  

QS is one of the world's leading university ranking systems. 黑料网吃瓜爆料 was ranked 56th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 and 46th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025.  

Find further information about where the University is ranked on our World Rankings page.

黑料网吃瓜爆料, working with partners across the Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 region and beyond, has played a leading role in securing 拢50m investment from UK Research and Innovation鈥檚 Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) that drives innovation-led growth across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料.  

The University is lead delivery partner on two projects and will be a delivery partner on the remaining three across the wider funding programme, .  

Together the whole portfolio is worth 拢50m and covers nationally significant sectors including advanced materials & manufacturing, digital, cyber & AI, health innovation & life sciences, and low carbon technologies. These projects will attract private investment, create skilled jobs, support business growth and strengthen Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 position as a globally competitive innovation region.  

The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a flagship UK government programme - delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) - investing up to 拢500 million to strengthen regional innovation economies across the country. 

Forming a central pillar of the government's modern Industrial Strategy and Plan for Change, the Fund brings together local leaders, businesses and research organisations to build on regional strengths to create new jobs, drive innovation-led productivity and attract further public and private investment into communities across the UK. 

Atom Valley Innovation District 

The University is lead delivery partner in the 拢16.4m invested in the Atom Valley Innovation District, (AVID) a nationally significant advanced materials and manufacturing cluster. 

The investment will help to activate the innovation ecosystem needed to support the growth of materials-focused companies at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale.  

Through the Centre of Expertise in Advanced Materials and Sustainability (CEAMS) within the new Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), the programme will provide technical support, business services and access to specialist expertise to help companies scale up and adopt sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing technologies. 

By connecting businesses with national research centres, universities and industry, the programme will accelerate collaboration, unlock new supply chain opportunities and strengthen the region鈥檚 ability to attract and grow innovative businesses.  

The project is delivered in partnership with the Rochdale Development Agency, and the delivery consortium provides comprehensive access to the national advanced materials innovation ecosystem through the Henry Royce Institute, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), : NCC and CPI. The University of Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 will support the delivery of industry-ready skills packages.   

Together, these activities will drive private sector investment in the Atom Valley Innovation District, generating skilled jobs, and build long-term economic resilience for the region. 

GROW AI 

The University will also play a key role in GROW AI (拢12.8m). The project will be jointly led by the Centre for Enterprise at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Metropolitan University and the Turing Innovation Catalyst at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料.  

GROW AI will rapidly scale the responsible and secure adoption of AI across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料, unlocking faster commercialisation of research and delivering inclusive, high-value economic growth. Involving collaboration with the University of Salford, Lancaster University and numerous private sector partners, the initiative will fuse startup and research commercialisation with AI adoption by SMEs across priority sectors, bringing together the public, private and academic sectors to focus on key challenges at pace.  

Utilising the networks, delivery expertise and academic excellence of the partner organisations, it builds on the region鈥檚 existing assets and is designed for rapid deployment. GROW AI develops the regional cluster at scale, supporting both new AI firms and existing businesses, so the wider economy can benefit from the AI opportunity. The project will also support the continued growth of the tech community at Sister, a new innovation district which is a joint venture between 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Bruntwood SciTech. 

The University's innovation arm,  鈥� a function designed to unleash the institution's full innovation potential 鈥� has supported the development of these two projects.   

Delivery partner on three projects 

黑料网吃瓜爆料 is also the delivery partner for indoor air quality and sustainability assessments in the Retrofit Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Centre (拢8.56m) led by the University of Salford, the GM Wearables and Remote Monitoring Innovation Cluster (拢5.5m) led by 黑料网吃瓜爆料 University NHS Foundation Trust, and the Greater Data Accelerator (拢6.7m) led by Health Innovation 黑料网吃瓜爆料. 

Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淭his shows what Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 can achieve through collaboration between universities, industry and the public sector. We鈥檙e very proud to play a central role in this, working alongside our partners to turn research into innovation that supports business growth, builds new ventures and strengthens the economy.  

"Our research, partnerships and innovation activity will increasingly create globally competitive clusters that attract investment, generate high-value jobs and position Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 as a leader in advanced materials, manufacturing, health innovation and AI. This is about connecting talent, ideas and industry - which ultimately means long-term, inclusive growth is felt across our communities.鈥� 

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 City Council and Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth, said: 鈥淭hrough this significant investment in five pioneering projects we will translate world-class research and innovation into new jobs and opportunities that benefit Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 businesses and residents. 

鈥淏y focusing on advanced materials and manufacturing, health innovation and AI, we are building on the strengths that already set our city region apart and creating the conditions for more businesses to innovate, scale and succeed here. This is the kind of investment and collaboration that helps us deliver long-term, inclusive growth, strengthening our economy and ensuring the benefits of innovation are felt right across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料.鈥� 

Andrew Hodgson, Chair of the Innovation Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Board, said: 鈥淚 am delighted that Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 has secured such a significant investment and is the first region to have all its projects approved.  

鈥淭his is testament to the maturity in Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the strong partnership that exists across the region. I would like to thank the partners for their support in the process. At IGM we look forward to continuing to collaborate with UKRI, supporting deployment of world-class innovations that impact lives throughout the region and beyond.鈥� 

The King's Birthday Honours recognise extraordinary contributions and service across the UK. 

This year's list highlights outstanding contributions across public service, healthcare, education, business, science and the voluntary sector, reflecting the breadth and impact of the University's wider community. 

Sarah Munby CB 
Sarah Munby, a member of the University's Board, has been appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for public service. 

Her career spans both the private and public sectors. Recently, she served as Permanent Secretary of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), where she oversaw the establishment of the new department and held overall responsibility for government policy and delivery on science and technology. Her portfolio covered the national approach to artificial intelligence, the UK's science and research system, digital transformation across government, and the government's relationship with technology-driven sectors of the economy, including life sciences, AI and digital, quantum, telecoms and space. 

Previously, she was Permanent Secretary at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), with wide-ranging responsibilities across the economy. This included leading support for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing the UK's energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, establishing the UK's first national net zero strategy, and supporting business growth and innovation nationwide. During this time, she also established BEIS's second headquarters in Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料, later mirrored at DSIT. 

Before joining the civil service, she was a Partner at McKinsey and Company, where she led the firm's Strategy and Corporate Finance Practice in the UK and Ireland, working on strategic change and transformation with major businesses in the UK and globally. 

She has also previously served as a Board Member at UK Government Investments, the government's centre of expertise in corporate governance and corporate finance. 

Sir Jon Cunliffe GBE CB 
Sir Jon Cunliffe, who studied English Language and Literature at the University, is recognised with a GBE for public service. 

He has had a distinguished career in public service, including a decade as Deputy Governor of the Bank of England for Financial Stability from 2013 to 2023. In that role, he sat on the Bank's Court of Directors, the Financial Policy Committee and the Monetary Policy Committee, and also had responsibilities across the Bank's prudential regulation work. 

Earlier in his career, he served as the UK's Permanent Representative to the European Union. He is currently Chair of the Independent Water Commission. 

Abigail Shapiro MBE 
Abigail Shapiro, a member of the University's General Assembly, has been awarded an MBE for services to education. She is Co-Founder of The Tutor Trust.

Alongside Sarah Munby, Sir Jon Cunliffe and Abigail Shapiro, a further 19 members of the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 community have been recognised: 

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) 
Tom Attwood (BSc Management Sciences 1973), Chair of Trustees, Attwood Academy Trust, for services to education. 

Paul McCreesh (MusB 1981), Conductor, for services to music and music education. 

Merope Mills (BA Psychology 1999), Patient Safety Campaigner, for services to patient safety. 

Dr Richard Vautrey (MBChB 1988), former President, Royal College of General Practitioners and GP Partner, Meanwood Group Practice, for services to general practice. 

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) 
Robin Gisby (MBA 1984), former Chief Executive Officer, DFT Operator Limited, for services to the rail network. 

Rachel Hollis (BA History 1981), former Chair, Professional Nursing Committee, Royal College of Nursing and Honorary Nurse Advisor for Children's Cancer Care, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, for services to nursing. 

Professor Janet Lord (BA Psychology 1986; MSc Cognitive Science 1991; EdD Education 2016), Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Metropolitan University and Independent Chair, Priority Area, for services to education. 

Rohan Malik (MBA 1998), UK and Ireland Government and Public Sector Managing Partner, EY, for services to business and professional services. 

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 
Nafiza Anwar (BSc Anatomical Sciences 1993), Co-Founder and Director, Association of South Asian Midwives, for services to charity and healthcare. 

Esther Barratt (BSc Mechanical Engineering 1992), Group Director, Amentum, for services to nuclear power engineering. 

Sara Barr-Frost (MA Healthcare Ethics and Law 2019), Deputy Chief Nursing and Allied Health Professionals Officer, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and former Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, for services to the NHS. 

Professor Stephen Leveson (MBChB 1970; MD 1978), Founder and Trustee, York Against Cancer, for services to cancer patients in North Yorkshire. 

Dr Colin Prosser (BSc Geology 1984), Principal Specialist Geoheritage and Geoconservation, Natural England, for services to geoconservation. 

Bill Reeves (BSc Electrical Engineering and Electronics 1977), Chief Executive, Portland Port, for services to the community in Portland. 

Paul Seddon (BA Town and Country Planning 1991; BPl 1992), Strategic Director of Planning and Transport, Nottingham City Council, for services to town planning. 

Rabbi Dr Norman Solomon (PhD 1966), for services to the Jewish community and to interfaith relations in Oxfordshire. 

Paul Trevatt (MSc Healthcare Management 2008), Nursing Leader, for services to nursing. 

Karen Whittaker (MSc Nursing 1997), Senior Education Lead, Institute of Health Visiting, for services to health visiting. 

British Empire Medal (BEM) 
Dr Katie Misselbrook (MBChB 2011), Consultant Anaesthetist, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, for services to children and young people. 

Joint workshops with academic and policy experts, and subsequent consultation within the GMCA and MCC, has led to the development of 13 ARIs which will support with the delivery of long-term strategic goals.

The ARIs have been modelled on elements of the  and the  and focus on two priorities: good growth and prevention.

The pilot aims to:

• Inform policymaking and test the ARI model at local government level;

• Build stronger partnerships between policymakers and academic experts;

• Support effective processes for identifying and prioritising research questions;

• Broaden the range of voices shaping GM policy, supporting the region鈥檚 commitment to equality and inclusion.

Launched in early June via the , the pilot will run for six months and academics are strongly encouraged to respond. It will help policymakers to access expertise and evidence, with ARIs operating successfully in various branches of government for almost a decade.

More information is available via the Policy@ 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the .

The charity鈥檚 annual investment into the will increase from 拢11m to more than 拢17m this year - putting the city at the heart of its mission to beat cancer.

The boost in funding will be used to recruit up to eight senior researchers who will build on the Institute鈥檚 expertise and advance cancer research in areas including immunology, data science and AI.

Once fully established, their labs will attract up to 100 world leading researchers and research staff to join 黑料网吃瓜爆料's fast-growing research community.

The investment will also help to develop the next generation of clinician scientists - funding two new positions in partnership with The Christie. This will further help to combine world-class research with placing patient care at each stage of the research journey.

Bringing new knowledge into the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 research ecosystem will be matched with investment in cutting-edge research and computational technologies.

These will allow the Institute鈥檚 world leading facilities to study cancer under closer detail than ever before and build a platform to ensure the long-term emergence of new discoveries.

The Cancer Research UK 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Institute sits in the Paterson building in Withington and is part of 黑料网吃瓜爆料.  The building is directly connected to The Christie which allows cells and samples from patients to be taken to the research lab in a matter of minutes.

Recently appointed Director of the Cancer Research UK 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Institute, hugely welcomes the boost in funding.

She said: 鈥淗aving recently left London to move to 黑料网吃瓜爆料, I am delighted that Cancer Research UK recognises the level of expertise at the Institute and the power of our cancer research partnerships in 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

鈥淭he extra investment will make a huge difference moving forwards and will help us continue to attract the brightest minds to the city.

鈥淲hile we are living in an exciting time for research, nearly 1 in 2 people.* are set to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, so there鈥檚 still much more to do. Patients will be at the very heart of everything we do and the Institute will be a real engine room for discovery."

Sharon Quennell, from Chadderton in Oldham, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 at the age of 36 after noticing a lump on her left breast. She underwent surgery followed by 12 weeks of chemotherapy treatment.

Now 62, she celebrated a quarter of a century free of cancer last year. Sharon works at North 黑料网吃瓜爆料 General Hospital and is a single mum to Ryan, aged 31, who has autism and learning disabilities.

She has visited the laboratories in the Institute many times.

Sharon said: 鈥淭he extra investment is amazing news for 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

鈥淎s a former cancer patient, I am always humbled to hear about the exciting research work happening on my doorstep.鈥�

Professor Ashley Blom, Vice President and Dean of Biology, Medicine and Health at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淭he CRUK 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Institute sits at the heart of the city鈥檚 cancer research strength, uniting world鈥慶lass scientists under one mission. Its teams push the boundaries of discovery, from understanding the biology of cancer to developing treatments that change clinical practice. So this increase in funding is great news for the University and the city, which holds a pre鈥慹minent place in global cancer research, driving discoveries that shape the future of treatment. This welcome news will create more opportunities for scientists to turn bold ideas into breakthroughs that can change what鈥檚 possible for patients.鈥�

Professor Fiona Blackhall, Director of Research and Innovation and Consultant Medical Oncologist at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, comments:  鈥淲hat makes 黑料网吃瓜爆料 such an important hub for cancer research is that our research facilities are located on the site of one of Europe鈥檚 leading cancer hospitals, The Christie. This means we can carry out research at every stage 鈥� from basic science to trials involving patients 鈥� all on one site.

鈥淭his increase in investment reflects the level of expertise we have here in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the difference that we鈥檙e making for our patients.

鈥淐ancer research is a collaborative effort and we at The Christie are proud to work with our partners in the Cancer Research UK 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Institute and 黑料网吃瓜爆料 to find new and better ways to detect, diagnose and treat cancer.鈥�

Every year, around 45,800 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West. **

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the past 50 years and is the world鈥檚 largest charitable funder of cancer research.

* See CRUK website
** Based on the average annual number of new cases of cancer excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (ICD10 C00-C96 excluding C44) diagnosed in the North West in 2021-2023. 

A series of standout sessions highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of AI in education. A student panel offered candid, first-hand perspectives on global AI inequalities, sharing lived experiences of access, bias and studying in different contexts - the discussion underscored how uneven access to AI tools continues to shape learning outcomes worldwide. 

Plenary discussions also formed a central part of the programme. A panel chaired by Professor Khalid Nadvi, Head of the School of Environment, Education and Development, welcomed Mohamed Elrefai (Senior Director and Head of Worldwide Education, Adobe), Professor Mirjam Hauck (Academic Lead for AI in Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Open University) and David Raho (AI Design and Delivery Manager, HM Prison & Probation Service), exploring AI adoption among disabled and neurodivergent learners, alongside the structural barriers to equitable participation. 

The opening plenary panel featuring Dr James Brooks, Professor Jenn Hallam, Sami Karamalla Gaiballa, Professor Rebecca Hodgson and Professor Juup Stelma focused on AI and inclusion at 黑料网吃瓜爆料. The panel explored how institutional approaches can meaningfully embed inclusion within AI-enabled education, highlighting both progress and areas requiring further development. 

Recent studies led by colleagues from the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Institute of Education highlighted both opportunities and risks. Most recently,  has found that students with disabilities were already using generative AI to overcome barriers in their learning, yet because these tools were not formally recognised as assistive technologies, their use remained ambiguous, uneven and often financially burdensome. 

Dr Skye Zhao鈥檚 global research, involving more than 600 students and educators, highlighted persistent digital divides, alongside linguistic and cultural biases embedded in AI systems. These challenges were particularly acute in the Global South, where access and localisation remained uneven. The report can be accessed . 

Drawing on the challenges identified in recent research, the conference was an opportunity to discuss the key priorities for advancing inclusion in AI-enabled education, including sharing these challenges, cross-sector collaboration, and future research directions. 

Missed the conference? Listen to our , which captures some of the big debates with AI in Higher Education.

Using different types of health data - from body measurements to genetics - the authors have built on evidence that there is a potential future where simple, high street eye scans could be used as a measure of how the rest of the body is functioning. 

Using 鈥淯K Biobank鈥� data, a  UK volunteer-based study, the researchers developed an AI tool called 鈥淩et-AAE鈥� to explore the links between the eye and disease risk, blood test results, and the appearance and function of different organs, across over 68,000 people.

The study showed that the associations between the eye and body are incredibly broad, identifying that the appearance of the eye is linked to risk of heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attack, Parkinsons disease, dementia and more.

Two types of scan were used in the study - 3D scans of the inner lining of the eye called 鈥渙ptical coherence tomography鈥� (OCT), and simple photographs of the back of the eye called 鈥渃olour fundus photographs鈥�.

Both scan types are widely available at optometrists across the UK, with several million scans already captured every year by high street providers 鈥� making them a highly accessible health marker.

The team showed the two scan types might reveal complementary signals about our future health, with OCT more strongly linked to neurological traits and CFP having broader associations with cardiovascular traits.

Further analysis showed that the eye contains several signals that are captured by AI systems and reveal information about health 鈥� including the appearance of blood vessels and the nerves which connect the eye to the brain.

Some of the patterns the system picked up were caused by cataracts or natural differences in eye colour, showing that researchers might need to account for age and ethnicity when analysing the images.

One of the key contributions of the study is the work around the biological pathways that might link the eye to disease in the brain, blood vessels and heart.

Genetic analyses showed that eye features are linked to genes involved in neurodegenerative disease pathways, including those related to Parkinson鈥檚 disease, dementia, and broader neurodegeneration.

Physiological analyses linked eye features to blood pressure, blood vessel stiffness, and the function of the heart.

鈥楻adiomic analyses鈥� -  which turn medical images into measurable data - showed associations between eye features and the size of the brain, as well as tiny changes in the brain鈥檚 tissue structure detected using MRI scans.

By studying the tiny molecules in the blood, the researchers also found several connections between features in the eye and fat鈥憆elated molecules in the body, which may link the eye to general health.

Lead author Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellow, is an eye doctor and researcher at the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Royal Eye Hospital, part of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 University NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: 鈥淥ur findings show that the eye can reveal a remarkably broad picture of whole鈥慴ody health, offering a way to identify those at risk of heart and brain disease before they occur.

鈥淥ur study advances the use of deep鈥憀earning鈥慸erived eye traits in large鈥憇cale biomedical research.鈥�

Dr , Wellcome Clinician Scientist, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant,  from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, who oversaw this interdisciplinary work alongside FREng, also from the University, said: 鈥淲hile more work is needed before these tests could arrive on the high street - we hope and believe that routine eye tests will one day be used as part of health screening for disease prevention.鈥�

Professor Frangi is also a RAEng Chair and Digital Infrastructure Programme Co-Lead at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre鈥�.

He said: 鈥淯sing scans available on every high street, an eye test may become much more than a way to check your glasses prescription.鈥�

鈥淭his work shows the interdisciplinary work ongoing in 黑料网吃瓜爆料 thanks to generous support by various translational structures, including the NIHR 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre, and the BHF 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Centre of Research Excellence, among other funders鈥�.

• Multi-omic analysis of deep learning-derived phenotypes links ophthalmic imaging to cardiovascular and neurological traits is published in on  Tuesday 16  June at 4pm UK time. DOI
• Funders included: the Medical Research Council; the Wellcome Trust; the British Heart Foundation; the Royal Academy of Engineering; and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Biomedical Research Centre.

The milestone marks the largest level of participation in the campaign's history, having launched in 2016. This demonstrates the growing global appetite for teachers to upskill in how to engage 5鈥�14-year-olds in practical science learning in schools.

Teachers and their pupils have been involved in thinking about scientific questions that interest them. Time has been dedicated to encouraging them to plan and undertake investigations, gathering evidence and drawing conclusions on topics ranging from nature, weather, motion and materials.

Under the annual theme 'Globally Curious', the pupils鈥� questions have demonstrated creativity, curiosity and wonder.

• Which is the smallest animal that makes the biggest difference in our environment?
• What do ants like to eat the most?
• How does friction affect the distance a car travels?
• How do different exercises affect your heart rate?
• How do my clothes shed microfibres and does it matter?

Teachers and educators across the globe get involved in many ways. As an inclusive campaign, sharing events take place in schools, gardens, zoos, hospital schools and community spaces.  This year saw the campaign expand its reach into Slovenia and Spain, with bespoke training for teachers and translated materials that increasingly support engagement globally.

Brompton-Westbook Primary in Kent was the school that took registrations beyond the million mark. Claire Hofer, the school鈥檚 Science Lead, said Great Science Share for Schools has enabled their pupils and teachers to do more enquiry-based science, which they share with other pupils at a showcase event at the Discovery Park in Sandwich.

Similarly, 黑料网吃瓜爆料 welcomed 31 schools from across Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 to its Nancy Rothwell Building for a large in-person event, where pupils showcased their investigations and discoveries with the Lord Mayor encouraging them on.

The Great Science Share for Schools campaign was founded by Professor Lynne Bianchi, Vice Dean for Social Responsibility at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, to elevate the prominence of science in the classroom through learner-led enquiry, inclusive participation and collaboration.

Professor Bianchi said: 鈥�2026 is a truly great year for GSSfS by reaching this huge milestone. This makes a huge difference to teachers and young people, as well as showing that there is keen interest to raise the profile of science education for all. As the University鈥檚 From 黑料网吃瓜爆料 for the world 2035 strategy really takes pace, GSSfS models our values towards social responsibility and widening participation.鈥�

Grace Marson, Campaign Manager for Great Science Share for Schools, added: 鈥淲e are really proud that the campaign continues to grow as this means it is continuing to support teachers to upskill their own knowledge and develop pupils鈥� confidence in science enquiry.鈥�

As participation surpasses one million pupils for the first time, the achievement comes amid a new Royal Society report, calling for stronger support for public engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects, highlighting the growing importance of initiatives such as Great Science Share for Schools.

• Temporary accommodation has existed in different forms for nearly two centuries

• Many of the problems seen today have deep historical roots

• Poor conditions, lengthy stays and placements away from communities have been repeated over time

• Fragmented responsibility has consistently made accountability difficult

• People living in temporary accommodation have often had limited opportunities to challenge poor conditions or unfair decisions

• Temporary accommodation has frequently operated outside the standards expected of other forms of housing

• A new enforceable framework is needed to ensure temporary accommodation is short, safe and healthy

A crisis with deep historical roots

The report identifies a long-running pattern in which certain groups have faced greater barriers to support than others, rooted in ideas about who is considered 鈥榙eserving鈥� of assistance.

It argues that while major reforms have changed the legal framework around homelessness, longstanding patterns of exclusion, unequal treatment and poor-quality accommodation have repeatedly reappeared in different forms.

The research also highlights how fragmented responsibilities across government departments, local authorities and providers have often made it difficult to identify poor practice, enforce standards or learn from successful approaches.

Lessons from nearly 200 years of history

The report calls for three major reforms:

• Make unequal harms visible - better monitoring is needed to understand who is being placed where, in what conditions and for how long, enabling policymakers to identify and address unequal outcomes.

• End fragmentation - temporary accommodation requires clearer statutory coordination, stronger oversight and greater accountability across the system.

• Create an enforceable framework - temporary accommodation should be subject to baseline national standards, backed by meaningful enforcement.

Better temporary accommodation is possible

The report also identifies examples showing that better temporary accommodation can be delivered when there is political will and investment.

One example is the 1944 Temporary Housing Programme, which funded more than 150,000 prefabricated bungalows following the Second World War. Designed with comfort, privacy and family life in mind, the programme demonstrated that temporary accommodation could provide safe and dignified housing rather than merely emergency shelter.

What the researchers say

"Many of the problems experienced by people living in temporary accommodation today have appeared again and again for nearly two centuries,鈥� said Dr Jessica Field. 鈥淲hat emerges from this research is a story of recurring patterns rather than isolated failures - poor conditions, long stays, family disruption and displacement from communities have persisted across very different political and policy contexts. Understanding how these problems developed helps us see why piecemeal reforms have often struggled to deliver lasting change.鈥�

"Temporary accommodation may seem like a current crisis, but it has been part of our lives for nearly 200 years - yet the experience for many people living in temporary accommodation today remains painfully similar to what it was in the nineteenth century,鈥� said Simon Gale, Chief Executive of Justlife.

"Poor conditions, long stays, people being moved away from their communities, and families left in uncertainty are not new problems. Lifelines shows they are part of a much longer pattern. That matters because we cannot keep responding to temporary accommodation as if each problem is new, isolated or unavoidable.鈥�

"If we are serious about ending the harm caused by temporary accommodation, we need a clear national framework, proper standards, stronger accountability and a housing policy that stops temporary solutions becoming long-term realities."

Publication

was authored by Dr Jessica Field and published by Justlife.

The list celebrates individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country, such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.

We are also celebrating the members of our wider community who have been honoured. Read more here.

Professor David Knowles

FREng, CEO of the Henry Royce Institute, has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to industry and academia.

His work has focused primarily on the application of advanced materials and engineering research to address major industrial and national challenges across transport, energy, petrochemical and infrastructure sectors.

Responding to the award, Professor Knowles said: 鈥淚 feel incredibly privileged and proud to have received this honour. It is a recognition not just of my own work, but of everything that the outstanding teams and institutes I鈥檝e been fortunate to be part of have achieved together over many years.

鈥淚 would like to acknowledge the contribution of the many colleagues and collaborators I鈥檝e worked alongside across academia, industry and government. Their talent, dedication and shared commitment to innovation have been central to everything we have accomplished.

鈥淣aturally, I owe a great debt of gratitude to my family, past and present, whose encouragement and support have sustained me along the way.鈥�

Professor Luke Georghiou

, formerly Deputy President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, has been awarded an OBE for services to science and innovation. His current role is that of Professor of Science and Technology Policy and Management in the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Institute of Innovation Research in the Alliance 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Business School. 

A longstanding figure in UK research and innovation policy, Professor Georghiou has played a leading role in shaping national and international approaches to science funding, collaboration and impact. Among his many contributions, he led 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 successful bid to host the Euroscience Forum and secure its designation as European City of Science, and played a key role in the foundation of Northern Gritstone, a 拢380m venture capital company supporting university spinouts across the North.

Speaking on his award, Professor Georghiou said: "It has been a privilege to support and guide so many hugely talented people and to help develop 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 outstanding innovation ecosystem.鈥�

Professor Gareth Evans

, Emeritus Professor of Medical Genetics at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Consultant in Medical Genetics at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 University NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded an MBE for services to cancer genetics. His work has made a significant contribution to advancing understanding, diagnosis and care in inherited cancer, benefiting patients and families in the UK and beyond.

Professor Evans said: "I'm very honoured to be mentioned in the King's birthday honours. It's the culmination of thirty six years of work on inherited cancers and I'm extremely pleased. In particular to have my work on breast and ovarian cancer and the BRCA1/2 genes recognised and my setting of a national highly specialised service for patients with NF2 related schwannomatosis."

The birthday honours are awarded by the King following recommendations by the prime minister, senior government ministers, or members of the public.

The awards recognise active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers who have made significant achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping Britain.

For the past five years, Dr Eric Lybeck has been working with communities in Southport to develop The Arcade Project, a cultural programme and community space within the town鈥檚 historic Grade II Listed Wayfarers Arcade. A community caf茅 space called The Engine Room, located within the Arcade, has become the venue for music, arts, craft and heritage activities co-developed with local people.

Now the story so far of the development of The Arcade Project is being told in a comic play called 鈥楤est Practice鈥�, exploring the challenges of trying to make things happen in an ordinary town. The performance takes place on Friday 19^th June and tickets can be booked . The play is part of a wider programme of cultural events continuing through the summer.

But, as Dr Lybeck explains, The Engine Room cafe and its cultural programme is just the start of reimagining the Wayfarers Arcade as the focal point of civic regeneration in Southport:

More information about the Arcade Project can be found .

Researchers, community organisations and entrepreneurs who want to get involved can contact Dr Lybeck.

 commissioned from , the CBI鈥檚 economic consultancy division, has revealed the enormous opportunities for UK growth, regional development and productivity that can come from aligning business needs, universities and government policy.

The report, which is based on survey and interview data from 610 businesses and university stakeholders, reveals a system that is working well in some areas with eight out of ten businesses surveyed recognise the positive contribution of working with universities. However it is also failing to make the most of talent and the ability to innovate.

Ultimately this is stunting growth, preventing new work being carried out, or forcing businesses to shift operations overseas.

The report shows that this is particularly acute in the UK鈥檚 priority 鈥榝rontier sectors鈥�, crucial for delivery of the government鈥檚 Industrial Strategy, including advanced manufacturing, digital technologies and life sciences. Compared with firms outside of these sectors, surveyed frontier sector firms are around seven times more likely to report relocating activity outside of the UK if universities were less able to supply skilled graduates or collaborate with business.

The findings also present a significant opportunity 鈥� the UK has world-leading universities, strong research capability and businesses operating at the technological frontier. The UK can build on these by strengthening talent pipelines, improving collaboration and aligning policy with business needs.

Talent and skills

Businesses reported that the constraint on talent and skills is largely one of availability, not quality.

Survey responses indicate that around one in five businesses (19%) are currently experiencing a graduate skills shortage or gap, with shortages more pronounced among firms operating in frontier sectors.

The findings show that international talent is filling targeted skills gaps rather than displacing domestic workers.

Addressing this talent gap this will require strengthening the scale and alignment of the domestic skills pipeline, while maintaining access to international talent, where gaps persist.

University-business collaboration

The other significant way in which universities and businesses collaborate is in research and innovation. This, the report finds, delivers benefits including commercial product development and productivity gains, access to specialist facilities and research expertise, that businesses would not be able to invest in themselves.

However, businesses also highlight that it is difficult to find the right contacts, and there are differing timescales and multiple funding streams which complicate engagement.

One SME described how establishing initial engagement with a university could take several months, from securing the right contact through to progressing discussions. This contrasted sharply with their experience in other countries, where similar partnerships could be initiated within days.

Recent University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 initiatives point to the types of practical steps universities can take. This includes plans to offer all undergraduates meaningful real-world experience, such as placements, internships, live employer projects or work with public and community organisations, and the launch of the five-year, 拢5m, Future of Work Alliance with BNY, focused on responsible human-led AI.

The report calls for clearer incentives and simpler funding routes from government, with universities doing more to speed up and simplify access for businesses.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淓conomic growth depends on our ability to turn talent and ideas into new products, services, and industries. The countries that do this best will lead the global economy.

鈥淲e need to be more ambitious, more responsive and more outward-looking in how we work with employers and entrepreneurs. The issue is not whether the UK produces highly skilled people. It is whether those skills can be connected quickly and effectively to the places, sectors, communities, and businesses that need them most.

鈥淎s this report makes clear, by strengthening skills pipelines, removing barriers to collaboration and backing innovation wherever it emerges, we can unlock far more of what universities and businesses can achieve together. This is what the country needs and what we are committed to delivering.鈥�

Adriana Curca, CBI Economics Director, said: 鈥淥ur research shows that universities are a critical part of the infrastructure that supports business growth, providing access to talent, research capability and innovation expertise. This is particularly important in the UK鈥檚 frontier sectors where firms rely on advanced skills, research capability and innovation to grow and compete.鈥�

鈥淲hile many examples of collaboration are already delivering tangible benefits, there is a significant opportunity to do more. Better connecting business needs with talent, research and innovation capability could help unlock growth in the sectors that will shape the UK's future economy.鈥�

• Just 4% of patients in the dataset were offered social prescribing between 2019 and 2024

• Patients living in the least deprived areas were significantly more likely to be offered social prescribing than those in the most deprived communities

• Women were substantially more likely than men to be offered social prescribing

• Older patients and people with multiple long-term conditions were more likely to receive offers

• More than three quarters (77.7%) of those offered social prescribing received a referral

• Ethnic minority patients were generally as likely - or more likely - to accept referrals

What else did the study find?

The researchers analysed anonymised NHS primary care records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), one of the largest healthcare datasets in England.

The study explored which groups of patients were offered social prescribing and which went on to receive referrals after offers were made.

Social prescribing schemes aim to support people whose health may be affected by wider social issues such as loneliness, poor housing, financial stress or isolation by linking them with non-medical community services through dedicated NHS link workers.

Clear inequalities

Patients in more affluent areas consistently had higher odds of being offered social prescribing than those in deprived areas, despite evidence that poorer communities often experience worse health outcomes and greater levels of long-term illness.

Women were also more likely to be offered referrals than men across almost every age group examined.

The study found strong links between long-term illness and social prescribing access, with patients suffering multiple health conditions far more likely to receive offers and referrals.

Why it matters

Researchers say the findings are significant because social prescribing has become a major part of NHS plans to reduce pressure on healthcare services and improve public health.

Since 2019, thousands of social prescribing link workers have been recruited across England through the NHS Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme.

The researchers warn that unequal access to these services could risk widening existing health inequalities if patients in deprived communities are less likely to benefit. However, the study also found encouraging signs once offers had been made.

Patients from ethnic minority backgrounds were often more likely than white patients to accept referrals, while deprivation itself did not appear to reduce uptake after an offer was made.

Researchers say this suggests the key inequality may lie in access to offers rather than willingness to engage.

Men and older patients less likely to engage

The study also found important differences between being offered social prescribing and accepting referrals.

While older patients were more likely to be offered support, they were less likely to go on to receive referrals once offered. Male patients were consistently less likely than women to both receive offers and proceed to referral.

Researchers say more work is needed to understand why some groups may be underrepresented or less likely to engage with social prescribing services.

What the researchers say

鈥淚t is concerning that the patients most likely to benefit from social prescribing support appear to be among the least likely to be offered it,鈥� said Research Fellow Anna Wilding. 鈥淧eople living in deprived communities are more likely to experience long-term illness, financial hardship, isolation and poor mental health - the very issues social prescribing is designed to help address.鈥�

鈥淥ur findings suggest the biggest challenge is not whether people will engage with social prescribing once offered support, but ensuring disadvantaged communities are not left behind in the first place.鈥�

Publication details

The study was published in journal PLOS One.

DOI:

The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) has committed 拢50 million over five years to drive forward the vital research led by clinicians, researchers, and communities across the consortium marking the most significant step forward in maternal health research in a generation.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for maternity care in the UK, with national attention increasingly focused on improving safety, equity and women's experiences of care.

The 黑料网吃瓜爆料-led part of the research will involve improving and reducing inequalities in maternity care pathways. The focus will be on major contributors to maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly cardiometabolic complications (obesity, hypertension, gestational diabetes (GDM), perinatal mental health, and complications in early maternal recovery after birth.

Dr Debbie Smith, Co-Lead of the Perinatal mental health and wellbeing work, said: 鈥淚 am really excited that 黑料网吃瓜爆料 are co-leading the perinatal mental health and wellbeing work as part of this consortium and look forward to co-producing equitable behavioural interventions with key stakeholders over the next few years鈥�.

The Government's renewed Women's Health Strategy highlights the need to improve care before and between pregnancies for marginalised communities, against this backdrop, the consortium will generate the evidence, interventions and research capacity needed to help translate national ambition into practical, equitable improvements for women, babies and families.

鈥淭his funding represents a critical opportunity to make the step change we need to improve outcomes for women and their babies. Alongside the research, the Consortium will be investing in tomorrow's research leaders today to ensure we have the capacity to deliver on improving pregnancy outcomes, access to, and experience of, care鈥�, says Professor Judith Rankin OBE, Consortium Co-lead for Research and Capacity Development, Newcastle University.

鈥淣ational attention on maternity safety and equity has never been greater, but ambition must now be matched by evidence and implementation. Through this consortium, we will work across the UK to understand what works, for whom and in what contexts, and to ensure that research leads to practical changes in care for the women, babies and families who need them most,鈥� says Professor Joht Singh Chandan, Consortium Co-lead for Research, University of Birmingham.

• Elite football increasingly relies on investment from fossil fuel-rich states and companies, including sponsorships and ownership models linked to Gulf nations and energy firms.
• FIFA鈥檚 partnership with Saudi oil giant Aramco is singled out by the authors, who claim football has become central to a wider strategy of sportswashing by fossil fuel interests.
• The expanded 48-team format for the 2026 Men鈥檚 World Cup will significantly increase emissions due to the greater number of matches and the vast travel distances across North America.
• The tournament will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities spanning the entire continent. The last Men鈥檚 World Cup in 2022, Qatar, saw 64 matches played across the 32-team tournament.
• FIFA鈥檚 environmental policies are scrutinised, with the research team accusing the organisation of promoting sustainability rhetoric while simultaneously expanding competitions and strengthening ties with fossil fuel sponsors.

The study highlights concerns over future tournaments, noting that Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup while the United States withdrew from the Paris climate agreement under President Donald Trump.

Why this matters

The researchers say the expanded 48-team format for the 2026 Men鈥檚 World Cup will significantly increase emissions due to the greater number of matches and the vast travel distances across North America.

The tournament will feature 104 matches across 16 host cities spanning the entire continent. The last Men鈥檚 World Cup in 2022, Qatar, saw 64 matches played across the 32-team tournament.

FIFA鈥檚 environmental policies are also scrutinised, with the research team accusing the organisation of promoting sustainability rhetoric while simultaneously expanding competitions and strengthening ties with fossil fuel sponsors.

The study also highlights concerns over future tournaments, noting that Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup while the United States withdrew from the Paris climate agreement under President Donald Trump.

What the researchers say

Lead researcher, Dr Mark Doidge, Reader in Sociology of Sport at Loughborough University, said: 鈥淔ootball is the world鈥檚 most popular sport, and probably the most popular activity. It is for this reason that football authorities, like FIFA, continue to exploit it for commercial profit."

鈥淔ootball is also a cultural powerhouse with millions of fans, volunteers, and players trying to make the sport better. Football can, and should, use its influence to mitigate against climate change.鈥�

Dr James Jackson, Lecturer at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淒espite the last World Cup offering a preview of what football would be like in a significantly warmer world, FIFA has remained indifferent to better regulation. Rather than being proactive and ensuring football helps mitigate against the worst impacts of climate change, they are - at best - pursuing meagre adaptation measures for things which affect fans and players."

Dr Oscar Berglund, Senior Lecturer in International Public and Social Policy at the University of Bristol, said: 鈥淔IFA has made elite men鈥檚 football the primary target of Petrostate sportswashing. This World Cup, with the ridiculous Trump Peace Prize and having Saudi Aramco, the world鈥檚 largest polluter, as its main sponsor, reaches new levels.

鈥淚t has been a key strategy of Petrostates to use football鈥檚 unrivalled cultural influence globally. They don鈥檛 need to convince us that fossil fuels are good, just that they are inevitable. So, as we watch and love our beautiful game, we come to accept the necessary evil of fossil capital.鈥�

Club sustainability and commercial pressure

As part of the study, researchers interviewed sustainability managers working in football clubs across Europe, many of whom described tensions between environmental targets and the commercial demands of the modern game.

According to the report, sustainability initiatives are often only approved if they do not disrupt football鈥檚 core product, including the scheduling and broadcasting of matches.

Some interviewees said clubs remained more focused on increasing revenues than reducing environmental costs, despite the growing financial risks posed by flooding, heatwaves and fixture disruption.

Recommendations

The investigation proposes a series of recommendations aimed at reducing football鈥檚 environmental impact.

• FIFA should stop awarding tournaments to Petrostates.
• Restrictions should be placed on fossil fuel ownership of clubs.
• Fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship should be banned in football.
• Football authorities should halt the expansion of competitions.
• Sustainability managers should be embedded into all levels of club decision-making rather than operating in isolated compliance roles.

FIFA response

FIFA has previously defended its sustainability strategies and said major tournaments can drive investment, infrastructure and development in host nations. The organisation has also said that expanding competitions increases global participation and opportunities for smaller footballing nations.

Publication details

To read the full report, . The findings will form part of Football and Climate Change: The Unsustainability of the Beautiful Game, due to be published in 2027.

, a new model for low鈥憀ight image enhancement (LLIE), was created by Computer Science undergraduate Alexandru Brateanu during his third-year project, working with academic supervisors.

The model outperforms comparable compact systems, recovering detail and clarity from images that would previously have been considered unusable.

The advancement has significant implications for photography, security, and a wide range of computational imaging tasks.

Low鈥憀ight image enhancement seeks to restore natural visibility, colour fidelity, and structural detail in scenes captured under poor illumination. While recent LLIE models have achieved impressive results, many rely on heavy architectures with large parameter counts, resulting in high computational cost and limited real鈥憈ime applicability. Efficiency has therefore become a central research challenge: how to enhance images more effectively while dramatically reducing model size.

In the work presented at the IEEE/CVF Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition 2026, the team proposes a structured solution grounded in classical colour vision theory and implemented using modern neural components within the Retinex framework. Retinex, a foundational approach in image enhancement, decomposes an image into illumination (light) and reflectance (colour) components to better handle low鈥憀ight scenes.

The design motivation behind Multinex is to extract as much useful information as possible from low鈥憀ight images using a highly compact architecture. By prioritising enhancement over reconstruction and leveraging lightweight neural operations, Multinex achieves strong illumination correction, detail recovery, and colour fidelity while using only a fraction of the parameters required by existing approaches.

The model is released in both a lightweight version (45K parameters) and an extremely compact nano version (0.7K parameters), each offering substantial reductions in computational load. Comparison to corresponding lightweight models such as PairLIE (330K parameters) and ZeroDCE (80K parameters) Multinex shows a significant performance improvement.

Like other LLIE techniques, Multinex still faces challenges in scenes with severe spectral distortions, lens flares, or mixed artificial and natural lighting. The team aims to extend the framework to these complex cases, exploring alternative formulations such as tone鈥憁apping or multiplicative residuals, and applying Multinex principles to related domains including intrinsic image decomposition, colour constancy, underwater enhancement, and haze removal.

The researchers demonstrate that Multinex delivers state鈥憃f鈥憈he鈥慳rt performance at real鈥憈ime cost, highlighting the power of combining analytic priors with modern lightweight design.

The study led by the Indian Childhood Collaborative Leukaemia (ICiCle) group, which includes University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料 researchers, treated over 3000 children with acute B鈥慶ell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) at six major centres across India.

ALL is a fast鈥慻rowing blood cancer that starts from very early B鈥慶ells in the bone marrow. It is the most common form of ALL, especially in children.

Publishing in the Lancet Regional Health 鈥� Southeast Asia, the researchers compared the standard four鈥憌eek continuous steroid course with a pulsed schedule given in weeks one, two and four.

Children on the pulsed schedule had far fewer early deaths, with rates falling from 3.5% to 1.3%.

Most leukaemia related early  deaths are currently caused by severe infections linked to continuous steroid use - a major challenge in low鈥� and middle鈥慽ncome countries.

Crucially, the shorter steroid exposure did not affect how well treatment worked, with remission rates of around 98% in both groups.

Survival outcomes were also similar, showing that the safer approach does not compromise cure.

The trial also found that using a powerful and highly effective class of chemotherapy drugs called anthracyclines early in treatment increased the risk of treatment鈥憆elated deaths.

The findings come from the ICiCle鈥慉LL鈥�14 trial, the first multicentre randomised paediatric oncology trial conducted in India.

Childhood leukaemia now has survival rates above 90% in many wealthy countries.

But children in low鈥� and middle鈥慽ncome countries still face far higher risks of dying during treatment, often because infections strike early on.

Since 2013, the ICiCle group team has been working to bring a consistent, modern treatment approach to children with leukaemia across India, rolled out to centres across India.

Professor Vaskar Saha from 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Tata Medical Center, is lead author and founder of the ICiCle group.

He said: 鈥淲e show for the first time that a simple change in how we give steroids can save lives. By reducing continuous exposure, we appear to lessen the risk of severe infections without compromising the effectiveness of treatment. This is a practical, low鈥慶ost intervention that could be adopted widely, particularly in settings where treatment鈥憆elated mortality remains high.鈥�

Professor Venkatraman Radhakrishnan of the Cancer Institute (WIA) said: 鈥淭he study provides robust randomised evidence that steroid scheduling itself is a modifiable determinant of induction mortality. The lack of any detriment in MRD response or survival makes this a particularly compelling practice change.鈥�

The study was funded by the National Cancer Grid, Indian Council of Medical Research, DBT-Wellcome India Alliance and Tata Consultancy Services.

The participating centres were:

• BR Ambedkar Rotary Cancer Hospital 鈥� All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
• Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER Chandigarh 鈥� Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research
• Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS New Delhi 鈥� All India Institute of Medical Sciences
• Department of Pediatric Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai 鈥� National cancer centre
• Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Tata Medical Center Kolkata 鈥� Tertiary paediatric cancer service
• Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Institute (WIA) Chennai 鈥� One of India鈥檚 oldest cancer institutes

Professor Michael Garrett, the Sir Bernard Lovell Chair of Astrophysics, chaired a global effort to update the long-standing 鈥減ost-detection protocols鈥� used by researchers involved in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). The updated guidelines have now been formally ratified by the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA).

The revised Declaration of Principles marks the first major update to the protocols in more than 15 years and reflects a media landscape transformed by social media, artificial intelligence and the 24-hour news cycle.

Acknowledging that any credible detection of extraterrestrial technology would be a transformative event for humanity, the new Declaration establishes a rigorous framework for verification, transparency and global risk communication.

"The information environment we operate in today is vastly more complex than it was in 2010," said Professor Michael Garrett, Chair of the IAA SETI Committee. . "In an era of deepfakes, automated misinformation, and instant global connectivity, a single unverified claim could trigger confusion or panic. These new protocols ensure that scientists maintain the highest standards of evidence before making announcements to the world."

Adapting to a new era of SETI research

SETI and Technosignature research have expanded significantly since the previous protocols were adopted in 2010. Scientists now investigate the entire electromagnetic spectrum, including excess infrared heat signatures from megastructures, optical laser emission, and even multi-messenger signals. The updated Declaration explicitly recognises this broader approach.

It also addresses other modern challenges, including protections for researchers, acknowledging that scientists involved in potential detection could face harassment, doxxing, or intense media scrutiny.

It also acknowledges the risk of viral rumours, ensuring verified data is distinguished from hoaxes or terrestrial interference.

Verification before announcement

At the heart of the new rules is a reaffirmation of a core scientific principle: 鈥渆xtraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence鈥�.

Under the revised protocols, no public announcement should be made until a signal or artifact has been rigorously authenticated by independent organisations using different instrumentation.

"We do not shout 鈥渁lien鈥� the moment we see a strange blip," Professor Garrett added. "The scientific method demands we check, check again, and then ask others to check. Only when we have reached a consensus that a signal is credible do we bring it to the world."

The 'No Reply' Consensus

While the protocols outline how to share news of a discovery, they remain firm on one critical restriction: No reply should be sent.

The Declaration reaffirms the enduring principle that transmitting a response to an extraterrestrial intelligence is a decision that belongs to all of humanity and should only take place following international consultations, specifically through the United Nations.

What happens next

With the updated Declaration ratified by the IAA Board, the aim is to see the document lodged with other stakeholders, including the United Nations. A formal technical presentation of the protocols to the wider community, including the scientific press, will take place at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) later this year in T眉rkiye.

The IAA SETI Committee will also establish a permanent Post-Detection Sub-Committee, bringing together experts in social science, law, and ethics, to advise on the longer-term societal implications of a confirmed discovery.

The full document is available here: 

Professor Woodward is a geomorphologist and geoarchaeologist whose research spans river systems, microplastics in river catchments, Mediterranean geomorphology, Ice Age environments and long-term environmental change. His work explores how landscapes and river systems respond to environmental pressures over timescales ranging from the deep past to the present day.

The group, backed by House of Lords peer Baroness Natalie Bennett, say the UK urgently needs a new national strategy to tackle fungal antimicrobial resistance 鈥� a growing and often overlooked threat to human health, food production and the environment.

In a new paper published in Nature NPJ Antimicrobials and Resistance, they reveal how widespread use of fungicides in agriculture could be undermining life鈥憇aving medicines used to treat patients.

Calling for sweeping changes, including a powerful cross-government body to coordinate action, they argue for a nationwide system to monitor resistance in both the environment and clinics, and stricter regulation of fungicides linked to resistance.

Dr Michael Bottery, co-author of the study from 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淔ungal resistance is a silent and underestimated threat. The same substances helping to protect crops are also reducing the effectiveness of essential medicines. If we fail to act, we risk losing critical treatments and putting lives at risk.鈥�

The concern centres on so鈥慶alled 鈥渄ual-use鈥� fungicides 鈥� chemicals used in both medicine and farming. In the UK, these are applied to around 94 per cent of arable crops, exposing fungi in the environment to the same compounds relied upon in hospitals.

Over time, this exposure allows fungi to evolve and develop resistance, making infections harder to treat when they infect humans. Some resistant strains have already been detected in clinical settings, raising fears that treatments could become increasingly ineffective.

Fungal infections already pose a major global threat, killing an estimated 2.5 million people each year. They disproportionately affect vulnerable patients, including those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplants, or intensive care treatment.

Despite this, researchers warn that the UK鈥檚 current response is fragmented, with responsibility split between agriculture, healthcare and environmental regulators, and limited coordination between them.

They argue that without better surveillance, dangerous resistance trends may go unnoticed until it is too late. More coordinated data-sharing, they say, could allow earlier intervention and more effective policymaking.

Speaking in parliament Baroness Bennett added that tackling the issue requires recognising the close links between human health, farming and ecosystems.

Dr Bottery added: 鈥淲ithout urgent action, the UK risks sleepwalking into a crisis that could threaten not only public health, but also food security, as resistance undermines crop protection and agricultural productivity.鈥�

The full paper, 鈥淎ddressing the Dual-Use of Antifungals and Fungal Antimicrobial Resistance (fAMR) through a One Health Approach鈥�, is open-access and .

• The image was created with AI

• Psychological therapy is often assessed using research models originally developed for medicines

• Unlike drugs, therapy is typically personalised, open-ended and shaped by the therapist鈥揷lient relationship

• Heavy reliance on RCT evidence may narrow treatment options in public healthcare and insurance systems

• Short-term symptom measures may miss broader outcomes such as improved relationships, stability and self-understanding

• A broader evidence base is needed, including real-world outcomes and patient experience

Why this matters

RCTs are commonly used to decide which treatments receive funding, policy backing and public provision.

The editorial argues that this has had significant consequences in mental healthcare, where therapies with strong trial evidence - particularly CBT - have become dominant in many systems.

In England鈥檚 NHS Talking Therapies programme, only a small minority of high-intensity practitioners offer non-CBT approaches, according to evidence discussed in the article.

Why therapy is different from drugs

The article highlights key differences between medicines and psychological therapies.

While drugs can typically be standardised and tested under controlled conditions, therapy is more fluid. Sessions evolve in response to the individual, progress can be non-linear, and meaningful change may include outcomes that are harder to quantify.

What current evidence may miss

The editorial argues that many therapy studies are relatively short, often capturing early symptom improvement but missing longer-term change, setbacks or deeper psychological development.

It also suggests that recovery is often more complex than a single score or endpoint, and may involve ongoing change over time.

To illustrate this, the author uses a fictional case study showing how different therapy models can lead to very different long-term outcomes, even where short-term symptom improvement appears similar.

Towards a broader understanding of evidence

Rather than rejecting trials altogether, the editorial calls for a more pluralistic approach to evidence, including:

• Real-world service data from routine NHS and community settings

• Research into how therapy works, including the role of relationships and context

• Greater emphasis on patient perspectives and lived experience

What the researcher said

鈥淲e have become so used to treating Randomised Controlled Trials as the gold standard that we rarely stop to ask whether they are the right tool for every intervention,鈥� said Dr Sahanika Ratnayake, philosopher of psychiatry at 黑料网吃瓜爆料.

鈥淭his editorial is not based on a new experiment, but on analysing the strengths and limits of the existing evidence base. Therapy is not a pill - it is a human relationship shaped by trust, timing, context and individual need.

Why it matters now

Demand for mental health support is rising, while services face pressure over waiting times, staffing and budgets.

The article argues that policymakers need evidence systems that better reflect how therapy is actually practised, and what patients themselves value from care.

Publication details

The editorial was published in BJPsych.

DOI:

The research found that large-scale tree planting, restoration schemes and expanding plantations have likely transformed woodland cover across parts of the country over the past decade.

But the study also warns that headline gains can hide a more complicated picture, with native woodlands still being lost in some areas even as overall tree cover increases.

Key findings

• India gained around 2.1 million hectares of tropical dry woodland between 2014 and 2024

• Government forest lands saw major gains linked to restoration and afforestation programmes

• Many woodland increases outside government lands appear likely to be linked to timber and tree-crop plantations

• Researchers also recorded continued woodland loss in some important native forest areas

• Scientists say national tree-cover figures can mask important differences between natural forests and plantations

What did the study find?

The study mapped changes in India鈥檚 tropical dry woodlands - which cover vast areas of the country, but have received far less scientific and conservation attention than tropical rainforests - over a ten-year period using high-resolution satellite imagery.

The researchers found a large overall increase in woodland cover across the country, driven partly by major government-backed restoration efforts including the Green India Mission, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund and the National Afforestation Programme.

The findings suggest these schemes are having a visible impact on the landscape.

Where are the new woodlands appearing?

The study found contrasting patterns inside and outside government-managed forest land.

Within state-administered forest areas, researchers say gains are likely linked to restoration and conservation programmes aimed at increasing forest cover and meeting climate goals.

Outside government lands, however, many gains appear to come from commercial timber plantations and tree crops in agricultural landscapes.

Why this matters

India鈥檚 tropical dry woodlands are among the country鈥檚 most important but overlooked ecosystems.

They support wildlife, store carbon and provide livelihoods for millions of people, especially in poorer rural regions.

Researchers say understanding exactly what kind of woodland is increasing - and where - matters for biodiversity, climate policy and local communities.

Tree cover is not always the same as forest recovery

The researchers warn that national statistics showing rising tree cover do not always mean natural forests are recovering.

Some native dry woodlands inside protected or government-managed areas continued to experience losses during the study period.

Scientists say plantations can provide economic and climate benefits, but they may not fully replace the biodiversity and ecological value of long-established natural woodlands.

How researchers tracked the changes

The team used satellite imagery to reconstruct changes in woodland cover across India between 2014 and 2024 at very high detail.

This allowed them to identify where woodland was expanding, where it was being lost, and how those patterns differed across landscapes and land ownership types.

What the researchers said

鈥淥ur study shows that India has seen substantial gains in dry woodland cover over the past decade,鈥� said lead author Dhanapal Govindarajulu. 鈥淎 lot of this appears linked to major restoration and afforestation programmes, which demonstrates the scale of change that government policy can achieve - but we also found that not all woodland gains are the same.鈥�

Why it matters now

Countries around the world are pledging large-scale tree planting and forest restoration as part of climate and biodiversity targets.

Researchers say the study highlights the importance of looking beyond headline numbers to understand whether restoration efforts are protecting natural ecosystems, supporting wildlife and benefiting local communities.

Publication details

The research was published in the journal Environmental Research Letters.

DOI:

Professor Z眉hlke is also honorary professor at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and Vice President of the South African Medical Research Council.

The award was given in  recognition for her work with children with heart conditions especially rheumatic heart disease (RHD) that disproportionately affects children living in poverty.

Zuhlke鈥檚 research repositioned RHD as a socio-political issue tied to health system deficiencies and inequities.

In a press release, UNESCO said her dedication to scientific excellence, leadership in global health, and capacity building activities have improved the lives of vulnerable children with cardiovascular disease.

The five researchers will be recognized for their pioneering contributions to life and environmental sciences ON  11 June at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

This year's selection highlights their major roles in tackling global health and environmental challenges, from revolutionary tissue engineering and genomic research to agricultural innovation and the impact of nutrition on mental health.

The programme, now in its 28^th year, reflects the growing excellence of women in science worldwide.

The Laureates were selected from a record 504 nominations representing 89 countries, and now join the more than 5,000 women who have been recognized by the programme.

That includes 142 International Award Laureates, among whom seven have received a Nobel Prize in science.

This selection was conducted by an independent international jury chaired by Professor Brigitte L. Kieffer, Research Director Emeritus at the National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) France, Member of the French Academy of Sciences and former Laureate of the L鈥橭r茅al-UNESCO For Women in Science International Awards.

Professor Z眉hlke  said: 鈥� I am deeply humbled by this immense honour. Childhood-onset heart disease remains not only globally neglected but also serves as a stark barometer of inequality and inequity, with profound differences in survival, outcomes, and quality of life. My sincere thanks go to all those working tirelessly in this field, as well as to the exceptional support from my academic institutions, including the University of 黑料网吃瓜爆料, and to my collaborator of over a decade, Professor Bernard Keavney. This equitable partnership has really extended our work and improved our science, but also served as a source of capacity development for all in the team鈥�.

BHF Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine , a longterm collaborator with Prof Z眉hlke at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, said: 鈥淭his well-deserved award reflects Liesl鈥檚 huge contributions to the cardiovascular health of children and young people in poor countries. Liesl is a truly remarkable and inspiring woman.鈥�

As part of the University鈥檚 ongoing civic commitment, festivalgoers can experience the best of research, teaching, and culture at the event on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Discover, create and connect

From atoms to art, calligraphy to computing, and music to medicine there鈥檚 plenty to discover and do. With over 90 hands-on stalls, visitors will be encouraged to explore what makes for a greener, healthier and fairer world.

Find out how diverse cultures, creativity and wellbeing come together, discover fascinating stories of space, technology and engineering, or take a journey through the body and learn what makes us human.

Get moving with outdoor sporting challenges, featuring a range of fun activities designed to get everybody active and involved. Enjoy a quiet moment at the University Community Allotment, hosted in partnership with Ardwick Climate Action, a space to connect with nature.

Find out more about 黑料网吃瓜爆料 as a UNESCO City of Lifelong Learning and hear how the University is a key partner in helping to create a healthier and more inclusive city.

See the Flash Bang Show - a dazzling display of colour changes, flashes and the occasional bang.

Meet up with a heritage specialist to tour the campus on foot and hear how the University鈥檚 work has shaped innovation and society.

Vibrant cultural institutions

Visitors can take part in a lively mix of creative drop-in workshops hosted by the University鈥檚 cultural institutions in partnership with local community organisations. The Jodrell Bank engagement team are joining the University on campus to help answer some of the biggest questions about the universe. At the Whitworth, festivalgoers can immerse themselves in playful and artful spaces 鈥� get ready to build, explore and reimagine. Pop along to 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Museum to follow a language trail around the enchanting collections and stop off for a selfie with Stan the dinosaur.

Bee Curious

Our Bee Curious programme features thought-provoking talks and performances for all ages. Audiences will have the chance to meet with leading academics and explore curious questions ranging from What are asteroids made of? To How can we save the world鈥檚 frogs? And can you master the psychology to win The Traitors? Visitors can also join Afrocats musician Godfrey Pambalipe, in an entertaining and rhythmic drumming session. No experience needed 鈥� just bring your enthusiasm and have a go!

Find out more

Find out more about the free Universally 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Festival at 黑料网吃瓜爆料鈥檚 Oxford Road Campus on Saturday, June 13, from 11am to 4:30pm.

Take a look at the full programme here:

The NHS programme called 鈥淗ealthy Living for people with type 2 diabetes鈥� is a website containing written articles, videos, self-assessment quizzes and tools.

It supports people to live well with T2D by providing information and advice about eating well, becoming more active, living with diabetes, and emotional wellbeing.

Published today in PLOS One, the study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The research team analysed data from people with T2D who activated a Healthy Living account and found they experienced better health outcomes at one year than those who did not take part.

They examined who was most likely to use the programme (uptake) and how engagement related to changes in HbA1c 鈥� a blood test used to measure average blood sugar levels - blood pressure, body mass index, insulin use, and completion of essential diabetes care processes.

The findings show, uptake of the programme was highest among women, people from least deprived areas (vs. most deprived areas), and people of White ethnicity, and current smokers (vs. never smokers).

To assess clinical outcomes, the study compared 4,940 Healthy Living users with 24,685 similar individuals who did not register for the programme. After a year, Healthy Living users saw an average HbA1c drop of 1.3 mmol/mol, alongside small but steady dips in BMI and blood pressure, all pointing to better day鈥憈o鈥慸ay control of their diabetes.

They were also 1.6 times more likely to complete the routine yearly MOT that helps spot problems early, keeping on top of the vital checks that protect the eyes, feet, heart and kidneys in the long run.

However, the study highlights that even small average improvements can translate into meaningful reductions in T2D鈥憆elated complications when applied across large populations.

It also underscores the need to address inequalities in uptake, with notably lower participation among Asian and Black communities despite higher T2D prevalence.

Lead author Dr said: 鈥淲hat this study shows, in the plainest possible terms, is that a free, nationally available NHS educational programme can help people with T2D make measurable improvements to their health, even when used in the complex reality of everyday life.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a silver bullet, but it is a practical tool that works 鈥� and the challenge now is ensuring that everyone who could benefit has the opportunity to do so.鈥�

鈥淲e feel Healthy Living offers a scalable, accessible option for supporting type 2 diabetes self鈥憁anagement, particularly for people who face barriers to attending in鈥憄erson diabetes education programmes.

鈥淚mproving uptake among underserved groups will be essential to ensuring the programme reduces existing health inequalities.鈥�

Co-author , Principal Investigator and an Honorary Reader at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 said: 鈥淧eople鈥檚 outcomes were better for those who attended more of the Healthy Living programme, so it would be worthwhile for the NHS to find ways to encourage people to attend for longer, such as improved signposting and motivational messages鈥�

• The paper Examining the uptake, retention, and effectiveness of a national online type 2 2 diabetes self-management intervention in England (Healthy Living): a retrospective 3 cohort study is available DOI

鈥淢ore young people are reporting good wellbeing, loneliness is falling and emotional difficulties are reducing 鈥� which are encouraging findings 鈥� but the picture is not the same for everyone. Significant inequalities remain, particularly for LGBTQ+ young people and those with special educational needs, and that remains a major challenge.鈥�

Report details

The latest #BeeWell findings report can be found .

Measuring around a metre in length and armed with pincers over 16 centimetres long, Praearcturus gigas would have been a formidable predator stalking floodplains around 415 million years ago. Remarkably, the fossils used to identify Praearcturus have been held in the Museum鈥檚 collection for more than 150 years.

The study, published in the journal, used modern analytical techniques and comparisons with newly described fossil species to suggest that Praearcturus is a scorpion, and a distinct species.

Dr Richard J. Howard, Curator of Fossil Arthropods at the Natural History Museum, London, and lead author of the study, said: 鈥淲hen we think of giant arthropods, people often picture Carboniferous rainforests with giant millipedes or dragonfly-like insects from later in Earth鈥檚 history. But Praearcturus lived at least 50 million years earlier, well before the evolution of trees, when life on land was only just getting started.

鈥淐onfirming that this animal is a scorpion fundamentally changes our understanding of how and when these creatures evolved to such extraordinary sizes.鈥�

, Palaeontologist at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, added: 鈥�Praearcturus has puzzled us palaeontologists for more than a century. By bringing together material from several collections and using cutting edge imaging techniques , we've been able to build a clearer picture of the animal than was previously possible, which is really exciting.

鈥淲hat makes Praearcturus so interesting is that it became enormous at a time when life on land was otherwise very small. But it was a world  that could somehow support a giant predator. To try and better understand this ancient world we compared the size of fossil scorpions with other animals alive at the time. To reach such extraordinary sizes, and conclude that perhaps it lived in water, where life was bigger.鈥�

Praearcturus gigas lived during the Early Devonian. Small plants and fungi had only recently begun to spread across the landscape, and complex terrestrial ecosystems like forests had yet to evolve. This means that, unlike later giant arthropods, Praearcturus did not benefit from the high atmospheric oxygen levels associated with the rise of forests. Instead, its enormous size may reflect a world with relatively little competition from other large predators. This suggests that Praearcturus might have grown so big simply because there weren鈥檛 many other large animals around meaning it could dominate its environment in a way that wouldn鈥檛 be possible later on.

The fossils also hint that this giant scorpion may have led a partly aquatic lifestyle. Some specimens show flap-like structures on the abdomen similar to those found in modern crustaceans such as lobsters, suggesting it may have been capable of moving between water and land. Quantification of the wider arachnid fossil record, led by Dr Garwood and the team, shows that scorpions are unusually abundant in rocks of this age compared with other arachnids, supporting the idea that some early forms may have lived in freshwater environments where they are more likely to survive as fossils. This places Praearcturus at a pivotal moment in Earth鈥檚 history when animals were first experimenting with life outside the oceans.

 This places Praearcturus at a pivotal moment in Earth鈥檚 history when animals were first experimenting with life outside the oceans.

Dr Greg Edgecombe, Merit Researcher at the Natural History Musuem, London, and co-author of the study said: 鈥淭he boundary between land and sea was much less defined at this time. Praearcturus gives us a fascinating glimpse into how early animals adapted to these changing environments.

鈥淚t may even represent a lineage that returned to the water after earlier ancestors had already begun living on land.鈥�

First described in 1871, Praearcturus gigas was originally thought to be a giant crustacean, similar to a woodlouse. The known fossils fragmentary nature lacked key features such as a tail making it difficult to classify with confidence for more than a century.

The breakthrough came through comparison with better preserved fossils discovered in recent years, which revealed key anatomical features unique to scorpions. The discovery highlights the continuing scientific importance of museum collections.

Dr Howard added: 鈥淪pecimens collected over a century ago can still hold entirely new insights. By revisiting them with modern techniques, we can uncover discoveries that reshape our understanding of life on Earth.鈥�

The discovery of such a large scorpion so early in the history of life on land challenges assumptions about why prehistoric arthropods reached gigantic sizes. Rather than being driven solely by environmental factors such as oxygen levels, the findings suggest that ecological opportunity such as a lack of competition may have played a crucial role.

The findings show that virtual wards can provide a safe alternative to hospital care for some patients, allowing people to recover at home while still receiving clinical oversight. However, patients and carers often take on more practical and emotional responsibility than may be recognised as they assume duties that would normally be carried out by clinicians in hospital settings. This includes monitoring symptoms, managing equipment and responding to signs of deterioration, especially overnight or outside normal working hours.

The study, published in the journal and led by researchers at 黑料网吃瓜爆料, is funded by the NIHR Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC) and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (ARC-GM).

Using qualitative methods, including observation work and interviews with patients and carers, the researchers evaluated virtual wards services across four sites in North-West England. Their findings show that safety in virtual wards does not rely on technology alone, but is strongly shaped by the relational and emotional support provided to patients, carers and clinicians.

Dr Kelly Howells, Research Fellow at 黑料网吃瓜爆料 and the NIHR GM PSRC, said: 鈥淰irtual wards can help people receive acute care safely at home, but our study shows safe care depends on more than technology.

鈥淧atients, carers and clinicians all play a role in managing risk, with patients and carers often taking on important practical and emotional responsibilities, particularly outside normal working hours. Health services need to recognise and better support this work.鈥�

The researchers suggest that hospital at home services that combine technology with in鈥憄erson home visits could help make care safer, more flexible, and accessible for a wider range of patients. Recognising and supporting the work undertaken by patients and carers is essential to ensure virtual wards are safely delivered.

As virtual wards expand as a key component of NHS policy to shift acute care from hospital to community settings, practice must ensure there is space for relational and training support for clinicians, patients, and carers so that remote acute care can be safely implemented across health systems.

The paper Shifting boundaries of risk-work in virtual wards in North-West England: a multisite qualitative evaluation is available . DOI  

This study builds on earlier work by the NIHR GM PSRC and ARC-GM exploring virtual wards through the perspectives of patients, carers and staff, helping to deepen understanding of how virtual ward services operate in practice.

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