hai_suiweb
Mar 21, 2016

New Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) appointment at the University of Leeds

Professor Hai-Sui Yu has been appointed as the University of Leeds’ first Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International).

quantumdots_jadu
Mar 16, 2016

‘Quantum dots’ light the way for new HIV and Ebola treatment

A research team led by the University of Leeds has observed for the first time how HIV and Ebola viruses attach to cells to spread infection. The findings, published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, suggest a new way of treating these viruses: instead of destroying the pathogens, introduce a block on how they interact with cells.

2869
Mar 08, 2016

New funding for livestock research centre

A new government and industry-backed £70million livestock innovation centre has been launched, supported by University of Leeds investment. Bringing together the food industry and researchers, the government has awarded £27.7 million to set up Centre of Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIELivestock). It aims to transform the productivity of the UK livestock industry by providing a “one-stop-shop” to drive innovation. The University of Leeds investment has been match-funded by government, giving a total of £7m to help develop its specialist pig research facility. Funding from other industry and research institutions makes up the £70 million.

schmallenberg_virus
Mar 08, 2016

Using old drugs to treat new viruses

A group of drugs already in everyday use to treat psychosis or depression may also be used to defeat deadly and emerging viruses. Researchers from the University of Leeds found that common drugs in everyday use were successful in preventing a particular virus from infecting cells, by blocking the ion channels that regulate potassium levels in those cells.

Mar 01, 2016

Air quality success, but what about the impact of Brexit?

New research celebrates the success of EU air quality policy, at a time when such policies face an uncertain future because of Britain’s European referendum.

The study, led by the University of Leeds, has found that about 80,000 deaths are prevented each year due to the introduction of European Union (EU) policies and new technologies to reduce air pollution. Published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, it is the first study to look into the effectiveness of specific EU policies to reduce air pollution across Europe. It reveals that the policies have led to a 35% reduction of fine particles in the atmosphere over the period 1970 to 2010, which has improved public health across Europe. The good news, however, comes at a time when such policies face an uncertain future in light of a potential Brexit.

bergen_migration
Feb 17, 2016

Researchers to Look at Effects of Migration Policies

The research community know little about the new types of immigration in the world. A new, international project seeks to find the answers to difficult questions in the migration debate.

ncas_flooding_jadu
Feb 12, 2016

Improving rainfall and flooding predictions

The University of Leeds is a partner in a new research project to improve our understanding of rainfall and flood predictions in Scotland. Scientists from the University will work alongside the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), Scottish Water and the Met Office. The Radar Applications in Northern Scotland (RAINS) project will involve the deployment of NCAS’ Mobile X-band Radar to Kinloss, Scotland, from January to July 2016, to observe clouds and measure rainfall. The observations from the NCAS radar will be used alongside the existing Met Office radar network to study precipitation and flooding. This will be the first in-depth study of clouds, precipitation and how they link to flooding in Scotland. The NCAS radar is capable of measuring clouds and precipitation in remote locations and is the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom.

cancercells
Feb 12, 2016

Finding the best treatment for bowel cancer patients

A new test could help patients with advanced bowel cancer get the best treatment for their disease. A Cancer Research UK clinical trial, run from the University of Leeds and St James’s University Hospital, studied almost 1,200 patients at hospitals all over the UK with advanced bowel cancer.

ebola_virus_3
Feb 12, 2016

Researchers to use supercomputer to ‘hack’ Ebola

Scientists at the University of Leeds will run the equivalent of password cracking software to find the chemical keys to defeating the Ebola virus. A team from the University’s schools of Chemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology have secured a £200,000 grant from the Wellcome Trust to find drugs to cure the disease. Although several Ebola vaccines are being developed, there are currently no effective anti-viral drugs to treat people once they get infected. This is a particularly serious issues because of barriers to implementing vaccine programmes in the most at-risk communities and the difficulty of predicting where the disease will strike next. The University of Leeds researchers will focus on finding anti-viral drugs. 

landscapemetal
Jan 29, 2016

Digital design to boost pharmaceutical industry

University of Leeds researchers are part of a project to transform the UK’s pharmaceutical industry by introducing new digital design processes. The £20.4 million ADDoPT (Advanced Digital Design of Pharmaceutical Therapeutics) project is a major four-year collaboration between the Government, industry and universities. It is expected to reduce the development time and cost of innovative medicines and improve the competitiveness of the UK’s pharmaceuticals sector.

Jan 28, 2016

‘Big Data’ generates need for ‘Data Diplomacy’

“Data Diplomacy” seeks to better understand the role that data sharing plays as an agent in social and political relationships around the world. Examples of data diplomacy can include: negotiations between two competing health systems to enable access to electronic medical records of shared patients; cross-national sharing of outbreak data, such as ownership of and access to information about people impacted by Ebola virus; or the impact on diplomatic relationships among nations due to systematic “leakages” of data, evidenced by the Edward Snowden case.

melvin_hoare_astronomy
Jan 14, 2016

Leeds researchers conduct new training programme in Africa

A team of researchers led by the University of Leeds is conducting a new and innovative training programme in Africa. The Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) project, led by Professor Melvin Hoare, seeks to provide people in the targeted countries with training to use radio telescopes. It also has an outreach programme to encourage young people to study the technological aspects of radio astronomy and pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects. The project is funded by the Newton Fund – a novel initiative that aims to promote the economic development and social welfare of developing countries through scientific collaboration.

himalayas_jadu
Jan 12, 2016

A kink in the fault line explains why the Himalayas keep growing

An international team of scientists has shed new light on the earthquake that devastated Nepal in April 2015, killing more than 8,000 people. In a study published in the journal Nature Geoscience, the scientists show that a kink in the regional fault line below Nepal explains why the highest mountains in the Himalayas are seen to grow between earthquakes. The researchers, from the UK’s Centre for the Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET), as well as academics from the USA and France, also demonstrate that the rupture on the fault stopped 11km below Kathmandu.

professorwanglizjucopy
Jan 11, 2016

Study on Novel Glucose-Responsive Materials for GOX-Free Glucose Sensors

The researchers of the joint team from Zhejiang University, University of Leeds and University of York are currently exploring novel glucose-responsive materials for GOX-free glucose sensors which will be more sensitive and stable. 

hongkongconference1
Jan 10, 2016

CUHK Launches Global China Research Program

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) recently launched the Global China Research Program with the goal of understanding China’s global presence and international relations, as well as the global reception of China’s outward engagements. 

carers_hand
Jan 07, 2016

Many colorectal cancer survivors struggle to cope with daily life

Around 7,000 colorectal cancer survivors in the UK struggle to cope with daily life years after their diagnosis, according to new analysis led by University of Leeds researchers. The study, recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology and partly funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, shows that just under 1 in 6 (15%) people who survive a year to three years after a colorectal cancer diagnosis in England experience ‘social distress’, perceiving their daily social interactions to be severely negative or distressing.

heart_cross_section
Jan 07, 2016

A fighting chance of survival: life-saving stents for heart attacks

A study of 300,000 heart attack patients, led by the University of Leeds, has found rapid rates in the uptake of a treatment which improves a patient’s chances of survival after a major heart attack. The research, part-funded by the British Heart Foundation and the National Institute of Health Research, showed the uptake of heart attack treatment gives nine in ten patients fighting chance of survival. The use of emergency stenting treatment (PPCI) increased from 0.1% in 2003 to 86% in 2013 for patients with STEMI – a heart attack caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery which accounts for 25-40% of all heart attack cases in Europe.

horsnellprofilepic
Jan 06, 2016

Parasitic worms: friends or foes?

Meet the UCT researcher discovering how parasitic worms can benefit human health.

protein_protein_interaction
Dec 17, 2015

Controlling the ‘social life’ of proteins aims to transform drug discovery

A new £3.4 million programme will develop new tools to understand which interactions between proteins in the human body are relevant to disease. Currently, only a handful of drugs in clinical use work by targeting protein-protein interactions. The new project, which will launch on 1 February, 2016, will involve researchers from the University of Leeds, the University of Bristol and three drug discovery organisations: the Northern Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University; AstraZeneca; and Domainex.

ecoliforweb
Dec 16, 2015

Antibiotic resistance could help find drugs for some of the most intractable diseases

Scientists have developed an innovative way of using one of the biggest problems facing health services—antibiotic resistance—to develop drugs to combat some of the most intractable diseases. The new study, from research led by Professor Sheena Radford from the University of Leeds and published in Nature Chemical Biology, outlines a way of using antibiotic resistance to find chemicals capable of stopping amyloid formation.  

cpmvimage2
Dec 15, 2015

Groundbreaking microscopy unlocks secrets of plant virus assembly

New research into how a plant virus assembles could lay the groundwork for future use to carry drugs into the human body. The study, by a team from the University of Leeds’ Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and the John Innes Centre in Norwich, describes the structure of an empty version of Cowpea Mosaic Virus (CPMV) and the molecular “glue” that allows the virus to build itself and encapsulate its genome. The findings, published in the journal Nature Communications and based on revolutionary new electron microscopy, may be a crucial step to eventually allowing scientists to build custom versions of the virus that can carry medicines into the body and target disease. 

cvoouh1w4aenuhn
Dec 14, 2015

Moving Toward a Sustainable Future Following COP21

After many years of failed attempts, world leaders have finally signed a comprehensive deal to address climate change at COP21 in Paris. WUN was there.

lightbulbs
Dec 11, 2015

WUN investing in research that matters

The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) announced today the results of the 2015 round of the annual Research Development Fund, marking a direct investment in international, interdisciplinary research of £156,213.

Dec 10, 2015

Millions in funding for young Bergen researchers

Four young scientists recently received over 80 million NOK from Bergen Research Foundation and the University of Bergen, making world class research possible.

legumesgroupphoto
Dec 04, 2015

Legumes: the Solution to Human Health and Agricultural Sustainability

As the world’s population continues to grow and the effects of global warming and climate change begin to affect crop yields, new and existing crops must be developed that are resilient to temperature extremes, drought and salinity, while also being cheap to produce. The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, himself, noted the scale of the problem saying “diversification of crops with legumes and other practical measures must be scaled up to end hunger while meeting the challenge of climate change”.

peatland
Nov 27, 2015

Peatland Code could significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions

A new Government-backed code has been launched that could slash UK carbon dioxide emissions by 220 million tonnes and protect rare wildlife by restoring moors, bogs and mires. The Peatland Code is unveiled at the World Forum for Natural Capital in Edinburgh on 23 November following a successful two-year trial, which has seen businesses fund peatland restoration projects in southwest England, the Lake District and Wales. The Code is based on research by academics at the University of Leeds and Birmingham City University, which revealed that sustainable business investment could reverse the degradation of peatlands and significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

cop21_1380x700
Nov 25, 2015

Talking Climate Change – WUN on the world stage at UNFCCC COP21

The world will gather in Paris in early December for the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to develop solutions to climate change and WUN will join them as an official observer organisation.

amazon
Nov 25, 2015

Half of all Amazonian tree species may be globally threatened

More than half of all tree species in the world’s most diverse forest – the Amazon – may be globally threatened, according to a new study. But the study, published on Friday 20 November, in the journal Science Advances, also suggests that Amazonian parks, reserves and indigenous territories will protect most of the threatened species, if properly managed. The findings were announced by a research team comprising 158 researchers from 21 countries, led by Dr Hans ter Steege of Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands and Dr Nigel Pitman of the Field Museum in Chicago, USA. The pan-Amazon RAINFOR network led by the University of Leeds contributed hundreds of forest monitoring plots to the effort

carers_hand
Nov 20, 2015

Unpaid carers save UK £132 billion a year – the cost of a second NHS

A new report jointly written by University of Leeds experts reveals that the 6.8 million people who provide unpaid care for loved ones in the UK save the state £132 billion a year. The report for the charity Carers UK, Valuing Carers 2015 – the rising value of carers’ support, is the third in a series looking at the value of carers’ support to the UK economy. It shows a staggering increase in the value of carers’ support since 2001, almost doubling from £68 billion to £132 billion. Researchers attribute this rise to a dramatic increase in the number of hours people are caring for, combined with an increase in the cost of replacement care.

web_observatory_1380x700
Nov 17, 2015

Inaugural Web Observatories Workshop Takes Place in Southampton

Much like the printing press, the invention of the world wide web has afforded us unprecedented opportunities for spreading information. Not only do we now have the capacity to share rich data sets online, we also have vast amounts of data about our online activity. However, without a proper framework in place, it is difficult to take full advantage of this rich information resource. There are currently multiple barriers to using this resource effectively, including accessibility of datasets, lack of comprehensive and shareable metadata, dataset identification and searching, access control and privileges, and analytics.

atlantic_brazil
Nov 13, 2015

Increased deforestation and the Amazon basin rainfall

Researchers report that continued deforestation of the Amazon rainforest could diminish rainfall levels in the Amazon River basin, which may impact the region’s climate, ecosystems and economies.

A new study, published on Thursday 12 November in Geophysical Research Letters, predicts that by the middle of the century annual rainfall in the Amazon could be less than the yearly amount of rain the region receives during drought years if deforestation rates revert back to pre-2004 levels. 

Nov 12, 2015

20 Benefits of Collaboration You Cannot Afford to Ignore

The Worldwide Universities Network aims to foster international research collaborations to address global challenges. WUN is in a joint venture with Global Academy Jobs (GAJobs) that links researchers with top research universities to enhance career prospects. The article below was recently featured on the GAJobs blog. Scott Wavers writes about how to invest your time wisely as a researcher and how to collaborate well. In his blog post he outlines the top 20 benefits of collaboration for a researcher.

ana_deumert_1380x700
Nov 12, 2015

Understanding Globalisation: Margins and Peripheries

The local and the global have become entangled in rural and peri-urban areas, not only in South Africa, but around the world. And understanding these entanglements is the aim of the the WUN-sponsored project Understanding Globalisation – Margins and Peripheries. This project, led by Associate Professor Ana Deumert, seeks to study globalisation in the so-called margins of the world system: areas never before considered to be heavily affected by globalisation, but which are increasingly shaped by larger social and cultural processes.

fcfa_jadu
Oct 30, 2015

New £20 million research programme to deepen understanding of Africa’s changing climate

A UK government-funded initiative will put £20 million behind research to better understand Africa’s changing climate and the use of climate change information in decision-making across the continent.  Future Climate for Africa (FCFA) is supporting five major research projects to develop better climate information for Africa and to test how the new information could be used in decision-making. Dr John Marsham from the University of Leeds is leading the HyCRISTAL project, which addresses East Africa, while fellow researchers from the University’s School of Earth and Environment are taking key roles in the projects addressing West Africa (AMMA2050), southern Africa (UMFULA) and modelling African climate (IMPALA). FCFA is a joint programme of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) and Natural Environment Research Council.

blood_test
Oct 26, 2015

Leeds to be leading centre for precision medicine

The Leeds Academic Health Partnership (LAHP) has been involved in an initiative to bring a centre of excellence in precision medicine to the city, the government has announced. Precision medicine uses diagnostic tests and data-based insights to understand a patient’s disease more precisely and so select treatments with more predictable, safer, cost-effective outcomes. The UK’s research and clinical expertise, combined with government’s major investment in relevant research infrastructure, has placed it in a leading position in this area. The Leeds centre, which will run alongside other similar centres in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and Oxford, was compiled by the LAHP, a consortium that brings together ten statutory organisations in Leeds — the city’s six NHS organisations, its three universities and Leeds City Council – into a formal partnership.

bhf_mark_kearney_general.800×400
Oct 26, 2015

Reducing the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is investing £1.4 million in the University of Leeds to help counteract the risk of heart disease in people with diabetes. The new funding, announced on Friday 23 October, is part of the BHF’s new research strategy which commits to spending over half a billion pounds on research in the next five years. Professor Mark Kearney, from the School of Medicine, is leading a team looking at ways to help protect people with diabetes from an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

sleepingwoman
Oct 23, 2015

Dreaming of a good night’s sleep

New research from the University of Leeds has revealed that some people are losing more than 15 day’s worth of sleep a year. The study showed that more than a quarter of the British population suffer from dangerously low levels of sleep – with many sleeping as little as five hours per night – and that it could harm their health. Despite aiming to undertake around eight – nine hours sleep a night, 30 to 50 year-olds were the most likely group for being in debt to their sleep body clocks. 

webpauritus_2679
Oct 23, 2015

How can we build wildlife-friendly roads and railways?

Scientists behind new research into the effects of transport infrastructure on biodiversity have developed much-needed approaches to protect wildlife. A Defra-funded study, conducted by a team from the University of Leeds led by Professor John Altringham, sets out best practice principles for assessing the impact of new roads and railways on bats, as well as the effectiveness of mitigation measures installed to help them cross safely. These new survey methods should improve the efficiency of planning processes, thereby benefitting both developers and wildlife. The researchers’ report also highlights the need for a more rigorous, evidence-based approach to protecting wildlife during development. 

mendelspeas
Oct 19, 2015

Learning the right lesson from Mendel’s peas

Biologists arguing about whether the results of experiments by the man hailed as the father of modern genetics are “too good to be true” have been distracted from a more important debate. In a new paper in Science about Gregor Mendel, the 19th century Austrian monk whose experiments on peas revealed the basic principles of heredity, University of Leeds science historian Professor Gregory Radick suggests the time has come for a different perspective on the controversy, which over the years has encompassed allegations of fraud and Cold War political pressure.

56163964a54d0
Oct 08, 2015

CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing Holds Launch Conference on ‘Creating Age-Friendly Community’

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Ageing held a Launch Conference on ‘Creating Age-Friendly Communities’ on 8 October 2015 to enable experience sharing and discussion on various aspects of the theme. Topics covered in the conference included: Redesigning Communities for Aged Society, Frailty and Geriatric Syndromes, and Age-friendly Hospital and Service. The event attracted some 300 renowned academics in gerontology from the U.S., Singapore, Japan, mainland China and Hong Kong, as well as representatives from organizations working on improving seniors well-being and welfare.

bigdata
Oct 05, 2015

Unlocking the secrets of consumer behaviour

The Consumer Data Research Centre (CDRC) launched its data services on Thursday 1 October, offering new data for researchers to garner unprecedented insights into consumer behaviour. The multi-million pound Consumer Data Research Centre (CDRC) initiative, commissioned by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), is a collaboration between the UK’s leading universities and a growing list of industry partners to better understand the millions of data points we generate each day. Bringing together the universities of Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford and University College London, the CDRC has created a safe and secure data infrastructure which seeks to share these insights with academia, industry and the public at large. Whilst protecting privacy, data will – for the first time – be routinely collected and shared with the CDRC by major retailers, local government organisations and businesses across the UK to improve understanding of these complex patterns of consumer behaviour.

fidgeting
Oct 02, 2015

If you’re sitting down, don’t sit still, new research suggests

New research suggests that the movements involved in fidgeting may counteract the adverse health impacts of sitting for long periods. In a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, a team of researchers, co-led by the University of Leeds and UCL, report that an increased risk of mortality from sitting for long periods was only found in those who consider themselves very occasional fidgeters. They found no increased risk of mortality from longer sitting times, compared to more active women, in those who considered themselves as moderately or very fidgety.  

motorproteins
Oct 02, 2015

Swinging on ‘monkey bars’: motor proteins caught in the act

The first images of motor proteins in action were published in the journal Nature Communications on Monday 14 September 2015. These proteins are vital to complex life, forming the transport infrastructure that allows different parts of cells to specialise in particular functions. Until now, the way they move has never been directly observed. Researchers at the University of Leeds and in Japan used electron microscopes to capture images of the largest type of motor protein, called dynein, during the act of stepping along its molecular track. 

professorzhaohuiwuandprofessorsirkeithburnett
Sep 22, 2015

WUN members Sheffield and Zhejiang sign Memorandum of Understanding

A pioneering partnership has been signed between the University of Sheffield and Zhejiang University as part of ongoing commitments to work collaboratively in tackling some of the biggest global issues.

moocs
Sep 20, 2015

WUN Universities Use MOOCs to Expand Global Reach

The higher education sector is rapidly evolving as a result of new technologies and globalisation. WUN universities continue to innovate, using these new technologies to expand their offerings and global reach. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is one such technology, allowing students from around the world to access world-class expertise from anywhere at any time. Below are ten free MOOCs, offered by WUN universities through FutureLearn, beginning over the coming months.

Sep 12, 2015

New Australian Advisory Group for Australia Africa Relations (AGAAR)

The Foreign Minister of Australia, the Hon Julie Bishop launched the new AGAAR on Friday 4thSeptember. She stated that the group would advise her and the Australian Government on economic diplomacy and development of Australian African mutual interests within Australia’s overall international engagement. These equal partnerships in mid-term programs and a long term framework for cooperation would inform the government and stakeholders with evidence based policy options. The Advisory Group was charged to help develop such a framework. The emphasis would be on sustainable and specific activities, with Australian African characteristics, in key sectoral areas and with key countries. The approach would build teamwork between governments, academic and business, along with NGO’s and international agencies.

berger2015
Sep 10, 2015

WUN announces new Chair of GHEAR Global Challenge

Professor John Hearn, Executive Director of WUN, today announced the appointment of Professor Joe Berger as the new Chair of the Global Higher Education & Research Global Challenge (GHEAR) to take effect from 1 October 2015.

Sep 01, 2015

CUHK Researcher Recognized by WMO for Global Food Security Study

Prof. Amos P.K. Tai of the Earth System Science Programme at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) was recently conferred the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Research Award for Young Scientists for 2015. The award was presented to Prof.Tai for his paper in Nature Climate Change, Volume 4, 2014, titled “Threat to future global food security from climate change and ozone air pollution”. Prof. Tai is the first Hong Kong scientist receiving the Award.

makalani_1
Aug 28, 2015

Unravelling the mystery of pain

Patients with chronic whiplash experience long-lasting pain, but doctors and researchers struggle to explain the causes. Solbjørg Makalani Myrtveit wants to help these often misunderstood patients.

internationalinnovation2015
Aug 07, 2015

International Innovation: Promoting Education and Prevention in Public Health

Professor John Hearn, Executive Director of WUN and Chairman of the Australia-Africa Universities Network, discusses the prolific threats that continue to plague public health and outlines initiatives in place that promote education and prevention.

ellie_biggs_1380x700
Jul 28, 2015

Ensuring Environmental Livelihood Security

In communities where livelihoods are linked to the land and sea, environmental security is of utmost importance. This is particularly true in the developing nations of the Asia-Pacific, where many localities have a high dependency on fisheries, tourism and agriculture. Moreover, global changes are increasingly resulting in challenging localised impacts, such as increased frequency of extreme events. Thus, understanding the social-environment system is imperative to providing solutions for responding to climate change.

renmin_university
Jul 27, 2015

China’s Path in International Relations

Renmin University School of Marxism in Beijing held a high level international conference on “China’s Path in International Relations” at the end of June 2015. The purpose was to explore and develop the scholarly and practical concepts of “One Belt One Road” as articulated by President Xi Jinping. WUN Executive Director, Professor John Hearn, and WUN China Manager, Associate Professor Grace Liu, were among international speakers from Canada, USA, Russia and Europe invited to present papers.

zhejiang_meeting
Jul 27, 2015

WUN and Zhejiang University Build a Stronger Partnership

WUN Executive Director, Professor John Hearn, and WUN China Manager, Associate Professor Grace Liu, visited WUN member Zhejiang University in June to meet with the new President Professor Zhaohui Wu, reviewing the WUN-Zhejiang Partnership and exploring greater engagement and teamwork. Zhejiang currently ranks in the top three Chinese universities and is a recognised international research leader.

markbirkinlida
Jul 21, 2015

Launch of the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics

A new institute set up to help public and private sector organisations meet the challenges and opportunities of the Big Data revolution opened its doors on Friday 10 July 2015. The Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) offers state-of-the-art facilities in data analytics and will partner with researchers and organisations to help them make the most of the rapidly growing fields of consumer and medical data analysis.

cuhkjcioa
Jul 16, 2015

CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing Ranks HK as 24th in the World in terms of Elderly Wellbeing

Based on the methods used to calculate the Global AgeWatch Index which measures the wellbeing of older people in the world, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, with support from The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) Charities Trust, revealed that Hong Kong ranked 24th among 97 countries or territories in 2014. 

martin_wechselberger_1380x700
Jul 07, 2015

The mathematics of disease

Medical research and advanced mathematics are usually considered separate disciplines. But for one WUN collaboration, bringing maths and biology together could hold the key to understanding how cells in the human body signal to each other, and might potentially unlock the secrets of a range of non-communicable diseases.

transition_of_university_presidents
Jul 01, 2015

WUN Welcomes New Members to the Partnership Board

In the coming months, WUN will see considerable transition in its Partnership Board, with leading figures that have helped shape WUN over the last ten years moving on from their respective universities. WUN thanks these individuals for their dedicated service and wishes them the best of luck in their future endeavours. We also look forward to welcoming their successors and continuing to build on mutual strengths.

cecilie_svanes_1380x700
Jun 10, 2015

Preventing future pandemics

There has been a significant increase in asthma and allergies in high-income countries over the past few decades. These diseases are also increasingly prevalent in developing countries, which can substantially increase mortality rates since proper medication is often expensive. The causes of asthma and allergies are not well understood, and there is currently neither a cure or effective prevention. At the same time, parasitic infections have decreased and have known immunological effects.

goingglobal2015
Jun 08, 2015

WUN a Voice in International Research and Education Reform

Today’s higher education landscape is changing rapidly as a direct result of globalisation and technological advancement. Key issues include access and affordability, public/private collaboration, technology’s impact on research, and the evolving roles of academics, students and administrators in light of increased internationalisation. 

climatechange
Jun 07, 2015

WUN Researcher Finds Future Funding Success

As the world’s population continues to rise, so does the increasing demand for water, energy and food. These three resources are inextricably linked and any shortage or disruption of one will significantly impact the other two. This is known as the water-energy-food nexus.

rdf_2015
Jun 01, 2015

2015 Research Development Fund

WUN is pleased to announce the launch of the 2015 Research Development Fund (RDF). The RDF is an annual competitive grant scheme designed to foster innovative, high quality and sustainable research among member universities.

uosglobalclimatechange
May 28, 2015

Global climate on verge of multi-decadal change

A new study, by scientists from the University of Southampton and National Oceanography Centre (NOC), implies that the global climate is on the verge of broad-scale change that could last for a number of decades.

susan_prescott_1380x700
May 28, 2015

Early-life solutions to the modern health crisis

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as allergies, asthma, cancer, diabetes and obesity are on the rise. Inflammation and immune dysregulation are common features of these conditions, often associated with environmental and lifestyle risk factors such as dietary patterns, environmental pollutants, microbial patterns and stress.

anne_christine_johannessen
May 21, 2015

Vice rector of Bergen joins the WUN leadership

Anne Christine Johannessen takes over as chair of the Worldwide Universities Network’s Public Health Global Challenge Steering Group.

acu_conference_2015
May 21, 2015

WUN Takes Part in New Research, Knowledge and Information Community

Last week, a new Research, Knowledge and Information Community (RKIC) was launched during ACU SARIMA Conference 2015 held in Johannesburg. The community is part of the Association of Commonwealth Universities’ (ACU) series of new special interest groups.

May 19, 2015

Maastricht University again ranked the world’s sixth best young university

Maastricht University (UM) has ranked among the top 10 in the Times Higher Education (THE) 100 Under 50 ranking for the third year running, making it the sixth best young university in the world.

leeds_university_12sept2010
May 15, 2015

Fellowship Opportunities at University of Leeds

The University of Leeds is currently accepting applications for visiting fellows through the Cheney Fellowships scheme. 

wun_conference_agm_2015
May 13, 2015

WUN Conference & AGM 2015

The annual WUN Conference and AGM 2015 took place at The Chinese University of Hong Kong over six days from 25-30 April.

migration_conference_1
May 13, 2015

WUN Migration Conference 2015

The WUN Migration Conference 2015 explored the issue of migration through the lens of WUN’s four Global Challenges in a multi-disciplinary, multi-thematic and multi-cultural approach.

public_health_conference_1
May 13, 2015

WUN Public Health Global Challenge Conference – Healthy Ageing 2015

The WUN Public Health Global Challenge Conference on Healthy Ageing focused on how lifecourse research might contribute to the promotion of healthy ageing. 

ugdc_1
May 13, 2015

WUN Understanding Global Digital Cultures Conference 2015

The WUN Understanding Global Digital Cultures Conference explored the emergence and development of global digital cultures through a number of themes, including social media, cultural identity and politics. 

gl1_0663
May 07, 2015

University Leaders Discuss Global Higher Education at Presidents Forum

Academic leaders from across WUN and local Chinese universities came together for the fifth annual WUN Presidents Forum at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen on 30 April.

Apr 29, 2015

The Fifth Annual WUN Presidents Forum to Convene at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

The fifth annual WUN Presidents Forum will convene at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen on 30 April as part of the WUN Conference and AGM 2015.

canoeist
Apr 27, 2015

Getting into hot water: Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species

Hot water could be the answer to stopping aquatic invasive species from “hitchhiking” around Britain on anglers’ and canoeists’ kit, according to a new study.
Invaders like the killer shrimp, zebra mussel and floating pennywort cause extensive environmental damage and have been previously reported to cost the British economy £1.7 billion per year to manage.
The new research, led by the University of Leeds and the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), has identified that eight of the UK’s worst aquatic invasive species die if they are submersed in hand-hot water for just 15 minutes.

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Apr 24, 2015

Rector encourages participation in international researcher network

The university leadership and several UiB researchers will participate at the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) conference in April 2015. Dag Rune Olsen wants to make more UiB researchers aware of the opportunities offered by the network.

Apr 23, 2015

The WUN Conference & AGM 2015 Begins in Hong Kong

The WUN Conference and AGM 2015 begins today at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Spanning six days, this year’s event will run from 25-30 April.

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Apr 15, 2015

Worldwide Universities Network Extends Its Global Reach Into West Africa

The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) has extended its global footprint into West Africa with the signing of the University of Ghana to its global network.

Apr 07, 2015

WUN Elects Vice Chair/Future Chair of the Partnership Board

The WUN Partnership Board Directors, which includes the 18 member University Presidents and the Executive Director, have elected the Vice Chair 2015-16 and Chair 2016-18 of the Board.

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Mar 28, 2015

Uncovering 2,000 years of trade

As the world’s two most populous countries, India and China, battle it out for superpower status, the Indian Ocean is growing in prominence as a key geopolitical region. But human memory is short when compared with the history of humankind. Archaeological evidence has unearthed a number of insights indicating that this Indian Ocean connection has been a key region of cultural interaction and trade for approximately 2,000 years.

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Mar 16, 2015

Research Mobility Programme Leads to Joint Success for PhD Students

The mission of WUN is twofold: to support international research collaboration and to foster the next generation of researchers. It appears to have accomplished both in regard to two PhD students who have recently published a joint paper in a special issue of the Journal of Asian Social Work and Policy Review.

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Mar 15, 2015

Steps to sustainable livestock

Global food security has become an increasingly important issue as climate change further reduces the amount of land available for farming. Coupled to this is the higher demand for animal protein as developing nations become wealthier, and a higher demand for cereals, making them less attractive as animal feed at both an economic and social level. This has resulted on a greater emphasis on ruminant farming (e.g. cattle and goats) because these animals are capable of converting feed unsuitable for human consumption into high-value protein.

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Mar 13, 2015

Building the WUN profile in China

Getting heard in the world’s most populous country can be a hard task. As China’s economy continues to drive forward and the nation’s political clout on the world stage grows, more and more international organisations recognise the importance of building a strong profile in China.

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Mar 10, 2015

2,000 years of trade across the Indian Ocean

How did African plants and animals get to India? The Indian Ocean Archaeology Network is uncovering the long-term history of trade and interaction across this geopolitical corridor.

Mar 05, 2015

The tides they are a changin’

Scientists from the University of Southampton have found that ocean tides have changed significantly over the last century at many coastal locations around the world.

Feb 26, 2015

Meeting Europe’s big data skills gap

Researchers from the University of Southampton will play a major role in establishing a European Data Science Academy (EDSA) – a new online platform for training data scientists across Europe.

Feb 26, 2015

UMass expands its research horizons, joins the Worldwide Universities Network

The University of Massachusetts has taken a large step toward advancing its international research capabilities, announcing in January that it would become one of a handful of schools in North America to join the Worldwide Universities Network.

Feb 25, 2015

Sheffield Students to Participate in Research Mobility Programme (RMP)

Creating opportunities in international research and graduate education is at the core of WUN’s mission. Hence the Research Mobility Programme (RMP), which allows graduate students and early career researchers to spend a period of up to three months at other member institutions within the network. This not only allows them to take advantage of new facilities and resources, but also gives them experience working in different research cultures and an opportunity to establish international connections within their field.

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Feb 24, 2015

Indigenous research goes global

From climate change to improving public health, the world’s 350 million Indigenous people share a number of urgent challenges in common. Yet while many Indigenous groups are actively involved in forging solutions to the issues they face, there are surprisingly few organisations dedicated to disseminating and sharing their insights.

Feb 11, 2015

Research to prevent future pandemics

What is the connection between parasitic infections and allergies? This question is at the core of a new University of Bergen-led research project, which has received seed funding from the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN).

Feb 05, 2015

Evidence from warm past confirms recent IPCC estimates of climate sensitivity

New evidence showing the level of atmospheric CO2 millions of years ago supports recent climate change predications from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

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Feb 02, 2015

Inaugural WUN Summer School opens in Perth

Students from around the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) gathered in Perth on Friday for the start of the Inaugural WUN Summer School at the University of Western Australia. The 20 students, representing seven countries and nine WUN universities, will spend the next two weeks sharing their global perspectives on responses to climate change.

Feb 02, 2015

The University of Basel joins Worldwide Universities Network

The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) today announced that the University of Basel has joined its global research network, raising membership to 18 universities.

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Feb 01, 2015

Creating the world’s first health literacy network

Health literacy is a relatively young field of research which focuses on people’s ability to understand health information and make decisions about their own health care. By helping patients to become more health literate, researchers hope to find ways to improve public health outcomes across low, middle and high-income countries.

Jan 29, 2015

Bergen and UMass Amherst Study Climate Dynamics in Greenland

Students and researchers from Europe and North America moved the lecture hall to Greenland to learn more about climate dynamics.

Jan 28, 2015

WUN welcomes the University Of Massachusetts Amherst

WUN Executive Director, Professor John Hearn announced today that The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) joins its global research university network, lifting the number of members in the network to 17.

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Jan 26, 2015

Improving global water services

One of the world’s most vital resources—water—is increasingly at the centre of debate. Its scarcity has intensified the movement toward water as a human right, yet private control over water utilities is simultaneously increasing. Although this tension is only just emerging, experts believe it will rapidly intensify as more investors seek access to fresh water in new countries.

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Jan 21, 2015

What can the world learn from the way Germany confronted its past?

As the world prepares to mark 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, an international exhibition looking at how Germany confronted the Holocaust is unveiled.

Jan 20, 2015

University of Bristol ranked top five for research in the UK

The University of Bristol is ranked among the top five institutions in the UK for its research, according to new analysis of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 which takes into account the percentage of staff submitted.

Jan 20, 2015

Registration for second University MOOC now open at Bristol

The University of Bristol’s second Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), Cultural Studies and Modern Languages: An Introduction, launches on Monday 16 February 2015. Registration is now open on the FutureLearn website, with the course already reporting a high level of enrolment.

Jan 20, 2015

Bristol academic to head Rothamsted Research farmland site

Professor Michael Lee, an expert in ruminant nutrition in the School of Veterinary Sciences, has been appointed Head of Site at North Wyke, Rothamsted Research’s site for grassland systems research.

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Jan 14, 2015

Understanding the impacts of Chinese foreign direct investment

Since the adoption of the “go global” strategy in the early 2000s, China’s total outward foreign direct investment (FDI) stock has increased from US$30 billion to US$610 billion in 2014. The Economist estimates that the flow of Chinese outward investment will be US$264 billion in 2017 alone. Although China remains a relatively new player in outward FDI, this rapidly expanding flow of capital represents a host of opportunities and challenges for policy-makers, businesses and researchers.

Jan 14, 2015

Bergen archaeologist featured in National Geographic

In the National Geographic article “Origin of Arts” published in January 2015, Professor Henshilwood and his groundbreaking research at the very tip of Africa, an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is featured in a very fascinating story about the invention of symbolic expression by the first Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals.

Jan 13, 2015

University of Southampton awarded £1M to address global marine and maritime challenges

The Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) at the University of Southampton has been awarded over one million pounds to develop students who will help tackle global marine and maritime challenges.

Dec 16, 2014

Green vegetables could improve heart’s efficiency, blood supply to organs and reduce diabetes risk

In three independent studies, scientists from the Universities of Southampton and Cambridge have identified how a simple chemical called nitrate, found in leafy green vegetables, can help thin blood ensuring oxygen can be delivered to all corners of the body efficiently. Reducing the thickness of blood may also decrease instances of dangerous clots forming and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Dec 12, 2014

WUN supporting international research collaboration

The Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) announced today the results of the 2014 round of the annual Research Development Fund, marking a direct investment into international, interdisciplinary research of £165,671 across 17 projects.

Dec 08, 2014

Southampton to join forces with Europe and Japan to build high-speed data networks

The University of Southampton is to join forces with the European Commission and the Japanese government to develop new technologies for high-speed networks in densely populated user areas.

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Dec 04, 2014

Boao Forum Workshop

Senior leaders from Australian universities came together to discuss Australia-China higher education in a workshop held at Australian Technology Park in Sydney on Tuesday.

Dec 03, 2014

New study explains the role of oceans in global ‘warming hiatus’

New research shows that ocean heat uptake across three oceans is the likely cause of the ‘warming hiatus’ – the current decade-long slowdown in global surface warming.

Dec 01, 2014

Research confirms how global warming links to carbon emissions

A team of researchers from the universities of Southampton, Bristol and Liverpool have derived the first theoretical equation to demonstrate that global warming is a direct result of the build-up of carbon emissions since the late 1800s when man-made carbon emissions began. The results are in accord with previous data from climate models.

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Nov 27, 2014

Stroke damage mechanism identified

Researchers have discovered a mechanism linked to the brain damage often suffered by stroke victims—and are now searching for drugs to block it.

Nov 27, 2014

Ancient marine algae provides clues of climate change impact on today’s microscopic ocean organisms

A study of ancient marine algae, led by the University of Southampton, has found that climate change affected their growth and skeleton structure, which has potential significance for today’s equivalent microscopic organisms that play an important role in the world’s oceans.

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Nov 27, 2014

Building better health systems

Caring for the growing number of patients with non-communicable disease is a challenge faced by policy-makers and healthcare providers across the world. To tackle the issue, a team of WUN experts in healthcare system planning have come together to share their unique insights from across Canada, the UK and Australia.

Nov 26, 2014

Quantum leap as Southampton joins £120 million network to develop future quantum technology

The University of Southampton is part of a new £120 million national network of Quantum Technology Hubs, that will put its cutting-edge research in quantum sensors at the forefront of future technologies to drive the UK’s economy.

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Nov 26, 2014

Autism: resources and challenges

Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) are one of the most important emerging health concerns. Approximately one in every 100 children is diagnosed with an ASC, which includes autism, Asperger syndrome and atypical autism. 

Nov 18, 2014

Boao Forum Workshop: Australian Leaders to Discuss Innovation in Higher Education

Senior leaders from Australian universities will come together to discuss innovation in higher education at a workshop held in early December at Australian Technology Park in Sydney.

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Nov 14, 2014

Making the most of medicine

While most medical research focuses on the quest for new treatments, much less attention is paid to how we can make better use of medicines that already exist. Yet up to half of patients don’t take long-term medicines as prescribed, which can result in serious harm or even death.

Oct 20, 2014

ACDC visits Greenland

The Advanced Climate Dynamics Courses (ACDC) are yearly international research training schools for PhD students organized by the Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research in Bergen in collaboration with the Norwegian Research School in Climate Dynamics (ResClim).

Oct 20, 2014

Work to improve children’s health should start before mother becomes pregnant

Researchers from the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, believe the key to making future generations healthier could lie before the mother becomes pregnant.

Oct 15, 2014

Past climate change and continental ice melt linked to varying CO2 levels

Scientists at the Universities of Southampton and Cardiff have discovered that a globally warm period in Earth’s geological past featured highly variable levels of CO2.

 

Oct 02, 2014

Working together on big data

Every day more than 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created, and its growing every day. What are the possibilities that could be unleashed by analysing and applying that data to solve some of the globe’s most pressing challenges? 

Oct 02, 2014

Scientists take part in first ever probe on seabed CO2 stores

Scientists from the University of Southampton and National Oceanography Centre, Southampton contributed to the world’s first ever sub-sea carbon dioxide impact, detection and monitoring experiment relevant to Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) in sub-seabed storage reservoirs.

Oct 02, 2014

Third of countries struggling to meet the needs of ageing population

People around the world are living longer, but social policies to support their wellbeing in later life are lagging behind in many countries. This is according a new report by HelpAge International, developed in partnership with the University of Southampton.

Sep 25, 2014

Study tracks global sea levels over the last five ice ages

Land-ice decay at the end of the last five ice-ages caused global sea-levels to rise at rates of up to 5.5 metres per century, according to a new study.

Sep 25, 2014

Scientists develop tool to help communities stay environmentally and socially ‘healthy’

Geographers at the University of Southampton have developed a new way to measure the ‘health’ of poor regional communities.  They aim to improve the wellbeing of people by guiding sustainable development practices to help avoid social and environmental collapse.

Sep 10, 2014

Women and health professionals spark new cycle of improving maternal and newborn health

Demand for better care by women linked with the expansion of basic services, rather than political pressure, has helped to improve midwifery services in low to middle-income countries, according to international research involving the University of Southampton.

Aug 29, 2014

WUN Newsletter – August 2014

Read the August 2014 edition of the WUN Newsletter. 

Aug 27, 2014

New virtual global Centre on Law and Social Transformation in Bergen

A new virtual global Centre on Law & Social Transformation was opened on 22 August as a collaborative effort between the University of Bergen and the Chr. Michelsens Institute in Bergen

Aug 20, 2014

Increase in reported flooding a result of higher exposure

A rise in the number of reported floods in the UK over the past 129 years can be related to increased exposure, resulting from urban expansion and population growth, according to new research by the University of Southampton.

Aug 04, 2014

Innovation: the key to business success

The University of Leeds has developed a three week online course exploring commercial innovation, how innovations emerge and, how ideas become reality.

Aug 04, 2014

Leeds University’s new partnership will boost life science businesses in the North

The University of Leeds and Bionow have agreed a formal collaboration to support the UK life science sector in the North. Built around the University’s world-class strength in interdisciplinary biomedical research and Bionow’s industry network of over 1,000 biomedical companies, the partnership will offer opportunities across three key areas; collaboration; employment support and building influence.

Aug 04, 2014

Academy of Community Research launched by the University of Leeds

A new academy has been launched by the University of Leeds’ specialised Care-Connect Sector Hub. The academy is a national programme of support to assist communities to gain a greater understanding of research through learning, provided by experts at the University.

Aug 01, 2014

Crunching Numbers: WUN Big Data Workshop

The Data Science (Big Data) Exploratory Workshop will be hosted by the University of Rochester on 22 August 2014, and will provide an opportunity to explore where partners’ interests are sufficiently aligned to warrant deeper collaboration. WUN members will explore where WUN has the greatest impact in this burgeoning field of scientific exploration.

Jul 25, 2014

Study finds Europe’s habitat and wildlife is vulnerable to climate change

New research has identified areas of the Earth that are high priorities for conservation in the face of climate change.

Jul 23, 2014

Rising temperatures hinder Indian wheat production

Geographers at the University of Southampton have found a link between increasing average temperatures in India and a reduction in wheat production.

Jul 17, 2014

Map reveals worldwide impacts of climate change

Scientists from the University of Southampton have helped to create a new map, which shows the impact climate change could have on the whole planet by the end of the century, if carbon emissions continue to increase.

Jun 27, 2014

LifeLab gets royal seal of approval

The University of Southampton welcomed HRH The Countess of Wessex to LifeLab on Friday 27 June to officially open the facility that aims to empower school students to take more control over their health.

Jun 26, 2014

Green planning needed to maintain city buildings

Green spaces in towns and cities need extra consideration as they may be damaging buildings in the area, according to new research from the Universities of Southampton and Surrey.

Jun 25, 2014

Southampton based business incubator named number one in Europe

The University of Southampton based SETsquared incubation centre has been named the number one university business incubator in Europe and second best in the world.

Jun 19, 2014

Self-repairing mechanism can help to preserve brain function in neurodegenerative diseases

New research, led by scientists at the University of Southampton, has found that neurogenesis, the self-repairing mechanism of the adult brain, can help to preserve brain function in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Prion or Parkinson’s.

Jun 18, 2014

WUN building bridges for international student mobility

Representatives from WUN international exchange and study abroad offices met at the 2014 NAFSA Conference in San Diego, USA.

Jun 12, 2014

Rise and fall of prehistoric penguin populations charted

A study of how penguin populations have changed over the last 30,000 years has shown that between the last ice age and up to around 1,000 years ago penguin populations benefitted from climate warming and retreating ice. This suggests that recent declines in penguins may be because ice is now retreating too far or too fast.

Jun 11, 2014

New sensor to detect harmful bacteria on food industry surfaces

A new device designed to sample and detect foodborne bacteria is being trialled by scientists at the University of Southampton.

Jun 09, 2014

University of Southampton professor receives top honour from Royal Geographical Society

John Dearing, Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Southampton, has been given the prestigious Murchison Award (2014) by the Royal Geographical Society (RGS).

Jun 06, 2014

Professor honoured for research which has transformed the debate on high streets

The University of Southampton’s Professor Neil Wrigley has been presented with the Outstanding Impact in Business award by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for his research which has transformed thinking on food retail development and the future of UK high streets.

Jun 05, 2014

University of Southampton features in national campaign to highlight value of universities

The University of Southampton is featuring in a UK-wide campaign next week to highlight the value and importance of university research to our everyday lives.

Jun 04, 2014

Deep sea fish remove one million tonnes of CO2 every year from UK and Irish waters

Deep sea fishes remove and store more than one million tonnes of CO2 from UK and Irish surface waters every year, according to a new study led by the University of Southampton.

Jun 04, 2014

WUN fosters the next generation of researchers

WUN announced it will fund sixteen young researchers from member institutions to spend periods of up to three months at partner institutions across the network through its Research Mobility Program (RMP).

Jun 02, 2014

WUN workshop explores China’s relations with Latin America

On 21st May 2014, the WUN Global China Group, together with the University of Chicago and the University of Sydney hosted a forum entitled “Feeding the masses: China-Latin America agriculture connections through time.”

Jun 02, 2014

2014 Research Development Fund

WUN is pleased to announce the launch of the 2014 Research Development Fund.

May 29, 2014

WUN Newsletter – May 2014

WUN Newsletter – May 2014

May 23, 2014

Fruit fly research to provide new insight into our body clock and its biological impact

New research at the University of Southampton into how animals keep time through their internal circadian rhythms could help us understand why we sleep and how we cope with jet lag.

May 21, 2014

University of Southampton scientists honoured

Three scientists from the University of Southampton have been recognised for their contribution to the advancement of medical science by election to the Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

May 20, 2014

Sheffield: No 1 for student experience

The University of Sheffield is pleased to announce that: we have been voted number one for student experience!

May 20, 2014

Experts call for urgent defence of deep-ocean

A University of Southampton oceanographer is working with experts from around the globe to warn against lasting damage to the deep-ocean, caused by fishing, oil and gas development, industrial-scale mining, waste disposal and land-based pollution.

May 16, 2014

Ground breaking hip and stem cell surgery in Southampton

Doctors and scientists in Southampton have completed their first hip surgery with a 3D printed implant and bone stem cell graft.

May 14, 2014

Mobile phone data helps combat malaria

An international study led by the University of Southampton and the National Vector-borne Diseases Control Programme (NVDCP) in Namibia has used mobile phone data to help combat malaria more effectively.

May 14, 2014

Hone your research skills to satisfy your curiosity

The University of Southampton has launched a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to help people improve their research project skills and share ideas.

May 08, 2014

Aspirin could combat permanent hearing loss caused by cancer drug

A new Cancer Research UK trial, involving the University of Southampton, investigating whether high doses of aspirin can help prevent permanent hearing loss, a common side effect among cancer patients given the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, launches today (8 May).

May 02, 2014

National award for University multidisciplinary team

A multidisciplinary team from the University of Southampton has won a national prize for their innovative research into the future of sociology in the digital age.

May 01, 2014

When it comes to health, WUN is at the front of the pack

12 of WUN’s 17 member universities were among the top 100 in the The Times Higher Ed’s World University Rankings of Clinical, Pre-Clinical and Health Schools.

May 01, 2014

Southampton professor receives prestigious Fellowship of the Royal Society

Professor Tim Leighton from the University of Southampton has been awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science, it is announced today.

Apr 30, 2014

Mapping climate and energy measures

A WUN-funded research project aims to better understand the relationship between energy production and climate measures. The goal is to give decision-makers better tools to create climate policies that also take into account the world’s growing energy requirements.

Apr 30, 2014

Genetic mix could benefit colonising plants and animals

Recently evaluated evidence suggests that organisms bred from different genetic lines have evolutionary advantages over more closely related members of the same species when colonising new environments.

Apr 17, 2014

WUN’s global family gathers in Cape Town for annual conference

Finding novel ways to address complex global issues such as climate change and public health was the recurring theme of this year’s WUN Annual Conference and AGM, held in Cape Town, South Africa from 28 March – 3 April 2014.

Apr 16, 2014

Bergen grows with WUN

The following news story appeared on the front page of the University of Bergen’s news website on 3 April 2014.

Apr 16, 2014

New city wall discovered at ancient Roman port

Researchers from the universities of Southampton and Cambridge have discovered a new section of the boundary wall of the ancient Roman port of Ostia, proving the city was much larger than previously estimated.

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Apr 15, 2014

Global Research Networks: Experiments in Internationalization

In the spring 2014 edition of the IIE Networker Magazine, WUN Executive Director, Professor John Hearn writes about the convenient and inconvenient truths of international higher education.

Apr 15, 2014

Everest trek shows how some people get type II diabetes

Scientists have gained new insights into the molecular process of how some people get type II diabetes, which could lead to new ways of preventing people from getting the condition.

Apr 11, 2014

Devil in disguise: A small coral-eating worm may mean big trouble for reefs

New research from the University of Southampton has identified a coral-eating flatworm as a potential threat for coral reefs.

Apr 10, 2014

Launch of WUN collaborative MOOC on globalisation of higher education and research

As we preluded in October last year, WUN stepped into the world of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) in late March with the launch of the Globalizing Higher Education and Research for the 'Knowledge Economy' course taught by Professor Susan Robertson of the University of Brsitol and Professor Kris Olds of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Apr 08, 2014

Unexpected results in cancer drug trial

Research from the University of Southampton has shown a drug, used in combination with chemotherapy to treat advanced colorectal cancer, is not effective in some settings, and indeed may result in more rapid cancer progression.

Apr 02, 2014

Assessing how people adapt to climate change in deltas: case studies in Asia and Africa

Researchers from the University of Southampton are leading an international project to understand the effect of climate change on people living in deltas in South Asia and Africa, and how they respond.

Apr 02, 2014

Southampton Professor wins prestigious award

Professor Cyrus Cooper of the University of Southampton has been awarded The 2014 ESCEO-IOF Servier Pierre D. Delmas Prize for his distinguished body of work in the epidemiology of musculoskeletal disorders.

Mar 28, 2014

Damaging effects of biochar on plant defence casts doubt on geoengineering claims

In the first study of its kind, research undertaken at the University of Southampton has cast significant doubt over the use of biochar to alleviate climate change.

Mar 27, 2014

David Willetts champions competition and collaboration in science and technology

In a keynote address to newly elected Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago, the Rt Hon David Willetts encouraged a spirit of competition and collaboration in science and technology, and underlined the importance of researcher mobility.

Mar 27, 2014

Climate change will reduce crop yields sooner than we thought

A study led by the University of Leeds has shown that global warming of only 2°C will be detrimental to crops in temperate and tropical regions, with reduced yields from the 2030s onwards.

Mar 27, 2014

Early pregnancy alcohol linked to heightened premature and small baby risk

Research by the University of Leeds has linked drinking alcohol during the first three months of pregnancy to a higher risk of having a premature or unexpectedly small baby.

Mar 27, 2014

Leading minds gather in Cape Town to explore threats and solutions at the intersection of public health and climate change

Scientists, practitioners, and representatives of community organisations, government bodies and industry will gather in Cape Town on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 March to discuss the challenges that lie at the intersection of public health and climate change and to discuss solutions that will have meaningful impact, particularly in Africa.

Mar 27, 2014

University of Southampton announces UK’s first Regius Professorship in Computer Science

The University of Southampton is pleased to announce that Nick Jennings, Professor of Computer Science and a Chief Scientific Advisor to the UK Government, has been appointed as its first Regius Professor in Computer Science.

Mar 25, 2014

Blood test may help predict whether a child will become obese

Scientists have found that a simple blood test, which can read DNA, could be used to predict obesity levels in children.
Researchers at the Universities of Southampton, Exeter and Plymouth used the test to assess the levels of epigenetic switches in the PGC1a gene – a gene that regulates fat storage in the body.

Mar 24, 2014

Children’s activity levels reflect the activity levels of their mothers

The study, from the Medical Research Council Units and the Universities of Southampton and Cambridge, showed that mothers’ activity levels differed depending on her level of education, number of children and weekly working hours. It also showed that many mothers were not meeting the government’s recommended amount of physical activity per week.

Mar 14, 2014

Southampton scientist to help design and build the world’s largest telescope

Professor Anna Scaife, from the University’s Astronomy Group, will join other UK scientists, engineers and industries in supporting the design of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which will be the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world.

Mar 14, 2014

Discover the ancient port of Rome with online learning from the University of Southampton

The University of Southampton has launched a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), giving people the opportunity to explore Portus, the ancient port of Rome.

Mar 12, 2014

New wireless network to revolutionise soil testing

A University of Southampton researcher has helped to develop a wireless network of sensors that is set to revolutionise soil-based salinity measuring.

Mar 12, 2014

New study to help identify and treat silent disease

A new study to identify patients with undiagnosed lung disease is to begin in West Hampshire.

Mar 10, 2014

Lost voices of the Holocaust: rediscovering music from a forgotten world

Music by a Jewish victim of the Nazis feared lost forever is being performed for the first time since the Holocaust, at the University of Leeds Clothworkers Concert Hall on Friday, March 14. Chad Gadya (One Little Goat), by Dovid Ajzensztadt, was uncovered in South Africa by a University of Leeds researcher.

Mar 07, 2014

SMMI teams with Singapore to transform marine and offshore research

The Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI) at the University of Southampton has officially launched a joint laboratory in Singapore with the Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC) at A*STAR, Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research, to focus on maritime and offshore engineering research and development.

Mar 06, 2014

Livestock can produce food that is better for the people and the planet

WUN Global Platforms Researchers publish comment piece in ‘Nature’

Mar 05, 2014

University of Leeds to be a leader in data analytics and research

Two multi-million pound grants will make the University of Leeds a major centre for ‘Big Data’ analysis – and a national resource that can be used by academics.

Mar 05, 2014

‘Big Data’ research at the University of Leeds

Leeds’ Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor David Hogg, says the University is poised to be a leader in Big Data research.

Mar 05, 2014

Southampton professor takes lead role with Food Standards Agency

Professor Guy Poppy, of the University of Southampton and one of the UK’s leading experts on food systems and food security, has been appointed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as its Chief Scientific Adviser.

Mar 03, 2014

Global launch of online Masters degree in English Language Teaching

An online Masters degree in English Language Teaching is being launched worldwide thanks to a collaboration between the University of Southampton and the British Council.

Feb 27, 2014

Scientists highlight the importance of nutrients for coral reefs

A new publication from researchers at the University of Southampton and the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton highlights the importance of nutrients for coral reef survival.

Feb 26, 2014

WUN Newsletter – February 2014

WUN Newsletter – February 2014

Feb 21, 2014

First ‘university professor’ appointed at Maastricht University

First ‘university professor’, professor of Nanobiology Peter Peters, appointed at Maastricht University

Feb 21, 2014

University of Twente’s Tissue Regeneration research group moving to Maastricht

University of Twente’s Tissue Regeneration research group, led by Prof. Clemens van Blitterswijk, moving to Maastricht

Feb 19, 2014

Penn State announces new President

 Incoming PSU President Eric Barron

Pennsylvania State University, one of WUN's founding members, announced on Monday a new President to take the helm from 12 May, 2014.

Eric J. Barron will become Penn State's 18th President, taking over from Rodney Erickson who steps down after a two-and-a half-year tenure.

Feb 12, 2014

Better training needed to help new teachers promote healthy lifestyles to children

Research by the University of Southampton suggests new teachers could be better trained to help them promote health and lifestyle issues to children in schools.

Feb 11, 2014

New alternate-reality game the first to explore digital provenance

Researchers from Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton in collaboration with the Mixed Reality Lab at the University of Nottingham are examining how people can relate to the concept of digital provenance of objects through the free ‘The Apocalypse of MoP’ ARG.

Feb 10, 2014

A new burst of life to wine production

Scientists from the University of Western Australia and University of Leeds have teamed up to explore the process responsible for the ability of the vine to develop buds that can not only survive winter but can make the rapid transition to new life once the good weather returns.

Feb 10, 2014

Sir Alan Langlands to be new Chair of N8 Research Partnership

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds, Sir Alan Langlands, has been appointed as the new Chair of the N8 Research Partnership.

Feb 10, 2014

The ‘choosy uterus’: new insight into why embryos do not implant

Fertility experts at the University of Southampton and University of Warwick have found new insights into why some fertilized eggs can embed in a uterus and why some do not.

Feb 04, 2014

Climate change threatens to cause trillions in damage to world’s coastal regions if they do not adapt to sea-level rise

The study, led by the Berlin-based think-tank Global Climate Forum (GCF) and involving the University of Southampton, presents, for the first time, comprehensive global simulation results on future flood damages to buildings and infrastructure in coastal flood plains.

Jan 30, 2014

University of Southampton receives Regius Professorship

The University of Southampton has been awarded a rare professorship, bestowed by The Queen, to mark its excellence in the field of Computer Science.

Jan 30, 2014

WUN universities among the world’s best when it comes to global vision

Three WUN member universities have been recognised for their commitment and achievements in internationalisation in the Times Higher Ed’s ranking of the 25 most international universities in the world.

Jan 30, 2014

Professor Philip Nelson appointed Chief Executive of leading research council

Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts has announced the appointment of Professor Philip Nelson as chief executive and deputy chair of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

Jan 29, 2014

New research facility designed to improve patient care

Researchers in Southampton now have the benefit of a dedicated, brand new facility to develop and support pioneering research into patient safety and essential care.

Jan 28, 2014

Solent energy efficiency project aims to cut energy use in the home

The University of Southampton is part of an innovative £10m project, which has just received major funding to help reduce energy use in the home.

Jan 27, 2014

New marine research centre in Bergen

The Centre for Geobiology (CGB) is one of four Norwegian Centres of Excellence (SFF) at the University of Bergen (UiB). The centre is one of the world’s leading environments for basic research on the deep ocean layers.

Jan 22, 2014

How the purple and pink sunscreens of reef corals work

New research by the University of Southampton has found a mechanism as to how corals use their pink and purple hues as sunscreen to protect them against harmful sunlight.

Jan 20, 2014

Here comes the sun to lower your blood pressure

Research carried out at the Universities of Southampton and Edinburgh shows that sunlight alters levels of the small messenger molecule, nitric oxide (NO) in the skin and blood, reducing blood pressure.

Jan 16, 2014

New research to support the huge potential of tidal power

New research from a global group of scientists and engineers, including from the University of Southampton, has been published in a special issue journal of the Royal Society. The work is in support of tidal power, which has the potential to provide more than 20 per cent of the UK’s electricity demand.

Jan 14, 2014

Tough limits on global greenhouse gas emissions could reduce some climate change damage by two-thirds

Tough limits on global emissions of greenhouse gases could avoid between 20 and 65 per cent of the damaging effects of climate change by 2100, according to new research contributed to by Professor Robert Nicholls and Dr Sally Brown of the University of Southampton, published in the journal, Nature Climate Change.

Jan 09, 2014

Major funding boost to train the engineers and scientists of tomorrow

Postgraduate training at the University of Southampton in engineering and scientific fields, important to the UK’s economy, has received a major funding boost through three new Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs).

Jan 02, 2014

Jellyfish experts show that increased blooms are a consequence of periodic global fluctuations

Scientists have cast doubt on the widely held perception that there has been a global increase in jellyfish.The results of the study, which includes lead co-author Dr Cathy Lucas, a marine biologist at the University of Southampton, appear in the latest issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS manuscript # 2012-10920R).

Dec 23, 2013

More oesophageal cancer patients benefit from pre-op chemo than previously thought

Researchers from the University of Southampton looked at the records of over 200 patients** with a type of oesophageal cancer known as adenocarcinoma treated at Southampton General Hospital.

Dec 12, 2013

Arctic climate research receives major funding boost

What will happen to the Greenland Ice Sheet if the Arctic sea ice covers disappears? To answer this question, researchers at the University of Bergen and Uni Research are to receive between NOK 50 and 60 million from the European Research Council (ERC) over a five year period.

Dec 12, 2013

Antarctic fjords are diversity hotspots in a rapidly warming region

The team, led by Dr Laura Grange, a researcher at University of Southampton, and Professor Craig Smith of University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, document their discovery this month in the scientific journal PLOS ONE.

Dec 11, 2013

CUHK celebrates 50 years of research and teaching excellence

WUN member university Presidents joined with Presidents of other leading universities around the world to mark the 50th Anniversary celebrations of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) at the CUHK Golden Jubilee University Presidents’ Forum.

Dec 10, 2013

China scholars meet at the bridge between East and West

China scholars from around the world gathered at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on 5-6 December for the WUN Global China Group Conference on Family Transition, Ageing and Social Security in China.

Dec 04, 2013

WUN working to close gaps in health understanding

On 26 November 2013, researchers, practitioners, policy makers and consumers gathered at the University of Sydney for the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) Global Health Literacy Network’s second annual conference titled “Crossing Disciplines, Bridging Gaps”.

Dec 04, 2013

Ocean crust pillow lavas could store many centuries of industrial CO2

Researchers from the University of Southampton have identified regions beneath the oceans where the igneous rocks of the upper ocean crust could safely store very large volumes of carbon dioxide.

Dec 02, 2013

Marine reserves enhance resilience to climate change

A new study, led by a University of Southampton scientist, highlights the potential for fish communities in marine reserves to resist climate change impacts better than communities on fished coasts.

Nov 28, 2013

New generation of climate models capable of simulating abrupt climate change

Scientists have, for the first time, demonstrated that climate models are able to simulate past abrupt changes in the Earth’s climate – giving more confidence in predictions of future global climate change.

Nov 27, 2013

World population mapping helps combat poverty and poor health

A team of researchers led by the University of Southampton has launched an online project to map detailed population information from countries around the world.

Nov 27, 2013

What health impacts will result from even greater urbanisation in China?

At the third plenum held earlier this month, the Chinese government announced reforms to further drive urbanisation in China. After already experiencing the largest human migration in history, what are the public health consequences of this mass movement from rural towns to cities?

Nov 20, 2013

Introducing solid foods while continuing to breast feed could prevent child allergies

Introducing solid food with breast milk after the 17th week of birth could reduce food allergies in babies, according to University of Southampton research.

Nov 15, 2013

Rising concerns over tree pests and diseases

New research has found that the number of pests and disease outbreaks in trees and forests across the world has been increasing.

Nov 12, 2013

Southampton environmental research wins prestigious CIWM Professional Award

Three University of Southampton academics have won a prestigious environmental award at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) Professional Awards, which celebrate professionalism, skills and knowledge right across the spectrum of waste and resource management.

Nov 11, 2013

University of Leeds to train next generation of environmental scientists

The University of Leeds is spearheading the drive to recruit the next generation of environmental scientists.

Nov 11, 2013

New research identifies why young adults return to the parental home

Researchers from the ESRC Centre for Population Change (CPC) at the University of Southampton have identified key ‘turning-points’ in young adults’ lives which influence whether or not they return to the parental home.

Nov 06, 2013

Using Lego-like DNA to create simple and low cost drug discovery and diagnostic tools

Scientists at the University of Southampton have helped to develop artificial membrane pores, using Lego-like DNA building blocks, which could provide a simple and low cost tool for drug discovery and diagnostic devices.

Oct 29, 2013

Archaeologists and historians to investigate a vast network of Mediterranean Roman ports

The University of Southampton has been awarded €2.49 million (£2.1 million) by the European Research Council to study a large network of Roman ports stretching from Turkey in the east, to Spain in the west.

Oct 25, 2013

Scientists develop new method to help global coasts adapt to sea-level rise

A team of scientists, led by the University of Southampton, has developed a new method to help the world’s coasts adapt to global sea-level rises over the next 100 years.

Oct 23, 2013

Dolphins inspire new radar system to detect hidden surveillance and explosive devices

Inspired by the way dolphins hunt using bubble nets, scientists at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with University College London and Cobham Technical Services, have developed a new kind of radar that can detect hidden surveillance equipment and explosives.

Oct 16, 2013

Worldwide Universities Network universities step into the world of MOOCs

Being at the forefront of higher education innovation, WUN member universities are plugged in to the MOOCs revolution.

Oct 16, 2013

Diesel exhaust stops honeybees from finding the flowers they want to forage

Exposure to common air pollutants found in diesel exhaust pollution can affect the ability of honeybees to recognise floral odours, new University of Southampton research shows.

Oct 15, 2013

University of Southampton switches on one of the most powerful supercomputers in the UK

The University of Southampton has flicked the on-switch for the most powerful university-based supercomputer in England and the third largest academic supercomputing facility in the UK. ‘Iridis4’ will also enter the top ten of the UK’s elite supercomputers. (1)

Oct 11, 2013

First ever global ‘index’ to measure wellbeing of older people

A professor at the University of Southampton working with HelpAge International and an international expert group has developed the Global AgeWatch Index to help highlight the varying quality of life and wellbeing that older people experience in countries around the world.

Oct 10, 2013

Maastricht breaks into top 100 of the prestigious THE World University Rankings

Maastricht University has broken into the top 100 of the Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings 2013/14, rising from 115th to 98th place.

Oct 04, 2013

Bringing sustainable electricity to rural African communities

The University of Southampton is leading an international project to provide sustainable electricity supplies to rural communities in Africa.

Oct 02, 2013

Southampton students named as Europe’s best young scientists

Two University of Southampton students have been named as Science Students of the Year at the prestigious SET Awards, Europe’s most important awards for science, engineering and technology undergraduates.

Oct 01, 2013

Open Data Institute announces University of Southampton as Honorary Partner on one-year anniversary

The Open Data Institute (ODI) has awarded Honorary Founding Partner status to the University of Southampton in recognition of its exceptional contribution to the setup and development of the organisation. It comes exactly 12 months after its unofficial opening and move to its London HQ.

Sep 29, 2013

Energy saving project wins international competition

A pioneering project by the University of Southampton, which aims to improve energy efficiency in the home, has won the British Gas Connecting Homes Startup Competition.

Sep 27, 2013

Harnessing the power of lightning to charge a mobile phone

Scientists from the University of Southampton have collaborated with Nokia on ground-breaking, proof-of-concept research into harnessing the power of lightning for personal use, an industry first that could potentially see consumers tap one of nature’s significant energy sources to charge their devices in a sustainable manner.

Sep 26, 2013

University of Leeds in the vanguard of new online courses

MOOC wooden blocks

A free course launched by the University of Leeds forms the first wave of a new approach to online learning.

Fairness and Nature: When Worlds Collide is one of the first MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) offered in partnership with FutureLearn – a company built on the Open University's expertise in delivering online and distance education. The course focuses on why fairness needs to be part of natural resource management policy.

Sep 26, 2013

Debt linked to mental health problems

New research, led by the University of Southampton, has shown that people in debt are three times more likely to have a mental health problem than those not in debt.

Sep 25, 2013

Link between antidepressants and diabetes risk is real

Clinicians should be extra vigilant when prescribing antidepressants as they could pose a risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers at the University of Southampton have warned.

Sep 20, 2013

Pelagios Project joins the dots on early maps

Researchers from the UK and Austria are working together to launch a project led by the University of Southampton which is set to revolutionise our understanding of ancient maps and geographic texts.

Sep 19, 2013

Dinosaur wind tunnel test provides new insight into the evolution of bird flight

A study into the aerodynamic performance of feathered dinosaurs, by scientists from the University of Southampton, has provided new insight into the evolution of bird flight.

Sep 18, 2013

University of Southampton launches first MOOC to engage global learners

The University of Southampton today (18 September) launches its first Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which will enable anyone to study online, for free, wherever they are in the world.

Sep 10, 2013

Study reveals benefits of wishes on seriously ill children and their parents

New research has shown that schemes that grant children with a life threatening illness a special wish have a positive impact on their and their family’s wellbeing.

Sep 09, 2013

Imaging for life: new imaging tools to aid regenerative medicine projects

Scientists at the University of Southampton are to study the 3D architecture of healthy human tissues down to the nanometre scale (one billionth of a meter), to develop regenerative cell techniques for musculoskeletal repair.

Sep 05, 2013

Understanding the mechanics of cells to provide new medical breakthroughs

University of Southampton researchers are at the forefront of research into mechanobiology, an emerging field of science combining biology and engineering, which investigates the influence of mechanical forces on cellular and molecular processes.

Aug 23, 2013

Registration to Inaugural WUN Global China Conference is Now Open!

The Inaugural WUN Global China Conference “Family Transition, Ageing, and Social Security in China” will be held at The Chinese University of Hong Kong during 5-6 December 2013. The conference aims to examine key issues arising from family transition, ageing and social security in China and the mechanisms underlying these changes in various dimensions, including the social science and humanistic perspectives.

Aug 20, 2013

“Regret-free” approaches for adapting agriculture to climate change

A new study, from the CGIAR research programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), which involves researchers from the University of Leeds, shows how decision-makers can sift through scientific uncertainty to understand where there is a general consensus.

Aug 20, 2013

Climate forecasts shown to warn of crop failures

A new study has showed that in about one-third of global cropland, temperature and soil moisture has a strong relationship to the yield of wheat and rice at harvest. And, for those two key crops, the model could predict crop failures three months in advance for about 20 per cent of global cropland

Aug 12, 2013

Scientists develop ground-breaking new method of ‘starving’ cancer cells

A University of Southampton Professor, in collaboration with colleagues at the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre, have discovered a novel way of killing cancer cells.

Aug 10, 2013

Funding boost to help tackle major health challenges in the South

Health researchers from Southampton have been given £9million to help them tackle some of the South’s most pressing health problems.

Aug 09, 2013

The ‘genetics of sand’ may shed new light on evolutionary process over millions of years

An evolutionary ecologist at the University of Southampton, is using ‘grains of sand’ to understand more about the process of evolution.

Aug 07, 2013

Gold ‘nanoprobes’ hold the key to treating killer diseases

Researchers at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Cambridge, have developed a technique to help treat fatal diseases more effectively.

Aug 02, 2013

Where East meets West: CUHK strengthens ties with academic mobility

The Chinese University of Hong Kong supports mobility of staff and students throughout WUN.

Aug 01, 2013

2013 WUN Research Development Fund announced

WUN today announced the 2013 round of the Research Development Fund (RDF).

Jul 31, 2013

Career Opportunity – WUN Business Development Manager

WUN is seeking a Business Development Manager to take on responsibility for the development and funding of the research programs of WUN.

Jul 11, 2013

New hope in the fight against childhood cancer

Cancer Research UK scientists at the University of Southampton are seeing positive results in a pre-clinical trial that could bring treatments for a particular aggressive form of childhood cancer closer to reality.

Jul 09, 2013

5D ‘Superman memory’ crystal could lead to unlimited lifetime data storage

Using nanostructured glass, scientists at the University of Southampton have, for the first time, experimentally demonstrated the recording and retrieval processes of five dimensional digital data by femtosecond laser writing.

Jul 08, 2013

Southampton engineers develop novel method to increase lifespan of joint replacements

Researchers at the University of Southampton have completed a project that will enable surgeons to fit joint replacements with longer, optimised lifespans

Jun 28, 2013

Southampton archaeologist helps sequence 700,000 year old horse genome

Leading an international team, including University of Southampton archaeologist Dr Jacobo Weinstock, the Copenhagen researchers have sequenced and analysed short pieces of DNA molecules preserved in bone-remnants from a horse kept frozen in the permafrost of Yukon, Canada for the last 700,000 years.

Jun 24, 2013

Maastricht University enters top 10 of the Times Higher Ed’s prestigious Top 100 Under 50 ranking

Maastricht University has made it into the top 10 of the Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 Ranking.

Jun 24, 2013

Maastricht University recognised as a leader in internationalisation

Maastricht University students

Jun 21, 2013

Professor Eric Thomas honoured with knighthood

University of Bristol Vice-Chancellor and member of the WUN Partnership Board, Professor Eric Thomas, was appointed Knights Bachelor in the 2013 WUK Queen’s Birthday Honours list. He was honoured for his services to higher education.

Jun 21, 2013

Southampton scientist supports engaging new resource to help people learn about dementia research

A Southampton scientist has worked with Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, to create the first ever virtual lab tour designed to help the public understand how new dementia treatments are developed

Jun 20, 2013

Medical breakthroughs on Southampton’s doorstep

From reducing hip fracture rates to improving the health of mothers and children across the South, the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (MRC LEU), University of Southampton, is responsible for groundbreaking health research that affects our everyday lives.

May 30, 2013

WUN community gathers in Washington DC for annual conference

The international WUN community returned to Washington DC in May 2013 for its annual conference and general meeting. The event attracted more than 200 delegates and provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the previous year and review WUN programs.

May 03, 2013

Scientists develop worm EEG to test the effects of drugs

Scientists from the University of Southampton have developed a device which records the brain activity of worms to help test the effects of drugs.

May 03, 2013

Southampton researchers develop new tool to provide radiation monitoring in Japan

A team of researchers from the University of Southampton have designed a new tool to intelligently combine nuclear radioactivity data in Japan. The technology harnesses the power of crowdsourced radiation data; an innovative resource which became available after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.

May 01, 2013

Odour and environmental concerns of communities living near waste disposal facilities

A recent study involving the University of Southampton has investigated public perception of how waste disposal sites affect residents living nearby.

Apr 26, 2013

Southampton professor receives prestigious award for optical fibre research

A professor from the University of Southampton has been awarded a highly prestigious Wolfson Research Merit Award by the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of science.