news 2023

A ground-breaking study, published in Nature Human Behaviour , reveals a significant association between 74 early-life diseases and the likelihood of remaining childless throughout one's life, with 33 of these diseases prevalent in both women and men. Led by Aoxing Liu and senior authors Melinda Mills , Andrea Ganna and an international team, the study examined the link between 414 early-life diseases and lifetime childlessness in over 2.5 million individuals born in Finland and Sweden.

A new study cautions against using the QbTest as a standalone diagnostic or screening tool for ADHD. Rather, the study authors highlight the intended use of the QbTest as a component of a full clinical assessment, since it could help clinicians reach faster diagnostic decisions and reduce waiting lists.

The potential causes of racial and ethnic disparities in the use of Taser by police officers in England and Wales have been analysed by researchers from UCL, Keele University, the University of Exeter and Staffordshire University. The independent report , published today, suggests that a complex interplay of factors increases the likelihood of Taser being deployed against people from Black and other ethnic minority communities.

A study looking at 15 years of HIV transmission and suppression in Uganda reveals how closing gender gaps in treatment could slash infection rates. Providing more heterosexual men with easy access to HIV treatment and care could help to suppress the virus and rapidly cut transmission to their female partners, shows a new study published in Nature Microbiology .

Social media use is associated with risky health behaviours in young people including increased alcohol, drug and tobacco use, anti-social behaviour, risky sexual behaviours and gambling, finds a review of the latest evidence Social media use is associated with risky health behaviours in young people including increased alcohol, drug and tobacco use, anti-social behaviour, risky sexual behaviours and gambling, finds a review of the latest evidence.

New research into children convicted of terrorism offences in England and Wales has revealed a sharp rise in -homegrown- teenage terrorist activity, with extreme-right ideology fuelling the majority of cases. Authors, University of Southampton Criminology Lecturer, Dr Gina Vale, and ISD (Institute for Strategic Dialogue) analyst Hannah Rose analysed data spanning the last eight years to map trends in minors' ideological affiliations in this report, published by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) at King's College London.

University of Bath psychology research from Dr Leda Blackwood and Rebecca Hurwitz reveals high levels of food insecurity for older people on low incomes. Published on Monday 13 November 2023 Last updated on Monday 13 November 2023 New research commissioned by Bath & North East Somerset Council has revealed high levels of food insecurity for older people who are on low incomes.

Academics at the University of Glasgow's School of Social & Environmental Sustainability have contributed to the world's first mapping of climate change adaptation, which finds that systematic networking has been insufficient. Academics at the University of Glasgow's School of Social & Environmental Sustainability have contributed to the world's first mapping of peer-reviewed literature on climate change adaptation, which finds that systematic networking has been insufficient.

Team Bath Biodevices without Borders' portable OASIS device combines miniature testing equipment with GPS to create safe water map. Published on Tuesday 7 November 2023 Last updated on Thursday 9 November 2023 A portable water quality monitor created by a team of University of Bath students could help to rapidly detect and map safe water sources for communities around the world.

The healthcare needs of pregnant adolescents will continue to be ignored in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC) unless there are major changes to healthcare delivery and frameworks, according to a new study by UCL and Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) researchers.

Teenagers who spend 30 minutes or more on social media every day may be more at risk of alcohol use and binge drinking, according to new research Teenagers who spend 30 minutes or more on social media every day may be more at risk of alcohol use and binge drinking, according to new research.

An international group of scientists, including botanists at the University of Oxford's Botanic Garden, has issued an urgent call for coordinated action to save the iconic genus Rafflesia , which contains the world's largest flowers. This follows a new study published this week which found that most of the 42 species are severely threatened, yet just one of these is listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species.

Cross-national research carried out by the University of Southampton and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) into public opinion on LGBT+ rights has shown that anti-immigrant prejudices, particularly towards Muslims, contributes to explaining some of the widespread shifts in tolerance towards the LGBT+ community.

Having a hobby is linked to fewer depressive symptoms and higher levels of happiness, self-reported health and life satisfaction among people aged 65 and over, and this holds true across 16 countries on three continents, according to a new study led by UCL researchers. The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine , aimed to see if the benefits of hobbies were consistent in different national settings, and looked at data from 93,263 people aged 65 or over who had enrolled in five existing longitudinal studies in England, Japan, United States, China and 12 other European countries.

A groundbreaking Imperial-led study is looking at indoor exposure to air pollution in more than 100 homes in West London. The WellHome study, led by Imperial College London's world-leading Environmental Research Group , is a first-of-its-kind community-based study focusing on assessing air quality inside and outside of homes, as well as identifying various contaminants such as chemicals, biological agents, and microplastics that are present within the home environment.

Education about domestic abuse equips and empowers friends, colleagues, and neighbours to respond in positive and helpful ways when someone discloses experiences of abuse, finds a new study by researchers from UCL and SafeLives. The study, published in the journal Trauma, Violence & Abuse , synthesised the findings of 11 existing studies from around the world that examined the effects of domestic abuse training for colleagues, neighbours, or faith leaders.

Repeat victims of violence do not report to the police, even in cases involving serious injury and hospitalisation, a new study has found. Repeat victims of violence do not report to the police, even in cases involving serious injury and hospitalisation, a new study has found. Researchers based at the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) discovered that those experiencing repeat violence do not seek support due to a mistrust of authorities, social rules around 'no grassing' and the risks associated with identifying as a victim.

A devastating study involving 45 women who accused their partners of domestic abuse has highlighted serious health problems they have suffered as a result, they say, of biased family court proceedings. While the study is qualitative and self-reported and so not generalisable to the wider population, the women's experiences now indicate a need for further research.

Disadvantaged teenagers are at greater risk of email scams and need better protection, according to an international study by a UCL researcher. The findings, published in the British Journal of Educational Studies , were based on more than 170,000 students aged 15 and show that one in five from low-income families or deprived areas could fall victim to phishing.

Children receiving services under a care and support plan had higher overall vaccination rates and were more up to date with immunisations than the general population of children in Wales, finds a new study involving UCL researchers. The research, published in Frontiers in Public Health , is the first data linkage study to explore vaccination coverage in children under social care services in Wales.