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A new, Earth-sized planet orbiting an ultra-cool red dwarf star, has been detected by an international team of astronomers - just 55 light years away. The planet is only the second of its kind to be discovered around this type of star. Called SPECULOOS-3 b, it takes around 17 hours to complete an orbit of the star which is more than twice as cold as our sun, as well as ten times less massive and a hundred times less luminous.

Children who experience chronic lack of sleep from infancy may be at increased risk of developing psychosis in early adulthood, new research shows. Researchers at the University of Birmingham examined information on nighttime sleep duration from a large cohort study of children aged between 6 months and 7 years old.

The researchers have already received further funding and are planning to develop an implantable device for use in humans with traumatic spinal cord injury. Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) could benefit from a future treatment to repair nerve connections using red and near-infrared light. The method, invented by scientists at the University of Birmingham and patented by University of Birmingham Enterprise, involves delivering light directly to the site of the injury.

Outsourcing energy-intensive industrial processes to Global South is creating problems for our planet Manufacturing nations in the Global North are stockpiling energy and emission problems by outsourcing energy-intensive industrial processes to countries in the Global South, a new study reveals. Global North countries use their advantages in capital and technology to grab a large amount of energy through outsourcing - creating a 'false decoupling' of energy consumption from economic growth.

A drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis could also prevent the disease in individuals deemed to be at risk. Results from a Phase 2b clinical trial, published in The Lancet by a team led by King's College London and involving Birmingham researchers, provides hope for arthritis sufferers after it showed that the biologic drug abatacept reduces progression to this agonising chronic inflammatory disease.

A blood test that can accurately detect when someone has not slept for 24 hours has been developed at the University of Birmingham and Monash University. This level of sleep deprivation increases risk of serious injury or fatality in safety critical situations. Published in Science Advances , the biomarker used a combination of markers found in the blood of healthy volunteers.

The public and politicians do not see eye to eye in prioritising plastic pollution, according to new research. As the UK's political parties gear up to do battle for No. 10, a team of researchers from the Birmingham Plastics Network and the Institute for STEMM in Culture and Society (ISTEMMiCS), have published findings of a YouGov survey which show that there is a significant mismatch between the UK public and MPs, when it comes to prioritising the environmental impact of plastics.

The first DNA study of the ancient population of Eastern Arabia sheds new light on their lives People living in ancient Eastern Arabia appear to have developed resistance to malaria following the appearance of agriculture in the region around five thousand years ago, a new study reveals. DNA analysis of the remains of four individuals from Tylos-period Bahrain (300 BCE to 600 CE) - the first ancient genomes from Eastern Arabia - revealed the malaria-protective G6PD Mediterranean mutation in three samples.

A Birmingham study reveals a novel cellular phenomenon could be responsible for the onset of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Research suggests that a recent understanding of cell movements may help shed light on the mechanisms driving primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), an autoimmune disease which attacks the bile ducts of the liver.

First study tracking how NK cells respond in tumours found that stimulating the IL-15 pathway prevented the rapid loss of function and improved tumour control Some immune cells in our bodies see their 'killer instinct' restricted after entering solid tumours, according to new research. In a new paper published in Nature Communications , a team led by researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Cambridge found how immune cells called natural killer cells (NK cells) rapidly lose their functionality when entering and residing in tumours.

To understand and prevent these attacks, researchers had to get into the mind of the hacker, who builds a complex attack by combining smaller tactical steps. Computer science researchers have developed a new way to identify security weaknesses that leave people vulnerable to account takeover attacks, where a hacker gains unauthorized access to online accounts.

Epidemiological study shows significant numbers of asthma patients not receiving standard level of care, and worse for black patients Asthma patients who ended up in hospital only had a GP appointment within recommended 48-hour period in 18% of cases between 2017-19, new research shows. New data published in the British Journal of General Practice looked at electronic healthcare records from more than 17,000 patients over the age of five.

Study highlights the positive impact of doctors working over the festive period - may prompt broadcasters to air new Doctor Who episodes each year at Christmas A new Doctor Who episode shown during the festive period, especially on Christmas Day, is associated with lower death rates in the subsequent year across the UK, finds a new study.

Eating fatty foods during stressful periods can impair the body's 'recovery' from the effects of stress, new research suggests. Different findings from a study, published recently in Frontiers in Nutrition and Nutrients , have shown that consuming foods high in fat before a mentally stressful episode can reduce brain oxygenation and cause poorer vascular function in adults.

Discovery means potential protective treatments could be developed to block thrombosis from developing following vaccination. A mechanism that led some patients to experience cases of deadly clotting following some types of Covid-19 vaccination has been identified in new research.

A new study by professors at the University of Birmingham has revealed for the first time how our bodies go into stress-mode when hearing misused grammar.

Scientists have observed the creation of rare chemical elements in the second-brightest gamma-ray burst ever seen. Scientists have observed the creation of rare chemical elements in the second-brightest gamma-ray burst ever seen - casting new light on how heavy elements are made. Researchers examined the exceptionally bright gamma-ray burst GRB 230307A, which was caused by a neutron star merger.

Attack protein guard mechanisms can be used to kill pathogens such as Toxoplasma, and cancer. Researchers have identified a 'guard mechanism' for a protein which attacks microbes in infected cells, opening the possibility of new treatments for Toxoplasma, Chlamydia, Tuberculosis and even cancer. A study, led by the University of Birmingham and published today (5th October) in Science has discovered the lock and key mechanism that controls the attack protein GPB1.

A novel way of removing chemical pollutants from wastewater could see the humble waterflea helping to create cleaner rivers and waterways. Tiny waterfleas could play a pivotal role in removing persistent chemical pollutants from wastewater - making it safe to use in factories, farms and homes, a new study reveals.

X-rays of an ancient jawless fish shows earliest-known example of internal cartilage skull, unlike that of any other known vertebrate. A 455-million-year-old fossil fish provides a new perspective on how vertebrates evolved to protect their brains, a study has found. In a paper published in Nature today (Wednesday 20 September), researchers from the University of Birmingham, Naturalis Biodiversity Centre in Leiden, Netherlands; and the Natural History Museum have pieced together the skull of Eriptychius americanus.