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Social class is a powerful hierarchy that determines many privileges and disadvantages in society. Research shows that people are quick to form impressions of other people's social class standing, which can have important consequences - but what specifically drives these impressions, and their relationship to judgements of harmful or advantageous stereotypes, has remained unknown.

New research shows how widening inequalities are fuelling childhood obesity Childhood obesity has increased the most in less advantaged groups, according to a new study Childhood obesity has increased the most in less advantaged groups, according to a new study. The research - led by the University of Glasgow and published in Archives of Disease in Childhood - found that despite a plateau in overall childhood obesity since 2004, widening societal inequalities meant the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity was seen primarily in socioeconomically disadvantaged children.

Existing drinking water fluoridation programmes in England still provide marginal savings for the NHS, but there is no guarantee new schemes would continue to do so, a new study led by University of Manchester researchers finds. It is the largest ever study of the effects of water fluoridation on the dental health of adults.

Traditional navigation techniques from across the world, some of which have been in use for thousands of years, can inform western science, according to research from UCL and the University of York. The new review paper, published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences , sheds new light on remarkable feats of navigation from cultures ranging from sailors in the Marshall Islands using wave patterns to navigate the vast Pacific Ocean, to indigenous communities in Alaska using stars to find their way across the Yukon.

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.