Two peer reviewed studies led by University of 99�þþ�Ʒ researchers across 28 NHS maternity units are published  today in the journals BMJ Open Quality  and BMJ Quality and Safety.

The BMJ Open Quality   paper showed 89% of women reported positive antenatal care and 86% had positive labour experiences.

However, the data from online surveys with 1,140 women and 633 healthcare professionals  - carried out in 2023-  also showed concerns around poor communication, lack of personalised care, staff shortages and delays still persist.

The Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle (SBLCB) was introduced in England from 2015 as the Government’s response to a stillbirth rate that was comparatively higher than many western countries.

SBLCB has evolved through three versions in 2016, 2019, and 2023, each building on the last to improve maternity care and reduce perinatal mortality across England.

The SBLCB evaluation- of version 2 -  found it had been successfully rolled-out in the majority of NHS maternity providers and that midwives and frontline staff have a pivotal role in implementing it.

Women’s positive experiences were linked to feeling listened to, being involved in decision-making, effective communication and continuity of care.

They encountered staff, the researchers found, who acknowledged their history and made them feeling able to ask questions.

However their negative experiences often stemmed from poor communication and lack of personalised care, making them feel dismissed, especially when expressing concerns about reduced fetal movement and during labour.

Some of the women who had a negative labour or birth experience also reported disorganised and inconsistent care, staff shortages, lack of beds and poor pain management which left them feeling neglected.

Poor communication between staff made care feel disjointed and was further hindered with changes to electronic notes, they reported.

Risk factors was not always communicated effectively and women were often given no choice in their treatment which meant they felt threatened or frustrated.

Alexander Heazell, is Professor of Obstetrics at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, Honorary Consultant Obstetrician at St Mary’s Hospital, and Director of the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre.

He said: “We analysed a total of 1,071 women’s written responses about their antenatal care, of which 89% reported a positive experience. 86% had positive experience of labour.

“So much progress has been made  in terms of their experiences around feeling listened to and reassured, feeling in control of decision-making and  encounters with staff and care.

“Our data suggest that elements of the SBLCBv2 are increasingly embedded in maternity care, but refinements are still needed.

“This will  address variation in practice between units and to support effective communication between health care professionals and service users to balance standardised clinical practice with personalised care.

A second paper published in BMJ Quality and Safety examined the qualitative  experiences of the women.

Lead author Dr Holly Reid, also from The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, said: “Our paper found that having a trusting relationship with maternity care providers is of paramount importance to achieve positive and safe maternity experiences for women.

“Trust was built through consensus among the care team, making sure the partner was involved in discussions around care and continuity of carer.

“When women were not listened to or believed by healthcare professionals during labour and birth, this resulted in frightening experiences for women and their safety being put at risk.”

Professor Heazell added: “However, there is still work to do. Service users need to feel heard, involved in and reassured by their care. To this end, the communication between health care professionals and service users is critical.

“We suggest maternity staff may benefit from additional training to discuss the reasons for and results of interventions to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.

“This will need to be combined with effective communication skills to ensure that service users receive information to make an informed choice, ensuring they retain agency and perceived control.

“And that will enable the core recommendations of SBLCBv2 to be personalised to individual service users, promoting safe maternity care and improved maternity experience.”

Examples of representative anonymised quote from service users:

All testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of”

“I felt really dismissed by the midwives when I kept saying the baby wasn’t moving and I didn’t feel well

“All testing done efficiently, staff were continually informing us about the decisions they were making, we felt well taken care of”

“While yes I got growth scans nothing was ever explained and I wasn’t able to ask any questions”

“The staff were attentive and provided me with all the information I required. This was offered and also given 24 hours a day with no bias.”

“The administration side of things was not great. I was forgotten about on numerous occasions. Letters were sent out with appointment dates that didn’t exist. I would turn up and people weren’t expecting me.”

• The paper Evaluating the implementation of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle Version 2 from Service User and Health Care Professionals’ perspectives: A Questionnaire Study  is published in BMJ Open Quality  DOI:  bmjoq-2025-003456
• The paper Service users’ experiences of maternity care in England informed by the Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle Version 2: A reflexive thematic analysis to be published in BMJ Quality and Safety is  published in BMJ Quality and Safety  DOI: 10.1136/bmjqs-2025-018582

The work by Professors Jo Dumville and Nicky Cullum on the most effective types of compression treatments is good news for the hundreds of thousands of patients affected by venous leg ulcers every year,  costing the NHS tens of millions of pounds. 

Venous ulcers are a common long-term condition which adversely affect people's quality of life; nurses deliver the majority of care, which takes the form of compression therapy as a first-line treatment. 

According to the NHS National Wound Care Strategy Programme, venous leg ulcers account for 60% to 80% of all leg ulcers. 

However, the abundance of different compression treatments and heavy product promotion by the wound care industry makes it difficult for nurses to decide, with patients, on the course of treatment that is most clinically effective and offers the most value to the NHS. 

The guidance - known officially as a “Late Stage Assessment" -  is set to change that by providing crucial information to nursing staff on the most effective types of compression. 

It will also help NHS commissioners and procurement specialists give healthcare professionals access to a range of the most appropriate compression products to ensure their affordability to the NHS. 

According to the researchers’ evidence, the clinical effectiveness of two-layer compression hosiery and two-layer and 4-layer bandages is similar, while compression hosiery is more cost-effective than bandages. However, compression wraps are less clinically and cost-effective.

Professor Cullum was first asked to review the research evidence on leg ulcer management by the then Department of Health (now the Department of Health and Social Care) in 1989.

Working with Professor Dumville, they have been analysing and publishing the evidence in Cochrane and other systematic reviews, and have worked to fill knowledge gaps by doing new randomised controlled trials and other relevant studies.

A Cochrane systematic review is a rigorously conducted, independent review of research evidence on the effects of healthcare interventions, published by Cochrane, a global, not-for-profit organisation.

The latest randomised controlled trial, led by Professor Dumville will have further important implications for care and is likely to be published later in 2025 or early 2026.

Professor Dumville said: ‘I am delighted that our NIHR-funded research has delivered high-quality and relevant evidence on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

“The contribution of these findings to NICE’s late-stage assessment underscores the importance of NIHR studies like VenUS 6 in strengthening the clinical evidence base in wound care and informing national recommendations that support best practice in patient care.”

Professor Cullum said: “This is the first time there has been a piece of NICE guidance on compression therapy for venous leg ulcers.

“It feels like something of a culmination of all the work Jo Dumville and I have been doing for decades, so we are delighted it has culminated in some national guidance which will help nurses and patients arrive at informed decisions.”

• See Professor Cullum’s Lockdown Lecture  where she talks about her work on leg ulcers and her with Jude Johnson.

Located around 3,400 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius, the Butterfly Nebula is one of the best studied planetary nebulae. Its ‘wings’ of glowing gas were previously but Webb’s new observations, published in today, go even further, uncovering hidden structures and finally pinpointing the nebula’s elusive central star.

Planetary nebulae like the Butterfly form when stars heavier than the sun reach the end of their lives, casting off their outer layers of gas and dust. The Butterfly Nebula is what astronomers call a bipolar nebula, meaning that it has two lobes of gas that spread in opposite directions to form the ‘wings’ of the butterfly. At its centre, a dense band of dusty gas called the torus, which poses as the butterfly’s ‘body’. This structure energises the nebula and may be responsible for its insect-like shape by preventing gas from flowing evenly in all directions. 

Using James Webb’s , scientists have now been able to see through this dusty torus for the first time, providing an unprecedented view of its complex structure.

By combining images at many different wavelengths with complementary data from the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array in Chile, the international team of researchers, including from The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, discovered  the butterfly’s central star, one of the hottest ever found in our galaxy, with a scorching surface temperature of around 220,000 Kelvin.

Although this intense heat powers the nebula’s colourful glow, earlier telescopes lacked the sensitivity and resolution needed to see through the thick layer of dust, making the star impossible to detect at visible wavelengths.

Professor Albert Zijlstra, a co-author of the paper from The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, said: “This is an extraordinary discovery. We’re looking at one of the hottest stars ever found - an object so elusive that even Hubble couldn’t detect it for decades. Thanks to JWST, we’ve finally uncovered it, concealed within its own dense shroud of dust.

“Surrounding the star is a massive dark torus, the heaviest ever observed around such an object, containing more material than our own Sun. Even Webb can’t fully pierce through it. Inside, the environment is sheer chaos; powerful radiation and stellar winds tearing into the surrounding cloud. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

“Most planetary nebulae appear graceful and symmetric, but this one is still at the beginning of its transformation – it’s more like a butterfly struggling out of its cocoon than the elegant shapes we’re used to seeing.”

The Webb data revealed that the torus is composed of crystals similar to quartz as well as unusually large grains of dust, suggesting they have been growing for a long time. Outside the torus, the team observed jets of iron and nickel blasting away from the star in opposite directions, along with a multilayered structure made up of different atoms and molecules.

Perhaps most intriguing was the discovery of carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. On Earth, these molecules are found in smoke from fires or even burnt toast – but they have never before been seen in an oxygen-rich planetary nebula. The team believes the PAHs may form when a bubble of stellar wind bursts into the surrounding gas.

The finding provides an important glimpse into the details of how these molecules form.

***

Journal:

Full title: The JWST/MIRI view of the planetary nebula NGC 6302 – I. A UV-irradiated torus and a hot bubble triggering PAH formation

DOI:  

Link:  

Intended to fund future medical and music students in need of support, Dr Weir hopes the bursaries will help others experience the world-class education at 99�þþ�Ʒ she has benefitted from over her long career.

Dr Weir has an extensive background in pharmacology, joining 99�þþ�Ʒ after completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. While she initially wanted to study medicine, she didn’t qualify for a grant.

For Sheila, this outcome paved the way to completing a PhD in Pharmacology at 99�þþ�Ʒ in 1985. Her work contributed to the eventual spark of interest worldwide in the field of potassium channels and their modulation by drugs.

After leaving academia, Sheila spent 30 years in drug development at the one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. But her keen interest in learning continued as she taught at ETH Zürich and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland along the way.

Dr Weir said of her donation: “The greatest gift I can give is making a difference in the life of another human being. Especially if that person is young, from an underprivileged background and dreams of attending University."

Professor Ashley Blom, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ said: “We are honoured by Dr Weir’s forward-thinking commitment to support 99�þþ�Ʒ’s future music and medical students.

“Her generosity will continue 99�þþ�Ʒ’s rich history of musical vibrance and medical excellence, enabling talented individuals to pursue their ambitions regardless of the obstacles they may face. We thank Dr Weir for her unwavering faith in our students and for helping to make their dreams a reality.”

In addition to funding medical bursaries, the musical bursaries reflect Dr Weir’s passion for music, which has been a constant in her life from an early age.

Amy Harris, Legacy Officer at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Dr Weir to transform her hopes for the future into tangible support that will shape the lives of students, and their communities, for generations to come.” 

Dr Weir is one of a growing number of alumni, staff and other supporters who have chosen to support the University with a legacy gift. Donors are welcomed to the , which recognises their generosity through a programme of special events and communications.

For more information about leaving a gift in your Will, visit the University’s website.

The energisation of Medebridge, located in Ockendon, Essex, means that up to 65% of the University’s electricity demand will now be met from exclusive ‘new-to-earth’ renewable infrastructure.

Developed in partnership with leading UK clean energy firm Enviromena, the project is part of a 10-year (CPPA), facilitated by EDF and supported by Inspired PLC, the UK’s leading energy and sustainability advisor. It is the UK’s largest solar CPPA with an educational institution.

The development represents the University’s long-term commitment to sustainability and energy resilience.

Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, said: “The University’s new long-term solar power agreement is a landmark moment in our journey to zero carbon. By entering into this corporate Power Purchase Agreement, we are directly supporting the development of new UK renewable energy while significantly cutting our own emissions.

“Universities have a vital role to play in tackling the climate crisis, not just through research and education but by taking bold, practical action. At 99�þþ�Ʒ, we’re proud to be the only university ranked in the global top ten every year for social and environmental impact in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and we remain determined to lead by example to help create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

“We’re incredibly grateful to our partners, including Inspired, Enviromena and EDF, whose expertise and support have been essential in making this project a reality.”

Lee Adams, Chief Commercial Officer at Enviromena, added: “We’re incredibly proud to see Medebridge go live. It’s our largest and most complex project to date and a major step forward in the UK’s net-zero journey.

“By securing a long-term commitment with a top-tier academic institution, this project proves how large-scale renewables and corporate sustainability can align to deliver real impact.”

The construction of Medebridge commenced in April 2024. Comprising of around 104,000 solar panels across 175 acres (roughly the size of 70 football pitches), the site will generate more than 72 GWh of electricity annually, 80% (58GWh) of which will be purchased directly by the University over the next decade. The move will reduce University carbon emissions by 12,000 tonnes of CO2e each year - enough to power 21,000 homes.

In addition to emission reduction, the site will also create a significant biodiversity net gain. Enhancements to the existing hedgerows and planting of native grassland and wildflower meadow beneath and around the solar arrays will encourage nesting opportunities for wildlife and improved habitat connectivity.

Since the CPPA was agreed, Inspired have supported the Enviromena team to connect Medebridge to the UK grid to facilitate the delivery of this power to the University via a sleeving arrangement.   

Richard Sullivan, Managing Director of I&C and Estate Intensive at Inspired, said: “CPPAs are an increasingly popular choice for organisations seeking to decarbonise as they offer up to 100% renewable power and much-needed additionality to the grid. Now a solar farm in Essex supplies The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ with renewable energy. 

“This is the culmination of years of meticulous contract negotiations and support our technical experts have provided, and we are delighted for the project to have reached this point. We look forward to powering our partnership on with The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ and Enviromena alike.” 

Following a successful tender bid in 2025, The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ has also extended its procurement contract with Inspired to 2030, providing energy security and ongoing CPPA in-life management. 

EDF, Britain’s largest buyer of renewable electricity, is playing a key role in delivering and running the agreement that enables renewable electricity from Enviromena to power The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ. As part of this CPPA, EDF takes the variable output from the solar farm and turns it into steady, predictable blocks of power before adding it to the University’s energy supply contract. This ensures a smooth and reliable supply of renewable electricity, while delivering the transparency, reliability and carbon savings the University expects from a major renewable energy initiative.

Tom Abbott, PPA Director at EDF, said: “We’re proud to help The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ turn its sustainability ambitions into reality. By bringing power from Medebridge Solar Farm through this tailored CPPA, we’re showing how smart partnerships can unlock big wins for decarbonisation. Our balancing, shaping, and sleeving services mean the University gets dependable clean power - and a clear path towards its net zero goals.”

The Medebridge partnership adds to the University’s growing portfolio of environmental and sustainability initiatives from big changes, such as ending all investments in fossil fuels, and completing three zero carbon buildings, to the smaller ones, such as placing food waste bins in every University building, using peat free compost across campus and the .

The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ was recently ranked in first place in the UK and Europe and second in the world for benefitting society and the environment by  for the third year running and was chosen to lead a pioneering global programme by United Nations designed to empower education’s role in the transition towards net zero.

Published in the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) journal Cancer Research Communications, the study assessed AOA’s novel technology that analysed multiple groups of biological markers from a single blood sample. 

The researchers showed the test outperformed traditional biomarker tests for ovarian cancer detection in over 950 patients from Colorado and 99�þþ�Ʒ. 

This study is a major milestone and AOA is committed to pursuing regulatory approval across the US and Europe in the coming years, ahead of launching the test to the NHS. 

The technology combines two different sets of blood-markers, proteins and lipids, with   machine learning to identify the presence of ovarian cancer in women that present with vague abdominal/pelvic symptoms. 

In samples from University of Colorado the test exhibited an accuracy of 93% across all stages of ovarian cancer and 91% for early-stage disease. 

In a set from 99�þþ�Ʒ, the model continued to perform strongly, with an accuracy of 92% for all-stages of ovarian cancer and 88% for early-stage disease.

 AOA’s test performed better than single blood-based-markers which have been used for the past 30 year, which were only able to attain accuracies of less than 90%. 

The successful results, say AOA, will inform the final design of the test, which could produce a streamlined and cost-effective diagnostic relevant to healthcare systems globally. 

“Our platform detects ovarian cancer at early stages and with greater accuracy than current tools,” said Alex Fisher COO and Co-Founder of AOA Dx. “These findings show its potential to aid clinicians in making faster, more informed decisions for women who need urgent clarity during a challenging diagnostic process.” 

“By using machine learning to combine multiple biomarker types, we’ve developed a diagnostic tool that detects ovarian cancer across the molecular complexity of the disease in sub-types and stages” said Dr. Abigail McElhinny, Chief Science Officer of AOA Dx. “This platform offers a great opportunity to improve the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer potentially resulting in better patient outcomes and lower costs to the healthcare system.”

varian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, largely due to late-stage diagnosis.

Over 90% of women experience symptoms in Stage I, yet only 20% of cases are diagnosed in Stage I or II, as symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and digestive issues often resemble benign conditions.

Existing diagnostic methods, which rely on invasive procedures or less reliable markers, frequently fail to identify early-stage disease.

An accurate early detection test available to women when they first visit a physician with symptoms could revolutionize the detection of ovarian cancer.

Professor Emma Crosbie, Professor at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ and Honorary Consultant in Gynecological Oncology, 99�þþ�Ʒ University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), said: “AOA Dx’s platform shows significant promise for ovarian cancer early detection, offering a practical solution for symptomatic women.”

Professor Crosbie is also National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) 99�þþ�Ʒ Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Co-Theme Lead.

She added: “AOA Dx’s platform has the potential to significantly improve patient care and outcomes for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We are eager to continue advancing this important research through additional prospective trials to further validate and expand our understanding of how this could be integrated into existing healthcare systems.”

The paper Utilizing serum-derived lipidomics with protein biomarkers and machine learning for early detection of ovarian cancer in the symptomatic population published in cancer Research Communications is available DOI:

A series of three new papers published this week in Nature Astronomy and Nature Geoscience, reveal that Bennu is a mix of dust formed in our solar system, organic matter from interstellar space and stardust that predates the solar system itself. The asteroid is thought to have formed from fragments of a larger parent asteroid destroyed by a collision in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

In the first paper, co-led by researchers at the University of Arizona and NASA’s Johnson Space Center, published in the journal , 99�þþ�Ʒ researchers studied the gases trapped inside Bennu’s samples – in particular xenon, which is a very rare gas. Their measurements showed that Bennu’s gases resembled those found in some of the most primitive meteorites found on earth and materials returned from asteroid Ryugu by Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission.

When combined with other elemental and isotopic analyses, the results suggest that Bennu’s parent body contained material from a range of origins, close to the Sun, far from the Sun, and even some grains from beyond our solar system.

The findings also show that while much of the materials in the parent asteroid had been affected by water and heat, some of the material had escaped various chemical processes and retained its original chemical signatures. Some even survived the extremely energetic collision that broke it apart and formed Bennu.

The studies also show that while some of Bennu’s original material survived unchanged, similarly, much of it was transformed by reactions with water. Minerals in its parent asteroid likely formed, dissolved, and re-formed over time, with up to 80% of Bennu’s material now made up of water-bearing minerals.

These findings were reported in a second paper the paper published in co-led by the University of Arizona and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, and included contributions from Professor Rhian Jones at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ.

In the third paper, co-led by Lindsay Keller at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Michelle Thompson of Purdue University, also published in , researchers found microscopic craters and tiny splashes of once-molten rock – known as impact melts – on the sample surfaces - signs that the asteroid was bombarded by micrometeorites. These impacts, together with the effects of solar wind, are known as space weathering and occurred because Bennu has no atmosphere to protect it.

Lindsay Keller at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, said: “The surface weathering at Bennu is happening a lot faster than conventional wisdom would have it, and the impact melt mechanism appears to dominate, contrary to what we originally thought.

“Space weathering is an important process that affects all asteroids, and with returned samples, we can tease out the properties controlling it and use that data and extrapolate it to explain the surface and evolution of asteroid bodies that we haven’t visited.”

As leftovers from the formation of planets 4.5 billion years ago, asteroids like Bennu provide a valuable record of solar system history. Unlike meteorites that fall to Earth, which often burn up or are altered in the atmosphere, Bennu’s pristine samples give scientists a rare opportunity to study untouched material.

The project brings together researchers from NASA, universities and research centres around the world – including the UK, the United States, Japan and Canada – to study Bennu’s samples and unlock new insights into the origins of the solar system.

For more information on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission, visit:

TropiConnect is already partnering with farmer cooperatives representing over 200,000 farmers across East and West Africa, while building high-level collaborations with Innovate UK, the United Nations, and government organisations across the continent. From coffee and cocoa to cashew nuts, sesame seeds, and tropical fruits, TropiConnect is positioning itself as the go-to gateway for sourcing Africa’s finest agricultural products in one trusted platform. Leveraging AI and blockchain technology, the platform ensures traceability, competitive pricing,and efficient trade facilitation.

The company’s close ties with the University of 99�þþ�Ʒ’s innovation ecosystem have been instrumental in its growth. Support from the University’s R&D collaborations, has strengthened TropiConnect’s ability to scale and innovate.

For more information, visit or

Alliance Medical has signed a long-term lease agreement to take up residence at the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre (WMIC), a University research facility based on the site of the Christie Hospital in Withington, a cancer care, research and education hub. WMIC is home to state-of-the-art radiochemistry facilities, including a cyclotron.

Through the partnership both parties will work collaboratively, combining the academic expertise at the University with Alliance Medical’s extensive industry experience. Alliance Medical works with the NHS to offer PET-CT diagnostic procedures to over one hundred thousand cancer patients in England per year, while also working within the fields of paediatrics, urology and neurology, among others.

Alliance will invest around £10m in the facility to rebuild a state-of-the-art radiopharmacy, which will support future academic research cooperations.

Professor Allan Pacey, Deputy Vice President and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ said: “We are delighted to have entered into this agreement with Alliance. This will open the doors for new and exciting research opportunities for our staff involved in finding new ways to detect and treat cancers and other medical conditions where radiotracers are important tools.”

Professor Stavros Stivaros, Director of Imaging at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ said: “This is an exciting collaborative long-term working agreement, which will revitalise the University’s opportunities for state-of-the-art radiochemistry-based research. Research that spans from pre-clinical right through to diagnostics and therapies, across all age groups of patients.”

As manufacturers of radiotracers, Alliance Medical has production facilities across Europe but its partnership with the University paves the way for a presence in 99�þþ�Ʒ, a renowned UK medical research hotspot. The University will in turn benefit from Alliance Medical’s significant investment in research activity and the upgrade of its radiochemistry production facilities.

Howard Marsh, Chief Financial Officer for Alliance Medical Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ to add an additional facility into our network that benefits patients in 99�þþ�Ʒ and the surrounding areas.”

Axel Schmidt, Managing Director of Alliance Medical Radiopharmacy said: “This cooperation is another testament to the fast-growing field of, and interest in, radiopharmaceuticals. It will further expand our involvement in the development and commercialization of own- and third-party innovative tracers for oncology, neurology and cardiology.”

The University will also utilise local access to commercial radiotracers for preclinical and clinical PET-MR imaging research. With Alliance Medical beginning its operations on the site in Autumn 2025, it is hoped production of radiotracers will begin within two years, with these tracers to be delivered to hospitals to improve patient care and diagnostic offerings.

The breakthrough, reported in by a team led by Professor Andre Geim, was achieved by placing a sheet of graphene just three atoms below cleaner bulk graphite. This “proximity mirror” cancels out unwanted electric fields, reducing disorder in graphene by a factor of 100.

"Think of it like creating the ultimate clean room, but for electrons," explains first author Dr Daniil Domaretskiy. "We’ve removed almost all the ‘dirt’ that disrupts smooth flow of electric current. You can suddenly see effects that were hidden, like wiping clean a fogged-up window."

In quantum materials, disorder hides delicate effects and can prevent new physics from emerging. Researchers normally go to great lengths to remove impurities and minimise interference, but in graphene the team has now pushed this to an extreme: just one uncontrolled electron per 100 million carbon atoms remains across an entire device.

This record-low disorder means that electrons travel faster and further than ever before. Key benchmarks of material quality, such as Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations, are now visible at fields below 10 Gauss. The celebrated quantum Hall effect appears below 50 Gauss, far weaker than a fridge magnet.

The concept is straightforward: the nearby graphite acts like an electrical mirror, cancelling random electric fields in the graphene layer. The challenge was engineering the mirror close enough, three atoms apart, without damaging the graphene.

“Now that we know how to make things this clean, it opens the door to exploring phenomena that were out of reach,” said co-author Dr Zefei Wu. “This is just the beginning.” 

The team expects their ‘proximity-mirror’ technique to become standard for probing quantum phenomena in two-dimensional materials, enabling new discoveries in superconductivity, magnetism and exotic quantum phases, which would all benefit from the ultraclean electronic conditions to clearly emerge.

The work involved collaborators from Lancaster University, the National University of Singapore, and the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan.

This research was published in the journal .

Full title: Proximity screening greatly enhances electronic quality of graphene

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09386-0

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field – a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by £13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

The research, published today in , tracks 130 years of changes in the “spirograph” Planetary Nebula IC418 - a glowing shell of gas and dust cast off by a dying star about 4000 light years from Earth.

By piecing together observations dating back to 1893, when astronomers first recorded the nebula by eye through a telescope, to today, scientists found the nebula’s signature green light, emitted by oxygen atoms, has grown around 2.5 times stronger since Victorian astronomers first studied it.

This change is being driven by the central star’s rising temperature, which has increased by around 3,000°C since 1893, or roughly 1,000°C every 40 years. For comparison, the Sun increased by the same amount during its formation, but took 10 million years to do it.

However, although the star is heating faster than ever observed, it is still slower than the latest models had predicted. This challenges current theories of how stars age and die, and may force astronomers to rethink the masses of stars capable of producing carbon — the element essential for life.

A planetary nebula marks one of the final stages in a star’s life. As the star’s core becomes unstable, it sheds its outer layers into space. The remaining core heats rapidly, energising the surrounding gas and dust to form beautiful structures. In the case of IC418, this creates an intricate, swirling structure, earning its nickname “the spirograph nebula”. Our Sun will undergo the same fate in about 5 billion years.

While planetary nebulae usually evolve slowly, the researchers discovered that IC418 is evolving fast enough to track within a human lifetime.

This makes it the most prolonged and rapid transformation ever recorded in a planetary nebula, and possibly any star.

The team examined 130 years of observations from a wide range of telescopes – from the human eye measurements in the late 1800s to the advanced technologies of today. They verified, calibrated, and combined the data before comparing it with detailed models of stellar evolution. This allowed them to measure the star’s heating rate, determine its current mass, and even estimate the mass of the star before it began its transformation.

The findings offer a rare insight into of how planetary nebulae evolve and suggest the night sky can change much faster than we usually think.

Co-author, Professor Quentin Parker from the University of Hong Kong, said: “We believe this research is important because it offers unique, direct evidence of how planetary nebulae central stars evolve. It will prompt us to rethink some of our existing models of stellar life cycles.

“It’s been a strong joint effort - collecting, verifying, and carefully analysing more than a century’s worth of astronomical data and then melding that with stellar evolutionary models. It’s a challenging process that goes far beyond simple observation, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to contribute to our field in this way.”

Journal: The Astrophysical Journal Letters

Full title: The secular evolution of planetary nebula IC 418 and its implications for carbon star formation

DOI: 10.3487/2041-8213/ADF62b

Link:

The research also suggests that monks kept their copy of the charter safe for generations, possibly consulting it at annual rent payments or during disputes – ensuring the king’s message lived on.

By looking at this 1,100-year-old parchment not just as a legal record but as a piece of political theatre, the study opens a new window into how early English kings built and maintained their power.

The full article, ‘’, is published in the Journal of Medieval History.

The company is a spinout from the University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, founded by Dr Tim Echermeyer, based at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (), and joined by Dr Steve Turley as executive-Chair.

PhovIR uses its breakthrough Near Infra-Red (NIR) optical sensor technology to identify the ‘optical fingerprint’ of constituents of solids, liquids and gases, in a portable device. Human eyes perceive a very narrow band of the optical spectrum, predominantly colours, yet there is much more information about materials and substances contained in longer wavelengths.

This innovation is a ‘platform technology’ which has far-reaching applications for human health, such as the detection of drink spiking and other contaminants to industrial safety, pollution monitoring and agricultural functions.

Although other NIR sensor devices exist, they are bulky, often difficult to integrate into portable devices and expensive to manufacture. The breakthrough achieved by PhovIR allows this to be manufactured on a silicon chip enabling a small, light and cost-effective solution that has the potential to be incorporated into a smart watch or phone.

PhovIR has developed a capability based on MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) technology to create a flexible, portable, low-cost solution that captures a broader optical range. Its software is fully configurable, doing the job of multiple sensors, and can be manufactured at scale.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ said: “PhovIR is a fantastic example of the kind of innovation that defines The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ – world-class research brought to life through collaboration, with the potential to change lives.

“It’s exciting to see this deeptech breakthrough moving towards real-world application, supported by the expertise of our Innovation Factory and partners like Northern Gritstone. My congratulations to the team behind PhovIR, this is exactly the kind of impact we want to see more of across our University and our region.”

PhovIR is chaired by Dr Steve Turley, who has over 25 years’ experience dedicated to scaling complex technologies into high growth businesses, including as Chair of Effect Photonics and ex-CEO of Perpetuum.

With the funding, PhovIR plans to bring its first commercial product to market, grow its team, and continue delivering on its vision for making the invisible visible to improve human and planetary health.

PhovIR recently completed Northern Gritstone’s pre-seed program, NG Studios, which has supported PhovIR to refine its commercial strategy as a customer-led organisation ready for growth and successful fundraising.

Active since May 2022, Northern Gritstone has already made 37 investments in early-stage businesses in the North of England, expanded its investment team and built NG Innovation Services, its venture building ‘toolkit’ offering, inter alia: talent management; growth advice; business services; and the accelerator program, NG Studios.

Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, said: “PhovIR is a Northern Gritstone NG Studios graduate. The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ is home to innovation in materials science including graphene. Northern Gritstone is delighted to back Dr Tim Echtermeyer and Dr Steve Turley – graduates of our NG Studios venture building program - knowing that PhovIR’s technology has the potential to create a global company.”

Dr Tim Echtermeyer, CTO of PhovIR, said: “I am exhilarated to enter the next part of PhovIR’s journey and turn our vision into reality. I am grateful to the many people contributing and making this happen; particularly Steve, and William Wren and Minh Vu from the Engineering team, who have worked relentlessly.

Dr Steve Turley, Chair of PhovIR said: “I am very excited to be working with PhovIR not only because of the immense potential that the technology has but also the great team in 99�þþ�Ʒ led by Tim. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate that the UK can take excellent innovative technology and turn it into a global success story”

John Williams, General Partner of SCVC said: “PhovIR represents the future of deep tech: advanced hardware, unlocked by AI. It’s the kind of multi-tech breakthrough that creates entirely new categories—and the kind SCVC is here to back.”

Published today  in the journal , the study provides a major insight into the muscular dystrophy subtype known collectively as Collagen VI-related dystrophy – or COL6-RD for short.

The team are the first ever to determine the high resolution structure of collagen VI- one of the networks of protein molecules that give our tissues mechanical strength and the ability to stretch and bend.

Called the extracellular matrix, the protein network also enables cells to sense their environment and communicate with one another in response to mechanical forces.

COL6-RD, which includes Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD) and  Bethlem myopathy (BM), can cause a range of symptoms including muscle weakness, joint contractures, decreased muscle tone, and weak breathing muscles.

It is one of a number muscular dystrophy subtypes and others include the more prevalent Duchenne-  caused by mutation of another protein -   for which scientists are developing gene therapies.

However, so far equivalent therapies have not been developed for COL6-RD.

Collagens are the most abundant extracellular matrix proteins, and form long fibres many times smaller than a human hair, called microfibrils. 

Collagen VI forms one type of microfibril, taking on the appearance of a large bead-like structure, consisting of  three separate protein chains, that twist and fold together.

The research required the scientists to develop small fragments of collagen VI, which they called mini-collagens.

Mini-collagens will be useful tools for studying or even treating the diseases associated with collagen VI mutations.

Lead author of Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council funded study Clair Baldock, Professor of  Biochemistry at the University of 99�þþ�Ʒ said: “It is extremely important to understand where mutations in the tiny protein chains called collagen VI that cause a subtype of muscular dystrophy are, to help in the design of future treatments.

“Using a technique called cryogenic-electron microscopy -  which can magnify collagen VI hundreds of thousands of times-   we were able to determine the organisation of parts of collagen VI and map the disease mutations.

“That provides an opportunity for scientists to design drugs which specifically target the mutations by focusing only on what's broken.

She added: “We are the first group to determine the high resolution structure of collagen VI; until now, no- one has been able to show the locations of these mutations on the collagen VI structure.

“This is an important step along the path of finding ways to treat these types of muscular dystrophy and will provide momentum  to accelerate scientific discovery in this area.

“We hope that our structure will provide vital information to help the scientific community develop treatments, such as gene therapy, for collagen VI-RD.

“This provides some hope to people with muscular dystrophy that one day treatments will be available to improve their quality of life and help them to stay active and independent.”

• The paper Collagen VI microfibril structure reveals mechanism for molecular assembly and clustering of inherited pathogenic mutations is . https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62923-3

Jean, alongside her late husband Michael, co-founded the Oglesby Charitable Trust in 1992, building a legacy that has touched thousands of lives across the North West and beyond. The University has been privileged to share in that legacy for many decades. Jean’s approach to philanthropy was deeply personal – she wanted to understand the programmes she supported, meet the people leading them, and be certain that her giving would create lasting change.  

Through the Trust, Jean and Michael made transformational contributions to our work – from funding PhD scholarships at the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre to advancing pioneering research in cancer and leukaemia, to supporting public health policy and environmental sustainability initiatives. Their leadership and generosity were instrumental in establishing the 99�þþ�Ʒ Cancer Research Centre’s new home, where world-leading oncology teams are now working to develop personalised cancer treatments that will save and extend lives.   

Jean also enriched the University’s cultural life. Her love of the arts was expressed through the Trust’s support for 99�þþ�Ʒ Museum initially for the vivarium and followed by support for wider capital projects. This was also demonstrated in the Trust’s commissioning of original artworks for the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, the John Rylands Library, and the Whitworth Art Gallery. These contributions have enhanced our campus as a place to learn, work and be inspired. 

In 2015, Jean and Michael became two of the founding members of the Langworthy Circle of Benefactors, an honour that acknowledges our most significant donors. In 2016, Jean was also honoured with a CBE for services to philanthropy in the North West. But those who knew her will remember her most for her warmth, wisdom, and quiet strength - qualities that left an impression on everyone she met.  

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice-Chancellor, said:  “Jean was a close friend to the University and a force for good. Her compassion and clarity of purpose were extraordinary. She believed deeply in the power of community.  She touched and inspired countless lives – in 99�þþ�Ʒ and far beyond. Her legacy will live on through the Oglesby Charitable Trust, the causes she championed, the institutions she supported and the communities she cared for so deeply.”  

On behalf of the entire University community, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Jean’s family and friends, and our enduring gratitude for her extraordinary partnership, which will continue to inspire for generations to come. 

“For an institution of our scale and ambition, continued progress on the global stage is both a challenge and an opportunity," Duncan added.

The 2025 ARWU result follows a strong year for 99�þþ�Ʒ in other leading global rankings - in June, it was named the 35th best university in the world in the QS World University Rankings.

The power of the University’s social and environmental impact has also been recognised on a global scale, being the only university in the top ten in both the QS World University Sustainability Rankings and Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, in recognition of its contribution towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The University’s research strength is further evidenced by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), in which 93% of research activity was rated either ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*).

“99�þþ�Ʒ has always been a place where world-class research meets real-world impact,” said Vice-President for Research Professor Colette Fagan. “We are proud of our achievements, but even more excited about what lies ahead.”

The full 2025 ARWU list and methodology can be explored at ShanghaiRanking’s .

 Published in the American Journal of Nephrology today (11/08/25), the researchers show that higher levels of  Kidney Injury Molecule-1(KIM-1), a special marker of kidney damage in the blood and urine, are associated with higher risks of mortality and kidney failure, never before have the two been measured together. 

The research follows hot on the heels of their published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology last month, which measured 21 markers in blood and urine that reflect key processes driving kidney disease, inflammation, and heart disease. 

From the JASN study , the team pinpointed three standout markers that can predict both how quickly kidney disease will progress and the risk of death. 

Unlike the generic tests used in routine kidney clinics, the markers shine a light on the biological changes, underpinning CKD, that truly drive the disease. By revealing the hidden drivers, the discovery opens the door to new treatments designed to target the disease at its roots. 

Lead author Dr Thomas McDonnell, is both a researcher at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ and a kidney doctor at Salford Royal Hospital, part of Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. 

He said: “The progression of chronic kidney disease is highly variable between people,  so it’s difficult to predict which patients will progress to kidney failure or worse. 

“But our work raises the prospect of the development of  simple blood or urine tests that could better predict the degree of risk-  invaluable information for doctors and patients. 

“We think that , these models, which are more closely aligned with the underlying biological changes happening in chronic kidney disease, could allow a more tailored approach to the individual needs of patients.”

The researchers analysed the blood and urine of adults with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease from 16 nephrology centres across the UK.

They analysed blood and urine KIM-1 in 2581 patients for the KIM-1 study and looked at all 21 markers of kidney damage, fibrosis, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease together in 2,884 patients for the second

They used statistical analysis  to assess how or if biological signals associated with kidney failure and mortality, and developed risk prediction models.

Because chronic kidney disease can stay stable for years in one person but suddenly worsen in another, doctors find it difficult to identify which patients are most at risk.

Existing blood tests currently only give doctors a partial picture, missing important clues like  inflammation and scar build up. As a result, people with the same CKD stage are often labelled has having the same risk and are given the same treatments.

Dr McDonnell added: “This  discovery may will help doctors identify high-risk patients, so they enact more aggressive interventions, earlier specialist referral, and earlier treatment therapies.

“And by identifying low risk patients, they  would be able to prevent over-treatment.

“Living with chronic kidney disease often means managing fatigue, having limits to what you can and can’t eat, and being consigned to  frequent medical appointments.

“It can be physically and emotionally challenging, but with the appropriate care, it is possible maintain an active and fulfilling life.”

Plasma and Urinary KIM-1 in Chronic Kidney Disease: Prognostic Value, Associations with Albuminuria, and Implications for Kidney Failure and Mortality is published in   doi 10.1159/000547867is 

Biomarkers of kidney failure and all-cause mortality in chronic kidney disease  is published in the  DOI:10.1681/ASN.0000000767

The winner of this year’s Prize will be revealed on the evening of 1 October 2025, where they will be presented with a cheque for £25,000. Each of the five shortlisted authors will receive a cheque for £2,500.

A new study, led by researchers at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, in collaboration with Chester Zoo, found that birds appear to follow Zipf’s Law of Abbreviation (ZLA) – the idea that more frequently used sounds tend to be shorter. This rule, found in all human languages, helps make communication more efficient.

The findings, published in the journal today, offer new insight into how animals communicate and provide a new foundation for researchers exploring whether birds, like humans, shape their vocal signals according to the 'principle of least effort'.

Lead author Dr Tucker Gilman, Senior Lecturer at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ said: “In human language, if we say something a lot, we tend to shorten it – like saying ‘TV’ instead of ‘television’. It turns out that the same pattern exists in birdsong.

“We know that birds and humans share similarities in the genes and brain structures involved in learning to communicate but this is the first time we’ve been able to detect a consistent pattern of ZLA across multiple bird species. There’s still a lot more work to be done but this is an exciting development.”

Although previous studies hinted that animal communication might follow ZLA – including in penguins – it has been difficult to find clear evidence of ZLA in birdsong. That’s partly because most birds have much smaller repertoires compared to humans. While humans use thousands of words, birds may only produce a few dozen distinct sounds.

To tackle this, the researchers developed new method for studying ZLA in birdsong that focuses on how often individual birds use certain note types and how long those notes last allowing them to examine communication at an individual rather than population level.

They then applied this method using a new open-source computational tool called ZLAvian, which compares real-world observed patterns to simulated ones to determine if ZLA is present.

Using ZLAvian, the team analysed more than 600 songs from 11 bird populations spanning seven different species. They found that while individual populations didn’t always show clear signs of ZLA, a stronger pattern emerged when the data was combined, showing more frequently used birdsong phrases were shorter on average.

Co-author Dr Rebecca Lewis, Conservation Scientist at Chester Zoo, said: “Studying ZLA in birdsong is far more complex than in human language. Birds often have very few note types, individuals even within the same species can vary widely in their repertoires, and classifying notes is tricky too. Our research has taught that it’s important to look across a wide range of species when looking for language patterns and we hope ZLAvian will make it easier for other researchers to explore these patterns in  more birds but also other animals in the future.”

The team says that further studies are needed across a broader set of bird species to confirm their findings.

Paper details:

Journal: PLoS Computational Biology

Full title: Does Zipf’s law of abbreviation shape birdsong?

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013228

Link:

The academics for the first time, identified how GPs in England are becoming less engaged with their work — and how these signs often follow one after the other, ultimately leading to the decision to quit.

The study published in and funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research () School of Primary Care Research (SPCR) and Greater 99�þþ�Ʒ Patient Safety Research Collaboration (PSRC), helps explain the current GP workforce crisis.

While there is substantial evidence both internationally and within the UK of a growing exodus of GPs, until now we did not fully understand the warning signs or how they are linked.

Of 351 GPs from 57 practices surveyed via an online questionnaire, up to one in three GPs experienced symptoms of burnout (27%) and expressed a moderate to high intention to quit patient care within the next five years (33%).

Also from the study, one in five (19%) GPs reported low job satisfaction, two in five (41%) indicated poor work-life balance, and up to one in four (27%) reported working while unwell over the past year.

Further analysis showed that symptoms of burnout and low job satisfaction were the factors most directly linked to GPs’ intentions to leave their roles, even when other work-related factors were taken into account.

The findings suggest that burnout and job dissatisfaction are key drivers influencing GPs’ decisions to leave patient care within the next five years.

Other signs of work disengagement — such as working while unwell or having a poor work-life balance — were more indirectly linked to quitting, often through their effect on burnout and low job satisfaction.

Lead author Dr Christos Grigoroglou, a health economist from The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, said:

“We found that job dissatisfaction and burnout are likely to be immediate signals that GPs are at high risk of quitting direct patient care. Poor work-life balance and working while unwell were also indirectly linked.

“This is why there is an urgent need to address these issues if we are to improve GP retention. If we do not, primary care may face unprecedented difficulties.”

The study authors suggested strategies including fair compensation, professional development, and a supportive work environment as ways to enhance job satisfaction.

Organisational support around time and resources to implement stress management programmes and mental health support could also help improve job satisfaction, reduce burnout, and retain GPs.

Preventative measures such as flexible working and fostering a supportive culture that encourages taking sick leave without stigma could improve work-life balance and reduce the tendency to work when unwell.

Principal investigator, psychologist Professor Maria Panagioti, said: “These findings highlight that GP retention policies should incorporate job satisfaction and wellbeing as core strategies to retain GPs.

“Additionally, improving work-life balance and reducing working while unwell can serve as effective early preventative measures to reduce burnout and job dissatisfaction — and in turn, help retain GPs.”

Associations between burnout and career disengagement factors among general practitioners: a path analysis is available

The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ has been awarded a major grant to lead a new programme that will transform the lifecycle of graphite in nuclear energy - an essential material for the future deployment of nuclear power.

The award brings together world-leading expertise led by The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ in collaboration with the Universities of Oxford, Plymouth, and Loughborough.

Nuclear energy is expected to play a central role in the UK’s net zero goals as it emits nearly zero carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions – but it comes with challenges.

The five-year ENLIGHT programme (Enabling a Lifecycle Approach to Graphite for Advanced Modular Reactors) will develop critical technologies to support the deployment of next-generation nuclear energy technology and will address two of the UK’s most pressing nuclear challenges - securing a sustainable, sovereign supply of nuclear graphite and finding solutions to manage the country’s growing volume of irradiated graphite waste.

The project is supported with an £8.2m grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Higher Education Institutions, and around £5m of contributions from industry partners.

The programme of research, collaboration, and skills development aims to secure the UK’s position at the forefront of nuclear innovation and a global leader in advanced reactor technology and clean energy innovation.

Graphite is a critical component in many next-generation Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), including High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors and various Molten Salt Reactor designs - technologies key to achieving the UK’s ambition to deliver 24GW of new nuclear power by 2050.

The material accounts for around one-third of reactor build costs, yet despite its importance, the UK currently relies entirely on imports to meet demand.

With the existing Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor fleet approaching decommissioning by 2028, and more than 100,000 tonnes of irradiated graphite already in storage, ENLIGHT will pioneer new approaches to both recycling legacy material and producing new, sustainable high-performance graphite suitable for future AMRs.

Dr Greg Black, Senior Advisor at the Environment Agency, said: “The Environment Agency look forward to participating as a partner in the ENLIGHT programme. As the environmental regulator for the nuclear industry in England, we consider the ambitions of the ENLIGHT programme on 'sustainable graphite' aligns with our Regulatory and RD&I areas of interest.”

The programme will focus on three strands of work:

• Sustainable Graphite – Developing processes for decontaminating, recycling and reusing irradiated graphite from AMR deployment.
• Graphite Selection & Design – Designing new graphite materials engineered to withstand extreme conditions in AMR environments.
• Graphite Performance – Understanding how these new materials behave in novel AMR conditions to improve its lifespan.

These advances could save the UK up to £2 billion in future waste management costs and offers a pathway to strengthen the UK’s unique position as a global hub for graphite research and innovation.

, Professor of Energy Materials at the University of Oxford will lead theme two around graphite selection and design. He said: “I’m delighted to be leading Theme two (Graphite Selection & Design – Designing new graphite materials engineered to withstand extreme conditions in AMR environments) in this major project.  Materials will contribute to several work packages across the whole activity, and our initial focus will be on novel studies of mechanical damage to support the design and qualification of new nuclear graphites for advanced fission reactors.”

At Loughborough University, researchers are contributing advanced computational modelling to explore how nuclear graphite behaves under extreme conditions.

Senior Lecturer in Materials Modelling at Loughborough University, said: “This will help us predict how and when these critical reactor components may fail, guiding the design of stronger, more reliable materials for the reactors of tomorrow. Our research also supports the reuse and recycling of existing graphite, helping to make future nuclear energy both safer and more sustainable."

The University of Plymouth will bring expertise in the analysis of porous materials, which will play a critical role in evaluating the performance and suitability of repurposed graphite.

, Lecturer in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry at the University of Plymouth, said: “This project is not just about scientific discovery; it's about pioneering sustainable solutions for nuclear energy, turning waste into a valuable resource and bolstering the UK's energy security for decades to come. This consortium embodies a truly cyclical and green approach to nuclear solutions, aiming for a cleaner energy transition and helping to demystify some of the traditional concepts that surround the nuclear industry. Our expertise in analysing the intricate properties of porous materials will be instrumental in ensuring the suitability of repurposed graphite for next-generation nuclear reactors, and we are particularly excited to have the opportunity to grow our relationship with The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ – and our industrial partners across the nuclear industry – through this initiative.”

ENLIGHT will also focus on skills development to expand the national graphite research community and train the next generation of graphite scientists and engineers essential to the UK's clean energy future.

Home to the and a core partner in the , The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ is uniquely positioned to lead the ENLIGHT programme. The University brings together cutting-edge facilities from the Irradiated Materials Laboratory and the .

ENLIGHT will also build on 99�þþ�Ʒ's role in flagship activities and initiatives including, the , the and

“Understanding how counter fraud work is carried out is important for improving its effectiveness," added Dr Benson. ”Our research will better understand the experiences of those delivering these services, identifying what challenges they face and what support they need. This insight is vital for shaping a more strategic and joined-up approach to tackling fraud across the NHS."

The research was a partnership with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and is published in the journal .

 

The study, published in journal Social & Cultural Geography, offers important lessons for researchers, policymakers and the public. By listening to how people make sense of their lives, especially during the long stretch of middle-age, we can better support their needs - and challenge the idea that middle-age is boring or unimportant.

Dianne said of the CATE recognition: "I feel truly privileged to have led the development and continued delivery of our PGCert programme. At the heart of our success is a team philosophy grounded in open dialogue, mutual respect, and trust—where every individual voice is valued. It's a genuine pleasure to work in an environment where collaboration and support are embraced by all, and I couldn't be prouder of what our team has achieved together."  

Bip added: “The PGCert team is truly unique in the way it functions, supporting colleagues to achieve their very best. I am delighted the team has been recognised for our excellence in collaborative working which showcases the very best of what teaching looks like when we truly work together for the flourishing of colleagues and learners.”  

The PGCert Medical and Health Education is offered through the University’s Transnational Education operation to expand its reach, value and impact, helping healthcare systems around the world and improving health outcomes for patients globally. 

Professor April McMahon, who was Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students at the time of the nominations, said: “Many congratulations to Ang, Jenni, Dianne, Bip and everyone who has supported them. The NTFs and CATE awards are highly competitive and prestigious, and it is wonderful to see that again our 99�þþ�Ʒ people have done so well. Our students, and those considering coming to join us in September, should also be encouraged that teaching excellence is such a focus for us at 99�þþ�Ʒ.”

The 2025 awards ceremony will take place on 25 September in Bristol, hosted by incoming Advance HE Chief Executive Alistair Jarvis.  

In the past, aid helped these countries avoid economic crises. But over time, aid became more about short-term goals like fighting poverty or improving health, and less about helping countries grow strong, independent economies. “We’ve forgotten that aid used to be about helping countries stand on their own two feet,” says Dr Behuria.

The research also takes aim at what’s called ‘Global Development’ - a newer idea that treats poverty in rich countries the same as poverty in poorer ones. While this sounds fair, Dr Behuria says it confuses the issue and weakens the case for giving aid to the countries that need it most. “Yes, there’s poverty in London and New York - but that’s not the same as poverty in Malawi or Bangladesh,” he explains.

Dr Behuria calls for a new way of thinking - what he terms a “structuralist” approach - where we tackle the deep, historical roots of inequality between nations. He says academics, governments, and the public all need to reconnect with the original purpose of aid: correcting global injustice.

"I hope to contribute to the growth of the institute, which has been phenomenal in the past 15 years, and help position the institute for the new challenges emerging around the world."

"The HCRI has always been known for its excellence in research and teaching, and for its policy-relevant work, engaging a multitude of stakeholders on the ground. I plan to build on this track record to further consolidate the HCRI's position in the UK, Europe and beyond as one of the key institutes to study and do research in humanitarian, disaster, global health and peace and conflict studies."

Professor Lemay-Hébert will lead an Institute at the forefront of research in humanitarian, conflict and disaster studies, as well as a thriving teaching unit at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. HCRI’s teaching portfolio includes a pioneering - and in the current times of global conflict, ever more important - joint degree programme in Humanitarian Practice, in collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

The project will run from September 2025 and is open to pupils aged five to 11 as part of their PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) education. Children will explore not only bereavement but other forms of loss – such as the death of a pet or a friend moving away – through archaeology-inspired art and poetry. Parents will be invited to information sessions and can choose whether their children take part. 

‘Lost and Found’ builds on the success of previous AHRC-funded projects, including ‘Continuing Bonds’ and ‘Dying 2 Talk’, which used archaeology to support conversations about death in secondary schools. The new pilot will result in a workshop resource pack for other schools to replicate the approach. 

This initiative also aligns with the UK Government’s recent inclusion of grief education in . 

‘Lost and Found’ builds on nearly £100,000 in AHRC funding and follows two earlier projects:  and . These initiatives explored how archaeology can support conversations about death, dying, and bereavement in non-medicalised, creative ways. 

Continuing Bonds brought together archaeologists, healthcare professionals, and psychologists to explore legacy and loss, while Dying 2 Talk co-produced resources with secondary school pupils, using artefacts and workshops to help young people reflect on grief and caregiving through the lens of the past. 

The study sets out clear recommendations for further improvements, based on direct community feedback. These insights are expected to inform future active travel strategies both locally and nationally.

The full report is available here: .

The study, published in Nature Physics, and carried out at ETH Zurich, demonstrates how researchers used a finely tuned laser and vacuum system to trap and cool a 100-nanometre glass disc composed of billions of atoms. The work sets a new benchmark for quantum purity, a measure of how closely a system behaves according to the rules of quantum mechanics. 

Dr. Jayadev Vijayan, a Research Fellow in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The University of 99�þþ�Ʒ, explains: “This high-purity quantum state of motion gives us the best starting point to test whether objects 10,000 times heavier than the current record-holder show wave-like behaviour characteristic of the quantum world.” 

A new cold source for quantum experiments  

In the quantum world, atoms can behave like both particles and waves at the same time, appearing to being  “in two places at once” – an effect that only happens in the quantum world.  

To observe these effects in larger objects, their motion must be cooled close to absolute zero – where the only remaining motion is due to quantum fluctuations, the jittering of empty space itself. 

To achieve this for the first time, researchers used a laser beam to trap a nanoparticle and make it levitate inside a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber removes all the air, so nothing can bump into the particle and heat it up. Next, they placed the particle between two mirrors facing each other, forming a cavity to cool the motion of the particle. 

Professor Carlos Gonzalez-Ballestero, Institute of Theoretical Physics at TU Wien, explains: “The laser can either supply energy to the nanoparticle or take energy away from it. By carefully adjusting the cavity mirrors, we can make sure that the laser almost always takes energy away. The particle then spins slower and slower until it reaches the quantum ground state.” 

What makes this result remarkable is the record-breaking purity of the quantum state. High purity means the object is behaving in a way that is almost entirely quantum, with very little influence from the environment. That level of control and precision opens doors to experimental tests of quantum mechanics at completely new scales. 

Putting large quantum systems to use 

This breakthrough creates a pathway to revolutionary new technologies. The larger a quantum object is, the more sensitive it becomes to certain types of forces, potentially making them incredibly sensitive quantum sensors. For example, levitated nanoparticle-based sensors could provide: a new type of precise navigation system that does not need global satellite systems; early detection systems for earthquakes and volcanic activity; and mapping tools for subterranean topology. 

• This research was published in the journal Nature Physics. Full title: High-Purity Quantum Optomechanics at Room Temperature. DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02976-9 . Available