Research news and events

Durham celebrates 100 years of Crystallography with front cover of Science

Research involving a senior Durham University academic has made the front page of prestigious academic journal Science.

(7 Mar 2014) » More about Durham celebrates 100 years of Crystallography with front cover of Science

Scottish Referendum 2014 – Durham University expertise

A selection of Durham University experts who are available for comment to the media in the lead-up to, and during, the forthcoming Scottish Referendum in September 2014 is listed below.

(4 Mar 2014) » More about Scottish Referendum 2014 – Durham University expertise

Durham’s Geography Department ranked fourth in the world

Durham University has reinforced its position as a world-leading centre of research and learning according to its successful results in the latest QS World Rankings by Subject.

The University’s Department of Geography is ranked fourth in the world, one place up on last year.

Another three other subjects; Earth Sciences, History and Physics also appeared in the world top 50.

(26 Feb 2014) » More about Durham’s Geography Department ranked fourth in the world

The term ‘dyslexia’ is unscientific and misleading and should be abandoned, according to new book

The term ‘dyslexia’ should be abandoned as it lacks scientific rigour and educational value, according to a new book called The Dyslexia Debate.

(26 Feb 2014) » More about The term ‘dyslexia’ is unscientific and misleading and should be abandoned, according to new book

Significant investment needed if North Sea oil resources are to be successfully exploited

An extra three to eight billion barrels of oil could be extracted from the North Sea oilfields, but only with significant investment, according to a Durham University expert.

(24 Feb 2014) » More about Significant investment needed if North Sea oil resources are to be successfully exploited

Previous rapid thinning of Pine Island Glacier sheds light on future Antarctic ice loss

New research involving geologists at Durham University suggests that the largest single contributor to global sea level rise, a glacier of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, may continue thinning for decades to come.

(21 Feb 2014) » More about Previous rapid thinning of Pine Island Glacier sheds light on future Antarctic ice loss

Bristol Channel earthquake 'not unusual'

Following the earthquake under the Bristol Channel, Durham University expert Professor Robert Holdsworth comments about the occurrence of earthquakes in Britain.

(20 Feb 2014) » More about Bristol Channel earthquake 'not unusual'

Cognitive therapy might be beneficial for people with schizophrenia not taking antipsychotic drugs

For people with schizophrenia who can’t or won’t take antipsychotic drug treatment, cognitive therapy could be a viable therapeutic alternative, according to a groundbreaking randomised trial published in The Lancet.

(6 Feb 2014) » More about cognitive therapy might be beneficial for people with schizophrenia not taking antipsychotic drugs

Cancer patients diagnosed more quickly

The time taken to diagnose some of the more common cancers – from the point when a patient first reports a possible symptom to their general practitioner (GP) – fell in adults by an average of five days in just under a decade, according to research published in the British Journal of Cancer.

(5 Feb 2014) » More about cancer patients diagnosed more quickly

Energy research partnership launched between Durham University and the London Borough of Haringey

Durham University and the London Borough of Haringey have launched a pioneering research partnership that will see them working together to drive economic growth and tackle climate change.

(24 Jan 2014) » More about energy research partnership launched between Durham University and the London Borough of Haringey

Flood management needs long-term planning to succeed, says Durham University expert

Flood management needs long-term planning and cross-party political support to succeed, according to a Durham University expert.

(12 Feb 2014) » More about flood management needs long-term planning to succeed, says Durham University expert

Thatcher’s policies condemned for causing “unjust premature death”

Public health experts from Durham University have denounced the impact of Margaret Thatcher’s policies on the wellbeing of the British public in new research which examines social inequality in the 1980s.

(12 Feb 2014) » More about Thatcher’s policies condemned for causing “unjust premature death”

Parents should engage with children to encourage safe use of digital media

Parents need to understand the realities of the internet to help their children to use digital technology responsibly and safely, according to a researcher at Durham University.

(11 Feb 2014) » More about parents should engage with children to encourage safe use of digital media

Patients with mouth and oesophageal cancers take longer to seek help from GP

People with cancers of the mouth and oesophagus are waiting longer between first noticing a symptom and going to their GPs compared to patients with other types of cancers, according to new research involving scientists from Durham University.

(11 Feb 2014) » More about patients with mouth and oesophageal cancers take longer to seek help from GP

Durham Law professors welcome reforms to extreme pornography law

Two long-term critics of existing extreme pornography have welcomed the Government’s announcement that the possession of so-called ‘rape porn’ will be criminalised in the new Criminal Justice and Courts Bill.

(6 Feb 2014) » More about durham Law professors welcome reforms to extreme pornography law

“Severe reduction” in killer whale numbers during last Ice Age

Whole genome sequencing has revealed a global fall in the numbers of killer whales during the last Ice Age, at a time when ocean productivity may have been widely reduced, according to researchers at Durham University.

(5 Feb 2014) » More about “severe reduction” in killer whale numbers during last Ice Age

Rare masterpiece goes on public display for first time

A free exhibition of a rare masterpiece depicting the Crucifixion by artist Franz von Rohden will run at Durham’s World Heritage Site Visitor Centre in this month.

(30 Jan 2014) » More about rare masterpiece goes on public display for first time

Research reveals signs of growth in the Church of England

New research involving Durham University has found churches showing signs of growth across the country in a variety of areas of church life from newly established congregations and churches to ancient Cathedrals and parishes.

(16 Jan 2014) » More about research reveals signs of growth in the Church of England

New discovery could stimulate plant growth and increase crop yields

Scientists led by experts at Durham University have discovered a natural mechanism in plants that could stimulate their growth even under stress and potentially lead to better crop yields.

(13 Jan 2014) » More about new discovery could stimulate plant growth and increase crop yields

World-leading researcher into the origin of galaxies receives Royal Astronomical Society’s highest honour

A Durham University professor, who is one of the originators behind a theory for the origin of galaxies and the structure of the Universe, has been honoured for his world-leading research.

(10 Jan 2014) » More about world-leading researcher into the origin of galaxies receives Royal Astronomical Society’s highest honour

Agreement could secure future of Ushaw College as centre for international research

Plans are being explored which could see a former Catholic seminary become a new College of Durham University with an international programme of residential and academic activities based around its internationally renowned library.

(18 Dec 2013) » More about agreement could secure future of Ushaw College as centre for international research