Research news and events

Microbes provide insights into evolution of human language

Big brains do not explain why only humans use sophisticated language, according to researchers who have discovered that even a species of pond life communicates by similar methods.

(24 Apr 2014) » More about microbes provide insights into evolution of human language

Experts call for higher exam pass marks to close performance gap between international and UK medical graduates

The pass marks for a two-part test that international medical graduates must pass to work as a doctor in the UK should be raised to reduce differences in performance between international and UK medical graduates, suggest researchers on bmj.com.

(18 Apr 2014) » More about experts call for higher exam pass marks to close performance gap between international and UK medical graduates

£1.2 million boost for postgraduate training at Durham University

Durham University is to receive £1.2 million in Government funding for postgraduate research and training to support PhD students in science and engineering.

(15 Apr 2014) » More about £1.2 million boost for postgraduate training at Durham University

Appointment of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

The University is delighted to announce that Professor Claire Warwick will be joining Durham University on 1 September 2014 as the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) to succeed Professor Tom McLeish.

(7 Apr 2014) » More about appointment of Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research)

Arterial disease associated with modern day living is found in 3,000 year old skeletons

The first-ever skeletons with atherosclerosis, or clogged up arteries, have been found by archaeologists, according to new research.

(7 Apr 2014) » More about arterial disease associated with modern day living is found in 3,000 year old skeletons

World needs to “be alert” to threat of mosquito-transmitted diseases, expert says

Governments, health organisations and individuals need to “be alert” to environmental changes that could aid the spread of diseases transmitted by mosquitos and other insects, a Durham University scientist has said.

(7 Apr 2014) » More about world needs to “be alert” to threat of mosquito-transmitted diseases, expert says

Care of heart failure patients falling short in the UK

Care of patients with heart failure in the UK is inadequate and has not changed in a decade, according to new research published in BMJ Open.

(2 Apr 2014) » More about care of heart failure patients falling short in the UK

First World War 100 year anniversary – Durham University expertise

Durham University is joining the debate about the First World War, on the eve of its 100^th anniversary. The University’s expert commentators, available for media interviews, include:

(2 Apr 2014) » More about First World War 100 year anniversary – Durham University expertise

Durham-led project receives £1million from the Wellcome Collection to investigate rigours of modern life.

A Durham University-led project has been awarded £1 million by the Wellcome Collection to investigate the busyness of modern life. The project will be the first for The Hub, a flagship new space for interdisciplinary projects around health and wellbeing.

(27 Mar 2014) » More about Durham-led project receives £1million from the Wellcome Collection to investigate rigours of modern life.

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

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

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

Durham comments on the Universities UK economic impact of universities

The economic impact of universities in the North East of England has been estimated at over £2.6 billion, according to new figures published by Universities UK this week.

(3 Apr 2014) » More about Durham comments on the Universities UK economic impact of universities

Large ocean predators evolved into gentle giants 520 million years ago

Large creatures roamed the Earth’s oceans more than 520 million years ago filtering food from the water in a similar way to today’s blue whales, according to new research involving Durham University

(27 Mar 2014) » More about Large ocean predators evolved into gentle giants 520 million years ago

Exploration of medieval science makes Nature

The Durham University-led Ordered Universe project, an interdisciplinary investigation into medieval science, is the subject of a comment piece in the prestigious journal, Nature.

(25 Mar 2014) » More about Exploration of medieval science makes Nature

Research shows that well leakage is an issue for shale exploitation

ReFINE (Researching Fracking in Europe), an independent research consortium focusing on the issue of shale gas and oil exploitation using fracking methods, has today published a research paper on well barrier and integrity failure. 

(25 Mar 2014) » More about research shows that well leakage is an issue for shale exploitation

Archaeologists discover the earliest complete example of a human with cancer

Archaeologists have found the oldest complete example in the world of a human with metastatic cancer in a 3,000 year-old skeleton. 

(17 Mar 2014) » More about archaeologists discover the earliest complete example of a human with cancer

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

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

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