Life Sciences News
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Plant-based diets shown to lower blood pressure even with limited meat and dairy
Consuming a plant-based diet can lower blood pressure even if small amounts of meat and dairy are consumed too, according to new research from the University of Warwick.
Press Release (27 July 2020)
Breakthrough in studying ancient DNA from Doggerland that separates the UK from Europe
Professor Robin Allaby and colleagues have achieved a number of innovative breakthroughs in analysing sedimentary ancient DNA to reconstruct an 8,150 year old environmental catastrophe in an area that is now covered by the North Sea.
Press Release(16 July 2020)
Global warming will cause ecosystems to produce more methane than first predicted
Research by Dr Kevin Purdy et al suggests that as the Earth warms natural ecosystems such as freshwaters will release more methane than expected from predictions based on temperature increases alone.
Press Release (30 June 2020)
Warwick research part of project investigating newly discovered prehistoric shafts near Stonehenge
Professor Robin Allaby's lab is analysing soil samples from a newly discovered Neolithic structure near Stonehenge, to try and discover its purpose in ancient Britain.
Appetite can be increased by cells in the brain
Tanycytes are glial cells, which communicate with neurons in the brain to inform it of what we have eaten. Professor Nick Dale and colleagues have found when tanycytes are selectively stimulated appetite was increased.
New University of Warwick modelling supports cautious reopening of schools if other lockdown measures continue to control the coronavirus
The gradual reopening of schools, starting with primary schools, is unlikely to lead to a second wave of infection, according to new mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 outbreak from University of Warwick researchers, but we should be prepared to reintroduce lockdown measures should there be a significant rise in the number of new cases.
New technique for engineering living materials and patterns
A new method for engineering living materials called ‘MeniFluidics’, made by researchers from the departments of Life Sciences and Physics, could see a transformation in tissue engineering and bio-art, as well as new ways to research cellular interactions.
Dr Munehiro Asally comments:
“We hope MeniFluidics will be used widely by biophysics, microbiologists, engineers and also artists! As it is a simple and versatile method.”
Warwick scientists discover how cells respond to fasting
A team of researchers led by Professor Ioannis Nezis, discovered how cells activate autophagy genes during fasting.
A new understanding of everyday cellular processes
We use cells to breathe, to moderate body temperature, to grow and many other every day processes, however the cells in these processes are so complex its left scientists perplexed into how they develop in different environments. Professor Orkun Soyer and colleagues say future research needs to look into the bioelectrical composition of cells for answers.
The need for a measured approach for relaxation of lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic
New research, led by Professor Matt Keeling, finds the need for a measured approach to relaxing lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic - which may mean regional social distancing until mid-2021.
Press Release
Lockdown staff and students at University of Warwick to help with wildlife surveys
Members of the Warwick community who are living on campus during lockdown have the opportunity to help survey wildlife for a biodiversity project.
Minimum energy requirements for microbial communities to live predicted
A microbial community is a complex, dynamic system composed of hundreds of species and their interactions, they are found in oceans, soil, animal guts and plant roots. Each system feeds the Earth’s ecosystem and their own growth, as they each have their own metabolism that underpin biogeochemical cycles.
Professor Orkun Soyer and colleagues have produced a thermodynamic model for simulating the dynamics of microbial communities.
UKRI fellowships awarded to Life Sciences Academics
Two academics from Life Sciences have been awarded a UKRI Future Leader Fellowship.
- Dr Byron Carpenter for his project titled: Developing a synthetic signalling system capable of the precise spatial and temporal control of protein function in living cells.
- Dr Erin Connelly for her project: Datamining medieval medical texts for modern medicines.
The fellowship scheme is awarded to the best researchers in the UK, keeping research and innovation in the UK world class.
Warwick Researchers to provide COVID-19 Intervention Modelling for East Africa (CIMEA)
A £1m grant from the Wellcome Trust has enabled researchers to work with East African countries in their emergency preparations for COVID-19 as the pandemic spreads across Africa. Press Release
Professor James Nokes comments:
'We hope that by closely combining our efforts with in-country expertise in modelling, epidemiology, health economics and systems and vulnerability mapping we can develop models appropriate to each setting with results that will immediately feed into the policy making process to have the greatest impact.'
Impact of marine carbon on climate change to be investigated by Warwick Scientists
185 scientists won part of the European Research Council’s (ERC) €450 million for Europe’s long-term frontier research, one of which was Professor David Scanlan, from the School of Life Sciences.
Microbial interactions in aquatic environments to be investigated
The microbes found in aquatic environments and their interactions will be investigated by Warwick researcher Professor Orkun Soyer, thanks to an investigator award from The Gordon and Betty Moore foundation.
Arctic's Global Seed Vault to receive 1000 types of seeds from Warwick's Vegetable Genebank
Just under 1000 seed samples from different crop species including kale, carrots and cauliflower are to be deposited at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Arctic Norway on Tuesday 25 February 2020, from the UK Vegetable Genebank (UKVGB) at the University of Warwick Wellesbourne campus.
Warwick ranked as one of UK’s top 3 Universities for “High Flier” graduates most sought after by leading employers
Leading employers have ranked the University of Warwick as one of UK’s top three universities for “High Flier” graduates most sought after.
Seventy years of crop research at Warwick’s Wellesbourne campus celebrated at industry event
Over 100 scientists, industry experts and employees past and present gathered at Warwick’s Wellesbourne campus this week (Wednesday 18 December) to mark 70 years of crop research on the site.
How sand fly mating habits are helping tackle tropical disease in £2.5M project
The tropical disease Leishmaniasis is being tackled by catching female sand flies who carry the parasite that causes the disease. Scientists led by Dr Orin Courtenay of Warwick University and Professor Gordon Hamilton of Lancaster University, developed the concept as part of a £2.5M project funded by The Wellcome Trust and published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.