October 2021 press releases

two people playing tennis

LTA partners with Loughborough for Parents in Sport Week

The LTA has partnered with Loughborough University to support the delivery of a series of virtual events for the upcoming Parents in Sport Week (4 – 10 October 2021).

Illustration of a woman walking her dog

The impact of loneliness on brain health and why small social interactions – such as saying hi to others on your dog walk – can have a positive effect

We all know that exercising, eating clean, remaining mentally active, and sleeping well can contribute towards a healthy brain, but one thing we may overlook is the importance of social interaction.

As fuel prices and living costs rise, Loughborough produces official calculations for measuring fuel poverty in remote areas

Calculations of how much more it costs to live in remote areas of Scotland have been published by the Scottish Government, using Loughborough’s research on the minimum cost of living.
woman walking dog

Ten small changes you can make today to prevent weight gain

Between the ages of 20 and 55, most adults gain between 0.5 and 1kg a year, which could see some people become overweight or obese over time.

Universal credit: what the £20 a week cut will mean for hundreds of thousands of households

After a year and a half, the temporary £20 increase to universal credit introduced during the pandemic is coming to an end.

New hybrid 3D printing technique will add a fourth dimension to additive manufacturing

A new chemical process for additive manufacturing suggests exciting possibilities for 4D printed components – such as properties that change over time.

Developing greener inhalers for treating asthma and COPD

Researchers are looking at ways to boost the performance and lower the environmental impact of millions of inhalers used for treating asthma and COPD.

New £2m equipment will help physicists unlock the potential of next-generation 2D materials

Loughborough University has received a £2m Strategic Equipment Award from EPSRC to invest in a new state-of-art ‘thin film’ equipment – the first of its kind in the UK.
sport blackboard

Researchers publish recommendations to enhance diversity of UK’s sports coaches

Researchers from Loughborough University have outlined a series of recommendations to enhance the diversity of sport coaches across the UK.

How much do you need to retire? New Retirement Living Standards research from Centre for Research in Social Policy

The latest UK Retirement Living Standards have been published by the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.

Brexit fears started hitting UK trade as early as 2015 – new research

After the UK formally left the EU at the end of 2020, it experienced a dramatic fall in trade.

Sir David Amess, Jo Cox and the knotty problem of local constituency security

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they are treating the attack that killed Conservative MP Sir David Amess on October 15 as terrorism. A 25-year-old man was arrested at the scene of Amess’ death – Belfairs Methodist Church in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

Over half of UK theatres have now abandoned digital performances

When the pandemic hit, theatres were forced to move online, opening up new experiences for many people who would not normally visit playhouses and show venues.
Alastair Cox

New Visiting Professor joins the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, and the Sports Technology Institute

Loughborough University can announce that Alastair Cox has been appointed as Visiting Professor of ‘Sport Surface Innovation’ with the School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering.

an illustration of the world with text: Loughborough University at COP26. #LboroExperts

Loughborough University launches campaign to highlight research linked to COP26

Loughborough University today launches its COP26 campaign to highlight the work being done by academics and researchers which supports the United Nation’s biggest climate change targets.
an athlete on the starting blocks

Top athletes struggled for motivation during lockdown – study finds

A new global study has revealed that elite-level athletes suffered low motivation during movement restrictions (e.g. lockdowns) associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Getty Images

What is COP26 and why should I care about it?

This November, the UK is hosting COP26 in Glasgow – but what actually is COP26 and why should we care about it?
a woman playing football

New study aims to increase female participation in football in England’s schools

A new study designed for schools in England will aim to increase female participation in football.

Woman cooking with biomass

COP26 EXPLAINER: Biomass: what is it, why cooking with it is an issue, and what Loughborough is doing to develop and promote alternatives

A rapid and just transition to clean energy across the globe will dominate discussions at COP26 as it is crucial to meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement for avoiding dangerous climate change and limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
Preview of the infographics created by Dr Richard Hodgkins.

Good COP, bad COP: How decisions made at COP26 could impact weather and temperatures in the East Midlands

New infographics created by a Loughborough University physical geographer explore how decisions made at the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) may impact weather and temperatures experienced in the East Midlands.

Exercise significantly reduces alcohol cravings – new study

Exercise has been found to significantly reduce alcohol craving in university students, according to a new study.