Press releases
World
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Clean energy cooking in refugee camps should be prioritised on the humanitarian agenda, new briefing note argues
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 79.5 million people were forcibly displaced in the world at the end of 2019, and over the course of 2020, that number has soared beyond 80 million*.
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New guide sets out how to deliver successful national vaccination programmes
A guide for delivering safe and effective national COVID vaccination programmes is being rolled out around the world to help countries with mass immunisations.
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New low-cost ventilator which doesn’t need electricity could help hospitals treat COVID patients
A team of engineers from Loughborough University has designed and built a unique low-cost, non-electric ventilator in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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“You know you’re there to endure and suffer” – climate scientist discusses extraordinary expedition to install world’s highest weather station on Mt. Everest
“There's a reason that it is so famous; it's not just that it's the highest mountain on earth, it is an incredibly awe-inspiring landscape”, says climate scientist Dr Tom Matthews, who was part of the team that installed the world’s highest weather station on Mount Everest in 2019.
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Nissan staying in UK is great news after Brexit, but car industry’s future is still very unclear
When the UK voted for Brexit, there were no positives for the UK car industry. The prospect of a 10% tariff on car production that involves parts and sub-assemblies moving in and out of the UK was untenable.
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Climate change: what would 4°C of global warming feel like?
Another year, another climate record broken.
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FEATURE: Corals, wound infection detection, and theoretical physics...exploring how Loughborough academics are tackling major issues related to biofilms
Biofilms are central to our most important global challenges, from antimicrobial resistance and food safety to water security, and they have a significant economic, social, and environmental impact.
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Experts in Sport: Beat the heat at the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Next summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Japan are widely anticipated to be the hottest and potentially most humid to-date.
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New project in Peru aims to reduce the impact of coronavirus as mothers struggle to feed their infants and young children
Mothers in some of the poorest communities in Peru are at risk of being unable to adequately feed their babies with nutritious foods because of the impact of coronavirus.
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Loughborough University to play role in £1million+ Para Sport Against Stigma project that aims to change attitudes towards people with disabilities in Africa
A £1.89m collaborative project between Loughborough University, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the University of Malawi, Chancellor College will aim to overcome stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities in Africa.
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Elsevier and US-UK Fulbright Commission announce Loughborough University academic as winner of Early Career Researcher Award
A Loughborough University academic in the Department of Geography and Environment has been named as one of the 2020 winners of the prestigious Early Career Researcher (ECR) UK Awards.
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New game aims to protect the cultural heritage of marginalised communities against disasters
A game has been developed to help people understand how cultural and natural heritage can be used for disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.
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Twitter analysis shows Trump on course to win US election – but is bot activity skewing results?
In depth analysis of US public emotion on twitter has revealed that Trump looks set to win the Presidential Election – but the impact of bot activity cannot be ignored.
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US election 2020: a toolkit for ‘democracy-worthy’ coverage for journalists
As election day approaches in the US, journalists around the world are working in the most challenging environment of their lifetimes.
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New white paper published: Loughborough expert part of network working with journalists to improve the quality of US election coverage
The upcoming US Presidential election poses unprecedented challenges to journalists in the States and around the globe.
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Nearly half the world’s population still lacks access to modern energy cooking services – new report
Four billion people around the world still lack access to clean, efficient, convenient, safe, reliable, and affordable cooking energy, according to a new report.
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Bahrain v Israel: how sports could help cement peace accords in the Middle East
Back in 2016, I was excited for the Bahrain Women’s National team to compete in the Aphrodite Cup, an international football tournament held in Cyprus.
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Retracing the first human steps out of Saudi Arabia: Scientists use footprints to recreate 120,000-year-old comfort break at prehistoric lake
Scientists have pieced together the movements of a small group of early humans as they journeyed out of Africa and into the Arabian Peninsula for the first time – more than 120,000 years ago.
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London and New York are the most connected cities in the world – new data shows
London is the most connected city in the world followed by New York, according to new data published by Loughborough University.
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The emotional stress caused by COVID-19 will lead to smaller babies being born, predicts Loughborough scientist
Being pregnant is a wonderful experience, but at the same it can be incredibly stressful – throw a global pandemic into the mix and those nine months may see an expecting mother go from happy and joyful, to fearful and concerned.
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Is humanity doomed because we can’t plan for the long term? Three experts discuss
While the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are still unclear, it is certain that they are a profound shock to the systems underpinning contemporary life.
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‘The uncertainty of COVID-19 gives us a glimpse into the life of a refugee - and we need to do more to support them’, says lead of new entrepreneurship project
“The uncertainty of the coronavirus can give us a small glimpse into what it’s like to be a refugee – we’re experiencing restrictions on travel, non-secure housing, job uncertainty and so on”, says Dr Michelle Richey, of Loughborough University’s School of Business and Economics.
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Disasters: Deconstructed launches new episodes on Apple Podcasts
The third series of the popular Disasters: Deconstructed podcast has been launched and looks at the history of ‘unnatural’ disasters as well as how they have been reported and perceived.
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Why we need to stay alert to the terror threat as the UK reopens
The UK has faced a persistent threat from terrorism over the past decade, with recent attacks focusing on busy public spaces. In June 2020, this threat was highlighted once again by an attack in a public park in Reading. This was the first reported terrorist event in the UK since the beginning of the pandemic.
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‘Technical Guide on Preventing Violent Extremism through Sport’: UN launches important guidance developed by Loughborough London expert
A new guide has been launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that looks at how sport can be used to protect youth around the world from the risks and root causes of violent extremism.
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New study reveals water-filled windows could make a huge splash when it comes to saving energy and reducing global carbon emissions
Most everyone knows that heating and cooling buildings is not only expensive, but a massive issue due to the resulting carbon emissions.
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FEATURE: "LGBTQ people have faced loneliness, job loss and hostility in the COVID-19 lockdown and for some communities it’s been a life or death situation"
“Coronavirus has been labelled as the ‘great leveller’ as it can affect people from all walks of life; on the one hand that’s very true but on the other, it’s a total myth.
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FEATURE: Pushing the boundaries of drone engineering to protect marine life from extinction
Commercial drone pilot Melissa Schiele has joined Loughborough University’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering – and she has big plans.
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Global warming now pushing heat into territory humans cannot tolerate
The explosive growth and success of human society over the past 10,000 years has been underpinned by a distinct range of climate conditions.
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Post-pandemic international relations: Four developments to watch
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly risen the political profile of the global scientific community, international institutions, and the science itself. We have also witnessed exceptional examples of international cooperation.
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Researchers investigating audience responses to news coverage of COVID-19 say disinformation is spreading fast and media freedom is under strain
A team of Loughborough University researchers are investigating how citizens in four European countries are using the media to keep up to date with the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
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Coronavirus reveals how important the nation is to our daily lives
The coronavirus pandemic cuts across borders, cultures and political systems. As the virus spread across the planet, global institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO) called for worldwide solidarity, arguing that “we’re all in this together and we can only stop it together”.
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COVID-19: Evidence-based advice for health workers having difficult conversations about end of life
A Loughborough University academic is providing guidance to clinicians who are likely to be having - and training people who will have – difficult conversations with patients suffering from COVID-19 or those closest to them.
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This anarchist thinker helps explain why we feel so driven to help each other through the coronavirus crisis
Empty supermarket shelves and panicked government briefings have become the defining images of the coronavirus crisis. But the community response, however, may well be a more enduring feature.
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PARENTS: Expert shares practical ideas for helping children and babies with their physical development at home
A Loughborough University academic has shared practical tips to help parents and guardians deliver physical development opportunities to children at home following the closure of nurseries and other childcare facilities.
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Computer scientists develop novel artificial intelligence system that predicts air pollution levels
Imagine being scared to breathe the air around you.
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Use Blue Monday to change your life and set goals, says willpower expert
Mondays suck let’s be honest, but the start of next week is going to cause even more groans as it’s officially the ‘most depressing day of the year’.
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Early childhood development among the Maasai in Kenya to be explored as part of a new study
Early childhood development and education in Kenya will be explored by academics at Loughborough University as part of new research.
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Academics to help design electric vehicle specific to the Indian market in a bid to improve the country’s uptake of clean transport tech
Loughborough University academics have been awarded funding to help with the design and development of a four-wheeled electric vehicle for research, teaching and outreach in India.
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Exploring migrant decision-making in West Africa
A Loughborough University academic is part of a new £1.4m research project that will explore migration decision-making and development in West Africa.
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Rivers are changing all the time, and it affects their capacity to contain floods
The rainfall that has inundated the North of England is the latest in a long line of flood events that are becoming the country’s new normal.
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Loughborough-led programme awards £1.3m to projects and innovators in a bid to accelerate the transition to clean cooking on a global scale
More than £1.3m has been awarded to six clean cooking innovators and 22 projects thanks to a Loughborough University-led research programme that looks to find innovative, clean and modern alternatives to biomass fuels, such as charcoal and wood.
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United Nations launches new standards that could spur investment in solar energy, thanks to Loughborough academic and expert group
Solar energy investments across the globe could be set to soar thanks to the launch of new United Nations specifications a Loughborough University researcher helped construct.
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The value of volunteering: Loughborough researcher to explore the experiences of young refugees in new project
A Loughborough University academic has been awarded funding to examine the role and impact of volunteering on the lives of young African refugees.
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Why Google’s latest launch is more about the brand than the tech
Google has launched its latest flagship phones, Pixel 4 and 4XL. Although the new models feature relatively marginal improvements to their predecessors, the launch was staged with much fanfare by Google, as if it represented a major breakthrough for the company and the smartphone market – despite most of the product specs being leaked before the event.
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Booker Prize: with two winners it’s a double-edged victory – perhaps Bernardine Evaristo needed the recognition more
For the first time since 1992 – and only the third time in the illustrious history of the Booker – the prize has been awarded to two novels: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo.
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What Donald Trump’s decision to abandon Kurdish fighters in Syria means for the Kurds, Assad and Russia
In a move likely to further destabilise the situation in Syria and the Middle East, Donald Trump appeared to give Turkey the green light on October 6 for a military operation into northern Syria.
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Migrants on hunger strike follow long tradition of people using their bodies to protest against cruelty
Those Western states pursuing more aggressive border control policies in recent years have increased the use of immigration detention centres. These are often squalid, degrading places where detainees are deprived of their most basic human rights and due process.
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Return to the moon? 3D printing with moondust could be the key to future lunar living
The entire Apollo 11 mission to the moon took just eight days. If we ever want to build permanent bases on the moon, or perhaps even Mars or beyond, then future astronauts will have to spend many more days, months and maybe even years in space without a constant lifeline to Earth.
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Heatwave: think it’s hot in Europe? The human body is already close to thermal limits elsewhere
I am a scientist who researches climate hazards. This week I have published research on the potential for a catastrophic cyclone-heatwave combo in the global south.
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‘Stark warning’: New research identifies deadly hidden weather hazard that has the potential to affect millions of people
NEW research, led by Loughborough University academics, has found that tropical cyclones followed by deadly heat is an emerging weather threat that could put millions of people at risk as global temperatures continue to rise.
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Loughborough expert helps construct new United Nations specifications that could lead to huge international investments in solar energy
A Loughborough University academic has helped construct new United Nations specifications that have the potential to boost solar energy investments across the globe if implemented.
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Everest: I journeyed into the 'death zone' to install the world’s highest weather station
Perched at almost 8,500m on Everest, we paced back-and-forth, attempting to stave off frostbite as temperatures hovered close to -30°C and our drill batteries became too cold to work. Our ambition to install the highest automatic weather station in history looked destined for failure.
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Solar experts and aerial inspection company awarded £345k to develop drone technologies that detect panel defects
Academics from Loughborough University are to work with aerial inspections and data analytics company, Above, as part of a £345k project that looks to benefit the wider solar industry.
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Video Q&A: We asked an expert your burning climate change questions
Every wondered where polar bears will live if all the ice melts? Or what is the most impactful policy parliament could pass to combat climate change? Or maybe you’ve thought ‘why is the UK so worried about what’s happening in the Arctic’?
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Researchers to assess effectiveness of eco-friendly flood schemes
Loughborough University academics are to explore the economic and environmental benefits of natural flood defences as part of a £467,000 research project.
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Mass casualty field trial demonstrates life-saving potential of new technologies
Four years ago academics, emergency responders and industry partners from across Europe came together with a common goal – to create new technologies and systems that would save lives during a chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear (CBRN) incident.
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Médecins Sans Frontières learns how to provide crucial water, hygiene and sanitation interventions in emergency situations
Loughborough University has been praised by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for the valuable training it provides that equips teams with skills to better assist communities in emergencies.
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Surviving climate change means transforming both economics and design
What could be more important than sustaining habitable living conditions on Earth?
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Wealth from waste – three ways pollution can be turned into something useful
Solving environmental problems usually just means cleaning up the mess people have made. But scientists are increasingly interested in creating something valuable from pollution.
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Loughborough University leads a UK aid programme to tackle climate change
Loughborough University and the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme (ESMAP) joined forces in leading a UK aid research project to find innovative, clean and modern alternatives to biomass fuels, such as charcoal and wood.
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Corruption in sport is on the rise and Europe can do more when it comes to tackling it, report states
A Loughborough University academic has concluded that there is “ample room for improvement” when it comes to European countries tackling cases of corruption in sport.
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Weddell Sea Expedition: ice runways, coring, penguins and more…
At the start of January 2019, Dr Jeff Evans, a Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography in the School of Social Sciences, boarded the 134m-long S. A. Agulhas II – one of the largest and most modern research ships anywhere in the world.
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Leading geopolitical expert who established polar regions parliamentary group to join Loughborough University
Dr Duncan Depledge, a leading authority on political geography, international relations, and security studies, will be joining Loughborough University in February.
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Academic to embark on scientific expedition that will study giant ice shelf and attempt to locate Shackleton’s lost ship
A Loughborough University academic is embarking on a 45-day scientific expedition that hopes to increase understanding of one of the largest ice shelves in Antarctica and locate Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated ship.
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Leading surgeon and inspiring students honoured at Loughborough University London graduation ceremonies
Loughborough University London celebrated its third graduation day yesterday (Wednesday 12 December), honouring the achievements of the class of 2018 and one of the country’s top surgeons.
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Academics part of £11.2m project assessing the effectiveness of personalised breast cancer screening
Loughborough University academics are to conduct research as part of a large-scale international project investigating whether personalised breast cancer screening is a better screening option for women aged 40 to 70.
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Let’s tackle fashion waste and be more clothing conscious this Christmas
It’s less than 20 days until Christmas and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to panic buy because once again gift shopping has been left until the last minute.
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Loughborough and Colombian researchers to work together for sustainable peace
A Loughborough University academic is to work with researchers in Colombia on a project that aims to address issues facing the country’s transition from conflict to peace.
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Expert comment: Bitcoin is "10-years-old and still immature"
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the paper which led to the creation of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Professor Alistair Milne, Professor of Financial Economics, discusses the history of this form of electronic cash and shares his thoughts on its future.
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Online game aims to save lives by educating children on how to identify storm surges
A Loughborough academic hopes the online game they have developed will help save lives by teaching children how to identify early warnings of coastal flooding.
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Loughborough celebrates new partnership with Bajaj Auto
Loughborough University has signed a three-year partnership with Bajaj Auto, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of motorcycles and three-wheeled vehicles.
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Academic involved in major European research project issues tips for beating the heat at work
A Loughborough University academic has issued advice on how to beat the heat at work based on research they are conducting as part of a large European project that aims to improve the safety of millions of workers.
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Photo exhibitions in Ghana reveal what drives community food choices
People in Ghana have captured images of what drives what they eat and drink as part of a collaborative international project involving Loughborough University academics – and the photos are being exhibited this week.
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Loughborough University partners with CASE to support philanthropy at African Universities
Loughborough University has joined forces with the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the world’s leading association for advancement and philanthropy in higher education, to examine the current state of philanthropic support for higher education in Africa.
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Expert comment: ball-tampering in cricket “should not be a surprise”
In wake of the recent scandal, Dr Dominic Malcolm, Reader in Sociology of Sport at Loughborough University, examines how much of a problem ball-tampering is in cricket and if the news should come as a surprise.
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International Women’s Day: Loughborough academic puts female mathematicians in the spotlight in short film
A Loughborough University mathematician and her filmmaker sister have created a video for International Women’s Day 2018.
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International climate change conference to be hosted by Loughborough University
An international climate change conference will bring experts to Loughborough to discuss the threats, solutions and technology associated with the growing environmental phenomenon.
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Using Twitter to understand emotional distress during and after large-scale disasters could lead to a more rapid and efficient response, a study has found
Scientists have analysed hundreds of thousands of tweets related to the 2012 superstorm Hurricane Sandy to measure the impact of large-scale disasters on people’s mental health.
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Loughborough partners with The New York Times for international democracy forum
Loughborough University is joining forces with The New York Times to be the official knowledge partner for the 2017 Athens Democracy Forum.
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Scientists foresee sharp rise in deadly heat stress as global temperatures climb
In December 2015, the international community pledged to limit global warming to below 2°C to prevent dangerous climate change. However, new analysis suggests that even if this target is met, the dangers to society posed by heat stress are likely to escalate.
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Loughborough research features in international guidelines on the investigation of sexual violence in conflict
A Loughborough University psychologist has provided expert guidance to the Government for its international protocol on the investigation of sexual violence in conflict.
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Farming from space: Satellite technology set to tackle China’s complex irrigation issues
Scientists are set to use cutting edge space technology to tackle the severe water shortages affecting huge quantities of northern China’s agriculture and crop yields.
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Using photography to help the people of Ghana make healthier diet choices
Loughborough researchers are hoping photographs taken by women in Ghana of what people eat and drink in their communities will encourage them to make healthier diet choices.
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Twitter analysis shows US election is too close to call
In depth analysis of US public emotion on twitter has revealed the Presidential candidates are neck and neck as America goes to the polls.
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Loughborough graduate wins national round of prestigious design competition
A new portable cooling device to improve vaccine transportation in developing countries has been announced as the UK winner of the 2016 James Dyson Award.
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Study reveals gap in the market for wearable technologies that monitor sedentary behaviour
Wearable technology to monitor the time you spend being sedentary could encourage changes in behaviour that helps improve health, research reveals.
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Lab-on-a-Stick: miniaturised clinical testing for fast detection of antibiotic resistance
A portable power-free test for the rapid detection of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been developed by academics at Loughborough University and the University of Reading.
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Loughborough University engineers selected to safeguard and develop China’s sustainable agriculture
A £1 million project to boost sustainable agriculture in China is being led by aerospace engineers at Loughborough University.
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University celebrates International Women’s Day
Loughborough University is opening its campus for a week long schedule of events to coincide with International Women’s Day, 8 March.
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Tongan children given a voice in landmark study
A Loughborough professor is leading an international study to support Tonga in developing its first ever safeguarding policies for children and young people.
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First International Conference on Geographies of Migration and Mobility set to take place at Loughborough University
With migration continuing to dominate the national media headlines and the agenda of politicians, Loughborough University is set to host an international conference to examine the issues around the subject from an academic perspective.