Research news

Three people smiling into the camera and cutting a ribbon to open the centre

New Loughborough lab can heat to 3,000°C and quenches to −150°C at extreme rates to test non-standard materials

A newly launched lab at Loughborough University will see industry partners and researchers use new equipment only available in a handful of places across the world to test materials at extremes of temperatures and pressures.

An image of three towers with clouds of emissions coming out the top against a cloudy background

Loughborough expertise to support £6million programme to replace fossils fuels in plastics, chemicals and construction

£6 million in grant funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has been secured to focus on cutting industrial emissions and replace fossil-derived carbon across a number of sectors.

Close-up of Professor Dan Parsons in front of a grey background.

Professor Daniel Parsons elected Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales

Daniel Parsons, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation and Professor in Geosciences at Loughborough University, has been elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.
A screengrab of the Think Human website, with a graphic of a brain against a dark background

Loughborough’s Think Human exhibit showcased in new website to guide young people through Ergonomics & Human Factors career choices

An exhibition that debuted at Derby’s Museum of Making has launched online to encourage more people to explore how we interact with systems and products, to enhance performance, safety and comfort.

a man lying awake in bed

How scientists changed their view of insomnia

An opinion piece authored by Dr Iuliana Hartescu, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University.
a close up of a football in a fire machine in sports tech

New research identifies previously unreported pressure wave energy transfer to the brain from football headers

A new study has identified a previously unreported mechanism of energy transfer to the brain from football headers – a finding that could prove significant in understanding the mechanics of headers and inform future research into long-term player health.
Adriano Randi holding his award with Alex Turner and David Bains.

R3V Tech CEO Dr Adriano Randi wins Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at East Midlands Leadership Awards

Dr Adriano Randi, CEO and co-founder of Loughborough University spin-out R3V Tech, has won Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at the East Midlands Leadership Awards 2026. The accolade recognises his entrepreneurial leadership in taking a clean-chemistry innovation from lab to real-world deployment.
A football player taking a corner on the pitch with the bottom half of the body visible

New research provides blueprint to protect player health and performance at the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup

This summer’s Men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup will expose players to an unprecedented combination of environmental challenges across the host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
A woman is running on a treadmill with a face mask on taking part in some sports-related research

Loughborough celebrates a decade as best in the world for sports-related subjects

For the tenth year in a row, Loughborough has been crowned the world’s best university for sports-related subjects in the QS global rankings.
People at an outdoors yoga retreat

Using exercise to help people feel safe and rebuild their lives after trauma – new report

A new report has been launched which looks at how gentle, supportive exercise can help people recover from trauma and rebuild confidence.
Matt Brenton presenting the battery-electrolyser to Rod Hebden on The Festival of Tomorrow podcast.

Loughborough researcher selected for Royce Hydrogen Accelerator to scale battery‑electrolyser

Loughborough Research Associate Matt Brenton has been awarded one of 10 national places on the Royce Hydrogen Accelerator, delivered with Conception X. The programme will help scale the University’s multi‑award‑winning lead‑acid battery‑electrolyser – an affordable, recyclable route to clean hydrogen.
a child stool on weighing scales

Primary care behavioural programmes can help reduce childhood obesity, new study finds

Children who are overweight or living with obesity can significantly improve their health through primary care weight-management programmes, according to a new study.
a woman looking a pill packet

Hormone therapy and dementia risk: what a new study says about menopause treatment

An opinion piece authored by Professor Eef Hogervorst, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University.

kettle bell weights in a row on the gym floor

New paper calls for physical activity to become a core component of mental health care

A new Loughborough University study has urged psychiatrists and mental health professionals to formally integrate physical activity into routine care for people living with severe mental illness.
A man in a lab coat standing next to a number of cylinders in a large warehouse

Heat battery that freezes and melts to store energy could help household heating become cheaper and cleaner

A material that freezes and melts in order to store and use heat as an energy source could see household energy usage become cheaper and cleaner, a project from experts at Loughborough University has found.

Two female academics looking into a tube with sediment sample inside whilst on a boat

Natural textile fibres, such as cotton, present in lake sediments for over a century

An environmental assessment of textile fibre pollution has found natural textile fibres persist in lake sediments, and could be used to help recreate historic human activity alongside other microscopic anthropogenic particles like microplastics.
A person sat at a laptop with graphics of increasing bar charts in front of the screen

Everything can be a bet now – the rise and risks of prediction markets

An opinion piece authored by Professor Sarah Mills, Professor of Human Geography, from the School of Geography and Environment, for The Conversation platform.
a selection of flags blowing in the wind

Why it’s impossible for the Olympics to be politically neutral

An opinion piece authored by Gregory Krippa, Doctoral Researcher, Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs, Loughborough University London.
a city scape

Air pollution may directly contribute to Alzheimer’s disease – new study

An opinion piece authored by Professor Eef Hogervorst, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University.
takeaway coffee handed out

Your morning coffee might protect your brain as you age – here’s the sweet spot

An opinion piece authored by Professor Eef Hogervorst, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University.
A group of palm trees being blown about in a storm surrounded by grey skies by the coast

Weakness in Sri Lanka’s planning led to increased damage after Cyclone Ditwah, research finds

New research into Cyclone Ditwah, a catastrophic tropical cyclone that hit Sri Lanka in November and December 2025, has found the extent of the damage and the weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s planning that intensified the destruction.

a couple smiling sharing a hot drink

Small improvements in sleep, physical activity and diet are linked with a longer life

An opinion piece authored by Professor Eef Hogervorst, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University.
Headshot of Prof Norman

Loughborough appoints world-leading academic Professor Leanne Norman to lead Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub

Loughborough University has appointed Professor Leanne Norman to spearhead its ground-breaking Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub.
a pile of books

Signs of Sir Terry Pratchett’s dementia may have been hidden in his books – new study

Signs of Sir Terry Pratchett’s dementia may have been present in his writing a decade before his official diagnosis, new research has found.
an alarm clock on a bedside table

Sleepless nights linked to comfort eating and overeating, new study finds

A major UK analysis of over 27,000 adults has found that poor-quality and short sleep are linked to behaviours including comfort-eating, snacking on sweets and overeating and increased obesity risk.