Research news

EXPEDITION EVEREST: Loughborough climate scientist and team that installed world’s highest weather station feature in new documentary - catch it this weekend!

This time last year, Loughborough University was celebrating as Dr Tom Matthews, a climate scientist in the Geography and Environment Department, and a team of renowned researchers successfully installed the two highest weather stations in the world on Mount Everest.

Three UK police officers

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.

A kidney

Loughborough academics support online wellbeing resource for those with kidney disease

Academics at Loughborough University have supported an online wellbeing platform, launched by Kidney Research UK, for patients at all stages of kidney disease.

A person receiving rehab

Academic experts come together to push forward innovation in clinical rehabilitation

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of effective rehabilitation post serious illness or injury – saving lives is only one part of an overall care journey which necessarily needs good rehabilitation if a patient is to stand a chance of returning to their former selves.

Illustration of a woman with a prosthetic leg.

Prosthetic limbs affect our attitudes to disability – expressive design might change things for the better

Amputation can have a devastating effect on a person’s body image and sense of self. The use of prosthetic limbs may help, but when it comes to their appearance, options are often limited.

Women clinicians report significant difficulties with coronavirus PPE: “Apparently masks for smaller faces don’t exist!”

A new report which looks at how hospital PPE supplied to protect against the threat of COVID-19 has found that women experience significantly more issues than men.
Illustration of an older woman with a younger woman

New study further supports that age-related hearing loss in patients taking cognitive tests may result in misdiagnoses of dementia

The early and correct diagnosis of a cognitive impairment – such as dementia – is crucial as it allows interventions and treatments that may slow the progression of a patient's symptoms to be quickly put in place.

Netflix account and a laptop for schoolwork are now essential requirements for homes according to new research into minimum living standards

People now consider access to Netflix and other basic technology such as laptops as fundamental requirements for a minimum acceptable standard of life in the UK.

Preparing the UK’s motorways for self-driving vehicles: New £1m research project announced in partnership with Highways England

A new £1m project will see Loughborough University team up with Highways England to ensure the country’s motorways can accommodate connected and autonomous vehicles (self-driving) vehicles.
Child football team huddling

‘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.

New research reveals smart homes can flatten peak demand

Incisive new research undertaken by Loughborough University in partnership with the Solar Trade Association (STA) and Advance Further Energy reveals significant positive impacts of smart energy technologies in the home, including carbon reductions, energy bill savings, and improved system resilience.
Water house and rendered images of the tech.

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.
spore-trap-tree.jpg

MEET THE MAKER: Student’s spore trap design aims to save UK trees and inspire the next generation of citizen scientists

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health – an opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can benefit the environment and other areas.

The successes and failures of populism during the pandemic – new report

“My orders to the police and military ... if there is trouble and there’s an occasion that they fight back and your lives are in danger, shoot them dead.” “Is that understood? Dead. Instead of causing trouble, I will bury you.” – President Rodrigo Duterte (Philippines) in a televised address to lockdown violators, April 2020

a scientific image of a runner

SURVEY: Destined for greatness? Do your genes give you a head start in sport?

Researchers from Loughborough University are investigating the role genetics play in sport – and they need your help.

Illustration of a woman in a face mask on the phone

Coronavirus scams: the science of how to spot and deal with nuisance callers

Most of us have experienced unwanted calls at home. This is in spite of efforts by regulators, including the Information Commissioner’s Office and Ofcom, whose most recent report shows that around half of the UK population still receive nuisance calls.

Vote now for the winners of the CALIBRE Awards

Voting is now open to help choose the winners of the Summer 2020 CALIBRE Awards.

Office design concepts by Alexandra.

Musical fabric and walls you can play with: Meet the student who wants to use interactive textiles to mimic Japan’s zen atmosphere in your office

Imagine finishing a stressful meeting and nipping off to a quiet corner of the office to stroke the walls and press the table so the serene sounds of a Japanese zen garden play…

Swimming makes you hungrier and likely to eat more at the next meal – new research

People often believe that exercise can make you hungrier, so they may therefore eat more during subsequent meals. But for the typical person, single sessions of land-based moderate to high-intensity exercise (such as running, resistance exercise and intermittent sprint cycling) have been shown to temporarily decrease appetite and do not commonly lead to increased food intake on the same day.
Illustration of people pointing at a woman with a LGBT flag.

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.
mike gleeson

Loughborough Professor releases new book highlighting how to beat type 2 diabetes

Emeritus Professor Michael Gleeson, Chair in Exercise Biochemistry, has written Beating Type 2 Diabetes, a new book that tells people exactly what they need to do to both reduce the health complications of the condition and how to get rid of it - without the need for medication.

The future of free, portable energy: Wearable technology that powers your devices as you move

Small, flexible generators which convert movement into electricity could soon be the future of free and unlimited energy thanks to a breakthrough in energy harvesting technology.

Flood forecasting research underpins world-first solution as part of new UK resilience mapping platform

Loughborough University today announces that it has partnered with the Cabinet Office and Airbox Systems to provide surface water flood nowcasting for the new ResilienceDirect mapping platform – a world first for an emergency planning system.
Footballers analysed using AI tech. Original image courtsey of Ben Lumley Photography.

AI technology developed at Loughborough University could reveal the next big names in football as it takes player performance analysis to a new dimension

Computer scientists at Loughborough University have developed novel artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that are set to transform the way football clubs analyse team and individual players’ performances on the pitch.
Colourful illustration with 'Arts Week' on the graphic, alongside patterns and small iconography

Third year of Loughborough University’s Arts Week goes online with creative events

The University’s creative outlet LU Arts is pleased to announce the exciting and diverse programme of events for their virtual Arts Week.