Research news

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WhatsApp's ‘forwarded’ and ‘forwarded many times’ tags may not prevent the spread of misinformation as they are often misunderstood by users, new report suggests

The purpose of WhatsApp’s ‘forwarded’ and ‘forwarded many times’ tags are often misunderstood by users and consequently may not stop the spread of misinformation, a new report suggests.

Loughborough research on show at Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition

Pioneering science and technology with the potential to transform the future of personalised rehabilitation will be on show at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition next week.

Experts in Sport: Improving global child health and nutrition

In this episode of the Experts in Sport podcast, Paula Griffiths (Professor of Population Health) and Emily Rousham (Professor of Global Public Health) sit down with host Martin Foster to discuss their research, focusing on the health and nutrition challenges that lower and middle-income countries experience.

Loughborough appoints new Director of Research and Innovation

Loughborough University is pleased to announce the appointment of Jennifer Johnson as Director of Research and Innovation.
An image of a human on some weighing scales

Body mass index: why practitioners are relying on it less when looking at a patient’s health

Body mass index has long been used by doctors as the standard method for measuring health – and often still is. But earlier this month, the American Medical Association (AMA) adopted a new policy that cautions medical professionals from using the body mass index (BMI) as a stand-alone clinical tool during patient consultations. In 2022, England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) also made similar changes to obesity guidelines, recommending that waist-to-hip ratio be used alongside BMI.

Loughborough hosts UK’s first World Bank Energy Storage Partnership Stakeholder Forum

Sustainable energy experts from across the globe have arrived at Loughborough University for the World Bank Energy Storage Partnership (ESP) Stakeholder Forum – the first time the event has ever been held in the UK.
Head and shoulders images of Dr Luana Oliveri, Dr Tamarin Norwood and Dr Ronan Lee

Three Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships awarded across Loughborough University

Three highly prestigious Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships have been awarded to researchers at Loughborough University.

UK’s AI ‘twin’ will use big data to show the way to net zero

A new research project will develop a digital ‘twin’ of the UK that harnesses artificial intelligence and big data to meet its net zero target.
Two adults and two children smiling and talking to a researcher at an exhibition stand.

Innovative research showcased at Cheltenham Science Festival

Cutting edge research from Loughborough University took centre stage at the 21st Cheltenham Science Festival last week.

An image of a heat mannequin inside a temperature controlled chamber

Curly hair kept early humans cool

Curly hair does more than simply look good – it may explain how early humans stayed cool while conserving water, according to researchers who studied the role human hair textures play in regulating body temperature. The findings can shed light on an evolutionary adaptation that enabled the human brain to grow to modern-day sizes.

Experts in Sport - Performance analysis in the Netball Super League

In this episode of the “Experts in Sport” podcast, host Stuart McErlain-Naylor sits down with Dr Andrew Butterworth. As the Head of Performance Analysis for the Loughborough Lightning Netball Super League team, Andrew details his career journey, as well as discussing his three usual routines – pre-match analysis, live-match analysis, and post-match analysis.

Number of children in poverty living in working households on the rise

An end to the additional support made available during the pandemic has driven up the number of children experiencing poverty to 4.2 million last year (29 per cent of all dependent children aged 0-19), with an increasing number living in working households.
A collage of various small medical devices

Creating a safe circular economy for small medical devices

A collaboration between Loughborough University and the University of Leeds – is developing a circular economy (CE) approach to reducing the staggering amount of small medical device (SMD) waste generated each year.

New project to help solve energy poverty for isolated communities in Africa through cooking fuel solution

Loughborough University and the Consortium for Battery Innovation are working together to pair advanced lead batteries with green hydrogen to deliver a new source of clean, reliable, and sustainable energy storage for off-grid communities in Africa.

Photograph of (from left) Tom Quinn, Stephenie Goddard and Rob Paterson

ORB Innovations acquired by US-based Glidewell for development of smart oral appliances technology

A start-up founded by Loughborough University engineering alumni that has developed a unique technology platform to measure physiological parameters, such as heart rate, as well as biomechanics, such as head impacts, is acquired by California-based Glidewell, a global leader in custom dental solutions.
The researchers’ small molecule probe binding to 5-PP-InsP5 and emitting bright red light. Image generated by Dr Felix Plasser, Loughborough University.

Scientists develop probe that could unlock the mysteries of a vital cellular messenger and pave the way for new drug discoveries

A ground-breaking study by Loughborough University and the University of Oxford has led to the development of a small molecule probe that could deepen our understanding of a crucial cellular messenger and lead to the development of new therapeutic drugs.

Price growth for homes in high flood risk zones up to 50% lower than those in unexposed areas

Properties exposed to flooding experience up to 50% slower price growth compared to unexposed properties.

Experts in Sport - Testing Cristiano Ronaldo's free kick

In this episode of the “Experts in Sport” podcast, host Stuart McErlain-Naylor sits down with Dr Neal Smith, reader in Biomechanics at Chichester University, to discuss his research on football kicking, as well as his experience testing elite athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

A photograph of Kieran, Bhavna and Tom

Outstanding Professional Services team among finalists of the EM PA Awards 2023

Three of the University’s many Professional Services staff have been recognised for the incredible job they do.

Loughborough researchers help science come to life at the Summer Science Exhibition 2023

Loughborough University researchers are bringing to life science and technology that will revolutionise rehabilitation as part of the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition from 4-9 July.

Education costs parents at least £39 per week for secondary school kids

New analysis undertaken by the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP) – for Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) – shows that parents typically need to find at least £39 per week for a child’s secondary school education and £19 for a primary-aged child.
Manufacturing Innovation Award winners Zayndu. Pictured from left to right: Sam Gee, Oliver Green, Julie Tomlinson, Alberto Campanaro, Mickey Clarke and Ralph Weir

Hat-trick of awards for University partners

Three companies with strong links to Loughborough University’s research and innovation portfolio have won top accolades at this year’s Insider Made in the Midlands Awards.
CarbonVue project partners (left to right): Chris Clemmow (SupplyVue), Clare Bailey (Tata Steel UK), Jan Godsell (Dean of Loughborough Business School), Andy Birtwistle (SupplyVue), Tim Stephenson (Tata Steel UK)

University research and innovation shortlisted at the 2023 British Data Awards

An Innovate UK collaboration with Loughborough Business School to help businesses reduce carbon in the supply chain and a mental fitness platform start-up are both nominated for the 2023 British Data Awards.

Loughborough lecturer shares three tips to encourage children to eat their vegetables

As part of the University’s Children and Young People campaign, Dr Clare Holley, a Loughborough Senior Lecturer in Psychology, has shared some tips on how to overcome children’s fussy eating and encourage them to eat more vegetables.
Plastic Energy’s Loughborough-based R&D team with Andrew Lake, Principal Scientist, and David McNamara, Chief Technology Officer (far right)

Seven nominations for University partnerships in Insider Made in the Midlands Awards

Four companies with strong links to Loughborough University’s research and innovation portfolio have been nominated across three categories in the Insider Made in the Midlands Awards 2023.