Latest University of Leicester Stories
Team led by University of Leicester confirm presence of ultra-bright object in nearby galaxyA group of international astronomers in the UK, France and the USA, led by the University of Leicester, have found proof to confirm the distance and brightness of the most extreme ultra-luminous X-ray source, which may herald a new type of Black Hole.The X-ray source, HLX-1, is the most extreme member of an extraordinary class of objects "“ the ultra-luminous X-ray sources "“ and is located in the...
Economic migrants seeking a 'better life' might end up being less happy, says sociologistThe grass might not be greener on the other side of the border, a new study from the University of Leicester has found.Economic migrants travelling to different shores for greater income could be set for disappointment "“ because the pursuit of wealth does not equate with happiness.Sociologist Dr David Bartram carried out the study: "Economic Migration and Happiness: Comparing Immigrants' and...
Alarm sounded on health consequences of substantial reduction in NHS health visitorsThe world's first ever analysis of data from a full scale clinical trial in adults shows that training Health Visitors to assess and psychologically support mothers after childbirth can prevent the development of depression over the following year.But the substantial reduction in the number of NHS health visitors was identified by researchers as a key issue for the health and well-being of mums.The prevention...
Online method is first that can be used in a multi-ethnic populationA team from the University of Leicester, led by Professor Melanie Davies from the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences and Professor Kamlesh Khunti from the Department of Health Sciences, has developed an easy way for people to assess their risk of having diabetes.Working in partnership with Diabetes UK, the largest diabetes charity in the country, and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, they have produced the first...
Holy month of Ramadan reduces volatility in markets: New researchA new international study investigating the correlation between the Islamic holy month of Ramadan "“ which begins next week (August 11/12) - and stock markets has discovered that the average stock market returns in predominantly Muslim countries were historically almost nine times higher during Ramadan compared to other months of the lunar calendar.Jedrzej Bialkowski (University of Christchurch, New Zealand), Ahmad Etebari...
Geologists reconstruct the Earth's climate belts between 460 and 445 million years agoAn international team of scientists including Mark Williams and Jan Zalasiewicz of the Geology Department of the University of Leicester, and led by Dr. Thijs Vandenbroucke, formerly of Leicester and now at the University of Lille 1 (France), has reconstructed the Earth's climate belts of the late Ordovician Period, between 460 and 445 million years ago.The findings have been published online in the...
Space researchers illuminate "˜one of the most perplexing puzzles in planetary science'An international team of scientists led by Dr Jonathan Nichols of the University of Leicester has discovered that Saturn's aurora, an ethereal ultraviolet glow which illuminates Saturn's upper atmosphere near the poles, pulses roughly once per Saturnian day.The length of a Saturnian day has been under much discussion since it was discovered that the traditional "˜clock' used to measure the rotation period...
New Wellcome Trust-funded study led by University of Leicester uncovers key to how we learn and rememberNew research led by the University of Leicester and published in a prestigious international scientific journal has revealed for the first time the mechanism by which memories are formed.The study in the Department of Cell Physiology and Pharmacology found one of the key proteins involved in the process of memory and learning. The breakthrough study has potential to impact drug design to...
Finding has new implications for understanding genetic diseasesResearchers at the University of Leicester have demonstrated that movable sequences of DNA, which give rise to genetic variability and sometimes cause specific diseases, are far more common than previously thought.In a paper published in the leading journal Cell, Dr Richard Badge and his collaborators examined L1 (or LINE-1) retrotransposons: DNA sequences which can 'copy and paste' their genetic code around the genome. By...
New study at University of Leicester aims to pave way for treatmentsNew research at the University of Leicester will use the latest genetic techniques to examine DNA from over 20,000 patients with heart disease.The study will help to identify new genes and molecules responsible for Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). This, in turn may help to develop new diagnostic and treatment strategies.The project is being undertaken by postgraduate researcher Paraskevi Christofidou, of the Department of...
