https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from Newcastle University Scientists call for a major acceleration in coral assisted evolution research to help reefs cope with rapidly warming oceans. The study, published today (30 March), was led by Dr. Adriana Humanes, Newcastle University and Dr. Juan Ortiz, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). It highlights fundamental changes needed to generate knowledge fast enough to make these methods effective. The international team of 28 experts identified promising discoveries that highlight the potential of assisted evolution to help mitigate the impact of climate change in reefs. https://phys.org/news/2026-03-coral-reef-science-chance-outpace.html Environment Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:00:01 EDT news694084275 New research suggests most Australians support a simple change that could significantly boost children's physical activity levels: letting students wear sports uniforms every day. The majority of young Australians are still not active enough, despite well-established evidence that regular physical activity improves children's physical and mental health. Schools are seen as an important setting to address this—but some principals have been hesitant to move away from traditional uniforms due to concerns about community expectations. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-sports-uniform-boost-students-physical.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:20:06 EDT news694091462 New research from the University of Newcastle has found that people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) show detectable biological changes, challenging the long-held perception that the condition lacks a physical basis. The large-scale systematic review and meta-analysis combined data from 124 studies involving nearly 15,000 people. It found that individuals with IBS exhibit signs of low-grade inflammation and immune system activation compared to healthy individuals. The paper is published in the journal eBioMedicine. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-meta-analysis-people-links-ibs.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:40:13 EDT news693653033 A pioneering genetic test is improving early diagnosis and treatment for people with hereditary cancer caused by a genetic condition. The test, developed with the help of Newcastle University scientists, identifies specific signs in a person's DNA that are characteristic of cancers linked with Lynch syndrome. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-urine-dna-lynch-syndrome-urinary.html Oncology & Cancer Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:20:01 EST news690720241 New research has revealed the biggest threats driving species toward extinction in northern San José, Costa Rica. Led by Newcastle University, the study found that the greatest potential to reduce species extinction risk in the Northern Sub-catchments of San José, Costa Rica, lies in addressing habitat loss and degradation due to livestock farming and ranching, urban expansion, and the spread of non-native invasive species. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-key-species-threats-costa-rica.html Plants & Animals Mon, 16 Feb 2026 19:50:01 EST news690456961 UK winters are becoming significantly wetter mainly due to warming driven by human burning of fossil fuels releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, a Newcastle University study reveals. The research shows that for every degree of global or regional warming, winter rainfall increases by a compounding 7%, increasing the risk of flooding. And the scientists warn it is happening much faster than most global climate models predict. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-uk-winters-wetter-greenhouse-gases.html Earth Sciences Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:09:32 EST news690034141 Professor Darren Evans and Madeleine Fabusova from the School of Natural and Environmental Science have published new research that shows that typical levels of artificial light at night can simultaneously suppress early-night activity and disrupt navigation cues in nocturnal insects and spiders. These findings identify twilight as a disproportionately sensitive period, raising questions about how street lighting and other mitigation strategies should be targeted. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-twilight-action-pollution-impact-biodiversity.html Plants & Animals Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:20:01 EST news689867666 A new study reveals that Egyptians were using a mechanically sophisticated drilling tool far earlier than previously suggested. Researchers at Newcastle University, and the Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, have re-examined a small copper-alloy object excavated a century ago from a cemetery at Badari in Upper Egypt, and concluded it is the earliest identified rotary metal drill from ancient Egypt, dating to the Predynastic period (late 4th millennium BCE), before the first pharaohs ruled. The study is published in Egypt and the Levant. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-year-drill-rewrites-story-ancient.html Archaeology Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:40:01 EST news689860707 Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease linked to several long-term health conditions, such as heart disease, arthritis and type 2 diabetes, and has a substantial impact on sufferers' quality of life. Although the World Health Organization has highlighted the need for more personalized care for patients, progress has been limited by the lack of reliable biomarkers to guide clinical decision making. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-gene-biomarker-paves-tailored-psoriasis.html Inflammatory disorders Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:39:30 EST news689445542 Newcastle University engineers are at the forefront of adhesive technology that promises to change how we recycle. They have developed a reversible glue that sticks things together like any other glue but can debond on demand. The glue's reversible nature means it can be used in a multitude of applications, from laminates to bottle labels. Dissimilar materials that are glued together can be easily separated, enabling their reuse, repurposing, or recycling. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-hard-recycle-packaging-plastics-cue.html Materials Science Wed, 04 Feb 2026 13:00:05 EST news689431355 Climate experts have identified an atmospheric configuration that can release huge volumes of water in a matter of minutes. Led by Newcastle University and the UK Met Office, the research helps explain some of the world's most dangerous flash-flood events and may aid future improvements in identifying risk. It offers forecasters new insights and could in the future help communities mitigate against extreme weather events. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-extreme.html Earth Sciences Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:37:37 EST news689251022 Greater attention must be paid to both the direct and indirect health effects of trade tariffs including access to medicines, food costs, and employment conditions, say researchers. The U.S. government's assertive use of import tariffs means the health implications of trade policy can no longer be sidelined, warn experts, in an article published in BMJ. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-expert-hidden-health-effects-tariffs.html Medical economics Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:02:31 EST news688986122 Hydrogen-powered vehicles used on ground operations could help slash carbon emissions and support airports to reach net-zero targets, new research suggests. The Newcastle University research shows that key airport stakeholders have positive attitudes towards hydrogen-powered ground support equipment (GSE). This highlights their environmental, operational, and health benefits, including zero direct emissions at the point of use, less smell and reduced noise, making them a promising option for supporting airport decarbonization. https://techxplore.com/news/2026-01-hydrogen-powered-ground-vehicles-route.html Energy & Green Tech Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:35:25 EST news688984502 Jaw pain shouldn't be a mystery, yet for one in 15 people living with Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), care can be fragmented, confusing, and at times outdated. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-digital-medical-device-jaw-pain.html Dentistry Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:29:25 EST news687612541 As many of us embark on an exercise or gym routine for the new year, research reveals that just 10 minutes of intense exercise could help fight cancer. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-01-short-intensive-workouts-bowel-cancer.html Oncology & Cancer Fri, 02 Jan 2026 09:02:38 EST news686566921 New research reveals how ocean warming triggered the large-scale retreat of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream (NEGIS)—offering vital clues for understanding its modern-day vulnerability. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-warmer-ocean-currents-significantly-destabilize.html Earth Sciences Wed, 17 Dec 2025 10:18:27 EST news685189081 A pioneering study has unveiled a new sound therapy that reduces the loudness of tinnitus and has the potential to be delivered online using everyday devices like smartphones. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-12-therapy-tinnitus-smartphones.html Neuroscience Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:04:20 EST news684590642 Brazil's potash imports carry higher carbon footprints than models predict, Newcastle research finds. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-exposing-hidden-carbon-potash-imports.html Ecology Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:58:18 EST news683816282 New study reveals burning of fossil fuels is accelerating winter rainfall changes in the UK and Europe, almost 25 years sooner than expected. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-fossil-fuel-emissions-winter-rainfall.html Earth Sciences Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:40:01 EST news683213796 As the Hunter region of New South Wales inches toward the closure of the state's largest coal mine, Muswellbrook community members are urging industry to leave a positive legacy in their wake. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-town-transition-coal.html Energy & Green Tech Thu, 20 Nov 2025 08:06:25 EST news682848362 A new study has uncovered the hidden burden of the financial and practical support many Australian parents are bearing for their adult children—revealing it as not only widespread, but significantly impacting the lives and futures of families across the nation. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-hidden-adult-children.html Social Sciences Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:06:03 EST news682103161 New research from the University of Newcastle has revealed that PFAS levels matching those found in the Williamtown contamination zone could significantly alter male reproductive health in animals—even without visibly damaging sperm. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-animal-links-regional-pfas-male.html Medical research Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:22:04 EDT news680862121 A study analyzing over 500,000 tweets from 2006 to 2021 found that public discourse on invasive species heavily favors charismatic animals over ecologically harmful plants. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-million-tweets-reveal-invasive-species.html Plants & Animals Mon, 27 Oct 2025 06:48:10 EDT news680285161 A recent open-access study published in Archaeometry unveils the first direct evidence of arsenical bronze production on Elephantine Island, Aswan, dating to Egypt's Middle Kingdom (c. 2000–1650 BCE). The research reveals a far more intricate metallurgical tradition in ancient Egypt than previously understood. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-discovery-reveals-arsenical-bronze-production.html Archaeology Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:41:55 EDT news680445708 New research demonstrates a simple, eco-friendly method to break down Teflon—one of the world's most durable plastics—into useful chemical building blocks. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-chemists-green-recycle-teflon.html Polymers Tue, 21 Oct 2025 19:10:05 EDT news680193541 Patients with rheumatoid arthritis increased their leg muscle volume when treated with an anti-rheumatic drug, offering new hope for improved muscle health. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-muscle-reversed-patients-rheumatoid-arthritis.html Medications Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:40:01 EDT news679837101 Newcastle scientists have developed an efficient new model to track bacterial responses to toxic chemicals and nutrients. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-efficient-bacterial.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:44:03 EDT news679056241 Warming may lead to less frequent but bigger and more devastating hail storms, new research has shown. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-hailstorms-bigger-hailstones-climate-shifts.html Earth Sciences Fri, 26 Sep 2025 12:07:04 EDT news678107221 Newcastle researchers have revealed the first treatment to target the underlying cause of a rare kidney condition called "C3G" and prevent the disease progressing. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-treatment-underlying-rare-kidney-condition.html Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes Fri, 26 Sep 2025 11:40:04 EDT news678105601 Dr. Mohammad Ali Rajaeifar and Daniel Philipp Mueller, TÜV SÜD, have co-authored a paper with Professor Oliver Heidrich from Newcastle University in Nature Energy that discusses the delay in the Delegated Act for CF declaration of EV batteries and its impact on industry and research stakeholders. https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-commentary-eu-battery-carbon-footprint.html Business Tue, 23 Sep 2025 12:43:03 EDT news677850181