https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from University College Dublin Researchers at University College Dublin and international collaborators have just published a detailed and accessible guide that aims to translate theoretical ideas into practical devices for quantum enhanced sensing technologies. https://phys.org/news/2026-06-physicists-harness-potential-quantum-phase.html Quantum Physics Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:20:03 EDT news700239721 Aging is known to degrade sensory systems, posing a major challenge to balance control and resulting in an increased risk of falls. Despite its importance, though, the role of the brain has only been explored indirectly, for example, by asking people to perform mental tasks while walking or standing. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-older-brains-harder-stay-upright.html Tue, 02 Jun 2026 17:00:01 EDT news699629581 Cancer patients in Ireland living with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder can face life expectancies up to 30 years shorter than the general population, according to a new report. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-severe-mental-illness-shorten-cancer.html Wed, 20 May 2026 15:20:04 EDT news698491847 Researchers at University College Dublin have identified a genetic "switch" that determines the sex of cannabis plants, and found the same system may exist in hops. The study, published in New Phytologist, pinpoints a specific section of the X chromosome that influences whether cannabis plants develop as male, female, or both. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-beer-cannabis-sex.html Molecular & Computational biology Mon, 27 Apr 2026 10:40:11 EDT news696502501 Researchers at University College Dublin have discovered a previously unknown "courier system" that cells use to deliver coherent biological messages between each other, opening new possibilities for medicine and biotechnology. These courier systems also possess "keys" to natural (endogenous) gateways, allowing them to reach biological locations that are currently inaccessible in conventional delivery medicine. https://phys.org/news/2026-04-cells-secret-courier-hard-rna.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 16 Apr 2026 05:00:11 EDT news695484001 Fibrosis is the body's way of patching up damage—a bit like fixing a pothole. When skin is cut or a muscle is injured, fibroblast cells rush in to make fibronectin and collagen, which are two major extracellular matrix proteins in tissue. They pull the wound edges together and build a temporary scaffold to let tissue heal. Once the job is done, the body slowly removes the extra fibers and the tissue softens again. This type of normal wound healing is essential. However, problems arise when fibroblasts do not stop making fibers. Instead of healing and calming, the tissue becomes thicker, stiffer, and less able to work. This long-term, uncontrolled scarring is called pathological fibrosis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-04-uncontrolled-scarring-reveals-cell-sensor.html Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:40:02 EDT news694354584 Following The Planetary Health Diet in pregnancy can meet key nutrient requirements, suggesting that women who eat more sustainably in pregnancy may have higher intakes of several key pregnancy-related nutrients, including folate, iron, calcium, and dietary fiber. Due to the environmental impact of food production, there is an urgent need to rethink how and what we eat, and the researchers in this study wanted to explore whether sustainable dietary patterns are feasible in pregnancy. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-planetary-health-diet-pregnancy.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:50:01 EDT news694174775 University College Dublin researchers have developed a robotic model of the human esophagus, transforming how swallowing disorders are studied, diagnosed and treated. Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, affects around 20% of the global population, and up to 50% of people over 60. Until now, research has relied on limited models that cannot replicate the majority of swallowing disorders, hindering both understanding of the condition and the development of effective treatments. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-robogullet-realistically-recreates-human-swallowing.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 13:40:03 EDT news693663841 A new study, led by scientists at University College Dublin and the University of Edinburgh, has found that commonly prescribed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication in childhood may lower the long-term risk of developing serious psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia. Treatment with methylphenidate, the most commonly prescribed ADHD medication for children, before the age of 13 was shown to be associated with a reduced risk of psychosis in adulthood. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-adhd-medication-childhood-psychosis.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:00:02 EDT news693565985 Recent research provides robust evidence for the use of a digital visualization and decision support tool in colorectal (bowel) surgery. This is the first time that a digital decision support tool has been conclusively proven to significantly improve outcomes in this type of surgery. The study is published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-digital-decision-tool-proven-bowel.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 19:30:01 EDT news693219001 New research has revealed that the Old Irish Goat shares a 3,000-year genetic link with goats living in Ireland during the Late Bronze Age. The findings suggest that the rare indigenous breed represents a continuous Irish lineage stretching back millennia. The work appears in the Journal of Archaeological Science. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-late-bronze-age-today-irish.html Archaeology Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:10:02 EST news691252622 New research has revealed that women and children were deliberately targeted in one of the largest prehistoric mass killings discovered in Europe. Archaeological investigations at the Gomolava burial sites in northern Serbia uncovered a grave containing the remains of more than 77 individuals, most of them women and children. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-iron-age-massacre-women-children.html Archaeology Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:20:02 EST news691078414 Carbon dioxide (CO₂) connects us to the natural world: What we breathe out becomes fuel for forests. But inside our own bodies, CO₂ has a secret life. It sparks chemical reactions, shapes metabolism, and may even act as a signaling molecule—and a new tool is finally letting researchers watch it glow in action. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-secret-life-carbon-dioxide-cells.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 23 Feb 2026 07:40:01 EST news691051871 Alcohol consumption during early pregnancy in Ireland is significantly lower than previously reported, according to new research. Previous estimates, based largely on self-reported data, suggested that between 20% and 60% of pregnant women in Ireland consumed alcohol. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-pregnant-women-ireland-alcohol.html Obstetrics & gynaecology Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:30:04 EST news690629823 Previous reports have indicated that between 20% and 60% of pregnant women in Ireland consume alcohol during pregnancy. Data on alcohol consumption by pregnant women in Ireland have previously only been collected through self-reporting in questionnaires, which may give an incomplete picture of consumption. Based on the available data, some medical research has extrapolated that Ireland could have the third highest prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome in the world. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-urine-screening-alcohol-early-pregnancy.html Obstetrics & gynaecology Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:30:03 EST news690635515 A new study examining education policymaking in Ireland over the last 30 years finds long-standing conservative practices have significantly constrained meaningful reform. Published in Irish Educational Studies, the research draws on perspectives from academic research, government experience, and school leadership to show how education policy has historically been shaped by cautious decision-making, short-term political horizons, and inherited institutional structures. https://phys.org/news/2026-02-fragmented-policymaking-reform-ireland.html Education Sat, 07 Feb 2026 08:00:01 EST news689335880 Severe bleeding is one of the most common and preventable causes of death after traumatic injury, yet currently available tools have poor ability to determine which patients urgently need blood transfusions. A new multinational study, just published in Lancet Digital Health, suggests artificial intelligence (AI) may help close that gap. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-02-ai-tool-trauma-patients-blood.html Health informatics Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:08:57 EST news689508481 Microorganisms live in biofilms—the equivalent of microbial "cities"—everywhere on Earth. These city-like structures protect and house microbial communities and play essential roles in enabling human and plant health on our planet. Now, a new Perspective article published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes sets out a path to uncover the role of biofilms in health during long-duration spaceflight, and how spaceflight research can reshape our understanding of these microbial communities on Earth. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-hidden-microbial-communities-health-space.html Space Exploration Thu, 22 Jan 2026 05:00:01 EST news688212776 A new international study reveals what inspires people to study plant biology, a subject essential for building the future workforce needed to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and food security. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-decline-botanical-threatens-response-climate.html Education Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:58:30 EST news688132682 An international team of astronomers has achieved a first in probing the early universe, using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), detecting a supernova—the explosive death of a massive star—at an unprecedented cosmic distance. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-supernova-dawn-universe-captured-james.html Astronomy Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:10:04 EST news685109131 Is it better to have children early or later in life, and does parenthood accelerate aging? Researchers at University College Dublin and the University of Bristol have tackled these questions by studying an exceptional population of long-lived Greater horseshoe bats. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-motherhood.html Plants & Animals Thu, 04 Dec 2025 08:30:20 EST news684059402 A lack of sufficient staff is the biggest barrier for Irish organizations when it comes to implementing environmental policies, a new UCD study has shown. Local authorities are expected to do more with less as an increased focus on environmental policy targets and commitments has not been met with a corresponding increase in staff. https://phys.org/news/2025-12-staff-shortages-environmental-policy-ireland.html Environment Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:50:01 EST news683977442 Last week, four lasers were projected into the sky above the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Paranal site in Chile. The lasers successfully created an "artificial star" that astronomers can use to measure and then correct the blur caused by Earth's atmosphere, ESO announced today. https://phys.org/news/2025-11-laser-trial-eso-kickstarts-era.html Astronomy Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:07:05 EST news681980822 Taking greater investment risks with technologies and new lines of business can help lower emissions from the aviation industry, one of the world's fastest-growing sources of climate pollution, according to new research from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. The article, "Mobilizing Capital and Technology for a Clean Aviation Industry," is published in Science. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-disruptive-investments-cleaner-aviation-industry.html Economics & Business Sat, 18 Oct 2025 10:30:02 EDT news679912031 A team of astronomers have observed an explosion in the universe unlike any ever witnessed before. The gamma-ray bursts from outside the Milky Way galaxy repeated several times over the course of a day. Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the most powerful explosions in the universe, normally caused by the catastrophic destruction of stars, but no known scenario can completely explain this new GRB. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-unprecedented-gamma-ray-hints-rare.html Astronomy Tue, 09 Sep 2025 14:34:56 EDT news676647291 Ireland's first satellite, EIRSAT-1, has completed its mission orbiting Earth. The CubeSat, which was built and launched by students and faculty of University College Dublin (UCD), will de-orbit in a day or two. https://phys.org/news/2025-09-ireland-satellite-eirsat-mission.html Space Exploration Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:26:59 EDT news676214812 A new study has revealed that work-family conflict (WFC) is a common contributor to psychological distress among farmers in Ireland, with researchers calling for enhanced mental health support for farming families. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-family-conflict-major-contributor-poor.html Psychology & Psychiatry Fri, 15 Aug 2025 09:45:17 EDT news674469915 EIRSAT-1, Ireland's first satellite, has successfully tested an advanced onboard control system that allows it to orient itself accurately in space. The breakthrough was achieved using a payload called Wave-Based Control (WBC), a software platform designed by a team at UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering to test new satellite maneuvering techniques while in orbit. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-eirsat-payload-successfully-advanced-satellite.html Space Exploration Thu, 14 Aug 2025 15:38:27 EDT news674404703 A new study suggests both defendants and complainants are equally prone to memory distortions in sexual assault cases. https://phys.org/news/2025-07-misinformation-clouds-memory-accuser-accused.html Social Sciences Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:02:40 EDT news673099351 Scientists have discovered that certain immune cells—called neutrophils—can start making a protein called DUOX2 that they usually do not produce. This surprise activity may be fueling gut inflammation in conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-unusual-protein-production-neutrophils-contribute.html Inflammatory disorders Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:54:17 EDT news668865249