New evidence from Antarctica shows that toxic ‘fluorinated forever chemicals’ have increased markedly in the remote environment in recent decades and scientists believe CFC-replacements could be among likely sources. Known as forever chemicals because they do not break down naturally in the environment, chemicals such as perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) have a wide array of uses […]
Lancaster University
Posted inSci/Tech
Emissions from computing and information and communications technology (ICT) could be worse than previously thought
Global computing could be responsible for a greater share of greenhouse gas emissions than previously thought and these emissions will continue to rise significantly unless action is taken, a new study highlights. A team of researchers from Lancaster University and sustainability consultancy Small World Consulting Ltd claim that previous calculations of ICT’s share of global greenhouse emissions, […]
Posted inEnviro
Epicenter of major Amazon droughts and fires saw 2.5 billion trees and vines killed
A major drought and forest fires in the Amazon rainforest killed billions of trees and plants and turned one of the world’s largest carbon sinks into one of its biggest polluters. Triggered by the 2015-16 El Niño, extreme drought and associated mega-wildfires caused the death of around 2.5 billion trees and plants and emitted 495 […]
Posted inWorld
Beyond the battle, far from the frontline: a call for alternative ways of talking about Covid-19
April 7, 2020 – Two Lancaster University linguistics experts have launched an appeal for examples of inspirational non-war-related metaphors which encourage people to stick to the rules while enabling them to have hope. Dr Veronika Koller and Professor Elena Semino are seeking alternatives to the war metaphors heard on a daily basis. Since the beginning […]
Posted inEnviro
Earth's most biodiverse ecosystems face a perfect storm
January 29, 2020 – A combination of climate change, extreme weather and pressure from local human activity is causing a collapse in global biodiversity and ecosystems across the tropics, new research shows. The study, published today, mapped over 100 locations where tropical forests and coral reefs have been affected by climate extremes such as hurricanes, floods, heatwaves, […]
Posted inUS
3D slave ship model brings a harrowing story to life
July 29, 2019 – A 3D model of an 18th century slave ship, which captures the cramped, dirty and stifling conditions experienced by enslaved Africans, has been launched as a new digital teaching tool. The idea of creating a digital slave ship came from Lancaster University lecturer and historian of the Atlantic World Dr Nicholas […]
Posted inSci/Tech
US military consumes more hydrocarbons than most countries – with a massive hidden impact on the climate
June 21, 2019 – Research by social scientists from Durham University and Lancaster University shows the US military is one of the largest climate polluters in history, consuming more liquid fuels and emitting more CO2e (carbon-dioxide equivalent) than most countries. The majority of greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting routinely focuses on civilian energy use and fuel […]
Posted inWorld
Austerity in Britain results in ‘social murder’ according to new research
Dec. 19, 2018 – The consequence of austerity in the social security system – severe cuts to benefits and the ‘ratcheting up’ of conditions attached to benefits – is ‘social murder’, according to new research by Lancaster University. Dr Chris Grover, who heads the University’s Sociology Department, says austerity can be understood as a form […]
Posted inSci/Tech
Time is running out in the tropics — researchers warn of global biodiversity collapse
July 26, 2018 – A global biodiversity collapse is imminent unless we take urgent, concerted action to reverse species loss in the tropics, according to a major scientific study in the prestigious journal Nature. In their paper ‘The future of hyperdiverse tropical ecosystems’ an international team has warned that a failure to act quickly and […]
Posted inWorld
We can feed the world if we change our ways
July 23, 2018 – Current crop yields could provide nutritious food for the projected 2050 global population, but only if we make radical changes to our dietary choices, a new study shows. Researchers from Lancaster University have analysed global and regional food supplies to reveal the flows of calories, protein and vital micro-nutrients from production […]
Posted inLife
Public’s poor knowledge of anatomy may hamper healthcare
Nov. 8, 2017 – Health screening campaigns which target a specific organ may lack effectiveness if the public have a poor knowledge of anatomy say researchers. Middle-aged non-graduates scored better than young graduates in an anatomical quiz given to the public by researchers from Lancaster Medical School (LMS). Dr Adam Taylor who is Director of the Clinical Anatomy […]
Posted inSci/Tech
Toxic air pollution nanoparticles discovered in the human brain may be possible cause of Alzheimer’s
Sept. 7, 2016 – Tiny magnetic particles from air pollution have for the first time been discovered to be lodged in human brains– and researchers think they could be a possible cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Lancaster University found abundant magnetite nanoparticles in the brain tissue from 37 individuals aged three to 92-years-old who […]