Research News
The kombucha paradox: measurable effects, uncertain wellbeing benefits
Writing in The Conversation, our researchers explain how kombucha may impact metabolism, but demonstrating a meaningful wellbeing benefit requires much stronger evidence.
Read article
Boosting vaccine uptake goal for experts’ Colombia meeting
Boosting the uptake of vaccines for some of the world’s most harmful diseases will be the focus of our experts’ work at an international meeting of the global vaccine community.
Read article
How science is enhancing the aroma of new fungal fermented foods
Researchers have developed an innovative approach to improving the aroma of alternative high-protein foods made from fermenting leftover bread crusts with forage grasses, traditionally used to feed livestock.
Read article
‘Love language’ power in ancient Welsh poetry origins researched
Welsh poets’ use of the language of love and intimacy to describe their relationships with powerful patrons is being explored as part of research at Aberystwyth University.
Read article
Parasitic fly ‘sacrifices sight’ after finding host, study finds
A blood-feeding parasitic fly loses visual sensitivity after finding a host and permanently giving up flight, new research shows.
Read article
Insect wing identifying app to tackle tropical disease threat
A mobile app that identifies disease-carrying insects from their wing patterns is being developed as part of a project using AI to help diagnose tropical diseases.
Read article
New seaweed plastic developed to package food
Food could be wrapped in packaging made from seaweed instead of artificial plastic in the future, thanks to new research.
Read article
Elite research selection for Aberystwyth academics
Three of our academics have been selected to join a prestigious professional development programme that supports emerging research leaders.
Read article
Mapping the Brexit vote – researchers appeal for hidden ‘boxcounts’
Ten years on from the UK’s referendum on EU membership, an ambitious effort is underway to create the most detailed map of Brexit voting patterns to date.
Read article
Student discovery could advance flood-resilient crops
An Aberystwyth University student has uncovered how different plant varieties respond to flooding, offering insights that could help crops cope with extreme weather.
Read article
Alpaca and sheep poo secrets tested to help protect world’s grasslands
Scientists are studying alpaca and sheep poo collected in the Welsh uplands as part of efforts to protect grasslands and wildlife around the world.
Read article
Filtration breakthrough promises better tasting protein drinks, new research reveals
The work of Aberystwyth University scientists has helped show that small changes to whey processing could improve the taste and texture of protein drinks.
Read article
Does uncertainty drive anxiety in autistic adults?
Academics are investigating whether coping with the unknown or unexpected is a distinct contributor to anxiety in autistic adults.
Read article
First cosmic dynamo spotting reveals how magnetic fields created in space
Scientists have observed a natural cosmic dynamo operating in near‑Earth space for the first time – bringing them significantly closer to understanding how magnetic fields are created in the universe.
Read article
Researchers at UN discuss violence against older women
Aberystwyth University researchers have shared their expertise on preventing and responding to violence against older women at the United Nations.
Read article
What humour means to older people – and why some find it hard to keep on laughing
Writing in The Conversation, Heather Heap from our Department of Psychology discusses how it’s not so much about older people losing their sense of humour, as about changes in how they can use and enjoy it.
Read article
Simple urine test could detect early-stage breast cancer
A simple, non-invasive home test kit could soon transform early breast cancer detection, thanks to pioneering research underway at Aberystwyth University.
Read article
New model to forecast space weather on way
New efforts to forecast space weather with greater accuracy and reliability are being led by Aberystwyth University academics.
Read article
New seaweed extract shows promising anti-inflammatory and gut health benefits
A new seaweed extract could have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing, according to scientists testing it as part of efforts to improve the nation’s health.
Read article
Scientists reveal Antarctic warming best and worst-case scenarios
New international research shows that the choices we make in the next decade will determine Antarctica’s fate for centuries.
Read article
Fish use more energy to stay still than previously thought
Writing in The Conversation, computer scientist Dr Otar Akanyeti explains why fish that appear to hang motionless in the water are actually working harder than expected.
Read article
Plant trait discovery could boost soil carbon storage
Scientists at Aberystwyth University have discovered specific traits in Miscanthus that could help lock more carbon into the soil, helping to tackle climate change.
Read article
New trial aims to transform how we track our daily diet
Scientists are recruiting adults from across the UK to take part in a groundbreaking trial to accurately track what they eat and drink in their daily lives.
Read article
’Forgotten meats’ – a future superfood?
Forgotten meats such as liver, heart and kidneys could make a comeback as a new superfood, according to scientists.
Read article
Eating habits revealed by wearable cameras and AI
No single tool can accurately measure people’s diets, but new research shows that combining different methods — from wearable cameras to analysing dietary biomarkers — could give the most reliable picture of what people eat.
Read article
Study of uterine inflammation in livestock could help treat infertility in humans
Research to help reduce inflammation in the uterus of livestock animals could help pave the way for developing new drugs to treat infertility in women, according to a new scientific review.
Read article
£2.5m drone project to tackle malaria in Africa
Drones and AI will be used in a new £2.5 million Aberystwyth University-led effort to wipe out malaria hot spots in Africa, supported by funding from the Gates Foundation.
Read article
Secret lives of cats could hold clues for wildcat return
A new study exploring the secretive lives of feral and free-roaming cats in Wales could shed light on wildcats’ return to the country.
Read article
First ancient Celtic languages dictionary of Britain and Ireland underway
The first complete dictionary of the ancient Celtic languages of Britain and Ireland is being written by academics at Aberystwyth University.
Read article
Preventing atrocities focus for new research team
A new group to promote efforts to prevent the abuse of power across the world has been launched at Aberystwyth University.
Read article
Desert river research earns top US honour for Aberystwyth geographer
A leading expert in desert environments from the University has received a prestigious international award for his work at a ceremony in the USA.
Read article
Vaping long term impact on lung health studied
Scientists from the University are part of a £1.55m project to unravel long-term vaping risks and benefits on lung health for smokers.
Read article
Celebrating 25 years of studying ancient Celtic languages in Aberystwyth
A conference celebrating over 25 years of studying ancient Celtic languages at Aberystwyth University will take place later this month.
Read article
AI device to restore impaired speech scoops student awards
An Aberystwyth student who created a device to help people with speech impairments and one who started a business to grow tea locally were among the winners of a student start-up competition.
Read article
Study of glaciers in the Andes sheds light on future climate impact
Andean glaciers advanced during an acute period of climate change at the end of the last Ice Age, new research has found.
Read article
Cattle vaccine immunity ‘boost’ tested by new research
Scientists at Aberystwyth University are leading research into how a widely used vaccine can boost overall immunity in livestock.
Read article
Parasitologists join forces to tackle devastating worm diseases
Parasitology expert joins new UK-wide network to drive global research into combating parasitic diseases of humans and animals.
Read article
Aberystwyth academics appointed to assess UK research excellence
A further eight Aberystwyth University academics have been announced as members of prestigious sub-panels assessing research excellence in the UK higher education sector, bringing the total involved to nine.
Read article
Acute horse stress not necessarily linked to bridle choice - study
The type of bridle worn by a horse in dressage competitions is not the only factor affecting their stress levels, a new study has revealed.
Read article
Himalayan flash floods: climate change worsens them, but poor planning makes them deadly
Writing in The Conversation, Dr Himalayan floods are natural, but poor planning turns rain into disaster. Reading the land could save lives.
Read article
Welsh mine microbes mapped to help heat homes
Welsh scientists have mapped the hidden microbes thriving in south Wales’s abandoned coal mines, helping to overcome obstacles to using mine water to heat Britain’s homes.
Read article
AI tool automates plant fruit measuring to breed better crops
Aberystwyth University scientists are developing new artificial intelligence tools that automatically measure plant seed and seed pods in order to breed better crop varieties.
Read article
Fish using more energy to stay still than first thought, research finds
Fish staying still in water are using considerably more energy than first thought, new research has found.
Read article
Wales-wide rural crime survey launched to measure progress
A new Wales-wide survey on farm and rural crime has been launched by Aberystwyth University.
Read article
Boosting the use of Welsh in the workplace – new research
Efforts to increase Welsh language use in workplaces need to be strengthened, according to a new report.
Read article
Geographer honoured for outstanding research and teaching
Aberystwyth geographer, Dr Cerys Jones, has received an award for her exceptional contribution to scientific research and Welsh-medium teaching.
Read article
Perito Moreno became the world’s first superstar glacier – but now it’s set to disappear
Writing in The Conversation, Professor Neil Glasser discusses how one of Patagonia’s few stable glaciers is now on the verge of collapse.
Read article
AI kiln packing to lower emissions
Math experts are using AI to help the ceramics industry pack more objects into a kiln to lower their carbon footprint.
Read article
Humans not glaciers moved bluestones from Wales to Stonehenge – new research
The renowned bluestone boulders of Stonehenge were transported from Pembrokeshire to Salisbury Plain by humans and not glaciers as previously claimed, according to new scientific research.
Read article
AI and biotech driving the next revolution in resilient crop development – new report
A major review published in the prestigious journal Nature today outlines how artificial intelligence and biotechnology could transform global crop production — helping to build more resilient food systems in the face of climate change, pests and population growth.
Read article