News archive: Research press releases 2025
Study reveals skeletal evidence of Roman gladiator bitten by lion in combat
Posted on Wednesday 23 April 2025
Bite marks found on a skeleton discovered in a Roman cemetery in York have revealed the first archaeological evidence of gladiatorial combat between a human and a lion.
New report provides snapshot of human rights in the City of York
Posted on Wednesday 23 April 2025
A new report documents the impact of the recent cost-of-living crisis and over a decade of austerity measures on the lives and rights of York residents.
Driving down child poverty in Scotland - participants from York's Changing Realities project meet with Scotland's First Minister
Posted on Tuesday 22 April 2025
Parents participating in the University of York's Changing Realities project met with Scotland's First Minister for an in-depth discussion focused on tackling child poverty.
Nature-based activity is effective therapy for anxiety and depression, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 16 April 2025
Researchers evaluating a nature-based programme of activities for patients with mild to moderate mental health conditions have shown that improvements in mood and anxiety levels can be seen in as little as 12 weeks.
Professor Ahmed El Antably to lead new project in School of Architecture
Posted on Friday 11 April 2025
A new research project will examine cultural heritage of Lower Nubia; an area of Egypt submerged following the construction of the Aswan Dam in the 1960s.
Study to recover hidden history of once-banned LGBTQ+ novel
Posted on Friday 11 April 2025
The famously banned novel, The Well of Loneliness, is the focus of a new international project that will bring together generations of readers to uncover how it reached and touched so many people around the world.
Gas boilers now biggest source of air pollution in central London, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 9 April 2025
A new study has revealed a significant shift in the sources of nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution in central London, with gas boilers used for heating now identified as the primary contributor.
Research suggests 700,000 children could be lifted out of poverty overnight by following Scotland's approach
Posted on Thursday 27 March 2025
The Westminster government could cut child poverty in the UK by a sixth – or 700,000 children – if they were to match Scotland’s investment in social security, according to a new report.
Could a deeper understanding of the seasons and how they are changing improve resilience to climate change?
Posted on Thursday 27 March 2025
Are daffodils in bloom earlier? Does cherry blossom appear earlier these days? And are distinct, new ‘seasons’ starting to appear too? New University of York research is examining changing seasons and what this means for how we approach climate change.
Perceived 'burden' of AI greatest threat to uptake in healthcare, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 26 March 2025
The potential benefits of AI to patient care may be overlooked if urgent steps are not taken to ensure that the technologies are effective for the clinicians using them, a new White Paper outlines.
New study on medicinal plants established with York’s twin city in China
Posted on Monday 24 March 2025
Researchers are working with scientists based in York’s twin city of Nanjing to further understanding of how the mint family of plants produce therapeutic benefits.
Digitalising essential services risk widening inequalities for minoritised ethnic communities, research study warns
Posted on Friday 14 March 2025
The rapid digitisation of essential services in the UK is deepening inequalities for minoritised ethnic communities, a major three-year research project involving the University of York has found.
York first higher education institution to sign up to partnership to improve Public Involvement in Research
Posted on Monday 10 March 2025
The University of York has become the first higher education institution (HEI) to join a partnership that fosters better collaboration between researchers and members of the public.
New study to further understanding of mysterious Roman burial practice
Posted on Tuesday 4 March 2025
A new £1 million project will investigate the mysterious Roman burial practice of pouring liquid gypsum over the clothed bodies of adults and children laid to rest in stone or lead coffins before burial.
New research to tackle poor mental health in young mothers
Posted on Thursday 27 February 2025
A University of York researcher is leading a new project to identify ways to boost mental health support for young mothers and birthing parents.
Resources needed for school teachers to address challenges of online misogyny, study shows
Posted on Wednesday 26 February 2025
A new study into the ‘manosphere’ has shown that 90% of secondary school teachers and 68% of primary teachers strongly feel that schools would benefit from teaching material addressing online misogyny.
Study suggests 'local practitioners' needed for policies on coexistence with large carnivores
Posted on Monday 24 February 2025
Researchers have suggested appointing practitioners or stewards to bring together local knowledge and conservation practices to inform policies on coexistence with large carnivores such as wolves, bears and lynx.
Restoring wildlife habitats in wealthy nations could drive extinctions in species-rich regions, experts warn
Posted on Tuesday 18 February 2025
Efforts to preserve or rewild natural habitats are shifting harmful land use to other parts of the world – and this could drive an even steeper decline in the planet’s species, according to new research.
Study sheds new light on bear baiting in early modern England
Posted on Monday 17 February 2025
Archaeologists have created a new model to help identify archaeological bear baiting assemblages in England and beyond.
New £1.2 million study investigates ways to improve emergency healthcare in rural and coastal areas
Posted on Monday 10 February 2025
In a new £1.2 million study, researchers will investigate ways to improve how urgent and emergency care could be improved for patients living in rural and coastal areas.
The early roots of carnival? Research reveals evidence of seasonal celebrations in pre-colonial Brazil
Posted on Wednesday 5 February 2025
Pre-colonial people in Brazil may have gathered in summer months to feast on migratory fish and share alcoholic drinks, a new study suggests.
Climate change impacts in African mountains are greater than previously thought
Posted on Wednesday 5 February 2025
Researchers know that mountain communities are particularly vulnerable to climate change, but there is limited understanding of climate change impacts in most African mountains due to lack of data. This might be surprising given that around 288 million people live in Africa mountain regions.
Insider account of unsolved 1952 London mail van robbery documented for first time
Posted on Tuesday 4 February 2025
A University of York academic has used a series of ‘forgotten’ cassette recordings to help piece together the plot behind an infamous mail van robbery from the 1950s.
London cabbies’ planning strategies could help inform future of AI
Posted on Friday 24 January 2025
Researchers have measured the thinking time of London taxi drivers - famous for their knowledge of more than 26,000 streets across the city - as part of a study into the future of AI route-mapping.
Study to inform government on impact of smartphones and social media on young people
Posted on Thursday 16 January 2025
Researchers are to look at the links between children’s mental health and smartphone and social media use as part of a Government commissioned research project.
Study explains why some osteoporosis drugs may protect against Covid-19
Posted on Tuesday 14 January 2025
Researchers have provided the molecular explanation for why some osteoporosis drugs offer protection against Covid-19.
Scientists show how sleep deprived brain permits intrusive thoughts
Posted on Wednesday 8 January 2025
A new study has shown that sleep deprivation can inhibit the brain’s ability to suppress unwanted memories and intrusive thoughts.