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The study, ‘Effects of future climate extreme heat events and land use changes on land vertebrates’, published today in Global Change Biology, assessed nearly 30,000 species of amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. It examined how future extreme heat events and projected land-use changes will affect species across their preferred habitats and thermal limits.Our research highlights the importance of considering the potential effects of multiple threats together to get a better estimation…

Consolidator Grants award around €2 million for projects typically lasting 5 years. Awardees must have 7-12 years of highly promising postdoctoral experience plus an excellent research proposal. With funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, these grants will support cutting-edge research at universities and research centres in 25 EU Member States and associated countries. The ERC received 3,121 applications for this call, of which 11.2% were successful. Oxford received more grants…

Many animals try to win a mate by displaying spectacular ornamentation – such as the famous tail of male peacocks. However, these impressive traits can have negative consequences, even hindering movement or making individuals easier for predators to find. New research has revealed a previously undocumented example of this: the feather ornamentation on the heads of male Chrysolophus pheasants restricts their field of view.We know surprisingly little about how birds…

Professor Edward Harcourt Recently, the BBC carried the tragic report of two teenagers, both of whom had seemingly taken their own lives thanks to their interactions with chatbots. How can further such tragedies be avoided?Specialist therapy chatbots may help, trained on expert advice rather than on whatever’s out there on the web. But arguably we need more: to educate users of this technology  – especially young users – about what it is…

The UK is far from being food self-sufficient, importing between 40-50% of the food it consumes each year. For decades, globalised and highly industrialised supply chains have largely insulated consumers from shocks. But as the effects of climate change and environmental damage begin to hit, the cracks in this system are widening. Professor Paul Behrens speaking at the National Emergency Briefing. Credit: National Emergency Briefing. For generations, a stable climate…

Cosmic filaments are the largest known structures in the Universe: vast, thread-like formations of galaxies and dark matter that form a cosmic scaffolding. They also act as ‘highways’ along which matter and momentum flow into galaxies. Nearby filaments containing many galaxies spinning in the same direction- and where the whole structure appears to be rotating – are ideal systems to explore how galaxies gained the spin and gas they have…

The trial, conducted by the Oxford Vaccine Group, and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), will assess the safety and immune response of the ChAdOx1 Lassa vaccine. 31 people aged 18-55 will participate in the trial in total.Lassa fever is caused by the Lassa virus, which is primarily spread by rodents and can result in serious illness including deafness, severe bleeding and even death. First discovered in…

In 2022, contaminated medicinal syrups caused the deaths of more than 300 children across Indonesia, The Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon. Only two months ago, at least a further 24 deaths were reported in India. In response, Oxford’s DEG-EG team is developing novel tests to identify these lethal contaminants in both medicinal syrups and their raw materials.The team has successfully repurposed commercially available rapid tests, each costing less than £1:Alcohol test…

Professor Stephen Smartt. The award recognises the achievements of the ENGRAVE (Electromagnetic counterparts of gravitational wave sources at the Very Large Telescope) collaboration in tracing the origins of the Universe’s heaviest elements, forged in the aftermath of supernova explosions. In doing so, it has helped uncover the very building blocks of our existence. The award celebrates ENGRAVE as a model of scientific excellence and collaboration, particularly for its joint European…

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of Germany visited the University of Oxford on Friday 5 December as part of his three-day State Visit to the United Kingdom, hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen. The President was accompanied in Oxford by the First Lady, Ms Elke Büdenbender. Oxford formed the final stop on the President’s visit, and provided an opportunity to celebrate long-standing academic partnerships between the University and Germany,…

The UK is facing a national emergency not only because the climate is changing, but because the living systems that regulate that climate, protect our homes, and feed our people are breaking down. This is exposing our country to escalating risks: floods, fires, heatwaves, food insecurity, and economic instability. Professor Nathalie Seddon speaking at the National Emergency Briefing. Credit: National Emergency Briefing. The facts are sobering: the UK is one…

Professor Yuval Shany, Institute for Ethics in AI Human rights such as equality and privacy are under considerable pressure due to practices such as profiling and mass surveillance associated with certain AI systems; plus new AI systems also invite consideration of extending human rights protections to capture new human needs and interests implicated by their use.Not only can these systems generate new benefits in areas such as health, education and work,…

Published in Nature Scientific Reports the research determined insight from 3,752 health professionals and researchers across 151 countries and is one of the largest Global studies of its kind, with 86.9% of participants based in low- and middle-income countries. Participants reported that climate change, poverty, and drug resistance are combining to create an escalating health crisis that could become a ‘creeping catastrophe’ if left unaddressed.Data gathered in countries across Africa,…

Published in Nature Scientific Reports the research determined insight from 3,752 health professionals and researchers across 151 countries and is one of the largest Global studies of its kind, with 86.9% of participants based in low- and middle-income countries. Participants reported that climate change, poverty, and drug resistance are combining to create an escalating health crisis that could become a ‘creeping catastrophe’ if left unaddressed.Data gathered in countries across Africa,…

Once seen as a source of alarm, drones (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, UAVs) are now proving to be surprisingly elephant-friendly and a valuable research tool. Previously, the use of drones in elephant conservation has mostly relied on their power to disturb: with their buzzing propellers, which can sound like a swarm of bees, elephants reliably run from drones, making them a useful tool to drive elephants from croplands.This research demonstrates…

An alliance between the University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University and Oxfordshire County Council, the Local Policy Lab promotes partnerships between academia, community, and government in order to inform policy and improve quality of life for Oxfordshire residents.Professor James Robson, Dr Joanna Crocker and Associate Professor Jonathan Reid will each be responsible for leading and delivering an ambitious three-year research plan in one of three focus areas: delivering a skilled…

The Budget raises income tax without changing the rate bands. “The way that most people will feel it in income tax is via what is called fiscal drag – frozen thresholds mean that people drift into higher tax brackets as their wages increase,” says Prof McMahon. “Often called a stealth tax, the Chancellor was at least open that this was a tax increase.” There are a lot of measures related to growth, but we will have to wait…