BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 15 -- The University of Birmingham issued the following news: * * * Birmingham researchers unwrap '12 pollution days of Christmas' Scientists have uncovered a Christmas catalogue of ways that pollution can find its way into even the most joyful winter moments. * As families everywhere get ready to raise a glass to the festive season, University of Birmingham scientists say that Christmas may come with an unexpected list of uninvited guests -- a host of pollutants s more PR

CARDIFF, Wales, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- Cardiff University issued the following news: * * * Biodegradable wet wipes remain in rivers for more than five weeks Scientists have tested, for the first time, how biodegradable wet wipes break down when flushed rather than composted discovering that most wipes remain after five weeks - a finding the research team say challenges the marketing of these products. Researchers from Cardiff University's Schools of Biosciences, Chemistry and Engineering tested more PR

PERTH, Australia, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- Curtin University issued the following news release: * * * Curtin study reveals rapid shift in public trust towards AI 'chatbot therapists' Public attitudes toward 'chatbot therapists' shifted dramatically during the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence in 2023, according to a new Curtin University study, that is now behind the redevelopment of a safer, wellbeing chatbot called Monti. Data collected both before and after the emergence of Chat more PR

BEDFORD PARK, Australia, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- Flinders University issued the following news: * * * E-friendly solution to marine fouling Marine fouling triggers ongoing economic losses for the global shipping industry through detrimental effects on structures and vessels - but tests by Flinders University researchers on a new type of anti-foul coating reveal a solution that is not detrimental to the environment. Controlling marine fouling is complex, as many factors influence organism settlem more PR

GOLD COAST, Australia, Dec. 15 -- Griffith University issued the following news: * * * Cracks in the earth - major gully erosion poses humanitarian crisis threats Recent fieldwork by Griffith University researchers has highlighted an African country is facing a rapidly escalating environmental crisis as severe gully erosion - locally termed "mega gullies" - advances across valuable agricultural landscapes. Associate Professor Andrew Brooks and Research Fellow Dr Maarten Wynants from Griffit more PR

HONG KONG, Dec. 15 -- The University of Hong Kong issued the following news release: * * * HKU Civil Engineering Researchers Develop Novel Tracking Method to Reveal Spread of Antibiotic Resistance across Hong Kong's Environment A research team from the Faculty of Engineering at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has harnessed citywide genetic data and developed a novel genome-resolved tracking method to uncover precisely how antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes move across  more PR

HONG KONG, Dec. 15 -- The University of Hong Kong issued the following news release: * * * HKU Co-hosts International Lunar Sample Research Symposium Bringing Together Global Scientists to Unravel Mysteries of Lunar Soil * To advance global collaboration in lunar science, the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (DEPS-HKU) and the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGG-CAS) jointly hosted the International Lunar Sample Rese more PR

MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- La Trobe University issued the following news release: * * * Iconic fossil may be new type of human ancestor An international study led by researchers from Australia's La Trobe University and the University of Cambridge has challenged the classification of one of the world's most complete human ancestral fossils, raising the possibility of a new human species. The fossil, found in South Africa's Sterkfontein Caves in 1998 and dubbed "Little Foot", ha more PR

HONG KONG, Dec. 15 -- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University issued the following news release: * * * PolyU develops ultra-stable, mucus-inspired hydrogel to boost gastrointestinal wound healing The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed an acid-resistant "ultra-stable mucus-inspired hydrogel" (UMIH), marking a breakthrough in the field of gastrointestinal medicine. Traditional hydrogels--gelatin-like materials that absorb and retain water--are widely used to aid wound healing a more PR

HONG KONG, Dec. 15 -- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University issued the following news release: * * * PolyU hosts Quantum HK 2025, convening global experts to probe frontier advances in quantum technologies As a pivotal hub fostering international research collaboration between the Greater Bay Area and the rest of the world, Hong Kong serves as a unique intermediary in driving the innovation and translation of quantum technologies. The "International Conference on Quantum Technology 2025" (Quan more PR

HAIFA, Israel, Dec. 15 -- The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology issued the following news: * * * Prof. Hossam Haick of the Technion Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors The selection is a prestigious international recognition of his groundbreaking achievements and his impact on global innovation * Professor Hossam Haick of the Wolfson Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology has been elected a Fellow of the U.S. National Academ more PR

BRISBANE, Australia, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- The Queensland University of Technology issued the following news: * * * Global review reveals what works for older students with reading difficulties A comprehensive review of interventions for students in Grades 4-12 who struggle with reading challenges the misconception that support beyond the early years of school is ineffective. Published in Educational Research Review, this systematic review and meta-analysis included 106 studies, involving more more PR

BRISBANE, Australia, Dec. 15 -- The Queensland University of Technology issued the following news: * * * NHMRC e-ASIA grant to pioneer antiviral technology Professor Rik Thompson has received a $740,435 NHMRC 2025 e-ASIA Joint Research Program grant to develop a breakthrough antiviral technology that could transform global health. ProfessorThompson (pictured above), Professor of Breast Cancer Research and Domain Leader,Centre for Genomics and Personalised HealthandSchool of Biomedical Scien more PR

NIJMEGEN, The Netherlands, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- Radboud University issued the following news: * * * Trying to quit smoking? A workplace lottery may help People who want to quit smoking benefit from lotteries as an incentive. This is evident from the Smoke-Free Lottery, a field experiment conducted by the RIVM, Radboud University and various Dutch universities. The findings of this study were published this month in BMC Public Health. During the study, employees from thirteen organisations com more PR

MELBOURNE, Australia, Dec. 15 -- The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University issued the following news release: * * * Age-led social media bans are not enough to prevent harm Is the federal government's social media ban for under 16's enough to reduce digital harm? An RMIT expert argues that age limits alone miss the real risk - platforms designed to keep young people engaged - and that Australia should prioritise evidence-based, design-led regulation to build safer digital environ more PR

KONGENS LYNGBY, Denmark, Dec. 15 -- The Technical University of Denmark issued the following news: * * * Space scientists from DTU among recipients of major new research award A senior researcher and a PhD student from DTU Space are among the first recipients of the Into Change Award, a new Danish prize established by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science to recognise outstanding European research and innovation. By Morten Garly Andersen The Ministry's newly established prize - the I more PR

MUNICH, Germany, Dec. 15 -- The Technical University of Munich issued the following news: * * * Fermentation: Between Tradition and the Lab Fermented foods are trending, but fermentation can be much more than kombucha, kimchi, and yogurt. In the documentary "Fermenting - Power for a Healthy Gut", Marius Henkel, Professor of Cellular Agriculture at the TUM School of Life Sciences, provides insights into precision fermentation and its potentials. Unlike spontaneous fermentation, which uses nat more PR

HAIFA, Israel, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- The Technion - Israel Institute of Technology issued the following news: * * * Order from Chaos Researchers at the Technion and their colleagues in China have discovered the emergence of photon "swirling" in disordered nanometric systems * The journal Nature Materials reports the discovery of "hidden order" in systems that are disordered in space and time. The breakthrough was achieved by Prof. Erez Hasman from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the more PR

MACAU, China, Dec. 15 -- The University of Macau issued the following news: * * * Topical patch co-developed by UM enters production and reaches market 'Macao Yat-Tiu-Gan', a topical Glycine tabacina patch developed through a collaboration between a research team led by He Chengwei, associate professor in the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and the State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine (SKL-MQCM) at the University of Macau (UM), and Macaufacture Medical Suppl more PR

BAYREUTH, Germany, Dec. 15 -- The University of Bayreuth issued the following news release: * * * University of Bayreuth conducts research into new stationary battery storage systems as part of the EU project SPACER The Materials Process Engineering research group (LSWV) at the University of Bayreuth is part of the new Horizon Europe project SPACER. In this project, 13 funded and eight associated partners from nine countries are tackling the materials science challenges of stationary battery  more PR

BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 15 -- The University of Birmingham issued the following news: * * * University of Birmingham hosts Molecular Microbial Ecology Group Meeting (MMEG25) The University is hosting the 31st Molecular Microbial Ecology Group Meeting, welcoming researchers for two days of scientific exchange and networking. * The University of Birmingham is hosting the 31st Molecular Microbial Ecology Group (MMEG) Meeting this week, welcoming researchers from across the UK and beyond to c more PR

BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- The University of Birmingham issued the following news: * * * IVF study shows progesterone capsules linked to better outcomes than pessaries Large UK cohort suggests differences in clinical outcomes between two widely used options. * Women undergoing IVF treatment may see better outcomes from taking progesterone capsules rather than pessaries, a new study has found. A new analysis of 42,291 assisted reproduction treatment (ART) cycles across 14 fert more PR

BIRMINGHAM, England, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- The University of Birmingham issued the following news: * * * Researchers map mental skills training in dance in first systematic review of its kind A new systematic review has provided the most comprehensive overview to date of how mental skills training supports dancers' performance and wellbeing. * A new mixed-methods systematic review led by the University of Birmingham has provided the most comprehensive overview to date of how mental skills tra more PR

KUOPIO, Finland, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- The University of Eastern Finland issued the following news: * * * Second-hand gift-giving is a well-deliberated decision Fair price, treasure hunting, i.e., the thrill of finding something rare or valuable, as well as ethical and ecological reasons motivate consumers' intentions to buy second-hand gifts, a recent study from the University of Eastern Finland finds. Administered to users of one of Finland's most popular consumer-to-consumer online marketpla more PR

SYDNEY, Australia, Dec. 15 (TNSjou) -- The University of New South Wales issued the following news: * * * Social connections slow ageing in dolphins, too: study By Tom Melville Male bottlenose dolphins that form friendships age more slowly than loners, new research shows. Dolphins are social creatures that, like all of us, get old. Signs of ageing in dolphins include less energy, changes to skin, slower movement, and fading eyesight. But dolphins have access to a powerful anti-ageing seru more PR

SYDNEY, Australia, Dec. 15 (TNSrep) -- The University of Technology Sydney issued the following news: * * * Hundreds of Pacific workers in Australia would never report mistreatment National survey of workers in Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme reveals widespread fear of retaliation if they speak up. The Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme was established to provide economic opportunity for temporary migrants from the Pacific and address labour shortages in specified sectors in A more PR

UTRECHT, The Netherlands, Dec. 15 -- Utrecht University issued the following news: * * * A succesful energy transition calls for a different approach to citizen engagement The energy transition requires the involvement of citizens, yet in many neighbourhoods in the Netherlands, participation processes fall short in terms of inclusion and lead to disappointment and even conflict between governments and citizens. In her PhD thesis, which she defends on Monday, 15th December, Irene Bronsvoort ar more PR