Cleaner routes to pharmaceuticals could be achieved by exploring new reactivity in metal free catalysis, researchers at Cardiff University claim. Their cutting edge RadicalCAT project, led by Professor Rebecca Melen from the School of Chemistry, is supported by a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant. The Cardiff University team will explore innovative ways to drive … Continue reading Developing cleaner, smarter ways to make important molecules

A risk evaluation aimed at helping protect women from domestic violence is working but could be improved to help more victims, according to researchers. The Domestic Abuse, Stalking, Harassment and Honour-Based Violence (DASH) tool is used by police forces throughout the UK to assess risk of future domestic abuse. Last year, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State … Continue reading Study puts the spotlight on an assessment tool used to predict deadly domestic abuse

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 two widely available brands of wipes … Continue reading Biodegradable wet wipes remain in rivers for more than five weeks

For decades, scientists have puzzled over why the majority of left handed people process language in the left hemisphere of their brains, just like their right handed counterparts. Now, a new study from Bangor University and Oslo University has challenged one of the most enduring explanations for this phenomenon. A team led by Dr David … Continue reading New research debunks long held theory about left handed brains

mRNA vaccines, like Covid-19 vaccines, work better if patients are in a good mood, according to new research by Cardiff University. A new study has uncovered how our psychological state can impact the antibody responses to two doses of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. The study observed that greater positive mood and fewer depressive symptoms were … Continue reading A good mood helps Covid-19 vaccines work better

A new tool to aid forensic investigations of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) has been developed by a team of researchers in collaboration with practitioners from law enforcement, healthcare and industry. Cardiff University says the advanced physics based AI driven technology introduces a mechanics informed machine learning framework to help police and forensic teams accurately predict … Continue reading New AI powered tool could enhance traumatic brain injury investigations in forensics and law enforcement

Bangor University has played an important role in researching a new psychological therapy for male offenders with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). The study, published in The Lancet Psychiatry and funded by the National Institute for Health & Care Research (NIHR), investigated whether aggression and antisocial behaviours could be improved by a modified form of mentalisation … Continue reading Researchers trial new therapy for male offenders with antisocial personality disorder

Can a horse have depression or sleep problems? Researchers at Aberystwyth University are hoping to find out, after developing a test using touch screens. Horses use their noses to distinguish and match images, and are rewarded with food when they get this right. The BBC reports the study could have implications for how horses are … Continue reading Test to find out if horses can have depression

Childbirth is often described as one of life’s most profound experiences, but for many, it can be fraught with anxiety, pain and trauma. Autism is a lifelong neurotype, which affects around 3% of people. It is linked to differences in communication and sensory processing. Women have historically been under diagnosed with autism, diagnosed at an … Continue reading Autistic women face barriers to safe and supportive maternity care

A cutting edge medical device which purifies and concentrates urine could be a game changer in the research and diagnosis of health conditions including cancer. With the support of Bangor University, Caernarfon based Bee Robotics Ltd developed a prototype which purifies urine to leave a concentrated sample for biological analysis. Spearheaded by coordinator Osborn Jones, … Continue reading Welsh invention a “game changer” in research and diagnosis of health conditions including cancer