Press releases: 2010

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Win for early-career researchers with top entrepreneurial skills

14 Dec 2010
A team of early-career environmental scientists with ideas for reversing fish decline took top prize in a national competition, held last night in London. Win for early-career researchers with top entrepreneurial skills

New start-up company to develop novel medicines

13 Dec 2010
IXO Therapeutics Ltd, a new company formed to research and develop novel medicines to treat inflammation and immune system diseases, launches today. New start-up company to develop novel medicines

Science and maths can open up a world of opportunity

6 Dec 2010
Volcanoes, the Antarctic and giant satellite-tracking lasers all play starring roles in a new series of short videos that dispel the myth that science is boring or difficult. Science and maths can open up a world of opportunity

Length of pregnancy influenced by placenta structure

18 Nov 2010
The nine-month pregnancy in humans is influenced by the structure of the placenta, according to new research into the evolution of reproduction in mammals. Length of pregnancy influenced by placenta structure

Spanish workers are ruthless revolutionaries while British are loyal to their queens

3 Nov 2010
A new study that analyses how complex, highly evolved societies are organized in nature has found that workers play a pivotal role. Spanish workers are ruthless revolutionaries while British are loyal to their queens

Falkland Islands radar to monitor activity that creates the 'Southern Lights'

22 Oct 2010
Scientists have recycled equipment to help us understand solar winds and other atmospheric activity. Falkland Islands radar to monitor activity that creates the 'Southern Lights'

UK's most wanted: People with the maths and communication skills to save our planet!

11 Oct 2010
Over the next 10 years the UK could run short of people able to tackle urgent environmental challenges unless skills gaps can be plugged, says a report published today. UK's most wanted: People with the maths and communication skills to save our planet!

Expedition to trace ocean's vital nutrients

8 Oct 2010
A new scientific expedition sets sail for the South Atlantic on 17 October to investigate the 'micronutrient' metals which are vital to marine life and affect global climate. Expedition to trace ocean's vital nutrients

Nature could drive growth and cut poverty in the developing world

4 Oct 2010
This week researchers from across the world will meet to talk about ways to use the natural world to reduce poverty, deliver sustainable growth and improve the lives of people in the most vulnerable communities. Nature could drive growth and cut poverty in the developing world

Reappointment of the Chair of NERC

30 Sep 2010
Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts today announced the reappointment of Mr Ed Wallis as the Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council. Reappointment of the Chair of NERC

'Experiment Earth?' Public have their say on technologies to reduce global warming

9 Sep 2010
A report published today outlines peoples' attitudes to this emerging area of research. 'Experiment Earth?' Public have their say on technologies to reduce global warming

Reappointments to NERC Council

20 Aug 2010
David Willetts, Minister for Universities & Science, has announced that five members of NERC's Council will serve for a further three years. Reappointments to NERC Council

Less is more for a hungry bat

20 Aug 2010
Like a stealth fighter plane, the barbastelle bat uses a sneaky hunting strategy to catch its prey. Researchers uncover the secret of this rare bat's success. Less is more for a hungry bat

Dwindling green pastures, not hunting, may have killed off the mammoth

18 Aug 2010
The findings of a new study challenge the theory that human beings were the primary cause of the extinction of mammals such as the woolly mammoth. Dwindling green pastures, not hunting, may have killed off the mammoth

Stone Age remains are Britain's earliest house

10 Aug 2010
Archaeologists working at a site in North Yorkshire say it contains Britain's earliest surviving house, dating back to at least 8,500 years BC. Stone Age remains are Britain's earliest house

Mountain marmots made bigger by climate change, says new study

22 Jul 2010
Research spanning more than 30 years shows that longer summers in the Colorado mountains are leading to fatter, healthier, marmot populations. Mountain marmots made bigger by climate change, says new study

Africa's national parks hit by mammal declines

13 Jul 2010
The Masai Mara and the Serengeti have seen populations of large mammals decline by as much as 59 per cent, according to a new study published this week. Africa's national parks hit by mammal declines

New projects to address decline of honeybees and other insect pollinators

22 Jun 2010
The projects will explore the causes and consequences of threats to insect pollinators and ask questions about the recent decline of bees and other pollinating insects. New projects to address decline of honeybees and other insect pollinators

Battle of the sexes exists in the plant world too

22 Jun 2010
Researchers have discovered that plants, like animals, also have a battle of the sexes when it comes to raising their offspring. Battle of the sexes exists in the plant world too

UK science spotlights ocean acidification

22 Jun 2010
Funding is announced for six major research projects, each delivering a key part of the £12m UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme. UK science spotlights ocean acidification

Conker trees facing peril from alien invaders

10 Jun 2010
Conkers, a favourite playground game in British schools, could soon be just a fond memory if a serious threat to horse chestnut trees continues to spread. Conker trees facing peril from alien invaders

Giant steps help hungry fish to find food

10 Jun 2010
Hungry sharks, swordfish and other ocean predators have adopted different hunting behaviours depending on how much food is readily available. Giant steps help hungry fish to find food

Garden birds shun organic

19 May 2010
The nutritional benefits of organic food have been called into question by new research which shows wild garden birds prefer conventional seed to organically grown. Garden birds shun organic

Fast food curry footprint same as 140 million car miles

18 May 2010
A new footprinting tool calculates that lamb curry ready-made meals eaten in the UK amount to an annual carbon footprint equivalent to 5,500 car trips around the world. Fast food curry footprint same as 140 million car miles

Ancient pigs reveal clues about colonisation of Pacific

18 May 2010
The remains of 3,000 year old pigs, dogs and chickens are being used to reveal clues about early human colonisation in some of the remotest parts of the planet. Ancient pigs reveal clues about colonisation of Pacific

Baby corals dance their way home

15 May 2010
In their first days as free-swimming larvae, baby corals find their way by listening to the noise of animals on the reef and swimming towards it. Baby corals dance their way home

Volcanic ash impacts: research and collaboration continues

13 May 2010
The eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull is providing NERC with a unique opportunity to carry out some valuable research. Volcanic ash impacts: research and collaboration continues

Research aircraft continue to sample volcanic ash

20 Apr 2010
Scientists are still working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Met Office to monitor the ash plume from Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Research aircraft continue to sample volcanic ash

Research aircraft to fly to the edge of volcanic plume over Britain

15 Apr 2010
The Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull,which began erupting on 20 March this year, is causing chaos at UK airports as a massive plume of ash is blown across northern Britain. Research aircraft to fly to the edge of volcanic plume over Britain

Deepest black smokers found in Caribbean

14 Apr 2010
Scientists have found the deepest known hydrothermal vents, some 5 kilometres down beneath the waves of the Caribbean in the Cayman Trough. Deepest black smokers found in Caribbean

Director appointed for the new National Oceanography Centre

13 Apr 2010
Professor Edward Hill is to lead the new centre, which he says will be a major centre of marine science excellence internationally and responsible for building a strong partnership approach with marine researchers in the UK. Director appointed for the new National Oceanography Centre

UK scientists to unearth Ice Age secrets from preserved tree rings

31 Mar 2010
The rings of preserved kauri trees, hidden in New Zealand's peat bogs, hold the secret to climate fluctuations spanning back to the end of the last Ice Age. UK scientists to unearth Ice Age secrets from preserved tree rings

Contract awarded for new research ship

30 Mar 2010
NERC commissions state-of-the art scientific research ship to replace the RRS Discovery. Contract awarded for new research ship

Ice mission ready for launch

30 Mar 2010
A UK-led satellite designed to monitor changes in ice cover at the poles will launch at 14:57 UK time on 8 April 2010 from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Ice mission ready for launch

Fishing discard ban could damage sea bird success, scientists warn

23 Mar 2010
A proposed EU ban on throwing unwanted fish overboard from commercial boats could put one of the North Sea's most successful sea birds at risk. Fishing discard ban could damage sea bird success, scientists warn

The breathing ocean

23 Mar 2010
The completion of a major research programme is celebrated today with the finale of the UK Surface Ocean - Lower Atmosphere Study (UK SOLAS). The breathing ocean

UK to host international science conference

11 Mar 2010
The UK has won its bid to host a major international science conference in 2012. The London conference aims to attract 2,500 of the world's leading thinkers in global change research. UK to host international science conference

Ice maidens go north on Arctic expedition

25 Feb 2010
Three women funded by the Natural Environment Research Council are taking a leading role in a major Arctic expedition this spring. Ice maidens go north on Arctic expedition

Research project inspires new BBC series

19 Feb 2010
A research project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council has inspired the BBC's latest primetime wildlife documentary series. Research project inspires new BBC series

UK and India forge new research collaborations

18 Feb 2010
Two major research deals have been signed between the UK and India, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, Pat McFadden, announced this week. UK and India forge new research collaborations

Britain's beaches to benefit from better water quality forecasts

16 Feb 2010
Britain's coastal waters come under scrutiny as a new £3.3m European research project gets under way. Britain's beaches to benefit from better water quality forecasts

New national centre covers marine science from the coast to the deep ocean

2 Feb 2010
NERC announces the creation of a new, national research organisation that will work in partnership with the UK marine research community to deliver integrated marine science and technology. New national centre covers marine science from the coast to the deep ocean

Press releases: 2010

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