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« Back to NewsNew study shows tiny animals steal antibiotic recipes from bacteria
19 July 2024
Antimicrobial resistance Biology Research
A group of small freshwater animals protect themselves from infections using antibiotic recipes stolen from bacteria, according to new research led by the University of Oxford that could help develop future medicines.
In The Conversation: Tiny animals use stolen genes to fight infections – and could fight antibiotic resistance too
18 July 2024
Antimicrobial resistance Biology The Conversation
A little-known group of microscopic animals has spent millions of years copying recipes for antibiotics from bacteria and using them to fight infections. Could this unusual defensive strategy could offer short-cuts in the race to develop antimicrobial treatments?
In The Conversation: Lions make a perilous journey across a 1.5km stretch of water to find mates
11 July 2024
Lions in a Uganda park make a perilous journey across a 1.5km stretch of water: WildCRU collaboration suggests the drive is to find mates.
Nature-based Solutions Conference 2024: Honouring indigenous sovereignty, reconnecting with nature
28 June 2024
Biology Public Engagement Sustainability & the environment
The Nature-based Solutions Conference, hosted by Oxford University 18-20 June, blended scientific rigour with ceremonial and cultural richness.
In The Conversation: The UK’s nature restoration plans have some big holes – here’s how to fill them
6 June 2024
'Have you heard anything about nature as a political priority in the upcoming UK general election? We haven’t. And as biodiversity researchers, that troubles us.' Professor Dame EJ Milner-Gulland, Department of Biology writes in The Conversation.
Novel triple drug combination effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria
3 May 2024
Antimicrobial resistance Biology
Scientists at the Ineos Oxford Institute (IOI) have found a new potential combination therapy to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by targeting two key bacterial enzymes involved in resistance. The findings have been published in the journal Engineering.
Landmark study definitively shows that conservation actions are effective at halting and reversing biodiversity loss
26 April 2024
Biology Research Sustainability & the environment
MPLS researchers have contributed to a first-of-its kind review on the success of a wide range of conservation actions.
Oxford researchers comment on the plastic waste crisis for Earth Day 2024
22 April 2024
Biology Climate Sustainability & the environment
Each year, Earth Day acts as a reminder of the importance of environmental conservation and sustainability, encouraging us to come together and take action for the planet. For the 2024 Earth Day, taking place today, the theme is ‘Planet vs Plastics.’ Oxford University researchers comment on the global plastic waste crisis, and the opportunities and challenges in moving to a sustainable plastics economy.
Study shows that island bats are valuable allies for farmers
17 April 2024
The 17th April is international bat appreciation day and a new study has highlighted how these secretive mammals can be valuable allies for farmers, by feeding on important agricultural pests. The findings demonstrate that encouraging bat species can be a win-win for both conservation efforts and local farmers.
More social birds are more adventurous feeders, study finds
4 April 2024
A new study led by researchers at the University of Oxford has found that birds that are more social are more likely to use novel sources of food. The findings have been published in iScience.
Study finds that bees need food up to a month earlier than provided by recommended pollinator plants
26 March 2024
Biology Food security & biodiversity Research
New research from the Universities of Oxford and Exeter has revealed that plant species recommended as ‘pollinator friendly’ in Europe begin flowering up to a month too late in the spring to effectively contribute to wild bee conservation.
Researchers discover a coral superhighway in the Indian Ocean
12 March 2024
Biology Earth sciences Food security & biodiversity Research
Despite being scattered across more than a million square kilometres, new research has revealed that remote coral reefs across the Seychelles are closely related. A network of ocean currents scatter significant numbers of larvae between these distant islands, acting as a ‘coral superhighway.’
The world’s most prolific carbon-fixing enzyme is slowly getting better
7 March 2024
Biology Food security & biodiversity Research
New research led by the University of Oxford has found that rubisco – the enzyme that fuels all life on Earth – is not stuck in an evolutionary rut after all; it is improving all the time – just very, very slowly. These insights could potentially open up new routes to strengthen food security.
From The Conversation: Wild solitary bees offer a vital pollination service – but their nutritional needs aren’t understood
4 March 2024
Biology Food security & biodiversity The Conversation
Ellen Baker from the Department of Biology writes about the important role played by solitary bees and the need to ensure the right flower foods are available to them.
Study reveals high number of persistent COVID-19 infections in the general population
21 February 2024
Biology COVID-19 Medical science Research
A new study led by the University of Oxford has found that a high proportion of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the general population lead to persistent infections lasting a month or more. The findings have been published today in the journal Nature.
From The Conversation: Developers in England will be forced to create habitats for wildlife – here’s how it works
15 February 2024
Biology Sustainability & the environment The Conversation
Natalie Duffus and Sophus zu Ermgassen from the Department of Biology discuss how England’s new environmental policy, biodiversity net gain, will work in practice.
From The Conversation: Migratory animals face mass extinction – but as a conservationist I’m optimistic
15 February 2024
Biology Sustainability & the environment The Conversation
Dan Challender, Research Fellow in Conservation Science and Policy in the Department of Biology, writes about a landmark meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species, supporting the conservation and sustainable use of migratory species.
From The Conversation: Men become less fertile with age, but the same isn’t true for all animals – new study
14 February 2024
Krish Sanghvi, Irem Sepil and Regina Vega-Trejo from the Department of Biology discuss how understanding ageing of sperm in other animals could give new insights into our own fertility.
Endangered seabird shows surprising individual flexibility to adapt to climate change
2 February 2024
A decade-long study led by the University of Oxford has revealed new insights into the mechanisms that enable animals to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The results have been published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Researchers develop hedgehog safety test for robotic lawnmowers
16 January 2024
Researchers at the Department of Biology have developed a new test to assess how dangerous robotic lawnmowers are to hedgehogs. They hope this will lead to a certification scheme that will allow consumers to choose ‘hedgehog-friendly’ mowers to help protect these lovable mammals.