Research news

Latest stories from the University of Stirling

New approach to call handling is saving lives, study finds

A call-handling model introduced by the Scottish Ambulance Service to enhance its response to patients with life-threatening conditions has improved survival rates, new research has revealed.

ambulance banner

Study sheds new light on the structure of comets

A University of Stirling planetary scientist – working with European colleagues – has helped shed new light on the physical properties and evolution of comets.

67PChuryumov-Gerasimenko comet

NASA mission – involving Stirling experts – comes to an end

A NASA mission to Mars – involving University of Stirling scientists – has ended 15 years after arriving on the Red Planet.

Mars

Stirling to lead £800,000 study into forests and climate change

The University of Stirling will lead a new £800,000 interdisciplinary study designed to predict and monitor the response of European forests to drought and temperature change.

forest

Game of Thrones star shares social insights with Stirling students

Actor Maisie Williams has urged University of Stirling students to “take risks” and grab opportunities – as she visited campus to launch her new social networking app.

Maisie Williams

Expert co-authors major new report on impact of hunting

A new report – commissioned by a leading international organisation – promotes the creation of a sustainable wild meat sector to protect disadvantaged people and endangered species from hunting.

Leopard

Parliament praises University housing and ageing reports

Two University of Stirling-led reports looking at housing and ageing and the impact of housing support services on the quality of life of older people have been praised by the Scottish Parliament.

parliament

Minister visits Stirling to hear about innovative research

A Scottish Government minister has visited the University of Stirling to hear how its experts are leading a £1.85 million study investigating how marine plastics transport bacteria and viruses.

Ministerial visit

Initiative to boost lifestyles of football fans proves a success

A project designed to improve the health of football fans has proven to be more effective in boosting physical activity in men than other similar programmes, according to new research.

Football fans training

Classic card game to bridge the gap between play and study

Researchers at the University of Stirling are using a classic card game to develop an academic discipline called the Sociology of Bridge.

playing cards

Misinformation targeted by Stirling researcher

Tackling false information in news reports, the public sphere and on social media will be the focus of a world-first event co-organised by a University of Stirling researcher.

Misinformation wordcloud

New research will improve diagnosis of antenatal anxiety

A landmark study by experts at the University of Stirling will help health professionals improve the identification of severe and problematic anxiety in pregnant women.

anxiety in pregnancy

Stirling experts to study wildlife trade in Central Africa

The University of Stirling will receive around £390,000 as part of a new multi-million pound project aiming to make trade a positive force for both marginalised people and nature conservation.

bushmeat

Scottish Minister learns about University's work on ageing and dementia

Scottish Government Minister for Older People, Christina McKelvie MSP, visited the University of Stirling to hear about its work on ageing and dementia.

Four women in a row with hills behind

Enhanced research reporting method to improve patient care

Patients could benefit from improved care and outcomes thanks to new research guidance developed as part of a University of Stirling-led study.

doctor and patient

Media and communications conference makes Scottish debut at Stirling

A major UK media and communications conference starts at the University of Stirling today – the first time it has been held in Scotland.

L-R Joan McAlpine MSP, Professor Anita Biressi, Dr Alenka Jelen, Professor Richard Haynes, Fiona Hyslop MSP

Experts warn against mega-dams in lowland tropical forests

Mega-dams should not be built in lowland tropical forest regions due to the threat they pose to biodiversity and ecosystems, according to experts at the University of Stirling.

Islands created by mega-dam

Researchers awarded three-year fellowships to address needs of society

Eight researchers have been awarded Anniversary Fellowships by the University of Stirling to carry out research which addresses the needs of society.

Group of eight people standing under three University umbrellas

Lifetime achievement award for Sir George Reid

University of Stirling Professorial Fellow Sir George Reid has won Scotland’s top award for public service.

Sir George Reid and John Swinney MSP

Plain packaging sparked tobacco price rises, new study finds

The introduction of plain tobacco packaging led to an increase in the price of leading products, according to new research from the University of Stirling.

Woman smoking cigarette

Global survey of news photographers reveals financial challenges

An international study of news photographers – authored by University of Stirling academics – has revealed a sharp decline in the number working full-time.

Earth Kiln, by Li Huaifeng

£1.85m study to investigate microbes “hitch-hiking” on marine plastics

Experts at the University of Stirling will lead a new £1.85 million project investigating how marine plastics transport bacteria and viruses – and the impact that may have on human health.

Marine plastics

Reduction in drink-drive limit has not reduced the number of accidents, study finds

The lowering of the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers in Scotland has had no impact on the number of road traffic accidents, a new study involving the University of Stirling has found.

Person opens car

Data science “valuable” to mental health research

A review involving experts from the University of Stirling has suggested new ways in which big data could enhance the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.

Mental health banner

Stirling academic helps shape landmark human rights report

The First Minister of Scotland’s advisory group on human rights leadership – which includes a University of Stirling academic – has recommended a new framework to improve people’s daily lives.

A group of people standing in a line, this is the advisory group on human rights leadership

‘Real-life Game of Thrones’ Scots history show stars Stirling academic

A major BBC history series focusing on Scotland’s clans features expertise from a senior University of Stirling academic.

Highlands of Scotland

Scottish Government steering group on clean air appoints Stirling academic

A steering group set up by the Scottish Government to help improve air quality in Scotland has appointed a University of Stirling academic.

Image of white cloud in blue sky

Experts preparing for invasion of “dangerous” plant bacteria

Scientists from the University of Stirling are working to tackle the potential introduction and spread of a devastating plant pathogen into the UK as part of a new £4.85 million study.

Spittlebug

Stirling academic goes off-piste to explore risk in new short movie

A short movie exploring skiing and the philosophy of risk is to feature expertise from a University of Stirling academic.

Image from Comfort Zones movie

UK Cabinet minister visits University of Stirling

A senior UK Government minister has visited the University of Stirling where he endorsed ambitious plans to create two multi-million-pound international research centres on campus.

David Lidington CBE MP and Professor Maggie Cusack

University experts awarded £100k to evaluate domestic abuse programme

Academics from the University of Stirling have been awarded nearly £100,000 to evaluate a community project that aims to reduce acceptance of domestic violence.

infographic of words including domestic violence

Human rights report unveiled by Scottish Parliament committee

The Scottish Parliament should be an international human rights leader, according to a report citing research by a University of Stirling academic.

Image of Dr Katie Boyle

Stirling experts working on NASA’s latest mission to Mars

Two University of Stirling scientists are working on NASA’s latest mission in an attempt to understand more about the formation and early evolution of Mars, Earth and other rocky planets.

Mars banner

€2.6 million transport project to identify women’s needs

The University of Stirling has received a share of €2.6 (£2.3) million to create fairer and more inclusive transport systems that consider the needs of women as both users and employees.

Occupational health study links air pollution and cancer

University of Stirling experts have discovered new evidence of the link between air pollution and cancer as part of a new occupational health study.

Doctor

Climate change predicted to end truffle production

The lucrative truffle industry is set to disappear within a generation due to climate change, according to new research by a University of Stirling academic.

Truffles

Ambassador to outline Slovakia’s key anniversaries in Stirling talk

Seminal points in the history of Slovakia will be explored in a lecture by the country’s ambassador to the UK.

Digital design should embed ethical and political values

Digital developers should consider the ethical and political values of their users – rather than focusing solely on their needs – a University of Stirling-led report has said.

young people sitting in a row looking at mobile phones

Establishing responsibility for the impacts of climate change

The links between climate change impacts – including storms, wildfires and environmental damage – and human rights obligations will be debated at a public event involving a University of Stirling academic at the London School of Economics.

DR ANNALISA SAVARESI

Stirling academic outlines options for strengthening human rights laws and addressing poverty in Scotland

Scotland can show the world how human rights can be effectively enshrined in law, a Scottish Human Rights Commission report authored by a University of Stirling academic has suggested.

Image of Dr Katie Boyle

Experts call for a targeted approach to cancer prevention

Policymakers around the world should consider introducing more targeted early interventions in a bid to tackle cancer, according to experts at the University of Stirling.

Radiologist

Inequalities between schools preparing pupils for university

Students from high attaining state schools are better prepared for the university application process than their peers in more deprived areas, new research by the University of Stirling has found.

form with accepted stamp and pen

Life and work of Scots filmmaker and poet celebrated

A centenary celebration of a leading Scots filmmaker and poet officially begins next month.

Image of filmmaker Margaret Tait

Hidden costs in education system impact on Scotland’s poorest families

Hidden costs in the education system – such as school trips and uniform - are impacting on children and families living in poverty, a report by Dr Morag Treanor, from the University of Stirling, has found.

secondary school students in school uniform

One in 10 people may opt-out of proposed organ donor system

A new study has revealed that around one in 10 people are considering opting out of a proposed new system that aims to increase organ donation by presuming consent.

Organ donor

Domestic abuse legislation should recognise children as victims

Children who experience domestic abuse should be recognised by law as victims and not merely as witnesses, University of Stirling child expert Professor Jane Callaghan has claimed.

child crying and covering ears as man and woman argue in background

Beavers’ impact on biodiversity revealed

Beaver-built ponds are far more biodiverse than other wetlands, new research from the University of Stirling has revealed.

A beaver swimming in the water

Experts identify the key to The Daily Mile’s success

The Daily Mile initiative has enjoyed worldwide success thanks to its simplicity, flexibility and adaptability, according to new research led by the University of Stirling.

daily mile

SME business owners need skills to adapt to Brexit

A new report by Dr Oliver Mallett at the University of Stirling, which looked at how regulations affect small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), has called on policymakers to help prepare them for Brexit by providing them with the skills to adapt to changes.

Brexit sign against grey clouds

Housing experts call for a Commissioner for Ageing

A University of Stirling-led report has called for a Commissioner for Ageing in England and Scotland – similar to the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales – to ensure that people are able to age in the right place.

Group of three women and one man standing in a row