Research news

Latest stories from the University of Stirling

Inappropriate housing causing disabled people ‘physical and mental harm’

Leading housing experts are warning that disabled home-seekers are experiencing adverse emotional and mental distress due to a lack of suitable accommodation.

Professor Isobel Anderson, Diane Theakstone, Julia Lawrence

Arctic study to shed light on organisms key to the food chain

A research team – led by a University of Stirling expert – will set off on a scientific cruise to the Arctic Ocean this weekend in a bid to understand the behaviour of tiny organisms that are key to the food chain.

Arctic

Half of young drinkers are unaware of health messages on alcohol packaging

Just half of 11-19 year old drinkers recall seeing health messages or warnings on alcohol packaging – despite being an important target market for this information, according to new research.

bottle of wine

Salt rules linked to 9,900 cases of cardiovascular disease and 1,500 cancer cases

A relaxation of UK food industry regulation has been linked with 9,900 additional cases of cardiovascular disease, and 1,500 cases of stomach cancer.

Salt spilling from an overturned salt cellar

Space mission explains lack of primitive meteorites found on Earth

A European lander delivered by a Japanese-led space mission – involving a University of Stirling scientist – has made an important discovery during its exploration of the primitive asteroid Ryugu.

space

Stirling academics awarded NHS research grant to tackle prescription opioid overdose

Substance use experts at the University of Stirling have been awarded a £30,000 research grant from NHS Fife to help reduce the risk of overdose in prescription opioid users.

Tablets in a plastic and foil packet

Scotland’s energy future inquiry informed by University of Stirling expertise

A major inquiry into Scotland’s future energy requirements has benefited from input from a University of Stirling academic.

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MSc student on track to boost cervical cancer screening attendance rates

A Stirling student is expecting to boost cervical cancer screening attendance rates in Iceland by at least 5% after launching an innovative project as part of her MSc course.

Linda Karlsdottir

Looked after children in Scotland have faced ‘significant neglect and maltreatment’ before entering care

Almost 90% of children aged five and under - studied as part of a major new research project led by the University of Stirling - experienced abuse or neglect before entering care.

Child holding hands with two adults

Innovative approach to tackling pesticide resistance evolution

A new £620,000 study led by the University of Stirling is taking a “revolutionary approach” in attempting to tackle resistance to pesticides in insects.

crops

£680k study to tackle aquaculture disease

A new £680,000 project will use cutting-edge techniques to tackle antimicrobial resistance in Vietnamese catfish – a key challenge for the global aquaculture industry.

catfish in vietnam

Monkeys face climate change extinction threat

Monkeys living in South America are highly vulnerable to climate change and face an “elevated risk of extinction”, according to a new University of Stirling-led study.

monkey

Student journalism success for Stirling

Stirling students were celebrating after scooping a host of accolades at a national journalism awards ceremony.

Journalism awards

Study reveals link between sheep reproduction and infection

Sheep living in the remote outpost of St Kilda are more susceptible to infection if they have recently given birth to lambs, according to new research involving the University of Stirling.

sheep

Scientists to value benefits of eco-friendly flood schemes

The economic and environmental benefits of natural flood defences will be explored in a £467,000 University of Stirling-led project.

Flooding in Vietnam

Smoking risk in children has fallen since tobacco display ban

The risk of 11 to 16-year-olds taking up smoking has reduced following the introduction of a ban on the open display of tobacco products in the UK, according to a new University of Stirling study.

Cigarettes

Death of a friend ‘impacts health for up to four years’

The death of a close friend can cause a major decline in physical health and psychological wellbeing – with the impact being felt for up to four years, research has revealed.

Woman wlaking through graveyard holding flowers

Stirling part of new £5.9m study tackling impact of alcohol, tobacco and obesity

Experts at the University of Stirling are part of a new £5.9 million research consortium looking at how the marketing of alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy food and drink has a detrimental impact on health.

alcohol tobacco

Prison tobacco ban significantly reduces second-hand smoke

Levels of second-hand smoke in Scotland’s prisons fell by more than 80 percent in the week after smoking was banned, according to new University of Stirling research.

smoking in jail

Reasons for delay in pelvic organ prolapse treatment revealed

Many women do not seek early treatment for pelvic organ prolapse due to confusion and a lack of awareness around the condition’s symptoms – and feelings of shame and embarrassment – according to new research.

Pelvic pain in women

Stirling research supports new volunteering framework

A new framework aiming at getting people involved in volunteering – and developed with the support of University of Stirling research– has been launched by the Scottish Government.

The word

Global human rights and climate change inquiry lands at Stirling

Experts looking at the responsibility of major global corporate carbon emitters – so called ‘carbon majors’ – for the impacts of climate change have gathered at the University of Stirling.

Climate change banner

Seabed shape and strength can hasten collapse of ice sheets

Scientists have shed new light on the collapse of glaciers in Antarctica and Greenland by studying the history of the last British-Irish Ice Sheet.

antarctica

Stirling research boost to Scots economy outlined

The economic benefit of University of Stirling research activity was the focus of a Scottish Government ministerial visit today.

Eileen Schofield, Professor Gerry McCormac, Astrid Smallenbroek and Richard Lochhead MSP

Feeling ‘at home’ improves health, say Stirling researchers

The ability to feel ‘at home’ has a significant impact on people’s health and wellbeing, according to experts at the University of Stirling.

Row of tenement housing

New study reveals ‘silence’ around suicide in young people

Mental health professionals treating children and young people with suicidal feelings should refer to ‘suicide’ explicitly to ensure they feel listened to, according to new research.

counselling

Study questions the sustainability of plant ingredients as fishmeal substitutes

Substituting fishmeal in aquaculture feeds with plant ingredients may not be as beneficial for the environment as many predict, according to new research from an international team of experts.

Image of campus

Experts provide new guidelines to athletes on protein intake

A review led by a sports scientist at the University of Stirling has set out new international guidelines for protein intake in track and field athletes.

track and field

Research shows impact of poverty on children’s brain activity

Children born into poverty show key differences in behaviour and brain function, according to new research involving the Universities of Stirling and East Anglia.

baby development

Shadow Minister meets Stirling housing and ageing experts

Local MSP, Graham Simpson, visited the University of Stirling to hear how its housing and ageing research is helping to stimulate debate on some of Scotland’s long-term challenges.

Graham Simpson meeting Stirling housing experts

New study models the proposed reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx to Scotland

Experts have used an innovative approach to model the proposed reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx to Scotland.

Eurasian lynx

Violence against long-term care staff “normalised”

Violence against staff working in long-term care facilities – including physical assault, verbal abuse and sexual harassment – has become “normalised”, according to a new University of Stirling study.

healthcare

‘Life after Facebook’ discussed by Stirling media expert

A former national newspaper editor – and new University of Stirling honorary professor – will outline the future of journalism in a talk tomorrow night.

Digital journalism

University showcases world-leading ageing and dementia research to UK Government Minister

A senior UK politician visited the University of Stirling today (Friday 22 March) to hear about its internationally renowned work on ageing and dementia.

L-R: Professor Alison Bowes, Principal Professor Gerry McCormac, Lord Duncan, Martin Quirke & Professor Malcolm MacLeod

Cinema-going memories explored in new research project

University of Stirling academics are collaborating on a major new research project on cinema from the 1930s onwards.

Cinema artefacts

Study reveals impact of plain cigarette packaging warnings

Health warnings on plain-packaged cigarettes have more of an impact on smokers than those on branded packs, according to new research from the University of Stirling.

cigarettes - plain packaging

Space mission involving Stirling scientists reports findings

A Japanese-led space mission – involving a University of Stirling scientist – has reported its initial findings from its investigation of asteroid Ryugu.

outer space

New study sheds light on link between alcohol marketing and increased consumption in young people

Young people’s awareness of alcohol marketing – and their ownership of alcohol-branded merchandise – is associated with increased and higher-risk consumption, a landmark study has found.

Alcohol marketing

App users can stroll through Scotland’s coalmining legacy

A smartphone app that shares secrets of Scotland’s coalmining heritage – through interactive guided walks – has been created by a University of Stirling academic.

Coal banner

Women’s football conference kicks off on International Women’s Day

A University of Stirling researcher has co-ordinated a national conference on women’s football – held at Scotland’s national football stadium.

Women's football

New study informs debate on predator-prey relationships

Experts have shed new light on the relationship between predators and their prey after studying how elk responded to the risk posed by grey wolves in an American national park.

Wolf in snow

New study aims to prompt international action on ocean plastic

The University of Stirling has been awarded a share of £850,000 to lead a research project aiming to inspire international action on marine plastic pollution.

Plastic bag in the ocean

New study on the impact of farming technologies on salmon robustness

Aquaculture experts at the University of Stirling are leading a £2 million study that aims to provide important information on the impact of innovative farming technologies on salmon.

Recirculation aquaculture system

New report finds Scotland could suffer under UK immigration proposals

The UK Government’s immigration plans could reduce the number of workers in Scotland by up to five per cent over the next two decades, an expert panel has warned.

Migration

European ‘conflict’ requires Stirling students’ negotiation skills

Rising tensions between neighbouring nations will be the focus of a NATO simulation exercise involving University of Stirling students.

NATO flag

Biologists discover new plant reproduction behaviour

Biologists linked to the University of Stirling have discovered a novel mechanism used by plants to self-reproduce in the absence of pollinators.

wallflower

Recovering forests important to conservation, study finds

Tropical forests recovering from disturbance could be much more important to the conservation of forest bird species than first thought, according to a new study.

Forest canopy

Housing, food and fuel poverty protections in the spotlight

Legal frameworks to protect citizens’ rights to a decent standard of living will be explored by a University of Stirling academic.

Housing

£1.7m project aims to boost vital aquaculture species

A major research collaboration – involving scientists at the University of Stirling – is aiming to boost stocks of aquaculture species that are vital to the UK.

lumpfish

Back-to-back student journalism wins for Stirling

A University of Stirling student has landed a top national journalism award.

An image of a camera, keyboard, coffee and a notepad and pencil on a desk