Research news

The rapidly growing field of esports needs a comprehensive and agreed governance framework to tackle “unhealthy” sponsorships to protect both players and fans, researchers have said.

New research led by Keele University and published in the journal BMC Medicine has shown that people with inflammatory arthritis currently using gabapentinoids are more likely to break their bones.

Keele has joined forces with other regional universities to tackle inequalities in maternal healthcare across the West Midlands.

An international research team, including an astronomer at Keele University, have succeeded for the first time in taking a zoomed-in image of a dying star in a galaxy outside our own Milky Way.

Researchers working to understand the prevalence of a virus that can severely damage the immune system of chickens have said that new strategies are needed to improve the control of the disease in the UK.

More than 80 per cent of people who died by suicide within one year of being discharged from inpatient mental health care had been in recent contact with a GP, new research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Greater Manchester Patient Safety Research Collaboration (GM PSRC) - and supported by Keele University - has found. 

Academics from the central Maghreb region of North Africa – encompassing Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia – and from across the UK were among the guests at a summit hosted at Keele University this week to present the findings of a major research project.

Researchers led by a Keele University scientist have said the world is experiencing the largest outbreak of Dengue virus in history, with a record number of cases reported in 2023.

Research on the public mourning after the Queen’s death offers new insights on how groups or crowds of people with a shared identity – in this case ‘Britishness’ – navigate periods of change and uncertainty.

An extensive trial into postnatal depression in South Asian women has found that tailored support can make a difference to their recovery.

A team led by a Keele University researcher has secured funding for a new study to make food crops more resilient to plant diseases, in a bid to improve global food security.

Scientists from Keele University are collaborating on a new study to help other researchers create, analyse and share biological designs for a variety of useful applications.

Research by Keele academics has been commended as part of an internationally-leading research hub working to make the UK a leader in sustainable bio-based manufacturing.

Researchers at Keele University are embarking on a new study to help improve the early detection of ovarian cancer, which could benefit thousands of women every year.

A new study led by a Keele University research team has found that deaf toddlers fitted with cochlear implants interact with their parents just as well as their hearing peers.

Social media and online communities can play a crucial role for owners searching for their stolen pets, researchers have revealed, both in physically tracking them down and as a source of comfort after their loss.

A study of more than 9,000 people who were in work before the pandemic has found that people with Long Covid are at three times higher risk of leaving employment compared to those without Covid symptoms.

Researchers have called for an international consensus to address not just job “quantity”, but job “quality” by providing “decent work” opportunities to create a thriving labour market in the UK and around the world.

An international research team including a Keele scientist have published new images of Westerlund 1 - one of the most massive star clusters in our galaxy.

The stigma of Covid-19, racism, and discrimination in healthcare all impacted the ability of minority ethnic patients to access healthcare, according to a new study co-authored by Keele University.

Keele researchers have found a link between patients prescribed gabapentinoids and a greater risk of ‘adverse events’ such as drug misuse, overdose, and major trauma such as a bone fracture or head injury.

Keele University is among a select group of universities and research institutes who are the first to pledge to make their research as sustainable as possible as part of a new national agreement.

Researchers led by a Keele scientist have studied the previously unknown flight mechanisms of a common crop pest, to learn more about their movements in a bid to improve food security and prevent the spread of disease.

Keele researchers are embarking on an important new study to investigate the challenges deprived communities face when accessing musculoskeletal (MSK) care.

An international research team has discovered previously unknown deposits from an eighth century volcanic eruption in Santorini, which could have major implications for hazard planning around the world.

A Keele researcher has received funding for a project to improve the precision of gene editing technologies used to manage insects that spread disease.

Research from Keele University has been used to help launch a new tool to support people living with Long Covid.

A pioneering study led by a Keele scientist has demonstrated how a single cancer cell can be identified in a sample of blood, paving the way for more personalised and targeted treatments for cancer patients.

A Keele researcher has taken healthcare strategies pioneered in North Staffordshire to help those suffering from osteoarthritis in West Africa.

Research by scientists at Keele University is featured in a new white paper published today that calls for more to be done to stop textile microfibres entering the UK’s waterways from washing laundry.

A researcher working on treatments and therapies for patients with a devastating degenerative condition has received backing from a prestigious charitable organisation.

A research team including Keele’s Dr Helen Wells have highlighted the dangers of hands-free mobile phone use to police, urging them not to recommend it as a “safe alternative” to motorists who are caught using their phones hand-held.

Depression and loneliness can be prevented using structured telephone-based psychological care, delivered over eight weeks, according to new research.

Keele University is to create a new purpose-built insect research laboratory on its campus – where scientists will carry out vital research to tackle the spread of deadly diseases and reduce crop losses to pests in the UK and across the globe.

Future heart attacks could be better prevented in people visiting their GP with unexplained chest pain, after researchers developed the clearest picture yet of the factors that put them at higher risk.

Keele University has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop new technologies to support global efforts to control and eliminate malaria.

Researchers at Keele University are carrying out what is thought to be the first study to examine brain activity in babies born with hearing loss as they develop early cognitive skills.

The spectacular explosion of the mine at Hawthorn Ridge – a fortified German front-line position in the First World War – marked the start of the Battle of the Somme, and remains one of the best-known pieces of film from the whole conflict.

An independent report exploring the potential causes of racial and ethnic disparities in the use of Taser by police officers in England and Wales has been published today.

Academics from Keele’s Astrophysics Research Centre have secured almost £1.5m combined for three new studies.

Keele criminologist Dr Helen Wells will be working alongside the UK Home Office to study how rising numbers of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) will impact policing in the UK.

Fire and rescue service staff could help healthcare providers reach more patients in need by including early detection of mental ill health in older adults as part of their routine Home Fire Safety Visits, researchers have said.

Researchers from the Universities of Keele and Manchester have identified the early signs that can indicate bipolar disorder.

Researchers from Keele University have found that analgesic medicines - commonly known as “painkillers” - are widely prescribed to people with inflammatory arthritis across England despite little research evidence that they improve pain for these patients.

Dr Melissa Bowerman has received a prestigious grant to improve our understanding of a rare developmental disorder.

New research led by Keele University has found that obesity-related cardiovascular disease deaths tripled between 1999 and 2020 in the United States.

Researchers from Keele University have developed a machine learning technique that helps astronomers better estimate the ages of stars.

A team of researchers from the Universities of Keele, Surrey and Birmingham have published the first set guidance specifically for NHS workers following a colleague death by suicide in the UK.

Researchers at Keele University have teamed up with a local theatre to study how much “pedal power” it takes to power a theatre.

Researchers from across the fields of health, policing, psychology and criminal law are combining their expertise to help women and girls suffering from violence and abuse.

Scientists led by Keele University have conducted the first ever 3D simulation of a star’s entire evolutionary phase thanks to new simulation technologies.

GPs have recorded a large rise in eating disorders and self-harm cases among teenage girls in the two years since the onset of the pandemic, new research has found.

A Keele University researcher is lending his expertise to a new AI creative agency being launched by one of the UK’s leading advertising companies.

Delays for patients awaiting a diagnosis of an inflammatory arthritis, caused by changes in practice during the Covid pandemic, could have a negative impact on their symptoms and longer-term outlook, new research has found.

Patients who suffer from debilitating joint pain following a tropical viral infection are set to benefit from new Keele University research.

A team of researchers are leading a new study to help physically disabled women gain better access to cervical screening, in a bid to reduce cervical cancer.

Professor Krysia Dziedzic has had her Senior Investigator status renewed by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

An independent panel report into the chaotic scenes at the 2022 Champions League Final, co-authored by a Keele University Professor, has found that supporters were not responsible for crowd problems before and after the match.

The reclassification of two prescription drugs as class C controlled substances, following concerns about people misusing and becoming addicted to them, had a ‘limited’ immediate impact according to a new study.

Scientists at Keele University have been awarded funding from The British Heart Foundation (BHF) to help patients suffering from a debilitating brain disorder.

New research has found that almost three quarters of parents would support a chickenpox vaccine being added to the childhood vaccination schedule.

Researchers have called for greater cooperation between human, animal, and environmental health organisations, to better prepare us for future pandemics.

The experiences of people from ethnic minority groups with NHS mental healthcare are being ‘seriously undermined’ by failures to consider the everyday realities of people’s lives in services in the UK, reports a new study led by researchers at the University of Bristol and Keele University.

The Covid-19 pandemic reversed a decade’s worth of progress in reducing mortality from cardiovascular disease in the USA, new Keele-led research has found.

People living with a number of health conditions and urgent care needs often have poor broadband provision, a new study has found, which could impact the quality and availability of care that they are able to receive.

A project exploring the legacy of a Staffordshire town's once booming textile industry has found fibres preserved in lake sediment.

Researchers from Keele and Oxford universities have developed a new tool for doctors to identify patients at high risk of serious falls.

Older patients who suffer from musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis are at greater risk of worse outcomes from conditions like cancer, heart attacks, and strokes, according to new research.

Swearing is an entirely different and “more powerful” form of communication than regular language use, researchers have suggested.

The proportion of adults in England diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis has increased by at least 40% between 2004 to 2020, new Keele University research has found.

New research led by a Keele University professor has found that uncontrolled high blood pressure is the main cause of cardiovascular emergencies in the USA.

Doctors with ‘burnout’ are twice as likely to be involved in patient safety incidents, and more than twice as likely to receive low satisfaction ratings from patients, according to new research.

A Keele-led study has found there is a widening gap in death rates between diabetes patients from rural and urban areas in the USA, with those from rural areas more adversely affected.

Urgent action is needed to clear the backlog of people with a common heart condition who are waiting for lifesaving treatment, according to research co-led by a Keele Professor.

Researchers have developed a new framework for GPs to help them better support patients who are suffering distress associated with persistent pain.

Keele University’s role as a centre for outstanding, world-class research has been reaffirmed today in the UK-wide Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).

Dangerous elements like lead are present in concentrated levels in UK churchyards, new research has found, presenting a potentially major problem for surrounding communities.

Adopting a novel planting technique known as “push-pull farming” can help massively reduce crop losses to pests and improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa, new research has found.

Steroid injections can provide an effective means of treating patients with arthritis in their hip, according to the largest study of its kind ever conducted.

More than 1,000 women from the local area have helped a research team develop a new tool to help clinicians diagnose spinal fractures in osteoporosis patients.

A new study led by researchers at Keele University, and funded by the British Heart Foundation, has found that patients with unexplained chest pain are at an increased risk of suffering a heart attack later in life.

Keele University researchers have found that swearing can increase self-confidence and risk-taking behaviour, as well as boosting physical strength.

Youth justice practitioners are spending less time on the front-line helping youngsters and more on paperwork because of conflicting narratives from different Government departments.

Anti-speeding campaigns campaigns rarely – if ever – acknowledge the fact that many drivers simply find speeding inherently enjoyable. But acknowledging this could make anti-speeding campaigns more effective, according to new research.

A new study has found that people ‘moralised’ anti-social and non-compliant behaviours associated with the pandemic, such as failing to social distance from others or meeting with a friend in a park.

A diagnostic tool used by clinicians to predict risk of mortality in heart attack patients is less effective in ethnic minority patients and may result in inappropriate treatments being prescribed, according to new research.

A team of researchers led by Dr Pensée Wu, senior lecturer at Keele University’s School of Medicine, have found that women who conceive with assisted reproductive technology such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) are at a higher risk of vascular and pregnancy complications.

Mosquitoes can learn to actively avoid pesticides after being exposed to a near-fatal dose, new research suggests.

New research has linked two types of less-often prescribed diabetes drugs with lower chances of potentially fatal heart problems in people with type 2 diabetes without established heart disease.

Age-associated conditions such as osteoarthritis pose a huge barrier to people remaining healthy and in work for longer, according to new research.

Releasing genetically modified mosquitoes into the wild could provide a promising strategy for tackling malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, according to new research.

Policies to extend working lives and raise state pension age may fail under the current conditions for work in the UK, new research suggests.

Forensic science experts from Keele University have contributed their expertise to research helping to find thousands of missing people in Latin America.

Scientists from Keele and Cardiff Universities have discovered new links between the breakdown in brain cell development and the risk of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.

A team of researchers including anatomy experts from Keele University have published new research investigating whether it was anatomically possible for an infamous, brutal Viking ritual to be carried out as described, which could support any discussions as to whether it is likely to have taken place.

New research has found that people who have had Covid-19 have an increased risk of mental illness, fatigue, and sleep problems.

A change in BMI after retiring from competitive sport could contribute to lower back pain in retired Olympic athletes, according to a new study led by a Keele University researcher.

Former professional footballers who headed the ball frequently may suffer from an increased risk of neurodegeneration, according to new research.

A common variation in a specific gene could make home kidney dialysis treatments less effective for some patients, leading to worse outcomes and even death in some cases.

Researchers have successfully trialled an intervention which can prevent the onset of depression and loneliness amongst the most vulnerable in society.

As featured on BBC News, over 75% of cancer patients involved in a study at Katharine House Hospice in Stafford say their mental health has been given a boost thanks to a virtual reality research project by a local filmmaker, in partnership with Keele University researchers.

An international study led by Keele University’s Emeritus Professor Michael Rigby has assessed the factors that influenced how different countries’ responses affected early control of Covid-19.

A consortium of 18 UK universities including Keele has been awarded funding to accelerate the uptake of open research practices across the UK academic sector.

Plastic pollution in freshwater lakes can become an established habitat for microscopic algae within just two weeks, according to new research.

Keele researchers are set to work with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue to develop mental health support for older adults that can be delivered through the fire service, in an innovative new project.

Scientists have measured thousands of nearby stars and far away galaxies that have never been identified before at radio wavelengths, while studying a galactic body that neighbours our own Milky Way galaxy – the Large Magellanic Cloud.

New research from Keele University has highlighted the key challenges that workers in the social care sector faced during the first wave of Covid-19.

A licensed drug normally used to treat abnormal levels of fatty substances in the blood could reduce infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) virus by up to 70 per cent, according to new laboratory research by an international team of researchers.

Researchers, including a Keele University volcanologist, have discovered how the rise and fall of sea levels influence the likelihood of volcanic eruptions on the Greek island of Santorini.

Researchers at Keele University have found that the attitudes of GPs, and having access to GPs, can play a crucial role for young people who self-harm in deciding whether to seek help.

A Keele researcher has been awarded a prestigious grant to develop ways of improving the manufacture of an advanced nanoscale technology – quantum dots.

A study led by Keele University aims to improve outcomes for pregnant women who are at a higher risk of complications due to a current or historical cancer diagnosis.

A Keele University criminologist is calling for change in the behavioural management of children in Young Offenders' Institutions (YOI), as part of a study into the experiences of children going through the youth justice system.

Researchers including a Keele University scientist have engineered an innovative approach to disable highly powerful genetic devices that control harmful insect populations.

Improving sleep quality leads to better mental health, particularly reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress, according to a major review led by a Keele psychologist.

A Keele University psychologist and undergraduate student are exploring the attitudes of parents and caregivers towards the introduction of the chickenpox vaccination into the routine immunisation schedule for children, and whether they would support such a measure.

The Keele Institute for Social Inclusion (KISI) is supporting Cheshire West and Chester Council to shape poverty-related policy through new research, which is set to be presented at an online showcase event.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made more people vulnerable to modern slavery and caused an increase in worker exploitation and child labour around the world, Keele researchers have found.

A Keele professor is part of a €5 million European research network designed to boost engagement with nuclear astrophysics research.

At least half of patients recovering from depression will experience a relapse, but there are currently no evidence-based tools to help GPs or other healthcare professionals to identify those at high risk.

A national team of researchers have called for immediate action to address a substantial level of under-representation in students in a new academic paper.

A Keele researcher will embark on a two-year study to identify affordable treatments to help children living with spinal muscular atrophy

A new study is exploring how the Covid-19 crisis has exposed gaps in the provision of fair working opportunities in the Midlands as the region looks to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.

Keele researchers have reported promising findings in two new studies looking at methods to improve transplantation of stem cells for injury repair in the brain or spinal cord.

Research led by a Keele Professor has identified significant disparities between patients from BAME backgrounds compared to white patients in the treatment they received for heart attacks during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new study into dementia has identified markers which could help healthcare practitioners to understand how the disease progresses and improve treatment outcomes.

A temporary breakdown of Earth’s magnetic field 42,000 years ago sparked major climate shifts that led to global environmental change and mass extinctions.

A team of researchers have demonstrated how birds can "read" the Earth's magnetic signature to get back on course after losing their way.

A major study of nearly 2 million heart attack patients has found that many who also had cancer were not offered a potentially life saving treatment, despite the fact it had major benefits.

An international research team including Keele scientists has found that the common anticoagulant drug heparin inhibits the spike protein of the coronavirus, reducing the virus’ ability to attach to human cells and infect them.

Scientists studying ocean temperature and sea level changes from thousands of years ago have said their data could be crucial to understanding climate change and improving projections of how our world may change due to global warming.

New research has found that the number of people seeking support from their general practice for mental health problems or self-harm dropped by more than a third during the first UK national lockdown.

Researchers from Keele University are leading a new study to assess the impacts of Covid-19 on human rights issues, to identify best practice for protecting workers and victims of modern slavery.

Two Keele experts have been announced as new assessment panel members in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

A new study led by Keele University will contribute to diversifying the teaching of history education in India.

An international team of researchers co-led by Keele’s Professor Nye Evans has uncovered new insights into a mystery which has intrigued astronomers since the 17th century.

A major new research project led by Keele University aims to improve the humanitarian protection of vulnerable displaced people in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia - known as the central Maghreb region.

A new study led by Keele University will explore the use of environmental storytelling as a tool to reduce urban air pollution in India.

Scientists at Keele University and King’s College London have found that 64% of people would be likely to have a Covid-19 vaccination when one became available.

A new study led by Keele University will investigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on services that provide support for adults who have care and support needs.

Keele academics from the fields of psychology and sociology have received funding to study new ways of helping victims affected by an ongoing conflict in South America.

Keele University experts have developed a clear guide for the public on the latest physiotherapy research about the treatment of people with muscle, bone and joint pain.

A new mobile app developed by Keele computer scientists will bring museum exhibits to life in augmented reality (AR) for the purposes of research, collaboration, and education.

Poor awareness of a unique type of heart failure could be hindering opportunities to improve patient care, according to researchers from the Universities of Keele, Cambridge and Manchester.

A Keele Professor has embarked on a two year Visiting Academic Fellowship at the University of Cambridge studying the latest technologies for repairing spinal cord injuries.

A new study led by Dr Faraz Mughal from Keele University’s School of Medicine aims to develop an acceptable and feasible intervention for GPs in order to support young people who self-harm.

The Covid-19 lockdown led to more than 45,000 cardiac procedures being missed this year, which could have a long-term impact on mortality rates as healthcare providers work to catch up according to new research.

New genetic sensors, developed by scientists at Keele University and the University of Warwick, could function as a lab test device and even as a live monitoring system inside living cells.

Keele researchers are calling for more support for survivors of domestic abuse during Covid-19 lockdowns.

A study co-authored by a Keele University wildlife expert has shed new light on the dangers faced by UK hedgehogs in the run up to their annual hibernation period.