Science and Engineering

Flies like it cool: study reveals evolutionary shifts in temperature preference among Drosophila larvae

Humble fruit fly has evolved to feel at home in very different temperatures simply by adjusting its behavioural preferences.

Pioneering space probe reveals secrets of mysterious solar barrier

New research utilising data from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has provided the first direct evidence of a phenomenon known as the “helicity barrier” in the solar wind. This discovery, published in Physical Review X by Queen Mary University of London researchers, offers a significant step towards understanding two long-standing mysteries: how the Sun’s atmosphere is heated to millions of degrees and how the supersonic solar wind is generated.

Smaller islands offer crucial refuge for endangered mammals in Wallacea

Research shows smaller islands could hold the key to long-term survival of Indonesia’s rare mammals

Old termite mounds help support high insect biodiversity in tropical rainforests

Abandoned termite mounds are a newly discovered microhabitat for diverse insect groups in both undisturbed rainforest and areas that have been logged in the past.

British ash woodland is evolving resistance to ash dieback

New research indicates that natural selection is working to combat ash dieback, a fungal disease that has devastated ash trees across Europe. 

Caffeine could slow cellular ageing: new research shows how

A new study from the Cellular Ageing and Senescence laboratory  at Queen Mary University of London’s Centre for Molecular Cell Biology, reveals how caffeine —the world’s most popular neuroactive compound—might do more than just wake you up. The study in the journal Microbial Cell shows how caffeine could play a role in slowing down the ageing process at a cellular level.

ADHD link to severe premenstrual disorder uncovered in women

New study reveals women with ADHD are significantly more likely to suffer from PMDD, highlighting a critical overlooked health risk. 

Scientists find new way to predict how bowel cancer drugs will stop working – paving the way for smarter treatments

Scientists have developed a tool that can predict how bowel cancer adapts to treatment – helping researchers to design new personalised drugs that will keep patients living well for longer.

Professor Andrew Livingston celebrated for double honours in chemical engineering

A remarkable week for Professor Andrew Livingston saw him recognised with two significant accolades: a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Chemical Engineering Council (WCEC) on Thursday, 19th June, and a substantial grant from UKRI's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) announced today, 20th June. 

Robotic hand with human-like touch set to revolutionise dexterous manipulation

New study introduces the F-TAC Hand, a biomimetic robotic hand with unprecedented tactile sensitivity, revolutionising dexterous manipulation in dynamic environments

Cellular scaffolding secrets unlocked: scientists discover key to microtubule growth

Scientists found out how naturally unstable filaments decide whether to grow or to shorten.

Electrophysiology at atomic resolution: scientists simulate ion channel currents with unprecedented

Breakthrough study reveals how potassium ions flow through channels in cells – with implications for drug development and understanding neural signalling

Light-to-electricity nanodevice reveals how Earth’s oldest surviving cyanobacteria worked

Atomic-level snapshot of a 3-billion-year-old photosynthetic assembly shows life nailed the design early.

New insights into black hole scattering and gravitational waves unveiled

A landmark study published in Nature has established a new benchmark in modelling the universe’s most extreme events: the collisions of black holes and neutron stars.

Queen Mary scientists achieve micro-scale breakthrough with big promise

New techniques to mimic the complexity of living human organs provide an alternative to using animals in science

Queen Mary University of London to play key role in new UK Multidisciplinary Centre for Neuromorphic Computing

A new national initiative to pioneer brain-inspired, energy-efficient computing technologies has been launched, with Queen Mary University of London playing a crucial role alongside other leading UK institutions.

Atom-thin semiconductors could cut energy use by over 90%

A team of UK scientists at Queen Mary University of London, University of Nottingham and University of Glasgow has received a £6 million EPSRC programme grant, “Enabling Net Zero and the AI Revolution with Ultra-Low Energy 2D Materials and Devices (NEED2D).” This will develop energy efficient, atomically-thin semiconductors to dramatically reduce the electricity demand from AI data centres and high-performance computing.

A vast molecular cloud, long invisible, is discovered near the solar system

An international team uncovers a hidden celestial structure using innovative far-ultraviolet techniques.

New study reveals critical gaps in insect biodiversity research

Researchers propose a unified framework to monitor and protect insect biodiversity amid growing concerns over global declines

Biologists discover ancient neurohormone that controls appetite

A team of biologists at Queen Mary University of London has discovered that a neurohormone controlling appetite in humans has an ancient evolutionary origin, dating back over half a billion years.

Climate change fuelling mental health crisis in areas most affected by climate crisis

Young people in southern Madagascar are facing a mental health crisis driven by the devastating impacts of climate change.

UK-led breakthrough offers path to stable, low-cost solar hydrogen production

A collaborative team of researchers from Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable energy technology, as detailed in their latest publication in Nature Energy.

What do pesticides do to bumble bee brains over time?

New research reveals how pesticide dose and exposure time shape effects on bumble bee brains.

The quest for room-temperature superconductors

In a new development that could help redefine the future of technology, a team of physicists has uncovered a fundamental insight into the upper limit of superconducting temperature. 

The art of well-being: group activities shown to ease depression and anxiety in older adults

A new study led by Queen Mary University of London researchers, reveals that group arts interventions – such as painting, music, or dance – can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety among older adults. The findings, published in Nature Mental Health, offer a compelling case for the benefits of shared creative activities. 

Gravity from entropy: A radical new approach to unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity

In a new study published in Physical Review D, Professor Ginestra Bianconi, Professor of Applied Mathematics at Queen Mary University of London, proposes a groundbreaking new framework that could revolutionise our understanding of gravity and its relationship with quantum mechanics.

Queen Mary University of London opens one of Europe’s largest organ-on-a-chip facilities

The new facility will advance drug testing, reduce reliance on animal research, and train the next generation of scientists.

Groundbreaking study reveals how topology drives complexity in brain, climate, and AI

Study introduces higher-order topological dynamics, unlocking new frontiers in science and technology

A Night of Science and Engineering: exploring Tomorrow’s World at Queen Mary

Queen Mary University of London's third annual Night of Science and Engineering brought together leading industry partners, researchers, academics, policymakers, and the public for an evening of discovery, innovation, and collaboration. 

Queen Mary PhD student contributed to the new generative AI model in gameplay creativity

Study led by Microsoft Research introduces World and Human Action Model (WHAM), a cutting-edge generative AI model enhancing creative ideation in game development