Research news

Latest stories from the University of Stirling

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 and poet 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.

head shot of Morag Treanor

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.

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.

Head and shoulders shot of woman in red top

Beavers’ impact on biodiversity revealed

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

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.

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.

Head and shoulders shot of man with beard in blue shirt

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.

head and shoulders shot of woman wearing glasses, off-white jacket and black top

Public relations in spotlight at anniversary event

Experts from the field of UK public relations will gather for debates at the University of Stirling – as the institution marks 30 years of teaching and researching the subject area.

Dr Alenka Jelen

Stirling scientist observes arrival of lander on asteroid

A team of international scientists – including a University of Stirling academic – have marked a major milestone in the high-profile Hayabusa2 mission.

outer space

Climate change laws explored by Stirling expert

The UK Government’s approach to tackling climate change via legislation has been examined by a University of Stirling academic.

An image of the university campus

Climate change is causing the Arctic’s plants to grow taller

Global warming is enabling Arctic tundra plants to grow taller, according to new research involving a University of Stirling scientist.

Flower

Impact of narrowing school curriculum on pupil outcomes

A narrowing of the curriculum in secondary schools could impact on student outcomes – particularly for those from deprived backgrounds - according to research carried out by academics at the University of Stirling.

students in an exam

Looked after children wait years for adoption, new study finds

A University of Stirling-led study tracking the progress of 1,836 looked-after children, has found they can wait years to be adopted.

Girl with red, curly hair eating a sandwich with man and woman in the background

Fly mating choices may help explain variation across species

Scientists at the University of Stirling have shed new light on the impact of sexual selection on species diversity after studying the mating rituals of dance flies.

Dance fly

Don’t miss a trick with free bridge session

A free Bridge session is being offered to local residents, staff and students, as part of a University of Stirling research project into the health and well-being benefits of playing the card game.

Head and shoulders shot of woman

Study reveals impact of habitat fragmentation on migrant birds

Experts at the University of Stirling have shed new light on the impact of habitat fragmentation on migrant birds.

Willow warbler sitting in a tree.

Innovative approach to repeat offending shows promise

The Aberdeen Problem-Solving Approach, which aims to reduce the use of custodial sentences and cut reoffending for persistent offenders, has the potential to be extended to other areas, after a new report published today said it “shows promise”.

Head and shoulders shot of woman in red top

97% reduction in second-hand smoke exposure revealed by Stirling-led study

The amount of second-hand smoke inhaled by non-smoking Scots has fallen by over 97% over the past 20 years, University of Stirling-led research has found.

Cigarette

‘Generation rent’ suffer mental health issues

Being forced to live long-term in private rented housing is impacting negatively on young people’s mental health a new study, led by University of Stirling academic Dr Kim McKee, has found.

Head shot of Dr Kim McKee

Women’s football roots revealed – as Stirling researcher announces inaugural seminar

The first recorded evidence of women’s football in Europe has been commemorated – as a University of Stirling research student announced an inaugural seminar celebrating the beautiful game.

Women's football match

New study using technology to monitor water quality

Experts - including University of Stirling academics - are testing techniques to enhance water quality monitoring worldwide as part of the €5 million MONOCLE project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.

Technology used to monitor water quality

Plain packaging led to price hike for branded tobacco

Small retailers sold fully-branded tobacco for higher prices while they were being phased out for standardised packaging, a study has found.

Cigarette

Eating breakfast prior to exercise helps burn more carbs

Eating breakfast prior to exercise may “prime” the body to burn carbohydrates and more rapidly digest food post-workout, according to research involving the University of Stirling.

Cycling thumbnail

Study sheds light on peer pressure and alcohol consumption

A new study involving the University of Stirling has found that more than four in five people in the UK have experienced pressure from friends to consume alcohol.

Alcoholic drink

Fresh insight into invasive plant that blights UK rivers

New research into the behaviour of an invasive plant seen on riverbanks across the UK could help improve the management of the problem, experts have found.

Himalayan balsam

New study could revolutionise salmon farming

Scientists believe a new feed solution for Atlantic farmed salmon – created from a genetically modified plant – could help relieve pressure on stressed marine resources.

Salmon farm, Scotland, thumbnail

Breakthrough in battle against Type 2 diabetes

Experts from the University of Stirling have made a breakthrough in understanding how people respond to lifestyle treatment for preventing Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes 2 thumbnail

Study to track trends in the public’s opinion on fracking

A new study involving the University of Stirling will investigate and help understand the public response to fracking across the UK.

Fracking definition

Invasive plants adapt to new environments, study finds

Invasive plants have the ability to adapt to new environments – and even behave like a native species, according to University of Stirling research.

Monkeyflower

Enhanced handovers could improve wellbeing of patients

The care and wellbeing of critically ill or injured patients could be enhanced by improving communication between paramedics, prehospital critical care teams and emergency departments, new research has indicated.

Ambulance

Marketing experts gather at University to discuss future challenges

Marketing experts are gathering at the University of Stirling

Marketing the Brave logo

Foam rolling warm-up enhances performance

Sportspeople should consider replacing static stretch warm-ups with foam roller routines in a bid to maximise performance, a new study by the University of Stirling has suggested.

Lewis Macgregor

Freud’s views on love and work backed up by Stirling research

New research has given weight to Sigmund Freud’s claim that love and work are important for our well-being – by highlighting how the threat of unemployment can activate thoughts of death for those not in a relationship.

Man sitting at harbour

New study could improve monitoring of tropical trees in face of climate change

Experts have challenged the principle that tropical ecosystems are aseasonal – after discovering regular cycles in fruiting, flowering and leafing in such climates.

An image of Emma Bush

Stirling expert leads research expedition to the Arctic

A research team led by a University of Stirling expert have set off on a scientific cruise to the Arctic Ocean to study the effects of warming on marine life.

An image of an Arctic Ice breaker

Camouflage protects animals – even if they are spotted

Pythons, moths and frogs exhibit a certain type of camouflage that hides their identity from other animals even after they have been spotted, new research has found.

An image of a frog that is in camouflage

Study reveals greater ape population than predicted – but numbers are still on decline

A decade-long survey of western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees has revealed that there are far more apes living in the Western Equatorial region of Africa than previously estimated.

An image of a Gorilla

Graded punishment system could improve anti-doping in sport

Introducing a points-based grading system to punish athletes caught doping could revolutionise the approach to tackling drugs in sport, experts have said.

An anti-doping image

Scotland leads the way on fracking analysis, experts find

Scotland’s “comprehensive” approach to assessing hazards and public health risks posed by fracking is world-leading and sets a precedent for other countries, according to experts.

An image of Professor Andrew Watterson

Major conference on emergency care research held at Stirling

Leading academics, clinicians and politicians have gathered at the University of Stirling for a major conference discussing the latest research into emergency medicine.

Dr Edward Duncan, of the University of Stirling, pictured alongside (L-R): Professor Helen Snooks, Aileen Campbell, Pauline Howie and Dr David Fitzpatrick

Brain size of human ancestors evolved gradually over three million years, study finds

The average brain size of humans has increased gradually over the past three million years, a new study involving a University of Stirling researcher has found.

An image depicting the brain

Hunting in central Africa could devastate bird populations, study finds

Bird populations in central Africa will continue to decline – with major consequences for biodiversity – unless the threat of unsustainable hunting is reduced, University of Stirling experts have warned.

Robin Whytock

Research could improve management of conflict between wildlife and farmers across the globe

A new study led by the University of Stirling highlights improvements in the way conflicts between wildlife conservation and farming are managed worldwide.

Dr Jeremy Cusack

Half of Scots “not confident” in giving CPR, study finds

Half of the Scottish adult population do not feel confident administering CPR – and more than a fifth do not know when it is required, according to a new study led by the University of Stirling.

Fiona Dobbie, a Research Fellow at the Institute of Social Marketing