News and blog

Study shows Indian Ocean devil rays at risk of overfishing

Newcastle University experts demonstrate a data-poor approach to assess the sustainability of devil ray catch in Indian Ocean fisheries.

New environmentally-friendly mortar reduces heat loss

A mortar made from recycled plastic and silica aerogel which improves insulation and reduces plastic waste has been developed by Newcastle University researchers.

New research into Bhutan’s glacial flood risk

Newcastle University researchers have been awarded funding to assess the risk facing Bhutan from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

Research identifies causes of catastrophic flooding

A Newcastle University student has contributed to a major international study which has identified the exact causes and drivers of the catastrophic 2023 Sikkim flood in India.

New centre will support transition to low-carbon living

Researchers at Newcastle University are to play a crucial role in a new centre that will support more people make the transition to low-carbon living.

Calls to curb invasive species spread via untreated water transfer

Experts are warning of the risks of spreading invasive and non-native species when moving large volumes of untreated lake, reservoir and river water.

Logged forests more valuable for conservation than oil palm

New research provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of how logging and conversion to oil palm plantations affect tropical forest ecosystems.

Signature whistles help estimate bottlenose dolphin abundance

Using signature whistles is an effective means for estimating abundance of bottlenose dolphins, new research confirms.

Glaciation expert awarded prestigious Richardson medal

A glaciation expert at Newcastle University has been awarded the prestigious Richardson Medal by the International Glaciological Society (IGS).

Buried landforms reveal North Sea’s ancient glacial past

An international team of researchers, including a glaciologist at Newcastle University, has discovered remarkably well-preserved glacial landforms buried almost 1 km beneath the North Sea.

Comment: Coral adaptation

Writing for the Conversation, Drs Liam Lachs, Adriana Humanes, James Guest and Prof Peter Mumby discuss that corals can adapt to warming oceans, but not fast enough

Coral adaptation unlikely to keep pace with global warming

Coral adaptation to ocean warming and marine heatwaves will likely be overwhelmed without rapid reductions of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to an international team of scientists.

New funding announced for land use and net zero research

Newcastle University experts will help deliver a new project to support agricultural practices, land use change and soil health.

New funding to support the UK's net zero target

Newcastle University experts will co-lead a new project to bring about fresh thinking on land use change.

Newcastle climate expert appointed to the Adaptation Committee

Defra and the Devolved Governments have appointed Professor Hayley Fowler, Professor Chris Evans and Dr Marina Romanello to the Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee.

Newcastle University joins partnership to support Small Island States

Newcastle University is part of the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship Programme (KCFP) which will strengthen education, health and climate resilience in Small Island Developing States.

Newcastle University announces Global Scholarships launch for 2025

Over 700 Scholarships Available for International and EU Students.

Comment: Coral breeding

Writing for The Conversation, Liam Lachs, Dr Adriana Humanes and Dr James Guest discuss how they bred corals to better tolerate heatwaves and call for rapid climate action to save reefs.

Experts have successfully bred corals to improve their heat tolerance

A new study has shown that selective breeding can lead to a modest rise in coral heat tolerance.

Stressed bees lack a buzz in life

Stressed bees are much more likely to make pessimistic choices and lack a buzz in life, new research has revealed.

Comment: Disclosures about impact on nature hide more than they reveal

Writing for The Conversation, Erwei (David) Xiang and Marwa Elnahass highlight that businesses that try to come clean about their impact on nature can end up concealing more than they reveal.

New model to enhance extreme rainfall prediction

Scientists have developed new guidance and tools that could significantly improve the prediction of life-threatening flash flooding.

State of the Climate Report confirms record-high global temperatures

Greenhouse gas concentrations, the global temperature across land and oceans, global sea level, and ocean heat content all reached record highs in 2023.

Heritage expertise to lead new climate change project

Newcastle University heritage experts are to lead a groundbreaking project to understand the growing and multiple impacts of climate change on Hadrian’s Wall.

Helping achieve Global Biodiversity Framework ambitions

Experts provide clarity on key terms for urgent species recovery actions to support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Comment: Climate change and extreme weather

Writing for The Conversation, Professor Hayley Fowler, Paul Davies and Dr Simon Lee discuss how the rapidly warming climate is impacting the range of possible weather conditions, including extremes.

Highlighting citizen scientists' role in accurate slug identification

A new study has shown how effective citizen scientists are in accurately identifying species and gathering reliable ecological data.

New humidity-driven membrane to remove carbon dioxide from the air

A new ambient-energy-driven membrane that pumps carbon dioxide out of the air has been developed by Newcastle University researchers.

Logged forests retain ecological value - if not pushed too far

Logged forests can still have ecological value, new research reveals.

Comment: Alaska’s glaciers approaching irreversible tipping point

Writing for The Conversation, Bethan Davies discusses how the melting of glaciers in a major Alaskan icefield has accelerated and could reach an irreversible tipping point earlier than thought.

Changes projected in marine fish communities due to climate change

New research predicts significant shifts in marine fish communities in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans as a result of climate warming.

Melting of Alaskan glaciers shown to be accelerating

Melting of glaciers in a major Alaskan icefield has accelerated and could reach an irreversible tipping point earlier than previously thought, research led by Newcastle University suggests.

Calls for regulatory action to strengthen biodiversity disclosures

Business and finance disclosures need a biodiversity outcome focus and regulatory backing to deliver critical conservation goals, new study reveals.

Climate change intensifies wind-rain extremes in the UK and Ireland

Climate change will cause an increase in extreme winter storms combining strong winds and heavy rainfall over the UK and Ireland, new research has shown.

Solar-electric taxi boat sets sail in Kenya

Experts from Newcastle University have helped innovate a solar-electric water taxi fabricated entirely from recycled plastic collected and manufactured in Kenya.

Community climate project gets National Lottery funding

Young dads in the North East have received a significant funding boost for a community climate project involving a Newcastle University academic.

Study shows the crop benefits of enhanced rock weathering

Enhanced rock weathering results in higher crop yields and improved crop health, new research has shown.

Engineering Biology research to address environmental challenges

A new £13m research centre, the first of its kind in the UK, is being formed to enhance and develop the natural abilities of micro-organisms in cleaning up our planet.

Helping predict cold-blooded animals' response to environmental shifts

Newcastle University researchers have developed a new tool to predict cold-blooded animals’ responses to environmental change.

Climate change shown to cause methane release from the deep ocean

New research has shown that fire-ice - frozen methane which is trapped as a solid under our oceans - is vulnerable to melting due to climate change and could be released into the sea.

Newcastle University scientists join a new €41.3m climate centre

Newcastle University will be part of the new Climate+ Co-Centre to help tackle the climate, biodiversity and water crises impacting Ireland and Britain.

Schoolchildren explore careers in polar research

Hundreds of schoolchildren will visit Newcastle University this week to learn what it is like to be a polar researcher.

Royal recognition for water research

Newcastle University has won a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in recognition of its long-standing excellence in water research.

New funding to support coral restoration

Newcastle University has been awarded a new research grant which will support implementation of coral reef restoration interventions that aim to enhance adaptation to climate change.

Ancient landscape discovered beneath East Antarctic Ice Sheet 

Scientists at Newcastle University have discovered an ancient landscape that has lain hidden beneath the East Antarctic Ice Sheet for millions of years.

Durham’s colliery coastline at risk from Storm Babet

Researchers from Newcastle University are braving the elements during Storm Babet to document major changes in Durham’s industrial coastline.

New research centre will drive economic growth and sustainability

Newcastle University will lead a new £5m research initiative to help boost UK economic growth and address regional needs.

New partnership to help decarbonise the UK maritime sector

Newcastle University will be part of a new £21.3m flagship UK national clean maritime research hub to decarbonise the UK maritime sector.

Fewer but severe tropical storms predicted over the Ganges and Mekong

Climate experts project a decline in the frequency of future tropical storms but an increase in their strength across the Ganges and Mekong basins, allowing for better future planning.

UK launches research hub to decarbonise transport networks

The new national hub will provide expertise, innovative modelling and engagement to support net zero transport networks.