Research news

Latest stories from the University of Stirling

Opioids research finds overdose risk factors

New research from the University of Stirling has identified potential major risk factors leading to overdose in patients taking prescription medication.

Bottle of prescription drugs with white pills falling out of it

Benefits of bridge on mental health focus of international conference

More than 400 delegates from across the world are gathering next week to discuss the benefits of bridge on mental health and wellbeing.

Playing cards spread out on a green felt background

Emerging invasive disease linked to raw freshwater fish, say Stirling experts

Experts from the University of Stirling have contributed to a new report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), warning of an emerging foodborne hazard in Southeast Asia.

Tilapia fish close up

Nature documentary changed attitudes towards marine mammal captivity

New research from the University of Stirling shows the power of nature documentaries to change public attitudes, and suggests zoos and aquaria must engage with debates around conservation and animal welfare.

Blackfish film poster

Museum partnership secures £1 million for Cold War research

The University of Stirling has secured a major funding grant in partnership with National Museums Scotland for a unique research project exploring how the Cold War features in museums.

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New heritage toolkit to improve community input in conservation

A new toolkit for heritage professionals is helping them understand and assess how people and communities value and relate to Scotland’s historic environment.

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Gamified research sheds new light on how to balance agriculture and conservation

Farmers are more likely to protect wildlife on their land if they trust their local communities and government, according to a new University of Stirling study.

elephants and goose

Arts project challenges stereotypes of ‘old age’

A new interactive theatre performance challenging the stigma and stereotypes associated with older age opens next month, as part of a major research project.

A screengrab of an online rehearsal on Zoom

Lockdown led to positive lifestyle changes in older people

The COVID-19 lockdown was a catalyst for many older people to embrace technology, reconnect with friends and build new relationships with neighbours, according to University of Stirling research.

Older man wearing a face mask

Stirling experts develop artificial intelligence to monitor water quality more effectively

Artificial intelligence that enhances remote monitoring of water bodies – highlighting quality shifts due to climate change or pollution – has been developed by researchers at the University of Stirling.

lake

New alcohol policy research network launched across UK and Ireland

A new network for alcohol policy researchers in the UK and Ireland has officially launched today, led by the University of Stirling’s Professor Niamh Fitzgerald and Trinity College Dublin’s Professor Joe Barry.

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Researchers work with acclaimed storytellers to help inspire youngsters to tackle waste

A new project led by the University of Stirling will harness the power of storytelling to help educate the next generation about waste in Scotland and encourage them to consider new ways of reducing, re-using and re-purposing, rather than just recycling or discarding household items and resources.

Digger at landfill site

Fiscal frameworks of UK devolved governments must be made more robust to future crises, experts say

Economic experts have warned that the fiscal frameworks of the UK’s devolved governments must be made more robust to future crises and better able to support COVID-19 recovery.

Pound coin lying on an economic graph.

Change in AstraZeneca UK regulation for under 30s did not impact vaccine intentions

New research from the University of Stirling shows that the change in UK regulation of the AstraZeneca vaccine – recommending an alternative for those under 30 – has had no effect on the general public’s intention to get vaccinated.

Medical practitioner prepares a COVID-19 vaccine.

Setting goals will make you a better saver, says Stirling study

Setting yourself goals is the key to successfully saving money, according to a new study from experts at the University of Stirling.

British Pound notes

Political archive appeals for election campaign material

The Scottish Political Archive, housed at the University of Stirling, is appealing to the public to help collect campaign materials connected to next month’s Scottish Parliament elections.

A sign for a polling station tied to a black metal fence with a brick building in the background

Study seeks to support migrant children during the pandemic

Exploring how COVID-19 has impacted separated migrant children in Scotland and how best to support them going forward, will be the focus of a new University of Stirling study.

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Study raises questions over coaches’ awareness of concussion protocols in youth football

A new study has raised questions over an apparent lack of awareness of concussion protocols among coaches in Scottish youth football.

Girl wearing a white football strip shapes up to kick a football.

AstraZeneca suspension did not impact vaccine intentions

New research from the University of Stirling has shown that the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccination had no effect on the UK general public’s intention of getting the vaccination.

Vials of clear liquid marked with COVID-19 vaccine labels

A walk in the park: has the Covid-19 travel response opened the door to a new direction on climate policy?

New research has found that during the pandemic people in England and Scotland ditched the car, preferring to walk or cycle.

Busy street scene showing zebra crossings, pedestrians and bicycles

University of Stirling to develop new adult social care Centre

The University of Stirling is partnering with the University of Birmingham, as part of a broader consortium of key stakeholders from across the four nations of the UK, to develop a new Centre for adult social care.

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Stirling study to analyse attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines

One year on from the original UK coronavirus lockdown, a study led by the University of Stirling is under way to understand attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines.

Medical practitioner prepares a COVID-19 vaccine.

Alaskan expedition helps unravel history of invasive plant

An Alaskan expedition and large-scale study led by a University of Stirling scientist has tracked the origin of an invasive plant population in the UK, tracing it back to the remote Aleutian Islands.

The Monkeyflower growing in the wild. A yellow plant with long stems and short green leaves

£200k investment will “super-charge” research capacity at University of Stirling

The University of Stirling is to significantly upgrade the technology supporting its Archives and Special Collections after receiving a major funding award.

Historic records held in the University's archives

New £200k study to explore fuel choices in East and Central Africa

A new £200,000 study – led by the University of Stirling – is seeking to understand the fuel choices of those living in East and Central African communities in a bid to improve health.

background pattern charcoals smolder on a black background closeup

Stirling researchers to transform housing design for dementia

Experts at the University of Stirling are leading a major new research project – with the support of international partners including the dementia care foundation established by the Queen of Sweden - to create future-proof housing to meet the needs of the world’s ageing population.

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Stirling secures £1.6m to connect older people

A multi-disciplinary team of researchers has been awarded £1.6m of funding to improve access to online resources for older people in a bid to boost health.

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New £296k study launched to better support long-COVID patients

A new study co-led by the University of Stirling will explore rehabilitation options for people suffering from long-COVID and recommend how best to maximise recovery and quality of life.

Chinese coronavirus COVID-19 under the microscope. 3d illustration

Young drinkers believe prominent health warnings on alcohol could boost risk awareness

Introducing prominent health warnings on alcohol products could be effective in increasing awareness of the potential harms of drinking, according to a new study involving young adult drinkers.

Wide range of alcohol for sale in a British supermarket.

New network to explore ways to help reduce smoking in the home

A multidisciplinary team of experts is seeking to understand how best to support people to create a smoke-free home, given the health risks particularly to pregnant women, babies and children.

Smoking

Study reveals impact of lockdown on the gambling habits of sports bettors

Around one in six sports bettors started a new form of gambling during the initial COVID-19 lockdown, and one in three placed bets more frequently, according to a new study.

Close-up on man holding a cell phone while winning an online bet on a football game at stadium

Visiting water bodies worth £700bn to economies, study finds

Europeans spend more than £700 billion (€800 bn) a year on recreational visits to water bodies – but perceived poor water quality costs almost £90bn (€100 bn) in lost visits, a new study has found.

Two people standing looking out to sea

New research to put COVID-19 local authority spending in the spotlight

The University of Stirling is launching major new research to investigate how local authority spending across the UK can deliver maximum benefit to communities in the wake of COVID-19.

Five stacks of silver coins with the word COVID positioned in white blocks on top of the stacks

Researchers explore ‘face blindness’ in children

Researchers have launched a new study into a little-known phenomenon which prevents people from recognising members of their own immediate family or sometimes even their own reflection.

A jigsaw piece labelled 'prosopagnosia' being placed into a jigsaw of the human brain.

New study to improve mental health of farmers and crofters

Experts will explore the best interventions to help support the mental health and wellbeing of Scotland’s farming and crofting communities, as part of a new study.

A farmer gazes out towards a field of sheep.

Scientists able to predict epidemic size and evolution in ‘world-first’

Scientists at the University of Stirling have been able to unpick what determines the size and evolution of disease in a first-of-its-kind study.

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New study questions whether pubs can effectively and consistently prevent COVID-19 transmission risks

A new first-of-its-kind study has questioned whether pub operators can effectively and consistently prevent COVID-19 transmission – after researchers observed risks arising in licensed premises last summer.

Dimly-lit pub bar

University welcomes investment in marine aquaculture through Argyll and Bute Rural Growth Deal

A new package of investment for Scotland’s aquaculture sector – to be delivered through a partnership that includes the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture – has been welcomed by researchers.

sustainable aquaculture fish farm

New law network to tackle academic and professional silos

A University of Stirling law professor is launching an innovative new body to bring together and promote all sectors of the profession in Scotland.

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New research to look at how home tech can support those living with dementia

Experts at the University of Stirling are launching a new research project to find out how technology can better support residents in retirement living schemes and those living with long-term conditions such as dementia.

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New project explores how live music can boost young people’s mental health

A new multi-partner research project – involving the University of Stirling – will examine the impact of live music experiences on the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

A string quartet.

Review group chaired by Stirling expert publishes towns report

An independent review – led by a leading retail expert at the University of Stirling – has outlined recommendations to support greener, healthier, fairer and inclusive towns and town centres.

St Andrews

Study into children’s short, emergency admissions to hospital

Experts are exploring a rise in the number of short, unplanned admissions of children to hospital – and are appealing for parents to share their experiences as part of the study.

Child in hospital

Landlords play vital role in helping tenants create a home, say experts

A new study from UK housing experts has found that landlords play a significant role in tenants’ ability to feel ‘at home’.

Row of to let signs

£375k study launched to explore experiences of ‘long COVID’

A new £375,000 study led by the University of Stirling is seeking to understand the lived experiences and support needs of people suffering from the long-term effects of COVID-19.

coronavirus

New research reveals the resilience of Scots pine trees to drought

The effect of extreme drought on Scots pine trees has been examined as part of a University of Stirling study, which could have implications for climate change efforts across the world.

scots pine

Research project to study the impact of COVID fear

A multi-disciplinary team of researchers at the University of Stirling is launching a new study to consider how the fear of COVID-19 is impacting the lives of the over-50s, after receiving a major funding grant.

Eldery man wearing a mask

Research uncovers secrets of historic Dunfermline Abbey ahead of 200th anniversary

A unique research project has uncovered evidence of the original layout of the choir of Scotland’s historic Dunfermline Abbey – home of the final resting place of Robert the Bruce – for the first time.

Dunfermline Abbey photograph

Bees versus flies – which flex their muscles most?

New research by experts at the University of Stirling has debunked existing assumptions about why hoverflies use different techniques for pollination than those used by bees.

Bee

Stirling leads project to support international aquaculture research

Experts from the University of Stirling will deliver a new project that will further enhance the European aquaculture sector’s access to innovative and world-class scientific research.

world map