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Ireland's approach to protecting vulnerable energy consumers could help other countries phase out harmful electricity disconnections without destabilising power markets, new research has found.

A new study has revealed bumblebee workers are getting smaller in areas with high honeybee activity. The research, carried out in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains, found that managed honeybee colonies can alter the behaviour and physical traits of wild bumblebees, even in flower-rich environments. Publishing their findings in Proceedings of the Royal Society B , researchers from University College Dublin and Lund University examined how different numbers of honeybee hives affected forage availability and bumblebee activity across late summer sites dominated by blooming heather.

Mutations in a single gene are the driving factor behind Weaver syndrome, a rare disorder associated with overgrowth, intellectual disability, and higher cancer risk. In a co-lead study between University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, researchers uncovered how mutations in the EZH2 gene upsets critical cellular processes.

A new study has revealed that work-family conflict (WFC) is a common contributor to psychological distress among farmers in Ireland, with researchers calling for enhanced mental health support for farming families. The study, 'Between the Farm and Family: A Cross-Sectional Survey on Work-Family Conflict in Farmers in Ireland', was conducted by researchers from UCD and DCU, and is the first research to examine work-family conflict specifically in Irish farmers.

Misinformation clouds the memory of both accuser and accused in sexual assault cases, research finds Credit: AtlasComposer/Envato Elements A new study suggests both defendants and complainants are equally prone to memory distortions in sexual assault cases. Challenging long-held assumptions about how memory distortion should be understood in the courtroom, this research delivers compelling evidence that both the accused and the complainant in "he said, she said" cases are equally susceptible to memory errors.

A new approach to analysing gravitational-wave data could transform the scientific understanding of black holes. A collaborative team of researchers from the University College Dublin , University of Portsmouth, and University of Southampton have introduced a more accurate means to interpreting these ripples in spacetime caused by colossal cosmic events, such as black holes colliding.

A new study identifying genetic factors contributing to bovine tuberculosis (bTB) susceptibility could represent an important step in the fight against the disease in cattle, and the zoonotic threat it poses to humans. Researchers at University College Dublin , University of Edinburgh, and ETH Zurich have identified several key genes and pathways involved in the bovine response to Mycobacterium bovis (M.

Professor Emmeline Hill, UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science and Chief Science Officer at Equinome, and Professor Lisa Katz, UCD School of Veterinary Medicine Credit: Nick Bradshaw/Fotonic New research pinpoints genes associated with a disease seen as a major contributor to poor performance in Thoroughbred racehorses.

Librarians are stressed and fear being attacked according to new UCD research examining the impact of protests against inclusive LGBTQ+ library material. In a study funded by the Irish Research Council (now incorporated into Research Ireland), the experiences of Ireland's public library staff forced to deal with reactionary agitation while maintaining their need to serve diverse communities is documented.

Posted 23 September, 2024 A new study has found ocean waves may become far more extreme than previously imagined. The insights, , reveal that when waves meet each other from different directions they can reach heights four times steeper than what was once thought possible. According to one of the paper's authors, Professor Frederic Dias , University College Dublin and ENS Paris-Saclay, modelling of wave breaking is often based on two-dimensions but in the ocean, waves can travel in many directions.

Attacks against LGBTQI+ communities are increasing in Ireland, according to a new report. When Ireland legalised same-sex marriage in May 2015, it was seen as evidence of a seismic shift in public opinion towards LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups. Nearly a decade on, however, hostilities against these communities has have increased significantly.

Weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Monjaro may not just suppress appetite but could also speed up metabolism. This is according to a new study carried out at St Vincent's University Hospital (SVUH) . A randomized controlled trial led by Professor Donal O'Shea , SVUH and UCD School of Medicine , found that there was a strong relationship between the amount of weight lost and increases in metabolic activity caused by daily use of medications based on the hormone Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

Almost all'Irish politicians and most of their staff have experience some form of threat, harassment, or violence, according to a new UCD survey. A report by the UCD Centre for Digital Policy found some 94% of politicians and 72% of political staff encountered such abuse during the course of their work.

Posted 14 February, 2024 Breastfeeding rates amongst women with overweight or obesity can be increased by providing education and support, according to new research. Irish breastfeeding rates are amongst the lowest worldwide, with only 44% of Irish newborns receive breastmilk only on discharge from maternity services, and some groups of women appear more vulnerable than others to not breastfeeding.

A new eLetter has called into question the conclusion of a widely reported study , funded by Meta, that suggested Facebook and Instagram algorithms are not major drivers of misinformation based on a claim that the platforms successfully filtered out untrustworthy news surrounding the 2020 election.