Skip to main content

Biosciences News

World Parkinsons Day Picnic 2023

In celebration of World Parkinson’s Day 2023, the Durham Parkinson’s UK Branch, Durham University, Space 2, and Balbir Singh Dance Company collaborated for an afternoon exploring the classical Indian dance of kathak at Durham University Botanic Gardens. This builds on the previous work of the ‘Unmasking Pain’ project with Balbir Singh Dance company backed by Arts Council England, offering similar days for people living with chronic pain.
World Parkinson's Day

Trait evolution during a rapid global weed invasion despite little genetic differentiation

New research just published by Dr Adrian Brennan and a team of researchers: Invasive species often possess a great capacity to adapt to novel environments in the form of spatial trait variation, as a result of varying selection regimes, genetic drift, or plasticity.
Flower

New study foresees threat of invasive species in UK’s Overseas Territories

A leading scientist from our Department of Biosciences has collaborated with researchers from UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology to predict which invasive species could pose a future threat to the UK’s ecologically unique Overseas Territories.
St Helena

Working with Zimbabwean farmers to rebuild soils

Dr Steve Chivasa is part of our Biosciences Department and specialises in understanding how plants respond to stressful environments. Here he discusses a project he’s working on to help farmers in Zimbabwe overcome challenges caused by soil degradation.
Image showing soil in cupped hands with a plant out of focus in background

Gabapentinoid and Opioid Tapering Toolbox (GOTT):We have achieved zero patients on high dose opioids!

Persistent pain is a huge world-wide health challenge. It is the primary reason people in the UK see their GP. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised it as a priority disease in 2019. NICE has also recently accepted that current chronic pain medications have limited use, and in fact carry serious safety concerns. Reducing opioid prescriptions (for non-cancer pain) to zero by 2024 is a priority for Public Health England (PHE).
Signpost

Scientists decrypt the ‘mechanical code’ of DNA

Our highly-rated Department of Biosciences has helped to decipher the mechanical code of DNA.
DNA code

Addison Wheeler postdoctoral fellowship recruitment 2022/23

The Institute of Advanced Study has opened the recruitment for the 2022/23 Addison Wheeler postdoctoral fellowship round.
Curving library shelf

European colonialism is still visible in today’s plant distributions

European colonialism is still evident in the spread and prevalence of plants in countries around the world, according to new research involving our Department of Biosciences.
Close up of a Black Locust tree with white flowers

Can you help record the UK’s mammal activity?

If you’re interested in conservation and ecology, our MammalWeb project needs your help to chart the activity of the UK’s mammals.
Otters stare at the camera after being caught on a camera trap

Songbirds with unique colours are more likely to be traded as pets – new research

Dr Rebecca Senior from our Department of Biosciences shares her new research on uniquely coloured songbirds and how they could become extinct as a result of pet trade.
Coloured birds

New bid to 'outflank' antimicrobial resistance

A major new project will investigate the defence mechanisms of bacterial cells, to help stop the spread of drug-resistant genes. Resistance to antibiotics (known as antimicrobial resistance) is a growing problem, identified by the World Health Organisation as a top-10 threat facing humanity.
Phage

Congratulations to Phil Stephens who has made the Nature of Scotland Awards shortlist with MammalWeb

MammalWeb, an organisation started in the Department of Biosciences has been shortlisted for two Nature of Scotland awards: innovation and citizen science.
MammalWeb