News
June 2026
Freshwater methane emissions maximised by global warming
Faculty of Science and Engineering
5 June 2026It is not just cows that emit the powerful greenhouse gas methane – microbial emissions from the natural world will inevitably increase as our planet continues to warm. A new study led by Professor Mark Trimmer of Queen Mary University of London, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, explains how ... [more]
Behind the research: Freshwater methane emissions maximised by global warming
Faculty of Science and Engineering
5 June 2026This "behind-the-research" blog by Mark Trimmer, Professor of Biogeochemistry, takes readers beyond the published findings to reveal the motivations, challenges, and human stories that shaped the study. Say methane and most people think of cows, yet nearly half of all methane is produced by microbes in freshwaters. While we know ... [more]
Sarah Brown to give plenary address at international preterm birth conference
Faculty of Science and Engineering
2 June 2026UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027 hosted at Queen Mary University of London from 18 and 19 January 2027. Sarah Brown, global health campaigner and Chair of the international children's charity Theirworld, will give a plenary address with Professor James Boardman, Scientific Director of the Jennifer Brown Research Laboratory, at the UK Preterm Birth Conference 2027, ... [more]
Epigenetic changes can be inherited without changing DNA in animals
Faculty of Science and Engineering
1 June 2026Beyond DNA: Scientists discover how traits can be passed on without genetic changes. In a new study by researchers at Queen Mary University of London, a sea anemone has revealed that epigenetic changes can be inherited across generations, offering rare experimental evidence that information beyond DNA sequence can persist in ... [more]
May 2026
New AI system could help scientists keep up with the explosion of research papers
Faculty of Science and Engineering
28 May 2026Queen Mary University researchers have developed a new AI-powered framework, MetaBeeAI, designed to help scientists review and analyse vast amounts of literature faster, more transparently, and with greater human oversight. Dr. Rachel Parkinson, who is the leading researcher on this project, states that MetaBeeAI could potentially transform how evidence is ... [more]
New European Study Reveals Methane Emissions from Biogas Plants Are Higher Than Previously Estimated – But Most Could Be Easily Reduced
Faculty of Science and Engineering
27 May 2026A major new study led by Queen Mary University of London has revealed that methane emissions from biogas plants across Europe are higher than some estimates suggest—yet, once identified, the majority of these emissions could be eliminated at no net cost. A biogas plant is a facility that turns ... [more]
Tropical butterflies "hedge their bets" with mating tactics to adapt to extreme seasons
Faculty of Science and Engineering
26 May 2026Butterfly reproduction findings provide key insights into how climate crisis might affect tropical ecosystems. New research from Queen Mary University of London shows how extreme seasonal patterns are causing rainforest butterflies to adapt their reproductive strategies at a rapid pace, with implications for species resilience under accelerating climate disruption. The ... [more]
Scientists generate electricity from ambient moisture using everyday ingredients
Faculty of Science and Engineering
21 May 2026An international research team led by scientists at Queen Mary University of London has developed an innovative method to power wearable electronics using ambient moisture and simple, non-toxic materials commonly found in the kitchen. In a study published in Nano Energy, researchers from Queen Mary, the University of Warwick, Imperial ... [more]
Queen Mary strengthens UK-Brazil research partnerships
Faculty of Science and Engineering
21 May 2026An academic delegation from Queen Mary University of London visited Brazil to explore opportunities for collaboration with universities, research institutes and innovation organisations in areas including AI, health, sustainability and inclusive innovation. The visit was supported by the UK's International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF), bringing together colleagues from Queen Mary's ... [more]
Innovation paves way to make 'clean' chemicals, plastics and food using solar energy
Faculty of Science and Engineering
19 May 2026Integrated solar reactor uses sunlight, water, CO2 and engineered bacteria to grow biomass in a single beaker. A new study led by Dr Lin Su of Queen Mary University of London, published today in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, describes a new integrated solar reactor in which engineered ... [more]
12 May: International Women in Mathematics Day
Faculty of Science and Engineering
11 May 2026International Women in Mathematics Day is celebrated on 12 May, marking the birthday of Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to receive the Fields Medal in 2014. Born in Iran, Mirzakhani made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics before her life was cut short at a young age. Her legacy continues to inspire women and ... [more]
Thawing Arctic soil awakens only half of soil microbes, new study reveals
Faculty of Science and Engineering
7 May 2026As Arctic temperatures rise, frozen soils are thawing for longer periods—but new research shows this doesn't fully activate the life hidden underground. Instead, only about half of soil microbes "wake up," meaning greenhouse gas release depends on which microbes respond, and how quickly, rather than warming alone. A partially ... [more]
Tiny insect brain discovery offers a blueprint for faster and more efficient AI and robots
Faculty of Science and Engineering
5 May 2026The secret behind insects' lightning fast reactions could offer a blueprint for more energy efficient robots and self-driving cars, according to a new study challenging our understanding of how brains process information. The secret behind insects' lightning fast reactions could offer a blueprint for more energy efficient robots and self-driving ... [more]
April 2026
Meet one of our academics: Tyler Kelly
Faculty of Science and Engineering
29 April 2026Tyler Kelly is a professor in the Centre for Combinatorics, Algebra and Number Theory and a Future Leader Fellow working on open mirror geometry for Landau-Ginzburg models. Their inspiring commitment to EDI has been recognised by the appointment to prestigious learned societies and advisory boards, as the London Mathematical Society ... [more]
How touch and emotion combine to shape our memories and relationships
Faculty of Science and Engineering
24 April 2026New paper in Neuroscience & Biobehavioural Review proposes first neurobiological model for how emotionally meaningful touch stays in our memory and influences our connections with others. Why does a comforting touch stay with us for years, while other sensations quickly fade from our minds? A new paper offers a novel answer, ... [more]
'Chameleon' bees change colour with the weather
Faculty of Science and Engineering
22 April 2026Study reveals some bees shift colour depending on humidity – and may explain why the same species can look different across climates. Some bees really do change colour with the weather, according to new research that shows humidity can temporarily alter the shimmering hues of certain species. In a study published ... [more]
Queen Mary physicist showcases Higgs boson research in Parliament
Faculty of Science and Engineering
20 April 2026Early Career Researcher Christos Vergis represents Queen Mary University of London at prestigious STEM for Britain event. A Queen Mary University of London research team has taken its work to the heart of UK democracy, with physicist Dr Christos Vergis shortlisted to present his research at the House of Commons ... [more]
Wasps move in on ant–plant partnership, disrupting a 10‑million‑year mutualism
Faculty of Science and Engineering
15 April 2026New research reveals unexpected intruders in a classic tropical tree–ant relationship, raising concerns for forest recovery in human‑altered landscapes. An international team of scientists from Queen Mary University of London, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences and other institutions has ... [more]
March 2026
Queen Mary PhD Students Champion Neurodivergent Inclusion at Night of Science and Engineering
Faculty of Science and Engineering
19 March 2026Three Queen Mary University of London PhD students took centre stage at this year's Night of Science and Engineering, sharing research that pushes forward understanding, equity and inclusion for neurodivergent people. Their work—spanning mental health, human‑centred technology and maternal health—showcases the powerful role of research in creating ... [more]
Queen Mary's Night of Science and Engineering celebrates innovation, partnership, and impact
Faculty of Science and Engineering
18 March 2026Yesterday (Tuesday 17 March) Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Science and Engineering welcomed partners, collaborators, and invited guests to its annual Night of Science and Engineering. The event, now in its fourth year, showcases the world leading research, innovation, and partnership carried out across the Faculty. This year's event, ... [more]
AI's game-playing still has flaws, research shows
Faculty of Science and Engineering
13 March 2026New research published in Machine Learning shows pattern learning is not enough to train AI to tackle games – and abstract representations or hybrid approaches may help. Many AI researchers describe game-playing as the "Formula 1" of AI: it's a controlled test environment with clear rules and clear success criteria. This paper ... [more]
Queen Mary scientists seek to slash carbon footprint of medicine manufacturing through new bio-based solvents.
Faculty of Science and Engineering
10 March 2026By working with industry partners, bio-based solvents could replace fossil derived materials by the 2030s. A new British-based consortium aims to cut emissions by 60% compared to conventional fossil-derived solvents. Pharma's emissions per dollar of revenue are higher than the car industry. Solvents are a major culprit, but essential to making ... [more]
Why averages fail for bacteria in the open ocean
Faculty of Science and Engineering
10 March 2026How can bacteria that forage on organic particles survive in vast ocean regions where such particles are extremely sparse? A new study by researchers from Queen Mary University of London and ETH Zurich shows that variability at the level of individual bacteria plays a central role. Using a probabilistic population ... [more]
Delocalised Electronic States: Powering Molecular Photovoltaics
Faculty of Science and Engineering
9 March 2026Queen Mary Researchers Help Unlock the Secrets Behind 20% Efficient Organic Solar Cells. Researchers at Queen Mary University of London, working closely with collaborators at Imperial College London and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), have uncovered how the latest generation of organic solar cell materials achieve record‑breaking efficiencies of ... [more]
Three women leading research in Science and Engineering
Faculty of Science and Engineering
1 March 2026To mark International Women's Day, we spotlight three women leading research in Science and Engineering. Meet Silvia Liverani (Head of the Centre for Probability, Statistics and Data Science) Mona Jaber (Head of the Centre for Networks, Communications, and Systems) and Ana Sobrido (Head of the Centre for Centre for Sustainable ... [more]
February 2026
Meet one of our academics: Stefaan Verbruggen
Faculty of Science and Engineering
18 February 2026I am a lecturer in Medical Technology and a member of the Centre for Bioengineering at Queen Mary University of London. My research focuses on biomechanics and organ-on-a-chip technologies, particularly how mechanical forces influence musculoskeletal health and disease. My work sits at the intersection of biomechanics, mechanobiology and advanced in ... [more]
QMUL Researchers Help Advance Practical Quantum Computing with New Low-Depth Algorithms
Faculty of Science and Engineering
13 February 2026A new study published in Science Advances presents a major step forward in the development of quantum algorithms that are more accurate, more efficient, and better suited to the capabilities of early quantum computers. The research from Queen Mary University of London focuses on improving the way quantum computers calculate ... [more]
Sea turtles are nesting earlier – but producing fewer eggs, less often: new research
Faculty of Science and Engineering
12 February 2026Climate change is reshaping life on Earth at an unprecedented pace. Across the globe, species are shifting their ranges, altering migration routes and breeding earlier in the year in response to rising temperatures. But while some of these changes appear adaptive, scientists are increasingly finding that hidden costs may undermine ... [more]
Queen Mary Spinout Dragonfly AI Secures £5m to Accelerate Global Growth
Faculty of Science and Engineering
12 February 2026Queen Mary University of London is celebrating the success of its spinout company Dragonfly AI, which has secured £5 million in new investment to fuel its next phase of international expansion and product innovation. Dragonfly AI, co-founded by Dr Hamit Soyel, Chief Scientist and inventor of the underlying technology, has rapidly ... [more]
Sanity check warns EVs and heat pumps deliver "no proven carbon savings" ahead of 2030 clean power target
Faculty of Science and Engineering
11 February 2026New analysis warns that UK electric vehicles and heat pumps are delivering no proven carbon savings — and urges urgent focus on grid capacity, renewables and carbon capture instead. The conclusion: the UK is prioritising the wrong things. UK electric vehicles and heat pumps have not yet delivered any proven carbon ... [more]
"This engine is grinding to a halt" - Nature slowing down as climate change gains pace
Faculty of Science and Engineering
10 February 2026New research from Queen Mary University of London shows nature's renewal has "significantly" slowed down with rising temperatures, against expectation Ecologists have long assumed that, as global warming accelerates, so do changes in nature. The received wisdom was that as temperatures rise and climatic zones shift, species threatened with extinction ... [more]
Queen Mary Astronomy Unit awarded £1.5 million for astrophysics and space science research
Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astronomy
10 February 2026Researchers in the Astronomy Unit (AU), in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences at Queen Mary, have been awarded a total of £1.5 million from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) to fund 3 research projects over the next 3 years. The research grants cover Queen Mary's internationally leading research in ... [more]
Claudia Garetto receives Suffrage Science Award for Maths and Computing
Centre for Geometry, Analysis and Gravitation
5 February 2026Many congratultons to Claudia Garetto who has been awarded the 2026 Suffrage Science Award for Maths and Computing, a prestigious peer-to-peer award recognising outstanding women in science for both research excellence and their commitment to inspiring others. The Suffrage Science Awards are unique in their format and ethos: each recipient nominates ... [more]
Unsupervised strategies for naive animals: New model of adaptive decision making inspired by baby chicks, turtles and insects
Faculty of Science and Engineering
4 February 2026Precocial animals, the ones that move autonomously within hours after hatching or birth, have many biases they are born with that help them survive, finds a new Royal Society paper led by Queen Mary University of London. The new model proposed by the researchers suggest that naïve animals like ... [more]
January 2026
Meet one of our academics: Nadine Lavan
Faculty of Science and Engineering
23 January 2026I am a Senior Lecturer in Psychology in the Centre for Brain and Behaviour, where I study how humans perceive voices. Human voices don't just tell us what someone is saying, voices also convey a lot of information about a speaker's intentions, feelings, and attitudes. Crucially, voices also help us ... [more]
How people moved pigs across the Pacific
Faculty of Science and Engineering
5 January 2026Genomic study reveals the routes taken by people as they island hopped across Indonesia. A new study, published today in the journal Science, reveals how millennia of human migration across Pacific islands led to the introduction of invasive pig species all over the Asia-Pacific region. The study was led by ... [more]