Latest news with #UKRI
Business News Wales
21-05-2025
- Health
- Business News Wales
Swansea-Led Project 'Could Transform Clot Treatment'
Researchers are developing a cutting-edge blood test that measures clot formation and breakdown from a single sample, which has the potential to improve patient treatment and reduce pressure on the NHS. Led by Professor Karl Hawkins, alongside colleagues from Swansea University and NHS clinicians, the £1.2 million project is being funded by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Using rheology—the study of how materials flow and deform—the team is investigating how blood clots respond to stress, an innovative approach that led to the discovery of a key biomarker, paving the way for a next-generation blood test. The test measures the changes in rheology during the clotting process to accurately track a clot's lifespan—from formation to breakdown—at a level of insight that current methods cannot achieve. Professor Hawkins, Swansea University Medical School, said: 'By developing advanced rheometric techniques to analyse blood clot behaviour, we can now help create and assess new treatments in a way no other test can, opening the door to better treatment strategies.' By applying microfluidic technology, researchers can track clot breakdown in real time across vessels of different sizes, offering critical insights for safer, more effective treatments. Dr Francesco Del Giudice, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Head of the Rheological Microfluidic Laboratory, part of the Complex Fluids Research Group at Swansea University, said: 'Microfluidics provide unparalleled insights into clot breakdown processes, offering a comprehensive analysis with real-world clinical applications.' Dr Daniel Curtis, Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Lead of the Advanced Rheometry Laboratory, part of the Complex Fluids Research Group at Swansea University, added: 'This project is a really exciting opportunity to develop new rheometric techniques that will not only support healthcare research but also change the way we study other materials that evolve over time. 'It's also fantastic to be collaborating with the team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) once again, who will be working with us to refine techniques for monitoring how blood clots and other time-dependent materials form and break down.' The project is part of a £80 million UKRI (EPSRC) initiative, aimed at boosting fundamental research and discovery science, paving the way for clinical applications that could directly improve patient care. Blood clot-related conditions, including strokes, heart attacks, and deep vein thrombosis, are a major cause of death and disability worldwide, with thousands of hospital admissions each year. Dr Suresh Pillai, Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine at Swansea University and Honorary Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine at Morriston Hospital, Swansea Bay University Health Board, said: 'Blood clot-associated diseases are causing an increasingly significant burden on the NHS. Treatments for these conditions are evolving, but some current treatments carry a risk of complications, such as bleeding. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop accurate tests to assess patient responses to new therapeutic interventions.' Professor Owen Guy, Head of Swansea University's Department of Chemistry, added: 'This is a fantastic example of how Swansea's multidisciplinary and internationally collaborative research approach is contributing to novel clot-related technology. The project is targeted towards providing future health impact for NHS patients.'
Boston Globe
19-05-2025
- Science
- Boston Globe
Brown University researchers are developing a new way to study what's under the surface of Mars
Related : Advertisement 'But we show that the size of the ejecta blanket around a crater is sensitive to subsurface properties as well. That gives us a new observable on the surface to help constrain materials present underground.' Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Scientists have long studied craters for indicators of what may be below the surface of a planet. Craters can be affected by the 'strength of the subsurface, how porous it is and a host of other factors,' Brown officials said. For this latest research, however, Aleksandra Sokolowska, a UKRI fellow at Imperial College London who performed the study while a postdoctoral researcher at Brown, looked to glean more information from crater ejecta in particular, relying on computer simulations that capture the 'physics of planetary impacts' co-developed by a co-author of the study, Gareth Collins, a professor at Imperial College London. Advertisement The simulations allowed Sokolowska to vary the characteristics of subsurface material – from solid bedrock to glacial deposits and sediments such those typically found in a buried lake bed – and to observe how each could impact how far ejected debris lands when craters are formed, according to university officials. In addition to the simulation, the researchers analyzed two fresh impact craters on Mars, which, based on other data, they knew were located over solid bedrock and some subsurface ice, officials said. 'Consistent with model predictions, the crater on the icy subsurface had a much smaller ejecta blanket than the one on bedrock,' Brown officials said. 'The findings help confirm that differences in ejecta radius are detectable and reflect known subsurface properties.' According to researchers, the new method could be helpful in ongoing and upcoming spacecraft missions, including in February 2026, when the European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft is set to arrive at Dimorphos 'an asteroid that NASA hit with a projectile several years ago to test the possibility of deflecting asteroids that could be headed for Earth.' Hera will work to learn more about the asteroid's interior. Sokolowska said she is now working to turn 'this proof-of concept work into a tool.' 'The differences in ejecta radius can be quite large, and we predict that they could be measured from orbit with the HiRISE camera onboard Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter,' Sokolowska said. 'Once the method is thoroughly tested, it could become a promising new tool for investigating subsurface properties.' Christopher Gavin can be reached at
South Wales Guardian
14-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Watchdog's investment body findings prompt concern over UK research ‘leadership'
An assessment by the National Audit Office (NAO) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a non-departmental public body established in 2018, found concerns about fraud protection and its ability to maximise value for money from its funding. The NAO also identified a lack of a coherent direction from government departments on R&I priorities and inefficient data systems at the UKRI, alongside a lack of 'measurable objectives' which have limited effective monitoring of progress at strategic level. The public spending watchdog also said there is a need to strengthen the management of risk in relation to funding decisions. The Government has identified research and innovation, also known as research and development, as crucial to achieving its priorities of growing the economy and achieving net zero. In her Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to invest £20.4 billion in this area in 2025/26, with the Government promising to 'promote innovation and harness the full potential of the UK's science base … (through) protecting record funding for research and development'. Responding to the NAO report, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Conservative chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said: 'With UKRI spending over £9 billion on R&I a year, it is vital that it gets this right. 'UKRI plays a key role in supporting a substantial and successful R&I system, seeking to take a high-risk, high-reward approach to grant funding. However, it lacks any measurable objectives to track progress and does not have the right data to manage grant spending strategically. 'For the nation to remain global leaders in R&I, UKRI must do more to support its decision-makers, foster resilience, and ensure our systems can continue to respond to emerging challenges.' The NAO said the Government does not currently have clarity on what it is asking the body to do because of a 'lack of co-ordination in how Government expects UKRI to support the delivery of a range of objectives'. It added: 'Due to the broad nature of UKRI's activity, government departments indicate their policy priorities to UKRI through a variety of means, including ad hoc and routine meetings, government strategies and mission statements, and spending review budgets. 'But these are not consolidated or ranked, which means the overall picture of what Government is asking UKRI to do is unclear.' The NAO also said none of the objectives outlined in UKRI's first five-year strategy are 'specific, measurable or time-bound', which makes it 'difficult to understand what it is seeking to achieve'. The report highlights that the body has pledged to take 'high risks where there is a potential for high rewards'. But it warned that 'data limitations', caused in part by problems bringing together systems of 'multiple' predecessor organisations, are restricting UKRI's 'ability to efficiently manage its investments'. The NAO also found the body is not currently in full compliance with the Government's standards for counter-fraud, adding that the dedicated team is under-staffed, dealing with a backlog of cases and has limited capacity for work on prevention. While UKRI has had deficiencies in funding assurance 'for several years running', its controls on the individual grants audited by the NAO were found to be adequate. However, the watchdog said the UKRI could not provide 'a reliable picture of whether, across the organisation, error and fraud are under control'. Overall, the body has investigated suspected fraud on £42.6 million of grants, identified £4.6 million of fraud, prevented £13.5 million, and recovered £80,000. The NAO recommended UKRI clarifies its appetite for risk relating to funding decisions and identifies 'barriers and incentives to taking bolder decisions'. It also called on the body to address deficiencies found in financial audits and data systems, and said it should work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to 'map out' the government priorities and objectives it is expected to support in delivering. Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: 'Providing effective support for research and innovation that secures value from public sector investment is a complex challenge. New ideas will not have a track record of delivery and innovative projects inevitably carry a higher degree of uncertainty. 'Although UKRI has played a key role in supporting a globally respected R&I system, there is more it could do to maximise value for money. 'Our recommendations are designed to help UKRI ensure its culture supports well-managed risk taking; develop better data to support decision making; and work with DSIT to define more clearly the overarching outcomes sought from its research and innovation spending.' A UKRI spokesperson said: 'UKRI invests over £9.5 billion a year in the UK's world-class research and innovation ecosystem and this plays a crucial role in driving sustainable economic growth, creating jobs and improving public services for people across the UK. 'We welcome today's report from the National Audit Office which recognises the vital role that UKRI plays in shaping and supporting a successful UK R&I endeavour, and endorses the work we are doing to drive continuous improvement in how we work. 'UKRI will continue to use its unique position in the research and innovation system to make smart and strategic investment choices, building a portfolio of investments that deliver the best outcomes now and in the future, making the most effective use of public money.'
North Wales Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Watchdog's investment body findings prompt concern over UK research ‘leadership'
An assessment by the National Audit Office (NAO) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a non-departmental public body established in 2018, found concerns about fraud protection and its ability to maximise value for money from its funding. The NAO also identified a lack of a coherent direction from government departments on R&I priorities and inefficient data systems at the UKRI, alongside a lack of 'measurable objectives' which have limited effective monitoring of progress at strategic level. The public spending watchdog also said there is a need to strengthen the management of risk in relation to funding decisions. The Government has identified research and innovation, also known as research and development, as crucial to achieving its priorities of growing the economy and achieving net zero. In her Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to invest £20.4 billion in this area in 2025/26, with the Government promising to 'promote innovation and harness the full potential of the UK's science base … (through) protecting record funding for research and development'. Responding to the NAO report, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Conservative chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said: 'With UKRI spending over £9 billion on R&I a year, it is vital that it gets this right. 'UKRI plays a key role in supporting a substantial and successful R&I system, seeking to take a high-risk, high-reward approach to grant funding. However, it lacks any measurable objectives to track progress and does not have the right data to manage grant spending strategically. 'For the nation to remain global leaders in R&I, UKRI must do more to support its decision-makers, foster resilience, and ensure our systems can continue to respond to emerging challenges.' The NAO said the Government does not currently have clarity on what it is asking the body to do because of a 'lack of co-ordination in how Government expects UKRI to support the delivery of a range of objectives'. It added: 'Due to the broad nature of UKRI's activity, government departments indicate their policy priorities to UKRI through a variety of means, including ad hoc and routine meetings, government strategies and mission statements, and spending review budgets. 'But these are not consolidated or ranked, which means the overall picture of what Government is asking UKRI to do is unclear.' The NAO also said none of the objectives outlined in UKRI's first five-year strategy are 'specific, measurable or time-bound', which makes it 'difficult to understand what it is seeking to achieve'. The report highlights that the body has pledged to take 'high risks where there is a potential for high rewards'. But it warned that 'data limitations', caused in part by problems bringing together systems of 'multiple' predecessor organisations, are restricting UKRI's 'ability to efficiently manage its investments'. The NAO also found the body is not currently in full compliance with the Government's standards for counter-fraud, adding that the dedicated team is under-staffed, dealing with a backlog of cases and has limited capacity for work on prevention. While UKRI has had deficiencies in funding assurance 'for several years running', its controls on the individual grants audited by the NAO were found to be adequate. However, the watchdog said the UKRI could not provide 'a reliable picture of whether, across the organisation, error and fraud are under control'. Overall, the body has investigated suspected fraud on £42.6 million of grants, identified £4.6 million of fraud, prevented £13.5 million, and recovered £80,000. The NAO recommended UKRI clarifies its appetite for risk relating to funding decisions and identifies 'barriers and incentives to taking bolder decisions'. It also called on the body to address deficiencies found in financial audits and data systems, and said it should work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to 'map out' the government priorities and objectives it is expected to support in delivering. Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: 'Providing effective support for research and innovation that secures value from public sector investment is a complex challenge. New ideas will not have a track record of delivery and innovative projects inevitably carry a higher degree of uncertainty. 'Although UKRI has played a key role in supporting a globally respected R&I system, there is more it could do to maximise value for money. 'Our recommendations are designed to help UKRI ensure its culture supports well-managed risk taking; develop better data to support decision making; and work with DSIT to define more clearly the overarching outcomes sought from its research and innovation spending.' A UKRI spokesperson said: 'UKRI invests over £9.5 billion a year in the UK's world-class research and innovation ecosystem and this plays a crucial role in driving sustainable economic growth, creating jobs and improving public services for people across the UK. 'We welcome today's report from the National Audit Office which recognises the vital role that UKRI plays in shaping and supporting a successful UK R&I endeavour, and endorses the work we are doing to drive continuous improvement in how we work. 'UKRI will continue to use its unique position in the research and innovation system to make smart and strategic investment choices, building a portfolio of investments that deliver the best outcomes now and in the future, making the most effective use of public money.'
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Watchdog's investment body findings prompt concern over UK research ‘leadership'
An assessment by the National Audit Office (NAO) of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a non-departmental public body established in 2018, found concerns about fraud protection and its ability to maximise value for money from its funding. The NAO also identified a lack of a coherent direction from government departments on R&I priorities and inefficient data systems at the UKRI, alongside a lack of 'measurable objectives' which have limited effective monitoring of progress at strategic level. The public spending watchdog also said there is a need to strengthen the management of risk in relation to funding decisions. The Government has identified research and innovation, also known as research and development, as crucial to achieving its priorities of growing the economy and achieving net zero. In her Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves committed to invest £20.4 billion in this area in 2025/26, with the Government promising to 'promote innovation and harness the full potential of the UK's science base … (through) protecting record funding for research and development'. Responding to the NAO report, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Conservative chairman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said: 'With UKRI spending over £9 billion on R&I a year, it is vital that it gets this right. 'UKRI plays a key role in supporting a substantial and successful R&I system, seeking to take a high-risk, high-reward approach to grant funding. However, it lacks any measurable objectives to track progress and does not have the right data to manage grant spending strategically. 'For the nation to remain global leaders in R&I, UKRI must do more to support its decision-makers, foster resilience, and ensure our systems can continue to respond to emerging challenges.' The NAO said the Government does not currently have clarity on what it is asking the body to do because of a 'lack of co-ordination in how Government expects UKRI to support the delivery of a range of objectives'. It added: 'Due to the broad nature of UKRI's activity, government departments indicate their policy priorities to UKRI through a variety of means, including ad hoc and routine meetings, government strategies and mission statements, and spending review budgets. 'But these are not consolidated or ranked, which means the overall picture of what Government is asking UKRI to do is unclear.' The NAO also said none of the objectives outlined in UKRI's first five-year strategy are 'specific, measurable or time-bound', which makes it 'difficult to understand what it is seeking to achieve'. The report highlights that the body has pledged to take 'high risks where there is a potential for high rewards'. But it warned that 'data limitations', caused in part by problems bringing together systems of 'multiple' predecessor organisations, are restricting UKRI's 'ability to efficiently manage its investments'. The NAO also found the body is not currently in full compliance with the Government's standards for counter-fraud, adding that the dedicated team is under-staffed, dealing with a backlog of cases and has limited capacity for work on prevention. While UKRI has had deficiencies in funding assurance 'for several years running', its controls on the individual grants audited by the NAO were found to be adequate. However, the watchdog said the UKRI could not provide 'a reliable picture of whether, across the organisation, error and fraud are under control'. Overall, the body has investigated suspected fraud on £42.6 million of grants, identified £4.6 million of fraud, prevented £13.5 million, and recovered £80,000. The NAO recommended UKRI clarifies its appetite for risk relating to funding decisions and identifies 'barriers and incentives to taking bolder decisions'. It also called on the body to address deficiencies found in financial audits and data systems, and said it should work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) to 'map out' the government priorities and objectives it is expected to support in delivering. Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: 'Providing effective support for research and innovation that secures value from public sector investment is a complex challenge. New ideas will not have a track record of delivery and innovative projects inevitably carry a higher degree of uncertainty. 'Although UKRI has played a key role in supporting a globally respected R&I system, there is more it could do to maximise value for money. 'Our recommendations are designed to help UKRI ensure its culture supports well-managed risk taking; develop better data to support decision making; and work with DSIT to define more clearly the overarching outcomes sought from its research and innovation spending.' A UKRI spokesperson said: 'UKRI invests over £9.5 billion a year in the UK's world-class research and innovation ecosystem and this plays a crucial role in driving sustainable economic growth, creating jobs and improving public services for people across the UK. 'We welcome today's report from the National Audit Office which recognises the vital role that UKRI plays in shaping and supporting a successful UK R&I endeavour, and endorses the work we are doing to drive continuous improvement in how we work. 'UKRI will continue to use its unique position in the research and innovation system to make smart and strategic investment choices, building a portfolio of investments that deliver the best outcomes now and in the future, making the most effective use of public money.'
