Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Winter in Oxford 🌨️

January 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

‘People regain all the weight they lost within just 18 months of stopping the medication.’

New research shows weight loss jabs work well - but only while you’re taking them. Weight regain is rapid, and long-term cost-effectiveness remains unclear.

Find out more ⬇️

Stopping weight-loss jabs leads to much faster rebound than thought – so are they still worth it?

New weight loss jabs work brilliantly – but only while you’re taking them. The rebound is fast, and the cost-effectiveness unclear.

theconversation.com

January 9, 2026 at 5:52 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Researchers from the Oxford Centre for Maritime Archaeology have helped discover a thalamegos - an infamous ancient “party boat” - in the waters of Alexandria.

Here's what may have happened onboard ⬇️

We discovered an ancient ‘party boat’ in the waters of Alexandria – here’s what might have happened on board

Pharaohs may have used this vessel to hunt hippopotami.

theconversation.com

January 9, 2026 at 3:51 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

NEW: Oxford physicists have contributed to a study finding that iron-rich asteroids can withstand far more energy than previously thought without breaking apart - a breakthrough with direct implications for planetary defence.

Find out more ⬇️

New study simulates asteroid impact – and reveals the hidden strength

Physicists at the University of Oxford have contributed to a new study which has found that iron-rich asteroids can tolerate far more energy than previously thought without breaking apart - a

www.ox.ac.uk

January 9, 2026 at 12:14 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

How will the effects of climate change impact our lives?

Professors Radhika Khosla and Venus Bivar explain. ⬇️

https://www.ox.ac.uk/climate-and-environment/adapting-thriving#group-section-How-is-climate-change-impacting-human-lives-Jduy9DWaKC

Text overlay reading "How is climate change affecting human lives?" on a background image showing a flooded area with submerged trees and a partially visible shelter.

January 9, 2026 at 11:51 AM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

'It is the long-term political consequences of this legally dubious US action that are worrying the oil market.'

Dr Adi Imsirovic, guest lecturer at the Department of Engineering Science, breaks down the implications of the US strike on Venezuela for global oil prices ⬇️

What the US strike on Venezuela could mean for global oil prices

There are good reasons why Venezuela’s oil has been trading at a discount.

theconversation.com

January 8, 2026 at 2:13 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

'Every state not calling out this blatant aggression helps hold the axe that shatters the international order.'

Why the biggest problem for international law is not the invasion of Venezuela and capture of President Maduro, but how the US and the world made sense of it ⬇️

Expert Comment: The illegality of the US attack against Venezuela is

Professor Janina Dill, Dame Louise Richardson Chair in Global Security at the Blavatnik School of Government, outlines why the biggest problem for international law is not the invasion of Venezuela

www.ox.ac.uk

January 8, 2026 at 11:50 AM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

A frosty Radcliffe Square ❄️

📷 Instagram | Spiralling_Oxford (December, 2024)

A quiet, frosty view of Radcliffe Square in Oxford on a misty morning, with historic stone buildings lining a curved street and Gothic spires rising in the background.

January 8, 2026 at 9:13 AM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Following his admission as Chancellor in February 2025, Lord Hague of Richmond will confer honorary degrees on distinguished individuals at a special ceremony in the Sheldonian Theatre on Tuesday 24 February 2026.

Find out more ⬇️

Honorary degree recipients for the Chancellor’s ceremony announced |

The Chancellor will honour distinguished individuals at the Sheldonian Theatre in February.

www.ox.ac.uk

January 7, 2026 at 5:01 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

NEW: Global aviation emissions could be cut by 50–75% by combining three efficiency fixes:

✈️ Flying only the most fuel-efficient aircraft
🪑 Switching to all-economy layouts
👥 Increasing passenger loads

Find out more ⬇️

Global aviation emissions could be halved through maximising

A new study co-led by the University of Oxford has found that global aviation emissions could be reduced by 50-75% through combining three strategies to boost efficiency: flying only the most

www.ox.ac.uk

January 7, 2026 at 3:07 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

'To keep our societies safe and robust, we’d do well keeping analogue backups of our most important documents and systems.'

Institute for Ethics in AI's Dr Carissa Véliz examines human relationships with the analogue in an increasingly AI-driven and digital-focussed world ⬇️

Expert Comment: Why cherish the analogue in a digital age? |

Dr Carissa Véliz, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the Institute for Ethics in AI, examines human relationships with the analogue in an increasingly AI-driven and digital-focussed world.

www.ox.ac.uk

January 7, 2026 at 2:05 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

‘In an age of nostalgia for the Britain of the past, it could be ripe for a renaissance.’

Dr Steven Parissien explains the story of Babycham - the first drink in Britain to have a serious American-style advertising campaign ⬇️

The rise and fall of Babycham – the sparkling pear drink that sold the champagne lifestyle at a small price

The first drink in Britain to have a serious, American-style advertising campaign

theconversation.com

January 6, 2026 at 4:45 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

'Oganised crime thrives when authority is fragmented and control is weak.'

Annette Idler, Associate Professor in Global Security at the @blavatnikschool.bsky.social, explores U.S. actions in Venezuela and the potential impact on stability in the region and worldwide ⬇️

Expert Comment: What US action in Venezuela could unleash —

Dr Annette Idler, Associate Professor in Global Security at the Blavatnik School of Government and Director of the Global Security Programme at Oxford’s Pembroke College, explores US actions in

www.ox.ac.uk

January 6, 2026 at 4:32 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Learn more about Wytham Woods, the most studied woodland on Earth, which has been owned by the University of Oxford since 1942. ⬇️

https://www.ox.ac.uk/climate-and-environment/wytham-woods

Banner image featuring a background of Wytham Woods with the text 'Wytham Woods: Oxford's Living Laboratory' overlaid.

January 6, 2026 at 3:08 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Sprinklings of snow in Oxford this morning 🌨️

📷 X | Prof Erin Saupe

The Radcliffe Camera in Oxford under a light dusting of snow, with bicycles lined along the railings and snow settling on the cobblestone street.

January 6, 2026 at 10:04 AM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Explore Oxford’s work in the geosphere, from studying volcanoes to understand past climate change to identifying hidden helium gas fields.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/climate-and-environment/our-planet#group-section-Geosphere-WYkqFo8AGf

Aerial view of a rocky landscape with the word "GEOSPHERE" overlaid in white text, surrounded by a geometric frame with squares at the design's edges.

January 5, 2026 at 3:51 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

An Oxford-led study links daily temperatures to NHS demand and costs across England.

Researchers found winter cold drives most health-care use (64%), while extreme heat triggers sharp same-day demand spikes.

Find out more ⬇️

New study estimates NHS England spends 3% of its primary and

A new University of Oxford-led study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, is the first to link daily temperature data to health-care use and costs across primary and secondary care in England.

www.ox.ac.uk

January 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Oxford through the seasons 🌸☀️🍂❄️

Taken from Exeter College's Fellows' Garden.

📷 Instagram | 12AtOxford

Pink cherry blossom in the foreground frames the Radcliffe Camera, viewed from Exeter College Fellows’ Garden under a bright blue spring sky.

The Radcliffe Camera rises above green trees and shrubs, seen from Exeter College Fellows’ Garden on a clear summer day.

Fallen autumn leaves cover the ground beneath bare branches, with the Radcliffe Camera glowing in soft evening light beyond Exeter College Fellows’ Garden.

A light layer of snow covers Exeter College Fellows’ Garden, with the Radcliffe Camera illuminated against a dark winter sky.

January 4, 2026 at 5:45 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Researchers at Oxford are at the forefront of our understanding of atmospheric processes, are building the next-generation of climate models, and improving weather forecasting predictability.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/climate-and-environment/our-planet#group-section-Atmosphere-Ke7x6wBDjo

Aerial view of clouds covering Earth with the word 'ATMOSPHERE.' overlaid in bold letters, framed by a stylized border of square and rectangular shapes.

January 1, 2026 at 1:51 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Happy New Year! ✨

Wishing you all a brilliant 2026 🥳🎉

#2026

January 1, 2026 at 12:01 AM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Discover how Oxford is working with local communities and governments to ensure a resilient supply of the critical metals essential for clean technologies, such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and copper. ⬇️

https://www.ox.ac.uk/climate-and-environment/energy#group-section-Earth-resources-Ki7JgWr8ZK

Aerial view of expansive salt evaporation ponds with the phrase "EARTH RESOURCES" overlaid in large text.

December 31, 2025 at 3:53 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

Bridge of Sighs, glowing after dark 🌕

📷 | ObservingOxford (December, 2024)

Night-time view of Oxford’s Bridge of Sighs arching over a quiet street. Warm light glows from the building windows and street lamps, while two people walk beneath the arch. A bright moon shines in a dark blue sky above the stone buildings.

December 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM

University of Oxford

@ox.ac.uk

With more people worrying about climate change than ever before, discover how Oxford is investigating what changes people want to see from world leaders and what they reveal about human behaviour. ⬇️

https://bit.ly/48jiGnU