Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 1d

A first-of-its-kind project supported by MRC and led by @unibirmingham.bsky.social will study the long-term impact of vaping on lung health.

Researchers will examine the biological effects of vaping on lung cells, immune cells, and the airway microbiome.

More: www.ukri.org/news/first-o...

First-of-its-kind study on impact of vaping on respiratory health

The University of Birmingham will lead a £1.55 million MRC-funded project to unravel long-term vaping risks and benefits on lung health for smokers.

www.ukri.org

1 6 8

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 2d

🚨Applications for the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund are now open!

This £500 million investment will support partnerships of civic authorities, businesses, and researchers to develop and scale up local innovation, to grow local economies, jobs, and skills.

Apply: www.ukri.org/what-we-do/b...

Area of investment and support
Area of investment and support: Local Innovation Partnerships Fund

The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a new £500 million UKRI-led programme. It empowers innovation leadership through local ‘triple helix’ partnerships between civic institutions, business and universities, delivering impact, at scale.

Budget: Up to £500 million through two funding strands.
Duration: 2026 to 2031
Partners involved: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

2 4

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

University of Liverpool News @livuninews.bsky.social · 7d

NEWS I Scientists at @liverpooluni.bsky.social have developed a new low-cost blood test that could make it easier to detect #Alzheimer’s disease at an earlier stage. Read all about it ⬇️

news.liverpool.ac.uk/2025/10/01/l...

@livunihls.bsky.social @livuni-ismib.bsky.social

4 10

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

British Antarctic Survey 🐧 @bas.ac.uk · 9d

In three days, our iconic red planes will take off from Canada to make the epic journey across the world to Antarctica.

These flights mark the start of a new polar science season.

BUT ALSO that means there's three days left to send your name to Antarctica with us! tickettoantarctica.com

18 56

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

Medical Research Foundation @medresfdn.bsky.social · 7d

Are you a Foundation or @ukri.org MRC-funded researcher, member of staff or student? Enter our 2025 Festive Science Image Competition now! ✨🔬

🥇 The winner will have their image feature on our seasonal greetings card and receive up to £500!

Full competition details here: https://bit.ly/3IOlkrF

Montage of previous entries into the MRC and Medical Research Foundation's Festive Science Image Competition, depicting a Christmas tree branch with baubles, several Christmas trees, and an ice crystal-style background.

1 1

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 7d

Working in science isn't just lab coats and test tubes.

Our 101 Jobs series spotlights some of the many different roles and people who help make incredible research happen - from curators, to technicians and marine operations.

Watch our playlist📽️👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6gM...

Ocean buoys, microscopic plankton and speed boats | 101 Jobs that change the world S3 Ep 5

YouTube video by UKRI Stories

www.youtube.com

2

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 8d

"Creativity might be the backbone of artistic research but its application reaches far beyond the Arts - it is everywhere."

David De La Haye shares his remarkable career shift from music technician to researcher studying the sounds of freshwater environments.

📽️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-UD...

David De La Haye | 101 Jobs Switching Sectors | Ep 4

YouTube video by UK Research and Innovation

www.youtube.com

1 3

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 12d

😍

1

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 12d

ICYMI: This month, UKRI CEO Ian Chapman opened the headquarters of the RICHeS programme at Daresbury Laboratory.

RICHeS will connect conservation and heritage science across the UK, helping researchers access cutting-edge tools and knowledge.

www.riches.ukri.org/news-and-eve...

Professor Sir Ian Chapman looking at 3D prints from a local heritage site, while David Bogg of the Campus Technology Hub explains

5

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 13d

We're pleased to share our 2025 equal pay audit.

Read here: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-pu...

UKRI publishes 2025 equal pay audit

The 2025 equal pay audit builds on the 2022 audit and is delivered in line with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) methodology.

www.ukri.org

4

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 13d

Diagnosing health conditions early and in a way that works for people’s everyday lives is vital.

We're pleased to announce six new EPSRC projects that are developing community-based diagnostic tools to diagnose health conditions earlier, and closer to home.

More: www.ukri.org/news/new-too...

New tools aim to improve early diagnosis and ease NHS pressure

New technologies being developed by UK researchers could help diagnose common mental and physical health conditions earlier, more accurately and closer to home.

www.ukri.org

5 5

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 14d

When the Met Office shared that this summer was the hottest in UK records, the comment section was sadly all too familiar

Over on Instagram, we took the opportunity to reshare a Reel debunking a common bit of misinformation about climate change, using the superb Climate Stripes graphic.

1 3 10

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

News from UK Research and Innovation @news.ukri.org · 15d

48 projects backed to turn cutting-edge research into businesses #ESRC #AcademicSky

48 projects backed to turn cutting-edge research into businesses

UKRI backs cutting-edge projects, from home tests for endometriosis to AI for accessible travel, to grow into market-leading products and services.

www.ukri.org

2 4

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 15d

Exciting to see this launch today! This research is an excellent example of using plant science to improve human health, and highlights the value of BBSRC’s long-term investment in plant and nutritional science🍅🔬

Ben Goldsborough MP @bengoldsborough.bsky.social · 16d

Game changer for human health and science: and it’s happening right here in South Norfolk. 🌱🔬 1/4
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Norwich trial uses tomatoes to test gene-edited food on humans

Seventy-six people with low vitamin D levels are being recruited to take part in the study.

www.bbc.co.uk

7 12

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 15d

In Episode 3 of Switching Sectors, Prof. Dame Jessica Corner DBE, Executive Chair of Research England, shares her inspiring journey from nurse to academic.

Changing sectors can unlock new opportunities.

Have you switched sectors? What did it open up for you?

📽️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsWe...

Jessica Corner | 101 Jobs Switching Sectors | Ep 3

YouTube video by UK Research and Innovation

www.youtube.com

1 3

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 16d

Life-changing dementia research isn't just about medicine. There's a big role for arts and humanities, too.

This is the story of HUG: a therapeutic device developed with #AHRC support, now bringing comfort to thousands of people living with dementia worldwide.

@alzheimerssoc.bsky.social

The doll that's helping people living with dementia | HUG

YouTube video by UK Research and Innovation

youtu.be

1 2 6

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

adruk2025.bsky.social @adruk2025.bsky.social · 21d

Day 1 of #ADRUKConf25 wrapped!

🚀 Inspiring keynotes on admin data (Netherlands & Brazil), trusted research environments & AI, plus buzzing parallel sessions + exhibitors.

Now onto the evening reception 🎉

See you tomorrow for a ministerial address from Rt Hon Mark Drakeford!

8 9

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

IBERS - Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Science @ibers.bsky.social · 22d

Nearly half of UK farmland is upland: nutrient-poor soils, steep slopes and harsh weather.

IBERS research shows that grazing sheep alongside cattle (mixed or rotational systems) increases total output per hectare.

🎥: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCIl...
🔗: www.aber.ac.uk/en/ibers/abo...

Upland Grazing System

YouTube video by IBERS

www.youtube.com

1 1

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 21d

The ESRC Festival of Social Science is returning for its 23rd year!

We're proud to fund incredible research, and this festival brings it to the public, showing them just how influential it is on the world.

If you have some spare time, come along!

For more info: www.ukri.org/news/largest...

Largest social science festival shows research’s impact on lives

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science returns for its 23rd year, offering hundreds of free events across the UK.

www.ukri.org

4 7

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

UK Dementia Research Institute @ukdri.ac.uk · 28d

Webinar: Could DNA repair hold the key to treating Huntingtons disease?🧬

Join UK DRI Group Leaders Profs Sarah Tabrizi & Gabriel Balmus as they dig into the latest discoveries and therapeutic breakthroughs from the field

🗓️ Mon 29 Sep 🕓 4-5pm (BST)

Register free 👉 www.ukdri.ac.uk/events/rethi...

Rethinking neurodegeneration: Could DNA repair hold the key to treating Huntington's disease?

With Prof Sarah Tabrizi & Prof Prof Gabriel Balmus

www.ukdri.ac.uk

8 7

UK Research and Innovation @ukri.org · 22d

Announcing our latest round of successful UKRI Future Leaders Fellows!

Our flagship fellowship scheme will support 77 talented early-career researchers to lead ambitious research and develop their careers.

Congratulations to our new fellows👏

More: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-an...

UKRI announces winners of £120 million Future Leaders Fellowships

Research into the causes of lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are among 77 projects to be funded by UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships.

www.ukri.org

4 9

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

UK Dementia Research Institute @ukdri.ac.uk · 22d

Huge congrats to @mbourdenx.bsky.social, Dr Sophie Morse & Dr Wioleta Zelek who have today been awarded prestigious Future Leader Fellowships from @ukri.org! 🙌 🥳

Find out more about their projects 👉 buff.ly/VPFkvna

2 6

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

Isobelle Clarke @issyclarke.bsky.social · 22d

I am so pleased to announce that I have been awarded a @ukri.org Future Leaders Fellowship www.ukri.org/news/ukri-an... to undertake the project 'A Multi-Dimensional Understanding of the Digital Far Right'.

UKRI announces winners of £120 million Future Leaders Fellowships

Research into the causes of lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are among 77 projects to be funded by UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships.

www.ukri.org

15 9 57

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

Sabrina Li @sabrinalyli.bsky.social · 22d

Thrilled to share that I’ve been awarded a @ukri.org Future Leaders Fellowship! My lab will focus on embedding #equity in #health surveillance with #GeoAI to map how socio-environmental & individual vulnerabilities shape #disease risk.

www.ukri.org/news/ukri-an...

UKRI announces winners of £120 million Future Leaders Fellowships

Research into the causes of lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are among 77 projects to be funded by UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships.

www.ukri.org

1 1 6

Reposted by UK Research and Innovation

Rewriting Wor(l)ds @re-writer.bsky.social · 22d

That's right – we're live! You can check out the @ukri.org announcement here www.ukri.org/news/ukri-an... & feel free to visit our website to keep up with all we've got planned rewriting-worlds.ed.ac.uk

2 3