Hayley Dunning Journalist Profile

Articles

Solar wind power likely governs Uranus' thermosphere temperature

Nov 15, 2024 | phys.org | Hayley Dunning

Uranus's upper atmosphere has been cooling for decades—and now scientists have shown why. Observations from Earth have shown Uranus' upper atmosphere has been cooling for decades, with no clear explanation.
Decades-long Uranus mystery solved

Nov 14, 2024 | imperial.ac.uk | Hayley Dunning

Observations from Earth have shown Uranus’ upper atmosphere has been cooling for decades, with no clear explanation. Now, a team led by Imperial College London scientists has determined that unpredictable long-term changes in the solar wind – the stream of particles and energy coming from the Sun – are behind the drop. This ... is unlike what we have seen at any other planet in our Solar System.
Stent surgery and quantum entanglement: News from Imperial

Nov 1, 2024 | imperial.ac.uk | Hayley Dunning

From a promising route to reducing brain injury risk in stent surgery, to a new way to probe the mysteries of quantum entanglement, here is some quick-read news from across Imperial. Sedative supports stent surgeryResearchers have discovered a promising approach for reducing brain injury risk in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting (CAS). CAS is a procedure commonly performed in elderly patients with blockages in the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain.
Study suggests there's no incentive for older birds to make new friends

Oct 28, 2024 | phys.org | Hayley Dunning

Like people, birds have fewer friends as they age, but the reasons why are unclear. New research published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences suggests they may just have no drive to. This is a special issue of the journal on understanding age and society using natural populations.
No incentive for older birds to make new friends

Oct 27, 2024 | imperial.ac.uk | Hayley Dunning

In humans, it’s often been assumed that older people have fewer friends because they’re pickier about who they spend their time with. There’s also the issue that there are fewer people of their own age around. Combined with fewer same-age potential friends available, this could be a factor in the loneliness crisis among older people Dr Julia SchroederBut it’s hard to pick apart the various potential causes for humans, so researchers have turned to animals.
Space probe proposal and climate research funding: News from Imperial

Oct 21, 2024 | imperial.ac.uk | Hayley Dunning

From a potential new space mission, to two new chunks of funding to study our changing climate, here is some quick-read news from across Imperial. Space probe proposalA proposal for a new astrophysics mission, involving Imperial researchers, has been selected for further study by NASA.
Anaesthetics expert elected to US National Academy of Medicine

Oct 21, 2024 | imperial.ac.uk | Hayley Dunning

Professor Franks, Professor of Biophysics and Anaesthetics in the Department of Life Sciences,has been named among 10 new international members of the National Academy of Medicine, alongside the election of 90 regular members. The National Academy of Medicine has recognised Professor Franks for "revolutionary discoveries that have shaped our understanding of how anaesthetics work.
Reversing global warming as part of a climate overshoot likely to be difficult

Oct 9, 2024 | imperial.ac.uk | Hayley Dunning

Researchers analysed future scenarios in which global temperatures temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial level and are brought back down in the long run. The earlier we can get to net zero, the lower peak warming will be, and the smaller the risks of irreversible impacts. Professor Joeri RogeljThey found that such an overshoot comes with irreversible consequences, and that rapid near-term emission reductions are essential to reducing climate risks.
Dogs contaminate London ponds with parasite medications, finds study

Oct 8, 2024 | phys.org | Hayley Dunning

A study on Hampstead Heath shows that ponds where dogs are allowed to swim contain levels of two pesticides harmful to invertebrate life. These pesticides, imidacloprid and fipronil, are used as parasite treatments for flea and tick infestations in cats and dogs, using 'spot-on' formulas and flea collars.
Hampstead Heath ponds where dogs swim contaminated with pesticides

Oct 8, 2024 | imperial.ac.uk | Hayley Dunning

A study on Hampstead Heath shows that ponds where dogs are allowed to swim contain levels of two pesticides harmful to invertebrate life. These pesticides, imidacloprid and fipronil, are used as parasite treatments for flea and tick infestations in cats and dogs, using ‘spot-on’ formulas and flea collars. This is despite these chemicals being banned for agricultural use in 2018 due to their toxicity to bees and other important insects.