Natural Resources Institute

🔬 New research available! 📊 A new publication in BMC Public Health, co-authored by NRI's ROBERT CHEKE, reveals that weather and air pollution work together to affect flu-like illnesses in China 🌡️💨 Data from Xi'an, the third-most populous city in Western China, shows that warmer minimum temperatures and higher humidity not only reduce flu cases directly but also help to lower air pollution levels – cutting the risk even further 🌦️😷 These insights highlight the need for coordinated environmental and public health strategies during cold, dry, and polluted conditions. Professor Cheke commented that "the study applied a novel statistical method for testing for the extent of mediating effects of air pollutants on meteorological influences on flu-like illnesses 📈 The results showed that when it is very cold and dry, households can reduce disease risks by increased heating, using humidifiers, going out less and wearing masks 🏠💧 Similarly, under cold dry conditions and when there is a haze is when it is most important for municipal authorities to apply measures to reduce air pollution. Although the study is based on data from China, the conclusions are probably applicable to most other countries with temperate climates" 🌍🌤️ Learn more about how improving air quality and adapting public behaviours can mitigate respiratory illness outbreaks ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/dvTkka6d #PublicHealth #AirPollution #Climate #Research #Influenza

Exciting opportunity at the Natural Resources Institute! 🔬 We're hiring a Climate Control Technician to join our research team! 🌿 The ideal candidate will coordinate and maintain our specialised laboratories, controlled environments, and greenhouse facilities while providing technical support to cutting-edge research projects 🌡️🌎 This hands-on role requires: 🌡️ Experience in greenhouse or climate control environments 💪 Physical capability for occasional heavy lifting and working at heights ✅ ISO 9001:2015 knowledge a plus 🐛 Background in integrated pest management, plant stock maintenance, or insect colony management beneficial If you're passionate about agriculture and ready for a challenging yet rewarding position supporting vital research, we want to hear from you! 🌟 🔗Full details and application https://lnkd.in/eCYdy6F3 #ScienceCareers #ResearchJobs #GreenhouseTech #AgricultureJobs #UniversityOfGreenwich

🤝 Gonçalo Silva and sophie bouvaine had the pleasure of hosting a productive meeting at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich, where they presented the outputs of their project, "Smart traps for improved surveillance and early detection of plant pests" 🌱 This innovative project, funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs through Innovate UK's Small Business Research and Innovation (SBRI) scheme, aims to revolutionise plant pest surveillance 🔬 Their project partners, Joao Encarnacao from IRIDEON SL and Nina Ockendon-Powell, PhD from the University of Bristol, joined them in showcasing their advancements 🚀 The team was also honoured to have key stakeholders from Animal and Plant Health Agency, DEFRA, the Chair of the BOA- British Ornamentals Association, Hot Robotics - University of Bristol, and Newcastle University in attendance 🤝 Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of this meeting! 🙏 #Innovation #Agriculture #PlantPests #SmartTraps #Collaboration #Research #NRI #KnowledgeExchange

Meet Rubina Adhikari from Nepal and Sithuli W. from Sri Lanka, the newest British Council Women in STEM scholarship recipients at the Natural Resources Institute! 🎓 Rubina Adhikari is pursuing an MSc in Global Environmental Change, aiming to develop sustainable solutions for climate challenges 🌍 Sithuli W. is enrolled in the MSc Food Innovation programme, focusing on creating affordable, nutritious food products 🍎 Their journeys exemplify the transformative power of education and the pivotal role of women in STEM 👩🔬 Read more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/enXHvRXc #StudyatNRI #FoodInnovation #SustainableSolutions #WomenInSTEM #BritishCouncilScholarship #GlobalEducation #ClimateAction #FoodSecurity #InternationalStudents #HigherEducation #UniversityOfGreenwich #SDGs #GenderEquality Rubina Adhikari is pursuing an MSc in Global Environmental Change, aiming to develop sustainable solutions for climate challenges. Sithuli W. is enrolled in the MSc Food Innovation programme, focusing on creating affordable, nutritious food products. Their journeys exemplify the transformative power of education and the pivotal role of women in STEM. Read more ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/enXHvRXc Find out more about their programmes: Global Environmental Change: https://lnkd.in/gPYsh86c Food Innovation: https://lnkd.in/gbCNujsQ #StudyatNRI #FoodInnovation #SustainableSolutions #WomenInSTEM #BritishCouncilScholarship #GlobalEducation #ClimateAction #FoodSecurity #InternationalStudents #HigherEducation #UniversityOfGreenwich #SDGs #GenderEquality Faculty of Engineering and Science University of Greenwich

🎬 Join us for an inspiring documentary screening and panel discussion! 🍿    The Natural Resources Institute is thrilled to collaborate with the Institute for Lifecourse Development - University of Greenwich for the screening of EITAI, a powerfully moving story of resilience, community and change in rural Uganda.    🎥 Event highlights:  • 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 'EITAI’ explores gender, ecology, and indigenous knowledge in Uganda. • 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Featuring NRI’s Professor Adrienne Martin and other experts, offering insights and engaging discussions.   Don't miss this opportunity to explore the intersection of community, culture, and environmental change.    Reserve your seat now and be part of this enriching and exciting experience: https://lnkd.in/erGEqE5A    📅 Date: 7th March 2025 🕖 6-8pm GMT 📍 Location: University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS   See you there!   #IndigenousKnowledge #Community #Togetherness #Uganda #ClimateChange #GBV

🌿 Coffee Innovation: The Promise of Stenophylla in a Changing Climate 🌡️ What's the buzz about #stenophylla? 🤔 As climate change threatens coffee production globally, this rediscovered species is emerging as a potential game-changer! This five-year research project in Sierra Leone that's already showing remarkable results. The collaboration between the Natural Resources Institute's Dr Jeremy Haggar, Dr Aaron Davis (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew), Daniel Sarmu (Coffee Culture Sierra Leone), and Welthungerhilfe (WHH) is yielding promising insights: 🌱 From 300 wild plants, they've grown 5,600 seedlings across eight trial plots 🔥 80% survival rate despite a brutal 59-day heatwave exceeding 40°C! 💧 Community benefits including jobs, training, and investment in clean water 🌿 Exciting experiments with grafting onto excelsa rootstock to improve yields It's fascinating to see how rediscovering traditional coffee varieties might help secure the future of coffee in a warming world. The project's dual focus on agricultural innovation and community development is exactly the kind of holistic approach we need. #ClimateResilience #CoffeeInnovation #Sustainability #AgriculturalResearch #ClimateSolutions #UniversityOfGreenwich

Exciting to see our MSc Food Innovation students diving into hands-on product development at the Medway Food Innovation Centre! 🔬 Under the guidance of Dr Tonna Anyasi, PhD, Kranthi kumar Carpenter has been exploring the development of energy bites and protein bars 🍫, focusing on the critical balance between nutrition, functionality, and market demands. This practical session at our NPD lab gave students real-world experience in: 💪 Optimising protein content 🔎 Managing texture profiles ⏳ Ensuring shelf stability 📈 Aligning with current consumer trends Great to see our students engaging with industry-relevant techniques and applying their theoretical knowledge to create functional, sustainable food products! 🌱 Special thanks to our Food Innovation team for providing these valuable hands-on learning experiences that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry practice ⭐ #FoodInnovation #MSc #ProductDevelopment #FoodScience #UniversityOfGreenwich #NRI

🌿 Exciting research from the Natural Resources Institute's Professor Philip Stevenson reveals innovative ways to track mosquito feeding patterns! 🔬 Ever wondered how we figure out which plants mosquitoes visit? 🤔 It's trickier than you might think - these tiny disease vectors are hard to observe in nature. But Phil's team has developed a clever solution: detecting plant-specific compounds in mosquito bodies after they've fed on nectar! 🧪 Think of it as nature's fingerprinting system! 🖐️ Each plant species leaves behind unique chemical traces in its nectar. By identifying these compounds in mosquitoes, we can track which plants they have visited - even up to 8 hours after feeding! 🕒 This breakthrough could help us better understand mosquito behaviour in the wild and potentially aid in controlling vector-borne diseases. As they say, know your enemy! 🦟🌺 #ResearchInnovation #VectorControl #PublicHealth #Entomology #PlantScience #NRI #UniversityOfGreenwich 🎓

🌍 Great news! The Natural Resources Institute's valerie nelson has co-authored an insightful new paper exploring transformative legal approaches to biodiversity conservation and multi-species justice 🌿 📚 The research examines different legal strategies for biodiversity conservation and justice. From environmental due diligence to emerging concepts like Rights of Nature and Ecocide law, the paper analyses which legal pathways might be most effective in achieving genuine transformation. The paper calls for granting naturehood to people, restorative justice, environmental courts as transformative strategies 🔍 🌱 A fascinating exploration of how legal frameworks could help create a more equitable world for all species, human and non-human 🦋 📖 Read the full paper ⤵️ #Sustainability #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalLaw #Research #Conservation #NRI #UniversityOfGreenwich

Congratulations to Dr Ursula Hillary Tumamo Djuidja (PhD), one of our PASET-RSIF scholars, on successfully defending her PhD thesis! 🎓 Dr Larissa's research on 'Assessing agricultural climate adaptation and climate information Services in the North Region of Cameroon: A political ecology lens' represents an important contribution to our understanding of climate change adaptation in African agriculture. Her defence at Bayero University Kano on 4th November 2024, marks the culmination of her academic journey. Ursula's PhD under the PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund programme, was completed with supervision from Professor Adamu Idris Tanko (BUK) and NRI's Professor John Morton. Ursula exemplifies the talent and determination that the The PASET Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund programme aims to support in building Africa's scientific capacity. Wishing her continued success as she applies her expertise in climate change adaptation, climate justice, and agricultural performance in her future endeavours! 🎉 #PASET #RSIF #PhDSuccess #ClimateChange #AfricanScience #WomenInSTEM #NRI #PhD