Public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Peter Murrell has been jailed for five years and three months after admitting he embezzled just over £400,000 from the Scottish National Party over a 12-year period. Separately, Greek courts have convicted a man over the 2009 killing of Jean Hanlon and Cédric Jubillar has written a first confession admitting involvement in his wife Delphine's disappearance.
Multiple defendants across the UK face charges or have admitted offences related to rape, sexual assault and abuse spanning decades. Cases involve a former pop star, MPs, and a group of men; proceedings are ongoing with investigations, plea changes, and upcoming trials.
AI analysis of 1,722 Scottish heart-trial scans has found that higher density in torso muscles correlates with an 85% lower death risk and a 58% lower risk of heart attack over 10 years. Researchers say muscle quality, not just size, matters; routine scans could guide prevention.
A Landseer Highland painting titled Scene in Braemar has sold for £5,946,000 at Sotheby’s, far surpassing pre-sale estimates of up to £4 million. The work, depicting a 12-point stag on a Scottish peak, is larger than Landseer’s Monarch of the Glen and connected to Victorian networks and Scottish tourism. The sale highlights the Highlands’ enduring appeal and the art market’s appetite for historic wildlife scenes.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have identified distinct androgen profiles in women with endometriosis, suggesting a non-invasive blood test could diagnose the condition and cut the current nine-year average wait in the UK. The study analysed 11-oxygenated androgens, including 11-ketotestosterone, in blood samples from 159 diagnosed patients and 57 controls, achieving over 95% accuracy in identifying cases.
Astronomers have detected helium escaping from LHS 1140b, a rocky 'super-Earth' 48 light-years away that orbits in its star's habitable zone. The finding has confirmed an atmosphere around a habitable-zone rocky exoplanet for the first time and has been published in Science; teams used ground-based infrared spectroscopy and modelling.
England and Wales are expanding rapid, non-invasive endometriosis testing on the NHS. The move follows long waits for diagnosis, with average times now around nine years, and points to blood-test research that could transform diagnosis and treatment. The BBC/Endometriosis UK reporting highlights patient stories and expert comment on access and impact.
A body of studies is showing that a blood marker called p-tau217 can forecast an elevated risk of cognitive impairment in healthy older adults years before symptoms appear. The evidence is not yet clinical-ready, but it is guiding trials that aim to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease and is being tested in Scotland’s primary care setting.
Scotland is piloting BriDGe, a project using p-tau blood tests in over 50 GP practices to speed Alzheimer’s diagnosis, with up to 500 patients referred. Experts say this could shift dementia care toward earlier intervention with better access to treatment and support.
A grass fire on Salisbury Crags near Arthur’s Seat has been tackled by multiple fire appliances since Sunday evening. Crews are damping hotspots and monitoring for reignition as authorities extend wildfire warnings. No casualties are reported and closures around Holyrood Park remain in place.
International researchers find inherited genetics influence how cancers evolve after DNA damage, affecting tumour growth and mutation patterns. The Edinburgh-led work, published in Nature, underlines implications for screening, diagnosis and personalised treatment across populations.
Two Chinese-born mathematicians, Hong Wang and Yu Deng, have been named Fields Medalists alongside John Pardon and Jacob Tsimerman. The award recognises breakthroughs in mathematics by researchers under 40; each recipient receives 15,000 Canadian dollars and a gold Archimedes medallion. Wang is the third woman to win the prize.
The European Commission has launched Scaleup Europe, a public-private growth fund managed by EQT to back EU-based scaleups. ICEYE, a Finnish satellite intelligence company valued above $11 billion, leads the first investment round, with a target of €5 billion to back EU and partner-country firms in deep tech and related sectors.
Recent reporting shows chronic inflammation is linked to aging disorders such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Studies indicate inflammation may be a cause, not just a symptom, of broad health risks. Policy and lifestyle factors are under scrutiny as researchers push for preventative strategies.
Valeria Luiselli’s Fourth novel Beginning Middle End follows a narrator touring Europe with her daughter, searching for a narrative arc. Critics note episodic chapters and fragmented structure, yet the work probes memory, myth, and family across Sicily, Germany, and the Netherlands. The narrative struggles to cohere, but it remains a sharp meditation on storytelling itself.
A Cambridge professor, Jason Arday, who faced plagiarism allegations and questions about his achievements, has died in Battersea. The university and partners are reviewing appointment and tenure processes as investigations from past claims continue to unfold. Families and colleagues condemn the intensified scrutiny and discuss its impact on Black academics and EDI work.
The Scottish government has not funded the implementation of a standalone sexual offences court and related measures, despite reforms to end the not proven verdict. Crown Office warns Holyrood that resources are not in place as rape and sexual violence statistics rise, with ongoing calls for timely delivery of promised protections.
UK health authorities report a widening salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs. Cases have surged to 474 with 1 death; clusters t5.9411, t0.24068 and t5.9765 are under investigation. Public risk remains low; guidance emphasizes thorough cooking and hygiene, especially for vulnerable groups.
Edinburgh’s festival ecosystem is under renewed pressure as councils consider diverting visitor levy funds to support arts events. The Guardian reports a move to relocate the Edinburgh TV Festival abroad has intensified debate over access and funding. The Scotsman details proposals to ringfence tourism tax revenue to bolster cultural institutions, while council discussions probe the sustainability of Edinburgh’s world-class festival status.
A developing look at tipping culture amid rising service charges and wage debates across the UK and US. Reports compare practices, costs, and attitudes, with a focus on how price changes affect staff earnings and customer behavior.
The NHS is expanding free cholesterol tests and blood pressure checks to adults aged 40 to 84 in participating high-street pharmacies after a north London pilot showed 19% at high risk and 88 people starting statins. The program aims to identify cardiovascular risk earlier and reduce pressure on GP and hospital services.