# Research News

**Source**: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news
**Parent**: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-and-innovation

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## [Cattle grazing boosts nature recovery in Yorkshire Dales](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-environment/news/article/5935/cattle-grazing-boosts-nature-recovery-in-yorkshire-dales)

Published
:   6 March 2026

Categories
:   Environment
:   Research

Cattle grazing at a nature reserve in the Yorkshire Dales has increased plant diversity by over 40% according to research by the University of Leeds.

## [Tropical forests generate rainfall worth billions](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news/article/5929/tropical-forests-generate-rainfall-worth-billions)

Published
:   17 February 2026

Categories
:   Research

Tropical forests help to generate vast amounts of rainfall each year, adding weight to arguments for protecting them as water and climate pressures increase, say researchers.

## [Access to trees and greenspaces in English cities far behind other nations](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news/article/5924/access-to-trees-and-greenspaces-in-english-cities-far-behind-other-nations)

Published
:   2 February 2026

Categories
:   Research

Access to trees and greenspaces is consistently low across English cities according to a new study led by the University.

## [AI forecasting strengthens climate resilience](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news/article/5920/ai-forecasting-strengthens-climate-resilience)

Published
:   22 January 2026

Categories
:   Research
:   Environment
:   Global

Researchers are harnessing the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance weather prediction and improve climate resilience and food security in West Africa.

## [Major study to track impacts of childhood blood disorders](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news/article/5918/major-study-to-track-impacts-of-childhood-blood-disorders)

Published
:   20 January 2026

Categories
:   Research
:   Health

The lifelong effects of rare blood disorder diagnoses in childhood are being analysed in a first-of-its-kind study led by the University of Leeds.

## [Building an AI platform to help food security](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-global/news/article/5916/building-an-ai-platform-to-help-food-security)

Published
:   14 January 2026

Categories
:   Global
:   Research
:   University

Researchers at Leeds are developing a new tool to reduce food waste and improve global food security, in partnership with a team at the CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, using AI.

## [Microplastics detected in rural woodland](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-environment/news/article/5914/microplastics-detected-in-rural-woodland)

Published
:   13 January 2026

Categories
:   Environment
:   Research

Air-polluting microplastics have been found in rural areas in greater quantities than in cities, researchers say.

## [Protecting older male athletes’ heart health](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-health/news/article/5915/protecting-older-male-athletes-heart-health)

Published
:   13 January 2026

Categories
:   Health
:   Research

Veteran male athletes who have spent years training at high intensity may be at greater risk of serious heart problems while exercising, new University of Leeds research shows.

## [Nitrogen is key to faster regrowth in deforested areas, say researchers](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-32/news/article/5912/nitrogen-is-key-to-faster-regrowth-in-deforested-areas-say-researchers)

Published
:   13 January 2026

Categories
:   Research

Tropical forests can recover twice as quickly after deforestation if they have adequate soil nitrogen, according to new research published today.

## [Helping communities prepare for extreme weather and climate change](https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-1/news/article/5908/helping-communities-prepare-for-extreme-weather-and-climate-change)

Published
:   22 December 2025

Categories
:   News
:   Environment
:   Research

A Leeds academic has produced a series of booklets to help people cope with extreme weather, as the effects of climate change leave communities facing more devastating storms, floods and heatwaves.