Robotic dogs and laughter therapy: 10 ways to combat loneliness and isolation while social distancing
Robotic dogs, laughter therapy and mindfulness are some of the ways that might help people – particularly the elderly – cope with loneliness and social isolation while social distancing, say researchers at the University of Cambridge.
Light used to detect quantum information stored in 100,000 nuclear quantum bits
Researchers have found a way to use light and a single electron to communicate with a cloud of quantum bits and sense their behaviour, making it possible to detect a single quantum bit in a dense cloud.
Cambridge Festival asks: can robots ever truly mimic humans?
Could AI help us reach a more equitable and fair society? Should chatbots and AI be built to care and have empathy? If such machines are built, should we consider their moral and legal status? Or are we giving up too much control to machines that are too stupid to handle the tasks they are already charged with?
Astronomers identify new method of planet formation
Scientists have suggested a new explanation for the abundance in intermediate-mass exoplanets – a long-standing puzzle in astronomy.
Proper fit of face masks is more important than material, study suggests
A team of researchers studying the effectiveness of different types of face masks has found that in order to provide the best protection against COVID-19, the fit of a mask is as important, or more important, than the material it is made of.
Function identified of ‘mystery protein’ that kills healthy brain cells of people with Parkinson’s
Scientists have made a ‘vital step’ towards understanding the origins of Parkinson’s disease – the fastest growing neurological condition in the world.
New method developed for ‘up-sizing’ mini organs used in medical research
A team of engineers and scientists has developed a method of ‘up-sizing’ organoids: miniature collections of cells which mimic the behaviour of various organs and are promising tools for the study of human biology and disease.
‘Multiplying’ light could be key to ultra-powerful optical computers
A new type of optical computing could solve highly complex problems that are out of reach for even the most powerful supercomputers.
‘Magnetic graphene’ forms a new kind of magnetism
Researchers have identified a new form of magnetism in so-called magnetic graphene, which could point the way toward understanding superconductivity in this unusual type of material.
University of Cambridge unveils extensive programme for new festival
On Monday 22nd February, the University of Cambridge unveils the programme for its exciting, new festival, the Cambridge Festival, which is set to host an extensive series of free, online events that can be viewed by anyone anywhere in the world between 26 March – 4 April this year.
Climate change may have driven the emergence of SARS-CoV-2
Global greenhouse gas emissions over the last century have made southern China a hotspot for bat-borne coronaviruses, by driving growth of forest habitat favoured by bats.
Study highlights risk of new SARS-CoV-2 mutations emerging during chronic infection
SARS-CoV-2 mutations similar to those in the B1.1.7 UK variant could arise in cases of chronic infection, where treatment over an extended period can provide the virus multiple opportunities to evolve, say scientists.
The Lightest Beam Method - to find steel savings and reduce embodied carbon in steel framed buildings
Over the past ten years, global demand for concrete has grown three-fold and for steel two-fold. Both are responsible for approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), 75% of which is associated with buildings and infrastructure.
Teaching pupils empathy measurably improves their creative abilities, study finds
Teaching children in a way that encourages them to empathise with others measurably improves their creativity, and could potentially lead to several other beneficial learning outcomes, new research suggests.
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine likely to be effective against B1.1.7 strain of SARS-CoV-2
The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine BNT162b2 is likely to be effective against the B1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, even though its efficacy is modestly affected, say scientists at the University of Cambridge. However, when the E484K mutation – first seen in the South African variant – is added, it substantially increases the amount of antibody required to prevent infection.
Lynn Gladden named as Queen Elizabeth Prize judging panel chair
Professor Dame Lynn Gladden, from Cambridge’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, has been appointed as the new chair of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering judging panel.
Disabled teachers face significant workplace discrimination despite drive for more inclusive schools
One of the first academic studies to examine the working lives of disabled teachers in England has called for ‘urgent change’ after finding evidence of significant workplace discrimination and barriers to their career progression.
A switch to battery electric vehicles is the best option for cleaner road transport, study finds
The widespread adoption of battery electric vehicles offers the greatest energy efficiency and potential for CO2 reduction, new analysis by Cambridge engineers has shown.
Thought experiment on post-COVID Cambridge suggests that for universities, blending is a new beginning
A research project which asked University of Cambridge staff and students to describe their biggest hopes – and darkest fears – for post-pandemic higher education has found that many would support a permanent, but partial, shift to online learning.
Engaging, inspiring, exciting: A new festival for Cambridge
Last year, the University of Cambridge announced a brand new, exciting festival for Cambridge, which will replace the hugely popular Cambridge Science Festival and the Cambridge Festival of Ideas. The Cambridge Festival will host an extensive series of free, online events between 26 March – 4 April this year.
Data science and computational mathematics unite to advance predictive methods in engineering
A well-known mathematical method, used as a predictive tool in engineering and the physical sciences for more than 70 years, has been radically redesigned in landmark research led by Cambridge engineers.
Free online tool calculates risk of COVID-19 transmission in poorly-ventilated spaces
The vital role of ventilation in the spread of COVID-19 has been quantified by researchers, who have found that in poorly-ventilated spaces, the virus can spread further than two metres in seconds, and is far more likely to spread through prolonged talking than through coughing.
New starfish-like fossil reveals evolution in action
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a fossil of the earliest starfish-like animal, which helps us understand the origins of the nimble-armed creature.
Successive governments’ approaches to obesity policies have destined them to fail, say researchers
Government obesity policies in England over the past three decades have largely failed because of problems with implementation, lack of learning from past successes or failures, and a reliance on trying to persuade individuals to change their behaviour rather than tackling unhealthy environments.
Likelihood of severe and ‘long’ COVID may be established very early on following infection
New research provides important insights into the role played by the immune system in preventing – and in some cases increasing the severity of – COVID-19 symptoms in patients. It also finds clues to why some people experience ‘long COVID