Surging numbers of first-generation learners at risk of being left behind in education systems worldwide
‘First-generation learners’ – a substantial number of pupils around the world who represent the first generation in their families to receive an education – are also significantly more likely to leave school without basic literacy or numeracy skills, a study suggests.
Tackling COVID-19: Karl Wilson
Operations Director Karl Wilson has helped lead a herculean effort to transform a standard laboratory into a bespoke testing centre, to aid the national response against COVID-19. For him, there was never any question about whether we should - or could - do this.
University of Cambridge suspends mass lectures but small group teaching continues
A statement from Professor Graham Virgo, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Cambridge, regarding the academic year 2020-21.
National trial launched to test re-purposing existing drugs to treat COVID-19 patients
A new trial to prevent organ failure and death in COVID-19 patients has been launched led by clinicians and scientists in Cambridge and London.
Rolling 50/30 day cycle of lockdown and relaxation could be a useful option for managing COVID-19, model suggests
An alternating cycle of 50 days of strict lockdown followed by 30 days of easing could be an effective strategy for reducing the number of COVID-19-related deaths and admissions to intensive care units, say an international team of researchers.
UK biobank boosts COVID-19 sample availability
The UK’s leading supplier of human tissue samples is joining forces with a Cambridge Biobank to provide COVID-19 samples for scientists.
AI successfully used to identify different types of brain injuries
Researchers have developed an AI algorithm that can detect and identify different types of brain injuries.
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser appointed as new Chief Executive of UKRI
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, the distinguished plant scientist and Director of the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, has been named as the new Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the national funding agency investing in science and research in the UK.
Tackling COVID-19: Dr Sander van der Linden
“The psychology of pandemics was not on my research agenda, but I can tell you one thing: it is now,” says Dr Sander van der Linden. As an expert in psychological and behavioural science, his research has - until recently - been focused on societal risks like climate change and misinformation. Suddenly he has a lot to contribute to the pandemic response.
Opinion: Employers should cut hours not people during the pandemic
If the UK emulated short-time working programmes in countries like Germany, it would help mitigate the mental health as well as economic crises caused by the coronavirus, argue researchers from the Employment Dosage project.
The Academy of Medical Sciences announces new Fellows for 2020
Six affiliates of the University of Cambridge are among 50 world-leading UK researchers who have been elected to the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.
Online accelerator programme aims to fast-track resilience in times of disruption
The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership Accelerator launches Innovators for Change - an eight-week online programme to accelerate innovation that builds resilience and pioneers change towards a more sustainable future.
Researchers track impact of lockdown on alcohol, gambling and pornography use
Is the lockdown leading us to drink more alcohol or spend more time gambling online or watching pornography? Researchers have launched a survey aimed at tracking how our habits have changed in response to our forced isolation.
Social media influencers could encourage adolescents to follow social distancing guidelines, say researchers
Public health bodies should consider incentivising social media influencers to encourage adolescents to follow social distancing guidelines, say researchers. Many adolescents are choosing to ignore the guidelines set out by governments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and peer-to-peer campaigns are likely to be more successful in changing attitudes.
Testing suggests 3% of NHS hospital staff may be unknowingly infected with coronavirus
Hospital staff may be carrying SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 disease, without realising they are infected, according to a study by researchers at the University of Cambridge.
Moderate exercise in middle and older age cuts time spent in hospital
Men and women aged 40–79 are at significantly lower (25–27%) risk of long or frequent hospital admissions if they do some form of physical activity, a new study suggests.
Repurposing existing drugs for COVID-19 a more rapid alternative to a vaccine, say researchers
Repurposing existing medicines focused on known drug targets is likely to offer a more rapid hope of tackling COVID-19 than developing and manufacturing a vaccine, argue an international team of scientists in the 'British Journal of Pharmacology'.
UK public ‘most concerned’ about coronavirus – more than Spain or Italy, study suggests
“Risk perception” among the UK population is greater than in nine other countries surveyed for latest research.
Green COVID-19 recovery packages can boost economic growth and tackle climate change, researchers say
Researchers find long-term, climate-friendly stimulus policies are often superior in overall economic impact – not just in slowing global warming.
Fellowship awarded for implantable devices research to better understand the brain
Cambridge bioengineer Dr Christopher Proctor has been announced a David Phillips Fellow and awarded £1 million in funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to establish his first independent research group.
School’s in
Five Cambridge education experts share tips, free resources (and moral support) to help you make the most of home-schooling in lockdown.
Simple ‘sniff test’ reliably predicts recovery of severely brain injured patients
The ability to detect smells predicts recovery and long-term survival in patients who have suffered severe brain injury, a new study has found. A simple, inexpensive ‘sniff test’ could help doctors to accurately diagnose and determine treatment plans for patients with disorders of consciousness.
The Royal Society announces election of new Fellows 2020
Nine Cambridge scientists are among the new Fellows announced by the Royal Society.
Economic damage could be worse without lockdown and social distancing – study
The worst thing for the economy would be not acting at all to prevent disease spread, followed by too short a lockdown, according to research based on US data.
UK and US firms ‘lag’ in race to commercialise COVID-19 diagnostic tests
The diagnostic industry in countries such as Germany, South Korea and China lead the pack on getting coronavirus tests ready for market. Researchers warn that lax EU regulations could see it become a “dumping ground” for bad tests.