Automated phone calls may help patients to take medicines as prescribed, pilot study suggests
Remembering to take medication is vital for managing long term health conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or multiple conditions. Latest research from the University of Cambridge suggests that using interactive voice response (IVR) technology supports patients to take their medicine as prescribed.
Cambridge in the 2019 New Year Honours List
Members of collegiate Cambridge have been recognised in the 2019 New Year Honours List for outstanding contributions to society in Science, Education, Engineering and Art.
Carrying Tasers increases police use of force, study finds
Cambridge experiment with City of London police found that, while rarely deployed, just the presence of electroshock devices led to greater overall hostility in police-public interactions – an example of what researchers call the ‘weapons effect’.
3D-printed robot hand ‘plays’ the piano
Scientists have developed a 3D-printed robotic hand which can play simple musical phrases on the piano by just moving its wrist. And while the robot is no virtuoso, it demonstrates just how challenging it is to replicate all the abilities of a human hand, and how much complex movement can still be achieved through design.
Civil Engineering team receives the IET award for Information Technology
The University of Cambridge took one of the top prizes at the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Innovation Awards.
Cambridge team secures special award for robotic innovation
The team behind a robotic manipulation platform called CambridgeARM have won a Special Innovation Award at the World Robot Summit 2018.
Botanic Garden’s Winter Garden celebrates 40 years of stunning winter colour
In 1979, Cambridge University Botanic Garden was the first botanic garden in the UK to dedicate an area solely to plants offering ornamental winter interest. In 2019 it celebrates the 40th birthday of its Winter Garden - a vibrant, colourful and fragrant space of brightly coloured stems, winter flowering shrubs, trees with interesting bark or winter flowers, perennials and bulbs.
Marmoset study gives insights into loss of pleasure in depression
'Anhedonia’ (the loss of pleasure) is one of the key symptoms of depression. An important component of this symptom is an inability to feel excitement in anticipation of events; however the brain mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood.
Cambridge alliance secures £72 million in government funding to drive innovation
The Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) at the University of Cambridge has joined a new alliance with the MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre) and BRE (Building Research Establishment) to transform the way that infrastructure in the UK is designed, built, and used.
‘Mini-placentas’ could provide a model for early pregnancy
Researchers say that new ‘mini-placentas’ – a cellular model of the early stages of the placenta – could provide a window into early pregnancy and help transform our understanding of reproductive disorders.
AI system may accelerate search for cancer discoveries
Searching through the mountains of published cancer research could be made easier for scientists, thanks to a new AI system.
Engineering artistry on show in Department of Engineering's Photography Competition
The variety and beauty of engineering has been captured in prize-winning imagery submitted into Cambridge University Department of Engineering's 2018 ZEISS Photography Competition.
Study in mice suggests drug to turn fat ‘brown’ could help fight obesity
Our bodies contain two types of fat: white fat and brown fat. While white fat stores calories, brown fat burns energy and could help us lose weight. Now, scientists at the University of Cambridge have found a way of making the white fat ‘browner’ and increasing the efficiency of brown fat.
Cambridge secures £1.6 million to develop low cost digital tools for SMEs
The University of Cambridge has been awarded £1.6 million grant funding to help support the translation of digital capabilities into the manufacturing sector.
Spitting Image archive comes to Cambridge University Library
A Margaret Thatcher puppet and the unbroadcast script and video tape for the pilot episode of Spitting Image have taken their place alongside the works of Newton, Darwin and other treasures at Cambridge University Library – after series co-creator Roger Law deposited the programme archive at the Library this week.
Gaia spots a ‘ghost’ galaxy next door
The Gaia satellite has spotted an enormous ‘ghost’ galaxy lurking on the outskirts of the Milky Way.
Largest ever study of psychological sex differences and autistic traits
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have completed the world’s largest ever study of typical sex differences and autistic traits. They tested and confirmed two long-standing psychological theories: the Empathising-Systemising theory of sex differences and the Extreme Male Brain theory of autism.
Ancient DNA analysis unlocks secrets of Ice Age tribes in the Americas
Scientists have sequenced 15 ancient genomes spanning from Alaska to Patagonia and were able to track the movements of the first humans as they spread across the Americas at “astonishing” speed during the last Ice Age, and also how they interacted with each other in the following millennia.
Gardeners and carpenters: the ‘skill’ of parenting
Wanting your child to have the best chance in life is natural for any parent. But by focusing too much on the ‘skill’ of parenting, are we losing sight of things that matter more – how we talk to and play with children? Cambridge researchers are examining how parents can best help their children in their early years through nurturing rather than shaping.
New efficiency record set for perovskite LEDs
Researchers have set a new efficiency record for LEDs based on perovskite semiconductors, rivalling that of the best organic LEDs (OLEDs).
Observation of blood vessel cells could lead to early detection of blocked arteries
A study in mice has shown that it may be possible to detect the early signs of atherosclerosis, which leads to blocked arteries, by looking at how cells in our blood vessels change their function.
Cambridge engineers lead the way in STEM outreach
Researchers from the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering have released a film aimed at inspiring teenagers to pursue engineering-related activities.
Multi-million pound initiative from Microsoft supports AI research at Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is joining with Microsoft to help tackle the problem of ‘brain drain’ in AI and machine learning research.
Studies raise questions over how epigenetic information is inherited
Evidence has been building in recent years that our diet, our habits or traumatic experiences can have consequences for the health of our children – and even our grandchildren.
Cambridge partners in new €1 billion European Quantum Flagship
The University of Cambridge is a partner in the €1 billion Quantum Flagship, an EU-funded initiative to develop quantum technologies across Europe.