‘Cognitive flexibility’ associated with voting attitudes in EU Referendum, study finds
Latest research combining social and political surveys with objective cognitive testing suggests that “cognitive flexibility” contributes to formation of ideology. The study finds correlations between cognitive thinking styles and support for Brexit.
Some superconductors can also carry currents of ‘spin’
Researchers have shown that certain superconductors – materials that carry electrical current with zero resistance at very low temperatures – can also carry currents of ‘spin’. The successful combination of superconductivity and spin could lead to a revolution in high-performance computing, by dramatically reducing energy consumption.
New Cambridge institute to tackle policy challenges in our age of disruption
A major gift from Cambridge alumnus and philanthropist Peter Bennett has enabled the launch of a groundbreaking new institute at the University of Cambridge dedicated to researching solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing society in the 21st century.
Cambridge young entrepreneurs recognised by Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list
University of Cambridge Engineering staff, students and alumni have made Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 Europe list for 2018.
Biomimetic infrastructure materials showcased at the Royal Society
Biomimetic infrastructure materials, developed as part of collaborative research involving Cambridge engineers, have been showcased at an EPSRC event hosted by the Royal Society.
'Little robots': behind the scenes at an academy school
New research lifts the lid on an influential academy school and finds an authoritarian system that reproduces race and class inequalities.
Cambridge and four other universities form agritech partnership
Five leading universities, including the University of Cambridge, have formed a partnership to develop and commercialise agritech research, in order to improve sustainability, increase productivity and contribute to global food security.
What makes a faster typist?
The largest-ever dataset on typing speeds and styles, based on 136 million keystrokes from 168,000 volunteers, finds that the fastest typists not only make fewer errors, but they often type the next key before the previous one has been released.
Online tool can measure individuals’ likelihood to fall for internet scams
Researchers have developed an online questionnaire which measures a range of personality traits to identify individuals who are more likely to fall victim to internet scams and other forms of cybercrime.
Researchers develop infrared-based system to read body language
Infrared sensors and a marshmallow offer researchers a new way to monitor and assess social interaction.
Unique science for health policy think-tank joins University of Cambridge
A leading multidisciplinary think tank, the PHG Foundation, has become part of the University of Cambridge as of 1 April this year, with a focus on making science work for health.
Sensors make world’s first 3D printed steel bridge 'a living laboratory'
Dr Mohammed Elshafie, Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) Co-Investigator, is collaborating with a team from The Alan Turing Institute, Imperial College London and 3D printing company MX3D to measure, monitor and analyse the performance of a 3D printed footbridge due to be installed across a canal in Amsterdam later this year.
Cambridge celebrates 10th anniversary at Hay Festival
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Cambridge Series at the Hay Festival, with academics from across disciplines speaking about their research.
Cambridge and Nanjing launch strategic collaboration
Professor Stephen Toope, the University of Cambridge’s Vice-Chancellor, has signed an agreement to formalise a strategic partnership with the Nanjing Municipal Government.
Potassium gives perovskite-based solar cells an efficiency boost
A simple potassium solution could boost the efficiency of next-generation solar cells, by enabling them to convert more sunlight into electricity.
Reaching new heights; planting new ideas at Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Construction begins this week on a striking, new ‘Rising Path’ that will give visitors to Cambridge University Botanic Garden a lofty new perspective on its unique Victorian-era Systematic Beds.
Citizen science experiment predicts massive toll of flu pandemic on the UK
How fast could a new flu epidemic spread? The results of the UK’s largest citizen science project of its kind ever attempted, carried out by thousands of volunteers, predict that 43 million people in the UK could be infected in an influenza pandemic, and with up to 886,000 of those infected expected to be fatalities.
The body in miniature
The past few years has seen an explosion in the number of studies using organoids – so-called ‘mini organs’. While they can help scientists understand human biology and disease, some in the field have questioned their usefulness. But as the field matures, we could see their increasing use in personalised and regenerative medicine.
Cambridge Science Festival prepares for its second bumper weekend
Cambridge Science Festival, the annual two-week celebration of science, culminates this weekend, following a packed programme of many sell-out events that aim to make sense of the world.
Chain reaction of fast-draining lakes poses new risk for Greenland ice sheet
A growing network of lakes on the Greenland ice sheet has been found to drain in a chain reaction that speeds up the flow of the ice sheet, threatening its stability.
Ultra-white coating modelled on beetle scales
Researchers have developed a super-thin, non-toxic, lightweight, edible ultra-white coating that could be used to make brighter paints and coatings, for use in the cosmetic, food or pharmaceutical industries.
Professor Stephen Hawking 1942-2018
Friends and colleagues from the University of Cambridge have paid tribute to Professor Stephen Hawking, who died today (14 March 2018) at the age of 76.
Max Planck Cambridge Centre launched
Researchers from Germany’s Max Planck Society (MPS) met with University of Cambridge counterparts last week for the formal launch of the Max Planck Cambridge Centre for Ethics, Economy and Social Change.
Study finds that genes play a role in empathy
A new study just published suggests that how empathic we are is not just a result of our upbringing and experience but also partly a result of our genes.
Science on Sundays 2018 begins this weekend at Cambridge University Botanic Garden
As we head into spring do you ever wonder at nature’s ability to bounce back after a winter of snow and storms? Plants are capable of doing this and a whole lot more...