World's botanic gardens contain a third of all known plant species
The most in-depth species survey to date finds an “astonishing array” of plant diversity in the global botanic garden network, including 41% of all endangered species. However, researchers find a significant imbalance between tropical and temperate plants, and say even more capacity should be given to conservation, as there is “no technical reason for plant species to become extinct”.
New type of supercomputer could be based on ‘magic dust’ combination of light and matter
A team of researchers from the UK and Russia have successfully demonstrated that a type of ‘magic dust’ which combines light and matter can be used to solve complex problems and could eventually surpass the capabilities of even the most powerful supercomputers.
Cambridge’s postdoctoral community benefits from new centre
The University of Cambridge has opened a new centre for its postdoctoral community.
Cambridge scientist leads UK’s £65m scientific collaboration with US
The UK is investing £65 million in a flagship global science project based in the United States that could change our understanding of the universe, securing the UK’s position as the international research partner of choice. Professor Mark Thomson from the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory has been the elected co-leader of the international DUNE collaboration since its inception and…
Genome editing reveals role of gene important for human embryo development
Researchers have used genome editing technology to reveal the role of a key gene in human embryos in the first few days of development. This is the first time that genome editing has been used to study gene function in human embryos, which could help scientists to better understand the biology of our early development.
'Last mile’ fingerprints can help deliver healthcare
Cambridge start-up Simprints, awarded $2.45 million in new grant money, targets the developing world with fingerprinting technology to help deliver healthcare to 1.1 billion people with no formal identification.
Cambridge to launch lectureship in Chinese urban development
The University of Cambridge is to launch a new lectureship in Chinese urban development. The creation of the lectureship, based at the Department of Land Economy, was announced at a signing ceremony held in Hong Kong.
Cambridge Festival of Ideas: India uncovered
India, one of the world's oldest civilisations, features strongly in many of the events at this year's Cambridge Festival of Ideas as it celebrates 70 years since independence and faces up to a host of critical issues for its future, from nationalism to development.
Cuts to mental health services putting young people at risk, say experts
Funding cuts and austerity measures are damaging young people’s access to mental health services, with potentially long-term consequences for their mental wellbeing, say researchers at the University of Cambridge.
Scientists reveal the beautiful simplicity underlying branching patterns in tissue
In the centenary year of the publication of a seminal treatise on the physical and mathematical principles underpinning nature – On Growth and Form by D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson – a Cambridge physicist has led a study describing an elegantly simple solution to a puzzle that has taxed biologists for centuries: how complex branching patterns of tissues arise.
Dr Tim Minshall announced as first Professor of Innovation at Cambridge University
The new Professor of Innovation at the University of Cambridge is Dr Tim Minshall. In the new role, he will lead the engineers and inventors of tomorrow to see their ideas become reality and change the world.
Study clears important hurdle towards developing an HIV vaccine
An international team of researchers has demonstrated a way of overcoming one of the major stumbling blocks that has prevented the development of a vaccine against HIV: the ability to generate immune cells that stay in circulation long enough to respond to and stop virus infection.
India's schoolchildren inspired by Cambridge's 'magical science'
Early career scientists at the University of Cambridge are inspiring a generation of young Indians to pursue opportunities in STEM subjects.
Town and gown work together to make Open Cambridge 2017 the biggest yet
What do an 800-year old charter, a ballistic separator, and a mosaic of WWII aircraft all have in common? You can see them all, and much more besides, as part of the Open Cambridge festival this September.
Cambridge statistician appointed as Home Office’s Chief Scientific Adviser
Professor John Aston, Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge, has been appointed as the Home Office’s new Chief Scientific Adviser.
Cambridge students battle to be named the masters of LEGO in new TV show
Cambridge University engineering students James Gard and Jamil Jami are competing in a new Channel 4 series to win the title of ‘LEGO Masters’.
Cambridge Festival of Ideas puts truth under the spotlight
The Cambridge Festival of Ideas celebrates its 10th anniversary with a line-up of distinguished speakers and a host of exhibitions and events.
College breweries: when drinking ale at University was safer than sipping tap water
From a College brewery to 3D photography, there’s lots to discover behind the scenes in Cambridge libraries in Open Cambridge 2017.
Study identifies dinosaur ‘missing link’
A ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ dinosaur may be the missing link between two major dinosaur groups, plugging what was previously a big gap between them.
Institute for Manufacturing Design Show 2017
Cambridge University Institute for Manufacturing’s (IfM) 2017 Design Show challenges Manufacturing Engineering Tripos (MET) students to develop a new product, with real business potential.
Open Cambridge celebrates its 10th Anniversary
Tickets go on sale next week for the city’s hugely popular heritage weekend, Open Cambridge, which runs from 8-9 September and is celebrating its tenth year with the biggest and most ambitious programme of events ever.
Cambridge engineer’s career honoured with the Sir Frank Whittle Medal
Emeritus Professor Andrew Schofield is to receive a prestigious medal from the Royal Academy of Engineering in recognition of sustained achievement throughout his career.
Celebrity Twitter accounts display ‘bot-like’ behaviour
‘Celebrity’ Twitter accounts – those with more than 10 million followers – display more bot-like behaviour than users with fewer followers, according to new research.
Biomedical science fellowships reflect Vice-Chancellor's legacy
Much of the world-changing research at the University of Cambridge is underpinned by postdocs - qualified researchers with fixed term contracts.
The Electron Manifesto: transforming high performance computing with 'spintronics'
Electron ‘spin’ could hold the key to managing the world’s growing data demands without consuming huge amounts of energy. Now, researchers have shown that energy-efficient superconductors can power devices designed to achieve this. What once seemed an impossible marriage of superconductivity and spin may be about to transform high performance computing.