Opinion: Only by keeping close ties with Europe can UK research remain globally competitive
Cambridge University’s Ash Amin (Department of Geography) and John Bell (Faculty of Law) discuss the importance of European research collaborations, and how they might continue post-Brexit.
Brains of overweight people ‘ten years older’ than lean counterparts at middle-age
From middle-age, the brains of obese individuals display differences in white matter similar to those in lean individuals ten years their senior, according to new research led by the University of Cambridge. White matter is the tissue that connects areas of the brain and allows for information to be communicated between regions.
Lines of Thought: From Darwin to DNA
Darwin’s stuffed pigeons, the letter which first coined the term ‘genetics’ and a paper by Crick and Watson which helped decode DNA all feature in the latest film to celebrate Cambridge University Library’s 600th anniversary.
Newly-discovered mechanism influences how immune cells ‘eat’ invading bacteria
A new mechanism that affects how our immune cells perform – and hence their ability to prevent disease – has been discovered by an international team of researchers led by Cambridge scientists.
Exhibition reunites artworks from Captain Scott’s final expedition – a century on
A new exhibition has reunited the iconic photography of Herbert Ponting with the watercolours of Edward Wilson – more than a century after the two Antarctic explorers first dreamt up their plan for a joint exhibition.
COLOUR: The art and science of illuminated manuscripts
Some of the finest illuminated manuscripts in the world – treasures combining gold and precious pigments – are now on display in celebration of the Fitzwilliam Museum’s bicentenary.
Carbon dioxide can be stored underground safely for longer, say researchers
A study of natural-occurring 100,000 year-old CO2 reservoirs shows no significant corroding of ‘cap rock’, suggesting the greenhouse gas hasn’t leaked back out - one of the main concerns with greenhouse gas reduction proposal of carbon capture and storage.
An hour of moderate exercise a day enough to counter health risks from prolonged sitting
The health risks associated with sitting for eight or more hours a day – whether at work, home or commuting – can be eliminated with an hour or more of physical activity a day, according to a study from an international team of researchers.
Wash cycle: making organs fit for transplantation
There’s a nationwide shortage of suitable organs for transplanting – but what if some of those organs deemed ‘unsuitable’ could be rejuvenated? Researchers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital have managed just that – and last year gave two patients an unexpected Christmas present.
Changes in brain structure during teenage years provide clues to mental health problems
Scientists have mapped the structural changes that occur in teenagers’ brains as they develop, showing how these changes may help explain why the first signs of mental health problems often arise during late adolescence.
First atmospheric study of Earth-sized exoplanets using Hubble telescope
Two Earth-sized exoplanets have become the first rocky worlds to have their atmospheres studied using the Hubble Space Telescope.
Opinion: As ARM enjoys a Japanese embrace, the lessons it can teach UK tech firms
Peter Williamson of Cambridge Judge Business School discusses the sale of Cambridge-based technology firm ARM Holdings to Japan's Softbank for £24 billion.
Scientists discover how proteins in the brain build-up rapidly in Alzheimer’s disease
Cambridge researchers have identified – and shown that it may be possible to control – the mechanism that leads to the rapid build-up of the disease-causing ‘plaques’ that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
Time travelling to the mother tongue
The sounds of languages that died thousands of years ago have been brought to life again through technology that uses statistics in a revolutionary new way.
'Biodiversity should be focus of businesses’ efforts to mitigate their environmental impact'
Biodiversity, the variety of plant and animal life in the world, is a fundamental component of ‘natural capital’ that businesses are dependent upon but which often gets overlooked in assessments of their environmental impact, according to a new report by members of the Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI).
Obesity linked to premature death, with greatest effect in men
A study of 3.9 million adults published in The Lancet has found that being overweight or obese is associated with an increased risk of premature death. The risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and cancer are all increased. Overall, the excess risk of premature death (before age 70) among those who are overweight or obese is about three times as great in men as in women.
Latest archaeological finds provide a vivid picture of everyday life in the Bronze Age
Excavation of a site in the Cambridgeshire fens reveals a Bronze Age settlement with connections far beyond its watery location. Over the past ten months, Must Farm has yielded Britain’s largest collections of Bronze Age textiles, beads and domestic artefacts. Together with timbers of several roundhouses, the finds provide a stunning snapshot of a community thriving 3,000 years ago.
Gravitational vortex provides new way to study matter close to a black hole
An international team of astronomers has proved the existence of a ‘gravitational vortex’ around a black hole, solving a mystery that has eluded astronomers for more than 30 years. The discovery will allow astronomers to map the behaviour of matter very close to black holes. It could also open the door to future investigation of Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity.
Where did it all go wrong? Scientists identify ‘cell of origin’ in skin cancers
Scientists have identified for the first time the ‘cell of origin’ – in other words, the first cell from which the cancer grows – in basal cell carcinoma, the most common form of skin cancer, and followed the chain of events that lead to the growth of these invasive tumours.
Faculty launches new teaching resources for sixth-form mathematics
Underground Mathematics is the culmination of a five-year project funded by the Government’s Department for Education and delivered by Cambridge’s Faculty of Mathematics.
Opinion: Brexit shock has caused a sterling crash of historic proportions
Alain Naef, PhD Candidate in Financial History at the University of Cambridge, discusses Brexit's impact on the value of the pound.
Engineering researchers recognised for impact and public engagement
Researchers in the Engineering Design Centre at the University of Cambridge have been recognised for the impact of their work on society and engagement with research in the inaugural Vice-Chancellor’s Impact Awards and Public Engagement with Research Awards.
Amelia Earhart fellowships awarded to promising Engineering students
Two PhD students at the University of Cambridge Department of Engineering have been awarded Amelia Earhart Fellowships from Zonta International.
Antimatter matters at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition
Scientists from the University of Cambridge are presenting their research into the nature of antimatter at this year’s Royal Society Summer Exhibition.
Exhibition shows researchers chasing the volcano
In 2014, Cambridge researchers monitored a series of seismic shocks which preceded Iceland’s biggest volcanic eruption in 200 years. The dramatic story of their work, and its scientific value, is now part of this year’s Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition.