How many ways can you arrange 128 tennis balls?
A bewildering physics problem has apparently been solved by researchers, in a study which provides a mathematical basis for understanding issues ranging from predicting the formation of deserts, to making artificial intelligence more efficient.
Making operating systems safer and faster with ‘unikernels’
Technology to improve the security, speed and scale of data processing in age of the Internet of Things is being developed by a Cambridge spin-out company.
Google Street View comes to Cambridge University
Google Street View’s Special Collections team visited Cambridge University last year to photograph a number of locations, both inside and out.
Tackling inequality in computer science
Riaz Moola is a Gates Cambridge Scholar doing a master's in Technology Policy, but he also runs a company which aims to revolutionise the study of Computer Science in South Africa.
Artificial intelligence and rise of the machines: Cambridge Science Festival 2016
Will artificial intelligence be superior to or as creative as the human brain? Are we letting machines take over and give rise to mass unemployment or worse? Should we be worried about quantum computing and the impact it will have on the way we work, communicate and live in the future? Or should we harness rather than hate the digital deluge?
Boat Race name reflects support for cancer research
In a world first, BNY Mellon and Newton Investment Management, sponsors of The Boat Races, announced they are donating their title sponsorship of the annual challenge between Cambridge and Oxford Universities to Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the official charity partner. The Boat Races will now be known as The Cancer Research UK Boat Races.
Ebola legacy lab will improve Sierra Leone’s resilience to future epidemics
Samples from the recently confirmed case of Ebola in Sierra Leone have been analysed at a new infectious diseases laboratory in the country, set up in partnership with the University of Cambridge in the wake of the epidemic.
Nanotech research fellow amasses honours
Since joining Cambridge University's Department of Engineering, Dr Matt Cole, Oppenheimer Research Fellow in the Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics, and Fellow of St Edmund’s College, has made significant achievements in research, industry, teaching and outreach.
Dyson Centre celebrates launch with open day for students
Cambridge University Department of Engineering’s Dyson Centre for Engineering Design has celebrated its opening with a day of demonstrations, experiments and other activities.
Fuel cell electrolyte developed to offer cleaner, more efficient energy
A new thin-film electrolyte material that helps solid oxide fuel cells operate more efficiently and cheaply than those composed of conventional materials, and has potential applications for portable power sources, has been developed at the University of Cambridge.
Why Spiderman can’t exist: geckos are ‘size limit’ for sticking to walls
Latest research reveals why geckos are the largest animals able to scale smooth vertical walls – even larger climbers would require unmanageably large sticky footpads. Scientists estimate that a human would need adhesive pads covering 40% of their body surface to walk up a wall like Spiderman, and believe their insights have implications for the feasibility of large-scale, gecko-like adhesives.
Brain waves could help predict how we respond to general anaesthetics
The complex pattern of ‘chatter’ between different areas of an individual’s brain while they are awake could help doctors better track and even predict their response to general anaesthesia – and better identify the amount of anaesthetic necessary – according to new research from the University of Cambridge.
Secretary-General of the United Nations to receive Honorary Degree
At a special Congregation in the Senate House, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, will admit His Excellency, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to an honorary doctorate.
Meet the archaeologists making ancient rock art into 3D reality
An event next Monday (18 January 2016) will give the public a chance to experience at first hand the technologies that have enabled archaeologists to create 3D visualisations of images etched into rock thousands of years ago. The day-long event is free and open to all.
Bronze Age stilt houses unearthed in East Anglian Fens
Large circular wooden houses built on stilts collapsed in a dramatic fire 3,000 years ago and plunged into a river, preserving their contents in astonishing detail. Archaeologists say the excavations have revealed the best-preserved Bronze Age dwellings ever found in Britain.
Cocaine addiction: Scientists discover ‘back door’ into the brain
Individuals addicted to cocaine may have difficulty in controlling their addiction because of a previously-unknown ‘back door’ into the brain, circumventing their self-control, suggests a new study led by the University of Cambridge.
English Dialects app tries to guess your regional accent
Do you say splinter, spool, spile or spell? A new app which tries to guess your regional accent based on your pronunciation of 26 words and colloquialisms will help Cambridge academics track the movement and changes to English dialects in the modern era.
Global learning is needed to save carbon capture and storage from being abandoned
Governments should not be abandoning carbon capture and storage, argues a Cambridge researcher, as it is the only realistic way of dramatically reducing carbon emissions. Instead, they should be investing in global approaches to learn what works – and what doesn’t.
Melting of massive ice ‘lid’ resulted in huge release of CO2 at the end of the ice age
A new study of how the structure of the ocean has changed since the end of the last ice age suggest that the melting of a vast ‘lid’ of sea ice caused the release of huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Cambridge academics honoured over the New Year
Members of the University of Cambridge have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to society.
Boosting farm yields to restore habitats could create greenhouse gas ‘sink’
A new study using UK data is the first to show that raising farm yields and allowing ‘spared’ land to be reclaimed for woodlands and wetlands could offset greenhouse gas produced by the farming industry to meet the national target of 80% emissions reduction by 2050.
Second contagious form of cancer found in Tasmanian devils
Transmissible cancers – cancers which can spread between individuals by the transfer of living cancer cells – are believed to arise extremely rarely in nature. One of the few known transmissible cancers causes facial tumours in Tasmanian devils, and is threatening this species with extinction. Now scientists report the discovery of a second transmissible cancer in Tasmanian devils.
Newton, Darwin, Shakespeare – and a jar of ectoplasm: Cambridge University Library at 600
In 2016, Cambridge University Library will celebrate 600 years as one of the world's greatest libraries with a spectacular exhibition of priceless treasures – and a second show throwing light on its more weird and wonderful collections.
New origami-like material may help prevent brain injuries in sport
Researchers are developing the next generation of advanced materials for use in sport and military applications, with the goal of preventing brain injuries.
Christmas letters from a Second World War prison camp go online
Moving letters sent by the academic John Crook while he was a prisoner at the notorious Stalag Luft VIII-B camp in World War II reveal his indomitable spirit and brave resolve to remain positive for the sake of loved ones back home.