From text to texting: 10th century Greek manuscript is brought into the digital age
A tenth century Greek manuscript, one of the latest additions to the Digital Library, shows how the transmission and reinterpretation of written knowledge over the centuries still continues in today’s digital age.
Hunt for an unidentified electron object
New research sheds light on the nature of ‘unidentified electron objects’ - a mysterious class of objects that exists in superfluid helium at low temperature.
US honour for Professor Dame Ann Dowling
Professor Dame Ann Dowling, Head of Cambridge University's Department of Engineering, has been honoured by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
Putting the fun into computer programming with a robot that is a toy at heart
John Ginger, a recent University of Cambridge Engineering graduate, is one half of a team developing a small robot to help children learn programming and robotics while they play.
When mothers are active so are their children – but many mothers are not
A study of physical activity patterns of women and their four-year-olds reveals a strong association between the two. It also shows that only 53% of mothers engaged in 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity at least once a week. Taken together, these results provide valuable pointers for policy makers.
Grant will fund research into natural and sustainable building materials
The University of Cambridge has received a £1.75 million Research Programme Grant from the Leverhulme Trust on the theme of Natural Material Innovation.
Plant scientists call for rethink of GM crop regulation
Leading plant scientists have called for major changes to the way GM crops are licensed.
Art & Science of Curation: panel discussion
Curating is at the heart of what makes museums, yet it means different things to different people. Join a panel of curators tomorrow evening (Thursday) as they explore the definition of curation and the role of the curators across the arts and sciences. Presented by University of Cambridge Museums as part of the Cambridge Science Festival.
New app enables pocket diagnosis
A new app which turns any smartphone into a portable medical diagnostic device could help in the fight against diseases including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in the developing world.
Student’s battle with muscular dystrophy inspires fundraising drive
PhD student Jonathan Gilmour, 27, is leading a push to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, supported by fellow students at his Cambridge College.
Look behind the scenes of cancer research
Cancer will affect one in three of us at some point in our lives, so research into this disease is vital. Most cancer patients will see their doctor when the disease is already advanced and harder to treat, according to Professor Ashok Venkitaraman, Director of the Medical Research Council (MRC) Cancer Unit in Cambridge.
Cambridge animation scoops BFI award
From 12 Years A Slave to Dallas Buyers Club, the films winning most praise at this year’s award ceremonies have tackled some tough issues. Now, a Cambridge-made animation about the challenges of leaving care has scooped best documentary in the British Film Institute Future Film Festival for young film-makers.
Research student wins £10,000 award for best PhD dissertation
Andrew Gordon Wilson, a research student in Cambridge University Department of Engineering’s Machine Learning Group, has won a £10,000 G-Research award for his PhD dissertation.
A snapshot of life 560 million years ago
A new display at the Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge focuses on the latest research into a group of fossils that might be the earliest examples of animals ever found. Palaeontologist Dr Alex Liu hopes that the exhibition will raise awareness of the unique organisms that lived in the Ediacaran period.
Professor Trevor Robbins awarded prize for research on higher brain functions
Professor Trevor Robbins, head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Cambridge, is one of three European scientists to share the world’s largest prize for brain research.
Enterprising Cambridge students win major breast cancer start-up competition
Two teams of University of Cambridge students have won a prestigious international competition to commercialise innovative breast cancer research.
Illuminating Cambridge worldwide
Arts Council England grants £87,582 to create an online digital archive of Fitzwilliam Museum manuscripts.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes steps in to help save Captain Scott’s polar negatives for the nation
The Scott Polar Research Institute has launched an appeal to save Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ‘lost’ polar negatives. A last minute stay of execution means it now has until 25 March to save the negatives for the nation.
'Odd little book' revealed to be Chinese musical gem
A researcher visiting Cambridge from China has uncovered a unique document of the country’s musical past, and the ripping yarn which explains how it reached Britain 210 years ago.
Women at Cambridge: 'The Meaning of Success' book launch
A major book launch this week will highlight the lives and work of women at the University of Cambridge.
Strings that surprise: how a theory scaled up
In August 1984 two physicists arrived at a formula that transformed our understanding of string theory, an achievement now recognised by a major award. Professor Michael Green of Cambridge University's Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics explains how string theory has taken unexpected directions.
Cambridge Science Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary
The Cambridge Science Festival, which starts on Monday (10th March), celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The Festival - which runs until 23 March - offers a huge range of talks and hands-on activities. And thanks to the generosity of the University, Festival sponsors and partners, most of the events are free.
Scientists wake up to causes of sleep disruption in Alzheimer’s disease
New research using fruit flies with Alzheimer’s protein finds that the disease doesn’t stop the biological clock ticking, but detaches it from the sleep-wake cycle that it usually regulates. Findings could lead to more effective ways to improve sleep patterns in those with Alzheimer’s.
Mini-livers show promise to reduce animal use in science
Cambridge research that has for the first time successfully grown “mini-livers” from adult mouse stem cells has won the UK’s international prize for the scientific and technological advance with the most potential to replace, reduce or refine the use of animals in science (the 3Rs).
New graduate funding scheme for research MPhil students launched
Seventy postgraduate students will receive funding for their research under a new scheme being piloted by the Colleges of the University of Cambridge, the Isaac Newton Trust and the Cambridge Home and EU Scholarship Scheme (CHESS).