Flights of fancy: the evolution of plumage patterns in male and female birds
Research published today looks at the evolutionary pathways to differences in bird plumage patterns between males and females – and concludes that birds are able to adapt their appearance with remarkable ease.
Landmark moment for Rowing at Cambridge
Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club now have a permanent home for the first time, to help them prepare for the first Women’s Boat Race on the Tideway in 2015, following the opening of an extension to Goldie Boathouse.
Study confirms a gene linked to Asperger Syndrome and empathy
Scientists have confirmed that variations in a particular gene play a key role in the autism spectrum condition known as Asperger Syndrome. They have also found that variations in the same gene are also linked to differences in empathy levels in the general population.
Four degree temperature rise will end vegetation ‘carbon sink’
New research suggests that a temperature increase of 4 degrees is likely to “saturate” areas of dense vegetation with carbon, preventing plants from helping to balance CO2 escalation - and consequently accelerating climate change.
Super-fast and super-green: Cambridge unveils pioneering high-performance computer
A super energy-efficient high-performance computer, with a performance equivalent to 4,000 desktop machines running at once, will enable researchers to handle the Big Data challenges of the future - not least the design of a system to support the world's largest telescope.
Cambridge University Library bids to purchase early Gospel manuscript
Cambridge University Library plans to raise £1.1m to purchase an outstanding Biblical manuscript. Dating from the 6th or 7th century, Codex Zacynthius is a palimpsest that offers scholars a key to understanding the way in which the text of St Luke’s Gospel was transmitted as Christianity spread.
Quantum waves at the heart of organic solar cells
Researchers have been able to tune ‘coherence’ in organic nanostructures due to the surprise discovery of wavelike electrons in organic materials, revealing the key to generating “long-lived charges” in organic solar cells - material that could revolutionise solar energy.
What is it really like to work in scientific research today?
A new programme offered by the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education will give participants a rare insight into the challenges involved in pushing back the frontiers of science. Given by five specialists in different fields, ‘Cambridge science: behind the scenes’ starts in January 2014.
Clare College and Santander renew partnership
Clare College this week marked the renewal of a partnership with Santander, through its Santander Universities Global Division, at a special ceremony held in the College hosted by the College’s Bursar, Mr Paul Warren.
Researchers discover new test for chronic blood cancers
A new test for blood cancers will catch many more cases than the present test that identifies only 60 per cent.
1,000 years of history to be digitised following unique appeal
A campaign to save ancient documents chronicling 1,000 years of history has succeeded after £1.2m was raised by the universities of Cambridge and Oxford in their first-ever joint appeal.
Unique sensor device receives recognition at IET Innovation Awards
A new, unique and tiny sensor device named Utterberry, designed and developed at Cambridge University's Department of Engineering and deployed in the Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction's projects, could potentially transform infrastructure monitoring and possibly even act as a remote sensor for human health monitoring in the future.
Clare College elects next Master
Lord Grabiner QC is to become the 45th Master of Clare College from the start of the next academic year.
Crop-infecting virus forces aphids to spread disease
University of Cambridge researchers have shown that viruses use aphids as pawns, discouraging the insects from permanently settling on already-infected crops and using this forced migration to spread infection to healthy vegetation.
Cambridge one of two UK institutions at highest level of ESA’s next Large Mission
The European Space Agency has announced a broad plan for major space science missions over the next two decades, with Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy involved at the highest levels.
Lakes discovered beneath Greenland Ice Sheet
A study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, has discovered two subglacial lakes 800 metres below the surface of the Greenland Ice Sheet - the first to be identified in Greenland.
Report outlines four steps towards ending global poverty
A four-part manifesto for fighting global poverty, which aims to build on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015, has been published by the Humanitarian Centre in Cambridge.
Protein released from cells triggers chain reactions that could cause Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers have shown that tiny quantities of the protein tau can be enough to kick-start an aggregation process which may explain the onset of Alzheimer’s in the brain.
University of Cambridge announces new Strategic Research Initiatives
Four new targets - Big Data, Cardiovascular Disease, Public Policy and Synthetic Biology - have been added to the University of Cambridge’s Strategic Research Initiative programme, which fosters multi-disciplinary collaboration to advance innovative research.
Diamond ‘flaws’ pave way for nanoscale MRI
Breakthrough offers high-sensitivity nanoscale sensors, and could lead to magnetic imaging of neuron activity and thermometry on a single living cell.
Research reveals details of how flu evolves to escape immunity
Scientists have identified a potential way to improve future flu vaccines after discovering that seasonal flu typically escapes immunity from vaccines with as little as a single amino acid substitution.
The importance of university museums
University of Cambridge museums are among those highlighted as examples of best practice in a new report focusing on the outstanding contributions made by the University Museums Group UK.
Cambridge awarded major EPSRC funding for doctoral centres
Funding for six Cambridge-led Centres for Doctoral Training, along with a further two in which Cambridge are partners, across a range of physical sciences and engineering disciplines will be announced today.
Twenty top tips for interpreting scientific claims
Aiming to improve policy-makers’ understanding of the imperfect nature of science, academics from the Universities of Cambridge and Melbourne have created a list of concepts that they believe should be part of the education of civil servants, politicians, policy advisers and journalists.
Fruit bat population covering central Africa is carrier of two deadly viruses
A population of fruit bats which is found across much of continental Africa is widely infected with two deadly viruses that could spread to humans, new research reveals.