Astex Pharmaceuticals acquired by Otsuka
University of Cambridge spin-out Astex Pharmaceuticals is to be acquired by Japanese company in order to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments.
'Materials discovery' is the theme of Winton Symposium
On 30 September, Cambridge University Department of Physics will host the second annual Winton Symposium at the Cavendish Laboratory on ‘Materials Discovery’.
Darwin’s women
On matters of gender, Charles Darwin was supposedly an arch-conservative - but new research suggests that he actively helped women who were striving for an equal footing in society.
Team sets out to research Antarctic ice loss
Scientists from Cambridge University are joining a team of British researchers embarking on an ambitious mission to the Antarctic to learn more about recent ice loss.
Are we working too hard? What the experts say
With rising competition for jobs, and increasing pressure to excel in the workplace, a healthy work-life balance is hard to achieve. The technology we invented to make our lives run smoother means that we seldom switch off. Could we do things differently?
Better hygiene in wealthy nations may increase Alzheimer’s risk
People living in industrialised countries may be more likely to develop Alzheimer’s due to greatly reduced contact with bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms - which can lead to problems with immune development and increased risk of dementia, suggests a new study.
Polio provocation – the health debate that refused to go away
For much of the 20th century, health professionals were locked in debate about one possible cause of paralytic polio. Some argued that the viral infection could be provoked by medical interventions; others hotly contested this theory. Historian Dr Stephen Mawdsley looks at the unfolding story of polio provocation.
Resolution ready to shine down under
Built by undergraduates working for their exams, with funds raised by the students themselves, Cambridge’s solar car is the only British entry into the World Solar Challenge. Despite the odds, however, its radical design could still secure victory.
Our galaxy’s giant black hole rejects ‘food’ because it’s too ‘hot’
Astronomers working with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have seen the giant black hole Sagittarius A* rejecting its ‘food’ of vast gas clouds as they aren’t sufficiently cool enough for it to swallow.
Moss growth in Antarctica linked to climate change
Increases in temperature on the Antarctic Peninsula during the latter part of the 20th century were accompanied by an acceleration in moss growth, scientists have learned. Writing in the journal Current Biology they describe the activity as unprecedented in the last 150 years.
Final excavations underway at Ham Hill
Archaeologists from the Universities of Cambridge and Cardiff are currently undertaking their third, and final, round of excavations at Ham Hill, Britain’s biggest Iron-Age hill fort.
Open Cambridge 2013: book now!
Open Cambridge (13-15 September) is a chance to explore Cambridge’s heritage through a series of interactive events. Many of these events are family friendly and almost all are free. Places are still available for some activities, while others are run on a drop-in basis.
CUER wins 'most enterprising' award - and £10,000
The Cambridge University Eco Racing (CUER) team has won the 2013 RBS ESSA most enterprising student society award and a prize of £10,000.
Reporting from Zimbabwe: a visit to Harare’s biggest township
In the township of Mbare, anthropology student Rowan Jones finds a complex picture of poverty and propaganda - plus a baffling level of support for Mugabe. In her second report from this troubled nation, she digs into recent political history to make sense of what she encounters.
Ask the experts: is overseas aid working?
We live in an unequal world: each year billions of dollars are directed at reducing some of the gaps between rich and poor, and bringing basic healthcare and education to those without these life-enhancing resources. But at grassroots level international aid often fails to make a real difference. Where are we going wrong?
Machine learning paper wins Classic prize
The authors of a machine learning research paper have been awarded a prize for their work - ten years after the initial paper had been rejected.
All about Cambridge
A weekend of discovery will unfold in Cambridge from 13 to 15 September as a host of places open their doors to the public for Open Cambridge, an initiative that celebrates the riches to be explored on our doorstep.
Dear digital diary...
A powerful life-logging tool which captures and stores memorable moments in people’s lives is being developed by two researchers who argue that it could improve public well-being.
Genetic mutations linked to Parkinson’s disease
Researchers have discovered how genetic mutations linked to Parkinson’s disease might play a key role in the death of brain cells, potentially paving the way for the development of more effective drug treatments.
Kettle’s Yard artwork selected for vast UK-wide exhibition
A painting by Alfred Wallis from the collection at Kettle’s Yard has been chosen as one of the UK’s top ten artworks and will be displayed on billboards around the country as part of a vast exhibition.
Electron ‘spin’ key to solar cell breakthrough
Organic solar cells, a new class of solar cell that mimics the natural process of plant photosynthesis, could revolutionise renewable energy - but currently lack the efficiency to compete with the more costly commercial silicon cells.
Girls with anorexia have elevated autistic traits
Girls with anorexia nervosa show a mild echo of the characteristics of autism, suggests new research in the journal Molecular Autism
Comm’portez vous? What phrase books tell us about our past encounters
Will you be speaking Greek, Turkish or Spanish on holiday this summer – or will you rely on the locals having a workable grasp of English? In his research, PhD candidate John Gallagher looks at the history of that unique form of literature - the foreign language phrase book.
Scientists discover a curable cause for some cases of high blood pressure
Five per cent of high blood pressure cases are caused by small nodules on hormone gland; now scientists have developed a scan which enables rapid diagnosis
Breastfeeding may reduce Alzheimer’s risk
A new study suggests that mothers who breastfeed run a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s, with longer periods of breastfeeding further reducing the risk