Age and pre-existing conditions increase risk of stroke among COVID-19 patients
Fourteen out of every 1,000 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital experience a stroke, a rate that is even higher in older patients and those with severe infection and pre-existing vascular conditions, according to a report published this week.
Tiny golden bullets could help tackle asbestos-related cancers
Gold nanotubes – tiny hollow cylinders one thousandth the width of a human hair – could be used to treat mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, according to a team of researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Leeds.
Professor Chris Abell FRS, FMedSci (1957 – 2020)
The University of Cambridge is saddened to announce that Professor Chris Abell, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor of Biological Chemistry and Todd-Hamied Fellow of Christ’s College, has died suddenly at the age of 62.
Marmoset study finds single brain region linking depression and anxiety, heart disease, and people’s sensitivity to treatment
Over-activity in a single brain region called the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex (sgACC) underlies several key symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, but an antidepressant only successfully treats some of the symptoms.
Globalised economy making water, energy and land insecurity worse: study
The first large-scale study of the risks that countries face from dependence on water, energy and land resources has found that globalisation may be decreasing, rather than increasing, the security of global supply chains.
One in six children has a probable mental disorder, according to new report
The proportion of children experiencing a probable mental disorder has increased over the past three years, from one in nine in 2017 to one in six in July this year, according to a report published by NHS Digital and co-authored by Professor Tamsin Ford at the University of Cambridge.
‘Mini-lungs’ reveal early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection
‘Mini-lungs’ grown from tissue donated to Cambridge hospitals has provided a team of scientists from South Korea and the UK with important insights into how COVID-19 damages the lungs.
Machine learning comes of age in cystic fibrosis
World-leading AI technology developed by the Cambridge Centre for AI in Medicine and their colleagues – some of which is being showcased this week at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference 2020 – offers a glimpse of the future of precision medicine, and unprecedented predictive power to clinicians caring for individuals with the life-limiting condition.
University's publishing and assessment operations unite
The University of Cambridge today announced that it will bring together its publishing and assessment operations to create a single organisation. Cambridge University Press and Cambridge Assessment publish and create world-leading content and examinations that are used across more than 170 countries.
‘Happy ending effect’ can bias future decisions, say scientists
Humans are hard-wired to prefer experiences that end well, and the influence of previous experience declines the longer ago it happened. This means we can’t always trust that choices we make based on previous experience will serve our best interests in the future.
Lockdown or not, personality predicts your likelihood of staying home during the pandemic
Despite more of the population staying at home as government policies on COVID-19 become stricter, a study has found that a person’s personality influences how likely they are to stay at home during the pandemic - and cannot be entirely overridden.
Popular COVID-19 conspiracies linked to vaccine ‘hesitancy’
An international study finds that people who rate coronavirus conspiracy theories as more reliable are much less likely to say they will get vaccinated.
Easy-to-make, ultra-low power electronics could charge out of thin air
Researchers have developed a new approach to printed electronics which allows ultra-low power electronic devices that could recharge from ambient light or radiofrequency noise. The approach paves the way for low-cost printed electronics that could be seamlessly embedded in everyday objects and environments.
New virtual reality software allows scientists to ‘walk’ inside cells
Virtual reality software which allows researchers to ‘walk’ inside and analyse individual cells could be used to understand fundamental problems in biology and develop new treatments for disease.
Scientists find upper limit for the speed of sound
A research collaboration between the University of Cambridge, Queen Mary University of London and the Institute for High Pressure Physics in Troitsk has discovered the fastest possible speed of sound.
Cambridge academics recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, which were announced on Saturday.
Cambridge University and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore establish new research centre to support lifelong learning
A new research centre focused on improving support for lifelong learning and cognitive agility opened on 1 October 2020 in Singapore.
Roger Penrose wins 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for discovery about black holes
Professor Sir Roger Penrose, Honorary Fellow and alumnus of St John’s College Cambridge and honorary doctor of the University, has jointly won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity.
Squeezing light inside memory devices could help improve performance
Researchers have developed a method to ‘squeeze’ visible light in order to see inside tiny memory devices. The technique will allow researchers to probe how these devices break down and how their performance can be improved for a range of applications.
Vice-Chancellor’s awards showcase impact and engagement during the pandemic
Academics, students and professional members of staff from across the University of Cambridge have been recognised in this year’s Vice-Chancellor’s Research Impact and Engagement Awards for their work in areas including COVID-19 testing, PPE production and online engagement.
Cambridge launches the Observatory for Human-Machine Collaboration
A new experimental space dedicated to research in human-machine collaboration has been launched at Cambridge University's Department of Engineering for use by different University departments, industry and government institutions.
New Crop Science Centre opens in Cambridge
A new Centre, designed to fast-track technologies to sustainably improve farmers’ yields worldwide, has been launched in Cambridge.
Cambridge to divest from fossil fuels with 'net zero' plan
The University of Cambridge aims to divest from all direct and indirect investments in fossil fuels by 2030 as part of the University’s plan to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2038, more than a decade before the date set by the UK Government
3D-printed ‘invisible’ fibres can sense breath, sound, and biological cells
From capturing your breath to guiding biological cell movements, 3D printing of tiny, transparent conducting fibres could be used to make devices which can ‘smell, hear and touch’ – making it particularly useful for health monitoring, Internet of Things and biosensing applications.
Many ventilation systems may increase risk of COVID-19 exposure, study suggests
Ventilation systems in many modern office buildings, which are designed to keep temperatures comfortable and increase energy efficiency, may increase the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, particularly during the coming winter, according to research just published.