The testimony of trees: how volcanic eruptions shaped 2000 years of world history
Researchers have shown that over the past 2000 years, volcanoes have played a larger role in natural temperature variability than previously thought, and their climatic effects may have contributed to past societal and economic change
Record 1.5m UK users log on to Cambridge maths outreach website following COVID-19 closure of schools
After coming to the rescue of more than 1.5 million UK schoolchildren, parents and teachers when the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools in March, mathematicians from a Cambridge University outreach programme are helping pupils get back on track now classrooms have reopened.
Tree rings show scale of Arctic pollution is worse than previously thought
The largest-ever study of tree rings from Norilsk in the Russian Arctic has shown that the direct and indirect effects of industrial pollution in the region and beyond are far worse than previously thought.
Royal Academy of Engineering announces 2020 Fellows
Cambridge engineers and alumni have been announced Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering in recognition of their outstanding and continuing contributions to the profession. They join an Academy on a mission to use the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and create an inclusive economy that works for everyone.
How machine learning can help to future-proof clinical trials in the era of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest global healthcare crisis of our generation, presenting enormous challenges to medical research, including clinical trials. Advances in machine learning are providing an opportunity to adapt clinical trials and lay the groundwork for smarter, faster and more flexible clinical trials in the future.
Cambridge researcher named to Time 100 list of world's most influential people
Professor Ravi Gupta has been named as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year, in recognition of his work to bring about the second-ever cure of a patient with HIV.
Whittle Lab research key for accelerating development of zero-carbon flight, says Prince of Wales
This week HRH The Prince of Wales gave the opening address to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Turbo Expo conference, the largest annual conference on the subject of flight and land-based power generation, due to have been held in London earlier this year but which is being held online due to the pandemic.
Astronomers discover the first ‘ultrahot Neptune’: one of nature’s improbable planets
An international team of astronomers, including researchers from the University of Cambridge, has discovered a new class of planet, an ‘ultrahot Neptune’, orbiting the nearby star LTT 9779.
Extent of India’s COVID nudge campaign revealed
The Government of India’s use of nudge theory in the first three months of the pandemic helped to tackle the virus on numerous fronts, a new study suggests.
University of Cambridge Centre celebrates 10 years’ work towards transformation in the construction industry
Since its inception 10 years ago, the Laing O’Rourke Centre for Construction Engineering and Technology, University of Cambridge, has focused on driving transformation in the construction sector, in collaboration with strategic industry partner Laing O’Rourke.
ARPA-type funding gives green technology an ‘innovation advantage’, study finds
Startups funded by US agency ARPA-E file patents at twice the rate of similar cleantech firms. The UK should trial its own climate-focused ARPA as part of COVID-19 recovery package, argues a Cambridge professor.
Hints of life discovered on Venus
A UK-led team of astronomers has discovered a rare molecule – phosphine – in the clouds of Venus, pointing to the possibility of extra-terrestrial ‘aerial’ life.
Major European starting grants awarded
Six Cambridge researchers are among the latest recipients of European Union awards given to early-career academics.
Cambridge helps launch £10m Trinity Challenge to protect the world against future pandemics
The University of Cambridge has joined a coalition of some of the world’s leading businesses and academic and tech institutions to launch The Trinity Challenge. This global challenge provides a £10m prize fund for breakthrough solutions to make sure one billion more people are better protected against health emergencies
Punctured lung affects almost one in 100 hospitalised COVID-19 patients
As many as one in 100 patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 develop a pneumothorax – a ‘punctured lung’ – according to a study led by Cambridge researchers.
Living Planet Report reveals 68% decline in global wildlife populations since 1970
Global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish have declined by over two-thirds in less than half a century, due in large part to the same environmental destruction that is contributing to the emergence of zoonotic diseases like COVID-19, according to a World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report released this week.
AI shows how hydrogen becomes a metal inside giant planets
Researchers have used a combination of AI and quantum mechanics to reveal how hydrogen gradually turns into a metal in giant planets.
Cambridge University to provide weekly coronavirus testing for students resident in colleges
The University of Cambridge is to offer all students living in college accommodation a weekly test for infection with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, even if they show no symptoms. While the testing of asymptomatic students is not national guidance, the University will be launching this programme as part of their ‘Stay Safe Cambridge Uni’ public health initiative.
Cancer drug can rebalance kidney function in a devastating genetic disease
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and the University of Zurich have discovered that a drug newly approved for cancer improves kidney dysfunction in a mouse model of Dent disease 2 and Lowe syndrome.
What to expect from online Open Cambridge this weekend
From medieval chapels, 21st Century eco-mosques and the golden age of Cambridge sport, to live experiments and a surprise yarn-bomb installation, this weekend sees the much-anticipated online version of Open Cambridge kick off with a series of live stream, interactive events to get the grey matter fizzing.
PhD research at the forefront of technology recognised with award
University of Cambridge PhD student Siddharth Swaroop has been announced a recipient of the 2020 Microsoft Research EMEA PhD Award, helping to support his final year of research.
Record number of undergraduate admissions at Cambridge, with no required deferrals and highest ever state school intake
The Collegiate University of Cambridge will be welcoming a record number of new undergraduates next month.
Combining PCR and antibody tests at point of care dramatically increases COVID-19 detection in hospitalised patients
A Cambridge hospital has piloted the use of combined rapid point-of-care nucleic acid and antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection after researchers at the University of Cambridge showed that this approach was superior to virus detection alone for diagnosing COVID-19 disease.
Cambridge professor appointed Director of the Leverhulme Trust
Anna Vignoles, who is Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge, has been appointed as Director of the Leverhulme Trust: one of the largest, all-subject providers of research funding in the UK. She will take up her new post in January, 2021.
Open Cambridge launches 2020 online programme
The Open Cambridge 2020 special online programme has been launched, featuring over 30 events suitable for everyone curious about the history and heritage of Cambridge.