News

Maths shows why your vote may not count the way you think it does Sarah CollinsFri, 07/31/2026 - 10:00 The researchers, from the University of Cambridge and the University of Copenhagen, analysed different electoral systems, both proportional and first past the post, and found that in any system, there are always going to be a series of t

Road traffic is putting smaller hedgehog populations at risk of collapse Jacqueline GargetFri, 07/31/2026 - 00:01 A new study involving the University of Cambridge has found that road traffic kills between 15-29% of hedgehogs in local populations each year. The study, funded by The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust

Wildfires and heatwaves: Expert analysis on public health impact Abby MunsonWed, 07/29/2026 - 09:00 How wildfires and heatwaves can affect physical and mental healthWildfires and heatwaves, Dr van Daalen explains, “strain the cardiovascular system. This can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heatstroke, kidney problems, and the worseni

Cambridge researchers contribute to AI Materials Foundry Anonymous (not verified)Tue, 07/28/2026 - 11:45 The Foundry brings together high-quality data, advanced computing, experimental laboratories and scientific expertise to support end-to-end materials discovery, from AI-driven design and simulation through to experimental validation.T

Eye contact helps infants ‘tune in’ to speaker’s brainwaves and learn language Craig BrierleyTue, 07/28/2026 - 10:00 Infants are surrounded by a vast range of stimuli that compete for their attention – sights, sounds, voices – and must somehow work out which things are worth paying attention to and learning from. To do this, they often r

Gender gap in predicted grades raises questions over their use in university admissions Fred LewseyTue, 07/28/2026 - 08:55 A study of more than 350,000 students in England has found that teachers predict higher A-Level grades for girls than boys who go on to achieve the same exam results. The findings raise fresh questions about the role

Cambridge’s Ray Dolby Centre recognised in World’s Most Beautiful Universities List 2026 Stephen BevanMon, 07/27/2026 - 11:24 The new facility's stunning design was celebrated alongside eight other new buildings at universities around the world, including the University of Oxford’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre, and Harvard University’s Da

Professor Helen Wilson appointed Director of the Isaac Newton Institute Anonymous (not verified)Mon, 07/27/2026 - 10:13 The Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences (INI) has announced the appointment of Professor Helen Wilson as its new Director. Having served as chair of the INI’s Scientific Steering Committee, Professor Wilson

Study reveals why DNA damage from smoking and UV rays may cause cancer in some people but not others Craig BrierleyMon, 07/27/2026 - 00:01 The findings could explain why some people are more susceptible to cancer than others in the same environment and suggest that future cancer prevention and screening strategies may need to account more

Scientists solve mystery behind contradictory behaviours of new weight-loss drugs Craig BrierleyFri, 07/24/2026 - 10:00 Published today in Nature Metabolism, the study in mice shows that the answer lies in where the switch is located: stimulating the switch in the brainstem suppresses appetite, while the same effect can be achieved by blo

Leadership skills for disabled young people Paul SeagroveThu, 07/23/2026 - 09:33 The DFN Foundation has a key focus on tackling the disability employment gap by creating more opportunities for young disabled people through high quality education and internships to improve their career prospects and transform life outcomes. Philippa Charle

Cambridge seeks behaviour change expert to tackle climate crisis as first Hatton Professor of Sustainability Anonymous (not verified)Tue, 07/21/2026 - 09:29 The Hatton Professorship of Sustainability, established to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III, recognises His Majesty’s strong connection as an alumnus of Trinity College Ca

The King officially opens Cambridge’s New Whittle Laboratory Anonymous (not verified)Mon, 07/20/2026 - 14:13 He met with researchers, government representatives, and industry leaders from the aviation and energy sectors to find out more about the Laboratory’s mission to shrink the time it takes to develop key technologies in aerospace, en

British Academy elects Cambridge Professors to Fellowship in 2026 Tom Almeroth-W…Fri, 07/17/2026 - 11:15 They are among 92 distinguished scholars to be elected to the fellowship in recognition of their work in fields ranging from the history of race, to bringing human insight into the study and development of AI.The Cambridge academics ma

Sustained global financial instability requires rethink among business leaders, report argues Craig BrierleyFri, 07/17/2026 - 08:00 The whitepaper – Power, Capital and Governance: Leadership in a Fragmented World – provides a clear assessment of the forces reshaping global finance and argues that new ways of leadership, governance and str

Sweeteners shown to slow growth of important gut bacteria in lab tests Craig BrierleyThu, 07/16/2026 - 10:00 The scientists say more research is needed to understand the real-world health impacts of this laboratory study, one of the first to assess the direct impact of sweeteners on gut bacteria, particularly when they are combined with o

FIFA and pop superstars should discount tickets for fans to keep climate costs of ‘mega-events’ down – study Fred LewseyThu, 07/16/2026 - 09:56 The vast majority of carbon emissions caused by “mega-events” such as World Cups and global concert tours come from audience travel, according to University of Cambridge researchers.In a new study

Landmark summit at Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory aims to reignite Britain’s industrial engine in aerospace, energy and defence Anonymous (not verified)Thu, 07/16/2026 - 08:38 Business leaders, senior government and military officials, and top research institutions from across the UK will gather at the University of Cambridge’s Whittle La

Astronomers find nearby planets to be small, strange, and utterly uninhabitable Sarah CollinsWed, 07/15/2026 - 14:53 Discovered in 2025, the four planets orbiting Barnard’s Star are all smaller than Earth and Venus, but larger than Mars – a type of planet not found anywhere in our own Solar System. By analysing the chemical make-up of the

Professor Kamal Munir to return to teaching and research Anonymous (not verified)Wed, 07/15/2026 - 10:23 After five years as Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement, Professor Kamal Munir has decided to conclude his term in the role.  During his tenure, Professor Munir has led a wide-ranging programme of work t