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When you bury family members in a cemetery, you expect them to stay there. Not so 200 years ago, however, when body snatchers prowled the nation's burial grounds looking for subjects. An acute shortage of bodies eligible for dissection by student doctors in the late 17th century drove this cottage industry until the Anatomy Act of 1832, when dead bodies of all the unclaimed poor could legally

Newton Institute Web Seminars: newton.ac.uk/webseminars Cambridge University Science Festival lecture on Saturday 25 March 2011. Viruses, such as hepatitis and the common cold, have highly ordered protein containers that encapsulate the viral genomic material. They act as Trojan horses, transporting the genomic material inside a cell to hijack the cellular mechanism and produce new viruses.

In the first round of the French Presidential election, Centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le Pen progressed to the runoff on 7 May, notwithstanding neither candidate having the backing of the traditionally powerful parliamentary parties. Will the new French President be hamstrung in power if she or he does not obtain a majority in the parliamentary elections of June

In Re J (Children) [2013] UKSC 9 the Supreme Court considered a child protection case involving a mother who had previously been suspected of causing significant harm to her child, and was now looking after different children in a new relationship. Brian discusses the implications of the case and analyses the Court's attempts to balance non- intervention into family life with child protection.

This is a computer generated image from a clinical medical CT scan of the head. Generating such an image involves in-house software implementing technology spanning many years of research. Both skin and bone surfaces are extracted from the data using a technique designed specifically for high quality medical visualisation. The outer skin surface is displayed transparent and the skull surface is

Forests burn, glaciers melt and one million species face extinction. Can we humans save the planet from ourselves? In a new film, alumni Sir David Attenborough and Dr Jane Goodall DBE, and leading Cambridge University researchers, talk about the urgency of the climate crisis – and some of the solutions that will take us towards zero carbon. If we are to avoid climate disaster we must sharply

"We wonder if we have the adequate tools to meet the new challenging demands that generative AI content presents." In this year of multiple general elections worldwide and the proliferation of generative AI use, Professor Gina Neff considers how we can encourage the best kind of behaviours so that democracies can thrive. ️ What is at stake for the UK General Election? In this new video series,

Welcome (or welcome back) to Mind Over Chatter, the Cambridge University Podcast. One series at a time, we break down complex issues into simple questions. In this third series, we’re talking all about Health. We’ll be exploring both physical and mental health, and we’ll discuss causes, treatments and preventions for issues like dementia, cancer, infectious diseases and obesity. We’re

Scientists have for the first time witnessed the mechanism behind explosive energy releases in the Sun's atmosphere, confirming new theories about how solar flares are created. New footage put together by an international team led by University of Cambridge researchers shows how entangled magnetic field lines looping from the Sun's surface slip around each other and lead to an eruption 35 times

Shankar Balasubramanian’s diary records 26 August 1997 as the day of “The Solexa Idea!” Sitting in the beer garden of the Panton Arms in Cambridge, he and David Klenerman sketched out their plans to watch DNA polymerase as it assembled the building blocks of life. Their ideas were progressing fast – and with them, something even more exciting. They realised that if they could watch the

Atomic-level engineering is at the forefront of modern, greener jet engine design. The increasing demand for more people to fly while reducing carbon emissions is one of the greatest aeronautical engineering challenges. Efficiency requires engines to run hotter and faster, but the best materials are already running close to their limits. At the Cambridge Rolls-Royce UTC, we design metal alloys

Best-selling author Tara Westover (https://www.gatescambridge.org/about/news/what-does-it-mean-to-be-educated/) , researcher Aliya Khalid (https://www.gatescambridge.org/about/news/how-mothers-affect-their-daughters-education/) and Thabo Msibi (https://www.gatescambridge.org/about/news/thabo-msibi-south-africa/) Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal

"The type of content that is more likely to go viral is the type that dunks on the other side." Professor Sander van der Linden warns of the steep increase of polarising content on our news and social media feeds during elections. This could lead to a rise in the spread of disinformation, leading to decreased trust in democracy. ️ What is at stake for the UK General Election? In this new video

Learn more about the exhibition here: https://bit.ly/IslandersShorthand @FitzMuseum presents a free, new exhibition exploring ancient Mediterranean island cultures.

Dr Amy Milton from Cambridge’s Department of Psychology relates how Requiem for a Dream, Hubert Selby’s bleak portrayal of drug addiction, motivated her to dedicate her academic career to finding treatments for addiction. Here she talks about this favourite book as part of ‘Novel Thoughts’, a series exploring the literary reading habits of eight Cambridge scientists. From illustrated

Dr Juliet Foster’s ongoing fascination with the portrayal of mental illness in literature was triggered by reading The Madness of a Seduced Woman by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer. Today she carries out research in Cambridge’s Department of Psychology. Here she talks about this favourite book as part of ‘Novel Thoughts’, a series exploring the literary reading habits of eight Cambridge

Footage of African greater honeyguide killing newly hatched foster sibling. For more info visit: www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/natural-born-killers

Having decided to become a doctor at the age of 10, Professor Carol Brayne’s love of the novels of Charles Dickens and George Eliot fired up her determination to tackle social inequalities in healthcare. Today she is Director of the Cambridge Institute of Public Health. Here she talks about this favourite book as part of ‘Novel Thoughts’, a series exploring the literary reading habits of

As a child, Dr Paul Coxon from Cambridge’s Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, was fascinated by the madcap inventions of the boy hero in Jan Wahl’s SOS Bobomobile (illustrated by Fernando Krahn) – and he still likes to tinker with his own inventions in the lab today. Here he talks about this favourite book as part of ‘Novel Thoughts’, a series exploring the literary reading

The episode explores the topic of extreme weather and its impact on communities and asks: What does extreme weather mean for us? The speakers highlight the importance of connecting research to real-world impacts and the need for collective action. They discuss the devastating losses of climate disasters, the challenges of adaptation and the power of nature. They also emphasise the importance of

As a mineral scientist, Professor Simon Redfern from Cambridge’s Department of Earth Sciences travels widely, and likes his visits to be about more than just the rocks. A recent trip to Kazakhstan was enlivened by reading Jamila by Chinghiz Aitmatov, a novella set in post-war Soviet Kyrgyzstan, on the borders of Kazakhstan. Here he talks about this favourite book as part of ‘Novel Thoughts’,

Karen Yu’s growing love of science as a young girl was galvanised by reading the novelisation of the Star Wars movies (Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker by George Lucas). Her desire to build her own fusion reactor eventually morphed into a PhD in industrial photonics, using lasers for nanoscale manufacturing (if not for lightsabers), at Cambridge’s Department of Engineering.

Cambridge is on the road looking for new undergraduates. Take a look at what A-Level students from Newcastle made of the events held at St James' Park.

Professor Clare Bryant from Cambridge’s Department of Veterinary Medicine explains how reading AS Byatt’s Possession at a crucial point in her early career reminded her of the excitement of research and persuaded her not to turn her back on her life as a scientist. Here she talks about this favourite book as part of ‘Novel Thoughts’, a series exploring the literary reading habits of eight

Learn more about STEMing Africa here: https://stemingafricainitiative.wordpress.com Valentina Ndolo acquired new software skills during her PhD at Cambridge University that has allowed her to better map the spread of anthrax in East Africa.

The Vice-Chancellor marks the start of the new academic year this morning with a live annual address to the University community.

As a national vaccination programme begins in the UK’s fight against COVID-19, we look back to 1950s America when a group of teenagers (and Elvis) inspired a fresh look at pro-vaccine public health information. Vaccination programmes are considered to be one of the greatest public health achievements in history. Yet recent years have seen a rise in vaccine-preventable diseases like measles as a

Get an insider's view of the Fitzwilliam Museum's new-look Greek & Roman gallery with curator Lucilla Burn and classics professor Mary Beard, as they discuss what went on behind the scenes of the recent redisplay, and reveal some of the untold histories behind these incredible ancient objects.

What has the ERC ever done for us? Prof Ruth Cameron (Materials Science and Metallurgy) explains how an ERC grant allowed her team to develop a new biomedical technology.

From the collections at the Zoology Museum in Cambridge, marine biologist Dr Helen Scales and author of the new book The Brilliant Abyss, illuminates the majesty and marvels of the deep sea. The deep is the single biggest habitable space on the planet and home to fantastic creatures that have evolved unique ways to survive in extreme conditions of super-high pressure, little food or company, and

Cambridge University has produced a series of films about five of this year’s Pilkington Prize winners. These films go behind the scenes to show Cambridge teaching in action as well as inviting winners to explain their passion for teaching and reveal some of their trade secrets. The films feature Lecturer in German Thought, Martin Ruehl; Physics Lecturer Lisa Jardine-Wright; Sociologist Mónica

The Vice-Chancellor marked the start of the new academic year this morning by giving his annual address to the University in the Senate House.

A new controller device that greatly improves the ease of use of 3D medical imaging workstations has been developed at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke's Hospital.

In a new film, leading Cambridge University researchers discuss the far-reaching advances offered by artificial intelligence – and consider the consequences of developing systems that think far beyond human abilities.

Former Oxfam CEO, Dame Barbara Stocking (Murray Edwards, New Hall 1969), talks Dome Life with current student, Bethany Evans. Watch the sneak preview here.

Sir David Attenborough and BBC presenter Iolo Williams introduce ‘The Evidence Effect’, a film about a conservation revolution that’s helping to protect biodiversity across our planet. We face both the ‘sixth mass extinction’ of biodiversity and an ‘evidence emergency’ stopping us from conserving it in the way we need for the future of the planet. But change is afoot. A new approach

The discovery of a way to measure longitude revolutionised long-distance sea travel forever, but the institution which made it happen has all but disappeared from memory. Now researchers led by Professor Simon Schaffer are launching a new project to remember the Board of Longitude and tell its remarkable story in full for the first time.

A new Cambridge University study has found that wild honeyguide birds prefer to cooperate with people who have learned local cultural traditions, to find and access honey-filled bees’ nests.

Entomics Biosystems, a company set up by a group of Cambridge students, is developing a sustainable feed of the future – based on maggots and food waste.

Asian elephants are able to recognise their bodies as obstacles to success in problem-solving, further strengthening evidence of their intelligence and self-awareness, according to a new study from the University of Cambridge.

Newnham College student Saffia Mahmoud uses vlogging to 'big up' the Islamic Society of Cambridge for helping her settle into her new life on campus.

The Vice-Chancellor marked the start of the new academic year this morning by giving his annual address to the University in the Senate House. www.cam.ac.uk/consultation

New research led by Gates Cambridge Scholar Alison Greggor, shows urban birds are less afraid of litter than their country cousins. It suggests they may learn that it is not dangerous and shows how some animals can learn to adapt to human-dominated environments.

Researchers discover novel trapping mechanism for Nepenthes gracilis pitchers. During heavy rain, the lid of Nepenthes gracilis pitchers acts like a springboard, catapulting insects that seek shelter on its underside directly into the fluid-filled pitcher, new research has found. The findings were published today, Wednesday 13 June, in the journal PLoS ONE.

The House of Lords Reform Bill, which is currently before Parliament, is the latest of many attempts to reform the upper chamber of the UK Parliament. It is over a hundred years since the enactment of the Parliament Act 1911, which changed the balance of power between the Lords and the Commons, but which was intended only as a stopgap measure pending the transformation of the Lords into an

Join us for the premiere of An Everyday Family Practice, written by Patrick Morris, Co-Artistic Director of Menagerie Theatre Company. This touching, darkly humorous and at times challenging drama explores the impact on a family of a diagnosis of terminal illness. An Everyday Family Practice is an original short play, devised, filmed and premiered at the 2021 Cambridge Festival. Go to

Ground-breaking new sensing technologies in the world's first 'smart tunnel' are providing engineers with an inexpensive and efficient method of monitoring, maintaining and protecting the UK's infrastructure, now and well into the future.

The suitably sci-fi autonomous vehicle is a 12-seater shuttle, developed by engineering firm Aurrigo and Smart Cambridge, a workstream of the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP). Read more here: https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/universitys-expertise-advises-on-west-cambridge-site-trial-of-self-driving-shuttle

An international team of astronomers has found a pulsating, dead star beaming with the energy of about 10 million suns. This is the brightest pulsar – a dense stellar remnant left over from a supernova explosion – ever recorded. http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/astronomers-discover-the-mighty-mouse-of-stellar-remnants