Category: Technology

Each year, the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) recognises significant achievements in the fields of astronomy and geophysics in a ceremony celebrating different types of talent from research to education and outreach. This year, several STFC researchers have joined the ranks of previous recipients such as Edwin Hubble and Stephen Hawking. The recognised researchers have contributed […]

Artificial intelligence (AI) has progressed at an astounding pace over the last few years. Some scientists are now looking towards the development of artificial superintelligence (ASI) — a form of AI that would not only surpass human intelligence but would not be bound by the learning speeds of humans. But what if this milestone isn’t […]

A new role called ‘project lead’ replacing the principal investigator title is among the changes applied to new funding opportunities in the new UKRI Funding Service from 22 May 2023. Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Executive Chair and Senior Responsible Owner of the Simpler and Better Funding programme Professor Sir Duncan Wingham said: These changes […]

From a flaky skull, found “as flat as a pizza” on a cave floor in northern Iraq, the face of a 75,000-year-old Neanderthal woman named “Shanidar Z” has been reconstructed. With her calm and considered expression, Shanidar Z looks like a thoughtful, approachable, even kindly middle-aged woman. She is a far cry from the snarling, […]

source BMW BMW unveiled a new all-electric SUV and 3 series-based sedan, expected to go into production next year. BMW is shaping up their next-gen electric vehicles, and it looks like they’re expanding beyond just an SUV. source BMW Top Gear reports that alongside the SUV, there will be a sedan joining the lineup. These […]

On May 16 the world will mark the UN International Day of Living Together in Peace. It is a rallying call for people to listen respectfully to others and promote tolerance and understanding. Perhaps someone should tell tech entrepreneurs Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. The online platforms they head up – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X – […]

The way we use and treat land across the UK, especially agriculture and peatlands, accounts for a significant 11% of the country’s total carbon emissions. Restoring peatlands, protecting and restoring woodlands, preventing flooding and encouraging different and sustainable approaches to food production can all help reduce this total. But how solid is our evidence? How […]

If you go to the beach and dip a bucket in the sea, you might at first think it contains lifeless water. But examine that water under a microscope and you will see your bucket contains a universe of microscopic life, in the form of beautiful and fascinating plankton. Plankton are mostly microscopic algae and […]

The next REF will conclude in 2028 and will assess research and impact between 2021 and 2027. The exercise drives research excellence across the UK, provides accountability for public investment in research, and informs the allocation of around £2 billion of block-grant research funding each year. The UK funding bodies are seeking to change the […]

AlphaFold 3, unveiled to the world on May 9, is the latest version of an algorithm designed to predict the structures of proteins – vital molecules used by all life – from the “instruction code” in their building blocks. Predicting protein structures and the way they interact with other molecules has been one of the […]