The science of human touch – and why it’s so hard to replicate in robots

aerogondo2/Shutterstock Robots now see the world with an ease that once belonged only to science fiction. They can recognise objects, navigate cluttered spaces and sort thousands of parcels an hour. But ask a robot to touch something gently, safely or meaningfully, and the limits appear instantly. As a researcher in soft robotics working on artificial […]

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Fossil science owes a debt to indigenous knowledge: Lesotho missionary’s notes tell the story

Dinosaur footprints at Morija, Lesotho, in 1906. The person standing in front of the rock slab covered with tridactyl fossil footprints is not identified. Photos courtesy of the Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution of the University of Montpellier, France , CC BY-NC-SA For over a century, the scientific literature has credited western missionaries with “discovering” […]

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UK’s largest astronomy instrument begins journey to Chile – UKRI

After more than a decade of innovation and collaboration, MOONS (Multi-Object Optical and Near-infrared Spectrograph) departed the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) in Edinburgh. This marks the start of a 7,000 mile journey to the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Paranal site in Chile. Major international milestone Built by an international consortium led by the […]

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UK technologies showcased at STFC DeepTech Catalyst Demo Day – UKRI

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)’s first DeepTech Catalyst Demo Day in London spotlighted some of the UK’s most promising early-stage deep-tech companies. With more than 30 investors in attendance, the event showcased start-ups developing technologies that could support the UK’s competitiveness in areas such as: quantum artificial intelligence (AI) engineering biology space health Through targeted pitches […]

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Guarding Europe’s hidden lifelines: how AI could protect subsea infrastructure

Thousands of kilometres of cables and pipelines criss-cross Europe’s sea floors, carrying the gas, electricity and data that keep modern life running. Yet these critical links lie mostly unprotected. A series of recent incidents, such as the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions, has raised fears that Europe’s underwater infrastructure is becoming a target, and that […]

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UKRI celebrates winners of the KE Awards 2025 – UKRI

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is celebrating the winners of the Knowledge Exchange (KE) Awards 2025. The winners were announced at the Knowledge Exchange UK professional body ceremony that recognises exceptional achievements in knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration across the UK. UKRI is the overarching supporter of the KE Awards. We work with partners nationwide to turn […]

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It’s so hard to resist overspending at Christmas – here’s how to reinforce your willpower

Eterna Images/Shutterstock We often throw caution to the cold, dark wind of December when it comes to spending. The cost-of-living crisis may slip our minds amid the razzle-dazzle of Christmas. We just want a moment to enjoy ourselves, to forget about the winter gloom. It’s natural for us to behave this way. Our brains are […]

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Can entrepreneurship be taught? Here’s the neuroscience

SiljeAO/Shutterstock Despite countless programmes and initiatives, rates of entrepreneurial intention — a marker of how willing people are to start new ventures — remains stagnant. But what if the secrets to entrepreneurial success lie not in textbooks but within the brain itself? Imagine an approach that doesn’t just teach the mechanics of entrepreneurship but actively […]

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Ireland Secures €35m for Cutting‑Edge Digital Infrastructure Under EU Connectivity Scheme

Dublin — 5 December 2025 — Ireland has secured €35 million in European Union funding to accelerate the rollout of next‑generation digital infrastructure, marking a significant boost to national connectivity and technological capacity. The investment, awarded under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), will support high‑performance networks, 5G transport‑corridor pilots and Smart Community initiatives across the […]

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How the ‘hypnagogic state’ of drowsiness could enhance your creativity

Orawan Pattarawimonchai/Shutterstock The Beatles’ song Yesterday was written in what psychologists refer to as the “hypnagogic state”. This is the twilight zone between sleep and wakefulness, when we drowsily linger in a semi-conscious state, experiencing vivid mental images and sounds. Waking up one morning in early 1965, Paul McCartney became aware of a long complex […]

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