UCL in the media
UK science ‘smashed‘ by US and China in priority areas
Dr James Phillips (UCL Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy) co-led a new study which looked at the top 100 academic papers to assess the UK's scientific position and responded to the statistic that the UK produces 13 per cent of highly cited publications.
UK government gambles on carbon capture and storage tech despite scientists’ doubts
“Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is not required if the government moves to renewables as quickly as possible – especially as I am unaware of any CCS that works,” said Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) on the technology at the centre of the “powering up Britain” strategy.
Why the likelihood of getting long Covid depends on if you were obese during the pandemic
Lead author of the study, Dr Charis Bridger Staatz (IOE, UCL's Faculty of Education & Society) said, "The study contributes to prior evidence of the negative consequences that spending long periods in an inflamed state can have for health, including infectious disease outcomes".
Exercise with a buddy. Your brain will thank you for it.
“The finding that exercising with others is better than exercising alone supports the idea that a range of different lifestyle changes are beneficial and that these may work together,” commented Dr Andrew Sommerlad (UCL Psychiatry) on a new study of 4,358 older adults in Japan.
The Scott Trust publishes review into the Guardian’s historical connections with transatlantic slavery
Reverend Professor Keith Magee (UCL Library, Culture, Collections and Open Science) and Professor Matthew Smith (UCL History) will join an advisory panel of experts established by the Scott Trust to guide and review its programme of work on an ongoing basis.
UK scientists urge Rishi Sunak to halt new oil and gas developments
Ahead of the prime minister's anticipated launch of a revised net zero and energy security strategy, Professor Chris Rapley (UCL Earth Sciences) and Professor Mark Maslin (UCL Geography) have warned that there must be no new developments of oil and gas to limit global warming.
Was Stonehenge an ancient calendar?
"Ideas about long-distance links have been around for over a century [but] are not taken seriously anymore," said Professor Michael Parker Pearson (UCL Archaeology) who agreed with researchers who argue there is no good evidence to link Stonehenge and ancient solar cults.
Earliest galaxies challenge ideas about star birth in infant universe
Professor Richard Ellis (UCL Physics & Astronomy) weighs in on the theoretical problem caused by the excess of galaxies in the new-born universe and the possible explanation that the galaxies’ surprising brightness is driven by massive black holes.
Research autopsies reveal how incurable skin cancer resists treatment
A study, co-led by Dr Mariam Jamal-Hanjani (UCL Cancer Institute), has revealed how some skin cancers stop responding to treatment at the end of life. The discovery, scientists say, provides vital clues for developing new treatments for those with a terminal diagnosis.
UK voters want politicians to face stronger checks and balances
Trust in politicians is at a low ebb and the health of the UK democracy matters as much to voters as issues such as crime and immigration, according to a new report led by Professor Alan Renwick (UCL Constitution Unit).