UCL in the media
Why London will always be a global science ‘powerhouse'
Professor Roger Highfield (UCL Chemistry) explains London’s rich global history for ground-breaking scientific research and how academics, such as fellow Professor Peter Coveney (UCL Chemistry) are ensuring its legacy of innovation carries on and thrives in a post-Brexit future.
How the Internet of Things is helping protect London’s ecosystem
Professor Kate Jones (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) discusses how a mass monitoring system that measures London’s biodiversity using acoustic, AI sensors is enabling scientists to detect threats to species and habitats more quickly than ever before.
Listen: BBC World Service ‘Digital Planet’ (from 12 mins 20 secs)
Lightning strike on space rocket not as ‘spectacular’ as it looked
After shocking footage emerged of a Russian Soyuz rocket being hit by lightning shortly after launch, Professor Alan Smith (UCL Space & Climate Physics) explained why lightning strikes “are not particularly threatening to a rocket launch.”
The man who came back from the edge of dementia
Professor Nick Fox (UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL) explains that the vast majority of dementia is “relentlessly” progressive, but that some cognitive problems mimic dementia and may be reversible, leaving no permanent damage to the brain.
Not the best way to assess students’ learning
Michael Rosen cites the ideas of Emeritus Professor Dylan Wiliam (UCL Institute of Education) in support of his argument that Sats are not an effective way to raise standards.
Too much sleep may be bad for your memory
Sleeping for less than seven hours or more than nine hours could adversely affect cognitive performance such as visual memory and reaction time, according to a study by Albert Henry and Dr Victoria Garfield (both UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science).
Why children should be taking a daily dose of vitamin D
The “smartphone and the tablet situation” means children spend an hour less outdoors a day than 10 years ago. To make up for the lack of sunlight, Professor Steve Jones (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) urges everyone, particularly children, to take vitamin D supplements.
Wolfson History Prize nominees discuss their work
Professor Mary Fulbrook (UCL School of European Languages, Culture & Society) discusses her book Reckonings: Legacies of Nazi Persecution and the Quest for Justice, shortlisted for the 2019 Wolfson History Prize.
Humility can make you a better leader
Professor Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) explains why being “slightly under-confident” could help those in positions of authority.
Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Why Factor’ (from 16 mins 46 secs)
Faulty theory of IVF evolution
In a letter to the editor, Professor Joyce Harper (UCL Reproductive Health) says it is scaremongering to suggest IVF is altering evolution by allowing faulty genes to be passed on. She points out many conditions affecting fertility that are not related to genes.