UCL in the media
New government "net zero" climate change target has unifying effect
Visiting Professor Tom Burke (UCL Laws) says Theresa May’s stricter climate change target of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 has united trade unions, businesses and activists “at a time when everything is so polarised”.
Listen: BBC Radio 5 Live ‘Breakfast’ (from 1 hr 4 mins & 43 secs)
Orwell Prize to be unveiled at UCL
The winners of the four Orwell Prizes will be unveiled at a ceremony at UCL, home of the Orwell Archives, on Tuesday 25 June.
How AI could improve treatment for MS patients
Dr Parashkev Nachev (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) has led a study using computer algorithms to track hundreds of MRI brain scans in multiple sclerosis patients. AI could improve care for people with MS by detecting their responses to treatments more accurately.
Assessing the UK Treasury’s grasp of climate economics
Professor Michael Grubb (UCL Bartlett School Environment, Energy & Resources) says the Treasury’s predicted cost of over £1tn to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 ignores the effect that economies of scale and industrial innovation have on reducing costs.
School reforms have not bridged gaps in pupils’ attainment levels
Schools have become no more important in accounting for variance in pupils’ academic attainment since the early 2000s despite huge efforts at reform, according to a report co-authored by Professor Alex Bryson and David Wilkinson (both UCL Institute of Education).
Discussing the health benefits of singing
On a radio panel, Dr Daisy Fancourt (UCL Behavioural Science & Health) says scientists only discovered the multi-modal benefits of singing on our mental and physical health in the last two decades and revealed her favourite memories of singing are, “in school during assemblies”.
Why NHS data could potentially form part of post-Brexit US trade deals
Professor Paul Taylor (UCL Institute of Health Infomatics) explains how the anonymised patient health data held by the NHS could be considered public property after Britain leaves the EU and consequently, 'up for grabs’ in any future Anglo-American trade agreements.
Why apps which track your sleep could cause insomnia
Professor Vaughan Bell (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences) argues that worrying about sleep and monitoring it using "poorly designed and tested" smartphone apps could actually have a damaging effect on our sleeping patterns.
How the Grenfell tragedy will shape our cities for generations to come
Two years on from the Grenfell Tower fire, Dr Stamatis Zografos (UCL Bartlett School of Architecture) writes how much remains to be done to improve building safety and ensure justice. Yet the memory is shaping the evolution of our cities in the hope of avoiding future tragedies.
MRI scan to be trialled as test for prostate cancer
A 10-minute MRI scan to spot prostate cancer is being trialled this year. Professor Caroline Moore (UCL Surgery & Interventional Science), who is leading the trial, describes the purpose of the study and Professor Mark Emberton (UCL Medical Sciences) comments on the implications.
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