UCL in the media
Will we ever have robot carers?
A future of robotic carers may be closer than we realise. Dr Helge Wurdemann (UCL Mechanical Engineering) says the next generation of robots will be made from soft materials to ensure “safe interaction with humans.”
Ban DNA family searches to protect sperm donors?
An academic has suggested genetic matching services should be shut down as they threaten the anonymity of sperm donors. Debbie Kennett (UCL Genetics, Evolution & Environment) says the research “fails to recognise the rights of donor-conceived individuals.”
Music’s positive impact for people with dementia
The BBC series Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure features research by Professor Seb Crutch (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) and his team investigating the impact of music on the brains of people with dementia.
Read: Daily Mirror, More: Times, Daily Telegraph, Radio Times, Daily Telegraph (2), Independent, Evening Standard. Watch: BBC One's 'Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure' (from 12 mins 57 secs), More: BBC One's 'Our Dementia Choir with Vicky McClure' (2) (from 25 mins 13 secs)
Prostate drugs and diabetes
Two commonly used drugs for treating an enlarged prostate may increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes, according to new research led by Dr Li Wei (UCL School of Pharmacy). The risk is modest an extra 16 cases for every 1,000 men treated over 10 years - but nevertheless significant.
Targeted check-ups could prevent heart attacks and strokes
Nearly one in 10 heart attacks and strokes could be prevented at no extra cost if routine check-ups were more targeted, with those at highest risk having more frequent checks, according to a study led by Professor Mika Kivimaki (UCL Epidemiology & Health).
Read: BBC News, More: Telegraph, UCL News. Listen: BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme (from 31 mins 49 secs)
New global testing standards mean revisiting academic rankings
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is looking at expanding how and what it tests. Professor John Jerrim (UCL Institute of Education) writes alongside fellow academics about the opportunities and challenges that putting a new face on PISA will present.
Where you live in your 20s affects when you retire
Dr Emily Murray (UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Public Health) writes about her new research, which shows that the link between local unemployment and retirement age actually depends on where people live as young adults.
David Attenborough should talk about solutions
Dr Peter JS Jones (UCL Geography) co-authors an article suggesting that the BBC and David Attenborough should do more to raise awareness of climate change solutions in the wake of 'Climate Change: The Facts' documentary.
Fewer than 2% of UK children’s authors are people of colour
A study by Dr Melanie Ramdarshan Bold (UCL Information Studies) in partnership with Booktrust has found that only 1.96% of authors and illustrators between 2007 and 2017 were British people of colour, compared to 13% of the population.
Studying laughter is funnier than you might think
Professor Sophie Scott writes for the Guardian on what it’s like to be a brain scientist studying laughter ahead of her event at the Bloomsbury Theatre as part of UCL Culture’s Performance Lab season on 2nd May.