news from the lab
news 2013
news 2012
news 2008
news 2010
news 2011
▌
news 2009
Birmingham Physicists’ Hopes for First Particle Collisions - 25.11.09
Cash Counts for Nothing in PCT Performance - 5.8.09
Chemical commonly used in rubber product manufacture may cause cancer - 24.1.09
Dormant Virus Causes Cancer - 13.3.09
Engineers Invent New Process to Make Foundries Greener - 18.3.09
Fit to Fight Flu: Birmingham Women Needed for Exercise and Immunity Study - 20.5.09
Molecular Discovery Could Point the Way to New Treatment for Androgen Excess - 28.5.09
New Hope for Stroke Patients - 3.11.09
New Study Elaborates Relationship between Marketing Research and Technology - 16.3.09
Omega-3 research sheds light on inflammation trigger - 25.8.09
Researchers to Discover how Nanoparticles Affect Health and the Environment - 14.1.09
Research uncovers target for safe and effective drugs to prevent heart attack-causing blood clots - 12.3.09
Salmonella Breakthrough Offers Hope for Vaccine - 16.7.09
Scientists Celebrate First Physics Results from the LHC - 1.12.09
Scientists Solve Poppy Puzzle with New Gene Discovery - 1.6.09
Social deprivation increases risks of death after heart surgery - 3.4.09
Survey to Discover What Life with Coeliac Disease is Really Like - 30.9.09
Tamiflu proves no defence against swine flu virus - 9.12.09
Treatment to open blocked kidney arteries shows no real benefit to patients - 12.11.09
’Trojan Horse Trick’ as the cause of a fatal fungal outbreak in humans - 7.8.09
UCLA scientists find molecular switch to prevent Huntington’s disease in mice - 24.12.09
Volunteers needed to test weighty matters - 4.2.09
Risk with obesity may be greater than previously thought - 23.12.09
New human reproductive hormone could lead to novel contraceptives - 22.12.09
Seven European Research Council Advanced Grants for UCL - 21.12.09
SEK 100 million for Swedish Brain Power - 21.12.09
UN report highlights Plymouth's climate change research - 20.12.09
Astronomers find world with inhospitable atmosphere - 17.12.09
Marking of tissue-specific genes in embryonic stem cells crucial to ensure proper cell function - 17.12.09
Discovery of 4.4 million-year-old "Ardi" named Breakthrough of the Year - 17.12.09
Gene variant connected with lung function and risk of COPD - 17.12.09
LHC sets new world record - 1.12.09
Scientists Use Light to Map Neurons’ Effects on One Another - 17.12.09
Predicting Insurgent Attacks with a Mathematical Model - 16.12.09
Oldest case of leprosy found in 1st century tomb - 15.12.09
Informal social networks better at encouraging Hispanics to prepare for disasters, study finds - 15.12.09
Cancer diagnosis increases the risk of suicide and cardiovascular disease - 15.12.09
More Powerful and Environmentally-Friendly Computers - 14.12.09
New genes for lung disease discovered - 13.12.09
Thirsty plants send emergency calls - 10.12.09
Newly discovered mechanism by which blood clots form - 10.12.09
Leading academic granted esteemed fellowship - 8.12.09
Social scientists build case for 'survival of the kindest' - 8.12.09
UCLA researchers demonstrate that stem cells can be engineered to kill HIV - 7.12.09
Most runaway teens return home with help of family ties, study finds - 4.12.09
Parental monitoring key to reducing behavior problems in teens with HIV-positive mothers - 4.12.09
No connection between increased cell phone usage and change in brain tumor incidence - 4.12.09
Scientists discover gene module underlying atherosclerosis development - 4.12.09
Weight-loss proves effective cure for sleep apnoea - 4.12.09
Researchers Demonstrate a Better Way for Computers to ’See’ - 3.12.09
 

Business and Economics
Engineering Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Medicine and life sciences
Natural sciences

From backbench to lab bench

8 April 2009

Linda Gilroy MP will be swapping legislation for a lab coat, when she visits the University of Plymouth on Wednesday 15 April as she joins psychology academic, Jeremy Goslin as part of a unique 'pairing' scheme run by the Royal Society - the UK national academy of science.

During her visit, Linda Gilroy MP will get a hands-on insight into the research being conducted at the University. She will start her day by taking part in a staff forum to discuss the future of research at the University and its integration within the local and wider community, before moving on to the School of Psychology where she will observe demonstrations by world-class researchers investigating social, visual and developmental aspects of the discipline. Finally Linda will explore why language abilities improve with age, but other functions such as memory decline, as she takes part in an electrophysiological brain imaging experiment, preparing and recording actual brain waves from a research volunteer.

Related Stories
Psychology
Thrill of victory: Success among many feels better - 18.06
How similar are the gestures of apes and human infants? More than you might suspect - 06.06
Pupil wellbeing falls foul of testing ‘obsession’ - 30.05 Pupil wellbeing falls foul of testing ‘obsession'
Don’t (use the term) ’panic’, say psychologists - 23.05
BBC broadcaster gives media tips to Sussex psychologists - 21.05 BBC broadcaster gives media tips to Sussex psychologists
Married Penn State Guggenheim Fellows a rarity - 21.05

Ahead of her visit, Linda Gilroy said; "I am excited for this opportunity to have an inside look at the research being done at the University of Plymouth. It's an excellent opportunity and together with Goslin's visit to Parliament last year, this programme helps make connections between scientists and Members of Parliament that will help with science policy. Goslin's area of research is one which compliments one of my key areas of interest in policy affecting older people."

Jeremy Goslin has already spent a week in the Houses of Parliament as part of the pairing scheme's 'Westminster Week'. This provided Goslin with a 'behind the scenes' insight into how science policy is formed as well as an understanding of the working life of an MP; "It revealed the level of demand for a politician's time, with many worthy causes lobbying for attention - in this environment it can be understood why scientific understanding can be lost or misheard. However it has shown me the methods and organisations that are key to helping scientists speak with greater clarity and volume, to correctly inform parliament of current scientific opinion. This should hopefully ensure that the science conducted with public money will be of greater benefit to society."

The Royal Society's MP-Scientist pairing scheme aims to build bridges between parliamentarians and some of the best scientists in the UK. It is an opportunity for MPs to become better informed about science issues and for scientists to understand how they can influence science policy. Over 150 pairs of scientists and MPs have taken part in the scheme since it was launched in 2001.

ENDS