science wire

Oil expertise centre to boost growth
The University has a central role in a new centre of North Sea oil expertise. The Centre for North Sea Enhanced Oil Recovery with (CENSEOR-CO2) will accelerate development of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Building a unique wave test facility
A new wave tank being built at the University is to aid marine energy developers. The All-Waters Combined Current and Wave Test Facility, under construction at the University's King's Buildings campus, is expected to be completed in summer 2013.

Fashion Show poised to inspire
Inspiration comes from the most unlikely of places in this year's Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show.

Study spots black hole shredding star
University astronomers have helped to gather evidence of a supermassive black hole shredding a star.

Roslin stages art show
Humans and animals have a complicated relationship. Where does the animal kingdom end and the human one begin?

Vets work on mystery of "robotic cats"
Vets are working to find the cause of a neurological condition that has been affecting Scottish cats during the last decade. The cats are believed to have a slowly-progressing neurological disease, with symptoms that include an odd walking gait with a stiff, extended tail. This strange movement has seen the cats dubbed as ‘robotic cats'.

Fashion Show tickets on sale now
Tickets for this year's Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show are now on sale. The University of Edinburgh's Playfair Library will host cutting edge outfits by some of Scotland's finest new design talent from 23-25 May. Nine shows will be held across the three days. Each dramatic multi-media performance will feature outfits from Fashion, Performance Costume, and Textile students We are looking forward to showcasing the exceptional range of work designed and produced by this years graduating cohort in the magnificent Playfair Library.

Supercomputers help explain mass
University researchers have helped use supercomputers to shed light on the behaviour of key sub-atomic particles. The development could help explain why there is almost no anti-matter in the universe. Scientists including physicists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Southampton have reported a landmark calculation of the decay of an elementary particle called a kaon, using breakthrough techniques on some of the world's fastest supercomputers.

Camera sheds light on early Universe
University astronomers are helping to lead a study of how some of the oldest stars in the Universe were formed.

Economy boosted by University creativity
A new study shows that Scotland's economy benefits significantly from the University's commercialisation work.

Image of distant Universe unveiled
University astronomers have produced an image of the sky that penetrates deeper into space and time than before.

£3m cystic fibrosis trial begins
aiming to develop a potentially more efficient delivery method for the gene therapy. This could contribute to an even more effective treatment in the future. The is a group of scientists and clinical teams from Imperial College London, the Universities of Oxford and Edinburgh, Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Lothian.

Nano discs pose potential health risk
A revolutionary material that is used in computer technology could pose health risks to those involved in its manufacture.

Software to chart rise of Empire trade
A study of the rise of the British Empire is likely to show that mass global trading was big business at the time.

Protein study helps superbug battle
Scientists have shed light on the way superbugs such as MRSA are able to become resistant to antibiotics. Researchers have mapped the complex molecular structure of an enzyme found in many bacteria. These molecules - known as restriction enzymes - control the speed at which bacteria can acquire resistance to drugs and eventually become superbugs.

Quantum codes make cloud computing safe
Quantum supercomputers could safely store and manipulate sensitive data, with help from University research.

Anatomy museum opens doors to public
A facial cast of mass murderer William Burke taken shortly before his execution is to form part of an exhibition of medical artefacts.

Antarctic lake study a step closer
A University-led project to explore a subglacial lake in Antarctica has concluded its first phase.

IPad game to help children with autism
Children with autism as young as 18 months could be helped to improve their socialising skills thanks to a new iPad app.

Scientists map frontiers of dark matter
University astronomers have helped to map dark matter on the largest scale ever observed. Their findings reveal the Universe as an intricate web of dark matter and galaxies spanning more than one billion light years.

Ethnic differences for heart disease risk
Scots of Indian and Pakistani origin also have much greater levels of hospital admissions for both conditions than people of white Scottish ethnicity. University researchers found that Sots of Pakistani origin were twice as likely to be admitted to hospital with chest pain compared with white Scots.

Inventor hailed for light bulb wi-fi
A University engineer has been named among the top inventors in the world in high-profile publications.

Shakespeare works on show
An exhibition of rare works by William Shakespeare is illustrating the importance of the bard north of the border.

Scientists develop pioneering telescope
University scientists are helping design and launch a satellite that will map more of the Universe than ever before. The satellite, known as Euclid, will follow on from the Hubble telescope, launched by in 1990. The Hubble broke new ground in space observation and led to many discoveries in our knowledge and understanding of physics.

IT pioneer makes donation to fight autism
A leading UK businesswoman has made a major donation towards autism research.

Divinity appoints first Muslim professor
The University of Edinburgh's School of Divinity has appointed its first Muslim professor. Professor Mona Siddiqui, a regular on BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day, is the new Professor of Islamic and Inter-religious studies at the University.