science wire

Consciousness conference opens with free ’expo’ on mysteries of the mind
Consciousness conference opens with free 'expo' on mysteries of the mind An opportunity to explore fascinating aspects of human consciousness is on offer at a free one-day ‘expo' curated by University of Sussex scientists at Brighton's Corn Exchange on 30 June.

Media in mind: Degree show explores life from all points of view
Media in mind: Degree show explores life from all points of view The mysteries of the mind, the plight of migrant workers and the beautiful side of football are some of the inspirations behind this year's media degree show by final-year students at the University of Sussex.

Publish and be damned? Sussex debates the bird flu research controversy
Publish and be damned? Sussex debates the bird flu research controversy Should scientists researching bird flu be censored? That's the question that will be put to a panel of distinguished international experts at a public debate organised by the Centre for Global Health Policy at the University of Sussex.

Massive black holes halt star birth in distant galaxies
Researchers find that massive black holes halt star birth in distant galaxies Massive black holes may exert control over the number of stars formed in the early lives of the galaxies in which they sit, astronomers working with the Herschel Space Observatory have shown in research published in the journal Nature today (10 May 2012).

Sussex mathematician pens a probable winner
Sussex mathematician pens a probable winner A University of Sussex statistician's latest book is likely to be a hit – especially among those keen to understand more about risk and chance.

Radio 4 tribute to Mass Observation’s extraordinary story of everyday life
Radio 4 tribute to Mass Observation's extraordinary story of everyday life A University of Sussex archive devoted to everyday life and opinion as told by ordinary people is the subject of a series of Radio 4 special reports.

Carbon capture and storage shows tough road ahead to realise potential
Carbon capture and storage shows tough road ahead to realise potential Government plans to develop carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to reduce carbon emissions received a cautious welcome today (Thursday, 19 April).

Gravity disturbs bees’ dancing
Gravity disturbs bees' dancing Honey bees that dance to give directions to flowers make more errors when performing horizontally due to gravity, say researchers.

The body beautiful - is it time to cover up? Salon experts debate the beauty ideal in the media
The body beautiful - is it time to cover up? Salon experts debate the beauty ideal in the media Do images of flawless, slim models make us feel bad about ourselves? Should pictures of perfect

New head of migration centre starts work
New head of migration centre starts work The new director of the Sussex Centre for Migration Research, one of the UK's leading research centres on migration, starts work next week (1 April).

The battle of Civvy Street: Falklands memoirs study offers fresh view of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
The battle of Civvy Street: Falklands memoirs study offers fresh view of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder The return home from war is often the beginning of a whole new battle for soldiers and c

Local philanthropists back new Sussex research into ageing and the brain
Local philanthropists back new Sussex research into ageing and the brain East Sussex-based philanthropists Hans and Märit Rausing are supporting new University of Sussex research into ageing and neurodegeneration.

Will supper at Number Ten cost the Conservatives dear?
Will supper at Number Ten cost the Conservatives dear? Political corruption is in the news again this week following revelations in a Sunday newspaper that Conservative Party co-Treasure Peter Cruddas promised donors access to Government policy makers.

Innovative masters degree in multimedia journalism wins professional approval
Innovative masters degree in multimedia journalism wins professional approval A University of Sussex masters degree in multimedia journalism taught by leading researchers and top newsmen from Sky

Shoes could wipe out tropical disease affecting millions
Shoes could wipe out tropical disease affecting millions Wearing shoes could eradicate “in our lifetime” a tropical disease affecting an estimated 4 million people worldwide, according to a medic in the Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS).

Africa research explores the complex influence of changes in climate upon migration
Africa research explores the complex influence of changes in climate upon migration Governments need to take multiple factors into account if they are to plan effectively for population displacement as a result of drought, new research from the University of Sussex reveals. Existing predictions of the number of people likely to be displaced as a result of future climate change events in vulnerable parts of the world don't offer a realistic basis upon which governments and aid agencies can plan appropriately, say the researchers.

Psychologists stake their claim for input into policy
Psychologists stake their claim for input into policy Research by social psychologists could and should play a bigger role in local and national policymaking, say a group of Sussex academics. It is usually economists who receive an attentive hearing from civil servants and ministers, they claim, while experts from social psychology are listened to with half an ear, if at all.

Can we ever ’get real’ ask Sussex scientists
Can we ever 'get real' ask Sussex scientists Sussex researchers will be challenging Brighton Science Festival goers this weekend on their perceptions of reality.

New Sussex research centre examines how to stop corruption
New Sussex research centre examines how to stop corruption What is corruption? What causes it? What can be done about it? These are the key questions being asked by the team of a new research centre at the University of Sussex.

Sussex bees and blooms on BBC Two this evening
Sussex bees and blooms on BBC Two this evening Sussex researchers will be featured on national TV this evening (Wednesday 22 February).

Search begins for adoption expert to lead new centre
Search begins for adoption expert to lead new centre The University has this week begun its search for an expert to lead a new research centre focusing on the major challenges facing adopted children and their families.

Many young people still underestimate how much they drink
Many young people still underestimate how much they drink A new University of Sussex-led study reveals that many young people still lack the knowledge and skills required to follow the government's guidelines for responsible alcohol consumption.

Sussex builds up expertise in modern history of the Middle East
Sussex builds up expertise in modern history of the Middle East The University of Sussex is set to develop its research base in modern Middle Eastern history, with plans for two new lectureships sitting alongside an upcoming professorial appointment.

Benefactors boost Middle East studies at Sussex with funding for research in Israeli history
Benefactors boost Middle East studies at Sussex with funding for research in Israeli history A new Chair in Modern Israel Studies has been created at the University of Sussex, with generous support from major philanthropists.

UniTV’s first live broadcast
UniTV's first live broadcast UniTV broadcast a show live online for the first time as part of the Students' Union's Full-time Officer elections.

Researchers rank best online advice for postnatal depression
Researchers rank best online advice for postnatal depression Researchers at the University of Sussex have identified the top five internet sites offering support for women struggling with postnatal mental illness such as depression or anxiety.

Science writer ’wastes’ time in university library
Science writer 'wastes' time in university library In a book that comes out tomorrow (Saturday 4 February) on National Libraries Day, a local author tells of his frequent research visits to the University of Sussex Library.

New website matches ideas with investors
New website matches ideas with investors A new collaboration between Sussex and four of the south-east's other leading research institutions was launched on Monday (23 January).

History holds key to future energy policy, says report
History holds key to future energy policy, says report Policymakers should look to history to learn how best to tackle the challenges of a low carbon economy, says a new report co-authored by University of Sussex energy analyst Professor Jim Watson.

’Timely and welcome’ report on women’s empowerment presented at the House Of Commons
'Timely and welcome' report on women's empowerment presented at the House Of Commons The Pathways of Women's Empowerment research and programme, headed by Sussex Professor Andrea Cornwall, held

University of Sussex to help developing economies move towards low carbon energy
University of Sussex to help developing economies move towards low carbon energy University of Sussex academics are helping the Government to launch a new network to link British energy experts to those in developing economies.

Guantánamo ten years on - necessity or troublesome legacy?
Guantánamo ten years on - necessity or troublesome legacy? In 2002, the United States of America opened a detention camp at a military base on a part of Cuba.

A click up the Eighties: Archive’s digital project opens up our recent past to a wider audience
A click up the Eighties: Archive's digital project opens up our recent past to a wider audience The words and voices of ordinary people commenting on the extraordinary events of the 1980s as the

Sussex and Cambridge help to share Newton treasures with the world
Sussex and Cambridge help to share Newton treasures with the world The original works of one of the greatest ever scientists – Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) – have been made available to the world online thanks to a special project that involved the University of Sussex.

Political sociologist appointed to head migration centre
Political sociologist appointed to head migration centre The Sussex Centre for Migration Research, one of the UK's leading research centres on migration, will have a new Director from 1 April 2012.

Doctoral researchers reflect on their work
Doctoral researchers reflect on their work A new set of online films will showcase the work of Sussex doctoral students.

Politics and the media - A Fatal Embrace?
Politics and the media - A Fatal Embrace? Professor Tim Bale is one of the panelists who will be talking at the Sussex Salon event at Brighton Dome on Tuesday 6 December.

Research explores relaxed approach to anxious children
Research explores relaxed approach to anxious children Do anxious parents pass on their fears to their children?