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Researchers extract ancient DNA from a 2,900-year-old clay brick, revealing a time capsule of plant life
Biology Research
22 August 2023
University of Oxford researchers have contributed to the first successful extraction of ancient DNA from a 2,900 year-old clay brick. The analysis provides a fascinating insight into the diversity of plant species cultivated at that time and place, and could open the way to similar studies.
Oxford University-built instrument ready to map water on the Moon
Physics Space
17 August 2023
A thermal imaging camera built by the Department of Physics will form an integral part of NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer mission, scheduled to launch in 2024. This aims to map the distribution of the different forms of water on the surface of the Moon to better understand the lunar water cycle and inform future human missions.
New Earth Sciences study shows how the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is playing an active role in opening the Atlantic
Earth sciences Research
15 August 2023
Plate divergence at Mid Ocean Ridges where new tectonic plates are formed is generally thought to be a passive process dominated by the gravitational pull of subducting plates. However, this new study shows that at some diverging locations this process is likely to be less passive than originally thought.
No evidence for magnetic field effects on fly behaviour
Biology Chemistry Research
9 August 2023
A team including Oxford chemists has shown that influential reports of magnetic field effects on Drosophila (fruit fly) behaviour cannot be reproduced. Drosophila have been widely used as a model organism for studying the mechanism of the magnetic compass sense of migratory songbirds.
From The Conversation: One of 2023’s most extreme heatwaves is happening in the middle of winter
Climate Physics The Conversation
8 August 2023
Matthew Patterson, Postdoctoral Research Assistant in in Atmospheric Physics, discusses the recent extreme heatwave in the Chilean Andes.
Nanopore technology achieves breakthrough in protein variant detection
Chemistry Research
8 August 2023
A team of scientists led by the University of Oxford have achieved a significant breakthrough in detecting modifications on protein structures. The method, published in Nature Nanotechnology, employs innovative nanopore technology to identify structural variations at the single-molecule level, even deep within long protein chains.
From The Conversation: How swarming animals can help humans and AI make better decisions
Biology Maths The Conversation
3 August 2023
Samuel Johhnson, DPhil student in Mathematical Biology in the Mathematical Institute, discusses how research from mathematicians, biologists and social scientists is helping us understand swarming and harness its power.
Engineering scholarship scheme backed by Formula 1 extended for three more years
Engineering Funding
1 August 2023
The University of Oxford will continue to offer Formula 1 Engineering Scholarships to talented undergraduate students from under-represented backgrounds until 2025. The successful scholarship programme sees Formula 1 support two students each year for the duration of their degrees.
Revolutionary new method of analysis boosts UK life sciences sector
Chemistry
31 July 2023
Oxford scientists Professor Philipp Kukura, Professor Justin Benesch, Dr Gavin Young, and Daniel Cole have pioneered a new technique known as mass photometry (MP). MP is a revolutionary new method of analysing molecules. It enables the accurate mass measurement of single molecules in solution, in their native state and without the need for labels. This approach opens up new possibilities for bio analytics and research into the functions of biomolecules, with new applications in the world of gene and cell therapy.
Researchers successfully train a machine learning model in outer space for the first time
Computer science Physics Space
28 July 2023
For the first time, researchers have trained a machine learning model in outer space, on board a satellite. This achievement could enable real-time monitoring and decision making for a range of applications, from disaster management to deforestation.
Science Together celebrates a second successful year of community-led research collaborations
Public Engagement
26 July 2023
Last week, the University of Oxford’s historic Divinity School hosted a special evening event to celebrate the seven new community-led research collaborations formed over the last 12 months through the Science Together engagement programme.
Announcing the winners of the MPLS Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Awards 2023
Award Equality and Diversity
25 July 2023
We are thrilled to announce our winners for the MPLS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awards. Every other year, alternating with the University-wide VC’s Diversity Awards, we recognise staff and students in MPLS who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to advance ED&I within our communities.
Six Oxford Mathematicians and two Theoretical Physicists recognised with Frontiers of Science Award
Award Maths Physics
24 July 2023
Six Oxford Mathematicians and two Theoretical Physicists and their collaborators have been awarded Frontiers of Science Awards for their respective research papers at the inaugural International Congress of Basic Science Conference which took place in Beijing, China.
Professor Frank Windmeijer one of twelve Oxford academics elected 2023 British Academy Fellows
Award Statistics
21 July 2023
Professor Windmeijer is Professorial Research Fellow in the Department of Statistics. His research interests cover micro-econometrics and causal inference, with strong links to epidemiology and biostatistics.
Oxford chemists achieve breakthrough achievement: hazard-free production of fluorochemicals
Chemistry
21 July 2023
For the first time, Oxford chemists have generated fluorochemicals – critical for many industries – without the use of hazardous hydrogen fluoride gas. The team’s innovative method, published this week in the leading journal Science, could achieve an immense impact in improving the safety and carbon footprint of a growing global industry.
From The Conversation: How to make homes cooler without cranking up the air conditioning
Engineering Sustainability & the environment The Conversation
20 July 2023
An overview of options for keeping homes cool in the face of rising temperatures, without defaulting to non-stop air conditioning. By Jesus Lizana (Department of Engineering Science), Nicole Miranda (Oxford Martin School) and Radhika Khosla (Smith School of Enterprise and Environment)
DPhil student selected for Atlantic Council's Women Leaders in Energy and Climate Fellowship
Award Climate Energy Engineering Research Women in science
20 July 2023
Maitha Al Shimmari, a research student in Oxford's Department of Engineering Science, joins the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center's fifth cohort of leading women under the age of 35 in the fields of energy and climate research.
Professor Joe Silk on why we need to go back to the Moon
Physics Space
20 July 2023
One of the most celebrated cosmologists of our time, Professor Joseph Silk (now Emeritus Savilian Professor in the Department of Physics) has made seminal discoveries on the early evolution of the Universe, the nature of dark matter and how we may detect it, and galaxy formation.
James Webb Space Telescope detects interstellar dust grains in the first billion years of cosmic time
Physics Research
20 July 2023
An international team involving four University of Oxford researchers has harnessed the exquisite sensitivity of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to achieve the first precise characterisation of interstellar dust during the early stages of the Universe.
UK in top 10 ‘dangerously unprepared’ for heat, if global 1.5ºC target is missed: Oxford report
Climate Engineering Research
14 July 2023
The UK, Switzerland and Norway top the list of countries heading for dramatic increases in uncomfortably hot days - if temperatures break the international 1.5ºC target, according to new research from Oxford. But, the researchers maintain, such countries are ‘dangerously unprepared’.