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University of Cambridge


Using machine learning to monitor driver ‘workload’ could help improve road safety

Researchers developed an adaptable machine learning algorithm to measure driver 'workload' using driving performance signals, enabling real-time adjustments to in-vehicle systems for enhanced safety and user experience. The system can respond to changes in the driver's behavior, status, road conditions, or characteristics.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalIEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles·DateDec 7, 2023

‘Bone biographies’ reveal lives of medieval England’s common people – and illuminate early benefits system

Researchers analyzed skeletal remains from medieval Cambridge to recreate everyday lives of residents, revealing diet, activities, and bodily traumas. A new study investigates the hospital's inhabitants, showing how a medieval benefits system operated, with selection criteria based on material want, politics, and spiritual merit.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalAntiquity·DateNov 30, 2023

Historical violence in Tasmania: Victorian collector traded human Aboriginal remains for scientific accolades, study reveals

A Victorian collector, Morton Allport, traded human and animal remains from Tasmania for scientific recognition. The research highlights the entwined costs of colonialism with practices of natural history, revealing a 'quid pro quo' arrangement to meet demand for these remains.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalArchives of Natural History·TypeNews article·DateNov 28, 2023

Morphing cones under compression: new research uncovers surprises for soft robotic actuators

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered that conical shells made from soft materials are vulnerable to buckling at much smaller loads than previously predicted. This finding has implications for designing soft robots and mechanisms, as free unclamped edges can weaken thin structures in a surprising manner.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 16, 2023

COVID-19 showed the importance of genomic surveillance – now we need it to help fight antimicrobial resistance, say researchers

Genomic surveillance proved vital in understanding COVID-19 evolution and spread. Researchers now seek its application in fighting antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global challenge. AMR causes substantial sickness and death worldwide, with estimates suggesting it could kill up to 10 million people annually by 2050.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalThe Lancet Microbe·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateNov 14, 2023

It takes a village: Hunter-gatherer approach to childcare suggests that the key to mother and child wellbeing may be many caregivers

Research with contemporary hunter-gatherer societies found infants receive attentive care from up to 15 different caregivers for about nine hours a day. High levels of sensitive care and personal attention are crucial for mother and child wellbeing, supporting maternal care and reducing risks of neglect and abuse.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateNov 13, 2023

Machine learning gives users ‘superhuman’ ability to open and control tools in virtual reality

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed a virtual reality application that allows users to build figures and shapes without interacting with menus. The 'HotGestures' system uses machine learning to recognize hand gestures, providing fast and effective shortcuts for tool selection and usage.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalIEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics·DateNov 7, 2023

Mother Nature knows best when it comes to climate solutions, social media users say

A survey of social media posts suggests that people are more positive about nature-based efforts to protect carbon-storing ecosystems than human technological solutions. The study found that tree-planting solutions, such as afforestation, received the most approval, while geoengineering was associated with negative sentiments.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalGlobal Environmental Change·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 3, 2023

Cancer drug could hold hope for treating inflammatory diseases including gout and heart diseases

Scientists at the University of Cambridge identified a molecule that plays a key role in triggering inflammation in response to harmful materials. The researchers found that inhibiting this molecule, PLK1, can prevent overly aggressive inflammatory responses in conditions like gout and heart diseases.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2023

How new plant cell walls change their mechanical properties after cell division

New plant cell walls exhibit significantly different mechanical properties compared to surrounding parental walls, enabling cells to alter their local shape and influence the growth of plant organs. Researchers have discovered that new cell walls in some plants are 1.5 times stiffer than the parental cell walls.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Risk of premature birth from smoking while pregnant more than double previous estimates

Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth by 2.6 times and small for gestational age by four times. Babies born to smokers are also more likely to have low birth weight, increasing their risk of developmental problems and poorer health in later life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalInternational Journal of Epidemiology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 27, 2023

New vaccine technology could protect from future viruses and variants

A new vaccine candidate has shown protection against a range of coronaviruses, including current and future variants, by targeting the critical regions of the virus that it needs to complete its life cycle. The vaccine technology, developed at the University of Cambridge, aims to provide broad-based protection against emerging viruses.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 25, 2023

Autistic individuals have increased risk of chronic physical health conditions across the whole body

A recent study by the University of Cambridge found that autistic individuals are more likely to experience a broad range of chronic physical health conditions across various organ systems. The research highlights the need for closer monitoring and adaptation of healthcare systems to meet the complex needs of autistic people.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalMolecular Autism·TypeObservational study·DateSep 25, 2023

Conversations with plants: Can we provide plants with advance warning of impending dangers?

Scientists at University of Cambridge create Highlighter tool that uses specific light conditions to activate defense mechanisms in plants, allowing them to 'talk' to humans about impending dangers such as disease outbreaks and heatwaves. The system utilizes optogenetics technology to control biomolecular processes at the cellular level.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023

Discovery could lead to ‘kinder’ treatment for devastating childhood cancer

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to more effective treatments for neuroblastoma, a devastating form of childhood cancer. The new approach uses a combination of two drugs to encourage cancer cells to become normal non-dividing cells, potentially reducing side effects.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 20, 2023

Machine learning models can produce reliable results even with limited training data

Researchers from University of Cambridge and Cornell University have developed a method to build machine learning models that can understand complex equations using far less training data. This breakthrough enables the construction of more time- and cost-efficient models for physics, engineering, and climate modeling applications.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2023

Healthy lifestyle can help prevent depression – and new research may explain why

Research found that a healthy lifestyle involving moderate alcohol consumption, healthy diet, regular physical activity, and frequent social connection can reduce the risk of depression. The study identified seven healthy lifestyle factors linked to a lower risk of depression, with good sleep being the most protective.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Mental Health·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 11, 2023