science wire

Life of Italian mafia to be revealed in city performance
The confessions of a Sicilian mobster are to be exposed in a one-off performance of Dacia Maraini's My Name is Antonino Calderone at the mac next week as part of a three-day ‘Italy and the Mafia' spectacle coming to the city of Birmingham.

‘Picture This #17′ – Ezra Pound by Henri Gaudier-Brzeska, Kettle’s Yard
Jim Ede, creator of Kettle's Yard, acquired the estate of Henri Gaudier-Brzeska after his death and Kettle's Yard now contains one of the largest collections of his work.

Dawkins and Archbishop to discuss origins of nature

Romantic lessons from the Middle Ages
Love is in the air at the Bodleian Library this Valentine's Day, as the stories of epic medieval romances from King Arthur and Guinevere to Tristan and Isolde are on display.

Massacre survivor has arm saved by doctors
A Congolese aid worker who survived a massacre in which seven of his colleagues were killed has had his arm rebuilt in the UK thanks to the plea of a University academic who worked with him.

The Subversive Poetics of Alfred Jarry
Dr Marieke Dubbelboer in the Department of French has recently published a book on Alfred Jarry's experimental and satirical Almanachs du Père Ubu, works which to date have received little critical attention.

All-inclusive or socially exclusive - debate asks ’what’s right for our schools?’

Dickens online after 200 years
First editions by Charles Dickens and other early and rarely seen materials associated with the author will be showcased at a new e-exhibition going online at King's this week, to coincide with the writer's bicentenary.

Pilgrims and Boys arrive at the ADC
Dramatised and adapted by Mike Poulton, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales offers a humours and familiar collection of characters.

BBC Chinese broadcast from Leeds explores the city’s Olympic connection
With Leeds preparing to host the Chinese Olympic team as its training camp for the London Olympics, BBC Chinese will broadcast from the University of Leeds Refectory at 14.00 GMT on Sunday 5 February.

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.

Renowned arts troupe ushers in Chinese New Year

Life extinguished, life rekindled
This year's Darwin Lectures address the theme of life. Tonight's speaker, Cambridge academic Robert Macfarlane, will discuss "Life in Ruins" in art and literature.

Nigerian writer reads new work at University
A leading Nigerian writer is to read from his new collection of short stories at the University of Manchester tomorrow (26 January) Chuma Nwokolo's book, The Ghost of Sani Abacha, deal with the traumas endured by Nigerians following three decades of military rule.

’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

China in perspective
Professor David Goodman, Professor of Chinese Politics at the University of Sydney, will speak about Chinese perspectives on globalisation at Leeds on 1 February 2012.

9/11 spurred thankful end to radical theatre
A study of British contemporary theatre has found that the radicalism of the 1980s and 90s has been largely replaced by small c conservatism.

English Language Teaching author receives honorary degree from Cambridge
Author Ray Murphy has been honoured for his unique contribution to English Language Teaching (ELT) with admission to an honorary Master of Arts (MA) degree by the University of Cambridge, parent institution of his publisher, Cambridge University Press.

University of Glasgow creates world’s smallest Chinese New Year card
It is so small that it cannot be seen by the naked eye – but a tiny Chinese New Year greetings card created by the University of Glasgow represents the huge potential for China to profit from Scottish innovation.

Historian launches project to debate free speech
A research project which invites people to debate global free speech in the internet age is being launched at Oxford University today (19 January 2012).

‘Picture This #13′ Mary Anning’s Ichthyosaur, Sedgwick Museum
Mary Anning's fossil discoveries revealed an 'ancient Dorset', and were influential contributions to the blossoming science of palaeontology during the early 19th century.

Exhibition tells 'a detective story about obsession&apos
An exhibition curated at the Bodleian Library by an English academic and a Music professor uncovers the story behind the largest donation ever made to the library.

University Library’s greatest treasures on show
An unpublished Rupert Brooke poem will sit alongside some of Cambridge University Library's greatest treasures when a free exhibition of highlights from its priceless collections opens to the public today.

New Rector confirmed
Peter McColl has been confirmed as the new Rector of the University. Mr McColl, an alumnus of the University, is a writer, activist and charity worker from Edinburgh.

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

Bodleian Libraries book move completed
The Bodleian Libraries' Swindon Book Storage Facility has taken delivery of its seven millionth book – just over a year after opening its doors.

First Fictions debut features an Ian Rankin premiere

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

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.

Cambridge gives Newton papers to the world
Isaac Newton's own annotated copy of his Principia Mathematica is among his notebooks and manuscripts being made available online by Cambridge University Library.

University poet one of Irish Times top five
06 Dec 2011 A collection of poetry by a creative writing lecturer based at The University of Manchester has been named as one of the top five books of 2011 by a group of top writers in the Irish Times.

Stunning edition of Dickens’ Christmas classic available on iBookstore
05 Dec 2011 An exquisite handwritten edition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, kept at The John Rylands Library, is now available on the iBookstore.

‘Passio’ launched at the University Library
On December 6th a new collection of translations from the work of one of Hungary's greatest poets will be launched at the University Library's West Road building.

Museums to open late on Christmas Light Night

Should the journalist and the MP be friends? University hosts politics and the media debate
Should the journalist and the MP be friends? University hosts politics and the media debate Just how close has the relationship been between politicians and the media in recent times? Shou

Wake-up call for coffee drinkers over caffeine toxicity
One of the largest collections of old Bibles in the UK is currently being showcased at Glasgow's Mitchell Library in an exhibition to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the production of the King James Bible in 1611.

Counting down to Christmas
Forget your supermarket advent calendars this Christmas — The University of Nottingham is launching a free calendar with an interactive twist.

Humanitas Visiting Professors announced

Duchess of Cornwall opens new auditorium at The Queen's College

Manchester talent win Bridport Prizes

Academics shed new light on old links between classical, African and Middle Eastern cultures
Academics from the Universities of Warwick and Oxford have shed new light on the history of interactions between the classical world, Africa and the Middle East.

Interactions between classical, African and Middle Eastern cultures explored
Academics from the Universities of Oxford and Warwick have shed new light on the history of interactions between the classical world, Africa and the Middle East.

Renowned poet publishes first book in English
An anthology of poetry by one of Latin America's most acclaimed writers has for the first time been made available to English speakers thanks to academics at The University of Manchester.

A Clockwork Orange songs to be performed for first time
Five songs written by renowned author Anthony Burgess from his 1969 screenplay of "A Clockwork Orange" are to be performed for the first time at The University of Manchester.

’Natural home for life writing’ launched in Oxford

‘Picture This #10’ – The Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 lines, University Library
The Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 lines is the oldest dated and illustrated Sanskrit manuscript known worldwide.

’Being an outsider made me creative,’ Professor Syal tells audience

Adventures in science writing
For many scientists writing about science either in their spare time or as a career can seem attractive: but what does it take to be a successful science writer?

Most valuable prize for young poets opens for entries

Directors headline fourth annual Cambridge Festival of Ukrainian film

Building projects recognised at Oxford Preservation Trust Awards

Powerful words
Ancient manuscripts that hold important clues to India’s intellectual and religious traditions will be the focus of a new study.

Homerton College hosts myth-busting mission for pupils from Aldershot
Connaught School says "Cambridge University are on a myth-busting mission to find the brightest stars in the state sector, and we're delighted to be on their hit-list".

Alumnus gives £1.4 million for Fitzwilliam College Library & IT Centre
Fitzwilliam College has announced a gift of £1.4 million from alumnus Ken Olisa and his wife, Julia.

Original Lord of the Flies manuscript on display for first time
The original Lord of the Flies manuscript will go on public display for the first time, in an exhibition at the Bodleian Library.

Patagonian poetry comes to Oxford

Creating impact through cultural collaborations
King's has hosted a meeting of minds with some of its key cultural partners to develop new ideas for how the sector can work with the academic community.

A haunted honeymoon tale for Halloween
An award-winning novelist and University of Nottingham lecturer has used her own honeymoon as the inspiration for a new horror novel which has been published in time for Halloween.

Literary detectives unravel famous Ben Jonson mystery
PA 331/11 The amazing chance discovery of a manuscript hidden among papers in an ancient family archive is shedding new light on the legendary career of William Shakespeare's biggest rival, the poet and playwright, Ben Jonson. As portrayed in the new Hollywood Shakespeare movie Anonymous, out in cinemas this Friday 28th October, Jonson was the leading wit of his time and lived a life full of notoriety and intrigue.

Celebrating 400 years of King James Bible
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham is to give the first in a series of free talks at The University of Nottingham's Great Hall to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the King James version of the Bible.

Calling on local childhood memories of street and playground games with a media twist
24 October 2011 Calling on local childhood memories of street and playground games with a media twist Former pupils from Ecclesfield Grammar School in Sheffield, who contributed to a nationa

Meera Syal named Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor

When science meets séance
PA 307/11 Four would-be ghost hunters are being sought to face their darkest fears and spend the evening in one of Nottingham's most notorious haunted venues as part of a live experiment into the paranormal.

Tóibín Hollinghurst event sells out

From Crossroads and the Rag Trade to Made in Dagenham Event celebrates working women on TV
A nostalgia trip celebrating television's portrayal of women in the work place in the 60s and 70s is being laid on by academics from the University of Warwick and De Montfort University.

The Big Draw 2011: the big sketchbook challenge
This year, the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery's Big Draw activity has been inspired by the University's collection of sketchbooks by the artist and art historian Stephen Chaplin (born 1934).

TV historian gives first Mass Observation anniversary lecture
TV historian gives first Mass Observation anniversary lecture A series of five lectures to celebrate Mass Observation's 75th anniversary begins this month with a talk by social historian and best-selling author Juliet Gardiner.

Asia Triennial Manchester 2011

Half price theatre tickets for University staff
TinyHouse Productions are offering University staff discounted tickets for Anthony Neilson's play "Normal" at the Carriageworks Theatre, from Wednesday 28 September to Saturday 1 October.

After 150 years, rebel hymns finally hit right note
A selection from what has been identified by a University of Manchester academic as the only surviving Chartist hymn book is to be performed in public for the first time since 1854.

Leeds premiere for award-winning composer
Her song cycle One Life Stand , with words by poet Sophie Hannah is a response to Robert Schumann's 1840 song cycle Frauenliebe und Leben (A Woman's Life and Loves) .

New Psycholinguistics Research
Cecile De Cat (School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Linguistics and Phonetics) has been awarded Faculty of Arts pump-priming funds for a collaborative pilot study into language processing.

Phonetics Grant Success
Barry Heselwood (School of Modern Languages, Linguistics and Phonetics) has been successful in the Arts and Humanities Research Council Research Networks scheme.

Leeds art libraries on the map
Librarians around Leeds have developed the Art Researchers' Guide to Leeds, a new book that features treasures such as centuries-old sketches of Kirkstall Abbey and photos of the Cottingley Fairies.

Two new books on contemporary German novels, co-edited by Professor Stuart Taberner, just released
The two companion volumes feature articles by Leeds Germanists Professor Frank Finlay, Professor Stuart Taberner, Helen Finch and Karina Berger The Novel in German since 1990 , edited by Stuart Ta

‘Missing’ Renaissance manuscript acquired for Rylands
The University of Manchester's John Rylands University Library has acquired the ‘missing' seventh volume of a celebrated Renaissance manuscript.