science wire

Two Durham University students who led a mass peace campaign in Northern Ireland are helping to launch a new network for peace across the UK.

Paul D. Murray, Director of the Durham University's prestigious Centre for Catholic Studies at Durham University, gives his reaction to the surprise resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

Narnia, Luke's Gospel and the thoughts of the recently-retired Archbishop of Canterbury are all on the menu for an innovative online discussion among Christians across Britain during Lent.

Birds in Asia may need a helping hand to adapt to climate change, according to scientists. A new study led by Durham University and BirdLife International, shows that many bird species are likely to suffer under future climate change, and will require enhanced protection of important sites, better management of the wider countryside, and in some of the most extreme cases may need to be physically moved to climatically suitable areas to help them survive.

African vultures face an increasing risk of fatal poisoning, according to Durham University research.

A lecturer from Durham University has been awarded a grant for his part in a project that seeks to further our understanding of how the sun works.

Poor mentoring can be worse than no mentoring for vulnerable young people. That's one of the insights for teachers provided by the revamped Sutton Trust-Education Endowment Foundation Teaching and Learning Toolkit launched today. The updated Toolkit, developed by a team of academics at Durham University led by Steve Higgins, shows how schools can best use their resources to provide the biggest possible increases in pupils' learning.

 Professor Richard Davies, Director of Durham Energy Institute, has called for a balanced discussion of hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas, popularly known as fracking.

A British team of scientists and engineers will realise a 16-year ambition to drill through more than 3km of Antarctic ice into an ancient buried lake - and Durham University members of the team are eagerly awaiting the results. The Antarctic team hopes to find signs of life in the water and clues to the Earth's past climate in the mud at the lake floor.

Poor women who drank tea were viewed as irresponsible as whisky drinkers in early 19 th -century Ireland, new research by Durham University has unearthed.

Paralympic gold medallist and Durham student, Lily van den Broecke, has officially opened the Durham University neuroimaging centre at The James Cook University Hospital.

New East Wing is part of £22m investment in Durham University's modern and historic libraries Bill Bryson returns to Durham University today, November 27, to rename the main library and open its new wing.

Researchers designing and testing the 'classroom of the future' have found that multi-touch, multi-user desks can boost skills in mathematics.

A research consortium led by Durham University has won government and industry funding to develop a novel technique using cosmic rays for monitoring storage sites for carbon dioxide (CO2).

The Classic Maya culture thrived in rainy times and then collapsed in turmoil as the weather turned to drought, according to new research. An international project including Durham University and led by researchers from Pennsylvania State University, USA, and ETH Zurich, Switzerland, has created a precisely-dated record of rainfall from cave deposits in the Classic Maya region, and compared it to a 'war index' of hostile events recorded on stone monuments.

The impact of climate science research on society depends on the public's use of key expressions on the topic, according to new research from Durham University's Tipping Points project , published today in the scientific journal PLoS ONE.

A year of monitoring the biodiversity of the Durham University Campus has revealed the rich diversity of wildlife that shares the University grounds with staff and students.

Durham University has joined other members of the scientific community in signing up to a national pledge of openness in animal research, launched at London's Royal Society today.

A high-tech instrument led by Durham University could soon answer some of the key questions about the beginnings of the Universe and the formation of its first stars and galaxies.

Durham University honours Professor Peter Higgs at Ogden Centre's 10th Anniversary The Ogden Centre, Durham University's internationally-renowned site for researching fundamental physics, marked its

Durham University expert comments on GCSE exam changes A Durham University expert has called for more discussion on examination systems before the government introduces changes to GCSEs for 16-year-olds.

Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah Middle East security research programme launches at Durham University Durham University has welcomed HH Sheikh Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah of Kuwait, Professor Rasha al-Sabah, and a delegation of guests to mark the UK launch of a new international research programme.

British team set to embark on ambitious Antarctic mission to sample ancient buried lake After 16 years of planning the countdown is on for one of the most ambitious scientific missions to Antarctica and Durham University experts are awaiting the results with great interest.

Research shows why people choose woodland burials as Britain's newest site opens Environmental worries, giving something back to nature and reducing the burden on families are factors behind why people choose natural burials, according to a new study by Durham University.

Research shows why more people are choosing woodland burials as Britain's newest burial site launches Environmental worries, giving something back to nature and reducing the burden on families are factors behind why people choose natural burials, according to a new study by Durham University.

Landslides kill ten times more people across the world than was previously thought, according to research by Durham University, UK.

Rape, domestic violence and stalking not taken seriously enough by police, according to survey Women do not think the police take rape, domestic violence and stalking as seriously as they should do, according to research by Durham University. The study found that only half the women would definitely report domestic violence if it happened to them.

Allowing podiatrists to prescribe medicines will help provide "an enhanced level of care" to patients, according to a leading UK podiatry spokesperson and Durham University expert.

The Minister of State for Universities and Science visited Durham University to see for himself some of the most interesting and innovative projects currently being undertaken at the University's wor

Durham University student and rowing cox Lily van den Broecke has been selected to represent Team GB at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The rousing song Jerusalem and other musical classics have been recorded for the first time as they were originally conceived nearly 100 years ago, following work by a Durham University expert.