All entries for October 2009

Fingerprint Technology Beats World’s Toughest Tests…Including 100s of Builders’ Thumbs

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/british_fingerprint_technology/

Technology developed by the University of Warwick that can identify partial, distorted, scratched, smudged, or otherwise warped fingerprints in just a few seconds has just scored top marks in the world’s two toughest technical fingerprint tests. The technology is also being rapidly taken up by the UK building trade who are delighted to have fingerprint technology which can cope with the often worn and ravaged builders’ thumbprints.

Eleanor Lovell : 26 Oct 2009 10:08 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Unusual metals could forge new cancer drugs

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/unusual_metals_could/

Drugs made using unusual metals could form an effective treatment against colon and ovarian cancer, including cancerous cells that have developed immunity to other drugs, according to research at the University of Warwick and the University of Leeds.

Eleanor Lovell : 19 Oct 2009 10:05 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Australian Science Minister Visits Warwick – key partner of Australia’s Monash University

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/australian_science_minister/

Kim Carr the Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is visiting the University of Warwick campus on Thursday 15th October.

: 15 Oct 2009 12:10 |  Tags: Press Releases Research Warwick |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Over half of cot deaths occur whilst co–sleeping

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/over_half_of/

More than half of sudden unexplained infant deaths occur while the infant is sharing a bed or a sofa with a parent (co-sleeping) and may be related to parents drinking alcohol or taking drugs, suggests a study co-authored by the University of Warwick.

: 14 Oct 2009 11:39 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Premium car research & cow dung point to new high tech disease diagnosis

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/premium_car_research

Dr Mark Pharaoh (left) Dr Ramesh P Arasaradnam (Right)Research at the University of Warwick have taken high tech gas sensors normally used to test components for premium cars and applied the same techniques to human blood, human urine, and even cow dung samples from local cow pats. The results could lead to a new high tech medical tool that could provide a fast diagnosis for some of the most difficult gastrointestinal illnesses and metabolic diseases.

Eleanor Lovell : 12 Oct 2009 11:06 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Blue Peter Badges Made From Eco Friendly Racing Car Technology

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/blue_peter_badges

Researchers at the University of Warwick will be appearing on the BBC’s Blue Peter show on Tuesday 13th October to demonstrate their eco friendly “WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car” which can be powered by chocolate, steered by carrots, and has bodywork made partly from potatoes. They will be seen surprising the Blue Peter presenters with specially made high tech Blue Peter badges which use the same eco friendly materials as the racing car.

Eleanor Lovell : 12 Oct 2009 11:00 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

African maths teachers learn from Coventry schools

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/african_maths_teachers/

Four teachers from South Africa received a warm welcome to Warwick this week, as they embarked on a two-week programme to experience teaching practices in the UK.

The teacher exchange forms part of a wider project named ‘Warwick in Africa’, originating in 2006 when the University of Warwick sent 12 maths students to teach in suburban and township schools across Johannesburg with the aim of making a positive contribution in Africa. The scheme has proved such a success that last year organisers decided to bring a group of African educators over to Britain to learn British methods of teaching.

This year’s participants, Mr Frank Phalane, Ms Phumzile Mthiyane, Ms Palesa Mazibuko and Mr Elliot Banda, all teach maths to secondary school pupils in Johannesburg and are hoping to take a wealth of educational knowledge and experiences away with them.

Mr Elliot Banda said: “We are all delighted to be able to take part in the Warwick in Africa teacher exchange programme. We hope to learn new methods of teaching Maths during our time here, which can be shared with our colleagues and learners back in South Africa.

“We want to explore the English curriculum as compared to the South African one, and have already noticed that there are new topics in our curriculum which have been taught for many years in England.

“We have had very useful discussions with teachers in local primary schools and academics from the University of Warwick, and have experienced first-hand how teachers use advanced technology to help them teach (including, interactive whiteboards, laptops and projectors, etc).”

During the programme, the four teachers will spend time visiting a number of local schools including, Grange Farm Primary School, Coundon Court School, Finham Park School, Westwood School, Tudor Grange School and Caludon Castle School.

But it is clear that the project would not be able to go ahead if it wasn’t for the continued generosity and financial support from friends and alumni of the University, companies, foundations and trusts.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Nigel Thrift said: “The first year’s work was funded entirely by the philanthropic support of alumni and friends of the University of Warwick, and one donor in particular.

“With extra funding secured from the Barclays Capital Foundation in 2007, Warwick managed to double the number of students we sent to South Africa and gathered the resources to expand beyond South Africa to send a group of students to teach in the schools of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We now bring teachers from South Africa over to Britain to experience UK teaching.

“This project reaffirms Warwick’s commitment to access to education and its international vision. Assisting the education of school children in South Africa in this way means Warwick can really make a difference.”

Notes to editors

• The ‘Warwick in Africa’ teaching project has been set up to enable University of Warwick students who have completed their teacher training or taken part in the Student Associate Scheme in the Warwick Institute of Education to teach maths in schools in Africa. In 2009, for the fourth consecutive year, maths and science students from the University of Warwick will work in schools in Alexandra and Soweto

• The four teachers will be at University of Warwick between 27th September and 10th October 2009

• Activities include the following: visiting schools for 11 – 18 years old in the vicinity of the University to look at the UK National Curriculum for maths, resources and teaching methods, holding discussions with staff and pupils and observing lessons; seeing how maths teachers are trained in the UK; visiting primary schools to look at the primary curriculum for maths and how it feeds secondary curriculum to ensure effective transition from primary to secondary education; meeting faculty staff in the Institute of Education to discuss teaching methods; meeting staff from the Mathematics Institute with specialisms in teaching; meeting staff from the wider university community; and cultural activities including visiting the theatre, historic buildings etc

• Funding for the programme comes from friends and alumni of the University of Warwick and various companies, foundations and trusts including, Barclays Capital and the ExPat Foundation. Anyone wishing to make a donation should contact Mary McGrath via email at: mary.mcgrath@warwick.ac.uk

• Further information on ‘Warwick in Africa’ can be found at: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/alumni/giving/vision2015/responsibility/africa/

For further information please contact:

Natalie Field, Assistant Press Officer

Communications Office, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW

Email: natalie.field@warwick.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)24 7657 5601 Mobile/Cell: +44 (0)7824 541 142

: 07 Oct 2009 11:05 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

UK’s first ever Senior Fellow charged with bringing philosophy to the public announced

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/uk146s_first_ever/

The University of Warwick has created the first ever UK “Senior Fellow in the Public Understanding of Philosophy”, charged with bringing philosophy to as wide an audience as possible in Britain and beyond.

Eleanor Lovell : 06 Oct 2009 11:25 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Duke of York marks start of new Warwick & Singapore neuroscience partnership

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/duke_of_york/

His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew, The Duke of York joined a signing cweremnt today, October 2nd, to make the start of a new neuroscience research partnership between Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and the UK’s University of Warwick.

Eleanor Lovell : 02 Oct 2009 14:02 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

£1m award to address honeybee decline

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/newsandevents/pressreleases/1631m_award_to/

Scientists at the University of Warwick and Rothamsted Research have been awarded £1 million by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) in partnership with Syngenta, to research the decline of honeybees.

Eleanor Lovell : 01 Oct 2009 12:20 |  Tags: Press Releases |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem