5 Feb 2018

Paint with your eyes, talk with your knees

Can you paint with your eyes? Can you talk with your knee? How can computer vision help us to communicate? Experts from the University of Dundee will help answer these questions on February 10 at the National Museum of Scotland as part of the museum’s Science Saturdays programme. The University is among the world’s leading centres for research into augmentative and alternative communication technologies for people with severe communication difficulties. In helping develop new tools and technologies, researchers are addressing some of the basic challenges of communication. “Our wor...

5 Feb 2018

‘Myth-busting the Generational Divide’ – Dundee Arts Café on 6 February

The University of Dundee’s Dr Beverley Searle will examine the evidence for and against an economic generational divide at the latest Dundee Arts Café event tomorrow. The idea of a divide, where one generation is pitched against another, has emerged in the media and policy discussions. A popular argument is that Baby Boomers, who have benefited most from public welfare and economic prosperity, should now be giving some of their gains back to help younger generations, particularly Millennials. But is this generational divide a reality or a political smoke screen that emerges during times of e...

2 Feb 2018

A decade of cancer prevention – what has emerged?

Billions of pounds have been spent on identifying modifiable factors that increase the risk of cancer. In theory it should be money well spent but only if we act upon the evidence to support people to have healthier lifestyles. To mark World Cancer Day, Scotland’s leading experts on the disease will meet next week to look at how cancer prevention can be more effectively delivered and promoted a decade after the landmark report which placed it at the centre of the healthcare agenda. The seventh annual Scottish Cancer Prevention Network (SCPN) conference takes place on Monday February 5 at Merchants ...

2 Feb 2018

New study finds dialects and languages are processed differently

Is saying ‘breeks’ instead of ‘trousers’ or ‘tatties’ instead of ‘potatoes’ like speaking a different language? New University of Dundee research suggests that dialects are processed differently to languages, an important finding as the distinction between the two is often controversial and politically charged. Dr Alissa Melinger from the University’s Psychology department investigated word selection by speakers of two dialects by using an experimental paradigm developed to study bilingualism. She focussed on those who speak in Scottish dialect as well...

1 Feb 2018

Students to get insight into world’s largest science experiment

Engineering students at the University of Dundee will be given an insight into the world’s largest scientific experiment tomorrow (Thursday 1 February) with a visit to campus from a senior representative of CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. Martin Gastal is manager of the CMS experimental area at CERN, which includes the planning, coordination and follow up of all the activities of one of the largest and most advanced machines that human kind has ever built. It was announced earlier this month that the University of Dundee is now a partner of the CMS Collaboration at CERN. Dunde...