25 Apr 2017

‘Eco-treehouse’ could be future of home building

A University of Dundee researcher has worked with architects to produce conceptual designs for a luxury ‘eco-treehouse’ capable of housing a family, regulating its own temperature and functioning on a self-maintaining, low-energy cycle. Civil Engineering lecturer Dr Anthony Leung has devised a conceptual building in order to demonstrate how modern urban development and environmental protection need not be mutually antagonistic. His sustainable design makes use of advanced engineering concepts to work with, rather than against, nature. Conventional building materials are eschewed in favour of ...

24 Apr 2017

Dundee Botanic Garden to get apprentice thanks to donation

The University of Dundee’s Botanic Garden is to get a new apprentice over the summer thanks to a donation from a conservation charity. Plant Heritage has donated £500 that will enable a horticultural student to spend time protecting endangered plants at the site. The student will be responsible for looking after the Garden’s Scottish plants that are currently under threat. The charity’s aim is to keep rare plants growing with the help of skilled amateur and professional gardeners trained in plant conservation skills. Curator of the Botanic Garden, Alasdair Hood, said, “This...

24 Apr 2017

‘Alpaca-lypse’ approaches the University of Dundee

Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) are taking the reins of an adorable ‘alpaca-lypse’ next month as they welcome a herd of fluffy friends to campus in time for exam season. The alpacas, raised at Bowbridge Alpaca Farm in Fife, are coming to campus on Friday, 5th May to destress students as the academic year draws to its testing conclusion. Recent studies have shown that people who come in contact with cute animals not only get an increase in dopamine, the same chemical released when we fall in love, but also they focus better on tasks that required concentration afterwards. ...

24 Apr 2017

Walkers put ‘Breast Foot Forward’ to fight cancer

The University of Dundee is urging people to pull on their trainers and walk for a fight against cancer. A team from the University’s Institute of Sport and Exercise (ISE) will be organising a Twilight Walk on Saturday, 29th April, in partnership with the Scottish cancer charity Breast Foot Forward. The 6.5 mile walk will start at 3pm at the University’s Riverside Sports Grounds. Walkers will head towards the Waterfront and through the City Centre. They will then make their way to the University Campus and will finish with a walk along Perth Road, past the University Botanic Gardens, and back...

20 Apr 2017

Student boxing back with a bang

The University of Dundee Boxing club will go toe-to-toe with students from across the country this weekend as they host the Scottish Student Boxing Championships in the Bonar Hall. Nine bouts of heavy hitting are taking place on Saturday, 22nd April from 1pm to 5pm with combatants from Dundee, Aberdeen, Glasgow Caledonian and St. Andrews universities signed up to fight. Donnie Muirhead, the 20-year-old club captain, said, “The standard of University boxing is better than ever before, so if people want to see some really explosive and exciting action then they can come cheer on the local universitie...