12 Sep 2019

‘Forgotten cancer’ to be tackled by Dundee scientists

The University of Dundee is to lead new research into a ‘forgotten cancer’ related to lifestyle and deprivation which Scots are more likely to be diagnosed with than almost any other group in the world. Russell Petty, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University’s School of Medicine, has received £300,000 from the Chief Scientist Office to try and overcome resistance to treatment experienced by oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. The problem of resistance is so serious that 60% of people die within a year of being diagnosed and only around 15% of patients are cu...

12 Sep 2019

BBC Watchdog Live showcases University smoke alarm research

University of Dundee research showing that most children are likely to sleep through standard smoke alarms will feature in tonight’s episode of BBC One’s flagship consumer rights series Watchdog Live. The research, undertaken in collaboration with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue services, showed that children respond to different tones and frequencies of alarm than adults, and that boys and girls are wakened by a different combination of sounds. Only 28% of children in the study woke to the standard alarm, while an alarm tested using a lower frequency sound combined with a voice recording woke ove...

11 Sep 2019

Teeth can tell the tales of our lives

Despite being the toughest part of the human body, our teeth are etched with the history of our habits, says a University of Dundee expert. Dr Scheila Mânica from the University’s School of Dentistry says that teeth are a living tableau of our lives and can, with the right skills, reveal some of our darkest secrets. A forensic odontologist with 15 years expertise in identifying the dead from their teeth, Dr Mânica will discuss her work at the next Café Science, a free informal talk open to the public. Those looking to brush up on their crime-solving skills and find out more abou...

10 Sep 2019

Dundee welcomes 3000 new students – and a new Rector

The University has welcomed more than 3000 new students to the city this week and installed broadcaster Jim Spence as its new Rector. Students from all over the world have come to Dundee for the start of the new academic year – with around 150 different nationalities are represented on campus. They arrive in one of the best places in the United Kingdom to be a student, with Dundee ranked 4th in the recent National Student Survey and 6th globally for overall average satisfaction in the International Student Barometer. The new students were welcomed to the city at a gathering in the Ca...

9 Sep 2019

Family events feature heavily in Festival

This year’s Festival of the Future will offer children the chance to design their own comics, discover the wonder of numbers and go on an odyssey to Mars among other treats. Best-selling authors, theatre groups, leading academics and local creative professionals will lead the family-focused events taking place as part of the University of Dundee’s flagship celebration of art, culture and science from Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 October. Each day of the programme will feature events aimed at children and families, including an appearance from legendary TV presenter Johnny Ball, who has champione...