11 Mar 2014
Obesity associated with lower academic attainment in teenage girls, says new study
Obesity in adolescent girls is associated with lower academic attainment levels throughout their teenage years, a new study has shown. The research conducted by the Universities of Dundee, Strathclyde, Georgia and Bristol is the most comprehensive study yet carried out into the association between obesity and academic attainment in adolescence. The results are published in the International Journal of Obesity. The results showed that girls who were obese, as measured by BMI (body mass index) at age 11 had lower academic attainment at 11, 13 and 16 years when compared to those of a healthy weight. The stu...
10 Mar 2014
‘Scotland and the EU: why should we care?’
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch are among the panel members who will be examining Scotland’s future relationship with the European Union at the University of Dundee this Wednesday. The question of whether Scotland would automatically retain membership of the EU in the event of independence has proved to be one of the most hotly contested issues of the referendum debate so far. In addition, there is the prospect of the UK offering voters an in-out plebiscite on membership if the Conservatives achieve a majority in 2017. With the anti-Brussels UK Independ...
7 Mar 2014
Grow your own at Magnificent Microbes 2014
University of Dundee scientists will next week help school pupils and members of the public to experience the world of Magnificent Microbes and even grow the types of organisms that live on their own skin. Led by members of the Division of Molecular Microbiology, the events will allow visitors to Dundee Science Centre on 14th and 15th March to get hands-on with microbiology-themed experiments and games, including the chance to grow common microbes in a petri dish. Magnificent Microbes is an event led by Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall and colleagues keen to inform the public about how necessary microbes – o...
7 Mar 2014
Waterfront plan wins Stephen 2014 Dundee Civic Award
The 2014 Dundee Civic Award has been won by Stephen MacLeod for his proposed redevelopment of one of the Dundee Waterfront’s flagship plots. The award is presented annually to the Town and Regional Planning student from the University of Dundee who best responds to a brief set by City Council planning officials. The competition forms part of the students’ third-year coursework, and this year challenged them to explore options for high quality mixed-use development on a site within the Central Waterfront area. Referred to as Plot 2 on the Waterfront Masterplan document, the site is currently a...
7 Mar 2014
'From Policy to Plate: Understanding What Our Children Eat' – Cafe Science Extra on 12th March
As Scotland faces up to rising rates of childhood obesity, efforts to address the looming crisis have been redoubled by politicians, public health officials and policy makers but have they made any difference? Dr Stephanie Chambers from the University of Dundee’s Division of Oral Health Sciences will talk about her research into children’s eating habits at the next Café Science Extra event to be held at Dundee Science Centre on Wednesday, 12th March. Dr Chambers is currently examining how to develop and evaluate a programme to promote healthier eating practices in school children. As p...