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The emotional computer

Dec 23, 2010

Cambridge University film provides a glimpse of how robots and humans could interact in the future.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist recognised for her International Contributions in the field of Comparative and Evolutionary Neuroscience

Dec 7, 2010

We have the great pleasure to announce that Professor Nicola Clayton has just been jointly awarded the the 2010 Jean-Marie Delwart Foundation Award in comparative and evolutionary neuroscience!

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Study reveals new possibility of reversing damage caused by MS

Dec 6, 2010

Damage caused by multiple sclerosis could be reversed by activating stem cells that can repair injury in the central nervous system, a collaborative study between Cambridge and Edinburgh Neuroscientists has shown.

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Forget your previous conceptions about memory

Dec 6, 2010

Research by Cambridge Neuroscientists may shed light on why dementia sufferers have memory difficulties.

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Calling all Cambridge Neuroscientists who have published in EJN in 2009 or 2010

Nov 30, 2010

Calling for applications for the EJN Best Publication Award 2011 awarding the best research article published in EJN 2009 or 2010. This personal award of 3,000 £ will be bestowed to the first author(s) of the selected article. Submission deadline: February 28, 2011

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Calling Cambridge Neuroscientists: Applications now open for Science Media Studentships

Nov 29, 2010

Do you want to work in the broadcast sector? Do you want to use your scientific expertise to influence programme content and production? The Science Media Studentships enable bright, articulate and motivated scientists to explore a career in the broadcast industry.

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Invitation to attend the British Society for Neuroendocrinology Annual Meeting

Nov 26, 2010

When: 3rd - 5th July, 2011. Where: Downing College, Cambridge, UK. With Keynote address by: Stephen O’Rahilly, Cambridge

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Initiative hopes to expedite cell-based treatments for Parkinson’s

Nov 23, 2010

A unique initiative which brings together some of the world’s leading Parkinson’s researchers, aims to reduce further delays in using cells to treat Parkinson’s disease. The initiative will focus on refining cell-based therapy, which replaces the diseased cells with healthy cells.

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Origin of cells associated with nerve repair discovered

Nov 17, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientists have discovered the origin of a unique type of cell known for its ability to support regeneration in the central nervous system, as published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS).

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Hormones and City Traders?

Nov 17, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist Dr John Coates discusses the role of testosterone in decision making and risk taking behaviour with Claudia Hammond for BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind.

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Invitation to the Bristish Neuroscience Association Christmas Symposium, 2010 at the Royal Society

Nov 15, 2010

T’is the season to be sociable! A timely (and seasonal) exploration of the evolutionary origins and neural mechanisms behind our pursuit for social interaction, 1.00pm – 6.30pm, Wednesday, 15th December, The Royal Society, London. Free for members of the BNA.

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How intelligence happens

Nov 11, 2010

In a new popular science book, How intelligence happens, Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor John Duncan of the MRC Cognition Brain Sciences Unit discusses the creation of intelligence in the human brain.

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Invitation to the Newnham MCR Speaker Series

Nov 10, 2010

"Exercise for Parkinson's Disease" with Dr. Lucy Annett, Psychology Dept. University of Hertfordshire, Tuesday 16th November, 7.45pm, Newnham College MCR. All welcome - Port and soft drinks will be served.

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Mental Health Translator postion available with the Medical Research Council

Nov 9, 2010

The Medical Research Council is looking to appoint a ‘translator’ to help with its planned programme of experimental medicine for mental health -which will be launched shortly.

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Tarantulas help researchers find fear in the human brain

Nov 8, 2010

The human brain may respond differently to threats based on proximity, trajectory, and expectations, according to a study by Cambridge Neuroscientists working with tarantulas and published this week in PNAS.

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Documentary Award for Cambridge Neuroscientists Imaging Appetite

Nov 5, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientists Miss Kate McAlister and Dr. Al Garfield produce a mini-documentary to illustrate how neuroscientists visualise how our brain controls appetite. Their film has recently won a National Award at the Sheffield Documentary Festival.

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Young Neuroscientists' Day, 2010

Nov 1, 2010

Due to last minute cancellations, some places have become available to attend the Young Neuroscientists' Day this Thursday 4th November, Bristol.

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New insight into links between obesity and activity in the brain

Oct 27, 2010

Study on effects of anti-obesity drug on the brain paves the way for more effective treatments.

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Sexual attraction could be due to the wiring of the brain.

Oct 26, 2010

Sexual attraction between males and females could be down to differences in the way the brain is wired up, according to work from the lab of Cambridge Neuroscientist Dr Greg Jefferis at the MRC LMB.

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Dr. Jon Simons receives the Experimental Psychology Society Prize

Oct 25, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist recognised for his distinguished research achievement as an experimental psychologists in an early stage in his career.

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Neuroscience, society and policy

Oct 25, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientists steer a Royal Society project examining and evaluating developments in neuroscience and their implications for society and policy.

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Enter the world of the brain through music, art and science

Oct 25, 2010

Inside an Unquiet Mind - a multi-sensory arts installation bringing together artists, musicians and Cambridge Neuroscientists. Event hosted on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 October as part of the University of Cambridge’s Festival of Ideas, 6.30 - 9.30 pm both evenings, drop in, free to attend, all welcome.

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Invitation to the Royal Institution

Oct 20, 2010

Join David Willetts, MP, Prof Colin Blakemore, Professor of Neuroscience, and others to discuss the coalition government's spending review and UK science funding. Tuesday, 26th October, 7 pm, Royal Institution, London.

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Invitation to attend the Neuroblastoma Research Symposium: Future Treatments for High Risk Neuroblastoma

Oct 12, 2010

Friday, 3rd December 2010, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Cambridge. This event is free to attend although registration, before the 1st November, 2010, is required.

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Three Neuroscientists based at Cambridge are named amongst the most influential figures in British science today.

Oct 7, 2010

Dr. Adrian Owen, Professor Steve O'Rahilly and Professor David Mackey are named amongst the 100 most influential people in contemporary British Science. The list, compiled by The Times, celebrates the first anniversary of its science magazine Eureka.

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Inviting Cambridge Neuroscientists to apply for the Rising Stars public engagement course

Oct 4, 2010

This University 'Rising Stars' course aims to develop the skills of outstanding undergraduates, postgraduates, post docs and early-career academics in communicating their expertise to the public.

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Calling Cambridge Neuroscientists to help prevent unprecendented Science Budget Cuts

Oct 4, 2010

As you may be aware, British science may be in for some unprecedented cuts on October 20th when the government's departmental budgets will be announced.

There's a real risk that the science landscape in the UK could be changed dramatically for the worse in a way that will take years to recover from. Please act to help make the political and economic case for science clear.

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Wellcome Trust and NIH PhD studentships open for applications

Oct 4, 2010


Applications are now open for the Wellcome Trust and National Institutes of Health Four-year PhD Studentships.

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How does the brain process the idea of God?

Oct 4, 2010

Rev. Dr. Alasdair Coles, a senior lecturer with Cambridge Neuroscience, is to present a talk on the ‘Neuronal Imaging of the Religious Brain’ on Tuesday 12 October.

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Major new study into brain ageing launched in Cambridge

Oct 4, 2010

Research efforts to understand the effects of ageing on the brain have been given a major boost following a £5M grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

The grant has been awarded to support a large interdisciplinary research project, working with Departments and Institutes in Cambridge Neuroscience to look at changes in the brain across the adult life-span and their impact on cognitive function.

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Feelings by phone

Sep 29, 2010

A system which enables psychologists to track people’s emotional behaviour through their mobile phones has been successfully road-tested by Cambridge researchers.

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Some antidepressants alter peoples’ moral judgement

Sep 28, 2010

The most common type of antidepressants, serotonin enhancers, alters peoples’ moral judgement and leads to a reduction in aggressive behaviour, a study by Cambridge Neuroscientists and published today in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has found.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist recognised for his scientific achievement with a long-term contribution to UK-Japan relations.

Sep 13, 2010

Congratulations go to Cambridge Neuroscientist Dr. Hugh Robinson who, with Prof. Kazuyuki Aihara at the University of Tokyo, has recently been awarded a Daiwa Adrian Prize for 2010 for their collaboration on "Nonlinear dynamics of cortical neurons and gamma oscillations - from cell to network models". They will be awarded this Prize at the Royal Society on the 2nd December, 2010.

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An invitation for Cambridge Neuroscientists to join the Neuroethics Society in San Diego!

Sep 10, 2010

Discuss neuroethical questions reaching into the lab and our daily lives, attend engaging panels and talks on emerging top-ics in Neuroethics, participate in workshops, present a poster and more. Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA, Thursday, November 11, 5 – 7:30 p.m & Friday, November 12, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Registration is required.

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Cambridge neurologist honoured for his work on multiple sclerosis

Sep 10, 2010

Professor Alastair Compston, Head of the Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, was today awarded the K.J. Zülch Prize for his contributions to research on multiple sclerosis.

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Most powerful microscope in the UK unveiled

Sep 10, 2010

The most powerful atom resolving microscope in the UK was today revealed at the University of Cambridge. The new electron microscope, which will enable scientists to view individual atoms in any material, was officially unveiled by the Minister for Universities and Science, the Rt Hon David Willetts MP.

One of the research projects which will be using the new microscope is an investigation into diseases which can be characterised by the deposition of plaques, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

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Cambridge based laboratory of the future reaches ‘topping out’ stage

Sep 10, 2010

A new building for the Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) in Cambridge has reached the first major stage of completion, known as ‘topping out’. The new building, due to open in 2012, will provide first class facilities to some of the world’s leading scientists (including neuroscientists) and stands as the flagship building for the extension of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

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Inviting Cambridge Neuroscientists to the Principles of Psychiatry for Basic Scientists

Sep 8, 2010

Registration is now open for the forthcoming 'Principles of Psychiatry for Basic Scientists' module 6. It will be held at the Dorothy Hodgkin Building, University of Bristol on November 4th 2010. Registration is required and costs a nominal fee to cover meeting expenses.

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Calling Cambridge Neuroscientists: Wellcome Image Awards final call for submissions

Sep 8, 2010

Wellcome Images is issuing a final call for submissions for consideration in the Wellcome Image Awards 2010. Judging for the next awards will take place on 18 October. All images acquired by Wellcome Images before the 15 October 2010 will automatically be eligible for judging.

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Mother’s care is key to a big brain

Sep 7, 2010

A collaboration between neuroscientists at Cambridge and University College London indicates that the evolution of big-brained mammals may be due to maternal investment, rather than metabolism.

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Inviting Cambridge Neuroscientists to the Young Neuroscientists Day

Sep 3, 2010

4th November - Future Inns Hotel, Bristol, Registration required.

Building on the phenomenal success and demand for the previous two meetings, 2010 sees the return of the day dedicated to early-career neuroscientists - postgraduate students, post docs, and all others at an equivalent stage in either lab-based or clinical career - now with more reasons than ever to attend!

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Mindfulness meditation increases well-being in adolescent boys

Sep 2, 2010

‘Mindfulness’, the process of learning to become more aware of our ongoing experiences, increases well-being in adolescent boys, a new study by Cambridge Neuroscientists reports.

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Inside Incredible Athletes

Aug 31, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist Dr. Rhodri Cusack contributes to a documentary broadcast on Channel 4 examining how five paralympic athletes achieve almost superhuman skills.

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Inviting Cambridge Neuroscientists to attend the Third Autism Neuroscience Conference

Aug 27, 2010

Friday 10th September 2010, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge, 10 West Road, Cambridge. Hosted by the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge

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Invitation to attend: revisiting cognitive enhancement event

Aug 25, 2010

Trinity Hall, 17th September, 2010, 11.00 - 17.00.

This interactive event will aim to clarify the idea of cognitive enhancement and its significance with reference to three central notions: achievement, coercion, and preference. Free to attend although registration is required!

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Cambridge Neuroscience Multiple Sclerosis research receives a £100,000 grant

Aug 25, 2010

Local Freemasons and Freemasons from around the country have worked together to raise necessary funds for Cambridge Neuroscientists to further develop a drug called Alemtuzumab for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis.

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Body clock drugs could ease psychiatric disorders and jet lag

Aug 24, 2010

A collaboration between Cambridge Neuroscientists, scientists at the University of Manchester and those working at Pfizer have successfully used a drug to reset and restart the natural 24 hour body clock of mice in the lab. The ability to do this in a mammal opens up the possibility of dealing with a range of human difficulties including some psychiatric disorders, jet lag and the health impacts of shift work.

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Eric Kandel Prize 2011 - call for nominations

Aug 17, 2010

The Hertie-Foundation (Germany) is pleased to announce in cooperation with the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) the opening of nominations for the Eric Kandel Young Neuroscientists Prize 2011. The prize is € 50,000.00 for personal use and up to € 25,000.00 for additional training and mentoring by a leading expert in the field. The deadline for nomination is 1st November 2010.

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Wellcome Trust postdoc funding scheme opens

Aug 16, 2010

Applications are now open for the 2010 Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship scheme, which supports the most promising newly qualified postdoctoral researchers in their first steps to an independent research career. The deadline for preliminary applications is 1 November 2010, and full applications will be due by 31 January 2011.

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An invitation to attend a special lecture in honour of Professor Malcolm Burrows, FRS, contributions to neuroscience and zoology

Aug 13, 2010

Gilles Laurent, Department of Neural Systems and Coding, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt will be visiting Cambridge to discuss "Self-regulation of activity in an olfactory system: mechanisms and consequences" on Monday 13 September 2010, 14:30-15:30, Lecture Theatre, Department of Zoology, New Museum Site. All welcome, registration is not required!

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Calling neuroscientists to work with a local Charity on a public engagement activity in partnership with the Festival of Ideas

Aug 13, 2010

Calling Cambridge Neuroscientists to submit their research images, videos and any 3D model to be used in a large scale arts installation of 'Inside an Unquiet Mind' for the University of Cambridge Festival of Ideas.

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Calling Cambridge Neuroscientists to engage tomorrow's talent today

Aug 11, 2010

Researchers in Residence (RinR), funded by RCUK with support from the Wellcome Trust, brings together researchers, young people and teachers via exciting and innovative placements in secondary schools across the UK.

Open to all PhD and post doctoral researchers funded directly or indirectly by one of the seven UK Research Councils or the Wellcome Trust.

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Nurturing tomorrow's research leaders

Jul 29, 2010

Congratulations go to Cambridge Neuroscientist Molly Crockett, who has recently been awarded a competitive Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship and will be exploring to what extent our altruistic inclinations are innate, arise out of habit, or are calculated.

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Why more education lowers dementia risk

Jul 26, 2010

A collaboration between Cambridge Neuroscientists and researchers from the Finland has discovered why people who stay in education longer have a lower risk of developing dementia – a question that has puzzled scientists for the past decade.

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Guerillas in action

Jul 26, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientists infiltrate summer music festivals.

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Improving Life after Childhood Brain Injury

Jul 26, 2010

An invitation to attend a conference on the 9th September, 2010 at Downing College, Cambridge. Registration is required.

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An Invitation to explore the Musical Brain, 2nd - 3rd October, 2010, London.

Jul 23, 2010

The Musical Brain invites the public, scientists, music lovers, medical professionals and students to a weekend of talks, discussions and concerts centred on Schumann.

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Congratulations go to Cambridge Neuroscientist Dr. Karalyn Patterson who joins the British Academy Fellowship

Jul 23, 2010

The British Academy has today announced the scholars elected for this year’s Fellowships in recognition of their contribution to the humanities and social sciences.

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Forget Me Knot

Jul 19, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist Charlotte Hudson joined a panel of psychologists and the public at the Science Museum's Dana Centre, London to explore and discuss aspects of memory.

This ‘Forget Me Knot’ evening was held on the 1st July, 2010 as part of a programme of events to support the re-opening of the ‘Who am I?’ gallery at the Science Museum.

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Between Life And Death: Why medicine is art as much as science

Jul 13, 2010

Filmed over six months in the country's leading brain injury unit (Addenbooke's Hospital, Cambridge), this BBC One documentary, screened last night followed the patients, families and the medical team as they encountered one of the most ethically difficult decisions in modern medicine.

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Inviting applications for the CLAHRC fellowship programme

Jul 13, 2010

Beginning 1st November 2010. This is a unique opportunity to work with Cambridge academics, and to be involved in the translation of health research into practice, in the NHS and social care. The deadline for applications is 4pm on 2nd September 2010.

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Brain biology linked to severe teenage antisocial behaviour

Jul 7, 2010

A new study by Cambridge Neuroscientists reveals that young adults with conduct disorder display an abnormal pattern of brain activity compared with their peers without the disorder.

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The University of Cambridge is placed as the top European Institution for Psychiatry and Psychology research

Jul 5, 2010

Cambridge University ranks as the top Institution in Europe for psychiatry and psychology research as reported in the Times Higher Education on the 24th June, 2010. In total 37,500 Institutions were investigated for their impact factor (citations per paper) over the last decade of publications.

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Wellcome Trust Presentation

Jul 2, 2010

Dr John Williams from the Science Funding division of the Wellcome Trust will be in Cambridge delivering a presentation on the 28th July about their Strategic Plan for 2010 - 2020 and funding opportunities including the introduction of the new Investigator Awards scheme. All welcome to attend although please RSVP.

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New blood-test to aid in Schizophrenia Diagnosis

Jul 1, 2010

A new blood-test resulting from research at Cambridge University could aid in the early diagnosis of recent-onset schizophrenia – complementing the traditional patient interview-based diagnosis.

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HiDden No More

Jun 30, 2010

A Huntington’s Disease (HD) All Party Parliamentary Group, chaired by former President of the British Medical Association and leading UK Neurologist, Lord Walton, will be launched in the House of Commons today.

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Addenbrookes Hospital is set to launch a cutting-edge hyper-acute stroke research centre in October 2010

Jun 28, 2010

The aim of the new hyper-acute research centre is to provide round-the-clock access to research staff and advanced brain-scanning equipment, so that stroke patients can take part in clinical research trials for breakthrough stroke treatments seven days-a-week.

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Congratulations to Professors Maria Grazia Spillantini and Tony Holland

Jun 22, 2010

Professors Maria Grazia Spillantini and Tony Holland are recognised for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of medical science with their recent election to the prestigious Fellowship of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

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Models of dementia; the good, the bad and the future

Jun 17, 2010

Announcing a Biochemical Society Focused Meeting in Cambridge, 15th - 17th December, 2010, Robinson College, Cambridge

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Call for applications for the British Neuroscience Association Student Prizes

Jun 17, 2010

Each year, the British Neuroscience Association awards an undergraduate (£250) and a postgraduate (£500) prize to students considered to have made a significant contribution to neuroscience and to have achieved an outstanding performance in either their final examinations or in their viva voce respectively. Application Deadline: 1st October, 2010.

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Cambridge Memory Disorders Workshop: registration now open

Jun 16, 2010

Covering topics on advances in assessment and rehabilitation for those in clinical practices including memory disorders in neurological disease and memory assessment & rehabilitation. 2nd-3rd September, 2010 in the Post-graduate Centre, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. Registration required.

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Celebrating 350 years of the Royal Society

Jun 11, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientists converge in London this summer to celebrate 350 years of the Royal Society, the UK's academy of Science.

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Parkinson’s drug offers insight into helping cocaine users kick habit

Jun 7, 2010

Medication that increases levels of the brain chemical dopamine could open up new ways for helping some heavy users of cocaine and amphetamines kick the habit, Cambridge Neuroscientists have found.

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Swarming locusts need larger brains

May 26, 2010

One of the most devastating events in the insect world – the locust swarm – has extraordinary effects on the insect’s brains, Cambridge Neuroscientists have discovered.

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Major new study into brain ageing

May 25, 2010

Efforts to understand the effects of ageing on the brain have been given a major boost with the announcement of a new £5M grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to Cambridge researchers.

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Four Cambridge Neuroscientists elected as Fellows of the Royal Society

May 21, 2010

Congratulations go to Andrea Brand, Nicky Clayton, Roger Hardie and Michael Hastings for their election to the Royal Society, on the 20th May, 2010, in recognition for their scientific excellence and contributions to society.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist recognised for her outstanding contribution to translational cognitive psychopharmacology and the study of emotional and behavioural dysfunction

May 13, 2010

Congratulations go to Professor Barbara Sahakian who has been awarded the 2010 Senior Investigator Award by the International College of Geriatric Psychoneuropharmacology (ICGP ) Awards Committee. She will be presented with her award at the Association's annual meeting in Athens, 15th-18th September, 2010.

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Prestigous young neuropsychopharmacology investigator award for Cambridge Neuroscientist

May 13, 2010

Congratulations go to Dr. Chris Dodds who has been awarded the International College of Neuropsycho-pharmacology (CINP)  Rafaelsen Young Investigators Award. He will receive the award at a special ceremony at the CINP congress in Hong Kong in June 2010.

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Violent teenage girls fail to spot anger or disgust in others’ faces

May 10, 2010

Girls appear to be “protected” from showing antisocial behaviour until their teenage years, new research from Cambridge Neuroscientists has found.

The study sheds new light on antisocial behaviour in girls compared with boys and suggests that rather than violence or antisocial behaviour simply reflecting bad choices, the brains of people with antisocial behaviour may work differently from those who behave normally.

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Active perception: sensorimotor circuits as a cortical basis for language

May 5, 2010

Neuroscientists based in Cambridge and Ferrara collaborate to address the much discussed question of whether speech-language comprehension depends on cortical sensorimotor circuits. Reviewing data from neuroimaging, brain stimulation, lesion and computational studies the authors conclude that action and perception circuits have interdependent roles in language comprehension. These insights may provide new perspectives on language therapy after stroke.

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Brain Waves: investigating developments in neuroscience and their implications for society

May 4, 2010

The Royal Society’s Science Policy Centre has launched a new project, Brain Waves, which will investigate developments in neuroscience and their implications for society.  The project will be led by a Steering Group Chaired by Professor Colin Blakemore FRS with it's steering committee including Cambridge Neuroscientists Professor Trevor Robbins, Professor Barbara Sahakian, and Emeritis Professor Nicholas Mackintosh.

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Progress towards the presymptomatic detection of Alzheimer's disease

May 4, 2010

Invitation to attend a special lecture entitled: Progress towards the presymptomatic detection of Alzheimer's disease on the 9th June, 2010 18.30 at the Forvie Site, Addenbrooke's Site, Cambridge with Professor David Ames from the University of Melbourne. Lecture hosted by the Department of Psychiatry.

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Near misses are like winning to problem gamblers

May 4, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientists have found that the brains of problem gamblers react more intensely to near misses than casual gamblers. The results could help explain what keeps problem gamblers betting even though they keep losing.

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Oxytocin increases emotional but not cognitive empathy in men.

May 3, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Keith Kendrick (Babraham Institute) working in collaboration with Clinical Psychiatrists at the University of Bonn in Germany has shown for the first time that intranasal spray treatment with the neuropeptide, oxytocin, increases emotional but not cognitive empathy in men.

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Integrated Doctoral Training Programme: In vivo Biology and Medicine

Apr 30, 2010

Applications are invited for The MRC integrated masters doctoral training programme 'In vivo Biology and Medicine' which is hosted by the Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience under the general direction of Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Bill Harris, and involving many contributing departments' principal investigators. The programme theme emphasises research in metabolic physiology, neuroscience and developmental biology.

Deadline for application: 31st May, 2010.

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The anatomy, and neurobiology, of appetite

Apr 30, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist explains the influences on our appetite for a Wellcome Trust special feature piece including an exploration of what actually is appetite and why do some people become severely obese while others are able to maintain a stable weight without effort?

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God, Brain and Mind

Apr 27, 2010

Neuroscience is increasingly finding clear links between neural mechanisms within the brain and human actions, behaviour and thought. This raises questions about what it means to be human and the nature of belief and choice.

These questions will be explored in a lecture hosted by the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion today, Tuesday 27 April.

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Leading journalist to address the impact of science controversies

Apr 27, 2010

The editor-in-chief of the influential science publication Nature is to give a talk at Cambridge about how scientists should react when their research comes under attack in public debates.

The recent climate change controversy has thrown the scientific research process under the microscope. Scientists' response to it and other controversial issues, including the MMR vaccine and cognitive enhancing drugs, will be discussed by Dr Philip Campbell in a Gates Distinguished Lecture entitled Science - Facts and Frictions - on 28 April.

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Intellectual Disabilities and Personal Autonomy Workshop

Apr 26, 2010

An invitation to attend a workshop on Intellectual Disabilities and Personal Autonomy, Thursday, 27th May, 2010, 1.00 – 5.45, Trinity Hall, Graham Storey Room, Cambridge. Free to attend although please RSVP to guarantee a place.

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The Neuroscience of Language

Apr 26, 2010

An invitation to attend a course on the Neuroscience of Language, with Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Friedemann Pulvermuller and held on Spring Term Tuesdays, 2-4pm, at the Research Centre for English and Applied Linguistics, West Road Campus, Cambridge.

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Sixth Annual Symposium of the Cambridge Computational Biology Institute

Apr 25, 2010

An invitation to attend this one day meeting which is intended to reflect the strength and diversity of research in computational biology, Wednesday 19th May 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 in the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge. Free to attend, registration is required.

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Chips, worms and grey matter: more similar than you think

Apr 22, 2010

Scientists have discovered “striking similarities” between human brains, the nervous system of the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans and computer chips.
 
The team of neuroscientists and computer experts from the UK, US and Germany compared the way these systems are organised and found that the same networking principles underlie all three.

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The quest for improved cognitive function through ‘brain training’ may not live up to its promise.

Apr 21, 2010

A UK collaboration, led by Adrian Owen at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, conducted a six-week online training study with
11,430 participants, who each undertook a ‘benchmarking’ assessment at the beginning and end of the regime.

The results, published online in Nature this week, show observed improvements on the specific tasks used for training, but the authors believe that these improvements failed to transfer to other untrained cognitive tasks, the hallmark of true brain training.

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Lectureship positions available in Cambridge, Newnham College

Apr 19, 2010

Newnham College is currently advertising for Associate and College Lecturers in biological subjects, and would be keen for postdocs and University Teaching Officers to apply for these positions.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist informs the public and policy

Apr 19, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Chris Dobson delivers a well received public lecture at the Royal Society of Chemistry and his work is subsequently highlighted in a Parliamentary debate discussing the UK’s strategy on dementia and the requirement to continue to fund basic research.

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Cambridge Neuroscientists author the 'Research Front Paper' in the field of Psychiatry/Psychology for March and April, 2010

Apr 19, 2010

Professor Ed Bullmore and team at the Department of Psychiatry and Brain Mapping Unit, Cambridge, are the authors of the Emerging Research Front Paper in the field of Psychiatry/Psychology with their recent paper on Modern Brain Scanning & Antidepressant Drugs.

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Baronness Susan Greenfield to give public lecture at Cambridge

Apr 17, 2010

Baroness Susan Greenfield will be giving a public lecture on how the study of the brain is changing our understanding of human nature itself at Cambridge University next week.

The talk, entitled "Human Nature: A Neuroscientific Perspective" will take place at 4.30pm on Wednesday, April 21st, at the Michaelhouse Centre, Trinity Street, Cambridge and will be free and open to all.

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Pinsent Darwin Studentship in Mental Pathology

Mar 31, 2010

The Managers of the Pinsent Darwin Fund are pleased to be able to offer a studentship for a PhD student, starting in October 2010, wishing to “pursue original research into any problem which may have a bearing on mental defects, diseases or disorders.”

The closing date for applications is Friday 7th May 2009

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Student wins Biomag 2010 "Connectivity Challenge Award"

Mar 31, 2010

Congratulations go to Daniel Wakeman, a PhD student at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, who has been awarded one of the two main prizes for the Biomag 2010 "Connectivity Challenge Award".

This award recognises the commendable spirit of scientific data sharing and encourages the development and validation of innovative methodologies to study structural-functional connectivity patterns underlying human sensory and cognitive processing.

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Inviting Cambridge Neuroscientists to apply for International research image competition

Mar 26, 2010

"Some of science's most powerful statements are not made in words. From the diagrams of DaVinci to Rosalind Franklin's X-rays, visualization of research has a long and literally illustrious history. To illustrate is to enlighten."

Application deadline: September, 2010

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Inviting applications for the 2010 Award in Comparative and Evolutionary Neuroscience

Mar 25, 2010

The Jean-Marie Delwart Foundation will award a prize for an original work or series of works, individual or collective, in the field of Comparative and Evolutionary Neurosciences. The Prize amounts to US $10,000.00 and will be attributed to works written (or translated) in French or English. Application deadline: 15th April, 2010.

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Jumping to delusions - how the brain takes dangerous shortcuts

Mar 24, 2010

Why do some people with mental illnesses entertain bizarre and seemingly irrational beliefs that make their lives a misery?

Speaking at Cambridge Café Scientifique public forum on the 24th March, Professor Paul Fletcher from the Department of Psychiatry explained how scientists study behaviour, image brain oxygen levels, and manipulate humans with pharmacological agents in order to uncover how such delusional beliefs might arise.

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The Master Puppeteer: How the Brain Controls the Body

Mar 18, 2010

Invitation to a public neuroscience lecture. All welcome to attend, registration is not required although please arrive early to guarantee a seat. Suitable for all those over 12 years old!

19th March, 18.00 – 19.00, Babbage Lecture Theatre, New Museum Site, Cambridge. Wine reception (with fruit juice available) to follow.

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Cambridge Neuroscientists developing new methods to treat patients who have partly lost their language due to stroke

Mar 18, 2010

Significant improvement in language performance can be achieved in stroke patients, even when the stroke occured a number of years ago, when a novel intensive language therapy is applied for just two weeks according to recent research by Cambridge Neuroscientists working at the Cognition Brain Sciences Unit.

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Fruit flies and test tubes open new window on Alzheimer’s disease

Mar 16, 2010

A team of scientists from Cambridge and Sweden have discovered a molecule that can prevent a toxic protein involved in Alzheimer’s disease from building up in the brain.

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New study could help predict suicidal behaviour in older adults

Mar 15, 2010

Focussing too much on the present and not using past experience to make decisions could be linked to suicide in elderly depressed adults, researchers from Cambridge and Pittsburgh have found.

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Invitation to attend a lecture

Mar 10, 2010

Dr Jack Mellor MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, Bristol will give a talk entitled " Hippocampal mossy fibre LTP:  Does it exist and what is it good for?” Friday 12 March 2010 @ 2:30pm at the MRC LMB, Addenbrooke's Site

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Neuroscience events at the Cambridge Science Festival!

Mar 8, 2010

The Cambridge Science Festival, 2010 runs from the 8th until the 20th March. The Festival hosts over 150 public events, the majority of which are free to attend, and will explore all aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Examples of some of the neuroscience activities included in this public science extravaganza are listed here.

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Professor Usha Goswami discusses the infant brain with Melvyn Bragg on BBC Radio Four

Mar 5, 2010

Cambridge Neuroscientist joins Melvyn Bragg and guests to discuss what new research reveals about the infant brain for the BBC Radio 4 programme 'In our Times'.

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Genzyme enables creation of key clinical academic post in Cambridge

Mar 4, 2010

Global biotechnology company Genzyme has made a generous benefaction to endow a key clinical academic post at the University of Cambridge.

The post will be dedicated to fundamental and translational research in multiple sclerosis and other neuroimmunological diseases, and strengthens Genzyme's existing multiple sclerosis research collaboration with the University.

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The master puppeteer: how the brain controls the body

Mar 4, 2010

On the 19th March, 2010 Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Daniel Wolpert described his tickle machines, pea shooting experiments and pushing competitions to an enthralled audience of over 400 people ranging from 10 year old children to retired Professors as part of the Cambridge Science Festival.

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KILI4X Conference on Fragile X Syndrome and Related Synaptopathies

Mar 1, 2010

8th - 10th July 2010, University of Edinburgh, registration now open, poster abstract deadline: 30th April, 2010.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist explains the wonder of birds to The Times

Mar 1, 2010

Professor Nicky Clayton from the Department of Experimental Psychology explains that animal intelligence isn’t just about mammals: crows can make tools, store food and think ahead.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Barbara Sahakian calls for clinical trials on cognitive enhancers

Mar 1, 2010

Barbara recently (27th February), spoke to the Times highlighting the increasing prevalence of cognitive enhancers, such as modafinil and methylphenidate, being bought over the internet and taken by healthy individuals to improve concentration and memory. She calls for Government intervention in this area.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist explains the science of sleep to Varsity Magazine

Feb 26, 2010

Dr. Michael Hastings from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology explains how recent discoveries in genetics provide insight into our sleeping patterns.

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£25m boost for the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge

Feb 22, 2010

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is to invest over £25 million in the future research programmes of the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (CBU), Cambridge.

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Inviting applicants to the Summer School on "Beliefs and Decisions: of Minds and Machines"

Feb 22, 2010

School held in Budapest, Hungary. 5-9 July 2010. Deadline for applications: 15 March 2010. The course is aimed at students, post docs, and junior faculty working in machine learning, cognitive science, neuroscience, or related fields, and especially those who are interested in a combination of these approaches.

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Rationality and emotions: a new issue of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society available

Feb 19, 2010

Issue compiled and edited by Alan Kirman, Pierre Livet and Miriam Teschl with chapter contributions from Cambridge Neuroscientists including Aldo Rustichini, Luke Clarke, Michelle Baddeley, John Coates and Zoltan Sarnyai.

Published January 2010 and freely available online until the 28th February, 2010. Special offer price for print issue: £47.50 (usual price: £59.50)

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Cambridge Neuroscientist discusses the ethical implications of cognitive enhancing drugs at the Royal Institution

Feb 17, 2010

Professor Barbara Sahakian explores the potential risk weighed against the great benefits in the use of cognitive enhancing drugs to many sectors of society.

22nd February, 7-8.30 pm at the Royal Institution, London. Booking required.

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Invitation to attend a Summer Programme in Undergraduate Research on Neuroscience (SPUR-ON), Dublin, Ireland.

Feb 15, 2010

Monday 14th June to Friday 20th August, 2010. Deadline for application: Friday 26th March 2010.

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Invitation to attend Eureka Live: The brain

Feb 9, 2010

The Wellcome Collection and the Times invite you to join a panel of experts to explore the hottest topics in neuroscience and biomedical ethics as well as other research that has been making headlines. Speakers include Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Barbara Sahakian (Department of Psychiatry).

11th February 2010, 19.00 - 20.30, at the Wellcome Trust, London. Free to attend, booking required.

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Call for editors for FENS

Feb 4, 2010

The Federation of European Neuroscience Society is looking for students/post-docs fluent in the English language to serve as editors for the submitted abstracts to the FENS Forum 2010.

In return, a personal grant of 750 euros will be provided to cover all expenses of attending the FENS Forum.

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Cambridge Neuroscientist generates national press interest

Feb 4, 2010

Professors Andrea Brand and Robin Franklin present at the British Neuroscience Association Spring Symposium, 2010 and generate national press interest in their research.

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EU grant for Postgraduate Training Network awarded to MRC Cognition & Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge and partners

Feb 2, 2010

An international consortium of universities and research institutions has been given the EC Tempus IV award of approximately €1million for a joint European programme entitled "Postgraduate Training Network in Biotechnology of Neurosciences (BioN)".

Cambridge Neuroscientist Dr Yury Shtyrov (pictured, left) who takes part in coordinating the project on behalf of the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge said "We are thrilled to be part of this prestigious award"

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Cambridge Neuroscientists identify a survival factor for keeping nerve cells healthy

Feb 2, 2010

Dr. Jon Gilley and Dr. Michael Coleman (Babraham Institute, Cambridge) have discovered a novel survival factor whose rapid transport along nerve cells is crucial for keeping them alive. The same factor, called Nmnat2 seems likely to be needed to keep our nerves healthy as we age.

These findings were published on the 26th January, 2010 in PLoS Biology and suggest an exciting new therapeutic avenue for protecting nerves from disease and injury-induced degeneration.

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Invitation to attend the Cambridge Experimental and Behavioural Economics (CEBEG) Workshop

Feb 1, 2010

Chengwei Liu (PhD candidate, Judge Business School) presenting: SKILL VERSUS LUCK: WHEN ARE PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO MISTAKE GOOD LUCK FOR SKILL IN EVALUATING HIGH PERFORMANCES?

At the Meade Room (1st floor of the Marshall Library), Faculty of Economics, Cambridge, Friday 5th February, 12.30-14.00. All welcome to attend.

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Cambridge Neuroscientists highlight the ethical issues in consenting vulnerable patients for neuroscience research

Jan 27, 2010

Neuroscientific research raises a number of specific ethical issues, including issues of consent, potential benefits of research, management of incidental findings and the assignment of appropriate controls. Professor John Pickard (Department of Clinical Neurosciences) and team discuss these issues in a recent article published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, 21st January, 2010.

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Invitation to the Cambridge Clinical Research Centre for Affective Disorder Seminar Series

Jan 25, 2010

An exciting series of talks organised by the recently founded Cambridge
Clinical Research Centre for Affective Disorders. All welcome to attend.

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Calling for research images!

Jan 25, 2010

The Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) would like to invite you to participate in this year's Poster and Image Competitions, organised as part of the Cambridge Science Festival. Prizes available up to £250. Submissions deadline: 14th February, 2010. This competition is open to MPhil and PhD students as well as postdoctoral researchers.

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A collaborative study, led by Cambridge Neuroscientists, demonstrates that running stimulates hippocampal neurogenesis and improves spatial pattern separation

Jan 23, 2010

Professor Tim Bussey (Department of Experimental Psychology, Cambridge) senior author of the study commented to the Guardian:

"We know exercise can be good for healthy brain function, but this work provides us with a mechanism for the effect".

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Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Barbara Sahakian discusses her research in BBC2's Horizon programme ‘Pill Poppers’

Jan 22, 2010

The BBC 2 Horizon programme 'Pill Poppers' (broadcasted on the 20th January, 2010) questioned our pill popping culture, presented the benefits and side effects of prescribed drugs, the potential for addiction and our fight against natural human evolution.

The programme featured Cambridge Neuroscientist Professor Barbara Sahakian (Department of Psychiatry) discussing the increasing prevalence of cognitive enhancers used by healthy people to boost their memory and attention.

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The success of Cambridge Neuroscience inspires the establishment of a network for evolutionary genetics in Cambridge

Jan 15, 2010

The newly established Cambridge Evolutionary Genetics (CEG) network fosters links between researchers in evolutionary genetics based in different institutions across Cambridge and was "inspired by the success of Cambridge Neuroscience" reports the CEG organiser, Dr Chris Jiggins of the Department of Zoology.  

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Announcing the Autism Neuroscience Conference

Jan 14, 2010

The Third Autism Neuroscience Conference is being hosted by the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge. Meeting on the Friday 10th September 2010, Faculty of Law, 10 West Road, Cambridge,

Abstract and Registration deadline: 1st July, 2010. Early bird bookings to be received by 28th February (abstracts) and 31st March (registration).

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Invitation to apply for research positions at Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre

Jan 13, 2010

Research positions available at Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, University of Oxford, funded by the Parkinson’s Disease Society Monument Discovery Award.

Deadline for application: 27th January, 2010.

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Cambridge Neuroscience research images illuminate University buildings as part of the Transforming Tomorrow light show

Jan 12, 2010

Last weekend a spectacular light show was projected onto some of Cambridge's most famous buildings to mark the end of the 800th anniversary celebrations. The show focused on the transformative research taking place at Cambridge and included images by Cambridge Neuroscientists.

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Announcing the Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair Seminars!

Jan 11, 2010

A series of Wednesday lunchtime neuroscience seminars held at the Brain Repair Centre, Addenbrooke's Site, Jan - March, 2010. All invited to attend, registration is not required.

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Calling the Rising Stars of Cambridge Neuroscience

Jan 11, 2010

The Rising Stars University course is aimed at undergraduates, postgraduates, post-docs and early career academics and is a course in public engagement and educational outreach. Deadline for application: 29th January, 2010.

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The amazing capacity of the adult central nervous system to repair traumatic injuries

Jan 11, 2010

Professor Martin E. Schwab (Zurich) is presenting a special evening lecture on Thursday, 18th February, 2010, 5 pm at NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Site. All welcome to attend.

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Brain Bank call

Jan 8, 2010

The Medical Research Council (MRC) wishes to improve the supply of 'healthy' brain tissue that can be used as a comparator (control) in scientific studies, as part of their strategic initiative to establish an independent and co-ordinated national network of brain tissue resources (banks) for the research community.

The MRC Neurosciences and Mental Health Board is calling for an existing brain bank to expand activity, specifically to pilot the increased collection of control brain material. Deadline for proposal application: 10th February, 2010.

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Cambridge Neuroscientists invited to submit symposia proposals for the British Association for Cognitive Neuroscience meeting, 2010

Jan 5, 2010

The general theme of this year’s meeting is ‘ageing’ – a broad theme to include a strong focus on ‘developmental psychopathology’. Proposals submission deadline: 15th February 2010

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