UCL in the media
Life expectancy down by six months
British adults’ life expectancy has been cut by six months in the biggest reduction in official longevity forecasts. Professor Michael Marmot (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) says it is entirely possible austerity has had an impact.
Vaping as bad as cigarettes?
A quarter of smokers say they would not try vaping because they believe it is just as bad for them as cigarettes. Dr Lion Shahab (UCL Epidemiology & Health Care) says the false belief that vaping is as harmful as smoking could be preventing thousands of smokers from switching.
UCL-led space mission incorporated by ESA
A new space mission to study the science of space weather, led by Professor Graziella Branduardi-Raymont (UCL Space & Climate Physics), has been incorporated by the European Space Agency and received extra funding from the UK Space Agency.
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The surprising health benefits of naps
Professor Vincent Walsh (UCL Cognitive Neuroscience) is cited suggesting naps may help creativity in an article arguing that sleeping during the day has health benefits.
The delights of liquids
Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives, a book by Professor Mark Miodownik (UCL Mechanical Engineering), is reviewed.
Can Facebook offer meaningful connection?
Professor Sophie Scott (UCL Cognitive Neuroscience) describes what interactions on social media lack when compared to face-to-face conversations.
Does the jury system need reforming?
Professor Cheryl Thomas (UCL Laws) contributes to an article weighing up arguments for changing the jury system to ensure justice is served in UK trials.
Policies designed for drugs won’t work for AI
Dr Melanie Smallman (UCL Science & Technology Studies) writes that health authorities are overlooking risks to systems and society in their evaluations of new digital technologies.
Lack of quality political debate putting health of UK’s democracy at risk
Dr Alan Renwick (UCL Constitution Unit) co-author of a new report ‘Doing Democracy Better’ highlights a fresh approach to providing information during election and referendum campaigns, to address widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of political discourse.
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UCL scientists developing space weather satellite
Scientists at the UCL Mullard Space Science Laboratory are helping to develop a space weather monitoring satellite. Professor Lucie Green and Dr Robert Wicks (UCL Space & Climate Physics) explain how it will improve our resilience to space weather.