Artist's impression of Saccorhytus, thought to be humankind's earliest ancestorJian Han

Cambridge researchers find humans’ earliest ancestor

Researchers at the University have discovered fossilised remains of what they believe to be humanity’s earliest known prehistoric ancestor. Named Saccorhytus, the creature is new to science and was probably only a millimetre in size, much of which was occupied by its mouth. Small conical structures on its body might be precursors to modern gills. It belongs to a category known as the ‘deuterostomes’, which more than 500 million years ago diversified to produce the ancestors of vertebrates and also of various sea creatures.

Cambridge Arts Theatre raises over £16,000 for charity

Cambridge Arts Theatre has raised £16,417 for local charities through collections at performances of the theatre’s Christmas pantomime Dick Whittington. The money will be given to a range of organisations: Addenbrooke’s C2 ward; Cambridge Joint Playschemes, which provides clubs for children with learning difficulties; Tom’s Trust, which supports children with brain tumours; STARS, which offers counselling to bereaved young people; Maggie’s Wallace, which offers support to cancer victims and their friends and family; and the theatre’s own charity Panto Wheels, which helps disadvantaged children to attend pantomimes. Dave Murphy, the Theatre’s Chief Executive, said: “We are all thrilled and humbled by the generosity of our audiences over the festive season and are delighted that so many local causes will benefit from the fundraising efforts.”

Fugitive found hiding in chest of drawers

Cambridge Police have arrested a 34-year-old man whom they found hiding in a hollowed-out chest of drawers. The police were searching for the man after he breached his bail agreement. He was due to appear to Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, but after he failed to turn up the police found him at an address in the city. They posted a picture of the chest of drawers on Twitter, captioning it, “Yesterday officers from D relief arrested a wanted male after he was found hiding in an unusual place…”

Clare Life Fellow receives Australian honour

Professor Andrew Holmes, a Life Fellow of Clare College, has been appointed Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to science as a researcher, editor and academic, and through the governance of nationally recognised, leading scientific organisations. A chemist specialising in polymers, Professor Holmes joined the University in 1972 and worked in it for 32 years. In 1989, his research group discovered a number of light-emitting polymers, which would later find an application in LED and rollable displays at a company he co-founded, Cambridge Display Technology

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