Cambridge lab putting the stem in STEM

The University’s Sainsbury Laboratory will participate in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show later this year. It is the first time the University has been involved in the event, held in the grounds of the Chelsea Hospital. Their exhibition, titled ‘Blooming Numbers’ will showcase recent discoveries in plant science. Visitors will be able to use mini-UV cameras, scanning electron microscopes, and build their own plant mini-genome. The Laboratory is partnering with the University’s Engineering Department to help build the exhibit. Dr Edwige Moyroud, who studies pattern formation in petals said: “Our exhibit is an opportunity to not only showcase the amazing discoveries of our research but also to ignite a sense of wonder about the complexity and beauty of plants – hopefully, visitors will never look at plants the same way again.”

Going, going, Lego-ne!

Girton College recently released their own themed Lego set, becoming the first Cambridge College to do so. The collectible set depicts Girton College tower, measuring just 31cm tall. The neo-Tudor Lego tower also comes with a Lego version of the Girton flag, and a black squirrel. The set was manufactured with Demonhunter Bricks. Two sets were given as prizes earlier this academic year to winners of a Girton College Prize Draw. Priced at £85, the set has quickly sold out online, but may make a return if there is sufficient public interest.

Cambridge engineers to help save 360-year-old tree

Conservation efforts on a plane tree in Ely that was given to its bishop by King Charles II in the 1670s will be helped by University of Cambridge engineers. The tree stands near the former Bishop’s Palace, now part of King’s Ely school. It has received an unprecedented grant of £121,000 from the National Lottery Heritage. This will be used by Italian experts who aim to utilise morphophysiology to “understand how to care [for] and protect the tree going into the future”. Cambridge engineers have scanned the geometry of the tree with a laser. This will be used to make a digital model of the tree that Dr James Talbot, associate professor at the Engineering Department, hopes will be able to predict the movement of the tree and analyse how to best support the tree.

ChatGPT, cure my stage fright

A Cambridge researcher has released a new technique to help people gain confidence in public speaking – using AI and virtual reality (VR) technology. Dr Chris Macdonald, director of the Immersive Technology Lab at Lucy Cavendish College has pioneered a new platform that offers people a tailored course to help them overcome public speaking anxiety. The program utilises ‘overexposure therapy,’ progressing through increasingly crowded and disruptive virtual audiences to force users to push themselves, as well as an AI coach that offers constructive feedback. Macdonald has also developed a method to convert smartphones into VR headsets, to allow him to “build something that is not only highly effective but that can and will be used by those who need it the most”. He will be showcasing his research at the Cambridge Festival at the end of this month.