Varsity Masthead
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Science
  • Lifestyle
  • Arts
  • Theatre
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • Film & TV
  • Sport
  • Shop
  • Write for us

Varsity Masthead

Wednesday 17 December 2025 | Cambridge, UK
  • News
  • Comment
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Science
  • Lifestyle
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Film & TV
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Sport
  • Shop

SCIENCE

  • Popular articles
  • Did your ex trip on King’s Parade? The science behind the ‘ick’
    12 December 2025
  • Fancy doing research this summer? A guide to getting involved as a student
    8 December 2025
  • Are AI boyfriends the solution to the loneliness epidemic?
    4 December 2025
  • Wrap it up this Christmas: looking after your sexual health at university
    30 November 2025
  • Fire in the hole! Why green tech has a problem with mining

    Fire in the hole! Why green tech has a problem with mining

    The vital role of critical minerals research in the transition to a more sustainable world

    15 December 2025
    Fire in the hole! Why green tech has a problem with mining
  • Did your ex trip on King’s Parade? The science behind the ‘ick’

    Did your ex trip on King’s Parade? The science behind the ‘ick’

    Tabbie Tatton-Brown discusses the science that explains how seemingly small things become deal-breakers in relationships

    12 December 2025
    Did your ex trip on King’s Parade? The science behind the ‘ick’
  • Fancy doing research this summer?

    Fancy doing research this summer?

    8 December 2025
    Fancy doing research this summer?
  • Are AI boyfriends the solution to the loneliness epidemic?

    Are AI boyfriends the solution to the loneliness epidemic?

    4 December 2025
    Are AI boyfriends the solution to the loneliness epidemic?
  • Wrap it up this Christmas

    Wrap it up this Christmas

    30 November 2025
    Wrap it up this Christmas
  • An astronomical detective story

    An astronomical detective story

    28 November 2025
    An astronomical detective story
  • Research Roundup: Week Nine

    Research Roundup: Week Nine

    28 November 2025
    Research Roundup: Week Nine
  • CamCard never declines 

    CamCard never declines 

    28 November 2025
    CamCard never declines 
  • Starting-up and spinning-out: don't wait for perfection

    Starting-up and spinning-out: don’t wait for perfection

    28 November 2025
    Starting-up and spinning-out: don’t wait for perfection
  • Electrocalorics and changing the way we do scientific research

    Electrocalorics and changing the way we do scientific research

    23 November 2025
    Electrocalorics and changing the way we do scientific research
  • Live forever, or die trying

    Live forever, or die trying

    Pooja Gada examines the science, psychology, and philosophy behind the ‘Don’t Die’ movement

    21 November 2025
    Live forever, or die trying
  • REACH for the stars

    REACH for the stars

    Teymour Taj meets astronomy MPhil student Gabriella Rajpoot, who works on an experiment uncovering the origins of the Universe

    17 November 2025
    REACH for the stars
  • How to slow down time

    How to slow down time

    15 November 2025
    How to slow down time
  • Research Roundup: Week Seven

    Research Roundup: Week Seven

    15 November 2025
    Research Roundup: Week Seven
  • A biological defence of clubbing

    A biological defence of clubbing

    15 November 2025
    A biological defence of clubbing
  • Cambridge’s very own Man of Steel

    Cambridge’s very own Man of Steel

    15 November 2025
    Cambridge’s very own Man of Steel
  • How fungi redefine the individual

    How fungi redefine the individual

    10 November 2025
    How fungi redefine the individual
  • 2025’s scientific Nobel prizes

    2025’s scientific Nobel prizes

    6 November 2025
    2025’s scientific Nobel prizes
  • Lychees leech your energy

    Lychees leech your energy

    3 November 2025
    Lychees leech your energy
  • Why do we enjoy horror films?

    Why do we enjoy horror films?

    31 October 2025
    Why do we enjoy horror films?
  • Risky business in Cambridge

    Risky business in Cambridge

    Timothy Moy sheds light on the Mill Lane research centre mulling over our very survival as a species

    31 October 2025
    Risky business in Cambridge
  • Research Roundup: Week Five

    Research Roundup: Week Five

    Laura Verdina covers the latest scientific research

    31 October 2025
    Research Roundup: Week Five
  • Could gene therapy rewrite the future of Huntington's?

    Could gene therapy rewrite the future of Huntington’s?

    26 October 2025
    Could gene therapy rewrite the future of Huntington’s?
  • Power, sex, slumber: mitochondria may cause the brain's need to sleep

    Power, sex, slumber: mitochondria may cause the brain’s need to sleep

    24 October 2025
    Power, sex, slumber: mitochondria may cause the brain’s need to sleep
  • From monster makers to crime solvers: scientists get a rewrite

    From monster makers to crime solvers: scientists get a rewrite

    19 October 2025
    From monster makers to crime solvers: scientists get a rewrite
  • Research Roundup: Week Three

    Research Roundup: Week Three

    17 October 2025
    Research Roundup: Week Three
  • Should you miss your 9am lecture?

    Should you miss your 9am lecture?

    17 October 2025
    Should you miss your 9am lecture?
  • Making science accessible to everyone: in conversation with Cambridge Hands-On Science

    Making science accessible to everyone: in conversation with Cambridge Hands-On Science

    17 October 2025
    Making science accessible to everyone: in conversation with Cambridge Hands-On Science
  • A new Cambridge exhibition materialises

    A new Cambridge exhibition materialises

    13 October 2025
    A new Cambridge exhibition materialises
  • Trump's comments on Tylenol: how science is being weaponised

    Trump’s comments on Tylenol: how science is being weaponised

    9 October 2025
    Trump’s comments on Tylenol: how science is being weaponised
  • As the swallow flies

    As the swallow flies

    Milena Aarts looks into how birds use the Earth’s magnetic field to migrate south

    5 October 2025
    As the swallow flies
  • Research Roundup: Week One

    Research Roundup: Week One

    Pooja Gada catches you up on some of the summer’s scientific research

    3 October 2025
    Research Roundup: Week One
  • Revolutionise your pres: here's how to turn water into wine

    Revolutionise your pres: here’s how to turn water into wine

    3 October 2025
    Revolutionise your pres: here’s how to turn water into wine
  • Is the gender binary really ‘basic biology’?

    Is the gender binary really ‘basic biology’?

    1 October 2025
    Is the gender binary really ‘basic biology’?
  • What's in a name? Florey's role in the penicillin story

    What’s in a name? Florey’s role in the penicillin story

    28 September 2025
    What’s in a name? Florey’s role in the penicillin story
  • It's materials science's time to shine 

    It’s materials science’s time to shine 

    26 September 2025
    It’s materials science’s time to shine 
  • Could ’artificial cartilage‘ be the key to a self-medicating body?

    Could ’artificial cartilage‘ be the key to a self-medicating body?

    21 September 2025
    Could ’artificial cartilage‘ be the key to a self-medicating body?
  • Miniature birds and cannabalistic salamanders: how organisms are adapting to climate change

    Miniature birds and cannabalistic salamanders: how organisms are adapting to climate change

    18 September 2025
    Miniature birds and cannabalistic salamanders: how organisms are adapting to climate change
  • Why ‘repressed’ memories might actually be false memories

    Why ‘repressed’ memories might actually be false memories

    14 September 2025
    Why ‘repressed’ memories might actually be false memories
  • The ultimate popular science reading list

    The ultimate popular science reading list

    11 September 2025
    The ultimate popular science reading list
  • Who gets to stay cool in Cambridge?

    Who gets to stay cool in Cambridge?

    Why extreme heat is not felt equally across Cambridge

    7 September 2025
    Who gets to stay cool in Cambridge?
  • How to spot a cheater (without Coldplay’s kiss cam)

    How to spot a cheater (without Coldplay’s kiss cam)

    New research suggests that we can accurately judge a person’s past infidelity from the sound of their voice

    5 September 2025
    How to spot a cheater (without Coldplay’s kiss cam)
  • Rock and code: Cambridge AI vs landslides

    Rock and code: Cambridge AI vs landslides

    1 September 2025
    Rock and code: Cambridge AI vs landslides
  • The science of 'three-parent' babies

    The science of ‘three-parent’ babies

    29 August 2025
    The science of ‘three-parent’ babies
  • How films ‘hack’ your senses

    How films ‘hack’ your senses

    25 August 2025
    How films ‘hack’ your senses
  • Forget horses, sperm is the new gambling opportunity

    Forget horses, sperm is the new gambling opportunity

    21 August 2025
    Forget horses, sperm is the new gambling opportunity
  • Is climate change draining your brain?

    Is climate change draining your brain?

    17 August 2025
    Is climate change draining your brain?
  • Why the exam period sucks

    Why the exam period sucks

    15 August 2025
    Why the exam period sucks
  • Blood, spit and tears: the future of cancer diagnosis

    Blood, spit and tears: the future of cancer diagnosis

    10 August 2025
    Blood, spit and tears: the future of cancer diagnosis
  • How an administration is ruining science

    How an administration is ruining science

    7 August 2025
    How an administration is ruining science
  • Vitamin C(ambridge)

    Vitamin C(ambridge)

    Lucy George discusses whether or not multi-vitamins are going to rescue us during term-time

    17 July 2025
    Vitamin C(ambridge)
  • How does the brain become conscious of its thoughts? 

    How does the brain become conscious of its thoughts? 

    Nessa Yip explains the progress made by neuroscience towards answering a question at the centre of the human experience 

    11 July 2025
    How does the brain become conscious of its thoughts? 
  • It's only rocket science, Elon

    It’s only rocket science, Elon

    3 July 2025
    It’s only rocket science, Elon
  • What happens to your body during May Week?

    What happens to your body during May Week?

    13 June 2025
    What happens to your body during May Week?
  • Watch out for your fruit bowl

    Watch out for your fruit bowl

    12 June 2025
    Watch out for your fruit bowl
  • Can ‘cloaked cells’ help us cure Alzheimer's?

    Can ‘cloaked cells’ help us cure Alzheimer’s?

    8 June 2025
    Can ‘cloaked cells’ help us cure Alzheimer’s?
  • A mammoth discovery? The science of de-extinction 

    A mammoth discovery? The science of de-extinction 

    1 June 2025
    A mammoth discovery? The science of de-extinction 
  • Research Roundup: rock on?

    Research Roundup: rock on?

    26 May 2025
    Research Roundup: rock on?
  • Peeling back food waste

    Peeling back food waste

    25 May 2025
    Peeling back food waste
  • Is Ozempic really a breakthrough drug?

    Is Ozempic really a breakthrough drug?

    22 May 2025
    Is Ozempic really a breakthrough drug?
  • Rhythm is a biped: your mother walked so you could talk

    Rhythm is a biped: your mother walked so you could talk

    Georgina Holmes explains how bipedalism developing in early humans has given us both speech and rhythm 

    18 May 2025
    Rhythm is a biped: your mother walked so you could talk
  • What can magic mushrooms can do for Parkinson's disease?

    What can magic mushrooms can do for Parkinson’s disease?

    Lucy George explains how ‘shrooms’ have clinical potenital against the neurodegenerative disorder   

    29 May 2025
    What can magic mushrooms can do for Parkinson’s disease?
  • One size doesn’t fit all: why understanding your genes could revolutionise your medicine cabinet

    One size doesn’t fit all: why understanding your genes could revolutionise your medicine cabinet

    15 May 2025
    One size doesn’t fit all: why understanding your genes could revolutionise your medicine cabinet
  • The age of the hype cycle: why science needs room to breathe

    The age of the hype cycle: why science needs room to breathe

    11 May 2025
    The age of the hype cycle: why science needs room to breathe
  • No need to reinvent the wheel

    No need to reinvent the wheel

    4 May 2025
    No need to reinvent the wheel
  • Ultra-processed food: is it as bad as they say? 

    Ultra-processed food: is it as bad as they say? 

    1 May 2025
    Ultra-processed food: is it as bad as they say? 
  • More than just hocus pocus: Curious Cures at the University Library

    Review

    More than just hocus pocus: Curious Cures at the University Library

    27 April 2025
    More than just hocus pocus: Curious Cures at the University Library
  • Endometriosis treatment: same old status quo?

    Endometriosis treatment: same old status quo?

    8 May 2025
    Endometriosis treatment: same old status quo?
  • Research Roundup: Week One

    Research Round-up

    Research Roundup: Week One

    25 April 2025
    Research Roundup: Week One
  • Meet the student team building a zero-emissions boat

    Meet the student team building a zero-emissions boat

    25 April 2025
    Meet the student team building a zero-emissions boat
  • Is camembert the secret to a gouda memory?

    Is camembert the secret to a gouda memory?

    Yi Sum Yue explores the surprising neuroprotective properties of this soft, creamy cheese

    20 April 2025
    Is camembert the secret to a gouda memory?
  • Dark energy: lights out for the universe?

    Dark energy: lights out for the universe?

    Michel Quist explains how this mysterious force could change our understanding of the future of the universe

    10 April 2025
    Dark energy: lights out for the universe?
  • Do you really have 'cortisol face'?

    Do you really have ‘cortisol face’?

    31 March 2025
    Do you really have ‘cortisol face’?
  • Lab-grown meat: what are the steaks?

    Lab-grown meat: what are the steaks?

    27 March 2025
    Lab-grown meat: what are the steaks?
  • We should be more superstitious

    Opinion

    We should be more superstitious

    23 March 2025
    We should be more superstitious
  • Through the glass ceiling to the stars?

    Through the glass ceiling to the stars?

    9 March 2025
    Through the glass ceiling to the stars?
  • Dr. Grace Lin and Dr. Felicia Sunaryo on practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine

    Interview

    Dr. Grace Lin and Dr. Felicia Sunaryo on practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine

    7 March 2025
    Dr. Grace Lin and Dr. Felicia Sunaryo on practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Research Round-Up: Week Seven

    Research Round-Up: Week Seven

    7 March 2025
    Research Round-Up: Week Seven
  • Have chromosomes cracked the case?

    Have chromosomes cracked the case?

    7 March 2025
    Have chromosomes cracked the case?
  • When poison becomes cure

    When poison becomes cure

    27 February 2025
    When poison becomes cure
  • The fate of science under Trump 2.0

    Opinion

    The fate of science under Trump 2.0

    Claire Ding explores how the administration’s policies will affect scientific progress, from public health to space exploration

    23 February 2025
    The fate of science under Trump 2.0
  • 'Summarise this article'

    ‘Summarise this article’

    Bibi Boyce discusses the contribution of artificial intelligence to climate change

    21 February 2025
    ‘Summarise this article’
  • In defence of the unexpected discovery

    Long Read

    In defence of the unexpected discovery

    21 February 2025
    In defence of the unexpected discovery
  • Research Roundup: Week Five

    Research Round-up

    Research Roundup: Week Five

    21 February 2025
    Research Roundup: Week Five
  • The power of plants

    The power of plants

    16 February 2025
    The power of plants
  • Meet the Cambridge researchers exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies

    Long Read

    Meet the Cambridge researchers exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies

    7 February 2025
    Meet the Cambridge researchers exploring psychedelic-assisted therapies
  • Research Roundup: Week Three

    Research Round-up

    Research Roundup: Week Three

    7 February 2025
    Research Roundup: Week Three
  • Does Chinese acupuncture have a place in modern medicine?

    Opinion

    Does Chinese acupuncture have a place in modern medicine?

    7 February 2025
    Does Chinese acupuncture have a place in modern medicine?
  • How medical research is failing women – and how to fix it

    How medical research is failing women – and how to fix it

    6 February 2025
    How medical research is failing women – and how to fix it
  • Why are more boys born after wars?

    Why are more boys born after wars?

    2 February 2025
    Why are more boys born after wars?
  • Will DeepSeek dethrone ChatGPT?

    Will DeepSeek dethrone ChatGPT?

    Teymour Taj explores the implications of the launch of the new Chinese AI chatbot

    31 January 2025
    Will DeepSeek dethrone ChatGPT?
  • Bacteria on the mind?

    Bacteria on the mind?

    From Pavlov to probiotics, Charlie Owen examines how our gut microbiome can affect our mental health

    26 January 2025
    Bacteria on the mind?
  • Research Roundup: Week One

    Research Round-up

    Research Roundup: Week One

    24 January 2025
    Research Roundup: Week One
  • Past their sell-by date: the science of calendars past and present

    Feature

    Past their sell-by date: the science of calendars past and present

    24 January 2025
    Past their sell-by date: the science of calendars past and present
  • Pride without prejudice in the animal kingdom

    Pride without prejudice in the animal kingdom

    24 January 2025
    Pride without prejudice in the animal kingdom
  • The munchies for Maccies?

    The munchies for Maccies?

    16 January 2025
    The munchies for Maccies?
  • Why some like it hot

    Why some like it hot

    9 January 2025
    Why some like it hot
  • Stay cold to treat a cold?

    Stay cold to treat a cold?

    5 January 2025
    Stay cold to treat a cold?
  • Why do we remember the 'good old days'?

    Why do we remember the ‘good old days’?

    2 January 2025
    Why do we remember the ‘good old days’?
  • Research Round-up: 2024 edition

    Research Round-Up

    Research Round-up: 2024 edition

    30 December 2024
    Research Round-up: 2024 edition
  • Beauty vs brains? 

    Long Read

    Beauty vs brains? 

    The ‘Women in STEM’ movement is letting women down

    26 December 2024
    Beauty vs brains? 
  • The end of the world as we know it!

    Feature

    The end of the world as we know it!

    Teymour Taj explores some of the weird and wonderful theories predicting the end of life on Earth

    22 December 2024
    The end of the world as we know it!
  • How coffee makes you smarter

    How coffee makes you smarter

    19 December 2024
    How coffee makes you smarter
  • A breath of fresh air for respiratory medicine

    A breath of fresh air for respiratory medicine

    12 December 2024
    A breath of fresh air for respiratory medicine
  • Hope for the environment in the age of Trump

    Opinion

    Hope for the environment in the age of Trump

    2 December 2024
    Hope for the environment in the age of Trump
  • Seven is the magic number

    Astronomy

    Seven is the magic number

    29 November 2024
    Seven is the magic number
  • Research round-up: week eight

    Research Round-Up

    Research round-up: week eight

    29 November 2024
    Research round-up: week eight
  • Is epigenetics the secret to eternal youth?

    Is epigenetics the secret to eternal youth?

    26 November 2024
    Is epigenetics the secret to eternal youth?
  • Research Round-up: week six

    Research Round-up: week six

    15 November 2024
    Research Round-up: week six
  • Let's root for root vegetables!

    Let’s root for root vegetables!

    15 November 2024
    Let’s root for root vegetables!
  • In praise of the Museum of Zoology

    Zoology

    In praise of the Museum of Zoology

    A trip to the Museum of Zoology

    14 November 2024
    In praise of the Museum of Zoology
  • The new face of probiotics

    Microbiology

    The new face of probiotics

    A dive into microbiome-focused skincare

    12 November 2024
    The new face of probiotics
  • Research Round-up: Week four

    Research Round-up: Week four

    1 November 2024
    Research Round-up: Week four
  • Beating the winter blues

    Beating the winter blues

    1 November 2024
    Beating the winter blues
  • The Elvish gene?

    The Elvish gene?

    1 November 2024
    The Elvish gene?
  • Panacea or pharmastate nightmare?

    Panacea or pharmastate nightmare?

    27 October 2024
    Panacea or pharmastate nightmare?
  • The myth of a peaceful death

    The myth of a peaceful death

    24 October 2024
    The myth of a peaceful death
  • Research Round-up: Week Two

    Research Round-up: Week Two

    20 October 2024
    Research Round-up: Week Two
  • Sick of getting sick? The science of freshers' flu

    Sick of getting sick? The science of freshers’ flu

    18 October 2024
    Sick of getting sick? The science of freshers’ flu
  • Cambridge alumni sweep this year's Nobel Prizes

    Cambridge alumni sweep this year’s Nobel Prizes

    17 October 2024
    Cambridge alumni sweep this year’s Nobel Prizes

Partner Links

  • Amomama
  • Easy Limo
  • Student Marketing

Sponsored Links

  • Limo Bus
  • The Mays Anthology
Back to top
Varsity Masthead

First published in 1947, Varsity is the independent student newspaper for the University of Cambridge.

All content © 1996-2025 Varsity Publications Ltd.

  • Paper Edition
  • Editorial Complaints
  • About Varsity
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • RSS
  • Get Involved
  • Trust
  • Donate
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube