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Varsity Masthead

Saturday 12 July 2025 | Cambridge, UK
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SCIENCE

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

    ‘Rapid unscheduled disassembly’ – Starship flight 9 ends in a fireball

    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

    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

    Elysia Aves explores why drug outcomes vary so widely between patients and what this means for the future of pharmacology

    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?

    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’?

    Yashraj Garg explores the science behind hormone ‘balancing’

    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

    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

    Ruby Jackson explores the importance of happy accidents in scientific research

    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?

    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

    As term begins again, Ruby Jackson breaks down the latest scientific research

    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? 

    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

    The science of caffeine

    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

    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

    Ananya Vijay rounds up the latest research from Cambridge

    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
  • The next Covid-19: why future pandemics are 'a certainty'

    Global Health

    The next Covid-19: why future pandemics are ‘a certainty’

    10 October 2024
    The next Covid-19: why future pandemics are ‘a certainty’
  • So much doom(scrolling)

    Not Built for This

    So much doom(scrolling)

    Matthew Taylor dives into our relationship with social media and the digital world

    6 October 2024
    So much doom(scrolling)
  • Research Round-up: what you missed over the summer

    Research Round-up

    Research Round-up: what you missed over the summer

    Maya Kunchur gets you up to date on some of the latest scientific discoveries

    4 October 2024
    Research Round-up: what you missed over the summer
  • Anti-climax? The science of the female orgasm

    Anti-climax? The science of the female orgasm

    4 October 2024
    Anti-climax? The science of the female orgasm
  • Helping hedgehogs and beyond

    Conservation

    Helping hedgehogs and beyond

    26 September 2024
    Helping hedgehogs and beyond
  • Under pressure: the badger cull controversy

    Ecology

    Under pressure: the badger cull controversy

    19 September 2024
    Under pressure: the badger cull controversy
  • The battle against antimicrobial resistance

    Global Health

    The battle against antimicrobial resistance

    12 September 2024
    The battle against antimicrobial resistance
  • The magic of mRNA

    Medicine

    The magic of mRNA

    6 September 2024
    The magic of mRNA
  • Misinformation — it's in our genes

    Genetics

    Misinformation — it’s in our genes

    2 September 2024
    Misinformation — it’s in our genes
  • We're (g)in trouble

    Not Built for This

    We’re (g)in trouble

    29 August 2024
    We’re (g)in trouble
  • Rescuing reds is nuts! A tail of squirrel conservation

    Ecology

    Rescuing reds is nuts! A tail of squirrel conservation

    25 August 2024
    Rescuing reds is nuts! A tail of squirrel conservation
  • Does the mpox outbreak spell disaster for global health?

    Global Health

    Does the mpox outbreak spell disaster for global health?

    Following the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, Ruby Jackson explores just how worried we need to be about mpox

    22 August 2024
    Does the mpox outbreak spell disaster for global health?
  • Bird flu - another pandemic?

    Bird flu – another pandemic?

    Maya Kunchur discusses whether H5N1 could spell disaster for humans

    15 August 2024
    Bird flu – another pandemic?
  • British athletes love to sit and other Olympic statistics

    British athletes love to sit and other Olympic statistics

    11 August 2024
    British athletes love to sit and other Olympic statistics
  • Is a Labour government good news for the climate?

    Opinion

    Is a Labour government good news for the climate?

    21 July 2024
    Is a Labour government good news for the climate?
  • Research Roundup: Week 9

    Research Round-Up

    Research Roundup: Week 9

    25 June 2024
    Research Roundup: Week 9
  • Research Round-Up: May Week

    Research Round-Up

    Research Round-Up: May Week

    16 June 2024
    Research Round-Up: May Week
  • Meet the man behind your favourite 'carbon-neutral' brands

    Opinion

    Meet the man behind your favourite ‘carbon-neutral’ brands

    6 June 2024
    Meet the man behind your favourite ‘carbon-neutral’ brands
  • Behind the sneeze

    Behind the sneeze

    30 May 2024
    Behind the sneeze
  • Can AlphaFold3 make cancer history?

    Opinion

    Can AlphaFold3 make cancer history?

    23 May 2024
    Can AlphaFold3 make cancer history?
  • Why is Botswana sending 20,000 elephants to Germany?

    Opinion

    Why is Botswana sending 20,000 elephants to Germany?

    16 May 2024
    Why is Botswana sending 20,000 elephants to Germany?
  • Cambridge basks in the Northern Lights

    Feature

    Cambridge basks in the Northern Lights

    What is behind these beautiful images?

    13 May 2024
    Cambridge basks in the Northern Lights
  • The wonders of nature in Cambridge

    Opinion

    The wonders of nature in Cambridge

    Jack Byrne discusses Cambridge’s urban wildlife and how we should appreciate the world around us

    9 May 2024
    The wonders of nature in Cambridge
  • The silent symphony of mould, paper, and time

    Feature

    The silent symphony of mould, paper, and time

    2 May 2024
    The silent symphony of mould, paper, and time
  • Mastering first impressions: How your brain sizes up strangers in 7 seconds

    Feature

    Mastering first impressions: How your brain sizes up strangers in 7 seconds

    25 April 2024
    Mastering first impressions: How your brain sizes up strangers in 7 seconds
  • Investigating the gender divide in STEM

    Investigating the gender divide in STEM

    21 April 2024
    Investigating the gender divide in STEM
  • Research Round-Up: Holiday edition

    Science

    Research Round-Up: Holiday edition

    19 April 2024
    Research Round-Up: Holiday edition
  • How Cambridge bred eugenics

    How Cambridge bred eugenics

    19 April 2024
    How Cambridge bred eugenics
  • Research Round-Up: Week 8

    Science

    Research Round-Up: Week 8

    4 April 2024
    Research Round-Up: Week 8
  • Personal diet tech reveals a new face

    Opinion

    Personal diet tech reveals a new face

    26 March 2024
    Personal diet tech reveals a new face
  • From Hockney to Hawking: The Intersection of Art and Science

    Science

    From Hockney to Hawking: The Intersection of Art and Science

    13 March 2024
    From Hockney to Hawking: The Intersection of Art and Science
  • Ballerinas, Hamlet, and Quantum Physics

    Science

    Ballerinas, Hamlet, and Quantum Physics

    Laura Nassar makes us question all we thought we knew about the world around us

    7 March 2024
    Ballerinas, Hamlet, and Quantum Physics
  • Research Round-Up: Week 6

    Science

    Research Round-Up: Week 6

    Ananya Vijay reports on the latest scientific discoveries in Cambridge from the past week.

    1 March 2024
    Research Round-Up: Week 6
  • Is it over for the hangover?

    Is it over for the hangover?

    1 March 2024
    Is it over for the hangover?
  • Tick-tock goes the clock, especially in Cambridge

    Science

    Tick-tock goes the clock, especially in Cambridge

    20 February 2024
    Tick-tock goes the clock, especially in Cambridge
  • Looking for love? So is the entire animal kingdom.

    Science

    Looking for love? So is the entire animal kingdom.

    16 February 2024
    Looking for love? So is the entire animal kingdom.
  • Research Round-Up: Week 3

    Science

    Research Round-Up: Week 3

    16 February 2024
    Research Round-Up: Week 3
  • AI in scientific research: friend or foe?

    Science

    AI in scientific research: friend or foe?

    12 February 2024
    AI in scientific research: friend or foe?
  • The Strange Death of the Intrepid Explorer

    Science

    The Strange Death of the Intrepid Explorer

    2 February 2024
    The Strange Death of the Intrepid Explorer
  • Research Roundup: Week One

    Science

    Research Roundup: Week One

    2 February 2024
    Research Roundup: Week One
  • Traitors: The Science of Deception

    Science

    Traitors: The Science of Deception

    22 January 2024
    Traitors: The Science of Deception
  • 'However hard I tried to be a scientist, the press were always going to feature me as a young woman'

    Science

    ‘However hard I tried to be a scientist, the press were always going to feature me as a young woman’

    Anouk Waller-Sargent speaks to Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell

    19 January 2024
    ‘However hard I tried to be a scientist, the press were always going to feature me as a young woman’
  • Research Round-Up: What you missed over the winter

    Science

    Research Round-Up: What you missed over the winter

    Ananya Vijay keeps you up-to-date with the latest scientific discoveries in Cambridge.

    19 January 2024
    Research Round-Up: What you missed over the winter
  • Could 'protein origami' cause the livestock industry to fold?

    Could ‘protein origami’ cause the livestock industry to fold?

    8 January 2024
    Could ‘protein origami’ cause the livestock industry to fold?
  • Why you remember Last Christmas every Christmas

    Science

    Why you remember Last Christmas every Christmas

    3 January 2024
    Why you remember Last Christmas every Christmas
  • What really goes on inside Just Stop Oil?

    Opinion

    What really goes on inside Just Stop Oil?

    21 December 2023
    What really goes on inside Just Stop Oil?
  •  A 'Pivotal' moment for the move towards flying cars

    A ‘Pivotal’ moment for the move towards flying cars

    26 November 2023
    A ‘Pivotal’ moment for the move towards flying cars
  • A (swan) dive into the realm of Cambridge birdwatching

    A (swan) dive into the realm of Cambridge birdwatching

    24 November 2023
    A (swan) dive into the realm of Cambridge birdwatching
  • Inspiring the next generation of Women in STEM

    Inspiring the next generation of Women in STEM

    17 November 2023
    Inspiring the next generation of Women in STEM
  • Space-based solar power prepares for takeoff

    Space-based solar power prepares for takeoff

    12 November 2023
    Space-based solar power prepares for takeoff
  • Research roundup: Weeks 5 & 6

    Research roundup: Weeks 5 & 6

    12 November 2023
    Research roundup: Weeks 5 & 6

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

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