Chancellor urged to reward UK research
A radical shake-up and a big increase in funding for academic research careers are essential for UK science to be competitive, chancellor Gordon Brown will be told. More permanent university research positions, fewer contract researchers and salaries that reflect excellence are key, Sir Gareth Roberts, who is reporting to the chancellor on the subject, told a Universities UK conference on research careers yesterday.
Admission chiefs must embrace reforms, say schools
Ministers were warned yesterday that their plans for a “matriculation diploma” at three levels, outlined in a green paper published last month, are unlikely to be accepted by higher education admissions chiefs. Further education and school leaders at a conference in London called for more to be done to encourage higher education to embrace curriculum and qualifications reform.
Study suggests folic acid could 'saves lives'
Elderly people should increase their folic acid intake to three times the recommended dose to minimise their risk from cardiovascular disease, a study by the Wellcome Trust said today. Experts claimed the new research could save lives and reduce costs for the NHS.
Skip breakfast: catch cold
People who skip breakfast are more likely to succumb to colds and flu than those who do not, scientists said today. Research from the school of psychology at Cardiff University shows that susceptibility to common bugs is influenced by a wide range of factors including stress, smoking, drinking alcohol - and having breakfast.
Pisa killer receives 28-year sentence
A 39-year-old Italian who interrupted a lecture at the dentistry department of the University of Pisa in November 2000 and killed his wife as she attended the lecture received a 28-year prison sentence.