Today's news

Women are poor at science, says Harvard president
The president of Harvard University has provoked a furore by arguing that men outperform women in maths and sciences because of biological difference, and discrimination is no longer a career barrier for female academics.
Guardian

Young scientists need spark of a genius
Professors should become inspirational preachers who seek out young people to convert them to the cause of science and engineering, according to the distinguished heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub.
Daily Telegraph

Kennedy targets Labour seats
The Liberal Democrats set out their general election stall to woo students and academics disillusioned with Labour by promising to abolish tuition and top-up fees.
Times

Dropouts costing £420m a year, says Hesa
Student dropouts are costing the taxpayer £420 million a year, it was revealed yesterday. As many as a third of undergraduates at some institutions are failing to finish their studies, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Experts say each dropout costs the taxpayer £10,000 in wasted teaching, financial awards and loans.
Daily Mail 

Gene defect may be cause of Parkinson's disease
A genetic discovery was hailed yesterday as the most significant breakthrough in the hunt for a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Scientists announced that a newly discovered single gene defect could be the most common cause of inherited Parkinson’s disease. Three separate papers published in the Lancet highlight the importance of the defect, in a gene called LRRK2.
The Scotsman

Students wield the red pen
A huge new survey is about to canvas the opinions of those in their final year. But is there any point?
Guardian