Update 13:15

Guelph tops Canadian university league table
Guelph University took first place in the comprehensive universities category in Maclean's magazine's Canadian Universities 2002, published yesterday. 46 universities were ranked using more than 20 performance measures. St Francis Xavier University was best undergraduate university and Toronto University topped the medical doctoral category for the ninth year running.

Search for brainiest youngsters to start in new year
A nationwide search for England's brainiest youngsters is to be launched in the new year. School standards minister David Miliband urged teachers and parents to nominate children from all backgrounds to take part in programmes run by the National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth at Warwick University.

Brazil lifts research grant age restriction
Age is no longer a barrier to winning a first research grant in Brazil. A federal court has abolished a rule restricting grants from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development to under 24s. Judge Jaime Mitropoulos said candidates in their 50s and 70s would now be eligible in accordance with the spirit of the Brazilian Constitution.

Ulster joins research into nursing care for the elderly
Ulster University nursing experts are taking part in a £260,000 joint US-EU project aimed at improving nursing care for the elderly. The project links six universities in the US, Sweden, Italy and Northern Ireland, bringing together nursing and business specialists to create a model for nursing education.

Warwick University to buy National Grid HQ building
Warwick University is to buy the UK headquarters of the National Grid, subject to final contractual negotiations. The National Grid is moving to larger offices. "It is a significant opportunity for the university to acquire a ready-made, high-quality building on a site adjoining its main campus and science park," a university spokesman said.