Spotlight on Research

Three glases of red wine with oranges, cinnamon and star anise

Why cinnamon is the Christmas spice that keeps on giving

Research shows that cinnamon and its constituents have a wide range of medicinal applications, write Prof John Stephens of the Chemistry Department and former postgraduate researcher Amanda Doyle

Monday, 16 December 2024

Big brown hairy mammoth with a snowy background

Who would own the Woolly Mammoth if scientists brought it back?

If technology manages to recreate extinct animals like the Woolly Mammoth and the Dodo, would they be patented and monetised? asks Dr David Doyle of the Law Department

Tuesday, 10 December 2024

Time worn pages of an old book showing navigational aids

What notes in 17th century book reveal about a transatlantic voyage

The handwritten notes in Samuel Sturmy's Mariner's Magazine tell us much and provoke more questions about a long forgotten 17th century voyage, writes Dr Ciarán Mac an Bhaird of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Tuesday, 03 December 2024

2 women - women on the left with a green top, sitting at a desk counting ballot papers, woman on the right wearing a blue/white blouse, also counting ballot papers.

Here are the most competitive constituencies in Election 24

The Kavanagh Constituency Competitiveness Score, devised by Dr Adrian Kavanagh of the Geography Department, uses the electoral experience of candidates in a constituency to determine competitiveness

Friday, 29 November 2024

Person pushing button on white smart doorbell, red brick house, brown door

How the smart doorbell has changed canvassing in Irish elections

The growth of smart doorbells may lead to unintended consequences, even changing the rules of engagement around election canvassing, writes Prof Mary Corcoran of the Department of Sociology

Tuesday, 26 November 2024

Large yellow sign hanging on railings outside a building that reads: Polling station/Stáisiún Vótála

5 things we know about Election 2024 candidate trends

Nearly 700 people will run for election to the 34th Dáil so what do we know about these candidates and selection trends? asks Dr Adrian Kavanagh of the Geography Department

Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Large blue breaking wave with white foam on it

Science Week: Is the tide still out for wave energy?

Wave energy could provide double our electricity needs but the sector requires long-term support, funding and policy measures, write Carrie Anne Barry, Hafiz Ahsan Said and Prof John Ringwood of the Centre for Ocean Energy Research

Wednesday, 13 November 2024

Silver car surrounded by flood waters

If devastating Spanish floods don't ignite climate action, what will?

It is abundantly clear how human driven climate change has contributed to the deadly flooding we've seen of late in Spain and elsewhere, writes Prof Conor Murphy of the Geography Department and ICARUS

Wednesday, 06 November 2024

Small stone church with trees behind it and grave stones in front of it

The cult of the dead in medieval Ireland

The darkening evenings, the nip in the air and the dying leaves all signal that special time of year when we can have fun or get serious and indulge our fascination with the spooky and macabre, writes Dr Niamh Wycherley of the Department of Early Irish

Wednesday, 30 October 2024

White and red lighthouse building sitting on a rocky outcrop with a boat approaching by sea

Where did all the historical Irish weather records go?

Hidden and lost weather observations contain hugely valuable information about historical climate variability and changes, write Kevin Healion, Dr Simon Noone, Dr David Smyth and Prof Peter Thorne of ICARUS, Ciara Ryan of Met Éireann and Ed Hawkins of the University of Reading

Thursday, 24 October 2024

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