News in March 2014 Princess Royal given an insight into how technology is changing lives Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, was at Ãå±±½ûµØ this week to see how technology is being used to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. published on: 29 March 2014 Training the talent of the future A multi-million pound training centre designed to plug the skills gap in one of the fastest growing areas of computer technology is to be based at Ãå±±½ûµØ. published on: 28 March 2014 Weighing up equality challenges in Higher Education The Universities of Durham and Ãå±±½ûµØ are to host a national conference on women in higher education to examine the issues surrounding gender equality and career progression. published on: 28 March 2014 New £10m project will look at novel treatment for epilepsy A new technique which could revolutionise the treatment of epilepsy is to be tested thanks to a £10m grant. Led by Ãå±±½ûµØ, teams from Imperial College London and UCL universities will also collaborate on the CANDO project to develop a brain implant, which uses light waves to try to counteract the disrupted brain activity which causes epileptic seizures. published on: 27 March 2014 Solving the energy dilemma One hundred years after his death, Swan’s legacy burns brighter than ever.  Professor Tony Roskilly, Director of Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s Sir Joseph Swan Centre, explains why the North East is still leading the way in energy research. published on: 26 March 2014 Ãå±±½ûµØ hosts Westminster debate on rural contribution to national economic growth Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s Centre for Rural Economy will host a panel event at which leading academic and policy experts will discuss the topic Re-imagining the rural: Are we neglecting the rural contribution to national economic growth? published on: 26 March 2014 Ãå±±½ûµØ honours Bryan Ferry CBE Legendary North East musician Bryan Ferry is to receive an honorary degree from Ãå±±½ûµØ. published on: 25 March 2014 It's time to build an ark A rich medieval tradition that died out nearly 500 years ago is being revived at Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s Castle Keep this week. published on: 25 March 2014 Leukaemia caused by chromosome catastrophe Researchers, led by a team at Ãå±±½ûµØ, have found that people born with a rare abnormality of their chromosomes have a 2,700-fold increased risk of a rare childhood leukaemia. published on: 24 March 2014 Celebrity icons take centre stage at the Hatton Ãå±±½ûµØ students have brought together defining celebrity images from across the ages for a new exhibition at the Hatton Gallery. published on: 19 March 2014 Dementia conference features Ãå±±½ûµØ academics Researchers from Ãå±±½ûµØ will present their latest findings at the UK's largest dementia research conference. published on: 19 March 2014 Students propel visitors back in time Turbinia, the fastest ship of its time built on Tyneside, is the inspiration behind one of the activities taking place at the Great North Museum: Hancock this Saturday. published on: 19 March 2014 School in the Cloud community digital platform launched Professor Sugata Mitra unveiled the School in the Cloud’s new digital platform at the TED 2014 conference in Canada, bringing together educators, children and Skype Grannies from all over the world. published on: 19 March 2014 University responds to Government's response to Witty report The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Brink, addresses the Government response. published on: 18 March 2014 Hitting the right note: Ãå±±½ûµØ supports rural arts in Northumberland Northumberland’s proud musical heritage is being highlighted by a Ãå±±½ûµØ project to support rural arts. published on: 17 March 2014 Angelo makes a splash - Ãå±±½ûµØ rowing coach receives top award Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s rowing coach has become the first person to be honoured with a prestigious new award from the sport’s governing body. published on: 13 March 2014 Financial incentives could help people make healthier life choices People may be more likely to adopt healthy behaviours if offered small financial incentives, the largest study of its kind has concluded. published on: 12 March 2014 School in the swamp Getting teachers into remote places is at the heart of Prof Sugata Mitra’s work and the latest addition to his School in the Cloud fits the bill perfectly. published on: 10 March 2014 Web portal will help research A new online system to match up patients with similar genotypes and phenotypes has been launched. published on: 6 March 2014 Recommended levels of sugar halved The World Health Organisation (WHO) has halved its recommended levels of sugar intake, thanks to a study carried out by Ãå±±½ûµØ academics. published on: 6 March 2014 Artist finds patterns in history Fragments of a 104-year-old organ from a church in Gateshead form part of an unusual exhibition opening next month. published on: 3 March 2014 Fat-busting seaweeds identified Scientists at Ãå±±½ûµØ have identified the seaweeds which are most effective at preventing us from absorbing fat, opening up exciting possibilities for making everyday foods healthier. published on: 1 March 2014