News in March 2015 Experts call for devolved infrastructure powers and funding for local authorities Senior researchers at some of the country’s leading universities are calling for more devolved powers and funding for local authorities to solve the UK’s infrastructure challenges. published on: 27 March 2015 Young Christians see volunteering as a means to be closer to God, not closer to an employer Short-term volunteering overseas is seen by young people as an opportunity to become more knowledgeable about their Christian faith and more confident in practicing and discussing it, researchers at Ãå±±½ûµØ have concluded. published on: 26 March 2015 Healthcare a ‘postcode-lottery’ for children with cerebral palsy, new study shows Children with cerebral palsy face a ‘postcode-lottery’ in the healthcare they receive, new research has revealed. published on: 25 March 2015 New study to explore the unintentional overdosing of vitamin A Ãå±±½ûµØ academic Dr Georg Lietz has been awarded $2.1M by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to assess the safety of vitamin A programs targeted at children in developing countries. published on: 24 March 2015 Bringing research to life A play set in a fictional town is one of the more unusual ways Ãå±±½ûµØ academics are sharing their research with the public. published on: 23 March 2015 Ãå±±½ûµØ academic key to national study looking at children’s dental health A leading Ãå±±½ûµØ academic has been instrumental in a study looking at young people’s dental health published on: 19 March 2015 Chancellor’s £20m enables Northern world-first in using cities’ data to improve healthcare Chancellor George Osborne has announced £20m in the Budget to boost the Northern Health Science Alliance (NHSA). published on: 19 March 2015 Chancellor announces £10 million for Science Central Ãå±±½ûµØ will be receiving £10 million of government funding for research in infrastructure and cities, as announced in the Budget. published on: 19 March 2015 In search of the ‘immortal membrane’ Experts at Ãå±±½ûµØ are leading a £4.6m research project to develop the next generation of long lasting ‘immortal’ membranes. published on: 19 March 2015 Patients quiz experts on neuromuscular disease More than 160 patients had an opportunity to hear first-hand about the latest research being carried out into mitochondrial disease and muscular dystrophy at a special event yesterday. published on: 18 March 2015 Mother-love helps young people with arthritis through the tough times Young people with arthritis rely heavily on their mother’s support during times of change and uncertainty, a Ãå±±½ûµØ study has revealed. published on: 17 March 2015 App-movement: why programming is no longer the domain of the computer geek Anyone can create an app thanks to a new tool developed by computer experts at Ãå±±½ûµØ. And the service is already being used to create an app to find dementia friendly places. published on: 17 March 2015 New mobile app will find dementia friendly places A ‘TripAdvisor’-style app is being launched which allows carers to locate and rate dementia-friendly places so they are better able to get out and about with their loved-ones. published on: 17 March 2015 People struggling to 'simply survive' the bedroom tax, says new study Communities are being pulled apart by the bedroom tax as people struggle to ‘survive’ its effects, says a leading academic at Ãå±±½ûµØ. published on: 16 March 2015 Pioneering medical research at Ãå±±½ûµØ highlighted in prestigious new publication World-leading medical research at Ãå±±½ûµØ has been highlighted in a prestigious new publication. published on: 12 March 2015 Health Secretary meets first patients diagnosed through genomics medical breakthrough Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has visited Ãå±±½ûµØ to meet the first patients to be diagnosed through the 100,000 Genomes Project. published on: 11 March 2015 Bloodaxe archive inspires new generation of creative work A new website brings the Bloodaxe Books archive to life and has inspired a new body of work. published on: 11 March 2015 Ozone 'vaccine' protects tomatoes against fungal attack Exposing fruit to a burst of ozone gas is similar to 'vaccinating' them against fungal attack, scientists at Ãå±±½ûµØ have found. published on: 11 March 2015 Maryport temples dig wins national award An archaeological dig led by Professor Ian Haynes has been named Research Project of the Year, following its discovery of colossal ‘mystery monuments’ overlooking the Solway. published on: 10 March 2015 Ãå±±½ûµØ supports the launch of Singapore’s first GREAT British Week Ãå±±½ûµØ today joined the British High Commission and the British Council in launching the inaugural GREAT British Week in Singapore. published on: 7 March 2015 Girl Geeks launches its first UK campus programme to bridge ‘STEM’ skills gender gap Girl Geeks has announced that Accenture is the first employer to support Girl Geeks Campus, a new national programme to support female students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers. published on: 6 March 2015 Brewing success on tap for enterprising students The first casks of ale from Europe’s first student-run microbrewery are being rolled out at Ãå±±½ûµØ. published on: 6 March 2015 Leading expert in social renewal recognised with prestigious fellowship The Carnegie Trust has announced the appointment of Professor Mark Shucksmith OBE as Carnegie Fellow for 2015. published on: 4 March 2015 Trailblazing North East women held up as inspiration for Ãå±±½ûµØ law students North east trailblazers Vera Baird QC and Cris McCurley, Gateshead solicitor and campaigner against domestic violence, are among the women being celebrated as ‘inspirational women of the law’ in a new exhibition opening next month at Ãå±±½ûµØ. published on: 2 March 2015 Pupils produce new take on Tyneside history A new take on the history of Tyneside icons including Ãå±±½ûµØ United, Fenwick’s store and Souter Lighthouse are part of a special month-long exhibition at the Great North Museum: Hancock, and which has been researched and designed entirely by pupils at a Killingworth school. published on: 2 March 2015 Funding boost for life and health sciences in the North of England The Northern Health Science Alliance’s (NHSA) ambitious project of establishing an internationally recognised life science and healthcare economy in the North of England has been given a vital boost following funding from Higher Education Funding Council England (HEFCE). published on: 2 March 2015