News in October 2016 Russell Group delegation to China explores future links and innovation Strengthened relationships and shared approaches to global challenges between UK and China’s leading universities are the focus of a Russell Group Vice-Chancellor delegation to Shanghai on October 31. published on: 31 October 2016 Genetically modified buildings: Could bacteria create the foundations Pressure responsive bacteria could create the foundations of buildings in the future, new research suggests. published on: 28 October 2016 Comment: Heathrow expansion is a start, but it’s not enough Writing for The Conversation, Dr Volodymyr Bilotkach explains why airport expansion is needed. published on: 26 October 2016 Scientists show for first time how early intervention can help autism Scientists have revealed how early intervention to help parents and their autistic children communicate better can help reduce autistic symptoms in the long-term. published on: 26 October 2016 Freedom City 2017 awarded Arts Council funding Freedom City 2017 awarded Arts Council funding for city-wide celebration of Martin Luther King's visit to Ãå±±½ûµØ to receive an honorary degree. published on: 25 October 2016 Comment: One new runway not enough to sustain economic development Dr Volodymyr Bilotkach, Senior lecturer in Economics at Ãå±±½ûµØ Business School, responds to the Government’s decision to expand airport capacity by building a third runway at Heathrow. published on: 25 October 2016 How even our brains get ‘slacker’ as we age Losing the youthful firmness and elasticity in our skin is one of the first outward signs of ageing. Now it seems it’s not just our skin that starts to sag - but our brains too. published on: 24 October 2016 Distinguished service award given to Ãå±±½ûµØ academic Professor Selina Stead has been recognised by the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) for her long-term commitment and outstanding contributions to the Society. published on: 24 October 2016 Comment: 25 years of peace in Cambodia Writing for The Conversation, Professor Rhona Smith explains that Cambodia has come a long way in 25 years of peace – but it’s far from perfect. published on: 21 October 2016 Comment: Using monkeys for research justified in advancing treatments Writing for The Conversation, Professor Stuart Baker discusses how using primate research is giving us treatments that would be otherwise impossible. published on: 20 October 2016 Rural communities expert joins Ãå±±½ûµØ Ãå±±½ûµØ has further strengthened its expertise in agriculture and the rural economy with the appointment of Professor Sally Shortall published on: 19 October 2016 Lunchtime concerts return to the King’s Hall Free lunchtime concerts will return to the King’s Hall this October when it re-opens following a year-long refurbishment. published on: 19 October 2016 Stroke device: A patient's perspective Chris Blower, 30, is a third year Biomedical Sciences student at Ãå±±½ûµØ and he had a stroke when he was a child after open heart surgery. He describes his thoughts on the device. published on: 19 October 2016 New hope for recovery of hand movement for stroke patients Stroke patients are starting a trial of a new electronic device to recover movement and control of their hand. published on: 19 October 2016 Birds could help save our conkers Birds could hold the key to saving our conkers and the public is being urged to help collect the evidence. published on: 18 October 2016 Comment: Microbe traces in ancient rocks could help find life on Mars Writing for The Conversation, Professor Peter Cumpson discusses new techniques that could detect traces of past microbial life in meteorites from Mars. published on: 13 October 2016 One small step towards detecting Life on Mars Biological evidence of life in basalt rocks - similar to those found on Mars - has been detected for the first time. published on: 13 October 2016 Comment: eight ways Islamophobia operates Writing for The Conversation, Professor Peter Hopkins looks at how Islamophobia affects everyday life. published on: 12 October 2016 Launch of the National Centre for Energy Systems Integration EPSRC, Siemens and Ãå±±½ûµØ officially launch the new £20m centre for energy systems research. published on: 11 October 2016 Ãå±±½ûµØ Gateshead chosen to host Great Exhibition of the North Ãå±±½ûµØ and Gateshead will celebrate art, design and innovation as hosts of the Great Exhibition of the North in 2018. published on: 11 October 2016 Vertical: The city from satellites to bunkers Professor Steve Graham's new book, Vertical, is a revolutionary re-imagining of the cities we live in, the air above us, and what goes on beneath our feet. published on: 11 October 2016 Improving treatments for childhood nerve cancer is required Every year in the UK around 1,600 children are diagnosed with cancer, and thanks to research, the number of children surviving their disease has tripled since the 1960s. published on: 10 October 2016 Help shape Metro’s Grand Design Ãå±±½ûµØ is leading a major project to help design the next generation of Metrocars for the Tyne and Wear Metro. published on: 10 October 2016 Bats move into new accommodation at Ãå±±½ûµØ A colony of bats living at Ãå±±½ûµØâ€™s largest student accommodation are moving into new, purpose-built ‘houses’. published on: 7 October 2016 Comment: Jarrow crusade: 80 years on their message still resonates Writing for The Conversation, Dr Matt Perry explains why the Jarrow Crusade still relevant today published on: 6 October 2016 Ãå±±½ûµØ City Futures takes over Seven Stories for the Big Draw What will Ãå±±½ûµØ Gateshead and Seven Stories look like in 2065? published on: 5 October 2016 New series of Insights public lectures starts The modern-day relevance of the Jarrow Crusade is included in a new series of Insights public lectures at Ãå±±½ûµØ, which starts next week. published on: 5 October 2016 Creating the cities of tomorrow The University is working with global energy company, ENGIE, to explore joint projects that address challenges around ageing, smart data and energy. published on: 5 October 2016 Comment: What have cats ever done for us? Writing for The Conversation, Dr Catherine Douglas says that when it comes to cats we have lots to be thankful for. published on: 4 October 2016 Improved vitamin test could help millions A new technique that gives quicker and more accurate information about a person’s levels of vitamin A could help improve the health of millions. published on: 4 October 2016 Comment: The bacteria that hold clues to the origins of life Writing for The Conversation, Professor Jeff Errington discusses how the bacterial cell wall can help us understand how pathogens evade our defences and how key antibiotics such as penicillin work. published on: 4 October 2016