News in April 2019 Event will shine a light on whistleblowing and the media The role and treatment of whistleblowers and journalists who uncover human rights abuses will be in the spotlight at a special event in Ãå±±½ûµØ. published on: 1 May 2019 Ãå±±½ûµØ academics join call for a strategy for the rural economy Experts at Ãå±±½ûµØ have welcomed calls for the Government to develop a Rural Strategy to address rural challenges and realise the potential of rural economies. published on: 30 April 2019 Ãå±±½ûµØ experts lead €6m international trial into rare bone disease Genetic specialists are spearheading a multi-national study which aims to develop a new treatment for rare bone disease. published on: 30 April 2019 Ãå±±½ûµØ to host North East Child Poverty Commission Efforts to tackle child poverty in the region will get a renewed boost after it was announced that Ãå±±½ûµØ is to host the North East Child Poverty Commission (NECPC). published on: 30 April 2019 Miniature transponders to be used in the war against ocean plastic Low-cost acoustic tags attached to fishing nets are being trialled as part of a major new project to reduce marine litter and ‘ghost fishing’. published on: 30 April 2019 Scholarship boost for European business leaders of the future Ãå±±½ûµØ Business School is offering an exceptional candidate from Europe a full fee MBA scholarship opportunity for study from September 2019. published on: 29 April 2019 Comment: Punishing polluters - why large fines are an important step Writing for The Conversation, Ole Pederson discusses why harsher penalties are needed for polluters. published on: 25 April 2019 Think you should slow down as you get older? Think again! Muscle strengthening exercises are important for building bone strength and preventing osteoporosis, but new research shows that even just 10,000 steps a day can help to keep bones strong. published on: 25 April 2019 Ãå±±½ûµØ declares a climate emergency Ãå±±½ûµØ has signalled its commitment to climate change action by joining a number of organisations in the UK and all over the world to declare a climate emergency. published on: 18 April 2019 World-leading academics receive highest honour Two world-leading academics at Ãå±±½ûµØ have been given a prestigious honour for their outstanding work in health research and evolutionary biology. published on: 17 April 2019 Comment: 'Machines Like Me' and the thorny issue of robot rights Writing for The Conversation, Joshua Jowitt comments on the issue of robot rights. published on: 17 April 2019 Deep sea scientist breaks British depth record Ãå±±½ûµØ scientist plunges 7,180 metres into the depths of the Java Trench to become the deepest diving Brit in history. published on: 17 April 2019 Major new funding to explore social challenges across Europe Researchers at Ãå±±½ûµØ have won a share of a major funding programme to explore the social, cultural, and political challenges facing the UK, Europe and the world. published on: 16 April 2019 Comment: Sudan can avoid mistakes by drawing lessons from its past Writing for The Conversation, Willow Berridge discusses how Sudan can avoid past mistakes by drawing lessons from earlier civilian uprisings. published on: 15 April 2019 University lecturer wins Shakespeare's New Contemporaries prize Dr Emma Whipday is the first British writer to win the US competition which is creating a modern canon of companion pieces to the bard’s 38 plays. published on: 15 April 2019 Sharks more vulnerable than originally thought Total number of sharks and rays caught annually by small-scale fisheries in the South West Indian Ocean is estimated to be 2.5 million individuals – 73% more than officially reported. published on: 15 April 2019 Music could boost Scottish tourism say experts A new study by Ãå±±½ûµØ academics concludes music tourism should become a key part of Scotland’s national strategy to attract visitors. published on: 14 April 2019 Comment: Academics have shaped Sudan’s political history Speaking to The Conversation, Willow Berridge explains how Sudanese academics are taking a leading role in protests against President Omar al-Bashir. published on: 11 April 2019 Comment: Brexit: differing versions of democracy on both sides Writing for The Conversation, Ian O'Flynn discusses the differing versions of democracy on both sides of the Brexit debate. published on: 11 April 2019 Comment: Property guardians live in legal limbo despite new law Writing for The Conversation, Derek Whayman discusses how a new law giving tenants the right to demand a basic standard of accommodation remains unclear for property guardians. published on: 10 April 2019 Tyneside house has starring role on BBC A Ãå±±½ûµØ manager’s house has the starring role in the new BBC Two series, A House Through Time. published on: 8 April 2019 World’s best poets to speak at fifth Ãå±±½ûµØ Poetry Festival Terrance Hayes, Mary Ruefle, Adelaide Ivánova and Ishion Hutchinson, are among those taking part in the annual event which runs from 1 to 4 May. published on: 5 April 2019 Comment: Boeing 737 MAX - cost of the grounded fleet Writing for The Conversation, Dr Volodymyr Bilotkach discusses how much the grounded fleet could cost Boeing following the crash of Ethiopians Airlines Flight 302. published on: 4 April 2019 Ãå±±½ûµØ ranked among the world's best for sustainable development A new World Ranking has ranked Ãå±±½ûµØ 23rd in the world for its commitment to sustainable development. published on: 3 April 2019 A soft spot for stem cells helps cornea healing New research reveals a potential revolutionary way to treat eye injuries and prevent blindness – by softening the tissue hosting the stem cells which then helps repair wounds, inside the body. published on: 3 April 2019 Last survivor of the transatlantic slave trade identified Ãå±±½ûµØ academic reveals Redoshi – known as Sally Smith - was the last surviving African-born slave in the Americas. published on: 2 April 2019 NHS dental budget needs reform to meet patients’ needs Routine scaling and polishing of teeth should be stopped as the NHS dental budget would be better spent elsewhere, experts warn. published on: 2 April 2019