Science - News & Events | Trinity College Dublin

Stellar surprise – astronomers uncover methane emission on a cold brown dwarf for the first time

Astronomers have pinpointed methane emission on a brown dwarf. Their discovery, which was a major surprise for such a cold, distant world, was made using the next-gen James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

17 Apr 2024

Research|Science

New project aims to bring down the cost of offshore wind turbines

David Igoe, Assistant Professor in Trinity’s School of Engineering, will use a newly secured Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant of about €250,000 to support research into the effects of pile ageing for offshore wind foundation design.

10 Apr 2024

Awards and Funding|Research|Science|Sustainability

Computer scientists release new Pytch web-app to help students write their own programs

The new version of the free “Pytch” app is the fruit of a development process in which a community of young coders and educators around the world have worked to create and improve a fantastic resource for students and new programmers.

9 Apr 2024

Research|Science|Students

I spy with my speedy eye – scientists discover speed of visual perception ranges widely in humans

The work suggests some people have an innate advantage in certain settings where response time is crucial, such as in ball sports, or in competitive gaming.

1 Apr 2024

Research|Science

Na trí súile is géire

Tugann an saothar taighde seo le tuiscint go bhfuil buntáiste ó nádúr ag daoine áirithe i gcásanna ina bhfuil barrthábhacht le haga frithghnímh, mar shampla cluichí liathróide agus cluichíocht ríomhaireachta.

1 Apr 2024

Research|Science

Researchers use willow trees to revolutionise wastewater treatment in rural Ireland

In a groundbreaking initiative, researchers from the Environmental Engineering group in Trinity’s School of Engineering have embarked on a mission to transform wastewater treatment in rural Ireland.

31 Mar 2024

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Genetic secrets from 4,000-year-old teeth illuminate the impact of changing human diets over the centuries

Researchers from Trinity have recovered remarkably preserved microbiomes from two teeth dating back 4,000 years, found in an Irish limestone cave. Genetic analyses of these microbiomes reveal major changes in the oral microenvironment from the Bronze Age to today.

27 Mar 2024

Health|Research|Science

Trinity chemistry student, Áine Coogan, joins prestigious CAS Future Leaders™ Program

The unique programme provides early-career scientists with leadership training and connections to peers from around the world.

25 Mar 2024

Awards and Funding|Science|Students

Scientists uncover new secrets to natural appetite control, offering promise in the battle against obesity

New research shows the diabetes drug Metformin and solid foods elevate a hunger-reducing factor (Lac-Phe) in the body, whereas sugary drinks have minimal effect.

20 Mar 2024

Health|Research|Science

Trinity co-hosts Women in STEMM Summit 2024

The resounding success of the summit co-hosted by the School of Physics underscores the importance of fostering diversity and inclusivity in STEMM fields.

7 Mar 2024

Innovation|Research|Science

Bryan Murray and Deirdre Kinahan win inaugural Pratchett Prize

The Trinity Centre for Literary and Cultural Translation has awarded the actor and playwright the inaugural Pratchett Prize for challenging the stigma of Alzheimer’s Disease in their 2023 play 'An Old Song, Half Forgotten'.

4 Mar 2024

Community|Culture|Research|Science

Creative Brain Week returns for 2024

Now in its third year, the ground-breaking event will explore the themes of Attention, Connection and Love, through a series of public events, activities and exhibitions in the arts and neuroscience.

4 Mar 2024

Arts|Health|Research|Science|Society

Trinity researchers to develop new tools to predict future car types in Ireland

New forecasting tools to predict the next generation of private vehicle fleets in Ireland will be developed by a research project being undertaken by a team of economists and civil engineers.

29 Feb 2024

Science|Society|Sustainability

Trinity duo win SFI Discover Programme funding to inspire STEM public engagement

Two researchers from Trinity – Dr John O’Donoghue and Cian McLoughlin – have won Science Foundation Ireland Discover Programme funding to lead projects that will encourage a deeper understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

28 Feb 2024

Awards and Funding|Research|Science|Society

WATCH: Video: Trinity team discovers underlying cause of brain fog linked with Long COVID

Scientists from Trinity and investigators from FutureNeuro announced a major discovery of profound importance for our understanding of brain fog and cognitive decline seen in some patients with Long COVID.

22 Feb 2024

Health|Research|Science

Trinity team discovers underlying cause of “brain fog” linked with Long COVID

Today, a team of scientists from Trinity College Dublin and investigators from FutureNeuro announced a major discovery that has profound importance for our understanding of brain fog and cognitive decline seen in some patients with Long COVID.

22 Feb 2024

Health|Research|Science

Secret, undeclared pesticide ingredients may pose a risk to people, pollinators and the environment

Scientists are calling for greater transparency in the full ingredient list of pesticides, arguing that farmers and consumers deserve to know exactly what is in them.

21 Feb 2024

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Researchers win €5.3 million Wellcome Trust award to tackle fatal bloodstream infections

This female-led project brings together experts from the Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, APC Microbiome Ireland, a world leading SFI Research Centre based at University College Cork (UCC), the University of Exeter and the University of Bristol.

20 Feb 2024

Awards and Funding|Health|Research|Science

Scientists develop colour-changing dyes that light up cellular activity

This work, which enables "time travel" within cells, may revolutionise bio-sensing and imaging approaches. The dyes promise to have multiple medical applications, as well as uses beyond chemistry and biology.

15 Feb 2024

Health|Innovation|Research|Science

Trinity welcomes Prof. John D. Kelleher as Chair of Computer Science and Director of ADAPT

The combined position will see Prof. Kelleher taking responsibility for further enhancing Trinity’s leadership in the fundamentally important ICT area of AI and providing long-term strategic leadership and vision for the ADAPT Centre to achieve and sustain research excellence.

14 Feb 2024

Research|Science

€4.88m SFI research award for leading cell therapy scientist

Professor Sakis Mantalaris, a leading figure in cell therapy research, has been awarded €4.88 million as part of the prestigious Science Foundation Ireland Research Professorship Programme.

7 Feb 2024

Awards and Funding|Health|Research|Science

New lab allows scientists to test impacts of climate change in precisely controlled infrastructure

Scientists in Ireland are now able to study the impacts of past, current and future climate change in precisely controlled climatic and atmospheric conditions.

6 Feb 2024

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Silent fields: a cocktail of pesticides is stunting bumblebee colonies across Europe

Trinity's Professor Jessica Knapp writes, along with colleagues, about a recent study and the concerning results it delivered with regard to the plight of some of our precious pollinators.

29 Jan 2024

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Trinity research pivotal in Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment, with heat extremes to become more frequent and severe

Technological advancements will only deliver short-term benefits if Ireland doesn’t take steps towards transformative change according to the report, which saw contributions from Trinity researchers.

25 Jan 2024

Environment|Research|Science|Society|Sustainability

New European consortium launches to enhance space observation

Researchers from Trinity are among those whose work will build towards advancing our scientific observation and understanding of the Universe as a new consortium (ERIC) launched this week.

25 Jan 2024

Research|Science

Trinity bioengineer wins ERC Proof of Concept Award to develop non-surgical lower back pain treatment

Professor Conor Buckley’s project iDISC uses next-generation injectable biomaterials for tissue repair. The development of injectable biomimetic hydrogel systems may facilitate earlier interventions aimed at halting the degenerative process.

18 Jan 2024

Awards and Funding|Health|Innovation|Research|Science

Trinity team secures SFI Infrastructure Programme funding for brain health research

Researchers from Trinity hope to improve brain health for people of all ages after securing approximately €1.7 million in funding via the Science Foundation Ireland Infrastructure Programme. The money will buy a next-gen, powerful computer and associated equipment that will open doors to new research approaches.

17 Jan 2024

Awards and Funding|Health|Research|Science

Scientists reverse amnesia caused by head injury in early model study

A model (mouse) study designed to shed light on memory loss in people who experience repeated head impacts, such as athletes, suggests the condition could potentially be reversed.

16 Jan 2024

Health|Research|Science

AI could make cities autonomous, but that doesn’t mean we should let it happen

Trinity's Prof Federico Cugurullo believes we should be very careful before handing control of our cities to AIs. He writes about AI urbanism and the challenges ahead in this piece for The Conversation.

4 Jan 2024

Culture|Science|Society|Sustainability

RTE films Christmas broadcast with Gaia in the Old Library

News presenter Samantha Libreri picked Trinity College Dublin’s Old Library, which is currently home to a revolving sculpture of the globe called Gaia, as the backdrop for a Santa news item shown on Christmas Eve.

24 Dec 2023

Science|Society