Science - News & Events | Trinity College Dublin

Splitting hairs – Trinity team applies science of biomechanics to understand our bad hair days

We all have a bad hair day from time to time, and split ends are a common problem. However, the science behind this kind of hair damage is poorly understood, which is why the Trinity team, led by Professor David Taylor, is investigating this knotty problem.

10 Jun 2024

Research|Science

SciFest@TCPID 2024 in association with Abbott Ireland

SciFest@TCPID showcases STEM projects from students with intellectual disabilities

5 Jun 2024

Community|Science|Students

A cracking discovery – eggshell waste can recover rare earth elements needed for green energy

This egg-cellent discovery has the potential to make a significant impact in the sustainable recovery of rare earth elements (REEs), which are in increasing demand for use in green energy technologies.

5 Jun 2024

Environment|Research|Science

Babies use ‘helpless’ infant period to learn powerful foundation models, just like ChatGPT

Babies’ brains are not as immature as previously thought, rather they are using the period of postnatal ‘helplessness’ to learn powerful foundation models similar to those underpinning generative Artificial Intelligence, according to a new study led by a researcher at the School of Psychology.

5 Jun 2024

Research|Science

What makes some plant groups so successful?

Irish researchers involved in cataloguing the world’s plant species are hunting for answers as to what makes some groups so successful.

29 May 2024

Environment|Research|Science

The Royal Irish Academy elects 28 new members

The Royal Irish Academy (RIA) celebrated Admittance Day on 24th May when 28 newly elected Members were officially admitted to the Academy for their exceptional contributions to the sciences, humanities and social sciences, as well as to public service.

27 May 2024

Arts|Culture|Science|Society

Trinity twelve secure funding for new healthcare, climate and tech research

The successful dozen will lead or co-lead a total of 11 STEM-related research projects via Science Foundation Ireland’s Frontiers for the Future programme, which is funded in collaboration with the Sustainability Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).

27 May 2024

Awards and Funding|Health|Research|Science

Trinity spinout Altach secures €1.2 million investment to transform treatments for cartilage injuries

Founded in 2022 and originating from pioneering research at Trinity, Altach has developed a novel biomimetic scaffold made from Type II collagen.

23 May 2024

Awards and Funding|Health|Innovation|Research|Science

The Chemistry of Equality

Trinity hosts the All-Ireland Network for Gender Equality in Chemistry

21 May 2024

Community|Science

New research unveils extreme complexity in formation of rare earth mineral vital for tech industry

In a ground-breaking study, researchers from Trinity have unveiled that myriad, intricate factors influence the genesis and chemistry of bastnäsite and rare earth carbonates, which are critically needed for today’s tech industry and its hardware outputs.

20 May 2024

Research|Science

Professor Dan Bradley elected Fellow of the Royal Society

Professor Bradley, a geneticist whose pioneering work with ancient DNA has helped to bring stories of early human and animal evolution to life, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.

16 May 2024

Awards and Funding|Research|Science

How do we reduce pesticide use while empowering farmers? A more nuanced approach could help

There’s no simple answer that makes pesticides right or wrong – context is key, according to Trinity's Professor Jessica Knapp, writing here for The Conversation.

14 May 2024

Environment|Research|Science

Researchers launch new app providing personalised driving feedback to promote electric vehicle adoption in Ireland

In a bid to revolutionise transportation habits and combat climate change, researchers from Trinity's School of Engineering have unveiled the TRACT EV app, designed to encourage the widespread adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) across Ireland.

14 May 2024

Environment|Research|Science

Government announces €104 million investment for science research

Trinity is a partner institution with three of the four research centres announced today by Science Foundation Ireland as recipients of the funding.

14 May 2024

Awards and Funding|Health|Innovation|Research|Science

Scientists pinpoint new vaccine “booster” that promotes potent anti-tumour immunity

Scientists from Trinity have made an important breakthrough that offers promise for developing new immune therapies for cancer.

9 May 2024

Health|Research|Science

Ryanair and Trinity extend sustainable aviation research partnership

Ryanair, Europe’s no. 1 airline, announced today the extension to the end of the decade and made a further €2.5 m donation (€4 m total) to fund the Ryanair Sustainable Aviation Research Centre.

9 May 2024

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

Tailored vaccine could one day treat eczema in children

New research from a multi-disciplinary team at Trinity suggests a “tailored vaccine” might hold the key to treating bacteria-driven flares in children.

8 May 2024

Research|Science

Co-Centre for Climate + Biodiversity + Water launches as over 100 stakeholders come together to shape a more sustainable future

The new Co-Centre will deliver solutions to the most pressing challenges posed by climate change, biodiversity decline and water degradation across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

8 May 2024

Environment|Research|Science|Sustainability

It flickers, then it tips – study identifies early warning signals for the end of the African Humid Period

A newly published study shows that at the end of the African Humid Period (AHP) intense dry and wet events alternated – or “flickered” – regularly over a period of around 1,000 years before a dry climate prevailed around 6,000 years ago.

7 May 2024

Environment|Research|Science

Five things our research uncovered when we recreated 16th century beer (and barrels)

Susan Flavin and Charlie Taverner, Dept of History write in The Conversation about their ERC-funded FoodCult project which is investigating the food and diet of early modern Ireland.

23 Apr 2024

Culture|Research|Science|Society

Scoil na Fisice i gColáiste na Tríonóide ag ceiliúradh 300 bliain a bunaithe

Tá cuimhneacháin spreagúla a bhaineann le Ernest Walton, duine de na heolaithe is mó tionchar in Éirinn, le feiceáil i dtaispeántas speisialta i Leabharlann Choláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath agus Scoil na Fisice ag ceiliúradh 300 bliain a bunaithe, le sraith d’imeachtaí tarraingteacha, a bhfuil go leor acu oscailte don phobal.

18 Apr 2024

Research|Science

School of Physics celebrates 300-year anniversary as inspiring Ernest Walton exhibition opens

Memorabilia belonging to Walton, one of Ireland’s most influential scientists, is on display in a special exhibition in the Library as the School of Physics celebrates its tercentenary with a series of engaging events, many of which are open to the public.

18 Apr 2024

Research|Science

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