News

News: August 2017

Landfill sites: not just a load of rubbish

Far from being a load of rubbish, landfill sites should be considered one of the great untapped resources in the search for new enzymes for biotechnology, and could fuel more efficient biofuel production. A new research paper in mSphere ( DOI: 10.1128/mSphere.00300-17 ) by biologists at Bangor and Liverpool universities has for the first time identified the enzymes which degrade natural materials such as paper and clothing in landfill sites.

Publication date: 22 August 2017

Migrating birds use a magnetic map to travel long distances

Birds have an impressive ability to navigate They can fly long distances, to places that they may never have visited before, sometimes returning home after months away. Though there has been a lot of research in this area, scientists are still trying to understand exactly how they manage to find their intended destinations. This article was by Richard Holland, Senior Lecturer in Animal Cognition, School of Biological Sciences , was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Publication date: 18 August 2017

Bird-brained? Not at all: Reed Warblers reveal a magnetic map

We all marvel at those mammals, birds and insects who migrate long distances, and at their innate ability to reach a destination thousands of miles away. Scientists are still trying to unravel all the mechanisms involved. Now, one group of scientists believe that they have revealed one system being used by some migrating birds, and it reveals a fascinating ‘world-map’ that many of us would marvel at.

Publication date: 17 August 2017

Prestigious Lecture Award to Prof Johnson

Professor Barrie Johnson of the College of Natural Sciences joins a prestigious list of internationally renowned scientist invited to present the UK Mineralogical Society’s Hallimond Lecture . Prof Johnson is the only academic from Wales to have presented the lecture in the 46 years since its inception, and was nominated and selected by a panel for the Honour. His lecture will be published in due course in the Society’s Journal.

Publication date: 14 August 2017

Satisfied students place Bangor University among top UK universities

Bangor University’s students have again given the University a resounding testimonial in the annual National Student Satisfaction survey, placing the University eighth among the UK’s non-specialist universities in the UK and second among Welsh Universities. The news follows hard on the heels of the University’s recent success in being awarded a Gold Standard in the UK Government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework, the only Welsh university to achieve this standard.

Publication date: 9 August 2017

Bangor at the Ynys Môn National Eisteddfod

As the major provider of Welsh medium higher education, Bangor University is particularly active again in this year’s National Eisteddfod in Anglesey. Full details and news about the University’s activities at the Eisteddfod is available on the University’s website at: www.bangor.ac.uk/eisteddfod

Publication date: 2 August 2017