A University College Cork (UCC) researcher has received funding to develop a model aimed at assisting vulnerable urban dwellings and communities during extreme weather-related events caused by climate change.

• UCC to co-lead the National Chapter for Ireland, bringing together ten higher education institutions and three research funding organisations.
• The creation of National Chapters in different jurisdictions is a key action of the European Union’s Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) and underpins their strategy for implementing and embedding Responsible Research Assessment (RRA), a key element of the Open Research agenda.
• €200,000 awarded to UCC under the National Open Research Forum (NORF) Research Fund 2023 to embed Open Research practices in Ireland.

• International team of researchers discover evidence of heavy elements created in violent cosmic explosion.
• Major astronomical explosion observed with James Webb Space Telescope provides first evidence supporting long-held theory.
• UCC astronomer’s discovery led to James Webb Space Telescope observations, announced globally Wednesday.

• Deepfakes are artificially manipulated audio-visual material.
• This new study examined tweets about deepfakes during the Russo-Ukrainian war, UCC researchers demonstrated that deepfakes undermine peoples trust generally in news media.
• This study is the first empirical analysis of the use of deepfakes in wartime misinformation and propaganda.

NeuroBell has been awarded the ‘Best Early Stage’ trophy in the InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Munster Regional Final, progressing to the national final in Dublin.

The winners - Mavarick (Best New Start), and NeuroBell, (Best Early Stage) - were awarded €20,000 each and will advance to the All-Island final in Dublin on the 9th of November. The InterTradeIreland Seedcorn Investor Readiness Competition is the largest business competition of its kind on the island of Ireland, Seedcorn has an overall prize fund of €300,000.

• Research identifies links between gut bacteria, inflammation and brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Findings reveal that Alzheimer’s symptoms can be transferred via the gut microbiota.
• This study represents an important step forward in understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.

Throughout University College Cork, there is an ethos of creating an environment in which academic excellence can be combined with opportunities for personal development. The Quercus Talented Students’ Programme aims to do just this, by supporting and promoting excellence in academia, sport, creative and performing arts, active citizenship, and innovation/entrepreneurship. Quercus awards up to three scholarships each year to students registered on an undergraduate/level 8 programme, who demonstrate an exceptional level of excellence in the innovation and/or entrepreneurial space.

• UCC and NSRF researchers co-author Lancet Series on work and health.
• Researchers call for increased focus on improving the workplace to drive improvements in population health.
• The publication highlights the link between exposure to adverse working conditions and the risk of depressive disorders.

• Professor Murray will lead research in brain injury and cerebral palsy at INFANT.
• Research initiative is made possible thanks to funding of €1.6 million under the Cerebral Palsy Foundation’s Programme of Excellence
• An estimated 150 babies receive a CP diagnosis in Ireland each year, and an estimated 3,000 children and young people and 9,500 adults are living with CP in Ireland.

• UCC palaeontologists discover molecular evidence of phaeomelanin, the pigment that produces ginger colouration.
• “This will paint a more accurate picture of ancient animal colour.” 
• Phaeomelanin is now toxic to animals – discovery may be first step in understand its evolution.