Latest University College Dublin Stories

Scientists have discovered a thriving population of Mediterranean earthworms in an urban farm in Dublin, Ireland. The findings by University College Dublin scientists published in the journal Biology Letters on 25 July 2012 suggest that rising soil temperatures due to climate change may be extending the geographical habitat range of the earthworm Prosellodrilus amplisetosus. "Soil decomposer species including earthworms are frequently introduced into non-native soils by human activities...

DUBLIN, May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, (http://www.tcd.ie) Ireland's premier university's postgraduate courses, the MSc in Bioengineering and MSc in Neuroscience received Postgraduate Course of the Year awards in the Engineering and Science categories respectively at this year's gradireland Graduate Recruitment Awards. Judged by an independent panel of industry experts, the awards recognise the best programmes in Ireland's...

Scientists have found evidence that specialized predators, such as the velociraptor, may not have been willing to turn down a free meal. A bone from a pterosaur (or “Pterodactyl”) has reportedly been found in the gut of a velociraptor that lived in the Gobi desert of Magnolia more than 75 million years ago. The scientists published their findings online in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, and Palaeoecology. This discovery suggests that the velociraptor may not have only depended on...

'Speed gene' in modern racehorses originated from British mare 300 years ago, scientists say Scientists have traced the origin of the 'speed gene' in Thoroughbred racehorses back to a single British mare that lived in the United Kingdom around 300 years ago, according to findings published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. The origin of the 'speed gene' (C type myostatin gene variant) was revealed by analyzing DNA from hundreds of horses, including DNA extracted from the...

Scientists at University College Dublin, Ireland, have identified a genetic alteration which causes a child to be born with no eyes – a condition called anophthalmia. According to the findings published in the current issue (December 2011) of Human Mutation, a child's eyes will not develop fully in the womb if the child has alterations in both copies of its STRA6 gene which is responsible for transporting vitamin A into the cells. This new discovery means that scientists can now...

When the language used by financial analysts and reporters becomes increasingly similar the stock market may be overheated, say scientists.After examining 18,000 online articles published by the Financial Times, The New York Times, and the BBC, computer scientists have discovered that the verbs and nouns used by financial commentators converge in a 'herd-like' fashion in the lead up to a stock market bubble. Immediately afterwards, the language disperses.The findings presented at the...

Less expensive species are labeled and sold as cod while environmental impact of purchases is concealed by product labels28% of cod products in Ireland are mislabelled, as compared to 7% in the UK, according to research published today in the journal Fish and Fisheries.This is the first time that researchers have compared the labelling of cod products sold in Ireland and the UK. Both countries operate under the same EU policies for seafood traceability and labelling.Using a DNA barcoding...

STANFORD, Calif., Nov. 4, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland are hosting a conference showcasing Ireland's R&D capabilities at the esteemed Stanford University in California. The 'Ireland R&D Showcase' highlights key executives of Irish science and industry, and features presentations from Irish-based scientific researchers and industries who are producing a major impact on an international scale. (Photo:...

4 years of research reveals unique opportunity to conserve shark speciesThey grow to over a meter in length, can weigh up to twelve kilos and each summer they swarm into the shallow waters of the Irish east coast. Despite this, the starry smooth-hound has remained Ireland's least well known shark species. However, thanks to researchers at University College Dublin, whose work is now published in the Journal of Fish Biology, this may be about to change.Dr. Edward Farrell, who recently...

With the help of ancient fossils unearthed in the Sahara desert, scientists have identified a new type of pterosaur (giant flying reptile or pterodactyl) that existed about 95 million years ago. According to the findings published in the online peer-reviewed scientific journal PLoS ONE on May 26th, the scientists consider the newly identified pterosaur to be the earliest example of its kind.Unearthed in three separate pieces, the jaw bone has a total length of 344mm (13.5 inches). Each piece...