The eternal debate on life after death
YES For sceptics, there will never be enough reliable data, replicated studies, or a representative sample large enough to convince people that life-after-death exists. Neurophysiologist Dr Peter Fenwick states himself…
Harsher sentences for online harassment
The UK government may introduce harsher prison sentences for online harassers a.k.a. internet trolls. The maximum prison sentence for the most severe cases could rise from six months to two…
Studies show animal populations deteriorating
When the majority of people hear the words ‘animal extinction’, some obvious animal species come to mind; the tyrannosaurus rex, the saber-toothed tiger, the mammoth or even the dodo. But…
Civilization: Beyond Earth – Video Game Review
Beyond Earth is the latest game in the renowned Civilization series of strategy games. The typical set up of taking small group of settlers and crafting a culture of your…
Are micro-transactions ruining video games?
Anyone who has ever downloaded a mobile app game has inevitably come across that one level that seems simply impossible. The screen lights up with the taunting message mocking your…
Man addicted to Google Glass
A man in San Diego has been diagnosed with the first case of Internet addiction disorder, doctors have said. During his residential treatment program, doctors identified that the man “exhibited…
New study closes in on cause of Parkinson’s disease
It has been known for a while that the aggregation of misfolded proteins in cells can cause disease. However, a new framework for protein aggregation has been created by scientists…
Debate: Is the threat of Ebola overhyped in Britain?
YES Firstly, it should be stated that there is no doubt that Ebola is real. I am sure we can all recall the outbreak of SARS, mad cow disease and…
Robert Clowes discusses memory and the future
Sam Duthie Making my way to the latest lecture in the Cognitive Science (COGS) series, an unplanned change in scenery this week meant that we viewed the lecture in The…
Drug addiction and law: a brain perspective given by Dr. Hans Crombag
Christa Orchard On Wednesday 14th November, as a part of a series of events organised by Sussex Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Dr. Hans Crombag, assistant professor in the psychology…
A sceptical take on Michael Shermer
Sam Duthie Trawling through the open lectures at Sussex this month, I practically swooned like a schoolgirl when I heard Michael Shermer would be giving a talk at the Brighton…
A premature neonate has a 50% chance of survival. What will you do?
Hannah Faith Leigh Option A: to continue treatment in the form of intensive care; the child may survive but with severe deformities. Option B: Switch to palliative care and withdraw/withhold…
SexSoc discuss the problem of female genital mutilation
Morten Watkins & Katie Dichard On Wednesday 31st October, the medical school’s sexual health medicine society (SexSoc) held their first event. They screened the documentary Africa Rising; a powerful film…
Tying together spiders' silk, proteins and Alzheimer's dementia
On the evening of Tuesday 6th November, Professor Louise Serpell gave listeners her insight into protein structure and amyloid accumulation – and how this can result in neurodegenerative diseases that…
What is consciousness? An interview with Anil Seth
The University of Sussex is currently one of only four universities in the UK that offers an undergraduate program in Cognitive Science. As well as this, Sussex hosts the ‘Sackler…
New acupuncture study penetrates cancer research
A new study has recently been published by the Sussex Health Outcomes Research and Education in Cancer (SHORE-C) research group to test the effects of acupuncture on certain side effects…
An autumnal take on the 2012 Chemistry Nobel prize
Every year since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been awarded to eminent scientists in recognition of astounding achievements and discoveries in their field. Over the past century or so, this…
Junior Research Associate bursaries: Katherine Fensome discusses her time studying bees on the Sussex Downs.
A total of 22 students at the University of Sussex interested in an academic career took part in a scheme over the summer that allowed them to earn money whilst…
Trippin' out to tell the future
Sam Duthie In the first of a series of lectures on ‘Consciousness, Culture and the Occult’, guest lecturer Dr. David Luke delivered a talk on his experimental work into psychedelics…
Operation Reduction: How the police of Brighton are trying to kill off addiction in the city
Brighton is an impressively cosmopolitan city, with 26,000 students and up to 8 million visitors a year. There are great pubs, restaurants and clubs right on your doorstep, as well…