Mark Cantrell's Blog, page 36

Blog: Citizens of zero tech

The times, they are a’changing Despite its frightening contemporary resonance, back when Citizen Zero was born there was barely even an Internet, let alone smartphones or social media, writes Mark Cantrell – so, it was time for an upgrade, courtesy of Inspired Quill… A lot has changed since I first began to write Citizen Zero. […]

Politics: Passport to homeless blues

Ministers slammed for making a crisis out of homeless-mess A committee of MPs has accused the Government of complacency when it comes to helping the homeless, but it has done more than most to boost their ranks through its desire to create a welfare-lite nation of homeowners. So, is it any wonder ministers are struggling […]

News: Honorary doctorate for ‘space tour guide’

Sky At Night presenter honoured for services to science A renowned space scientist and television presenter has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Loughborough University in recognition of her contributions to science, writes Mark Cantrell. The award also effectively serves to recognise her efforts not only to popularise science among young people, but also her […]

News: Sky At Night Presenter Honoured For Services To Science

Honorary doctorate for ‘space tour guide’

A renowned space scientist and television presenter has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Loughborough University in recognition of her contributions to science, writes Mark Cantrell.

The award also effectively serves to recognise her efforts not only to popularise science among young people, but also her position as a role model for women considering entering a career in STEM.

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, who is one of the presenters...

Comment: Bleak outlook on wages does little to dampen DWP cheer

Britain may be a prosperous country but its citizens are being impoverished As the latest official labour market statistics reveal, more of us may be working – but we’re no better off as incomes stagnate and the cost of living rises. It can only mean more working households will effectively lose citizenship as they become […]

Space: NASA AI finds eighth planet lurking in Kepler system

Machines find worlds in star data Artificial intelligence looks set to play an important role in the discovery of planets beyond our solar system, writes Mark Cantrell, after NASA scientists used machine learning techniques to discover a previously overlooked world orbiting the Kepler-90 star WHEN it comes to cosmic wonder, we can look but never […]

Space: NASA AI Finds Eighth Planet Lurking In Kepler System

Machines find worlds in star data

Artificial intelligence looks set to play an important role in the discovery of planets beyond our solar system, writes Mark Cantrell , after NASA scientists used machine learning techniques to discover a previously overlooked world orbiting the Kepler-90 star

Image courtesy of: NASA/Wendy Stenzel

WHEN it comes to cosmic wonder, we can look but never touch. The universe has clearly evolved to taunt us: we keep on discovering all these tantalizing exo-planets, bu...

History: Making Music Like An Ancient Egyptian

Tuning-in to ancient artefacts

Archaeologists and historians are hoping to gain a fresh insight into ancient Roman and Egyptian societies, writes Mark Cantrell – by studying the mundane objects of everyday life...

A new research project is hoping that mundane artefacts will provide a fresh insight into the realities of everyday life in ancient Rome and Late Antiquity Egypt. In particular, the project aims to 'tune-in' on ancient instruments – recreating playable replicas using 3D...

History: Making music like an ancient Egyptian

Tuning-in to ancient artefacts Archaeologists and historians are hoping to gain a fresh insight into ancient Roman and Egyptian societies, writes Mark Cantrell – by studying the mundane objects of everyday life… A new research project is hoping that mundane artefacts will provide a fresh insight into the realities of everyday life in ancient Rome […]

Culture: Manchester Becomes A Lit City

There's a million stories out there in the lit city

MANCHESTER joined a global club of book-loving cities this month when it was announced it has become a UNESCO City of Literature, writes Mark Cantrell.

These are part of the UN agency's Creative Cities initiative, and this latest appointment sees Manchester join Baghdad, Dublin, Barcelona, Prague, Melbourne, and Reykjavik, as a bearer of the accolade.

Cities of Literature are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in literature on a local le...