Science - News & Events | Trinity College Dublin

Scientists unpick how lung cells induce immune response to influenza

Researchers from Trinity have discovered some new and surprising ways that viral RNA and influenza virus are detected by human lung cells, which has potential implications for treating people affected by such viruses.

31 Aug 2023

Health|Research|Science

Trinity Tree of the Month – the Banana tree

This month we are featuring the Banana tree, or Musa acuminata, which is one of our unique indoor trees located in the O Reilly atrium. This plant can grow to seven metres tall and has leaves that are up to four metres long. These plants absorb a large amount of carbon to produce leaves and fruit, but quickly release it once fruited and die back occurs. Musa acuminata originated in Southern Asia and some reports suggest the plant has been in cultivation for close to 7000 years.

24 Aug 2023

Environment|Science|Sustainability

Neuroscientists successfully test theory that forgetting is actually a form of learning

The team designed tests to explore the idea that “forgetting” might not be a bad thing, and that it may represent a form of learning – and outline results that support their core idea.

17 Aug 2023

Health|Research|Science

Trinity-IBM team simulates super diffusion on a quantum computer

Trinity’s quantum physicists in collaboration with IBM Dublin have successfully simulated super diffusion in a system of interacting quantum particles on a quantum computer.

17 Aug 2023

Innovation|Research|Science

Can a special immune protein in the body be harnessed to stop ovarian cancer?

A major new study, published in Nature, has discovered the anti-tumour activities of the immune protein interferon epsilon, which in pre-clinical models blocks the metastasis of ovarian cancer cells by instructing immune cells to kill the cancer cells.

16 Aug 2023

Health|Research|Science

“Live” human brain biosamples to revolutionise translational neuroscience research

Researchers from Trinity are collaborating with those from the University of Oxford on a new project that will provide access to high quality, “live” human brain biosamples. They believe this approach has the potential to revolutionise research for the benefit of patients.

26 Jul 2023

Health|Research|Science

New study identifies association between lower levels of vitamin d and inflammation in older adults

Ageing experts at Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick have shown associations of vitamin D status with C-reactive protein (CRP, a measure of inflammation) in older adults.

21 Jul 2023

Health|Research|Science

Shark shock – scientists discover filter-feeding basking sharks are warm-bodied like great whites

Approximately 99.9% of fish and shark species are “cold-blooded”, meaning their body tissues generally match the temperature of the water they swim in – but researchers have just discovered the mighty basking shark is a one-in-a-thousand exception.

20 Jul 2023

Environment|Research|Science

Trinity team installs world's first user adjustable pole-piece electron microscope lens at Sandia National Laboratories

A team of researchers from the Ultramicroscopy Research Group at Trinity has recently completed the installation of a world-first UAP transmission electron microscope lens.

19 Jul 2023

Innovation|Research|Science

Fresh insights into how glucose drives tuberculosis vaccine responses offer hope for improved efficacy

BCG is a live bacterial vaccine, of limited effectiveness for tuberculosis, but it's the only one we've got. However, scientists in the TB Immunology group at Trinity College Dublin and St. James's Hospital have provided fresh insights into the behaviour of a crucial cell in vaccine mechanisms, which may offer a fresh target for scientists seeking to improve vaccine efficacy.

6 Jul 2023

Health|Research|Science