Author Archives: Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

Cambridge Science Festival 2016 – data and knowledge

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

It’s back and it’s even bigger than before, the veritable feast of exploration and adventure that is the Cambridge Science Festival. Head on over to the 2016 site to find out what this year is all about and what events … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Comments Off

Gliding in ants, bristletails and spiders

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

Tropical rainforest tree canopies offer an environment with unique rewards but also challenges for the many inhabitants, amongst which are wingless insects and other non-flying arthropods. Whilst they benefit from the abundant flowers and fruits found at the treetops, wingless … Continue reading →

Posted in Convergence, Research | Tagged ants, arthropods, bristletails, gliding, spiders | Comments Off

Follow an Expedition into the Deep

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

The deep sea of the Gulf of Mexico is about to come under the microscope. Dr Edie Widdie and colleagues from Team ORCA (Ocean Research and Conservation Association) are running an expedition from 14 – 27 July. They will explore … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Events, News | Tagged bioluminescence, educate, expedition, explore, learn, ocean, sea, vision, whale | Comments Off

The Runes of Evolution: a fresh new read on convergence

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

For those fascinated by the living world, a great treat is in store. About to hit the shelves is a new publication about convergent evolution, The Runes of Evolution: How the Universe Became Self-Aware. This book is by the renowned biologist Professor … Continue reading →

Posted in Convergence, Events, News | Tagged book, convergence, convergent evolution, Conway Morris | Comments Off

A Festival of Light: Map of Life at the Cambridge Science Festival 2015

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

This year’s much anticipated Cambridge Science Festival was a great celebration of scientific discovery, exploration, ideas and research around the theme of LIGHT. Throughout a dynamic and busy fortnight thousands of people joined in a rich programme of talks, hand-on activities … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, News | Tagged bioluminescence, Cambridge, crustaceans, Earth Sciences, explore, glowing, light, marine, science festival, Sedgwick Museum, shrimps, squid | Comments Off

Tetrodotoxin: a potent defence for pufferfish… and other organisms

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

Tetrodotoxin is a lethal pufferfish defence chemical In Japanese cuisine, the iconic pufferfish Fugu (which refers to several species) is notorious because if improperly prepared its consumption can have fatal consequences. Some body parts, particularly the internal organs, contain high concentrations of one … Continue reading →

Posted in Convergence | Tagged defence, marine, octopus, pufferfish, tetrodotoxin, toxin | Comments Off

Barnacles: favoured by Darwin, convergent by nature

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

To mark Darwin Day 2015, which falls around Charles Darwin’s birthday (12th February) each year, we’re flagging up a marvellous creature that he particularly admired for its many strange characteristics: the barnacle. Naturally, the barnacle shows a host of notable convergences! Although they hardly … Continue reading →

Posted in Convergence, Events | Tagged barnacles, Charles Darwin, Darwin Day | Comments Off

So, ARE there limits to evolution?

Posted on October 25, 2014 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

Cambridge plays host to many meetings each year but few as unique and ambitious as the “Are There Limits to Evolution” conference that took place over two sunny days this September. Professor Simon Conway Morris and his team from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Events, News | Tagged bryozoans, Cambridge, cichlids, conference, convergence, convergent evolution, Conway Morris, human evolution, limitations, limits, lizards, Peter Kjaergaard, prokaryotes, proteins, Richard Wrangham, The District | Comments Off

An asymmetric diet of snails

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

One of the new entries on the Map of Life highlights some of the extraordinary convergences relating to snake and lizard feeding. Perhaps the most charismatic example relates to some beautiful neo-tropical snakes who have become truly adept at extracting snails from their … Continue reading →

Posted in Convergence | Comments Off

How is a sea urchin like an insect eye?

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Dr Chloë Cyrus-Kent

Sea urchins and starfish may not be the first creatures that come to mind when pondering animal eyes, but they are full of surprises. Many echinoderms (sea urchins, starfish, brittle-stars, sea cucumbers and sea lillies) are sensitive to light. Certain … Continue reading →