Today’s physics news: Monday, 25 January

Universities need to “diversify” income stream, says HE minister
In a written warning to universities, David Lammy, the UK’s Higher Education Minister, has said that those managing university budgets should not expect to see an upturn in university funding for at least a few years. He says universities should seek alternative revenue streams and not just cut their cloth to suit the austere times.

Guardian
Times
BBC

Scientists gather in London to discuss aliens
This week sees scientists gathering at the Royal Society to discuss the possibility of finding extra-terrestrial life.  Topics being discussed include the possibility of finding alien life on Earth (in the form of ‘weird’ microbes) and the technological advances that make the possibility of finding ET life greater than ever before.

Times
Daily Mail

Another coup for climate change sceptics
In what is seen by the Daily Mail as another ‘climate change blunder’, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is having to retract a theory that suggests an increase in the frequency of natural weather disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, have a positive correlation with man-made climate change.  Timely comment in yesterday’s Observer from Robin Mckie, the paper’s science editor, suggests that the climate sceptics’ recent victories are hollow and says that the burden of proof needs to switch sides – can climate change sceptics prove that greenhouse gas emissions are not causing global warming?

Daily Mail
The Observer

Harrow’s head teacher slams soft subjects
Advocating the importance of strong science and modern language departments, Harrow’s head teacher has slammed schools for producing ‘first round X Factor contestants’ by teaching them worthless subjects such as media studies.

Times
Independent

Solar space lasers from EADS Astrium
The Sunday Telegraph covered exciting developments at EADS Astrium this week which could lead to prototype solar panels being sent into space with connected lasers capable of firing intense solar power beams back to Earth – helping meet our renewable energy needs.

Sunday Telegraph