Politics, fertility and the chemistry of football are some of the highlights of University media coverage over the summer.

Proceed with caution

A new technique to mature a woman’s eggs in the laboratory before fertility treatment should be used with caution, researchers say. It can be linked to larger babies and birth problems, a study by British and Swedish researchers suggests. They say more research is needed. Dr Peter Sjöblom, of The University of Nottingham’s NURTURE Unit, told The Daily Telegraph: “We need to be following IVM babies from the moment the eggs are matured in the laboratory through to their birth and into adulthood.”

Potential leaders come with baggage

The five candidates seeking to lead Britain’s Labour Party face a tough choice following May’s election loss: how closely to align themselves with the party’s just-completed 13-year run in power, The Wall Street Journal reports. Indeed, some of the contenders to succeed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown have drawn criticism for being seen as too disloyal to Mr Brown, while others have been seen as too loyal. “They all come with baggage,” said Steven Fielding, a professor of political history at The University of Nottingham.

Tribute to Ken Coates

The writer and activist for numerous left-wing causes Ken Coates has died aged 79. He was an inspirational figure within The University of Nottingham, The Independent reports. In 1956, he won a state scholarship to the University with an essay on Sean O’Casey and obtained a first-class degree in sociology in 1959. He then became a tutor in adult education, eventually becoming a professor. This led to 30 years as a teacher, researcher and writer on poverty, industrial relations and working-class history which influenced the outlook of many of his students.

Going for gold?

A British chemistry professor has calculated that if the World Cup trophy was really solid gold it would be too heavy for footballers to lift, BBC Online reports. Martyn Poliakoff of The University of Nottingham estimates that a solid gold trophy of its size would weigh at least 70kg. He concludes that the trophy, or at least part of it, must be hollow.

Students think global

Commuters heading to work on Friday 20 August — the day after A level results announcements sparked stories of a dash for scarce places at university — saw the Metro newspaper’s front page headline announcing that Nottingham was offering UK students university places in China and Malaysia.

The story was also covered in the Guardian, The Times, the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, and Prof Christine Ennew, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Internationalisation) was interviewed for an item on Friday’s Six O’Clock News, on BBC One.

VC advises on trade

There is “enormous scope” for cooperation between UK and Indian higher education provided it is done on the basis of “mutual respect and equality”. That was the message from David Willetts, the universities and science minister, who visited India as part of a large UK delegation led by Prime Minister David Cameron, the Times Higher Education reports. Meanwhile, Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor of The University of Nottingham, which has two Asian campuses, has been appointed to the government’s Asia Task Force, which advises on boosting trade with the region.