Fashionp16-17 Newsp6 Featuresp18-19 Bloomsbury’s back CUSU Electon Prevew Trppng the on the books ths meet the canddates Footlghts week pearls, skrts fantastc n and strpy umpers advance of the galore Sprng Revue FRIDAY FEBRUARY 26TH 2010 THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NESPAPER SINCE 1947 ISSUE NO 715 | VARSITY.CO.UK PAUL SMITH Insomnia may Oxonian cause shrinking of the brain, vandals cause study claims chaos at Clare AC IINON Chronic sleeplessness may reduce the size of a person’s brain, a recent University of Cambridge study has Students from Orel College, Oxford, concluded. The study, published in the Bio- accused of raucous behavour on swap logical Psychiatry Journal, was led by Dr Ellemarije Altena, Research and the JCR President not to talk to Associate at Cambridge’s Depart- A ION newspapers. ment of Clinical Neurosciences. Oriel College JCR were, however, Through the process of brain imag- Students from Oriel College, Oxford, threatened with collective punish- ing, Dr Altena was able to link have been blamed for riotous and ment, in the form of a large fi ne, and insomnia to density reduction in grey drunken behaviour in hall whilst on have written a letter to Clare “to matter, which is fundamental to the an exchange trip to Clare College. apologize for any offence or trouble”. activity of the brain. A letter from Clare accused the “We understand that being invited “The fi nding predicts that chronic undergraduates, representing for dinner is a privilege not a right, insomnia sufferers may have compro- Oriel College JCR, of insulting fel- and we are regretful that some mised capacities to evaluate stimuli. lows, urinating on staircases and in members of our party took their This could have consequences for one instance physically assaulting behaviour a little far,” they wrote in other processes, notably decision- a fellow. They demanded that Oriel the letter, which was leaked to Cher- making,” Dr Altena explained. make an apology to the College as a well, Oxford’s student newspaper. The study is signifi cant because result of their actions. The exchange They acknowledged that some it begins to explain how insomnia scheme that had been running Oriel members caused interruptions disrupts the brain’s functioning. between the two colleges has been during grace, but attributed this to Whereas previous researchers have ended. “a confusion in ticketing”, which left known that insomnia disrupts the In the words of an anonymous many attendees outside of hall when brain’s functioning, the real cause of student, the letter claimed that the doors were shut, unaware that the malfunction had not been known. the Oxonians were responsible for they could be heard from inside the Students who regularly pull all- “excessive drunkenness before hall, hall. nighters, however, should rest excessive drunkenness during hall, With regards to wine, they admit- assured that their brains will not shouts and insults directed at Clare ted that Oriel students “brought too shrink. Dr Altena told Varsity that fellows during grace and the meal, much”. although “not getting enough sleep is damage to Clare property including “What we do take extremely seri- a bad idea, insomnia is a bit different urination on staircases, and physi- ously are the accusations of someone from sleep deprivation. cally assaulting a fellow”. verbally abusing and obstructing “Insomnia is a condition where you “It’s obvious that things got out of a fellow,” Mark Jesnick, Oriel JCR cannot sleep whilst getting ample hand,” one Clare student told Varsity. President, said. “This kind of behav- opportunity to sleep, which is differ- “I’m not sure who was responsible iour is certainly not to be tolerated, OK Envronmentalst ent from students not going to bed.” or who started it, but from what I’ve and from a personal point of view adiohead frontman Thom Yorke played a special one-off gig at the heard it was pretty bad. It’s unfortu- I am extremely embarrassed to be RCorn Exchange last night in support of Green Party MP candidate > nate because it’ll have consequences having to deal with this.” Tony Juniper. Yorke, an ardent environmental campaigner, commented Essayp11 8 for all of us.” “These actions are not in line with on Radiohead’s website that Juniper, a personal friend, “knows a lot 0 Both colleges have refused to the attitude of the vast majority of Mchael about dealing with the murky brown waters of politics”. Juniper told 2 0 comment on what happened. Clare people on the exchange, and we are Hastngs 0 Varsity that the party was “absolutely delighted” about the gig, adding 4 College authorities declined to speak exceptionally sorry that they should 4 that the singer was “not only a leader in terms of campaigning, but also Se ng your 4 on the matter, telling Varsity that tarnish the reputation of our college in terms of practical action”. The musician has returned to the UK from 8 5 “Clare has no comment to make. This and damage the links between our- body clock 7 Los Angeles, where Radiohead are reportedly working on a new album 1 matter is in the hands of Oriel Col- selves and Clare.” 7 and will also be appearing at the Arts Theatre on March 3rd to talk about 7 lege.” Students at Oriel, meanwhile, The immediate repercussions have 9 climate change fi lm The Age of Stupid. LAURIE TUFFREY have been asked by both the Dean already been felt. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 2 Friday February 26th 2010 News Team Ma hew Symngton, Helen Mackreath and Osama Sddqu NES wwwvarstycouk news@varstycouk Cambridge researchers Banking industry worker Half of all 6-year-old find promising treatment slams Cambridge Chip girls struggle with body On varstycouk ths week for peanut allergies and PIN research image COENT Researchers from Addenbrooke’s An employee of the UK Cards Research by Cambridge profes- Check out the archves of all of our bloggers, Hospital in Cambridge, are set to Association has criticized sors suggests that concerns over ncludng Patrck Kngsley’s “Worse by Desgn” and begin a three-year trial to desen- recent research by University weight affect girls as young as 6. don’t mss Laura Freeman’s “You’ve never read War sitize children of Cambridge academics A televised survey also showed and Peace How humlatng” on overrated lterature suffering from that revealed security that half of Britain’s 12-year-old peanut allergies, flaws in the Chip girls considered themselves too after a recent pilot and PIN system. fat. The study was devised by Dr study successfully In an anonymous Terri Apter, a psychologist and ENTERTAINMENT treated children for the comment posted Senior Tutor at Newnham College, Davd Pegg celebrates nde wonder game Brad fi rst time by giving them on Cambridge’s Security and asked girls aged 6, 9, and 12 and flm fan Louse Benson ntroduces Samra increasing amounts of the Research blog, the employee criti- to select their ideal body image. Makhmalbaf’s artful Iranan flm The Apple nut in controlled conditions. In cized the research as “alarmist Half of the 6-year-olds questioned a month’s time doctors conducting opinion speak”. The original study, wished to be three sizes smaller. the £1 million government-funded led by Professor Ross Anderson of Of the girls aged 12, a majority trial will begin immunotherapy Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory, selected a body image smaller to FASHION treatment on 104 children. had uncovered vulnerabilities in the their own. The Varstoralst reports from the feld at Cndes and Positive results were achieved Chip and PIN system that According to Dr Apter, the New Museums Ste, whle The Two Orphans make through a similar method in a pilot could allow criminals to “It is upsetting to see a bonfre out of Jack Wlls glets study on 7- to 17-year-olds, with use stolen credit and perfectly normal girls 21 out of 23 patients now able to debit cards without feel dissatisfi ed with eat foods containing peanuts. The knowing the correct their healthy bodies, pilot study has changed the lives PIN numbers. A but the exercise VARSITV of participating families. Andrew spokesperson for also showed how End of term work compelled you to stay Clark, Consultant in Paediatric the Cards Associ- eager girls are to n ths week Charle Lyons wll keep you Allergy at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, ation said that engage with sensi- n the loop - check out the latest epsode said, “Before, families were check- the anonymous ble reflections of Cndes Stores ing every food label every time comments were about the meaning they ate food...but now they can eat being treated as a and varieties of everyday snacks and treats.” disciplinary issue. attractiveness.” Reports of a second Wetherspoon pub to come to Cambridge The Graduate pub on Chesterton Road close to beng purchased by ‘super-pub’ chan the company’s website as “a verita- alone there are three other pubs, Wetherspoon may not be welcomed Barfl y, the current owner of The AA ATIN ble palace”, is familiar to students the Jolly Waterman, The Boathouse, by some. Graduate, is known for operating and locals alike as a favourite cheap and The Portland Arms. With many The news is also likely to be unwel- venues of indie rock music and for Rumours have surfaced this week nightspot. pubs in Cambridge facing an uncer- come to nearby residents, many of running famous sites such as the that J D Wetherspoon, the national The Regal pub is part of a chain of tain future, such as The Penny Ferry, whom objected to the late night noise Hammersmith Apollo.