Social Science

Photograph: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

A dozen red roses might not be as welcome as washing the dishes on Valentine’s Day, a study by the Open University finds – showing simple acts of kindest are key to helping couples stay together.

New research into consumer choice conducted at UEL shows that negative information can have a way smaller effect than previously believed. Consumers ultimately still pick popular brands over lesser known names, even supposing the famous brands have negative reviews.

Science and technology

Photograph: ACE STOCK LIMITED / Alamy/Alamy

The first basic training package created by researchers on the University of Cambridge and Manchester to educate students and scientists the right way to best use the fruit fly, Drosophila, for research was published. It’s hoped it might encourage more researchers engaged on various conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease to make use of the common-or-garden fly.

A widespread badger cull won’t solve the difficulty of tuberculosis in cattle, in line with new research by Durham University. However the study says that it could play a component in controlling infection levels in problem hotspots within the UK.

Arts and arts

Photograph: www.alamy.com

Lancaster University academics have get a hold of the formula for the ideal love poem to assist thousands of hapless men around the UK this Valentine’s Day. The template combines the rhythm of a 14-line sonnet, with traditional French blazon poetry.

Here’s your perfect Valentine’s Love Poem template

O love your eyes are like …………

So beautiful to see

Your cheeks are ………………….. as ………………….

As fair as fair could be.

Your lips are …………………….. as …………………………

And once I hear you speak

Your voice sounds ……………………………………………..

And makes my knees go weak.

Your skin is soft as ……………………………………..

You’re all my dreams come true

Your hair is sort of a ………………………………. of ………………….

And I’m in love with you.

And finally

Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian

Research from the University of Oxford shows Neanderthals died out sooner than previously thought. For the reason that 1990s, scholars have believed that around 35,000 years ago the last of the Neanderthals sought refuge in southern Iberia, in a space referred to as Spain today. However, new dating evidence on fossilised bones from sites within the region means that the fossils might be 15,000 years older than previously thought.

Would you want your university’s research featured at the network Email claire.shaw@guardian.co.uk together with your latest news

This content is dropped at you by Guardian Professional. To get more articles like this direct on your inbox, join the better Education Network.