Research hike

IRELAND'S improvement in global research rankings may continue after €8.5m was awarded to 47 projects yesterday.

The latest phase of the Research Frontiers Programme, funded by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), will involve 105 college researchers taking on work in a range of areas.

They include studies around cystic fibrosis, genetics, bacterial and viral infections, environmental monitoring, food safety and streaming of media over wireless networks.

The funding covers research over three and four-year periods.