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FIRST PRIZE (£1000 and a two-week media placement with New Scientist)

Katherine Robertson, University of Cambridge, UK: Fusion Cuisine: The many talents of the placenta

SECOND PRIZE (£750)

Clare Watkinson, University of Cambridge, UK: Stairway to Heaven: Physical activity and mortality

THIRD PRIZE (£500)

Justin Gregg, University of Dublin, Ireland: Dolphins Get the Point

RUNNERS-UP

Timothy Cockerill, University of Cambridge, UK: Research with Sweaty Palms: Discovering the true worth of insects

Molly Crockett, University of Cambridge, UK: The Chemistry of Choice: How serotonin affects decision-making

Karen Dawe, University of Bristol, UK: Minds, Brains and Pus

Helen Jopling, University of Leeds, UK: An Essential Balancing Act

Ciara Metcalfe, University of Cambridge, UK: Know Your Enemy: Gathering intelligence

Rebecca Nesbit, University of York, UK: Which Way to Africa? Ask a butterfly

Amanda Redig, Northwestern University, Chicago, US: To be be be or not to be: Hematopoiesis, stem cells and cancer

Rebecca Robey, University College London, UK: Grappling with a Herpesvirus

Matt Wenham, University of Cambridge, UK: Failure to fire

Louise Whiteley, University College London, UK: Lit Crit for Scientists

The Science Essay Competition is held jointly by The Wellcome Trust and New Scientist. The winning essay will be published in the 11 October issue of New Scientist.