Amartya Sen was the first to conclude that people do not suffer in famines because of food shortages. For his findings, Sen has found a place in a coveted research list recently released in the UK.

A publication, titled Eureka UK, showcasing 100 world-changing discoveries by British researchers in the last 50 years was released earlier this month by Universities UK.

Imagine a world now without CDs and DVDs, test-tube babies or computers? “These would not have been possible without the dedication of academics in the UK.

Universities UK has worked with universities across the country to produce a lasting testament to the brilliant thinkers whose contributions have changed lives around the world,” said Diana Warwick, chief executive, Universities UK, in an interview.

The publication will help to attract students who are interested in research. “India and the UK share a long association in research and education. Recent collaborations have once again highlighted British excellence.

The launch of Eureka UK will inform potential students about the academic opportunities in the UK and the distinction it enjoys across the world,” said John Philip, head, Education UK – North India.

Among the inventions that have had an impact worldwide are – Ian Donald invented the use of ultrasound for unborn babies at the University of Glasgow 40 years ago; Ian Wilmut, a scientist at the Roslin Institute introduced the world to Dolly the sheep, the world’s first animal cloned from a cell taken from an adult animal, in 1997; two University of Manchester scientists, Freddie Williams and Tom Kilburn, are credited with running the world’s first stored programmer computer, to mention a few.