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Rapid Rock Cycle Uncovered at Cumbrian Slag Site
Scientists at the University of Glasgow have found that human waste may form rock in just decades, upending our age-old view of the rock cycle. Researchers studied an industrial waste deposit along the Cumbrian coast at Derwent Howe, once home to iron and steel foundries. Over its industrial past, 27 million cubic metres of furnace…
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Lateral Flow Test Waste Spurs Urgent Call for Change
A new study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization warns that the single-use design of lateral flow tests has led to an unseen waste of plastic. Researchers from Heriot-Watt University and the University of Edinburgh looked hard at 21 COVID-19 test kits and found that each kit uses between six and almost 40…
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New Scottish Study Reveals Over Half of Coastal Vessels Go Untracked
Researchers from Heriot-Watt University have found that more than half of the vessels operating in Scotland’s coastal waters are missed by standard tracking systems. The study shows that only 43% of ships within 10 km of the coast broadcast an Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal—the common tool used worldwide to track ship movements. Based on…
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Waste Gum from Indian Trees Gives Supercapacitors Longer Life
Scientists from Scotland, South Korea, and India have used waste gum from Indian trees to forge a greener path for supercapacitors. They have combined gum kondagogu—a polysaccharide from the bark of the Cochlospermum Gossypium tree—with sodium alginate to form a sponge-like substance known as “KS.” This new biopolymer is added to the acidic electrolyte found…
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Glasgow’s Three Semiconductor Start-Ups Join UK Incubator
Three emerging tech projects from the University of Glasgow have been chosen to join a UK government-backed programme for new semiconductor companies. The programme is run by SiliconCatalyst.UK and is set to help these early ventures build strong roots and grow. RX Watt Ltd is working on a system that sends power and data together…
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Scotland Gives Dog Safety Measures a Boost
Scotland is increasing its efforts to help police and dog wardens manage dangerous and uncontrolled dogs. The Scottish Government announced this plan at the Responsible Dog Ownership Summit last September. The police and dog wardens will get almost £200,000 in funding. Police Scotland received £166,000 to train its officers to recognize banned breeds. This money…