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Two researchers, one man and one woman, discuss data on a computer screen in a laboratory.

Why policy support for evolutionary biology is critical in the fight against antimicrobial resistance

Dr William SmithDr Danna GiffordDr Matthew Shepherd By , and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Social Care, Science and Engineering Posted:

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) looms among the greatest health and economic challenges of the 21st century. AMR causes more than 1 million deaths annually; by 2050, this number is forecast to double, piling over $1 trillion in additional costs onto stretched healthcare systems worldwide. Without urgent action, we risk a future where treating infectious diseases, chemotherapy, […]

A female scientist in a lab examines a piece of laboratory equipment.

In silico technologies: the future of UK life sciences?

Professor Alejandro Frangi By Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The UK life sciences sector contributes £94 billion to the economy each year, but it faces increasing global competition, alongside internal challenges such as low numbers of NHS clinical trials, and slow regulatory approval processes. Here, Professor Alejandro Frangi outlines how in silico technologies – Artificial Intelligence and other computer-based approaches for virtual product development […]

two workers with high-viz jackets and blue helmets are stood in a construction site looking at an I-pad

Getting it right: are hydrogen standards good enough?

Profile picture of Dr Chris Jones By Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Renewables, Research and development, Science and Engineering Posted:

Hydrogen has the potential to be an important industrial feedstock and fuel. There are, however, various ways to produce and use it, leading to diverse supply chains with different environmental implications. Two considerations for the role of hydrogen in a low carbon economy stand out – ensuring that hydrogen production and supply has sufficiently low […]

Industrial chimney pluming out smoke surrounded by an urban landscape of buildings.

Advanced materials addressing health risks from exposure to benzene

Headshot of Martin Schröder.Headshot of Sihai Yang. By and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, Urban, Work Posted:

Benzene, a volatile organic compound (VOC) with widespread industrial applications, poses severe health risks to humans even at trace levels. Its genotoxic effects, which involve direct damage to cellular DNA and genetic material leading to mutations, are strongly linked to cancer and blood disorders, making its control a critical priority for workplace safety and environmental […]

A housing construction site, surrounded by rural countryside

Belting up to deliver housing targets – are Grey Belts the answer?

Ian Mell By Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Environment, Growth and Inclusion, Urban Posted:

To meet targets of building 1.5 million homes, the new government launched a consultation on the process for releasing Green Belt land. Proposals include creating a new designation of “Grey Belt” land. But given the contentious nature of Green Belts and the arguments made for and against development in these locations, the addition of this new […]

Scientist with clipboard in a biotechnology lab.

Regional policy for biomanufacturing in the North-West chemical sector

Dr Neil Dixon By Filed Under: Environment, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

There is an urgent need for the chemical manufacturing sector to transition to alternative, sustainable carbon-based feedstocks, moving away from reliance on petrochemical sources. Large urban areas, such as the north-west of England, generate substantial amounts of waste rich in carbon, which are processed for energy generation via direct incineration or biogas production. Here, Dr […]

A scientist working with a bioreactor.

Building the bioeconomy

A profile picture of Professor Aline Miller By Filed Under: Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology, UK economy Posted:

Current manufacturing processes across all industrial sectors rely on petrochemicals, either to power them, or as starting points for their product. This over reliance on finite fossil resources is having a detrimental impact on the health of the world and its population. Professor Aline Miller explains how industrial biotechnology can break this addiction to petrochemicals […]

Unjamming the (bio)printer: how can regulatory reform unleash new and advanced biomaterials?

By Filed Under: Health and Care, Research and development, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

3D bioprinting technologies hold huge potential to transform patient care and treatment, delivering the next generation of personalised medicine. But current legislative boundaries are poorly defined, and the pathways to approval are unclear, creating unnecessary delays and costs in getting these new technologies to patients. Here, Dr Marco Domingos from the Bioprinting Technology Platform argues […]

An Asian female agronomist works in a watermelon greenhouse

A silicon revolution for sustainable farming

Professor Bruce Grieve headshot By Filed Under: All posts, Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

An increasing population, political pressures, and severe weather events are all putting global food production at risk. The use of AI in agriculture could help farmers and agricultural decision makers to access more accurate data to improve productivity and sustainability. In this article, from our publication On Resilience, Professor Bruce Grieve explores the future of […]

Strengthening the UK’s energy resilience and security

Maria Sharmina By and Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Renewables, Science and Engineering Posted:

Energy is a key resource enabling the functioning of modern societies. Arguably, the fast-paced technological advances in the past 200 years have been based on plentiful supply of cheap energy. But cheap and plentiful are no more. In this article, from our publication On Resilience, Professor Maria Sharmina and Timothy Capper explore how to strengthen the […]

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