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Rules of the road: The need for new quality standards for AI technology in healthcare

By and Filed Under: All posts, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Technology Posted:

In recent years, we have seen a profusion of AI, algorithm, and machine-learning technologies enter clinical practice. This has happened across the health and care sector, and cancer testing and treatments have been no exception, with some proven benefits. For example, AI has been shown to be capable of recognising patterns in scan images that […]

Advanced radiotherapies: What are the challenges and opportunities?

By and Filed Under: Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Technology Posted:

Advanced radiotherapies are redefining the kinds of cancer treatment that are possible. These developments are exciting, but they also present new challenges. One challenge for researchers and clinicians is how to support policymakers, tasked with developing treatment and care standards across the NHS. So, what are these new treatments, what do they mean for patient […]

cityscape at night

Nuclear power – the role of government

Headshot of Author - Adrian Bull By and Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Science and Technology Posted:

In 2006, Prime Minister Tony Blair assured Britain that nuclear was “back on the agenda with a vengeance”. Boris Johnson has described his commitment to deliver nuclear at “warp speed”, and the three intervening Prime Ministers have also emphasised their support for nuclear. Yet Britain’s first new nuclear plant – Hinkley Point C (HPC) – […]

The skills gap for long term nuclear future

By Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The world’s climate and energy crises continues to worsen with extreme weather, heatwaves and increasing global energy prices. The IEA’s net zero by 2050 pathway has identified the need for nuclear, including SMRs growing support for this in the UK, Canada, France and the US. In this blog, Aneeqa Khan discusses the steps needed to […]

Electrification – technology and people

By Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The drive to achieve Net Zero is underpinned by the principle that as a society we should ensure that we leave this planet better off, and indeed make it better for the next generation. Smart electrification is a key part of this. This is the combination of technology and human behaviour; it means electricity can’t […]

Making light work: Recommendations for healthy lighting

By and Filed Under: Cities and Environment, Health and Care, Science and Technology, Urban Posted:

Light exposure has important effects on human health and wellbeing, regulating our sleep/wake cycles, and influencing our mental and physical health. Advances in our understanding of the role of light in health, and emerging lighting technologies, now present opportunities to adjust lighting to promote optimal physical and mental health and performance. In this blog, Professor […]

Taking action on hot air: Why agriculture is the key to reducing UK methane emissions

By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

While much of the global discussion on climate change focusses on cutting CO2 emissions, methane is around 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas in trapping heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. At COP26, the UK Government committed to reducing methane emissions by 30%. In this blog, Emeritus Professor Ian Plewis lays out the scale […]

picture of digitally connected city

Using big data to tackle the air pollution problem

James EvansThomas BannanDavid Topping By , and Filed Under: All posts, Cities and Environment, Digital Futures, Science and Technology Posted:

Data-driven policy has the potential to maximise positive outcomes on the environment, public health and the economy. In this blog, Prof David Topping, Prof James Evans and Dr Thomas Bannan explore the benefits of using big data tools as well as the challenges facing the implementation of data techniques to inform air quality policy in […]

Antifungal resistance – a growing global problem

By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Health and Care, Health and Social Care, Science and Technology Posted:

The spread of resistance to antifungal medications has led to many serious infections becoming untreatable, compromising patient safety and posing a global public health threat. The World Health Organisation (WHO) will soon publish its fungal pathogen priority list, highlighting fungi that are already untreatable, and those for which treatment outcomes are poor. In this blog, […]

The Energy Security Strategy: Going nuclear

Francis Livens By Filed Under: Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted:

The government has today announced plans to build eight new nuclear reactors in the UK, alongside strategies to boost wind, hydrogen, and solar production. These new reactors are intended to improve the UK’s energy self-sufficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as creating thousands of new jobs. In this blog, Professor Francis Livens of […]

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