Research Outreach – Issue 138: Trojan horses, capitalist utopias, and a fuzzy future
Our most recent issue of Research Outreach brings together a diverse array of subjects at the forefront of academic research. We showcase the FMsquare Foundation, an organisation that aims to spread the holistic values of ‘fuzzy logic’, as well as tracking the BEST lines for surgeons to follow to reduce post-operative scarring.
New approaches to geological modelling may lead to a far greater accuracy when predicting fluid–rock reactions, while other researchers investigate the potential for utopic projects when entrepreneurs and private equity firms in the oil industry come together.
Sustainability remains a key research area, as shown by the development of an online platform that calculates a building’s efficiency and smartness, as well as a new set of best practices for doing the washing up.
In health research, nanoparticles are being used as ‘Trojan horses’ to deliver cancer-killing viruses direct into the bloodstream.
Capitalist utopias and financial futures of the US oil and gas industry
Investigating what happens when oil industry entrepreneurs and private equity firms come together to dream big and achieve utopic projects. While there is still research ongoing into individual energy sources and their impact on social relations, it is still important to pay attention to the financial arrangements that fund such projects.
The EUB SuperHub Online Platform: Towards a smart and sustainable construction future
Developing a ‘digital building logbook’ – an online repository for all relevant data to calculate a building’s energy efficiency, sustainability, and smartness. The EUB SuperHub platform would comprise multiple components that would meet the demands of the construction sector’s value chain in one location.
The science of dishwashing: Changing habits for a greener world
A recent review shows that rethinking the everyday chore of washing up can lead to decreased resource consumption and better energy use. Making small changes to our domestic habits can have a much larger impact than expected, helping to reduce global energy and water usage.
The FMsquare Foundation: Forging a fuzzy future
The FMSquare Foundation is dedicated to spreading the value of ‘fuzzy logic’, a way to account for imprecision in data processing. The foundation focuses on engaging in applied research and wants to improve interpretability in data science by creating a human-centric approach.
The BEST lines for skin surgery: A new paradigm
Surgeons have historically used Langer lines and wrinkle lines to minimise scarring. These tension lines were first identified over 100 years ago and were based on observations on cadavers. New research aims to improve surgical outcomes and reduce the chance of scarring by using real-time skin tension to map tension lines throughout the body.
Nanoparticles as Trojan horses: A safe and effective way to deliver oncolytic viruses to treat all cancers
Cancer treatments like immunotherapy are advancing and bringing hope to people with advanced cancer, but these treatments are often limited by their delivery options. However, it may be possible to use nanoparticles as carriers for certain cancer-killing viruses as they can be injected into the bloodstream to combat cancer that has spread.
New approaches to high-resolution geological simulations
Geological exploration and resource extraction rely on geological modelling, but need greater detail. A new approach to high-resolution geological modelling might be able to provide this information by revealing mineralisation many orders greater than that of traditional models.