Research Outreach Blog
August 11, 2022

Research Outreach – Issue 130: Pollution problems, ethical engineering, and civilisation decline

Research Outreach 130 highlights international research in a diverse array of topics, including volatile oil prices, a new delivery system for dietary supplements, and a deeper understanding of civilisation decline in the Late Holocene era.

Waste management is once again a key topic, as we share research into one region in Finland that is helping transition to a circular economy. Marine pollution in the Caribbean requires cross-agency collaboration to work towards equitable marine governance and avoid ‘parachute science’.

Research Outreach spoke to Will Hall, mental-health advocate and researcher, about his latest research and opinion on the current pharmaceutical approach to mental health, while an innovative engineering course in Canada encourages students to focus on accessibility for deaf athletes.

HollyHarry/Shutterstock.com

Waste management and transition to a circular economy

Reviewing the innovative waste-management system in Finland’s Vaasa region that speaks to society’s desire to improve their recycling and waste management systems.

New delivery technology may improve dietary supplement efficacy

Pioneering research into drug-delivery systems to improve immune health supplements in the hope that this will instil confidence in consumers. Supplements are a growing industry that, until now, has not been held to the same standards as pharmaceutical products.

Rethinking psychiatric medication

Research Outreach interviews Will Hall about his research in mental illness, and the current approach to psychiatric medications. As a therapist who has also had experience within the mental-health system, Hall strongly advocates a less ‘pharmaceutical’ approach to helping people with mental health problems.

Research in the Caribbean is at risk of 'parachute science'.
English Harbour, Antigua. Andos-fr/Shutterstock.com

Parachute science and Caribbean plastic pollution

Understanding the challenges in marine-litter research in the Caribbean’s Small Island Developing States and promoting equitable and sustainable ocean governance to avoid the risk of ‘parachute science’.

Empathic engineering design for accessibility for deaf curling athletes

A novel engineering course that promotes team-based designs and focuses on accessibility for athletes. This year’s course focused on the problems that deaf curling athletes face when they play, as they are unable to hear the audio cues from their captain.

ronstik/Shutterstock.com

 

Want to read more articles like this?

Sign up to our mailing list and read about the topics that matter to you the most.
Sign Up!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *