The University of Glasgow is constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation, and shaping the future of progress across many fields. Take a look at our summary of the University’s most interesting and groundbreaking research this month.
New project set to prevalent ocean warming
The University of Glasgow is set to lead a project aiming to develop underwater sensors to monitor signs of ocean warming. This is part of the Tipping Points programme, which aims to enhance climate change response with early warning signs for tipping points.
Professor Martin Lavery of the James Watt School of Engineering will lead experts from the University of Strathclyde and the Scottish Association for Marine Science. They will develop a novel hybrid and communication sensing platform to provide cable-free underwater environment sensing.
Lavery said: “Through engaging with the diverse array of creators, we hope our new sensing technology can play a significant role in improving our early warning systems for major disruptions to the ocean currents and can help the UK and world prepare for an uncertain future.”
New digital hub to connect Glasgow’s Gaelic community
The University of Glasgow, alongside Glasgow City Council, has launched Gaelic Connect; a web app designed to strengthen Glasgow’s Gaelic-speaking community. The app provides an interactive digital hub, allowing Gaelic speakers or learners to connect with one another.
Gaelic Connect includes community forums, and learning resources, as well as gamification features. These features are designed to encourage regular language use.
This project is a part of Glasgow City Council’s Aon Glaschu project, aiming to promote Gaelic language throughout the city.
Professor Bernadette O’Rourke, Professor of Sociolinguistics at the University of Glasgow, said: “Language thrives when it’s woven into the fabric of everyday life. With Gaelic Connect, we’re not creating artificial environments but rather empowering the Gaelic community to find and create these spaces organically.
University of Glasgow study shows mortality inequality widening
A study led by the University of Glasgow has found that mortality inequalities are widening across the country. Since the beginning of the last decade, death rates in the most deprived areas of Scotland and England have been increasing.
In collaboration with Public Health Scotland, the University of Glasgow study has shown that there have been significant changes to mortality inequality between 2010 and 2020. In all sampled cities, death rates were increasing in the most deprived areas from 2012.
Study lead, Dr David Walsh, said: “Our analysis provides a hugely concerning picture of worsening mortality and widening inequalities across England and Scotland. When viewed in the context of the evidence for the impact of UK Government austerity policies on population health, they must be a wake-up call for the current UK Government. We cannot continue to fail the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.”
New laboratory for medical magnetics opens on campus
The University of Glasgow is set to become one of the UK’s leading centres for medical magnetics with the establishment of a new laboratory facility. Equipped with a magnetically shielded room, the laboratory was opened last month in the James Watt School School of Engineering.
Researchers will be able to develop new prototypes of devices that detect weak biomagnetic signals in human muscles, and organs including the heart and brain. These devices could go on to replace current electrical recording.
The laboratory is designed to promote collaboration, and is open to academic researchers and industry partners. Multiple projects are currently utilising the facility.
Professor Muhammad Imran, Head of the James Watt School of Engineering, said: “The lab helps to drive forward the University’s approach to innovation, enabling new developments in medical technology. The lab will foster new partnerships between academia and industry in next-generation medical sensors and transformative technologies, offering new solutions for healthcare, prosthetics, and human-computer interaction.”
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