Researchers have discovered a new microbe, Caledochytrium aldermaii, that reproduces by growing new cells inside its own body before bursting open to release them. This unique reproductive strategy has the potential to improve the production of omega-3 oils and natural food colours, which are used in food supplements, infant formula, a...
Professor Robert Thomson will receive the prestigious Princess Royal Silver Medal for his groundbreaking work in photonics, particularly in developing an integrated photonic lantern that can be mass-produced. This technology has numerous applications, including astronomy, advanced medical sensing, and telecommunications.
By 2050, the North Sea is projected to have around 58,500 square kilometers of offshore wind farms, with the Netherlands occupying 19% of its waters. The UK, Germany, and Denmark are expected to dominate in scale, with the Netherlands being the most intensively used national zone.
A new laser-based process is set to revolutionize photonics manufacturing by removing manual calibration, which accounts for over half of production costs. The technology promises faster, cheaper, and precise manufacturing at sub-micron tolerances.
A study in British Columbia, Canada found that old oil and gas wells continue to leak methane into the environment, leaving a broader signature than surface measurements alone reveal. The researchers used multiple measurement domains, including shallow geophysical measurements and soil geochemical analysis, to detect persistent leakage.
Heriot-Watt University is collaborating with Falkirk FC on a £200k Knowledge Transfer Partnership to enhance the club's financial sustainability and ownership structure. The project will leverage academic expertise in data analysis, digital engagement, and supporter research to drive growth and long-term success.
A new study warns that NHS surgery backlogs cannot be fixed solely by hiring more staff, citing staff sickness and administrative issues as major contributors. The research found that elective surgery waiting lists rose significantly between 2013 and 2024, with staff sickness absence having a consistent impact on completed cases.
Scientists at Heriot-Watt University have developed a new way to control the polarization of light, opening up new possibilities for medical tools and quantum technologies. The breakthrough achieves full control over light oscillation in real-time using only light, with no electronics or moving parts.
The Island Scholarship programme aims to draw more talent to Orkney, supporting population retention and attraction on Scottish islands. Fifteen postgraduate students will have their fees paid in full for specialist MSc courses, with applications now open.
A major UK study found that local councils are progressing at varying speeds towards AI adoption, with some councils building robust data foundations and others struggling with legacy systems. The report highlights the importance of leadership ambition, governance discipline, and strategic clarity in determining AI readiness.
A leading climate-resilience architecture academic, Professor Susan Roaf, warns that modern buildings are not designed to cope with the impending realities of the 2030's and 2040's climates. This poses health risks and pressure on services. Roaf advocates for mixed-mode buildings that harness local energy and natural ventilation to mit...
Scientists have captured rare footage of harbour porpoises gathering in unusually large groups and engaging in mating behaviour off the coast of Shetland. The study, led by Sophie Ariadne Francine Smith, provides a detailed record of harbour porpoise mating behaviour in UK waters.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have developed a method to remove unwanted tissues, such as tumors, with high precision using deep-ultraviolet lasers. The study demonstrates 10-micrometre precision with no detectable collateral damage.
The program aims to empower women to address pressing environmental challenges and deliver lasting global impact through education. The Orchard Foundation has gifted €1.5 million in funding over five years to support 30 scholarships.
A bottleneck in hydrogen distribution is jeopardizing billions in clean energy due to slower development of pipeline networks and liquefaction plants. This critical issue could undermine major investment programs and make hydrogen uncompetitive if addressed.
Researchers will use revolutionary technology to transform understanding of extreme environments, revealing how black holes behave and evolve. The project aims to deliver dynamic gravitational tomography, creating 3D movies showing plasma flows around black holes.
Dr Aldona Mzyk's project uses quantum sensors to track how immune cells interact with tumours, enabling the development of improved patient-tailored cancer therapies and earlier diagnosis tools. The research aims to overcome current cancer immunotherapies' failure in solid tumours by controlling metabolic changes.
Deaf women in Scotland face significant barriers to accessing support and safety due to the lack of specialist services. The Sign LOUD report calls for a national BSL Equally Safe Advisory Group to improve response and dedicated long-term funding for Deaf-friendly domestic abuse services.
Heriot-Watt University has received a £2.6m European Research Council grant to advance quantum technology development. The project will focus on harnessing light's spatial and temporal properties to enhance entanglement generation, measurement, and distribution.
Scientists have developed a breakthrough method to convert hazardous acid mine drainage into ferric chloride, a widely used water treatment chemical. Laboratory tests achieved removal rates of over 99% for pollutants from river water.
Heriot-Watt University's IDRIC receives £2 million funding to advance UK industrial decarbonisation, building on five successful years of impact. The initiative will focus on research supporting regional and policy impact, identifying gaps in innovation.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have developed a reconfigurable, eight-user quantum network that can distribute and teleport entanglement on demand. The system uses a shop-bought optical fibre and achieves multiplexed entanglement teleportation across multiple users.
A team of scientists has uncovered evidence of ancient wildfires during the Early Triassic epoch, about 250 million years ago. The findings suggest that wildfires played a significant role in shaping ecosystems during this time period, contrary to previous assumptions based on a lack of charcoal in the geologic record.
The course explores the science of global carbon cycle, latest technologies and economic trade-offs of different approaches. It prepares professionals for a growing industry expected to become a €220 billion annual market by 2050.
Researchers have discovered a natural cutting system in female sawflies that can make precise cuts while avoiding vital structures. The mechanism uses tooth geometry and composition to select materials, potentially revolutionizing surgical instruments.
A groundbreaking vibroacoustic sensor could provide objective measurements of skin changes, enabling data-driven decisions on treatment effectiveness. The technology aims to reduce years of suffering for patients with eczema and psoriasis, improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare disparities.
The Heriot-Watt Professional Academy offers over 50 university-credited courses for busy professionals, providing stackable learning and immediate workplace value. The platform's modular approach addresses key skills gaps across multiple sectors, enabling professionals to upskill rapidly in their current roles.
Four leading researchers have been shortlisted for the prestigious Panmure House Prize with innovative ideas on long-term thinking and innovation. The finalists aim to address global societal challenges through rigorous research, open-source hardware, and integrating sustainability into business strategy.
Recent advances in chemistry have led to innovations in industrial carbon capture technologies, reducing energy consumption by over 30% and improving efficiency. The research highlights novel amine blends, metal-organic frameworks, and electroswing technologies that can selectively capture CO2 with high efficiency.
Research finds that credit ratings can effectively restrain chief executive overconfidence, particularly during corporate mergers and acquisitions. Overconfident CEOs become more cautious when facing potential credit downgrade, fearing loss of access to low-cost debt.
A new study calls for limiting plastic usage in test kits to reduce unnecessary waste, with average weights ranging from 6 grams to 40 grams. The researchers propose setting a maximum limit of four grams of plastic usage in the lateral flow tests cassettes.
A new two-year project funded by TotalEnergies and Equinor aims to improve thermodynamic models for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) fluids. This will help establish optimum operational conditions and reduce risks associated with VOCs in CO2 streams.
A new study found that childhood adversity affects how people respond to both good and bad events, leading to stronger emotional reactions to problems and reduced happiness from positive experiences. Researchers hope this understanding can help individuals self-regulate and adapt to their daily lives.
A new study found that deep-sea mining for rare metals has a persistent impact on biodiversity and species variety in the deep ocean. The research, conducted 5,000m below the surface in the Pacific Ocean, showed that even 44 years after the initial mining test, lower levels of biodiversity remain at the site.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University discovered a way to manipulate the optical properties of light by adding a new dimension—time. This breakthrough enables extraordinary light transformations, including amplification and quantum states, with ultra-fast pulses of light.
A new report from Heriot-Watt University and University of Edinburgh reveals that violence is trapping women in cycles of trauma and homelessness. Women often face abuse from multiple perpetrators, and temporary accommodation fails to provide adequate safety.
A three-year research project found that poorly designed digital platforms can further marginalize vulnerable groups, particularly those with limited English proficiency or access to digital devices. The study highlights the need for regulatory oversight and inclusive design to ensure fair access to essential services.
The MAMUT project aims to deliver a compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient terminal designed for use in static, mobile, and autonomous applications. The terminal will connect with multi-orbit satellites to provide high-speed internet access, enhancing global configurability and reducing costs.
A new sustainable theatre cap design has been developed in collaboration with NHS Scotland to address single-use disposable waste. The reusable caps, made from cellulosic fibre, aim to relieve patient anxiety through fabric colours and patterns, while improving staff identification.
Counterfeit spirits cost the EU €3 billion annually, with 25-40% of consumption in some areas. Experts advise monitoring 4 P's: product, price, package, and place of purchase to avoid contaminated alcohol-related deaths. A database is being built to test and compare alcoholic spirits using chemical fingerprints.
A new study analyzing 192 years of alliances, hostilities, and neutrality found that neutral ties were more prevalent than previously thought, playing a crucial role in global stability. The research introduces a new measure of relational structure called 'balance correlations,' which has profound implications for policymakers.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have proposed a new method to filter out daylight noise from quantum signals, enabling all-day satellite transmission. The approach uses time and phase encoding to overcome the issue, allowing SatQKD to operate during dawn and dusk hours.
Heriot-Watt University has developed a world-first visual grading system to measure fibre shedding from clothing, aiming to reduce microplastic pollution in the fashion industry. The five-point scale assesses fibre fragments shed during washing, allowing manufacturers to select low-shedding materials and communicate with consumers.
Researchers aim to harness sunlight into laser beams using photosynthetic structures from bacteria, enabling efficient and sustainable power transmission in space. The project's goal is to provide reliable energy for lunar bases, Mars missions, and terrestrial wireless power transmission.
Researchers propose targeting high-volume, long-haul routes for green flight paths to demonstrate the economic viability of sustainable aviation fuels. The concept aims to drive decarbonisation and international cooperation for a net-zero aviation sector by 2050.
The Whales & Arctic Vessels Project will research how often and where whales encounter vessels in the high Arctic, addressing a largely unexplored area of marine life. The collaboration aims to gather critical data to inform management strategies and promote global awareness for Arctic whale conservation.
A new study questions current approaches to predicting vessel strikes on whales, revealing notable inconsistencies across different models. The researchers highlight the need for accurate modeling to mitigate against modern-day risks threatening whale survival.
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have captured high-resolution images of a five-mile asteroid impact crater buried deep beneath the Atlantic Ocean. The data reveals minute-by-minute chaos after collision, including rocks flowing upwards to the crater floor and an 800-metre-plus high tsunami. The findings confirm the Nadir Crater w...
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University are developing a new method to process blood samples and detect cancerous DNA, which could reduce the need for painful biopsy surgery. The MicroSNARE project aims to further develop a technique to diagnose, analyse and characterise tumours earlier and detect recurrence before it spreads.
A new study from Heriot-Watt University finds that a decarbonized steel industry can use lower-grade iron ore, which is currently unfeasible due to high energy and material requirements. The research suggests that integrating advanced emission reduction technologies can make this viable path economically acceptable.