Mediterranean Archives – Page 2 of 4

Time, Space, & the Ocean Wanders

As an archipelago, the Maltese Islands have been a hotspot for seabird nesting since time immemorial. Marie Claire Gatt talks about her research and a major EU project determining how to protect far travelling seabirds. Photography by Jean Claude Vancell.

The Hidden History of the Maltese Genome

By reading someone’s DNA one can tell how likely they are to develop a disease or whether they are related to the person sitting next to them. By reading a nation’s DNA one can understand why a population is more likely to develop a disease or how a population came to exist. Scott Wilcockson talks to Prof. Alex Felice, Dr Joseph Borg, and Clint Mizzi (University of Malta) about their latest project that aims to sequence the Maltese genome and what it might reveal about the origins and health of the Maltese people.

#research 2016 big data bioinformatics chromosomes Clint Mizzi dna Dr Joseph Borg Dr Nikolai Pace europe genes genetics health History human humanity malta Maltese Genome Maltese Genome Project maltese history Mediterranean past population Prof. Alex Felice scott wilcockson sequencing sonya hallett technology university of malta

Gateway for Migrant Rescue in the Mediterranean

My 100 word idea to change Malta
By Prof. Kris Zarb Adami

100 word idea 2015 emergency idea ISSA malta Mediterranean migrant radar system rescue Think Magazine UM University

Falling Walls: Young Talents on Stage

The Falling Walls Lab is an international forum, which aims at building and promoting interdisciplinary connections between young excellent academics, entrepreneurs and professionals from all fields.

#research 2015 academia berlin entrepreneur event falling walls Falling Walls Lab Falling Walls Lab Finale forum international malta Mediterranean professional researcher think Think Magazine Think Website UM University

The Science Issue: 100 reasons to love science

Science is everywhere. Understand science and you will see the world differently. The sun becomes a giant nuclear reactor full of beautiful equations keeping us alive, while Facebook can be transformed into maths that describes you and your friends. Whilst the most amazing scientific phenomena are happening inside you right now.

#science 100 reasons to love science 1915 2015 arithmetic book Claude Bajada climate crystal edward duca faculty of science Faculty of Science Centenary Celebrations Francesca Vassallo Graph Theory History jessica edwards Mediterranean microwave natasha padfield Science 100 The Science Issue think Think Magazine Think Website University UoM

A Patchwork Mediterranean: Knitting It Together

The Mediterranean is surrounded by over 20 countries each of which claim ownership over its nearby sea. To try and prevent over fishing and other pressures, many countries have set up protected areas. Jessica Edwards talks to Prof. Patrick J. Schembri who leads the Marine Ecology Research Group (Department of Biology) to find out how all of these areas are being linked to protect the Mediterranean Sea from the threats it faces.

#research #science 100 years of science 2015 alien species atlantic biology black sea climate change coconet current Environment eu european union Faculty of Science Centenary Celebrations jessica edwards marine biology marine ecology marine life Mediterranean newcomer species Patrick J. Schembri research project Science 100 science100 sea strait of gibraltar Suez Canal The Science Issue university of malta UoM

Science… Bacteria… Art…

Bacteria are everywhere, from the top of the windswept cliffs of Dwejra, Gozo, right to the core of the ancient catacombs in Rabat, Malta. Anne Marie Dimech met Dr Gabrielle Zammit to learn about the unique bacteria discovered growing on artworks in ancient Maltese temples and how these bacteria could be useful to medicine.

#science 2015 algae biofilms biology cyanobacteria Diatoms Dr Lanfranco gabrielle zammit July Edition malta Mediterranean plants Rocks think Think Magazine Think Website University university of malta UoM

Cleaning Contaminated Land with Plants

Carmen Sanchez Garcia

Soil sustains wildlife, landscapes, crops, forests, and air and water quality. Our survival and development depends on soil. However, a large amount of metals is being released daily into the environment through household waste, agricultural practices, and industrial activity.

Soil acts as a ‘sink’ for pollution, and depending on the soil’s chemical conditions, metals may persist there for long periods of time, posing a risk for humans and ecosystems. Maltese soils have a high concentration of lead, zinc, and copper. At high concentrations, these metals are harmful to many forms of life and can lead to a host of diseases including cancer. Carmen Sanchez Garcia (supervised by Dr Anthony Sacco) studied how to reduce the level of these metals in Maltese soils using plants instead of conventional methods.Continue reading