Think Magazine Archives – Page 8 of 15

Does the Kraken exist?

Written by Alexander Hili

‘Release the Kraken’ is a very famous quote from Clash of the Titans. In the movie scene, a monstrous being, with characteristics of both squid and octopus, is summoned from the sea to smash a city to the ground. The Kraken is clearly a mythological creature, but the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is very real. The monstrously large squid grows to an estimated 12–14 m in length and has sharp swivelling or three-pointed hooks on its limbs. The bloated carcasses of this organism could have inspired the ancients. Large adults have never been caught since it is thought to live around 2.2 km beneath the water’s surface when it develops. Like the Kraken it is a very elusive creature that is rarely seen.

Elective student stipends

My 100 word idea to change Malta
By Dr James Corby

The University of Malta is central to our knowledge economy, and yet it is chronically underfunded. The University performs well despite underfunding, so imagine the heights that could be scaled with more adequate support.
My idea? Scrap the scandalously outmoded stipends system. Instead, make student financial support entirely elective (students decide whether they want support); money is then given to students as an interest-free loan, which they only start to repay once they have graduated and are earning more than a minimum threshold salary. The money saved would be directed into research, postgraduate and postdoctoral initiatives, and infrastructure and technology.

100 word idea 2015 Change Malta July Edition malta Stipend think Think Magazine Think Website UM University university of malta

God is Not Great, How Religion Poisons Everything

Book Review by Dr Jurgen Gatt

Please accept my apologies for reviewing a well-known book by a renowned, and late, atheist almost ten years after publication. My reasons for doing so are threefold. Firstly, the book and author have both lost some of their notoriety with younger students. Secondly, the book should appeal to both to humanities and science students and will, with luck, generate conversation across disciplines. And finally, the book is brilliantly written, cleverly argued, and deserves to be read particularly after the dust of the New-Atheist movement has started (perhaps) to settle.Continue reading

2015 book Christopher Hitchens Dr Jurgen Gatt God God is Not Great How Religion Poisons Everything July Edition malta review think Think Magazine Think Website University university of malta UoM

Writing Maltese Sign language

Dr Maria Galea writes about her journey into the world of Maltese Sign Language and bringing a logical framework to the written form of the language. This work has the potential to empower the approximately 400 deaf people in Malta.

#research 2015 Communication culture Dr Maria Galea education Hand July Edition Maltese Sign Language Orange Hand Sign Language sign writing think Think Magazine Think Website University university of malta UoM Valerie Sutton

MALTA – Stockholm Syndrome (or why we love the British)

Between 1798 and 1800, Malta changed hands twice. The feudal Knights were easily replaced by Napoleonic France, whom the Maltese initially welcomed, then revolted against a mere 82 days later ushering in the British Empire. ‘Why?’ is a mystery lost in the history books that gloss over the period demonising Napoleon while exalting the British who ruled Malta as a colony till independence in 1964. The Editor met Dr Charles Xuereb to find out.

#research 1798 2015 British edward duca England France History July Edition Lost Knowledge malta Malta 1798 Revolution think Think Magazine Think Website University university of malta UoM

Green Roof Malta

In Malta, buildings cover one third of the Island, leaving greenery in the dirt track. Green roofs are one way to bring plants back to urban areas with loads of benefits. Antoine Gatt, who manages the LifeMedGreenRoof project at the University of Malta, tells us more.

#research #science 2015 Architecture culture education engineering Environment faculty of science Faculty of the Built Enviroment Green July Edition malta maltese Pollution review Roof society technology think Think Magazine Think Website University university of malta UoM

Connect the Dots

A new hallmark for graphene, the wonder material of the 21st century, has been found. It has a range of applications—from biomedical to new, smart materials. To gain a better understanding of this discovery, Claire Testa met metamaterials researcher Professor Joseph N. Grima and his team (Department of Chemistry, University of Malta). Photos by Elisa von Brockdorff.Continue reading

#research #science 2015 alumni Amazing chemistry Dr Attard faculty of science July Issue malta Prof Joseph N. Grima Research In Malta review think Think Magazine Think Website 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

Chemistry for Medicine

Written by Kristina Farrugia

Kristina Farrugia, part of the research team. Photo by Jean Claude Vancell

In medicine a timely and accurate diagnosis can decide the chances of survival of a patient. Supramolecular Chemistry is a field that explores the design of intelligent molecules that can assist doctors when taking lifesaving decisions. These intelligent molecules can identify the type and amount of proteins in a patient’s blood or tissue that would indicate disease—in a similar method to blood glucose test strips.

#research #science 2015 chemistry Colour Chemistry Dr david Magri faculty of science STEPS student think Think Magazine Think Website UM University university of malta

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

#research contamination Environment land maltese Mediterranean novliety plants Pollution think Think Magazine Think Website UM University university of malta