University of Malta research magazine Think’s latest edition has been issued. One of its main articles focuses on buildings in Malta. Although a third of the islands is built up, little thought is given to green space and urban design. The University’s Faculty for the Built Environment and its graduates are now faced with the challenge of fixing past mistakes.
Researchers at the faculty are designing dementia-friendly and quake-resistant buildings. They are creating numerical simulations of contemporary local buildings to see how they would fare in earthquakes. Daniel Micallef, who specialises in computational fluid dynamics and wind engineering, is building models that could lead to safer, more comfortable, energy-efficient urban environments.
The built environment includes more than just buildings. The University has a master plan project which aims to find cutting-edge solutions to Maltese traffic and water problems. Once tested at University the solutions could be implemented nationwide. However, the biggest challenge is to improve public transport and change people’s behaviour towards more carpooling.
Apart from the tragic traffic situation, David Vella writes about how tragedy in literature can be a form of therapy. Literature can help readers see the world in a more enlightened perspective to learn to deal with their natural instincts when threatened in the real world.
Think tells Rena Balzan’s story, which combines a scientific and literary life. Prof. Balzan was one of the first women in Malta to carve out a scientific research career, while penning numerous poems and novels. Together with her team, she hopes her research in aspirin in yeast will help prevent cancer in humans.
Designing a game does not sound like an obvious way to lose weight, but a pilot study at the Institute of the Digital Games showed that students working on food-attitude related games collectively lost weight, while a group designing other games gained weight.
Think also offers a selection of other stories. The Malta BioBank opens its frozen doors, students write about nicotine, brain disease, future transport and facial recognition, and the review section could be perfect for some unusual last-minute Christmas presents.
Think may be picked up for free from newsagents and Agenda bookstores. It is also available online at the websites below.
www.um.edu.mt/think
www.issuu.com/thinkuni