Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 2d

86% of surgeons say blood obscures visibility during operations, increasing mistakes.

What if nature had the solution?

Our scientists found that sawflies cut selectively without sensors, which could revolutionise surgical tools and reduce patient harm.

tinyurl.com/yx4wkdk8

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Reposted by Heriot-Watt News

TransiT - Digital Twinning for Transport Decarbonisation @transittwin.bsky.social · 6d

#Human decisions and actions are a key factor in #transport systems. #TransiT’s human factors lead Guy Walker explains why this matters for transport planning and modelling

More here: tinyurl.com/38d5a6db

#HumanFactors #Psychology #Transport #DigitalTwin

Bus passengers. Photo by Nik on Unsplash.

TransiT human factors expert, Guy Walker.

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 8d

Managers want to support disabled & neurodivergent staff but lack tools, according to Professor Kate Sang's new report.

She recommends simple measures to help workplaces retain talent - read more tinyurl.com/3d35j9cu

#Inclusion #Neurodiversity #HeriotWattUni #EPSRC

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 9d

We're marking major milestones in China, celebrating 10 years with Xidian University, 5 years with Ocean University of China, and the launch of two new Joint Education Programmes shaping the future of industry and society.

More here: tinyurl.com/ufm2ev6h

#HeriotWattUni

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 9d

Cosmic dust is spongier and fluffier than thought, says Prof Martin McCoustra and his international colleagues.

These “fluffy little sponges” may be key to star & planet formation – and even the origins of life.

Read more tinyurl.com/u8e9heky

#HeriotWattUni

Space dust is spongier than we thought, say scientists

Cosmic dust might be much spongier and fluffier than long assumed, according to an international group of scientists.

tinyurl.com

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 19d

Heriot-Watt has climbed the league tables!

We’re now ranked 39th in the UK in The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 — up from 51st last year — and named runner-up Scottish University of the Year.

More here: tinyurl.com/mpkezjpu

#HeriotWattUni

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 20d

Four global thought-leaders have been shortlisted for the $75,000 Panmure House Prize — one of the world’s largest awards in financial research.

Good luck to the finalists:
🔹 Joshua Pearce
🔹 Killian Huber
🔹 Pedro Gomes
🔹 Tima Bansal

tinyurl.com/yyvdnefb

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 22d

Huge congratulations to Sir John Ball, Professor of Mathematics at @heriotwattuni.bsky.social, on being awarded a prestigious fellowship from the Institute for Advanced Study.

More here: tinyurl.com/m7zctpf9

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · 26d

Ever wondered what gives Scotch its smoky soul? Heriot-Watt’s Dr Ruaraidh McIntosh dives deep into the peat debate—how it shapes flavour, heritage & the climate questions.

Listen here: www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

Why peat is proving a burning issue in whisky - ABC listen

Any fan of Whisky will tell you that there's nothing quite like the romance of that smoky kick. The secret ingredient is Peat. Dug out of bogs, dried, and set on fire, it's been flavouring Scotch for ...

www.abc.net.au

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Reposted by Heriot-Watt News

Royal Academy of Engineering @raeng.org.uk · Sep 8

🎉 We're delighted to announce the five finalists for this year's Bhattacharyya Award, celebrating impactful, sustained collaboration between academia and industry across all disciplines.

Meet this year's shortlist: raeng.org.uk/news/some-of...
#RAEngAwards

SOME OF UK’S BIGGEST COMPANIES SHORTLISTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD FOR UNIVERSITY-BUSINESS COLLABORATIONS

raeng.org.uk

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Sep 5

Thousands of kitchen items donated by our students this summer are now helping new arrivals settle into uni.

Well done to everyone involved!

tinyurl.com/mvdawcte

#HeriotWattUni

New students benefit from Pots and Pans Recycling Scheme

Thousands of unwanted kitchen items have been donated by Heriot-Watt students over the summer to help their new classmates settle into university life.

tinyurl.com

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Sep 4

Huge thanks also to the Scottish Government for supporting our researchers in engaging with NHS staff & focus groups!

This has been vital in helping our team explore sustainable alternatives to single-use diagnostic devices in healthcare.

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Sep 4

Researchers at @heriotwattuni.bsky.social & @edinburgh-uni.bsky.social have won a prestigious #APEXAward to tackle the environmental impact of single-use diagnostic devices in healthcare.

More here: tinyurl.com/59wxnjvt

#HeriotWattUni #MedTech

Researchers launch study to tackle environmental impact of single-use diagnostic tests

Researchers have been awarded a prestigious APEX Award to lead a groundbreaking project tackling the environmental impact of single-use diagnostic devices.

tinyurl.com

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Reposted by Heriot-Watt News

Heriot-Watt University @heriotwattuni.bsky.social · Sep 2

Our Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard A. Williams, CBE FREng FTSE FRSE, has announced he will retire in September 2026 after more than a decade of distinguished leadership.

Read more: shorturl.at/HpSvf

#HeriotWattUni

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Aug 14

Today’s A-Level & T-Level results are in.

At 11:25am, Ruth Swan, our expert in student recruitment, will join @lbcnews.bsky.social to share what the results mean, key insights, and advice on your next steps.

📻 Don’t miss it!

#HeriotWattUni #ALevelResults #TLevelResults

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Aug 6

New research from our Edinburgh Business School & Queen’s Business School shows the #GreatIrishFamine had surprising long-term effects on health.

Despite malnutrition, some survivors were taller, not shorter, due to "selection" over "scarring."👇

tinyurl.com/yc2zcz92

#HeriotWattUni

Research reveals impact of Great Irish Famine on human height

New research examines the impact of the Great Irish Famine (1845-1852) on human height.

tinyurl.com

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Aug 5

New modelling from the Lyell Centre shows kelp forests could slash wave heights by up to 70%, protecting Scotland’s coast from flooding & erosion.

Nature’s own flood defence could play a vital role in climate resilience 🌿

More here: tinyurl.com/ms78wt7j

#SustainableHWU #HeriotWattUni

Kelp could protect Scotland’s coast from erosion

Natural marine habitats like kelp forests and seagrass beds could play a vital role in protecting Scotland’s coastline from flooding and erosion, according to new research.

tinyurl.com

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 31

HGV operators are being urged to help shape the future of zero-emission freight in Scotland.

The Centre for Sustainable Road Freight @heriotwattuni.bsky.social need route data to identify where ~40 more BEV truck charging sites should go.

🔗More info: tinyurl.com/3kwm3b4d

Data needed to drive investment in HGV charging

Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) operators are being urged to help drive forward the transition to battery electric trucks, by providing researchers with essential data.

tinyurl.com

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 24

New survey led by Heriot-Watt aims to uncover the true scale of bullying and sexual harassment in the UK’s research & innovation sector.

If you work in the sector share your experience via this confidential survey.

More here: tinyurl.com/384pfz3a

#HeriotWattUni

Survey into bullying and sexual harassment in UK research sector

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University are aiming to uncover the true extent of bullying and sexual harassment within the UK’s research and innovation sector.

tinyurl.com

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 24

#Chemistry advances are driving industrial carbon capture technologies, finds new research by
@heriotwattuni.bsky.social and American University of Sharjah.

More here: tinyurl.com/k6cnubj3

#SustainableHWU #CarbonCapture #CO2 #NetZero #ClimateTech

Advances in chemistry unlock new pathways for industrial carbon capture, new research finds

Recent key advances in chemistry could tackle emissions from the world’s most polluting industries.

tinyurl.com

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 23

Congratulations to our 3 Heriot-Watt research teams for their funding from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which supports #research to tackle society’s most pressing challenges👏

More here: tinyurl.com/bdeavasu

#HeriotWattUni #ResearchExcellence #ResearchImpact @royalsoced.bsky.social

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 22

Today is #ClimateEmergencyDay, a moment to reflect, act, and demand transformative change.

The Climate Clock shows just 4 years to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Read why this moment matters, from leading expert Prof Mercedes Maroto-Valer: tinyurl.com/57p7zjbv

#HeriotWattUni

Climate clock ticks - from pledges to collective action

Today is Climate Emergency Day, a global moment for reflection, urgency, and renewed commitment.

tinyurl.com

Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 22

PhD researcher Tess Watt is using AI + Raspberry Pi tech to diagnose skin cancer offline, empowering patients in remote areas to get faster, life-saving diagnoses.

More here: tinyurl.com/pb5k3u87

#HeriotWattUni @epomm.bsky.social

PhD researcher harnesses AI to transform skin cancer diagnosis in remote areas

A researcher is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to give patients living in remote parts access to timely and potentially lifesaving medical diagnosis.

tinyurl.com

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 14

Clubs, schools & day centres could help to make #health and #care more accessible, finds new research with ‘seldom-listened-to’ people, led by Heriot-Watt University

More here: tinyurl.com/5csk9wx3

#SocialInclusion #Heathcare #SocialCare #SocialSciences #Arts #Humanities #NHS #EduSky @ukri.org

Unheard voices reshape health and care in pioneering arts research project

Clubs, schools, day centres and other community settings could help to make health and care more accessible, new research let by Heriot-Watt University suggests.

tinyurl.com

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Heriot-Watt News @heriotwattnews.bsky.social · Jul 11

Groundbreaking new research by @i-sphere.bsky.social finds Black families have to disguise their identities to avoid #discrimination in housing, employment & essential services

More here: tinyurl.com/2etwp8ny

#HeriotWattUni #Homelessness
@raceontheagenda.bsky.social @crisis-uk.bsky.social ‬

Black and minoritised people feel forced to disguise their identities

Race, Ethnicity and Homelessness research by I-SPHERE at Heriot-Watt University finds Black homeless families feel forced to disguise their identities

tinyurl.com

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