Nicholas Mamo has developed an algorithm that analyses Twitter feeds and extracts information about events. This type of artificial intelligence has been designed to automatically identify the participants involved in the events and understand what happened based on the tweets.
Continue readingFood Security in Malta: Is it Possible?
It is unlikely that Malta can ever become self-sufficient when it comes to food. The next best thing for the island is to guarantee sustainable food security. THINK sits with 4 experts to see how this could be possible.
Continue readingThe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Contraceptive Pill, Reproductive Rights, and Malta
Contraception, and especially the contraceptive pill, have revolutionised society in the past 60 years. Yet one of the most utilised methods has side effects that are still not addressed by science worldwide, and shining a light over Malta shows a lack of data on the population’s reproductive health. THINK investigates.
Continue readingIl-Baqra Tinbieh Kollha: A Journey Towards Abattoir Self-Sufficiency and Sustainability
While plant-based food is gaining popularity, the majority of the world’s population still consumes meat. “Il-baqra tinbieħ kollha” (every part of the cow can be sold), a Maltese saying, emphasises that every part of harvested livestock is used. It is imperative that the meat industry develop sustainable practices to reduce its environmental impact, such as utilising every part of the slaughtered animal.
Continue readingIs Now the Time for a Wealth Tax?
In the face of ever-worsening wealth inequality, one solution for Malta (or elsewhere) could be a tax on wealth. Jonathan Firbank speaks to Dr Charmaine Portelli about why this idea is flawed, and yet, why this flawed idea might still be necessary for today’s world.
Continue readingLow-Impact Concrete Flower Pots with Recycled Materials
Discover how resourcefulness and innovation in repurposing materials like broken glass, tiles, and eggshells can lead to the creation of everyday objects. Explore the collaborative effort of first-year B.Sc. (Built Environment) students under Prof. Ruben Paul Borg’s guidance as they transform waste into functional and aesthetically pleasing concrete flowerpots. By incorporating waste materials into the concrete mixture, these flowerpots contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of concrete production, aligning with sustainability goals in the construction industry. Dive into the journey of producing durable, eco-friendly flowerpots that showcase the power of creativity and sustainability in construction practices.
Continue readingYou Only Got This Job Because You Are a Woman
Can women climb the academic ladder? In a society that equates men with leadership, THINK explores the career challenges faced by women, especially in academia, and how governments and institutions are fighting to promote gender equity.
Continue readingMycoMalta: Putting the Fun in Fungi
Have you ever wondered how mushrooms grow? A Maltese company, sharing its founder’s love for fungi, is delighting kids and grown-ups with the experience of growing their own mushrooms in the comfort of their home.
Continue readingReconsidering Reason: Ableism and Speciesism in Moral Philosophy
The ability to reason has been the hallmark of humanity for centuries. It has been used as the foundation for numerous ethical systems. Yet using reason as humanity’s signature feature ostracises those with severe to profound cognitive disabilities, giving moral philosophy ableist undertones. THINK speaks with Dr Kurt Borg and Prof. Anne-Marie Callus to discuss.
Continue readingAncient Performance in the Underworld: The Theatre of Ħal Saflieni
Malta’s Late-Neolithic civilisation erected many magnificent structures, including the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni. Using Ħal Saflieni as a case study, new research by Dawn Adrienne Saliba suggests that this structure was likely used for performance rituals and represents an early form of proto-theatre.
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