COVID, Climate Change and Relationship Advice from the Arctic?

Colloidal gold has a number of remarkable properties that have featured in countless applications ranging from ruby coloured glass to cancer diagnostics and therapy. By far the most prominent one is its role in lateral flow devices like the ones we have all been using to test ourselves for infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This presentation will explain how such tests work, and why gold is so special here. The audience will hear about assembling tiny nuggets from gold atoms, the diagnostic power of antibodies and the value of basic research when confronted with an unexpected problem.

Human romantic relationships can be complicated, but now scientists think that other animals might also have to navigate these problems! Studying animals’ "personalities" may help to explain their love lives. We visit the kittiwakes of Pyramiden (a spooky, Arctic ghost town) and reveal how the seabirds’ personalities impact their relationships; from partner choice, to raising offspring and even getting divorced. The dramatic lives of these threatened birds, make us wonder: if both seabirds and humans rely on personality to manage our relationships, what else might we have in common?

Worried about future heat waves, flooding, loss of biodiversity, air pollution and Climate Change?
Discover hidden greenery and their surprising extra capabilities: From Liverpool’s first rain garden to vertical planting solutions! Find out how trees help in protecting Liverpool from flooding, how floating islands can help mitigate water pollution and the hidden ways to slow down water! Learn how to plant in innovative ways to encourage pollinators, store carbon, reduce air pollution and create beautiful places!
This talk will let you view Liverpool from a different perspective!