Leuty Parker

Blog

  • Organ-on-a-Chip Technology

    One of the most exciting developments in modern biomedical science is #organ-on-a-chip technology. Rather than relying solely on traditional animal testing, researchers can now build tiny devices lined with living human cells that behave much like real organs, including the liver, lungs, and heart.

    These #miniature systems are opening up remarkable new possibilities for:

    • Faster and more #accurate drug screening
    • Improved toxicity testing to identify harmful effects earlier
    • More #realistic disease modelling using human cells

    Although organ-on-a-chip platforms are still used mainly in #research laboratories, their potential is enormous. They could help scientists #understand diseases in ways that were previously impossible and significantly speed up the development of safer, more effective medicines.

    What makes this field especially exciting? That it represents a shift towards more human-relevant science. As the #technology advances, it may reduce the need for animal testing, lower development costs, and bring new #treatments to patients more quickly. We are still at the beginning of this journey, but the future of organ-on-a-chip technology looks incredibly promising.

    ….. Throughout my #diabetic career, I’ve seen technology transform the way the condition is managed. Maybe this’ll be the direction where it’s heading next.

  • If You Like This…

    I’m writing an autobiography. To fund publishing, my GoFundMe link is below if you want to see me write more…

    https://gofund.me/01b0adea1

  • New Direction; SWT vs Medi-tech

    The future of fashion isn’t just about aesthetics anymore… it’s about intelligence!

    From designing and selling fashion inmy BA degree, I constantly found myself moving beyond traditional garment #design and towards something a bit more functional. This shift became even more interesting as I sawthe rapid rise of #athleisure, where the audience increasingly expected their clothes to do more than simply look good. The bigger question: what if sportswear evolved beyond performance apparel into performance technology? Could the next generation of garments actively monitor, support, and even enhance our health?

    This shift isn’t about shock, and turning people into superheroes through futuristic gadgets. It’s about #designing products that subtley work in the background, to help us better understand our bodies, identify potential #health concerns earlier, and enhance our overall wellbeing. This is where smart wearable technology (#SWT) becomes really exciting.

    Brands like @KYMIRA are leading this evolution, blurring the boundaries between fashion, sportswear and healthcare through scientifically driven innovation. Alongside pioneers such as @Tala and @NowYouLive, these companies are demonstrating that the future of fashion isn’t just about what we wear, it’s about what our clothing can do for us. Redefining the relationship between design, performance and health, and I’ll be exploring each of them in more depth in future posts.

    And over the last few years, #med-tech has undergone a remarkable transformation, where #healthcare is no longer focused solely on digitising patient records or replacing outdated systems. Instead, we’re entering a new era of intelligent technologies that combine #AI, #robotics, advanced #sensors and #biological data to support faster diagnoses, personalised treatments and continuous health monitoring. Rather than existing as isolated innovations, these technologies are increasingly becoming connected #ecosystems, integrating hardware, software and real-time physiological data to improve clinical decision-making and long-term patient care.

    For someone interested in SWT, this represents an incredibly exciting direction. The boundaries between fashion, engineering and medicine are beginning to blur. #Clothing is evolving from something we simply wear into something that interacts with us, collecting data, communicating with healthcare professionals and adapting to our individual needs. Smart textiles, embedded #biosensors and AI-powered wearables are opening the door to garments that can monitor heart rate, analyse posture, detect early signs of illness and support rehabilitation, all without disrupting everyday life.

    This is why I believe the future of fashion lies beyond traditional apparel. Designing for sport was only the beginning. The next frontier is creating garments and wearable devices that become part of our healthcare infrastructure, products that are as beautifully designed as they are clinically valuable. It is no longer just about creating clothes that enhance performance; it is about developing intelligent companions that help us live healthier, longer lives.

    My new direction is to explore the emerging world of smart wearable devices and robotic healthcare technologies, not simply as medical innovations, but as the next evolution of design itself. From AI-powered health monitors and smart textiles to robotic rehabilitation systems and adaptive prosthetics, these innovations are redefining what it means to wear technology. They are not designed to make us superhuman; they are designed to make healthcare more proactive, personalised and seamlessly integrated into our everyday lives.

    Because perhaps the most exciting fashion trend of the next decade won’t be defined by colour palettes or silhouettes, it will be defined by intelligence.

  • Value

    From my previous role as a fashion developer, I’m accustomed to evaluating garments and their properties through a cost-focused lens.

    With whole industries focusing on how to price the end product is a very important issue. What I had to do was build tech packs for manufacturers with the Mr fabrics or findings being called “tech packs”.

    However, the true value of a product can extend far beyond the item itself. In the industry I worked in, and within my role, the focus was firmly on the end product—yet my recent purchase of @ChristianLouboutin shoes, which I’ve written about time and time again, really clarified for me how value can be perceived in a completely different way.

    They paired effortlessly with my wardrobe and were incredibly easy to wear, everything you’d expect from a luxury trainer. However, considering they’re from @ChristianLouboutin, the quality has been a real disappointment.

    After less than a year, they’re already falling apart, a clear sign of poor craftsmanship. For a brand positioned at such a high level, and with a price tag that felt almost painful to justify, the reality simply hasn’t lived up to the expectation.

    However, a new, less superficial sense of value emerges here. Beyond simply being expensive, the pleasure and satisfaction of owning a pair of those iconic red soled trainers was incomparable far outweighing the initial pain of the purchase.

    Taking both perspectives into account, I’d say the overall value ultimately balances out….

    I’m Leuty has a pair of (highly damaged and scuffed) red sold trainers

  • SLOP

    Recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is messy—and one of the hardest parts can be re-learning how to talk. For me, losing my ability to communicate clearly was terrifying. Every word felt like it had to be fought for, and I had to start from scratch to rebuild my speech.

    Even if you haven’t experienced a TBI, learning to talk better; speak more clearly, confidently, and effectively. Is something to anyone who can work on. One technique that really helped me, and that my speech-language therapist recommended, is called SLOP.

    SLOP is a simple yet powerful approach to improve how you articulate words and pace your speech. It’s especially useful if your goal is clearer, more intentional speaking—whether for presentations, daily conversation, or public speaking

    Slow

    Loud

    Overarticu 

    Pause

    … I don’t need to elaborate… you’ll get it from the acronym!

  • Skims

    After repeatedly getting the name wrong (an M or an N?), I took a deeper dive into the brand while applying to be a brand consultant at Harvey Nichols, so here are my findings and a clearer look at its background.

    SKIMS is a modern essentials label founded in 2019 by Kim Kardashian, created to redefine everyday wear through comfort, inclusivity, and innovative, solution-driven design. Originally launched under a different name, the brand was quickly rebranded and has since grown into a multi-billion-pound business, expanding from shapewear into loungewear and underwear, and more recently collaborating with Nike on NikeSKIMS.

    Since its launch, SKIMS has evolved beyond shapewear into a full offering of everyday essentials, reflecting a wider shift towards practical yet stylish basics. Its minimalist aesthetic and focus on body positivity have helped build a loyal following, securing its place within modern womenswear.

    A relaxed, comfy, jersey tracksuit, which fits the current fashion landscape encouraging “ lead of use”

    At its core, the brand embraces simplicity and wearability, using soft, high-quality fabrics to create flattering fits across a diverse range of body types. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to balance comfort with a clean, refined aesthetic suited to both relaxed and everyday settings.

    A taste of fabrics, very suited, streamline, comfortable in stretchy

    SKIMS offers products that integrate seamlessly into daily life, from at-home loungewear to casual outings. Its collections prioritise ease and functionality without compromising on style, allowing for effortless, versatile dressing. By combining modern design with practical essentials, SKIMS continues to shape how consumers approach everyday fashion, reinforcing its position as a leader in the contemporary basics market.

    Still on Brandy settings, less comfortable choice of fabric though

    From analysing the product offering at SKIMS, the overall direction can feel somewhat fragmented. The brand moves between athleisure, minimal everyday basics, and more sensual, body-focused pieces. While each category is strong on its own, together they can create a sense of inconsistency, leaving the core message slightly unclear.

    What’s at least doing in there?

    A more focused approach could strengthen the brand’s identity. Rather than spanning multiple aesthetics at once, there is an opportunity to anchor each collection around a single hero product or defining staple. This piece could act as the foundation for the wider range, creating cohesion across silhouettes, styling, and messaging.

    I’m no prude, but….

    Aligning this strategy with the current fashion landscape is key. By balancing macro shifts—such as the demand for comfort, inclusivity, and longevity—with micro trends like fabric innovation, tonal dressing, and body-contouring fits, SKIMS can refine its direction without losing relevance. This would move the brand from a broad offering to a more intentional, curated identity, ultimately strengthening its position in the market.

     

  • Leonardo

    Mixing tech, innovation and the arts feels like a natural fit . In 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) was founded; it’s an independent U.S. federal agency, a wee bit far from a Scottie, but it’s the US’s largest public funder of arts and arts education.

    The NEA gives grants to artists and organizations around the US (50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S.)… but it’s worth considering whether similar opportunities could extend to international artists (i.e. Scotland)? Expanding globally could strengthen their mission of inclusivity and connect U.S. arts with a broader, more diverse creative community.

    Alongside funding, the NEA encourages and supports research into the impact of the arts, it runs national initiatives, and promotes artists through various honours like Jazz Masters and National Heritage Fellowships. Working with government agencies and non-profits it’s projects aim to connect arts, communities, and public life.

  • Memes

    LOL, it’s obvious that I used chat GBT to perfect my past post content. Everyone does it, don’t be in denial…

    Internet memes may seem like simple jokes or viral images, but they actually reveal something much deeper about modern culture. A meme is best understood as a unit of cultural information that spreads through imitation and adaptation online. These digital fragments evolve rapidly as people share, remix, and reinterpret them, turning memes into a living form of communication.

    Across the internet, memes exist within distinct communities—each with its own humour, language, and purpose. Some revolve around everyday frustrations, such as bad driving, while others grow within highly specific fandoms or gaming cultures where insider knowledge strengthens group identity. In more personal communities, memes serve an even deeper role, helping people share experiences, cope with challenges, and find validation among others with similar lives.

    Technology is also reshaping meme culture. Artificial intelligence is beginning to generate its own meme-like content, creating a strange mix of fascination and humour as humans react to the unpredictable outputs of machines. At the same time, memes are increasingly used for political commentary, allowing complex ideas to be shared quickly through simple, recognisable formats.

    Despite the chaos and variety of meme culture, one powerful trend stands out: communities dedicated to positivity. In these spaces, memes are deliberately used to uplift, motivate, and highlight moments of kindness. Ultimately, memes are far more than fleeting internet jokes—they are evolving cultural signals that reveal how people connect, express identity, and make sense of the digital world together.

  • Snoozebrand

    My dissertation focused on SWTs. Because of this, it is important for me to experiment with products that already exist in this space. While trying to reduce unwanted neighbour noise, I searched for a noise-cancelling solution and came across this product. It provides a useful example of SWT in practice, which informed the following review.

    Upon receiving the Snoozeband, I was immediately impressed by the packaging. The presentation was modern, attractive, and clearly aligned with the brand’s aesthetic, creating a strong first impression. The design felt sleek, and the user manual was clear and easy to follow, making the setup straightforward.

    However, the build quality did not fully match the initial impression. While the construction felt somewhat unrefined, the embedded technology was rather discreet and seamlessly integrated into the fabric, which did enhance the overall sense of design.

    Functionally, the device connected and synced reliably. As a very light sleeper, however, I found the audio choices unappealing for sleep and they did not help me fall asleep. The product felt more suitable for relaxation rather than sleep.

    It also does not significantly block external sound, instead projecting audio toward the ears in a directional way, similar to approaches used in wearable audio products from Ray-Ban and Meta Platforms. This differs from technologies such as bone conduction audio used in hearing aids.

    Overall, the concept is comfortable and appealing, with reliable connectivity, but improvements in build quality, audio design, and sound immersion would strengthen the user experience.

  • Anaesthesia

    Now no news that “Ether Dome”, doctors performed the FIRST ever successful public demonstration of surgical anaesthesia on October 16, 1846.

    Before then, surgery was rather nasty. Being awake, patients were often screaming, and had to be physically restrained.

    Then da William T. G. Morton used ether to render a patient unconscious while the chosen surgeon, John Collins Warren, did the operation that removed a neck tumour… without pain!

    Nearly 180 years later, we still don’t really understand how anaesthesia works!

    But modern drugs, like propofol, can switch consciousness off almost instantly, and brain scans show that when someone goes under:

    The brain doesn’t actually fully shut down. Just that different regions keep working….. but communication between them collapses.

    Consciousness depends on constant “communication ” between brain regions. Anaesthesia disrupts that communication by using slow brain waves that force neurons to fire out of sync. As the brain can’t coordinate, awareness disappears.

    This helps to clarify several important aspects of general anaesthesia. It explains why, when someone goes under, it can feel as though a segment of time has simply been “cut out,” with no sense of its passing. It also sheds light on the rare but real cases in which patients experience some level of awareness during surgery. Finally, it highlights how advances in medical science now allow doctors to monitor levels of unconsciousness far more accurately and in real time, improving both patient safety and overall care.

    So anaesthesia doesn’t actually turn the brain off. It disconnects it.