"Early-morning crisis resolved at Institute of Merged Sciences through scientific utopias"

The winning essay of a science-fiction competition sponsored by Nature and EU-LIFE envisions a scientific utopia in which researchers are required to assist their local community. The essay follows a scientist at the Institute of Merged Sciences in Edinburgh, who spends 20% of their time on research for citizens. When a nurse brings in a patient with unexplained symptoms, the scientist uses their skills to identify a banned pesticide on the patient's hands, highlighting the importance of addressing real-world problems in the present.