Remove plastic from EU rivers before it reaches the ocean
From drones and smart cameras to biodegradable packaging, EU-funded researchers are working to remove plastic from rivers before it reaches the ocean. Gerd Everard often watched the Scheldt River flow by from his desk in his bedroom in the Belgian town of Dendermonde. Barges and small boats were adrift. Birds were fishing. However, this river […]
UK’s largest solar power plant approved to power 180,000 homes
The UK government has approved plans for what will be the UK’s largest solar power station, marking a significant step in the country’s transition to cheaper and safer energy. The approved development, known as Springwell Solar Farm, will combine large-scale solar power generation with battery storage and grid infrastructure and will be built in North […]
A new approach uses biomarkers to reduce trial and error in arthritis treatment
The EU-funded SQUEEZE initiative aims to personalize and optimize arthritis treatment by using biomarkers to identify the best drugs for individual patients, Ali Jones explores. Although powerful treatments exist for rheumatoid arthritis, doctors cannot always predict which drugs will be most effective for each person. EU-funded initiatives aim to change this by optimizing and personalizing […]
Forever chemicals weaken adults’ immune systems
A new US study adds new evidence that chemicals can permanently impair the body’s ability to fight infections, and may have stronger effects in vulnerable groups. Growing evidence suggests that exposure to PFAS, widely known as the “forever chemicals,” can weaken the immune system in adults, according to a new study from Michigan State University. […]
New insulation concept for liquefied hydrogen tanks
NICOLHy is investigating the concept of vacuum insulated panels (VIP) for economical and safe insulation of large liquefied hydrogen tanks. Europe’s energy import and storage transition faces critical challenges: how to safely and efficiently store and transport hydrogen at scale. Although gaseous hydrogen pipelines and underground storage are only partially available, liquefied hydrogen (LH₂) is […]
New satellite communications link to support flights over ocean dead zones
As Michael Allen investigates, researchers are developing satellite links that bring clear, real-time radio and data connectivity to flights over the ocean, helping air traffic controllers keep routes safer and more efficient. On June 4, 2025, an air traffic controller in Spain’s Canary Islands had a clear, uninterrupted conversation with a commercial pilot flying over […]
EU pledges €700 million to Global Fund to tackle global health challenges
The European Commission has announced plans to contribute €700 million to the Global Fund, reinforcing its position as a key player in global health financing. The pledge, announced by Secretary-General Joseph Siquera at the One Health Summit in Lyon, is part of a broader package aimed at tackling infectious diseases and strengthening health systems around […]
Czech startup lets factory workers learn robots through demonstrations
As Anthony King investigates, a Czech startup is making it easier to automate factories by allowing workers to teach robots new tasks through simple demonstrations rather than complex coding. What if training a robot to do dirty, dangerous work on a factory floor was as easy as teaching it how to do it? Czech startup […]
Insects sent to the ISS to study the effects of space on the human body
A new International Space Station (ISS) experiment aims to better understand the risks of long-duration spaceflight ahead of future moon missions. As international efforts to return astronauts to the moon accelerate, British researchers are preparing to send tiny insects into orbit in a compact laboratory designed to study the effects of space on the human […]
New solar furnace produces clean hydrogen from plastic waste and car battery acid
A new solar-powered reactor developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge could revolutionize plastic waste recycling by using acid from old car batteries to convert waste materials into clean hydrogen, a process that uses acid from old car batteries to transform waste materials into clean hydrogen. Two waste streams can be used to produce […]