EU adopts new state aid rules to promote sustainable transport
This means it is now significantly easier, faster and cheaper for EU countries to invest in sustainable transport to move people and goods. The new rules replace the 2008 Guidelines on State Aid for Railway Operations and establish a consistent state aid framework that covers a wide range of sustainable transport options and assistance measures. […]
BWXT and ORNL partner to promote U.S. uranium enrichment
BWX Technologies and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have formally entered into a partnership aimed at increasing domestic uranium enrichment capabilities for defense purposes. The two organizations recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining cooperation on the domestic uranium enrichment centrifuge experiment, commonly known as DUECE. This initiative supports the Department of Energy’s broader […]
Researchers detect dry ice in planetary nebula for the first time
Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to observe dry ice inside a complex planetary nebula known as NGC 6302. This is the first time that dry ice has been observed inside a planetary nebula. A planetary nebula (PNe) is an expanded shell of gas and dust ejected from a star during its evolution […]
Edinburgh researchers convert plastic waste into L-DOPA
Researchers have demonstrated a new method to produce L-dopa, which is widely used as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, by using engineered bacteria to convert discarded plastic bottles into a pharmaceutical compound. The method, developed by scientists at the University of Edinburgh, uses genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to convert ingredients from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), […]
Government to work ‘even faster’ on UK energy security
UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has outlined measures to pursue national energy security following events in the Middle East. The accelerated package of energy interventions to strengthen the UK’s energy security includes plug-in solar power, renewable energy investment and nuclear infrastructure. Ed Miliband said: “Global events show there is no time to waste in our […]
New PFAS-based method could transform lithium extraction
US researchers have demonstrated a technology that converts waste PFAS captured by granular activated carbon into a resource for lithium recovery, offering potential environmental and efficiency benefits. Scientists have developed a new approach to lithium extraction that recycles problematic chemical contaminants known as PFAS to recover lithium from highly saline brine. The technology, reported in […]
UK reforms to accelerate nuclear development and reduce delays
A new government study has found that complex oversight is slowing down nuclear infrastructure projects and prompting regulatory reviews and new research investment. The British government has announced a series of regulatory and investment measures aimed at accelerating nuclear development, following an independent review that concluded the country’s surveillance system had become overly complex and […]
NHS overhauls health system after first 16 months of Martha’s Rule
In the NHS system’s first 16 months, the Martha’s Rule helpline received more than 10,000 calls, saving lives and enabling thousands of patients to benefit from changes in care. NHS England data shows that one in three (34%) calls to Martha’s Rule by patients, families or staff confirm a rapid deterioration in a patient’s condition, […]
AI toys that talk to kids raise safety concerns
Cambridge researchers say clearer regulation and safety standards are needed as generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) toys are introduced into early childhood settings. AI toys designed to talk to young children may require stricter regulations and clearer safety standards, according to a new study that examined how these technologies interact with children under five. The study, […]
“Fragile Space” exhibition highlights the dangers of space debris
A ground-breaking photography exhibition is to be held to highlight the serious and growing problem of space debris. Our ‘Fragile Space’ spotlights the vital importance of space sustainability and protection of the night sky through a powerful blend of reportage and artistic photography. Created and led by photographer Max Alexander and supported by the Royal […]