Researchers are examining the range of environmental effects on people’s health over their whole lives. By Jack McGovan Three decades ago, Professor Martine Vrijheid was investigating the prevalence of birth defects near hazardous waste sites across Europe as part of her PhD work. She found that there was indeed an increased risk close to dumps. … Read more
City farming and food sharing are blossoming in Europe with the help of local traditions and EU research. By Anthony King Picture the following scene in the Netherlands: kids roll dice and move grandmother around a board to collect the ingredients she needs for a meal. This is a boardgame proving popular with young children … Read more
Europe is pushing to create a network infrastructure based on quantum physics. By Jonathan O’Callaghan In May 2023, Dr Benjamin Lanyon at the University of Innsbruck in Austria took an important step toward creating a new kind of internet: he transferred information along an optical fibre 50 kilometres long using the principles of quantum physics. … Read more
Researchers are looking at how to tackle pollutants in urban runoff and overflowing sewers. By Jessica Berthereau Near the medieval Belgian city of Ghent, in the municipality of Wetteren, researchers are trying to reduce pollutants in rainwater using seashells. Millions of shells from the nearby North Sea collect and filter water that flows during rainfall … Read more
Bugs, microalgae and bacteria are emerging as healthy and sustainable alternatives to traditional proteins. By Pieter Devuyst Dr Janina Seubert believes the path to healthier human diets is through the nose. Seubert, a cognitive neuroscientist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, is researching the role of smell in shaping public preferences towards foods. She’s curious … Read more
EU research is providing the most far-reaching analysis of efforts to boost wild-cat populations and aiding scavengers that help balance the ecosystem. By Vedrana Simičević Anybody wondering about the hands-on challenges of wildlife conservation in Europe should consider a recent tale. It involves a wild cat, tracking signals and an eye-opening journey. In spring 2023, … Read more