In the spotlight
Horizon Europe 2025: key dates to watch
sciencebusiness, 07.01.2025
This year promises to be pivotal for EU Framework Programmes, as the European Commission prepares to outline plans for the remainder of Horizon Europe and takes key steps toward the next Framework Programme, FP10. The highlight of the year will likely be the unveiling of the Commission’s proposal for FP10.
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From brain maps to living bridges: the innovations set to reshape life in 2025
Horizon magazine, 13.01.2025
From solar energy beamed from space to genetic brain maps and live self-repairing bridges, research in 2025 is promising. And we may see more changes that make cities greener and cleaner.
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Digital transition
Quantum computers in silicon: Development of a new European quantum technology begins
idw-online, 09.01.2025
The EQUSPACE consortium (Enabling New Quantum Frontiers with Spin Acoustics in Silicon) has received 3.2 million euros from the European Innovation Council’s Pathfinder Open funding program to advance the development of silicon-based quantum technologies. In addition to the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), the project brings together four other partners from three EU countries and convenes experts from the fields of spin qubits, optomechanics and atomic silicon modifications to develop a novel silicon-based quantum platform.
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Major EU project to investigate societal benefits and risks of AI
alphagalileo, 07.01.2025
A new €3 million EU research project led by University College Dublin (UCD) Centre for Digital Policy will explore the benefits and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from a societal perspective in order to enhance AI capabilities and EU regulatory frameworks.
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Environmental sustainability
What’s the latest on Los Angeles wildfires and how did they start?
bbc, 13.01.2025
At least 24 people have died in the Los Angeles fires as two major blazes continue to burn across the sprawling Californian city.
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Urban flooding slowly becomes a priority issue for Switzerland
swissinfo, 13.01.2025
Christian Eicher, a retired civil engineer who spent much of his career working on flood control and urban drainage, told SWI swissinfo.ch that according to historic news records, on June 20 that year, the local area received an extremely heavy thunderstorm. “The streets of Melchnau flooded, as more than 50mm of rain fell per hour.”
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Mobility & Energy
Novel waste heat recycling technology delivers energy savings to industry
EC, 07.01.2025
The industrial sector accounts for nearly a third of energy use in the EU, mostly for heat and thermal processes. Innovative technology developed by the EU-funded ETEKINA project recycles factory heat, lowering environmental impact and running costs. The research supports the EU’s goal of being climate-neutral by 2050.
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Science policy & Communication
The EU needs ‘radically’ better technology intelligence, its advisers warn
sciencebusiness, 13.01.2025
Report adds to fears that the bloc is ‘flying without radar’ when trying to avoid dependence on other powers.
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Meta needs to analyse risks if it drops fact checkers in EU too
euronews-en, 08.01.2025
If Meta were to fire its fact checkers in the EU, as it announced yesterday it would in the US, it needs to submit a risk assessment to the European Commission first, a spokesperson for the EU institution said.
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Agriculture & Food
Daily glass of milk may cut bowel cancer risk by fifth, research finds
guardian, 08.01.2025
Having a large glass of milk every day may cut the risk of bowel cancer by nearly a fifth, according to the largest study conducted into diet and the disease. An extra daily 300mg of calcium, about the amount found in half a pint of milk, was associated with a 17% lower risk of bowel cancer,….
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Health
Alcohol carries new risks in middle age
New York Times, 13.01.2025
People over 35 can experience different physical effects than younger drinkers.
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Here’s why poor sleep happens during menopause
forbes, 08.01.2025
By 2030, 1 in 6 people will be age 60 or over, a consequence of our rapidly aging world. Women will make up the majority because of their higher life expectancy, and they will experience several milestones along the way, including menopause.
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EU initiatives
Republic of Korea to join Horizon Europe under Transitional Arrangement
EC, 06.01.2025
As of 1 January 2025, the Republic of Korea joins Horizon Europe, opening new opportunities for researchers and unlocking potential for collaboration.
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Kiel researchers coordinate €11M international project on inflammatory diseases
sciencebusiness, 09.01.2025
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) belong to the most common chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs). While significant research efforts have led to improvements in treatment, there remains a lack of risk prediction tools and preventive interventions for these diseases.
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Curious news
Will we ever solve the mystery of Ireland’s unidentified human remains?
Irish examiner, 13.01.2025
More than 360 families of missing people have submitted DNA in a bid to find their loved ones since establishment of a samples database almost a decade ago.
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