news
Physics - Jul 30
VUB leads pioneering project to search for cosmic particles from space with radio antennas . Researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) are part of a unique installation on the Greenland ice cap that will try to observe almost elusive particles from space. The Radio Neutrino Observatory Greenland (RNO-G) is a pioneering project that uses a new method to detect cosmic neutrinos with very high energy using radio antennas.
Environment - Jul 27
Mangrove forests were once dominant in the tropics, but they have disappeared at alarming rates around the world. Little is known, however, about the impact of this deforestation on the functional diversity and resilience of resident fauna. A team including Farid Dahdouh-Guebas of VUB's Ecology & Biodiversity Research Unit Researchers addressed this question and found that mangroves have among the lowest faunal diversity of any of the planet's ecosystems, making them especially vulnerable to environmental change. The study i s published in PNAS, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America.
Health - Jul 22
Some antibiotics appear to be effective against a form of skin cancer known as melanoma. KU Leuven researchers examined the effect of these antibiotics on patient-derived tumours in mice.
Pharmacology - Jul 23
KU Leuven researchers have revealed the importance of a newly identified mechanism of kidney transplant rejection. These results could increase the chances of a successful transplantation in the future.
Health - Jul 5
More than half of the COVID-19 strains that were circulating in the late summer of 2020 in Europe were only introduced after 15 June. This indicates that the relaxing of rules and international travel have played an important role in the emergence of the second wave.
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Chasing neutrinos in Greenland
VUB leads pioneering project to search for cosmic particles from space with radio antennas Researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) are part of a unique installation on the Greenland ice cap that will try to observe almost elusive particles from space. The Radio Neutrino Observatory Greenland (RNO-G) is a pioneering project that uses a new method to detect cosmic neutrinos with very high energy using radio antennas.
VUB leads pioneering project to search for cosmic particles from space with radio antennas Researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) are part of a unique installation on the Greenland ice cap that will try to observe almost elusive particles from space. The Radio Neutrino Observatory Greenland (RNO-G) is a pioneering project that uses a new method to detect cosmic neutrinos with very high energy using radio antennas.
Size doesn’t matter in ecosystem resilience, study in PNAS shows
Mangrove forests were once dominant in the tropics, but they have disappeared at alarming rates around the world. Little is known, however, about the impact of this deforestation on the functional diversity and resilience of resident fauna. A team including Farid Dahdouh-Guebas of VUB's Ecology & Biodiversity Research Unit Researchers addressed this question and found that mangroves have among the lowest faunal diversity of any of the planet's ecosystems, making them especially vulnerable to environmental change.
Mangrove forests were once dominant in the tropics, but they have disappeared at alarming rates around the world. Little is known, however, about the impact of this deforestation on the functional diversity and resilience of resident fauna. A team including Farid Dahdouh-Guebas of VUB's Ecology & Biodiversity Research Unit Researchers addressed this question and found that mangroves have among the lowest faunal diversity of any of the planet's ecosystems, making them especially vulnerable to environmental change.
Important factor in transplant rejection identified
KU Leuven researchers have revealed the importance of a newly identified mechanism of kidney transplant rejection. These results could increase the chances of a successful transplantation in the future. Each year, about 500 people in our country undergo a kidney transplant. 15 to 20% of these patients experience rejection symptoms.
KU Leuven researchers have revealed the importance of a newly identified mechanism of kidney transplant rejection. These results could increase the chances of a successful transplantation in the future. Each year, about 500 people in our country undergo a kidney transplant. 15 to 20% of these patients experience rejection symptoms.
Some antibiotics appear to be effective against a form of skin cancer known as melanoma. KU Leuven researchers examined the effect of these antibiotics on patient-derived tumours in mice. Some antibiotics appear to be effective against a form of skin cancer known as melanoma. KU Leuven researchers examined the effect of these antibiotics on patient-derived tumours in mice.
Second coronavirus wave in Europe after summer 2020 mainly due to introduction of new virus strains
More than half of the COVID-19 strains that were circulating in the late summer of 2020 in Europe were only introduced after 15 June.
More than half of the COVID-19 strains that were circulating in the late summer of 2020 in Europe were only introduced after 15 June.
Olive oil and other unsaturated fats are liquid, but researchers have now developed an unsaturated fat that still remains solid at room temperature. Their product can help food companies to develop healthy alternatives to existing high-fat products. Olive oil and other unsaturated fats are liquid, but KU Leuven researchers have now developed an unsaturated fat that still remains solid at room temperature.
A study involving virtual instead of real patients was as effective as traditional clinical trials in evaluating a medical device used to treat brain aneurysms, according to researchers from the University of Leeds and KU Leuven. Furthermore, the 'virtual' approach required far less time and money. A study involving virtual instead of real patients was as effective as traditional clinical trials in evaluating a medical device used to treat brain aneurysms, according to researchers from the University of Leeds and KU Leuven.
Research on albinism in Tanzania
Successful pilot project to tackle discrimination 13 June is International Albinism Awareness Day One in 1,400 people in Tanzania has albinism. These people are often socially excluded, heavily discriminated against and sometimes even have to fear for their lives. Dr Tjitske de Groot of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel set up a pilot project for her doctoral research and investigated what actions and means could be used to reduce the stigma of albinism - as well as other stigma - and actively contributed to this on site.
Successful pilot project to tackle discrimination 13 June is International Albinism Awareness Day One in 1,400 people in Tanzania has albinism. These people are often socially excluded, heavily discriminated against and sometimes even have to fear for their lives. Dr Tjitske de Groot of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel set up a pilot project for her doctoral research and investigated what actions and means could be used to reduce the stigma of albinism - as well as other stigma - and actively contributed to this on site.
Dinosaurs lived in greenhouse climate with hot summers
New climate reconstruction method provides precise picture of climate 78 million years ago Palaeoclimatologists study climate of the geological past. Using an innovative technique, new research by an international research team led by Niels de Winter (VUB-AMGC & Utrecht University) shows for the first time that dinosaurs had to deal with greater seasonal differences than previously thought.
New climate reconstruction method provides precise picture of climate 78 million years ago Palaeoclimatologists study climate of the geological past. Using an innovative technique, new research by an international research team led by Niels de Winter (VUB-AMGC & Utrecht University) shows for the first time that dinosaurs had to deal with greater seasonal differences than previously thought.
A new bacteria, made in Belgium (and UCLouvain)
In brief: A research team from University of Louvain (UCLouvain) has discovered a new bacterium in the human intestine.
In brief: A research team from University of Louvain (UCLouvain) has discovered a new bacterium in the human intestine.
Research results show that news diversity in Flanders is decreasing. The cause, according to his research, is the concentration of media organisations in the Flemish news landscape.
Bois de la Cambre in Brussels: park or thoroughfare?
VUB and ULB research into traffic preferences shows divide between respondents in centre and periphery Sunday, May 30, 2021 — Traffic in the Bois de la Cambre in Brussels has been the subject of intense debate for some time. Should it be open or closed to traffic? Researchers from VUB and ULB, with the Brussels Studies Institute (BSI), conducted a survey on people's wishes for the park.
VUB and ULB research into traffic preferences shows divide between respondents in centre and periphery Sunday, May 30, 2021 — Traffic in the Bois de la Cambre in Brussels has been the subject of intense debate for some time. Should it be open or closed to traffic? Researchers from VUB and ULB, with the Brussels Studies Institute (BSI), conducted a survey on people's wishes for the park.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 — The annual World Hypertension Day on 17 May prompted the publication of a review article on hypertension that appears today in the leading journal The Lancet. In this article, Prof Sofie Brouwers, OLV Ziekenhuis Aalst and Vrije Universiteit Brussel, and her colleagues present the current state of affairs regarding arterial hypertension.
New research has identified various flaws in the security of Wi-Fi connections. Attackers could take advantages of these weaknesses to get access to private data. New security updates were announced yesterday. New research has identified various flaws in the security of Wi-Fi connections. Attackers could take advantages of these weaknesses to get access to private data.
Brook lamprey or brown trout soon to be back in our rivers? Then we’ll need to make a bit of an effort
The chance of us finding brook lamprey or brown trout in our brooks and rivers again in a few years is particularly small.
The chance of us finding brook lamprey or brown trout in our brooks and rivers again in a few years is particularly small.
Involving staff makes companies innovate
In order to innovate successfully, companies are best off involving their staff in that process. An HR policy that focuses on staff involvement will therefore benefit innovation too.
In order to innovate successfully, companies are best off involving their staff in that process. An HR policy that focuses on staff involvement will therefore benefit innovation too.
Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a 3D printing technique that extends the possibilities of lateral flow testing. With the new printing technique, advanced diagnostic tests can be produced that are quick, cheap, and easy to use. Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a 3D printing technique that extends the possibilities of lateral flow testing.
Thursday, May 6, 2021 — For decades, we have been extracting materials from natural sources such as fossil fuels without considering the environmental impact.
European arms industry remains too national in approach
VUB research shows that national tendencies can hurt companies on the global market and risk the loss of core capabilities Wednesday, May 5, 2021 — Mitja Kleczka's doctoral research at Vrije Universiteit Brussel demonstrates that it's absolutely vital that Europe's national arms industries be further integrated.
VUB research shows that national tendencies can hurt companies on the global market and risk the loss of core capabilities Wednesday, May 5, 2021 — Mitja Kleczka's doctoral research at Vrije Universiteit Brussel demonstrates that it's absolutely vital that Europe's national arms industries be further integrated.
Sea level rise can be halved this century
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 — New research from a large international group of scientists, including the Physical Geography research group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel led by Prof Philippe Huybrechts, suggests that sea level rise due to the melting of land ice could be halved this century if we meet the Paris targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
Wednesday, May 5, 2021 — New research from a large international group of scientists, including the Physical Geography research group at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel led by Prof Philippe Huybrechts, suggests that sea level rise due to the melting of land ice could be halved this century if we meet the Paris targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
News from the Lab is a selection of science news that are significant or interesting for a broad readership.
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