news 2025

Researchers have identified a key gene in the regulation of nerve circuits in "Caenorhabditis elegans", a small worm often used in research. This gene, also present in humans, is associated with a rare form of infantile epilepsy. Their work suggests that an excessive release of neuropeptides could play a key role in this disease, opening up new research prospects.

First developed in 2018 by Professor Christophe Ley , this innovative approach to machine learning is making waves far beyond the lab. By blending statistical insights with machine learning models, Statistically Enhanced Learning unlocks new predictive power. Let's check in on how this brainchild is growing up.

A researcher from VUB has developed a system that can predict wind turbine failures caused by early component malfunctions. He specializes in condition monitoring, a technique that uses data from turbine sensors and artificial intelligence to track the machine's condition. "If operators can anticipate that a specific component is about to fail, they can replace it during regular maintenance, preventing turbine downtime," says Dr. Xavier Chesterman, who completed his PhD on this complex issue.

Dr. Lisa Ramaut from the Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery at the Brussels University Hospital (UZ Brussel) conducted research on the use of stem cells derived from adipose tissue for wound healing and scar formation. Her study sheds new light on the potential of these cells to improve surgical scars and prevent pathological scar formation.

On Rare Disease Day 2025, the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) of the University of Luxembourg illuminates once again its building in blue, green, pink, and purple, joining buildings across Luxembourg and around the world. This show of solidarity, organised in partnership with ALAN, the Luxembourg association for rare diseases , pays tribute to the 300 million people diagnosed worldwide with one of the more than 6000 known rare diseases, including 30,000 in Luxembourg.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often seen as a powerful tool designed to improve our lives, from smartphones to hiring algorithms. But a new study, Unmasking Inequalities in the Code, by Professor Tuba Bircan reveals a deeper issue: AI is not neutral, it mirrors and amplifies existing societal inequalities.

A group of legal researchers from the Department of Law at the University of Luxembourg is working hand in hand with computer scientists at the Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT) to push the boundaries of Regulatory Technology (RegTech), while keeping in mind the legal framework which surrounds its use.

Ice melting from glaciers around the world is affecting regional freshwater resources and driving global sea levels to rise at ever-faster rates. According to new findings through an international effort involving Prof. Harry Zekollari (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), glaciers have been losing an average of 273 billion tonnes of ice per year since the year 2000 - but hidden within this average there is an alarming increase over the last 10 years.

February sees the start of alcohol-free month in Belgium. Alcohol dependence remains a major public health challenge, with high relapse rates despite treatment. Clémence Dousset, FNRS researcher at the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), explores neurofeedback: a complementary method that offers patients the chance to become actors in their own recovery by learning to regulate their brain activity.

Can a computer learn a language the way a child does? A recent study published in the leading journal Computational Linguistics by professors Katrien Beuls (University of Namur) and Paul Van Eecke (AI Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel) sheds new light on this question. The researchers advocate for a fundamental revision of how artificial intelligence acquires and processes language.

Belgian scientists from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) have returned from an expedition to Antarctica near the Princess Elisabeth Station, with blue ice samples and data that could lead them to ice millions of years old, providing valuable information on the evolution of the Earth's climate in the past.

New UGent research shows that more snowfall in the future could slow or offset the negative effects of climate change on glaciers in southern Patagonia.

An international team led by Belgian scientists has recovered 115 Antarctic meteorites weighing more than 2 kg (in total) during the ongoing 2024-2025 BELgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE).

More than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels: that's the average temperature rise measured by climate monitoring agencies for the year 2024.

Anonymity is essential to protect freedom of expression and digital rights in our democracies. It is based on the absence of identification, surveillance or traceability of individuals. However, with advances in artificial intelligence, guaranteeing this anonymity is becoming increasingly difficult.