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Health - Astronomy & Space - 16.02.2026
In space, astronauts' aging hearts accelerate
In space, astronauts’ aging hearts accelerate
New research reveals that, in space, certain heart muscles are put to the test by weightlessness. In just a few months, they atrophy. The consequences of this process, which takes decades on Earth, on astronauts' health remain to be assessed. On a positive note, these results could advance our understanding of certain mechanisms behind mitral valve insufficiency.

Astronomy & Space - Earth Sciences - 23.10.2025
Decolonizing scientific practices: the case of Chile's Atacama Desert
Decolonizing scientific practices: the case of Chile’s Atacama Desert
Is it moral, ethical or even acceptable for research projects to be carried out in countries of the "Global South" without any local scientists being involved? A new study has quantified this problem in the Dry Puna and Atacama Desert area of Latin America. An article by Gabriel A. Pinto in The Conversation.

Physics - Astronomy & Space - 04.09.2025
The JUNO experiment starts collecting data: ULB at the heart of a global scientific adventure
Marks a historic milestone for particle physics research: JUNO, the world's largest underground neutrino detector, has officially begun recording its first data. ULB, involved in the project since 2015, is playing a key role in this international collaboration. After ten years of design and construction in the mountains of China's Jiangmen province, JUNO (Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory ) is now ready to scrutinize neutrinos - those invisible, almost massless particles that pass through matter without leaving a trace..

Astronomy & Space - 15.07.2025
Researcher Refines the Hunt for Cosmic Neutrinos
Phd Sheds New Light on Signal Propagation in Radio Simulations of Particle Cascades Dieder Van den Broeck, a researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), successfully defended his PhD in physics, titled Signal Propagation in the Simulation of Radio Emission from Particle Cascades . His research offers a novel perspective on how radio signals can be used to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic particles.

Earth Sciences - Astronomy & Space - 18.01.2025
Haul of Meteorites discovered during Antarctic research expedition
Haul of Meteorites discovered during Antarctic research expedition
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).

Astronomy & Space - 19.12.2024
Origins of Lunar Water and Its Connection to Earth’s Early History
A team of international scientists has unveiled groundbreaking research on the origins of lunar water, offering insights that could reshape our understanding of the Earth-Moon system and the broader solar system. The pioneering study explores the isotopic signatures of lunar water, revealing a mix of indigenous and cometary sources.

Astronomy & Space - Physics - 06.09.2024
VUB astrophysicist investigates noise in gravitational waves to unravel the universe's earliest phases
VUB astrophysicist investigates noise in gravitational waves to unravel the universe’s earliest phases
Gravitational waves are ripples in spacetime. The phenomenon can be compared to ripples on a sheet when a heavy ball is placed on it and spun around. In the universe, these "balls" are massive objects such as black holes and neutron stars, which vibrate spacetime as they orbit and eventually merge. These gravitational waves are emitted through space and, although very subtle, can be detected on Earth with the correct equipment.

Paleontology - Astronomy & Space - 16.08.2024
Fingerprinting the asteroid that determined the fate of the dinosaurs 
Fingerprinting the asteroid that determined the fate of the dinosaurs 
A team of geoscientists, including members from the Archaeology, Environmental Changes and Geo-Chemistry large research unit of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, has investigated traces of the asteroid impact that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. The team examined samples from the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary layer, which marks the extinction of 70% of all species that existed at the time, including the dinosaurs.

Astronomy & Space - Physics - 23.04.2024
See the Universe in 3D
See the Universe in 3D
A team of researchers led by Vincent Pelgrims (ULB) dust off the Galaxy to build the first 3D map of the Universe's magnetic field. A new launch for astronomy, allowing us to explore the depths of the sky like never before. A study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. The space between stars is "dirty".

Astronomy & Space - Physics - 23.04.2024
New microgravity experiment: the first-ever weightless anti-bubble
New microgravity experiment: the first-ever weightless anti-bubble
From April 15 to 19, Benoit Scheid and his team produced and observed, for the very first time in the world, antibubbles in zero gravity. Their work could lead to advances in water treatment and drug encapsulation . Twice a year, the European Space Agency (ESA) organizes weightlessness (or microgravity) flights.

Astronomy & Space - Environment - 15.11.2023
James Webb Space Telescope detects water vapour, sulfur dioxide and sand clouds in the atmosphere of a nearby exoplanet
James Webb Space Telescope detects water vapour, sulfur dioxide and sand clouds in the atmosphere of a nearby exoplanet
A team of European astronomers, co-led by researchers from the Institute of Astronomy, KU Leuven, used recent observations made with the James Webb Space Telescope to study the atmosphere of the nearby exoplanet WASP-107b. Peering deep into the fluffy atmosphere of WASP-107b they discovered not only water vapour and sulfur dioxide, but even silicate sand clouds.

Astronomy & Space - Physics - 27.06.2023
IceCube: our galaxy seen through a new lens
For the first time, the IceCube Neutrino Observatory has produced an image of the Milky Way using neutrinos - tiny, ghostly astronomical messengers.In a paper published tomorrow in the journal Science, the IceCube project, involving ULB scientists, presents evidence of high-energy neutrino emission from the Milky Way .

Astronomy & Space - Physics - 21.06.2023
Euclid: a European space telescope to reveal the invisible universe
Euclid: a European space telescope to reveal the invisible universe
Euclid is a telescope of the European Space Agency (ESA) which aims to reveal the properties and nature of dark matter and dark energy - 95% of the contents of the Universe. On the occasion of its launch from Cape Canaveral in early July, Belgian scientists involved in the Euclid mission, notably from the Université libre de Bruxelles, are highlighting their contributions and research projects .

Astronomy & Space - Architecture & Buildings - 21.06.2023
Researchers on curating a pavilion at Venice Biennale
Two University of Luxembourg researchers of the Master in Architecture programme and the Department of Geography and Spatial Planning, Francelle Cane and Marija Maric, were selected to represent Luxembourg at the 2023 Venice Architecture Biennale with their project titled - Down to Earth -. The Luxembourg Pavilion opened on 18 May in Sale d'Armi, Arsenale, as a part of this year's edition of La Biennale - The Laboratory of the Future - curated by Lesley Lokko.

Astronomy & Space - Environment - 28.02.2023
Capturing Shooting Stars
Capturing Shooting Stars
It is fascinating to see a streak of light across the sky, and never more so than those times of the year when the meteors fall to earth in such a multitude that they look like sparkling rain. The Geminid shower is such an event. Our researchers observed such -shooting stars- falling from the sky at their peak in mid-December thanks to cameras newly installed on top of one of the university buildings.

Physics - Astronomy & Space - 26.01.2023
A new approach for solving the dark energy mystery
What is behind dark energy - and what connects it to the cosmological constant introduced by Albert Einstein? Two physicists from the University of Luxembourg point the way to answering these open questions of physics. The universe has a number of bizarre properties that are difficult to understand with everyday experience.

Astronomy & Space - 18.01.2023
Mission to Antarctica: discovery of a 7.6 kg meteorite
Mission to Antarctica: discovery of a 7.6 kg meteorite
After spending the holidays in Antarctica, an international research team led by Vinciane Debaille - G-Time Laboratory, Free University of Brussels - has returned from its mission with a lot of meteorites.

Astronomy & Space - 13.11.2022
First image of the depths of a galaxy
First image of the depths of a galaxy
IceCube neutrinos give us the first image of the depths of an active galaxy. They allow us to get a little closer to the answer to the eternal question of the origin of cosmic rays . For the first time, an international team of scientists - including the IIIHE, Faculty of Science - has found evidence of high-energy neutrino emission in the galaxy NGC 1068.

Astronomy & Space - Chemistry - 14.06.2022
Gaia mission sees strange stars in most detailed Milky Way survey to date
Gaia mission sees strange stars in most detailed Milky Way survey to date
The ESA Gaia mission has released its new treasure trove of data about our home galaxy. Astronomers - including Professor Conny Aerts from KU Leuven - describe strange 'starquakes', stellar DNA, asymmetric motions and other fascinating insights in this most detailed Milky Way survey to date. Gaia is ESA's mission to create the most accurate and complete multi-dimensional map of the Milky Way.

Astronomy & Space - 17.05.2022
A stellar four-beat waltz
A stellar four-beat waltz
A system composed of four gravitationally bound stars has been followed by spectroscopy for several years by a team of researchers. This quadruple system is unstable and simulations of its future evolution show that, eventually, the stars may collide, which is likely to produce a thermonuclear supernova.