In public debates about refugee resettlement, a crucial perspective is often overlooked: the experiences of the refugees themselves. Dr. Hanna E. Schneider (Brussels Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Migration and Minorities (BIRMM) - VUB) critically explores the complexities of refugee resettlement, examining refugees' agency alongside the systemic challenges that shape their journeys.

The use of animal manure in agriculture appears to be the best choice in terms of metal contamination of our soils Metals and hormone-disrupting substances such as oestrogens present a genuine risk to the sustainability of agriculture and water management in Europe. This is the conclusion of doctoral research conducted by Chinese environmental scientist Yuwei Jia at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).

An international research team led by Professor Kiavash Movahedi from the Brussels Center for Immunology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has published groundbreaking results today in the prestigious journal Immunity . Their study sheds new light on the possibility of effectively replacing defective microglia-the brain's immune cells-marking a potential breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

In a country where multilingualism is the norm, detecting learning disorders such as dyslexia, dysorthographia and dyscalculia is a real challenge.

Social media networks have proved to be fertile ground for the rise of populism, providing a mostly unfettered space for polarising discourse and spread of misinformation. Around the globe, the rise of populism has made political resilience and stability increasingly challenging. Help may come from an unexpected partner: for the first time, researchers in finance and economics are using a combination of models and theories from finance, robotics, economics and natural sciences to quantitatively study the data linked to the increase and pervasiveness of populism in social media.

About 66 million years ago, an asteroid slammed into the planet, wiping out all non-avian dinosaurs and about 70 percent of all marine species. The huge crater formed in the Gulf of Mexico functioned as a cradle for recovery of marine life enriching the overlying ocean for at least 700,000 years, according to research published today in Nature Communications .

Researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel (UZ Brussel) have developed an innovative digital application that enables fast and efficient screening of cognitive and motor impairments in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The app provides a simple and accessible way to track cognitive decline and motor limitations, marking an important step in the digitalization of neurological care.

After the groundbreaking creation of the first bio-based handbag made from mycelium leather, the Microbiology research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) expands their research on mycelium-based materials into new product categories. Led by Prof. Eveline Peeters and Prof. Elise Vanden Elsacker, the team explores mycelium, the root structure of fungi, as viable alternative to animal and synthetic leather.

At the LCSB, researchers model the complexity of the human brain in a Petri dish. Their work is highlighted in the latest episode of Primer , a new documentary series created by Bloomberg Originals that analyzes the complex science and technology shaping the future. Broadcast on March 27, the episode is entitled "Can Living Human Brain Cells Power AI?".

What is a fair way forward after the 1.5°C warming limit of the Paris Agreement has been breached? In a new study, an international team including VUB researchers explores the concept of 'net-zero carbon debt' - a measure for assessing who bears greater responsibility for minimizing the climate overshoot.

Every five minutes, somewhere in the world, someone creates a new deepfake. As this AI-powered threat grows, researchers are developing equally powerful tools to fight back. In 2024, a deepfake attempt occurred every five minutes, according to a report by the Entrust Cybersecurity Institute. The report shows a worrying trend.

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.