On World Wetlands Day, the recent report released by the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory (MWO) warns that despite their vital importance for populations and biodiversity, Mediterranean wetlands remain fragile ecosystems, subject to multiple pressures (intensive agriculture, overexploitation of water, artificialisation, and climate change) that are causing rapid and continuous losses. Historically, more than half of Mediterranean wetlands have already disappeared, and between 1990 and 2020 alone, losses are estimated at 12%. Faced with this alarming situation, the MWO has identified five concrete and immediately actionable levers for change in Mediterranean wetlands. Preserving and restoring these areas is a strategic challenge for Mediterranean countries in order to ensure socio-economic resilience, peace and stability in the region.

Central goals of the circular economy include closing material cycles, reducing waste, and permanently keeping raw materials in the economic system. Achieving this requires innovative technologies that open up new avenues for recycling. Gas fermentation is a promising technology; however, some aspects are still in the research phase. The biotechnological process uses exhaust gases such as carbon dioxide as feedstocks to produce valuable products and enable a new approach to industrial emissions. With his research, Professor Ralf Takors, head of the Institute for Biochemical Engineering (IBVT), wants to help gas fermentation reach market maturity. He explains what is important in this regard in an interview. 

Rail vehicles are exposed to extreme operating stress: strong dynamic forces and frequent load changing leave their mark during every journey. While lightweight design approaches, energy efficiency and resource conservation are increasingly important considerations, continued compliance with the strict safety requirements for rail transport still has to be assured. Officially opened today at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Structural Integrity in Rail Vehicle Design will focus on these challenges, as well as developing scientific principles for the next generation of rail vehicles.

Iowa State's Aaron Rossini has developed solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy methods that are helping design better drugs, catalysts and semiconductors. He was just part of a national panel that explained how NMR tools are "a cornerstone of modern research."

Researchers at Texas A&M University are testing smart catheter sensors for early diagnosis and treatment of UTIs to lower the risk of patient complications.

The University of Texas at Arlington will host hundreds of North Texas middle and high school students at the 75th annual UTA-Fort Worth Regional Science and Engineering Fair on Monday at College Park Center.

As artificial intelligence grows more powerful, its energy demands are rising rapidly—driven by massive data centers that many experts say are unsustainable. To address this challenge, UT San Antonio is launching a national initiative through its MATRIX AI Consortium to rethink how AI computing works.

Backed by funding from the National Science Foundation, the initiative—called THOR: The Neuromorphic Commons—will establish a publicly accessible national hub for neuromorphic computing. This brain-inspired approach mimics how human neurons process information, activating only when needed and using far less energy than traditional computers.

THOR will provide researchers nationwide with open access to the largest full-stack neuromorphic computing platform of its kind, accelerating experimentation while advancing more energy-efficient and sustainable AI technologies.

Korean researchers have developed key technology to ensure pedestrian safety at intersections, laying the foundation for a paradigm shift in traffic safety. This technology is expected to significantly reduce pedestrian accidents after being tested by local governments and commercialized in the future. ETRI announced that since October 8 in 2025, it has been conducting a demonstration of Korea’s first “predictive pedestrian safety AI service” at four major intersections in Cheonan. This service can predict pedestrian trajectories to prevent traffic accidents in advance.