A study examined the brains of children at increased risk of developing schizophrenia to determine whether signs of vulnerability can be detected during childhood. The findings suggest that subtle brain differences may emerge before the onset of symptoms. Understanding these changes could help identify early warning signs and support the development of more effective interventions.

In 2024, the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) came into force. The regulation is intended to secure Europe’s supply of critical raw materials, especially minerals and metals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. The EU is therefore focusing on reducing its dependence on third countries such as China, boosting domestic minerals and metals production, and expanding recycling. In a study published in Communications Earth & Environment, researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) show how the pursuit of security of supply has increasingly pushed sustainability principles into the background. The study also highlights how researchers can help to strengthen sustainability principles in political discourse.