The European Union has announced a significant funding opportunity for projects aimed at revitalizing neighbourhoods and fostering sustainability through the New European Bauhaus initiative With EUR 17.8 million available under the Horizon Europe program, the call seeks innovative proposals to transform communities into vibrant, inclusive, and environmentally friendly spaces. Call overview: Under the banner of “Transforming neighbourhoods, making them beautiful, sustainable & inclusive,” the call invites submissions contributing to the vision of the New European Bauhaus Destination (NEB ..read more

What does the brain do while we sleep? New research shows the process that occurs within the brain during sleep Sleep can have a crucial role in learning and memory. While we are awake, connections between cells in our brains get stronger. Sleep is important because if these connections continue, they become energetic. If too many connections are made in one day, fewer will be made the following day.  Lead author Professor Jason Rihel, from UCL’s Cell & Developmental Biology department, explains, “While the function of sleep remains mysterious, it may be serving as an ‘off-line ..read more

Using NASA’s James Webb Telescope researchers have revealed insights into the weather patterns of the hot gas-giant exoplanet WASP-43 b  This “hot Jupiter” exoplanet, is smaller and closer than the sun, it has a very tight orbit which means that one side is illuminated in light while the other is in darkness.  A recent study published in Nature Astronomy shows the dynamics of this distant world’s atmosphere. The light and dark side of exoplanet WASP-43 b Led by Taylor Bell of the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, the team used the Webb Telescope’s ability to measure temperat ..read more

Open Access Government places the spotlight on research, innovation and education policy in Europe, with a particular focus on the European Education Area In Our October 2023 edition, we enjoyed an editorial by Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, who shed light on empowering research careers and reinforcing the European Research Area (ERA). We really appreciate this article, where we find out how Europe is using research and innovation to make science and technology better for people and the planet. This is when the global landscape is consta ..read more

Astronomers used the Gemini South telescope to show the findings of the difference in Binary Stars composition The researchers have been able to unveil the origins of diversity within binary star systems.  A team led by Carlos Saffe from the Institute of Astronomical, Earth and Space Sciences (ICATE-CONICET) in Argentina has discovered that differences in the chemical composition of binary stars stem from variations in the molecular clouds from which they formed.  Complex processes controlling stars and planet formation  Binary star systems, containing up to 85% of all stars, ha ..read more

Scientists at The University of Manchester achieve robust superconductivity in high magnetic fields using a newly created one-dimensional (1D) system In a significant development in the field of superconductivity, researchers at The University of Manchester have successfully achieved robust superconductivity in high magnetic fields. Using a newly created one-dimensional (1D) system, the team were able to create a promising pathway for advancements in quantum technologies by overcoming a longstanding challenge in condensed matter physics. Achieving superconductivity The research, publ ..read more

In a unique cosmic event, scientists have detected a burst of gamma rays originating from a rare magnetar in the nearby galaxy M82  This discovery was made possible by ESA’s INTEGRAL satellite and following observations by XMM-Newton, displaying the behaviour of these objects.  The burst, lasting a tenth of a second, was identified by the INTEGRAL Science Data Centre (ISDC) at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, which alerted astronomers worldwide.  Gamma Ray burst in M82 Unlike typical gamma-ray bursts from distant corners of the universe, this event originated fro ..read more

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led by Ronit Freeman from the Applied Physical Sciences Department, have successfully created artificial cells capable of mimicking natural cellular behaviour Their work holds promise for advancing regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems, and diagnostic technologies. Mimicking our body cells The study revolves around manipulating DNA and proteins, the fundamental building blocks of life, to construct cells that closely resemble body cells in appearance and function. Unlike traditional cells, these have a dynamic cytoskeleton ..read more

The discovery of a gas outflow or ‘Cosmic Fountain’ has been made in galaxy NGC 4383, located within the Virgo cluster. Researchers have revealed the outflow to be polluting intergalactic space with 50 million suns’ worth of material Researchers revealed the gas outflow to be so big that light would take 20,000 years to travel from one side to the other and is moving at 450 times the top speed of a jet fighter. The aftermath of stellar explosions Led by Dr. Adam Watts from The University of Western Australia’s International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), the researchers used thes ..read more

A discovery has been made of what could be the largest marine reptile to ever have existed in ancient seas This creature, estimated to have stretched over 25 meters in length, is a species of ichthyosaur named Ichthyotitan severnensis. Discovering ancient artefacts on the beach The discovery was made on a Somerset beach, UK, while fossil hunters were exploring the coastline for remains of prehistoric life. The BBC reported that in 2016, the first clue was found, a fossilised jawbone. After this discovery made by Paul De La Salle, he joined palaeontologist Dr Dean Lomax of the University of Bri ..read more