Researchers are developing robotic “fingertips” that could give surgeons back their sense of touch during minimally invasive and robotic operations. By Anthony King Modern surgery has gone from long incisions to tiny cuts guided by robots and AI. In the process, however, surgeons have lost something vital: the chance to feel inside the body directly. … Read more
A blood test, combined with an ultrathin material derived from graphite, could significantly advance efforts to detect Alzheimer’s disease at its very earliest stage, even before symptoms appear. By Vittoria D’Alessio Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. For millions of Europeans – and the health services that care for them – it … Read more
Living buildings, quantum computers, safety by design, home robots and AI-assisted pandemic preparedness. Europe’s researchers are reshaping how we live, work and design our cities in 2026. By Anthony King As science continues to push boundaries, the coming years could surprise us with self‑healing cities, robots that care and smarter defences against future pandemics. Here … Read more
Researchers are developing reusable and environmentally friendly electronics for the healthcare, consumer and manufacturing sectors, replacing scarce materials with circular alternatives to build a sustainable future. By Michael Allen Europe’s appetite for electronics keeps growing, but so does the waste. From smartphones and laptops to medical sensors, more devices mean mounting piles of discarded hardware. … Read more
Malaria takes a devastating toll on pregnant women and their babies across Africa. Now a pioneering EU-funded project is working on a new vaccine to increase protection. By Vittoria D’Alessio Malaria remains a deadly threat for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, often leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, low birthweight and serious illness. Now, an EU-funded collaborative … Read more
From calorie counting glasses to healthy-eating video games for children, EU-funded researchers are developing new approaches in support of healthy lifestyles and eating habits. By Michaela Nesvarova One of the biggest challenges in studying how diet impacts disease is understanding what people really eat. Food diaries and surveys are still the standard tools, but they often … Read more