Research and society

January often starts with good intentions… but those plans can be quickly abandoned. To exercise more is always high up everyone’s list, but there’s often a gap between wanting to do it and actually doing it. So how do you bridge that gap?

For many of us, Spotify is synonymous with music. We listen on the go, at work, while studying, while exercising... Music is always available, everywhere thanks to streaming. Yet, criticism of the Spotify music service is growing.

“Should we panic or can we keep a cool head?” With that question, defence experts Michelle Haas and Tim Haesebrouck from Ghent University open every episode of their podcast De Paniekzaaiers (“The Panicmongers”). In a world where global politics seems upside down, they add some much-needed nuance.

Migration remains a topic that deeply affects many and stirs strong emotions. Many people believe that it is “all too easy” for migrants, or that “judges go too far” when it comes to protecting refugees. But what is the reality? Prof. Ellen Desmet puts three misconceptions about migration law into perspective.

Companies, farmers, nature and consumers alike depend on water. Yet despite the fact that 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, only 1% of it is drinkable. And as climate change progresses, ensuring sufficient water for everyone is becoming increasingly challenging. Advancing water purification technologies is therefore more essential than ever.

A recent study into Parkinson’s disease has shown that a stool transplant may constitute a new and valuable treatment of the disease. “It offers a potentially safe, effective and cost-efficient way of alleviating the symptoms and improving the quality of life of millions. A 'bacterial pill' might replace the stool transplant in the future. But more research is needed.”

Since May, the Belgian pavilion at the Biennale Architettura 2025 in Venice has been home to a unique experimental setup: Building Biospheres. For three months now, visitors have been experiencing how a planting area with 250 subtropical plants and trees creates a pleasant indoor climate.

Manon Steynen from the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering is trying to convert unhealthy sugar into healthy sugar.

Van wetenschappelijk onderzoek tot medische behandelingen, decennialang stond de man centraal in de medische wereld. Betekent dat dan ook dat vrouwen daardoor minder goede zorg krijgen?

Rising sea levels are a global challenge for coastal areas. Traditionally, the solution has been concrete sea walls, but are there more natural solutions?