At a ceremony in Halle (Saale)/Germany to mark the transfer of office, economist Bettina Rockenbach assumed the office of President of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina today. Her predecessor, climatologist Gerald Haug, is stepping down after five years in office. In his speech, the Federal Minister of Education and Research as well as Food and Agriculture Cem Özdemir commended Gerald Haug’s services during challenging times. Özdemir referred to the independence of science as a precious asset and wished Bettina Rockenbach a successful start to her leadership of the Academy. Thomas Wünsch, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of Saxony Anhalt, gave a welcome address.

The EU initiative „Science comes to town“, endowed with €6 million, has been awarded to the joint proposal “UNITES” by the cities and regions of Kiel, Brest (France), and Split (Croatia). This was developed with significant support from the EU Grants Office of Kiel University. The Kiel-Brest-Split team submitted the only successful application as announced by the European Commission on Tuesday, 18 February 2025. The three partner regions benefit from the strong support of the European University of the Seas (SEA-EU) alliance as well asmore than 70 institutions that will collaborate next year to deliver an exciting 365-day science programme packed with highlights and interactive events.

Criminology and criminal justice courses need greater global reflection, inclusion from diverse stakeholders, and deviation from a US-centric approach, according to new research from the University of Adelaide.

In recent years, the Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic that affected Brazil, particularly the Northeast region, drew attention due to cases of microcephaly and other congenital malformations, known as Congenital Zika Syndrome. The high incidence of severe cases in specific regions raised the hypothesis that environmental factors could be exacerbating the effects of the virus. A new study published in Scientific Reports and conducted by researchers from the D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR) in partnership with the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) has revealed the role of saxitoxin (STX), a neurotoxin found in water reservoirs contaminated by cyanobacteria, in increasing neuronal damage caused by ZIKV.

Elementary school students improve their reading skills more quickly with an interactive, digital-learning platform than with conventional, pen-and-paper lessons, according to a study from the University of Michigan, Saginaw Valley State University and Ypsilanti Community Schools.