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Happy Friday! In this Morning Brief, we open with a fascinating project by INESC TEC and other entities that allows detecting the presence of antibiotics in environmental waters with a mobile phone, a new joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy, a new FAO publication on the future of agri-food, a consultation on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, and more!
Any comments or suggestions, hit me up with an email on teresa.carvalho@inesc.pt.
In today's Morning Brief:
In today’s Morning Brief:
Technology allows detecting the presence of antibiotics in environmental waters with a mobile phone
INESC TEC, LAQV-REQUIMTE, the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto and the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences developed a solution that evaluates antibiotic contamination – namely sulphonamides and fluoroquinolones – in environmental waters, and in real time, using mobile phones. The technology, developed within the scope of the S-MODE– Screening of antibiotic contamination by mobile devices, will also contribute to the monitoring and protection of ecosystems.
As explained by Hélder Oliveira, researcher at INESC TEC, the technology combines a mobile application, compatible with Android and iOS systems, and an image processing algorithm based on machine learning incorporated into the mobile devices, which can be used to evaluate antibiotic contamination. In addition, the use of computer vision techniques to collect and analyse field images, associated with the possibility of obtaining geographical locations, thanks to the use of mobile devices, allows the elaboration of an immediate mapping of the places where the sample was collected.
Find out more here.
REPowerEU: Joint European action for more affordable, secure and sustainable energy
This week, the European Commission has proposed an outline of a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030, starting with gas, in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
This plan also outlines a series of measures to respond to rising energy prices in Europe and to replenish gas stocks for next winter. Europe has been facing increased energy prices for several months, but now uncertainty on supply is exacerbating the problem. REPowerEU will seek to diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation. This can reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the end of the year.
Phasing out our dependence on fossil fuels from Russia can be done well before 2030. To do so, the Commission proposes to develop a REPowerEU plan that will increase the resilience of the EU-wide energy system based on two pillars: Diversifying gas supplies, via higher Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and pipeline imports from non-Russian suppliers, and larger volumes of biomethane and renewable hydrogen production and imports; and, reducing faster the use of fossil fuels in our homes, buildings, industry, and power system, by boosting energy efficiency, increasing renewables and electrification, and addressing infrastructure bottlenecks.
Click here for more information.
New EU rules for international research already outpaced by shifting geopolitics
According to Science|Business, “EU research ministers signed a declaration laying out common principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation in Marseille on Monday, but these rules arrive as the rapid pace of geopolitical change threatens to render them useless in selecting scientific collaborators from outside the EU. The declaration is a culmination of years of debates among EU member states on a common strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation. It basically tells science organisations across the world what are the principles they must uphold if they want to work with EU counterparts. The declaration says the EU promotes and protects freedom of scientific research and academic freedom, it cherishes research integrity and gender equality, promotes free circulation of researchers and knowledge, and is equally committed to open science and to the protection of intellectual property. (…) EU research commissioner Mariya Gabriel said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threaten opens research. “European research and innovation programmes have a tradition of openness, but geopolitical changes put this at risk,” she said.”.
Using foresight to prepare what the future may bring for tomorrow’s food
A new FAO publication Thinking about the future of food safety – A foresight report, was released on Monday 7 March, outlining how major global drivers and trends will shape food safety in tomorrow’s world.
All food needs to be safe for human consumption; thus, appropriate food safety measures must form the core of food production in our agri-food systems. As agri-food systems are transformed to meet the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, there is need to develop and maintain a deep understanding of the future opportunities, threats and challenges ahead of us.
This foresight report explores the impact of major global drivers and trends on food safety, including climate change, changing consumer behaviour and food consumption patterns, new food sources and food production systems, technological advances, microbiome science, circular economy and food fraud.
Make sure to read the publication here.
Viewpoint: Time for a long-term strategy on Russian science relations and academic collaborations
In this piece for Science|Business, Ole Petter Ottersen, Karolinska Institutet’s president is interviewed stating: “Now, he says, comes an even harder question – especially for universities: What is the west’s longer-term strategy for Russia? If the west stops scientific cooperation entirely, rather than “suspending” it as today, how will that affect the world’s ability to manage the current pandemic, or prepare for a new one? How will we deal with the health crisis that war brings? “That’s the task of a university: we should have a long-term perspective. We should really reflect upon the long-term consequences of these sanctions,” Ottersen said. That call, for a longer perspective on scientific relations with Russia, is something many university faculties around the world are debating right now. In the two weeks since the war began, hundreds of western universities and academic associations, from Berlin to Boston, have suspended formal university partnerships with Russia – often at the request of their governments. And like Karolinska Institutet, Europe’s pre-eminent medical school and home to the Nobel Assembly that chooses the Nobel prize laureates in physiology or medicine, most universities are continuing personal researcher-to-researcher connections as a way of keeping communication channels open and supporting Russian colleagues opposed to the war.”.
Commission seeks views on reviewing rules on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the review of EU rules restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS Directive). The review of the current rules will contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The consultation is open for feedback for a 12-week period, until 2 June 2022.
Through this public consultation, the Commission invites citizens and interested parties to express views to help to identify any changes needed, and assess the impacts of such changes, for the Directive to meet its objectives in the most effective and efficient way. These changes should be in line with the latest technical and scientific developments and be coherent with other EU legislation addressing electronic and electrical equipment and chemical substances.
Click here for more information.
France to invest €1 billion in nuclear reactor R&I
France is looking to nuclear to level up its carbon neutrality ambitions as it launches a €1 billion programme to develop novel nuclear fission and fusion reactors and integrate better waste management.
The first €500 million call launched this week and looks to fund several projects at different stages of maturity.
The announcement follows President Emmanuel Macron’s reveal of a €2 billion strategy for developing disruptive renewable and nuclear energy technologies. It aims to bring France closer to the EU-wide goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and enable the country’s nuclear systems to compete with other global leaders, such as United States, China, Russia, United Kingdom, Canada and Japan.
While France bets on nuclear, not all EU countries agree that it is green and safe enough. After year-long discussions, Germany decided to shut down all of its nuclear power reactors by the end of 2022, prompted by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. It is unclear whether Berlin will try to revert that policy to protect its energy sector from the shock of a potential embargo on Russian gas.
Click here for more information (FR only).
New method matches drugs with faulty DNA replication, helping identify childhood cancer drug candidates
The Innovative Health Initiative-funded ITCC-P4 project’s methodology helped identify some of the best targets in childhood tumours that could be candidates for treatment with adult therapies.
There is an urgent need to identify new therapies for childhood cancer tumours. Drugs originally developed for adult cancers could offer hope as options for paediatric cancer patients. But which ones?
To help answer this question, the researchers in the IMI-funded ITCC-P4 project created a unique methodology called a Target Actionability Review (TAR), which involves a review of published studies that identify potential matches between mechanism-of-action based anti-cancer drugs and specific cancer types. Such a strategy has not been applied to the paediatric cancer population before.
Clinical development of novel mechanism-of-action based agents often requires robust preclinical data. The TAR methodology offers a new science-based way to figure out which drugs could be selected and prioritised. The methodology also helps to identify matches with strong preclinical ‘proof of concept’ that may have a higher likelihood of response to treatment. They also highlight where further research is necessary.
Click here for more information.
More Articles
01/11/2023 – Lisbon crowned European Capital of Innovation, Canada´s association to Horizon Europe, €75.35B boost to the ERA, new energy projects for the Green Deal & much more
In today’s Morning Brief:
Funding
Calls open for 2023 Innovation Fund proposals with record €4B budget
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence to develop the Smart Specialization Observatory
Fighting extreme weather with extreme computing power
Energy
Commission proposes 166 cross-border energy projects for EU support to help deliver the European Green Deal
Commission sets out actions to accelerate the roll-out of electricity grids
Microelectronics
EU and India sign semiconductor memorandum of understanding
Research & Innovation
Canada to sign Horizon Europe association deal next year
No more New European Bauhaus Mission
Nature-inspired flying robots: advancements in environmental monitoring
Over €75B of the recovery funds will go to European Research Area objectives
Lisbon crowned European capital of innovation for 2023
Maria Leptin’s perspectives on university challenges and innovation
EU’s Industrial R&D Scoreboard updates
INESC News
RTP3 features INOV’s AI-integrated inspection system in RiaStone production
APPRAISE system: INOV contributes to enhancing security in public spaces through innovative technology
INESC TEC collaborates on a European project that promotes the use of algae in sustainable aquaculture
INESC TEC’s podcast among the nominees for a national award
Job Opportunities
Events & Training workshops
24/11/2023 – EU’s decarbonization push, INESC participates in Portugal’s Blockchain initiative, Horizon Europe budget boost for R&I & much more
In today’s Morning Brief:
Funding
EU Commission to spend €186 million promoting agri-food products in and outside EU in 2024
Commission opens search for technology infrastructure expert group
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Call for Contributions: EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council’s first edition of AI terminology and taxonomy
Belgium to focus on a public sector European blockchain during its EU presidency
Europe still working with China on military and surveillance uses of artificial intelligence, report finds
EU launches new competition to give AI companies access to supercomputers
Energy
Plans to boost Europe’s Net-Zero technology production
Microelectronics
As microscopic materials proliferate, ensuring they are safe is a priority
Research & Innovation
European Parliament Approves 2024 EU Budget with Boost for Research and Innovation
Council approves UK’s inclusion in Horizon Europe and Copernicus Programmes
EU lagging behind on antimicrobial resistance research
Opinion article in Science Business: The European Research Area needs a reboot
EIT lauds impact of Regional Innovation Scheme in latest report
INESC News
INESC participates at BLOCKCHAIN.PT initiative
INESC MN partners up in semiconductor consortium
INESC TEC advances autonomous vehicle perception in THEIA project
The HUB hosts EARTO meeting on EU RD&I Programmes
HUB contributes at the INESC TEC Autumn Forum
Job Opportunities
Events & Training workshops
17/11/2023 – Horizon Europe latest calls, the €85M boost next year to reach €12.9B, the approval of the Critical Raw Materials Act & much more
In today’s Morning Brief:
Funding
Horizon: €290M in funding for digital, industry and space
ERC sees rise in Starting Grant applications
Artificial Intelligence
OECD updates definition of Artificial Intelligence ‘to inform EU’s AI Act’
Study highlights AI’s economic potential amid EU regulatory focus
Energy
EU Atlantic strategy: what’s next?
Bioengineering
How can regenerative agriculture help the food system survive?
Regional Innovation Valleys for Bioeconomy and Food Systems” launch event conclusions
Research & Innovation
Horizon Europe: €12.9 Billion Boost in 2024 Budget
Commission welcomes political agreement on the Critical Raw Materials Act
Paper: How regional innovation ecosystems can improve participation in the European Framework Programme for R&I
European Space Agency looks to private sector to stay competitive
Technology readiness levels are getting a reality check to ensure innovations are socially acceptable
Research Management initiative advances strategic capacities in European research organisations
INESC News
Carla Gonçalves of INESC TEC recognized among Portugal’s green visionaries
Bactometer project secures runner-up position in EIT Health
Artificial Intelligence and humans collaborate to enhance critical infrastructure security
Job Opportunities
Events & Training workshops