Euclid Space Telescope Unveils Treasure Trove of Galaxies

Researchers at Anemel, a European research organization, have announced a significant advancement in hydrogen fuel production, potentially making it cheaper and more efficient. According to a study published in the journal *Energy & Environmental Science*, the team developed a stable method for splitting water molecules without the need for rare platinum group metals (PGMs), traditionally required as catalysts in electrolysis. Instead, the new catalyst uses more readily available materials, such as nickel and molybdenum, demonstrating high robustness and performance in tests. Officials from Anemel highlighted that this development could enable scalable and cost-effective clean hydrogen production, a crucial step toward replacing fossil fuels. Hydrogen is celebrated for its zero carbon emissions when burned and its abundance as the most plentiful element in the universe. If successfully scaled, this innovation could lead to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, addressing significant challenges in hydrogen adoption, according to the researchers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for tobacco-style warning labels on alcoholic beverages in Europe, citing an alarming lack of awareness about the link between alcohol and cancer. According to WHO's Europe office, alcohol is responsible for approximately 800,000 deaths annually in the region, yet only 15% of respondents in a recent survey recognized alcohol as a risk factor for breast cancer, and just 39% acknowledged its association with colon cancer. This lack of public awareness persists despite cancer being the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths in the European Union. The WHO emphasized that relying on self-regulation by the alcohol industry could lead to ineffective warnings. Currently, only three out of 27 EU countries—France, Lithuania, and Germany—have implemented any form of warning labels. The WHO suggested that clear, prominent health warnings using simple text and pictograms should be mandated across the region to ensure consumers are better informed about the health risks associated with alcohol consumption. Ireland has announced plans to introduce broader cancer warnings by May 2026.

The European Union (EU) has launched its first sectoral strategy for artificial intelligence (AI), committing €200 billion ($215 billion) to become "the continent of AI," as stated by officials on February 12, 2025. This initiative comes more than two years after the emergence of AI models like ChatGPT, highlighting Europe’s delayed response in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Despite having a robust ecosystem of universities and research institutions, the EU faces significant challenges in bridging the technology gap with the United States and China, where investment levels in research and development surpass that of the EU's 2.2% of GDP. Notably, only 11 of the world's top 100 tech companies are based in Europe, with none among the 10 leading by market value, contrasting sharply with the dominance of U.S. firms. Experts express concerns that Europe's fragmented market and stringent regulations hinder the competitiveness of its tech firms. As emphasized by Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank, urgent action is necessary to boost investment and innovation to prevent the region from falling further behind in key technological fields.