Science for Society

Chronic lung diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) have a profound impact on patients, but are difficult to treat. Patient care focuses primarily on managing symptoms. University of Groningen (UG) researchers Luke van der Koog and Erik Frijlink (FSE) want to change that: through their company, MimeCure, they are developing a revolutionary treatment method. The initial results are promising.

Sugar: we eat too much of it, with all the consequences that come with it. Yet we still cannot get enough of it. Professor of Chemical Glycobiology Marthe Walvoort launched the SlimSmullen initiative to raise children’s awareness of the effects of sugar, using lesson plans and other resources.

Project leader Douwe van der Tuin is using the Scholierenacademie to show pupils in primary and secondary schools in the Northern Netherlands that there is more to science than conducting experiments. ‘It would be a pity if pupils were put off studying because they don’t identify with this stereotype. Our aim is to enable all students to experience science and the associated skills, in the humanities, exact sciences, and social sciences.’

The Centre for Sustainable Agriculture Transition at Campus Fryslân will be guiding hundreds of farmers in making the transition to a more sustainable business model in which they can operate healthily, with an eye for soil and biodiversity, while still earning a good living.

From the OECD to President Biden’s administration: parties at home and abroad are eagerly making use of the unique databases of the Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC) at the University of Groningen. The information dates back to the early 20th century and, in some cases, even further.

A thousand times greater performance, two hundred times more energy efficient and a hundred times more data transfer speed: the startup IMChip is working on the AI chips of the future. Among other reasons, their work is crucial in times when concerns about the vast amounts of energy used by AI are rising.

How do you know a face is a real face? With the emergence of generative AI, photos of non-existent faces can be created at the touch of a button. And if these photos are used in official documents it will be possible to create fake identities, bypass facial recognition and commit all kinds of fraud. Luckily, George Azzopardi and Guru Swaroop Bennabhaktula have created a way to confirm the authenticity of photos

Many asylum seekers with a residence permit (known in Dutch as status holders) are eager to work in an environment that recognizes and values their skills. Cultural differences and expectations play a major role for both the newcomer with a residence permit and the employer. How can you match these two groups in a sustainable manner?

Quite a few children display energetic and headstrong behaviour that does not fit in with the demands our society places on them. Parents, teachers, and pedagogical staff are therefore looking for tools to deal with this behaviour without immediately having to resort to professional help. With this in mind, the low-threshold programme Wild & Willful [Druk & Dwars] has been developed. The initiator and project supervisor is Laura Batstra, associate professor of Orthopedagogy at the University of Groningen. ‘For children, it is helpful not to immediately be given a medical label. In most cases, this does more harm than good.’

Suppose that an adult son is living away from home. He deals drugs and has hidden a large quantity of pills at his parents’ home without their knowledge. Following a police raid, the house is sealed off on the mayor’s orders. As a result, the parents end up on the street overnight. The son is still at large. Is this measure really proportionate?

The Ben Feringa Impact Award was presented to him on 13 May: Francesco Picchioni, professor of Chemical Technology (FSE). The reason for his award? An important innovation that allows rubber recycling without loss of quality. Start-up New Born Rubber from Grootegast is already eagerly using his method for the production of flip flops and bicycle basket

Teaching primary school children language and maths through exercise improves their attention and task orientation. Jumping and jogging for half an hour, three times a week, while absorbing the teaching material, improves test results.

More than half of all adult women is dealing with urinary incontinence, and a quarter of them are severely hindered by it. UG researcher Anne Loohuis developed a science-based app offering information and exercises. This also saves a lot of money.

UG associate professor Eize Stamhuis and his colleagues have helped to further develop and refine an underwater device in the Wadden Sea that moves back and forth and generates electricity from the resulting tensile forces.

Learning facts at school is something hardly anyone likes. The day before a test, pupils cram as many words or names as possible into their heads, only to hopefully remember them the next morning and then forget them again after the test.

A truly sickening, disgusting smell to chase harassers away, activated by a small button on your bracelet: thousands of women all over the world already wear it to keep themselves safe. Sexologist Charmaine Borg of the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences played a crucial role in its development.

Scientists work day by day on solutions to a variety of problems. But this is not always immediately visible. This week: Bert Otten and Mickey Wiedemeijer developed a method that allows them to analyse runs. The method is so sophisticated and so unique that they use it to solve crimes.