🐟 AI finds ghost nets – lost fishing nets in the oceans
The AI-supported technology analyzes sonar images with 90 percent accuracy to mark locations where ghost nets are likely found. WWF Germany has manually sifted through images captured by a side-scan sonar and recovered a total of 26 tons of nets from the Baltic Sea.
📉 Iraqi poverty decreases
The poverty level in Iraq has decreased from 21.5 percent in 2022 to 17.6 percent in 2024. The Iraqi government's economic support measures are cited as the main reason for the improvement.
🌍 Renewable energy sources growing twice as fast in Global South compared to Global North
Investments in clean energy are now seven times larger than in fossil energy in the Global South's electricity production, compared to an even split ten years ago. One-fifth of countries in the Global South have already surpassed wealthy nations on solar and wind power usage or electrification.
🧪 Researchers reveal the secret behind the catalytic power of enzymes
Enzymes are life's catalysts that enable the biochemical reactions that sustain all living organisms. Until now, science has struggled to explain exactly how these molecular machines work. The study offers a detailed explanation at the molecular level of how enzymes work.
☀️ Solar energy and electric vehicles lead the energy transition in 2025
Renewable energy expansion grew by 17 percent during 2024, with record installations of approximately 600 GW solar power and 125 GW wind power. Investments in renewable energy sources now outpace fossil fuels by 10 to 1, with more money in solar energy than all other power sources combined.
🐢 Sea turtles increasing in numbers
New research shows that sea turtle populations are increasing at 28 sites globally, while only five show declines. Conservation measures since the 1970s have transformed humans from hunters to protectors of these marine reptiles.
💉 How a vaccine turned the tide in the fight against Ebola
The Ervebo vaccine has demonstrated over 95 percent effectiveness against the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus. The vaccine is now used as a cornerstone in the fight against Ebola and has been successfully deployed in several African countries as a preventive measure.
💉 mRNA vaccine against pancreatic cancer shows promising results
Patients who developed an immune response from the personalized cancer vaccine have not yet experienced recurrence after more than three years of follow-up. The vaccine creates T cells that can live for up to 100 years and retain their ability to identify and fight cancer cells.
👮 Deadly violence decreased in Sweden during 2024
A total of 92 cases of deadly violence were recorded during 2024, which is 29 fewer cases than the previous year. The number of victims under 18 years decreased by 7 cases, from 17 to 10 cases compared to 2023.