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Errol Laborde: Remembering the frog found at a Christmas Eve church service
“O Holy Night,” the choir sang while a frog at floor level weaved his way through what must have appeared to be a stampede, hoping and hopping for survival.
AI materials discovery now needs to move into the real world
Startups flush with cash are spinning up AI-assisted laboratories with the hope of finding new materials much faster.
Refugee and migrant health system review in Lithuania
Lithuania has experienced a substantial increase in the number of refugees and migrants, particularly following the 2021 Belarus border situation and the mass displacement from Ukraine in 2022. By late 2024, over 91,000 Ukrainians had been cumulatively registered in Lithuania, with about 47,000 holding valid temporary protection status. This increase, alongside sizeable communities of Belarusian nationals, Russian citizens and other regular migrants covered under compulsory health insurance contributions, has brought new challenges for Lithuania’s health system, especially related to continuity of care, interpretation support and equitable access across municipalities. This report presents the findings of a joint review of the health system in Lithuania, conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Lithuania, and other partners. The review examines the capacity of Lithuania’s health system to provide services for refugees and migrants. It focuses on the health challenges facing refugees and migrants, the policies and systems in place to address these challenges, and the opportunities to strengthen long-term health system capacity. Furthermore, the report offers practical recommendations for addressing the barriers refugees and migrants face in accessing health services.
UNC Brewing Science Program Goes Down the Drain
The University of Northern Colorado has canceled its Brewing Laboratory Science program as part of 50 total staff layoffs implemented due to a projected $14 million budget shortfall, causing dismay among enrolled students. Sean Johnson, the program manager for eight years, who helped forge local commercial partnerships, has been laid off with his remaining classes moving online. Students praised the program's practical science and networking opportunities. Affected students expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, the university's prioritization of larger programs, and the sudden loss of learning opportunities and mentorship. UNC's Chemistry department stated the decision was part of university-wide budget cuts and is focused on supporting affected students.
A grad student’s wild idea triggers a major aging breakthrough
Senescent “zombie” cells are linked to aging and multiple diseases, but spotting them in living tissue has been notoriously difficult. Researchers at Mayo Clinic have now taken an inventive leap by using aptamers—tiny, shape-shifting DNA molecules—to selectively tag these elusive cells. The project began as an offbeat conversation between two graduate students and quickly evolved into a collaborative, cross-lab effort that uncovered aptamers capable of binding to unique surface proteins on senescent cells.
MIT HEALS leadership charts a bold path for convergence in health and life sciences
MIT HEALS leaders outline a unified vision for advancing health and life sciences at MIT, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, translational research, and strengthened clinical partnerships to drive biomedical innovation and accelerate high-impact solutions across the Institute.
MIT HEALS leadership charts a bold path for convergence in health and life sciences
MIT HEALS leaders outline a unified vision for advancing health and life sciences at MIT, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, translational research, and strengthened clinical partnerships to drive biomedical innovation and accelerate high-impact solutions across the Institute.
Why reliable internet is a must-have for a growing Brooklyn retail business
Spectrum Business helps Brooklyn retail businesses like Rider Gifts grow, enabling seamless e-commerce and team collaboration.
CEOs are feeling slightly more confident about the economy — but that doesn't mean more hiring
Labor and tariffs remain a pressure point, and Q4 marked the third straight quarter in which top executives expect more job cuts than hiring.
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
City Colleges of Chicago Director and ISU Health Sciences alumna becomes first Black person in Illinois to hold a doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science
When she learned she was the first Black person in Illinois to hold a *Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) she was “flabbergasted,” and not because she earned the doctorate, but because she knows it’s a catalyst for “something much bigger than me."
Sarah Wieghold prepares for nanoscale science with big impact at the Advanced Photon Source
Collaboration and impact are two values that guide her work at the APS.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
At the Intersection of Science and Faith: Institute for Water and Health and 12 community leaders unite to protect Brunswick’s waterways
In a remarkable collaboration, residents of Brunswick, Georgia, have joined forces with scientists and faith leaders to address critical water quality issues. Their innovative approach, centered on community involvement, is not only protecting local waterways but also setting a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges.
Google DeepMind agrees to sweeping research collaboration with the U.K. government
The partnership will focus on nuclear fusion, discovering new materials, AI safety, and the societal impacts of AI.
Supreme Court considers vastly expanding the president’s powers : The NPR Politics Podcast
The Supreme Court is considering whether President Trump should be able to fire the head of the Federal Trade Commission and other independent agencies without cause. We discuss why Congress created these independent agencies in the first place and the broader impact of the court eroding the 90-year-old precedent that protects them from presidential politics.This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, labor and workplace correspondent Andrea Hsu, and senior national political correspondent Mara Liasson.This podcast was produced by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs, and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Beaufort business owners to hold indoor Christmas market
BEAUFORT, S.C. (WSAV) – Starting Thursday, December 11, business owners around downtown Beaufort are coming together to host a collaborative indoor Christmas market. Named the Mistletoe Marke…
Small business optimism rises, but owners say qualified workers are still hard to find
Small business optimism rises despite ongoing labor quality concerns as well as inflation challenges, according to new NFIB data showing mixed economic signals.
Roundup: Small business confidence / Commercial real estate / Private consumer lending
Ticking up: Small business confidence rose slightly in November, with the NFIB optimism index climbing to 99.0 on stronger sales expectations, outperforming forecasts. However, hiring remains challenging, as labor quality is still the top concern. Meanwhile, inflation pressures and supply chain disruptions are growing and uncertainty over future investment has increased. Expectations for better business […]
Axios AI+ DC Summit: Fractured system blocks AI's full potential in health care, experts say
Improving communication and cross-functional collaboration could greatly improve how AI is used in health care environments
Through Collaboration, 7 Research Teams Aim to Transform Biomedical Science
Collaboration powers scientific discovery. Now 14 accomplished researchers are teaming up to lead such a charge as The Pew Charitable Trusts’ 2025 Innovation Fund investigators. The new class, announced Dec. 9, brings together pairs of leading scientists whose studies span immunology, cancer biology, biophysics, and more. Through their interdisciplinary partnerships, these investigators will explore creative research projects at the forefront of health and medicine.
Rochester council moves forward with sports complex plans
Support for funding labor and material expenses comes with potential to add other elements to project.
Save Over $100 On The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, Now At Its Lowest Price Yet
Save $100 on Microsoft and ASUS' handheld PC collaboration at Amazon right now, letting you take your Xbox Game Pass games on the go.
Warby Parker, Google to launch AI-powered smart glasses in 2026
Warby Parker said on Monday it is collaborating with Alphabet's Google to develop lightweight AI-powered glasses, with the first product expected to launch in 2026.
Clarksville Industrial Association: Where business leaders connect and collaborate
The Clarksville Industrial Association (CIA) is a cornerstone of business engagement in Montgomery County, bringing together more than 100 leaders each quarter.
Claude Code is coming to Slack, and that's a bigger deal than it sounds
Anthropic launches Claude Code in Slack, letting developers delegate coding tasks from chat threads. It's part of a shift toward AI-embedded collaboration that could reshape software workflows.
Health advisory issued for Williamson, Maury counties
The advisory issued on Dec. 3, 2025 is to alert clinicians and laboratories to an increase in pulmonary and disseminated histoplasmosis cases in Middle Tennessee.
Wonder and discovery coalesce at Vatican Observatory exhibition
Wonder Bound, the product of a collaboration between Johns Hopkins University, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and the Vatican Observatory, brings images from the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes to a historic venue
Medical Laboratory Science major partners with IU health
The medical laboratory science major has transitioned to a new partnership with Indiana University Health for hands-on student training.
Scientists Finally Explain Mysterious “Impossible” Merger of Two Massive Black Holes
A detailed suite of simulations conducted by astrophysicists at the Flatiron Institute and their collaborators showed that magnetic fields can produce black holes with masses that were previously believed to be mostly unattainable. In 2023, astronomers recorded a dramatic cosmic event. Two unusua
Rochester City Council to vote on labor and materials costs for sports complex
The Rochester City Council will be asked Monday to approve $52 million for labor and materials to build the city’s planned sports and recreation complex.
From Eternity to Jamiroquai: your complete entertainment guide to the week ahead
Elizabeth Olsen examines her life choices in metaphysical romcom and the elaborately titferred sometime Space Cowboy returns
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes bill loosening child labor laws
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has vetoed a bill that would have loosened child labor laws, allowing 14 and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m.
Vanderbilt Health deepens collaboration with Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin through memorandum of understanding
Vanderbilt Health has signed a memorandum of understanding with Charité to increase collaboration in medical education, clinical research, digital health and translational science.
World Athletics contributes to global collaboration on sports emergency extrication guidance | News | Endurance Medicine
A video series providing guidance on emergency extrication on the field of play has been developed as part of a global collaboration
The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics
Every week political cartoonists throughout the country and across the political spectrum apply their ink-stained skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies and other head-slapping events in the world of politics. The fruits of these labors are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and enrage readers of all political stripes. Here's an offering of the best of this week's crop, picked fresh off the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker.
Penny Wong on Trump, Putin and reshaping foreign policy
The foreign affairs minister speaks to Tom McIlroy about Labor’s announcement of new military support for Ukraine and reflects on a tumultuous year in international affairs
Science is a family affair for this ASU grad
Phoenix native Christina Flynn was taking one of her master’s degree final exams when she went into labor with her son — a child who would ultimately help shape her academic journey. She managed to complete the exam before heading to the hospital, a moment that perfectly reflects an academic journey shaped by personal experiences and unwavering determination.
Supervisor Alan Wong rose in politics through unions. Now, he’s on thin ice.
Wong is now on shaky ground with organized labor in San Francisco after a schism earlier this year over his pick for City College chancellor.
Lanouette leads collaborative research bridging science education, urban ecosystems
Assistant Professor Kathryn Lanouette is leading a research project to better characterize what outdoor environmental education can look like in urban spaces.
Global Fishing Watch and Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory launch Deep-Sea Mining Watch
The new global transparency tool will empower governments, researchers and civil society to monitor vessels involved in deep-sea mineral explorationWashington, D.C., United States, Dec. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Fishing Watch, an international nonprofit organization advancing ocean governance through transparency of human activity at sea, and the Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, at the University of California, Santa Barbara, have unveiled an upgraded open-access portal designed to br
Public Health in Action: ASGCC’s Collaboration with Barnstable County Public Health Nursing Division
Visit this page on the Barnstable County, Cape Cod website for more information about Public Health in Action: ASGCC’s Collaboration with Barnstable County Public Health Nursing Division.
This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - Jax Hub drives fintech innovation, global partnerships
L Marks CEO Daniel Saunders joins Kent Justice to discuss the launch of Jax Hub, a new corporate innovation initiative based in Jacksonville. Learn how this global program aims to accelerate fintech growth, foster collaboration among local businesses, universities, and international partners, and position Northeast Florida as a leading innovation hub.
Scientists Relaunch the 'Internet of Animals'
German scientists have relaunched a satellite system that will be used to track wildlife all across the globe. The "internet of animals" was first launched in 2020, in collaboration with Russian researchers, but was abruptly halted after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Companies cut 32,000 jobs in November, ADP says
Economists had been expecting to see jobs added, not lost. The latest data signals a labor market that could be on unsteady ground.
Health Care Advocates Testify on Lowering Costs
The Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee hears testimony from health care advocates on solutions to lower costs for Americans.
Shein faces Texas probe into materials, labor, and data privacy
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Shein is selling cheap and dangerous products to US consumers.
UW: Anonymous $50M gift will cover tuition for med lab science students
The anonymous gift is estimated to bring $50 million over the next 50 years to UW's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.
Gen Z And AI In The Business World
Gen Z founders surf AI-driven digital waves, prioritizing collaboration, owned platforms, differentiation, and hyper-personalized engagement.
Thinking Of Starting A Business In 2026? Focus On These 4 High-Impact Areas.
Discover the four high-impact areas where entrepreneurs can build meaningful, future-proof businesses in 2026—from workforce reskilling to human-AI collaboration.
AC MILAN AND TECHNOGYM EXTEND THEIR COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE IN SPORT
AC Milan is pleased to announce the renewal of its collaboration with Technogym, the world leader in sport and wellness, which reconfirms its role as Official Training Equipment Supplier. This long-st...
Tsodilo Resources Continues Its Collaboration with Botswana International University of Science and Technology
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 1, 2025) - Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSXV: TSD) (OTCQB: TSDRF) (FSE: TZO) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its wholly owned Xaudum Iron Project (XIF) and announce that the Company is continuing its research collaboration with the Department of Chemical, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST).The BIUST Pig Iron Production ProjectIn 2024, Dr....
Women & Infants caregivers allege health, safety and staffing issues
PROVIDENCE – Unionized caregivers at Women & Infants Hospital earlier this month gathered to demand that parent company Care New England Health System address concerns around patient safety, staff training and infrastructure. Service Employees International Union 1199 New England, the union representing the employees, said in a statement that despite Care New England reporting a $40 million profit for 2024, “caregivers continue to raise major concerns” about staffing among labor and delivery, […]
Yaman Altal Medical Center Announces Expansion of Clinical Services and Advances Regional Men's Health Initiatives
Amman, Jordan--(Newsfile Corp. - November 30, 2025) - Yaman Altal Medical Center today announced a major expansion of its clinical and educational operations as part of its continued efforts to strengthen men's health services across the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. The expansion reflects the Center's ongoing commitment to evidence-based diagnostics, public health education, and international clinical collaboration.Courtesy: Dr. Yaman AltalTo view an enhanced version of this graphic,..
Tsodilo Resources Continues Its Collaboration with Botswana International University of Science and Technology
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 1, 2025) - Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSXV: TSD) (OTCQB: TSDRF) (FSE: TZO) ("Tsodilo" or the...
Cities put science in the spotlight
When three European cities launch an initiative next year to boost scientific excellence and collaboration, much of the action is likely to take place in public spaces rather than in the laboratory.That is welcome news for Ana Marušić. A medical doctor and professor at the University of Split Medical School in Croatia, Marušić champions close connections between “town and gown” to encourage citizen involvement in research, raise public health awareness and ignite young people’s interest in science. “Responsible research and innovation cannot be done in an ivory tower, answering only the questions that are relevant for scientists,” explains Marušić, who chairs the Department of Research in Biomedicine and Health and leads the Centre for Evidence-based Medicine. “The role of the university is to be a medium for transferring new discoveries in science to society, but also to listen to society about what is important and what is needed.”Three cities united by scienceMarušić’s efforts stand to gain traction through Science Comes to Town (SCTT), a new European project to highlight science’s role in society and strengthen cross-border collaboration in research, innovation and sustainability. With funding from the European Commission, three cities—Split, Brest (in France) and Kiel (in Germany)—plan more than 1,000 public events, workshops and competitions for citizens of all ages, researchers, businesses and policymakers. The year-long project kicks off in Spilt on 20 January with a conference involving partner institutions, community representatives and European policymakers. The three cities may be geographically far apart, but they share much in common. All are located on coasts and are home to top regional research institutions that are part of SCTT. Among the project's partners, the University of Western Brittany in Brest, Kiel University and the University of Split belong to the SEA-EU university alliance, uniting nine European coastal academic institutions to advance research, student exchanges and sustainable development. “These universities have a very strong connection between gown and town,” explains Marušić, who is one of Split’s SCTT ambassadors. “It's very important that these universities are there for the community so that we can learn from each other and grow together.”Tackling Europe’s STEM shortagesSCTT will also reinforce efforts to address Europe’s widening gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Studies show that nearly eight out of ten small- and medium-sized businesses cannot find enough workers with the skills required in advanced computing and artificial intelligence (AI)—hindering initiatives to boost European innovation and competitiveness. In healthcare, the European Commission has estimated a shortfall in medical professionals of 1.2 million, due to fewer young people joining the field and an ageing population that needs more care.Strengthening knowledge and dialogue can also help build trust between scientists and the public at time when disruptive technologies are reshaping research and clinical practice, but are also sparking questions about ethics and accuracy. With experience in the classroom and in clinical epidemiology—a discipline involving monitoring and controlling public health problems—Marušić sees the potential risks of over-reliance on AI and chatbot answers for both research and learning. “AI is a very good tool, but one has to be very critical about it,” she adds. “Delegating brain activities will definitely diminish your neural capacities because you are not developing the circuitry that is important for higher-level cognitive engagement.” She stresses the importance of critical thinking and encourages students to use AI as a researcher’s tool to reinforce rather than supplant human discretion and brainpower.The power of outreachSplit’s experience in bringing scientists and the public together has provided a platform for discussing research ethics and explaining science in simple terms. Local efforts to expand health literacy and awareness have helped reduce cardiovascular disease among women, according to Marušić’s research. The city’s university also hosts events to introduce schoolchildren to science, using hands-on experiments to spark curiosity.Marušić’s own love of science began with an interest in studying molecular biology. “But my parents told me, why don't you study medicine?” she recalls. “I said, OK, why not? And that was the best decision that I made.” Marušić is not a practicing physician, but teaches anatomy and public health. She also co-edits ST-OPEN, an overlay university journal that works on capacity building for research publishing among students and their supervisors. Balancing teaching, research and editorial work, she is a strong advocate for medical studies, urging high school students to consider medicine “because later on it gives you a really wide perspective about human life and about society” as well as many career opportunities.As SCTT prepares to bring science into daily life in 2026, Marušić hopes that it will build permanent bridges between scientists and citizens across Europe. “We can be a showcase for making collaboration with the community stronger to share knowledge, attract young talent and integrate critical and scientific thinking into everyday life,” she explains, adding that "collaborating with businesses to improve cities and communities is also an important aspect of this project."Science|Business, which connects policymakers, academics and industry through its news reporting, analysis and events, is an SCTT partner.
The pipeline that nurtures the next generation of young scientists is at risk
When young scientists collaborate with more senior colleagues, the results lead to stronger science.