Sunday, May 24, 2026

Bacterial STIs reach record highs in Europe, and congenital syphilis cases nearly double

Without decisive action, current trends are likely to continue, increasing negative health consequences

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteria — image:
In 2024 the number of recorded gonorrhoea cases reached 106 331 across the European Union and European Economic Area - a 303% increase since 2015.
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Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health

The latest Annual Epidemiological Reports from ECDC indicate a surge in bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) across Europe. In 2024, notifications of gonorrhoea and syphilis, alongside congenital syphilis, reached their highest levels in over a decade, reflecting sustained transmission across multiple countries.

The data for 2024 show that gonorrhoea cases reached 106 331, representing a 303% increase since 2015. Syphilis cases more than doubled over the same period to 45 577 cases. Chlamydia remains the most frequently reported STI with 213 443 cases. Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) also continued to see ongoing transmission, with 3 490 reported cases.

Sexually transmitted infections have been on the rise for 10 years and reached record high levels in 2024. Untreated, these infections can cause severe complications, such as chronic pain and infertility and, in the case of syphilis, problems with the heart or nervous system. Most distressingly, between 2023 and 2024, we have seen a near doubling of congenital syphilis, where infections pass directly to newborns, leading to potentially lifelong complications’, says Bruno Ciancio, Head of Unit, Directly Transmitted and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 'Protecting your sexual health remains straightforward. Use condoms with new or multiple partners, and get tested if you have symptoms, such as pain, discharge or an ulcer’.

Transmission trends vary significantly across different population groups. Men who have sex with men remain the most disproportionately affected group, with the steepest long‑term increases in gonorrhoea and syphilis. Among heterosexual populations, syphilis is rising, particularly among women of reproductive age, the consequences of which are a near doubling of congenital syphilis cases from 78 in 2023 to 140 in 2024 across 14 countries reporting data.

These figures align with findings from ECDC’s monitoring report on congenital syphilis, which highlights missed prevention opportunities, such as gaps in antenatal screening, lack of follow-up and repeat testing, and treatment. The monitoring report also identified broader hurdles to testing and prevention that require action. Thirteen of 29 reporting countries still charge out-of-pocket costs for basic STI tests. Uneven implementation of services and outdated national strategies limit the impact of proven interventions, as many national prevention strategies fail to account for post-pandemic behavioural changes. ECDC recommends that European countries improve antenatal screening protocols to ensure that syphilis is diagnosed and treated promptly and correctly according to the stage of infection, to prevent transmission to the foetus during pregnancy.

In addition, in January 2026, ECDC provided specific guidance on the use of doxycycline for post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) to support STI prevention efforts. People facing higher exposure risks should consult their doctor or other healthcare provider about tailored prevention options. ECDC does not recommend widespread use of doxy-PEP for gonorrhoea due to high levels of antimicrobial resistance and the risk for further acceleration of resistance development.

Reversing increasing trends in STI cases requires accessible prevention services, easier access to testing, faster treatment, and stronger partner notification to stop onward transmission. ECDC urges public health authorities to urgently update national STI strategies and strengthen surveillance systems to better monitor the impact of prevention efforts. Without decisive action, current trends are likely to continue, increasing negative health consequences and widening inequalities in access to care.

Resources:
ECDC Annual Epidemiological Reports for 2024

Congenital syphilis: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/congenital-syphilis-annual-epidemiological-report-2024

Syphilis: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/syphilis-annual-epidemiological-report-2024

Gonorrhoea: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/gonorrhoea-annual-epidemiological-report-2024

Chlamydia: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/chlamydia-annual-epidemiological-report-2024

Lymphogranuloma venereum: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/lymphogranuloma-venereum-annual-epidemiological-report-2024

“Why only copper?”… KAIST reveals key limitation of catalysts that convert carbon into fuel

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

Technology that converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) into fuels and plastic feedstocks using electricity is gaining attention as a core technology in the era of carbon neutrality. In particular, ethylene and ethanol are high-value materials widely used in the production of plastics, fuels, and chemical products, but until now, the only metal that has effectively produced them has essentially been copper (Cu). Through this study, Korean researchers have revealed the limitations of existing catalyst theories that have explained this principle.

KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on the 21st of May that a research team led by Professor Jihun Oh of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, through joint research with Professor Stefan Ringe’s team from the Department of Chemistry at Korea University (President Dongwon Kim), has identified a new operating principle of the electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂ reduction reaction, a reaction that uses electricity to convert carbon dioxide into other chemical substances).

The research team fabricated alloy catalysts made by mixing gold (Au), silver (Ag), and palladium (Pd), and analyzed what substances these catalysts convert CO₂ into.

Existing catalyst theories have predicted that if the “d-band center” (an indicator of the electronic reactivity of a catalyst) and “work function” (the energy required for a metal to release electrons outward), which indicate the reactivity of electrons on the catalyst surface, are similar to those of copper, then the catalyst should be able to produce multi-carbon (C2+) compounds such as ethylene and ethanol like copper does.

Using a co-sputtering process (a technique that simultaneously deposits multiple metals as thin films to create a new alloy with a desired ratio), the research team precisely fabricated a ternary alloy (AuAgPd, an alloy made by mixing three metals: gold, silver, and palladium) with electronic properties very similar to those of copper.

However, the actual experimental results were different. This alloy produced simple products such as carbon monoxide (CO), but it did not produce complex multi-carbon compounds such as ethylene or ethanol at all. This means that complex CO₂ conversion reactions are difficult to explain using only the electronic properties of catalysts. In other words, the study confirmed that how atoms are arranged on the catalyst surface also has an important effect on reaction performance.

The research team expects that this study will provide important clues for developing next-generation high-efficiency catalysts that can replace copper in the future. In particular, the study is significant in that it presents a new direction showing the need for precise catalyst design strategies that go beyond existing designs centered only on simple electronic structure and also consider atomic arrangement.

Professor Jihun Oh stated, “This study shows that existing catalyst theories alone are insufficient to fully explain complex multistep carbon conversion reactions,” adding, “In the future, a new catalyst design strategy that considers both electronic properties and local atomic arrangement, meaning how atoms are arranged on the catalyst surface, will be necessary.”

This paper, with KAIST Dr. Beomil Kim, doctoral student Suneon Wang, and Korea University Dr. Seungchang Han as first authors, was published in the May 2026 issue of the international journal Nature Catalysis.
※ Paper title: “Peaks and pitfalls of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction descriptor models,” DOI: 10.1038/s41929-026-01526-7
※ Lead authors: Beomil Kim (KAIST, first author), Seungchang Han (Korea University, first author), Suneon Wang (KAIST, first author), Jihun Oh (KAIST, corresponding author), Stefan Ringe (Korea University, corresponding author)

This research was supported by the Nano and Material Technology Development Program, the Top-Tier Research Institution Collaboration Platform and Joint Research Support Program, and the Individual Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT, as well as by the National Supercomputing Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI).

Journal

Nature Catalysis

DOI

10.1038/s41929-026-01526-7

Method of Research

Meta-analysis

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Peaks and pitfalls of electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction descriptor models

Digital finance tools could transform small businesses

Study suggests simple payment technology may help firms across developing economies grow, compete and adapt faster

University of East London

A new study has found that simple digital finance tools such as mobile money can help small businesses build long-term competitive strength, not just improve access to banking.

The study, led by the University of East London, examined 113 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ghana and found that businesses gained the greatest benefits when digital finance tools became part of everyday business operations rather than being used only for payments. Firms reported improvements in efficiency, customer service and flexibility.

Mobile money services allow people and businesses to send, receive and store money using mobile phones without needing a traditional bank account. The researchers say this means mobile phones are no longer just communication devices for many small firms but are becoming strategic business tools that help companies manage money, reach customers and compete in fast-changing markets.

Researchers, from the Royal Docks School of Business and Law along with partners in Ghana, say the findings could have implications far beyond the African test case.

Across many developing economies, millions of small businesses still face barriers to banking, credit, and digital infrastructure. The study suggests that easy-to-use financial technology could help smaller firms compete more effectively, strengthen local economies, and become more resilient during economic shocks.

Lead author Dr Godfried Adaba, Lecturer in Business Analytics, said, “Our findings show that digital finance can also become a strategic tool that helps small businesses compete and innovate. The wider lesson is that digital finance works best when it is simple enough for everyday use and deeply embedded into how businesses operate.”

The research, published in Global Business Review, also found that ease of use mattered more than many experts expected. Businesses were much more likely to adopt tools that felt simple and reliable.

Co-author Dr Francis Frimpong said, “Ease of use is not a minor issue for small businesses. Indeed, it is often the deciding factor. If digital finance systems are too complex or difficult to trust, many firms simply will not use them. That matters globally because it shows that successful FinTech innovation must be about creating tools ordinary businesses can use confidently every day.”

The researchers say policymakers, banks and technology companies should focus not only on expanding digital access, but also on improving usability, trust and digital skills among small business owners.

Adaba, GB, Ayoung, DA, Frimpong, FB and Kubuga, KK (2026) “From Inclusion to Advantage: FinTech Adoption and Competitive Strategy Among MSMEs in Ghana”, Global Business Review, DOI: 10.1177/09721509261428912.

Journal

Global Business Review

DOI

10.1177/09721509261428912

Method of Research

Survey

Article Title

From Inclusion to Advantage: FinTech Adoption and Competitive Strategy Among MSMEs in Ghana

Public support for the energy transition is driven by emotions

A team from UNIGE has developed a model capable of predicting public support for decarbonization measures

Université de Genève

What psychological factors influence public support for decarbonisation policies? A team at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) has developed an artificial intelligence–based model to predict the level of public support for energy transition measures, whether related to electricity, heating or mobility. Based on fourteen key factors, the model shows that emotions play a decisive role than purely rational considerations. Published in Nature Energy, this research provides policymakers with practical tools to design transparent communication and strengthen public acceptance of energy transition policies.

For decarbonisation policies—whether related to electricity, heating or transport—to be implemented effectively, they must receive broad public support. However, even among well-informed citizens, such support does not depend solely on rational considerations. Emotions, values and beliefs also play a major role.

A team from UNIGE therefore sought to identify which of these factors are the most influential. After reviewing and testing fifty variables drawn from the scientific literature, the researchers used machine learning (artificial intelligence) to identify the strongest predictors of support, grouped into four categories:

• Emotional responses: Overall affect—that is, the general feeling towards a policy—is the most influential predictor. Specific emotions such as hope (ranked third), pride (fourth), worry (tenth) and anger (twelfth) also play a major role.

• Beliefs about policy impacts: Perceptions of societal and environmental effects are decisive. Perceived impacts on individual well-being and personal financial circumstances (eleventh) also contribute to levels of support.

• Perceptions of fairness: The sense of fairness, both at the individual level and with regard to Swiss citizens as a whole (seventh), strongly influences policy acceptance.

• Social norms: Perceived dynamic norms—that is, expectations about how public support will evolve over time—appear to be an important driver of support (eighth).

Tested in real-world conditions

The team then tested these predictors in the context of a real referendum: the vote held in Switzerland on 9 June 2024 on the amendment to the “Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply Based on Renewable Energies”. The aim of the referendum was to determine whether voters would approve an increase in Switzerland’s renewable energy production in order to reduce the country’s dependence on imported energy.

The research team surveyed more than 700 citizens online during the week preceding the vote, using statements related to these predictors. Examples included: “Overall, how do you feel about this measure?”; “This measure will benefit society and individuals”; and “Do you think the number of people in Switzerland who support this policy is likely to increase or decrease over the next 12 months?”.

“Based on these data, we predicted a majority in favour of the Federal Act on Renewable Energy, at 61.83 per cent—a result consistent with national polls conducted three to four weeks before the vote,” explains Morris Krainz, a doctoral researcher at the Consumer Decision and Sustainable Behavior Lab, affiliated with the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences and the Swiss Centre for Affective Sciences at UNIGE, and lead author of the study. “The vote ultimately confirmed this trend, with 68.7 per cent in favour. Our model not only correctly predicted the outcome of the vote – with an accuracy of 87% – but also confirmed the emotional factors that played a decisive role.”

The model was also tested on various climate change mitigation measures in six European countries (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain) through online surveys

“Our approach can help inform the design of public policies that are better aligned with the concerns of well-informed citizens. Transparent communication about societal benefits is essential to accelerating the energy transition,” concludes Tobias Brosch, Director of the Consumer Decision and Sustainable Behavior Lab and Full Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences as well as at the Swiss Centre for Affective Sciences at UNIGE, who supervised this research.

This study has led to the publication of a Policy Brief, which is available online.

Journal

Nature Energy

DOI

10.1038/s41560-026-02063-0

Method of Research

News article

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

"Perceived societal and environmental impacts, fairness and emotions predict policy support in Europe"

Redirecting investment from new coal steel plants before 2030 half the price of decarbonization later on

Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

Investing before 2030 to pivot away from coal in steel production is now 53 percent, or roughly 800 billion US dollars cheaper than what it would cost to reduce the same amount of emissions later on in other parts of the economy or through carbon removals (1.5 trillion dollars), in a scenario that returns warming below 1.5°C. The findings are a part of a new study out today in Nature Climate Change led by scientists at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

Steel production accounted for 7 percent of global emissions in 2023 – more than the annual emissions of the European Union. Coal-based steel represents roughly 70 percent of global production.

The sector is expanding, especially in emerging economies undergoing rapid industrialisation. Around half of all planned projects are coal-based, and once built will likely operate for decades, locking in emissions well into the 2060s.

“If we’re serious about returning warming to 1.5°C after overshoot, the steel sector is a really effective place to invest now to achieve significant emissions savings,” commented lead author Clara Bachorz from PIK.

The author team, including representation from the Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria, used detailed steel production modelling and plant-level data to explore the sector’s emissions trajectory and investment needs to 2070. They compared scenarios where current trends continue, against pathways where temperature increases return to 1.5°C or below by the end of the century.

“The key difference for the steel sector is whether coal-fired plants continue being built and refurbished, or get replaced by cleaner alternatives like hydrogen-ready steel plants or scrap steel recycling,” said Bachorz.

Redirecting investment towards these cleaner alternatives could prevent a total of 73 gigatonnes of CO2 from being emitted by 2070: more than 60 percent of the projected emissions if coal-fired plants continue to be built (114 gigatonnes of CO2).

The team then compared the cost of this investment shift to achieving equivalent emissions reductions through deeper decarbonisation in other sectors of the economy, or through carbon removal.

“The investment volumes are substantial, but the scale of emissions involved still makes it a cost-efficient choice,” the other lead author of the paper Jakob Dürrwächter said.

“In a scenario where we return warming to 1.5°C, all the low-cost options for emission reductions are utilised. If we miss the opportunity of decarbonising the steel sector now, remaining options for additional savings in other sectors are twice as expensive,” he added.

Policies key to avoid steel emissions lock in

In addition to pivoting plans for new plants away from coal, the modelling in the study shows that, in a scenario where temperatures return to 1.5°C, the sector would also have to accelerate the retirement of existing coal-fired plants and replace them with lower emission alternatives. This would shorten plant lifetimes – especially in China, where most plants have been built recently.

“Blast furnaces typically require a first relining after 20 years. At 10 percent of the initial plant investment, relining is economically viable without emissions considerations. But together with strong policy signals, it provides an opportunity to retire a furnace. On the other hand, blast furnaces built over the next decade could lock in emissions well into the 2060s – even if they are only relined once,” commented Dürrwächter.

India’s trajectory most significant for future steel emissions

According to the study, India has the largest pipeline of planned coal-fired plants, but most haven’t broken ground yet. This creates a narrow window this decade to redirect investments towards lower-emission technologies.

The modelling shows 22 gigatonnes of CO2 could be saved in India alone by redirecting 50 billion dollars in near-term investment (2026-2030) away from coal-fired capacity towards hydrogen-ready plants. However, this transition faces a financial barrier, as hydrogen-ready plants require larger upfront investment, and emerging economies typically face significantly higher financing costs.

“The feasibility of a rapid transition towards lower emissions steel in India is highly sensitive to financing conditions. International finance that reduces investment risk could enable the scale-up of hydrogen-based steel and prevent capital costs from becoming prohibitive,” Bachorz said.

Still, there are reasons for optimism. Recent auctions under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission delivered lower-than-expected prices for green hydrogen-based ammonia, suggesting hydrogen steelmaking costs could fall faster than anticipated.

“If the declining cost trend for hydrogen holds, India could provide a blueprint for other emerging economies to leapfrog to clean steel production,” Bachorz concluded.

Journal

Nature Climate Change

DOI

10.1038/s41558-026-02635-8

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Averting the steel carbon lock-in through strategic green investments

Article Publication Date

21-May-2026

Soil science: How AI could help scientists secure a vital global resource

Frontiers

Soils store carbon, sustain ecosystems, and underpin global food and water systems. A new Frontiers in Science paper details how AI tools can help us adapt soils—and the systems they nurture—to a changing climate.

Soil science affects how we respond to the world’s most urgent challenges, from food security to climate change. Yet soil systems, affected by climate, weather patterns, and agricultural practices, are highly complex and difficult to predict, especially as climate pressures and land use intensify. The authors say the field needs tools that can help researchers make sense of that complexity.

Soil science currently uses machine learning approaches such as digital soil mapping and spectroscopy. AI systems could enhance this by creating digital soil twins with data from sensors, enhancing soil microbiome monitoring, and trialing climate adaptation strategies in computer models before testing them in the field for faster results.

The paper outlines how AI tools can accelerate soil science by speeding up early-stage work, improving predictions to support decisions on land-use, carbon, and climate adaptation, handling complex data, and freeing scientists to focus on questions that require expert judgment.

Senior author Prof Alex McBratney from The University of Sydney, Australia, said: “In partnership with experts, AI could help us better match the complexity and ever-changing nature of soil ecosystems. Unlike current machine learning tools that focus on isolated tasks, these systems can mimic scientific collaboration to a highly sophisticated degree—combining reasoning, planning, and interdisciplinary insight to support researchers and drive significant progress.

“Perception of the vital importance of soil in planetary functioning is increasing, and soil science will continue to grow and flourish under scientist-led AI.”

The earth that sustains us

To illustrate such a tool, the research team tasked a multi-agent AI system with reviewing relevant scientific literature and generating ideas about how soils store carbon and what controls their storage limits.

The agents successfully generated five hypotheses, including climate influence, saturation thresholds, biological and chemical controls, interdisciplinary feedback, and management strategies.

Each hypothesis was then evaluated through expert opinion and simulated peer review. The system successfully mimicked key parts of the scientific process, with outputs beyond what’s currently being used that strongly align with expert research.

Lead author Prof Budiman Minasny, also from The University of Sydney, said: “Our findings indicate the opportunity for AI to accelerate soil research—the understanding of which can benefit our food and climate systems. Improving our understanding of soils could support more sustainable agriculture, better soil management, and stronger climate adaptation by helping land managers detect nutrient loss, water stress, compaction, and erosion earlier.

“We assessed the system’s ability to perform perceptual processing, strategic planning, and scientific reasoning. Our findings highlight the promise that multi-agent AI systems hold, with important global implications for soil—a precious but perhaps undervalued resource.”

Artificial intelligence, human expertise

Despite AI’s potential, challenges remain, particularly around data quality, model transparency, trust, and maintaining foundational scientific knowledge. The paper also points to further considerations around computational cost and the ethical dimensions of such tools.

Co-author Dr Mercedes Román Dobarco from the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (NEIKER), Spain said: “While the use cases are clearly persuasive, and though AI can emulate some aspects of expert reasoning, it cannot replace the contextual judgment, creativity, and critical interpretation scientists bring to research. AI agents also pose challenges around data quality, interpretability, creativity, and dataset bias, particularly without human oversight and domain expertise.

“Given these limitations, we should treat AI as an augmentative tool that enhances, not replaces, human scientific work.”

The paper also underscores AI’s ability to accelerate both ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ science. For example, by automating time-intensive preparatory tasks such as literature review and scenario development, AI could free soil researchers’ time to focus on deeper foundational understanding and field work while maintaining scientific rigor and accountability.

Prof McBratney said: “Soils are among our planet’s most vital and existential resources. To fully benefit from AI-enhanced soil science, we must embrace interdisciplinary collaboration, ensure equitable access to AI tools, and thoughtfully address the ethical challenges we have outlined.

“By bridging digital innovation with real-world application, as well as non-negotiable human oversight, AI can supercharge soil science—but only if human knowledge keeps pace. Striking that balance can help us unlock new levels of stewardship and security for soil.”

ENDS

Journal

Frontiers in Science

DOI

10.3389/fsci.2026.1721295

Method of Research

Computational simulation/modeling

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Enhancing soil science research with multi-agent artificial intelligence systems

Article Publication Date

21-May-2026

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Sunday, May 24, 2026

Bacterial STIs reach record highs in Europe, and congenital syphilis cases nearly double

“Why only copper?”… KAIST reveals key limitation of catalysts that convert carbon into fuel

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Digital finance tools could transform small businesses

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Public support for the energy transition is driven by emotions

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Redirecting investment from new coal steel plants before 2030 half the price of decarbonization later on

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Soil science: How AI could help scientists secure a vital global resource

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