News

On the evening of August 12, Europe’s newest launch vehicle, Ariane 6, lifted off for the third time from the European Spaceport in French Guiana, placing a new satellite into orbit for weather forecasting and climate monitoring. This successful launch strengthens Europe’s independent access to space. “The success of this second commercial launch confirms Ariane 6’s performance, reliability, and precision,” emphasized ArianeGroup CEO Martin Sion in an interview with Euronews. The satellite, developed by Airbus Defence and Space, will provide new data to the European Organisation for the...

ZEST is a Horizon Europe research project aimed at developing a sustainable and efficient method for protein production using fungal fermentation and digital modelling. The project addresses a global challenge – the growing demand for protein that traditional production methods cannot sustainably meet. ZEST plans to implement technologies with global impact by enabling production as close as possible to the consumer, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with logistics. Fungal protein is a promising solution to this challenge, given its versatility in utilising various raw materials...

Yesterday, PhD Edgars Kuka, researcher at the Laboratory of Wood Degradation and Protection of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, stepped out from his daily work in the laboratory into the lights of the film set. Footage was captured both indoors and outdoors, revealing the scientist’s working environment and the fascinating nuances of his research. The filming was part of a special science popularisation project that, in 2026, will offer the public a broader look at Latvian researchers and their contributions. Until the official launch, we will keep the intrigue, but it is already...

“Science is not a threat to miracles. Science is a field where miracles happen,” affirms PhD Daniela Godiņa, researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, in an interview for the programme Monopols, available on Latvian Radio and on the news portal of Latvian Television. Her daily work involves developing bio-based polymer sorbents from birch bark extractives – a task where the precision of chemistry meets the sustainable use of natural resources and the creativity of scientific exploration. The road to wood chemistry Daniela’s interest in chemistry and biology began already in...

Soon, the rooftop of the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry will be buzzing not only with sunshine and wind but also with the activity of diligent bee colonies. Preparations for this moment are already in full swing. The project’s experimental apiary is taking shape with 36 hives, each to be equipped with a sensor network for real-time monitoring of bee life processes. This is one of the central elements of the new project “Development of a method for beehive shielding using thermoreflective surfaces to reduce bee losses under rapid climate change ”, led by Dr. biol. Ulla Milbreta, a...

In July, at two major agricultural events, the Agro-Resources and Economics Institute (AREI) Field Day in Priekuļi and the Field Day in Viļāni, a new microbiological plant biostimulant based on Bacillus subtilis MSCL 1441 bacteria was presented. This innovation is part of the Rural Support Service (LAD) project Production and application of a microbiological preparation under farm conditions for increasing yield in horticulture and crop farming enterprises (Subt4Potato) (Project No.: 24-00-C0LA1601-000032), which aims to develop an effective and environmentally friendly solution by using...