Robin Kwakman

During the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, we hope that TeamNL will win a record number of speed‑skating medals. Go Joy, Jutta, Kjeld, Joep, et al.! Yet, ironically, our Dutch champions can rarely train on natural ice in the Netherlands. Quite simply because it is too warm. Professor Mark van der Meijde is determined to keep the tradition of natural ice skating alive in the Netherlands, and he may have found a potential solution. In a rather surprising place: on bridges and flyovers. These can become icy even when temperatures are still just above freezing. How is that possible? And can we use the same effect to get skaters onto the ice sooner?

In January 2026, the Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Centre (IKNL) emphasized that there is convincing evidence that alcohol consumption increases the risk of various types of cancer. If people in the Netherlands drink just two fewer glasses of alcohol per week, it could prevent hundreds of cancer diagnoses annually in the long term. For many, the start of a new year is the perfect moment to take a closer look at unhealthy habits. With Dry January, known in the Netherlands as IkPas, you can easily take the first step toward more mindful drinking. According to University of Twente researchers Marcel Pieterse and Joanneke van der Nagel, such a month is a powerful “mini-intervention”.

Breathing. You’ve been doing it since birth, so what could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, according to research by respiratory physiologist Frans de Jongh from the University of Twente. In fact, millions of people breathe incorrectly, often without realising it.

New Year’s Eve, loud bangs from milk churns in the meadow, a mug of hot chocolate in hand: a true Twente tradition. In several regions, carbide shooting is firmly rooted in the turn-of-the-year celebrations, complete with clear safety regulations to keep the custom both enjoyable and secure. Will carbide shooting gain popularity now that private fireworks will be banned from 2026? And is it actually safer?

It’s almost 2026. As we prepare to ring in the new year, think back to the turn of the millennium in 2000. Remember? The world was gripped by the ‘millennium bug’. Computers were expected to go haywire, stock markets to crash, planes to fall from the sky. In the end, it wasn’t so bad. What people often forget is that this was thanks to billions spent on preparation.

As a small country, the Netherlands has historically always opened itself up to the rest of the world. In that respect, we are living in turbulent times. Trade wars between the United States, the European Union and China are creating uncertainty in both financial and goods markets. The war in Ukraine has exposed the fragility of our global supply chains. And the conflict in Gaza has revealed deep divisions within Europe. What lies ahead for the Netherlands in the coming years? We discuss the current state of affairs and the geopolitical future with Melle Scholten, political economist affiliated with the Public Administration programme at the University of Twente.

Two crises converge in the urban environment: the climate crisis and the crisis of mental health. Design expert Thomas van Rompay conducts research in the field of planetary health. “I want us to design cities where greenery not only cools the environment, but also calms the mind.”

Migration. Every election year, it returns as one of the most discussed topics in the Netherlands. But why do people migrate in the first place? And to what extent is it even possible for the government to “gain more control” over migration?

More and more people are turning to chatbots for answers. Fast, convenient, and sometimes even with ready-made advice. But how wise is it to ask ChatGPT for guidance on what you should vote for on October 29 in the Dutch parliamentary elections? And if you do want to use it, what’s the best way to go about it? I asked Maurice van Keulen, adjunct professor of Data Science at the University of Twente.

What if you could apply the latest medical insights directly to real patient research? In Twente, it’s happening. The Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR), Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST) and the Technical Medical Centre of University of Twente are teaming up to develop medicines that reach patients faster and more safely. Read on to discover how drug research actually works—and what role the University of Twente plays in it.

We’ve all experienced it: your phone or laptop seems to run out of battery faster and faster. But why does that happen? In this video from the University of the Netherlands, materials scientist Mark Huijben from the University of Twente explains what’s happening inside a battery – and how you can extend its lifespan.

Ever feel like your friends know more people than you do? Don’t worry – it’s not a personal flaw. It’s a mathematical phenomenon known as the friendship paradox. On average, your friends have more friends than you. In this video from the Universiteit van Nederland, mathematician Clara Stegehuis from the University of Twente explains how this paradox works and why it matters.

Imagine sitting in your GP’s office with a persistent cough. Within two minutes, you hear: “Unfortunately, there’s little I can do; it’s a matter of letting it run its course.” Or you receive a calm explanation of why it’s likely a virus, what you can do yourself, and when to return. The difference? A brief conversation can tip the balance between frustration and trust—and between unnecessary antibiotics or not. Nienke Beerlage-De Jong is an expert when it comes to connecting, communication, and collaboration in the health domain.

What if medical imaging could be done not lying down, but standing up? For women with pelvic floor disorders, this is no longer science fiction. At University of Twente, Anique Bellos-Grob is working on innovative solutions that make healthcare more accessible and effective for women. Using upright MRI and 4D ultrasound, she is mapping the dynamics of the female body like never before.