Science

Healthcare saves lives — but it also harms the planet. Globally, the sector is responsible for 4–5% of all greenhouse gas emissions, and in the Netherlands it’s around 7% — more than aviation. Hospitals run 24/7, consuming huge amounts of energy, cooling and ICT. They generate mountains of waste and use large quantities of raw materials. Pharmaceuticals end up in water systems, and transport of patients and supplies adds additional emissions. In short: there’s work to do. At the University of Twente’s TechMed Centre, researchers and partners tackle these challenges every day.

When we talk about artificial intelligence, we often think of data, algorithms and efficiency. But what if we approached technology not just as something functional, but as something deeply human? Something that doesn’t replace us, but connects us?

Election programmes, debates, news, and campaigns. Almost everything related to elections now takes place online. But not everyone has equal access to that digital world. What does this mean for our democracy?

We Google everything: the FC Twente match schedule, the release date of GTA 6, or a recipe for pasta carbonara. And as the elections draw nearer, we also look up party manifestos, voting guides and fact checks of campaign promises. Our search for information usually begins with a search engine. But what if that very search behaviour fuels division instead of understanding?

It’s a thought that crosses many people’s minds as elections draw closer. The idea of tactical voting keeps resurfacing in conversations, campaigns and talk shows. Can your vote really influence the outcome? And is there such a thing as a mathematically ‘best choice’?