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Science Europe

Belfast pilot trials nanopore DNA sequencing to speed up brain tumour diagnosis

Queen's University Belfast, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, and charity Brainwaves NI launched a pilot in August 2025 to test whether rapid nanopore DNA sequencing can diagnose brain tumours within days instead of the usual several weeks. Queen's confirmed the sequencing method was developed at the University of Nottingham, and Brainwaves NI — which has given more than £500,000 to brain tumour research at Queen's since 1994 — is funding the Belfast trial.

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Science Europe

Edinburgh's Voi e-bike scheme becomes Europe's busiest after 550,000 trips

Edinburgh's Voi e-bike hire scheme has recorded almost 550,000 trips by around 53,500 users since launching in September 2025, The Scotsman reported. At 8.4 trips per vehicle per day, it is now the most successful e-bike scheme in Europe by that measure, prompting the City of Edinburgh Council to expand the fleet for a third time in five months.

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Science Americas

Manitoba invests $21.6 million in first solar microgrid for remote First Nation

The Government of Canada is investing $21.6 million in the first phase of Manitoba's first integrated renewable energy microgrid, serving Sayisi Dene First Nation in Tadoule Lake, a community of around 360 people more than 600 miles north of Winnipeg with no year-round road access. The bifacial solar and battery-storage system is expected to cut emissions by about 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year once commissioned in fall 2026.

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Science Oceania

Tasmania's $476 million digital health overhaul enters its telehealth-focused Bluegum phase

Tasmania's ten-year, A$476 million digital health transformation strategy is entering its second stage, known as Bluegum, expected to begin by May 2026. Healthcare IT News reported the phase will deliver a statewide electronic medical record system, a modern ambulance electronic patient care record, and expanded telehealth infrastructure for rural and remote patients.

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Science Oceania

New Zealand requires major power retailers to offer off-peak pricing from July 2026

New Zealand's Electricity Authority now requires large power retailers — Contact, Meridian, Mercury, and Genesis — to offer a time-of-use or off-peak pricing plan, with availability expected from 1 July 2026 and full compliance by 30 October 2026. The requirement builds on 1.25 million smart meters already installed nationally, covering seven out of ten households.

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Science Americas

Vancouver's Mobi e-bikes log 1.1 million trips as riders with disabilities favour them

Mobi by Rogers, Vancouver's public bike share system, has logged more than 1.1 million e-bike trips since launching e-bikes in 2022 — nearly double the rides taken on classic bikes over the same period. The City of Vancouver reported that 95% of riders with disabilities choose e-bikes over classic bikes, and the fleet now covers 260 stations, including 36 dedicated e-bike charging stations.

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Science Oceania

New geothermal plant helps geothermal energy reach 26% of New Zealand's power mix

New Zealand's newest geothermal power station, TOPP2 (49 MW), opened in early 2026, contributing to geothermal energy reaching 25.6% and 26.3% of national electricity generation in January and February 2026 respectively. The Electricity Authority reported the government has released a new national strategy aiming to double geothermal energy use, for both power and heat, by 2040.

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Science Oceania

Telehealth becomes an established route to specialist care across remote NT

Telehealth has become an established route to specialist healthcare for residents of remote Northern Territory communities, with local clinics and doctors using video or phone consultations to connect patients with NT Health specialists and services. Providers including Abby Health have partnered with Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services to extend long-term GP and nurse practitioner care into the Territory.

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Science Asia

Smart meters lead Indonesia's growing energy metering market in 2026

Indonesia's energy and power quality meters market reached an estimated $180-220 million in 2026, growing 9-12% over 2025, with smart and AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) meters now the largest product segment at 35-45% of market value. IndexBox reported the growth is driven by state utility PLN's metering rollout and new renewable interconnection mandates, with residential households the largest consumer segment.

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