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People who witness a street conflict also experience tension and stress themselves. At the same time, they actively seek contact with others in order to feel a sense of closeness. This contact, in turn, reduces the tension experienced by bystanders, according to new research by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NSCR and the University of Turin.

This weekend we will be switching to a new system for handling student queries. From 16 March you can track the status of your question or request in your portal. Click to read the news article. Better insulation and ventilation in social housing means that children need less medication for asthma or allergies.

Northern wildfires, such as the record-breaking 2023 and 2025 fires in Canada, have long-lasting effects on the climate, according to new research from, among others, earth system scientists Max van Gerrevink, Sander Veraverbeke and Nick Schutgens. The summer of 2025 marked the second largest fire season on record in Canada, after the recent record of 2023.

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded Vici funding to 39 adventurous, talented and pioneering researchers, including five from VU Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC/affiliated VU. The Vici grant enables researchers to develop an innovative line of research and further expand a research group over the next five years.

People diagnosed with HIV in the Netherlands face a significantly lower probability of employment and a substantial loss of income for up to seven years following their diagnosis. This is the main conclusion of a new study by VU economists Wendy Janssens and Menno Pradhan conducted in collaboration with researchers from the UvA and Amsterdam UMC.

Recent genetic research sheds new light on the prehistoric population of the Rhine-Meuse region. The study shows that demographic developments in this area differed significantly from patterns observed elsewhere in Europe. Researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam contributed through isotope analysis that provides insight into individual life histories and mobility.

From today, scientists in the Netherlands can use the most accurate time and frequency signal ever available in our country. Thanks to a new network service from SURF, developed in collaboration with the National Metrology Institute VSL and the international White Rabbit Collaboration, this extremely precise signal is now accessible via the SURF network.

Drivers who use an alcohol interlock are far less likely to drive under the influence again, and this effect continues even years after the programme ends. This is shown by new research conducted by psychologist Martine Blom. For the first time, there is robust scientific evidence that the Dutch alcohol interlock programme (ASP) is effective in preventing repeat drink-driving offences.

A popular technique for studying brain disorders, known as lesion network mapping (LNM), appears to have a fundamental limitation. This is the conclusion of neuroscientists from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Queensland (Australia) after an extensive analysis of more than 200 studies.

Why does one woman spontaneously conceive twins while another never does? That question is central to the of behavioral geneticist Nikki Hubers.

An observational study of 103 patients suggests that an innovative, lidocaine-based treatment reduced Long COVID symptoms. Eighty per cent of participants reported an improvement in quality of life. Physicians at Excellent Care Clinics had their data analysed for this purpose by researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam UMC.

Active music-making together with a musical facilitator helps reduce challenging behaviour in adults with a mild to moderate intellectual disability. Music intervention not only has positive effects on the participants themselves, but also contributes to the wellbeing of support staf. This is evident from by behavioural specialist Gerianne Smeets.

Active music-making together with a musical facilitator helps reduce challenging behaviour in adults with a mild to moderate intellectual disability. Music intervention not only has positive effects on the participants themselves, but also contributes to the wellbeing of support staf. This is evident from by behavioural specialist Gerianne Smeets.

Research shows how climate change is transforming the Arctic landscape - and local communities The thawing of permafrost in the Arctic is accelerating the crumbling of coastlines and releasing large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere.

The research conducted by biological psychologist Floris Huider provides important insights into the genetic and biological factors that contribute to depression. His findings show that this mental disorder, which affects millions of people worldwide, is about 35 percent heritable. This means that genetic differences between individuals play a significant role in their susceptibility to depressive symptoms.

Chemist David Liwara conducted research on PFAS in consumer products and the environment, focusing on the development of analytical standards to improve the monitoring of PFAS pollution.

One third of young people are functionally illiterate. Although no direct causal link has been established, this development coincides with the rise of the smartphone. That is why Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is launching a study into how technology affects reading and writing skills, and how education can respond more effectively.

Which yeast strains are best for producing high-quality wines and alcohol-free beers? And how do yeast cells make choices when converting sugar into energy? Systems biologist Julius Battjes investigated how this works and what it can mean for sustainable and efficient production. Making yeast work smarter Due to climate change, grapes are becoming increasingly sweet.

Earth scientists from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Lanzhou University in China have uncovered an ancient archive of floods in the floodplains of the River Meuse. Drill cores taken from old, abandoned river channels show that flooding of the Meuse does not occur randomly, but has followed certain climate-driven patterns for thousands of years.