News Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University’s Annah Lake Zhu Addressed Pastoral Futures at UNCCD COP17

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /26 August 2026 — Annah Lake Zhu, Associate Professor of Environmental Policy at Wageningen University & Research, took the stage as a featured panelist at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Blueberries and blackberries reduce inflammatory response in artificial gut

Palm oil may increase the uptake of bacterial molecules through the gut wall, a process that scientists have linked to inflammatory responses in the body. Blueberries and blackberries, by contrast, appear to temper this process. PhD candidate Aina Casademont Roca discovered this in a laboratory study using artificial intestines.

NWO funding for research into biochemical alternatives

Four WUR projects receive NWO funding: one project investigates natural compounds for new flavours and fragrances, and two projects investigate more sustainable crop protection.

Number of West Nile virus infections in horses continues to rise

West Nile virus infections in horses have risen to 58 in the Netherlands. The virus has also been detected in wild birds and mosquitoes.

The greenhouse of the future grows with its surroundings

How can we continue to produce food while making smarter use of energy, water, nutrients and scarce space? This is what we are researching in Greenhouse in Transition.

RTM-Suite is now available

RTM-Suite brings leaf, canopy, soil, and atmosphere radiative transfer modelling together with sensor convolution and plant-trait inversion in one reproducible R and Python ecosystem. Explore 31 step-by-step tutorials, interactive applications, and verified examples for vegetation and Earth Observation research.

Spending on sustainable food rises, share unchanged

Dutch consumers spent almost €15.6 billion on food with a sustainability label in 2025. This was 6% more than a year earlier.

National campaign about bequeathing to science and young talent

University Fund Wageningen and other university funds in the Netherlands are launching a joint national campaign this week on the theme of bequeathing to science and young talent.

Sustainable growing media: look beyond carbon footprints

A new harmonised dataset helps companies, researchers and policymakers compare raw materials and growing media mixes more effectively..