News

New research by the Institute of Natural Sciences identifies a significant increase in non-compliance with international ship emission regulations among shadow fleet vessels operating in the North Sea region.

The last Neandertals in our region, just over 40,000 years ago, turn out to have been quite genetically diverse, a finding that challenges the idea that inbreeding and genetic deterioration were a major cause of their extinction.

The RV Belgica will exceptionally be open to the public during the Navy Days in Zeebrugge on 4 and 5 July. Come aboard and discover the world behind marine scientific research!  

Minister Jean-Luc Crucke and representatives of the Geological Survey of Belgium (GSB), part of the Institute of Natural Sciences, visited the Pontpierre site in Lorraine (France), where white hydrogen was detected. This working visit formed part of the further development of BE.Hydrogen, Belgium’s national programme for the geoscientific exploration of natural hydrogen. It provided an opportunity to compare field experience and scientific insights with the Belgian approach and ambitions regarding natural hydrogen exploration.

On 10 May 2026, the Foam Alert Service that was developed by the Institute of Natural Sciences in 2020 indicated a high risk of dangerous foam formation along the Belgian and Dutch coasts. Alerts were subsequently issued to municipalities and surf clubs, and no incidents occurred.

A team of Belgian and Thai biologists has described a new species of gecko. The Black Tokay (Gekko dam) lives in the border region between Thailand and Malaysia.

The Institute of Natural Sciences opens its doors for the  Brussels Museums' Nocturnes. We are expecting you on Thursday 9 April from 6pm onwards!  Visit our wondrous exhibits and discover an array of exciting activities curated exclusively for this evening.