10 selected Research Luxembourg results – August 2026

24 September 2026

This article was originally in French and German on science.lu 

University of Luxembourg (FSTM)

What caused up to 80% of species to disappear 201 million years ago? Researchers at the University of Luxembourg found that widespread wildfires may have intensified pressure on already vulnerable ecosystems.

Well-preserved rock layers in Luxembourg provide clues about this mass extinction, which marked the transition from the Triassic to the Jurassic. A key factor was volcanic activity that released large amounts of CO₂, triggering warming, ocean acidification and declining oxygen levels. Other events, including an asteroid impact near Limoges and a powerful earthquake, also occurred during this period.

The findings highlight the potentially devastating consequences of rapid increases in CO₂ and climate change.
Press Release

Generative AI is mostly seen as an opportunity in Luxembourg

STATEC

According to a new STATEC study, 63% of internet users aged 16–74 in Luxembourg see generative AI as an opportunity, compared with 37% who view it as a threat. Younger people, higher-educated individuals and IT professionals are the most optimistic, while older people and manual workers express more concerns.

Perceptions also influence behaviour: 68% of those who see AI as an opportunity report learning to use these tools, compared with 26% of those who see them as a threat. The study also finds that occupations most exposed to AI tend to have more positive views of it.

Overall, generative AI is currently perceived as an opportunity by a majority of Luxembourg residents.

STATEC

A large international study finds that immigrant adolescents report lower life satisfaction on average than their native-born peers, although the gap varies considerably across countries.

The analysis covers 42 countries and more than 750,000 15-year-olds surveyed through PISA in 2015, 2018 and 2022. Cultural factors appear important: countries with stronger adherence to shared rules tend to have smaller gaps, while larger differences are found where immigrant populations are larger and more diverse. In Luxembourg, immigrant adolescents report slightly lower life satisfaction than those born in the country, but the gap remains relatively small.

The findings highlight the importance of the social and cultural context in shaping immigrant adolescents’ well-being.

Luxembourg revealed through 150 new maps: major disparities across the country

University of Luxembourg (FHSE), Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), STATEC

A new atlas presents 150 maps based on Luxembourg’s 2021 population census. Produced by researchers from the University of Luxembourg, LISER and STATEC, it explores population distribution, urbanisation, housing, migration, languages, employment, transport and education.

Using a 1 km² grid, the atlas provides a detailed view of Luxembourg’s territory and highlights significant regional disparities. Luxembourgish is most prevalent in the north, while Luxembourg City stands out for its linguistic diversity and concentration of higher-educated residents.

The maps can help anticipate needs for schools, housing, transport and healthcare, while offering the public a new way to understand Luxembourg’s demographic and social landscape.
Press Release

Key enzyme opens new avenues for understanding certain diseases

University of Luxembourg (LCSB)

A new study by researchers at the LCSB and a Spanish team have studied Ser33, a key enzyme involved in producing L-serine, an amino acid essential for cell function, particularly in the brain. Disrupted production can contribute to certain neurological diseases.

By analysing Ser33’s structure and function, the researchers found that four Ser33 proteins assemble to form an active structure. They also discovered that L-serine production naturally slows when enough of the molecule is already present.

These findings could improve understanding of rare neurological diseases and certain cancers.
Press release

Leisure travel reaches record levels in Luxembourg, but stays are getting shorter

STATEC

How did Luxembourg residents travel in 2025? A new STATEC report shows a particularly active year, with 82.9% taking at least one overnight leisure trip.

Spending also reached a record high, with the average leisure trip costing €1,304 per person and total spending reaching €3.8 billion. France remained the top destination, followed by Germany, Portugal, Italy and Spain, while 92.4% of trips were within Europe. Cars remained the main mode of transport, and cities were particularly popular, accounting for 53.1% of trips.

At the same time, stays are getting shorter, with the average falling from 7.2 to 6.8 nights in one year.

Alzheimer’s: new tool reveals biological differences between men and women

University of Luxembourg (LCSB)

Researchers at the LCSB have developed XYomics, a computational tool that identifies sex-related biological differences in molecular data.

Tested on data from Alzheimer’s patients, the tool identified 306 genes whose activity changed in opposite directions in men and women. Conventional methods failed to detect 228 of these genes. XYomics also revealed sex-specific differences in brain cells, including distinct inflammatory responses in women.

The tool could help improve understanding of why diseases can affect men and women differently.

Researchers establish international framework for using voice as a medical biomarker

Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)

Could subtle changes in speech, breathing and voice quality help detect diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression, heart failure or type 2 diabetes?

In a new study, researchers from LIH and the University of South Florida brought together 24 international experts to establish a common scientific framework for voice biomarkers. Their work addresses the lack of harmonised definitions by distinguishing basic voice measurements from validated biomarkers and proposing a structured classification.

The framework aims to facilitate collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, engineers and industry, while supporting future validation standards and practical applications.
Press Release

Author: Diane Bertel
Editor: Lucie Zeches (FNR) ; Nicolas Stamets (Research Luxembourg)

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