José María

The global transition toward renewable energy and decarbonization is intrinsically linked to the management of critical materials. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are no exception, as they play a strategic role at the center of climate goals. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive assessment of the REE landscape, explicitly addressing the proposed Demand-Sustainability-Risk Nexus (DSR-Nexus), which integrates technological demand, environmental sustainability, and geopolitical supply risks. A systematic review based on PRISMA methodology was conducted to analyze scientific contributions published between 2015 and 2026, revealing a significant research imbalance. By 2025, while 87% of works focus on resource availability, production, and recycling, only 1.4% address the global supply chain and its geopolitical implications. Key findings highlight that China’s dominance in mining, processing, and refining capacities, accounting for 69.5%, 92%, and 94%, respectively, creates structural vulnerabilities for future environmental goals. In contrast, emerging producers such as Malaysia and the United States are expected to contribute 9% and 8% of refining capacity, respectively. Furthermore, this review discusses environmental trade-offs, including high energy intensity, water consumption, and radioactive byproducts. It also examines mitigation strategies, such as recycling, urban mining, and material substitution. Ultimately, achieving a resilient energy transition requires expanding supply, strengthening circular strategies, and international cooperation.

by José Manuel Larrosa and Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and ORL, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Clinico

Abstract: Multivariate functional principal component analysis (MFPCA) is a powerful dimension reduction technique for analyzing multiple functional variables simultaneously.

by and Immunology Department, National Centre for Microbiology (CNM), Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), 28220 Madrid, Spain

Currently, the search continues for solutions for the treatment of water contaminated by toxic compounds such as chlorophenols that are used in the manufacture of pesticides, insecticides, and the paper industry, among others, and that are considered persistent in the environment, in addition to being extremely toxic, especially 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, which is potentially carcinogenic. In this work, the use of thermally activated Co/Fe hydrotalcites as photocatalysts is presented. The catalysts were characterized by differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N2 physisorption, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The catalysts were tested in the photo-assisted degradation of 80 mg/L of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol. The catalytic structures present are Co/Fe simple and mixed oxides. The results of the photocatalytic activity show that the materials have good photocatalytic activity with a degradation efficiency of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, reaching a maximum capacity of 65% for oxides derived from hydrotalcites with a Co/Fe ratio of 2 and calcined at 500 °C, exceeding the activity shown by the reference catalyst, high-performance commercial titanium dioxide. The photocatalytic activity studied for the catalyst with the highest percentage of degradation is attributed to the presence of holes, as well as to the formation of oxidizing species such as superoxide and hydroxyl radicals that are determinants in the degradation mechanism.

Seventeen years, over 200 months and 6,200 days. That is the time that residents of the Las Chumberas neighbourhood have been waiting for a

Experts are calling for an updated official inventory to fully understand the state of the fortifications and halt their progressive deterioration: more than half are in danger of collapsing