In a positive wave for nature and health, Europe saw over 600 dams removed last year, unlocking more than 2,300 miles of waterways for wildlife. Meanwhile, medical breakthroughs are offering renewed hope for patients facing tough cancer diagnoses.
- 603 dams removed in Europe in 2025, reconnecting rivers
- New drug doubles survival time for pancreatic cancer patients
- Gene test helps avoid chemotherapy for many breast cancer cases
What happened
Last year marked a milestone for river restoration in Europe with the removal of 603 dams, significantly surpassing previous records. This effort reconnected more than 2,300 miles of waterways, improving habitat connectivity and allowing fish species to access migration routes once blocked by barriers. Sweden, Finland, and Spain were among the leading countries dismantling dams, while Iceland and Macedonia removed their first ever river barriers.
In medicine, progress against pancreatic cancer, often called one of the deadliest cancers, took a hopeful turn. A new drug named daraxonrasib was shown in a clinical trial to nearly double average survival time for advanced pancreatic cancer sufferers. Meanwhile, breast cancer treatment is also evolving, as a gene test known as Prosigna has enabled many patients to safely skip chemotherapy and rely on hormone therapy instead, reducing treatment side effects.
Why it feels good
The dam removals represent a win for biodiversity, stream health, and communities relying on thriving ecosystems. Already, places like the River Dee in north Wales have reported exciting increases in rare species such as sea lamprey. These efforts help revitalize river networks that had long been fragmented by outdated infrastructure.
On the health front, the new pancreatic cancer drug offers much-needed hope to patients facing a grim prognosis, potentially doubling their life expectancy and with fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy. Breast cancer patients now have evidence-based ways to avoid the harsh impacts of chemotherapy without compromising survival, improving quality of life for thousands.
What to enjoy or watch next
Momentum around river restoration is set to continue as awareness grows about the environmental and social benefits of reconnecting waterways. Keep an eye on similar projects gaining traction across Europe and beyond, along with reports on improving ecosystem health and biodiversity recovery.
In cancer research, daraxonrasib’s data will undergo regulatory review to determine if it becomes a standard treatment. Additionally, advances like AI screening tools for early detection of pancreatic cancer and further trials of gene testing for personalized breast cancer treatment promise ongoing improvements in cancer care.