A disease is any condition which results in the disorder of a structure or function in a living organism that is not due to any external injury. The study of disease is called pathology, which includes the study of cause. Disease is often construed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and signs. It may be caused by external factors such as pathogens or by internal dysfunctions, particularly of the immune system, such as an immunodeficiency, or by a hypersensitivity, including allergies and autoimmunity.
Rare earth metals have specific electronic and magnetic properties that make them an essential component of many of today’s high tech electronic devices, but recycling these components is still very challenging. However, new developments by EU-funded researchers will make it simpler to recover these vital materials, and so lead to increased levels of recovery from end-of-life products.