Researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili develop a process to extract oil from coffee grounds, preserving biomass for other uses. The method recovers approximately 90% of the oil yield obtained by traditional techniques, while minimizing impurities.
A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili analysed 29 substances in commercial products sold in Tarragona, finding that phthalates were the most prevalent contaminants, especially in hake dishes. The risk assessment concluded that levels detected do not pose a significant health risk.
A study found that Costa Daurada tourists are willing to use public transport in certain circumstances, offering a chance to promote sustainable mobility and boost destinations' competitiveness. The research also highlights the importance of coordinated mobility and tourism planning to improve tourist patterns.
A new study by URV reveals that temperature affects aerosol dispersion, making respiratory diseases more contagious. The researchers found that greater temperature differences between exhaled air and ambient air cause clouds of particles to remain more concentrated and travel further.
Researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili developed an AI tool called CoCoGraph that can generate realistic molecules complying with chemistry laws. The system uses a diffusion model to create plausible structures, resulting in 100% chemically valid molecules, and has been found to be more realistic than other state-of-the-art models.
A Universitat Rovira i Virgili study found that male gender, religiosity, and physical aggression are factors associated with higher levels of transphobia. The study collected data from 333 adults and found that men exhibit significantly higher levels of transphobic attitudes than women.
A new questionnaire has been developed to reliably measure patients' anxiety about their cancer progression, with results showing that it provides accurate scores for clinical use. The tool assesses a single dimension of cancer-related anxiety, which has a direct impact on patients' emotional and functional well-being.
Consuming virgin olive oil, but not refined olive oil, improves cognitive function and increases gut microbiota diversity in older adults. The study suggests that extra virgin olive oil's impact on brain function may be due to its effects on the gut microbiota.
Researchers from URV discovered that ultrasound can characterise visceral fat with high accuracy, a determining factor in metabolic risk. The study found a correlation between elevated visceral fat levels and the presence of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome.
A new rapid test using a mobile phone has been developed to identify the most severe cases of imported malaria within minutes. The test uses video analysis and two biomarkers to predict which patients are at risk of developing severe disease.
Research finds that children with higher levels of copper in their bodies are 16 times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. Exposure to heavy metals like lead and mercury also increases the risk of developing the disorder or worsening symptoms.
Researchers have designed a pendulum-based system that extracts energy from ocean currents using water-induced vibrations. The device achieves around 15-17% efficiency, comparable to other cylinder vibration systems, but with a simpler structure, potentially suitable for tidal and river environments.
A study published in International Journal of Epidemiology found that consuming low-glycaemic-index foods can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia. Diets with lower glycaemic index values were associated with a 16% reduction in risk, while higher values increased risk by 14%.
A research team at URV developed a method to analyze biochemical changes in nearby leaves to predict fruit ripeness. This technique allows for reliable information about the fruit's developmental state without damaging it.
A new artificial intelligence model developed by the URV team combines clinical and magnetic resonance data to predict breast cancer recurrence with high accuracy. The model identifies key factors such as tumour texture, symmetry between breasts, and hormone receptor status to make predictions.
The new system uses radar and reflective surfaces to monitor driver movements and determine their state of alertness. It has the advantage of being simple and cost-effective compared to conventional camera-based systems.
Researchers at URV develop system to monitor oxidation of hazelnuts using hyperspectral camera, confirming atmosphere and light exposure as main causes of oxidation. The method allows for quality standards to be set and improves packaging techniques.
A study by the URV and UB teams found that La Pineda beach has the highest concentration of microplastics in Catalonia, with over 1,100 beaches sampled across 580km of coastline. Microplastic pollution was also found in rivers, particularly at the Ebre delta, and was linked to textile fibers released during washing.
The device measures small changes in temperature to identify affected areas, detecting temperature variations as small as 0.4°C in real-time. It can be worn for several days without affecting comfort and is poised to open the door to more personalized and accessible medicine.
A new mathematical model developed by URV's SeesLab research group improves prediction of human mobility between cities. The model combines machine learning techniques, statistical physics and Bayesian statistics to efficiently balance complexity and accuracy.
A new test, developed by Universitat Rovira i Virgili, can detect the Trichomonas vaginalis parasite causing trichomoniasis in just 15 minutes and for less than one euro. The test is as reliable as traditional methods and has been shown to be accurate even at very small concentrations of the parasite.
The study compared the performance of seven AI models with that of 400 humans in comprehension tasks, revealing a significant difference in accuracy. Human accuracy reached 89%, while AI models struggled to achieve more than 70% correct answers.
A new simulator study demonstrates the role of the nasal cavity in dispersing respiratory aerosols, impacting disease transmission. Aerosol dynamics vary depending on exhalation method and environment.
A standardized testing protocol has been developed to evaluate the efficiency, flexibility, and mechanical performance of flexible photovoltaic devices. The protocol focuses on measuring efficiency over 1,000 bending cycles, providing a benchmark for evaluating these devices in real-life conditions.
A study of 831 pregnant women found that only 36% adhere to folic acid supplementation recommendations, with low folate and vitamin B12 status detected in nearly half. Deficiencies can cause miscarriage, malformations, and other health problems.
A new study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Imperial College London challenges current renewable energy forecasts, citing material limitations that may hinder the development of clean energy technologies. The research team proposes incorporating equations that account for material availability and promoting recycling to make foreca...
A study by URV researchers found that 1.5% of children have ASD and 5% have ADHD, with a combined prevalence of 3.5%. These conditions increase the risk of abuse, isolation, or social exclusion in schoolchildren.
A research team studying the remains of 25 medieval warriors, including a woman, found evidence of violent death and a diet typical of medieval high society. The discovery provides new insights into the lives of these knights, who were part of the Order of Calatrava.
A study of over 1,500 children aged 3-6 found a significant association between ultra-processed food consumption and increased body mass index, waist circumference, and blood sugar levels. Children who consumed more ultra-processed foods had lower levels of good cholesterol.
A study led by Universitat Rovira i Virgili reveals the mechanism behind a diet high in saturated fats and Alzheimer's disease, showing that a high-fat diet can worsen insulin-related miRNAs and lead to brain damage.
Migrant women and children face increased vulnerability to climate change due to socio-economic context. The existing legal framework needs rethinking from a gender-sensitive perspective to protect human rights.
A method has been developed to protect and manage personal data on the internet using blockchain technology and smart contracts. The system allows users to control who has their information and what it is used for, enabling more secure browsing and compliance with European data protection law.
A new method allows fibromyalgia to be identified from a blood sample with high accuracy and speed. Researchers analyzed small molecules in the blood using Raman spectroscopy and found specific chemical signatures that distinguish fibromyalgia from other diseases.
A new surface technology has been developed that reduces viruses' infection ability by 96% using mechanical methods. The surface, made of silicon with tiny spikes, damages the structure of viruses when they come into contact with it.
Researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili found that using Torulaspora delbrueckii yeast improves organoleptic properties and shortens vinification time in carbonic maceration wines, rosé wines, and orange wines. This effect has also been observed in these wines.
A study led by Universitat Rovira i Virgili reveals AI systems struggle to recognize grammatical errors in sentences. Human evaluators train models on correct and incorrect constructions, but these are not learned from negative feedback like in humans.
The study finds that a lack of investment in sustainable processes can lead to market concentration and reduced competition. However, when all companies invest in green transition, prices increase but overall benefit is maximized due to consumer willingness to pay more for environmentally friendly products.
A study led by Universitat Rovira i Virgili reveals how ligands create unique local environments within nanoparticle surfaces, affecting stability, charge, and functionality. This phenomenon has significant implications for sensing applications and chemical reactions.
A study published in JAMA Network Open found that following a heart-healthy diet rich in fish, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the probability of miscarriage during infertility treatments. The study analyzed data from over 600 women who underwent various fertility treatments.
A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili's SeesLab research group shows machine learning algorithms may not always find interpretable models from data due to fundamental limitations. The importance of noise in data is highlighted, making it impossible to discover the correct model when variability is high.
A new mass screening system for Covid cases has been developed using artificial intelligence techniques. The system, which involves a hydroalcoholic gel and a QR code, can instantly evaluate the risk of having Covid and provide results with almost total sensitivity (97%).
A research team led by Professor Àlex Arenas from Universitat Rovira i Virgili has discovered a theoretical explanation for the degradation of neural networks, allowing for predictions on when they will stop functioning. This breakthrough can help in understanding neurological diseases and optimizing network systems.
A study by the URV and IISPV found that people exposed to high levels of PM10 in cities suffer from more severe COVID-19 cases. Chronic exposure to PM10 was estimated to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 by 3% for every 1µg/m³ increase.
A research team from URV-IISPV-CIBERDEM has developed a technique to describe the entire human metabolome. By filtering out non-specific signals and increasing marker identification, this method enables faster deciphering of biological content.
A recent study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili's TecnATox research group detected seven emerging flame retardants in indoor spaces in Tarragona, Spain, including at high levels. The findings suggest potential health risks for adults and children due to inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.
Researchers found that bilinguals are better at spotting grammatical illusions, a type of manipulative discourse. Bilingual participants detected 56% of the constructions, while monolinguals only succeeded 39%. However, bilinguals needed more time to respond.
A research group from Universitat Rovira i Virgili analyzed the concentration of toxic elements in various sushi types, finding higher levels of arsenic and mercury in maki and nigiri. They recommend adults limit tuna-based sushi to 8 pieces a day, while infants can have 3 pieces, citing methylmercury as a major concern
The simulation reveals that smaller aerosol particles can spread over a greater area and evade face masks, while larger particles dissipate quickly. The study provides new insights into the capacity of infectious aerosols to disperse in the environment.
A research team has discovered a metabolic footprint associated with the perception of satiety, revealing that higher concentrations of glycine and linoleic acid are linked to increased satiety. The study involved 140 volunteers with overweight and obesity, showing that certain metabolites in the blood can predict postprandial satiety.
A new tool using machine learning predictive modeling has been developed to predict the success of extubating ICU patients on intensive mechanical ventilation. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients and showed a significant reduction in reintubation rate from 9% to 1%.