A team of climatologists from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, the State Meteorology Agency, and the University of Bonn have developed homogenization methods to correct spurious trends in temperature measurements. These methods, tested on a large dataset of 1,900 weather stations, improved the accuracy of climate trend estimation.
A study in 73 Barcelona districts found that population density, income, and education affected COVID-19 spread. The analysis revealed distinct patterns in the two pandemic waves, with younger populations and educational institutions contributing to higher infection rates.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that the Radar COVID app can detect close contacts of infected individuals twice as accurately as manual tracing systems. The trial on La Gomera island detected an average of 6.3 close contacts per infected individual, compared to 3.5 using only manual tracing.
Researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili and Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona have combined experimental data with algorithms to enable an unprecedented predicting capability of the performance of organic solar cells. The study uses a new experimental method to generate large datasets, which are then used to train machi...
FishChoice guides consumers to maximise nutrient intake while minimising exposure to chemical pollutants, promoting sustainable seafood consumption. The new version provides advice in the form of a traffic light to help users choose safe and sustainable seafood options.
Researchers have discovered a physical mechanism that gold nanoparticles use to kill bacteria by deforming their cell walls. This mechanism could lead to the development of new bactericide materials as an alternative to antibiotics.
A diet high in ultra-processed fats and sugars is associated with increased inflammatory molecules, excitability of muscle nerves, and musculoskeletal neurotransmission. This study found that a six-week hypercaloric diet in mice increased neuromuscular transmission, leading to muscle pain.
Researchers found that adding tree nuts to a Western-style diet improves sperm count, viability, motility, and morphology. Nut consumption also alters specific sperm DNA methylation patterns, with 97.2% of regions displaying hypermethylation.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that patients on statin treatment had a lower risk of dying from COVID-19, with a 22-25% mortality reduction. Researchers analyzed data from 2,159 patients and concluded that fear of the pandemic should not lead to suspension of statin treatment.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies found associations between adiposity and low semen quality parameters. Overweight and obesity were linked to reduced semen volume, sperm count, vitality, and morphology, while underweight was associated with lower normal morphology.
The study demonstrates that solar assisted heating networks can reduce environmental impact by up to 89.3% compared to traditional heat generation methods, while also providing economic benefits through cost reduction of up to 66%. The system is most effective in larger communities, with a return on investment within 13.7 years.
Researchers have developed a nanometric-scale theoretical model to create structures that kill bacteria by using elastic forces. The flexibility of these pillars is closely connected to their appearance, and varying the height of the pillars can determine their bactericidal efficacy.
Scientists develop method to preserve beneficial properties of polyphenols and flavonoids in cancer treatment, resulting in highly effective and low-toxicity therapies.
Researchers have identified two anti-inflammatory drugs that can inhibit the replication of the COVID-19 virus. The study used computational techniques to analyze 6,466 authorized drugs and predicted that Carprofen and Celecoxib could be effective in inhibiting the main protease enzyme responsible for the virus's replication.
A diet rich in fish omega-3 fatty acids modulates lipoprotein particles, reducing triglycerides transported by any type of lipoprotein. The study found that increased consumption of LDL cholesterol from fish is associated with larger, less atherogenic LDL particles.
A team from Universitat Rovira i Virgili developed an algorithm that makes accurate predictions and generates interpretable models. This allows for a better understanding of the data, reducing biases in original data and providing valuable information for scientists.
Researchers develop new model to simulate lipid raft formation on a nanometric scale, confirming high dynamicity and existence of 10 nanoseconds. Cholesterol discovered to destabilize membranes and enable nanotubes to leave cells in milliseconds.
Researchers identify virulence factors in Aeromonas hydrophila infection, showing microbes modulate infection progress and strain interactions. The study's findings aim to develop therapies for lethal necrotizing fasciitis caused by the bacterium.
Researchers found that consuming 60 grams of nuts per day can improve orgasm quality and sexual desire. The study involved 83 participants who followed a western diet and were divided into two groups: one with a daily nut intake and the other without.
A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili found that 16-18% of preadolescents have suicidal ideas, with a higher risk in boys. Factors such as depressive symptoms and anxiety in girls contributed to this risk. The research aims to help control and prevent suicidal ideation in preadolescents.
A study of 1,986 patients found that those with variable sleep patterns lost less weight over a year compared to those with consistent sleep. Adopting good sleep habits may help maintain a healthy weight and prevent metabolic disorders.
A study by Universitat Rovira i Virgili researchers found that up to 57% of plastics in Tarragona sea water are microscopic fibers from clothes, which come from treatment parts and can block digestive tracts. The presence of these microplastics poses a health risk due to their potential to absorb toxic heavy metals and organic molecules.
A recent study confirms the emergence of feminist reggaeton music in Spain, led by researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili. The study analyzes three female reggaeton projects that use parody and criticism to promote feminist ideas and empower women.
The Science of Chocolate project uses storytelling to promote interest in scientific careers, particularly among girls, by highlighting the work of women researchers. The project has received funding from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology and is published in Catalan and Spanish.
Researchers discovered a new transport mechanism of nanomaterial through a cell membrane by tuning the membrane tension. Ultra-short carbon nanotubes can escape from the bilayer under certain conditions, which may have implications for public health and drug delivery.
A recent study published in Advances in Nutrition found that supplementing the diet with omega-3 and coenzyme Q10 can increase sperm count. Additionally, selenium, zinc, and carnitines have been associated with improved sperm mobility and morphology.
A study of over 600 patients with overweight or obesity found that a hypocaloric Mediterranean diet combined with daily exercise maintained clinically significant weight loss after one year. Patients showed improvements in glucose metabolism and inflammatory markers, while those with diabetes saw particularly high benefits.
A collective-risk dilemma experiment revealed that participants with fewer resources contributed significantly more to fighting climate change than wealthier people. The poorest groups were classified into 'generous clusters', while the richest were in 'greedy clusters'. This highlights the need for policies to prioritize climate justi...
Researchers developed a mathematical model to calculate bisphenol A levels reaching the fetus, with 100 pregnant women as test subjects. The P-PBPK model monitors compound effects on pregnancy and future health outcomes.
A European study reveals that 80% of popular Android health apps fail to meet security standards, putting users' sensitive data at risk. The research found serious security problems in how applications handle user data, including unauthorized data sharing and insecure data transfers.
Researchers design a mathematical model that predicts how mobility affects disease spread, finding that daily mobility reduces epidemics in large cities. The model suggests that recurring mobility helps even out population density, reducing the occurrence of epidemics.
Researchers have patented a mobile device that can detect cancer quickly, cheaply, effectively, and noninvasively. The device uses two systems: a flow system to align blood cells and an optical system to analyze and count tumor cells.
The PREDIMED study reveals a protective association between legume consumption, especially lentils, and the risk of developing subsequent type 2 diabetes. Legumes rich in B vitamins and fibre help improve human health and lower blood glucose levels slowly after consumption.
Researchers found low sperm quality parameters linked to unhealthy diets rich in saturated fats and processed meat. Conversely, healthy foods like fish, fruits, and vegetables were positively associated with improved sperm quality.
The study found that increasing physical activity time by one hour a day reduces the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors such as obesity and diabetes. Conversely, watching TV increases these risks. Replacing sedentary activities with moderate-intensity exercise provides greater protection against cardiometabolic disease.
The Darknet's unique topology makes it difficult to attack, with an attack on a specific node requiring four times more strength than one on the internet. The network can easily counter large attacks by adding more capacity through its decentralized onion router protocol.
A new tool using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measures hydrogen atoms to study metabolism and determine metabolic fluxes. This technique has been validated on human cancer cells and holds potential for understanding the mechanisms behind diseases like diabetes.
Researchers found that high consumption of saturated fatty acids and animal fat increased the risk of type 2 diabetes by twofold. The study also showed that substituting saturated fats with vegetable sources like olive oil and nuts can help prevent chronic diseases.
Researchers at URV develop collaborative filtering model with scalable algorithm for predicting individual preferences and group overlaps. The new approach provides more accurate predictions than existing algorithms by considering individual differences, making it ideal for large datasets.
Researchers discovered that small hydrophobic nanoparticles can insert into lipid membranes but superhydrophobic ones can escape spontaneously. This finding may lead to revised security norms for nanomaterials and raises concerns about public health and environmental toxicity.