Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
New research from UvA's Law Centre for Health and Life found EU policies influencing access to medicines in developing countries without always intending it. This has significant implications for the EU's own health systems, security, and stability.
A study by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health found that 62% of Europeans live in areas with less than recommended green space, leading to 42,968 premature deaths. The study suggests that European cities should focus on reclaiming urban land for green spaces and implementing nature-based solutions.
Researchers develop VICE biosensor to assess toxicity of substances on human cells, providing a non-invasive method for early detection. The technology aims to address limitations of current toxicological assessments, which often fail to detect long-term side effects.
The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) is hosting its 57th International Liver Congress (ILC) 2022 in London, where experts will present and share the latest science on liver diseases. The event aims to enhance awareness, prevention, treatment, and management of liver diseases globally.
Millions of Europeans depend on fishing for food and livelihood, with ocean warming affecting fish distribution and abundance. Regional differences in climate risk highlight the need for locally adapted approaches, including social safety nets and income support.
The BiCIKL project links biodiversity data types and classes across 14 European institutions, creating a Biodiversity Knowledge Hub for seamless access. This initiative streamlines Open Science and FAIR practices, empowering researchers with efficient tools to explore and utilize biodiversity data.
FORTHEM, a European University Alliance, has welcomed two new members: the University of Agder in Norway and Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu in Romania. This expansion aims to increase student mobility, create a virtual campus, and merge research programs across member universities.
The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism could significantly impact countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Morocco, and Mozambique due to their high exposure and vulnerability to the mechanism. To mitigate this, the EU should provide financial and technical support to these countries to aid in decarbonisation efforts.
A recent study published in AJR found that gallbladder polyps can fluctuate significantly in size and number over time. The authors suggest revising guidelines to reflect this variability, with no cases of gallbladder carcinoma identified in patients who underwent cholecystectomy.
Researchers say the July 2021 flood in western Germany was more destructive than predicted, with mobilization of dead wood and sediment contributing to its impact. The event highlights the need for science to better understand precipitation-induced floods and their associated self-reinforcing effects.
A study of over 2,000 European retirees found that internet usage after retirement is associated with better cognitive scores. Specifically, female retirees who regularly surfed the internet recalled more words on a word recall test compared to their non-internet-using counterparts.
Researchers at the University of Reading found that climate models underpredict regional temperatures and rainfall, particularly in the mid-latitudes, by neglecting extratropical wind variability. This increases uncertainty and likelihood of extreme weather events like heatwaves and droughts.
A new study found that global light pollution has increased significantly over the past 25 years, with the true increase potentially being much higher. The study, led by the University of Exeter, reveals that the transition to solid-state LED technology has masked the impact of light pollution in many regions.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that microparticle concentrations in lakes are higher than previously reported and can be predicted by surrounding land use. The researchers found that areas with more human activity and lower forest cover had higher microparticle concentrations, while lakes with more active microorganisms had...
A European project developed standard solutions for energy refurbishment, considering various climate zones. These packages include prefabricated façades, decentralized ventilation systems, and smart ceiling fans to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort. Pilot sites showed significant savings and improvements in tenant well-being.
A new study published in Frontiers in Water predicts that Europe will experience more frequent and severe summer droughts due to the climate crisis. The research identifies four hotspots in France, the Alps, the Mediterranean, and the Iberian Peninsula as being at high risk of droughts.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that fact-checking significantly reduces belief in misinformation globally. Fact-checking leaves a more enduring mental imprint than false claims, increasing accurate beliefs regardless of political affiliation.
A new analysis suggests that the pace of vaccination should directly dictate the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions to boost freedoms and minimize new waves of infection. The study's findings suggest that further severe waves can be avoided if restrictions are lifted no faster than the pace dictated by vaccination progress.
The COgITOR project aims to develop an initial prototype for an autonomous liquid cybernetic system that can be used as an intelligent, active probe in extreme areas. The system will be composed of concentric spheres containing solvents enriched with nanoparticles and a silicon chip in the centre.
A new study found that women are experiencing a greater increase in non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, such as work stress and sleep disorders, compared to men. The trend coincides with an increase in women working full-time, highlighting the need for prevention strategies to address these emerging risks.
International genetic research projects struggle with GDPR interpretation due to ambiguous rules on personal data, consent, and data transfer outside the EU/EEA. Measures to reduce these challenges are proposed, including a more genetics-sensitive approach with regulators.
A recent study found that a person's genetic risk for developing certain diseases decreases as they get older. The researchers analyzed genomic data from 500,000 people and discovered that genetic factors play a more significant role in disease development early in life.
The 2021 Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC2021) will feature a full spectrum of planetary science and technology across 43 sessions. More than 840 oral and poster presentations have been submitted by planetary scientists from around the world.
A study reveals that European tax-and-benefit systems mainly target working-aged individuals, while the elderly and young benefit disproportionately. The lifecycle redistribution machine model highlights the significant role of age in shaping welfare state policies.
A review of expert opinions reveals mixed results for the EU's COVID-19 response, with successes including coordinated vaccine procurement but shortcomings including inconsistent national responses. Experts emphasize the need for strengthened local surveillance systems and improved EU leadership to prevent similar crises.
A new study has identified 20 genetic regions linked to face shape in East Africans, highlighting the importance of diverse populations in understanding human facial features. The findings also reveal that shared genetic factors contribute to similarities across populations, while population-specific variants drive differences.
A new commentary paper highlights the need for more research into the microbes living in and on sea creatures. The authors propose a research agenda to fill knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of beneficial microbes' roles in marine ecosystems.
A new study reveals a deepening geographical fracture in European societies, with rural areas showing lower trust in politics but higher voting rates. The research suggests that mainstream politicians must address feelings of disconnection from politics and provide economic opportunities to re-engage residents of small towns and villages.
Researchers found regional lockdowns did not sufficiently address local COVID-19 risk differences in Italy. Instead, targeted interventions focused on high-risk areas could help strike a better balance between public health and economic damage. The study provides guidance for policy-makers to design effective interventions.
A new study reveals that just 42% of nations have expanded their scientific understanding of bird species distributions in the last decade. The researchers developed two new metrics to assess biodiversity data coverage and effectiveness, finding that regions like Asia and South America are closing knowledge gaps.
Research published in the BMJ Open journal suggests that middle-age height loss is associated with a heightened risk of early death from heart disease or stroke in Northern European women. Regular physical activity may help prevent height loss and lower cardiovascular disease risk, according to the findings.
The Covid-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the EU labour market, with some countries experiencing significant increases in unemployment and inactivity rates. Notably, the Baltic States saw substantial growth in inactive citizens, while Poland was a 'unique case' where both unemployment and inactivity fell slightly.
The PROTEIN-ID project aims to create a device that can read the fingerprint of proteins and identify their sequence, enabling rapid detection of diseases. The innovative device will use spectroscopic techniques, machine learning, and nanoscale sensors to analyze protein structures.
Reconstruction of ancient oral microbiomes from the Upper Paleolithic to the Neolithic Periods in Southern Europe reveals a significant expansion of microbial species with the transition to agriculture. The studies sequenced ancient DNA from dental calculus, finding a dominant Anaerolineaceae species that diversified geographically.
Experts from European and US universities warn that new EU battery regulations could hinder the global transition to electric vehicles if not implemented globally. The researchers argue that a coordinated, global approach is needed to make the supply chain predictable and powerful.
Researchers identified cardiovascular test results that may indicate high-risk COVID-19 patients, including low left ventricular ejection fraction and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. These findings suggest clinical parameters can help predict in-hospital mortality for COVID-19 patients.
Archaeologists found that the lack of a mutualistic relationship between humans and New World rabbits, characterized by controlled reproduction, prevented domestication. The solitary nature of American cottontails made it difficult for humans to control their population and evolution.
The Indus basin has significant hydropower and seasonal pumped storage potential due to its high altitudes and water availability. The region's unique climate and geography make it an ideal location for long-term energy storage, with costs comparable to natural gas reinjection.
Researchers at the LABYRINTH project have developed an automated flight control system for drone swarms that can efficiently plan routes, communicate using 5G networks, and prevent collisions. The system aims to safely integrate drones into European airspace and address concerns around their use in cities.
A novel coronavirus related to Covid-19 has been found in UK horseshoe bats, with the team suggesting that these bats have likely harbored the virus for thousands of years. The discovery highlights the need for robust genotype testing in bat populations and raises concerns about the potential for viral mutation.
The EU-funded ADMIRE project aims to develop intelligent adaptive storage systems for high-performance computing, improving application runtime and data access. Fourteen institutions from six European countries are working together to create a scalable and efficient system that can meet the needs of data-intensive applications.
A new species of butterfly has been discovered in Canada, the European Common Blue, which could become widespread due to its preference for urban areas. The study found that the butterfly can reach extremely high densities relative to native butterflies and is a low-moderate disperser.
A new study by Newcastle University and the Met Office predicts a significant increase in slow-moving intense rainstorms across Europe by the end of the century, potentially leading to devastating flooding. The research estimates that these storms could be 14 times more frequent, with increased rainfall accumulations and flash flood risk.
A COVID-19 tracker developed by IIASA researcher Asjad Naqvi aims to identify, collect, and collate various official regional datasets for European countries. The tracker presents data on daily COVID-19 cases at the sub-national level for 26 European countries from January 2020 until the present.
The UNITE4TB partnership aims to develop new and highly active TB treatment regimens for drug-resistant and -sensitive TB. The consortium will accelerate the clinical evaluation of combinations of existing and novel drugs through advanced trial designs and AI-powered analysis.
The AGRIMODELS Cluster is exhibiting the latest data, tools and models needed for evaluating policy impacts on farm, regional, national and global levels. The cluster aims to improve agricultural policy modeling through projects BESTMAP, MIND STEP, and AGRICORE.
Chronic kidney disease patients are at high risk of fragility fractures, yet most receive no osteoporosis therapy. A new review provides concise recommendations for clinicians to manage osteoporosis in these patients, outlining diagnosis, risk assessment, and intervention thresholds.
The NanED project aims to train 15 PhD students in 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) techniques, with a focus on industrial applications. The program will be led by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and unite experts from 8 European research institutions and global companies.
The UNITE4TB partnership aims to develop new and highly active TB treatment regimens for drug-resistant and -sensitive TB. The 7-year project will utilize advanced clinical trials networks, adaptive trial designs, and machine learning techniques to accelerate the development of better treatment solutions.
A new study suggests that Easter Island's demographic collapse did not occur, but rather experienced steady population growth until European contact. The researchers used Approximate Bayesian Computation to analyze radiocarbon dates and environmental changes, revealing that the islanders' resilience strategies were successful despite a...
A new study by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that childhood lead exposure may lead to less mature and less healthy personalities in adulthood. Adults who grew up in areas with higher levels of atmospheric lead had lower levels of conscientiousness and agreeableness, and higher levels of neuroticism.
A new study reveals that 25 megacities globally produce over half of the world's urban greenhouse gas emissions. Cities in developed countries like Europe, US, and Australia have significantly higher per capita emissions than those in developing areas. The majority of emissions come from stationary energy and transportation sectors.
Researchers surveyed over 1.5 million adults across Europe and the US to examine potential links between childhood lead exposure and adult personality traits. The study found that those with higher childhood lead levels were less agreeable and more neurotic, while those from areas with cleaner air were more conscientious.
Research reveals South Asians have a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease compared to Europeans. Despite being under-represented in clinical estimators, South Asians experience a more than two-fold increased risk.
Research finds discrimination against Muslim women eliminated when they signal shared progressive views on women's rights. German women's receptivity to messages about the immigrant woman's attitude toward gender equality eliminates anti-Muslim bias.
A new study suggests that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based screening can reduce unnecessary biopsies and detect clinically significant tumours while halving overdiagnoses. The results come from a randomized study conducted at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.
Researchers have discovered Yersinia pestis infection in two medieval graves in Southern Italy, providing the first genetic evidence of the Black Death's arrival in the region. The analysis of ancient DNA from the teeth of the victims confirms that they died from plague or other infectious diseases during the second pandemic.
A WHO-sanctioned panel will discuss the need for more warnings before it's too late to address antimicrobial resistance. The world is facing a growing threat to modern medicine, with patients paying high prices for antibiotics due to a weak market and lack of access.
A new study predicts that global warming will lead to a sharp increase in heat-related deaths, outstripping the decline in cold-related mortality, unless strong mitigation measures are taken immediately. The Mediterranean Basin is expected to be disproportionately affected due to its greater vulnerability to heat.
A global study found that abnormal hot and cold temperatures cause over 9.43% of global deaths, with most deaths caused by cold exposure. The study revealed geographic differences in temperature-related mortality, with Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa having the highest heat and cold-related excess death rates.