Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
Researchers found that women's likelihood of winning a party leadership contest in primaries is significantly lower than males, even after controlling for other factors. The study suggests that the system prioritizes 'inclusion' over 'representation', disadvantageing women.
A new study found that Europeans spend an average of £35 per trip to visit water bodies, with a typical family making 45 trips annually. Poor perceived water quality can result in significant losses, with over €100 billion in annual costs.
More than half of Europe's forests are at risk from climate-driven disturbances, with large trees and old trees particularly vulnerable to extreme weather conditions and insect infestations. Climate change is projected to increase the frequency and severity of these events, posing significant threats to European forest ecosystems.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that European unions have been practicing solidarity in many cases, improving working conditions for peripheral workers. In contrast, some unions have adopted a dualist approach, prioritizing their own members' interests over those of non-unionized workers.
A new prototype of an intelligent underground robotic system has been developed to reduce noise and pollution in civil works. The system consists of a surface vehicle with a geo-radar and an autonomous underground robot that drills from one point to another, eliminating the need for digging ditches.
A newly translated journal from a 17th-century German barber-surgeon reveals the complexities of the Atlantic slave trade. Through his accounts, historians gain insight into the quotidian brutality and banality of evil in the trade.
Risk models developed by University of Malaga researchers use artificial intelligence to forecast West Nile virus outbreaks based on environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and river presence. The study predicts areas at high risk of outbreak in European regions.
The report reviews recent changes in EU research policy, identifies key barriers and enablers for data sharing, and maps the Horizon 2020 dementia research portfolio. Key findings include a need to overcome technical, financial and motivational obstacles to data sharing, as well as involving people with dementia in research design.
A global biological assessment of rivers reveals a striking loss of biodiversity in Japan and New Zealand over the past 20-30 years. Poor living conditions for fish and macroinvertebrates are also widespread across Europe, North America, Australia, and South Korea.
The European Union is funding a new vaccine research network, VACCELERATE, to coordinate clinical trials and promote knowledge exchange among 26 partner institutions. The network aims to build long-term herd immunity in Europe by testing vaccine efficacy and safety against SARS-CoV-2.
A study investigated the correlation between surgical site infection rates and hospital audit scores in Swiss hospitals. The results showed a clear connection between low SSI rates and high audit scores, suggesting that better surveillance systems can reduce infection rates.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that political structure and economic conditions played a major impact on choosing livestock in ancient Europe. The research analyzed data from 101 archaeological sites across the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, revealing significant changes in livestock use over time.
A survey of 20 European countries found that only 4 prioritize COVID vaccinations for individuals with severe mental disorders. The authors call for coordinated action to protect these vulnerable patients. Many countries do not mention mental health in their vaccination priority guidance, leaving patients at risk.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that individuals who do not exercise have a higher risk of dying immediately from a heart attack. Regular physical activity was associated with a lower risk of instant and 28-day fatal heart attacks, with moderate to high levels of activity showing significant benefits.
A new study reveals that Bantu-speaking communities in the Congo rainforest underwent a major population collapse from 1600 to 1400 years ago, possibly due to a prolonged disease epidemic. This finding challenges the commonly held belief of continuous settlement and affects seven present-day African countries.
Global heart failure cases rose from 33.5 million in 1990 to 64.3 million in 2017, mainly due to increased risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. The prevalence of heart failure decreased only in high-income countries, while it increased in low- and middle-income countries.
A study by Cornell Lab of Ornithology scientists found House Sparrow populations declining in North America, with larger winter flocks in urban areas. The decline is attributed to a lack of urban green space and nesting sites, similar to European studies.
A new study found that common pipistrelle bats are attracted to wind turbines, with activity around 30% higher at turbines than control locations. Ongoing monitoring and measures like idling blade rotation may help reduce fatalities. Soprano pipistrelle bat activity did not show conclusive evidence of attraction.
A new study reveals that athletes in track and field events like discus and javelin throwing, as well as marathon running, tend to achieve their best performances at a later age. This is attributed to the specific muscle fibres and techniques required for these sports, which allow for longer careers.
The CONCERT project aims to develop novel configurable robot platforms for various tasks in unstructured workspaces. Researchers will create powerful collaborative robots that can operate alongside human workers, adapting to their environment and executing high-level commands.
A newly discovered conch shell horn from the French Pyrenees produces melodic notes C, D, and C sharp, marking a first for European Upper Paleolithic artifacts. The shell's modifications, dating back to the Magdalenian period, were carefully made by human hands.
A new study reveals that European Starlings in North America underwent rapid local adaptation, adjusting to temperature and rainfall variations through subtle genetic changes. The species' massive population size enabled the spread of beneficial gene variants across generations.
The Path2Integrity project aims to promote learning settings and materials for honesty, reliability, respect, and accountability in research. It features messages from science leaders on the importance of research integrity principles, with resources available in multiple languages.
The EINST4INE project aims to develop new methods, skills, and concepts to guide businesses through digital transformation. The initiative will recruit 15 early-stage researchers to tackle real-world challenges faced by industry.
A new study finds that high blood pressure is causally associated with the most common heart rhythm disorder, atrial fibrillation. Elevated blood pressure was found to increase the risk by 1.8%, 2.6%, and 1.4% relative increases in atrial fibrillation for systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressures, respectively.
Regional disparities exist in responses of secondary pollutants to emission reductions, especially fine particulate matter and ozone. Ozone shows rising signals in most areas, but declining signal exists in North America despite reduced nitrogen oxides.
Researchers mapped regions with high numbers of undersized fish and crustaceans, which are typically discarded due to size limits. This helps identify areas for fishing restrictions to ensure more sustainable fisheries and conservation efforts.
The STREAM project aims to reduce costs and increase worker safety in railway construction, operation, and maintenance by introducing robotic technologies. The project will deliver two methods: a control platform for converting heavy-duty hydraulic machines into autonomous systems, and a modular wearable active exoskeleton to reduce ph...
The report highlights the impact of coffee consumption timing on sleep quality, suggesting that limiting caffeine intake six hours prior to bedtime can help lessen its effects. For those sensitive to caffeine, this approach may improve overall sleep outcomes.
Researchers found that European greater mouse-eared bats have sufficient baseline levels of key immune parameters to tolerate infection throughout hibernation. In contrast, North American bats frequently arouse from hibernation to trigger an immune response, leading to starvation and death.
A €9.75m Irish-led project, PANDEM-2, aims to create a more consistent and futureproof approach to pandemic management in the EU. The project will develop novel concepts, services, and IT systems to improve EU preparedness and response.
A recent study by the PREDICT network identified bacterial infections and alcohol consumption as common triggers for acute decompensation of liver cirrhosis. The study monitored 1273 patients from 15 European countries and found that these triggers were present in over 90% of cases.
New estimates suggest that Western Europe experienced unmatched dust storms during the coldest periods of the latest ice age. The research, published in Quaternary Science Reviews, challenges the long-held assumption that China was the dustiest region on Earth during this time period.
A study published in Frontiers in Immunology found that Brazilians of African descent are less likely to find a donor in the National Register of Voluntary Bone Marrow Donors, with an up to 60% reduction in chances. The lack of representation and genetic diversity makes it harder for individuals with African ancestry to find compatible...
A new study found that mobile apps with artificial intelligence improve the health status of migrants by 5.3%, while also increasing social integration by 2.7%. The study, conducted at Anglia Ruskin University, surveyed new migrants and refugees in Greece over a 10-month period.
A European consortium aims to create a platform for sharing pathology data to develop artificial intelligence tools, accelerating disease diagnosis and treatment. The BIGPICTURE project collects 3 million digital slides from humans and laboratory animals to support AI development in pathology.
Researchers at the University of Tartu are developing a new large-scale prototype of a cosmic-ray tomography device to detect illegal goods in cargo, making security checks faster and safer. The technology uses safe natural radiation that passes through us every day, allowing for efficient customs controls.
A team of seismologists has discovered a new mechanism driving the separation of the Atlantic plates, with evidence of an upwelling in the mantle from depths of over 600 km. This finding provides greater understanding of plate tectonics and its role in natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Skin cancer rates in the UK have increased dramatically over the past four decades, with a notable rise in middle-aged and older adults. The study found that public health campaigns targeting children and adolescents may be contributing to the stabilization of skin cancer incidence among young people.
Hypertension symptoms in women are frequently misattributed to menopause, increasing their risk of heart disease and stroke. Middle-aged women with a history of pregnancy complications or early menopause are particularly at risk.
Atrial fibrillation death rates in Europe are highest in wealthier countries, with women more likely to die than men. Lifestyle factors such as obesity and alcohol consumption in wealthier nations contribute to these disparities.
Research found that physical activity does not undo the negative effects of excess body weight on heart health. Even among those who are active, being overweight or obese increases cardiovascular risk.
The SignON project, funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 program, will develop a mobile solution for automatic translation between sign and oral languages. The platform aims to facilitate exchange between deaf and hard of hearing individuals and hearing people across Europe.
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.
Analysis of 33,000 graves reveals a change in Western European burial practices from regionally specific grave goods to standardized, unfurnished burials between the 6th-8th centuries AD. This shift indicates a well-connected Europe with regular contact and exchange of ideas across vast areas.
A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that carbon pricing is a more efficient way to address climate change than regulations and bans. The study highlights the economic benefits of Pigouvian taxation, which can help maximize welfare while minimizing negative externalities.
Researchers analyzed over 5,000 bronze objects from Central European hoards and found that around 70% of rings had similar weights, suggesting a standardized currency system. This discovery indicates the earliest development of commodity money in prehistoric Europe.
A study from Uppsala University reveals that all European eels share the same gene pool, regardless of their location. The team used whole-genome analysis to compare DNA sequences from eels across Europe and North Africa, finding no significant differences in gene variants.
A recent study published in Maturitas found that UV-radiation can affect the levels of oestrogens and gonadotropins in postmenopausal women, increasing the risk of osteoporosis, cardiac diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers recommend carefully monitoring sun exposure to prevent harm.
A health impact study estimated the mortality burden attributable to air pollution in over 1,000 European cities. The research found that 51,000 premature deaths could be prevented annually by reducing PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations to recommended levels.
Researchers have discovered that Maltese patients with ALS do not have flaws in the C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP, and FUS genes, which are common in European ALS cases. Instead, a higher percentage of Maltese patients without a family history of ALS have harmful DNA mutations in rarely damaged genes.
The INTERVENE project aims to develop novel genome-based disease prediction tools using advanced AI approaches on genomic and health data. The project will test these tools in clinical settings for cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer.
The American Chemical Society outlines key business and policy issues in chemistry for 2021, with a focus on climate goals and the impact of open access publishing. The organization also notes that chemical firms are looking to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic and manufacturers will remain busy producing COVID-19 vaccines.
Scientists are using brain recordings, flight analyses, and computational modeling to uncover the neural mechanisms behind insect decision-making. The study aims to inform autonomous robotics, computational neuroscience, and other fields by understanding how insects utilize movement to simplify information sampling.
The Ukraine genome survey found over 13 million genetic variants, including medically relevant mutations linked to breast cancer, autism, and rare eye diseases. The study shows Ukraine accounts for a quarter of European genetic variation, providing valuable insights into human history and disease prevention.
The SciFiMed project develops a multiplex detection system to examine the functional activity of seven complement factor H related proteins in patient samples. This technique helps diagnose inflammatory diseases such as macular degeneration with higher accuracy.
The CriticalEarth programme aims to develop climate scientists skilled in advanced mathematical theories and the physics of Earth systems. The project addresses two key challenges: abrupt climate shifts and uncertainty in temperature rise predictions.
A study found high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water in some Chinese cities, exceeding international guideline levels. The findings suggest urgent need for elimination of these chemicals from drinking water and better control and reduction of PFAS releases.
Two ERC-funded innovation projects will develop nanometric sensors for brain surgery and flexible X-ray detectors for medical imaging. The projects aim to reduce damages and improve efficiency in healthcare and industrial non-destructive testing.
The European Research Council has awarded €8.25 million in ERC Proof of Concept grants to 55 researchers, enabling them to explore the commercial and societal potential of their work. This funding will support the development of new technologies, such as a low-cost COVID-19 test and clean energy producing technology.