Articles tagged with Europe
Researchers found that Uralic-speaking people in Northern Europe inherited genetic material from ancient Siberians, arriving by the start of the Iron Age. The study reveals a mix of genetic, archaeological, and linguistic data supporting this theory.
A European research project called Just4All is analyzing barriers to access to justice for people with disabilities and providing training to legal professionals. The project also includes an online course, database, and analysis of regulations and case law.
The world is not on track to achieve global targets to reduce harmful alcohol use, according to a study of 189 countries' alcohol intake. The total volume of alcohol consumed globally per year has increased by 70%, with low- and middle-income countries driving the increase.
A study presented at EuroHeartCare 2019 found that fitter heart failure patients have healthier brain function and are less likely to have cognitive impairment. Exercise has been shown to improve cognition in older adults and may also benefit heart failure patients.
Researchers reconstructed wheat breeding history through genetic analysis, linking its evolution to human migration patterns, geopolitical events, and climate change. This knowledge will help optimize modern wheat varieties for improved yield and adaptability in a growing world population.
Research presented at EuroCMR 2019 found that training for and completing a first-time marathon reduces arterial age by four years and systolic blood pressure by 4 mmHg, comparable to medication effects. The study included 139 healthy first-time marathon runners who experienced significant improvements in cardiovascular health.
A genomic tour-de-force identifies two extinct lineages and suggests speed was only selected for recently in horse evolution. The study sheds light on the complex history of horses, highlighting their diverse past and its impact on conservation and breeding practices.
A new study has created a three-dimensional model of skeletal muscles responsible for bird flight, providing the most comprehensive picture of anatomy to date. The technique, developed by researchers at the University of Missouri, can be displayed virtually or through a printed 3D model.
A sharp rise in musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnoses has led to MSK conditions ranking as the second leading global cause of years lived with a disability. European countries top the international league table, and there is a significant link between MSK conditions and national economic output.
The study found a significant variation in the prevalence of severe child obesity across European countries, with Southern Europe showing the highest rates. Severe obesity is associated with worse health outcomes and limited treatment options, highlighting the need for effective policy measures to prevent obesity.
Research from WHO Europe found that babies who were never or only partially breastfed have a higher risk of becoming obese as children compared to exclusively breastfed babies. The study suggests that promoting breastfeeding practices can help prevent childhood obesity in Europe, but adoption rates are still below global recommendations.
A quarter of patients in Scotland have never had their body mass index (BMI) recorded by their GP, according to new research. The study found that only 20-42% of general practices were recording up-to-date BMI data, with significant variations across practices.
Research found that one-third of workers have hypertension, and combined work stress and poor sleep increase cardiovascular death risk by three times. Employers should provide stress management and sleep treatment in the workplace, especially for staff with chronic conditions.
A new SGLT2 inhibitor medication has been shown to significantly slow the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with diabetes. The CREDENCE trial demonstrated a 34% reduction in the risk of end-stage kidney disease, as well as improved cardiovascular outcomes.
The number of gonorrhoea cases in the EU/EEA has risen by 17% in 2017, with over 240 cases per day, largely due to antibiotic resistance. The majority of cases are reported among men who have sex with men, and women are increasingly affected as well.
A study by ISGlobal found that particulate matter exposure takes away 125,000 years of healthy life from European children each year. Air pollution is the leading cause of disease burden, followed by passive tobacco smoke.
Two new studies warn that countries like the US, China, and EU will struggle to meet their emissions targets without significant reductions. The research suggests that even if these high-emitting countries strengthen their commitments, other nations would need to achieve near-zero emissions by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degree...
Researchers from the University of Surrey argue that a switch to permanent daylight saving time would undermine the sleep benefits of delaying school start times. This could lead to inadequate levels of sleep among teenagers, despite efforts to improve their health and graduation rates.
A recent study of ancient DNA from Crusader skeletons confirms they intermingled with local populations, forming families and fighting alongside them. The researchers found that the Crusaders' genetic presence was short-lived, with no lasting impact on Lebanese genetics.
A team of researchers analyzed the DNA of nine 13th-century Crusaders, revealing a genetically diverse group that intermixed with local populations. The findings provide insights into the history of the Crusades and highlight the importance of ancient DNA in understanding historical events.
Researchers evaluated four state-of-the-art tools for recognizing names in text and found solutions to boost accuracy from 7% to 90%. They also extracted social networks from novels to explore differences in story structure. The study highlights the challenges faced by NLP tools in handling names in popular fiction.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that people who skip breakfast and eat dinner near bedtime have a four to five times higher likelihood of death, another heart attack, or angina within 30 days after hospital discharge for heart attack. Late-night dinner eating was also associated with poorer outc...
Afro-Italian women entrepreneurs are transforming notions of beauty and Italian identity with their black fashion, style, and hair-care products. They are leveraging the internet to market their products, build community, and challenge racist narratives, potentially awakening Italy's moribund economy.
A team of scientists at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre of Ocean Research Kiel used simulation techniques to analyze the drift of MH370 debris and propose new strategies for tracking marine objects. The study found that Stokes drift, caused by surface waves, plays a crucial role in determining the final position of drifting objects.
A study found kin relationships among people buried in Neolithic megalith tombs, indicating a societal role for these enigmatic structures. The genomic data revealed affinity to farming groups with past admixture with hunter-gatherer groups, highlighting a previously unknown role for megaliths in Neolithic societies and families.
Researchers confirm a long-hypothesized limit for weather prediction, first proposed in the 1960s, which is approximately two weeks on average. They used state-of-the-art models to test this limit and found that reliable forecasts are now possible nine to 10 days out in mid-latitudes.
Researchers discovered close kin relationships among Stone Age individuals buried in megalithic tombs, suggesting a patrilineal society. The study found paternal continuity and an overrepresentation of males in some tombs.
Vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever, and Lyme borreliosis are expanding rapidly across Europe due to climate change and international travel. The geographical range of these diseases is expected to increase, with hotter temperatures favouring the spread of mosquitoes and ticks.
A European study finds associations between antibiotic resistance and seasonal temperature, with significant contributions to MRSA variance. Climate change may increase AMR transmission, particularly carbapenem resistance, in various healthcare systems.
A large study found that moving more is linked to living longer, with a 2.8% reduction in all-cause mortality for each milliliter increase in maximal oxygen uptake. The benefits of fitness were seen in men and women across all age groups and fitness levels.
A recent study found that couples who attempt to quit smoking together have a significantly higher success rate compared to those who try to quit alone. The odds of quitting smoking at 16 weeks were sixfold higher in couples who tried to quit together.
Healthcare-associated infections are common in European hospitals and long-term care facilities, affecting millions of patients each year. Low microbiological testing rates vary widely between countries, highlighting the need for improved infection control measures.
Two large real-world studies confirm the efficacy of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in a broad range of individuals with HCV infection, including those with comorbidities. The treatment showed significant improvements in physical and mental well-being, with high sustained virological response rates.
The €50 million MOBILISE-D project aims to develop a system using small sensors to monitor mobility and assess health. It will enable personalized healthcare, predictive diagnosis, and improved treatment for conditions like COPD, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
A majority of reusable tourniquets inspected contained microbes that could compromise patient safety and care quality. The most prevalent contaminant microorganism was coagulase-negative staphylococci, found on 441 of the analysed tourniquets.
Patients with acute coronary syndromes can return to work in two to three months, but one in four quit after a year. Psychological factors like lack of confidence, depression, and anxiety are significant predictors of failure. Attending cardiac rehabilitation and gradual reintegration into the workplace can help patients succeed.
A recent study found that kidney disease can trigger cognitive impairment even in its early stages, affecting approximately one in two patients. The cognitive decline is not age-related and worsens with declining kidney function.
A large cohort study in northern England found significant clustering of primary biliary cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis in specific regions. The researchers suggest that exposure to a persistent environmental agent may play a key role in the development of these autoimmune liver diseases.
Scientists have captured the first-ever image of a black hole, which reveals the massive black hole at the center of the galaxy Messier 87. The image was achieved using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), an unprecedented Earth-sized virtual telescope linking telescopes around the globe.
The Event Horizon Telescope project has captured the first-ever image of a black hole, located at the heart of galaxy Messier 87. The image reveals a ring-like structure with a dark central region, confirming our understanding of general relativity.
Researchers at CNIC have discovered that the protein p38gamma plays an essential role in initiating cell division in liver cells, making it a promising therapeutic target for liver cancer. The study found that inhibiting p38gamma slows down the development of liver cancer in mice, suggesting potential treatment options.
The Phase 3 REGENERATE study confirms obeticholic acid's effectiveness in treating NASH with liver fibrosis, improving fibrosis in almost one-quarter of recipients. The treatment also shows significant improvements in other histological markers of NASH, including lobular inflammation and hepatocellular ballooning.
A study projects significant glacier loss in the Alps due to climate change. By 2050, about 50% of glacier volume is expected to disappear, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the region's ecosystem and economy. The fate of glaciers will depend on future warming scenarios.
Climate researchers are searching for ice in the Antarctic that's at least 1.5 million years old to gather data on carbon dioxide and methane, and their connections to the climate's development. The BE-OI project has selected Little Dome C as the ideal site, which will be drilled into starting in mid November 2021.
The TAPIR-CM project seeks to strengthen SDN and NFV-augmented networking for agility and flexibility. Researchers aim to apply machine learning/ai to forecast data traffic behavior, improving network performance. A working prototype is expected by the end of the 4-year project.
Researchers hope to uncover the cause of a dramatic change in ice ages and warm periods by analyzing greenhouse gases in ancient ice cores. The EU-backed project aims to drill into the oldest ice on Earth, expected to be at least 1.5 million years old, to gather valuable information about climate history.
A study of 29 waterways in 10 countries revealed more than 100 pesticides, including 24 unlicensed for EU use. The highest levels were found in a Belgian canal with 70 pesticides, contaminating every screened river and canal.
A study by Sara Vinyals found that cultural attractions and gastronomy are critical elements in competing urban destinations. The analysis of official websites from twelve European cities revealed a significant presence of strategies focused on leisure and culture.
The research attributes the human-elephant relationship during the Pleistocene epoch to their mutual ecology and shared living environments. Both species likely hailed from ancestors that came to Europe from Africa and adapted to living conditions in Ice Age Europe, highlighting their genetic similarities.
Research published by the European Society of Cardiology found that victims of heart attack and stroke who return to work are 25% less productive in their first year back. The study estimated direct medical costs of acute coronary syndrome as €1,547-€18,642 and stroke costs as €5,575-€31,274.
A new art and science collaboration at CRG in Barcelona will create awareness of life sciences research through genome-inspired knitted fashion pieces. The project aims to make genetics and genomics more approachable to the public by incorporating tactile, visual, and experiential elements.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control reports a 10% decrease in newly diagnosed hepatitis C cases between 2016 and 2017, with over 31,000 cases reported in 2017. However, diagnoses remain high due to under-reporting and variation in national testing practices.
Access to broadband internet increases fertility rates among higher-educated women by 8.7% compared to 7.2%, with improved work-life balance due to teleworking and part-time working. This effect is less pronounced for lesser-educated women, highlighting a digital divide.
Researchers at ICFO have developed an infrared detector using Bismuth Sulphide flakes with sulphur vacancies, creating extended in-gap states for sub-bandgap absorption. The resulting device has high gain, low noise, and sensitivity, enabling fast response times and broad spectral coverage.
Researchers applied two competing stock market return models, Heston and multiplicative, to US historical data. The Heston model excels in predicting long-time accumulations of stock returns, while the multiplicative model is better suited for short-term predictions.
A CABI-led international team has compiled recommendations to improve impact assessment protocols for invasive pests, aiming to enhance global food security. The study analyzed 2614 assessments of 57 non-native species and identified factors increasing protocol robustness.
In 18th-century Russia, a Spanish diplomat's initiative to establish an informal men's club called the 'Order of the Anti-Sober' aimed to foster socialization and political discussion among elites. The club's rules promoted camaraderie, excluding prejudices and encouraging close relations among members.
The study highlights the severe declines of tiger gecko species in Vietnam due to overcollection for the international exotic pet market. The researchers recommend including all tiger geckos in CITES Appendix II, assessing each species for the IUCN Red List, and establishing coordinated ex-situ breeding programmes.
A study of 10 European health systems found that multimorbidity among older adults increased from 38.2% to 41.5% between 2006 and 2015. Germany saw the largest increase, while Denmark and Italy experienced declines in multimorbidity.
A study from the European Society of Cardiology reveals that nighttime trips to the bathroom may be a sign of high blood pressure or excess fluid in the body. The researchers suggest that individuals experiencing nocturia should consult their doctor about their blood pressure and salt intake to address potential hypertension.