Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
The expert consensus paper recommends using intracoronary imaging to guide treatment for acute coronary syndromes, including heart attacks. Imaging provides a more accurate diagnosis and helps tailor therapy, especially for younger patients with complex lesions or plaque erosion.
The study explores how humans can coexist with wolves in Europe's fragmented landscapes. Scientists recommend protecting farm animals, strengthening ungulate populations, and influencing wolf behavior through deterrence measures. The research aims to provide a balanced view of wolves' ecological value and minimize conflicts.
The new project, led by Professor Vinzenz Hediger, investigates war destruction and reconstruction in non-fiction film from 1949 to 1953. The team analyzes public spaces such as marketplaces and squares in various European countries.
A study found that the sleep/wake cycle is delayed by two hours for every 50-degree increase in latitude during winter, due to changes in sunrise time and insolation. This lag can be mitigated through Summer Time Arrangements or Daylight Saving Time (DST) adjustments.
A study of 18 million people across Europe found that people with type 2 diabetes are at particular risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its aggressive form NASH. The study suggests that targeted interventions and treatments can be effective in preventing life-threatening disease progression.
Exposure to environmental pollutants alters brain development, affecting sexual development and fertility for multiple generations. Research suggests that current levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals may already be causing long-lasting harm.
The rate of bowel cancer is rising among adults aged 20-49 in Europe, with the youngest age group experiencing the fastest rise. Rates are higher in North America, Australia and China compared to older adults.
A recent archaeological discovery in Barbados sheds new light on the island's early European settlement, revealing a previously undetected historic peccary introduction. The findings suggest that Europeans altered New World environments by introducing non-native species, contradicting accepted colonial history.
Research from Iowa State University found that cultural values significantly limit the effectiveness of transformational leadership. The four core components of transformational leadership were tested in nearly 200 studies of over 57,000 employees from 34 countries.
Global impervious surface area (ISA) amounts to 60.01% of the world's urban land area, with North America, Europe, and Asia accounting for 84.25%. Green space is relatively high in developed countries but low in developing nations, highlighting the need for urban environmental improvement.
Researchers reconstructed the red swamp crayfish invasion routes using mitochondrial gene analysis, revealing diverse introduction scenarios in North America and Europe. Genetic data suggest additional unrecorded introductions may have occurred from the US or other invaded territories.
A Rutgers-led study found that the massive Laki volcano eruption in Iceland did not lead to an extreme summer heat wave in Europe. Instead, it caused unusually cold winters due to natural climate variability and high-pressure systems. The eruption also had devastating effects on Iceland's livestock and human populations.
A machine learning algorithm using eight variables has been developed to predict sudden cardiac death and heart failure death in heart failure patients. The study found a high accuracy rate of 0.87 for predicting all events, and 0.74 and 0.91 for arrhythmic events and heart failure death respectively.
Acoustic vehicle alerting systems may improve safety but also increase noise pollution, posing a risk to pedestrians with limited vision. Experts are studying how to design effective alerts while minimizing distractions.
A survey study of 874,000 adolescents from 40 countries found a link between growing up in economically unequal areas and self-reported bullying. The association was seen after accounting for other factors, but the lack of individual-level data limits the understanding behind this connection.
During their 6,000-km journey to spawn, European eels undergo dramatic silvering and skeleton breakdown, redistributing minerals for energy reserves. The study found significant bone loss in females, with toxic metals transferred to ovaries, raising concerns about conservation impacts.
A new AI-powered decision support system, ARTICA, was found to advise against unnecessary tests in 67% of patients with stable chest pain, a rate significantly higher than cardiologists. The study showed that avoiding these tests would save staff one hour and patients two hours on average, while also reducing costs.
A study by the European Society of Cardiology found that machine learning algorithms can accurately predict heart attacks and deaths with over 90% accuracy. By analyzing 85 variables from imaging data, the algorithm identified patterns correlating to death and heart attack, surpassing human performance.
A 5000-year-old mass grave in southern Poland has been uncovered, revealing the gruesome murder of a large family. Genetic analysis has shown that the victims were related, with mothers and children buried together, suggesting a deep sense of care and unity.
Research by Penn State found that participants perceived security was highest for data centers located in Oceania, Europe, the rural U.S. or China, and generally had more positive attitudes towards these regions. Well-known brands like Google were seen as better guardians of personal data.
Researchers have found traces of Roman-era pollution in the ice of Mont Blanc, revealing significant atmospheric pollution from heavy metals. The study provides a record of atmospheric conditions in ancient Rome and sheds light on the impact of ancient emissions on the present-day environment in 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.