Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
A study by ISGlobal found that cycling yields the best results in every analysis, linked to better self-perceived general health, mental health, and vitality. Walking is also beneficial, associated with greater vitality and more contact with friends and family.
Climate change poses unprecedented flood risk unless timely adaptation measures are taken in Europe. Coastal defense structures need to be installed or reinforced to withstand increasing extreme sea levels.
A study by University of Kansas researcher Erin Adamson finds that lifestyle migrants in Costa Rica's Caribbean coastal town create unintended consequences, including gentrification and racial segregation. Locals see benefits from the influx of migrants, but many are pushed out due to economic changes.
African scientists developed diverse practices to combat tsetse flies, including late-season forest burning and innoculations, which were later adopted by Europeans as part of their 'science'. The book highlights the importance of understanding the connections between human and environmental mobilities in knowledge production.
A new study from Princeton University reveals that a large proportion of internet traffic passes through the US, despite efforts to reduce dependence. The Region-Aware Networking (RAN) tool allows users to reroute traffic, avoiding certain countries like Brazil, India, and Kenya.
Alessio Figalli, an ERC grantee, wins the 2018 Fields Medal for his work on Partial Differential Equations and Calculus of Variations. His research on optimal transport theory has deep connections with fundamental problems in the field.
Research from Germany, Netherlands, and Croatia highlights the importance of adopting special laws and procedures for youth aged 18-25 in the US. These countries apply juvenile sanctions and facilities, divert more juveniles, and rely on educational approaches to address delinquent behavior. By considering these European strategies, US...
Scientists warn that rising CO2 levels could cause Western Europe and New Zealand to revert to a hot tropical climate similar to the early Paleogene period. Land temperatures were estimated to be 10-15°C higher than current average temperatures, with annual land temperatures ranging from 23-29°C.
Researchers developed a dynamic model to simulate virus spread and conducted a national serological study to assess transmission levels and vaccine coverage required. The results suggest that certain pastoral production systems act as virus reservoirs, emphasizing the need for adapted vaccination strategies in high-risk populations.
The European Research Council has awarded EUR603 million to talented early career researchers, enabling them to create their own research teams and conduct pioneering projects. The selected scientists will focus on diverse topics, including ultrafast filming and the unique features of human cells.
A new study reveals that Europe's power system can comfortably generate at least 35% of its electricity using renewable energy alone without major impacts on prices or system stability. The research, which analyzed 30 years of meteorological data, found that Europe could use renewables for more than two-thirds of its electricity by 2030.
Older, overweight scuba divers are at increased risk of dying due to cardiac issues. The study found that one-third of scuba divers are aged 50 years or older, with a significantly greater proportion having smoked cigarettes and high blood pressure.
The Centauro robot has been designed to assist rescue workers in disaster scenarios, with capabilities including robust locomotion, high strength manipulation, and harsh interactions. Its mobility skills have been validated through various tasks, such as manipulating heavy objects and breaking wood pieces.
A team of mathematicians from around the world collaborated to solve real-world problems faced by industry. By applying mathematical models to the manufacture of stackable fabricated potato chips, they aimed to predict cooking times, optimize chip position, and improve the overall efficiency of the process.
A new study reveals that there are still many areas in Europe where brown bears could live, but with suitable habitat for hosting the species. The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) and Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg have identified over 380,000 square kilometres of potential bear habitat, offering a ...
A study from University of Helsinki reveals that sudden cold spells occurred during the Eemian interglacial period, lasting hundreds of years and impacting northern European climate. The research suggests that disturbances in North Atlantic circulation contributed to these shifts, highlighting the sensitivity of this oceanic system.
An international study highlights key questions for a more sustainable environmental future in Europe, focusing on the impact of chemical products on biodiversity, natural ecosystems, and human health. The study aims to inform policy decisions and research priorities to mitigate these risks.
A 800-year-old Norwegian skeleton has revealed traces of Salmonella Paratyphi C, a rare cause of enteric fever. The discovery suggests that the bacteria have long caused illness across northern Europe.
A nationwide study of nearly 600,000 Danish children found that severe childhood infections are associated with lower school achievement in adolescence. Hospitalizations for infections were linked to a 38% reduction in the odds of completing ninth grade, while primary care treatment was unrelated.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found a strong dose-response relationship between smoking and atrial fibrillation. Smoking five to ten cigarettes per day increased the risk by 9% to 32%, respectively. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce this risk, with former smokers experiencing a lower risk th...
A new quantum secret-sharing scheme prevents eavesdropping in noisy environments, improving the fidelity of encrypted messages. The scheme exploits the properties of entangled particles to enhance secret transmission.
A new fish species, Platichthys solemdali, has been discovered in the Baltic Sea and officially recognized as an endemic species. The species can be distinguished from its European counterpart through genetic methods or by studying their eggs and sperm.
Researchers analyzed European interbank market behavior before, during, and after the 2008 financial crisis. They found correlation networks became increasingly interconnected during the crisis, while physical networks experienced a decline in internal connections. This study suggests using network analysis to predict future crises.
A review of Asian transport microenvironments found pedestrians exposed to up to 1.6 times higher fine particle levels than in European cities, while car drivers face nine times more pollution. The study highlights a significant gap in research on rural and semi-rural city exposure to air pollution.
A research team from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution found the fingerprint of a massive flood of fresh water in the western Arctic, which is believed to have caused an ancient cold snap around 13,000 years ago. The cause of this event, known as the Younger Dryas, has remained a mystery for decades.
The number of scientific publications in the Web of Science has skyrocketed, increasing by 72.81% from 31,690 to 54,764 documents between 2007 and 2016. This growth is attributed to an increase in international collaborations.
Ancient DNA analysis suggests that dogs followed humans over a land bridge and spread across the Americas. The dogs persisted for thousands of years but nearly disappeared after European colonization, likely due to disease and forced cultural changes.
The journal has published 4103 articles, 45 newly described animal families, and 8977 species, with a focus on open access and collaboration. Recent issues include a study on mid-sized carnivores in urbanized Europe and the discovery of a new shrub frog species in China.
A study published in Nature Communications found that testosterone increases men's preference for luxury products associated with high social status, rather than power or quality. The research team tested 243 male participants and found a causal link between testosterone levels and increased liking for status-enhancing goods.
Since the world's first test-tube baby was born in 1978, over 8 million babies have been conceived through IVF, with a record 157,449 babies born in Europe in 2015. European pregnancy rates for IVF and ICSI have stabilized at around 36%, while egg donation treatments have seen significant rises, with pregnancy rates now at about 50%.
New Hubble data reveals `Oumuamua is most likely a comet, venting material from its surface due to solar heating. The boost in speed, detected by NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, suggests cometary outgassing.
Researchers found that `Oumuamua is venting material from its surface due to solar heating, causing a tiny boost in speed. This outgassing behavior is typical for comets and contradicts the previous classification of `O'uamua as an interstellar asteroid.
Researchers simulated future climate under Paris Climate Goals, finding a significant reduction in heat-related mortality if the lower goal of 1.5°C is met. The study's findings highlight the importance of adhering to the Paris Agreement goals to prevent heat-related health impacts.
A large-scale analysis found higher relational mobility in North America, Europe, and Latin America compared to Asia and the Middle East, associated with increased personal self-esteem, closeness in friendship, and proactive behavior. Societal threats and subsistence style also influenced relational mobility scores.
A new airborne remote-imaging method can identify olive tree infections caused by the devastating bacterium Xylella fastidiosa before visible symptoms appear. This detection enables rapid containment and culling of infected trees, crucial in controlling the spread of the disease across southern Europe's iconic orchards.
A regional climate model found that deforestation could lead to a slight annual cooling overall, but with big differences locally. Northern and eastern Europe cooled while western and central Europe warmed. Deforestation also increased summer temperature extremes.
A new report analyzes 30 years of economic and migration data, revealing that asylum seekers have a positive impact on host countries' economies. Asylum seekers take longer than migrants to have a positive effect but still contribute significantly to tax revenues and improve public finances.
A new study explores the phenomenon of radicalized European youth, finding that adolescent psychopathology plays a role in the radicalization process. The study proposes a comprehensive three-level model to explain the phenomenon, which considers individual, micro-environmental, and macro-environmental factors.
Economists estimate that asylum seekers have a positive impact on the economy of host countries after becoming permanent residents. The study analyzed 30 years of data from 15 Western European countries and found that an increase in migration flows produces positive effects on GDP per capita, unemployment rate, and public finances.
A study examining the rate of incident malignancy in patients with RA who newly started on tocilizumab or a TNFi found no significant differences. The incidence of malignancy per 100 person-years ranged from 0.83 to 2.32 in TCZ patients and from 0.96 to 2.15 in TNFi patients.
A study of over 1.23 million Medicare beneficiaries found a significant association between gout and increased risk of dementia in the elderly. Gout was linked to a 17-20% higher risk of dementia, with the risk being highest in older age groups, females, and people with comorbidities.
Researchers have found that canakinumab significantly reduced the rate of gout flares in patients with stable atherosclerosis by more than half. Serum urate levels were not affected by canakinumab, but it was shown to reduce high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels.
Lenabasum demonstrates significant clinical benefit in treating diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), improving symptoms such as skin thickening, joint pain, and lung disease. The treatment has acceptable safety and tolerability with no severe or serious adverse events.
Research suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play a causal role in the cardiovascular risk of patients with osteoarthritis. A study found that over two-thirds of the increased cardiovascular risk associated with osteoarthritis is linked to NSAID use, particularly for congestive heart failure and ischemic heart ...
A 23-year follow-up study suggests early, intensive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis can lead to long-term benefits, including normalization of mortality rates. The study found that patients treated with a combination of medications had lower mortality rates compared to those treated with a single medication.
A study found significantly higher gum disease prevalence in at-risk RA individuals compared to healthy controls. Increased abundance of bacteria, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis, was also detected in at-risk individuals.
The article surveys the landscape of lead discovery tactics, explaining how researchers are combining different approaches to achieve success. The toolbox of approaches is evolving as new science emerges, including complex cellular models and computational techniques.
Pregnancies in women with rheumatoid arthritis are associated with an increased risk of low birth weight, prematurity, and small size at birth. However, there were no reported adverse outcomes for the mothers themselves, except for premature delivery.
The ESMO 2020 Annual Congress will bring together oncology professionals from over 150 countries to learn about the latest advances in cancer treatment. The congress will feature a programme developed by international experts under the leadership of Prof John Haanen, NKI Amsterdam.
A study found that daily text messages to remind patients to take allopurinol significantly improved adherence rates and serum urate levels in gout patients. After 12 weeks, 88.1% of intervention group patients were considered adherent, compared to none in the control group.
The Youth-R-Coach program, presented at EULAR 2018, enables young people with rheumatic or musculoskeletal diseases to become 'experts-by-experience' and provide insights into living with chronic illness. Participants develop self-written books based on their personal experiences to act as a source of support for peers.
A population study shows that individuals with AS are almost twice as likely to self-harm compared to their comparators. The most frequent method of self-harm is poisoning or self-mutilation. This study highlights the need for routine evaluation of self-harm behavior in patients with chronic inflammatory arthritis.
A phase II clinical study of baricitinib demonstrated significant clinical improvements in SLE patients, while a randomized controlled trial showed the live attenuated shingles vaccine was well-tolerated and effective in preventing infection in stable SLE patients.
A study found that decreased physical performance and greater structural disease severity are associated with a higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The study suggests using a combined treatment strategy to target both conditions.
Herbert Edelsbrunner, a renowned researcher in computational geometry and topology, has been awarded the 2018 Wittgenstein Prize. The prize will support his research, enabling him to establish Austria as a leading center for this field.
Researchers from Uppsala University have discovered evidence of large-scale whaling in north Scandinavia dating back to the mid-6th century CE. The production of whalebone gaming pieces reveals a regular supply of whalebone was needed, indicating extensive whaling practices.
A global collaboration, CSEP, has been studying earthquake forecast models to assess their performance and predict future seismic activity. The experiments have shed light on the predictability of earthquakes, with some models proving useful for real-time warnings during major earthquakes.
Researchers have found that demographics and Latino populations shifting in southwest Kansas are leading to linguistic changes in English. Young people, even those who don't speak Spanish, are adopting staccato syllables and vowel pronunciations characteristic of Spanish-speaking communities.
Researchers created a genetic family tree of the Ebola epidemic, revealing its spread between 2013-2016. Closing international borders proved effective in slowing down the virus, while local measures had little impact.
A new FotoQuest Go app allows citizens to collect pictures and information on land use and land cover in Europe. The app helps monitor changes in the local environment, providing valuable data for researchers. Citizen scientists can earn money by completing quests and contributing to the project's financially supported campaign.