Articles tagged with Europe
The passenger pigeon's massive population of five billion individuals was dwindling even before the arrival of Europeans, who contributed to its eventual collapse. Genetic analysis using PSMC method found that the species' genetic variation patterns were unusual, making it unsuitable for this technique.
A UK survey found that feelings of threat from immigration, distrust of politicians, and disidentification with Europe significantly impacted voting intentions for Brexit. The results suggest that perceived threats from immigration were a key factor in shaping the Brexit vote.
A study by Case Western Reserve University reveals Aldi's success lies in limiting product choice and targeting price-conscious consumers with a single supplier for most products, resulting in higher sales growth (15%) compared to Walmart (2%)
The first human settlers on the Scandinavian peninsula followed two distinct migration routes, resulting in a genetically diverse population. Genetic variants linked to physical performance and reduced skin pigmentation were found, indicating adaptation to cold environments.
Renewable energy generation causes grid frequency fluctuations due to variable wind speeds and photovoltaic feed-in. Power trading appears more significant in grid frequency fluctuation than renewable feed-in, with small grids showing larger fluctuations.
A new study published in PLoS Biology suggests two main migrations into Scandinavia after the last glacial maximum: one from the south and another from the north-east. The research team analyzed genomic data from seven individuals, revealing a surprisingly large number of genetic variants in Scandinavian hunter-gatherers.
A multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in eight refugees arriving in Europe, highlighting the need for early detection and isolation. The study's findings led to the development of a rapid PCR test and an EU-wide alert system to prevent further transmission.
Scientists analyzed various natural hazards like earthquakes, space weather events, and floods to understand their impact on power grid recovery time. The report highlights the importance of integrating risk assessment and management efforts across policy areas and improving cross-jurisdictional emergency management capabilities.
PharmaMar initiates EMA re-examination process for Aplidin, a marine-derived anticancer agent targeting multiple myeloma. The re-examination procedure aims to confirm or update the negative opinion on its Marketing Authorization Application.
The mmMAGIC project has developed a radio interface for mm-wave communication, addressing challenges in capacity, throughput, latency, and energy efficiency required for 5G services. The project has demonstrated the feasibility and practicality of its technical solutions, contributing to the development of 5G mm-wave systems.
Researchers from A Coruña University reject the glacier refuge theory for Iberian brown bears. They found that the Pleistocene lineage was lost and Holocene bears arrived from an unidentified area, likely France, 5,000 years after colonizing Britain.
A study of 20,000 tree species observations in the European Alps found that climate change has led to a decline in elevation gradients of leaf-out dates from 34 days to 22 days between 1960 and 2016. This shift is likely due to increased late spring and winter temperatures.
A study found that adults who ate more than two tomatoes or three portions of fresh fruit per day had slower lung function decline over a 10-year period. The researchers suggest that certain components in these foods might help restore lung damage caused by smoking.
A new study predicts that migrants applying for asylum in the European Union will nearly triple over the average of the last 15 years by 2100. The researchers found that countries with higher temperature deviations from 20 degrees Celsius during their growing season are more likely to see increased asylum applications.
Researchers analyzed tree masting observational data and found a strong correlation between the North Atlantic Oscillation and synchronized tree reproduction across Europe. This study supports the idea that the North Atlantic Oscillation plays a key role in large-scale masting.
A large-scale brain imaging study has refuted the long-held theory that a specific region in the left hemisphere is responsible for language processing. The research found no correlation between the planum temporale's anatomical asymmetry and language lateralization, contradicting previous findings.
A comprehensive review of the European Court of Justice and German Federal Administrative Court's relevant case-law on Natura 2000 assessment and derogation procedure. The study examines key aspects of the procedure, including scope, procedural steps, and requirements for authorisation and implementation.
Researchers in Southern Europe face significant challenges in achieving nearly zero-energy buildings due to sociological and climatic factors. The study highlights the need for improved regulations, design, construction, and use of these buildings to address thermal comfort issues and minimize environmental impact.
Seven researchers from Portugal, Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, and Turkey will receive €50,000 grants to set up independent laboratories. The funding aims to improve European science competitiveness by supporting talented scientists in countries with limited research resources.
Researchers analyzed atmospheric and oceanic interactions to identify a pattern linking spring sea surface temperatures to summer East Atlantic circulation over Western Europe. This connection may improve summer rainfall forecasts for the UK, Ireland, and northern France.
A 95-million-year-old African tortoise migrated to Europe via the ancient supercontinent of Laurasia. Its remains, including a skull and carapaces, were found in Spain and Portugal.
The Graphene Flagship has successfully tested graphene for two space-related applications: loop heat pipes and solar sails. The experiments, conducted in microgravity, showed excellent thermal properties and radiation pressure behavior, paving the way for a commercial product.
The next-generation SuperMUC-NG will provide more compute power for scientists, enabling them to tackle complex problems and simulate earthquakes with greater accuracy. The new supercomputer will use warm-water cooling and advanced storage capabilities to reduce power consumption and address data management challenges.
The ESMO Position Paper emphasizes the need for patient-centered care in cancer treatment, addressing physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs. It calls for increased awareness, research, education, and resources for supportive and palliative care.
The current flu vaccine is predicted to be effective against the majority of H3N2 flu viruses in the US, but may not protect against minority groups. Scientists have identified a mutation that can shift the vaccine virus to the minority group, potentially decreasing its effectiveness.
Despite growing scientific diversity, leading journals' editorial boards are predominantly composed of US and UK editors, with limited representation from emerging nations. This lack of geographic diversity can hinder the diffusion of knowledge and limit opportunities for underrepresented communities.
A team of researchers is mapping areas at risk from liquefaction, a devastating form of seismic phenomenon caused by earthquakes. The LIQUEFACT project aims to assess community resilience to liquefaction-induced disasters, producing a framework for building vulnerability evaluation and mitigation strategies.
A study by Dr. MG Carta et al. found a high prevalence of symptoms of depression among healthcare workers in Italy, with significant risks for physicians, nurses, and surgeons. The study highlights the impact of job stressors on mental health and quality of life among healthcare professionals.
Experts argue that the European Athletics Council's proposal to disregard pre-2005 world records is overly simplistic and unfair to clean athletes. The plan aims to address past doping violations but risks removing inspirational performances from history.
An international research team led by Mark van Kleunen found that plant species from European habitats altered by humans have a head start in spreading to other continents. The study investigated over 10,000 plant species and found that those from human-made environments were more successful in naturalizing on other continents.
The report highlights the need for Europe to change its diet to improve consumer health and mitigate climate change. Scientists recommend decreasing animal protein consumption, introducing new incentives for affordable nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture practices.
The European Union is requiring hybrid and pure electric vehicles to be equipped with acoustic vehicle alerting systems, which could lead to increased noise pollution. René Weinandy, head of Noise Abatement in Transport for the German Environment Agency, expressed concerns about the potential harm of these systems.
A new European alliance for oyster conservation has been established to protect the endangered European flat oyster. The alliance seeks to re-establish this key species in the North Sea and adjacent seas through restoration of oyster reef structures.
The University of Huddersfield and STFC are working on the RF distribution system for Europe's €1.8 billion European Spallation Source, a particle accelerator expected to be in full use by 2023. The project aims to produce high-intensity neutrons for atomic-level investigations of materials.
A recent study reveals prehistoric women performed intensive manual labor for thousands of years, surpassing modern female athletes. This finding highlights the crucial role of women's labor in agriculture's development and underscores the importance of using female comparative data to interpret past behavior.
The European Research Council has awarded €630 million in Consolidator Grants to 329 top researchers across Europe, creating an estimated 2,000 jobs and funding research projects in physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The grants are aimed at boosting the EU's scientific excellence and competitiveness.
A new report by ECDC and WHO reveals that over half of HIV diagnoses in Europe occur at a late stage, leading to poorer health outcomes and increased transmission risks. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent these outcomes, with improved testing practices and community-based services vital to addressing the issue.
The study reveals huge inequalities persist with heart disease accounting for over 50% of all deaths in many middle income countries, compared to less than 30% in high income countries. The UK has the highest prevalence of adult obesity in males and 2nd highest in females, and ranks joint 5th for raised blood cholesterol.
Leading lung cancer specialists call for immediate action to implement life-saving lung cancer screening programmes across Europe. The EU Position Statement on Lung Cancer Screening provides a detailed set of recommendations and a 'Call to Action' for policymakers to start planning within the next 18 months.
Research found that British citizens who fear immigrants were more likely to have voted for Brexit, and that collective narcissism is a new predictor of political behavior. The study identifies three groups: authoritarians, social dominance orientation, and collective narcissists, with the latter group linked to a strong desire for pri...
The Carpathian region faces significant threats from poaching and uncontrolled logging, which endanger its biodiversity. Eurac Research experts recommend increasing public awareness and improving law enforcement to combat environmental crimes.
Scientists from Cardiff University analyzed sediment samples from the North Atlantic Ocean, finding changes in ocean circulation that impacted heat transport to Europe. They linked these changes to historical records of colder and warmer climates, shedding light on past climate variations.
Researchers sequenced ancient plague genomes from 4,800 to 3,700 years ago, revealing a possible introduction of Yersinia pestis into Europe during the Neolithic period. The study suggests that the plague spread along with the migration of steppe nomads and may have played a role in genetic turnover of European populations.
A new computational framework allows working with infinities and infinitesimals numerically, giving unexpected answers to two long-standing Hilbert problems. The Infinity Computer supercomputer enables numerical computations with infinite and infinitesimal numbers, previously only symbolically represented.
A recent study of publicly available regulatory documents found that biosimilars have a comparable safety profile to their originators. The analysis identified only minor differences in safety concerns for most substances, with the exception of infliximab, where more issues were reported.
A strong link has been found between childhood obesity and mass media exposure in European countries. Parents are advised to limit TV viewing and computer use to 1.5 hours a day for children over four years old to promote healthy development.
Researchers are developing new diagnostic tests and imaging techniques to diagnose NAFLD severity, predict disease progression, and monitor changes. The €34 million LITMUS project brings together clinicians, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies to create more accurate blood tests and treatments.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests ancient barley took a southern route to China, adapting to seasonal challenges along the way. The study, published in PLOS One, analyzed radiocarbon data and DNA evidence from ancient grains in China, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.
A €34 million European research project aims to develop new diagnostic tests for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and identify those at risk of severe inflammation and liver scarring. The project, LITMUS, brings together clinicians, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies to develop and validate biomarkers for testing NAFLD.
The new system will meet its successor, Forschungszentrum Jülich and the international IT company Atos have agreed at the SC17 supercomputing conference. Modular supercomputing is an idea conceived by Dr Lippert almost 20 years ago.
New research challenges common perception that polar species are best at adapting to changing temperatures. Acclimation is most effective at temperate latitudes, with slow seasonal changes allowing for optimal adaptation. This could alter our understanding of which species are most vulnerable to climate change.
A major research project, HELIX, found that some climate impacts are unavoidable, while others can still be mitigated. Global warming of 1.5°C to 2°C could lead to sea level rise of 0.5m, affecting 2.5 million people in Bangladesh, and increased flood risk in parts of Asia, Europe, and America.
A new study in Heliyon reveals that Neanderthals lived at least 3,000 years longer than previously thought in Southern Iberia, challenging the idea of a smooth wave-of-advance. The research proposes a 'stop-and-go, punctuated' mechanism for human evolution.
Africanized honey bees, which are more docile than other so-called 'killer bees', retain most of their African heritage but have shifted genetic traits towards European honey bees. This rapid evolution likely occurred due to living on a densely populated island where humans eradicated aggressive bees, favoring the gentler counterparts.
Researchers found that FAIMS technology can effectively differentiate between pancreatic cancer patients and healthy individuals, with a sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 75%, respectively. The test is non-invasive, affordable, and can analyze up to 20 urine samples per hour.
A longitudinal study found that French adolescents from different ethnic backgrounds experience varying levels of pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. Boys in North African French groups reported increasing felt pressure, while girls in both groups showed declining pressure over four years.
A recent study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution reveals that brown rats originally migrated from southern East Asia about 3,600 years ago, spreading rapidly across the globe. The research team identified several genes involved in the immune response that have adaptively evolved under natural selection in wild rats.
The Phase II study demonstrated an overall response rate of 60%, including partial responses in 12% and stabilization of the disease in 48% of cases. Median progression-free survival was also achieved at 3 months, with manageable adverse effects related to myelosuppression.
Researchers analyzed over 260 wasp specimens to identify all species and determine their distribution. The study reveals three distinct species within the Polistes gallicus complex and a new species from Morocco, Polistes maroccanus.
A new study by Dr Nikos Skoutaris suggests that the EU has mechanisms to accommodate Scotland and Northern Ireland's differing aspirations. Two options are explored: achieving Scottish independence through democratic referendums or remaining in the EU and/or single market without leaving the UK.