Articles tagged with Europe
A new study by the University of Plymouth found that European governments are placing too much emphasis on safety and affordability when it comes to transport policies for older people. The research highlights the need for a more rounded approach that prioritizes mobility, independence, and social inclusion.
A study projects that two-thirds of Europeans will be affected by extreme weather events annually by the end of the century. Heat waves are expected to cause 99% of all future weather-related deaths, increasing from 2700 deaths/year in 1981-2010 to 151500 deaths/year in 2071-2100.
A tropical insect, Synthesiomyia nudiseta, has been detected in corpses in North West Italy, according to a study by Dr Stefano Vanin. The research suggests that climate change and globalization have enabled the fly's migration from China.
The study analyzed genome-wide data from 19 individuals and found that the Minoans descended primarily from Neolithic Western Anatolia and Greece. Modern Greeks are genetically closely related to the Mycenaeans, indicating a large degree of population continuity in Greece.
Leading European organisations call on EU to increase funding and legislation for independent academic research in oncology. This approach aims to optimise knowledge development, accelerate commercial drug development, and improve access for patients.
Scientists have obtained and analyzed genome sequences from ancient Minoans and Mycenaeans, shedding light on their origins and relationships. The research suggests that the Minoans and Mycenaeans share a significant amount of genetic heritage from the first farmers of the Aegean Sea.
The study analyzed ancient DNA from remains of 19 individuals and compared their genomes to over 330 other ancient genomes and 2,600 present-day humans. It found that Minoans and Mycenaeans were genetically similar, descending mainly from early Neolithic farmers who migrated thousands of years prior to the Bronze Age from Anatolia.
New research by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health finds that women living in gender-equal countries have better cognitive test scores later in life than women in gender-unequal societies. The female advantage in cognitive performance was highest in Sweden, where women tend to outperform men on memory tests.
A computational model analyzing 6,082 European football players' salaries showed that Lionel Messi is the world's most overpaid player, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez. The study found a strong link between skills and salaries, but noted exceptions like the Ekstraklasa league.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals minor genetic input from Steppe invaders in Iberia compared to other Europe, suggesting smaller migration impact. Genetic changes led to decrease in European height and persistence of pre-Indo-European language Euskera.
Researchers analyzed strontium isotopes in prehistoric cattle teeth to infer herding management and mobility. The study found three distinct herding patterns, indicating local, seasonal, and year-round grazing strategies that may have contributed to social inequalities.
The UK's withdrawal from Euratom may threaten the supply of essential medical isotopes, used in some cancer treatments and medical imaging. Professor Martin McKee warns that this could put patients at risk if supplies are interrupted.
A first patient has been successfully treated with the DIALIVE system, a novel liver dialysis device designed to remove toxins that trigger inflammation in liver failure patients. The trial aims to establish the device's safety and performance in 24 patients across Europe, with plans for an additional study enrolling over 100 patients.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a new mechanism that helps slow down the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease and dementia. The study found that tuning up the DNA's natural repair toolkit can prevent the death of nerve cells triggering these diseases.
A new study reveals that Europe's wind energy capacity is concentrated in the North Sea region, leading to extreme fluctuations. Cooperating countries can balance capacity across the continent to minimize these fluctuations. However, expanding solar energy capacity tenfold would be required to compensate for longer-term fluctuations.
A study in the journal Temperature found that high temperatures can lead to a 27% labor loss and 15% decrease in work time for grape-picking workers in European wine production. The research highlights the potential negative impact of global warming on the industry, which is a significant contributor to world GDP.
A European opinion poll found that most citizens are relatively well informed about marine climate change issues, but a significant number are poorly or misinformed. Many believe human activities do not play a role in climate change and think scenarios may have already occurred by 2100.
Two studies published in PLOS Medicine reveal a high burden of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the European Union and China. In the EU, 17,049 TBI deaths occurred in 2013, translating into 374,636 years lost to life. Similarly, in China, age-adjusted TBI mortality increased from 13.23 per 100,000 population in 2006 to 17.06 in 2008, ...
Between 2005 and 2015, the number of confirmed HEV cases increased from 514 to 5,617, a ten-fold rise. Most infections were locally-acquired, with men and people over 50 being most affected.
A landmark study found that people who drink around three cups of coffee per day may live longer than non-coffee drinkers. Higher levels of coffee consumption were associated with reduced risk of death from all causes, particularly circulatory and digestive diseases.
Researchers are testing graphene's potential in space applications through two experiments. GrapheneX, a student-led team, will use microgravity conditions to test graphene for light sails, while another experiment investigates how graphene improves efficiency in loop heat pipes, crucial for satellite cooling systems.
Diversity in cultural values is associated with lower regional economic development in Europe. Polarized societies hinder coordination and lead to lower public goods provision.
Astronomers have discovered an exoplanet, HIP65426b, using the SPHERE/VLT instrument for the first time. The planet is located at three times the Earth-Neptune distance from its star and has a mass 6 to 12 times higher than Jupiter.
Spain now holds the pace of European ART with over 100,000 cycles performed annually, resulting in a steady pregnancy rate of around 35%. The data collected by ESHRE also reveals that IVF remains more successful than ICSI, but pregnancy rates from egg donation continue to rise.
Scientists have discovered that nearly all beech trees in Scotland are derived from native populations, suggesting they should be considered native to the country. The study challenges current woodland management practices and highlights the need to reassess the distinctiveness of native Scottish forests.
African swine fever is a devastating disease with a mortality rate of over 90% that affects pig populations worldwide. Researchers studied live-pig trade in Georgia to identify patterns and high-risk villages where education and outreach activities can be targeted.
Researchers analyzed Y chromosomes of over 50 horses and found that nearly all modern breeds trace back to Oriental stallions introduced to Europe over the last 700 years. This study reveals the impact of strong selection on males and breeding schemes driven by Oriental ancestors.
Researchers investigated how runners adapt their running patterns to cope with shock-induced vibrations. Preliminary results suggest that the human body adjusts to stabilize energetics and protect the upper body, regardless of speed. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and develop strategies to prevent running injuries.
A systematic acoustic study is proposed by David Lubman to investigate the potential relationship between the location of Paleolithic cave paintings and points of reverberation in caves. The study aims to determine whether there is a correlation between the placement of paintings and areas with good acoustics.
New research by Michigan State University scholar Ning Hsieh finds that religious participation is related to higher suicide rates in Southern Europe, Western Europe, and East Asia. In contrast, countries in the English-speaking region, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Northern Europe have seen protective effects of religious partici...
A British exit from the EMA could delay the availability of new medicines to the UK market, according to an independent health economist. The author argues that removal from the EMA would jeopardize access not only to emerging treatments but also cheaper off-brand counterparts once patents expire.
Researchers developed a sound-insulating curtain system that can reduce outside noise levels by up to 26 decibels. The system uses multiple layers of fabrics with different acoustical impedances attached to aluminum tracks, creating variable zones for private conversations or meetings.
Karin Heineman, a seasoned science communicator, emphasizes the importance of capturing underlying stories and emotions in scientific discoveries. She shares her expertise on how to effectively convey complex ideas through video, highlighting its potential to impact audiences beyond the lab.
A study has characterized the mouse genome, revealing new insights into rare diseases and accelerating the development of new treatments. The research identified 360 new disease models and 28,406 new descriptions of genes' effects on mouse biology and disease.
Activity monitors have moderate validity compared to other measures of daily energy expenditure and physical activity, leaving out important information such as intensity of effort. Current accelerometers perform well at moderate walking speeds but struggle under other conditions.
Researchers are using head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) to personalize audio in mixed and virtual reality. By capturing a person's unique acoustic fingerprint, the technology can create an immersive sound environment that simulates spatial hearing.
The Eurasian ice sheet's collapse 23,000 years ago led to a 20m drop in global sea level and severe flooding. The study reveals that this event was ten times more significant than current rates of ice loss from Greenland and Antarctica.
Researchers have developed new noninvasive ultrasound techniques to image the brain and liver, overcoming limitations caused by bones in these areas. The DORT method uses a multi-element array to focus ultrasound waves through bones, while a lens-based transcranial focusing device has been patented for transskull imaging.
Researchers use tiny bubbles and ultrasound to safely open the blood-brain barrier, a heavily guarded system that prevents drug delivery. This breakthrough approach aims to advance next-generation brain therapies without surgery.
Researchers have identified that visually impaired people use the timbre, in addition to pitch and loudness, of echoes to navigate their surroundings. This skill is similar to animal echolocation but differs in how humans use sound to locate objects.
Researchers have developed a new approach to remedy the problem of hard-to-reach organs, such as the liver, by analyzing the natural shear waves produced biologically. Passive elastography uses this technology to measure tissue elasticity and diagnose cancer at an early stage.
Researchers developed a novel acoustics project that combines computer models and live concert recordings to produce immersive spatial audio and virtual reality experiences. The project aims to improve virtual reality and explore the effects of ear shape on 3D sound perception.
Researchers introduce a new pedestrian-friendly car-horn sound that immediately alerts pedestrians of danger while reducing unpleasantness. The study, led by Myungjin Bae, uses the Mean Option Score (MOS) to evaluate candidate horn sounds, ranking them on a scale from bad to excellent.
Scientists have identified a new fungal skin disease affecting European wild snakes for the first time. The study, led by the Zoological Society of London, confirms that snake fungal disease (SFD) is present in UK and Czech Republic snakes, posing no risk to humans or livestock.
Newly diagnosed asymptomatic atrial fibrillation patients have a higher rate of previous stroke compared to those with symptoms. The study found that patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation have a five-fold increased risk of stroke, and strokes in these patients tend to be severe and disabling.
Modern domestic cats are derived from the African wildcat, with genetic analyses tracing back to ancient Egypt and the Near East. The study reveals that both lineages contributed to the genomes of European cats.
Astronomers find compact yet massive, fast-spinning, disk-shaped galaxy that stopped forming stars only a few billion years after the big bang. The discovery challenges current understanding of how massive galaxies form and evolve.
Research found that cultural upbringing affects choice of prestige versus performance; Chinese preferred top-ranked college despite below-average grades, while European Americans prioritized above-average grades at a lower-ranked school. Cultural factors play a significant role in decision-making.
The Gauss Centre for Supercomputing (GCS) has secured €500 million in funding for the next decade to invest in next-generation systems and strengthen comprehensive user support. The organisation aims to deliver world-class supercomputing resources while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and industry.
A study published in the European Heart Journal shows a vaccine that lowers cholesterol may be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease. The AT04A vaccine, administered to genetically modified mice, reduced cholesterol levels by 53% and induced long-lasting antibodies against PCSK9, an enzyme contributing to high cholesterol.
A novel smartphone application has been developed to direct first responders to cardiac arrest victims more than three minutes before emergency services arrive. Each minute of earlier intervention increases the chance of survival by 10%, reducing brain injury risk.
A recent study found that domesticated cats descend from the African wildcat or Felis silvestris lybica subspecies. The origins of cat domestication are attributed to the Near East and ancient Egypt around 10,000 years ago, where farmers welcomed wildcats to control rodents.
The EHRA White Book provides comprehensive data on cardiac arrhythmia treatment, including device implantations and interventional procedures. The 2017 edition shows significant disparities in treatment across countries, with higher volumes of device implantations in Western and Northern countries.
A Swedish study found a significant increase in gout hospitalizations between 2000 and 2012, with only one-fourth of patients receiving recommended urate-lowering treatment. In contrast, a UK study showed that nurse-provided patient education and support significantly improved adherence to ULT, leading to better patient outcomes.
A national program in Denmark aims to address concerns of rheumatology patients switching to biosimilars for their arthritis treatment. The program includes independent patient information, closer monitoring of prescriptions, and a focus on patient safety.
New data analysis reveals that snus is at least 95% safer than smoking, with potential benefits including reduced initiation of smoking and increased cessation rates. The study suggests that if snus were made available in Europe, it could lead to a significant reduction in premature deaths among men.
A large population study found that passive smoking in childhood increased the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adulthood. Smoking also speeds up disease progression in ankylosing spondylitis, a painful and disabling form of arthritis.
A meta-analysis found that the excess risk of cardiovascular events in RA patients has decreased since the year 2000. The reduced risk appears to be related to better management of cardiovascular risk and control of chronic systemic inflammation.
A study found that chronic immune-mediated inflammatory diseases are linked to a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients. The research identified specific genetic patterns associated with cardiovascular disease risk across different chronic IMID patient groups, which could lead to the development of more efficient preve...
An educational programme implemented by the Galician Rheumatology League improved employees' self-confidence in their work capacity and awareness of solvable limitations. The programme also helped employers understand specific needs of people with RMDs, making necessary adaptations to keep them at work.