Articles tagged with Europe
A Queen's-led European research project, INBIONET, has made huge strides in tackling antibiotic resistance and its impact on global health. The study found that various pathogens share a common anti-immune strategy, potentially leading to the development of new drugs to treat different types of infections.
The US needs a new approach to defeat the Islamic State by addressing root causes of conflicts, reconciling disenfranchised populations with governments. This requires long-term commitment to establish legitimate governance in Iraq and Syria.
A phase III CONVERT trial study presented at ELCC 2017 shows that white blood cell boosting drugs are safe during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy of small cell lung cancer. The use of G-CSF had no significant negative impact on patient outcomes, supporting its use to mitigate neutropenia and increase chemotherapy delivery.
Researchers found that certain lung cancer patients can continue treatment with immunotherapy even if the disease appears to be progressing, according to a study presented at ELCC 2017. The study used immune-related RECIST criteria, which take into account temporary tumour enlargement in patients taking immunotherapy.
The European Union has a relatively low level of biopesticide research due to complex regulations. This hinders the development and use of biological compounds as pesticides globally.
Osimertinib significantly reduces lung cancer symptoms, including appetite loss, fatigue, and breathlessness, while improving global health status and enabling patients to perform daily activities. The drug demonstrates better activity, less toxicity, and improved quality of life compared to chemotherapy.
The European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) has launched the Global Impact of Radiation in Oncology (GIRO) partnership to improve radiotherapy access worldwide. The project aims to save one million lives by 2035 by addressing barriers to provision and raising awareness among healthcare professionals and patients.
Researchers found that white blood cell counts at baseline and during therapy predict whether patients will respond to nivolumab treatment. A greater number and concentration of natural killer cells were associated with response to treatment.
A new study examines 'small for gestational age' (SGA) across Europe and finds that birthweight has a strong impact on reference percentiles for very preterm infants. Country-specific references are recommended to effectively benchmark outcomes for SGA in each population.
Patients with advanced NSCLC who received pre-treated checkpoint inhibitors had a 27% partial response rate to salvage chemotherapy, compared to 7% in those without pre-treatment. The study's findings suggest that checkpoint inhibitors may render tumor cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
Scientists found that strong selection pressures on European chickens coincided with urbanization, Christian dietary rules, and increased egg production. The TSHR gene variant led to faster egg-laying and reduced aggression, while BCD02's effect on skin pigmentation was linked to selective breeding practices.
The discovery of Vouivria damparisensis, an early titanosauriform, provides important evidence on the evolution of brachiosaurid sauropods and their spread across Europe. The fossil reveals that Vouivria died at a young age, weighed around 15,000 kg, and was over 15 meters long.
A study of 46,766 patients found that men developed lung cancer 2.0 years earlier and had a higher stage at diagnosis compared to women. The researchers suggest that annual screening for women may be too frequent, with every 2-3 year intervals potentially being more suitable.
A new European Respiratory Society roadmap identifies key areas for investment to address the impact of asthma on individuals, healthcare systems, and economies. The document outlines 15 research priorities to improve mortality and morbidity rates, including primary care, triggers, personalised medicine, and self-management.
The global wine industry suffers over $10 billion in losses annually from natural disasters and extreme weather events. A new risk index for wine regions reveals the most vulnerable areas, with Argentina's Mendoza and Georgia's Kakheti being top-risk zones.
A global shortage of diphtheria treatment drugs due to lack of market incentive poses a significant threat to Western nations. Experts warn that the medicine is only produced in limited quantities and its availability is compromised by European-wide efforts to coordinate a stockpile.
Researchers have extracted ancient ice cores from a Transylvanian cave glacier to reconstruct winter climate conditions during the Holocene period. The findings reveal warmer and wetter winters, with significant shifts in atmospheric dynamics occurring around 7,000 years ago.
Researchers have identified early plasma cytokine signatures that correlate with and predict the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccines based on living viruses. This breakthrough can inform and accelerate rational development of new vaccines, especially during outbreaks and epidemics.
Lung cancer patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors are at increased risk of adverse events after receiving the seasonal influenza vaccination, according to a new study. The researchers observed an unusual high frequency of immune-related adverse events, including severe grade 3 or 4 irAEs, in this population.
The study maps the evolution of dog breeds using gene sequences from 161 modern breeds, uncovering evidence of ancient canine migration across the Bering land bridge. The research also sheds light on the origins of various breeds, including herding dogs and hairless breeds.
A Finnish study found that central obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, lipid abnormalities, and high alcohol consumption are the strongest predictors of severe liver disease. Among individuals who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, only diabetes is a significant predictor.
A study presented at ILC 2017 found that bezafibrate plus ursodeoxycholic acid improved symptoms, liver function tests, and surrogate markers of the disease in patients with primary biliary cholangitis. The combination therapy was well-tolerated and normalised prognostic biochemical parameters.
A study demonstrated that A4250 reduced levels of blood bile acids and improved pruritus in 74% of patients with cholestatic liver diseases. The therapy was well-tolerated, with mostly mild side effects.
A new study reveals a strong association between colder climates and higher rates of alcoholic cirrhosis, a disease caused by excessive drinking. The research found that countries with lower temperatures and less sunshine had higher rates of alcohol-attributable liver cirrhosis.
The ANSWER study shows that long-term administration of human albumin improves survival rate in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Treatment also enhances ascites management, quality of life, and reduces severe complications and hospitalization.
A new European study demonstrated that patients with chronic HCV and severe liver damage can be safely removed from the liver transplant list after successful direct-acting antiviral therapy. The study showed a favorable outcome over a year later, with only one patient dying from rapidly progressing hepatocellular carcinoma.
A study found that faecal transplantation improved cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic encephalopathy, a serious condition caused by severe liver disease. The treatment significantly reduced hospitalisations compared to standard care treatment.
Rafal Dziadziuszko, a global leader in clinical thoracic oncology, has been awarded the Heine H. Hansen (HHH) Award by ESMO and IASLC for his lifetime contributions to lung cancer research and education globally.
The ALIVER project aims to develop a novel liver dialysis machine, DIALIVE, which targets systemic inflammation and restores albumin function. The machine has shown promising results in pre-clinical tests and will be tested in clinical settings across Europe.
Research suggests that a diet rich in animal protein, but not fructose, is linked to NAFLD in overweight people. The study found significant associations between macronutrients and NAFLD predominantly in overweight individuals.
The updated EASL guidelines provide new definitions of disease phases to guide clinicians on treatment indications. The guidelines also expanded indications for initiating treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission and offer clear cut recommendations for special patient populations. The main goal of therapy is to improve surviva...
Recent reimbursement data shows significant variability in access to direct-acting antiviral therapy across European countries, particularly for patients with severe liver fibrosis or substance use. Many countries have restrictions on prescribing by specialists, limiting access to life-saving treatment.
A multicentre, randomised, controlled study found that long-term oral antibiotic therapy with norfloxacin improved prognosis in patients with life-threatening advanced liver disease. Norfloxacin administration for 6 months was associated with reduced risk of death and infection at 6 months.
A prospective study in patients with cirrhosis found that severe periodontitis strongly predicted higher mortality, mainly due to complications of cirrhosis. The study also showed a strong association between gum disease and risk of death in liver patients.
A DAA treatment combination, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir with or without voxilaprevir, shows significant improvements in patient-reported outcomes for patients with HCV and cirrhosis. The overall cure rate is 94% for patients with and without cirrhosis.
The new Clinical Practice Guidelines define the use of diagnostic, therapeutic and preventive modalities in managing patients with various liver diseases. The guidelines provide a range of generally accepted approaches for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of specific liver diseases.
Researchers discovered that young European eels detect subtle differences in the earth's magnetic field, helping them swim towards the Gulf Stream, a conveyor belt transporting them to Europe. The findings reveal that juvenile eels use their magnetic map sense to increase their chances of catching a free ride to their destination.
A study by UC Merced Professor Alexander M. Petersen and Michelangelo Puliga found that the EU expansion facilitated the inter-European circulation of highly skilled workers in various fields, including medicine, technology, education, science, engineering, and business.
The EU has awarded a €900,000 grant to the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology to develop new technologies for sustainable mineral exploration and efficient resource extraction. The project aims to advance drone-based exploration methods and multisensor drones to map natural rock samples and drill cores.
Research from the University of Gothenburg finds a strong correlation between corruption and the electoral success of populist parties in European countries. Public services such as law enforcement, healthcare, and education are critical to people's confidence in public institutions and democracy.
Researchers used a unique wave tank to study wind-generated waves and found that rogue waves are more likely than expected. The experiment provided crucial information on the mathematical likelihood of these extreme events.
A recent study has uncovered the ancestral origins of Sardinian populations, revealing a high percentage of unique genetic signatures. The research team analyzed DNA samples from modern Sardinians and ancient skeletal remains, finding that 78.4% of modern mitogenomes cluster into 'Sardinian-specific haplogroups'.
A Yale researcher found that the FDA reviews and approves new medicines in a shorter timeframe than its peer agency in Europe. The study compared review times for new drugs approved by the FDA and EMA between 2011 and 2015, classifying them by therapeutic areas and 'orphan' drugs.
Researchers from Vetmeduni Vienna found that the raccoon dog is a greater risk than the raccoon as a vector for local parasites. The study revealed the presence of fox tapeworm and other parasites in raccoon dogs, which also infest local foxes.
Researchers found evidence of how ancient Britain separated from Europe in two stages, with a proglacial lake overflowing into the North Sea. The team discovered plunge pools in the Dover Strait, created by water cascading over an escarpment, suggesting a catastrophic failure that released megafloods.
The study reveals that Yamnaya warriors married local Stone Age women, adopting an agrarian lifestyle and forming the Corded Ware Culture. This integration led to a rapid genetic changeover from Neolithic to Corded Ware cultures in Europe.
A new study by Ruud Wouters suggests that protests with many participants and a unified message are more effective in influencing politicians. The research found that features such as the number of protesters and unity had the greatest impact on changing politicians' opinions, regardless of their party affiliation.
Scientists uncover regional warming in Europe causing cooling and increased snowfall in East Asia during the Younger Dryas period, highlighting the complex interplay of teleconnections. The study provides new insights into the climate changes of the northern hemisphere at the end of the last glacial phase.
A new study estimates that 12% of global premature deaths related to PM2.5 pollution are caused by emissions in a different region, while 22% are associated with goods produced for consumption in another region. The study highlights the need for international cooperation to reduce air pollution and its health impacts.
A study by Oxford University Press USA outlines strategies for the UK to adopt in future trade negotiations with the European Union. The authors propose four guidelines: giving something of value to trading partners, starting from a favorable position, using bargaining power effectively, and investing in negotiating capacity.
A study by University of California, Irvine researchers finds that global manufacturing and trade significantly increase health risks for people in regions far from producing factories, with 22% of air pollution-related deaths associated with goods produced elsewhere.
A study published in Nature found that air pollution mortality is disproportionately felt by people living near producing regions, often far from where goods are consumed. The researchers estimated that 22% of fine-particulate-matter air pollution deaths were related to goods produced elsewhere.
A new EU report highlights knowledge gaps in reducing risks linked to space weather and recommends policy, industry, and science collaborations to close these gaps. The report also emphasizes the need for early warning systems and better communication between science and industry.
A recent European Society of Cardiology study found that cardiac lead extractions are safer in high-volume centers compared to low-volume centers. The study, which included data from over 3,500 patients, found that extraction in a low volume center was associated with a doubled risk of death during the hospital stay.
Researchers observed growing fractures, collapsing cliffs, and rolling boulders on the comet's surface during its two-year investigation. Changes were linked to geological processes like weathering, erosion, sublimation of water ice, and mechanical stresses.
Archaeological excavations in northern Taiwan have uncovered significant evidence of early European presence and influence, contradicting long-held theories. The site, once a Spanish colony, now suggests that Taiwan played a crucial role as a globalized hub during the 17th century.
A study on European populations reveals genetic adaptations to dietary changes, influencing the production of vital fatty acids. The findings suggest that Europeans are adapting to a diet rich in plant-derived fats, while those with high animal fat intake produce more long-chain PUFAs.
European monitoring programs lack sufficient historical data to accurately assess human impact on biodiversity, leading to underestimated consequences for nature conservation. This is due to data gaps from the 18th and 19th centuries, making it difficult to define targets for conservation efforts.
A new study projects significant increases in extreme sea levels along Europe's coasts by 2100, threatening millions of people with annual flooding. The research predicts that 5 million Europeans could face the risk of coastal flooding every year if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.
The 4DHeart project aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing training for 6 predoctoral researchers in Europe. Students will be jointly supervised by academics and industry experts, gaining experience in research, innovation, and science communication.