Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
A large international survey found imperfections in primary and secondary prevention of skin cancer, with regional differences in sun protection behaviors. The study's results suggest that education level, gender, and socioeconomic status influence sun protection habits.
A new study from the University of Leeds has made reliable estimates of volcanic ash events in Northern Europe, finding that ash clouds occur approximately every 44 years. The research team analyzed records of volcanic ash fallout over the past 1,000 years and found evidence of 84 ash clouds, most linked to Icelandic eruptions.
Researchers found substantial inequities in care practices for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients across seven European countries. The standard of care for DMD typically includes corticosteroid medication, physiotherapy, regular echocardiograms, and regular check-ups, but adherence to guidelines was low, particularly among non-...
A study by NC State researchers analyzed 183 phytophthora infestans samples from across the globe to track the pathogen's movement. FAM-1 lineage was found in US, Europe, and Colombia, suggesting a South American origin. The pathogen has caused massive disease outbreaks worldwide, with billions spent annually on control measures.
Scientists have sequenced the ash tree genome, which aids the breeding of resistant trees against ash dieback fungus. The UK is home to over 1,000 species that rely on ash trees, making their conservation crucial.
Researchers at the University of York have identified genetic markers for disease tolerance in UK ash trees, suggesting they may be able to withstand a devastating fungal infection. This discovery could contribute to breeding new varieties of ash that are tolerant to the disease.
The taste of champagne is influenced by the complex interplay between CO2 levels and volatile organic compounds within bubbles. The collapse of these bubbles releases wine aromas into the air.
Professor Daniel Zilberman has received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council to study epigenetic information transmission in plant generations. This research is crucial for improving human health and nutrition, as well as developing sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers from Charles University capture first living golden jackal in the Czech Republic, setting a precedent for the species' expansion into central Europe. The animal's long-term persistence in its habitat suggests that climate change and human activities may be facilitating its spread.
Scientists found Arctic lakes are melting an average of one day earlier per year over a 14-year period, with Central Siberia showing the strongest trend. This early thawing has implications for energy balance, CO2 emissions, and winter transport.
Dr. Christine Faulkner has been awarded a European Research Council Consolidator Grant to investigate how plant cells communicate and coordinate responses to pathogen threats. The grant will support large-scale research on defence signals triggered by single cells and their transmission through whole plants.
Researchers at FAU are developing a new hybrid device to combine magnetic resonance imaging and angiography for faster stroke diagnosis and treatment. This innovative approach aims to reduce the time needed for patient transfers and save valuable time when treating stroke patients.
Scientists at the University of York found evidence of raw animal tissue, uncooked starch granules, and pollen grains in a 1.2 million year old hominin's dental plaque. This suggests that Europe's earliest humans did not use fire for cooking until around 800,000 years ago.
Researchers at Stockholm University found thiamine deficiency in blue mussels, eiders, eels, salmon, and sea trout across the Pacific Ocean, North America, and northern Europe. The study reveals impaired health, reproduction, and behavior due to vitamin B1 deficiency, posing a significant threat to animal species extinction.
Frailty is a common condition in older adults that affects physiological reserves and organ function. European experts recommend assessing frailty and tailoring cardiac rehabilitation programs to its severity, with the goal of reducing disability, improving quality of life, and mortality.
A German research team developed a high-power, pulsed optical laser synchronized with the XFEL pulses, offering tunability in wavelength and pulse duration. The laser system will be published in Optics Express and is designed for experiments at atomic-scale measurements.
The EMBO Installation Grants program supports talented researchers in establishing independent research groups across Europe. The grants provide financial assistance, networking opportunities, and practical support to help scientists advance their research.
Scientists have gained fresh insight into dark matter, a key component of the universe. Using powerful telescopes to analyze distant galaxies, they found that dark matter is less dense and more evenly spread throughout space.
Plant scientists have developed a new classification system for European vegetation, consisting of 1298 basic-level types. The system aims to standardize classifications across the continent, aiding the European Union Nature Information System.
The DNAqua-Net project aims to develop best-practice strategies for using novel genetic tools in bioassessment and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. Novel genomic tools offer solutions to biodiversity assessment, relying on DNA barcoding to identify species and assess biodiversity using standardized genetic markers.
A dose-response analysis found that pregnant women who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in early pregnancy are at a small but significantly greater risk of having babies with major congenital anomalies or stillbirths. The study analyzed data from over 500,000 infants and recommended enhanced scans for women prescrib...
The 1430s were one of a kind, with extremely cold winters and normal to warm summers, resulting in food production failures, rising prices, subsistence crisis, and increased mortality rates. The study suggests that natural factors caused the climate anomaly, which had significant impacts on European societies.
Researchers use zebrafish to investigate spinal cord repair after injury, exploring mechanisms to trigger in other animals and human cells. They hope to identify new therapies for neurodegenerative conditions like motor neuron disease and multiple sclerosis.
A new report by RAND Corporation finds that the US loses 1.2 million working days annually due to sleep deprivation, leading to significant economic losses. Increasing nightly sleep from under six hours to seven hours could add $226.4 billion to the economy.
A new report by ECDC and WHO Europe reveals that approximately 122,000 people in the EU/EEA are infected with HIV but remain undiagnosed. Easy access to testing is crucial for individuals living with HIV to benefit from life-saving treatment.
A new report from the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee highlights the potential role of coffee consumption in reducing age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Moderate coffee intake (3-5 cups per day) may provide protection against cognitive decline, with caffeine likely playing a key role.
A-LEAF project, led by ICIQ, aims to build a photovoltaic device mimicking photosynthesis to produce clean fuels and raw materials using sunlight, water, and CO2. The project seeks to develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
The European Summit of Industrial Biotechnology 2016 highlights the growing importance of biotech, with a focus on innovative technologies like CRISPR/CAS and automated lab systems. However, severe challenges are emerging, including the potential automation of labs and the decline of human roles in scientific research.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses have been reported in Europe via wild bird migration, primarily affecting poultry and wild birds. The risk of transmission to the general public is considered very low, but people handling infected birds may be at risk.
Antibiotic resistance increased across Europe in 2015, with EU-wide carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae rising to 8.1%. Prudent use of antibiotics is crucial to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria. The European Commission will launch a new action plan to tackle antibiotic resistance.
Researchers found that Varroa jacobsoni mites are shifting from Asian to European honeybees, posing a new threat to pollinators. The study identified key genes involved in the host switch and potential control strategies.
Phage therapy, which uses viruses to kill bacteria, has shown no adverse effects in clinical trials and holds promise for treating antibiotic-resistant infections. Researchers plan to use phages against E. coli in the gut or MRSA on the skin, with a goal of establishing a central repository for phages.
A new European study published in BMJ Quality and Safety found that hospitals employing more nurse assistants than professional nurses have higher mortality rates, lower patient satisfaction, and poorer quality of care. The study highlights the risks to patient safety and quality in these settings.
New research by the University of Kent found that expanding childcare provision can increase public support, while reducing it. The study analyzed data from 22 European countries and discovered a 'virtuous cycle' between policy provision and parental support for childcare.
A study analyzing the genomes of 25 individuals from 1,000 to 6,000 years ago and their descendants found that variants beneficial before European contact became disadvantageous upon arrival. The researchers discovered a significant decline in these alleles, suggesting negative selection may have contributed to population decline.
A large European study reveals that replacing professionally qualified nurses with lower skilled nursing assistants is associated with a 21% rise in patient deaths and other indicators of poor quality care. The study found that higher proportions of professionally qualified nurses were linked to significantly lower risks of death, pati...
The IPERION CH project brings together European researchers and institutions to create a single infrastructure for scientific research on cultural heritage. The initiative provides access to high-quality scientific instruments, innovative equipment, and unique data, making it easier for researchers to advance their projects.
A new study examines the effectiveness of duloxetine for stress urinary incontinence and finds that while it lessens incontinence frequency, adverse effects and suicidality are more common with duloxetine compared to a placebo.
International scientists are searching for the oldest ice core in Antarctica, up to 1.5 million years old, to decipher past climate processes and improve future predictions. The 'Beyond EPICA - Oldest Ice' project aims to drill a core with sufficient atmospheric gases to analyze past greenhouse gas levels.
Canadian and European boreal forests have distinct differences in terms of dominant shrubs, animal cycles, and predator-prey dynamics. The research found that climate is the primary factor driving these differences.
Red squirrels in Britain and Ireland are found to be infected with leprosy bacteria, M. leprae and M. lepromatosis. This discovery raises concerns for conservation efforts as the disease can be transmitted among red squirrels, highlighting the need for better management.
Pancreatic cancer is expected to become the third leading cause of death from cancer in the EU by 2017. The number of deaths from pancreatic cancer will overtake breast cancer mortality rates in the EU, with 91,500 estimated deaths next year.
Climate model experiments suggest Northeast Asia has experienced abrupt summer warming, with significant changes in temperature extremes since the mid-1990s. Dr. DONG's team attributes these changes to natural variability and anthropogenic forcings, with reduced aerosol precursor emissions over Europe playing a crucial role.
A new study assesses the relationships between climate, land use, and ecosystem services in Europe, highlighting their impact on human well-being. The research focuses on three regulating ecosystem services: air quality regulation, soil erosion control, and water flow regulation.
The LifeWatchGreece team publishes a vast collection of peer-reviewed scientific outputs, including software descriptions, data papers, taxonomic checklists and research articles, to demonstrate the availability and applicability of their e-Services and Virtual Laboratories.
Researchers used social media platforms to map locations of highly sought natural destinations. These findings can inform management decisions and prioritize conservation efforts, leveraging the collective value placed on these areas by the public.
Researchers found that geotagged social media photos on Instagram, Flickr, and Panoramio provide valuable data for predictive models to guide land use decisions worldwide. The study shows that landscapes with mountainous areas, rivers, lakes, and population centers are most valued by society.
NAFLD affects 64 million individuals worldwide, with annual direct medical costs of $103 billion in the US and €35 billion in Europe. The economic burden is even higher when including societal and indirect costs.
Researchers have created a 'stability map' to track fusion plasma rotation and collisionality in real-time. This allows for the detection of potential instability and control over the plasma, potentially avoiding disruption of fusion reactions.
The bellygenes initiative is a large-scale genetic project studying the genetic makeup of 800,000 Europeans in relation to irritable bowel syndrome. The study aims to reveal pathophysiological pathways that can help explain IBS etiology and inform molecular reclassification of patients.
Schmallenberg virus is unlikely to be circulating in southern England, but its reappearance is possible as herd immunity decreases. The virus causes mild clinical signs in adult cattle and can damage the fetus in pregnant females, leading to abortions, stillbirths, and congenital defects.
Reducing exposure to environmental synthetic chemicals by 25% could ward off over 150,000 new cases of diabetes in Europe and save €4.5 billion every year. A 40% reduction in BMI would lead to a 40% decrease in diabetes prevalence among 70-75 year olds.
The ZikaPLAN consortium aims to address knowledge gaps, prevent disease spread, and educate affected populations in Latin America. The global network will also build sustainable response capacity for Zika and other emerging infectious diseases.
The largest study to investigate the effects of air pollution and traffic noise found that long-term exposure is linked to a greater incidence of high blood pressure. For every 5 μg/m3 of PM2.5, the risk of hypertension increased by 22% in people living in the most polluted areas.
A new study identifies urban expansion as the historical cause of low oxygen conditions in European lakes, with increased waste water pollution boosting biological productivity and leading to a rise in oxygen consumption.
African American men have higher incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer due to genetic factors and socioeconomic disparities. MNX1 is a new oncogene identified as more active in African American prostate cancer, which can lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment approaches.
Research finds that people of African ancestry generally show stronger immune responses than Europeans, who display reduced immune responses due to selective pressure. The discovery suggests that European populations were partly shaped by the introduction of new genetic variants through interbreeding with Neanderthals.
Researchers found that African Americans have a stronger immune response to bacterial infections compared to Europeans, partly due to genetic differences. This response is linked to reduced susceptibility to autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and tuberculosis.
The European Society of Cardiology is hosting its annual congress in Paris at the end of August 2019. The event is expected to be highly successful, building on the success of the 2011 edition, which was also held in Paris and received positive reviews.
A new study estimates the combined burden of six healthcare-associated infections to be higher than that of diseases like influenza, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis together. The estimated annual burden is approximately 2.5 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the EU/EEA.