Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
A recent study published in the European Congress on Obesity found that children following a Mediterranean-style diet are 15% less likely to be obese. The research, conducted across eight European countries, also revealed that adherence to this dietary pattern is crucial in preventing obesity and its associated risks.
Research reveals that Spanish slugs (Arion lusitanicus) are not native to Spain but originated in Central Europe, contradicting long-held assumptions. The findings highlight the need for reevaluation of EU regulations on invasive species and encourage a more nuanced approach to labeling non-native species.
A new study found that job loss is associated with depressive symptoms in both the USA and Europe, but its impact varies by region. In America, job loss due to plant closure has a stronger effect on depression than in Europe, especially among those with low wealth.
Researchers mapped a gene variant among Greenlanders that markedly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The gene variant is primarily found in Greenlanders and explains 15% of cases in the country.
The EHRA White Book 2014 report highlights the growing use of complex therapies for heart rhythm abnormalities across Europe. The data shows a range in the number of CIED implantations and ablations among ESC member countries, with some countries reporting significant increases in CRT devices and loop recorders.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health found that nearly 30 million Europeans have tried e-cigarettes, with most being young people or smokers trying to quit. The study suggests a need for more research on the health impact and potential benefits of e-cigarette use.
A study of e-cigarette use in Europe found that over 29 million adults have tried the products, with current smokers and would-be quitters more likely to use them. The analysis highlights the need for evaluating the long-term health impact of e-cigarettes and their role in smoking cessation.
Uterine fibroids are the most common tumors of the female reproductive tract, causing abnormal bleeding and pelvic pressure symptoms. New medical and surgical uterine-conserving alternatives have become available, allowing flexible management of fibroid-related symptoms. The Journal Maturitas publishes a position statement outlining tr...
A new study published in Nature Climate Change has shown that Arctic warming is actually reducing the risk of cold extremes across large swathes of the Northern Hemisphere. Autumn and winter days are becoming warmer on average, with less variability from day-to-day, making extremely cold days less likely.
Researchers developed biomarkers from whole blood gene expression profiles to predict disease status at 12 months in children with newly diagnosed JIA. The study found strong predictive properties for disease status after four months of therapy, and identified different mechanisms of response in RF positive patients.
A new study reveals that musculoskeletal conditions are associated with significantly higher healthcare costs, even when compared to chronic diseases. The study found that the presence of a musculoskeletal condition was accountable for an additional 36% of healthcare costs in individuals with multiple morbidities.
Amino acids at positions 11, 71 and 74 on the HLA-DRB1 gene identify RA patients at risk of joint damage and early death. The findings suggest that genotyping can predict disease outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
A new study finds that most men with gout have severe erectile dysfunction, highlighting the importance of screening for this condition. The study suggests that all men with gout should be routinely screened for erectile dysfunction to detect possible silent coronary artery disease.
Exercise has been shown to transiently suppress local and systemic inflammation in rheumatic disease, with benefits seen in the regulation of NF-kB activation and suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Regular exercise is necessary to achieve clinical efficacy and reduce the burden of rheumatic diseases.
A comprehensive analysis of Mexico's genomic diversity identified a dazzling mosaic of genotypes and population substructures across the country. The researchers found that variations in Native American ancestry significantly affect biomedical traits like lung function.
Researchers have identified a potential biomarker of response to etanercept and adalimumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through DNA methylation analysis. The study found that epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, may provide potential biomarkers of response to anti-TNFs.
A comprehensive genetic study of the Mexican population identified tremendous genetic diversity reflecting thousands of years of separation, explaining health factors such as differing rates of breast cancer and asthma. The study provides an explanation for misdiagnoses and incorrect treatment based on ethnic heritage.
EULAR has achieved recognition for Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases from the European Commission's Horizon 2020 initiative. The organization also launched the Foundation for Research in Rheumatology, FOREUM, which has awarded grant funding to four osteoarthritis projects.
A study found that nearly three-quarters of PsA patients were on doses lower than recommended for infliximab, while a third of those on adalimumab had trough concentrations below the optimal level. Despite this, low dosing showed reasonable efficacy in both treatments.
New data show that biosimilar CT-P13 achieves statistically similar improvements in disease activity, disability, and mobility in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis compared to its original reference product infliximab. The results demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety for CT-P13 as an alternative treatment option.
Scientists have used ALMA to detect radio emission from molecular gas in two dark LGRB hosts, revealing a dust-rich environment with low molecular gas levels. This supports the hypothesis that dust absorbs afterglow radiation, causing dark gamma-ray bursts.
Researchers found biological tissues exhibit optimal shape at finite time before decreasing, approaching a disk or sphere for large tissues. The study models cell alignment and forces to explain tissue elongation.
A study by the European Institute of Studies on Prevention found that authoritarian parents increase the risk of drug use in adolescents. The research analyzed six European countries and discovered that both authoritative and indulgent parental styles equally protect against substance use.
New patient empowerment initiatives unveiled at EULAR 2014 aim to reduce treatment costs, improve patient experience and increase patient involvement in treatment decisions. These initiatives include self-monitoring, online learning resources, patient decision aids and video guides.
Research by University of Oxford links recession to significant rise in suicides across EU, Canada, and USA between 2008-2010. The study suggests that job loss, home repossession, and debt are major risk factors leading to suicide during economic downturns.
Ultrasound-guided injections of growth factors-containing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been shown to be no more effective than saline injections in treating recently developed epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow. However, pain scores decreased significantly over the course of the trial.
A landmark ESMO survey of over 700 specialists provides insight into treatments most oncologists choose for lung cancer patients with incomplete resection. The study reveals that chemotherapy and radiotherapy are commonly prescribed, but treatment decisions vary depending on the specialty of the treating physician.
A recent genetic study suggests that Neolithic people colonized Europe through a maritime route, with Crete serving as a major hub. The analysis confirms that the Neolithic migrants originated from the Levant and primarily traveled by sea, introducing their genes to European populations.
The study provides a new framework to interpret previous research on European Neolithic populations, suggesting that the expansion took place through pioneer seafaring colonization. Genetic affinities between the mitochondrial DNA of first Neolithic farmers and those of Catalan and German farmers support this hypothesis.
The EU's Common Agricultural Policy reforms are too weak to positively impact farmland biodiversity, with over half of all farmland exempt from ecological measures. Experts call on member states to take action to address declining biodiversity and intensification of agricultural practices across Europe.
The European Society of Cardiology emphasizes the importance of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cardiovascular clinical trials. PROs provide valuable information on aspects of life beyond survival, influencing health technology assessments and reimbursement decisions.
A new study finds that grey squirrels' genetic diversity directly impacts their ability to invade and spread across European environments. The research reveals that small founding population sizes result in reduced genetic diversity, hindering the squirrels' capacity for invasion.
A new species of Mediterranean worm lizard, Blanus mendezi, has been identified with the discovery of its first intact skull, providing insights into the evolution of this poorly known group of reptiles. The fossil, dated to 11.6 million years ago, features a well-preserved skull and vertebrae, shedding light on the species' history.
The UK has invested £5.64M in the European X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFEL) project, allowing UK researchers to use serial femtosecond crystallography for high-resolution biological molecule determination. This cutting-edge technology will enable scientists to study the smallest building blocks of life at unprecedented speeds and reso...
Bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation increases survival by 2-3 times but is delivered in only 1 in 5 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests across Europe. Improving education for schoolchildren and dispatchers could save thousands of lives.
Anusha Mujumdar, a 3rd year PhD student at Exeter University, has won the Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship to support her pioneering research on spacecraft control for the Mars Sample Return mission. Her work will help develop 'rendezvous and capture' technology for retrieving samples from Mars.
A new study found that solar panels made in China have a higher overall carbon footprint and require more energy during manufacturing compared to those made in Europe. The difference is largely due to China's lower environmental and efficiency standards, as well as its reliance on coal-based electricity.
Denise Mifsud, a part-time PhD student, won the EERA/SAGE conference travel bursary to attend Emerging Researchers Conference and ECER 2014. The bursary supports early career researchers in attending these conferences, fostering discussions and debates on education policy and practice.
Researchers analyzed nearly 3,000 cod bones from 95 excavations in and around London, identifying a sudden change in the origin of the fish during the early 13th century. This shift indicates the onset of a large-scale import trade, revolutionizing the local fishing industry.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that climate change is favoring the distribution of light-colored insects in Europe, particularly butterflies and dragonflies. This phenomenon is due to their ability to regulate heat through their color variation, allowing them to thrive in warmer areas.
A study found that as Europe warms, communities of butterflies and dragonflies consist of more lighter-colored species, which are better adapted to the changing climate. Lighter-colored insects can reflect sunlight and regulate their body temperature, giving them an advantage over darker-colored species.
A new Stanford study reveals that European farmers will face significant crop yield losses due to climate change, but adapting can help slow the decline. The research shows that adaptation options such as switching varieties or installing irrigation can reduce yield losses by up to 87% for corn.
The Mosers' groundbreaking discovery of specialized neurons called grid cells has been recognized with the €750,000 Körber prize. The prize money will support their research on grid cell formation and interaction with the environment.
Ape ancestors' diets evolved from hard-shelled fruits and seeds to soft and mixed fruit-eating, with no diet specializing in leaves. The dietary specialization may have ultimately contributed to their extinction when drastic environmental changes occurred.
Leadless pacemakers with seven-to-ten-year battery life have shown significant advancements in reliability and reduced risk of infection and thromboembolic complications. Transcatheter aortic heart valve developments also showcased improved outcomes with no reported cases of severe paravalvular leak.
Richard Sylvester, a renowned expert in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), received the 2014 Platinum Award from European Urology for his excellence in bladder cancer research. He continues to work on prognostic factors and predictive effects of age on NMIBC outcomes.
A study shows that strains from Southern Europe can grow better in Northern Europe than established local varieties due to rapid climate change. This suggests that the adaptive optimum has moved quickly, with southern imports performing better across different locations.
The first PCR Innovation Day brought together key stakeholders to address unmet clinical needs in interventional cardiovascular medicine. This event provided an opportunity for physicians, inventors, and entrepreneurs to network and discuss innovative technologies.
A novel device implanted under the skin has been shown to treat central sleep apnea (CSA) in heart failure patients, improving sleep and heart function. The remede system reduced AHI, improved cardiac endpoints, and increased quality of life.
Researchers at Hebrew University discovered how octopuses avoid tying themselves in knots by producing a chemical that temporarily inhibits sucker attachment to their own skin. This unique mechanism enables the arms to maintain flexibility and accuracy despite an infinite number of degrees of freedom.
A recent study found that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of heart failure hospitalization, with rates more than doubling during periods of activity. The research suggests that efficient IBD treatment may lower this risk, and highlights the need for cardiovascular risk assessment in these patients.
A post-hoc analysis of the TOPCAT trial showed that spironolactone reduced cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure in patients from the Americas, but not in those from Russia and Georgia. The treatment also increased serum creatinine and hyperkalemia rates.
A new minimally invasive method provides obstetricians with detailed information on the anal sphincter innervation before child delivery, enabling them to perform episiotomies safely and minimize damage. The technique has been tested on 250 women in 10 EU countries.
A new study shows that negative iron balance is a common occurrence in patients with acute heart failure and is associated with higher mortality rates. The researchers propose a new measure for iron deficiency, which takes into account both stored and utilised iron levels.
Heart failure is a leading cause of hospital admission, particularly in older adults. The RELAX-AHF study found that worsening symptoms (worsening heart failure) during hospitalization can lead to longer stays and increased risk of readmission or death. Targeting worsening heart failure may help reduce these adverse outcomes.
A study presented at the Heart Failure Congress 2014 found that sleeping pills prescribed to heart failure patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) increase their risk of cardiovascular events. The study also showed that HFpEF patients who were prescribed high blood pressure medications had a lower risk of cardiovascular event...
The PARADIGM-HF trial was stopped early due to a statistically significant reduction in primary composite endpoint and cardiovascular mortality. LCZ696 demonstrated benefits by blocking the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and augmenting endogenous natriuretic peptides, offering an alternative to the gold standard treatment enalapril.
A study by researchers at Stanford University reveals fundamental differences in parenting methods between Asian Americans and European Americans. Asian American 'tiger mothers' motivate their children through interdependence, allowing them to draw on connectedness with their mother for motivation. In contrast, European American parent...
Researchers found that European birds are expanding their ranges into UK nature reserves, but non-native wetland birds such as the Black Swan and Egyptian Goose are also invading protected areas. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to tackle these invasions and protect native species.
Research reveals prehistoric Europeans consumed psychoactive plants and fermented beverages in rituals to connect with the spirit world. Archaeological evidence suggests socially controlled use of these substances, contrasting with modern hedonistic views.