Articles tagged with Europe
A recent study has found that European beavers have low genetic diversity due to human hunting. The research, led by University of York Professor Michi Hofreiter, analyzed ancient and modern DNA to show that the beaver population was heavily impacted by expanding human populations over thousands of years.
Recent research highlights the critical role of gut flora in diabetes and obesity, with studies suggesting a strong connection between the two. The CommHERE consortium, comprising nine European institutions, has brought together leading experts to discuss their findings on the impact of gut microbiota on metabolic diseases.
Anthropologist Nina Jablonski warns of the dangers of using genomic knowledge to separate people based on genetic endowment or physical features, as it can lead to a new form of 'separate but equal.' She advocates for a more nuanced approach that considers human genetic admixture and individual variability.
The new atlas highlights the delicate relationships between soils and climate, as well as their role in food security, particularly in relation to climate change. Soils also support six out of seventeen countries hosting the highest rate of biodiversity, with approximately 185 Gt of organic carbon stored down to a depth of 1m.
The €85 million ENABLE project aims to develop novel antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria, addressing a growing epidemic of resistance. The public-private partnership will create an anti-bacterial drug discovery platform and deliver at least one new candidate into Phase 2 clinical trials by 2019.
A €85 million program will develop novel antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens with expertise from universities and industry in Europe. Scientists will assess new compounds to determine their potency and molecular basis of action.
Researchers used micron resolution X-ray imaging to study the skull of Romundina, an early armoured fish with jaws. The study shows that the face assembly during the evolutionary transition was a gradual process, with key features emerging before the final shape of the jawed vertebrate face.
A €3.5m European Union-funded project aims to improve diagnosis and treatment of balance disorders through an online information system. The EMBalance tool will help clinicians accurately diagnose and manage balance-related conditions, reducing the risk of falls and improving patient independence.
The CLIMBER dataset provides unique information on the climatic niche characteristics of 397 European butterflies, obtained by combining detailed distribution data and public climatic datasets. This knowledge is essential for understanding species' relationships with their environment and assessing the impacts of global change.
Researchers aim to create personalized models for individual patients using their clinical data, enabling prediction of disease progress. The goal is to tailor treatment and improve healthcare outcomes for Parkinson's sufferers.
Researchers found that patients who received their CVD risk expressed as 'Heart Age' demonstrated significant decreases in risk scores and were more likely to adopt healthier lifestyles. This study supports the effectiveness of the Heart Age tool in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
The University of Liverpool has launched an Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces to design and develop new anti-infective materials. The hub aims to combat the spread of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in various sectors, including healthcare and food processing.
Professor Patrick Johnston, alongside leading experts and patient groups, aims to address disparities in cancer care across Europe. The European Cancer Patient's Bill of Rights, launched on World Cancer Day, sets a standard for optimal cancer care for all European citizens.
The global economic crisis has led to a decrease in routine medical care usage in both Europe and North America. Economic conditions have constrained financial resources, causing individuals to reduce their use of healthcare services.
A large international study identified an 'invisible-risk' group of adolescents with psychiatric symptoms, despite low risk behaviours being overlooked by parents and teachers. The study found that 13% of adolescents were classified as 'high-risk', while a third group showed similar prevalence of mental health issues.
System 91S is a tropical low-pressure area located northeast of Maputo, Mozambique, with heavy rainfall rates occurring over the Mozambique Channel. Wind shear has increased, causing the system to elongate and reducing its chances for tropical development.
A new study suggests that Antarctica's ice shelves are at risk of collapsing due to global warming. The disappearance of the snow layer on top of the ice shelves could lead to a rapid increase in sea levels. Researchers warn that urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate this threat.
Researchers discovered two devastating pandemics, the plague of Justinian and the Black Death, were caused by distinct strains of the same pathogen. The strain that helped bring an end to the Roman Empire faded out on its own, while the other led to worldwide re-emergence in the late 1800s.
Researchers have recovered the genome of a 7,000-year-old individual from La Braña-Arintero site in Spain, revealing surprising genetic traits. The ancient European hunter-gatherer had African versions of genes that determine light skin and blue eyes, suggesting he had dark skin and a unique phenotype.
Researchers discovered a 72-percent lactase persistence rate among medieval Dalheim population, exceeding modern Central European levels around 1000 years ago. This contradicts previous research on Hungarian human remains, suggesting genetic lactase persistence was common in Central Europe earlier than Eastern Europe.
A 60-metre long building from 1100 B.C. reveals pottery resembling Greek and Cyprus items, and cylindrical loom weights similar to those found in central and south-east Europe. The Philistines, of European descent, settled in the city, indicating a Mediterranean culture beyond Jordan's borders.
A study of over 100,000 people found that long-term exposure to particulate matter in outdoor air is strongly linked to heart attacks and angina. The association persists at levels of exposure below the current European limits for PM2.5 and PM10.
A new study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution suggests that strong natural selection acted on lactase persistence in Iberia over the last 7,000 years. The 'calcium assimilation hypothesis' is challenged as sunlight in Iberia allows for vitamin D synthesis, making calcium deficiency less of a concern.
Elena Conti wins the prize for her work on understanding the mechanisms governing RNA quality, transport, and degradation, while Denis Le Bihan receives it for his innovative brain imaging technique that has revolutionized stroke diagnosis and treatment. Both researchers will use the prize money to further their research.
A new study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that calcium absorption was not the primary reason for the evolution of milk tolerance in Europeans. The researchers discovered that fermented milk products, such as yoghurt and cheese, played a significant role in the rapid emergence of lactase persistence.
A study by RAND Corporation finds that WWII had long-lasting consequences on health, education, and marriage among European survivors. Living in a war-torn country increased the likelihood of physical and mental problems later in life, including diabetes, depression, and heart disease.
A new study reveals that changes in the water cycle were the main drivers of widespread environmental change during the Younger Dryas period in western Europe. The researchers used a novel method to analyze organic remains extracted from lake sediments, showing that dry polar air intrusion led to ecosystem collapse and mass extinctions.
The European Society for Medical Oncology warns that Eastern Europe lacks sufficient data, highlighting the need for a unified system. Despite this, many Western European countries are expected to have enough medical oncologists to meet growing cancer demands by 2020.
Researchers have found concrete evidence for a long-lived Nordic grog tradition in northernmost Europe during the Bronze and Iron Ages. The discovery highlights innovative uses of local ingredients to create unique fermented beverages.
The ERC Consolidator Grant will build upon the Geo-Wiki project's work in involving citizen scientists in global land cover research. The team aims to collect on-the-ground data using a local network of volunteers and smartphone applications.
A cheap and simple technology developed at the University of Sheffield can repair earthquake damaged buildings in a matter of days, reducing delays for homeless people. The 'belt' technique involves wrapping metal straps around each floor to increase the building's ability to withstand further earthquake movement.
A new intranasal vaccine against pertussis has been successfully tested in humans, inducing an immune response that lasted for at least 6 months. The vaccine was found to be safe and effective, with no adverse events reported even at the high dose.
Research found that EU policies have increased the demand for pollination services at a rate five times faster than the number of available honeybee colonies. Many countries, including the UK and Italy, rely on wild pollinators to meet demands due to insufficient honeybee stocks.
Research predicts increased frequency and intensity of droughts in southern Europe, with potential reductions in river flow levels up to 40% by 2100. Climate change and intensive water consumption will exacerbate drought conditions, worsening their socio-economic impacts.
A study found that the European grapevine moth is better adapted to certain French wine-growing regions due to regional differences in grape variety and natural enemies. The research showed a geographical variation in immune defense among wild populations, with larvae from southern areas having higher levels of antimicrobial activity.
The European Society of Cardiology recommends reducing patient radiation exposure in cardiology procedures, which amount to over 50 chest X-rays per person each year. This can be achieved by implementing measures such as auditing and optimizing doses, educating patients, and encouraging industry competition.
A study by UPV/EHU links high dietary fat content with increased abdominal fat in adolescents, regardless of physical activity levels. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring dietary fat intake for preventing obesity and related health issues in this vulnerable age group.
A new species of cockroach discovered in Colorado's Green River Formation reveals that the genus Ectobius originated in the New World over 49 million years ago. The finding challenges a long-held assumption about the cockroach's evolutionary history, instead suggesting a complex migration history between the Old and New Worlds.
A new study has identified a nearly 100% association between narcolepsy and a specific gene variant, suggesting a causal role for the HLA DQB1*06:02 allele in the disease. The findings support the idea that immune system dysfunction plays a key role in narcolepsy development.
A new invasive plant parasitic nematode, Meloidogyne mali, has been identified in Europe, causing severe galling symptoms on host trees. The species was likely introduced during breeding programs against Dutch Elm Disease and may have a wider host range than known.
Researchers used a new ocean model to simulate the migration of eel larvae from the Sargasso Sea to Europe. The study found that small-scale ocean currents play a crucial role in determining eel population fluctuations and that eels return to specific locations within the Sargasso Sea where their mother spawned.
Atrial fibrillation management remains suboptimal in Europe, with low adoption of new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) and inconsistent treatment guideline adherence. The pilot registry found that oral anticoagulant use has increased, but NOAC use is still limited, particularly among females.
Researchers found that increasing dietary fiber intake by just 1 extra portion of wholegrains and more fruit and vegetables can significantly lower the risk of heart disease. A 7g daily increase in fiber consumption was associated with a lower risk of CVD and CHD events.
A new study reveals that hypergravity significantly affects the dynamic changes of electric discharges, causing the plasma channel to move due to external forces. The research has potential applications in improved safety precautions for manned space flights and ion thruster design.
The new guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, addressing healthcare disparities globally. The 25-author guidelines aim to improve clinical management and reduce the burden of cardiovascular events associated with high blood pressure.
A 13-year study confirms that Neanderthals in western Europe intentionally buried their dead, revealing a relatively sophisticated cognitive capacity. The discovery reduces the behavioral distance between Neanderthals and modern humans.
A new screening strategy using conventional echocardiography has been developed to detect cardiovascular abnormalities in athletes. The study found that adding ECHO exams to the standard protocol increases the accuracy of screening and is cost-effective, identifying 14 cases of cardiovascular abnormalities in healthy athletes.
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) releases a position paper on the role of medical oncologists in cancer care, emphasizing the importance of their specialist training. The paper aims to guarantee access to optimal treatment for Europe's growing number of cancer patients.
A team of four computer science professors is working on a project called imPACT to address essential properties for the Internet. They aim to find solutions for protecting users' privacy, ensuring accountability, and assessing trustworthiness of information and services.
A new test can identify people at risk of acute mountain sickness (AMS) by measuring O2 saturation and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). This test could help prevent AMS symptoms by suggesting specific behaviors and medications for susceptible individuals.
The European Commission has granted funding for FOT-Net Data project, aiming to make traffic data from field operational tests more widely available. This will enable researchers to reuse the data for new studies on different research questions, contributing to the introduction of safety technologies.
Six life science researchers from the UK, France, and US will receive EMBO Installation Grants to establish their research groups in the Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey. The grants aim to strengthen science in selected member states and facilitate collaboration with European centers of research and education.
Scientists have discovered new evidence that the Italian Alps are warming at an unprecedented rate. A team of glaciologists drilling ice cores found a 2,600-year-old larch tree leaf that suggests the glacier was once below-freezing but now has layers at the melting point throughout the year.
Severe asthma is defined as requiring high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus a second controller medication. The new guideline aims to improve diagnosis and treatment options for this condition, which accounts for less than 10% of all asthmatics but has the greatest healthcare burden.
A new species of butterfly-orchid, Platanthera azorica, has been discovered in the Azores, and is believed to be Europe's rarest orchid. The species was previously known from a 19th-century illustration and was thought to be extinct.
A large EU study is investigating whether nilvadipine can help patients with Alzheimer's disease by reducing the formation of amyloid plaques in animal brains. The clinical trial will involve 500 patients in nine European countries, who will be treated with nilvadipine or a placebo for eighteen months.
The €3.6 million CACHE programme will study the effects of ocean warming and acidification on shellfish populations, crucial for the European fishing economy and biodiversity. The project will also explore biomimicry and carbon sequestration opportunities.
The buff-tailed bumblebee, introduced to Chile in 1998, has spread rapidly throughout South America, outcompeting native species and potentially disrupting the ecosystem. The parasite Crithidia bombi is a key factor in the decline of native bumblebees.
The EUCelLEX Project examines current legislation on somatic cells, assessing relevance and proposing sustainable solutions. It aims to provide a stabilised legal context for the use of stem cells in clinical purposes.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that long-term exposure to fine particles poses the greatest threat to health even within concentration ranges well below EU limits. Annual exposure to PM2•5 increases the risk of dying from natural causes by 7%.