Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
Researchers found a correlation between low solar activity and cold Central European winters, with the Rhine River serving as a proxy. The study suggests that periods of low sunspot numbers lead to regional cooling, with implications for climate research and the debate on anthropogenic climate change.
The ASTRID study found that patients with high and very high risk benefited from transfemoral TAVI, with mortality rates of 4.7% and 7.7%, respectively. The registry also showed differences in vascular complications and residual aortic regurgitation between valve types.
The IABP-SHOCK II trial randomized 600 patients to receive either an intraaortic balloon pump or conventional optimal medical treatment, but found no reduction in 30-day mortality rates. The study also showed that the IABP did not improve blood pressure, organ perfusion, or reduce treatment time in the intensive care unit.
The study found a decline in mortality rates among STEMI patients in France from 1995 to 2010, attributed to increased use of reperfusion therapy and recommended treatments. The proportion of younger women with STEMI also increased, consistent with declining prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia.
The PROTECT study found that zotarolimus-eluting and sirolimus-eluting stents have comparable rates of stent thrombosis at three years. The study also showed that dual antiplatelet therapy use can affect the long-term clinical relevance of stent type.
Patients with psoriasis are at higher risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus due to chronic inflammation. The study found that the risk increases with severity of psoriasis, with patients having severe psoriasis being more than twice as likely to develop diabetes.
Research by the European Society of Cardiology found that energy drinks improve left and right ventricular function in healthy subjects. Energy drink consumption increases diastolic blood pressure but also shows benefits for heart rate and overall cardiac performance.
A 15-year study of French registries shows a 68% decrease in STEMI mortality rate, with key factors including younger patients, increased use of reperfusion therapy, and improved early management. The results highlight the importance of addressing population characteristics and behavior to further reduce mortality rates.
A study at ESC Congress 2012 found that renal denervation improved contractile function of the left side of the heart by more than 10% in patients with advanced heart failure. In contrast, standard drug treatment showed no change in contractile function.
A new study confirms ECG as a cost-effective method for detecting cardiac abnormalities in young athletes, preventing fatal events. The program's mean cost per athlete is €115, with most subsequent examinations being low-cost echocardiograms.
A study published by the European Society of Cardiology found that passive smoking increases platelet activation and carbon monoxide levels in healthy individuals. The researchers investigated three parameters: mean platelet volume (MPV), carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), and lactate.
A large meta-analysis found that electrical storms are a strong risk factor for death, with nearly 4 times higher mortality rates compared to those without. Effective treatment involves catheter ablation, which can terminate ES in nearly 83% of cases, preventing relapses.
A novel blood test can predict which heart failure patients are at risk of sudden death and may benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). The test measures changes in the SCN5A gene, which is involved in electrical activity in the heart.
Increased copeptin levels are associated with increased frequencies of comorbidities, severity of heart failure, and risk of all-cause death. Copeptin measurements link to the strength of cardiac contractility and predict poorer kidney function. The risk of mortality from all causes increases with rising copeptin levels.
A country-wide German registry found that women received a lower percentage of drug eluting stents (DES) compared to men for the same condition. DES are known to decrease repeat target vessel revascularization procedures and provide favorable long-term results, especially in women with smaller epicardial vessels.
A clinical study found that electronic cigarettes do not cause significant defects in cardiac function, unlike smoking tobacco cigarettes. The study compared the effects of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes on 20 young daily smokers and 22 electronic cigarette users, showing no acute adverse effects from e-cigarette use.
Research from Bremen, Germany found that non-smokers experienced a 26% decrease in ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs) following the introduction of a smoking ban. In contrast, active smokers showed little change in STEMI rates, highlighting the benefits of anti-smoking legislation.
A new study reveals a correlation between low solar activity and unusually cold winters in Central Europe, particularly along the Rhine River. The researchers used historical records of riverboat shipments and found that ten out of fourteen freezing episodes occurred during years with minimal sunspots.
Professors Ian Tannock and Jean Yves Blay will receive the 2012 ESMO Awards for their contributions to medical oncology. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) is recognized with the ESMO Lifetime Achievement Award.
A 2009-2010 study by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre found an average 66% decrease in sulphur dioxide concentrations in EU harbors, while non-EU ports showed no change. The policy limits fuel sulfur content to less than 0.1%.
Recent advances in paleogenetics provide new insights into human evolution in Europe, showing that cultural and demographic events have shaped genetic variation among modern-day populations. The study reveals a more diverse range of mechanisms influencing genetic diversity than previously thought.
Research led by the University of Sheffield aims to improve treatment for babies lacking cortisol, a critical stress hormone. A new hydrocortisone preparation is being developed specifically for neonates and infants, addressing current challenges in administering medication.
A recent study published in European Physical Journal B found that imposing minimum capital levels for banks may trigger a widespread banking system collapse. The researchers' model showed that the effect of a single insolvency can trigger an avalanche in the banking system, leading to larger crises.
Ecologists have developed a Europe-wide online tool, iBatsID, that can accurately identify 34 different bat species across the continent. The tool uses echolocation calls to distinguish between species, with most accurate identifications reaching over 80% accuracy.
Researchers studied the effects of wind speed, altitude, and other environmental factors on athletic performance. They found that a tailwind of 2 meters per second and racing at an altitude of 999 meters could improve Usain Bolt's record time to 9.48 seconds.
A study published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics predicts that most of the world's population will face degraded air quality by 2050 if man-made emissions continue as usual. The average world citizen will experience similar air pollution to today's average East Asian citizen, resulting in severe health effects.
The air quality worldwide will be as bad as it already is nowadays in urban areas of Southeast Asia by 2050 if no action is taken. Eastern China and northern India are expected to experience drastic decreases in air quality, while the Arabian Gulf region and North America will see an increase in ozone levels.
A recent Genographic Project study has shown that individuals with the Romanian 'Basarab' surname may not be direct biological descendants of the Basarab dynasty, which ruled Wallachia from 1330-1601. The research found genetic diversity among modern-day Basarab men, suggesting a polyphyletic name with multiple unrelated male founders.
The European Chemical Agency is accused of maladministration by failing to investigate cases where animal testing could be avoided under REACH. PETA claims that ECHA is not taking adequate action to ensure compliance with the regulation's last-resort requirement, resulting in unnecessary animal testing.
A collaborative research project analyzed raw sewage samples from 19 European cities, providing unique insights into illicit drug use patterns. The study found distinct temporal and spatial patterns in drug use across Europe, with cocaine use higher in Western and Central Europe and ecstasy loads highest in Dutch cities.
The game, developed with Portuguese company Stand Clear Ltd, features a robot that recognizes facial expressions and responds accordingly. Players can collect bolts and batteries while avoiding obstacles in various scenarios, with the goal of helping FLASH master social niceties to earn bonus points.
A team of citizen scientists, led by Dr Andy Grierson, analyzed human genome data to identify new clues on the Y chromosome, revealing a detailed family tree for Western European men. This community-led approach has the potential to facilitate rapid progress in understanding historical human migrations and paternal lineages.
A population-level approach to preventing cardiovascular disease could reduce deaths by up to 50%, according to the European Society of Cardiology. The organization recommends changes in agricultural policies, taxation, and advertising to support healthy diets, physical activity, and reduced alcohol consumption.
A new study found South Asians have higher levels of blood sugar than white Europeans, independent of risk factors. This suggests that South Asians should be monitored more closely for type 2 diabetes, as the diagnosis is already higher in this ethnic group.
A new report by the European Science Foundation highlights ten key issues in innovation policy, including the need for context-specific policies and better understanding of knowledge transfer. The report calls for a more evidence-based approach to innovation policy, with a focus on public value and risk-sharing models.
Biologists present a simple way to estimate maximum sustainable yield (MSY) using catch data and species resilience. The new method has been tested on 148 fish stocks with excellent agreement compared to traditional methods.
Italy has pledged participation in ELIXIR, a pan-European effort to manage biological data for research and medicine. The move aims to establish partnerships throughout Europe and benefit from Italy's bioinformatics expertise.
The new 2012 Joint European Societies' Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice focus on lifestyle changes, public health initiatives, and individual preventive measures to address the growing burden of CVD. Experts stress the need for a co-ordinated society-wide effort to reduce mortality.
A joint study by Stefan Reichmuth and Reinhold Glei reveals the Koran's term 'dīn' changed meaning from 'law' to 'religion' in Latin translations, with implications for European understanding of Islam. This shift reflects a gradual development in Western philosophy, paralleling Judaism and Christianity.
The HPCFinance network trains young people in computational finance and provides robust financial models to improve the financial strength of banks and households in Europe. Researchers develop and integrate more realistic models for volatility, interest rate and counterparty risk on efficient HPC platforms.
A study found that higher public reimbursement for fertility treatment increases access to care, reducing unmet needs in subfertile populations. Countries with more generous funding policies have a higher volume of ART cycles performed and lower rates of multiple births.
IVF and ICSI technologies have reached a calculated total of 5 million births worldwide since 1978. The cumulative total has increased by nearly 10% this year, with over 1.5 million treatment cycles performed globally annually, producing around 350,000 babies.
Researchers have recovered part of the genome of two individuals living in the Mesolithic Period, 7000 years ago. The study indicates that current Iberian populations don't come from these groups genetically. The genome found is the oldest from Prehistory and exceeds Ötzi, the Iceman, in 1700 years.
A new EU-funded project, BEAN, aims to enhance skills in anthropology, pre-history, and population genetics by analyzing DNA from hunter-gatherers and early farmers. Researchers will compile a model for the settlement of Europe using genomic data.
The EVINCI study found that non-invasive imaging tests, such as multi-slice CT and radionuclide imaging, can accurately diagnose coronary artery disease in most patients. This approach could safely avoid invasive procedures in 75% of cases, reducing unnecessary treatments.
A European study emphasizes the importance of participatory citizenship and citizen engagement in addressing economic challenges. The research identifies barriers to these processes, including a lack of trust in politicians and the challenge of creating dialogue between citizens and policymakers.
The European Space Agency has adopted the largest astronomy collaboration to build the Euclid satellite, which will study the dark universe with great precision. The mission will trace the distribution and evolution of dark matter and dark energy throughout the Universe.
A new survey found that only 36.5% of coronary heart disease patients in Europe participate in cardiac rehabilitation, despite the American Heart Association's recommendation. The study suggests that smoking, older age, and lower educational attainment are associated with lower attendance rates.
Researchers have identified a family of enzymes that attach amino acids to hormone molecules, turning them on or off. This discovery sheds light on the rapid response system in plants, allowing them to adjust to environmental stresses and defend against pathogens.
Researchers found that pre-Columbian human effects on the Amazon Basin were limited to small, mobile populations with minimal impact on the forest. The study overturns previous assumptions about large human settlements and agricultural practices in the region.
Researchers analyzed soil cores from 55 locations in central and western Amazonia, finding that early inhabitants lived near rivers but had little long-term impact on outlying forests. The study challenges the popular idea that the Amazon was a culturally altered landscape before European arrival.
Researchers dated 50 paintings in 11 caves in Northern Spain using uranium-series disequilibrium, finding hand stencils and a club-shaped symbol date back at least 40,800 and 35,600 years, respectively. This pushes the origins of cave art in Europe back by several thousand years.
The European Society of Cardiology and the European Heart Rhythm Association will hold a joint Congress annually from 2014 to 2017, featuring four main topics: electrophysiology, devices, non-invasive EP, and basic science. The agreement aims to improve scientific collaboration and quality among cardiac electrophysiology communities.
Researchers at the University of Leeds found that wire bridges built to help bats cross busy roads do not work. Bats prefer their original routes over the bridges, crossing at low heights and showing no change in behavior despite prolonged exposure.
A modern recurrence of a 'flood lava' eruption in Iceland could inject large quantities of hazardous gases into North Atlantic and European flight corridors. The emissions could exceed WHO chronic exposure guidelines and pose significant health risks to air travelers, particularly if the event were to occur during late spring or summer.
A new study published at EULAR 2012 found that patients with early menopause are 50% less likely to develop severe rheumatoid arthritis. The research also revealed a link between hormonal changes and distinct pathways leading to disease progression. Early menopause was associated with a milder form of the chronic inflammatory disease.
A new study validates the RABBIT Risk Score as a tool to predict serious infections in RA patients treated with anti-TNFs or DMARDs. The score successfully predicted infections in patients with ≥1 risk factor, including chronic lung disease and age above 60 years.
A new study reveals that lung changes are a primary manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in ACPA-positive patients. The study found HRCT abnormalities and local production of ACPA in the lungs of patients before RA onset, suggesting site-specific extra-articular changes as the initiating event of the immune response.
A recent study published at EULAR 2012 found that obese patients with psoriatic arthritis have a lower chance of achieving minimal disease activity when treated with anti-TNFs. However, following a hypocaloric diet can increase the likelihood of achieving treatment goals.
A new study found that smoking significantly affects the response to anti-TNF treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as measured by disease activity scores and clinical indices. Smoking cessation strategies may help maximize treatment effectiveness and improve quality of life for these patients.