Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
A study at EULAR 2007 found that early treatment with a combination of methotrexate and infliximab can induce clinical remission and reduce joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Almost one-fifth (17%) of patients reached clinical remission, while 51% were able to discontinue infliximab treatment.
Preliminary results show that 59% of patients receiving certolizumab pegol 200mg plus methotrexate achieved a 20% improvement in symptoms after 24 weeks, compared to 14% for those taking methotrexate alone. The treatment combination also resulted in higher ACR70 responses and lower discontinuation rates due to adverse events.
A study found that 36% of refractory SLE patients remained well after undergoing B-cell depletion therapy, with median duration of B-cell depletion being 4 months. Patients with low baseline serum C3 levels and anti-ENA antibodies were more likely to flare after treatment.
Astronomers have witnessed the death of a very massive star by observing two celestial explosions at exactly the same position in the sky. The most likely explanation for the 2004 explosion was a giant outburst of the star, which was later confirmed by the final death of the same star.
The new guidelines provide up-to-date information on best practices and practical recommendations for diagnosing, assessing, and treating arterial hypertension. The update is based on a thorough review of scientific data from large clinical trials and observational studies.
The Lancet Editorial emphasizes the need for dramatically increasing legal organ donations to meet demand, as punitive measures only drive organ trafficking further underground. The Iranian model of paying and caring for donors is considered the gold standard, but its commercialization raises moral concerns.
The NWO Spinoza prize is awarded to Dutch researchers who make groundbreaking contributions to their field. This year's winners are Prof. Deirdre Curtin (law), Prof. Marcel Dicke (ecological entomology), Prof. Leo Kouwenhoven (physics), and Prof. Wil Roebroeks (archaeology), each receiving €1.5 million.
A study by Klaus Wertenbroch and colleagues found that people spend less in real terms when using foreign currencies with lower face values, and more when using higher face values. This occurs because consumers evaluate transactions based on nominal differences rather than real purchasing power.
Researchers analyze ancient multiple graves, suggesting that Upper Paleolithic groups in Europe may have practiced ritual human sacrifice. The findings provide insight into the complexity and symbolism of these societies.
The EU ETS has achieved its goal of limiting CO2 emissions and placed a price on carbon, with the value of traded volume estimated at €14.7 billion. A global framework for managing climate policy is required to address global greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists have long debated the birthplace of the European potato. New genetic information reveals that remnants of early potatoes are of Andean and Chilean origin, with possible hybrids. This finding challenges previous assumptions and has implications for breeding programs.
A report by European Society for Medical Oncology reveals stark inequalities in access to cancer treatment globally. Key findings include that Austria, France, and the US have high uptake of new cancer drugs, while countries like New Zealand, Poland, and South Africa have low uptake.
A common genetic variation on chromosome 9p21 is linked to a substantial increase in risk for heart attack, with individuals carrying the variation having a 1.64-fold greater risk of suffering a heart attack. The study found that approximately 21 percent of individuals of European descent carry two copies of the genetic variation.
A study on European blackbirds found that urbanization favors sedentary males, with those exhibiting lower migratory disposition having an earlier onset of reproductive season. This is due to the advantages of sedentariness and earlier territory establishment for males in terms of reproductive success.
Conservation efforts in US and Mexico may be increasing loggerhead and Kemp's ridley turtles visiting UK waters. The research team attributes the increase to protective measures, such as turtle excluder devices in fishing nets.
A study published in Science reveals that massive volcanic eruptions 55 million years ago led to a five-to-six-degree Celsius jump in ocean temperatures, linked to the creation of the North Atlantic Ocean. The prehistoric activity released over 2,000 gigatonnes of carbon into the atmosphere, similar to today's greenhouse gas emissions.
Research by Erik Trinkaus suggests that early modern Europeans exhibited Neandertal traits, reflecting both African and Neandertal ancestry. The analysis indicates a small behavioral difference between groups, suggesting they saw each other as social equals.
A national smoking ban in Ireland resulted in a significant reduction in air pollution in pubs, with an 83 percent decrease in airborne carcinogens. The ban also improved the respiratory health of bar workers, particularly non-smoking employees, who showed improvements in cough and phlegm production.
Over a dozen countries have adopted national indoor smoke-free policies, including Ireland and New Zealand, making progress in protecting people from second-hand smoke. The World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control has helped galvanize global commitment to clean-air policies and tobacco control initiatives.
Dr Alwyn Ruddock's extraordinary claims about her research on John Cabot's voyages to America have been explored by Dr Evan Jones of the University of Bristol. Ruddock's findings suggest that Cabot explored a large section of the American coastline, claiming it for England in the process.
A randomized trial found that Crataegus Extract WS1442 safely prolongs the lives of congestive heart failure patients, reducing cardiac-related deaths by 20%. The study involved 2,681 patients and confirmed the safety of the compound, which is currently approved for use in some European countries.
A new study reveals that severe dengue infections are more common than previously thought, with 23% of patients requiring hospitalization. The study suggests that the World Health Organization's definition of dengue hemorrhagic fever may be too narrow, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
A study of 9,178 people in Denmark found that those with two copies of the H63D genetic defect were twice to three times more likely to develop stroke than those without the gene. The study suggests a link between the H63D gene and increased risk of stroke, but the exact mechanism is unclear.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) has recommended Sutent as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Clinical trials have shown that Sutent improves progression-free survival by more than doubling the median PFS compared to interferon-alpha. The new guidelines also highlight Sutent's higher obje...
A burst of protons from the Sun in 1859 caused unprecedented ozone destruction, with energy released six times larger than a 1989 solar flare. Simultaneously, research suggests that ancient Farallon plate movement may have triggered massive earthquakes in the central US, shedding light on seismic hazards.
Dr. YiJin Ren is recognized for her groundbreaking research on tooth movement mechanisms and cytokine profiles during orthodontic treatment. She has published over 40 papers and received several awards, including the 'Outstanding Young Scientist Award' from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research.
The report emphasizes the need for life cycle assessments to ensure sustainable nanotechnology commercialization, citing limited data on nanomaterial toxicity and environmental impacts. LCA can still be useful, but uncertainties must be clearly stated to address critical unknowns.
The collaboration aims to broaden the scientific basis for targeted cancer therapies, combining expertise from NDDO, ESMO, and NCI. The partnership will further accelerate early-phase clinical trials and translational research, strengthening ties between European and US cancer research communities.
Researchers found that goalkeepers stood marginally left or right of the goal centre 96% of the time. Penalty takers were more likely to direct the football to the side with more space, suggesting a possible strategy for goalkeepers to influence penalty kick direction.
Research reveals significant differences in gene expression between individuals and populations, with individual-level factors dominating variations. This study challenges the notion of biological races, highlighting the importance of understanding human genetic variation for better disease treatment and drug development.
Two promising blood cancer researchers, Giovanni Roti and Marta Crespo, will each receive $75,000 to fund their research in the US. The EHA-ASH International Fellowship Award aims to build stronger ties between European and North American scientific communities.
Exercise testing can diagnose chronic conditions and measure treatment responses, according to a new task force report. The findings suggest that clinical exercise testing can be a powerful tool for clinicians to evaluate interventions and improve patient outcomes.
Scientists at UCL and Mainz University found that the gene controlling milk digestion was missing from Neolithic skeletons. However, through exposure to milk, lactose tolerance evolved extremely rapidly in European populations. Today, over ninety percent of northern Europeans can digest milk.
A UVM study reveals that reed canarygrass's invasive power comes from its history of multiple introductions and interbreeding with European strains, allowing it to adapt quickly to new conditions. This phenomenon has significant implications for the potential invasiveness of other horticultural and agricultural plants.
The European Union has launched the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008, a massive scientific undertaking that brings together 50,000 people from over 60 nations to study the Earth's polar regions. The IPY aims to deepen international partnerships and create trust through political and scientific dialogue.
A special section in The Lancet examines the intersections between medicine and society, highlighting the impact of direct-to-consumer drug advertising on patients' expectations and doctors' professional clout. The essays explore how pharmaceutical ads create new societal perceptions of disease, normalcy, and wellness.
A new European satellite project, Polar View, is contributing to the International Polar Year by offering real-time monitoring of polar regions. The project provides comprehensive services to over 40 international users, including government agencies and commercial interests, to help guide responses to environmental and human pressures.
A team of researchers, led by Alyson Thibodeau and David J. Killick, used physical sciences techniques to analyze archaeological artifacts at the La Isabela settlement. They found that the silver-bearing ore brought from Spain was extracted using an improvised smelting process, contradicting earlier historical accounts.
A team of climate scientists will measure the influence of Greenland's atmosphere on Northern European weather, aiming to improve forecast accuracy. The research will also fill gaps in existing climate change models, enhancing long-term predictions.
A recent study found that American adults have a limited understanding of scientific principles, with only 28% qualifying as scientifically literate. This is attributed to various factors, including the lack of general science courses in high schools and the reliance on informal science education resources.
The Altran Innovation Conference focused on technology challenges, with industry experts discussing the need for improved researcher incentives and increased investment in R&D. Innovations showcased included solar-powered technologies, drone capabilities, and sustainable energy solutions.
The MOSAR project aims to control and study antimicrobial resistance in hospitals, with a focus on four types of microorganisms. IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic participates in the network, led by INSERM, and has expertise in bacteriology and public health.
The European Union's changed policy will negatively affect dairy farmers' income, especially small farms, leading to a decrease in the number of farms. This will result in the disappearance of many small farms, allowing remaining farms to expand and increase production.
A study found that Americans have a lower understanding of science and evolution compared to Europeans, with only 40% accepting the concept of evolution. This is largely attributed to religion and politics playing a significant role in shaping Americans' views on the subject.
Scientists have found that nifedipine, commonly used for high blood pressure, can reverse iron overload in mouse models and may treat similar conditions in humans. The compound helps mobilize iron from stores in the liver and enhances its excretion into the urine.
An international consortium, led by Professor Dominique Gauguier, aims to understand the complex causes of coronary artery disease (CAD) and develop effective treatments. The project will use advanced genomics techniques to identify biomarkers for predicting CAD risk factors, offering insights into disease diagnosis and prevention.
The new guidelines emphasize the importance of treating both diabetes and cardiovascular diseases simultaneously. The guidelines recommend using stress testing and echocardiography to confirm a diagnosis of valvular heart disease, and emphasize the need for precise risk stratification before treatment decisions are made.
A new report by the European Society for Medical Oncology warns that Europe's aging population is driving a major increase in cancer cases and deaths. The report estimates that there were 3.2 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2006, with lung cancer remaining the leading cause of death.
An observational study published in The Lancet found that thrombolytic drug alteplase is safe and effective in routine clinical use when used within 3 hours of stroke onset. This suggests that intravenous treatment with alteplase could be considered as part of routine care for suitable stroke patients.
US physicians tend to start treatment sooner and are more aggressive in controlling blood pressure, with 63% of patients having their blood pressure under control. However, vast room for improvement exists, with less than two-thirds of patients reaching guideline-set goals.
A mathematical model predicts that international cooperation on sharing antiviral drugs is key to slowing down the spread of a bird flu pandemic. The 'reproductive number' of the virus plays a critical role in determining its potential for global spread.
Individuals with diagnosed hypertension in the US have lower blood pressure readings and better control compared to those in five Western European countries. The study found that treatment thresholds are more aggressive in the US, resulting in higher rates of hypertension control.
A 35,000-year-old European skull found in Romania has been analyzed, revealing that it exhibits both modern and archaic features. The discovery supports the idea of human evolution and suggests that early modern humans interbred with Neanderthals.
A 40,000-year-old skull found in Romania shows both modern human and Neandertal characteristics, indicating complex population dynamics as humans spread into Europe. The skull, named Oase 2, has a mix of archaic and derived features, raising questions about the evolutionary history of modern humans.
The discovery suggests that modern humans migrated out of Africa and occupied parts of eastern Europe as early as 45,000 years ago. The findings are based on the analysis of stone tools, beadwork, and other artifacts found at the Kostenki site in Russia.
A new study reveals that modern humans first arrived in Europe around 45,000 years ago, with evidence of stone, bone and ivory tools found in Russia. The discovery includes a carved piece of mammoth ivory believed to be the oldest figurative art ever discovered.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that adding milk to black tea completely negates its ability to relax and expand blood vessels. The researchers suggest that tea drinkers consider omitting milk from their beverage some of the time.
Researchers found that adding milk to tea completely blunts its cardiovascular benefits, which can lead to a higher risk of heart disease. The study suggests that tea drinkers who add milk regularly should consider omitting it some of the time to maximize their health benefits.
A consortium of seven institutions led by the University of Helsinki will receive €2 million funding from the European Commission to develop a new therapy for cancer. The Apotherapy project aims to activate the protein CD40, which can stop tumor growth and induce the body's natural defenses against cancer cells.
The Turiasaurus riodevensis is the largest known Sauropod dinosaur found in Europe, weighing between 40-48 tons and measuring up to 37 meters long. Researchers found numerous fossils, including a large humerus and claw, at the Barrihonda-El Humero site in Teruel, Spain.