Science and research news from across Europe. Covers major discoveries, university leadership, disease burden and costs, and research policy in the region.
The discovery of modern hummingbirds in Europe pushes the fossil record back approximately 29 million years and zips halfway around the world. The tiny skeletons found in southern Germany exhibit characteristics such as tiny size, long beaks, and wing design similar to today's hummingbirds.
Photographer Jane Alden Stevens chronicles the enduring legacy of World War I through haunting black-and-white images. Her work reveals the persistence of human memory and the lasting effects of war on landscapes and people.
A clinical trial of 370 patients found that Pfizer's VFEND was as effective as the two-drug standard of amphotericin B and fluconazole in treating Candidemia. The treatment successfully cleared Candida from the blood, with a response rate of 41% at 12 weeks.
In the 16th century, identity badges were issued to the poor as a stamp of approval and to prevent begging. The badges were designed to distinguish those deemed deserving from unworthy individuals. By the late 17th century, badging became compulsory in England, with penalties for those who refused to wear them.
Experts question whether Europe can achieve ambitious environmental goals for children due to limited action taken. Prioritizing specific areas with clear disease causation and high burden is recommended.
A study of over 3,000 Austrian women found that those born between June and August had lower average numbers of live-born children compared to other months. This suggests a potential link between birth month and reproductive performance, with possible explanations including environmental factors and early developmental influences.
A Penn State study has found that six domestic oils provided adequate corrosion protection for concrete bridge tendons in various test environments. The top-performing products from the study, including Citgo Cutting Oil NC 205 and Shell/Texaco Dromus ABD, will undergo further testing to examine their bond and ultimate flexural capacity.
The EU's new eastern border raises concerns about the growth of communicable diseases in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Public health systems have struggled to respond to these challenges, and a global response is needed to strengthen health systems and prevent disease spread.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is providing 80 scientists with five-year grants to conduct basic biomedical research in their own countries. This initiative aims to combat emerging and established infectious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, and support the development of scientific capacity in regions hit by brain drain.
The study found that approximately one-third of people older than 40 experience vision disturbances, with myopia being the most prevalent eye disorder. The estimated prevalence rates for myopia vary by region, affecting about one in four people in the US and Western Europe, and one in six Australians.
The new database contains approximately 100 Reference Measurement Procedures, including 30 developed and maintained by NIST. The database lists 96 approved reference materials; NIST is the source for 72 of these, facilitating worldwide comparability of clinical measurements and reducing technical barriers to trade.
Cumbria's unique genetic 'unique' red squirrels are dwindling in number due to an American grey squirrel invasion. Conservationists argue that a captive breeding programme should be introduced as additional measure to ensure their survival.
The European DataGrid (EDG) project has successfully built a test computing infrastructure capable of providing shared data and computing resources across Europe. GridPP resources contributed to the EDG testbed, developing important 'middleware' for efficient task distribution and security. The EGEE project will take Grid technology fu...
A Cardiff University team is designing and planning infrastructure for a pan-European wireless broadband network to provide affordable universal broadband access. The project aims to deliver low-cost services with negligible environmental impact, benefiting both citizens and businesses.
STN International has launched Derwent World Patents Index First View, providing early access to the latest published patent documents. This new alerting companion file offers a comprehensive and timely overview of global patenting activity when used with Derwent World Patents Index.
A new study found a significant disparity in breast conservation rates between countries, with Poland having the lowest rate of only 2% and the USA the second-highest at 56%. The variation was attributed to factors such as tumour characteristics, access to radiotherapy, and screening programmes.
A new large-scale trial will test the efficacy of a genetically personalised treatment for breast cancer, using microarrays to identify specific molecular signatures. The MINDACT trial aims to spare patients at low risk of relapse from unnecessary chemotherapy, resulting in reduced side effects and healthcare costs.
Breast cancer patients in Europe increasingly use complementary and alternative therapies (CAMs) to improve quality of life. CAMs may complement conventional treatments but can also interact dangerously with drug regimes, requiring careful consideration by doctors and patients.
A recent study found that young breast cancer survivors experience more severe long-term after effects, including arm problems and fatigue. Women diagnosed over 50 years old tend to report fewer symptoms than younger women.
The European Parliament and Commission are urging a unified EU approach to combat breast cancer, citing the potential for 90% of patients to be cured with early diagnosis. Breast cancer centers must meet specific requirements, including 150 operations per year and multidisciplinary case conferences.
A University of California study suggests that melting Greenland ice could lead to a significant drop in North Atlantic Ocean salinity, triggering colder climates in Northern Europe and Eastern Canada. The research found that elevated Caribbean salinity, transported by the Gulf Stream, amplifies heat transport systems.
Research suggests that subconscious bias can distort facial perceptions, leading to the perpetuation of stereotypes and racism. Studies show that even well-meaning individuals may view identical faces as more hostile in African American faces, highlighting the importance of addressing implicit bias.
The Coalition Chat Line, a trans-lingual instant messaging technology, was successfully implemented at several US and allied sites in Iraq. The system enabled commanders and operators to communicate rapidly and reliably, even when speaking different languages, reducing costs and delays associated with conventional translation practices.
A new norovirus variant was identified as the cause of increased gastroenteritis outbreaks in Europe in 2002. The data collected from ten European countries showed a striking increase in norovirus outbreaks that coincided with the emergence of the new virus variant, leading to an unusual seasonal pattern.
Critical care doctors have released the first-ever guidelines for sepsis, recommending more aggressive recognition and diagnosis, timely antibiotic therapy, and maintenance of adequate blood pressure. The guidelines aim to standardize clinical management of severe sepsis and reduce mortality rate by 25 percent.
The EMBC has agreed to a six-year budget for EMBO, providing stability for European molecular biology research. This agreement was reached after earlier proposals requested higher funding levels, but ultimately, a compromise was made to support the organization's activities and promote scientific advancements in Europe.
A two-year study found that quetiapine treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in positive, negative and depressive symptoms. Patients also showed notable enhancements in quality of life, with minimal reported side effects.
The EMBL-Hamburg-coordinated project, BIOXHIT, aims to create a common platform for European researchers in biological crystallography. The initiative combines research, networking, training, and mobility to standardize technology and reduce structure-obtaining time, attracting more researchers to the field.
The European organization aims to create a virtual office to facilitate international collaboration and development of new research programs. Researchers will be able to work from various locations throughout Europe.
The Severn Estuary Partnership has received £150,000 funding to improve and develop sustainable access to and around the estuary. The project aims to boost local economies by promoting local produce and enhance nature conservation values.
A recent report shows a significant decline in stomach cancer rates across Europe, with falls seen in younger and middle-aged populations. The downward trend is attributed to improved diet, better food preservation, reduced Helicobacter pylori infection, and lower smoking rates.
The XENDOS study found that Xenical significantly reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 37% compared to lifestyle changes alone and 52% in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. The medication also produces greater long-term weight loss and improves cardiovascular risk factors.
The EMBO-launched portal aims to facilitate life scientists' career mobility across Europe by providing a one-stop-shop for funding opportunities, training programs, and job openings. Users can share their research profiles and contribute to the platform through submissions of experience reports on mobility.
A recent study using computer imaging techniques reveals that Neanderthals exhibit distinct differences in skeletal morphology compared to modern humans. The research, led by NYU paleoanthropologist Katerina Harvati, suggests that Neanderthals are a separate species within the genus Homo.
A European study has identified major risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), including prone sleeping positions and household smoking. These avoidable risk factors suggest a basis for further reductions in SIDS incidence rates through changes in infant sleep arrangements and environmental habits.
The chemical industry is expected to experience increased production and demand, leading to historic levels of growth in the US, Canada, and Asia-Pacific. In contrast, European chemical industries are forecasted to exhibit modest growth due to economic constraints.
A study by Cornell University found that farm-raised salmon in Europe contained higher levels of organic contaminants than those from North America and South America. The analysis revealed 13 out of 14 organochlorine contaminants were present in farmed salmon, highlighting the need for safer farming practices.
Researchers at Indiana University found that farmed Atlantic salmon contain significantly higher levels of toxins, including PCBs and dioxins, than wild Pacific salmon. These toxins are linked to human health concerns and may pose a risk to people who eat salmon regularly.
Researchers found high concentrations of BDEs in peregrine falcon eggs, suggesting the deca formulation may not be harmless. The study's findings add to concerns about the safety of BDEs and their potential impact on wildlife.
A new primate fossil find in Asia has sparked debate about the origins of humans, with some scientists arguing that early primates were nocturnal. The fossil, Teilhardina asiatica, is smaller than modern primates and had sharp tooth cusps indicating an insect-eating diet.
The report analyzes survival data from 23,000 children diagnosed between 1990 and 1994, showing significant differences in overall cancer survival rates. The Nordic countries had the highest survival figures for four major childhood tumor types, with an average five-year survival rate of 71.8% across all European countries.
The UK's largest persistent grid computing system, GridPP2, will enable particle physicists to process vast amounts of data generated by the Large Hadron Collider. The system, worth £16 million, will be built over four years and consist of a network of interconnected computers.
Research by Rudgers et al. reveals symbiotic fungi facilitate invasive plant invasion in various plant communities. The study highlights the complex interactions between fungal pathogens and native plants, ultimately leading to ecosystem disruption.
A study by Indiana University researchers suggests that European soil microbes help the invasive American black cherry tree grow, while inhibiting native species. The research found that in Dutch greenhouses, sterilized soil led to poor growth of native cherry trees, but non-sterilized soil allowed the invasive species to thrive.
The study found that large game animal populations existed in higher numbers where human populations were low, but decreased significantly near Native American settlements. Human influence on the environment has been going on for a long time, even before European settlement.
A genetic mutation that disables a protein used by HIV-1 to infect cells is prevalent in 10% of Europeans due to historical smallpox exposure. This mutation, which protects against death from smallpox, has been transferred to AIDS, slowing its progression.
The study, which took place from October 1999 to December 2002, showed a lower sepsis and device infection rate compared to the REMATCH trial. Patients lived an average of nine months with the device, with three still living as of November 1, 2003.
A Danish study of over 56,000 births found that women trying to conceive for over a year were at increased risk of preterm delivery, term babies with low birthweight, and Caesarean section. The study also found significant associations between infertility and adverse birth outcomes in both treated and untreated infertile women.
The European Parliament calls on Eastern European countries to share knowledge and resources to combat HIV resistance. FUZEON, a new treatment, has been shown to reduce HIV levels and increase CD4 cell counts in patients with drug-resistant strains.
A multicentre study found that darifenacin significantly improved median warning time by 4.3 minutes in patients with overactive bladder syndrome, leading to a 22.5% increase in mean warning time.
Research suggests that low and high birthweights are associated with a higher risk of cerebral palsy. Babies born with weights below the 10th percentile or above the 97th percentile had a four to six times increased risk, respectively.
Florida Institute of Technology scientist receives three-year grant to study high-energy proton-proton collisions and fundamental questions of nature. The grant is part of the CMS experiment at CERN, a large international collaboration involving over 1,850 scientists from 34 countries.
The report analyzed data from 22 countries and 42 types of cancer, showing average five-year survival rates ranging from 94% for lip cancer to less than 4% for pancreatic cancer. Regional variations were found, with some Eastern European countries having lower survival rates and western Europe performing better.
A new coalition of cancer patients is working to promote better treatment, care, and research across Europe. The group hopes to influence European health policymaking and ensure access to high-quality screening, treatment, and care for all cancer patients.
The European Cancer Patient Coalition is hindered by language barriers, with fewer than 50% of Europeans speaking a second language, including English. Digital divide also persists, with varying internet access across countries, affecting the coalition's ability to operate effectively.
The discovery sheds light on early modern human biology and their archaic origins. The fossils, dating back 34,000-36,000 years, reveal a mix of modern and archaic characteristics.
The study evaluated 27 surgeons in 23 centers and found that quality of surgery is independent of caseload. The parameters used included length of surgery, blood loss, postoperative continence, and PSA levels after surgery.
A new study reveals Americans are among the most misinformed about global warming, with only 15% correctly identifying burning fossil fuels as its primary cause. The US ranks below Japan and France in terms of public understanding of climate change.
Researchers from deCODE Genetics and the University of Oxford found that genetic drift, not admixture, has shaped Iceland's gene pool. The study suggests that small effective population size and relative isolation have contributed to Iceland's unique genetic characteristics.
A major study in India found that smoking causes half the tuberculosis deaths among men, with most cases linked to respiratory disease. The research highlights the deadly risks of tobacco use and emphasizes the need for proper treatment and prevention measures.