http://ec.europa.eu//research/index.cfm?pg=whatsnew en Fri, 17 May 2013 13:51:15 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=rss For more RSS news feeds click the link above. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:51:15 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=rss http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_05_15_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29993 Psychiatric disorders are a major, though often "hidden", health problem. It is estimated that mental disorders affect more than 160 million Europeans - 38% of the population each year. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one in four of us will suffer from at least one mental disorder during our lifetime. In addition to the direct impact this has on patients and their families, the impact on national healthcare systems is significant. In Europe, the annual cost is estimated to be more than €200 billion. ]]> Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-15:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_05_15_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29993 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-safer&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29921 Even 10 seconds can make a difference. When Japan was hit by the earthquake in 2011, early-warning systems were in place, and within seconds even the high-speed "bullet" trains stopped. About half of Europe is also a high-risk earthquake area, especially Mediterranean countries like Greece, Italy, and also other regions around the Black Sea. ]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-08:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-safer&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29921 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-multimod&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29915 There are some problems that are more complicated than others, and some problems that are more common than others. Unfortunately, when it comes to disease, complex diseases are also the most common ones. ]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-07:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-multimod&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29915 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-cover&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29914 Road accidents killed almost 35,000 people in the European Union (EU)'s 27 member states in 2009, the latest year for which statistics are available. While this number represents a fall of 38% since the start of the 21st century, there is still great scope to improve vehicle safety in Europe. ]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-05-07:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-cover&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29914 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_29_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29833 For Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, of the University of Uppsala in Sweden, news that the European Union (EU) was to provide funding for a project aimed at using research into canine genetics as a kind of 'fast-track' to help provide cures for many important human diseases marked the achievement of a long-held ambition.]]> Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-04-29:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_29_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29833 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_25_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29793 The UN Security Council has expressed concerns that the adverse effects of climate change could lead to certain threats to international peace and security. However, research suggests that scarcity can lead to cooperation rather than conflict. In order to improve our understanding of the factors involved, the European Union (EU)-funded CLICO project studied the world's most exposed and vulnerable areas to both floods and droughts - the Mediterranean, Middle East and Sahel (MMES) regions.]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-04-25:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_25_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29793 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_10_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29633 In the decades ahead, landslide risk will probably increase in some regions of Europe as a consequence of climate change and growing population. But landslides’ danger can be hidden: though their destruction is plain, in official data landslides are often lumped in with their triggers, such as extreme precipitation, earthquakes or floods. This means that damage wrought by landslides is generally underestimated by analysts, and public awareness of landslide risk is less than that of comparable natural hazards. ]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-04-10:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_10_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29633 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_03_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29553 Accounting for some 40% of all energy consumption, the building sector is one of Europe's most energy consuming. And as the vast majority of this power comes from fossil fuels, increasing energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions and using Renewable Energy Sources (RES) has in recent years become priority. ]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-04-03:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_04_03_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29553 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=326&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29554 Known as the tiger of the sea, the bluefin tuna or Thunnus thynnus, can grow to more than half a tonne, glide at speeds of up to 70km/hour, and migrate over thousands of kilometres. But for many people, the bluefin’s majesty and grace in the water count for far less than the delicious taste of its rich, creamy red flesh: in January 2012, a 269kg bluefin tuna fetched a record 56.49 million yen (€564,000) at a Tsukiji market auction in Tokyo. Demand for the lucrative fish is driving it to extinction: despite global initiatives to limit the hunting, bluefin tuna populations have fallen an estimated 80% since 1970. ]]> Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-04-03:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=326&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29554 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-ecochange&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29514 Human well-being is strongly linked to the biodiversity and functioning of the Earth's ecosystems. To maintain biodiversity and enable future generations to derive the same benefits our planet now provides us with, consolidated policy and management efforts are needed. The findings of the EcoChange project could be instrumental in this endeavour. ]]> Tue, 26 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-03-26:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-ecochange&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29514 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-ice2sea&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29474 While the global increase of temperature due to our emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere is more or less undisputed among climate researchers, the consequences of the global warming are less clear. Sea-level will rise, but whether we look at half a meter or one and a half meters at the end of the century, is not yet predictable. In terms of impacts on coast and its cities around the globe, these figures correspond to "severe" and "devastating", respectively. ]]> Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-03-22:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-ice2sea&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=29474 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_03_20_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29433 Measuring between 1 and 100 billionth of a metre, nanomaterials may be tiny and invisible to the eye but what they lack in size, they make up for in impact. Engineered nanomaterials are already widely used in technologies and consumer products ranging from toothpaste to paints. ]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-03-20:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_03_20_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29433 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_03_13_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29353 Millions of European city dwellers endure urban noise pollution every day. Apart from its nuisance value, noise in Europe has health risks with stress and cardiovascular issues being particular concerns, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The social costs of traffic noise in Europe have been estimated to 0.4% of total economic output, mainly from road transport. ]]> Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-03-13:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_03_13_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29353 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_02_27_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29314 A groundbreaking European Union (EU)-funded research project has shown that eating high quantities of common foods such as fried potatoes - or even toast – during pregnancy can lead to significant health problems for the new-born child. ]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-02-27:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_02_27_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29314 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_02_25_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29313 Covering 72% of the Earth and supplying half its oxygen, oceans are our planet's life support system. They play a crucial role in distributing heat, carbon, oxygen, nutrients, and, of course, water around the world, influencing our climate and our weather. The effects of global warming on sea levels, currents and water heat are still only partly understood, making predictions for future climate conditions difficult. But a worldwide programme using thousands of plastic floats is currently monitoring the oceans and - with crucial help from European researchers - is finding answers to what moves the seas. ]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2013-02-25:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_13_02_25_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=29313 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_12_28_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=28833 Showcasing the most exciting areas in research and innovation in Europe is the premise behind the 'Destination Europe' events, which take place several times a year. The events help researchers from around the world discover the opportunities available for working in Europe, why Europe is an ideal place for career development and the funding opportunities for scientists. Likewise, they provide a unique insight into what European countries are doing with regards to innovation transfer.]]> Fri, 28 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-12-28:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_12_28_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=28833 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_12_26_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=28813 Surveys conducted in several European countries have shown a high demand for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as an increasing number of citizens seek relief for disorders they feel cannot be treated with conventional therapy. As many as half of those surveyed said they used alternative healthcare for their needs. The European Commission estimates that spending on CAM by consumers now tops EUR 100 million. There are currently more than 150,000 registered medical doctors with additional CAM certification. But when it comes to advice on CAM, it was found in countries such as Ireland, Israel, Norway, Turkey and the United Kingdom that citizens sought the opinions of their social network of friends and family, rather than professionals, for advice.]]> Wed, 26 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-12-26:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_12_12_26_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=28813 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-sustaincomp&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=28793 Sustainability in the plastics sector will become a more pressing issue in the future as legislation and public demand force companies to manufacture more environmentally friendly products. A European project has been developing alternative materials, production processes and even products like a composite bus seat which could, in time, replace oil-based plastic versions. ]]> Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-12-21:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-sustaincomp&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=28793 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-eatris&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=28673 All too often, researchers who secure medical breakthroughs in the laboratory find themselves at a loss when it comes to turning their findings into health products. This blockage is due to the slow, cumbersome and failure-prone testing and approvals mechanism, which involves lengthy inter-disciplinary dealings amongst basic scientists, clinicians, regulators and more. But a new European project is simplifying the system and speeding the journey from science to therapy. ]]> Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-12-13:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-eatris&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=28673 http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-wheylayer&calledby=infocentre&item=All&artid=28397&caller=SuccessStories Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-11-28:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-wheylayer&calledby=infocentre&item=All&artid=28397&caller=SuccessStories http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-eurobioref&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=25553 For most people, the bioeconomy is the way of the future. A shift towards an economy based on renewable resources not on fossil fuels is no longer just an option, it's a necessity.]]> Fri, 29 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT tag:ch,2012-06-29:/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/star/index_en.cfm?p=ss-eurobioref&calledby=infocentre&item=Infocentre&artid=25553