How extensive is codeine misuse and dependence? Although not yet substantiated, anecdotal evidence suggests the problem is common, making it a concern for public health and pharmacy practice. EU-funded researchers are collecting evidence to feed into guidelines for pharmacies and doctors.
Researchers, politicians and policy-makers from Europe and Africa are addressing major social, economic and environmental challenges through EU-funded projects that aim to foster long-term collaboration in science, technology and innovation.
African and EU countries have long worked together on science and technology research. Now the way they collaborate is being rethought for the modern world. An EU-funded project has used a different approach for a more equal, coordinated research partnership between Africa and the EU.
The phenomena that affect the Mediterranean Sea have implications for the entire region, and they tie in with developments shaping marine environments around the world. But they are not yet fully understood. Tunisia’s main research institute for oceanography has taken steps to boost its potential contribution to international collaborations generating new knowledge.
Carbon dioxide emissions and decreasing global reserves of fossil fuels are two of the biggest challenges that must be addressed in the 21st century. Developing fuels that do not rely on petroleum and discovering other alternative fuels is one way to help decrease the carbon emissions that impact climate change, reduce the growing cost of fuel, and provide more ecologically and economically sustainable air travel.
Eggs are so much more than yolks and whites. For pharmaceuticals and cosmetics companies, the membrane within the shell is highly prized. With an innovative new technology to separate the membrane from the mineral shell without damaging the former, EU-funded researchers are filling a gap in the market and addressing the waste problem facing companies using eggs.
Noise from aircraft raises stress to unhealthy levels and reduces quality of life for those living and working near airports. An EU-funded project has developed promising technologies that together could cut aircraft noise by 2.3 decibels – building on industry’s efforts to provide relief for those living near airports.
Earth monitoring – observing land, security and climate change from space – can help countries protect resources and improve lives. But the technology is no use without human capacity. So that capacity-building in Africa targets the continent’s priorities, an EU-funded project brought together African and European specialists to build networks and make key investment decisions.
If there’s one thing North Africa has in abundance, it is sun – and with it, the potential for cheap, plentiful solar power. An EU-funded project is adapting solar technology to the region’s environment and infrastructure, while building local research capacity in the field.
Plants are increasingly traded across borders. But they don’t travel alone – tiny pests can travel with them, some of these are damaging for local crops and other plants. An EU-funded project has made it easier for plant protection agencies to identify pests, stop them spreading and support safer trade.
The ability to observe very high energy gamma radiation has opened a new window on the universe, and researchers around the world are keen to seize the new opportunities it offers. As part of an EU-funded project, they have created an international alliance to move beyond current experimental instruments towards a major telescope array for this new type of observation.
Research infrastructures provide the tools scientists need to understand the world and, in some cases, make it a better place. But these resources – from telescopes to biobanks, and from museum archives to wave energy test sites – cost more than most countries can afford. The EU-funded PAERIP project has started the ball rolling for new partnerships to share resources between Europe and Africa
With cures increasingly available for infectious diseases that hit the world’s poorest regions, doctors need low-cost diagnostic tests to use these new treatments. An EU-funded project helps identify these diseases from early symptoms, saving lives and cutting healthcare costs.
A large number of small communities and towns in Africa suffer from a lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation – a major health risk. To help, an EU-funded project has developed a planning tool they can use to decide on the most appropriate solutions.
Scientists have long suspected that the acidification of our seas may harm their flora and fauna. But the likely impact in the Mediterranean was a mystery – until now. The knowledge on acidification gained by EU-funded researchers is of great concern – the team is now calling for urgent action to protect the Mediterranean Sea’s precious biodiversity and its many other benefits.
Why do people break the law? Are the risks of punishment too low or sentences too lenient? These are the wrong questions, say European researchers studying criminal trends, attitudes towards crime, and the impact of technology and EU mobility on our justice system. Their work is set to have a profound impact on policymaking for “trust-based” justice in Europe.
GEOSS is not just a system of systems, it is also a community of communities — a global ecosystem of groups and entities that provide or use earth observation data. An EU-funded project has smoothed the path for new members joining this growing alliance, notably by developing guidance for future contributors and setting up a stakeholder network.
Why should gluten intolerance condemn people to a lifetime of limited – and often bland – food choices? By using new innovative ingredients and techniques to replicate the taste and texture of gluten, an EU-funded project has taken impressive steps to ensure that nothing is off the menu. The project’s techniques are also helping Europe’s smaller food manufacturers develop new products for the gluten-free market, helping them compete.
Many African countries lack the skills, resources and funds to efficiently control and manage waste – a threat to the environment and people’s health. An EU-funded project involving European and African partners has provided practical solutions that policymakers and communities can use to resolve a common problem
An EU-funded consortium has developed innovative retrofit strategies for buildings to significantly improve energy efficiency, reduce construction time and costs, increase worksite safety and generate added value from existing residential areas.
