These days, we rely increasingly on the most microscopic of mechanisms, machines and modules. Yet until recently it hasn't been possible to take a close look non-destructively without using large-scale research equipment. A new affordable scanner designed by EU researchers gives a 3D view inside nano-objects, and so will advance materials research.
Many potential drugs that have the desired effect in the laboratory never make it onto clinical trials because they may cause serious side-effects or simply cannot be absorbed by the human body.
While nuclear medicine (specialty involving the application of radioactive substances in the diagnosis and treatment of disease) and interventional radiology may give doctors life-saving technology to diagnose and treat diseases, the radiation emitted from the machines and systems could lead to some risks for the doctors.
There are many radiation sources, usually in low doses, from key medical diagnostic equipment to natural sources like radon gas that emanates from the ground. Until now, there has been little understanding of the low-dose radiation impact, but a European research project, DoReMi, is examining the potential health risks and how to protect against them.
FARSEEING is collecting data about real-life falls of older adults, in order to better understand the risk factors for falls. Based on this, solutions are developed to prevent older adults from falling.
Social media has broken down barriers between information providers and consumers. An EU-funded project is seeking to capitalise on this by enabling citizens to monitor and report on their own environment, and thus become the first line of defence against flooding.
Something is growing at the heart of Europe’s forests: a community of innovators has gathered to boost and improve the use of wood and its derivatives. The forest-based industries are ideally positioned to help build a sustainable future and a knowledge-based economy. A large-scale programme partly funded by the EU is backing this effort.
The Kyoto Protocol was one of the first major international treaties that focused on human caused climate change. Signed in 1997 by 192 countries, it came into effect in 2005 with a set of legal requirements for industrialised nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. One aspect of the Protocol is the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which enables developed nations to reach their emissions targets by sponsoring emissions-reducing projects in the CDM countries - namely China, India, Brazil and most of Africa.
Food is an important part of any person’s well-being. However, for people who might suffer from chewing or swallowing difficulties, eating a nutritious, balanced diet that is also appealing could be a challenge.
Imagine wearing clothes that can generate electricity from the sun’s rays. What is more, imagine this electricity could power medical, athletic and other personal electronic devices. Significant advances in solar energy technology have made this possible. At the forefront of this research is the European Union (EU)-funded project Dephotex, which has developed methods to make photovoltaic material light and flexible enough to be worn.
A groundbreaking European research project focused on tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment has developed potentially life-saving novel drug candidates and new diagnostics for the condition.
Computers have been doubling in performance every two years for the last forty years but we are reaching the physical limits of what we can achieve with current semiconductor technology. An EU initiative for High Performance Computing (HPC) is looking to shake up the way in which computer processors are designed and made. The good news is that computers with higher performance will also lead to less power consumption; a win for computing and a win for the environment.
In a time of climate change, when fuel resources are under pressure and lands face potential erosion risks, humble grass seems an unlikely saviour. The European research project OPTIMA is helping cultivate high-yielding perennial grasses that could address these possible challenges, offering a number of valuable environmental and economic benefits.
Protecting nature’s biodiversity is key to the survival of our planet and high on the European agenda. The European Union (EU) Habitats Directive, together with the ‘Birds Directive’, has identified over 1,000 animals and plant species in over 200 so-called habitat types, such as special forests, meadows or wetland.
Europe’s religious mix is part of its rich history and culture, but even today there continues to be tensions about the rights and responsibilities of faith-based communities. Laws and traditions vary across Europe, and there are no easy answers to some disputes
Europe has always been a blend of cultures and communities, with a regular churn of people across the continent. Yet the mix can be complex, and some find the changes difficult. While there may be no perfect way to manage Europe’s ethnic and religious diversity, the European Union (EU)-funded research project ACCEPT PLURALISM has developed a guide to help deal with the challenges as they arise.
Tropical forests are the natural champions of climate change mitigation. Even though they cover only 7-10% of the Earth’s total land surface they hold one of the world’s biggest terrestrial carbon stores and are home to over half of the planet’s species.
Although fossil oils are dwindling, they are still our main energy source and continue to dominate the global chemical industry. However, the European Union (EU)-funded research project ICON helped breed crops to produce high-value plant oils that are expected to break the chemical sector’s dependence on petroleum.
Using innovative imaging techniques, EU-funded researchers are finding out how antibody therapies – developed to act on the body’s immune system – can improve and save lives.
An EU-funded project has developed the high-tech software, measuring devices, machinery and processes needed to produce personalised shoes quickly and efficiently. The results will help Europe’s safety and sport shoe manufacturers innovate and stay competitive in a highly globalised world.
