Urbanisation is a significant and growing worldwide trend which raises increasingly important environmental issues for policymakers.
More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and the number of ‘megacities’ with populations of more than 10 million has risen from 3 in 1975 to around 20 today.
The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas play a crucial role in the management of our blood sugar levels. If they don’t work properly, the body can no longer cope with glucose.
New imaging techniques developed through EU support are enabling researchers to take a closer look at the birth, life and death of these precious cells in their quest to improve the prevention and management of diabetes.
Major oil spills from sinking supertankers are thankfully very rare these days. However, smaller oil spills from shipping are unfortunately still common.
Most ships have some type of fuel on board and if they are involved in an accident, there is a risk of that fuel leaking into the sea.
Among the social and economic shifts challenging Europe is the growth of low-wage, low-skilled jobs filled by workers who face undesirable working conditions and uncertain future prospects.
This trend is raising concerns that large segments of the population particularly women, youth, older workers, migrants and minorities may not reach the career and social security they otherwise could obtain.
Jogging or running is a popular form of physical activity. However, the resulting repetitive stresses and strains on joints can cause injuries. In fact, many joggers have to stop practising the sport because they tend to land on their heels which, when done for miles on end, produces impact forces which are simply too much to bear for the legs and back.
Container ships are the life blood of global trade, transporting raw materials and manufactured goods across the globe. But with fewer than 2% of containers x-rayed or physically checked at customs, they also present a security risk.
Thanks to an EU-funded project, cutting-edge tracking technology designed to make cargo shipping significantly safer and more efficient could soon be commercially available.
As the world focuses its efforts on the battle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the impact of global warming, one significant part of the solution could be the greater use of wood in the construction industry in place of other, less environmentally-friendly materials such as metal or plastic.
The problem is that wood - and the coatings and adhesives used with it – have a number of shortcomings as building materials.
Self-cleaning plastic surfaces developed by EU-funded scientists could save you time when washing your car, cut costs by reducing the need for cleaning products and even help to reduce your impact on the environment.
Picture a chemical plant. How would you describe it? You’re probably not thinking along the lines of compact, nimble or adaptable – but that's about to change. Europe's chemical industry is innovating in order to survive and thrive in the face of rapidly changing market demands and fierce global competition.
New technologies will enable the industry to manufacture products faster, more flexibly and more sustainably, and EU-funded research is providing the solutions.
The packaging industry is under pressure to improve its environmental performance and become more competitive. In addition, food packaging safety has come under more scrutiny.
An innovative EU-funded project has addressed all three of these objectives at once, with a straightforward yet potentially revolutionary solution using tomato skins.
Someone dies from tuberculosis (TB) every 15 seconds and 30 million more people will succumb to this deadly bacterium in the coming decade if new treatments are not found. Once known as 'consumption' for the way it 'consumed' the lungs and sometimes other organs, TB is one of the oldest known infectious diseases. Its agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis has already infected a third of the world's population, and this is despite decades of vaccination programmes.
More than 10,000 asteroids and comets are within striking distance of the Earth. An asteroid as small as 50 metres wide that penetrates the atmosphere could damage an entire city or part of a country. To prevent such a possible disaster, a European Union (EU)-funded project, NEOShield, is studying ways to deflect an incoming asteroid or destroy it before it has a chance to collide with the Earth.
Many drugs prescribed for children have not been appropriately tested for use on this age group. Such drugs frequently lack adequate information about the correct dosage and how best to administer them.
One of the most common forms of cancer in children is acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and the children affected have to rely on tablet-based treatments developed for adults.
The European Union (EU)-funded LOULLA&PHILLA project designed a new range of anti-cancer drugs specifically aimed at children. The drugs ensure an appropriate safe dosage and are available in a flavoured oral liquid form to make it easier for parents to administer to children.
Landing a spacecraft on another planet is a complex and expensive endeavour. Once the craft is there, it is essential that any pictures and data sent back to Earth are of the highest quality in order to help scientists and astronomers acquire the best possible knowledge and assist them with planning future missions. A European Union (EU)-funded project, PRoVisG, has developed a new technique to convert information collected from other planets into higher resolution 3D images.
Malaria is still a big killer in southern Africa, and all available technologies need to be employed effectively to control the mosquitoes that spread it. Earth Observation (EO) techniques, such as remote aircraft and satellite sensing, can be employed to monitor and manage these malaria vectors.
Pushing the boundaries of astronomy is only possible if you have the latest technology at hand. An EU-funded project aims to ensure that the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade is equipped to become one of Europe’s most dynamic and competitive centres of discovery.
EU-funded researchers and industrialists are developing monitoring tools for the production line that can prevent and correct defects faster. This innovation will reduce costs, downtime and wastage, and lead to better, safer products.
The promise of 3D printing has many of us spellbound, and indeed the ability to conjure up objects on demand could completely change our lives. In homes, offices and workshops around the world, this revolution is only just beginning – mainly with equipment designed for small-scale production at a leisurely pace.
Just think what could be achieved with fast, high-precision printers built for large-scale manufacturing, such as those developed by the EU-funded PHOCAM project.
