http://ec.europa.eu//research/biosociety/index_en.htm en Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:33:09 GMT /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_06_03_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11533 Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) triggers health problems for people worldwide. Key contributing factors are antibiotic resistance among pneumococcal strains that keep intensifying and existing vaccines – though effective – can lead to serotype replacement (i.e. when we eliminate bacteria with a vaccine, we 'force' the emergence of other bacteria). For a team of EU-funded researchers, novel intervention strategies are needed to fight antibiotic resistant S. pneumoniae. With almost EUR 3 million in funding, the CAREPNEUMO project is determined to deliver results. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_06_03_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11533 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_06_02_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11493 An international team of scientists has identified a variant of a potassium channel that affects patients with schizophrenia. The results, published in the journal Nature Medicine, show how the expression of a formerly unknown form of a potassium channel is 2.5 times greater than normal in the brain memory hub of people suffering from this psychotic disorder, and is connected to a hotspot of genetic variation. Their findings could offer a new therapeutic target to combat schizophrenia. Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_06_02_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11493 /research/allergy/meetings.htm Workshop: Chronic Diseases Research in the 7th Framework Programme Combating Allergy and Asthma in Europe: Issues and Perspectives - Brussels 17th November 2008 Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/allergy/meetings.htm /research/biotechnology/ec-us/workshop_en.html Forthcoming workwhop : A Global Look at Women’s Leadership in Biotechnology Research - 23-24 June 2009 / Past workwhop : report for EC-US Workshop on nanobiotechnology, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy, June 3-4 2008 Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/biotechnology/ec-us/workshop_en.html /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_28_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11453 Researchers from the University of Nottingham in the UK have found that children whose mothers dieted excessively during their pregnancies may be at risk for health problems later in life. The results are part of EARNEST ('The early nutrition programming project'), which is funded under the 'Food Quality and Safety' Priority of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to the tune of EUR 13.4 million. Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_28_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11453 /research/research-for-europe/index_fr.html Une sélection de 40 «success stories» extraites du sixième programme-cadre de recherche de l’UE. Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-for-europe/index_fr.html /research/research-for-europe/index_de.html Eine Auswahl an Erfolgsgeschichten aus dem Sechsten Rahmenprogramm für Forschung der Europäischen Union. Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-for-europe/index_de.html /research/agriculture/success_labonsite_en.htm The strategic impact of this project is to provide new, robust tests for the front-line diagnosis of OIE List A diseases by developing and applying more rapid and sensitive testing regimes based on recent advances in molecular biology for laboratory use. Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/agriculture/success_labonsite_en.htm /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_20_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11353 The word recycling is key for a sustainable environment and brings images of paper, aluminium cans and glass to mind. But does recycling play a role in the cellular world? A German team of researchers says it should, particularly because molecules tend to be available in limited numbers. The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and Heidelberg University partners have discovered a protein recycling mechanism capable of protecting people from genetic disorders. Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_20_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11353 /research/research-for-europe/index_en.html This new site comprises a collection of 40 successful projects from the Sixth Framework Programme. It is the online version of a printed brochure which is available in four languages - English, French, German and Spanish. Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-for-europe/index_en.html /research/index.cfm?pg=success This new page provides links to the parts of the Research site where you can find information about successful research projects. Wed, 20 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=success /research/health/infectious-diseases/index_en.html There are several new documents on the infectious diseases website: HIV/AIDS, malaria and Tuberculosis site: Leaflet Tuberculosis + Catalogue Human Vaccines Neglected diseases site: Leaflet Neglected diseases Antimicrobial drug resistance site: Factsheet Emerging epidemic site: Catalogue Emerging epidemic Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/infectious-diseases/index_en.html /research/conferences/2008/poverty-related-diseases/conf-report_en.html In November 2008, the European Commission's Research DG held an International Conference on Poverty-Related Diseases (PRDs) in Brussels. The aim of the Conference was to increase the impact of EU-funded research on controlling PRDs. Tue, 12 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2008/poverty-related-diseases/conf-report_en.html /research/conferences/2008/poverty-related-diseases/conf-report_en.html In November 2008, the European Commission's Research DG held an International Conference on Poverty-Related Diseases (PRDs) in Brussels. The aim of the Conference was to increase the impact of EU-funded research on controlling PRDs. Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2008/poverty-related-diseases/conf-report_en.html /research/conferences/2008/poverty-related-diseases/photo_gallery_en.html In November 2008, the European Commission's Research DG held an International Conference on Poverty-Related Diseases (PRDs) in Brussels. The aim of the Conference was to increase the impact of EU-funded research on controlling PRDs. Photographs from the conference are now available and the conference report will follow shortly. Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/conferences/2008/poverty-related-diseases/photo_gallery_en.html /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_08_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11177 An international network of scientists and clinicians has pieced together the puzzle of how the immune system recognises and responds to tumours like melanoma. Their work will support future research efforts for manipulating components of the immune system for safe and effective therapeutic strategies. The research findings have been published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. Fri, 08 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_08_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11177 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_06_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11175 European researchers have carried out two parallel studies indicating that a new kind of gene is linked to progressive hearing loss. The gene 'miR-96' is a small fragment of RNA affecting the generation of other molecules within the inner ear's sensory hair cells. The research is part of the SIROCCO and EuroHear projects (supported by the EU with EUR 11.78 million and EUR 12.5 million in funding). Published in the journal Nature Genetics, the findings provide greater insight into a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Wed, 06 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_06_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11175 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_05_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11174 HIV-1 infected patients should receive combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) earlier, new research shows. Currently, the cell count threshold of T-cells (white blood cells) used to determine when antiretroviral therapy should start is set too low, the study published online in The Lancet says. There should be no less than 350 T-cells containing the glycoprotein CD4 per microlitre (µL) of blood. This finding should help guide physicians and patients in determining when treatment should begin. Tue, 05 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_05_05_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11174 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_30_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11153 A Portuguese-US research team has discovered a new molecular mechanism that enables gamma herpes viruses to chronically infect patients. Their research also offers a greater understanding of why these patients are more likely to suffer from lymphocyte (white blood cell) cancer lymphoma; this is especially evident in cases of immunodeficiency. The results of the study were published in the online edition of The EMBO Journal. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_30_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11153 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_28_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11113 Researchers have discovered a protein link between Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the research is the first major finding of the EU-funded MEMOLOAD project and will shed light on how to improve treatment for both diseases. MEMOLOAD is funded under the Health theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) to the tune of EUR 3 million. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_28_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11113 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_23_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11053 Cancer researchers have been exploring gene therapy as an experimental treatment to fight the deadly disease despite the obstacles that have surfaced along the way. A cross-European research team has now gained a foothold in this area by developing a nanoparticle that transports antitumor genes selectively to cancer cells. The researchers are hopeful that human trials could begin in 2011. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_23_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=11053 /research/research-eu/animality/index_en.html An increasingly blurred borderline Man and beast Evolving divides Strategies of life Man and beast - In brief Frontier Tracking our origins The 1% that changes everything How word came to us What animals cannot conceive Frontier - In brief Aptitudes & attitudes No monopoly on thought Oneself and others Who’s aping whom? The meaning of sounds Aptitudes & attitudes - In brief Usage & abusage Cunning canines “Animal production is the opposite of husbandry” Fragile species barrier Contentious altar of progress Ethics for animals? Usage & abusage - In brief Imagination The bear and the wolf Black Africa’s anima The reindeer system Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/research-eu/animality/index_en.html /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_08_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=10854 Tobacco use triggers a number of common diseases in humans including heart disease and lung cancer. However, a group of scientists from Europe may be tobacco's saving grace. They successfully used genetically modified tobacco plants to generate medicines for a number of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_08_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=10854 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_06_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=10833 Winter is synonymous with skiing, tobogganing and hot cocoa. But for many, it is a season of the blues. With winter come shorter days and less sunlight, and a lack of vitamin D has been linked to depression and the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). But researchers from the University of Warwick in the UK have found that there is no clear link between vitamin D levels in the blood and depression. Their findings were recently published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_06_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=10833 /research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_01_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=10773 Diabetics who have atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm) have a stronger chance of succumbing to other heart-related problems and death, new research shows. The results from the ADVANCE[2] study, conducted by an international group of scientists, were recently published in the European Heart Journal. Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_09_04_01_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=10773 http://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/index_en.htm For more information on Health and life sciences, click the link above, which will take you to the Biosociety web site. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:33:09 GMT http://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/index_en.htm