European Union News - Research & Innovation

EU-funded scientists have discovered that a mutated protein inherent in Huntington's disease (HD) performs an unforeseen role in neurogenesis. The finding could lead to a better understanding of HD, an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that is characterised by severe psychiatric, cognitive and motor defects, and neuronal death in the brain.

The European Commission has presented to the Council and the European Parliament its Report on the European Research Council's operations and realisation of the objectives set out in the Specific Programme "Ideas" in 2009 (COM(2010) 458 final). This Annual Report from the Commission presents the assessment of the ERC's operations and the achievement of its objectives in 2009.

One of the biggest challenges the World in general has to face today is what to do with the growing mountains of rubbish. According to researchers in Ireland, compost production may be the answer to this problem.

Researchers in Europe continue to fight the good fight against cancer. In so doing, projects such as the Seventh Framework Programme's funded MIRACLE are contributing to this end with an advanced LOC system for the detection and characterisation of circulating and disseminated tumour cells will lead to faster and cost-efficient diagnosis of cancer.

An EU-funded team has created a software platform that enables the use of multi-core technology on mobile embedded computing devices by way of virtualisation techniques. The dual multi-core and virtualisation solution developed by the EMUCO ('Embedded multi-core processing for mobile communication systems') team allows for both higher processing capacity and low power consumption, with the added value of security and flexibility.

Scientists from China and the UK have discovered that a leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex octospinosus, uses a cocktail of antibiotics to keep its fungus gardens neat. Among these antibiotics, which are produced by bacteria living on the ants, is a novel compound that could be used to treat fungal infections. The study, published in the journal Biomed Central (BMC) Biology, is the first to demonstrate that a single ant colony uses multiple antibiotics.

European scientists have realised that warm water can trigger deformities in farmed fish. These findings are the result of the FINE FISH research project, funded under EU Sixth Framework Programme.

A team of EU-funded researchers from Denmark and the UK after discovering that two heads are indeed better but only when both partners are equally competent and could agree after discussing the problem soundly.

New research shows how using biosynthetic corneas can help regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue, and give human vision a significant boost. Presented in the journal Science Translational Medicine and funded in part by an EU Marie Curie International Fellowship, the study finds that the optimisation of these implants could provide an effective and safe alternative to donated corneas for patients who need treatment.

Researchers in the UK and Canada have discovered that vitamin D deficiency is linked to autoimmune diseases and cancer. The findings have important implications for public health, in particular prenatal care.

Research under the Census of Marine Life initiative, funded in part by the EU, has resulted in the discovery of at least 1,200 new species, and generated more than 2,600 publications. The latest in a long list of achievements is a species inventory of distribution and diversity in 25 key ocean areas. The inventory is part of a collection of articles published in PLoS (Public Library of Science) ONE.