Since the 1980s, China has gone through a period of unprecedented economic reform and growth. It has opened its doors to global trade and international commercial agreements allowing it to become a major player in the global economy. The ICT sector has risen as a pillar of the Chinese economy. Practically all global ICT industry leaders have now begun to set up R&D centres in China, and it has become the third most important offshore R&D location in the world.
14 years ago, the region of Lahti in Finland has implemented a model of integrated waste management. As a result the people of Lahti were able to increase their rate of recycling to more than 90%.
Other regions in Europe are motivated by success stories like this one, and are now supported by a team of experts from ECOPOL to implement their new policies.
The pathological atrophy of skeletal muscle is a serious biomedical problem for which no effective treatment is currently available. Those most affected populations are the elderly diagnosed with sarcopenia and patients with cancer, AIDS, and other infectious diseases that develop cachexia.
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End stage kidney disease is a global public health problem with an estimated 2.4 million patients on dialysis. The number of new cases is rising (7-8% annually) due to population ageing and increased diabetes prevalence. The NEPHRON+ project is improving the lives of patients by developing a wearable artificial kidney device, enabled with information and communication technologies for remote monitoring.
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An efficiently constructed hybrid tool involving reconvened and reflective citizen discussion groups was used to support policymakers in understanding consumer behaviour and promoting consumption practices that favour sustainability.
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A recent grant has provided financial and administrative support for European biofuels research and innovation. The initiative will contribute to long-term biofuels strategies.
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Cardiovascular malformation (CVM) affects two million people with an annual incidence of 51 000 new cases in the EU. The EU-funded CHEARTED project investigated the genetic and environmental factors that cause CVM with the goal of reducing its incidence.
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Ill health and disease do not stop at national boundaries, and neither should health research. Global health problems require global efforts.
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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.
Animal by-products from slaughterhouses and tanneries can no longer be used as animal feed. Recent research has seen the development of a process to convert these by-products for alternative agricultural applications.
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A new design for stiffening aircraft bodies will make them lighter and consequently, more fuel efficient. The European concept depends on a composite lattice design.
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Hydrogen and its use in fuel cells (FCs) is a potential source of emission-free electricity. EU-funded scientists paved the way to focused educational programmes to provide the required trained personnel for future development in this field.
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Converting agricultural waste and agro-industrial activities into renewable biofuel provides an alternative to gasoline and avoids competition between food and fuel sectors. The resulting fuel is known as second-generation ethanol and researchers have advanced a cheaper, more sustainable way to produce it.
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Increasing restrictions on the use of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) have raised the demand for Cr(VI)-free anti-corrosion protection in the aerospace sector. EU-funded scientists developed a range of suitable options.
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EU-funded scientists developed novel intelligent control of air flow on a wing's surface to enhance lift efficiency. The technology promises to reduce drag, fuel consumption and emissions as well as operating costs.
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Icing of aircraft structures is a major safety concern. EU-funded scientists have developed a distributed sensor network promising greater accuracy and capability for ice detection, localisation and removal.
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Europe is working toward the realisation of all-electrical aircraft for enhanced performance, reduced weight and lowered costs. EU-funded scientists are developing electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) as an alternative to hydraulic systems for turbine engine control.
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Anaemia, associated with chronic kidney disease is a serious complication affecting millions of European patients. Using anticalin scaffolds, an EU-funded study wishes to develop a novel therapy for tackling anaemia.
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The boreal forests of northern Eurasia represent a vital and irreplaceable resource for the EU and the Russian Federation. A joint initiative was carried out to develop tools for their sustainable management and restoration.
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European researchers have developed a new fire door to reduce the spread of fire between areas. Its fast-closing operation will extend evacuation time and save human lives when a fire breaks out.
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