JRC-IRMM releases first certified reference material for autoimmune antibodies
IRMM releases the first serum protein certified reference material which has been developed in collaboration with the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) for the standardisation of measurements of anti-myeloperoxidase immunoglobulin G antibodies.
High chlorine coal affects pollution from domestic stoves
A study looking into the dioxin concentrations in flue gases – which are emitted from coal burnt in residential stoves – show they increase 100 times if the chlorine content in the fuel rises from 0.07% to 0.38%.
Improved peak shape fitting in alpha spectra
The JRC developed a new analytical function to model peak shapes in alpha-particle spectra, leading to a more accurate derivation of activity ratios and fundamental constants.
A crop season with no major concerns so far
Winter crops continue to be in good shape and no major concerns for the spring sowing campaign have emerged. The yield outlook is predominantly positive.
New smart specialisation platform on energy supports EU regions to develop low-carbon solutions
On 26 May the European Commission launched the European smart specialisation platform on energy, which will support regions and Member States in using Cohesion Policy funding more effectively for promoting sustainable energy.
Winners of MYGEOSS first call for Innovative applications in the environmental and social domains
MYGEOSS 10 winning applications will be awarded contracts by the JRC for a maximum of €13 500 to further develop the applications, and take them to the stage of first public release within three months of signing the contracts.
JRC reviews current status of genetically modified (GM) animals
In their recent peer-reviewed paper entitled “Genetically modified animals: options and issues for traceability and enforcement”, JRC scientists provide an overview of the 75 GM-animals already existing or in advanced state of development worldwide. About half of these are designed for the food market. The study also reviews the available methods for control and traceability in the food and feed chain.
Three EU companies complete performance verification of environmental technologies
On 20 May, one Polish and two Danish companies received recognition for having completed a verification process of their innovative environmental technologies at the Eco-Innovation forum being held in Barcelona.
Global action to cut emissions is compatible with robust economic growth
A new report co-authored by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and Directorate-General for Climate Action explores possible domestic mitigation pathways (cuts in C02 and other greenhouse gas emissions) set according to specific national economic and policy conditions.
Standards to better inform food security decisions
In the context of Expo Milano 2015, on 20 May 2015, the JRC and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development host participating agencies of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a global initiative which provides common scale for classifying food insecurity situations.
New measure finds that specialisation could be the key to biodiversity
A recent peer-reviewed paper, led by the JRC, describes a new method for measuring the structure and configuration of ecological networks, which shows that nestedness in ecological networks is less common than previously thought. This finding challenges the assumption that ecological networks are stable due to their inherent nestedness. It finds that most ecological networks actually tend towards patterns of segregation and specialisation, which may be the key to species coexistence.
New thematic report: Science for food
The JRC has released a new report on its scientific support to EU’s “from farm to fork” policy which ensures Europeans enjoy safe and nutritious food, while facilitating the food industry to work under the best possible conditions
In March this year, JRC scientist Peter Vogt delivered two workshops on the JRC’s GuidosToolbox spatial pattern analysis software in South Africa, one as a follow up to the International Symposium on Silviculture and Management of Dryland Forests, and the second on the request of the CEO of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) in Pretoria within the context of the JRC-SANSA collaboration agreement and the EU-South Africa Space Dialogue.
New cancer fact sheet online – Malignant Melanoma of the Skin
Some 100 000 patients in Europe were diagnosed with this type of skin cancer in 2012 which also accounted for 1% of all cancer deaths in Europe.
Switzerland, Norway and the Netherlands report the highest incident rate of this cancer which forms in skin cells called melanocytes, which colour the skin.
With about 86% of melanomas due to exposure to UV radiation, the main preventive measure is to avoid extensive exposure to sun, especially at young age.
JRC research provides building blocks for the Digital Single market policy package
JRC research on digital economy and related topics contributed to the new Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy for Europe, launched by the European Commission on 6 May. JRC input included empirical evidence on R&D, innovation, cross-border e-commerce, copyright, intellectual property, venture capital, crowdfunding for research, entrepreneurship, eHealth, digital competence, data protection or employment.
Expo Milan: EU activities kick-off
On 8 May, the European Union officially started its programme of activities at Expo 2015 with the international conference on the role of research for the global food and nutrition security, and the inauguration of the EU pavilion.
Healthy European flavours at lunch in schools across Milan
To promote healthy diets for children, European Commission nutrition experts gathered recipes from school food professionals in all EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland. The 30 meals inspired a colourful booklet to promote nutritious and tasty school meals.
JRC at Civil Protection Forum: science and new technologies for enhanced disaster risk management
The JRC took part at the biennial European Civil Protection Forum, which brings together the European civil protection community to build on the experience in disaster risk management.
Novel concepts for the preparation of surface water reference materials
In close collaboration with scientists from other research organisations, JRC scientists developed concepts for the preparation of three model surface water reference materials (RMs) that contain chemical contaminants, that is, eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and tributyltin in trace amounts. These RMs will provide quality to the analytical data of EU Member States and support the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) 2000/60/EC and the Environmental Quality Standards Directive 2008/105/EC.
PAHs in baby food: JRC studies processing techniques to prepare suitable reference materials
JRC scientists assessed the feasibility for the production of baby food certified reference materials (CRMs) containing a number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at low level concentrations. The study revealed that thermal sterilisation is a suitable method of choice to ensure long-term stability (shelf life) of the product.
An accurate method for analysing aflatoxin B1 for the value assignment of reference materials
Scientists from the JRC-Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements developed a specialised technique to determine accurately the content of aflatoxin B1 in cereal-based baby food, maize and maize-based animal feed. Results showed that the technique may be used to assign reference values to test materials for proficiency testing and to develop candidate reference materials (RMs).
Ocean energy: EU leads in technology development and deployment
New technologies in the last decade have shown slow but steady progress of ocean and sea energy power according to a new JRC ocean status report.
Nitrogen – too much of a good thing
JRC scientist Bruna Grizzetti is co-author of a recently published World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Science Brief on how human activities have dramatically altered the nitrogen cycle, which presents one of the main global challenges to human health, ecosystem integrity and biodiversity. Human activities have altered the global nitrogen cycle even more than the global carbon cycle. The science brief reports that the planetary boundary for nitrogen has been breached by a factor of two, making nitrogen one of the most urgent pressures on the Earth system.
This article was last updated on: April 4, 2017