CORDIS EXPRESS

Positive research and development investment figures from EU businesses, a European Parliament resolution calling for pan-European coordination of research on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and the societal dimension of research take the lead in this week's CORDIS Express selection of EU science news. Articles on EU-funded research on optical fibres, speedier data processing and intercellular spread of the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) follow. Finally and Briefly, we learn about the sociable side of Great White Sharks.

EU businesses investing in R&D despite economic crisis

SCorporate investment in research and development (R&D) increased by 8.1% in the EU in 2008 in spite of the economic crisis, according to new figures published this week in the 2009 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard. The figures reveal that European companies outperformed their counterparts in the US and Japan, who increased their R&D spending by 5.7% and 4.4% respectively. Corporate R&D investment worldwide increased by 6.9%. Two EU companies feature in the top 10 in the Investment Scoreboard figures. German car manufacturer Volkswagen took third place with an R&D investment of EUR 5.93 billion, and Finnish communications company Nokia took eighth place.

Parliament urges joint EU action on neurodegenerative diseases

The European Parliament on 12 November adopted a resolution supporting the pan-European coordination of research on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The ultimate goal is to combine funding, skills and knowledge, and to capitalise on the efforts being carried out across the EU. Latest data show that the number of people in Europe diagnosed with Alzheimer's and related diseases tops the 7 million mark. What is of even greater concern is that experts believe this number will double within the next decade. What makes further research on these diseases imperative is the fact that no cures are available, and knowledge about prevention and treatment is limited.

MASIS report puts spotlight on science in society activities in Europe

The EU has long recognised the importance of ensuring that European research is rooted firmly in society and is responsive to its needs. In the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), efforts to reinforce the societal dimension of research are channelled through the 'Science in society' (SIS) programme. The SIS programme supports activities focusing on the governance of the research system, research ethics, carrying out research responsibly, public engagement in science, women in science, and the promotion of scientific education and science communication. Now the MASIS ('Monitoring activities of science in society in Europe') group of experts has drawn up a report analysing the emerging trends and cross-cutting issues in science in society in Europe.

EU-funded researchers develop new plastic optical fibre technology

Plastic optical fibre (POF) is making headway in the technology world and the EU-funded POLYCOM ('Plastic optical fibres with embedded active polymers for data communications') project has played a central role in its success. Backed with EUR 1.55 million under the 'Information society technologies' (IST) Thematic area of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), POLYCOM has promoted the use of POF in optical computing, ultra-high-speed LANs (local area networks) and new sensing devices. POF for data transmission is known as the 'consumer' version of glass optical fibre, and is used in the long-distance trunk routes of global telecommunications networks.

EU-funded researchers aim to speed up data processing

EU-funded researchers are building a services development platform that, once complete, could combat credit card fraud, mobile telephone SIM card cloning and even fraudulent unpaid telephone calls in real time. The breakthrough is possible via a technological advance that would significantly increase the current speed of data processing. The platform is being built as part of the STREAM ('Scalable autonomic streaming middleware for real-time processing of massive data flows') project, which has been partially funded with EUR 2.6 million from the 'Information and communication technology' Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The project's aim is to build a scalable technology for real-time processing of massive data flows.

Researchers follow spread of HIV between cells

A team of German researchers has successfully tracked a key protein in the HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus) intercellular infection and virus assembly process in real time. Their partly EU-funded research now published in the open-access journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens has improved our understanding of the Gag (group-specific antigen) protein's infectious route from cell to cell, and might lead to new treatments. The study was in part funded in the framework of the HIV ACE ('Targeting assembly of infectious HIV particles') project. HIV ACE receives support from the EU under the Health Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

Consultation meeting on service and social robotics for the ageing population, Brussels, Belgium

A consultation meeting on service and social robotics for the ageing population and the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) will be held on 2 December in Brussels, Belgium. Bringing together experts from all over Europe, the objective of the workshop is to review current trends in research and applications in the field of service and social robotics and provide strategic guidance for drafting the FP7 Information and Communication (ICT) Work Programme 2011/2012. The event is expected to provide orientation for application-driven research in the field, in particular with a view to practical deployment in real-life situations and industrial exploitation.

Closing conference of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, Stockholm, Sweden

The closing conference of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 will be held on 16 and 17 December in Stockholm, Sweden. The event will consist of two parts - a conference and an exhibition. The latter will feature events that have taken place in Europe during the year. Each country will be able to submit a contribution as part of the exhibition. The conference is intended to be a meeting place for policy creation. A final document will be produced after the conference aimed to further strengthen efforts in the fields of creativity and innovation. The conference is designed to appeal to decision-makers from ministries and agencies in Europe, the European Commission and EU institutions, representatives of operational actors and people working in the field, researchers, teachers and the social partners.

Marie Curie Cofund call for proposals launched

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research is calling for proposals under the Marie Curie Cofund ('Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes') scheme. The Cofund scheme offers additional funding to existing or new regional and national fellowship programmes for research training and career development in order to encourage researcher' movement across borders. Applicants should be public or private bodies that are responsible for funding and managing fellowships or research training programmes. These can be ministries, research academies or agencies, international organisations or other bodies with a public mission. All fields of research and research training, except research areas covered by the EURATOM Treaty, are eligible, provided that there is an element of cross-border mobility.

Solar energy for lasers

The research centre Nauchno Proizvodstvennoe Ob'edinenie 'Akadempribor' is investigating the use of solar energy for the creation of laser radiation. In this context, the centre is looking for partners with an interested in solar-pumped lasers. Solar-pumped lasers are a promising technology for the future of renewable energies that shares the same optical properties of conventional lasers, but does not require an artificial energy source. Instead, solar radiation is used for pumping the laser medium. Solar-pumped lasers can be employed in space, for instance, where no grid power is available, but have also been tested for hydrogen production.

Leaner and greener food processing

Reducing the consumption of water and energy in food processing is what the LEANGREENFOOD ('Enzyme technology for lean and green food processing') consortium has started working towards in October. Plant material such as industrial waste from the juice and vegetable industry, for example, is a valuable raw material for processed foods. However, treatment and refinement often require large amounts of water and energy. As a Marie Curie Initial Training Network, LEANGREENFOOD will train 13 early-stage researchers (ERS) and four experienced researchers (ERs) to develop and implement new enzyme-based technology for the development of a more sustainable production. The network is scheduled for completion at the end of September 2013 and receives EUR 3.43 million in funding under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

Hanging out with Great Whites

Open a typical European newspaper and you may find an article on the perceived problems caused by teenagers hanging out on street corners and what politicians will do to solve the situation. Whatever the teenagers are up to, at least they're not three to four meters tall and have alternating rows of sharp teeth. Like teenagers, though, Great White sharks do hang out in neighbourhoods familiar to them.