Evolutionary biology: Ants can hold a grudge

University of Freiburg

Ants learn from experience. This has been demonstrated by a team of evolutionary biologists from the University of Freiburg, led by Dr Volker Nehring, research associate in the Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology group, and doctoral student Mélanie Bey. The researchers repeatedly confronted ants with competitors from another nest. The test ants remembered the negative experiences they had during these encounters: when they encountered ants from a nest they had previously experienced as aggressive, they behaved more aggressively towards them than towards ants from nests unknown to them. Ants that encountered members of a nest from which they had previously only encountered passive ants were less aggressive. The biologists published their results in the journal Current Biology.

Ants are aggressive towards their neighbours

Ants use odours to distinguish between members of their own nest and those from other nests. Each nest has its own specific scent. Previous studies have already shown that ants behave aggressively towards their nearest neighbours in particular. They are especially likely to open their mandibles and bite, or spray acid and kill their competitors. They are less likely to carry out such aggressive manoeuvres against nests that are further away from their own. Until now, it was unclear why this is the case. Nehring's team has now discovered that ants remember the smell of attackers. This is why they are more aggressive when confronted with competitors from nests they are familiar with.

More aggressive behaviour towards competitors from familiar nests

The scientists conducted an experiment in two phases. In the first phase, ants gained various experiences: one group encountered ants from their own nest, the second group encountered aggressive ants from a rival nest A, and the third group encountered aggressive ants from rival nest B. A total of five encounters took place on consecutive days, with each encounter lasting one minute.

In the subsequent test phase, the researchers examined how the ants from the different groups behaved when they encountered competitors from nest A. The ants that had already been confronted with conspecifics from this nest in the first phase behaved significantly more aggressively than those from the other two groups.

To test the extent to which the higher aggression arises from the behaviour of ants from a particular nest, the scientists repeated the experiment in a slightly modified form. In the first phase, they now distinguished between encounters with aggressive and passive ants. They ensured that an ant behaved passively by cutting off its antennae. In phase two of the experiment, the ants that had previously only encountered passive competitors behaved significantly less aggressively.

“We often have the idea that insects function like pre-programmed robots,” says Nehring. “Our study provides new evidence that, on the contrary, ants also learn from their experiences and can hold a grudge.” Next, Nehring and his team will investigate whether and to what extent ants adapt their olfactory receptors to their experiences, thus reflecting what they have learned at this level as well.

 

• Original publication: M. Bey, R. Endermann, C. Raudies, J. Steinle, V. Nehring: Associative learning of non-nestmate cues improves enemy recognition in ants. Current Biology, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.054
• Mélanie Bey conducted her doctorate under Dr. Volker Nehring. Rebecca Endermann, Christina Raudies and Jonas Steinle are former bachelor's and master's students in the Evolutionary Biology and Animal Ecology working group.
• The research was funded by the German Research Foundation (project number NE1969/6-1).

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DOI

10.1016/j.cub.2024.11.054 

 

Study finds deadly bacteria behave differently in Saudi Arabia compared with rest of world

Largest epidemiology study ever of multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Saudi hospitals reveals a unique health strategy is required for Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)

A new multi-institutional study led by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) provides the largest epidemiological analysis in Saudi Arabia of the multidrug-resistant bacteria species Klebsiella pneumoniae, one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections in the world and a global health priority of the World Health Organization. The study finds that the diversity of bacteria in Saudi Arabia differ from other geographical regions, indicating unique health policies are required. 

While healthy people infected by Klebsiella pneumoniae mostly show relatively harmless symptoms, sick or immunocompromised patients are vulnerable to pneumonia, meningitis, and other potentially mortal ailments. Antibiotics are a standard treatment. However, in recent decades, multidrug-resistant bacteria are emerging worldwide for a number of reasons including an overuse of antibiotics in medical care and other industries such as agriculture.  

“Klebsiella pneumoniae has a dynamic genome allowing for the emergence of pathogenic strains from non-pathogenic ones. Understanding the epidemiology for emerging pathogenic strains will strengthen preventive measures,” explained KAUST Assistant Professor Danesh Moradigaravand, one of the lead authors of the study. 

A single bacteria species evolves by cloning and exchanging genetic information with one another through processes like gene recombination and horizontal gene transfer. A dynamic genome allows for antibiotic resistance genes to rapidly mix between strains. Already, antibiotic resistant bacteria are the sixth leading cause of death in the Kingdom, killing more people than several respiratory illnesses and neurological disorders. However, the number of patients is growing, and any one clone developing strong resistance and virulence could cause catastrophic havoc due to the inability to contain and treat. 

Indeed, concern about the emergence of drug-resistant strains has led the Saudi Public Health Authority to propose an action plan for the execution and evaluation of interventions, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being one of the priority bacteria targeted. Last year, KAUST and the MOH began its collaboration to support this initiative by combining the advanced capabilities of genomics and data science at KAUST with the unique biobanks of multidrug-resistant bacteria at the MOH. 

For the study, the researchers collected samples from 34 hospitals across 15 cities in Saudi Arabia on which they conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis.  

Moradigaravand, KAUST Professor Arnab Pain and their colleagues found the most prevalent strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae genetically resemble strains from the Middle East and South Asia, revealing an exchange and spread in this region. More important from a health perspective, they also found that the molecular factors bestowing the bacteria drug resistance and virulence were converging, thus giving concern that the emergence of drug resistance is being accompanied by a severity of symptoms.  

“The unique epidemiology observed in Saudi Arabia underscores the necessity for tailored surveillance programs specific to each country. Furthermore, our work emphasizes the need to develop new antimicrobial agents, as current global treatments may not adequately address the local threat,” said Moradigaravand. 

This study can be read in Emerging Microbes and was supported by the KAUST Center of Excellence for Smart Health. 

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Journal

Emerging Microbes & Infections

DOI

10.1080/22221751.2024.2427793 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Cells

Article Title

The dissemination of multidrug-resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae clones across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

 SPAGYRIC HERBALISM

Elderberry juice shows benefits for weight management, metabolic health

Washington State University

SPOKANE, Wash.—Elderberry juice may be a potent tool for weight management and enhancing metabolic health, according to a recent Washington State University-led study.

A clinical trial published in the journal Nutrients found that drinking 12 ounces of elderberry juice daily for a week causes positive changes in the gut microbiome and improves glucose tolerance and fat oxidation.

Elderberry, a small dark purple berry found on elder trees native to Europe, is commonly used as a medicinal plant and supplement to promote immune function. Its other potential health benefits are poorly understood, however.

“Elderberry is an underappreciated berry, commercially and nutritionally,” said corresponding author Patrick Solverson, an assistant professor in the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. “We’re now starting to recognize its value for human health, and the results are very exciting.”

The researchers tested the effects of elderberry on metabolic health in a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial with 18 overweight adults. Participants consumed either elderberry juice or a placebo with similar coloring and taste, specially designed by North Carolina State University’s Food Innovation Lab, while maintaining a standardized diet.

Clinical testing following the intervention showed that participants who consumed elderberry juice had significantly increased amounts of beneficial gut bacteria, including firmicutes and actinobacteria, and decreased amounts of harmful bacteria, such as bacteroidetes. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for nutrient absorption and supports physical and mental health.

In addition to positive microbiota changes, the elderberry intervention resulted in improved metabolism. Results showed that the elderberry juice reduced participants’ blood glucose levels by an average of 24%, indicating a significantly improved ability to process sugars following carbohydrate consumption. Results also showed a 9% decrease in insulin levels.

Additionally, results suggested that elderberry juice can enhance the body’s ability to burn fat. Participants who received the elderberry juice showed significantly increased fat oxidation, or the breakdown of fatty acids, after a high carbohydrate meal and during exercise.

The researchers attribute these positive effects to elderberry’s high concentration of anthocyanins, plant-based bioactive compounds that have a variety of health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and antimicrobial effects.

“Food is medicine, and science is catching up to that popular wisdom,” Solverson said. “This study contributes to a growing body of evidence that elderberry, which has been used as a folk remedy for centuries, has numerous benefits for metabolic as well as prebiotic health.”

Other berries contain anthocyanins, but typically in lower concentrations. A person would have to consume four cups of blackberries a day to achieve the same anthocyanin dose contained in 6 ounces of elderberry juice, Solverson said.

Although elderberry products are less popular in the U.S. than in Europe, demand exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic and elderberry continues to be a growing market.

The researchers have filed for a provisional patent for using the bioactive components of American black elderberry for weight management and gut health through supplements or other applications. The WSU Office of Commercialization is assisting with commercialization opportunities with more information available at commercialization@wsu.edu.

This research was supported by a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under award number 2020-67018-30851. The research team included collaborators at Colorado State University, North Carolina State University and the University of Vermont.

With an additional $600,000 in NIFA funding, the researchers plan to explore other applications of elderberry juice, including whether it can help individuals who have discontinued weight loss medications maintain their weight. They note that further studies are needed to both confirm their initial findings and to determine the long-term effects of elderberry in various populations.

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Journal

Nutrients

DOI

10.3390/nu16203555 

Article Title

A One-Week Elderberry Juice Intervention Augments the Fecal Microbiota and Suggests Improvement in Glucose Tolerance and Fat Oxidation in a Randomized Controlled Trial

 

Can carrots be used to treat diabetes?

Current research from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) reveals that carrots may help regulate blood sugar and improve gut flora – a combination that could potentially benefit individuals with type 2 diabetes.

University of Southern Denmark Faculty of Health Sciences

Could an ordinary carrot improve the treatment of type 2 diabetes? A new study from SDU suggests so. The researchers found that carrots can enhance the body's ability to regulate blood sugar and positively influence the composition of gut bacteria.

Type 2 diabetes affects millions worldwide, with numbers on the rise in Denmark and globally. In Denmark alone, the number of cases has more than quadrupled since 1996.

Treatment typically involves dietary changes and medication, though many people experience side effects from common pharmaceuticals. According to researchers from SDU, Odense University Hospital, and the University of Copenhagen, who collaborated on the recently published study, carrots could offer a natural and potentially side-effect-free way to complement existing treatments.

The impact of carrots on blood sugar and gut bacteria

Researchers studied the effects of carrots over 16 weeks using mice induced with type 2 diabetes. The mice were placed on a high-fat diet to mimic an unhealthy human lifestyle. They were divided into two groups: one received a diet supplemented with 10% freeze-dried carrot powder, while the other received a diet without carrots. Both diets were calorie-matched, ensuring the only variable was the bioactive compounds in the carrots. Results showed that the group receiving carrot powder exhibited improved blood sugar regulation, as measured by glucose tolerance tests.

A glucose tolerance test measures how well the body regulates blood sugar after consuming a specified amount of sugar. In this study, mice were given a sugar solution, and their blood sugar levels were measured over time.

– Our study showed that carrots altered the composition of the gut microbiome – the billions of microorganisms living in the gut that play a crucial role in digestion and health. Mice consuming carrots exhibited a healthier balance of gut bacteria, explains project coordinator Morten Kobæk Larsen, associate professor at the Department of Clinical Research, SDU.

Additionally, these mice had more bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These small molecules formed when bacteria break down dietary fibres, help regulate energy metabolism and blood sugar while supporting gut health.

– Everything we eat affects the composition of gut bacteria, Larsen elaborates.

– Consuming carrots shifts the gut bacteria towards a healthier balance, benefiting mice with type 2 diabetes.

How do carrots work?

Carrots contain bioactive compounds that enhance cells' ability to absorb sugar, thereby aiding blood sugar regulation. These bioactive substances, derived from unsaturated fatty acids, are also present in other vegetables from the carrot family, such as parsley, celery, and parsnips.

– We see carrots as a potential component of future dietary strategies for type 2 diabetes, says Lars Porskjær Christensen, professor of analytical chemistry and natural product chemistry at the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, SDU.

– Other vegetables in the carrot family might have similar properties.

Could carrots help humans?

The researchers are cautious about directly applying their findings to humans.

– Our study used an animal model, and the next step is to conduct clinical trials, they explain. – Such studies are costly, and we are working to secure external funding to conduct a smaller clinical trial with carrots containing relatively high amounts of bioactive compounds. This could pave the way for larger clinical studies including studies in animals with purified bioactive compounds and thereby substantiate the preventive effects of carrots against type 2 diabetes, says Christensen.

Preliminary findings from a similar study on carrots' effects on colon cancer suggest that as little as 30–40 grams of raw or lightly cooked carrots daily could have beneficial effects.

According to the researchers, the concentration of bioactive compounds varies widely among carrot varieties. However, the right variety can provide sufficient doses of these compounds without needing concentrated products. For example, the 'Night Bird' variety, a purple carrot, contains relatively high concentrations of bioactive substances.

Does preparation matter?

Cooking impacts the amount of health-promoting substances, but they do not disappear entirely.

– Even with prolonged frying or boiling, some bioactive compounds remain. However, raw or lightly cooked carrots seem to be the best option to retain as many beneficial compounds as possible, Christensen advises.

The study is published in Clinical and Translational Science. Read more here: https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cts.70090

What are bioactive compounds?

Bioactive compounds are organic chemicals of biological origin that influence physiological processes. Many are derived from plants and fungi and can have either beneficial or harmful effects on humans. Some bioactive compounds from plants and fungi are used in medicines, while others in plant-based foods are believed to promote health and prevent diseases. Their effects depend on mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and concentration in food, which can vary by crop variety, cultivation, and processing.

Facts about carrots

The main bioactive compounds in carrots are falcarinol and falcarindiol, which the vegetable produces to defend against fungal infections. Besides their antifungal properties, these compounds have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic effects.

The study was conducted using 54 mice and funded by the Odense University Hospital Research Fund. The carrots used were organically grown by a Danish producer.

Facts about diabetes

As of 2022, approximately 350,000 people in Denmark lived with diabetes, 89% of whom had type 2 diabetes. Globally, over half a billion people have diabetes, with type 2 diabetes rates increasing in most countries. This rise is attributed to lifestyle changes, increased obesity rates, and an ageing population.

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Journal

Clinical and Translational Science

DOI

10.1111/cts.70090 

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Effect of carrot intake on glucose tolerance, microbiota, and gene expression in a type 2 diabetes mouse model

 

New study assesses wildfire risk from standing dead trees in Yellowstone National Park

Tsinghua University Press

 

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Output maps of the distance accumulation calculation from the point and line vulnerability criteria. (a) Distance to roads, (b) Distance to trails, (c) Distance to water, (d) Distance to buildings.

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Credit: Di Yang et al.

Standing dead trees in Yellowstone National Park are growing wildfire hazards, especially near park infrastructure. A new study published in Forest Ecosystems explores how these dead trees contribute to fire risk and threaten roads, buildings, and trails.

Dead trees, particularly those that remain standing, are a significant fire hazard. These trees—often caused by pests, diseases, and climate change—create a large amount of dry, combustible material. As temperatures rise and droughts intensify, the risk of wildfires increases, making it essential to understand how dead trees contribute to fire danger.

The team used a random forest classification model, a powerful machine learning technique, to map the distribution of dead trees across Yellowstone. They combined data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and satellite imagery, which provided information on canopy height, vegetation cover, and tree health.

Their findings revealed that about 40% of the park is experiencing moderate to high levels of tree mortality, with areas like the central-western park hit hardest by past fires.“Our model showed an accuracy of 76.65%, giving us a clear picture of where standing dead trees are concentrated,” said Dr. Di Yang, co-author of the study.

By using spatial analysis, the researchers identified regions with the highest concentrations of standing dead trees. The study also showed significant clustering of these trees, especially in areas affected by past fires, which could lead to more severe future fires.

The study also assessed the vulnerability of park infrastructure by looking at how close dead tree hotspots are to roads, trails, buildings, and water sources. The researchers found that areas near park entrances and popular sites are the most vulnerable, while large, less dense clusters of dead trees in the northeast and south posed a lower risk.

This study offers crucial insights for managing wildfire risk in Yellowstone and similar ecosystems. The researchers hope their methods can be applied to other regions facing the same challenges, allowing for better-informed fire management strategies.

The research was funded by the Wyoming NASA EPSCoR Faculty Research Grant (Grant#80NSSC19M0061), Yellowstone National Park Services.

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Journal

Forest Ecosystems

DOI

10.1016/j.fecs.2024.100284 

Article Title

Classification and clustering analysis of standing dead trees and associated park asset wildfire vulnerability in Yellowstone National Park

 

The discourses emerging around the “La Manada” case led to social and legal changes

Historical and contemporary discourses and competing identities have influenced the conceptual battle over violence caused by rape, according to a study by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

University of the Basque Country

 

image: 

Samara Velte | Foto: Samara Velte. UPV/EHU.

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Credit: Samara Velte

The 2016 gang rape known as “La Manada” (The Wolf Pack) caused major social mobilisation, attracted a great deal of media attention and even led to legal changes. The UPV/EHU researcher Samara Velte, back then a journalist for Berria newspaper, has produced a scientific analysis of the discourses that arose around that sexual assault, and argues that discursive analysis offers tools for understanding social conflicts: “In 2019 I published a book about the case, but it was a journalistic work. I took a critical look at the behaviour of the media and the sentence handed down and realised that a scientifically based study was in order. So I produced a more academic version to show that by analysing discourses it is possible to understand how social meanings are constructed within social movements, and to prove that discourses are often instruments that promote social identities and actions,” explained Samara Velte.

To conduct the research, she analysed 110 pieces of media content published at four specific moments: immediately after the assault (July 2016), during the trial phase (November 2017), after the sentence handed down was made public (April 2018) and after the passing of the ‘Only “yes” means “yes” law’ (April 2023). She also analysed three legal texts: the aforementioned organic law, the sentence and the associated individual vote. Finally, the author analysed the discourses gathered during the protests and on the streets.

The UPV/EHU study found evidence of the influence exerted by the discourses throughout this period on the articulation of social identities. In other words, how they led people to feel or identify themselves as part of a certain group and to share certain meanings. “For example, in the immediate aftermath of the assault, masses of discursive materials emerged. There were all kinds of messages and the social knowledge that already existed around sexual violence was highlighted. A negotiation was set in motion in society and in the media to specify what rape is, what sexual violence is, etc. It was then that the competition between the parties manifested itself and collective identities were articulated, and which gradually adopted one position or another in the social conflict,” explained Velte.

From there, the study also explores the actions that were taken to influence the conflict by examining the interactions between the discourses. For example, the UPV/EHU study highlights the fact that during the trial a special effort was made to distort the discourses of the feminist movement and that, in reaction to that, mass protests were staged at that time. According to Velte, “the social actors continually refuted each other, and the discourses disseminated by some to undermine the credibility of the feminist movement allowed the latter to articulate a very powerful collective identity”.

However, the researcher stresses that social memory also plays a major role in the development of discourses, identities and social actions. In other words, the strength and capacity for mobilisation of the feminist group was not simply a reaction to the gang rape of the San Fermin festival in 2016, but was also a clear consequence of everything that had been experienced in previous years: “Discourses are not born out of nothing. Those protests were in response to a history of violence. It is no coincidence that it happened in Pamplona. Traumatic experiences had already taken place in that city, and which had left their mark on society. This led to work being undertaken to share knowledge and made it easier for that collective voice to take to the streets.”

The drafting of the law ‘Only “yes” means “yes”’

Regarding the legal texts drawn up in relation to the ‘La Manada’ case, the UPV/EHU study highlights the passing in 2023 of the ‘Only “yes” means “yes"’ law as a consequence of the discourse relations and the influence of social memory. “Feminist voices penetrated places they had never reached before, such as the legal world. Until then, it had been a very closed world, and at that moment it opened up. It was recognised that many mistakes had been made, and the new law, which included a number of principles demanded by feminists, was passed,” said Velte. But at the same time, the researcher underlines the fact that the law triggered a counter-reaction, which showed that there were also other kinds of voices in society and that many still embraced the same punitive logic as before. As a result, some of the novel aspects proposed by the law were removed.

In Velte’s opinion, this shows that “social conflicts are never completely resolved. There is always tension between interests and power relations. Everything is constantly being negotiated, but, at the same time, everything refers to something that has been said before. Thus, discourse analysis allows us to identify these trajectories well”.

Further information

Samara Velte is a researcher at the Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences. She belongs to the NOR research team dedicated to research on issues relating to the sociology of culture. Its main areas of interest are political and social conflicts, discourse analysis, narratives, the construction of identities and the transmission of memory. She is also an assistant lecturer on the Degree course in Audiovisual Communication  and on the Degree course in Advertising and Public Relations

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Journal

Violence Against Women

DOI

10.1177/10778012241289431 

Article Title

The Social Memory of Sexual Violence: “You Touch One, You Touch Us All”

 

A massive project for developing sustainable healthcare

University of Oulu, Finland

 

image: 

"This is a pivotal moment for European healthcare education," muses Minna Isomursu, SUSA’s project leader and professor at the University of Oulu, Finland.

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Credit: Ville Wittenberg

The University of Oulu, in collaboration with a consortium of leading academic institutions, research centers, and industry stakeholders, proudly announces the launch of the Sustainable Healthcare with Digital Health Data Competence (SUSA). This transformative initiative aims to address the pressing need for advanced digital skills in healthcare, preparing professionals to navigate a rapidly digitizing landscape and empowering them to leverage data for sustainable healthcare solutions.

 

SUSA is a massive project with 12,4 ME budget in total. The consortium has 12 higher education institutions from 9 European countries. The initiative is set to deliver 46 revamped and integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, complemented by 16 modular learning opportunities for lifelong learning. These innovative educational offerings are designed to produce 6558 graduates and upskill 660 professionals with specialized digital competencies critical to advancing healthcare practices across Europe.

"This is a pivotal moment for European healthcare education," muses Minna Isomursu, SUSA’s project leader and professor at the University of Oulu. "Through SUSA, we are creating a workforce that can harness digital health data to revolutionize patient care, improve efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system. By integrating cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary collaboration into education, we are not just preparing students for the future — we are equipping them to shape it."

 

An Education Model for the Digital Era

The SUSA educational framework addresses critical gaps in healthcare’s digital competencies by introducing innovative content on data, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), sustainability, regulation and global health. These competencies are embedded in the degree programs of participating universities, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and equipping students with real-world skills needed to work effectively in today’s healthcare settings.

The curriculum also offers flexibility through lifelong learning modules, targeting healthcare professionals seeking to update their digital skills. Designed to accommodate diverse career paths, these modules enable medical professionals, care providers, and technical staff to integrate advanced digital tools into their work, enhancing employability and supporting career growth.

A defining feature of the SUSA project is its emphasis on collaboration with key stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem. Partner organizations include hospitals, research institutes, and technology providers, ensuring that students gain practical experience and exposure to real-world challenges.

"Healthcare is evolving rapidly, and so should its education system," professor Minna Isomursu adds. "The integration of academic knowledge with industry expertise ensures our graduates are not only skilled but also ready to lead in transforming healthcare practices globally."

 

Supporting a Sustainable Future

Funded by Digital Europe Programme, SUSA aligns closely with European Union goals, including the European Green Deal and Digital Decade objectives, by promoting sustainable healthcare solutions through advanced education. By training a generation of professionals proficient in data-driven decision-making, the project supports long-term policy objectives such as reducing environmental impact, improving resource efficiency, and enhancing patient outcomes.

As the SUSA project launches, its first cohort of students and professionals will embark on this transformative educational journey. Feedback from participants and ecosystem partners will guide iterative improvements, ensuring the programs remain relevant and impactful in the face of rapidly changing technological advancements.

"This launch signifies the beginning of a bold journey to transform the European healthcare landscape," says professor Isomursu. "Through the SUSA Project, we are demonstrating the power of collaboration and education to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems worldwide."

 

Big consortium, big goals

SUSA represents a bold, pan-European collaboration involving 12 Higher Education Institutions, including University of Oulu (Finland), Lapland University of Applied Sciences (LUAS, Finland), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH, Greece), University of Seville (USE, Spain), University of Łódź (ULODZ, Poland), University College Dublin (UCD, Ireland), University of Limerick (UL, Ireland), Trinity College Dublin (TCD, Ireland), Middle East Technical University (METU, Türkiye), Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (STUBA, Slovakia), Erasmus University Medical Center (EMC, Netherlands), and University of Zagreb (UNIZG-FER, Croatia).

Additionally, 5 SMEs integrate the consortium, including Success Clinic (Finland), Gnomon Informatics (Greece), iCognitus (Portugal), Skillnet (Ireland), Innovation through Health Data (Belgium), along with a leading research center, Ruđer Bošković Institute (RBI, Croatia), the National Children’s Hospital (Ireland), DigitalEurope, and DigitalSME.

SUSA’s educational model will empower healthcare delivery with data-driven insights, actively supporting the objectives of the European Green Deal. Project consortium is committed to fostering a healthier European society, leveraging the power of education to cultivate new generations to come.

SUSA has four main objectives:

1. Co-design and co-deliver a bespoke advanced digital skills education program integrated into 20 bachelor’s and 26 master’s degree programs and 16 related self-standing modules
2. Implement an innovative initiative to attract qualified teaching staff and students for SUSA education offering
3. Upgrade digital infrastructures to support interoperability across HEIs for delivery of SUSA education program
4. Ensure sustainability of SUSA education program through sustainable partnership and integration with existing or emerging initiatives

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Method of Research

News article

 

Realistic emission tests for motorbikes, mopeds and quads

As part of an international project consortium, Graz University of Technology has developed new measurement techniques and methods to measure emissions from category-L vehicles in realistic operation and to determine corresponding limit values.

Graz University of Technology

 

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From left: Sebastian Schurl, Stephan Schmidt and Michael Kappel from the Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems at TU Graz with the emission measuring device for motorbikes.

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Credit: Lunghammer - TU Graz

The emissions scandal in the automotive industry that came to light in 2015 has set many things in motion. Last but not least, the discussion about the need for realistic tests for vehicles in order to correctly determine their pollutant emissions instead of just testing on test rigs. Such tests and the applicable emission limits are now required by law for cars, but not for so-called category-L vehicles (mopeds, motorbikes, tricycles and quads). As part of the “LENS” project (L-vehicles Emissions and Noise mitigation Solutions) funded by the European Commission, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), as part of an international consortium, has now developed corresponding test procedures and the necessary test equipment. The project results will serve the legislator as a basis for future decisions, provide law-enforcement agencies with the equipment to detect limit violations and vehicle manipulation, and allow manufacturers to adapt their fleets accordingly.

Worldwide unique methodology and technology

“The measurement methods developed for passenger cars in recent years are not applicable to the much more dynamic category-L vehicles,” says Stephan Schmidt from the Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems at TU Graz. “So, we had to develop our own measuring methods, which also included the development and further development of suitable measuring devices that are small and light enough to be used on motorbikes and mopeds. The measurement methodology and technology developed and the emissions data collected are unique worldwide.” A total of 15 partners are involved in the project consortium, including nine research institutions, four manufacturers of two-wheelers and producers of measurement technology.

As part of “LENS”, the project consortium measured a total of 150 vehicles on the road and in the laboratory, 40 of them at TU Graz alone. The Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems and the Institute of Electrical Measurement and Sensor Systems were responsible for developing and creating the measurement methodology and some of the measurement technology for all project participants. In addition to the creation of route profiles suitable for tests with all category-L vehicle types, the miniaturisation of the measurement technology was a particular challenge. While equipment weighing more than 60 kilograms does not play much of a role in a car, it makes a huge difference on a motorbike and especially on mopeds – both in terms of pollutant emissions and riding characteristics. For motorbikes, the necessary reduction in size and weight was achieved by involving an external partner. For the weaker vehicles, a consortium partner contributed small measuring devices which, although not as accurate, provide good reference values.

A mix of all classes and driving styles

Creating the route profiles was challenging because a scooter with just a few horsepower is completely different to ride compared with a motorbike with over 100 horsepower. In the end, the researchers found a good mix that included both sporty and hilly sections and took different vehicle classes and driving styles into account. However, the wide range of drive systems, drive outputs, installation space ratios and vehicle masses required a measurement methodology adapted to the subclasses. Precise measurement of the exhaust gas mass flow is crucial for calculating emissions. With small-volume single-cylinder engines, however, mass flow measurement using conventional methods is difficult. However, the model-based method for mass flow calculation developed at TU Graz and used in the LENS project provided a solution. As the vehicles in the lower performance classes can be fully extended on the test bench, the researchers were able to create a model based on the test bench data, from which the mass flows during the journey can be calculated. This enabled the team to obtain usable emission data from the reference values of the small measuring devices.

“The many engine concepts and performance classes in the L-vehicle sector are a challenge when it comes to finding standardised test methods that realistically measure noise and exhaust emissions,” says Stephan Schmidt. “In the LENS project, however, we have succeeded in doing this and, together with our consortium, we have created the technical basis for manufacturers, legislators and law enforcement agencies to be able to assess vehicles on the basis of realistic values in future. This will contribute to a significant reduction in pollutant emissions from the category-L vehicle fleet.”

Tests were also carried out on the test bench to collect reference data.

Michael Kappel from the Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems at TU Graz on one of the test motorbikes.

Credit

Lunghammer - TU Graz

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Method of Research

News article

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

RDE Methodology Development for Motorcycle Emissions Assessment