Health

EU project launched to better understand marine biodiversity decline and restore ocean health

A new EU project has been launched to improve how biodiversity is recorded and protected in marine and coastal environments. Funded by the Horizon Europe programme, MARCO-BOLO (MARine Coastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations) will structure and strengthen European coastal and marine biodiversity observation capabilities, linking them to global efforts to understand and restore ocean health. Coastal and marine areas are incredibly dynamic and productive oceanic regions, providing significant resources and services for both wildlife and people. They are also subject to intense pressures from agricultural and industry pollution in waterways, dredging, and building development. Many national and regional programmes assess environmental health and human impact on our coasts, but these programmes are often fragmented, short term, and uncoordinated at larger scales. MARCO-BOLO will address this problem by connecting existing initiatives, optimising and improving methods, and further innovating technologies for biodiversity observations. The project aims to deliver a transformative change in how marine biodiversity is monitored and managed. The research team will engage with diverse stakeholders to tailor research and observation data for direct use, delivering practical tools that will allow politicians and companies to determine biodiversity health, predict changes, monitor changes from imposed policies and proactively manage environments and their biodiversity. The project has four key objectives: Improve acquisition, coordination and delivery of marine, coastal and freshwater biodiversity observations to relevant users. Enable technologies for cost-effective, timely and accurate biodiversity observations. Test new tools, technologies and models to better understand biodiversity decline. Empower European biodiversity observatory operators, data producers and users by creating and sharing best practice guidelines for gathering and using biodiversity data to contribute to biodiversity restoration efforts. MARCO-BOLO’s innovations will address the full pipeline of data collection and use: from testing new monitoring tools using eDNA, robotics, optical and acoustic techniques, to data integration methods for environmental modelling, and guidance on how data can be stored, shared and applied in policy contexts. Project coordinator Nicolas Pade from European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) said: “We need good data to protect and restore biodiversity effectively. By engaging with policy and decision makers throughout the project, we will ensure that our tools and techniques will support lasting, positive change in how we monitor and protect marine and coastal biodiversity in Europe and internationally.” MARCO-BOLO launched on 1 December 2022 and will run for four years. It is coordinated by the EMBRC and comprises an expert team of 28 partner institutions from 14 countries. For more information, follow @MARCOBOLO_EU.

New Horizon Europe project launched to enhance the resilience of EU aquaculture by improving aquatic animal health and welfare

Researchers from 16 countries are uniting to transform aquatic animal health and welfare within the European aquaculture industry, while also supporting the environmentally friendly, inclusive, safe and healthy production of seafood. Funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme, Cure4Aqua is a €4.8 million, 4.5-year project that will develop new approaches to prevent aquatic fish diseases through innovative prophylaxis and technologies for early disease detection, while also supporting the advancement of alternative treatments to replace pharmaceuticals in disease control. Farmed seafood is an important source of protein for food and animal feed, with a low-carbon footprint, essential to help build a sustainable food system. However, the control of pathogens continues to be a major challenge for the sector. This is particularly relevant for Europe, where there is a great variety of species and production systems, which hinders the implementation of good husbandry practices tailored to each aquatic species. Cure4Aqua has brought together leading experts to take several key actions: Develop cost-effective vaccines to prevent diseases in farmed fish Implement selective breeding programmes to improve stress and disease management Develop innovative, bio-based and sustainable alternatives to antibiotics for controlling fish diseases at various life stages Develop new tools and artificial-intelligence-based technology to improve fish health and welfare Improve diagnostics of fish pathogens Integrate farmer and fish welfare as a priority of aquaculture production by developing high welfare standards that consider different life-stages, production systems, and knowledge of welfare needs. Cure4Aqua project coordinator, Ivona Mladineo from the Institute of Parasitology (BCAS) in Czech Republic said: “Research must be at the forefront of positive changes that will ensure our food systems are sustainable while caring about high health and welfare standards for fish. There is an urgent need to solve some of the major shortcomings and constraints that the European aquaculture industry is facing. Cure4Aqua will address these issues by building a co-creative approach with other players interested and involved in the aquaculture. I am looking forward leading this vital project.” Cure4Aqua partners held an inaugural project meeting on 16-17 November 2022 in Prague (Czech Republic). The project will run until April 2027. For more information, please visit cure4aqua-project.eu or follow @Cure4Aqua_EU

EU-funded ESCAPE project launched to address multimorbidity in elderly patients

International experts from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, and Sweden are uniting to develop new treatment and care pathways for elderly patients with multiple chronic diseases. Funded by the EU Horizon 2020 program, ESCAPE is a €6.1 million, 4.5-year project that focuses on developing integrated, patient-centred treatment pathways for caring for multimorbid elderly patients. As we age, many people face the challenges of having two or more simultaneous chronic diseases or conditions, known as “multimorbidity”. Treating multimorbidity in elderly patients is particularly difficult, especially when it involves both mental and physical conditions. Caring for these multimorbid elderly patients requires different teams of experts from across the healthcare system. However, in many cases there are barriers within healthcare systems that prevent information exchange and limit sharing of data. This can lead to fragmented healthcare and potentially adverse outcomes for patients. ESCAPE will address this challenge by creating an integrated, patient-centred approach for treating multimorbid elderly patients. The project’s interdisciplinary, multinational team of 16 partner organisations from eight European countries includes experts from general and hospital medical practices, psychology, health economics, Digital Health systems and patient and informal carer representatives. Supported by a customised version of the cutting-edge imergo® Integrated Care Platform developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology (FIT), ESCAPE’s multidisciplinary team will create customised treatment plans that are personalised to individual patients’ needs and preferences and integrated among healthcare providers. The platform will empower patients and informal carers to prioritise the treatments that will improve their quality of life. ESCAPE project coordinator, Dr Susanne S. Pedersen, Professor of Cardiac Psychology and Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Southern Denmark and affiliated with the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital said: “ESCAPE is an innovative project that has the potential to create a profound change in how we treat and manage multimorbid elderly patients. The integrated, patient centred approach we are developing will enable healthcare providers to offer more efficient, effective treatment that leads to a better quality of life for our patients. I am proud to lead this great team effort and I look forward to many exciting developments in the coming years.” A key part of the project will be a randomised, controlled trial across European countries led by ESCAPE project partner Professor Christoph Herrmann-Lingen, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen (Germany). Focusing on patients with chronic heart failure, psychological distress and at least two other physical co-morbidities, the trial will compare the outcomes of ESCAPE’s new, blended collaborative care approach with current patient care. Researchers will determine which approach leads to the best health-related quality of life for patients. The ESCAPE project commenced on 1st April 2021 with the launch meeting for partners held online on 8th April.