News

Relevant stories about SOMMa's centres and units, their breakthrough research, their findings, their projects and initiatives
Viable cyanobacteria in the deep underground of Rio Tinto Viable cyanobacteria in the deep underground of Rio Tinto 2020-07-24

A study led by the Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, CSIC-INTA) has detected for the first time the presence of viable cyanobacteria in the deep subsurface (below 600 meters of depth) The finding took place at the rocky massif sulphide ore of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB; at Río Tinto, Huelva), an area in the South of Spain […]

 Light and nanotechnology combine to prevent biofilms on medical implants Light and nanotechnology combine to prevent biofilms on medical implants 2020-06-12

ICFO and B. Braun Surgical develop a new technique that could prevent bacterial contamination and infection in medical implantsThe procedure generates heat via the application of light radiation onto gold nanoparticles on the implantsThis advance may contribute to avoid post-surgery complications, keeping minor surgeries as safe as possible. On surgical meshes, caveats, and how to […]

 ERC Advanced grants: wide success in Spain for SOMMa members ERC Advanced grants: wide success in Spain for SOMMa members 2020-04-21

185 ERC Advanced Grants were awarded on 31 March, for a total investment of 450 Million Euro14 grants went to Spain, of which eleven were to researchers with affiliation to SOMMa membersEach of these grants is funded with up to 2.5 Million Euro for a five-year period The 2019 ERC Advanced Grant Call: In the […]

 Asymptomatic malaria and febrile infection: what is the difference? Asymptomatic malaria and febrile infection: what is the difference? 2020-02-28

Both symptomatic and asymptomatic malaria is transmissible, which presents a problem for disease containment and controlParasites causing asymptomatic and febrile malaria differ in the expression of certain genes: var group B, var group C and DC8The study provides useful information to understand better the situation leading to “hidden reservoir” malaria patients Malaria and its impact […]

 Largest Study Ever Finds that Urban Green Space Can Prevent Premature Deaths Largest Study Ever Finds that Urban Green Space Can Prevent Premature Deaths 2020-02-18

Green spaces can protect against all-cause premature deathThe study provides robust evidence that may help policy makers estimate the impact of increasing green space in cities Residential greenness can protect against premature all-cause mortality, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by ”la […]

 Pedro Duque makes firm commitment to the Severo Ochoa programme of excellence Pedro Duque makes firm commitment to the Severo Ochoa programme of excellence 2020-01-30

The Minister of Science and Innovation Pedro Duque today met with Luis Serrano, president of the Severo Ochoa/Maria de Maeztu alliance (SOMMa) and director of the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). The minister expressed his firm commitment to the continuity of the Severo Ochoa/Maria de Maeztu programme. The program currently benefits 49 research centres of […]

 Statement on the unity of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities Statement on the unity of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities 2020-01-10

The statement reproduced next, regarding the partition of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, reacts upon the information indicating the partition of the the current Ministry of Science Innovation and Universities. Original document released by COSCE and signed by FACME, CRUE and SOMMa, can be found here (in Spanish).   English translation of the […]

 100xCiencia.4: SOMMa reaching out to society 100xCiencia.4: SOMMa reaching out to society 2020-01-09

SOMMa members met in Donostia/San Sebastián on 22-23 November to appeal to families and citizens as a wholeDozens of talks and interactive activities took place at the Tabakalera Culture Centre18 speakers and 13 stands from SOMMa members gathered during this event for the whole family During the past 22nd and 23rd of November took place […]

 SOMMa 1st meeting on gender equality policy SOMMa 1st meeting on gender equality policy 2019-10-31

Directors of SOMMa Centres discussed at the CNIO best practices in gender equality to attain a culture change allowing to integrate gender equality into strategic science decisionsGender equality expert Cheryl Smythe discussed the gender policies implemented at the Babraham Institute to obtain the Athena SWAN Charter: a UK recognition to best practices for gender equality, […]

 The first telescope of a Cherenkov Telescope Array The first telescope of a Cherenkov Telescope Array 2019-10-16

A multinational effort develops the Cherenkov Telescope Array to study high-energy galactic radiation sourcesThe array will take takes advantage of the Cherenkov effect that takes place when gamma rays hit the atmosphereThe inaugurated telescope was to be the first one to be operated by the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory On Wednesday October the 10th 2018, […]

 Unprecedented rains decimate surface microbial communities in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert Unprecedented rains decimate surface microbial communities in the hyperarid core of the Atacama Desert 2019-10-03

Rains in recent years decimate the species of microorganisms in the driest desert on EarthExtinctions of up to 85% of the species take placeRelated parallels are traced between  causes of Atacama and Mars orography Atacama: the setting for a microscopic extinction The Atacama Desert covers a 1000-km long strip of land in northern Chile. Depending […]

 New harvest of ERC Starting Grants New harvest of ERC Starting Grants 2019-09-26

480 ERC Starting Grants have been awarded in the whole of Europe and associated countries20 of the grants went to Spain, with five SOMMa institutions holding a total of 7 of the grantsThe researchers are bestowed with up to 1.5 million Euro to be spent over a five-year period The ERC Starting Grants 480 ERC […]