Study on impacts on resource efficiency of future EU demand for bioenergy (ReceBio). Final report

This project was commissioned to examine the resource efficiency implications of increased EU use of bioenergy for electricity and heat until 2050. Methods of analysis include an extensive literature and statistical review, detailed GLOBIOM modelling of cross-sectorial wood biomass production and use, and in-depth analysis of the implications on a multitude of sustainability indicators. The results for biomass use for material and energy are reported for EU28, while the sustainability indicators are assessed both for the EU and globally. In addition, country specific assessments were carried out for three case countries (Finland, Germany, and Italy) to examine the results against country-specific policies and resource

Identification and regulation of the long non-coding RNA Heat2 in heart failure

AIMS: Circulating immune cells have a significant impact on progression and outcome of heart failure. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) comprise novel epigenetic regulators which control cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory disorders. We aimed to identify lncRNAs regulated in circulating immune cells of the blood of heart failure patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: Next-generation sequencing revealed 110 potentially non-coding RNA transcripts differentially expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. The up-regulated lncRNA Heat2 was further functionally characterized. Heat2 expression was detected in whole blood, PBMNCs, eosinophil and basophil granulocytes. Heat2 regulates cell division, invasion, transmigration and immune cell adhesion on endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: Heat2 is an immune cell enriched lncRNA that is elevated in the blood of heart failure patients and controls cellular functions

Strategien zur nachhaltigen energetischen Nutzung von Biomasse in ausgewählten Modellregionen: BioRegio, Regionale Umsetzungen zur Nutzung des im Rahmen der ökologischen Begleitforschung / ZIP Biomasse entwickelten nationalen Werkzeugs für die Politikberatung "Stoffstromanalyse zur nachhaltigen energetischen Nutzung von Biomasse" ; Forschungsprojekt gefördert vom Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit (BMU); Endbericht

"Within the research project "BioRegio - Strategies for a sustainable energetic utilisation of biomass in chosen model regions", which was funded by the German Federal Environment Ministry, the regional dependencies by the initiation and implementation of sustainable energetic utilisation of biomass was investigated in connexion with an application of computer-based advisory tools. In this context especially the following issues were advanced, analysed and evaluated: * Sophisticated analysis of regional circumstances for biomass utilisation addressing different initial positions (especially regional specific potentials) * Optimisation of computer-based advisory tools of the prior performed "ZIP material flow project" in the context of a regional-based application (target group: regional political decision makers) * Analysis of the structure and dynamics of regional actor networks * Development of concrete regional biomass-scenarios considering diversified (structure) criteria based on the model regions * Investigation of the regional added value based on biomass projects * Development of concrete regional biomass utilisation strategies and action corridors considering especially the ecological and economical interactions * Identification of potential restraints by the regional project implementation The investigation was conducted in 6 chosen model regions, which were differing in their geographic, economic and demographic basic conditions and with regard to the so far realised bioenergy projects. The actions were supported / channelled by contributions on project- and regional level and by expert workshops. As a result, optimised biomass utilisation strategies were developed for each model regions.