9 selected Research Luxembourg results – November 2024

11 December 2024

This article was originally in French and German on science.lu 

Braincoach, a New App to Prevent Dementia

Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)

Can dementia be prevented? With over 8,000 residents affected in Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) is rising to the challenge with the Braincoach app.

Developed as part of the Dementia Prevention Program (PDP), Braincoach helps prevent or delay the onset of dementia in at-risk individuals. It is available for free on Google Play and the Apple App Store for all residents of Luxembourg. Neuropsychologists from the program have already evaluated over 600 participants with mild cognitive impairments, offering them personalized prevention measures based on their risk profiles. These measures range from cognitive training to physical and social activities, as well as dietary advice and mental well-being tips.

It is important to note that by combining cognitive exercises, physical activity, healthy eating, and good management of cardiovascular risks, it is possible to reduce the risk of dementia by up to 45%.

To the press release

Improved Monitoring of Parkinson’s Disease with a Digital Gait Sensor

Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg

In a recent study, researchers from the Luxembourg Center for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) combined a digital gait sensor with metabolomic and clinical data to aid in the classification of Parkinson’s disease and its comorbidities (secondary conditions).

Using digital sensors attached to shoes, the researchers collected gait measurements from 162 patients and 129 control subjects. Machine learning models demonstrated significant diagnostic power: the team was able to differentiate individuals with Parkinson’s disease from controls with success rates ranging from 83% to 92%, depending on the modeling approach. Integrating gait data with metabolomic and clinical information also improved predictions for hard-to-detect comorbidities, such as hallucinations.

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by diverse symptoms and comorbidities, complicating its diagnosis and management. This work could contribute to a better understanding of how this complex disease is diagnosed and monitored.

To the press release / To the publication

Cancer Mortality Rates in Luxembourg: A Downward Trend

Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)

A 24-year study has revealed a significant decrease in cancer mortality in Luxembourg, primarily attributed to advancements in early detection and treatment. Here are some key findings:

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of death, followed by colorectal cancer and prostate cancer.
• Over 80% of cancer-related deaths occurred in individuals over 60, highlighting the strong link between age and cancer mortality.
• Cancer mortality rates are higher among men than women.

The study also revealed disparities across genders and age groups, including a notable shift for women: lung cancer, rather than breast cancer, is now the leading cause of cancer mortality.

Despite the considerable overall decline in cancer mortality during the study period, the rising mortality rates of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in men and laryngeal and lung cancers in women suggest areas where targeted interventions, such as anti-smoking campaigns, are needed.

To the press release / To the publication

Joe Biden’s Withdrawal from the U.S. Presidential Race Reflected on TikTok

Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History (C²DH), University of Luxembourg / Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), University of Luxembourg

As the 2024 U.S. presidential elections approach, researchers from the C²DH have examined the impact of Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race on TikTok, a popular social media platform. The study analyzed 680,609 TikTok videos between November 1, 2023, and October 6, 2024.

Before Joe Biden exited the race, videos featuring Republican candidate Donald Trump generated higher positive sentiment and lower negative sentiment compared to those featuring his Democratic opponent. However, the scenario shifted dramatically after Biden’s withdrawal. Engagement levels notably increased, with videos mentioning either the Democratic candidate (Kamala Harris) or the Republican candidate (Donald Trump) consistently attracting more interaction.

The study provides valuable insights into user sentiment dynamics and engagement rates during a highly publicized event like this presidential campaign. The influence of social media on voter behavior remains a critical area for further research.

To the press release / To the publication

Self-Driving Cars: How to Improve Their Safety

Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT), University of Luxembourg

Communication between autonomous vehicles is a critical aspect of road safety. However, this communication can also serve as an entry point for cyberattacks. A team from the University of Luxembourg collaborated with researchers from the University of Lausanne to develop a communication protocol capable of managing how a group of vehicles decides to maneuver, even if some vehicles have been “compromised” by a cyberattack. Cooperation between autonomous vehicles is particularly necessary in high-risk situations, such as navigating intersections where obstructed views pose safety challenges.

The team ensured that vehicles can continue communicating securely even during a cyberattack. They demonstrated that their method enables efficient and safe crossing of intersections—an example representative of other complex maneuvers—while remaining fault-tolerant and resistant to intrusions.

Their work can be extended to other autonomous systems, such as drones and robots, to facilitate collaborative maneuvers.

To the press release / To the publication

Luxembourg Demographics in Numbers

STATEC

STATEC has released its latest figures on Luxembourg’s population:

As of January 1, 2024, Luxembourg had 672,050 residents, an increase of 11,241 compared to 2023 (+1.7%). This growth rate of 1.7% is among the lowest of the last decade (where rates varied between 2.0% and 2.5%), with the exception of the COVID-19 years. Since 1981, Luxembourg’s population has grown by 84.3%.

The average life expectancy is 81 years for men and 85 years for women. In 2023, there were 2,539 marriages and 1,359 divorces.

The age structure of Luxembourg’s population has shifted over recent decades. The share of young people aged 0–19 has been declining, while the proportion of individuals aged 40–64 and those aged 80 and older has been increasing. Since 2000, the fertility rate has been decreasing, reaching a historic low of 1.25 children per woman in 2023.

To the press release

REVIS: An Effective Tool to Combat Poverty

Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

The REVIS (Social Inclusion Income) is one of Luxembourg’s primary measures to combat poverty and social exclusion. It was implemented on January 1, 2019, replacing the Guaranteed Minimum Income (RMG) system. A new publication by LISER aims to widely disseminate the main findings of its evaluation of the REVIS program, conducted between 2021 and 2023, in a concise format.

Overall, the evaluation highlighted several improvements over the RMG, though there are areas for enhancement. For instance, simplifying access to information and providing clear explanations of the program for beneficiaries, as well as increasing the availability of localized measures tailored to beneficiaries’ needs and abilities—such as physical and mental health support, addiction treatment, qualifications, age, family circumstances, and language skills—are key recommendations.

In a context where child poverty and single-parent family poverty are on the rise, a program like REVIS remains essential.

To the publication (in French)

What Is the Education Level of Luxembourg Residents?

Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE), University of Luxembourg / STATEC / Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER)

Nearly half (48.3%) of Luxembourgish adults under 40 have pursued higher education, with 28% achieving a Master’s degree or higher. This is one of the findings from STATEC’s publication on the 2021 Census of the Luxembourg Population.

The education level of the resident population, a key indicator of human development and socioeconomic progress, grew rapidly between 2011 and 2021. However, significant inequalities exist among immigrants depending on their national origins, distinguishing between “golden immigration” and low-skilled labor migration. There are also notable generational disparities. These educational inequalities are reflected geographically in Luxembourg, contrasting economically active areas near the capital with more remote municipalities, particularly in the northern half of the country and the post-industrial south.

Foreign-born individuals make up the majority of Luxembourg’s highly educated workforce.

To the press release / To the publication

What Is Metabolomics, and What Are Its Challenges?

Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)

In a recently published commentary, Dr. Johannes Meiser, Director of the Department of Cancer Research, and Dr. Christian Frezza from the University of Cologne examine the challenges and common pitfalls associated with metabolomic data analysis.

Metabolomics measures molecules called metabolites, which provide valuable insights into how cells function, whether healthy or diseased. The two researchers emphasize that interpreting metabolomic data is not always straightforward; however, proper interpretation can shed light on disease development and inform the creation of effective therapies.

One of the main topics they discuss is the distinction between relative and absolute quantification. Relative quantification compares metabolite levels between healthy and diseased samples, while absolute quantification measures the exact amount of a metabolite. Misunderstanding these methods can lead to incorrect conclusions.

To the press release | To the publication

Author: Diane Bertel

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