Seven researchers spoke about studies in health, energy and the environment, and their impact on everyday life. This Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, a science workshop fair will take place at Corsini Square in Tarragona, the main event of the Researchers’ Night
This Saturday, Racó de la Palma in Reus became a centre of scientific knowledge during the micro-talks “Research for Change”, a pre-event of the European Researchers’ Night attended by around eighty people. The event, organised by the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) with support from the Rovira i Virgili University (URV), brought together seven researchers from different local research centres who shared innovative advances in health, energy and environmental topics.
With a dynamic and informative format, each talk lasted ten minutes and explained, in a practical way, the results of scientific studies and how they affect people’s lives. For example, Cèlia Uroz, a researcher from URV, said that people ingest 20,000 microplastic particles per year, which is equal to one credit card per week, and spoke about their effects on the intestine. Marta Llorens, from the Catalan Institute of Chemical Research (ICIQ), explained how antibiotics work in the body and why it is important to take them carefully and follow the doctor’s instructions.
In the field of mental health, Elisabet Vilella, researcher at IISPV and the Pere Mata Institute, said that one in four people suffers from a mental health problem during their lifetime. She also talked about how mental health issues and psychiatric disorders can vary depending on age or gender.
The micro-talks highlighted the value of local research and its direct impact on daily life. There was also good interaction with the audience, who had the chance to ask questions to the researchers about the topics discussed.
The European Research Night events continue
These micro-talks were a prelude to European Research Night, an educational initiative centered around a science fair, which will take place on the afternoon of September 26 and the morning of September 27 in Tarragona’s Plaza Corsini, with the participation of more than 200 researchers from the URV and research institutes. Another preliminary activity is the family workshop “Much more than aesthetics,” on how obesity and diabetes affect the body, which will take place at the Viding Sant Jordi sports center in Tarragona.
It will also visit secondary schools in the Tarragona area through informative talks and will return once again to Terres de l’Ebre with a science workshop fair to be held on October 3 in Tortosa’s Town Hall Square.
European Research Night is a major educational event held simultaneously in more than 300 European cities with the aim of bringing science closer to the public. In the Tarragona area, the URV has been coordinating the event since 2018, with a program that attracts thousands of people every year.
European Research Night is supported by the European Union’s Horizon Europe program and the collaboration of a consortium of Catalan universities and public institutions. The full program can be found at tarragona.nitdelarecerca.cat.
With a kick-off in Oslo, today marks the start of CancerWatch, a new EU Joint Action that will transform how Europe collects, harmonizes, and uses cancer data. Coordinated by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and involving 92 partner organisations from 29 countries, CancerWatch will enhance the quality, comparability, and timeliness of data from population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) across Europe.
Accurate, complete, and up-to-date cancer data are essential for monitoring trends, identifying inequalities, and evaluating the impact of prevention, early detection, and treatment programmes, as well as Quality of Life and survival rates. CancerWatch will ensure that high-quality data are available to the European Cancer Information System (ECIS), which plays a central role in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and the European Cancer Inequalities Registry.
Why it matters
At present, cancer data across Europe vary in quality, coverage, and timeliness. Some regions lack full registry coverage, while others face delays of more than two years before data can be shared. CancerWatch will:
A pan-European effort
CancerWatch unites national cancer registries, public health institutes, research organisations, and ministries of health in a coordinated effort to strengthen Europe’s cancer intelligence. The Joint Action will deliver new tools, shared methodologies, and a roadmap for future cancer indicators, while also identifying opportunities to expand registry coverage into currently uncovered regions.
“By improving the quality and timeliness of Europe’s cancer data, CancerWatch will help ensure that policies and research are based on the best possible evidence – ultimately saving lives and enhancing quality of life for cancer survivors,” says Giske Ursin, Project Coordinator, Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
“Better data means better cancer control. With CancerWatch, we are building the foundations for more effective prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and equitable access to care across Europe,” adds Gijs Geleijnse, Scientific Coordinator, Norwegian Institute of Public Health.
Philippe Roux, Head of Unit for Cancer, health in all policies at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety emphasizes the importance of CancerWatch. “The European Cancer Inequalities Registry (ECIR) is a vital policy instrument that helps EU Member States identify inequalities in cancer prevention, care, and outcomes, and the areas that can be improved. I strongly encourage all countries and stakeholders to use it. At its core, the ECIR relies on high-quality, population-based cancer data. Through the CancerWatch Joint Action, we will strengthen this foundation and deliver timely insights to reduce cancer inequalities across Europe.”
Background
Population-based cancer registries have been the backbone of cancer surveillance in Europe for decades, enabling countries to track incidence, mortality, and survival. However, differences in legal frameworks, interoperability, and resources mean that data completeness and timeliness vary widely. CancerWatch builds on the work of the European Network of Cancer Registries (ENCR), the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and international partners such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), aligning efforts to deliver faster, more reliable insights.
About the project
For more information, visit: www.encr.eu/CancerWatch
For the third time, the Congress and Exhibition Palace of Tarragona will host Mamapop, a charity show that donates all its profits to breast cancer research at the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV)
Mamapop will return to Tarragona for the third year in a row, with a new show on Saturday, November 1st. In 2025, Mamapop will take the audience on a musical journey through the 1960s and 1970s, performing famous songs from artists like Los Brincos, Los Bravos, Marisol, Miguel Ríos, Los Mustang, Los Sírex, Nino Bravo, Fórmula V, Camilo Sesto, Jeannette, Albert Hammond and Julio Iglesias, among others.
The show features a pop-rock instrumental base combined with violins, violas and cellos from the Julià Carbonell Symphony Orchestra of Lleida. Singers include Paula Costes, Nerea García, Laura Roure, Anna Simon, Xènia Pérez, David Honrrubia, Toni Gilabert, Maria Fernández, Pol Simon and Nomís Lenam. The musical director is Josep María Bossa, pianist, guitarist, composer and producer at Bossa Records. More than thirty professionals will be on stage to offer a unique and original production.
Once again, all proceeds from the concert will go to breast cancer research at IISPV. The event also celebrates the institute’s 20th anniversary and supports an ongoing study about the link between obesity and breast cancer, funded by previous Mamapop concerts. Manel Simon, promoter and artistic director of Mamapop, said: “It’s an honour to premiere the new show in Tarragona, knowing that a researcher can work on breast cancer thanks to the support of the local community.”
Dr. Elisabet Vilella, deputy director of IISPV, explained: “Our research is already showing results, which have been presented at several conferences. Early findings confirm the hypothesis that there is a connection between obesity and breast cancer. The project’s progress depends on future funding. Right now, we are waiting for a decision on a grant from the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).”
Noemí Llauradó, president of the Tarragona Provincial Council, highlighted the institution’s commitment “to culture, research and solidarity.” She added: “Mamapop is more than a concert—it raises awareness.”
The event was presented on Monday at IISPV headquarters. Tarragona’s mayor, Rubén Viñuales, said: “Mamapop was created to raise awareness and mobilise people against breast cancer, using the universal language of music. The energy and enthusiasm it creates is transformed by IISPV into cutting-edge scientific research that improves the lives of those affected.”
Mamapop Tarragona is supported by Fundación Repsol, Factor Energia, the Port of Tarragona, the City Council, the Congress Palace, Rotary Club Tarragona, Tarragona Basketball Club, Nàstic de Tarragona, and the Provincial Council. The concert will take place on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 at 8pm. Over a thousand tickets are now on sale at www.mamapop.cat and in person at FarmaTarraco (C/ de Pere Martell, 5).
The Clinical Research Unit (UIC) will allow clinical trials of medicines to be carried out on patients, from the most experimental phase to the final stage when their use is authorized
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, visited the facilities of the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), located in the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the development of the new Clinical Research Unit (UIC), a facility that will make it possible to carry out clinical trials with medicines on local patients in all phases—from phase 1, the most experimental, to phase 4, the final stage after which the medicine is approved for use. The CRU will occupy 500 m² and will be located inside the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus. Its construction is supported by €4,300,000 in funding from the Carlos III Health Institute, the leading biomedical research organization under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
During the visit, the Secretary of State was accompanied by the Government’s Deputy Representative in Tarragona, Elisabet Romero; the Mayor of Reus, Sandra Guaita; the City Councillor for Economic Promotion and Knowledge, Josep Baiges; the President of the IISPV Governing Board and Director of Health Services in Tarragona, Marta Milà; and other members of the IISPV Governing Board. Juan Cruz Cigudosa emphasized that this is an important project that will become a reference point for clinical research in southern Catalonia. He also highlighted the importance of giving hospitals across the region access to this kind of infrastructure. In addition, he pointed out that “this is one of the highest-rated projects in a national funding call worth €45 million. This new unit has received almost 10% of the total budget available in that call, which was open to projects from all over Spain.”
The Mayor of Reus, Sandra Guaita, added that “the amount of funding provided by the State shows that this is a strong project that will have a direct impact on citizens, as it will allow more equal access to medicines—something that used to happen only in large cities.” In the same vein, the Director of IISPV, Joan Vendrell, explained that “this Clinical Research Unit will serve the entire province and benefit 850,000 people, from university hospitals to regional hospitals in different health areas.” He also said: “We would even like pharmacies to help share information about the studies being carried out, so that people can learn about them and, if they wish, take part.”
Since the funding was announced in early 2025, the tendering process for the construction work has already started, and part of the necessary equipment has been ordered. In terms of staff, six people have already joined IISPV to work directly with the CRU: two data managers, one administrative staff member, one radiology technician, and two nurses. The unit is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
The IISPV is organising the activity for Saturday 20 September at 12 p.m. at the Racó de la Palma in Reus, and it will be led by researchers from local research centres
On Saturday 20 September at 12 p.m., the Racó de la Palma in Reus will host the science microtalks, an activity included in the European Researchers’ Night. The goal is to bring scientific research closer to the public in a friendly, accessible and engaging way.
The event is organised by the Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), in collaboration with the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and other research centres in the region. Researchers from different fields will share, in 10-minute talks, the latest advances in health, sustainability, energy and well-being.
Topics will include the effects of microplastics on the intestine, the role of the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy, patient safety in critical situations, responsible use of antibiotics, psychiatric disorders, and key ideas for a fair and sustainable energy transition.
The speakers will be:
Celia Uroz Mas – Efectes dels microplàstics en el nostre intestí
Sergi Danés – Del sol al combustible: energia neta per a una societat sostenible
Sara Bernardo Castro – Dieta mediterrània durant l’embaràs: modelant el desenvolupament cerebral i psicològic dels fills
Ruth Tortosa Alted – La transferència de cures en malaltia crítica: un repte de seguretat del paciente
Marta Llorens Fons – Antibiòtics: manipula’ls amb cura!
Sergi Saladié Gil – Bases per a una transició energètica justa i sostenible
Elisabet Vilella Cuadrada – Trastorns psiquiàtrics: factors de risc i factors protectors
L’activitat s’adreça a un públic general, amb un format distès i accessible, i forma part del conjunt d’actes que el IISPV impulsa per fomentar la cultura científica i connectar la recerca amb la societat.
New study reveals sex- and region-specific metabolic signatures of different adiposity indices
An international study from the Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), in collaboration with the University of Ioannina (Greece), shows that not all body fat is the same. Its location in the body and its biological effects are different between women and men. The study, led by Christopher Papandreou from the Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience group (NeuroÈpia) was published in the journal eBioMedicine. The research analysed metabolomic data from more than 150,000 participants in the UK Biobank and confirmed the results with an independent Greek cohort of 1,127 individuals.
The study revealed striking contrasts in how fat stored in different regions of the body influences metabolism. Abdominal fat was linked to more harmful, atherogenic metabolic changes, while fat stored in the hips and thighs (gluteofemoral fat) showed more favorable metabolic profiles. These metabolic signatures were also more strongly correlated with over 25 clinical biomarkers, including cholesterol, liver enzymes, inflammatory markers, and hormone levels, than conventional measures such as body mass index or waist circumference.
The findings underscore the importance of both fat distribution and sex-specific biology in determining metabolic health. By linking detailed metabolic profiles to regional fat depots, the study provides new insights into how adiposity drives the risk of cardiometabolic disease and cancer, and highlights the potential of metabolomic biomarkers to improve early detection and prevention strategies.
Reference
Papagiannopoulos, C. K., Markozannes, G., Chalitsios, C. V., Christakoudi, S., Gunter, M. J., Dossus, L., … Papandreou C* & Tsilidis, K. K.* (2025). Sex-stratified metabolic signatures of adiposity indices and their associations with clinical biomarkers in the UK Biobank. EBioMedicine, 119.
*Shared last authorship
A study led by URV/IISPV shows that a diet rich in different plant and animal species is associated with longer life expectancy
Food biodiversity, understood as the variety of different species included in a person’s regular diet, may play a key role in preventing chronic diseases and promoting longevity. This is suggested by data from a recent study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, led by the Food, Nutrition, Development and Mental Health Research Group (ANUT-DSM) at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), as part of the PREDIMED project.
The study analyzed the eating habits and health parameters of more than 7,200 people aged between 60 and 80 years, all with high cardiovascular risk. Participants were followed for an average of six years. Using validated food questionnaires and advanced statistical tools, the research team assessed the number of different species consumed through a new indicator called Dietary Species Richness (DSR), which estimates the number of different plant and animal species included in a person’s usual diet. The researchers then evaluated mortality risk based on this indicator.
The results show that people who consumed a greater variety of species had a significantly lower risk of dying from any cause. Specifically, for each additional species regularly consumed, the overall mortality risk decreased by 9%, the risk of cardiovascular disease by 7%, and the risk of cancer by 8%.
According to Sangeetha Shyam, Miguel Servet researcher at IISPV and lead author of the study, “this research shows that it’s not only important what types of food we eat, but also how many different species we include in our diet. A more biodiverse diet is linked to better health and longer life.” The findings also indicate that the link between dietary biodiversity and mortality was independent of the nutritional quality of the participants’ diets. For example, not all individuals with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet had a highly diverse diet, and vice versa.
The mechanisms behind these associations are not yet fully understood, but researchers suggest that diets rich in a wide range of plant and/or animal species may provide a broader spectrum of nutrients and beneficial compounds, and may also support a healthier gut microbiota.
This study was made possible thanks to the collaboration of multiple institutions and researchers from the PREDIMED consortium. It was led by the Food, Nutrition, Development and Mental Health Research Group (ANUT-DSM) at URV, IISPV, and CIBERobn of the Instituto Carlos III.
Reference: Shyam S, Babio N, Paz-Graniel I, Martínez-González MA, Sorlí JV, Estruch R, Ros E, Tojal-Sierra L, Gómez-Gracia E, Fiol M, Lapetra J, Serra-Majem L, Riera-Mestre A, Toledo E, Ramirez-Sabio JB, Castañer O, Lamuela R, Margara-Escudero HJ, Fitó M, Salas-Salvadó J. Food biodiversity and mortality in older Mediterranean adults with high cardiovascular risk. Sci Total Environ. 2025 Jul 25;987:179807. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179807. Epub 2025 Jun 4. PMID: 40472794. Link to article
Studying fatty acids after meals may provide new insights into the metabolic impact of diet and fasting
Losing weight can be challenging, especially when it requires following a strict low-calorie diet over time. A study with mice suggests that intermittent fasting—taking regular breaks from eating—can improve metabolism, even when the diet is high in fat. In fact, the benefits observed are similar to those linked to healthy eating. This study, led by the Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) and the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), was published in eBiomedicine.
Although the animals did not lose weight through intermittent fasting, researchers found improvements in blood glucose control, insulin response, and lipid profile—key indicators often affected by obesity. When intermittent fasting was combined with a healthy diet, the positive metabolic effects increased, and a significant reduction in body weight was observed.
The study not only focused on blood parameters but also examined how different dietary interventions affected fat tissue and the liver. “After four weeks of intermittent fasting, obese mice showed significant protection both metabolically and in these tissues, even with a high-fat diet,” explains Dr. Victòria Ceperuelo-Mallafré, Ramón y Cajal researcher at URV and member of the DIAMET research group (Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases) at IISPV – URV – CIBERDEM.
“However, switching to a balanced diet proved to be the most effective strategy for weight loss. In addition, combining intermittent fasting with a healthy diet had a synergistic effect that was especially beneficial for improving glucose tolerance,” adds Dr. Sonia Fernández-Veledo, head of the Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition Area at IISPV and leader of the DIAMET research group.
Another innovative part of the study was the analysis of gut microbiota and its key products, especially short-chain fatty acids. These molecules, found in blood and stool, may play an important role in regulating the body’s metabolic processes. The results showed that combining intermittent fasting with a healthy diet led to deeper changes in the composition of gut microbiota. Specifically, there was an increase in the species Alistipes finegoldii, which may be linked to better blood glucose regulation. This finding was confirmed both in the animal model and in a group of people with obesity who followed a low-calorie Mediterranean diet for six months. Although the results are promising, further studies are needed to confirm this connection.
Regarding short-chain fatty acids, researchers found that their post-meal regulation is altered in obesity. Both intermittent fasting and switching to a healthy diet help restore this mechanism. Therefore, measuring these compounds not only during fasting but also after eating may offer valuable information for a better understanding of metabolic function.
Although the findings are still preliminary and more human studies are needed, this research opens the door to designing personalized dietary strategies that focus on improving metabolic health, beyond simply losing weight.
Bibliographic reference
Ceperuelo-Mallafré, V., Rodríguez-Peña, M. M., Badia, J., Villanueva-Carmona, T., Cedó, L., Marsal-Beltran, A., … & Vendrell, J. (2025). Dietary switch and intermittent fasting ameliorate the disrupted postprandial short-chain fatty acid response in diet-induced obese mice. EBioMedicine, 117.
Around twenty researchers from the institute opened the biomedical research laboratories at the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus to the public
On Tuesday, July 22nd in the morning, the Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) held the first of several commemorative activities to mark its 20th anniversary: an open day. Around twenty researchers from the institute welcomed members of the public into the biomedical research laboratories located at the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus. The event included two sessions, which gathered nearly forty participants.
According to Lluís Gallart, director of the IISPV Biobank and head of platforms, “Visits like this help us show the work we do in the laboratories, which contributes to better diagnosis and treatment of diseases. These open days are also a way to recognize the work carried out over the past two decades by professionals dedicated to research through the IISPV, many of whom are also part of the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Joan XXIII in Tarragona, Verge de la Cinta in Tortosa, Institut Pere Mata and Universitat Rovira i Virgili.”
During the visit, researchers presented some of the current research lines at the IISPV. The tour was divided into eight stations, each led by members of research groups and scientific support platform coordinators.
A study led by URV also concludes that there is still insufficient evidence to confirm that this diet improves the outcomes of assisted reproductive treatments
Infertility affects one in six adults worldwide and has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a public health issue. Several studies conducted on men in developed countries have raised concerns about a decline in semen quality, potentially linked to unhealthy lifestyle habits. Stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, and poor dietary choices are among the main risk factors associated with reduced sperm quality.
The analysis encompassed 11 original studies involving a total of 2,558 men, examining the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, fish, nuts, and whole grains—semen quality, and/or various fertility parameters.
The findings revealed that men who closely followed this dietary pattern had a higher sperm count, with improved total and progressive motility, as well as a greater proportion of sperm with normal morphology. These results were observed both in healthy individuals and in patients attending fertility clinics.
However, the authors caution that, although semen quality was superior among participants with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet, there is still no conclusive evidence that this diet directly enhances outcomes in medically assisted reproduction.
“While the Mediterranean diet appears to have a positive effect on semen quality, further research is needed to determine its actual impact on male fertility,” the research team noted.
The study’s findings form part of Rashmi Agarwal’s doctoral thesis, supervised by Albert Salas-Huetos, lecturer at URV; Nancy Babio, associate professor at the university; and Jordi Salas-Salvadó, professor and head of the Food, Nutrition, Development and Mental Health research group at URV, the Institut Sanitari Pere Virgili (IISPV), and CIBERobn at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III.
Bibliographic reference: Agarwal R, Salas-Salvadó J, Davila-Cordova E, Shyam S, Fernàndez de la Pont M, Azurmendi M, Bavi N, and Salas-Huetos A. Mediterranean diet, semen quality and medically assisted reproductive outcomes in the male population. 2025; 100454. doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2025.100454
