• The facility will be located at the Sant Joan University Hospital in Reus, in a 550‑square‑metre space
• The creation of this Unit has a total cost of 4.3 million euros, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the Next Generation funds
The Southern Catalonia Biomedical Research Institute (IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV) has already started the initial work to build its new Clinical Research Unit (CRU), in collaboration with the Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus (HUSJR). This is a pioneering facility that will make it possible to carry out studies and clinical trials of medicines in all their phases, from the most experimental ones to the final stages before approval. The unit, which will occupy a 550‑square‑metre area inside the HUSJR, is funded with 4.3 million euros from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the public body under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities that manages biomedical research in Spain, and from the Next Generation EU funds.
The new CRU will represent an important step forward for the region’s capacity to develop high‑level clinical research. Until now, phase I trials for cancer patients —the most experimental ones, which allow a medicine to be given to a patient for the first time— could only be carried out in centres linked to large hospital structures, mainly in the Barcelona area. With this new unit, patients from Camp de Tarragona, Baix Penedès and Terres de l’Ebre will have access to these studies without having to travel far from home.
The director of IRB CatSud, Joan Vendrell, highlights that the CRU “will serve more than 800,000 inhabitants and will allow citizens to have more equal access to innovative therapies, which until now were only available in centres far from the region”. Anton Benet, manager of Salut Sant Joan Reus‑Baix Camp, adds that the unit “will make it easier to attract new studies in many specialties, especially in oncology, and will strengthen the region’s ability to attract and retain talent, which is very important in a context where there is a lack of specialised health professionals”.
The CRU will also include high‑precision technology, such as a 3‑Tesla MRI scanner for advanced studies, as well as specific areas for specialised tests, monitoring and telemedicine. The project involves the three health regions, local administrations and the Rovira i Virgili University, which have taken part in defining the strategic plan. In addition, the Tarragona Provincial Council will fund the creation of the Body Composition Analysis Unit with 500,000 euros. This unit will be located inside the CRU and will include a special room for metabolic studies, unique in Spain.
The construction work is expected to continue until the end of 2026, when the unit is planned to start operating. Its launch will strengthen Southern Catalonia as a reference point in clinical research and will help improve healthcare practice and treatment opportunities for the population.
A new study by IRB CatSud and ISGlobal links teenagers’ nutrition with emotional wellbeing, cognitive performance, and long‑term decision‑making
Adolescence is a key period for brain development, and eating habits play an essential role in this process. A new study led by the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica Catalunya Sud (Southern Catalonia Biomedical Reseach Institute – IRB CatSud, formerly IISPV), includes the participation of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the “la Caixa” Foundation, shows that eating ultra‑processed foods is linked to more emotional and behavioural difficulties. On the other hand, following the Mediterranean diet is associated with better executive function. The study, titled Dietary Patterns and Neuropsychological Function in Adolescents: A Cross-sectional and Longitudinal Study, has been published in BMC Medicine.
The study, carried out by the Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience Research Group (NeuroÈpia) at IRB CatSud. The research analyses data from a sample of 653 adolescents aged 12 to 16 from the metropolitan area of Barcelona (Smart-Snack study). It highlights the importance of nutrition during adolescence, a stage where the brain is still developing, especially the prefrontal cortex, which is involved in decision‑making and impulse control.
Eating habits were assessed using food‑frequency questionnaires that measured adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the intake of ultra‑processed foods. Neuropsychological function was evaluated through standardised computerised tests that measured attention, working memory, fluid intelligence, decision‑making, and emotional recognition. Behavioural and emotional outcomes were also assessed using validated questionnaires.
Opposite effects on the teen brain
The results show clear differences between the two eating patterns. According to Alexios Manidis, the lead researcher, a higher intake of ultra‑processed foods—such as sugary drinks, industrial pastries, and ultra-processed meats—is linked to poorer performance in emotional recognition and sustained attention. Teenagers who consume more ultra‑processed foods also report more symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as more behavioural problems.
In contrast, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and olive oil—is linked to fewer behavioural problems and better scores in executive attention.
However, in the six-month follow-up, only initial ultra-processed food consumption showed longitudinal associations with internalizing symptoms and decision-making, while Mediterranean diet adherence showed no longitudinal effects. “This may suggest that Mediterranean diet benefits require ongoing adherence, while the effects of ultra-processed foods may be more persistent,” comments Manidis, reinforcing the importance of maintaining healthy habits consistently.
Objective validation through biomarkers
The study also analysed urinary biomarkers in a subsample of 257 participants. The results show that adolescents who consume more ultra‑processed foods have fewer compounds from plant‑based foods and more compounds linked to food processing, confirming the reliability of dietary questionnaires.
Christopher Papandreou, Assistant Professor at the Hellenic Mediterranean University (Crete, Greece) and senior co-author of the study, notes that “teenagers’ diets are shifting towards ultra-processed foods” and warns that this change “may be contributing to the rise in mental health problems among young people”.
Jordi Julvez, head researcher of the NeuroÈpia Research Group at the IRB CatSud and ISGlobal, reminds us that “adolescence is a period of great brain reorganisation” and explains that diet “can influence how teenagers regulate their emotions and make complex decisions”.
The researchers conclude that future strategies, such as replacing processed snacks in schools with nutrient‑dense options like nuts and fresh fruit, could be effective in improving emotional regulation and cognitive function in the long term.
Bibliographic reference of the study
Manidis, A., Ayala-Aldana, N., Bernardo-Castro, S., Pinar-Martí, A., Galkina, P., Fernández-Barrés, S., Ramirez-Carrasco, P., Lamuela-Raventós, R. M., Papandreou, C., & Julvez, J. (2026). Dietary patterns and neuropsychological function in adolescents: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study. BMC Medicine, 10.1186/s12916-026-04658-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-026-04658-6
The donation will support the Institute’s research lines on diabetes, especially those focused on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
The town councils of Perafort and Puigdelfí and Els Garidells have donated the funds raised during the charity walk ‘Take a Step Against Diabetes’ to the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV). The total amount, €2,324, will be used to support research on diabetes, particularly in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this and other metabolic diseases. The event, organised by both councils, took place on 23 November 2025 and celebrated its 10th edition, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Institute.
During the ceremony to hand over the symbolic cheque, several representatives of the organising institutions attended: the event’s promoter, Sergi Vernet; the Sports Councillor of Perafort, Xavi Prim; and the Housing and Social Welfare Councillor of Els Garidells, Marta Duque. Representing the IISPV were the director and leader of the Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases Group (DIAMET), Joan Vendrell, and also DIAMET group leader, Sonia Fernández Veledo. The DIAMET group is the beneficiary of the funds, which will help continue its research projects in the field of diabetes.
The donation was made possible thanks to the participation of local residents and the support of organisations and businesses in the area. As highlighted during the cheque presentation by both the organising councils and IISPV representatives, this contribution “strengthens the collective commitment to diabetes research” and shows the “social awareness of a disease that has a major impact on the region”. The aim of the walk is not only to support research but also to promote healthy lifestyle habits.
Over its 10 editions, the charity walk ‘Take a Step Against Diabetes’ has raised a total of €11,000, which has been used to support ongoing diabetes research projects at the Institute.
In Spain, 17,241 sudden cardiac deaths are recorded every year
The incidence of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the Mediterranean area is one third lower than in countries in northern Europe and America. This is the conclusion of a study co‑led by the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV) and the Catalan Medical Emergency System (SEM), with the participation of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Catalonia (IMLCFC), Joan XXIII University Hospital of Tarragona, Sant Joan University Hospital of Reus, Xarxa Santa Tecla, IDIAP Jordi Gol, Rovira i Virgili University, and the Catalan Health Institute. The study, recently published in the international journal BMJ Global Health, analyses the factors that explain the lower impact of sudden cardiac death in the Mediterranean region.
According to the study (Epidemiology of sudden cardiac arrest in the western Mediterranean area based on a prospective registry), 70% of sudden deaths are caused by cardiac conditions. Chronic coronary disease is identified as the main cause of sudden death, followed by acute coronary disease and cardiomyopathies. In addition, 15% of sudden deaths are due to non‑cardiac cardiovascular causes, such as pulmonary thromboembolism or intracranial haemorrhage. The remaining 15% are related to non‑cardiovascular causes, such as digestive bleeding or infections. Alfredo Bardají, cardiologist at Joan XXIII University Hospital, highlights that “this study found that acute myocardial infarction as a cause of sudden cardiac death is decreasing, thanks to improvements in early treatment”.
Regarding the possible prevention of sudden death, Youcef Azeli, principal investigator of the study, SEM doctor, physician at Sant Joan University Hospital of Reus and head of the IISPV research group in emergencies, explains that “only one third of patients have a previous history of heart disease, which makes prediction difficult. Also, in 50% of cases, cardiac arrest occurs without previous symptoms, which makes treatment harder”. Even so, the study shows that one in five patients had a medical consultation in the four weeks before the event, which highlights the need to work on medium‑term prevention strategies to improve the detection of patients at risk.
This research is also relevant for two additional reasons. First, it involved up to six institutions, which made it possible to gather information from many different sources. In this regard, the participation of the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of Catalonia (IMLCFC), part of the Department of Justice and Democratic Quality, is especially important. Its director, Eneko Barbería, points out that “including forensic analyses and data allows us to obtain a complete picture of sudden cardiac death and makes this study unique in the Mediterranean area and in Europe”.
Second, this is the first study that provides real data on the incidence of sudden death in Catalonia and Spain, thanks to the wide participation of institutions that contributed information. According to the Catalonia Cardiac Arrest and Sudden Death Registry (RAIMCAT), 2,700 cases are recorded every year in Catalonia and initially attended by SEM, which means 7 cases per day. In Spain as a whole, the annual number is 17,241 cases, or 47 cases per day. This study, unique in Europe, shows that sudden cardiac death is one of the most important causes of death in Spain, just after lung cancer.
The survival rate after sudden cardiac arrest is only 10%. Cases with previous chest pain or where an automated external defibrillator (AED) is used before SEM arrives have a better chance of survival. For this reason, in the presence of warning signs such as chest pain, or when witnessing a sudden loss of consciousness, it is essential to recognise the situation quickly, start high‑quality chest compressions, and use an AED as soon as possible.
This study, funded by the Catalan Resuscitation Council (CCR), has made it possible to identify the cause of death in a higher percentage of cases than other published studies. Research like this, with high‑quality registries on sudden cardiac death, helps advance precision medicine, prevention, and treatments that improve patient care.
Reference: Azeli, Y., Barbería, E., Solà-Muñoz, S., Landín, I., Fernández, A., Rey-Reñones, C., García-Gual, C., Gomez-Tortosa, A., Granado-Font, E., Fernandez-Sender, L., García-Vilana, S., Bonet, G., Jimènez-Fàbrega, X., & Bardaji, A. (2025). Epidemiology of sudden cardiac arrest in the western Mediterranean area based on a prospective registry. BMJ global health, 10(11), e020462. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-020462
This tool gathers detailed nutritional information on 850 products from 42 brands available in the main supermarkets in Spain. Its aim is to provide dietetics, nutrition, paediatrics and other health professionals with a reliable and updated source of information about the composition of these foods. This allows them to accurately assess nutrition during the first years of life and offer recommendations that promote a healthier and more sustainable diet. In addition, the results can serve as a basis for designing more effective food and regulatory policies.
According to Nancy Babio, researcher at the Human Nutrition Unit of the URV and coordinator of the project, “this database is a key step to provide health professionals with objective and evidence‑based information, in a context where the offer of commercial products for young children is growing quickly and does not always follow public health criteria”.
The results of the analysis, published in the scientific journal European Journal of Pediatrics, show worrying data. Besides confirming that only 20% of the products analysed meet all the nutritional profile and advertising criteria recommended by the WHO, it also warns that 60% of the food contains excessive amounts of sugar, and 99% of fruit purées would require a “high in sugar” warning label. In fact, none of the foods analysed should be advertised according to WHO guidelines.
The analysis also shows that 30% of the products include added sugars or sweeteners, such as honey or concentrated juices, and that none of the products meet all the WHO criteria for commercial promotion. Moreover, 98% display unauthorised claims or promotional messages.
“These results highlight the urgent need to improve regulation, both in the formulation and in the advertising of foods aimed at young children. At the moment, this is governed by a co‑regulation code (PAOS) that is not legally binding and has not worked as expected,” warns Roser Martí, president of CODINUCAT.
The Baby & Toddler Food Composition Database – InfantBase is a tool designed both for professional use and for political decision‑making.
This tool is part of the PRINUT project (Early Childhood: Nutritional Analysis and Regulation of Commercial Foods), which is aligned with public health strategies aimed at promoting healthy and safe eating during early childhood, following WHO recommendations and the PAAS (Comprehensive Plan for Health Promotion through Physical Activity and Healthy Eating) of the Government of Catalonia.
“As scientists and health professionals, we believe we have the responsibility to translate scientific evidence into effective policies that protect children’s health. We hope to receive institutional support to move forward in this direction,” concludes Babio.
The GEMMAIR research group received the Joan Pedrerol Gallego Award for the Social Impact of Research from the Social Council of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili last Thursday, 6 November. The award corresponds to the 2025 edition, in the field of health and life sciences, ex ante category.
The winning project, titled “Bisphenol A and liver health: Impact of a BPA‑free diet on Metabolic Dysfunction‑Associated Steatotic Liver Disease”, was presented by researchers Maria Teresa Auguet Quintillà, Helena Clavero Mestres, Carmen Aguilar Crespillo, José Antonio Porras, David Riesco, Salomé Martínez, Margarita Vives and Fàtima Sabench Pereferrer.
An escape room, medical tests and cardiopulmonary resuscitation workshops made the work of IISPV visible. The Servei d’Emergències Mèdiques Generalitat, Ajuntament de Tarragona and the Markets of Tarragona joined the initiative held in the city centre.
Around 450 people took part this Saturday, 22 November, in the city centre of Tarragona in the event ‘La recerca en salut surt al carrer’, organised by Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) as part of its 20th anniversary. Throughout the morning, dozens of people participated continuously in the activities, which were open to everyone. The main goal was to bring citizens closer to the work carried out by the Institute in the region.
Plaça Corsini and the Mercat Central became a large laboratory and a space for scientific outreach, where activities —an escape room, medical tests and resuscitation workshops with a visit to an ambulance— attracted people of all ages.
The escape room ‘Investigate and… help us!’ caught the attention of about 70 people. The medical tests ‘Here we take care of you!’, located inside the Market, worked without interruption, serving up to 100 people. Participants underwent early screenings for diabetes and prediabetes, blood pressure measurements to assess cardiovascular risk, and body composition analysis tests.
As for the cardiopulmonary resuscitation workshops ‘Get motivated and resuscitate!’, they involved professionals from IISPV and the Servei d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) of the Generalitat, who carried out simulations with mannequins in the square, teaching how to identify a cardiac arrest and perform intervention manoeuvres. In addition, citizens had the chance to see an SEM ambulance up close, which was displayed in the same square. Around 280 people took part in this activity.
The organisation of the event was supported by the SEM of Generalitat, the Ajuntament de Tarragona and the Mercats de Tarragona.
These microorganisms are essential for the product to meet the international definition of kefir established by WHO and FAO.
Around 80% of the products labelled as “kefir” in Spain do not provide information about the presence of yeasts. These microorganisms are necessary for the product to meet the international definition of kefir set by the Codex Alimentarius, prepared jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This is the conclusion of a study led by a research team from the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili and the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV), presented at the latest congress of the Spanish Federation of Nutrition, Food and Dietetic Societies.
Kefir is a fermented dairy food that differs from other similar products, such as yogurt, because of its mixed fermentation, which is the result of the combined action of lactic acid bacteria, acetic acid bacteria and yeasts. In the study, carried out in the summer of 2025, products labelled as “kefir” were analysed in the main supermarkets of the country, selected according to the market share report of Kantar Worldpanel, which includes national and regional chains and covers more than 56.7% of the market. The labelling of 170 drinkable and spoonable kefirs was evaluated, paying special attention to the explicit declaration of yeasts.
The results showed a great variability in the information provided by manufacturers, which, according to the research team, may cause confusion among consumers and make it difficult to correctly identify the product according to international standards. “In many cases, the name ‘kefir’ is used as a commercial claim, even though the products do not meet the international definition, which requires the presence of yeasts,” explain Lucía Iglesias-Vázquez and Nadine Khoury, researchers of the study.
The authors warn that the current European regulation on food information does not require declaring the presence of microorganisms on food labels. Moreover, in some fermented dairy products it even allows the omission of the list of ingredients, which may reduce transparency and contribute to the trivialisation of a food like kefir, which offers many health benefits.
Faced with this situation, the research team suggests that the industry should adopt clearer and more consistent labelling practices, such as explicitly indicating the presence of bacteria and yeasts. “Moving towards a harmonised European regulation that sets minimum microbiological criteria would be essential to protect the authenticity of kefir and strengthen consumer confidence through a clear list of ingredients,” say Nancy Babio and Jordi Salas, professors and researchers from the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology of URV, IISPV and CIBEROBN.
Next Saturday, November 22, the Institute will hold the event ‘La recerca en salut surt al carrer’, which includes an escape room, medical tests, CPR workshops, and a demonstration of how an ambulance works.
The Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV) will organize the fun event ‘La recerca en salut surt al carrer’ on Saturday morning, November 22, in the center of Tarragona. This initiative is part of the celebrations for the Institute’s 20th anniversary. It was already held in Reus last October and was very well received, with more than 500 people taking part in the activities. Now, IISPV brings the event to Tarragona, specifically to Plaça Corsini and the Mercat Central. Activities will include an escape room about the Institute, non-invasive medical tests, CPR workshops with mannequins, and a demonstration of how an ambulance works. All activities are free, but participants must register in advance on the IISPV website to join the escape room.
The event is organized in collaboration with the Tarragona City Council, Tarragona Markets, and the Servei d’Emergències Mèdiques (SEM) of the Generalitat. Its goal is to help citizens learn more about the work of this biomedical research institute, which has been operating in southern Catalonia for 20 years. The activities planned are:
Escape room ‘Investiga… I ajuda’ns!’
Four groups of five people will help IISPV stop an attack that aims to sabotage the work of its researchers. Each group will face different challenges to protect the four research areas of IISPV: metabolism and nutrition, oncology, mental health and neurosciences, and infection, immunity and environment. The activity lasts about 45 minutes and requires prior registration. It will take place at Tarragona Espai Comerç”, and the meeting point is the entrance to the Central Market on Cristòfor Colom Street. Time slots are: 10:30, 11:30 and 12:30.
Medical tests ‘Aquí et cuidem!’
Throughout the morning, the interior of Tarragona’s Central Market will host several non-invasive medical tests, available to anyone interested:
Workshops ‘Anima’t i reanima!’
All morning long, Plaça Corsini will host the ‘Anima’t i reanima!’ workshops, led by professionals from IISPV and SEM. Using mannequins, participants will learn how to identify a cardiac arrest and how to perform CPR. They will also get to see how an ambulance works, with one on display in the square.
The Solidarity Walk ‘Let’s Take a Step Against Diabetes’ aims to raise awareness among the population about the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle habits and to support biomedical research carried out in the region. All the funds raised will go to the Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases Research Group (DIAMET) at IISPV, which focuses on finding new knowledge and strategies to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
“The Perafort Town Council reaffirms its commitment to health, solidarity, and medical research through this initiative—values we consider essential for the well-being of our citizens. The funds are allocated to the IISPV to support research and scientific progress in this field,” said the mayor of Perafort, Joan Martí Pla i Pla. The Perafort Town Council thanks all the individuals and organizations involved and invites everyone to join this solidarity cause. Taking a step against diabetes is taking a step for everyone’s health.
There are different types of diabetes, but the most common are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes affects about 0.2% of the population in Spain, and around 10% of diagnosed cases are in young people and children. Type 2 diabetes affects between 6% and 14% of the population. This percentage depends on the age group considered, but the older the person, the higher the incidence.
The director of the IISPV, Joan Vendrell, explains that “diabetes is not visible, but it can be controlled with information and a healthy lifestyle. In this sense, events like the walk are very valuable, as they help raise awareness about the disease and its impact, and also promote the work we do. Moreover, they are an opportunity for people to contribute to the development of the various research projects underway at the Institute.”
With a registration fee of €5, participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, enjoy breakfast and drinks in Els Garidells, and take part in a raffle of products offered by the event’s sponsors after the walk. Registration is open until November 21st, 2025, through the following link: https://serveis.iispv.cat/events/desena-caminada-contra-la-diabetis
