European researchers are pioneering a vaccine and treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. By Andrew Dunne In 2005, an American triathlete named Jon Blais was diagnosed with an incurable neurodegenerative disease known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. He was 33 years old. Given no more than five years to live, Blais set about ticking off … Read more
EU researchers are coming up with advanced technologies to spot early signs of fatigue and erratic behaviour in people behind the wheel. By Tom Cassauwers When Carlo Polidori is driving and starts rubbing the back of his neck, he knows it’s probably time to take a break. The act is a sign that he’s getting … Read more
Faster detection and less invasive surgery offer hopes of advances against a leading fatal disease in Europe. By Anthony King When Dr John Hermans meets a patient with pancreatic cancer at his hospital, he has to steel himself. Patients with this type of tumour are often diagnosed too late to save them. On average, only … Read more
Andrea Stephany Diaz founded a startup to improve lung-cancer diagnosis after participating in a 2022 European event for young researchers. By Anthony King Andrea Stephany Diaz gushes with enthusiasm when talking about how she created her own biotechnology company two years ago at the age of 24 in a bid to revolutionise the detection of … Read more
Scientists are closing in on a pain-free method for people with type 1 diabetes to control it. By Vittoria D’Alessio Lee Calladine pricks his skin with a needle up to eight times a day to give himself an injection of insulin – the hormone that keeps his type 1 diabetes in check. Without insulin, his … Read more
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment. By Jack McGovan In the Italian town of Nepi last year, a school covered floorspace in sheets and asked children to draw how they would change the urban layout. Elsewhere in the town, a care centre … Read more