Latest News Releases 10 April

Today, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has presented the 2025 CSA Medal of Achievement to Dr Ambrish Mithal, a renowned Indian endocrinologist and distinguished physician and researcher. The Award was presented on the occasion of the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases (WCO-IOF-ESCEO 2025) in Rome, Italy. The IOF Committee of Scientific Advisors (CSA) Medal of Achievement honours individuals who have significantly advanced the field of osteoporosis through their original and outstanding scientific contributions, and whose work has helped to increase understanding and awareness of osteoporosis.

Researchers at the University of Liège (ULiège) have developed a pioneering, sustainable method for producing cadmium-based quantum dots (QDs) in water using a biocompatible chalcogen source. This fully aqueous, continuous flow process avoids harmful organic solvents and offers enhanced safety, scalability, and environmental performance. A collaboration led to the creation of a water-soluble chalcogen transfer agent inspired by peptide chemistry. Real-time Raman spectroscopy enabled detailed analysis of reaction mechanisms. The new system improves productivity while reducing waste and energy use. Although cadmium QDs are efficient, their toxicity remains a concern, prompting the team to explore greener alternatives. This innovation marks a significant step toward responsible, large-scale nanomaterial production.

New USC research has found that COVID-19 therapies cause few serious side effects, based on an evaluation of the full spectrum of evidence available from U.S. biomedical science. The review, published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, incorporated 54 studies spanning inpatient and outpatient treatment, clinical trials and observational research. Only investigations comparing COVID-19 therapy with standard care, placebo or no treatment were examined, so that effects of the disease itself could reasonably be excluded. No significant association with serious adverse events was found for oral antivirals such as Paxlovid. Evusheld and other monoclonal antibodies that bind to the coronavirus’s spike protein, previously administered intravenously in hospital but no longer authorized by the FDA due to their lack of effectiveness against COVID-19 variants, were not associated with serious adverse events. Actemra, an IV monoclonal antibody that works somewhat differently and is also known by the generic name tocilizumab, was associated with infection and low white blood cell counts in some studies. Transfusions of convalescent plasma — a blood product taken from recovered COVID-19 patients — were linked with higher risk of internal bleeding, infection and blood clots. The serious adverse events identified align with current product labeling.

11 April 2025 / Brussels / Kiel. Led by Professor Dr Sylvia Sander of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, a group of internationally renowned marine scientists has published a Future Science Brief on deep-sea research. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of knowledge and offers recommendations for how both the exploration and management of the deep sea can be made more sustainable. The scientists issue a clear warning: without a thorough understanding of ecosystem processes and biodiversity, informed decisions on the sustainable use and protection of the deep sea are not possible. They are now calling for targeted research to close these knowledge gaps and ensure long-term preservation of the deep sea. The report is aimed at policymakers, researchers and international organisations and is being launched today [11. April, 2 PM (14:00) CET] in a dedicated online webinar.