Category: Biology and Medicine

Projects

Dual pathogen attack

More than 85 percent of deaths during the Spanish flu pandemic were not primarily due to the influenza virus, but to a secondary bacterial infection. Even a century later, such secondary infections can still be fatal. Researchers from Vienna, who explored a modern vaccine format, found that influenza shots help keep the bacteria at bay. Continue reading “Dual pathogen attack”

On the road

Archaea research in the “Helix”

By Isabelle Zink

Archaea are able to withstand the most adverse conditions such as extreme cold or heat. Among the first organisms found on the planet, they were the ancestors of complex creatures such as human beings. During her Schrödinger fellowship, microbiologist Isabelle Zink is cooperating with top researchers in Wageningen, the Netherlands, in order to find out […] Continue reading “Archaea research in the “Helix””

Projects

Learning more about diabetes-induced retinal damage

Researchers have now found evidence for the first time for a previously suspected connection: reduced oxygen transport to the retina owing to damage to the fine blood vessels causes diabetic retinopathy. A common complication of diabetes, this retinal damage can ultimately lead to blindness. Even before vision deteriorates, gas exchange in the eye is restricted. Continue reading “Learning more about diabetes-induced retinal damage”
HOLY-2020

Projects

Artificial intelligence could improve therapy for lymphoma

Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of lymph node cancer, requires chemotherapy and radiation therapy that can be very stressful for patients. A research group in Vienna is working on a method to predict the course of the disease with the help of artificial intelligence algorithms. This would facilitate a fine-tuning of treatment methods.   Continue reading “Artificial intelligence could improve therapy for lymphoma”

Projects

Biodiversity as a barrier

Antibiotic resistance is an even more urgent and wide-spread problem than is commonly suspected, since resistant germs circulate between humans and the environment, and they are found everywhere. European research groups with Austrian involvement are now investigating how resistance genes spread in rivers and soils. Initial results confirm their hypothesis: the healthier the natural environment, […] Continue reading “Biodiversity as a barrier”