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.

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.

At the opening of the World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Diseases in Rome, Italy, on April 10th, the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) honoured Professor Atsushi Suzuki, Chair of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan, with the IOF President’s Award. The esteemed award recognizes individuals for their significant and enduring contributions to advancing the mission of the IOF, through furthering one or more of the Foundation's mission statements and/or goals.