Demand for natural pigments in the cosmetic and food industry is high, but most blue pigments used in cosmetics and food are still artificial. THE EU-funded BIOVADIA project increased understanding of marennine, the blue pigment in blue diatoms. Research continues and could eventually feed into diverse applications, including use of the pigment and diatoms in cosmetics, medicine and agriculture.
EU-funded project develops special coating for bone implants that cuts the risk of infection and minimises the need for further surgery, potentially benefitting thousands of patients across Europe.
The weakened immune system in people with HIV/AIDS makes them particularly vulnerable to fungal infections such as cryptococcal meningitis, which can be deadly. The medicine used to treat the condition is flucytosine, and EU-funded researchers have developed a new and more efficient way of producing it. This will cut production costs, making it more affordable for people in low-income countries.
Malaria is one of the world's deadliest diseases, but cutting-edge research into the genetics of malaria-carrying mosquitoes could lead to new methods to prevent transmission that could save hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.
The damage done by chronic kidney disease is irreversible: once the illness has taken hold, the organ can't be healed. Patients' prospects and quality of life would be much improved if the condition could be spotted sooner. An EU-funded project has developed a biomarker test to pick up very early signs of diabetic kidney disease, and identified possible improvements in the approach to therapy.
World Down Syndrome Day on March 21st raises awareness and informs policymaking and action at all levels of society. For its part, the EU has been a major funder of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion, boosting knowledge and improving the lives of people with Down syndrome and their families.
