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Research and Innovation

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First drug against a blinding eye infection within reach

A rare infectious disease that can cause permanent blindness may soon have an approved treatment for the first time. A formulation of the molecule polihexanide, optimised by the EU-funded ODAK project, has been shown to cure 87 % of patients. The drug will soon be available to patients across Europe through an early access programme.

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Reconnecting the European Union with the citizens it represents

A series of crises has pushed apart the EU and its citizens. Rather than becoming disillusioned, citizens have increasingly high expectations for the EU and are looking for ways to become more involved. The EU-funded RECONNECT project has developed policy proposals, tools and solutions that can help improve the relationship between the EU and those it represents.

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Nanotech oxygen to help phototherapy fight tumours

The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy is limited by the lack of oxygen in solid cancers. Now, EU-funded researchers have developed drug delivery nano-carriers to bring oxygen to the tumour site. This strategy could improve the effectiveness of this photodynamic therapy and help to save the lives of citizens affected by cancer.

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Flexible research leads to pocket PCR test for COVID-19

While researchers were busy developing a handheld device to rapidly detect biomarkers to guide the therapy in lung cancer, the pandemic struck. Realising their device could be adapted to test for coronavirus, researchers refocused their work. The result is the market’s smallest portable PCR device.

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Tools to protect and optimise Europe’s internet communications

When internet routers fail, the consequences are wide-ranging. The EU-funded SafeNet project has released the first publicly available open-source tool to detect and fix router bugs. This together with commercial software to optimise data centre networks are helping to protect the communications infrastructure European citizens rely on.

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A new model for the formation of elliptical galaxies

Most stars today can be found in giant, dead ellipticals which have long been considered by scientists the end of an evolutionary line for galaxies. How these galaxies formed and died so quickly has been an open question. The ConTExt project provides an explanation that is already paving the way to a new generation of astronomical studies.

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Virtual cities enable city planners to test ideas and solutions

Europe’s cities create vast amounts of data, most of which isn’t used by urban planners and policymakers in their decision-making. The EU-funded DUET project created computer replicas of city systems to harness this information and transform cities for the better. The work will help with urban management and the evolution of ‘Smart Cities’ across Europe.

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