200,000 barrels of radioactive waste at the bottom of the sea: Scientists set out to inspect a nuclear dump in the Atlantic
This mission was led by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in collaboration with the French national institute for ocean science and technology (Ifremer), the Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) and other partners. It was born out of a meeting a few years ago between Patrick Chardon, a specialist in the effects of radioactivity on the environment (CNRS – Université Clermont Auvergne), and Javier Escartin, a marine geologist (Ecole normale supérieure – CNRS), at a time when technology now allows for exploration of the ocean floor.
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Euronews
4 days ago
- Euronews
Light stimulation shows promise in slowing Parkinson's, scientists say
French scientists are experimenting with a new way to combat Parkinson's disease: using light to stimulate damaged nerve cells in the brain. Researchers from a biomedical research centre affiliated with Grenoble University Hospital announced their progress on Radio France, explaining that while the trial is still at a very early stage, it could lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of the neurodegenerative disease. Around 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson's, and that figure is expected to double by 2050, according to Parkinson's Europe. There is no cure, but researchers have been searching for ways to slow the disease and alleviate symptoms, which include tremours, muscle rigidity, and slowness of movement. If it is successful in larger studies, the French clinical trial could help disrupt the progression of the disease through a non-invasive technique that stimulates the functional recovery of neurons, or nerve cells. The study targets dopamine-secreting neurons, which are critically affected as Parkinson's progresses. Around half of these cells may be damaged by the time symptoms appear, while patients lose an average of 10 per cent of their dopamine receptors per year, according to Dr Stephan Chabardès, a neurosurgeon at Grenoble University Hospital. The aim of the trial is to slow down patients' neurological deterioration, Chabardès said. The technique directs light beams to neurons deep inside the brain to target mitochondria – responsible for energy production within the cell – to stimulate them and improve their function, thereby revitalising the damaged cells. Chabardès said that in order to access these deep brain regions, the researchers developed a special compact device that combines advanced expertise in electronics, photonics, and nanotechnology, enabling the system to get smaller without sacrificing performance. "It is the combination of this medical expertise in neurosurgery with expertise in micro and nanotechnologies that makes it possible to achieve these medical feats," he said. So far, the technology has been applied to seven patients with early stages of the disease, and preliminary results indicate a slowdown in the deterioration of symptoms in three of them, especially with continued stimulation. It appeared that the light stimulation helped restore some brain function in these three cases, Chabardès said. "It's very preliminary, but what we are seeing is quite promising," Chabardès said. He noted that researchers will only launch a larger clinical trial if the study finds a tangible and stable effect.
Euronews
22-07-2025
- Euronews
Sanofi buys UK's Vicebio for over €1bn to expand vaccine portfolio
In the race to develop next-generation respiratory virus vaccines, French pharmaceutical company Sanofi has agreed to buy Vicebio Ltd., a privately-held biotechnology company headquartered in London, UK. Sanofi said there will be an initial cash payment of $1.15bn (€980 million) for the deal, 'with potential milestone payments of up to $450 million based on development and regulatory achievements'. 'We are excited to join Sanofi', said Emmanuel Hanon, Chief Executive Officer at Vicebio, in a statement. 'Their global scale and deep expertise in vaccine development provide the ideal environment to fully realise the potential of our innovative technology." With the acquisition, Sanofi gets Vicebio's early-stage combination vaccine candidate for two respiratory viruses, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV). Respiratory infections, affecting millions globally, often appear as cold-like illnesses that could, in severe cases, lead to pneumonia. In respiratory medication, Sanofi already has several vaccines in its portfolio against flu and RSV prevention; this latest acquisition adds a non-mRNA vaccine to its pipeline. mRNA technology is relatively new for vaccines. It teaches the body how to make a protein that triggers an immune response to protect against a specific virus, instead of using a weakened or inactivated germ to trigger this reaction. With the current deal, Sanofi also gets access to Vicebio's Molecular Clamp technology, which stabilises viral proteins in their native shape, triggering a more effective immune response. This technology is expected to speed up vaccine development and simplify manufacturing and distribution. 'This acquisition furthers Sanofi's dedication to vaccine innovation with the potential to develop next-generation combination vaccines that could provide protection to older adults against multiple respiratory viruses with a single immunisation," said Jean-François Toussaint, global head of research and development vaccines at Sanofi. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025, and will not have a significant impact on Sanofi's financial guidance for 2025. The pharma giant's share price was down around 0.4% before 11:00 CEST in Paris.
Euronews
22-07-2025
- Euronews
Smartphones lead to ‘suicidal thoughts' in children under 13, study
Children shouldn't have access to smartphones until the age of 13, according to a new global study. Those who used smartphones before they turned 13 were more likely to have suicidal thoughts, bad emotional regulation, lower self-worth, aggression, and detachment from reality, according to the study published in the Journal of the Human Development and Capabilities. Girls were more impacted by smartphone use than boys, with 9.5 per cent of female respondents considered 'struggling' with their mental health compared to 7 per cent of males, irrespective of their country of origin, the research added. Kids under 13 were more likely to experience sleep disruptions, cyberbullying and negative family relationships, the study found. Restrict smartphones like alcohol, researchers say The study drew data from the self-reported mental health profiles of 100,000 young people between the ages of 18-24. The study was conducted by a team from the research non-profit Sapien Labs. The researchers generated an overall "mind health" score for each profile based on 47 social, emotional, cognitive, and physical functions. The mind health scores got worse the longer a child had access to a smartphone, the research continued. For example, the score of a child who received a phone at 13 dropped from 30 to just one for those who received a phone at five years old. The results were worse for the 18-20 year-olds than the 21-24 cohort in the responses, which could be due to prolonged screen exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study said. However, the results of smartphone use in under 13s are consistent despite the geographical and social differences that kids have. Lead author Tara Thiagarajan said she'd like to see smartphones restricted to those under 13 and regulated like alcohol and tobacco by government authorities. The move should be paired with restrictions on social media platforms as well as 'mandating digital literacy education and enforcing corporate accountability'. 'I was initially surprised by how strong the results are,' Thiagarajan said. 'However, when you give it due consideration, it does begin to make sense that the younger developing mind is more compromised by the online environment, given their vulnerability and lack of worldly experience'. What regulations are already in place against cellphones? Most of the bans so far against cellphones are happening in Europe's schools, with partial bans in French, Dutch, British, Italian, Hungarian, Spanish, Irish, Swedish, Belgian, Greek, Latvian, Luxembourgish and Finnish classrooms. Some of these countries, including France, the Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg and some Spanish regions, have complete school-wide bans on mobile phones so they cannot be used at any point during the day. Other European countries, such as Denmark, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Portugal, are also considering further restrictions on cellphones. For social media, France's artificial intelligence (AI) minister also proposed a European-wide ban on the use of social media for those under 15 years old. Several EU laws, such as the Digital Service Act, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, and the General Data Protection Regulation, include provisions to shield children from harmful content and protect their data. Last month, EU lawmakers voted to criminalise AI-generated child abuse images, online grooming, livestreaming, sextortion and the age of consent.
