In-depth studies of how human land use is having an ever greater impact on ecosystems over a period of three centuries are being carried out for the first time. This project, funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, investigates on a global level how the transition from an agrarian to an industrial society has affected ecosystems. Knowledge about past processes will be used to model and assess possible consequences of growing biomass demand and land use for global sustainability.

Vienna (Austria), 16. July 2008. In the clinical phase I trial AFF001, AFFiRiS GmbH has now recruited the 24 Alzheimer patients planned for this trial. The trial aims to investigate the tolerability and safety of an innovative Alzheimer's vaccine (AFFITOPE AD01). In the trial, all patients have now been vaccinated at least once and have so far tolerated the vaccine extremely well. The treatment provides for four vaccinations administered at monthly intervals and is due to be fully completed by this October. The vaccine's tolerability can then be conclusively evaluated. So far the results indicate good tolerability for this Alzheimer's vaccine from AFFiRiS GmbH. It is on this basis that recruitment of further patients has already begun for the clinical trial of a second Alzheimer's vaccine by AFFiRiS.

Terrace-like elevations of just a few nanometres can form during production of organic thin films made from electrically conductive material. This phenomenon was previously only known from inorganic materials and is crucially important for future production of a new generation of semi-conductor components based on organic thin films. The data now published in the first July edition of SCIENCE was collated as part of a national research network funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF.

Zurich, 26 June 2008. The rights to key patents for an innovative screening tool for treatments for cystic fibrosis were transferred today to Swiss biotech company Axentis Pharma AG. The company has acquired the rights from an Austrian firm that has made a vital contribution to the development of new approaches to treating the disease. The core element of the platform technology involves human proteins which - despite offering sufficient functionality - are subjected to enzymatic digestion in untreated cells due to genetic mutations in their structure.

The discovery of an ancient city buried beneath the sands of modern-day Syria has provided evidence for a Hellenistic settlement that existed for more than six centuries extending into the time of the Roman Empire. The site provides a unique insight into the structures of a pre-Roman Hellenistic settlement. The project, funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, sheds new light on city life in the Hellenistic period.

Salmonella can also infect plant cells and successfully evade all the defence mechanisms of plants. As a result, cleaning the surfaces of raw fruits and vegetables, e.g. by washing, is not sufficient to protect against food poisoning. This surprising discovery, made during a project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, has been published today. The results of the project are based on a model plant, which also represents the ideal basis for future development work on treatment and testing systems in the area of food safety.

According to the central hypothesis of a project undertaken by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, Old Albanian had a significant influence on the development of many Balkan languages. Intensive research now aims to confirm this theory. This little-known language is being researched using all available texts before a comparison with other Balkan languages is carried out. The outcome of this work will include the compilation of a lexicon providing an overview of all Old Albanian verbs.

Balzan Prize winners and scholars from all over the world to debate: "TRUTH, IN THE HUMANITIES, SCIENCES AND RELIGION".

Lugano, May 15 2008 - Is truth absolute, or do we decide what is true based on culture, knowledge and our belief system? These engaging questions are the subject of the 2008 Symposium of the International Balzan Foundation, entitled: "Truth in the Humanities, Science and Religion". This prestigious event will be taking place on May 16-17, 2008 in the Auditorium of the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland).

A biosimilar protein that can be used to treat neutropenia (a side effect of cancer chemotherapy) is to be developed by Apotex Inc. of Canada in collaboration with Intas Biopharmaceuticals Limited (IBPL). Neukine (R), a recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is already manufactured and marketed in India by IBPL. Kwizda Pharma of Austria had been working with IBPL to develop G-CSF for the European market for some time. Effectively immediately, Kwizda Pharma has transferred all of its rights in IBPL's G-CSF to Apotex. Apotex and IBPL have concurrently agreed to extend the collaboration to development of G-CSF for North America (US and Canada).

Vienna, Austria, 28 April 2008: According to an analysis carried out by Lifescience-online, due to it's AFFITOME technology AFFiRiS GmbH could become a major player in the global pharmaceutical industry. After looking at data from a total of 67 European biotech companies, the study picked out the five firms with the most innovative approaches to therapy and most intensive R&D activities for closer analysis. AFFiRiS GmbH came top of this shortlist.