The Science Prize 2018 of the Medical Society of Lower Austria was awarded this year to Dr. Klaus Hackner of the University Hospital Krems, Department of Pulmology (Chairman: Prim. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Errhalt).

At the beginning of December we had the pleasure of welcoming our first exchange scientist within the framework of the Erasmus programme "Staff Mobility For Training" at KL University in the field of Water Quality and Health.

Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner described Univ.-Prof. Dr. Herbert Frank as "outstanding physician" and "personality with international appeal". The "Great Golden Medal of Honor for Services to the Federal State of Lower Austria" was presented to Herbert Frank, the Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University Hospital Tulln on Friday, December 14, at the Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna's Herrengasse.

A novel compound against breast cancer improves the efficiancy of standard cancer treatment and shows superior tolerability in laboratory tests when compared to similar agents, setting the stage for its further clinical development. The mechanism of action of this compound is based upon the re-activation of naturally occurring “programmed” cell death or apoptosis, that is switched off by many cancer cells thereby leading to their uncontrolled proliferation. Results of this study have now been published by physician-scientists from the Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems together with colleagues from the University of Heidelberg, Harvard Medical School, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Huazhong University and others.

On Wednesday, December 5, NÖGUS Chairman Martin Eichtinger and the Rector of the Karl Landsteiner Private University Rudolf Mallinger opened the first competence centre for gerontology and health research in Austria. Under the direction of the recognized sociologist and gerontologist Ao. Univ.-Prof. Dr. Franz Kolland, the centre at the Karl Landsteiner University in Krems will start immediately with a showcase project. The broad-based study "Lower Austrian Health Age Barometer" will develop scientific basics and concepts for the care of the population aged 60 and over by the end of 2019. The focus will be on health care, health care, nursing and the use of digital technologies.

In Lower Austria, medical education and research are being further expanded. Today, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, governor, Stephan Pernkopf, deputy governor, Rudolf Mallinger, rector of the Karl Landsteiner University and Markus Klamminger, medical director of the Lower Austrian Clinic Holding, presented further steps. Six million euros for research and teaching at the university hospitals of Krems, St. Pölten and Tulln.

Recently the Young Researchers' Calendar 2019 was presented in the Lower Austrian State Library. Once again, the models are young researchers working at the four ecoplus Technopol locations. "The research landscape at the Lower Austrian technopoles is a breeding ground for highly innovative, exciting research projects and the workplace of a modern, young generation of researchers! In our young researchers' calendar we present twelve people whose above-average achievements give Lower Austria's technology locations a head start - because we know: Research is the future", emphasised Petra Bohuslav, Regional Councillor for Economics and Technology, and Helmut Miernicki, Managing Director of ecoplus, at the presentation of the calendar.

Researchers from Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences identify addiction-like behaviour after time away from social media. In many cases, just a seven-day break from social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp is sufficient to induce withdrawal symptoms like those caused by addictive substances. This is the conclusion of a study by Austrian scientists, which was published today in an international journal. The study identified classic withdrawal symptoms, including significantly increased urges, boredom, and an influence on whether the subjects were in a good or bad mood. Most surprisingly, 90 of the 152 participants were unable to do without social media for seven days without “relapsing”.

On the occasion of the 150th birthday of Karl Landsteiner and out of personal interest, Dr. Eleonore Kemetmüller, Head of the Department of Nursing Science at KL, travelled to the USA.

The answer will be explained by Univ.-Prof. DI Dr. Dieter Pahr, biomechanic at KL University in P.M.Wissen on ServusTV.

At a planned meeting with Prof. Kari Martinsen and Prof. Herdis Alvsvag, Norway's most renowned nursing scientists, an intensive exchange of ideas took place on the current development of professional nursing.

Being able to distinguish forced from hearty laughter is a human ability that is spread across cultural boundaries.