The Nobel Prize in Medicine goes to scientists whose work made possible messenger RNA vaccines for “Covid-19”

Two scientists have won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine for their contributions to RNA biology that enabled the development of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines that changed the course of the coronavirus pandemic.

Hungarian Katalin Karikou and American Drew Wiseman share the prize worth 11 million Swedish krona ($1,001,084), which was announced on Monday by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.

The Nobel Committee awarded the prize for their discoveries related to nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines against Covid.

In 2022, the prize was given to Swedish geneticist Svantebabo "for his discoveries related to extinct hominin genomes and human evolution."

Six Nobel Prizes are awarded each year, each of which recognizes the pioneering contribution of an individual or organization in a particular field. Prizes include the fields of physiology or medicine, physics, chemistry, economics, literature and peace.

The Nobel Prize announcements will continue throughout this week until October 9. Winners are invited to receive their awards at ceremonies held on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel (a wealthy Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite). He received the prestigious Peace Prize in Oslo based on his wish, while the other awards ceremony will be held in Stockholm.

Russian scientists turn water into fuel

Russian scientists have created a cheap material capable of extracting fuel from water, which can be used as catalysts in electric batteries.

This invention was realized at the Russian Southern Federal University of Rostov.

Tatiana Myasoedova, a leading researcher at the university’s Nano Materials Technology Studies Laboratory, told the Russian “TASS” agency that this innovation lies precisely in the material itself.

She added: “Copper sulfide and molybdenum are catalysts based on a metal plate and nickel foam, which can effectively split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen under the influence of electric current.”

Myasoedova said that the researchers used the properties of molybdenum and copper ions, a complex substance that made it possible to combine the properties of other materials.

The university's press service said that platinum and its derivatives are today considered the most effective electrocatalysts for the production of oxygen and the release of hydrogen, but these materials are expensive and do not provide protection against chemicals that cause fuel oxidation.

The technology created by Rostov University scientists could replace the more common palladium catalysts.

This means that scientists have found a cheaper method, compared to other methods used in the world.

This innovation could be used as a catalyst for fuel cells, such as electric batteries.