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Monaco scientists behind international antibody standards study

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/12/2021

A joint study by scientists from Monaco and Singapore showing that more personalised vaccine schedules are possible in the fight against Covid and its variants has been published by The Lancet Microbe.
Vaccinations against the Covid virus are being pushed in every country around the planet as the best way to prevent serious illness and death. Whilst this is surely medically sound advice, it is also true that not every person has the same immune response reaction to the jabs.
As immune responses vary wildly from person to person, better vaccine targeting appears to be a crucial next step for programmes worldwide, particularly with regard to booster shots.
In response to this, Dr Thomas Althaus and Dr Eric Voiglio of Monaco’s Department of Health Action have co-authored a report with a team from the Scientific Centre of Monaco, the Health Action Department, and the Duke Global Health Institute of Singapore and its division specialising in emerging infectious diseases. It is entitled ‘WHO international standard for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to determine markers of protection’, and it was recently published by respected medical journal The Lancet Microbe.
The study noted the crucial role of neutralising antibodies in the evaluation of vaccine protection, whilst establishing an international measurement scale the World Health Organisation (WHO) approves of.
The results were presented at the Global Virus Network and Monaco international conference, on the diagnosis of Covid-19. They demonstrate the benefit of measuring neutralising antibodies to identify individuals in need of vaccine boosting, but also of shifting the vaccine among those retaining strong immune activity. Little is known about vaccine efficacy and the protection conferred after infection with the virus causing Covid.
Such a measurement of these neutralising antibodies makes it possible to compare the levels of protection, and to inform those responsible for public health policies on the effective duration of vaccine protection.
The published article came out during the two-day Global Virus Network and Monaco Covid-19 Diagnostic Conference: Promises and Challenges event on 3rd December, which looked at the implementation of a cooperative global diagnostic programme using new technologies which detect and fight against burgeoning pandemics, primarily focusing on lower-to-middle income nations.
“The role of the various diagnostic and immunological monitoring tests to guide the vaccine policy were considered, as well as the overall strategy for the biological and genetic management of this type of epidemic,” said Prof. Patrick Rampal, President of the Scientific Center of Monaco (CSM). “The workshop represented a unique opportunity to examine different situations and responses in various countries. This will help to better understand how to deploy the global and collaborative diagnostic arsenal we urgently need.”
Omicron has thrown another curve ball at scientists in the fight against the virus, who are now looking at accurate and fast diagnostic methods as a vital way to contain transmission efficiently, thus saving lives.
President of the Mérieux Foundation, Alain Mérieux, whose aim is to strengthen local abilities in developing countries to reduce the impact of infectious diseases on vulnerable populations, said early diagnosis detection in industrialised countries is important, but more so in developing nations where epidemics often start.
“It is our duty to develop low-cost solutions accessible to all because the response can only be global for pathogens that know no borders,” said Mérieux. “Solutions that must be affordable and technically adapted to the difficult logistical constraints in the field.”
Click here to read the study.
 
 
 

Model Victoria Silvstedt collaborates on eco-friendly fashion line

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/12/2021

Sustainable luxury brand Marli Dresses has formed a partnership with former Guess model and Monaco socialite Victoria Silvstedt, creating a new line called the Wild Life Collection.

What happens when a fashion designer and a model who are both long-time animal rights activists and eco-warriors meet? A new line of environmentally friendly clothes is created, naturally.

This was exactly the case when Marli Dress co-founder Liliya Tippetts and model Victoria Silvstedt met. They found they had a tremendous amount in common and decided then and there to work together on a new collection which they have called the Wild Life Collection.

“I strongly believe in women empowering women,” says Liliya Tippetts. “Victoria has been a close colleague of mine and I highly admire everything that she has done from acting and modelling to being a businesswoman. Much of this resonates with myself as the founder of a fashion brand and I thought it was a must to work together.”

But the process didn’t happen overnight. It took months for the duo to find the right fabrics and colours that reflected their mutual desire to be flattering as well and reflective of nature.

“Collaborating with a fashion icon like Victoria, we wanted to evoke strong femininity in our new collection. Femininity is much more than being soft. It is powerful and unapologetic,” adds Tippetts. “This is what I wanted to show through our collection together. By combining sheer, flowing fabric with bold prints like cheetah, we were able to achieve this.”

The line includes delicate beach coverups with bold animal prints and high-waisted wrapped miniskirts in several eye-catching hues. The line was made to be versatile, with the ability to seamlessly go from beach to bar. They say they created the line for all body types, accentuating feminine curves, resulting in gorgeous silhouettes, whilst remaining elegant.

“A lot of my vacation time is spent going to St. Barts, it’s a breath-taking island,” says Victoria Silvstedt. “Aside from the star-studded crowd and amazing restaurants, the island is known for its stunning beaches. Going there, it is almost impossible not to reconnect with nature, and where we come from, The Wild Life Collection is inspired by just this. The colours we’ve used for our skirts are inspired by the crystal blue waters and tan sand beaches. Bold prints are inspired by the nature around us.”

 
SEE ALSO 

Interview: Victoria Silvstedt

 
 
 

Voxan Wattman breaks world-record speeds, again

by: Luke Entwistle
10/12/2021

Voxan’s latest Wattman model was put to the test at the iconic Kennedy Space Center, Florida, breaking 21 new world speed records and officially becoming the fastest under 300kg electric bike in the world.
The tests took place over six days between 18th and 23rd November, and the results were phenomenal as records tumbled in the Sunshine State. The Voxan bike, owned by Monaco-based electric vehicle specialist Venturi, registered a world-record speed of 456km/h (283 M/ph), in the much-coveted category ‘partially streamlined electric motorcycle under 300kg’.
Prior to breaking this record on 22nd November, the bike, driven by Italian rider Max Biaggi, also broke the record for ‘non-streamlined electric motorcycle under 300kg’ with a time of 370 km/h (230 M/ph).
Voxan and the Venturi group, working in tandem, continue to redefine excellence within the field of electric motorcycles. The earlier Voxan model had already set records in the ‘over 300kg’ category in November 2020, but thanks to the Wattman’s new lighter, cutting-edge battery, the constructor could this year set their sights on breaking the ‘under 300kg’ records.
Having achieved the records, Gildo Pastor, President of the Venturi group, expressed a great deal of both national pride, and pride in the project, saying, “These 21 new records are another magnificent achievement for the Venturi group… I am pleased to think that the experience gained from this project will contribute to improving eco-mobility. I share these records with my country, Monaco, which does so much to promote sustainable development.”
Voxan, as forerunners in their field, will be hoping that these latest technological strides will provide the inspiration to continue to propel the industry to become even quicker, safer and greener as the world looks to shift towards more sustainable mobility.
 
 

Finally… an opening date for eco-friendly Ikea

by: Stephanie Horsman
10/12/2021

After years of waiting, Ikea has revealed exactly when the doors of its new superstore in Nice Saint-Isidore will swing open to the public.  

The project has been in the works for what seems like forever, but now there is a firm opening date set.

During a site visit on 9th December, Walter Kadnar, CEO of Ikea France, revealed that 11th May 2022 will mark the opening day of the first Alpes-Maritimes branch of the popular Swedish superstore.

Ikea is said to be hiring no less than 400 staff members and are specifically looking to take on people in the fields of logistics, sales, customer relations, catering, interior design, finance and administration, and human resources.

Kadnar promises the new IKEA will have “special atmospheres” and “special product lines” to attract customers, but the location alone will be a draw. After making the long trek to Toulon in the Var to reach the nearest store, this location on the outskirts of Nice is sure to bring in clientele from Monaco, the Alpes-Maritimes and Italy.

The company chose the eco-district of Saint-Isadore in Nice as the ideal spot. It sits next to the Allianz Riviera Stadium and will be 24,000m2 in size.

Surrounded by housing, offices and shops, the store will stand out from other Ikea shops in France by its blue enamelled glass facade, its roof developed as a fifth facade, 7,000m² of green solar panels and its green spaces.

 

 
 
Illustration by Willmotte et Associés
 
 
 

Two major institutions reveal solar transformations

by: Stephanie Horsman
10/12/2021

The Monaco Scientific Centre and FANB are the latest institutions to become major players in the Principality’s energy transition, installing solar panels on their buildings to cut emissions and generate a portion of their own power.
Monaco’s energy transition programme is moving full steam ahead and it couldn’t be more apparent than in the addition of two local organisations making the leap by installing photovoltaic panels on their edifices.
On 3rd December, the Institute François d’Assise-Nicolas Barré (FANB) announced the installation of 158 solar panels covering 225m2, which are capable of generating over 40.36 MWh of electricity to be used directly by the school.
The panels will cover 26% of the school’s electricity needs and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly four tons of CO2 each year. They are also visually pleasing. Unlike the old school versions, these panels are from the new generation of coloured panels which are also made to look more like the existing roof tiles.

FANB has installed new generation solar panels that blend in with the rooftop, photo by SMBP

This was closely followed by the 6th December inauguration of the Scientific Centre of Monaco’s (CSM) photovoltaic park. The 443 panelled park sits over 987m2. It boasts the largest roof area and production capacity of all public buildings in the Principality. With an annual power estimated at 250MWh, it will provide the CSM with energy self-sufficiency of 25.23% and will promote a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of nearly 20.5 tons of CO2 per year.
Prince Albert II was at the reveal ceremony together with Minister of the Interior and Department Manager of CSM Patrice Cellario, Environment Minister Céline Caron-Dagioni, and Professor Patrick Rampal, President of the Scientific Centre of Monaco.
During the event, Anthony de Sevelinges, Head of the Public Buildings Maintenance Service (SMBP), explained how the solar park functions and made note that, to date, 26 public establishments in Monaco are now equipped with solar installations. Together, these facilities represent 4,968 m² of surface area, capable of producing 1,039 MWh of electricity and reducing CO2 by 85 tons per year.
After the presentation, CSM signed the National Pact for the Energy Transition.
Professor Rampal spoke of the Centre’s involvement in the reduction of greenhouse gases in favour of the preservation of the environment including missions carried out in research laboratories in polar, marine and medical biology.
To close, Professor Rampal asked that all the Centre’s employees follow the National Pact guidelines on a personal basis to optimise the effects.
 
 

Monaco schools in the digital age

by: Stephanie Horsman
10/12/2021

Monaco schools are now benefiting from several ways to stay competitive in today’s world, including primary school computer programming courses and laptops with touchscreen capabilities for older kids.
A study by the Institute for the Future and Dell Computers estimates that an astounding 85% of jobs that will be available in 2030 have not even been created yet.
Such is the digital world we live in now, and as part of Computer Science Week, schools in the Principality are preparing children to face this new world with confidence, thanks to programmes being implemented under the Extended Monaco umbrella.
“The quality of the Monegasque education system is a priority for government action. In the era of the digital revolution, we have a duty to prepare the new generations for the challenges of tomorrow’s world, but also to help them understand new technologies in order to maintain control,” said Christophe Prat, Director General of the Department of the Interior.
The Extended Monaco programme has put into action several concrete plans for the digitisation of schools, such as implementing programming courses from primary school, signing a partnership with the American association code.org, offering learning tools like laptops to teachers and students under the Digital College initiative, and opening the EduLab space at Charles III College in 2019.
Located underneath the Department of Education, Youth and Sport, EduLab offers a 200 m² space where teachers can obtain training from experts in digital technology and experiment with innovative digital tools like virtual reality headsets, the latest laptops, educational robots, and the like.
Under the Digital College plan, 1,200 laptops have been distributed since 2020 with all the software and associated textbooks chosen by educators. The initiative is meant to promote educational creativity and better student learning, as well as ensuring continuity outside the class and enabling children to remain constantly exposed to digital advances.
The pandemic and associated lockdown periods also showed the sense in using technology in daily life, as remote schooling became a necessity. Now that teachers and students are used to the systems, it is possible for students who are ill or otherwise unable to attend school for periods of time to continue learning along with their peers. It also allows parents greater access to homework assignments and progress without the need for constant face-to-face meetings with teachers.
“Children and parents today expect the same services in education as they benefit from in their daily life: consulting online notes, homework or schedule changes, discussing remotely with the teacher, completing online processes … With digital technology, we can respond effectively to the educational needs of students and facilitate the personalisation of learning paths,” says Commissioner General in charge of the Directorate of National Education, Youth and Sports, Isabelle Bonnal.
Training has also been at the heart of this revolution. All high school students receive six hours of digital literacy training each week. The teaching teams are also supported by experts to make the best use of these tools, for the benefit of student success.
Thanks to EduLab, the faculty has access to innovative tools such as virtual reality headsets, touch screens, educational robots or 3D printers. Digital technology also helps foster the involvement of parents, notably through the establishment of dedicated webinars and virtual guides.
“The education system must be in line with the challenges of the world of work of tomorrow. To develop a strong and attractive economy in the coming years, we need trained youth, open to the outside world and familiar with new technologies,” said Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate in charge of Digital Transition.
Admin has also been made easier, as parents now have the option to enrol their children in school online as well as pay for canteen digitally. These procedures are available on the new public service portal MonGuichet.mc.
Students of the Monaco Technical and Hotel Lycée will be equipped with personal computers next year. In 2022, the training for students will also be expanded, with more hours of learning provided, but they will also receive a societal approach to help them better understand their future in a world that has become resolutely digital.
 
 
 
Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department