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The discovery of microRNA brought the Nobel to Victor Ambros and Gary Ravken

Americans Victor Ambros and Gary Ravken won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

KEY FACTS

  • The prize was awarded to them by the Royal Carolina Medical and Surgical Institute for the discovery of microRNA and its role in gene regulation announced the general secretary of the Nobel Committee, Thomas Perlman, quoted by BTA.
  • This year, the monetary value of the prize is 11 million kroner (about US$985,000). It was shared between the two laureates.
  • Victor Ambros was born in 1953 in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA. In 1979, he received his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he also conducted postdoctoral research from 1979 to 1985. In 1985, he became a principal investigator at Harvard University. In the period 1992-2007, he was a professor at the School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, and he is currently a professor of natural sciences at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
  • Gary Ravken was born in 1952 in Berkeley, California, USA. He received his PhD from Harvard University in 1982. From 1982 to 1985, he worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1985, he became a principal investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he is currently a professor of genetics.
  • Last year, Catalin Carrico and Drew Wiseman won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries related to modifications of nucleotide bases that allowed the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

TANGENT

The first Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded in 1901 to Elim Adolf von Behring of Germany “for his work on serum therapy, especially for its application to diphtheria, thereby opening a new path for medical science and giving physicians a victorious remedy against sickness and death”.

Among the more famous scientists who received the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine are: Ivan P. Pavlov (Russia) /1904/, Robert Koch (Germany) /1905/, Alexander Fleming (Great Britain) /1945/, George Biddle (USA) , Edward Tatum (USA), Joshua Lederberg (USA) /1958/ and others.

Cyprus Hits Historic Tourism Peak As Overtourism Risks Mount

Record-Breaking Performance In Tourism

Cyprus’ tourism sector achieved unprecedented success in 2025 with record-breaking arrivals and revenues. According to Eurobank analyst Konstantinos Vrachimis, the island’s performance was underpinned by solid real income growth and enhanced market diversification.

Robust Growth In Arrivals And Revenues

Total tourist arrivals reached 4.5 million in 2025, rising 12.2% from 4 million in 2024, with momentum sustained through the final quarter. Tourism receipts for the January–November period climbed to €3.6 billion, marking a 15.3% year-on-year increase that exceeded inflation. The improvement was not driven by volume alone. Average expenditure per visitor increased by 4.6%, while daily spending rose by 9.2%, indicating stronger purchasing power and higher-value tourism activity.

Economic Impact And Diversification Of Source Markets

The stronger performance translated into tangible gains for the broader services economy, lifting real tourism-related income and overall sector turnover. Demand patterns are also shifting. While the United Kingdom remains Cyprus’ largest source market, its relative share has moderated as arrivals from Israel, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Austria, and Poland have expanded. This gradual diversification reduces dependency on a single market and strengthens resilience against external shocks.

Enhanced Air Connectivity And Seasonal Dynamics

Air connectivity has improved markedly in 2025, with flight volumes expanding substantially compared to 2019. This expansion is driven by increased airline capacity, enhanced route coverage, and more frequent flights, supporting demand during shoulder seasons and reducing overreliance on peak-month flows. Seasonal patterns remain prominent, with arrivals building through the spring and peaking in summer, thereby bolstering employment, fiscal receipts, and corporate earnings across hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Structural Risks And Future Considerations

Despite strong headline figures, structural challenges remain. The European Commission’s EU Tourism Dashboard highlights tourism intensity, seasonality, and market concentration as key risk indicators. Cyprus records a high ratio of overnight stays relative to its resident population, signalling potential overtourism pressures. Continued reliance on a limited group of origin markets also exposes the sector to geopolitical uncertainty and sudden demand swings. Seasonal peaks place additional strain on infrastructure, housing availability, labour supply, and natural resources, particularly water.

Strategic Investment And Market Resilience

Vrachimis concludes that sustained growth will depend on targeted investment, product upgrading, and continued market diversification. Strengthening year-round offerings, improving infrastructure capacity, and promoting higher-value experiences can help balance demand while preserving long-term competitiveness. These measures are essential not only to manage overtourism risks but also to ensure tourism remains a stable pillar of Cyprus’ economic development.

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