Three Europeans won the Nobel Prize for medicine

Three German and French scientists shared a $ 1.42 million reward for discoveries of a deadly virus.

German scientist Harald zur Hausen (left), French professor Luc Montagnier (middle) and French scientist Francoise Barre-Sinoussi (right).Photo: Reuters.

German scientist Harald zur Hausen was honored yesterday by discovering that a virus can cause cervical cancer, the second most dangerous disease after breast cancer for women. Meanwhile, French researchers Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier shared half of the $ 1.42 million due to the discovery of a virus that weakens the HIV immune system. Their findings help decipher important details about the replication of this deadly virus and the interaction of patients with HIV.

Winners in the categories of physics, chemistry, literature, peace and economics will be announced in the following days. The annual Nobel Prize is usually announced in October and is awarded in December - Alfred Nobel's death. Nobel, industrialist and inventor of explosives, devoted his entire fortune to creating "a prize for those who have made great contributions to humanity".

Imitation Nobel began to be held in 1901. The award includes a medal, a personal certificate and a $ 1.42 million grant.