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Worldwide, more than a billion disposable plastic bags are used each year. It is unclear where these bags end up. Only 1% of them are recycled in Europe, and there is increasing evidence that the large majority end up in the natural environment. Although this problem is receiving increased attention, data for the Netherlands and the rest of Europe is scarce.

Bladder cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the Netherlands. And it is persistent: in eight out of ten people, the tumour returns after treatment. A remarkable discovery by Dr Gabri van der Pluijm and his team offers new hope. They found that the antipsychotic Penfluridol, which is used to treat schizophrenia, has an inhibitory effect on cancer cells.

Professor by Special Appointment Anouk Goemans has received the National Youth Care Award 2025 from the ‘Stichting Steunfonds Pro Juventute’. The cash prize of €30,000 will go towards her research on youth care and youth protection.

In academic year 2018/2019, over 80 students set off for destinations all around the world to study, do an internship or carry out research. From the final reports that we received, ten deserved a place on the shortlist for the LISF Prize. A further five students were nominated for the Janneke Fruin-Helb Grant.

Thanks to medical innovations, more children are recovering from serious interventions such as heart surgery or stem cell transplants. A remarkable achievement, but for eight out of ten children and their families this has a lasting medical and psychosocial effect. Paediatric haematologist Anne de Pagter and paediatric cardiologist Arno Roest want to research how support for these children and their families can be improved.