In this unusual period of time, one of the most important responsibilities of European research communities are to collect scientific evidence on the impact of COVID19. In this latest newsletter, the Regional Studies Association (RSA) is collating resources and evidence on how regions, cities, and industry around the world are dealing with the impact of the COVID19.

Due to the epidemic and related government measures, the Presidium of MTA has acknowledged the President’s decision to postpone the 193rd General Assembly scheduled for 4-5 May. Through an electronic voting system, the Presidium has also decided to prolong the current leaders’ tenure until 30 September 2020 at the latest.

“Holding our General Assembly and electing the chief officials of the Academy without the actual physical participation of attendees is only possible if the law permits it and the members of the General Assembly agree to this unusual method,” said MTA President László Lovász to mta.hu. The Academy supports decision-makers in their fight against the coronavirus outbreak, while the president himself has begun carrying out mathematical research to find out more about the spread of the disease. In his opinion, tough measures are necessary, while we must also prepare for the time when these measures will inevitably need to be eased.

A series of free online talks by leading world experts in global health, science diplomacy, geopolitics and technology will be broadcast online. One initiative called SciDip Talks will consist of 5 sessions and will take place every Thursday at 6pm (CET/CEST) (March 26th, April 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd). Another will be organized by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. On this course, you can learn the latest of what we know about COVID-19, presented by international experts.

Imagine if art classes at school were like teaching children how to paint the walls of a house. That is what leading mathematician Professor Jaroslav Nešetřil believes the current state of maths teaching is like for millions children. If we want to open up the beauty of maths and the benefits it can give us we need to start thinking about maths teaching in an entirely different way, says Prof. Nešetřil, Director of the Center of Excellence - Institute of Theoretical Computer Science, at Prague’s Charles University.

The leaders of the MTA have decided that in order to limit the risks related to the recent coronavirus epidemic it will restrict all programmes to the bare minimum. Only unpostponable events will take place with the least possible number of participants.

The MTA-SE Momentum Molecular Oncology Hematology Research Group at Semmelweis University investigated molecular changes in the therapy of one of the most common types of adult leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Researchers have identified a molecular process that plays an important role in the drug resistance of cancer cells. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Research Centre for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (CeMM), the University of Regensburg and the South Pest Hospital.

The Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA) launches a call for applications to establish new Lendület (“Momentum”) research teams 2020–2025

FameLab is the world’s leading science communications competition. It spotlights the science com-municators of tomorrow, who can show off their area of expertise in a truly engaging way. Make it funny, make it enlightening, make it jaw-dropping – the judges are looking for someone who can shine! Communicating science is an ever-growing priority for researchers worldwide. By making complex ideas accessible and attractive to the public they inspire future generations of scientists and increase general understanding of science and its role in society.

The new mission of the Academy was passed with a 93% majority during the 192nd Extraordinary General Assembly on 2 December 2019. The mission includes the guidance of all scientific sections as well as suggestions from members of the public body. The document was finalised by the Presidium of the Academy on 17 December 2019. Following is the final version of the document.