One German and two French scientists have won the 2008 Nobel prize in medicine for their discoveries of viruses that cause severe human diseases.
The Nobel commission in Stockholm, Sweden recognized German researcher Harald zur Hausen for discovering the virus that causes cervical cancer.
Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier of France won the prize for their discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.
Hausen will get half of the nearly one-and-a-half million-dollar award, while Barre-Sinoussi and Montagnier will share the other half.
Five more Nobel prizes will be announced during the next week, with the peace prize recipient being revealed Friday.