Branches of biology

New clinical trial data released by Eli Lilly on Wednesday has provided the most promising results of any potential Alzheimer’s disease treatment yet. In a randomized, double-blinded, controlled phase III trial, the experimental drug donanemab significantly slowed cognitive decline in patients compared to placebo, with nearly half of those on the drug experiencing no decline at all a year later. The findings will likely pave the way for approval by the Food and Drug Administration, though the drug appears to carry a risk…

In expansive new research out this week, scientists around the world have started to unravel the genetic secrets behind one of nature’s greatest success stories: mammals. They’ve catalogued and compared the genomes of more than 200 mammal species, including elephants, bats, and humans. Among other things, their findings should help us understand the origins of certain mammalian traits, as well as which species are most at risk of extinction in the future.A Mononykus Hunts In ‘Prehistoric Planet’Mammals aren’t the…

The healing powers of poop can now officially come in a more palatable pill. This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug Vowst, an oral capsule packed with beneficial bacteria derived from human fecal matter. The drug is intended to treat recurrent infections of Clostridioides difficile by balancing out the gut microbiome.Won’t Virtual Reality Make Me Sick?While certain bacteria and other microorganisms regularly make us sick, our bodies are filled with many more species that are either harmless or even…

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University say they’ve developed a gel-based treatment that might be incredibly effective at treating an often-fatal brain cancer. In a study of mice released this week, the gel in combination with surgery was found to eradicate 100% of glioblastoma tumors. It will take more research and safety testing before we can think of trying out this method in humans, however.Mental Health Apps Are a Privacy NightmareGlioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer, accounting for around half of all…

Just because NFTs have lost much of their mainstream appeal, doesn’t mean the token creators are done fighting tooth and nail for the last scraps of past boom times. Late last week, a California judge decreed that those silly, derivative, and disturbing Bored Ape Yacht Club non-fungible tokens have trademark protection. Unfortunately for quite a few NFT creators out there, this decision comes long after most projects probably could have used it. What Motivated Simone Giertz To Build Her Own Tesla Pickup Truck? | Gizmodo…

Compounds found in weed can make a species of roundworm hungrier, especially for their favorite foods, according to a new study that suggests the munchies aren’t just a human phenomenon. The fun discovery could actually help scientists someday better understand cannabinoids and their potential medical uses, the study authors say.Lions on Oxytocin are Surprisingly ChillCannabinoids are a large group of compounds found in cannabis. Though cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the plant’s primary cannabinoids,…

A team of scientists recorded the brain activity of diving elephant seals in the wild and mapped out the eccentric treks the animals take when they sleep mid-dive.A Mononykus Hunts In ‘Prehistoric Planet’Exactly when and where elephant seals sleep in the open ocean has been a mystery; the animals will forage at sea for months at a time, so sleeping has to occur at some point. Researchers now think they have the answer, which they describe in a study published today in Science.Elephant seals generally dive tobetween 1,000…

Stem cell research is expanding beyond earthly confines. Scientists from Cedars-Sinai in California have partnered with the private company Axiom Space to help them produce stem cells aboard the International Space Station—an apparent first that will test whether these cells can be manufactured more efficiently in a microgravity environment. The initial cargo needed for the two-year-long experiments will be delivered via the Axiom Mission 2 spaceflight, set to launch early next month.A Mononykus Hunts In ‘Prehistoric…

Modern smart scales can measure more than just a user’s weight; they also capture other useful health metrics, which is good motivation to use them frequently. But for those mornings when you would rather not know how you’re weighing in, Withings’ new Body Smart scale will still take those measurements, but hide them from its built-in screen.Long before smartwatches transitioned to being wearable health monitors, Withings’ smart scales were measuring everything from a user’s weight, to muscle mass, to BMI, to even their…

The hangover cure of the future just might be a chuggable probiotic. In research out this week, scientists in China detail the creation of bacteria that can produce an enzyme meant to help the body break down alcohol faster. Alcohol-fed mice that were given the probiotic beforehand experienced less drunkenness and recovered more quickly, the study found.La Borinqueña’s Connection to Puerto Rico | io9 InterviewFun as the acute effects of ingesting alcohol can be, too much can be dangerous, even deadly. To protect us, the…