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Abu Dhabi firm G42 to use locals' DNA for medical AI

Abu Dhabi firm G42 to use locals' DNA for medical AI

Yahoo18-04-2025

Abu Dhabi is looking to leverage more than 800,000 DNA samples its artificial intelligence firm G42 has gathered from the local population to build an AI model for developing new drugs and offering precision medicine.
This futuristic vision, put forward by G42 CEO Peng Xiao, is part of broader ambitions by the UAE to become a life sciences hub.
The UAE capital is courting big pharma, people familiar with the matter told Semafor, including UK pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and US firm Eli Lilly, as well as cutting-edge device makers, like New York-based brain-computer interface startup Synchron — a competitor to Elon Musk's Neuralink — to do clinical trials and manufacturing under the emirate's Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine initiative, announced this week.
As the Trump administration pulls back billions of dollars in government funding for health care research and disease prevention, the UAE sees opportunity, according to the head of G42's health unit, M42. 'Whatever is not being done in the US, we will do it here in Abu Dhabi,' Hasan Jasem al-Nowais said.

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Billion-Dollar Breakthroughs: Inside The Global Race To Extend Human Healthspan
Billion-Dollar Breakthroughs: Inside The Global Race To Extend Human Healthspan

Forbes

time35 minutes ago

  • Forbes

Billion-Dollar Breakthroughs: Inside The Global Race To Extend Human Healthspan

Hevolution CEO Dr. Mehmood Khan in conversation with GSK Chair Sir Jonathan Symonds In a luxurious conference center buzzing with Nobel laureates, biotech executives and Saudi royalty, one number kept surfacing during presentations: eight billion. Not dollars—though investment figures approached that scale—but people. The potential market for healthspan technologies encompasses every human on earth, creating what might be the ultimate investment opportunity of the 21st century. At the Hevolution Global Healthspan Summit 2025, the world's largest gathering for healthspan science, the discussion wasn't if humans could live longer, healthier lives, but how quickly we could make it happen. "I'm a firm believer, when you put several hundred scientists collectively working in a connected manner in the world, not in any one country, but in the world, from the west to the east, to solve a common challenge, that is how you put a man on the moon," declared Dr. Mehmood Khan, CEO of Hevolution. "That is your moonshot." Hevolution is a first of its kind global non-profit organization incentivizing independent research and entrepreneurship in the emerging field of healthspan science. The urgency behind this global mobilization is clear. Dr. Anshu Banerjee, Director at the World Health Organization, presented sobering statistics: "The number of older people above 60 is going to double by 2050, from 1.1 billion to 2.1 billion, and soon we'll have more people above 60 than under 10." Even more concerning: "Life expectancy is increasing, but healthspan is actually worsening. The increase in healthy life expectancy is not following the same pace as life expectancy overall." Global Lifespan versus Global Healthspan Women face particular challenges in this equation. While they "live longer than men," Banerjee noted they "spend more years in poor health," with the healthspan gap between genders widening since 2002. While American researchers navigate the FDA's complex pathway, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as the global accelerator for healthspan innovations. His Excellency, addressing attendees, detailed the kingdom's "Innovation Pathways" designed for rapid approval of promising medicines, AI systems, and medical devices. This regulatory agility represents a strategic advantage in what has become a geopolitical race to commercialize healthspan technologies. With "maturity level four" recognition from the WHO and pending "world listed Authority" status, Saudi Arabia is creating an ecosystem where longevity science can flourish without traditional regulatory bottlenecks. The summit's scientific presentations ventured far beyond traditional human-centered research. Comparative biology—studying extraordinarily long-lived species like bowhead whales that can live over 200 years—emerged as a frontier with untapped potential. "These are models of disease resistance, healthspan, and lifespan," explained Dr. Vera Gorbunova, whose work on naked mole rats has revealed remarkable cancer resistance mechanisms. Pedro Magalhães, developer of a comprehensive database tracking lifespans across species, argued that understanding "why we live as long as we live" requires examining the evolutionary innovations that allow certain animals to far outlive humans. This approach faces funding challenges, however. Despite promising discoveries, researchers called for "more consortia" and a "big effort in comparative biology of aging" to translate animal longevity secrets into human applications. The unexpected star of the summit wasn't a new compound but an existing class of medications: GLP-1 agonists, originally developed for diabetes and now famous for weight loss. Dr. Christoph Westphal, co-founder of Longwood Fund, made a stunning prediction: "If all of us in this room, within three or four or five years, can prove that with GLP-1s you can extend healthy lifespan, it will actually be the first healthy lifespan increasing drug available. It's going to totally change the world." Westphal's enthusiasm reflects a paradigm shift in longevity research. "If you had told me that you would take something that has an effect in the brain and all over the body, and it's perfectly safe and it actually makes you live longer, I would have said, no way. But that's exactly what a GLP-1 is." The lesson for investors is clear, according to Dr. Srinivas Akkaraju of Samsara BioCapital: "A drug that shows measurable effects in a modest time with a modest number of patients can lead to longer studies for confirmation." The challenge is finding "near- to medium-term measurements that de-risk the investment." Perhaps the summit's most ambitious initiative is already underway in the UK. Professor Rahid Ali's "Our Future Health" program has collected data from over 1.5 million participants, with 1.3 million providing blood samples, making it the "world's largest health research study of its type." By deploying collection points in everyday locations like supermarkets and pharmacies, the program has democratized participation across socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. The goal: five million participants creating an unprecedented dataset that could reveal the early signals of disease and the effectiveness of preventative interventions. Notably, Ali reported that "about 80% of the general population, once they understand the importance of working with industry, are willing to participate" despite growing privacy concerns around health data. "We're investing across the entire value chain, from idea all the way into clinical trials and beyond," explained a senior Hevolution executive. The foundation isn't just writing checks—it's creating an "action shop and a money shop" designed to shepherd promising longevity science from laboratory concepts to market-ready interventions. Dr. William Greene, Chief Investment Officer at Hevolution Foundation, emphasized the need to "invest in translation, since there's a valley of death between interesting laboratory observation and something that seems to actually impact health." The goal is finding "the outcome that we're looking for that will actually make humans into big mice"—transitioning laboratory findings into human benefits. This fundamental challenge was echoed by Dr. Jarod Rutledge: "If you're trying to do genomic management, or something that's purely preventative, commercial models are very challenging, but if you can start from a state of disease and walk all the way back to state of youthful health, then I think that is really promising." In an industry where early adopters could pay millions for unproven therapies, Hevolution's emphasis on global equity stood out. Arthur Caplan, head of medical ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized that proposals undergo rigorous ethical review centered on one question: "Is the science good, but can it help fulfill the commitment to benefit all?" This principle—extending healthspan advancements to "all of human humanity" rather than creating a longevity gap between wealthy and developing nations—appears foundational to Hevolution's approach. HRH Dr. Haya Al Saud, SVP of Research at Hevolution, outlined the broader societal benefits: "First, we'll be able to reduce healthcare costs. Healthcare spending is skyrocketing worldwide, so this is a crucial and immediate impact. Second, we can tackle the workforce challenge we're seeing today... If we're able to extend healthspan, people can live—and work—longer, in good health." Dr. Haya at Global Healthspan Summit 2025. She also highlighted a surprising social benefit: "Many women leave the workforce because they are the primary caregivers for sick family members. By extending healthspan, we can support and encourage women to remain in the workforce." The summit highlighted how philanthropic organizations are evolving from passive funders to active ecosystem builders. Her Royal Highness Princess Dr. Haya bint Khaled Al Saud described philanthropy as a "catalyst for change" in the healthspan field. Yet Dr. Khan insists that true global access requires commercial involvement: "I do not believe there is an example, other than maybe mass polio vaccine campaigns, where the public sector can, on its own, democratize something. Every example I can think of in democratization has happened because the private sector figured out how to get something into the hands of as many people as possible." He added a historical perspective: "Government invented the internet, the private sector scaled it, and then leveraged it for core commerce." As Dr. Khan concluded the summit, he emphasized that it's not heroic individuals but collective wisdom that will transform aging: "It is not heroes that we are developing. It is the future of this collective wisdom that we're actually investing behind, because it's going to take the village, not a hero." The fundamental question remains: Can we translate scientific breakthroughs into practical interventions that meaningfully extend the healthy human lifespan? The convergence of unprecedented funding, regulatory innovation, massive datasets, and ethical frameworks suggests we're entering a new phase in longevity science—one where theory meets application. Whether the first beneficiaries emerge from clinical trials in Riyadh, research labs in Boston, or digital health platforms in London remains to be seen. What's clear is that the race for extended healthspan has evolved from fringe science to mainstream pursuit. With eight billion potential customers waiting, the winners stand to transform not just healthcare, but the fundamental human experience of aging itself.

What Causes Two Periods in One Month?
What Causes Two Periods in One Month?

Health Line

time42 minutes ago

  • Health Line

What Causes Two Periods in One Month?

If you have a shorter menstrual cycle, you may get your period twice in the same month. But bleeding between periods can also occur with certain medical conditions. A typical adult menstrual cycle ranges from 21 to 35 days, and the typical menstrual cycle for preteens and teens can last 38 days or longer. However, every woman is different, and each person's cycle can vary from month to month. During some months, your cycle may last for more or fewer days than the previous month, or it may start earlier or later than it has before. If your cycles are on the shorter end of the spectrum, you could have your period at the beginning and end of the same month with no reason for concern. But if you experience bleeding outside of your usual menstrual cycle and suspect you're having a second period, the first thing you should do is figure out if it's spotting or menstrual bleeding: If you're having menstrual bleeding, also known as your period, you should expect to soak through a pad or tampon every few hours. The blood may be dark red, red, brown, or pink. If you're having spotting, you won't bleed enough to fill a pad or tampon. Blood from spotting is usually dark red or brown. After you've determined if you're having spotting or menstrual bleeding, you can start to explore what may be causing your increased bleeding. This article reviews potential causes and treatment options. What causes two periods in one month? Increased bleeding may be caused by a shorter menstrual cycle, or by a health condition that causes vaginal bleeding. Causes of a shorter cycle If your cycle suddenly becomes shorter, it could be due to any of the following: anovulation (lack of ovulation) hyperthyroidism hypothyroidism onset of menopause (also known as perimenopause) uterine fibroids or cysts uterine polyps cervical polyps stress extreme weight loss or gain birth control illness Conditions that cause extra bleeding If you usually have a regular cycle, a change in your cycle, such as suddenly having two periods in a month, could indicate a medical condition. Some health conditions cause bleeding that can be mistaken for a period, including: Pregnancy can cause spotting. Spotting during pregnancy can occur, but you should tell your doctor about any bleeding during pregnancy. Sexually transmitted infections can cause discharge and bleeding. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods. Perimenopause can cause heavier and more frequent bleeding, it can also cause lighter or less frequent bleeding. While our hormones may become more unbalanced during this time, they should regulate once you've reached menopause. Miscarriage can cause heavy bleeding. If you suspect you're pregnant and begin to have bleeding similar to a period, call your doctor. Cervicitis. Cervical infections that are not sexually transmitted can also cause bleeding. What are the risk factors for unusual menstrual bleeding? If you have just started getting your period due to puberty, it's possible that you will be irregular for a year or two, which means you may possibly experience two periods in one month. If you are an adult and have a family history of fibroids, cysts, or early-onset menopause, you're at an increased risk of having two periods in a month. However, an increased risk does not mean you will definitely experience it. When should you see a doctor about irregular menstrual cycles? While two periods in one month is not always a cause for concern, it's a good idea to consult a doctor anytime your body's rhythms seem out of whack. For example, you should see a doctor if you: experience pain in your lower abdomen that doesn't go away after a couple of days have very heavy periods spot or bleed in between periods (which is often mistaken for two periods in one month) experience pain during sexual intercourse have more menstrual cramping than usual notice dark clots during your period What are the complications of more frequent menstrual cycles? There are a few complications that may arise from irregular periods. Anemia One health issue of more frequent bleeding is anemia, which occurs due to a lack of iron in your blood. Your doctor can check your iron levels to determine the cause of your abnormal bleeding. The symptoms of anemia can include: fatigue headache weakness dizziness shortness of breath rapid or irregular heartbeat A singular experience of two periods in one month will not necessarily cause anemia. The condition is usually triggered by prolonged heavy bleeding, such as several months of heavy periods. Difficulty tracking ovulation Having two periods in one month may make it difficult to track your ovulation, especially if this experience is unusual for you. If you are not planning on becoming pregnant, practicing safe sex is essential. Difficulty becoming pregnant If you are trying to become pregnant, abnormal bleeding can add complexity to the process. Consult with a doctor if you are actively trying to become pregnant and are experiencing heavy or irregular periods. How are frequent menstrual cycles treated? Your treatment will depend on the underlying cause of your frequent bleeding. If you naturally have shorter cycles or if you've recently started menstruating, you won't need treatment. If anemia is a concern, your doctor may recommend iron supplements. One possible treatment for periods that occur too frequently is hormonal birth control. This type of birth control can help regulate your periods and help resolve anemia issues caused by heavy bleeding. Here are treatments for other possible causes of frequent bleeding. Hypothyroidism If you have hypothyroidism, it means you have an underactive thyroid gland. Your body can't make enough of the thyroid hormone. Your doctor will prescribe a thyroid hormone replacement therapy that you can take by mouth. Hyperthyroidism If you have hyperthyroidism, it means you have an overactive thyroid gland. Your body makes too much thyroid hormone. Several treatments are available for this condition. Your doctor will suggest what they think is best for you. Menopause During perimenopause or the menopausal transition, your doctor may prescribe hormone therapy and estrogen replacement therapy. These treatments can help regulate your periods until they slowly disappear as menopause progresses. Fibroids and cysts Your doctor may recommend a few different treatment options if you have uterine fibroids or cysts. These can include: Intrauterine device (IUD). An IUD is a form of birth control that can help relieve heavy periods. However, it won't shrink fibroids. MRI-guided ultrasound surgery. This procedure is performed while you're inside an MRI scanner. It's considered noninvasive, and doctors can use it to remove the fibroid or cyst. This procedure is only done in specialized clinics. Uterine artery embolization. This is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks the blood supply to the uterus, which causes the fibroids to decay and shrink. Myomectomy. There are different types of myomectomy, which is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids. In a hysteroscopic myomectomy, the fibroid is removed through the cervix. No incisions are needed. In a laparoscopic myomectomy, small incisions are made in your abdomen to remove fibroids. An abdominal myomectomy is an open abdominal surgical procedure. Hysteroscopy. During this procedure, a thin tube with a light on the end is inserted through the vagina. This allows a doctor to look inside the uterus and diagnose the cause of abnormal bleeding. A doctor may also be able to treat some causes of bleeding during a hysteroscopy. Dilation and curettage (D and C). This procedure involves the dilation of the cervix, which allows a doctor to scrape the uterine lining to remove any abnormal tissue. Endometrial ablation. This surgery involves the removal of the endometrial lining of the uterus. It is not usually recommended if you wish to have children later in life, as it can cause complications. Hysterectomy. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the uterus. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. These are medications that can help treat fibroids. They block estrogen and progesterone and put you into a temporary postmenopausal state. This stops the fibroids from growing and can make them shrink. Your doctor may use this treatment to help prepare you for surgery. Stress Lifestyle changes can greatly affect stress levels, which in turn can affect menstrual cycles. To help relieve stress, try exercising frequently, practicing meditation, or engaging in talk therapy. If you're feeling stressed because you're overcommitted, ask for help. Finding the time to relax is important to your health, so don't feel bad about saying no to additional projects or responsibilities. Extreme weight loss or gain Talk with your doctor about possible reasons for a dramatic change in weight. They'll work with you to help you manage your weight. Reaction to birth control Hormonal birth control introduces hormones into your body. This can affect your menstrual cycle and cause spotting in between periods. You may need to try a few different types of birth control to find one that works for you. It also takes a few months for your body to adjust to a new method of birth control. Have a discussion with your doctor about what you should expect when starting a new birth control method. Preparing for your doctor's appointment Changes to your menstrual cycle can indicate a health problem, so it's important to discuss abnormal bleeding with your doctor. They will likely ask a lot of questions about your symptoms. By being prepared for your appointment, you can help your doctor find the correct treatment as quickly as possible. Here are some questions your doctor may ask: How long are your cycles? Is this typical for you? If your shorter cycle isn't normal for you, when did the changes to your bleeding start? How long does the bleeding last? What color is the blood? How heavy is the bleeding? How quickly does it fill a pad? Are there clots? If so, how big are they? Do you have any other symptoms? To calculate the length of your cycle, start counting on the first day you bleed. This will be day one. Your cycle will end on the first day that you start bleeding again. Many smartphone apps are available to help you track your cycle. If you have a history of irregular bleeding, tracking your cycles on an app can help you identify a problem more quickly. It can also make it easier to share your cycle information with your doctor. The takeaway In certain situations, such as puberty and perimenopause, having two periods in one month may not be cause for alarm. However, if you're familiar with your cycle and have noted recent changes, or if you just feel like you're bleeding more than you should be, talk with a doctor. They can help get to the bottom of your issue, and if warranted, can help you balance your hormone levels and regulate your bleeding.

People Are Saying This Bizarre Clip Of Elon Musk Playing With Forks Looks Like He's "Tripping On Ketamine," And Elon Is NOT Happy
People Are Saying This Bizarre Clip Of Elon Musk Playing With Forks Looks Like He's "Tripping On Ketamine," And Elon Is NOT Happy

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

People Are Saying This Bizarre Clip Of Elon Musk Playing With Forks Looks Like He's "Tripping On Ketamine," And Elon Is NOT Happy

A resurfaced video of Elon Musk playing with cutlery has caused him to freak the fork out. The throwback clip — that was shot in March during a visit to President Donald Trump's Bedminster golf club in New Jersey — shows the tech billionaire balancing a contraption he made out of spoons while seated in a formal dining room. As Musk fixates on his little silverware sculpture, one of his baby mamas, Shivon Zilis, silently watches him as she sways in her seat. At the time, an X user tweeted the clip with the caption: 'Musk playing with his silverware while tripping on ketamine at Bedminster.' @Mollyploofkins / X / Via Over the weekend, The New York Times published a report accusing Musk of using drugs while acting as the de facto head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, prompting the rumor mill to spin out of control on social media. In an attempt to quell the mounting speculation about Musk's alleged drug abuse, a fan of the Tesla CEO decided to defend him in the weirdest way possible. The fan took to X, formerly Twitter, and retweeted the above post about Musk — with its accusatory caption and bonkers footage — and wrote: 'You don't need ketamine to make these. I always make them,' the user said in an attempt to normalize the behavior. Related: A Republican's Response To A "Tax The Rich" Chant At His Town Hall Is Going Viral The same user later added: 'Making cutlery towers isn't evidence that someone's on drugs. You could take an identical video of me at a dinner.' Related: "I Am So Torn With What You Are Doing" — 11 Posts From MAGA Business Owners Who Are So Close To Getting It It doesn't seem like Musk was thrilled about this clip and its caption making the rounds on his social media platform again, either. 'I'm not on ketamine ffs [for fuck's sake],' Musk snapped in the comments of his defender's tweet. Musk has admitted in the past to taking ketamine to help with depression, with the caveat that it's a 'prescription,' and that he uses a 'small amount' to treat depression. The Times' report published over the weekend says otherwise. Although it's unclear if Musk was doing drugs while working as a 'special government employee,' sources close to Musk told the outlet that in July 2024, the eccentric mogul was taking enough ketamine to cause bladder problems, which the Times notes is a common side effect of chronic use. The report also alleges that Musk is a fan of Ecstasy and psychedelic mushrooms. 'And he traveled with a daily medication box that held about 20 pills, including ones with the markings of the stimulant Adderall, according to a photo of the box and people who have seen it,' the Times wrote. The Times also notes that ketamine could be prescribed as an antidepressant. But the Food and Drug Administration has warned against it, saying the risks are 'abuse and misuse, psychiatric events, increases in blood pressure, respiratory depression (slowed breathing), and lower urinary tract and bladder symptoms.' An Atlantic article describing the drug's effects on the body found that ketamine use could also lead to impaired cognition, including 'delusional thinking, superstitious beliefs, and a sense of specialness and importance.' This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in In the News: People Can't Believe This "Disgusting" Donald Trump Jr. Post About Joe Biden's Cancer Diagnosis Is Real Also in In the News: Miss USA's 2024 "National Costume" Has Been Revealed, And It's Obviously An Interesting Choice Also in In the News: One Body Language Expert Spotted Something Very Telling When Donald Trump "Held His Own Hand" At His Recent Press Conference

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