AI in Life Sciences
The life sciences industry needs a shot of adrenaline. An aging population and a rise in chronic diseases are fueling the demand for highly accurate medical imaging and diagnostic tools. Pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers are under growing pressure to keep pace with supply and demand for critical medications and medical devices, respectively. Patients, meanwhile, are increasingly demanding personalized health care experiences that cater to their unique needs.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
A 19-Year-Old Chemist Turned a Perfume Ingredient Into a Lifesaving Drug
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: 19-year-old Adam Kovalčík has created a stronger—and much cheaper—version of a powerful emerging medication known as galidesivir. Instead of starting out with the sugar, which is normally used in the production of this drug, he rebuilt the formula with a base molecule of corn alcohol. This change increases efficiency and cuts costs by reducing production steps and using inexpensive materials. We live in the aftermath of a global pandemic. Leftover COVID-19 trauma and world news updates reporting outbreaks of Zika or Ebola have made us apprehensive about viruses, and most of us have been vigilant about being vaccinated and re-vaccinated. But what about when preventative measures aren't enough? What happens if a virus invades us before we can get to a vaccine? Adam Kovalčík is only 19, but the high school senior at Gymnázium Nové Zámky in Slovakia he has created something beyond what anyone would expect of someone his age. He has managed to turn an alcohol derived from corncobs and husks into galidesivir, an antiviral drug that targets RNA viruses like Zika and Ebola. Generating the drug this way, in his words, 'could potentially save tens of thousands of lives.' Kovalčík recently won the $100,000 Genrge D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award at the 2025 Regeneration International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Galidesivir is the human-synthesized version of adenosine, which itself is a nucleoside—the components of nuclei acids. Among other biochemical functions, they are involved in storing and transferring genetic information. Adenosine is also an inhibitor of the enzyme RNA polymerase, which interferes with the function of certain enzymes in RNA viruses. The adenosine produced by our our bodies can inhibit RNA viruses (which clone their genomes in order to keep producing infinite copies of themselves), but it usually needs a boost when faced with potentially fatal pathogens like Ebola and Zika. This is where galidesivir comes in. Though not yet approved by the FDA, in vitro and animal tests have shown that galidesivir increases survival rates and has few side effects, which is why it is also being considered for treating COVID-19. It binds to the molecules that viruses use to clone themselves, making that function no longer accessible to the virus. The problem with galidesivir is that it costs $75 per gram (0.035 ounce) to produce, making the cost of a future prescription almost unfathomable, especially considering the state of healthcare. Kovalčík's process could bring that cost down to $12.50 per gram. Why is galidesivir so expensive? There is an extra step in the production of the most powerful form of this drug that ultimately affects the cost. When drugs are being developed, unwanted materials—such as variants of that drug—often end up in the first batch. These variants, or stereoisomers, have the same molecular formula as the finished drug, but their atoms form molecules in different arrangements. Kovalčík wanted to synthesize cis-OH galidesivir because it is 20 times stronger than its stereoisomer trans-OH galidesivir, so the trans version needs to be separated out to isolate the cis version. Separation involves extras steps that take extra time and cost more. Kovalčík used his experience working on perfumes in a chemistry lab to figure out how to synthesize galidesivir in a different way. He needed a starter molecule—typically, sugar is used for galidesivir, but sugar would just repeat the existing process, which was not efficient enough. Perfume taught Kovalčík that some scent compounds used furfural alcohol (corn alcohol) as a starter molecule, so he rebuilt the drug using it as the replacement starter molecule and was able to reduce the production steps from 15 to 10. Using corn alcohol also lowered the cost. This production method is not restricted to galidevisir—it could create other antivirals. Kovalčík used computer models to design new molecules that were supposed to operate in the same way as galidesivir, and one molecule he came up with (ADK-98) had the potential to be even more effective. The furfural alcohol distilled from corn would be the base for these future drugs. Kovalčík plans to continue refining his research and development process for this and other potential antivirals in collaboration with the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. And to think, this all started with a realization that came from molecules in perfume. Think about that with your next spritz of Dior Homme or Chanel No. 5. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
Health Line
3 hours ago
- Health Line
What Causes Anemia?
Anemia may develop from having too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin, the iron-rich protein that carries oxygen to all of your organs. Anemia is a signal that your body's capacity to transport oxygen to every organ has been compromised. This can cause unsettling symptoms like fatigue and breathlessness. Anemia can result from multiple and overlapping disruptions to your body's natural cycles and processes, especially in the making, carrying, and recycling of red blood cells. Acute anemia often results from unexpected or rapid blood loss. Chronic forms of anemia may develop gradually and have multiple causes. Common causes of anemia The most common causes of chronic anemia include: Your body isn't making enough red blood cells Your body needs certain nutrients — especially iron, vitamin B12, and folate — to build healthy red blood cells. If you don't get enough of these nutrients, or if your body can't use them properly, red blood cell production slows down. Iron deficiency The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron in your body. This can happen if you're not eating enough iron-rich foods, or if your body has trouble absorbing or holding on to the iron you do eat. When there isn't enough iron in the blood, your body cannot make enough hemoglobin. This protein in red blood cells carries oxygen. As a result, your red blood cells may be smaller and lighter in color than usual, and some organs that need oxygen the most, like your brain and heart, may not be able to work as expected. Causes of iron deficiency anemia may include: Vitamin B deficiency Your body also needs vitamin B12 and folate (a type of vitamin B) to make red blood cells. Without these vitamins, the bone marrow creates cells that are too large and don't work properly. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, also known as megaloblastic anemia, can cause symptoms like fatigue and weakness. It may also manifest with hand or foot numbness or memory challenges. Causes of vitamin B deficiency may include: not eating enough animal products living with digestive conditions where the body can't absorb vitamin B12 taking certain medications that interfere with nutrient absorption being pregnant having digestive diseases that affect folate levels Your body is losing blood Another common cause of anemia is that the body loses red blood cells faster than it can create new ones. This can result from a single event (like surgery or an accident) or slowly over time. It is related to the above cause of nutrient deficiency. The most common causes of blood loss that lead to anemia include: heavy menstrual periods stomach or intestinal bleeding internal bleeding from injuries or surgery bleeding disorders, like hemophilia or persistent nosebleeds frequent blood donations without giving your body time to catch up Your body is destroying red blood cells too early Red blood cells usually live for 120 days. After that, your body replaces them. But sometimes, the immune system or living with specific conditions may lead your body to destroy red blood cells when they are still young. When this happens, your body may not have time to make enough new red blood cells, and this can lead to a type of anemia known as hemolytic anemia. Hemolytic anemia isn't as common as nutrient deficiency anemia, but it may become more serious. Common causes of hemolytic anemia may include: autoimmune conditions in which the body attacks its own red blood cells systemic infections inherited conditions, like sickle cell disease or thalassemia toxin poisoning side effects of medications »Learn more: How to increase red blood cell count Your body is fighting a long-term condition Some health conditions may make it harder for your body to produce healthy red blood cells. Anemia of chronic disease or anemia of inflammation is common in people with: kidney disease cancer diabetes HIV rheumatoid arthritis lupus Chronic inflammation makes your liver produce a hormone called hepcidin, which interferes with your body's ability to move stored iron into the bloodstream. Your iron reserves live mostly in the liver. So, when your liver doesn't release enough iron, your red blood cell production decreases, even if you are not low in iron. This type of anemia may develop gradually and not cause evident symptoms at first. Your bone marrow isn't working properly Red blood cells are made in the bone marrow (tissue inside your bones). Problems with the marrow mean your body can't produce as many red blood cells as it needs. This is a rare but serious occurrence. Conditions that may affect the health of your bone marrow include: myelodysplastic syndromes, where the bone marrow produces cells that don't work well blood cancers, like leukemia cancer therapy, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy What increases your chances of anemia? Anyone can develop anemia, but some people may have a higher chance of developing it based on their health, age, sex, and lifestyle. You may be at a higher risk of anemia if you: menstruate, and especially if your periods are heavy and prolonged are pregnant, because your body needs more iron and vitamins to support your baby's development are still developing mentally and physically, because the body needs more nutrients during childhood and adolescence are an older adult, especially over the age 65, because nutrient absorption is more likely to be compromised are vegan or vegetarian have had surgery, especially stomach or intestinal procedures live with a chronic disease take medications, like acid reducers, chemotherapy, or seizure drugs have a family or personal history of blood disorders have intestinal parasites have had major blood loss Takeaway The main causes of anemia include nutrient deficiency (mostly iron and vitamin B) and impaired red blood cell production. Anemia responds to treatment, and the first step to management is identifying the root cause. A healthcare professional may want to gather more information about your medical history and perform tests, like bloodwork. If you experience persistent symptoms like unexplained fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations, consider seeking medical care for testing. A primary care physician can help with the first steps.
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Bloomberg
WeightWatchers Bets on Community Driving Growth in the GLP-1 Era
At a time when shedding pounds may be just a shot away, WeightWatchers is returning to its roots and its community to chart a new path forward. Fresh off a major restructuring, the 62-year-old grand dame of weight loss is finding its footing in a market that's more competitive than ever. Drugs like Novo Nordisk A/S 's Wegovy and Eli Lilly & Co. 's Zepbound help people shed up to 20% of their body weight in months, but offer little in the way of support when it comes to side effects, proper nutrition and insights on what to do when the shots aren't working.
