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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Science
- Business Standard
Jurassic Park for real? Biotech firm to revive New Zealand's giant bird
Towering over three metres tall, the South Island giant moa was a true titan of the bird world — the tallest bird ever to walk the Earth. For millennia, this flightless herbivore roamed the lush forests of New Zealand, browsing on trees and shrubs with unmatched dominance. But its reign came to an abrupt end 600 years ago with the arrival of humans who hunted it to extinction. The legendary moa now lives on only through Māori oral traditions and scattered remnants: ancient bones, traces of mummified flesh, and the occasional feather — haunting clues to a lost giant. Now, centuries after its disappearance, the giant bird is set to be the latest resurrection target for Colossal Biosciences — a Texas-based biotech company known for its audacious attempts to revive extinct creatures. On Tuesday, the company announced plans to "bring back" the moa within the next ten years, calling the project part of its growing mission to restore lost biodiversity. 'We're bringing back avian dinosaurs,' the company declared. The South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) was the largest of nine known moa species, capable of reaching up to 12 feet (3.6 metres) in height. While all moas vanished within a few hundred years of human settlement in New Zealand, Colossal says it hopes to reverse that loss using advanced genetic engineering — in partnership with local Indigenous communities. Can genetic engineering truly bring back lost species? Colossal's plans are ambitious, but they're also raising serious scientific concerns. The company has already faced scrutiny for claiming earlier this year that it had brought back the dire wolf — an Ice Age predator believed to have gone extinct over 10,000 years ago. But after the reveal, many experts pushed back, calling it misleading. The recreated animals, they argued, were simply grey wolves with minor gene edits — not true dire wolves. Even Beth Shapiro, Colossal's chief scientist, later admitted the animals were 'gray wolves with 20 edits' and clarified in an interview with New Scientist that 'it's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive.' Despite this, the company has doubled down on its original claims, insisting it had indeed "resurrected" the dire wolf. Similar questions now surround the moa project — and others in Colossal's pipeline, including plans to bring back the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine (also known as the Tasmanian tiger). Critics argue that, while the science may be impressive, the outcomes are far from true de-extinction. 'There is no existing genetic technology capable of truly bringing a lost species back to life — especially one that's been absent from its ecosystem and evolutionary journey for centuries,' said Philip Seddon, a zoology professor at the University of Otago, in a statement to the New Zealand Science Media Centre (NZSMC). 'No matter the scientific precision, the outcome will never be a real moa. It cannot be. The moa was a singular marvel, shaped by thousands of years of natural evolution — a legacy that simply can't be replicated in a lab.' How Colossal plans to recreate the moa According to Colossal, the process to 'revive' the moa involves extracting DNA from preserved remains of all nine moa species and comparing it with the genetic codes of living birds. Speaking to Time magazine, Shapiro said scientists aim to identify key genetic traits unique to the moa and then engineer those into the genome of the emu or tinamou — two of the moa's closest living relatives. The result would be a modified bird, bred to resemble the extinct giant as closely as possible. But experts caution this will be, at best, a proxy — not a perfect clone. Dr Tori Herridge, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Sheffield, who turned down an offer to join Colossal's advisory board, is among those raising ethical and scientific red flags. 'Is de-extinction possible? No, it's not,' she told The Guardian. 'What we might eventually create are genetically modified organisms that mimic some traits of extinct species, based on what we think they looked like. But using the term 'de-extinction' skips over the hard questions. We're not bringing back the mammoth, the moa or the dodo — we're creating something new to engineer ecological change.'
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Science
- Business Standard
De-extinction firm to bring back avian dinosaurs within next 10 years
Towering over three metres tall, the South Island giant moa was a true titan of the bird world — the tallest bird ever to walk the Earth. For millennia, this flightless herbivore roamed the lush forests of New Zealand, browsing on trees and shrubs with unmatched dominance. But its reign came to an abrupt end 600 years ago with the arrival of humans who hunted it to extinction. The legendary moa now lives on only through Māori oral traditions and scattered remnants: ancient bones, traces of mummified flesh, and the occasional feather — haunting clues to a lost giant. Now, centuries after its disappearance, the giant bird is set to be the latest resurrection target for Colossal Biosciences — a Texas-based biotech company known for its audacious attempts to revive extinct creatures. On Tuesday, the company announced plans to "bring back" the moa within the next ten years, calling the project part of its growing mission to restore lost biodiversity. 'We're bringing back avian dinosaurs,' the company declared. The South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus) was the largest of nine known moa species, capable of reaching up to 12 feet (3.6 metres) in height. While all moas vanished within a few hundred years of human settlement in New Zealand, Colossal says it hopes to reverse that loss using advanced genetic engineering — in partnership with local Indigenous communities. Can genetic engineering truly bring back lost species? Colossal's plans are ambitious, but they're also raising serious scientific concerns. The company has already faced scrutiny for claiming earlier this year that it had brought back the dire wolf — an Ice Age predator believed to have gone extinct over 10,000 years ago. But after the reveal, many experts pushed back, calling it misleading. The recreated animals, they argued, were simply grey wolves with minor gene edits — not true dire wolves. Even Beth Shapiro, Colossal's chief scientist, later admitted the animals were 'gray wolves with 20 edits' and clarified in an interview with New Scientist that 'it's not possible to bring something back that is identical to a species that used to be alive.' Despite this, the company has doubled down on its original claims, insisting it had indeed "resurrected" the dire wolf. Similar questions now surround the moa project — and others in Colossal's pipeline, including plans to bring back the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine (also known as the Tasmanian tiger). Critics argue that, while the science may be impressive, the outcomes are far from true de-extinction. 'There is no existing genetic technology capable of truly bringing a lost species back to life — especially one that's been absent from its ecosystem and evolutionary journey for centuries,' said Philip Seddon, a zoology professor at the University of Otago, in a statement to the New Zealand Science Media Centre (NZSMC). 'No matter the scientific precision, the outcome will never be a real moa. It cannot be. The moa was a singular marvel, shaped by thousands of years of natural evolution — a legacy that simply can't be replicated in a lab.' How Colossal plans to recreate the moa According to Colossal, the process to 'revive' the moa involves extracting DNA from preserved remains of all nine moa species and comparing it with the genetic codes of living birds. Speaking to Time magazine, Shapiro said scientists aim to identify key genetic traits unique to the moa and then engineer those into the genome of the emu or tinamou — two of the moa's closest living relatives. The result would be a modified bird, bred to resemble the extinct giant as closely as possible. But experts caution this will be, at best, a proxy — not a perfect clone. Dr Tori Herridge, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Sheffield, who turned down an offer to join Colossal's advisory board, is among those raising ethical and scientific red flags. 'Is de-extinction possible? No, it's not,' she told The Guardian. 'What we might eventually create are genetically modified organisms that mimic some traits of extinct species, based on what we think they looked like. But using the term 'de-extinction' skips over the hard questions. We're not bringing back the mammoth, the moa or the dodo — we're creating something new to engineer ecological change.'
New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Weird silicone phone case feels like human skin — and it can even get sunburned
This flesh-like phone case is a creative reminder to protect yourself from the sun. Researcher Marc Teyssier has partnered with Virgin Media O2 to create the Skincase — and it looks, feels, and burns just like human skin. Teyessier was inspired to create the case after research revealed the staggering gaps between the number of times people check their phone during the hours with a high UV index and the number of sunscreen applications at the same frequency. Thus, as the phone case starts to burn in real time, it serves as a reminder to slap on some sunscreen. 'My work often seeks to bridge the gap between our digital lives and our physical well-being. The Skincase is a prime example of how technology can be harnessed to promote health awareness and encourage positive behavioural change,' Teyssier said in a press release. 3 Marc Teyssier also added flexible filament to the fake skin, resulting in its pliable texture. Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments Creepy and lifelike as it may appear, Teyssier insists it's synthetic. The creative combined silicone with UV-reactive elements to replicate the all-too-familiar feeling. He also used 3D printing and hand-sculpting techniques, and individually carved wrinkles into the engineered epidermis. 3 Prolonged exposure to UV rays and repeated sun damage can lead to skin cancer. Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments 'With mobiles being such an essential part of everyday life, especially on holiday according to our new research, we've created the Skincase to demonstrate in real time just how severe the effects of sunburn can be while also promoting sun safety among holidaymakers,' Chris Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2, said. The Skincase was created in three different skin tones, and each reacts to UV rays by changing colors, just like the real thing. Teyssier is no stranger to synthetic skin. The researcher previously created an artificial skin that adheres to cell phones. Back in 2019, when he introduced the tech to the world, he told New Scientist that he simply wanted to 'pinch [his] phone,' so he created a mobile accessory that could feel human touch and even reciprocate the sensation as a means of comfort. 3 Each skin tone takes on a unique hue when exposed to UV rays. Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments As a sweltering summer continues to ramp up in the U.S. and a heat wave sweeps across Europe and Asia, a creepy — albeit effective — reminder of potentially harmful UV levels is welcome for many sunbathers. Eager as you may be to get your hands on the latest bizarre creation, as of now, the Skincase is still a prototype and isn't for sale quite yet.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Can Durian and alcohol really kill you? Let's debunk the myth
Image credits: Getty Images July 9, is celebrated as International Durian Day, every year. Known as the 'King of Fruits' Durian is known for its pungent smell that many compare to skunk spray or rotting garbage. The fruit has a creamy texture and unique flavour and is significant in Southeast Asia with the Durian Day celebrating its peak season. What are the health benefits of Durian? Image credits: X Durian is a tropical fruit cultivated in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Characterised by its large size, heavy weight, thorny husk and pungent smell, it's loved by some and hated by others. However, Durian has a variety of health benefits. It is an energy-dense fruit high in sugar, fat and bioactive polyphenols. It acts as an antioxidant and antiproliferative that decreases blood glucose levels due to high polyphenol and flavonoid content. The fruit is also packed with nutrients such as vitamin C, fibre and potassium, making it nutritious. Ripe durians were also found to have liver and heart protective effects. While the fruit is healthy for consumption, many believe the myth that Durian and alcohol can lead to some fatal consequences. Is it true? Can Durian and alcohol really kill you? Image credits: Getty Images According to New Scientist , scientists at Japan's University of Tsukuba discovered that durian makes it difficult for the human body to break down alcohol. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo For the study, they added fresh durian extract with aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)-an enzyme that functions as the liver's main weapon against toxic byproducts in a test tube. Due to its high sulfur content, the fruit nearly knocked out the enzyme, inhibiting its effect by 70%. This inhibition can lead to the buildup of acetaldehyde, the toxin responsible for hangover symptoms like nausea, flushing, rapid heartbeat- leading to people feeling like they are dying. The myth that a person would completely drop dead after consuming the two together is just that- a myth. Eating durian with alcohol slows down its digestion, thus increasing the effects of intoxication. However, there is no scientific proof that it leads to death. However, ensure consuming either of the two in moderation.
1News
6 days ago
- Health
- 1News
Weight loss drug Wegovy: The pros and cons, explained
Last week semaglutide drug Wegovy was made available for prescription in New Zealand. Semaglutide originally arrived on the market in the US in 2017 as a diabetes medication, but has quickly been tied to extreme weight loss. Wegovy can be prescribed to people over the age of 12, but many of the 65% of New Zealanders who are overweight or obese will have trouble affording it, with an estimated price of $500 a month. The drug has transformed our ability to manage obesity and type 2 diabetes, and has shown potential for a wide range of conditions such as Alzheimer's, addiction and depression. But there are clouds to go along with the silver linings — such as potential vision loss. ADVERTISEMENT "This condition, it occurs when there's insufficient blood flow to the nerves connecting the eye to the brain, and this leads to damage," US-based health reporter for New Scientist, Grace Wade, told RNZ's Sunday Morning. The specific condition was non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. "That can cause this sudden and permanent vision loss, usually in just one eye. Now, I should be clear this isn't total vision loss, at least usually - it's more like cloudiness, stuff like that." People using semaglutides to treat diabetes were 4.3 times more likely to develop this condition, and those using it for weight loss 7.6 times, as people using other types of diabetes medications, a 2024 study found (Wade wrote about it in New Scientist here). Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy, said in a statement, patient safety was the top priority and all reports of adverse events were taken seriously. "Semaglutide has been studied in robust clinical development programs with more than 52,000 semaglutide exposed patients and exposure from post-marketing use of over 33 million patient years." It said it was recommended to update patient leaflets for Wegovy and Ozempic on June 6 to include the condition under its special warnings and precautions for use and as an adverse drug reaction with a frequency of "very rare, meaning it may effect up to 1 in 10,000 people taking semaglutide". It said based on the totality of evidence it concluded the data did not suggest a reasonable possibility of a casual relationship between the condition and semaglutide and "the benefit-risk profile of semaglutide remains favourable". ADVERTISEMENT "We work closely with authorities and regulatory bodies worldwide to continuously monitor the safety profile of our products." Researchers looked at semaglutide, a prescription drug that decreases appetite and is sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic. (Source: 1News) The drug worked by suppressing appetite, which typically leads to weight loss as people consume fewer calories. But the weight lost was not always beneficial, Wade said. "It leads the body to break down fat, muscle and actually even bone for nutrients, and that's why… some research has found that upwards of 40% of the weight loss seen with these medications is due to loss of muscle mass… that makes it really important that people prioritise exercise when taking these drugs because if you don't use your muscle, you're more likely to lose it." Getting into the exercise habit was also important since one day, most people on Wegovy will stop taking it - putting themselves at risk of putting the weight back on if they were not regularly moving. What about 'Ozempic face?' Then there is 'Ozempic face'. ADVERTISEMENT "I don't think this is a clinical term yet, but it's something that's popped up a lot in social media," Wade said. "People who are taking these medications start developing... a sunken or hollowed out appearance, which can exacerbate fine lines and wrinkles, make their skin look a little more saggy. "It isn't clear exactly how common this is… but it probably has to do with just weight loss, right? If you're losing weight, as much as some people would want to target their weight loss to certain areas of their body, we can't really do that. So, you know, any sort of overall weight loss is also gonna cause a loss of fat in your face." There were also side effects for some, including constantly needing to go to the toilet, feeling bloated, belching, constipation, heartburn, fever, upset stomach - the list, collected here by the Mayo Clinic, goes on. And nearly half of people who try it make it through a three-month course, one study found. Wade also mentioned a lot of people taking semaglutide for diabetes or Alzheimer's prevention might be older and "frail", so not able to lose weight. "Drug developers are actually working to develop new drugs that have similar effects as these weight loss medications, but without the weight loss." ADVERTISEMENT The good news One unexpected benefit of semaglutide was its apparent effect on not just calorie consumption, but use of addictive substances, such as alcohol and nicotine. "We aren't exactly sure why that is, but it appears to be with how these medications affect brain activity. "So these drugs curb cravings for alcohol similar to how they curb cravings for food, right? And that probably has to do with their impact on brain regions involved in reward processing and craving… "A study of more than half-a-million people with a history of opioid use disorders showed that those who took Ozempic or similar [medications] had significantly lower rates of opioid overdose than those who didn't. "Other studies have shown similar effects in people with cannabis use disorder, cigarette smokers and alcoholism." Scientists did not expect this effect, calling it an "unintended consequence". ADVERTISEMENT Approval for the popular medication said to be a "game changer" for many New Zealanders. (Source: 1News) The drugs have also shown promise in reducing heart attacks and strokes, improving fertility, treating pain, improving mental health, lower the risk of kidney failure and slowing cognitive decline. "I've never encountered a group of drugs like this," Wade said. "That's what makes these drugs so remarkable, because most medications can only treat one or two conditions, right?" She said it was likely that weight loss was playing a role - as it frequently does in health - but "it doesn't seem to be the only [reason]". But there is still a lot of research to be done, she said, before we all start taking it. "Let's unravel how they can treat all of these conditions before we jump the gun and start suggesting we, you know, maybe put it in everyone's water or something."
