Avalo uses machine learning to accelerate the adaptation of crops to climate change

Climate change is affecting farming all over the world, and solutions are seldom simple. But if you could plant crops that resisted the heat, cold or drought instead of moving a thousand miles away, wouldn’t you? Avalo helps plants like these become a reality using AI-powered genome analysis that can reduce the time and money […]

発症後の重症化リスク要因であるタバコに、コロナ感染抑制効果を確認

広島大学の研究グループによるとタバコの煙に含まれる成分により、新型コロナウイルス（SARS-CoV-2）の受容体の構成タンパク質「ACE2」の発現が低下することが分かったという。喫煙者が感染後、症状が悪化しやすいことはよく知られているが、その一方で喫煙者は陽性者が少ないとする研究もあるのだそうだ。しかし、その因果関係についてはよく分かっていなかった（広島大学リリース、TECH+）。

研究グループはタバコ煙成分をヒト細胞に処理し、ACE2遺伝子発現量の変化を観察したところ、タバコ煙成分の濃度が高い…

FDA fully approves Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine, making it the first vaccine to achieve that status. The mRNA-based vaccine has been available since late last year through an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), and will continue to be offered under that designation for those aged 12 to 15 […]

ハッカ油塗ったマスクはネコらには危険なことも

猛暑の中でのマスク着用は苦しいときがあるが、その対策としてマスクにハッカ油を塗って涼しさを感じるという方法が一部で出回っている。しかし、こうしたハッカ油は動物には健康を害する可能性があることから、マスクにハッカ油を使った客の入場を断る動物関連の施設も出ているとしてTwitterで話題になっていたようだ（J-CAST）。

J-CASTの記事によれば、ネコはハッカを原料としているものはハッカやメントールを分解する代謝の能力を持っていなことから、中毒を起こし肝臓が悪くなる可能性もあるようだ。ネコによっ…

Digital therapy program for fibromyalgia receives FDA breakthrough device designation

Swing Therapeutics, a digital therapeutics startup, has received an FDA breakthrough device designation for their 12 week smartphone-assisted fibromyalgia management program. This is the company’s first breakthrough designation, and precedes a deluge of clinical trials scheduled for this year.  Swing Therapeutics was founded in 2019 and has raised a total of $9 million in seed […]

GSK and R/GA Ventures are launching a health studio for startups

GSK Next, the innovation arm of GlaxoSmithKlein, is launching a new mentorship and business development program. Called the Re/Wire Health Studio, the program will eventually select six startups who will win access to nine weeks of mentoring, business development expertise, and cash grants.  The Re/Wire Health Studio is designed for growth and early-stage startups focused […]

BrainQ raises $40M to transform stroke patient rehabilitation with its home therapy device

If you injure your elbow, surgery can help. If you lose a leg, prostheses are available. But problems within the brain are more difficult to treat, and for stroke victims rehabilitation is largely left to the body’s own repair mechanisms. BrainQ aims to change that with a device that stimulates the damaged part of the […]

Aduhelm approval sparks HHS watchdog review of FDA’s accelerated approval pathway

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General will review the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway, the office announced Wednesday. This sweeping review comes just two months after the controversial approval of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm. The review will focus on the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway — a route that allows […]