New research indicates that a silver- based compound is able to tackle the energy centre (the mitochondria) of cancer cells, preventing them from growing and spreading. The compound still needs to go to extensive clinical trials before it can become available as a chemotherapeutic agent. However the findings pave the way for a new chemotherapeutic drug that could be more effective and less toxic, with fewer side effects. http://www.inkl.com/newsletters/morning-edition/news/novel-silver-compounds-offer-a-potential-cancer-treatment-breakthrough?
Open Road Alliance has launched a low-interest loan to offer NFP's access to working capital and credit lines understanding that the goal isn't just money making, but to benefit society at large. Organisations can now apply for assistance and receive a below-market rate loan with a maximum two-year window for return. Open Road is encouraging other foundations and impact investors to develop their own funding mechanisms to better serve the needs of nonprofits and social enterprises working for impact. www.fastcompany.com/40534806/when-nonprofits-have-a-financial-emergency-theres-now-a-fund-to-bail-them-out
Drug discovery is an expensive process because drugs need to be tested for effectiveness and side effects on animals (usually mice) before they can proceed to a human trial. A high proportion of drugs fail during the animal testing, making it a very expensive process. A US company called NemaMetrix has come up with a way to test drugs on Nematode worms. They modify the DNA of the worms with human DNA which NemaMetrix says makes the testing process relevant to 80% of human diseases including cancer, alzheimers, depression, cardiac arrhythmia and others. They can also tailor the DNA of the worm to a particular variant of a disease that an individual has, which makes their system cost effective for drug discovery for rare diseases. Once they have modified the worm?s DNA they stick it into a proprietary measurement system which electrically monitors the worm?s vital signs while the drug is administered and that enables them to track changes and the effectiveness of the drug. Techniques suc
BioCarbon says its two drones can plant 100,000 trees in a single day. It has started in Myanmar (previously called Burma) following successful trials in England and Australia, The drones work in three stages. Firstly the drones will map an area, analysing surface topology and composition, soil type and moisture, as well as possible physical obstructions. These analyses help decide which seeds should be planted. Secondly, the drones fly low, around 3-6 feet above the ground, planting new seeds every six seconds. The drones aren't however just letting the seeds drift in the breeze. Each drone uses a pressurised can to shoot a biodegradable seed pod into the ground. Thirdly, after the mapping and planting, the drones monitor the area regularly. That data gets fed into the company's machine learning algorithms, strengthening the mapping part of the plan. The process is ideal for reforesting after fires and planting trees in difficult to reach areas.
Ants are a nuisance, interrupting your weekend picnic or invading your pet?s food bowl. But Madelaine Whip?s Anty-Nix Picnic rug provides a simple solution to solve these problems. Utilising natural oils, Madelaine has designed a safe and sustainable method for repelling ants. https://blog.csiro.au/anti-ants-rugs-shrimply-plastics-teen-inventions/
