The First Ever DMT Clinical Trial For Major Depression Is About To Begin
Researchers in the UK have just received the go-ahead to begin the first ever patient clinical trial using N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), widely regarded as one of the most potent psychedelic compounds on the planet. Often referred to as ‘the spirit molecule’, DMT is known to produce an intense visionary trip into the deepest reaches of human consciousness, and will now be studied as a potential treatment for major depression.
Read the full story here
Gene-Edited Pigs Approved For Human Consumption In The US
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Monday that it has approved gene-edited pigs for both human food consumption and as a potential source for therapeutic uses, such as drugs.
The animals, known as GalSafe pigs, have been genetically edited to lack alpha-gal sugar on the surface of the pigs’ cells. This alteration aims to help people with Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) who have severe allergic reactions to alpha-gal sugar found in red meat. In the US, the condition is often sparked after being bitten by a Lone Star tick, transmitting alpha-gal sugar into the person's body and triggering the allergy.
Read the full story here
The First Radio Signal From An Exoplanet May Have Just Been Detected
Of the thousands of planets beyond our Solar System (exoplanets) found since 1992, only a handful have been directly observed. In the rare cases where this has occurred, it has been in visible, or near-visible, wavelengths. Now, however, astronomers have picked up what appear to be radio waves coming from an exoplanet.
Read the full story here
The "World's Ugliest Orchid" Was Discovered In 2020
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England, this week announced its new species list for 2020, with 156 new-to-science plants named at the historic gardens. The plant, Gastrodia agnicellus, originally from a national park in Madagascar, has affectionately been crowned the “World’s Ugliest Orchid”.
Read the full story here
Gene Therapy Unexpectedly Improves Vision In Both Eyes Of Patients Suffering A Form Of Blindness
Scientists have concluded a Phase 3 trial of a revolutionary gene therapy treating patients with a common form of mitochondrial blindness, and the results surprised them – despite treating only one eye, the gene therapy improved vision in both eyes in 78% of participants. The results suggest the treatment is incredibly promising for a condition in which most legally-blind patients would never recover their vision.
Read the full story here
