Slithering into Cali: California Studio Unveils "Snake Yoga"
Utilized human blood to manufacture antidote for 19 lethal serpent species in this case.
Jump on your mat and say Om… but watch out for the slithering friends! A Cali yoga studio has spiced up their sessions with "snake yoga" - allowing pythons to join in the flow. It's time to bend like a serpent, folks!
Meanwhile, in the realm of science, researchers are working on the ultimate game-changer – the most universally potent antivenom ever. Check out this remarkable tale of Timothy Friede – a man who's become the poster child for self-immunization against snake venom.
Stricken with deadly snake bites from 16 species over an 18-year period, Friede has been unwittingly preparing for his star role in this incredible scientific journey. With poison lethal enough to fell a horse, the researchers found in him a one-of-a-kind weapon: a hyper-immune body that neutralizes the deadliest of snake neurotoxins.
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If you've been hooked on the hit HBO series, 'White Lotus,' you've probably stumbled upon the 'poison fruit' from the 'suicide tree.' What you might not know is that this exotic delicacy is a real-life phenomenon, popularly known as the Jamaican Cigarette Tree. Better guard your snacks!
Now, back to our snake tale...
Researchers, led by Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotech company, saw in Friede a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With his incredible journey and immune history, they plunged headfirst into isolating the source of the universal antivenom in his blood.
Step Aside, Horses! People Are the New Antidote Stars
Friede bravely lent a hand (and blood) to the project, donating two samples. The scientists focused on isolating two antibodies from his magical juice that could react effectively with neurotoxins from 19 of the world's most perilous snakes. These two antibodies were then married to another molecule, creating the ultimate antivenom.
In an impressive demonstration, the new potion worked like a charm in mouse trials. As it stood its ground against venom from black mambas, king cobras, coral snakes, and tiger snakes – to name a few – it left researchers speechless.
The researchers' findings were shared in the prestigious journal Cell Press on May 2.
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Friede considered his participation in the study a chance to make a positive impact, even if it meant working toward a goal thousands of miles away. "I know I am helping someone possibly 8,000 miles away, and that makes me feel really good," he remarked.
The 'Snake'factor in This Story
His quest for self-immunization against venom wasn't all that random. With hundreds of snake bites under his belt, Friede simply became more comfortable with the idea, almost addicted to it.
Hoping that Friede's 'one-of-a-kind' immune history would lead to a broad-spectrum antivenom, Glanville and his team set their sights on improving treatment options for snakebite victims worldwide.
If all goes according to plan, the new antivenom could soon be available in innovative, easy-to-carry forms like 'venom EpiPens' or even backpacks for hikers. And, getting one step closer to their goal, the scientists plan to test the antidote on dogs visited in veterinary clinics for snakebites before moving on to human trials.
Next up – creating another antivenom to protect against viper bites. The researchers are aiming to expand on the success they've achieved so far.
Thought It Was All the Same? Think Again!
Traditional antivenom production strategies have remained largely unchanged for the past century. Typically, scientists have immunized horses or sheep with venom from a single species, collected the resulting antibodies, and developed treatments suitable for their origin or region.
But the Centivax team's approach has shaken up the game. Rather than relying on non-human antibodies, they have harnessed the power of humanity's incredible immune system to create a more versatile and potentially universal antidote.
Shiver Me Timbers! Close to 6 Million People Get Bit Globally Annually
It's a harsh reality: approximately 5.4 million individuals get bitten by snakes each year worldwide. In unfortunate circumstances, some 2.7 million suffer severe consequences, including death or disability due to venom.
Today, the world stands on the threshold of a revolutionary shift in how snakebite victims are treated, with the promise of a universal antivenom just around the corner. Brace yourselves, folks! The future is in sight!
In the scientific world, researchers are leveraging human immune systems to develop a broad-spectrum antivenom, aiming to improve treatment for snakebite victims worldwide. This potential universal antidote, developed by Jacob Glanville and his team at Centivax, could soon be available in easy-to-carry forms like venom EpiPens or backpacks for hikers, revolutionizing the way snakebite victims are treated globally.
