China’s Junshi Nabs FDA Approval in Rare Success for US Foray
The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the first China-developed cancer drug similar to Merck & Co.’s
2023-10-28 11:20
One in seven Britons faced hunger in 2022, says food bank charity
By James Davey LONDON One in seven people in the United Kingdom faced hunger last year because they
2023-06-28 08:47
Neuralink’s test monkeys died due to brain implants contrary to Elon Musk’s claims, report suggests
Test monkeys at Elon Musk’s controversial biotech startup Neuralink died due to a number of complications from brain chip implant procedures, counter to the claims made by the multi-billionaire, a new report claimed. Nuralink has been developing chips to be implanted into the skull, claiming that such a computer-brain interface will help restore vision in the blind and paralysed people walk again. The company unveiled the working of its technology in monkey models in the past, including one demonstration of a nine-year-old macaque learning to play the 1970s classic video game Pong. However, the startup is also subjected to complaints by animal rights groups, including the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), which criticised the company’s “inadequate care” of its research monkeys a number of times in the past. In a post on X, the Tesla titan said earlier this month that “no monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant” in response to allegations that the neurotech firm was inflicting “extreme suffering” on its primate test subjects. “First our early implants, to minimise risk to healthy monkeys, we chose terminal monkeys (close to death already),” Mr Musk posted on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. In a presentation last year, the multibillionaire also claimed that Neuralink’s animal testing was never “exploratory” but was conducted to confirm scientific hypotheses. “We are extremely careful,” he said at the presentation. However, public documents obtained by PCRM – a nonprofit that advocates against using live animals in testing – present a different picture. The documents, reviewed by Wired, pointed out that a number of monkeys, on whom the implants were tested, were euthanised after suffering various complications, including “bloody diarrhea, partial paralysis, and cerebral edema”. One document reportedly noted that a male macaque was euthanised in March 2020 “after his cranial implant became loose” to the extent that they “could easily be lifted out”. A necropsy report of this monkey pointed out that “the failure of this implant can be considered purely mechanical and not exacerbated by infection”, which appeared to counter Mr Musk’s claim that no monkeys died due to Neuralink’s chips. Another primate, the report noted “began to press her head against the floor for no apparent reason” and lose coordination, with her condition deteriorating for months until she was finally euthanised. A necropsy report, cited by Wired, suggested that this animal was bleeding in her brain and that the neurotech firm’s implants left parts of her cerebral cortex brain region “focally tattered”. However, the company held that its “use of every animal was extensively planned and considered to balance scientific discovery with the ethical use of animals”. Neuralink did not immediately respond to The Independent’s request for comment. The latest report also comes as Neuralink announced on Wednesday that it has started human trials for people with quadriplegia after testing its implants on pigs and monkeys. “We’re excited to announce that recruitment is open for our first-in-human clinical trial,” the company posted on X. “If you have quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), you may qualify,” it said. Read More Elon Musk recruiting humans to trial brain implant Starship rocket launch window revealed by FAA Elon Musk reveals trillion dollar algorithm that explains everything he does Elon Musk’s Neuralink recruiting humans to trial brain implant Elon Musk and the one trillion-dollar algorithm that explains everything he does Elon Musk says monkeys implanted with Neuralink brain chips were ‘close to death’
2023-09-21 15:27
Chelsea appoint Chris Jurasek as chief exec with Tom Glick also leaving his role
Chelsea have announced the appointment of Chris Jurasek as their new chief executive while president of business Tom Glick is set to leave after less than a year in his role. The Blues’ 12th-place Premier League finish in owners’ the Clearlake group’s first season has led to Mauricio Pochettino being named head coach and tasked with improving their on-field fortunes. Further upheaval off the pitch came with the announcement that Jurasek will oversee all business areas at Chelsea and report to the board alongside co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley. “I’m delighted to be joining Chelsea, a club which is loved and followed all over the world,” Jurasek said. “I’m enormously proud to be leading it into the next chapter in its rich history. “We have huge opportunities to grow on and off the pitch and to engage our exceptional fans both in London and wherever they are supporting us from.” Behdad Eghbali and Jose E Feliciano, co-controlling owners, said: “Chris’ skill and expertise will help us to drive the club forward in all areas, particularly in supporting our long-term plans for Chelsea. “Our focus will continue to be on ensuring the club is competitive and sustainable both from a sporting and business perspective, with a talented and ambitious leadership team.” Former Manchester City executive Glick will be exiting the club, having only been appointed last July – although no departure date was announced by the club, who said the former president of NFL franchise the Carolina Panthers wanted “to pursue other opportunities”. Glick will work closely with Jurasek in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition before leaving. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-05-30 17:20
Women's World Cup Capsules Groups E-H
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2023-06-21 17:18
'There's no wriggling your way out of this': Seth Meyers highlights Don Trump Jr's dilemma in court
Donald Trump's eldest son claims he wasn't involved in financial statements central to the civil fraud trial against family's real estate business
2023-11-02 17:55
Man Utd report record Premier League revenues
Manchester United on Thursday reported a Premier League record revenue figure of £648.4 million ($784 million) for the year...
2023-10-26 20:48
Biggest Crypto Stablecoin Tether Was Once Backed by Chinese Securities
Tether Holdings Ltd. once counted securities issued by Chinese companies among the reserves backing its USDT stablecoin, the
2023-06-16 21:27
Quentin Tarantino's foot fetish in real life: Director allegedly paid over $10K to lick a woman's feet at strip club
Quentin Tarantino visited a club and requested a VIP room and the company of their best dancer
2023-05-29 11:17
Loren Gray: 5 unknown facts about singer who is Taylor Swift's superfan
Inside some unknown facts about Loren Gray, keep reading to know more
2023-05-30 13:52
Who is Austin Hahn? Indiana man apprehended for allegedly attacking his friend and co-worker with hammer
Austin Hahn is charged with one count each of attempted murder, aggravated battery, and battery by means of a deadly weapon
2023-08-30 05:47
US shoppers set for cheapest holiday gift season in years
By Siddharth Cavale and Amina Niasse NEW YORK The battleground for retailers this U.S. holiday season is over
2023-11-24 19:18
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