Imaginative and prescient is among the most important human senses, but over 300 million folks worldwide are liable to imaginative and prescient loss on account of varied retinal ailments. Whereas latest developments in retinal illness therapies have efficiently slowed illness development, no efficient remedy has been developed to revive already misplaced vision-until now. KAIST researchers have efficiently developed a novel drug to revive imaginative and prescient.
KAIST (represented by President Kwang Hyung Lee) introduced on the thirtieth of March {that a} analysis group led by Professor Jin Woo Kim from the Division of Organic Sciences has developed a therapy technique that restores imaginative and prescient via retinal nerve regeneration.
The analysis group efficiently induced retinal regeneration and imaginative and prescient restoration in a disease-model mouse by administering a compound that blocks the PROX1 (prospero homeobox 1) protein, which suppresses retinal regeneration. Moreover, the impact lasted for greater than six months.
This research marks the primary profitable induction of long-term neural regeneration in mammalian retinas, providing new hope to sufferers with degenerative retinal ailments who beforehand had no therapy choices.
As the worldwide inhabitants continues to age, the variety of retinal illness sufferers is steadily rising. Nonetheless, no therapies exist to revive broken retinas and imaginative and prescient. The first motive for that is the mammalian retina’s incapacity to regenerate as soon as broken.
Research on cold-blooded animals, equivalent to fish-known for his or her sturdy retinal regeneration-have proven that retinal accidents set off Müller glia cells to dedifferentiate into retinal progenitor cells, which then generate new neurons. Nonetheless, in mammals, this course of is impaired, resulting in everlasting retinal injury.
By means of this research, the analysis group recognized the PROX1 protein as a key inhibitor of Müller glia dedifferentiation in mammals. PROX1 is a protein present in neurons of the retina, hippocampus, and spinal twine, the place it suppresses neural stem cell proliferation and promotes differentiation into neurons.
The researchers found that PROX1 accumulates in broken mouse retinal Müller glia, however is absent within the extremely regenerative Müller glia of fish. Moreover, they demonstrated that the PROX1 present in Müller glia isn’t synthesized internally however reasonably taken up from surrounding neurons, which fail to degrade and as a substitute secrete the protein.
Primarily based on this discovering, the group developed a way to revive Müller glia’s regenerative potential by eliminating extracellular PROX1 earlier than it reaches these cells.
This strategy entails utilizing an antibody that binds to PROX1, developed by Celliaz Inc., a biotech startup based by Professor Jin Woo Kim’s analysis lab. When administered to disease-model mouse retinas, this antibody considerably promoted neural regeneration. Moreover, when delivered, the antibody gene to the retinas of retinitis pigmentosa illness mannequin mice, it enabled sustained retinal regeneration and imaginative and prescient restoration for over six months.
The retinal regeneration-inducing remedy is at the moment being developed by Celliaz Inc. for utility in varied degenerative retinal ailments that at the moment lack efficient therapies. The corporate goals to start scientific trials by 2028.
This research was co-authored by Dr. Eun Jung Lee of Celliaz Inc. and Museong Kim, a Ph.D. candidate at KAIST, as joint first authors. The findings have been printed on-line on March 26 within the worldwide journal Nature Communications. (Paper Title: Restoration of retinal regenerative potential of Müller glia by disrupting intercellular Prox1 switch | DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58290-8)
Dr. Eun Jung Lee said, “We are about finishing the optimization of the PROX1-neutralizing antibody (CLZ001) and transfer to preclinical research earlier than administering it to retinal illness sufferers. Our purpose is to offer an answer for sufferers liable to blindness who at the moment lack correct therapy choices.”
This analysis was supported by analysis funds from Korean Nationwide Analysis Basis (NRF) and the Korea Drug Growth Basis (KDDF).
This put up was authored by Khushi Saxena, a technical consulting engineer intern on the Buyer Expertise Crew.
I by no means imagined {that a} international big like Cisco would discover somebody like me — but right here I’m, dwelling proof that abilities matter greater than background.
Coming from a wholly non-technical background, my first yr of faculty felt like entering into a totally totally different world. Whereas others appeared to have a head begin, speaking about knowledge buildings, initiatives, and hackathons like second nature, I used to be nonetheless making an attempt to wrap my head across the fundamentals. It was overwhelming, to say the least. I keep in mind sitting in my first programming class, struggling to know easy syntax whereas others breezed by means of problem-solving. There have been moments once I puzzled if I had made the suitable selection and if I used to be actually reduce out for this. However as a substitute of letting it intimidate me, I made a decision I might put within the work, bridge the hole, and get on par with everybody else. And so, I spent infinite nights studying, working towards, and pushing myself past what I assumed I used to be able to.
It was in my second yr that I first got here throughout Cisco. Till then, I had solely heard of it as a worldwide tech big, however the extra I realized about its work in networking, safety, and innovation, the extra fascinated I grew to become. It shortly grew to become one in every of my dream firms, not simply due to its popularity however due to the form of influence it was making on this planet of expertise. I knew that if I ever received the chance, I needed to be a part of one thing like that.
For me, moving into an excellent firm wasn’t nearly fulfilling a dream — it was a necessity. My household had confronted monetary struggles, and I knew that securing a steady, well-paying job would change every little thing. I carried that duty with me by means of each late-night research session, each rejection, and each problem I confronted. I wasn’t simply doing this for myself — I used to be doing it to make sure a greater future for my household.
Quick ahead to my closing yr, and that chance got here knocking within the type of Cisco Ideathon 2024, a contest that challenges college students to resolve real-world issues, testing their technical abilities, creativity, and drawback solving-abilities. I began having doubts about myself — would I even stand an opportunity towards candidates from extra famend establishments? However Cisco’s hiring course of proved that expertise speaks louder than labels. Cisco assessed me based mostly on my abilities, with out contemplating different elements, which was an enormous testomony to all my efforts up to now. I used to be evaluated purely on my talents, and for the primary time, I felt really acknowledged for my potential.
After I obtained my internship + full-time provide, I used to be overwhelmed with feelings and couldn’t assist however cry. It wasn’t nearly getting a job — it was validation that arduous work, persistence, and keenness matter greater than the place you come from. All through the method, all that Cisco cared about was what I might deliver to the desk. And that made all of the distinction.
Now that I’ve been a part of Cisco, I can confidently say — it’s every little thing I hoped for and extra. From day one, I felt welcomed and valued. In contrast to the standard company tradition I had imagined, Cisco fosters an surroundings that encourages studying, collaboration, and innovation. One of many issues that shocked me essentially the most was the work-life stability. I had heard horror tales of burnout within the tech business, however Cisco genuinely prioritizes worker well-being. In reality, we even get a ‘Day for Me’ — a devoted day without work for all workers globally to recharge, give attention to ourselves, and step away from work with out utilizing our private go away. It’s a easy but highly effective initiative that exhibits how a lot the corporate values its workers’ psychological well being and private time. There’s flexibility, a supportive work tradition, and an emphasis on private development.
The perfect half? I’m already getting the chance to work on significant initiatives. Other than my common work, I’ve additionally participated in company social duty (CSR) initiatives — Cisco’s manner of giving again to the group. I had the possibility to design posters for most cancers consciousness, create greeting playing cards for most cancers sufferers, and even paint water bowls for stray animals. With the ability to contribute to such impactful initiatives has been extremely fulfilling. Daily is a brand new studying expertise, and I’m always surrounded by good minds prepared to assist and information me. I’m not simply one other intern right here — I’m handled as an integral a part of the group.
If there’s one factor my journey has taught me, it’s this: by no means let the place you come from outline the place you may go. Irrespective of your background, you probably have the abilities, the drive, and the willingness to study, nothing can cease you. The street might not all the time be simple, however belief me, it’s price it.
To each scholar on the market doubting themselves — know this: your expertise speaks louder than labels. Continue to learn, preserve pushing, and when the suitable alternative comes, seize it with each palms. As a result of if I can do it, so are you able to. And, for that I’ll all the time be grateful to Cisco.
At Cisco, we rejoice our workers’ abilities and help significant profession development. Need to see how we make a distinction collectively? Try our Objective Report.
Ibrahim Muritala is International Hydrogen Lead on the American Bureau of Delivery (ABS).
Inexperienced hydrogen is being positioned to play a important function in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors of the financial system. Builders at the moment are exploring the combination of electrolyzers with offshore wind farms to provide inexperienced hydrogen at sea. The strategy combines considerable offshore renewable power with hydrogen versatility, accelerating the power transition, says Ibrahim Muritala, who examines the alternatives and challenges.
The idea of a inexperienced hydrogen financial system to decarbonize industries isn’t new. Nevertheless, early enthusiasm waned as a consequence of excessive prices and technical challenges. Regardless of this, inexperienced hydrogen stays a compelling resolution for lowering emissions in energy-intensive sectors. Whereas demand for hydrogen is anticipated to develop slowly over the following decade, analysts predict vital acceleration after 2035[1].
Offshore hydrogen: an enormous problem, an unlimited alternative Renewable power is essential to producing inexperienced hydrogen, transferring from gray or blue hydrogen to totally sustainable options. Offshore wind power provides a novel alternative to provide inexperienced hydrogen at scale, contributing meaningfully to world decarbonization objectives.
The idea is simple: putting electrolyzers at offshore wind farms, the place generated electrical energy is used to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. There are totally different electrolyzer applied sciences – alkaline, proton change membrane (PEM), or stable oxide electrolyzers – every with various efficiencies, capital prices, and operational traits, and they are often straight coupled with floating or fixed-bottom wind generators. The produced hydrogen may then be both transported through pipelines or saved on-site utilizing compressed gasoline or liquid hydrogen applied sciences and doubtlessly transformed into chemical carriers like ammonia for environment friendly delivery to shore. The selection of know-how and system structure will rely upon varied elements, together with site-specific circumstances, power useful resource availability, and the dimensions of manufacturing desired.
Producing hydrogen offshore gives entry to considerable renewable power whereas avoiding land-use conflicts. It additionally creates jobs in distant coastal areas and enhances power safety by diversifying power sources and lowering reliance on fossil fuels.
Offshore hydrogen: making it work Producing hydrogen offshore provides thrilling prospects, nevertheless it additionally presents some vital obstacles that should be overcome to make sure the feasibility and success of those tasks:
Security Consideration: The extremely flammable nature of hydrogen requires sturdy security procedures for storage, transport, and dealing with all through the offshore manufacturing course of, including complexity and value.
Specialised Infrastructure Wants: Offshore hydrogen manufacturing requires specialised ships, storage services, and port infrastructure. The distinctive properties of hydrogen, notably its low density, necessitate costly high-pressure or cryogenic (extraordinarily chilly) storage options.
Challenges within the Marine Atmosphere: Developing and sustaining services at sea is significantly costlier than on land. Components resembling corrosion, highly effective storms, and the buildup of marine organisms like biofouling pose fixed technical and monetary challenges.
Whereas hydrogen’s potential as a clear power vector is immense, it comes with formidable challenges. Hydrogen is very flammable, with a low ignition level and broad explosive vary, which requires stringent protocols for storage, dealing with and transportation. Manufacturing strategies range of their effectivity and environmental influence, and it requires specialised tankers, vessels and port infrastructure to handle security and dealing with points. Its low density requires both excessive strain storage or cryogenic liquefaction, which will increase the prices and the chance of strain vessel failures and cryogenic embrittlement. The shortage of present infrastructure or provide chains additional contributes to the excessive capital prices of any hydrogen undertaking, whether or not onshore or offshore.
Offshore hydrogen manufacturing provides additional complexities. Infrastructure within the marine atmosphere is inherently costlier, with extra dangers resembling speedy corrosion, excessive climate circumstances, and biofouling.
At ABS, with a long time of expertise in guiding innovators, reviewing new applied sciences and offering classification/certification providers to the offshore industries and world delivery, we perceive that these limitations are normal with new applied sciences.
Regardless of these challenges, pioneering firms are main the best way pushing forward with their very own tasks. In Scotland, for instance, Hywind Scotland, the world’s first business floating wind farm, is exploring potential hydrogen manufacturing add-ons. In the meantime, the AquaVentus undertaking in Germany seeks to determine a large-scale offshore hydrogen manufacturing facility powered by devoted North Sea wind farms, with a focused manufacturing capability of 10 gigawatts (GW) of inexperienced hydrogen by 2035[2]. This can be a enormous enterprise bringing collectively a various vary of stakeholders, together with power firms, know-how suppliers, analysis establishments, and authorities companies. This collaborative strategy is deemed important to navigate the complexities of making a strong inexperienced hydrogen infrastructure in Europe.
The prize Regardless of the challenges, hydrogen represents a major alternative within the transition to cleaner power programs. As a clear power provider, hydrogen holds immense potential. It’s considerable, and its distinctive means to provide solely water vapor when utilized in gas cells and combustion programs makes it a compelling resolution to scale back emissions in transport and industrial purposes. Hydrogen acts as a flexible power storage medium, able to storing extra renewable power electrons in molecular type and thereby serving to to stabilize energy grids reliant on intermittent sources like wind and photo voltaic.
There are financial advantages as properly. In line with the Hydrogen Council, a hydrogen financial system may generate as many as 30 million jobs throughout the globe by 20305. Environmentally, offshore hydrogen manufacturing gives a viable pathway in the direction of lowering greenhouse gasoline emissions and displacing fossil fuels in hard-to-decarbonize industrial processes and transportation sectors.
Maximizing these alternatives would require continued developments in electrolysis know-how, notably those who improve effectivity, sturdiness, and scalability main in a discount to manufacturing prices and enchancment in efficiency. Equally, developments in hydrogen storage applied sciences, which might allow the protected and cost-effective storage of hydrogen each offshore and onshore, will likely be very important for integrating offshore manufacturing into the broader power system.
Regulatory help Past technological developments, sturdy regulatory help is crucial. Governments are more and more recognizing the significance of hydrogen of their power methods and are anticipated to develop extra complete regulatory frameworks that foster the event of offshore hydrogen services.
These frameworks ought to embrace:
Establishing clear allowing processes,
Implementing monetary incentives and funding mechanisms,
Creating standardized security protocols.
Facilitating integration not simply into electrical energy grids and hydrogen distribution networks but in addition doubtlessly mixing hydrogen into present pure gasoline infrastructure.
At a world stage, the joint improvement of standardized applied sciences, and the institution of collaborative analysis packages throughout borders will assist to scale back prices, streamline the event course of, and keep away from the duplication of effort. This collaboration can be very important for guaranteeing that offshore hydrogen manufacturing is environmentally accountable, prioritizing the safety of marine ecosystems and native communities.
Offshore inexperienced hydrogen represents a transformative alternative for the worldwide power transition. Whereas challenges stay—starting from security issues to excessive capital prices—collaborative efforts between personal trade, governments, and analysis establishments can overcome these limitations. ABS brings a long time of experience in guiding innovators and trade stakeholders by new applied sciences and guaranteeing security requirements. By supporting infrastructure improvement and certification processes, ABS goals to assist offshore inexperienced hydrogen obtain its potential as a cornerstone of a low-carbon future.
It has been greater than a decade for the reason that metropolis of Flint, Michigan, confronted one of the crucial devastating public well being disasters in American historical past. Recognized now because the Flint Water Disaster, this environmental disaster wasn’t a pure catastrophe or the results of industrial air pollution alone—it was the direct consequence of governmental decision-making and neglect. And its repercussions proceed to echo within the our bodies, minds, and lives of Flint’s residents.
What Occurred in Flint: A Timeline
Yr
Key Occasion
2014
Flint switches water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River
2015
Excessive lead ranges found in properties and youngsters’s bloodstreams
2016
President declares a state of emergency
2018
Water declared secure; bottled water distribution ends
2025
Flint residents proceed to face lasting well being and psychological trauma
The Swap That Began It All
In April 2014, in a cost-saving effort, Flint officers switched the town’s water provide from Lake Huron to the closely polluted Flint River. The Flint Water Provide Plant, inactive for many years, lacked up to date therapy capabilities and correct employees coaching. The brand new water supply corroded lead pipes, leaching poisonous metallic into properties.
Inside weeks, residents reported that the water appeared, smelled, and tasted foul. Complaints ranged from pores and skin rashes and hair loss to critical sicknesses. Nonetheless, officers assured residents that the water was secure, regardless of not utilizing federally mandated anti-corrosive therapies. The outcome? 1000’s had been poisoned, notably youngsters, who’re probably the most weak to steer publicity.
Flint Water Disaster: Authorities Gone Rogue
Not like water crises in cities like St. Joseph, Louisiana or Uniontown, Alabama—the place contamination comes from personal trade or lack of presidency response—Flint is completely different as a result of it was brought on by authorities motion. Officers selected a less expensive, contaminated supply and ignored warning indicators.
This wasn’t simply environmental neglect; it was a social, political and financial lie that focused a Black, working class metropolis.
The Human Toll: Lead, Trauma, Distrust
Lead is a silent killer. In youngsters it mimics calcium and interferes with mind improvement. It weakens synaptic connections, impairs cognition and causes irreversible harm. Adults weren’t spared both. The long run results included:
Developmental delays and studying disabilities in youngsters
Despair, nervousness and PTSD in children and adults
Bodily points like pores and skin issues, digestive points and extra
A 2022 survey confirmed Flint’s youngsters had almost double the nationwide fee of melancholy and one in 4 adults confirmed indicators of PTSD—twice the speed of fight veterans.
Psychological Well being Affect: Flint vs Nationwide Common
Psychological Well being Indicator
Flint (%)
Nationwide Common (%)
Kids – Despair
8.0
4.4
Kids – Anxiousness
13.0
10.0
Adults – PTSD
25.0
13.0
Group Heroes: LeeAnne Walters and the Fact
LeeAnne Walters, a Flint mother, grew to become a power to be reckoned with. She partnered with environmental engineer Marc Edwards to gather water samples and doc lead contamination. Their findings had been ignored at first, however later proved to be the reality. In 2018, Walters was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her bravery.
However officers ignored numerous different mothers like Walters till the general public strain grew to become too nice.
Flint vs. Different Cities: What’s Totally different?
Different U.S. cities have water contamination, typically on account of outdated infrastructure or industrial runoff. However Flint’s disaster is exclusive as a result of:
The contamination was preventable
Officers dismissed the proof
They delayed for years regardless of the information and public outcry
Flint is a case research of how systemic inequality and environmental racism collide.
Bio-Energy and Environmental Injustice
The Flint Water Disaster is an instance of “bio-power”—political management over our bodies and populations. Flint residents weren’t handled as people with rights however as prices in a price range plan. Their struggling reveals the systemic inequities that decide well being outcomes.
Authorized Fallout and Accountability
A number of Michigan officers had been charged for his or her function within the disaster, together with the previous governor. However many expenses had been dropped or resulted in plea offers and the general public is pissed off. The shortage of actual penalties for environmental crimes is an enormous drawback.
The Financial Affect of a Damaged Water System
The disaster destroyed Flint’s financial system. Residence values plummeted, native companies suffered from decreased shopper confidence and households moved out to keep away from the lead. Faculties struggled to cope with the tutorial and emotional wants of scholars affected by lead poisoning.
Voices from Flint: The Disaster Isn’t Over
Flint residents are nonetheless struggling. Whereas the water could meet the requirements now, many individuals nonetheless don’t use it. Group members report ongoing distrust, well being points and lack of psychological well being providers. As one resident mentioned, “They fastened the pipes however they didn’t repair the folks.”
Have We Discovered Something?
The outrage over Flint has pale, and the town has develop into a chapter in a textbook. Rules nonetheless aren’t doing sufficient to guard our water. And that’s as a result of the infrastructure throughout the U.S. is getting old with out the intervention it so desperately wants.
What we actually want are stronger federal and state rules for water security. Officers want to speak with the general public about crises in a means that’s clear and sincere. We’d like obligatory anti-corrosion therapies to stop the form of harm that occurred in Flint. We’d like funding in environmental well being infrastructure that truly works.
Transferring Ahead: From Tragedy to Accountability
We will’t afford to let one other Flint occur. To keep away from that, we have to take heed to the scientists, elevate the voices of the communities affected and demand accountability from these in energy. The Flint Water Disaster wasn’t nearly dangerous water-it was a few system that failed.
Impartial water high quality monitoring is a should. Officers who ignore public well being knowledge ought to face penalties. Funding for psychological well being assist in affected communities is important.
Environmental Justice Is a Human Proper
The water in Flint could also be secure now, however belief continues to be damaged. That’s the story Flint tells us: environmental justice isn’t only a buzzword, it’s a proper. We owe it to each group to make sure clear, secure water-and to carry those that put public well being in danger accountable.
We will’t preserve turning the web page on preventable tragedies. We have to act-now-before one other metropolis turns into the subsequent Flint. We owe that to ourselves, our kids and the folks of Flint.
