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IOL News
13 hours ago
- Health
- IOL News
French scientists find new blood type in Guadeloupe woman
The new blood type is dubbed "Gwada negative". Image: / Pexels A French woman from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has been identified as the only known carrier of a new blood type, dubbed "Gwada negative," France's blood supply agency has announced. The announcement was made 15 years after researchers received a blood sample from a patient who was undergoing routine tests ahead of surgery, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) said on Friday. "The EFS has just discovered the 48th blood group system in the world!" the agency said in a statement on social network LinkedIn. "This discovery was officially recognised in early June in Milan by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT)." The scientific association had until now recognised 47 blood group systems. Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the EFS involved in the discovery, told AFP that a "very unusual" antibody was first found in the patient in 2011. However, resources at the time did not allow for further research, he added. Scientists were finally able to unravel the mystery in 2019 thanks to "high-throughput DNA sequencing", which highlighted a genetic mutation, Peyrard said. The patient, who was 54 at the time and lived in Paris, was undergoing routine tests before surgery when the unknown antibody was detected, Peyrard said. This woman "is undoubtedly the only known case in the world," said the expert. "She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself," he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Peyrard said the woman inherited the blood type from her father and mother, who each had the mutated gene. The name "Gwada negative", which refers to the patient's origins and "sounds good in all languages", has been popular with the experts, said Peyrard. The ABO blood group system was first discovered in the early 1900s. Thanks to DNA sequencing the discovery of new blood groups has accelerated in recent years. Peyrard and colleagues are now hoping to find other people with the same blood group. "Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care," the EFS said. AFP
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BofA Hikes Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) Target Amid CRC Caution
On Thursday, analysts at BofA Securities raised the price target for Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) to $46 from $45, with a Neutral rating. This minor change in the price target, reflecting an upside of nearly 8% from the current stock price, signals the company's revised evaluation of the Zanza pipeline asset. The company is all set to begin the STELLAR-311 trial of Zanza in NET, aiming for as many as three new INDs within this year. During the latest earnings call, the management expressed optimism around its Zanza pipeline asset. As the CEO of Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL), Michael Morrissey, mentioned: "We're excited to advance Zanza to the center stage in 2025 as our next oncology franchise opportunity." White medicinal tablets. Photo by The analysts noted the significance of the upcoming readouts for the Zanza asset, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite the excitement for Zanza, analysts remain cautious about the prospects of the CRC population, which is considered the most critical. They substantially discount its chances of success here, citing that the recent updates to the statistical analysis cast a shadow over the stock's potential. Without a breakthrough in the CRC intent-to-treat group, analysts believe that Zanza's peak sales will be between $500 million and $1 billion in the years ahead. Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is a California-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and markets new cancer solutions. With a focus on oncology, the company has a leading network of drug development, clinical trials, and commercialization of drugs for difficult-to-treat cancer types. While we acknowledge the potential of EXEL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 20 Best AI Stocks To Buy Now and 30 Best Stocks to Buy Now According to Billionaires. Disclosure. None.
IOL News
04-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Artificial blood breakthrough: Japanese scientists develop universal solution for all blood types
Artificial blood isn't just theoretical anymore, it's real, and its potential is astonishing. Image: Imagine a world where blood shortages no longer cost lives. A world where emergencies in rural South African clinics or busy city hospitals aren't derailed by the lack of compatible blood for transfusions. Thanks to revolutionary research by Japanese scientists, this future may be closer than we think. A critical breakthrough in healthcare is unfolding: the development of artificial blood. This innovation, led by Hiromi Sakai and his team at Japan's Nara Medical University, has the potential to save millions of lives globally by addressing one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare, blood shortages. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The blood supply crisis Blood transfusions are essential in healthcare, saving lives during surgeries, childbirth, trauma, and the treatment of severe illnesses. Yet, maintaining an adequate blood supply is a constant challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like South Africa. The demand for O-negative blood, the universal donor type, is particularly high. This blood type can be used in emergencies for patients of any blood group, but its supply is often insufficient. The short shelf life of donated red blood cells makes the situation even more difficult, as they can only be kept for 42 days under refrigeration. The introduction of artificial blood could be a game-changer in ensuring that no patient is turned away due to a lack of compatible blood. A team of scientists in Japan have created artificial blood Image: Pavel Danilyuk/pexels The science behind artificial blood Artificial blood isn't just theoretical anymore; it's real, and its potential is astonishing. According to "Tokyo Weekender", Sakai's team has developed artificial red blood cells by extracting haemoglobin (the iron-rich protein that transports oxygen in the bloodstream) from expired donor blood. Here's how it works: Haemoglobin extraction: Haemoglobin is isolated from expired blood donations, ensuring no waste. Encapsulation: The haemoglobin is encased in a protective shell, creating stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells. Universal compatibility: Because these synthetic cells lack blood type markers, they're compatible with all blood groups; no cross-matching is required. The benefits don't stop there. Unlike donated blood, which requires refrigeration and has a short lifespan, artificial blood can reportedly be stored for up to two years at room temperature and five years when refrigerated. This could transform emergency response systems in remote areas where accessing fresh blood supplies is a logistical nightmare. Early trials have already demonstrated the potential of artificial blood. In 2022, Sakai's team conducted small-scale studies with 12 healthy male volunteers aged 20 to 50. The participants received intravenous injections of haemoglobin vesicles, which mimic the oxygen-carrying function of natural red blood cells. Mild side effects: A few participants reported mild symptoms, but no serious adverse effects were observed. Stable vital signs: There were no significant changes in blood pressure or other vital signs, indicating promising safety levels. Building on this success, the trials have entered a second phase as of March this year, with larger doses (100 to 400 millilitres) being administered to volunteers. If no significant side effects are observed, the research will shift to evaluating the efficacy and safety of artificial blood for practical use. The goal is to make this life-saving innovation widely available by 2030. Early trials have already demonstrated the potential of artificial blood. Image: Ivan Samkov/pexels
