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Science Magazine Podcast

A hangover-fighting enzyme, the failure of a promising snakebite treatment, and how ants change lion behavior

Jan 25, 2024
Snake venom antidotes, failed snakebite treatment, silk-producing crustaceans, mutualism between ants and spiny trees, cascading effects on lions, ants in different systems within Kenya
28:08

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Exploring alternatives to traditional anti-venom treatments for snakebites by investigating humanized antibodies as a potentially safer and more effective option.
  • Discovering that the enzyme A-LDH1B1, involved in alcohol metabolism, also plays a role in supporting the body's defenses against viruses, opening up possibilities for further research on the interplay between alcohol and viral defense mechanisms.

Deep dives

Snake venom alternative to anti-venom

Scientists are exploring alternatives to traditional anti-venom treatments for snakebites. Current anti-venom treatments, which use antibodies derived from animals, can cause allergic reactions and require controlled hospital settings. Researchers are investigating humanized antibodies as a potentially safer and more effective alternative. A team of scientists was close to finding a promising antibody for muscle damage caused by snakebites, but a final test revealed unexpected harmful effects. Despite the setback, the researchers published their findings to alert others in the field to potential issues with toxin-specific antibodies.

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