The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Aug. 6, 2025 — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially canceled nearly $500 million in federal funding previously allocated for 22 projects focused on advancing mRNA vaccine technology. The funding will now be redirected to support the development of traditional, whole-cell vaccines, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed Tuesday.
In vitro research involves studying cells outside their natural environment in controlled lab settings, offering valuable insights into cellular processes. This approach has revolutionized our understanding of biology, medicine, and biotechnology, enabling breakthroughs in treatments and the study of genetic disorders.
Continue reading Studying Cellular Behavior Outside the Organism
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Ridgewood NJ, in a groundbreaking medical and technological advancement, a brain implant has enabled a man with ALS to speak and sing in real time, offering new hope for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers from UC Davis announced the development in a new study, calling it a milestone in brain-to-text technology.
Continue reading Brain Implant Breakthrough: Man with ALS Speaks and Sings in Real Time
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Ridgewood NJ, imagine owning a wallet or handbag made from T-Rex leather. It may sound like science fiction, but biotech innovation could make it a reality by the end of this year. A pioneering partnership between Newcastle-based Lab-Grown Leather and The Organoid Company is working to grow genuine T-Rex skin using DNA fragments from dinosaur fossils—ushering in a new era of prehistoric luxury fashion.
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DALLAS TX, the once-extinct dire wolf, a legendary Ice Age predator, has officially returned — thanks to cutting-edge genetic engineering by Colossal Biosciences, the biotech company also aiming to revive the woolly mammoth and Tasmanian tiger.
In a groundbreaking announcement on Monday, the Dallas-based company revealed the successful birth of three dire wolf puppies, marking the first ever de-extincted species brought back to life using ancient DNA.
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Ridgewood NJ, Genetic testing giant 23andMe has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, putting the future of the company—and its vast genetic database—into question.
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Ridgewood NJ, Recently, a curious case unfolded in South Carolina when 43 rhesus macaques escaped from a research facility operated by Alpha Genesis, a company specializing in breeding lab monkeys for biomedical research. The escape, caused by a caretaker failing to lock an enclosure, has not only sparked a search for the remaining fugitives but has also ignited a heated debate over the legal and ethical status of these animals.
Continue reading Monkey Business 2.0 in South Carolina
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Ridgewood NJ, in a groundbreaking development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first-ever nasal spray to treat potentially severe allergic reactions. The new spray, marketed under the brand name Neffy, offers a needle-free alternative to traditional injectable epinephrine products like the EpiPen, which has been in use since 1987.
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Ridgewood NJ, a groundbreaking study released yesterday revealed that a twice-a-year injection of the drug lenacapavir was 100% effective in preventing HIV infection in women during clinical trials. This promising development offers new hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in regions with high mortality rates from the disease.
Continue reading Breakthrough in HIV Prevention: Lenacapavir Injection Shows 100% Efficacy in Women
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Ridgewood NJ, in a significant development, outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unanimously endorsed the efficacy of Eli Lilly’s experimental Alzheimer’s drug, donanemab, for patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. This vote precedes the FDA’s impending decision on the drug’s approval. The panel’s discussion highlighted some unique aspects of Lilly’s trial, which differed notably from the trial design of Eisai and Biogen’s Leqembi, another Alzheimer’s drug that recently gained U.S. approval following a similar advisory committee review.
Continue reading FDA Panel Endorses Eli Lilly’s Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Donanemab
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Ridgewood NJ, a study on MRIs of people born in the 1930s through to the 1970s found that babies in the 1970s had nearly 15% more brain surface area and 6.6% more brain volume than in the 1930s. Parts of the brain associated with memory and learning have also increased in size. It is unclear if larger brains make people more intelligent, but it could still be a plus as there are links to better brain health. Larger brain structures may reflect improved brain development and health. The percentage of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease has decreased every decade. Ok so then why do people act so dumb?
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Ridgewood NJ, Novo Nordisk’s latest obesity treatment medication, amycretin, has shown promising results, with patients shedding 13% of their body weight in a mere 12 weeks. This new drug, which targets GLP-1 and amylin hormones associated with hunger and satiety, may outperform semaglutide in effectiveness. However, before amycretin becomes widely accessible, it must undergo extensive and lengthier trials. The positive outcomes from the initial trials have propelled Novo Nordisk’s stock to surge by up to 8.3%.
Continue reading Novo Nordisk’s Latest Obesity Treatment Shows Promising Results
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Ridgewood NJ, Colossal Biosciences, a biotechnology startup based in Texas, made a groundbreaking announcement yesterday regarding their successful transformation of elephant cells into an embryo-like state—a significant milestone in their endeavor to recreate woolly mammoths that have long been extinct.
Continue reading Mammoth of an Idea: What Could Possibly Go Wrong With That
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Ridgewood NJ, new research unveiled yesterday suggests that Xolair, a widely prescribed medication for chronic severe asthma, offers significant benefits beyond its primary use, notably reducing reactions to various common food allergens. This breakthrough marks Xolair as the first preventive treatment capable of safeguarding individuals against accidental exposure to life-threatening allergens.
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Ridgewood NJ, a study has identified blood proteins that appear to predict the risk of developing dementia up to 15 years before diagnosis. High levels of the blood proteins GFAP, NEFL, GDF15, and LTBP2 are strongly associated with dementia. Blood levels of these proteins can be outside of normal ranges more than 10 years before symptom onset. The findings, once validated, may lead to the development of blood tests that identify people at risk of developing dementia.
Continue reading Blood Proteins Reveal at-risk People for Dementia
