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Here are the poll results for our questionnaire about Dune: Part Two.

Of those who had watched the movie:
1 out of 5 - 6.66%
2 out of 5 - 0%
3 out of 5 - 13.33%
4 out of 5 - 13.33%
5 out of 5 - 13.33%

Of the other respondents 20% said they have not watched it yet but are planning too. The remaining 33.33% are not planning on watching the film

That is quite the even distribution between the 3-5 star range for those that watched it.

Very few films have motivated me to go to the theater in the last couple years, so my personal enjoyment was probably a 5 out of 5. If you were to press me on the flaws of the movie I might have to go with a 4 out of a 5

Health Sciences

Scientists Find Potential Universal Antivenom

Scientists may be on the path to developing a universal antivenom for snakebites by screening a vast number of human antibodies. The screening process identified an antibody capable of countering a venom protein found in various snakes, including king cobras and black mambas.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute observed that this antibody provided protection to mice against a range of snake venoms. Their findings were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

While antivenom is commonly available in hospitals in snake-prone areas, the field of snakebite medicine is not highly advanced. Current antivenoms are derived from antibodies of animals that have developed immunity to the venom through exposure therapy, providing protection against a specific snake species.

In regions with multiple snake species, especially in low and middle-income countries, this approach may not cover all potential threats. The newly discovered antibody, however, targets a major toxin found in various snake species responsible for numerous deaths annually.

Joseph Jardine, senior author and assistant professor of immunology and microbiology at Scripps Research, emphasizes the potential value of this antibody for populations in low and middle-income countries where snakebite-related deaths and injuries are most prevalent.
The researchers at Scripps, known for their biomedical discoveries, isolated venom proteins from different elapids, a major group of venomous snakes. They focused on a type of protein called three-finger toxins (3FTx) present in all elapids, as these toxins are highly toxic and responsible for whole-body paralysis.

To discover an antibody to block 3FTx, the researchers used an innovative platform that introduced the genes for 16 different 3FTx into mammalian cells, producing toxins in the lab. They then screened a library of over fifty billion human antibodies, identifying one, called 95Mat5, that exhibited strong interactions with all toxin variants.
Tests on mice injected with toxins from various snakes confirmed the effectiveness of 95Mat5 in preventing death and paralysis. Further analysis revealed that the antibody mimicked the structure of the human protein that 3FTx usually binds to.

While 95Mat5 is effective against elapids, it does not block the venom of vipers, the second group of venomous snakes. The researchers are now exploring broadly neutralizing antibodies against another elapid toxin and two viper toxins, aiming to create a cocktail of antibodies that could potentially serve as a universal antivenom against medically relevant snake venoms worldwide.

US News

$1 Billion Gift

When Dr. Ruth Gottesman inherited $1 billion from her late husband, 'Sandy' Gottesman, an early investor in Berkshire Hathaway, she chose to use this vast fortune to make an impact on the lives of medical students at a Bronx medical school.

Her astonishing $1billion donation to Albert Einstein Medical College was met with overwhelming joy and gratitude, marking a historic moment as the largest gift ever bestowed upon an American medical school, and among the grandest to any institute of higher education in the United States.

Dean Yaron Tomer of Albert Einstein Medical College talked about the profound effect of Dr. Gottesman's contribution, stating, “This donation radically revolutionizes our ability to continue attracting students who are committed to our mission, not just those who can afford it.” The immediate benefit of this generosity allowed for the reimbursement of spring 2024 semester tuition for all current fourth-year students, with the promise of free tuition for all future students beginning August of the same year.

Expressing her gratitude, Dr. Gottesman said, “I am very thankful to my late husband, Sandy, for leaving these funds in my care, and l feel blessed to be given the great privilege of making this gift to such a worthy cause.”.

Her deep connection to the Albert Einstein Medical College traces back to 1968 when she joined the institution's Children’s Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center (CERC). Over the years, Dr. Gottesman, now a Clinical Professor Emerita of Pediatrics, has been instrumental in pioneering approaches for the recognition, evaluation, and treatment of learning disabilities, assisting thousands of children. In 1992, she founded the Adult Literacy Program at CERC, a pioneering initiative that continues to serve the community.

Dr. Gottesman's decision to donate was inspired by a note from Sandy, advising her to use the Berkshire Hathaway stock as she saw fit. She hopes her choice reflects his wishes, saying, "I hope that from wherever Sandy is looking down, he approves of my choice."

It is pretty amazing how much of her wealth she chose to give away. The donation announcement caused quite a reaction as you can see in this video.

Entertainment

This Conductor Does Something Very Surprising

Many people view Classical music as stuffy and that Classical music concerts are boring. This can be very far from the truth, particularly if you get this conductor!

Check out this short 3 minute video of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra playing Radetzky march by Johann Strauss Sr. This conductor is something else!

Environment

The European ‘Godfathers of Wind’

Danish engineer Henrik Stiesdal and British engineer Andrew Garrad, recognized as pioneers in the field of wind energy, have been jointly awarded the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering for their cumulative 50 years of work. The accolade acknowledges their vital contributions to the advancement of wind power technology.

Referred to as the 'Godfathers of wind,' Stiesdal and Garrad played integral roles in the evolution of wind energy, a sector now acknowledged as the "Nobel prize of engineering." Their innovations have been credited with enabling wind energy to play a crucial role in the contemporary electricity generation mix.

Garrad's contributions include the development of computer models optimizing and certifying turbine and farm designs. On the other hand, Stiesdal worked on early design principles of wind turbines and led the installation of the world's first offshore wind farm. A recent report highlighted that, for the first time in 2023, more of Europe's energy came from wind power than fossil gas.

The duo began their endeavors to enhance wind power standing in the electricity sector in the 1970s, initially building 'backyard' turbines. Stiesdal is renowned for the "Danish concept," which establishes fundamental parameters for robust and efficient turbine design. The concept, implemented in 1991, featured 17-meter blades capable of generating 450 kW, and has since evolved with today's blades measuring 120 meters and generating 16MW.

Stiesdal and Garrad's innovations have been instrumental in making wind power a key element in the global green transition. While it took four decades to achieve 1 terawatt of global installed capacity, wind power now contributes over 18% of electricity generation in Europe, with the UK alone reaching close to a third.

Ongoing innovation, particularly in floating turbines, is expected to expand wind farms into deeper waters, with turbines becoming taller. Stiesdal stresses a shift in industry focus from size to cutting the unit cost of production, aiming to enhance the cost efficiency of wind power as a global energy source.

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

What grows up while growing down?

Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:
The Milky Way.

This one was a tricky one for sure. No one got this answer correct.
Debbie Ettinger gets the shout-out for next best answer of “No one has ever walked behind themself.”

The first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to news@dailyupsider.com or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to news@dailyupsider.com for the chance to be featured.