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Innovation

NIH Backs Animal-Free Research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a major shift in its research funding strategy, stating it will begin prioritizing grant proposals that reduce or eliminate animal testing. The move is intended to improve the scientific quality of drug development and mirrors a similar policy by the FDA, which is embracing “a range of approaches, including AI-based computational models of toxicity and cell lines, and organoid toxicity testing in a laboratory setting.” While animal models—especially mice—have long been a staple in biomedical research, NIH-funded studies have also used beagles and primates. Under Director Jay Battacharya, the agency described the change as ushering in “a new era of innovation.”

NIH pointed to persistent challenges in translating results from animals to humans, particularly for complex diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. Differences in physiology, lifespan, and disease progression—even between species with shared genes—limit the reliability of animal models. “Even with shared genes, organ systems between species can behave differently,” the agency noted, adding that many studies still include the caveat that “humans aren’t mice.” In response, the NIH will launch a new Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA) to scale up non-animal methods and ensure they meet scientific and regulatory standards. ORIVA will “serve as a hub for interagency coordination and regulatory translation for public health protection,” according to the agency.

The decision has received strong support from advocates of human-centered research. Wayne Pacelle, President of Animal Wellness Action, wrote, “An astonishing 90-95% of drugs that pass animal tests go on to fail in human clinical trials, driving up costs for drugs, harming millions of animals, and delivering too few tangible results for patients in life and death circumstances.” He praised the NIH and FDA moves as steps toward ending the use of animals in testing. NIH also announced plans to publicly report annual research spending to monitor its progress. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary called the transition a “win-win for public health and ethics,” citing “human organ model-based lab testing” that replicates human organs using lab-grown tissue technology. These tools are already in use; the Wyss Foundation developed a “lung-on-a-chip,” while companies like Radicle Science are applying machine learning and real-world data for evidence generation. “Our work has always centered on the belief that the most meaningful outcomes come from studying actual human experiences in real-life settings,” said Susan J. Hewlings, SVP of Scientific Affairs at Radicle. “When regulatory agencies like the FDA and institutions like the NIH begin to embed that same philosophy... it tells us we’re not just on the right path—we’re helping shape it.”

Culture

‘Dinosaur Egg’ Salt

Nestled in the heart of the Philippines, the island of Bohol is home to a culinary treasure known as Asin Tibuok, affectionately dubbed the "Dinosaur Egg" salt. This rare artisanal sea salt, with its unique egg-shaped form, is crafted through a meticulous process that has been passed down through generations. In the 1960s, salt-making families in Bohol would trade this precious salt for food and other goods, highlighting its value in the local economy. However, as modernization took hold, the traditional craft faced decline, with younger generations seeking more profitable avenues. Today, only a few dedicated families continue the age-old practice, preserving a piece of Bohol's rich cultural heritage.

In this video, we delve into the intricate process of creating Asin Tibuok, exploring the dedication and passion that keep this tradition alive. Join us as we uncover the story behind one of the rarest salts in the world and the artisans who are committed to its preservation.

Environment

Mystical Eagle Returns

A harpy eagle—Latin America's largest bird of prey and one of the most powerful eagles in the world—has been sighted in the rainforests of southern Mexico, where it was long believed to be extinct. Named after the mythical crone-bird hybrid, the harpy eagle is an imposing presence: females can weigh up to 40 kilograms (88 lbs) and span more than six feet from wingtip to wingtip. While tens of thousands still reside in South America, the species has nearly vanished from Central America and was presumed gone from Mexico entirely.

That changed with a 2011 photograph taken by a guide from Siyaj Chan, an Indigenous group near the Chiapas-Guatemala border, which reignited hopes among conservationists. The recent sighting occurred in the Lacandon Jungle, a vast 1.9 million-hectare rainforest that stretches from southeastern Chiapas into northern Guatemala and the southern Yucatán Peninsula. It is the only habitat in the region where harpy eagles can survive. “For many years, the scientific community considered it an extinct species in Mexico,” said Alan Monroy-Ojeda, a conservationist with a PhD in tropical ecology. “Now, we can announce to the world that harpy eagles still exist here.”

Despite the hopeful rediscovery, the eagle’s numbers in Mexico are believed to be extremely limited. Though not especially elusive, harpy eagles reproduce slowly—females lay just one egg every two to three years. Monroy-Ojeda, who leads an organization focused on preserving Mexico’s biodiversity hotspots, says protecting Lacandon is essential. The jungle is home to 33% of Mexico’s bird species and 25% of its mammals, making it one of the country’s most critical ecological strongholds.

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Mind Stretchers

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Answers to yesterday’s Mind Stretchers:

I’m a three-digit number—cube each of my digits and add them up, and you get me back. I’m the only even one of my kind. — the answer is 370!

• Why? Cube its digits:
  3³ = 27
  7³ = 343
  0³ = 0

• Sum them up:
  27 + 343 + 0 = 370

That self-returning property makes 370 a three-digit “Narcissistic” (or Armstrong) number—and it’s the only one of the four (153, 370, 371, 407) that’s even. Jared Garretson was the only one to get this right! 🌞 

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 [email protected] or reply to the email.

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured