Following on from the first ever life science monthly round up post for October, here is the latest news related to the life science and digital marketing sectors.
Have some news you think I should be sharing, or want to get yourself / your company featured on this list? Send me a message to be considered for future monthly roundups!
Digital Marketing Updates
Google Replaces Title Tags With Site Names For Homepage Results In Mobile Searches
Do you know that Google has changed how the search engine results page (SERP) shows for mobile users? Instead of showing the title tags for your website’s homepage, Google now only shows the generic name of the website. The decision has been made to make it easier for mobile users to identify the website, google claims.
Google has introduced a few other features to understand this generic website name. This includes website structured data, headings, and Open Graph Protocol metadata.
Google Releases Updates For Website Owners
On Thursday, October 13, 2022, Google finally updated and refreshed its 2002 Webmaster guidelines for website owners. The update has introduced the Google Search Essentials focusing on technical SEO requirements, spam policies and critical best practices when creating sites.
Science In The News
Jessica Wade Made More than 1600 Wikipedia bios of Unknown #WomenInScience
Jessica Wade, a 33-year-old London-based physician, was included in the late Queen Elizabeth’s 2019 Birthday Honours list for her remarkable work in science.
As a staunch supporter of the inclusion of more girls in science, Wade has made Wikipedia entries for women performing outstanding science work that have struggled with receiving recognition for the work they have performed.
Since we are solving global challenges, as scientists, we need teams of those who reflect society. Wade also suggests that schools should make it easier for women to apply for admission, grants, promotions and fellowships.
The Lab-Grown Brain Can Now Play Video Games
The latest research performed on stem cells and mouse embryos has led to the formation of the first lab-grown mini-brain capable of playing the 1970s video game – Pong. This mini-brain senses external information and efficiently responds to the environment in real-time.
Researchers are hopeful that mini-brain technology can aid in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Jet Lag and Night Shifts Altering The Sleep & Wake Cycle
Recent research on sleep shows how you can help you manage your wake-sleep cycle more efficiently. The human body has an internal clock working in a rhythm to coordinate the timing of biochemical, physiological and behavioural processes.
Our internal clock takes cues from the environment, such as light and dark, to sync the watch for 24 hours. But, jet lag and night shifts cause mutation of the duper gene, making the body prone to serious side effects, including sleep deprivation.
Scientific Innovations & Awards
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022 Belongs to Click Chemistry and Bioorthogonal Chemistry Developers
Recognising the efforts of Bary Sharpless, Morten Meldal, and Carolyn Bertozzi, the 2022 Chemistry Nobel Prizes was awarded for their work in the field of click chemistry – chemical reactions that are simple and reliable that avoid the formation of by-products.
The trio were awarded for coining the term click chemistry, presenting the crown jewel of click chemistry, and taking click chemistry to the next level. These efficient reactions have revolutionised the foundation of building functional molecules.
Singapore-Born Lab’s Cell-Based Milk Alternative Could Shake Up the US$871 Billion Global Dairy Industry
TurtleTree, a Singapore-based biotech startup, is set to shake up the food industry with its cells-based milk products expected to release in 2023.
Started with the aim to tackle lactose intolerances in the absence of quality animal milk and enough proteins in plant milk, the company is already creating the raw milk in their lab using the mammal’s cells and growing it in large bioreactors in California.
With US$40 million funding in their hat, Lin, CEO of TurtleTree, hopes to make food that thrills, delights and tantalises.
Startups, Financing & Acquisitions
Investors Showing Sustained Interest In Life Sciences Industry in the United States Amidst the Choppy Broader Market
Investors in the United States have started backing emerging medical and health care firms after being hesitant in the first half of the year. After Bloomington-based Vergent Bioscience & Stimdia Medical and Minnetonka-based Monteris Medical closed on $34 million, $165 million, and $35 million respectively, in recent funding rounds, it is safer to consider healthcare recession-resistant.
Policy, Legislation and Regulation
Singapore Needs More Room for Life Sciences Activities
Singapore, one of the four identified life sciences city hotspots in the Asia Pacific region, has a rapidly growing life sciences industry.
Depending on the nature of the research activities, life sciences require huge dry and wet lab facilities with stringent requirements. With significant research and development sectors opening, the demand for space will be ever stronger until 2025.
Lithuania To Become A Life Sciences Leader In Central Eastern Europe
Lithuania’s biotechnology sector is the fastest-growing life sciences growing industry in Europe, experiencing 80% growth during the pandemic, mostly driven by the prominent work of Thermo Fisher Scientific in the last decade.
The sector currently contributes to 2.5% of the country’s GDP. With prioritising solutions over products, the industry seeks to contribute 5% of GDP by 2030.
