SocArxiv announces a partnership with the Center for Open Science to develop a free, open access, open source archive for social science research. The initiative responds to growing recognition of the need for faster, open sharing of research on a truly open access platform for the social sciences
Scorpions to help us fight cancer? It isn’t as crazy as it sounds. Scientists are at work on a “tumor paint” known as BLZ-100, derived from scorpion venom. The paint, which started its Phase I clinical trial for children’s brain tumors last year, is based on a toxin that causes rapid paralysis in insects, the scorpion’s usual prey. But in mammals, the toxin binds to chloride channels found in tumor cells. By linking the toxin to a fluorescent dye, doctors can see and remove an entire cancerous mass, reducing the likelihood of relapse.
The Healing Power of Venom WSJ