This image provided by Novo Nordisk shows packaging for the company’s Wegovy drug. Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early…
This image provided by Novo Nordisk shows packaging for the company’s Wegovy drug. Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13 who qualify, according to new guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December 2022, found that Wegovy helped teens reduce their body mass index by about 16% on average, better than the results in adults. (Novo Nordisk via AP)
New guidance: Use drugs, surgery early for obesity in kids
by: JONEL ALECCIA, Associated Press
Children struggling with obesity should be evaluated and treated early and aggressively, including with medications for kids as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13, according to new guidelines released Monday.
The longstanding practice of “watchful waiting,” or delaying treatment to see whether children and teens outgrow or overcome obesity on their own only worsens the problem that affects more than 14.4 million young people in the U.S. Left untreated, obesity can lead to lifelong health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes and depression.
“Waiting doesn’t work,” said Dr. Ihuoma Eneli, co-author of the first guidance on childhood obesity in 15 years from the American Academy of Pediatrics. “What we see is a continuation of weight gain and the likelihood that they’ll have (obesity) in adulthood.”
For the first time, the group’s guidance sets ages at which kids and teens should be offered medical treatments such as drugs and surgery — in addition to intensive diet, exercise and other behavior and lifestyle interventions, said Eneli, director of the Center for Healthy Weight and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
In general, doctors should offer adolescents 12 and older who have obesity access to appropriate drugs and teens 13 and older with severe obesity referrals for weight-loss surgery, though situations may vary.
The guidelines aim to reset the inaccurate view of obesity as “a personal problem, maybe a failure of the person’s diligence,” said Dr. Sandra Hassink, medical director for the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood Weight, and a co-author of the guidelines.
“This is not different than you have asthma and now we have an inhaler for you,” Hassink said.
Young people who have a body mass index that meets or exceeds the 95th percentile for kids of the same age and gender are considered obese. Kids who reach or exceed that level by 120% are considered to have severe obesity. BMI is a measure of body size based on a calculation of height and weight.
Obesity affects nearly 20% of kids and teens in the U.S. and about 42% of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The group’s guidance takes into consideration that obesity is a biological problem and that the condition is a complex, chronic disease, said Aaron Kelly, co-director of the Center for Pediatric Obesity Medicine at the University of Minnesota.
“Obesity is not a lifestyle problem. It is not a lifestyle disease,” he said. “It predominately emerges from biological factors.”
The guidelines come as new drug treatments for obesity in kids have emerged, including approval late last month of Wegovy, a weekly injection, for use in children ages 12 and older. Different doses of the drug, called semaglutide, are also used under different names to treat diabetes. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk, helped teens reduce their BMI by about 16% on average, better than the results in adults.
Within days of the Dec. 23 authorization, pediatrician Dr. Claudia Fox had prescribed the drug for one of her patients, a 12-year-old girl.
“What it offers patients is the possibility of even having an almost normal body mass index,” said Fox, also a weight management specialist at the University of Minnesota. “It’s like a whole different level of improvement.”
The drug affects how the pathways between the brain and the gut regulate energy, said Dr. Justin Ryder, an obesity researcher at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
“It works on how your brain and stomach communicate with one another and helps you feel more full than you would be,” he said.
Still, specific doses of semaglutide and other anti-obesity drugs have been hard to get because of recent shortages caused by manufacturing problems and high demand, spurred in part by celebrities on TikTok and other social media platforms boasting about enhanced weight loss.
In addition, many insurers won’t pay for the medication, which costs about $1,300 a month. “I sent the prescription yesterday,” Fox said. “I’m not holding my breath that insurance will cover it.”
One expert in pediatric obesity cautioned that while kids with obesity must be treated early and intensively, he worries that some doctors may turn too quickly to drugs or surgery.
“It’s not that I’m against the medications,” said Dr. Robert Lustig, a longtime specialist in pediatric endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco. “I’m against the willy-nilly use of those medications without addressing the cause of the problem.”
Lustig said children must be evaluated individually to understand all of the factors that contribute to obesity. He has long blamed too much sugar for the rise in obesity. He urges a sharp focus on diet, particularly ultraprocessed foods that are high in sugar and low in fiber.
Dr. Stephanie Byrne, a pediatrician at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said she’d like more research about the drug’s efficacy in a more diverse group of children and about potential long-term effects before she begins prescribing it regularly.
“I would want to see it be used on a little more consistent basis,” she said. “And I would have to have that patient come in pretty frequently to be monitored.”
At the same time, she welcomed the group’s new emphasis on prompt, intensive treatment for obesity in kids.
“I definitely think this is a realization that diet and exercise is not going to do it for a number of teens who are struggling with this – maybe the majority,” she said.
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Biden-Harris Administration Announces $160 Million Available for Smart Transportation Technology – LATF USA
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it is accepting applications for two programs that will make approximately $160 million available annually for the next five years for projects that use technology to improve our transportation infrastructure and make communities safer.
The first program is the new Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The SMART Grants Program is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The program will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years and will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today.
“As we undertake the most ambitious infrastructure investment in generations, thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can and must plan for the transportation needs of the future,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From connected vehicles that make driving safer, to smart traffic signals that reduce congestion, to sensors to detect the quality of pavement to help prioritize repair, our SMART grants will fund technology that makes people’s lives better in communities across America.”
The SMART program will fund purpose-driven innovation and focus on building data and technology capacity and expertise. The Program seeks proposals from public sector entities that will carry out demonstration projects in the following domains to address key transportation priorities:
“Achieving our transportation priorities related to safety, economic strength, equity, and climate requires bold investment in new technologies and approaches,” said Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer at US DOT. “SMART supports a broad portfolio of projects across the country that will serve as beacons as we move toward a transportation system that is data-driven, values-based, and technology-enabled.
The second is the Federal Highway Administration’s $60 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program to promote advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders and that can serve as national examples. As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ATTAIN-eligible projects will be evaluated on how they consider climate change and environmental justice impacts – including how they reduce transportation-related air pollution and address the disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities. In addition, projects are evaluated on their economic impact and potential to create jobs.
The SMART Notice of Funding (NOFO) is open now and can be found at www.grants.gov Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, November 18, 2022. Eligible entities are state, local, and tribal governments and agencies. For more information visit https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SMART.
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Oct 14-15, 2019 Rome, Italy
Global Meet on Stem Cell Research and Molecular Biology
“New Trends and Technologies in Stem Cell Research and Molecular Biology ”
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LONGDOM proffers our immense pleasure and honour in extending you a warm invitation to attend Euro Stem Cells 2019 It is focusing on Theme to "New Trends and Technologies in Stem Cell Research & Molecular Biology" Providing the right stage to present stimulating Keynote talks, Plenary sessions, Discussion Panels, B2B Meetings, Poster symposia, Video Presentations and Workshops.
Euro Stem Cells 2019 is a platform to accomplish the prevailing gaps in the renovation of this multidisciplinary science of hope, to serve quickly with solutions to all in the need. Stem Cell Research will have an anticipated participation of 120+ delegates across the world to discuss the tenacity of the conference.
Dates: Oct 14-15, 2019
Venue: Rome, Italy
Importance & Scope:
Stem Cell Research determination involve modern researches and findings in Stem Cell Therapies and Research,Tissue Engineering and relocation, scope of regenerative medicine, modern understanding of nanotechnology in regenerative medicine of stem cells, and advancements in Tumour stem cells research, Tissue Engineering of Genome Impact in stem cell research.
Stem cells and Molecular Biology has developed as a new and most innovative field of life science in view of its potential clinical applications. Stem cell research plays an advanced role in regenerative medicine, which also extents the disciplines of tissue engineering, developmental cell biology, cellular therapeutics,Gene Therapy, Biomaterials (scaffolds and matrices), chemical biology and nanotechnology. Promoting stem cell research, regenerative medicine and advanced therapeutics more broadly is a priority for researchers.
We’re International event organizer and professionals and we love to connect with people and guide our every client across the globe. This will be a splendid feasibility for the researchers, delegates and the students from Universities and Institutes to interact with the world class Scientists, speakers, surgeons, Medical Practitioners and Industry Professionals.
I am confident that myself as all attendees, will find it to be a perfect opportunity to enhance professional and scientific networking. We are experts in event management and Passionate Professionals for working in different sectors to interact and collaborate with CEO’s with a community of support, allow them to explore the latest strategies in their respective fields and also providing them with a platform. With my best wishes for a significant and successful conference.
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Welcome Note
Scientific Tracks
Genetics and stem cell biology
Cancer stem cells
Stem cell transplantation
Stem cell niche
Adult stem cells
Embryonic stem cells
Our Brilliant Speakers
LONGDOM conferences speaker bureau map future challenges through ideation sessions by designing and validating new ideas with end users by placing right speakers in front of right audience at the right time.
Rosangela Alquieri Fedato Develis
Dr. Rosangela Alquieri Fedato Develis was born in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil and is a graduate of Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná. Her residency was at Hospital de Clínicas, in the area of Orthopaedic Surgery, and she completed her training with fellowship in the same Hospital in Foot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. Fedato followed her academical life with his Master of Sciences in Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, in the area of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, wich lead to the publication of the paper “Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma Enhance the Healing Process of Tendinitis in Mice”, published in Stem Cells International in June, 2019 (Article ID 1497898).
Clive Reginald Hayler
Clive Hayler has over 30 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical and life science industry. A first-class hons graduate in microbiology with postgraduate experience in the USA & Europe with BP Biotechnology, Filtration companies and SmithKline Beecham. He has won awards for Technical Innovation in the Cleanroom Industry. He has been the owner of 3 successful start-up pharma/ life sciences supply and advisory companies. Currently he works as a senior consultant to the pharmaceutical industry, UK National Health Service and NHSBT in ATMP strategy, design, operation and GMP compliance for stem cell therapy, regenerative medicine, tissue culture and bioprocessing. He is a qualified HACCP practitioner, (certified by the Royal Institute of Public Health), specialist in environmental monitoring and sterile product operations he is a Fellow of the Society of Environmental Engineers and FIOD.
Keiichi Fukuda
Keiichi Fukuda, Professor of the Department of Cardiology, Keio University, is pioneer of the cardiac regeneration field and has been at its cutting edge for the past 20 years. He has made several contributions to both the fundamental biology of the stem cells and how to regenerate cardiomyocytes and to transplant them into the in vivo heart. He first reported that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can be induced to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro. He first developed a method to generate iPS cells from peripheral circulating T lymphocytes using Sendai virus containing Yamanaka factors. He found several factors such as noggin, Wnt and G-CSF, and applied them to induce cardiomyocytes. He also developed novel method to purify the cardiomyocytes by the difference of metabolic energy pathway. He is planning to examine the transplantation of iPS-derived regenerated cardiomyocytes to the patients with congestive heart failure. He published more than 300 top-ranked papers including Nature- and Cell-sister journals. He served as an associate editor of JMCC and JCF, and a consulting editor of Circulation Research. He also worked as editorial board members for more than 10 international journals.
Soukaina El Massoudi
Soukaina El Massoudi is a PhD student in the 3rd year under the theme "Henna enhancement for cosmetic use" at the Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment Faculty of Science and Technology Fez-Morocco, Holder of a Master's degree in Biodiversity Management and Conservation, Soukaina grew up in Fez the oldest Moroccan city, passionate about the environment and the preservation of natural resources.
Hye-Jeong Cho1
Longdom
Gachon University Gil Medical Center, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Republic of Korea
Srimanta Misra
Consultant haematologist Hopital Saint Antoine Paris Formerly Consultant Haemaatologist Unid hospital of North Staffordshire Stoke on Trent UK Graduate in Pure Mathematics Special interest in hematology Autoimmunity
Cristina Mimma Ruggiero
Cristina Mimma Ruggiero holds a 1st-level degree in Biological Sciences at Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) and a 2nd-level degree Master’s Degree programme in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Sciences at Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). She currently is a PhD student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). Her predoc and ongoing PhD research in Gambacurta’s group is focused on epigenetic modifications during cancer cell differentiation. In the same time she has worked on Blood Derived Stem Cells (BDSCs) to treat different un-induced pathologies in horses, dogs and cats. She also has worked on the “Mission VITA” project and she believes that the results of this research will probably be very relevant for human health. In these two years spent in Gambacurta’s group she published two papers and she hope to submit the third paper in the next few months as a first author.
Giulia Merlini
Giulia Merlini holds 1st-level degree in Biomedical Laboratory Technician al Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). She currently is a student in 2nd-level degree Master’s Degree programme in Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Sciences student at Tor Vergata University of Rome (Italy). She tooks part in the project in the laboratory of Dr. Gambacurta to study the epigenetic and molecular mechanisms involved in human and animal stem cell differentiation. During her time in this laboratory, she works at how Blood Derived Stem Cells (BDSCs) are able to differentiate in bone. This work allowed her to participate in the "Mission VITA" project coordinated by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in collaboration with NASA. In the frame of Mission VITA she studied the Space Osteoporosis, using BDSCs as osteogenic model. During this time spent in Dr. Gambacurta’s laboratory she published two papers.
Jun Xu
Jun Xu is a M.D. Ph.D. student in Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College. She holds a Bachelor of Medicine degree from Wuhan University, China. As a student and doctor, Jun holds great passion in developing novel therapy for cardiovascular disease. Her recent works on the optimal strategy of MSC therapy in acute myocardial infarction has published on Stem Cells Translational Medicine. Currently, Jun has joined Dr.Li Qian’s lab in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a joint Ph.D student and worked on the development of novel cardiac reprogramming method with CRISPR activation platform.
Ahmed Nour Eldine Abdallah
Ahmed is a veterinarian, researcher and stem cell biologist interested in stem cell biology fields, regenerative medicine applications, associated biotechnology, clinical and experimental tissue engineering, Regenerative neurology and neurosurgery (PhD), Regenerative orthopedics (MVSc) and general surgery practitioner with +8 years of experience in this field. He holds many international publications and won many local prizes and now he is the executive manager of the stem cell research lab at Animal Health Research Institute in Egypt. And his passion is decreasing the gap between basic research and clinical applications.
Jaroslav Michalek
Jaroslav Michalek, MD PhD, obtained his MD and PhD at the Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. He is trained and board-certified in Clinical Oncology, Immunology, and Pediatrics with main research and clinical interest during last 20 years in stem cell therapies, regenerative medicine, anti-aging and cancer immunotherapy using minimally invasive, safe and effective treatment approaches. He holds a patent for isolation of stem cells from the adipose tissue and he is also an inventor of several new medical technologies related to cell therapies. Since 2011 he has served as the president of International Consortium for Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy (www.iccti.eu). He holds authorship of more than 150 scientific publications in reputed journals and books.
Farid Menaa
Dr. Farid Menaa is an inter- and multi-disciplinary professional with worldwide reputation. He has three international post-doctoral terms in Oncology, Dermatology, and Hematology; MBA Entrepreneurship and MD candidate. During his ongoing career, he has mainly contributed to the identification and functions of new human disease-causing genes and variants, formulated natural products for anti-aging and developed innovative theranostic strategies against cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity and infectious diseases. He has more than 10 years’ experiences either in the academic, hospitals or industrial sectors. As Chief Scientific Officer and Vice-President R&D at Fluorotronics, Inc. he actively participated in the development of the disruptive “Carbon-Fluorine Spectroscopy”. Dr. Menaa collaborates with various organizations worldwide. He is a member of several prestigious medical and scientific organizations and editorial boards in the field of medicine, science, technology and business, including in the nano-segment. He has authored more than 100 articles including research and review articles, books, book chapters, textbooks, proceedings, and has participated to over 200 scientific international events including as co-organizer, keynote speaker, chairman. Dr. Menaa’s worldwide collaborations, holistic point of view and strong expertise in various fields led him to prevent, implement early diagnosis, and develop efficient and safer therapy.
Mohammed Adil S
Mohammed Adil is a post graduate in Drug Design and Biomedical Science. One of the RA/QA specialists in India who is instrumental in implementing regulatory and quality compliance process for a cord blood bank to secure the first public cord blood banking license. He has developed regulatory compliance strategies for implementing medical device and in-vitro diagnostic regulation and currently works as consultant for medical device manufacturers. Consulting in regulatory / quality Compliance for stem cell banking and medical devices for 10+ years, Adil has worked with number one cord blood bank in India and top 10 medical device manufacturers in the world assuming responsibilities as a quality / regulatory engineer, SME for DHF/TechFile remediation, technical lead for system verification and validation and computer system owner.
Giovanni Camussi
Giovanni Camussi MD, is Professor Emeritus, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Italy. He has been Research Associate Professor in Microbiology and Pathology at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA, and subsequently Full Professor of Nephrology at the University of Naples, at the University of Pavia and finally at University of Torino. He has been President of Medical Biotechnology, Director PhD program in Medical Pathophysiology, Director of the Laboratory of Renal and Vascular Pathophysiology Research Center for Experimental Medicine and of the Renal Pathology Laboratory of the Department of Medical Sciences. He has been also Director of the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Torino and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the Department of Medicine, Brown University, RI, USA. He is currently Scientific Coordinator of research projects of the Renal/Liver Stem Cell Laboratory at the Molecular Biotechnology Center/ 2i3T Scarl, University of Torino. He has over 530 publications in PubMed-indexed journals (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=camussi+g), dealing with inflammatory mediators, renal immunopathology, neo-angiogenesis, transplantation, stem cell biology and extracellular vesicles.WEB of Sciences All Databases h-index:81.
Xiang Ma
Mr. Ma is a first-year anesthesiology doctoral student at the Shanxi Medical University. He received a bachelor’s degree in anesthesiology from Shanxi Medical University and a master’s degree in anesthesiology from Shanxi Medical University, China. During school years, He spent most of his time to do scientific research about the effect of Oligodendrocytes in spinal cord injury. In this study, he found APC-Cdh1 played an important role in the proliferation and activation of Oligodendrocytes following spinal cord injury, which may be valuable for the targeted therapy of spinal cord injury to some extent.
Abdelmonem Awad Mustafa Hegazy
Dr. Abdelmonem A. Hegazy is currently working as Professor of Human Anatomy and Embryology Department in Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University (Egypt); as well as he is a Consultant of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Infertility. He is the former chairman of the Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University (Egypt); and Professor in King Saud and Majmaah Universities (KSA) 2009-2013 and Misurata, Faculty of Medicine (Libya) 2000. He is the Editor-in-Chief of National and International Journals including Journal of Human Anatomy (USA); Zagazig University Medical Journal (ARE) & Women Health and Complications (UK). Dr. Hegazy is also a referee member of scientific research submitted for promotion of professors in Egyptian Universities. Dr. Hegazy participates in a Zagazig University academic, scientific, educational and professional development activities in the fields of medical sciences development, including basic and clinical research, policy implementation, design programs, set coursework plans, curricula, syllabi, scientific conference paneling, as well as designing and delivering a wide scope of continuous professional development programs, including training, strategic planning, research methodology, scientific thesis and dissertation writing; research proposal, medical ethics, organizationâ€™s behavior issues, all with emphasis on system and staff development. Dr. Hegazy is a member of Institutional Research Board (IRB) unit, Egyptian Medical Syndicate, Egyptian Society of Anatomy, and Postgraduate and Scientific Research Affairs Committee, Faculty of Medicine. His pool of academics consists of original research articles/books/book chapters in various national and international accredited publishing houses. Dr. Hegazy has plenty of scientific publications and projects with many citations. He has got many national and international honors and awards. Dr. Hegazy has been supervising post graduate students in their thesis works. Dr. Hegazy is the Executive Editor of the Zagazig University Medical Journal. He is also a well-known reviewer/referee/editorial board member in many national/international indexed journals.
Pravin D Potdar
Dr. Pravin D Potdar has completed his PhD from Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai in 1991. Last 30 years, he has been working in the field of Cellular & Molecular Biology of Cancer. His present interest is in molecular profiling of cancer, cancer stem cells, understanding the mechanism of metastatic cancer, Circulating Tumor cells, personalized medicine immunotherapy of cancer and early biomarkers of cancer. Dr. Potdar is a recipient of National Cancer Institute, USA award and also holds Faculty position at M D Anderson Cancer Centre; Houston TX, USA. Dr. Potdar retired from Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai as a Head, Department of Molecular Medicine & Biology, after servicing there for 12years. Dr. Potdar had established Molecular Diagnostics & Stem cell Research Laboratory at Jaslok and carried out various research Programs in the field of Cancer Genetics & stem Cell Research. He has developed several innovated technologies which can help to diagnose and treat various cancers. Dr. Potdar also carried out extensive research in the field of stem cell research and developed several mesenchymal and hematopoietic cell lines from various normal and tumor tissues, adipose tissue, dental pulp cells, blood cells etc. So far, Dr. Potdar has published 81 papers in national & international journals. He holds position on Editorial Board of various international journals. Dr. Potdar was a Guest Editor for special issue on â€œ Circulating Tumor Cellsâ€ published by Journal of Cancer Metastasis & Treatment (JCMT), USA. Dr. Potdarâ€™s name is included in Marquis â€œWhoâ€™s Who in Worldâ€ Book 2012. Presently Dr. Potdar is a Faculty & Professor of Genetics and Stem Cell Biology at Dr. A.P J. Abdul Kalam Education & Research Centre, Mumbai. India as well as he holds the position of â€œChairmanâ€ of their Ethics Committee of this Centre.
Jonathan Schwartz
Jonathan Schwartz has over 30 years doing international business consulting for emerging medical technologies and has been focused on stem cell technologies and regenerative medicine for the past six years. He currently is the Managing Director of the Regenerative Cellular Institute in the United States and does business consulting for several companies globally, including, Mystem, Bioquark, WinCell, StemCells21, IntellihealthPlus, Al Mediq, Glo PRP, WeHealPlus, and Arpwave. He has previously worked in many capacities with Spacelabs Medical, GE Healthcare, Intellicell Biosciences, Coloplast, and Smith and Nephew. He has degrees from Queens College, Almeda University and NYU Medical School.
Zodwa Dlamini
Professor Zodwa Dlamini is the Deputy Vice Chancellor; Research, Innovation & Engagements at Mangosuthu University of Technology and a Professor of Molecular and Functional Genomics. She was previously the Deputy Executive Dean at UNISA. She is also the current Vice-Chairperson of the South African Medical Research Council Board. She obtained her BSc and BSc.Hons. in Biochemistry from the University of the Western Cape, MSc from the University of Natal and PhD from the University of Natal. Her research interests include the “omics” technologies including the use of bioinformatics to provide unprecedented possibilities to identify the underlying molecular basis of cancer.
Tafesa Hailu
Dr. Tafesa Hailu is a veterinarian by profession and works with one of the government organisation in Ethiopia. He holds a BSc in veterinary medicine at Haramaya University. Tafesa has 3 years of drug quality and efficacy analysis. He has also been involved in fungal zoonotic Disease investigation in Ethiopia. Daniel grew up in one of the remote villages of Ethiopia and is passionate about controlling infectious diseases.
Girmaye Kenasa
Girmaye Kenasa Rundasa (PhD) is a Lecture and Director for Energy and Environment Research Center in Wollega University, Ethiopia. I hold BSc degree in Biology, MSc and PhD degree in Applied Microbiology. During my PhD study I used to do molecular experiments such as sequencing of Prokaryotic organisms in University of Georgia, USA. My PhD research dissertation was rated as “Excellent/A+”. I have been teaching High school Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Biology courses of BSc and MSc students for 17 years in home university and other Ethiopian Universities. I have been advising 13 MSc students from Microbial biotechnology, Food biotechnology and Agricultural microbiology, and Environmental Microbiology specializations.
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Genetically encoded sensor isolates hidden leukemic stem cells
Researchers have devised a novel biosensor that can isolate and target leukemic stem cells. It can provide a prototype for precision oncology efforts to target patient-specific cells to fight the deadly disease.
Squishing blood stem cells could facilitate harvest for transplants
How deformable cells are, and thus how stiff or squishy they are, plays an important role in retaining blood-forming stem cells in their marrow niches and thus preserving their long-term repopulation capabilities.
Tissue engineering: Hydrogel for enhanced cell encapsulation and delivery
Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) hydrogel has great potential as a cell-encapsulation delivery carrier for sustained release of paracrine factors and for tissue regeneration, with unique versatility for injection, scaffolding, and 3D bioprinting.
Biologists find a way to boost intestinal stem cell populations
Biologists have found that aging takes a toll on intestinal stem cells and may contribute to increased susceptibility to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The researchers could also reverse this effect in aged mice by treating them with an NAD prec
New gene essential for making ears of corn
New research extends the growing biological understanding of how different parts of corn plants develop, which is important information for a crop that is a mainstay of the global food supply.
A step toward recovering reproduction in girls who survive childhood cancer
Leukemia treatments often leave girls infertile, but a procedure developed by researchers working with mice is a step toward restoring their ability to be biological mothers.
Mutation stands in the way of healthy blood cell maturation
In a new study, researchers have learned how a specific genetic mutation affects the maturation of blood cells in mouse models. Leukemia patients often have a mutation in this gene, often seen before the disease sets in. The researchers are working on a s
Discovery of 'kingpin' stem cell may help in the understanding of cancerous tumors
Bhatia's team spent more than six years delving down to the cellular level to examine what they say are previously overlooked cells that form on the edges of pluripotent stem cell colonies. Having characterized these cells, the team also observed them for
Scientists 'reverse engineer' brain cancer cells to find new targets for treatment
lioblastoma is one of the most devastating forms of cancer, with few existing treatment options. It is also a leading cause of cancer-related death in children and young adults. Scientists have 'reverse engineered' brain cancer stem cells gene by gene, un
Factors behind embryonic stem cell state
An international collaboration has found for the first time that two new epigenetic regulators, TAF5L and TAF6L, maintain self-renewal of embryonic stem cells. The scientists also found that these proteins activate c-Myc (a well-known cancer gene), and it
A light-activated remote control for cells
What if doctors had a remote control that they could use to steer a patient's own cells to a wound to speed up the healing process? Although such a device is still far from reality, researchers have taken an important first step: They used near-infrared l
Welding with stem cells for next-generation surgical glues
Scientists have invented a new technology that could lead to the development of a new generation of smart surgical glues and dressings for chronic wounds. The new method involves re-engineering the membranes of stem cells to effectively 'weld' the cells t
Stem cells from hair follicles have potential to repair damaged neurons in mice
A subset of the stem cells in hair follicles have the potential to regenerate the coating that insulates neurons in mice, report scientists.
Blood cancer's Achilles' heel opens door for new treatments
New findings about an aggressive form of leukemia could aid the development of novel drugs to treat the condition.
Pluripotency or differentiation? That is the question
Induced pluripotent stem cells can turn into any type of cell in the body or remain in their original form. In a new study, scientists describe how cells 'decide' which of these two directions to take
Pigment-producing stem cells can regenerate vital part of nervous system
Neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS) affect millions of people worldwide and occur when parts of the nervous system lose function over time. Researchers have discovered that a type of skin-related stem cell could be used to help regener
Stem cells provide information about neuron resilience in ALS
Researchers have developed a stem cell based model in order to study the resilience and vulnerability of neurons in the neurodegenerative disease ALS. The results can aid in the identification of new genetic targets for treatments protecting sensitive neu
Stem cells make more 'cargo' packets to carry cellular aging therapies
Scientists report that adult cells reprogrammed to become primitive stem cells, called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), make tiny 'cargo packets' able to deliver potentially restorative or repairing proteins, antibodies or other therapies to aged c
Prince Charming's kiss unlocking brain's regenerative potential?
Researchers find that 'waves' of Hes1 and Ascl1 gene expression control the quiescent and active state of adult neural stem cells. Hes1 expression promotes quiescence and suppresses Ascl1, and knocking out Hes1 increases Ascl1 expression and subsequent ad
Early in vitro testing for adverse effects on embryos
Researchers have combined embryonic cells and liver cells in a new cell culture test. This combination lets them detect adverse effects that new medications may have on embryos early on in the drug development process.
A new way to wind the development clock of cardiac muscle cells
A study published in the journal Stem Cells describes a new and unexpected way to accelerate the maturation of induced pluripotent stem cells into cardiac muscle cells.
Cancer drugs promote stem cell properties of colorectal cancer
Scientists have now discovered that a certain group of cancer drugs (MEK Inhibitors) activates the cancer-promoting Wnt signalling pathway in colorectal cancer cells. This can lead to the accumulation of tumor cells with stem cell characteristics that are
Cancer cells are quick-change artists adapting to their environment
New research shows that cancer cells of glioblastomas -- conspicuously aggressive solid brain tumors -- manifest developmental plasticity and their phenotypic characteristics are less constrained than believed.
Stem cell study determines most harmful vape liquids
A novel approach reveals vaping's effect on endothelial cells and the most harmful flavors.
Intranasal stem cell therapy restores smell in mice
A stem cell therapy delivered into the nose can restore the sense of smell in a mouse model of olfactory loss. The findings provide proof of principle for an approach that has the potential to be of broad utility for a range of clinical conditions causing
New genetic weapons challenge sickle cell disease
Researchers advancing gene-editing techniques to help patients with sickle cell disease discover an unexpected boost in fetal hemoglobin production, which mutes the effect of the disease.
Improved human brain organoids to boost neurological disease research
Research has optimized the process of making human brain 'organoids' -- miniature 3D organ models -- so they consistently follow growth patterns observed in the developing human brain. Researchers can use this reproducible experimental system to test drug
Research sheds new light on how brain stem cells are activated
Scientists have found that neural stem cells use molecules that form a complex called STRIPAK to 'wake up' and produce new neurons (nerve cells) and surrounding glial cells in the brain.
Introduced a new paradigm of cell transplantation with scaffold microrobots
Scientists developed a microrobot that can precisely transplant stem cells in various in vivo and vitro environments. Expects to improve the efficiency of treating degenerative neural disorders such as Alzheimer by accurately and safely delivering to a desired location.
Tapping into the way cells communicate
For the first time, scientists can record cells communicating in real time, opening the floodgates for new developments in cell therapy and other areas within cell biology.
Scientists developing way to help premature babies breathe easier
Researchers suggest a possible cell-based therapy to stimulate lung development in fragile premature infants who suffer from a rare condition called Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), which in the most severe cases can lead to lifelong breathing problems and even death. Scientists studied genetic signatures in donated human neonatal lungs by using single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and mouse models of BPD.
Functional hair follicles grown from stem cells
Scientists have created natural-looking hair that grows through the skin using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a major scientific achievement that could revolutionize the hair growth industry.
Growing embryonic tissues on a chip
Researchers have developed a method to stimulate human stem cells to organize themselves into ordered layers of different cell types. The method is based on microfluidics and can help better understand how tissues are formed in the embryo, setting the stage for fabricating functional tissues and organs for drug testing and transplantation.
World first: Homing instinct applied to stem cells show cells 'home' to cardiac tissue
In a world first, scientists have found a new way to direct stem cells to heart tissue. The findings could radically improve the treatment for cardiovascular disease, which causes more than a quarter of all deaths in the UK (1).
Repair of aged tissue can be enhanced by inhibiting signals from neighboring cells
Researchers have discovered how regenerative capacity of intestinal epithelium declines when we age. Targeting of an enzyme that inhibits stem cell maintaining signaling rejuvenates the regenerative potential of an aged intestine. This finding may open ways to alleviate age-related gastrointestinal problems, reduce side-effects of cancer treatments, and reduce healthcare costs in the ageing society by promoting recovery.
Making cancer stem cells visible to the immune system
Leukemia stem cells protect themselves against the immune defense by suppressing a target molecule for killer cells. This protective mechanism can be tricked with drugs. Scientists now describe a new therapeutic approaches that can possibly be derived from these results.
Researchers explain muscle loss with menopause
New research has shown that estrogen is essential to maintaining muscle stem cell health.
Liver transplants could be redundant with discovery of new liver cell
Researchers have used single cell RNA sequencing to identify a type of cell that may be able to regenerate liver tissue, treating liver failure without the need for transplants.
Uncovering secrets of bone marrow cells and how they differentiate
Researchers mapped distinct bone marrow niche populations and their differentiation paths for the bone marrow factory that starts from mesenchymal stromal cells and ends with three types of cells -- fat cells, bone-making cells and cartilage-making cells. Respectively, those cells are called adipocytes, osteoblasts and chondrocytes. This non-hematopoietic cell system is distinct from another production line in the bone marrow -- the hematopoietic system -- that makes red blood cells, blood-clotting cells and cells of the immune system.
Researchers make immunotherapy work for treatment-resistant lymphoma
Researchers have developed a way to use immunotherapy drugs against treatment-resistant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas for the first time by combining them with stem cell transplantation, an approach that also dramatically increased the success of the drugs in melanoma and lung cancer.
A new method of tooth repair? Scientists uncover mechanisms to inform future treatment
Stem cells hold the key to wound healing, as they develop into specialized cell types throughout the body -- including in teeth. Now an international team of researchers has found a mechanism that could offer a potential novel solution to tooth repair.
Mini kidneys grown from stem cells give new insights into kidney disease and therapies
Medical researchers have grown 'miniature kidneys' in the laboratory that could be used to better understand how kidney diseases develop in individual patients. These kidney organoids were grown outside the body from skin cells derived from a single patient who has polycystic kidney disease. This method has paved the way for tailoring treatment plans specific to each patient, which could be extended to a range of kidney diseases.
Certain metabolites linked to stem cell function in the intestine
Researchers have found that high levels of ketone bodies, molecules produced by the breakdown of fat, help the intestine to maintain a functional stem cell pool, which are crucial for intestinal regeneration.
Researchers engineer antibodies that unlock body's regenerative potential
Our body makes antibodies to fight infections. But the synthetic versions of these molecules could hold the key to stimulating the body's ability to regenerate.
Addition of growth factors to unique system helps new bone formation
The development of new bone can be a multistep process: first, stem cells differentiate into cartilage cells. Next, the cartilage cells become bone cells. But that's not all: the cells must experience some mechanical stresses during the transformation in order to transform efficiently from stem cells to bone cells.
Abnormal expression of genes in psychopathy
The expression of many genes that have previously been associated with autism is abnormal also in violent psychopathy, a new study shows. The researchers used stem cell technology to analyse the expression of genes and proteins in the brain cells of psychopathic violent offenders.
Infant with deadly leukemia saved by drug for adult liver cancer
Doctors have successfully treated an infant with a rare childhood leukemia using a targeted therapy approved for adults with inoperable liver cancer and advanced kidney cancer. The decision to use the drug, sorafenib, was made after pathologists identified a unique mutation of two genes being fused together instead of on separate chromosomes.
Stem cell researchers reactivate 'back-up genes' in the lab
Scientists have unraveled parts of a mechanism that may one day help to treat Rett syndrome and other genetic disorders linked to the X chromosome.
Alzheimer's disease risk gene APOE4 impairs function of brain immune cells
A study carried out with a new human stem cell-derived model reveals that the most prevalent genetic risk factor of Alzheimer's disease (AD), apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), impairs the function of human brain immune cells, microglia. These findings pave the way for new, effective treatment approaches for AD.
Gene editing enables researchers to correct mutation in muscle stem cells in DMD model
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare but devastating genetic disorder that causes muscle loss and physical impairments. Researchers have shown in a mouse study that the powerful gene editing technique known as CRISPR may provide the means for lifelong correction of the genetic mutation responsible for the disorder.
Suntanner, heal thyself: Exosome therapy may enable better repair of sun, age-damaged skin
In a proof-of-concept study, researchers have shown that exosomes harvested from human skin cells are more effective at repairing sun-damaged skin cells in mice than popular retinol or stem cell-based treatments currently in use. Additionally, the nanometer-sized exosomes can be delivered to the target cells via needle-free injections.
Engineered killer T cells could provide long-lasting immunity against cancer
In experiments with mice, researchers have shown they can harness the power of iNKT cells to attack tumor cells and treat cancer. The new method suppressed the growth of multiple types of human tumors that had been transplanted into the animals.


Mukhtaṣar Kitāb al-Buldān by Ibn al-Faqīh al-Hamadhānī
Muktasar kitab al-buldan / talif Abi Bakr Ahmad Ibn Muhammad al-Hamadani al-maruf bi-Ibn al-Faqih. M.J. de Goeje’s Classic Edition (1885) with Index and Glossary
Bibliotheca Geographorum Arabicorum, Volume: 1-5
M.J. de Goeje
Ibn al-Faqīh was the Iranian author of a Geography in Arabic entitled Kitāb al-buldan written around the year 903. The original work is lost, but the abridged version, possibly composed around 1022, has survived in a handful of manuscripts. Only three manuscripts were known during De Goeje’s life and he used them all for his edition, which was originally published in 1885. Its introduction includes a summary of Ibn Faqīh’s life on the basis of the classical sources by De Goeje. Ibn al-Faqīh’s Kitāb al-buldan offers geographical and historical details not found in other sources, and it was in itself an important source for later works, for example by Muqaddasī and Yāqūt.
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Middle East and Islamic Studies
Aḥsan al-taqāsīm fī maʿrifat al-aqālīm by al-Muqaddasī
Kitāb Ṣūrat al-arḍ by Abū l-Qāsim Ibn Ḥawqal
Kitāb al-Masālik wa l-mamālik by Abū Isḥāq al-Iṣṭakhrī


The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Switzerland is its natural beauty, high mountains, skiing resorts, chocolate, and Swiss Cheese along with Swiss banks. Due to the Swiss Banking system’s secrecy and privacy, the world’s top politicians, business people, moneylenders, drug lords, and criminals keep their billions of dollars in the Swiss banks. Until 2021 total amount of deposit money at Swiss banks was more than 2 trillion Swiss Franc (2.25 trillion CHF), where foreign clients held 1.5 trillion Swiss Franc. In 2021, Swiss Banks Bangladeshi clients’ money totaled 871.1 million Swiss Franc or BDT 8,265 core, which was about BDT 5,333 core in 2020. Due to the highest level of security and privacy provided by Swiss banks, people love to deposit their both legal and illegal money in those banks.
People love to deposit both legal and illegal money in those Swiss banks because of their highest level of security and privacy.
What is the Swiss Bank?
The Swiss bank does not identify any specific bank, rather it is a collection of more than 240 banks in Switzerland that are considered as Swiss banks. Switzerland’s banking system was established around the 16th century. In 1713, the “Grand Council of Geneva” decided not to disclose their financial information for their upper class citizens. Swiss banks started giving them this facility when kings and queens, lords and ladies along with top business personalities were looking for a safe place to store their money, gold, and other precious jewels. Later at the beginning of the 18th century, several bankers from France, which was closely associated country of the Grand Council of Geneva, started living in Switzerland. As Switzerland and Germany are neighboring countries, in 1865, a Swiss credit bank was established in Switzerland, where half of the total funding capital was financed from Germany. In 1912, the first banking association in Switzerland, the Swiss bankers association, or SBA, was founded.
Privateness, political stability, and economic consensus are the pillars of the Swiss banking system. However, during the great depression in the 1930s, two Swiss bankers leaked their client’s bank account information. As a result, under French and German pressure in 1934, the Swiss Banking Act was enacted in Switzerland to prevent such things from happening again. However today, to supervise all types of banking activities in Switzerland, three organizations: the Federal Office of Private Insurance (FOPI), the Swiss Federal Banking Commission (SFBC), and the Anti-Money Laundering Control Authority were merged, and the Financial Market Supervisory Authority or FINMA was formed. Apart from the legalization of financial markets and operating the market’s general function, FINMA’s primary objective is to protect creditors, investors, and insurance holders.
Total of 240+ banks in Switzerland are considered Swiss banks.
Swiss Bank’s Secrecy & Privacy
According to article 47 of the Swiss banking act, without the client’s consent, no Swiss bank or its officials can disclose any banking information of their client to any country’s government or tax authorities. If any bankers violate this rule, he/she will be imprisoned for five years. Furthermore, it is also mentioned in the article that, if any criminal activities are confirmed against a client and his/her direct involvement in the crime can be proven, the client’s banking information will be eligible for sharing.
However, in 2014, a contract was signed under the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or OECD by a total of 50 countries along with Switzerland, where under the terms, countries can share the financial information of their respective taxpayers with the government or tax authorities. Even after that, from the very beginning to now, Swiss banks maintain the tradition of keeping account holders’ information totally private and secure. Because of its strict privacy maintenance procedure, Swiss banks have become a go-to place for many tax frauds, money launderers, and wealthy people worldwide to keep their assets as they don’t want to reveal their amount of assets and their source. In the last 100 years, many tried to sabotage the secrecy of the Swiss banks. But none of them were successful which is evident from the popularity of Swiss banks.
The rules for opening an account in Swiss banks are the same as opening an account in any other bank. However, there are a few documents that must be submitted for opening an international resident account like passport, address verification, deposit amount source, and client beneficiary identification etc. However, to open an account in a Swiss bank, the client must be over 18 years old and physically present at the bank. Before opening an account, the bank authority verifies these documents, and if any record or financial transaction turns out to be illegal, then the bank authority cancels the application.
Requirements for opening international resident’s account
Mostly, the applications to open accounts for politicians, drug lords, or wealthy individuals to deposit their ill-gotten gains have the biggest cancellation rate. But still, these individuals use their power to create shell corporations and entities, forge transaction histories through them, open bank accounts in Switzerland against illegal funds and assets, and keep their money there for years. Several banks in Switzerland provide numbered accounts to their account holders. In the case of such statements, the real identity of the account holder is kept secret by allocating a multi-digit number and providing a code name like Cardinal, Octopussy, and Cello as a supplement to that number which is restricted only to the client and selected banking officials. Swiss bank account holders don’t use Swiss bank checks, debit or credit cards for regular transactions because they fear losing their privacy.
Swiss bank account holders don’t use checks, debit, or credit cards because of their privacy purpose.
The real identity of the account holder is kept secret by allocating a multi-digit number and providing a code name like Cardinal, Octopussy, and Cello as a supplement to that number
Moreover, to maintain the secrecy and security of account holders’ deposited assets, Swiss Bank vaults and bunkers are kept at various secret locations. According to Swiss Defense Department estimates, 6 out of 10 military bunkers were available for sale in the 1980s, which were bought by some Swiss bank back then. Also, several Swiss bank vaults are made by cutting mountains under the Swiss Alps.
According to Bloomberg, the main chamber of the vault has to be passed through highly skilled security guards and two levels of defense gates. There, the 3.5-tonne metal vault door can be opened only after an authorized bank official inputs a secret code on the security screen of the vault door and completes an iris scan and facial recognition. Because of this high-end security, wealthy individuals and business people from different countries feel confident about keeping their money and other valuables in Swiss banks.
Besides protecting client privacy, Swiss banks provide investment-related advice and wealth management services to their depositors.
In addition, Swiss banks also provide consultation services to general customers on various issues, like current and savings accounts, mortgages, loans, pensions, insurance management, and digital banking. However, the amount of return on investment against depositing money in Swiss banks is much lower than in other countries. According to the central bank in September 2022, the policy rate of Switzerland is -0.25 percent. However, Switzerland’s economy is relatively stable and robust. Even in this ongoing global inflation, the country’s economy and currency stand firm where the per dollar is exchanging at 0.95 Swiss Franc. That means the Swiss Franc is stronger than the US Dollar.
According to Bloomberg, Switzerland’s inflation rate hit a four-decade high of 3.4 percent because of the Russia and Ukraine war in 2022. In comparison, the USA’s inflation rate over the same period exceeded 9 percent. However, according to the Swiss central bank’s June forecast, the country’s inflation rate will fall to 1.9 percent in 2023 and 1.6 percent in 2024. Therefore, Switzerland’s economy is in a very stable position despite various adverse economic conditions. Therefore, there is a low possibility of a liquidity crisis in the country. A strong economy also ensures that money does not decline in value much, even if it is deposited in a bank.
In fact, in 2000, if someone had deposited $1 million in Swiss francs in a Swiss bank, the value of that money would have increased to about $1.8 million dollars today. Because of such economic stability, privacy, and security, the world’s rich, wealthy and unscrupulous feel comfortable storing money and assets in Swiss banks.
In 2000, If someone had deposited $1 million in Swiss francs in a Swiss bank, the value of that money would have increased to about $1.8 million dollars today.
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Lost Ember is a game that fizzles and dies before ever bursting into flame
By Matthew Smail On Jan 22, 2020 3
Lost Ember has all the hallmarks of a critical darling — and you only need to look at its Metacritic and Steam ratings for confirmation. Unfortunately, for me, it was yet another walking simulator with a twist.
Yes, I’m sorry to preempt my own conclusion somewhat, but the reality is that no matter how it is dressed up — whether as a psychological horror, or against the backdrop of an electropunk alternative universe — wandering along a linear path watching a story unfold is beginning to wear thin on me.
Where Lost Ember is concerned, the player takes control of a wolf that was formerly a member of the Yanrana, a race of fictional Mesoamerican-esque native people who believe that their souls ascend to The City of Light upon death. For some reason, our wolf has been denied access to this promised land, and is instead forced to wander the land watching the story of their life unfold whilst a second spirit — also chained to the mortal realm — narrates for them.
Aside from the fact that players control a wolf for most of Lost Ember, the game introduces a further unique element in that the player can possess other animals that they encounter. Some of these animals have unique abilities such as flight, or the ability to crawl into small spaces or dig beneath walls. These abilities are generally the only form of puzzle in the game, and the player will begin to recognise the presence of certain animals and associate them with a particular kind of exploration.
The aim of Lost Ember is purely narrative. There are no enemies to fight, no bosses to defeat and no proper challenges to solve. Instead, the game draws players in through the extremely high standard of voice acting and the generally intriguing story. I won’t provide any spoilers here, but this is a tale of twists, turns, betrayals and tragedy, as well as undertones of rebellion and revenge.
Most of the cutscenes (of which there are many) are signposted by red smoke that billows out across the expansive levels. One of the reasons why I get a Mesoamerican vibe from the Yanrama is because the game feels very much as though it is set in the breathtaking mountainous regions of South America, and the crumbling architecture is often square and highly symmetrical in nature.
There is certainly some merit in exploring the world of Lost Ember both because of where it is set and because you’ll do so from the perspective of a handful of different animals, but ultimately the experience is largely as linear as any other game in this genre. Where it does allow players the freedom to explore – when playing as a bird, for example — it often rewards with largely pointless collectables and a good degree of disorientation, so I was generally happier to find my way back to one of the more obvious paths.
Of course, much of what games like Lost Ember offer is in the actual journey, and I find the experience of hopping from one animal to another quite mixed. As the wolf, our heroine moves beautifully, flowing gracefully through deep grass and up steep hillsides with ease, but when the jump button is pressed, a clunky and unnatural animation takes over, and the poor collision detection and lack of physics betray that this is not an action game or a platformer.
Pick another animal and you’ll usually find something to smile about. Ducks, for example, are easy to fly with lots of manoeuvrability, but can’t really gain height once they have taken off. Ducklings, on the other hand, can barely fly at all. A hummingbird can zip around extremely rapidly and can hover at any height but makes for quite a jarring method of flight.
Some of the ground-based mammals (which I can’t easily identify) have little abilities that the game actually calls “Silly Things” that activate when the D-Pad is pressed. These include features like eating fruits, or lying down for a snooze. One of these creatures can roll up into a ball and speed down hills, whilst another can dig beneath loose stone walls to knock them down — or simply dig for underground mushrooms.
Playing around with these animals is always mildly entertaining, but for me, it was never more than that. The visuals in Lost Ember are decent but more stylish than they are detailed, so whilst others might use words like “cute” to describe them, I simply didn’t feel that level of affection for anything in the game. With that in mind, I played with the simple intention of getting to the next cut scene most of the time.
As I mentioned earlier, these cutscenes are very well done and the voice acting, in particular, is superb. Each one is played out by ghost-like characters that represent people from the distant past, and the game achieves a lovely juxtaposition of the animals and natural things that exist in the now, compared with the human ghosts and their technologies – now long since destroyed — of the past.
Ultimately, when the game ended, I felt satisfied with the narrative outcome and relieved that the actual gameplay had reached an end. I’m not saying that I didn’t enjoy the overall experience of Lost Ember, but I would say that I felt that the unique aspects of the game had run their course, and that I was ready to move onto the next, perhaps more exhilarating game.
If you’re a big animal fan and you like walking simulators, then Lost Ember might certainly be worth a look. It certainly has a strong narrative and some great voiceovers that easily match the best in the business. What it lacks is a sense of fear, or wonder or anything else that is truly emotive.
Yes, the story tugs at the heartstrings and is certainly interesting, and there’s no doubt that the gameplay is unique in the genre, but are those things enough to raise Lost Ember above mediocrity? If so, I’d say only just, and only if this is a genre that you’re really interested in.
Purchase Lost Ember on Humble Bundle.
You can find Lost Ember on PS4, Xbox One and Steam.
Lost EmberMooneye StudiosPCPS4Xbox One
Matthew Smail 514 posts 47 comments
Matt is B3's resident Head of Board Games. As a life-long fan of all things gaming he'll also occasionally be found covering video games with the team,
Elizabeth L Burner says 3 years ago
“There are no enemies to fight.”
Senior citizen and animal lover checking in here.
I don’t want to have enemies to fight; I’ve seen enough war and violence in my life.
It is hard to find games that are appropriate and entertaining (you can tell by my statement above what I feel is appropriate) for children through their grandparents; Lost Ember is one of them.
We are a niche clientele but we are out there; we are retired; we still game.
Dann Sullivan says 3 years ago
I think that there’s been an increasing want for passive/exploration-based games as time goes on. I know that I like the control-over-pace that we’re given in games which aren’t continually pushing us from encounter to encounter. Have you played Sky: Children of the Light on mobile? It hits all of the notes of Journey but has a lot more depth and scale.
Anonymous says 3 years ago
I have not, thank you, I will!