Latest news with #Sakai
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Japan's ‘no-match' artificial blood may end shortages
Japanese researchers have developed artificial blood, potentially revolutionizing emergency medicine and addressing global blood shortages, particularly in countries like India. These lab-made red blood cells, called NMU-HbV, mimic real ones by effectively carrying oxygen. Clinical trials are underway, with potential real-world use by 2030. No blood group matching required, no infection risk, no expiry for months. Researchers in Japan have developed artificial blood that has the potential to end global blood shortage and transform how the world handles emergencies, especially in cases of mass casualties and rural surgeries. The innovation comes from Professor Hiromi Sakai and his team at Nara Medical University, who have created stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells now undergoing clinical trials. If all goes according to plan, this breakthrough could be ready for real-world use by 2030. A recent Lancet report showed India has one of the world's highest blood shortages, with lack of awareness, sub-par infrastructure and a chronic shortage of donors worsening the crisis. So, the idea of a blood substitute could be life changing in such a scenario. What is artificial blood? It isn't a full replica of human blood as it doesn't have white blood cells or platelets. But it does what's most vital in an emergency — carry oxygen. These lab-made blood cells mimic real ones, stay stable at room temperature, and are made using expired donated blood that would otherwise be discarded. 'They are also expected to respond to diseases and surgical procedures that cannot be treated by blood transfusions, and to unmet medical needs,' says Sakai's lab website. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Benefits of Trading Bitcoin CFDs IC Markets Learn More Undo The artificial red blood cells were developed by putting purified haemoglobin into thin lipid-based structures, forming haemoglobin vesicles (HbVs). These vesicles are just 250 nanometres wide — small enough to flow through capillaries, just like natural red blood cells do. Unlike the red colour of blood, these artificial cells have a purplish hue as they do not oxidise until used. HbVs don't have blood type and don't carry infection risks. They are made from expired red blood cells, or even from animal or lab-sourced haemoglobin. In essence, it's a purified, shelf-stable oxygen delivery system — without complications of blood transfusions. These lab-made cells are not a full replica of human blood as these don't have white blood cells or platelets. But they do what's most vital in an emergency — carry oxygen Agencies Is it better than the real thing? Artificial blood (called NMU-HbV) offers several benefits over traditional blood donations. For starters, it rules out the need for compatibility testing, making it ideal for emergency situations. 'When a blood transfusion is urgently needed, some time is lost trying to determine the patient's blood type. With the artificial red blood cells, there's no need to worry about blood types,' Sakai told Japan Times. Also, the blood can be stored at room temperature for up to two years, far exceeding the short shelf life (around 42 days) of donated blood. After completing successful safety tests in animals in early 2019, researchers began the first human trial in Oct 2020 at Hokkaido University. Healthy adult men were given 10ml, 50ml and 100 ml doses in three separate groups. Some participants had mild fever or discomfort from the injection, but those were short-lived. Blood tests, heart checks, and other health indicators were normal. The trial was approved by Japan's drug authority and the university's ethics committee.
Malaysiakini
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Activist wants action against FB user calling deputy speaker 'Sakai'
An Orang Asli activist today urged authorities to take action against a Facebook user for insulting the community and Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Ramli Nor. This came after the netizen, believed to be a supporter of a political party, called Ramli (above) a 'Sakai' and has the mental capacity 'like Tarzan'.
Yomiuri Shimbun
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Revised Law Speeds Up Push to Stamp Out Online Casino Use; Raising Public Awareness a Key Issue
The Yomiuri Shimbun Flyers bearing the message, 'Online gambling is a crime,' are seen on the counter at a pizza delivery business in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, on Monday. A bill that prohibits advertising leading to online casino websites has been passed into law, but the public and private sectors will need to work together to craft a range of measures to stamp out illegal gambling from Japanese society. Following Wednesday's passage of the revised basic law on countermeasures against gambling addiction, the government will proactively initiate demands to remove social media posts and internet videos that encourage people to use online casinos based offshore. National Public Safety Commission Chairperson Manabu Sakai has insisted the revised law marked a significant step forward in tackling online gambling. 'We will forge ahead with efforts to eliminate information that entices people to casino websites,' Sakai said at a regular press conference Thursday. Connecting to an online casino from Japan and using the website to gamble is a violation of the nation's Penal Code provisions on gambling. However, there were no restrictions on the use of social media and blogs to post messages, such as a list of '10 recommended online casinos,' intended to stir up interest in them. The National Police Agency launched a survey in 2024 to gauge the extent of online casino use. The survey results, released in March, revealed that about 3.37 million people are using or have used online casinos from Japan, with total annual wagers reaching an estimated ¥1.2 trillion. About 60% of these online casino users were aware they had a gambling addiction. This was the first time the government had made public the results of a survey on online casinos. Posts by celebrities and influencers that spark interest in gambling websites among young people and others have become a factor in some people getting involved in illegal gambling. The revised law clearly defines advertisements and social media posts that guide users to casino sites as illegal. Penalty provisions were not included in the bill because priority was given to swiftly passing it into law. However, under the revised law, advertisements leading to casino sites that previously were considered 'harmful information' are now deemed to be 'illegal information.' Consequently, the Internet Hotline Center Japan, which has been commissioned by the NPA, is now able to demand internet providers and social media platform operators remove such content. According to the survey, about 75% of people who had viewed casino sites said they had actually remitted money for gambling. It is hoped that measures blocking the 'entrance' to these websites will have a major impact on preventing online gambling. Raising public awareness The revised law also requires the central and local governments to conduct awareness campaigns to inform the public that using online casinos is prohibited. A male employee at a Pizza-La pizza delivery shop in the Koenji area of Suginami Ward, Tokyo, was preparing delivery bags at around noon on Monday. Inside each one, he placed a flyer explaining that using online casinos violates gambling laws and that 'not knowing' online gambling is illegal is not a sufficient excuse. This was part of an initiative launched by the NPA with the Tokyo-based Safety Driving Association. The association's 48 members will cooperate with the campaign. 'We feel a social responsibility to do this,' said a director at the association. Ensuring that young people are fully aware that online gambling is illegal remains a pressing issue to be addressed. To help this message get through, the NPA will work with the operators of large-screen displays at Tokyo Dome and elsewhere to broadcast awareness videos and press entertainment agencies to prevent their talent from becoming the face of an online casino. Blocking remittances The Financial Services Agency and the NPA in May pressed entities including the Japanese Bankers Association and the Japan Virtual and Crypto Assets Exchange Association to tell their members to halt any transaction that is found to be a remittance to an online casino operator. Cutting off the sending of money to such operators is called a 'payment block.' However, 'tokuryu' anonymous and fluid crime groups are among the domestic operators that function as payment service agents that collude with the casino website operators. 'We'll crack down on operators that popularize online casinos and also step up our activities to raise awareness of the issue,' a senior police official told The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Japan Times
20-06-2025
- General
- Japan Times
Japan team finds possible grave goods for largest ancient tumulus in the nation
A Japanese research team has discovered what appears to be grave goods at Daisen Kofun, the country's biggest ancient tumulus purportedly for Emperor Nintoku, in the city of Sakai, Osaka Prefecture. The kondosotosu iron knife and pieces of armor have been confirmed to be from the keyhole-shaped grave mound, a World Cultural Heritage site, the team said Thursday. The group comprises members of the city government, Kokugakuin University and Nippon Steel Technology. "It's significant that objects directly linked to (the tumulus) have appeared," Kokugakuin University professor Takashi Uchikawa said. According to the group, armor and other items were found at the tumulus early in the Meiji Period (1868-1912). Most of them are believed to have been buried again, but some were owned by antiquarian Kaichiro Kashiwagi when he was alive during the Meiji Period. The university bought the collection last year. A drawing by Kashiwagi suggests that armor was among the burial goods in the tumulus, but no physical evidence had been confirmed. The discovered knife has features, including the use of gold-plated copper sheets and silver rivets, that had not been seen before in grave goods from the fifth century, when the tumulus was created. Given the quality of the materials, the knife is very likely to have belonged to someone close to an early king of Japan, according to the team. Pieces of paper dated September 1872 that are believed to have been wrapped around the knife and the armor pieces have also been found, featuring descriptions saying that the tumulus is Emperor Nintoku's tomb.
NDTV
06-06-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Universal Artificial Blood For All Types In Clinical Trials, Could Save Millions
In a medical breakthrough that could save millions of lives, Japanese researchers have started clinical trials to explore the effectiveness and safety of universal artificial blood. Led by Professor Hiromi Sakai at Nara Medical University, the artificial blood, usable for all blood types, could have a shelf life of up to two years. If successful, it could transform the emergency medicare system across the globe. Their approach involves extracting haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in red blood cells, from expired donor blood. It is then encased in a protective shell to create stable, virus-free artificial red blood cells, according to a report in Newsweek. Unlike donated blood, these artificial cells have no blood type, eliminating the need for compatibility testing and making them invaluable in emergencies. Notably, donated blood has a shelf life of just 42 days, and even then, there is not enough of it, and requires compatibility amongst different blood groups. For the trial, the researchers administered 100 to 400 millilitres of the artificial blood to 16 healthy adult volunteers in March. If the test safety and efficacy are achieved, the researchers are hoping for practical use by 2030, making Japan the first country in the world to deploy artificial blood for real-world medical care. "The need for artificial blood cells is significant as there is currently no safe substitute for red cells," said Professor Sakai. Social media reacts Reacting to the start of the clinical trials, social media users marvelled at the potential implications with some claiming it was a Nobel Prize-winning endeavour, if it was a success. "If true, and not inordinately expensive, this is going to be completely transformational," said one user, while another added: "If it is safe, this is worth a Nobel Prize." A third commented: "Japanese scientists are really doing the most between this, regrowing teeth, and the shots that make cats live longer. Really hope this stuff makes it worldwide." Notably, the US has been developing ErythroMer (made from 'recycled' haemoglobin) for the past few years, and has already started pre-clinical testing. Last year, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced a Rs 394 crore ($46 million) grant to a University of Maryland-led consortium to develop a shelf-stable, field-deployable whole blood substitute with ErythroMer as its core.
