‘Severance’ creator sees all your ‘kooky’ theories, but no one’s gotten it ‘totally right’

Sydney Bucksbaum is a writer at Entertainment Weekly covering all things pop culture – but TV is her one true love. She currently lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Chicago so please don’t make fun of her accent when it slips out.

The Severance boss has a progress report for all your fan theories: Satisfactory, but needs improvement.

Creator/writer/executive producer Dan Erickson tells Entertainment Weekly that he loves seeing everyone’s wild theories about what his Apple TV+ workplace thriller means and all its mysteries, but says that, so far, no one has gotten it 100 percent correct.

“I love all of them and some of them are kooky, but the show is kooky, so it makes sense,” he says. “I would not say that I’ve seen anybody get it totally right. We are trying to lay down the seeds of where it’s ultimately going, and I do think that people notice that. ‘They said this in episode 2, and so I bet that’s going to pay off in this way,’ and sometimes that lines up a little bit with what we’re doing. But I don’t think that I’ve seen anything where I’m like, ‘Oh God, they got it. Time to leave the country and change my name.’”

The showrunner admits that he loves reading Reddit, but he has to “police” himself of how much time he spends reading Severance theories on that site. “I would just do that all the time and spend my whole life looking at people’s theories and seeing people’s fan art,” Erickson adds with a laugh. “And I do, up until the point that it starts to get me in my head. I’ll see a theory and I’ll be like, ‘That’s such a good idea, I wish that we were doing that,’ but at the end of the day, we know what we’re doing and the job is just to continue in that story.”

Severance returns for season 2 on Friday after a three-year hiatus left fans with the intense cliffhanger of Innie Mark (Adam Scott) realizing that Ms. Casey (Dichen Lachman) is actually Gemma, Outie Mark’s presumed-dead wife. He ran to yell to his sister Devon (Jen Tullock), “She’s alive!” right as Milchick (Tramell Tillman) tackled Dylan (Zach Cherry) at Lumon, resetting the Overtime Contingency. While the premiere dives right in to the immediate aftermath of that moment, the way the series explores that reveal — and how that information will be handled by different characters — will surprise you.

“It was funny when we got into writing these first few episodes — we talked about a lot of crazy storytelling devices that we could use,” Erickson says. “And ultimately, what we thought was the most interesting was let’s just watch it play out for both Innie and Outie Mark. We’ve just really changed the dynamic and we’ve upended the game, so we wanted to just follow what would be the immediate consequence of what just happened. And we just kind of wrote it the way that we thought it would play out.”

There are a lot of questions about pretty much everything that happens on this show, from what Lumon does as a corporation to who each of the employees are outside of the office (and don’t get us started on those goats and “scary” numbers!). Thankfully, Erickson promises that answers are coming this season — but expect those answers to raise even more questions. “There will be some reveals for sure, and I always thought that was important,” he says. “People deserve some answers, but at the same time, you can take the magic out of something by answering it too quickly or explaining it too completely. And so we were trying to hit that balance… It takes a lot of work, but I’m very happy with what we came up with for season 2.”

The showrunner isn’t ready to spill specifics on what mysteries will be cleared up this season, but he teases that fans will learn more about what Lumon is up to. “We do get to explore other parts of the severed floor that were glimpsed in season 1,” Erickson says. “And I think people are going to be excited to see more of that and start to get a sense of the bigger tapestry of what’s going on on that floor.”

While viewers have no idea what anything means yet, the showrunner promises he’s had a plan for everything since the beginning. “Most of the big stuff has been planned out,” Erickson says. “I think it’s certainly possible to under-plan and find yourself written into a corner. I do think it’s also possible to over-plan and be so beholden to what you thought the show was that you’re not open to what it is becoming. The big questions, they’ve mostly stayed the same.”

However, Erickson adds that “there are some things that have shifted” throughout the making of seasons 1 and 2. “It’s always because we find something that we’re more excited about and are like, ‘Wait, this is actually even cooler, so now we’re going to try to pivot the plan that way,’” he says. “But I wanted to be sure, even when we were first bringing the show to Apple, that I had in my back pocket where I saw it going in the end.”

He can’t reveal most of what’s changed from his original plan during development and filming due to spoilers (of course), but he says that Milchick’s role has definitely expanded. “I didn’t necessarily expect to fall in love with Milchick as much as I did until his words started coming out of Tramell Tillman’s mouth,” Erickson says. “All of a sudden we had this character that was unlike anything any of us had seen. In my initial concept of the show, I knew I wanted that character to do something special, but he was written as just Cobel’s [Patricia Arquette] second-in-command and it was exciting to watch him develop — we were still writing season 1 as we were shooting the first episodes, so I got to adapt that character a bit and increase his role because we were just so excited about what Tramell was doing.”

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That comes into play in season 2 in a big way as Milchick oversees the Macrodata Refinement department in the wake of them implementing the Overtime Contingency and releasing their Innies into their Outies’ worlds. Erickson describes the new dynamic in the office with Mark, Helly (Britt Lower), Irving (John Turturro), and Dylan as teenagers rebelling against their parents.

“Season 1 was about trying to connect with who you are — I mean that on a literal sense, they are trying to figure out who their Outies are and what their lives are outside of Lumon,” he explains. “This season deals with the repercussions of that. How is the company going to respond to you taking that stand? Knowing Lumon, we all know that they’re going to see that as a challenge to them and their authority.”

The showrunner adds that the MDR Innies were like infants in season 1, and they’ll continue to grow and mature this season. “It becomes about finding more nuance in who you are and what’s important to you,” Erickson says. “That’s the personal journey that the Innies are on. At the same time, them as a group are learning to come together and experimenting with how much power they have, and it feels like teenagers starting to push the boundaries with their parents and then, of course, the repercussions of that and what happens to them.”

‘Wolf Man’ review: Like father, like son in a grim and serious horror remake

Fans of “SCTV” may remember a “Monster Chiller Horror Theatre” episode in which Joe Flaherty’s late-night host, Count Floyd, mistakenly programs a made-up Ingmar Bergman film, “Whispers of the Wolf,” thinking it’s a simple werewolf picture instead of a moody, existential mashup of Bergman’s “Hour of the Wolf” and “Persona.”

The new “Wolf Man” from Universal Pictures and co-writer/director Leigh Whannell may likewise provoke some puzzled Count Floyd-esque looks of confusion among horror fans. Not that it’s a failure or a joke. Whannell, whose bracing, sharp-edged 2020 remake of “The Invisible Man” ushered us into the cold-creeps COVID era, makes genre films for a wide audience, adults included. He doesn’t play these Universal franchise reboots for kicks.

In “Wolf Man,” he really doesn’t. The results are equal parts marital crisis, sins-of-the-father psychodrama and visceral body horror. They’re also a bit of a plod — especially in the second half, when whatever kind of horror film you’re making should not, you know, plod.

The first half is crafty, patient and deceptively good. A 1990s prologue introduces young Blake (Christopher Abbott) and his surly father, venturing into a remote corner of the Oregon woods (New Zealand portrays Oregon) on a hunting expedition. They live nearby; Blake has yet to hear about the rumored “face of the wolf” creature sharing the same woods that First Nation tribes have feared for centuries. Protecting his son in a shrewdly staged attack, the father disappears into the woods, presumed dead.

Thirty years later in present-day San Francisco, Blake is an unemployed writer and full-time caregiver, married to workaholic journalist Charlotte (Julia Garner). She’s stress incarnate, envious of her husband’s close emotional bond with their daughter, Ginger (Matilda Firth). With the arrival of his long-missing father’s death certificate, Blake inherits the rural Oregon house. For the sake of the troubled family, Charlotte agrees to spend some time with Ginger in this place.

From there, the movie narrows its geographic parameters, transforming into a close-quarters drama of three people in an old dark house, surrounded by lots of shrewdly designed sounds and beset by a werewolf stalking the visitors like it means business. Once Blake suffers a flesh wound at the hands of this predator, Whannell’s devotion to, among other films, David Cronenberg’s “The Fly” becomes apparent. “Wolf Man” delves into the fractured psyche and grotesque physical disintegration of a man stricken with an animal-borne virus, terrified of what it’s doing to him and what he may end up doing to those he loves. In other words, it’s a movie about every indignity an unemployed writer must suffer, lycanthropy included.

Even when her character takes a more urgent role in this hermetic story, the excellent Garner doesn’t have much to play outside a parade of slow-roll nonverbal shots of Charlotte peering this way and that, taking charge of a rapidly dissolving situation but never really getting her due. (The script is by Whannell and his partner Corbett Tuck.) “Wolf Man’s” seriousness is heavy going. Its leitmotif sticks, doggedly, to the idea of transmutable, unholy fears, and sins of the fathers, transmitted like a virus down the family line. A rare in-joke pops up on the side of the moving van Blake rents to clear out his father’s house: The company has been in business since 1941, the slogan notes, taking us back to the year Universal made hay with Lon Chaney Jr. in “The Wolf Man.”

That was neither the first nor the last werewolf movie. This one, originally slated for Ryan Gosling and director Derek Cianfrance, goes about its business with a solemn air, even when it’s super-blechy and Abbott is chewing on his own forearm for obvious reasons: an unemployed writer’s gotta eat.

“Wolf Man” — 2.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for bloody violent content, grisly images and some language)

Wendy Williams Says ‘I Feel Like I Am in Prison’ Amid Conservatorship

The Wendy Williams Show alum has been under a guardianship since 2022.

Wendy Williams spoke out against her guardianship in a bombshell live interview on The Breakfast Club Thursday morning, saying she feels like she is “in prison” while being “trapped in a conservatorship.”

On Thursday, Jan. 16, the former Wendy Williams Show host, 60, spoke out in her first major interview since the 2024 Lifetime documentary Where Is Wendy Williams?, giving people a look into her life today after being placed under a guardianship in 2022.

Last year, Williams’ care team announced that she had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia and aphasia, which affect language and communication, but the former daytime host said on The Breakfast Club that is not true. “Do I seem that way, god damn it?” she asked hosts DJ Envy, Charlamagne Tha God, and guest host Loren LoRosa.

“I am not cognitively impaired. But I feel like I am in prison,” Williams said. “I’m in this place where the people are in their 90s and their 80s and their 70s. There’s something wrong with these people here on this floor.”

Charlamagne, who co-hosted a radio show with Williams in the 2000s, said his former colleague was calling into the show because she was “trapped in a conservatorship” and could not leave where she is staying. Williams and her niece Alex, who was also on the call, said that the former radio host can only make calls in the high-security facility, not receive them. “They won’t allow you to leave or have visitors,” she continued. “So you can’t even leave and take a walk if you wanted to, or take a trip or visit family members.”

Williams was last seen in public in December after her legal issues became public in 2024. The TV and radio personality called out the guardianship system as “broken,” calling her treatment “emotional abuse.”

Asked about the Lifetime documentary, which sparked a lawsuit from her guardian, Sabrina E. Morrissey, trying to prevent its release, Williams responded, “She was the one who wanted to do [the documentary], you understand what I’m saying?” She added, “What do I think about being abused? Look, this system is broken, this system that I’m in. This system has falsified a lot.”

The Wendy Williams Show’s final episode aired in June 2022 after a string of guest hosts filled in for Williams. Last year, Williams’ care team released a statement announcing her diagnosis. “Over the past few years, questions have been raised at times about Wendy’s ability to process information and many have speculated about Wendy’s condition, particularly when she began to lose words, act erratically at times, and have difficulty understanding financial transactions,” the press release read.

“The decision to share this news was difficult and made after careful consideration, not only to advocate for understanding and compassion for Wendy, but to raise awareness about aphasia and frontotemporal dementia and support the thousands of others facing similar circumstances,” the release added. “Unfortunately, many individuals diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia face stigma and misunderstanding, particularly when they begin to exhibit behavioral changes but have not yet received a diagnosis.”

Conan O’Brien to receive Twain Prize for humor at Kennedy Center

The March 23 ceremony will be streamed on Netflix at a later date.

The Kennedy Center announced Thursday that Conan O’Brien is the 26th recipient of its Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The 61-year-old writer, podcaster and former late-night host will accept the award March 23 — a few weeks after he hosts the Oscars — in the center’s 2,465-seat Concert Hall, where fellow comedians will toast (and roast) him.

The award is given to comedians who, like Twain, have made a lasting impact on American society in the center’s estimation.

Richard Pryor received the first Twain Prize, in 1998. Though it has often gone to satirists such as David Letterman, Jon Stewart and George Carlin, the prize was most recently awarded to comedians with more populist appeal: Adam Sandler in 2023 and Kevin Hart last year.

“I am honored to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize recognized not for humor, but for my work as a riverboat pilot,” O’Brien said in a statement.

He is “a master of invention and reinvention, consistently pushing the envelope in search of new comedic heights,” said Deborah F. Rutter, president of the Kennedy Center, in a statement.

The prize ceremony will be streamed on Netflix at a later date.

The Irish-Catholic comedian — known for his height, swooping red hair, and surreal and utterly silly comic sensibility — was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1963 and attended Harvard University, where he was twice the president of its humor rag, the Harvard Lampoon. Not long after graduation, he began writing for “Saturday Night Live” and then “The Simpsons.”

O’Brien joins fellow former late-night hosts Stewart, Letterman and Jay Leno as a Twain recipient. But O’Brien’s late-night career was a little more complicated.

In 1993, though he was still largely unknown to the general public, O’Brien inherited NBC’s “Late Night” from Letterman. O’Brien’s run, which lasted until 2009, was characterized by a manic energy and frequently nonpolitical, non sequitur comedy. O’Brien’s wacky absurdity motorized the show with playfulness and goofiness.

The show was not embraced at first. O’Brien “is a living collage of annoying nervous habits,” wrote Tom Shales, The Washington Post’s TV critic, in September 1993. “He giggles and titters, jiggles about and fiddles with his cuffs. He has dark, beady little eyes like a rabbit. He’s one of the whitest white men ever.”

After O’Brien’s iteration of “Late Night” found its footing, O’Brien had Shales as a guest on his show — to read aloud the most scathing parts of Shales’s review.

In 2009, O’Brien took over “The Tonight Show” from Jay Leno, who moved to a prime-time slot. NBC then moved Leno’s show to the 11:35 p.m. time slot, pushing “The Tonight Show” back by a half-hour. O’Brien was incensed and aggrieved. After less than nine months as its host, O’Brien left “The Tonight Show.”

“I got very depressed at times,” O’Brien said of the situation, on “60 Minutes.” “It was like a marriage breaking up suddenly, violently, quickly. And I was just trying to figure out what happened.”

O’Brien swapped his suit for a leather jacket and jeans and moved to TBS, where he hosted “Conan,” a stripped-down version of the classic late-night format. After 11 years, he retired from late-night TV.

Now, he hosts the celebrity-interview podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” and has hosted two travel shows: “Conan Without Borders” and “Conan Must Go.” In November he was announced as the host of the upcoming 97th Academy Awards, perhaps his biggest stage yet.

For the second year running, the Twain Prize ceremony will be recorded and later streamed on Netflix, a platform that has embraced and promoted stand-up comedy.

From Royal Stages to Retail Sales: How Celebrity Choices and Fashion Dynamics Shape Today’s Headlines

The world of fashion and entertainment collided in intriguing ways in recent events, showcasing a blend of glitz, tradition, and economics—elements that keep the public and markets perpetually engaged. Recently, the storied corridors of the British monarchy and the bustling stock exchanges of the NASDAQ found common ground through the lens of celebrity and commerce.

Robbie Williams, the charismatic singer with notable ties to the Royal Family, made headlines by declining an invitation to perform at King Charles III’s coronation concert. This decision raised eyebrows, especially given Williams’ history as the opening act at the 2012 Diamond Jubilee concert, an event marked by jubilant celebrations and royal fanfare. Explaining his decision on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen,” Williams said, “There was a reason. I was working. I got something I couldn’t turn down because of money.” His candid admission highlights the complex interplay of career choices and financial priorities in the life of a global entertainer.

The coronation concert saw performances from other stalwarts of the music industry, including Williams’ former band, Take That, along with the likes of Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. However, the stage was notably absent of other rumored big names such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Elton John, and the Spice Girls. The absence of these stars sparked curiosity and speculation, underscoring the often unpredictable nature of celebrity engagements and commitments.

Meanwhile, in the realm of high-end activewear, Lululemon Athletica caught the attention of both consumers and investors with its latest price adjustments and stock market activities. Shoppers are abuzz with Lululemon’s “We Made Too Much” sale, where coveted items like the Align High-Rise Mini Flare Pants have seen a price cut from £108 to £79. Known for their buttery soft texture and flattering fit, these leggings have become a staple in casual fashion, earning high praise for their comfort and style. “These are super comfy and cute—the fabric feels so soft and stretchy, like a second skin,” said one satisfied customer.

On the financial front, Lululemon Athletica’s stock has garnered optimistic forecasts from several equities research analysts. With target prices being consistently adjusted upwards, major players such as TD Securities, Raymond James, and Morgan Stanley have expressed confidence in the brand, reflecting robust market performance and potential investor gains.

The brand’s latest earnings report further bolstered its stock profile, showcasing notable revenue growth and a consistent increase in earnings per share compared to the previous year. This solid performance is echoed by strategic moves from insiders and hedge funds, with significant share transactions shaping Lululemon’s ownership landscape.

In essence, the intersection of fashion, celebrity, and commerce presents a dynamic tableau where choices resonate far beyond the immediate spotlight and into the intricate weave of cultural and economic narratives—each actor, whether a pop star or a retail giant, plays a crucial role in the unfolding drama of modern life.

From Biologic Breakthroughs to Personal Choices: A Glimpse into the Grit and Resolve of Modern Icons

In an era where every day seems to bring a shuffle of headlines, three distinct stories surface, each spinning their own tale of impact, ambition, and resilience. Eli Lilly’s Omvoh, an innovative biologic treatment, has secured an influential nod from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration—marking a significant step forward in the management of Crohn’s disease. Meanwhile, on a different stage, pop icon Robbie Williams sheds light on his decision to sidestep King Charles III’s coronation concert, offering a glimpse into the intertwining of art, commerce, and personal commitments. And in Vatican City, the venerable Pope Francis demonstrates yet again that resilience is indeed ageless, shrugging off a minor injury with characteristic grace.

The approval of Omvoh (mirikizumab-mrkz) by the FDA is a headline that reverberates in medical circles and beyond. Lilly’s pioneering treatment targets interleukin-23p19 (IL-23p19), a protein notorious for stoking the fires of intestinal inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease. “The first biologic treatment in more than 15 years,” as stated, Omvoh brings to the table two-year Phase 3 efficacy data—a rarity at the moment of approval. In a medical landscape where progress is often incremental, this breakthrough offers not just hope but a concrete option for those grappling with the challenges of inflammatory bowel disease.

Across the expanse of medical advancements, cultural icons navigate their own crossroads. Robbie Williams, celebrated for both his musical achievements and his ties to the Royal Family, confirmed turning down the opportunity to perform at a historic occasion—the coronation concert of King Charles III. Williams candidly explained, “I was working. I got something I couldn’t turn down because of money.” This decision, while perhaps surprising to some, underscores the perennial balancing act for artists between duty, opportunity, and financial realities. Meanwhile, other stars such as Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift also reportedly declined invitations, although Sheeran later clarified that “no one ever asked” him to perform.

In a different domain of public life, Pope Francis, a figure revered for his empathetic leadership, faced another test of fortitude. After a fall resulting in a forearm injury, images of the Pope with a cloth sling sparked concern—but as the Vatican reported, “without fractures.” Despite the setback, the 88-year-old pontiff pressed on, underscoring his commitment to leadership beyond physical constraints. The Pope has repeatedly downplayed health concerns, affirming, “I am well. The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs.” This resilience, echoed in his handling of his duties and health challenges, mirrors the tenacity seen in the medical advancements like those of Lilly’s Omvoh.

These narratives—a medical triumph, a personal decision amidst public spectacle, and the steady resolve of a spiritual leader—paint a tapestry of human endeavor and adaptation. Each story, distinct in its domain, converges on themes of progress, choice, and resilience, offering a cross-section of how we collectively navigate the complexities of modern life. As headlines continue to blur and intersect, they remind us that beneath each announcement lies a deeper, human story waiting to be told.

Xenon Gas: A New Hope in Alzheimer’s Battle, Gliding Through Barriers and Minds Alike

From laboratories working tirelessly to decode the cruel enigma of Alzheimer’s disease comes a whisper of hope—an inert whisper, if you will, for its very nature belongs to the noble gas family. Xenon gas, traditionally known for its anesthetic properties, is now front and center in a groundbreaking approach from researchers at Mass General Brigham and Washington University School of Medicine.

The endeavor is a shining example of thinking outside the box—or rather, outside the standard plaque and tangle playbook that dominates Alzheimer’s research. In a study published in Science Translational Medicine, Xenon was shown to suppress neuroinflammation and reduce brain atrophy in mouse models, all while traipsing past the notorious blood-brain barrier with the grace of an uninvited yet benevolent ghost.

“We look forward to seeing this novel approach tested in humans,” said Oleg Butovsky, Ph.D., emphasizing a key hurdle in Alzheimer’s research: designing medications that can slip through the brain’s defensive gatekeepers. Enter Xenon—effortlessly gliding in where others stumble.

David M. Holtzman, M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis adds another layer to this tapestry of innovation: “It is exciting that in both animal models that model different aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid pathology in one model and tau pathology in another model, that Xenon had protective effects in both situations.”

But let us not forge a rose-tinted narrative without acknowledging the uphill journey that lies ahead. Alzheimer’s, the silent thief of memories, operates with complexities we are yet to fully unravel. Characterized by detrimental protein build-ups such as tau and amyloid, the disease is notorious for disrupting nerve cell communication and causing progressive brain deterioration—culminating, ultimately, in neuronal demise.

Microglia, the brain’s first responders, are central in this quagmire. Butovsky’s lab has meticulously illustrated how these immune cells can be modulated to rally in a protective stance against Alzheimer’s. Their study observed Xenon’s ability to induce a phenotype of microglia that not only clears amyloid but also rejuvenates cognitive faculties in mice—illuminating Xenon’s potential as a therapeutic powerhouse.

With the scientific community on the edge of their seats, a Phase I clinical trial is set to commence in early 2025 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Initially, this trial will enroll healthy volunteers, aiming to chart the safety and dosage of this gaseous marvel.

And what if the trial proves successful? The doors fling wide open—not just for Alzheimer’s but also potentially for other neurodegenerative ailments like multiple sclerosis, ALS, and even ocular diseases involving neuronal loss. Co-author Howard Weiner, M.D., envisions a future where Xenon could become a staple in neurologic treatment protocols.

As the medical world turns its gaze to this burgeoning hope, questions remain alongside cautious optimism. Can a gas truly be the harbinger of a new era in Alzheimer’s treatment? The forthcoming trials will certainly shed light on this, and as the research unfolds, the very fabric of neurological therapeutics could be woven anew.

AI vs. Venom: How Machine Power and Grit Revolutionize Antivenom Treatments

In a ground-breaking stride for medical science, researchers are now harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to design proteins that may revolutionize antivenom treatments. This innovation, spearheaded by Nobel laureate Prof. David Baker and his team, has yielded proteins capable of shielding mice from fatal snake toxins, presenting a pivotal advancement in the realm of venom neutralization.

The project leverages AI to craft these proteins—deemed “binders”—which are integral to the formulation of antivenom solutions. These binders target and incapacitate harmful toxins effectively, all without the conventional reliance on labor-intensive methods like snake milking or equine antibody harvesting. As Dr. Timothy Jenkins from Denmark’s Centre for Antibody Technologies described, “For the first time globally, we showed that these AI-designed binders also work in living creatures.” This achievement marks a leap toward not only accelerated but also more cost-efficient therapeutic development.

The implications of this research are immense, particularly in combatting snakebite fatalities and injuries—an ongoing crisis that claims between 81,000 and 138,000 lives annually. Existing antivenoms are often cumbersome to manufacture, difficult to distribute, and associated with severe side effects, limiting their use to well-equipped medical facilities. “While I wouldn’t describe it as revolutionary,” admits Dr. Diogo Martins of the Wellcome Trust, “it does stand out for effectively translating machine learning data into actual efficacy with thermostable, production-friendly proteins.”

Meanwhile, on a different frontier, the noble—and somewhat surprising—xenon gas is carving its niche as a promising candidate in Alzheimer’s treatment. The inert gas, best known in its role as an anesthetic and neuroprotectant for brain injuries, has been found to suppress neuroinflammation and reduce brain atrophy in Alzheimer’s-afflicted mice, paving the way for a Phase I clinical trial in humans by 2025.

“It is a very novel discovery showing that simply inhaling an inert gas can have such a profound neuroprotective effect,” notes Ph.D. Oleg Butovsky from the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases. By managing to cross the blood-brain barrier—a notorious obstacle in drug delivery—xenon gas has shown potential in mitigating both amyloid and tau pathologies, hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease.

In the realm of sports and human spirit, the story of Jack Hoffman—a young Nebraska Cornhusker fan who once captured the nation’s heart with a viral touchdown—has come to a poignant close. Hoffman, who was just 19, succumbed to brain cancer after a decade-long battle that inspired many. His unforgettable 69-yard touchdown run during a University of Nebraska spring game, which won him an ESPY award for “Best Moment,” remains a testament to his courage and enduring legacy.

The Team Jack Foundation, established to support Hoffman and raise awareness for pediatric brain cancer, carries forward his mission, continuing to impact countless lives. “Jack may no longer be with us in person, but his legacy lives on,” the foundation affirmed, “in the work…and in the hope he gave to so many.”

As the world grapples with these varied medical challenges—from lethal venoms to neurodegenerative disorders—the drive for innovative solutions remains steadfast, fueled by cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and indomitable human spirit. Each breakthrough, whether in a lab or on a football field, reinforces the relentless pursuit of hope and healing.

From Venom to Victory: AI-Designed Proteins Pave a New Path in Snakebite Treatment

In a flurry of modern innovation and age-old challenges, the advent of artificial intelligence in medicine has taken a transformative leap—designing proteins that could revolutionize snakebite treatments. These AI-designed proteins, crafted by the visionary Prof. David Baker and his team, mark a significant stride in the realm of antivenom development. For the first time, these proteins have been shown to protect living organisms, specifically mice, from lethal snake venom toxins.

Prof. Baker, a recent Nobel laureate in Chemistry, alongside collaborators like Dr. Timothy Jenkins, co-authored a groundbreaking study published in Nature. “For the first time globally, we showed that these AI-designed binders also work in living creatures,” Dr. Jenkins proudly stated. The potential applications of these binders extend far beyond snakebites; they could potentially tackle viruses, cancer, and autoimmune diseases—each a daunting adversary in its own right.

To comprehend the magnitude of this breakthrough, one must delve into the perennial issue of snakebites—a scourge that claims between 81,000 and 138,000 lives each year, with countless survivors bearing life-altering injuries. Existing antivenom production methods, which date back a century, are notoriously cumbersome and expensive, involving the extraction of venom, antibody harvesting from animals, and distribution challenges heightened by the need for cold storage. The traditional approach is fraught with severe side effects and can only be administered in fully equipped medical facilities, due to the risk of anaphylactic shock.

Enter AI—an unexpected hero in a field that has long languished in stagnation. Using machine models, researchers like Dr. Jenkins have achieved what seemed unattainable, generating “very, very strong binders against [snake toxins] that we’d struggled with for two years in the lab,” as he elaborated. The efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this technology are game-changing, especially in underserved regions where the need for advanced medical solutions is most pressing.

Yet, Dr. Diogo Martins of the Wellcome Trust urges a tempered optimism. “While I wouldn’t describe it as revolutionary,” he cautions, “it does stand out for effectively translating machine learning data into actual efficacy with thermostable, production-friendly proteins. That’s a significant step forward and could address some of the persistent challenges in this space.”

One of the principal challenges in snakebite treatment lies in the complexity of snake venoms—evolution’s cruel masterpiece designed to kill or maim with efficiency. Covering this vast biochemical terrain, with its approximately 2,000 toxins, is no simple feat. “Even if we take a single species, it can add up to 100 different toxins,” Dr. Jenkins explained, underscoring the ambition required to neutralize these lethal substances effectively.

Nonetheless, the triumphant progress seen here is largely attributable to AI’s prowess in identifying “broadly neutralizing binders”—proteins capable of counteracting a wide array of snake toxins. The fusion of AI technologies, including Alphafold 2, RFdiffusion, and ProteinMPNN, heralds a new era where therapeutic binders can be swiftly designed and mass-produced without the logistical burdens of traditional methods.

Looking to the future, Dr. Jenkins and his team are poised to advance from proof-of-concept studies to the creation of a human-use product. “We’ve conducted a proof of concept study showing that this tech works… I think six months isn’t an unrealistic timeframe to have a panel of therapeutic binders for a specific geographical region to test [in a laboratory],” he declared with cautious optimism.

In a world where snakebites continue to devastate rural populations, the confluence of AI and biotechnology offers a beacon of hope. The road ahead—though fraught with challenges—promises a more accessible, efficient path to saving lives and alleviating suffering on a global scale.

Pope Francis: Arm Injury Can’t Hold Back the Papal Powerhouse as He Walks the Talk

Pope Francis has once again faced a physical setback, this time with an arm injury following a fall in his Santa Marta residence—a mishap that comes only weeks after a previous tumble left him with a bruised chin. Despite these unsettling incidents, the 88-year-old pontiff remains unyielding in his commitments and duties.

The Vatican, in its official statement, confirmed that the Pope sustained a contusion on his right forearm, with no fractures detected. An arm sling has been employed as a precautionary measure, reflecting a careful approach amidst growing concern over the Pope’s health. The Vatican assured that his condition continues to be closely observed, yet he has not altered his packed schedule.

Francis has been a resilient figure in the face of persistent health challenges—knee and back pain often necessitate the use of a cane or wheelchair. The Pope’s ongoing mobility struggles have not, however, dampened his spirit or his resolve to lead the 1.4 billion strong Catholic community. He’s quoted saying, “The Church is governed using the head and the heart, not the legs,” words that underscore his unwavering commitment despite the physical adversity.

The Pope’s recent fall has fueled speculation akin to the discussions sparked by his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, whose resignation in 2013—partly attributed to a fall—broke a centuries-old tradition. Yet, Pope Francis has firmly downplayed any notions of stepping down. In his recently published memoir, “Hope: The Autobiography,” he asserts, “I am well… The reality is, quite simply, that I am old,” dismissing resignation rumors with a blend of humility and humor.

Even as concerns about his health mount, the Pope remains active, fulfilling his duties with the same vigor. Earlier this year, he embarked on a demanding four-nation trip—the longest of his papacy in terms of duration and distance—a testament to his resilience and dedication. His ability to maintain such an intense schedule, despite health setbacks, speaks volumes about his leadership and tenacity.

As he navigates the challenges that come with age, Pope Francis continues to inspire with his profound commitment. He candidly shared about the “embarrassing” transition to using a wheelchair yet accepted it as a part of aging that “never arrives by itself, and it must be accepted for what it is.” His acceptance of this reality, coupled with regular physiotherapy sessions and a disciplined routine, highlights his proactive approach to managing his health.

The Vatican has yet to announce any revision to his upcoming engagements, further cementing the Pope’s resolve to lead by example. His recent health episodes, though concerning, are met with a response rooted in faith and endurance, characteristics that define his papacy. As the world looks on, Pope Francis remains a symbol of resilience—his wisdom and fortitude guiding the Church through the challenges of modern times.