December Discoveries: Squid-Inspired Medicine

Can you believe it’s already December 2024? This time of year makes me reflect on progress—yours and mine. Many of you have been on your English learning journey for a year now! Are you satisfied with your growth? I certainly am. Watching your hard work inspires me to keep improving myself, learning new things, and becoming a better mentor. Thank you for motivating me!

The development of medicine looks incredible and will change everything.

Speaking of growth and discovery, let me share something fascinating with you—how squids are inspiring breakthroughs in medicine. It might sound strange, but it could revolutionise the way we treat illnesses. This article is from The Economist magazine, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.

Here’s how it works:

• The devices are swallowed as capsules.

• Once in the digestive system, they release tiny jets of medicine that penetrate the soft tissues of the stomach, intestines, or oesophagus.

• These tissues are rich in blood vessels, allowing the medicine to quickly enter the bloodstream without the need for a needle.

Animal tests have shown that this method works even in hard-to-reach places, proving its potential as a new way to deliver drugs.

Why This Matters

Millions of people avoid treatments like insulin or vaccines because of needle anxiety. This new method could make a huge difference, especially for people with diabetes who require daily injections. In the future, it might even be used for vaccines, making the process painless and stress-free.

What do you think—would this make you feel more comfortable with medicine? Let me know your thoughts as we look forward to a new year full of discoveries!