Episode 86 - How AI can improve vaccines and how much is too much sperm donation?

How can AI improve upon the design of mRNA vaccines? How much is too much when it comes to sperm donations? Turns out the Netherlands has a problem with serial donators. And a quick note on some interesting patterns in data associating smartphone usage with adolescent depression, anxiety, self harm, and suicide. Plus, a special debut of an excellent new track by friends of the show The Dust Collectors.

This episode is a mix of stories and were chosen for different reasons. The first is a more positive look at AI rather than a lot of the doom and gloom stuff that has dominated the conversation recently. It also offers an interesting perspective on the complexity and beauty of biology. The story of one Dutch man fathering upwards of 500 children via sperm donations is troubling and reminds us of the ethical challenges involved with medicine and biotech. Finally, an interesting look at some international data regarding adolescent mental health and smartphones hints that the problem isn’t as clear cut as we might think. It also gives a nice example of how data is used to generate new questions and challenge assumptions.

Very big thanks to The Dust Collectors for providing their new track ‘Waiting Game’ as the outro music. Check out live show dates and the debut album release on their website or by following them on Instagram and/or Spotify.

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Links

‘Remarkable’ AI tool designs mRNA vaccines that are more potent and stable https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-01487-y#ref-CR1

Algorithm for Optimized mRNA Design Improves Stability and Immunogenicity https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06127-z

Dutch court orders sperm donor to stop after 550 children https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/28/dutch-court-orders-sperm-donor-to-stop-after-550-children

Dutch serial sperm donor case raises questions in Belgium https://www.brusselstimes.com/487914/dutch-serial-sperm-donor-case-raises-questions-in-belgium

Suicide rates for girls are rising. Are smartphones to blame? https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2023/05/03/suicide-rates-for-girls-are-rising-are-smartphones-to-blame