Conotoxin- A Filipino Scientist Discovery

From My Science Readings This Week-

Filipino scientist Angel Alcala was also involved in groundbreaking marine research that led to the discovery of conotoxin — a potent compound found in the venom of cone snails from Philippine waters.

Conotoxin became the basis for Ziconotide, a non-opioid painkiller 1,000 times stronger than morphine, used for chronic pain in cancer and other severe conditions.

His work not only helped preserve marine ecosystems but also contributed to life-saving medicine around the world.

Meanwhile, Did you Know That.....

Did you know there's a bridge that seems to float over the water for nearly 24 miles?

In the state of Louisiana, USA , you'll find the incredible Lake Pontchartrain Causeway – a structure that fascinates both engineers and travelers alike.

Cool facts about it:

• It's approximately 38.4 kilometers (23.8 miles) long , making it one of the longest bridges over continuous water in the world.

• It consists of two parallel roadways , built in different decades: the first in 1956, and the second in 1969.

• It connects Metairie (near New Orleans) to Mandeville, linking the southern and northern shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

• The bridge was designed to cut travel time and offer a faster commute for thousands of daily drivers.

• It's widely used by people who live north of the lake and work in the New Orleans area .

Fun facts & curiosities:

• In the middle of the bridge, the lake is so wide that you can’t see land – it feels like driving across the ocean!

• It's supported by over 9,000 concrete pilings , ensuring solid stability.

• The bridge has been featured in world records and praised for its engineering .

• It has toll booths, regular patrols, and strict safety protocols for travelers.

• It’s not just a bridge – it’s a symbol of connection and smart urban planning .

A true example of how infrastructure can connect communities while offering a unique visual experience.

Source: Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission (GNOEC)

Lastly, Bad Breaking News on US Tourism:

Donald Trump destroys a crucial piece of the American economy as tourism to the United States dramatically plummets due to his escalating fascism — down 12% from last year.

And it gets even worse... According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, the number of tourists visiting the United States from Western Europe dropped by 7% in March. The largest group, tourists from the United Kingdom, dropped by 14%.

Ireland was down by 27%. German tourism decreased by 28%, perhaps connected to the fact that MAGA oligarch Elon Musk has spent a great deal of time promoting the far-right German AFD party.

Spain and Norway both dropped by 25%. Switzerland decreased by 25%. Denmark dropped a jaw-dropping 34% — a likely result of Trump's deranged efforts to seize Greenland, which is a an autonomous territory of Denmark.

Making all of this worse are the horror stories emerging of innocent tourists being terrorized and deported by ICE officers inflamed by Trump's rhetoric.

Travel writer Eoghan Corry told The Irish Times that there is "an intense uncertainty" among participants at a conference for American travel operators.

“The German market is very important to the US, but there has been immense publicity in Germany about border control," he added, explaining that social media is "full of cases" of European travelers being detained and questioned at US borders.

To the rest of the world, America is becoming an uglier and crueler place so it's no wonder that foreign tourists are choosing to spend their vacation money elsewhere.

The people hurt most by this tourism slump are obviously American business owners and vendors who rely on tourists to drive their profits. Once again, Donald Trump has inflicted economic suffering on the American people and given us nothing in return.