LifeStyle

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  Kakao's new webtoon service makes successful debut with dynamic teaser videos SEOUL -- A new webtoon service launched by Kakao Entertainment, a content and entertainment subsidiary of South Korea's web service company, made its successful debut in the domestic market, drawing attention by introducing dynamic teaser videos instead of thumbnails which are reduced-size versions of pictures or videos. Since its launch in South Korea on August 1, Kakao Webtoon achieved a turnover of one billion won ($871,339) in two days and positioned itself high in the top 2021-08-03
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  Medipost's clinical trial approved to evaluate efficacy of knee osteoarthritis treatment SEOUL -- Medipost, a South Korean biotech firm known for stem cell-based treatment, has applied for state approval to go ahead with phase 2 clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of its next-generation intra-articular Injectable treatment and prevention of knee osteoarthritis, code-named "SMUP-IA-01" Medipost's SMUP-Cell platform technology for developing next-generation cell therapy products enables the selection of small-sized highly-efficient stem cel 2021-07-30
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  [INTERVIEW] Pharmaceutical industry wants full government support to enhance international competitiveness SEOUL -- A COVID-19 pandemic has activated the consignment production of vaccines developed by multinational pharmaceutical companies in South Korea, elevating the status of domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies that have exhausted efforts over the past decade to innovate quality and develop new drugs, becoming a crucial industry like automobiles and semiconductors. The domestic pharmaceutical market has seen steady growth, promoting itself as a social safety net that enables a 2021-07-28
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  American toddler music entertainer loses legal battle against Korean Baby Shark video SEOUL -- Johnny Only, an American toddler music entertainer known for his rendition of "Baby Shark," lost a legal suit against a Korean YouTube video containing the same song that went viral worldwide, after a South Korean court ruled that children's songs handed down by oral tradition are not copyrighted. Only filed a suit seeking damage compensation in March 2019, accusing South Korea's education and entertainment company, SmartStudy, which owns "Baby Shark& 2021-07-23
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  Hyundai Steel works on method to recycle shellfish and oyster shell for furnace SEOUL -- Hyundai Steel, affiliated with South Korea's Hyundai auto group, is in the final phase of introducing a method to recycle shellfish and oyster shells that have been an environmental issue due to a huge accumulation of waste mainly along the southern coast. South Korea is one of Asia's biggest oyster farming countries. Adding limestone in the process of sintering iron ore for furnace injection can improve productivity and reduce fuel costs. Hyundai Steel has launche 2021-07-20
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  Researchers use advanced virtual screening to select three candidates for COVID-19 therapy SEOUL -- Through advanced computer-based virtual screening, researchers have selected three candidates for preclinical trials to see if they can be used for the treatment of patients infected with a new coronavirus. The three including omipalisib showed antiviral activity in human lung cells, but additional preclinical tests are required to find their optimal drug concentration and minimize toxicity. For drug repurposing, which is a tangible strategy for developing antiviral agents 2021-07-08
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  Researchers prove mud flat's ability to capture carbon SEOUL -- Blue carbon is the term for carbon captured by ocean and coastal ecosystems. Seagrasses, mangroves, and salt marshes capture carbon, acting as a carbon sink. Most of the carbon taken up by these coastal ecosystems is stored below ground. Protecting and restoring coastal habitats is a good way to reduce climate change. A research team led by Khim Jong-seong, a professor in Seoul National University's school of earth and environmental sciences, found that tidal flats in t 2021-07-06
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  Shin Poong expands clinical study to test malaria drug for COVID-19 treatment SEOUL -- A South Korean pharmaceutical firm specializing in remedy drugs will push ahead with an expanded study to evaluate the effectiveness of Pyramax, a fixed-dose combination medication for the treatment of malaria, although it did not show any statistical significance at second-stage clinical trials as a candidate to treat patients infected with a new coronavirus. Pyramax, produced by Shin Poong Pharm, is on the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines. The m 2021-07-06
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  Disinfection robots with ultraviolet-C germicidal lamps to be deployed at airport SEOUL -- As part of a campaign to stop the spread of COVID-19, autonomous disinfection robots installed with ultraviolet-C "germicidal" lamps will be deployed along the route of travelers from entry gates to quarantine stations at Incheon International Airport, South Korea's main gateway, along with quarantine guide robots. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water and surfaces that can help mitigate the risk of acquiring an infection. The w 2021-07-05
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  S. Korea launches consortium to develop next-generation mRNA vaccine platform SEOUL -- South Korea launched a special government-sponsored consortium to develop a next-generation messenger RNA vaccine platform amid growing public disappointment over the delayed launch of homemade COVID-19 vaccines. The consortium aims to develop a new vaccine capable of preventing infections by coronavirus variants. The K-mRNA consortium, launched in a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health Welfare on June 29, involves three drug makers -- Hanmi Pharmaceutical, GC Pharma a 2021-06-29
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  ToolGen seals technology transfer deal with Australian partner on gene therapy SEOUL -- ToolGen, a South Korean developer of genome editing technology, has a technology transfer deal with Cartherics Pty, a biotech startup in Australia, for the development of next-generation gene therapy using third-generation genetic scissors to cut out genetic information in cells. The Australian company aims to carry out first-stage clinical trials for ovarian cancer in the United States in 2022. Toolgen said it would receive a certain stake in Cartherics as a down payment 2021-06-28
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  Genexine develops hybrid technology for COVID-19 vaccine SEOUL -- Genexine, a clinical-stage biotechnology company in South Korea, joined hands with a domestic partner to develop hybrid vaccine technology that complements the shortcomings of DNA and messenger RNA vaccines which are in use worldwide to curb the spread of COVID-19. The novel coronavirus is studded with proteins that it uses to enter human cells. Spike proteins make a tempting target for potential vaccines and treatments. DNA vaccines transfect a specific antigen-coding DN 2021-06-25
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  Clinical trails approved to check efficacy of Korean blackberry for cancer treatment SEOUL -- An Oriental medicine research center in South Korea has won state approval to go ahead with clinical trials to demonstrate the efficacy of KIOM-ICI-1, a drug candidate for immuno-cancer treatment using substances extracted from rubus coreanus, a species of raspberry native to East Asian countries. Rubus coreanus, or known as Korean blackberry, produces edible berries that are fermented into fruit wine which has been taken to prevent problems associated with disturbed liver 2021-06-23