Few of us can resist the lure of get-rich-quick schemes.
Highly regarded for its scientific research on compounds that could have far-reaching applications in medicine, as well as teaching us more about ecology and evolution.
Scorpions are a dangerous species, but at the same time scorpion venom represents a revolution in the field of medical research.
In the tail of a scorpion there is a poison gland, and although all scorpions are venomous, only a few species actually possess deadly venom.
A study conducted earlier this year found that smaller scorpions have more dangerous venom.
In fact, `scorpions have to increase their metabolism many times to produce venom. For them, venom production happens the same as when humans are running a marathon` said Dr. Biology
`We did a study a few years ago where we just poked the scorpion and made it angry so it injected venom into the vial. They tend to use about 3 to 5 percent venom
Scorpion venom is a neurotoxic chemical harvested from different types of scorpions.
North Africa along with the Middle East, India, Mexico and parts of South America are home to about 50 species of scorpions that represent a potential threat to human life.
Scorpions produce pre-venom in their first sting, which comes out as a clear liquid.
Among all the different species of scorpions, the Deathstalker Scorpion is the most dangerous and its venom is used for many medical purposes and costs about $39 million per gallon.
Nature has long been a source of inspiration for human innovation in every field, from technology and design to medicine and therapeutics.
Given that scorpion venom is rich in proteins, peptides, and molecular compounds that block or rearrange ion channels in the body, they are considered promising candidates for derived drugs.
Pharmaceutical applications of scorpion venom can vary depending on the specific ion channels they affect.
These venoms have evolved into weapons to neutralize certain diseases by acting on these channels.
According to Oddity Central, the Deathstalker scorpion’s venom is not only the most dangerous venom in the world but also the most expensive liquid on the planet, costing up to 39 million USD/gallon (about 40 billion VND/liter).
It’s so expensive because `squeezing out` a scorpion can only produce a drop of venom the size of a grain of sugar.
To get this precious toxin mixture, one would have to squeeze the venom by hand, as automated venom extraction methods are just being developed.
There is also the fact that every time the venom of this scorpion is studied, more uses are found for it, thus increasing its appreciation and demand for this liquid.
Source: Animalia;