News 22.06.2023

News

Patients can now listen to their cancer's demise via The Most Beautiful Sound, MitoQ targets stress at a cellular level, and why nearly half of Chinese consumers are boycotting foreign brands.

The Most Beautiful Sound campaign lets patients hear cancer's demise

The Most Beautiful Sound by Grey Health & Wellness, US

US – The Most Beautiful Sound is an innovative new project from healthcare-focused advertising agencies WPP and Grey Health & Wellness that captures the mesmerising process of cancer cells dying and translates it into a first-of-its-kind auditory experience.

Developed in collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) the campaign aims to enhance cancer patients' understanding of how their medication or chemotherapy affects cancer cells.

Led by Dr Conor Evans of Harvard Medical School, researchers used stimulated Raman scattering microscopy to isolate and precisely measure the movements of breast and lung cancer cells at the moment of their demise. These intricate cellular movements were then transformed into audible sounds.

At a recent ASCO meeting, a dedicated listening station provided attendees with the opportunity to immerse themselves in captivating audio and watch an emotional video capturing the profound moments when cancer patients heard the sounds for the first time.

We recently explored how innovative technologies are transforming complex healthcare processes into immersive experiences. As one in 2 men and women will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives in the UK (source: British Journal of Cancer), there is a growing need for a marketplace that provides tools and services that make healthcare journeys more accessible, understandable, and empowering.

Strategic opportunity

Healthcare industry players should blend creativity, science and tech. Consider investing in VFX developers, music producers, artists and writers to create immersive experiences that make the healthcare journey uniquely engaging and reflective of your brand

MitoQ's new dietary supplement targets stress at a cellular level

MitoQ, New Zealand MitoQ, New Zealand
MitoQ, New Zealand MitoQ, New Zealand

New Zealand – MitoQ, a New Zealand-based cell health company, has announced the introduction of MitoQ Adrenal +Balance, a formulation of proven actives that addresses everyday stress at the cellular level to help balance cortisol levels.

MitoQ’s research found that more than 50% of people surveyed reported fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, problems sleeping and lack of mental clarity as top stress-related issues. Our modern lifestyles - often consisting of work, poor sleep and unbalanced diets - cause stress, and this impacts the adrenal glands which are central to the mediation and production of cortisol, our stress hormone. MitoQ’s new ingredient targets cell stress within the mitochondria and improves energy, increases exercise recovery, and promotes healthy ageing while also managing emotional stress and balancing cortisol levels.

Our upcoming Beauty, Health & Wellness online event (taking place on 27 June from 4:30pm to 5:30 pm BST) will also dissect the importance of cellular wellbeing and its correlation to ageing. Additionally, in line with MitoQ’s research, we will evaluate how stress and poor mental health affects not only the ageing process but also the motivation people have to live elongated lives.

Strategic opportunity

Treatments for stress represent a large market for all healthcare industry players given the rise in awareness and diagnosis of burn-out, anxiety and depression among Millennials and Gen Z. Investing in R&D is crucial to respond to this growing demand with innovative treatments such as MitoQ Adrenal +Balance benefiting mental wellbeing

AI tool combats gender bias in fairy tales

LEGO’s Laundrette of Dreams by Yinka Ilori. Photography by Mark Cocksedge, UK LEGO’s Laundrette of Dreams by Yinka Ilori. Photography by Mark Cocksedge, UK

Researchers from Northeastern University, University of California Los Angeles, and IBM Research have developed a tool to analyse gender biases and stereotypes in fairy tales.

After gathering character names, genders, and events from a diverse collection of hundreds of stories, such as Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, the study analysed a total of 33,577 events. Some 69% were associated with male characters, while 31% were linked to female characters. The latter were often depicted in domestic tasks, while their male counterparts experienced success, failure or aggression.

Using this data, the researchers created a sophisticated natural language processing tool able to identify bias in event chains. Writers can upload their first drafts into this sensitivity check tool and receive a score indicating the level of bias in their work. The tool not only identifies biases but also offers suggestions for improvement, which the researchers hope will foster the creation of more inclusive stories for children.

We recently explored the optimistic applications of AI, particularly its ability to identify and question human patterns. With its super-fast processing capabilities, AI can serve as a valuable tool and help us build stories and processes featuring more inclusive perspectives.

Strategic opportunity

AI is a valuable tool for identifying blind spots. Consider how to integrate similar sensitivity check tools into your business to set new standards of inclusivity in everything from your website copy to your advertising campaigns and internal D&I policies

Stat: Hostility to foreign brands on the rise among Chinese consumers

Raf Studio for Glass magazine, China Raf Studio for Glass magazine, China

China – Mainland China’s recent reopening, following the lifting of lockdown and the end of the travel ban, has renewed foreign brands’ interest in its consumer market. But Chinese consumers might not be that welcoming. A new study by Morning Consult states that 43% of Chinese adults report having previously boycotted a foreign brand. The country’s youngest generation of adult consumers is the most likely cohort to say they have done so (47%).

The reasons given for this hostility are primarily unethical behaviour from the business (cited by 33%), such as perceived prejudice against Chinese consumers, and geopolitically relevant concerns. Some 32% of respondents said they had boycotted a brand whose spokesperson criticised the Chinese government. In tune with the Guochao (national trend) movement, Chinese consumers increasingly seek local cultural aesthetics in all markets. Morning Consult reports nearly three in 10 Chinese adults cited a preference for local brands over foreign ones as having driven their boycott decisions.

As analysed in State of Luxury: Post-Lockdown China and the Chinese Outdoor Fashion Market, citizens in mainland China have emerged from lockdown with new consuming behaviours, including a newfound interest in their local designers, know-how, travel spots and leisure.

Strategic opportunity

Western brands eyeing the Chinese market must consider channelling Guochao with an authentic vision rather than through a culturally appropriative gaze

Previous News Articles
DesignStudio and Eucalyptus are pushing the boundaries of healthcare design

News

DesignStudio and Eucalyptus are pushing the boundaries of healthcare design

Digital healthcare company Eucalyptus has partnered with DesignStudio to craft a brand identity for its latest men’s health initiative, Compound.
Design : Health : Wellness
Dover Street Market’s new Paris branch embraces Beautiful Chaos

News

Dover Street Market’s new Paris branch embraces Beautiful Chaos

Dover Street Market is to open its eighth store in Paris, challenging conventional store layouts and encouraging exploration.
Foresight : Retail Experience : Retail
Sweetgreen stock skyrockets 37% as new steak dishes added

News

Sweetgreen stock skyrockets 37% as new steak dishes added

The stock of salad chain Sweetgreen surged by 37% following impressive first-quarter earnings and the nationwide introduction of steak to its roste...
Food : Drink : Society
Stat: UK consumers increase spending in second-hand fashion boom

News

Stat: UK consumers increase spending in second-hand fashion boom

Consumer spending on second-hand clothing and shoes surged in 2023.
Fashion : Sustainability : Secondhand Selling
Skims launches star-studded campaign to celebrate WNBA partnership

News

Skims launches star-studded campaign to celebrate WNBA partnership

Kim Kardashian’s shapewear and clothing brand Skims is now an official underwear partner of the WNBA and launched a new campaign in May 2024 featur...
Sport : Fashion : Beauty
VML’s solar-powered Guardian Toad tackles dengue crisis in Peru

News

VML’s solar-powered Guardian Toad tackles dengue crisis in Peru

VML, in collaboration with Sapolio, has introduced the Guardian Toad, a solar-powered device designed to combat the dengue epidemic in Peru.
Sustainability : Technology : Climate
Manchester airport opens private Aether terminal for all passengers

News

Manchester airport opens private Aether terminal for all passengers

Manchester airport’s new Aether terminal is set to redefine the airport experience, offering a thoughtfully designed, private space away from the m...
Travel : Hospitality : Mobility
Stat: Long-term sickness pushes British women out of the labour market

News

Stat: Long-term sickness pushes British women out of the labour market

A May 2024 study conducted by Trades Union Congress (TUC) has highlighted a concerning trend of health-related work inactivity among British women,...
Health : Wellness : Womanhood
The Salvation Army introduces easy donations for hotel guests in Brazil

News

The Salvation Army introduces easy donations for hotel guests in Brazil

The Salvation Hanger initiative, launched in São Paulo, simplifies the donation process for Sheraton Hotels & Resorts guests, encouraging them to g...
Fashion : Sustainability : Society
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty’s Future of Fragrance Experience opens in East London

News

Charlotte Tilbury Beauty’s Future of Fragrance Experience opens in East London

StudioXAG has teamed up with Charlotte Tilbury to launch the Future of Fragrance Experience, an immersive pop-up event showcasing the brand's new ...
Beauty : Retail : Fragrance
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN

What do we use cookies for?

We use cookies to enable the use of our platform’s paid features and to analyse our traffic. No personal data, including your IP address, is stored and we do not sell data to third parties.

Learn more