In a shocking turn of events, a respected Swedish medical institution, Karolinska Institutet (KI), suffered a catastrophic loss over the holiday season when decades' worth of research samples were destroyed due to a freezer malfunction.
The incident, which occurred just a day before Christmas Eve, has sent shockwaves through the scientific community, with researchers dealing with the loss of invaluable data and resources (via The Guardian).
Karolinska Institutet faces catastrophic loss as freezer malfunction destroys decades' worth of research samples, sending shockwaves through the scientific community.
Irreparable Damage
The research samples, meticulously collected and preserved over the years, were stored in cryogenic tanks cooled with liquid nitrogen at an ultra-low temperature of -190°C.
However, a critical disruption in the supply of liquid nitrogen to 16 cryogenic tanks during the holiday period proved fatal for the samples. Despite the tanks being capable of sustaining for four days without additional liquid nitrogen, the interruption persisted for five days, resulting in irreparable damage.
The repercussions of this mishap are profound, with estimates suggesting that the loss amounts to millions of kronor. While an official valuation is pending, it is clear that the impact extends far beyond monetary considerations.
Particularly hard-hit are researchers studying leukemia, who had painstakingly gathered samples from patients spanning three decades. These samples, intended for future research endeavors, held the promise of unlocking critical insights into the disease and advancing treatment strategies.
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Investigations Underway
Matti Sällberg, Dean of KI's southern campus, lamented the incident's timing, pointing out that it occurred during Christmas time. The devastation caused by the loss echoes not only within the institute's walls but also throughout the broader scientific landscape, where collaboration and innovation are critical.
In response to the crisis, KI has launched an internal investigation and promptly notified the authorities, including the police. While there is no evidence of foul play, the university is leaving no stone unturned in its quest for answers.
The incident underscores the fragility of scientific endeavors and the importance of robust infrastructure and contingency plans to safeguard against such unforeseen events.
Karolinska Institutet, renowned for its contributions to medical research and home to the Nobel Assembly, now faces a moment of reckoning. As investigations continue and efforts to rebuild commence, the resilience of the human spirit shines through, serving as a beacon of hope amidst adversity.
In Other News
French hospital starts tests on 'socially assistive' robots to help the elderly. The Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris in France recently welcomed a group of "socially assistive" robots to help alleviate the workload of its human employees.
These robots, developed by Heriot-Watt University's National Robotarium Socially Assistive Robots in Gerontological Healthcare (SPRING) project, are intended to perform routine tasks and interact with elderly patients at the Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris.
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