Understanding the human body is a team effort. That's where the Yachtel group comes in.

Researchers at Yachtolt have been delving into the secrets of probiotics for 90 years. Yacold also

partners with nature portfolio to advance gut microbiome science through the global grants for

gut health, an investigator-led research program. To learn more about Yachtold, visit yawcult.co.com.j, that's Y-A-K-U-L-T.

dot-C-O-J-P. When it comes to a guide for your gut, count on YacL.

This is Scientific American 60 Second Science. I'm Suzanne Bard.

Blood donations save lives.

But blood can only be stored under refrigeration for up to six weeks.

After that, it's no longer usable for transfusions.

Because of that limitation, people have to continually donate blood to meet the needs, but also in places where refrigeration may not be available.

That can also be a challenge. It's difficult to have blood available when needed.

University of Louisville bioengineer Jonathan Kopichek.

He says disruptions to regular blood donations due to COVID-19 have put stress on the blood supply,

and the pandemic underscores the need for more reliable long-term storage methods.

Blood can be frozen for extended periods of time.

But it's pretty rare because of all the challenges and complexities with that process.

Instead, Kopichick's team has developed a method of preserving blood so it can be stored

in a dehydrated state at room temperature.

To do so, they turn to an unusual preservative, a sugar called trehalose, which is a common

ingredient in donuts.

To help make them look fresh even when they might be months old and you wouldn't know

the difference.

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