[PHOTO NEWS] 'Larva' service robot for ticketing to appear at S. Korean airport

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• Gosoa, a Functional Ingredient for Muscle Maintenance, Enters Health Supplement Market Gosoa (the larva of the brown beetle) hydrolysate has been recognized as a functional ingredient in health supplements that can help reduce muscle loss due to aging. Results from human trials showed improvements in grip strength and lower body strength, indicating a potential expansion in the health supplement market utilizing insect protein.On September 21, the Rural Development Administration announced that Gosoa hydrolysate has been registered as a functional ingredient in health supplements by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, acknowledging its ability to assist in maintaining muscle strength that may decline with age.Gosoa hydrolysate is created by treating defatted Gosoa powder with hydrolytic enzymes, breaking down high molecular weight proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids. While the dried powder is rich in protein, its high molecular weight makes digestion and absorption time-consuming, prompting the Rural Development Administration to develop hydrolysis technology.The administration conducted a human trial involving 44 adults aged 50 to 75, who consumed 2 grams of Gosoa hydrolysate daily for 12 weeks. The results showed an average increase in grip strength from 21.4 kg to 26.8 kg, a gain of 5.4 kg.Lower body strength and physical performance also improved. In a sit-to-stand test, the time taken decreased from 7.38 seconds to 6.23 seconds. Additionally, the strength of the quadriceps increased by 7.7 times for extensors and 2.3 times for flexors.The Rural Development Administration also confirmed the mechanism of action for Gosoa hydrolysate. A peptide derived from the hydrolysate, AAPY, was found to activate muscle cell regulatory factors SIRT1 and Akt pathways, inhibiting muscle protein breakdown and promoting synthesis.Gosoa has expanded its use from a general food ingredient to a functional material. Since registering Gosoa as a general food ingredient in March 2016, the Rural Development Administration has continued research to utilize it as a new protein source.In clinical studies aimed at improving nutrition for cancer patients post-surgery, Gosoa was found to help inhibit muscle loss and enhance immune cell function. Research involving cancer patients undergoing treatment who consumed Gosoa shakes also confirmed increased protein intake, muscle mass growth, and alleviation of chemotherapy side effects.The government plans to expand the industrialization of Gosoa following this functional ingredient registration. On September 8, a new insect industry hub capable of mass-producing insect ingredients was completed in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, with a capacity to produce up to 1,000 tons of insect ingredients annually.Based on this, the development of products utilizing Gosoa protein, including health supplements, beverages, protein powders, and medical foods, is expected to accelerate.Jung Kyung-seok, Director of Food Industry Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "The registration of Gosoa hydrolysate as a functional ingredient is expected to accelerate commercialization led by companies. The government will strengthen the industrial ecosystem encompassing production and distribution based on a stable supply chain through the insect industry hub, enhancing international competitiveness."Kim Nam-jeong, head of the Agricultural Bio Department at the Rural Development Administration, remarked, "This achievement is significant as it marks the leap of insects from general food to functional ingredients, setting a new milestone in the health supplement market. We will continue to expand public-private cooperation to promote the functionalization and commercialization of insect protein, nurturing it as a new growth engine for our agricultural ecosystem."* This article has been translated by AI.
• Male honey bee larva earns title of edible insect in S. Korea SEOUL -- Male honey bees have been discarded by beekeepers as useless or ejected by worker bees from their hive in autumn to save resources. Finally, they found their part after South Korea's health regulatory agency recognized them as an edible insect that can be traded legally. What's more encouraging is that they are now seen as future food resources. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said it has recognized male honey bee (drone) larva as a food insect because it contains three major nutrients: 16 percent of carbohydrate, 26 percent of crude fat and 52 percent of protein. During their larval period, male bees are fed royal jelly for three days as well as honey and pollen for the next four days. "It is expected to be a new source of income for beekeepers at a time when it is difficult to reduce honey production due to climate change and industrialization," the ministry said in a statement, adding male honey bee larvae can be used as raw materials for foodstuffs and future food resources. A drone's primary role is to mate with an unfertilized queen. Drones die off or are ejected from the hive in late autumn, and do not reappear in the beehive until late spring. They would deplete the hive's resources too quickly if they were allowed to stay. The life expectancy of a drone is about 90 days. Male bees became the ninth edible insect in South Korea along with two types of silkworm larvae, locust, meal beetle larva, white-spotted flower chafer beetle larva, beetle larva, adult cricket and giant mealworm beetle larva. The market for edible insects has seen a steady increase thanks to a government drive to promote insect farming. Government data showed that total insect sales in South Korea rose 8.1 percent from a year ago to 40.5 billion won ($32.9 million) in 2019. In 2019, the number of insect producers and distributors was up 9.4 percent on-year to 2,535. Edible insects are rich in protein and minerals and contain a high amount of unsaturated fatty acid. Edible insect species consumed globally include butterflies and moths, beetles, ants, bees and wasps, grasshoppers and crickets. They are raised as livestock in specialized insect farms from eggs to larvae status or to their mature form before being freeze-dried and packed whole, or pulverized to insect powder, to be processed in other food products such as bakery products, or snacks. In Western markets, insect food producers focus on four species suitable for human consumption as well as industrialized mass production, including house cricket, European migratory locust, mealworms and Lesser mealworms
• Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin Aims to Create a City of Advanced Technology and Culture Seongnam Mayor Shin Sang-jin stated on October 23, "We will create a city where advanced technology and culture are part of everyday life for citizens."On that afternoon, Mayor Shin opened the '2026 Seongnam Tech Art Festival' at Pangyo Station Square, marking the start of a three-day festival running until October 25. He emphasized his commitment to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and cultural arts, allowing citizens to experience and enjoy future technologies in their daily lives.The festival, themed 'AI Innovation City Seongnam, Playing with the Future,' features various programs at four locations: Pangyo Station Square, Tancheon, Seongnam City Hall, and Seongnam Sports Complex, showcasing AI, robotics, media art, musical performances, and a drone show. During the opening ceremony, Mayor Shin remarked, "The goal of the Seongnam Tech Art Festival is not just to appreciate advanced technology and cultural arts but to enable citizens to experience and enjoy them directly." The ceremony was attended by over 1,000 people, including Mayor Shin, city council officials, local dignitaries, and business representatives. The event kicked off with a performance by five AI robots, followed by a ceremony featuring Mayor Shin and the robots, and a tech concert by Beatpella House.A tech pop-up zone will operate at Pangyo Station Square until October 24, featuring eight companies and creative organizations. Citizens can experience advanced technology content, including AI, robotics, and media art. On October 24, a 'Creative Talk' will be held, where AI content creators will share their technology and creative experiences.At Tancheon, activities will include kayaking, as well as experience zones for robotics, drones, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR), along with a Tancheon market and global food zone. In the evenings, a multimedia show combining media art with light, lasers, and music will take place.Notably, on October 24 at 8:30 PM, 3,000 drones will light up the night sky over Tancheon, showcasing popular characters such as Pororo, Tayo, and Larva. On October 25, the Seongnam Sports Complex will host the '2026 Music Festa' featuring singers Lee Jae-hoon and Kim Won-jun, along with drone sports experiences. The festival will conclude with a light show featuring 1,500 drones at 8:50 PM.Additionally, Seongnam City Hall will host a youth creative science festival, the Seongnam City-KAIST AI competition, and a children's drawing contest, supporting the enhancement of scientific imagination and creativity among future generations.Now in its fourth year, this festival has evolved from the 'Seongnam Festival' in 2023 into an event that combines technology, art, and gaming.Mayor Shin noted that this year, the festival's name and content were revamped to reflect the city's characteristics as a hub for AI and advanced industries, while expanding citizen participation programs.Furthermore, Mayor Shin added, "We will continue to connect Seongnam's urban spaces and cultural resources to develop this festival into a representative event that citizens enjoy and visitors will want to return to."* This article has been translated by AI.