Overview

Proposal Stage

Our inspiration for this project stemmed from our common interests in roller coasters. In our first gathering earlier this year, we discovered that although being huge fans of roller coasters in amusement parks, we all more or less experienced dizziness and nausea, suggesting that this might be a popular issue. Thus, in the interest of the public, we were determined to delve into this problem and come up with a potential solution.

To approach the problem comprehensively, we came up with three major issues to investigate and expand on: First, the actual mechanism behind the sickness, and how we can discover special drugs or substances to target that malfunctioning area. Second, although we all have had the experience of roller coaster sickness, that doesn’t say anything about the whole population, thus, determining whether or not we are addressing a problem faced by the majority is urgent and necessary. Finally, the commercial prospect and potential applications of our project.

We approached the three issues step-by-step. By doing massive research—both online and lab-based, conducting surveys on the public, and interviewing the professionals, we made it to the laboratory. We’ve ensured the viability of our project and believe that we are addressing a genuine need.

Initial Suggestion

We started off with the first question: with the help of the experts and our biology backgrounds, we arrived on an agreement that the phenomenon may have something to do with vestibular dysfunction and its successive effects on motion sickness (specifically in transportation and amusement park rides), which is exactly the case based on our research. However, more intriguing was what’s behind the vestibular dysfunction. A majority of our research suggested that after roller coasters with sharp turns and steep drops, there’s an increase in our neurons’ internal pressures, causing them to swell and compress some very critical areas, most notably the cranial nerves responsible for visual system, vestibular-auditory system, and gustatory system.

This neuronal swelling can cause vestibular dysfunctions and motion sicknesses in the short term, however, if not properly addressed, it might also have catastrophic effects on both the brain and the blood vessels, potentially triggering long-term neurological diseases like hematoma, edema, and even death. Therefore, we became certain that we are working to address a valid and critical issue, especially for those frequent roller coaster riders.

After knowing the mechanism, we discovered surprisingly that something as common as vitamin B might have relieving effects on the swelling. Therefore, our professor conducted various experiments in lab and proved our hypothesis. We found that, specifically, unlike car sickness pills that decrease neuronal sensitivity and might have long-term side effects, vitamin B12, on the other hand, nutrifies the neurons, increasing their viabilities (or health), relieving their swelling after impactful forces, and minimizing the harm on neurons or cerebral cortex after roller coasters. Furthermore, another kind of vitamin B, vitamin B6 increases the permeability of vascular endothelial cells, thus acting as a buffer against external forces. As a result, these preparatory research and experiments helped us establish the plausibility and research direction of our project.

Following this direction, we proposed the idea of a nasal spray, which carries the water-soluble vitamin B into a person’s body through encapsulating nanomaterials. Although it was really an uncharted and lesser-known research field for us, we continued with our research and experiments throughout the year.

Survey and Interview

Online Questionnaire

In response to our second questions, we conducted a questionnaire on public experience of motion sickness andcommon knowledge or thoughts on adopting preventive or alleviating strategies.

Through various promotional methods, we were able to get our online survey to be circulated through social media, QR codes, and offline high-footfall areas like the tech parks and amusement parks.

Public experience:

A total of 4,074 responses were obtained from the survey. Overall, 71.08% of respondents had a previous history of motion sickness from either transportation or amusement rides. The main causes of motion sickness were long journey (41.67%), closed or non-ventilated area (51.47%), and sharp speed changes disrupting human’s balance by generating an tilt perception that causes symptoms of motions attack (47.55%).

Common knowledge:

Two-thirds of participants (66.5%) were aware that motion sickness was linked to vestibular function, while one-third did not understand this association. In terms of coping strategies, 66.05% of participants took motion sickness medications for prevention once they started feeling bad, followed by 53.08% of them using simply ventilation. Notably, specific products such as sprays or patches were also often used (47.59%), however, only 10.2% rated them as highly effective with half suggesting that they were only somewhat or minimally effective.

In their assessment of the product, survey respondents ranked safety (52.3%) and effect duration (46.8%) above portability andside effects. The mostly favored form was spray (35.4%), followed by patches and oral medications (29.6%).

The results of our survey indicate that not only is our proposal valid, but it’s also an uncharted field to address motion sicknessproblems. It’s also suggested that customers would preferproducts that are more effective, credible, and easier to use, pointing out a researching path for commercial and pharmaceutical applications.

Offline Interview

In order to gain a deeper understanding of how people from different backgrounds were viewing this problem and their thoughts on our idea of the spray, we interviewed three randomly-selected people each with different cultural backgrounds, ages, and experience in roller coasters.

A. Amy is a 12-year-old junior high school student with huge interest in roller coasters and various experience in the world’s famous ones. B. Bella is a 37-yea-old mother with two children, who only enjoys occasional roller coaster rides with her children. C. Cody is a biochemistry doctor over 60 years old who loves roller coasters with his family.

This interview has taught us about the validity, usability, design preference, and accessibility of our idea.

Validity: After roller coaster rides, all three of our interviewee report feeling dizziness, especially after continuous spins, sharp turns, and high speed.

Usability: All three of them mentioned that they would be worried of the side effects if being introduced with our spray, not being able to be reassured without strict scientific censor and prevalent use by public. If proved safe, they would also want long-lasting effects if the spray so that they don’t have to spray it again and again over multiple roller coaster rides. Plus, Bella, as a mother for two children, also expressed interest in a children-friendly version of the spray.

Design Preference: The interview also told us a lot about how the public would want the spray to be. Bella and Amy prefer a fresher smell, and Bella also wants a specific instruction on how to use for the elders. The three of them also pointed out that the container should be light and portable.

Accessibility: To ensure that the public can have access to our product, we inquired them about where they would purchase it and learnt that they prefer the more convenient online shopping with comments of others and going to pharmacies with more reliability. Moreover, they also suggested collaborating with amusement parks and holding trial suit in which everyone can have a try and experience its effects. This taught us a lot about where to put our promotional efforts.

Conclusively, although coming from different backgrounds, the three of them had similar thoughts on our project, indicating how the public might react after the introduction of it.

Identifying problems

Explore the necessity of the project

Overall, the professors provided us with positive feedback on where our project is going and gave critical suggestions on the detailed promotional and commercial directions. Once we finalized the topic and the experimental setup for our project, we found ourselves pondering a crucial question: given the abundance of available motion sickness drugs with diverse and varying levels of effectiveness on the market, was it truly essential for us to embark on the development of yet another motion sickness drug? After thorough research and discussions with our professor, we once again confirmed the innovative and societal benefits of our project. Our findings revealed that while existing medications in the market could partially alleviate symptoms, they lacked the capability to safeguard and regenerate nerve cells. Most of these medications targeted either the central nervous system or the vestibular function, resulting in what we could describe as a numbing effect. Our survey also highlighted that many individuals, including those who are inclined to enjoy roller coasters, experienced limitations due to impaired vestibular function. We aimed to address this issue by developing a motion sickness drug that would enable individuals to partake in thrilling experiences without compromising their nerve cells. By doing so, we aimed to mitigate the potential adverse effects associated with inappropriate motion sickness medications without having to abstain from enjoying roller coaster rides.

Having carefully defined our mission, we feel a renewed sense of enthusiasm and assurance in our ability to make a meaningful impact through our work. We are confident that our efforts are contributing real value to society.

Random interviews about market positioning

To gain insights into the market positioning of our finished product, we decided to conduct random interviews with individuals from various demographics. Our aim was to better understand the potential commercial prospects of our pharmaceutical drugs. The interviews involved engaging with individuals including Amy, Bella, and Cody.

The general consensus among the interviewees was that they are particularly interested in the efficacy, longevity, and potential side effects of the product. It is imperative that our upcoming product embodies these outstanding qualities. The feedback from the interviews indicated a positive inclination towards our product, with individuals expressing a strong preference for it once it hits the market. This positive response has bolstered our team's morale and faith in the product's potential success.

Specific business prospects and suggestions

Since our project lacks certain commercial guidance, our team members interviewed a company managert, hoping to gain more insights. (Interview with the manager).

Our team recently sought commercial guidance to further develop our project. During an interview with a company manager, valuable insights were shared regarding potential business prospects. The manager highlighted that our product has great potential beyond just anti-nausea medication. It was suggested that our product could be utilized in various areas to enhance entertainment and audience appeal. Additionally, considering the recent occurrences of athletes' sudden deaths, there is a possibility for our product to provide protection for athletes. Furthermore, with the aging population trend, our product's ability to restore vestibular function could be beneficial for older individuals, helping them prevent various problems.

In terms of pricing, the general manager emphasized the need to tailor it to the specific market and recommended conducting thorough market research to determine the appropriate pricing strategy. It was noted that pricing within the suitable range can lead to higher market acceptance.

To effectively reach our target audiences, the general manager proposed using short video media accounts to create captivating promotional content for the younger demographic. For the elderly audience, community outreach activities and similar promotional methods were suggested to ensure better understanding and recognition of our product.

Study on the safety and feasibility of nasal spray

In an effort to gain insight into the opinions of medical professionals and other researchers, particularly those represented by doctors, regarding our nasal inhalation spray, we conducted an interview with a doctor from a hospital in Beijing. Our primary objective was to delve into the safety and practicality aspects of our product. The full interview with the doctor can be accessed in the dedicated doctor interview section.

He emphasized the importance of beginning with the real-life clinical scenario and applying fundamental research techniques to address the issue. There is a significant population affected by vestibular function disorders, and any medications or innovations capable of genuinely improving people's lives will undoubtedly attract significant interest.

Vitamin B6 and B12 are considered to be relatively safe for consumption. This is important to consider when developing a product, as it can make the promotion and marketing process easier and more straightforward.

He also brought up the topic of drug dosage. It's important to note that the threshold for side effects of vitamin B6 and B12 is quite high, and while the side effects are generally mild, we should consider looking into the vitamin solutions created by established companies as we develop this functional product.

We should also take into account their products and usage instructions. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that our packaging materials are safe for human consumption and specifically tailored for their intended use. Additionally, we need to consider the safety and compliance of using neurotransmitters.

Conclusion

We have developed a medication that includes both a spray and oral administration to help reduce vestibular function damage and alleviate vertigo. HP's involvement has been crucial in documenting our team's journey from identifying the abstract problem to uncovering the root issue. A community survey revealed that many people are struggling with vestibular function. Inspired by Teacher Li, we devised an alternative solution and conducted experiments to test our medication, all while demonstrating our social responsibility. As part of the HP campaign, we visited amusement parks and coaching centers, interviewing individuals who experienced car sickness or dizziness from riding roller coasters. Our findings revealed that the issue is widespread and persistent. We also engaged in extensive discussions with medical professionals to gather valuable feedback for improving our medication. Moreover, we discussed with the company president the potential promotion and marketing strategies to enhance the drug's visibility. Our responsibilities go beyond being passionate synthetic biology researchers; we utilize social platforms like XiaoHongbook and WeChat public accounts to educate people about the causes of dizziness and the role of the vestibular system, fostering better understanding of their bodies. Despite not being widely recognized, we are committed to raising awareness within our community