Category: Science and Tech
USDA reports more H5N1 avian flu in mammals, including bears
(CIDRAP) The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently reported 12 more highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu detections in mammals, including skunks, bears, a raccoon, and a red fox. Most of the animals that tested positive were from West Coast states, including Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Oregon reported the virus in […]
Jan 10, 2023
Stanford Medicine scientists pinpoint COVID-19 virus’s entry and exit ports inside our noses
(Stanford Medicine) A discovery by Stanford Medicine researchers and colleagues may pave the way for a “morning after” or prophylactic nasal spray to prevent infection. Somebody just coughed on you. On a plane. At a dinner party. In a supermarket line. If only there were a “morning after” nasal spray that could knock out respiratory […]
Jan 10, 2023
COVID-19 is more widespread in animals than we thought
(National Geographic) From lions and tigers to big hairy armadillos, a growing number of animals have been infected with the coronavirus. Here’s what we’ve learned. We think of COVID-19 as a human pandemic, but it’s much more than that. The virus that causes the disease, SARS-CoV-2, can infect a wide and growing range of animals, […]
Jan 10, 2023
(FDA) FDA is closely monitoring the emergence of the XBB.1.5 subvariant, a SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant that is currently estimated to account for 28% of circulating variants in the U.S. Because of its similarity to variants that are not neutralized by Evusheld (e.g., XBB), FDA does not anticipate that Evusheld will neutralize XBB.1.5. This means that Evusheld may […]
Jan 9, 2023
Why Do You Get Sick in the Winter? Blame Your Nose
(Wired) A new study shows that as temperatures drop, nasal cells release fewer of the tiny protectors that bind and neutralize invading germs. Inside the sticky confines of the human nose, a gluey layer of mucus surrounds small hairs and cells. While this ooze may appear gross, it is teeming with important components of the […]
Jan 3, 2023
Antibody drugs could target infectious diseases
(Washington Post) At a malaria research conference five years ago in Senegal, scientist Timothy Wells presented an overview of medicines on the horizon, ending with a few slides focused on an outlandish idea. Wells proposed that monoclonal antibody drugs — a class of high-price medicines that has transformed the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases — had […]
Jan 3, 2023
A Look Back at Science’s 2022 Breakthroughs
(NIH) Happy New Year! I hope everyone finished 2022 with plenty to celebrate, whether it was completing a degree or certification, earning a promotion, attaining a physical fitness goal, or publishing a hard-fought scientific discovery. If the latter, you are in good company. Last year produced some dazzling discoveries, and the news and editorial staff […]
Jan 3, 2023
The Magic of mRNA Will Push Medical Advances for Everyone
(Wired) mRNA is one of the first molecules of life. While identified six decades ago as the carrier of the blueprint for proteins in living cells, its pharmaceutical potential was long underestimated. mRNA appeared unpromising—too unstable, too weak in potency, and too inflammatory. The successful development of the first mRNA vaccines against Covid-19 in 2020 was an […]
Dec 30, 2022
HHS Increases Access to Tamiflu through the Strategic National Stockpile
(HHS) Tthe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), announced that they are making additional supply of Tamiflu available to jurisdictions to respond to an increased demand for the antiviral during this flu season, including through the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Jurisdictions will work with […]
Dec 27, 2022
The COVID-19 virus keeps evolving. These ‘disease detectives’ are on the case
(Canadian News) The Omicron variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 was last year’s unpleasant holiday surprise. More than a year later, a loosely knit group of “disease detectives” across Canada continues to keep watch for key mutations. Officials with the World Health Organization (WHO) say Omicron is better able to pass from person to person […]
Dec 27, 2022