Pfizer executives predict COVID will be endemic as early as 2024. What does COVID’s endemicity look like? Much like the flu, where more predictable patterns of outbreaks occur seasonally, with fewer cases at a time and less severe symptoms on average. While hopes had been high for vaccines and social distancing to eliminate SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 is
COVID Predicted to be Endemic by 2024 Read More »
On December 7, 2021, the Scientific Council of National Research Foundation of Ukraine published the ranking of projects joining the competition “Science for Security and Sustainable Development of Ukraine”, which were submitted in 2021. A total of 432 applications for the competition were processed; only 268 of them were admitted to scientific and scientific-technical examination.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been in the news recently. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently released a three-year plan to study and regulate these “forever chemicals,” which have been found in sources of drinking water. PFAS have also been linked to numerous detrimental health effects, making them a concern for public health officials. PFAS leak
PFAS Found Entering the Atmosphere via Sea Spray Read More »
We’ve long known that there are bacteria in the human gut; some can be dangerous if they are ingested. But genetic and computational technologies have advanced rapidly in recent years, giving scientists an unprecedented look at all the species of microbes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tracts of animals, including humans. That work , much of
To Understand the Gut Microbiome, Researchers Create New Method to ID Strains Read More »
Anthrax conjures thoughts of bioterrorism, though it’s a disease caused by a rare but naturally-occurring bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. Scientists have now found that a toxin produced by the infectious pathogen could be a useful pain reliever; researchers determined that it can change the way signals are sent by neurons that sense pain. Reporting in Nature Neuroscience, when the
Anthrax Toxin Has Potential as Non-Opioid Pain Therapeutic Read More »
In recent years, the gut microbiome has been identified as a major player in determining an individual’s health. Attempts to understand the microbiome, a collection of microscopic organisms, including healthy bacteria, has been the target of a significant body of research. For example, studies examining dietary impact on health have acknowledged how individualized gut microbiota
Synthetic Coating Protects Bacteria Being Used for Therapeutic Benefit Read More »
The parasite that causes Toxoplasmosis, Toxoplasma gondii, is common and may be found in undercooked or contaminated meat, and cat feces. So most people who have a littler box at home have been exposed to the parasite. While it doesn’t usually cause harm, it can lead to serious problems in fetal development, and may also
Toxoplasma Parasites Can Manipulate Host Brain Cells Read More »
Scientists have come forward with data to explain a puzzling clinical phenomenon—people with asthma have a reduced risk of developing brain tumors. This concept was first brought to light over a decade ago as researchers saw distinct patterns emerge from epidemiological data. However, the debate on the nature and cause of this association remained a
Why People With Asthma Don’t Get Brain Tumors Read More »
A new study reported in Nature Communications has shown how the body might use fat as fuel in the battle against a Salmonella infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Salmonella bacteria cause an estimated 1.35 million infections every year in the United States alone. The symptoms include vomiting, abdominal pain, or fever, and may lead to
The Body Can Use Fat to Fuel the Fight Against Bacterial Infection Read More »
