FBI REMOVES CHINESE MALWARE FROM 4258 US COMPUTERS

The FBI announced that it removed Chinese malware, PlugX, from 4,258 US-based computers and networks. The malware, developed by the Mustang Panda group under the direction of the Chinese government, has been infecting systems since at least 2014, targeting US victims, governments, businesses, and Chinese dissidents. The malware remains largely undetected by many users. The FBI, in collaboration with French law enforcement, used a command-and-control server to remotely instruct infected devices to execute the malware’s self-delete function, erasing malware files and registry keys without affecting legitimate data. This operation, which involved obtaining nine warrants, was part of an effort to prevent further compromise of the victimized systems. The FBI also notified ISPs to inform affected customers. The FBI confirmed that the self-delete command does not transmit any data from the devices, ensuring user privacy during the operation. (Ars Technica)

NEW H5N1 AVIAN FLU CASES REPORTED IN PET CATS

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) reported three new H5N1 avian flu infections in pet cats, bringing the total to seven cases. These infections were linked to exposure to raw food or raw milk, with previous cases involving cats that consumed recalled raw milk. Investigations revealed that certain raw pet food brands, including Monarch Raw Pet Food and Northwest Natural, contained live, infectious H5N1 virus. Additionally, a cat in another household fell ill after eating three different commercial raw pet food brands. The LACDPH urged veterinarians to advise against feeding pets raw food, meat, poultry, or milk due to the risks of H5N1. Federal officials also confirmed 11 more H5N1 cases in domestic cats across multiple states, including California, Colorado, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported additional H5N1 detections in a mountain lion and an ermine in Nebraska and Alaska, respectively. (CIDRAP)

META EXECUTIVES PUSH TO BEAT OPENAI WITH LLAMA 3

Internal messages from Meta executives and researchers, revealed in a court case, show their intense focus on surpassing OpenAI’s GPT-4 model while developing Llama 3. Meta’s VP of Generative AI, Ahmad Al-Dahle, emphasized the goal of beating GPT-4, with a plan to leverage 64,000 GPUs to “win this race.” While Meta aimed to release open AI models, the company fixated on outpacing competitors like OpenAI and Anthropic, who limit access to their models. Meta’s AI leaders dismissed rivals like Mistral, calling them “peanuts.” The messages revealed that the team was aggressive in obtaining data for training Llama 3, even considering datasets with copyrighted books from major publishers. This aggressive push to close the performance gap led to allegations that Meta cut corners with copyrighted data in their AI training. Meta’s Llama 3, released in April 2024, was competitive with the best models but faces legal scrutiny over its training data. (Tech Crunch)

MEAL TIMING CRUCIAL FOR GLUCOSE TOLERANCE AND HEALTH

Recent research highlights the growing significance of meal timing in health, particularly in relation to glucose tolerance. Marta Garaulet, a pioneer in chrononutrition, explains that eating not only what we eat and how we eat but also when we eat can impact health outcomes. Her studies show that late eating, especially after 3:00 p.m. or closer to bedtime, negatively affects glucose tolerance, even when the same food is consumed. A study by researchers from Columbia University and Universitat Oberta de Catalunya further confirmed that eating more than 45% of daily calories after 5:00 p.m. is associated with elevated glucose levels, independent of body weight or diet composition. Garaulet explains that disruptions in circadian rhythms, influenced by melatonin, may be to blame. She suggests adjusting meal times—eating earlier in the day and ensuring a gap of at least three hours before bed—to improve glucose tolerance and reduce long-term health risks, such as obesity and diabetes. (El Pais)

NEW DEFINITION OF OBESITY FOCUSES ON BODY FAT AND COMPLICATIONS

A new definition of obesity, released by an international commission and published in *The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology*, proposes that obesity should be assessed based on body fat and associated medical complications, rather than relying solely on body mass index (BMI). This shift in focus could change how doctors identify who needs treatment for obesity and influence the use of obesity medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. The commission recommends using BMI as a screening tool to identify individuals who should be tested for excess body fat. Those with a BMI over 25 but no health complications would be classified as having “pre-clinical obesity,” while individuals with obesity-related medical conditions would be diagnosed with “clinical obesity.” The commission suggests using waist measurements to assess excess fat, with thresholds of 34.6 inches for women and 40 inches for men. This approach aims to reduce stigma around obesity and shift the focus from BMI to more comprehensive health indicators. (New York Times)

MUSHROOM-BASED PRODUCTS LINKED TO OUTBREAK AND DEATHS IN 34 STATES

In June 2024, Arizona’s Department of Health Services (ADHS) was alerted to a national outbreak linked to the Diamond Shruumz–brand products, which contain mushroom extracts and adaptogens. These products, sold as chocolate bars, gummies, and cones, were found to cause severe health reactions. Patients reported symptoms like loss of consciousness, seizures, respiratory depression, and muscle rigidity after ingestion. Four patients from Yavapai County, Arizona, including two adolescents, required emergency care, with some needing intubation and extended hospitalization. The investigation revealed that these products contained unlabeled psychoactive substances. ADHS issued warnings and collaborated with Arizona’s poison control centers (PCCs), the CDC, and the FDA to track the outbreak. The FDA recommended against consuming the products, and on June 27, the manufacturer, Prophet Premium Blends, recalled all Diamond Shruumz products. By October 31, 2024, 180 cases, including three deaths, were linked to these products in 34 states, emphasizing the risks of mushroom-based psychoactive substances. (MMWR)

SPACEX LAUNCHES TWO LUNAR LANDERS FOR U.S. JAPANESE MISSIONS

SpaceX launched two lunar landers on Wednesday, marking a significant step for U.S. and Japanese companies aiming to develop business on the Moon. The two landers, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, shared a ride to the Moon but separated an hour into the flight. ispace, a Tokyo-based company, is attempting its second lunar mission after its first lander crashed two years ago. This time, its lander carries a rover to collect lunar dirt and test potential resources for future explorers. Texas-based Firefly Aerospace, making its lunar debut, is conducting 10 NASA experiments, including tools for collecting dirt, measuring temperature, and preventing lunar dust damage. Firefly’s lander, Blue Ghost, will reach the Moon first in early March, while ispace’s lander, Resilience, is expected to land later in May or June. Both companies face challenges but aim to contribute valuable science ahead of NASA’s Artemis program, which plans to send astronauts back to the Moon by the decade’s end. (AP)

LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE DIES AFTER INGESTING MASSIVE PLASTIC DEBRIS

A male leatherback sea turtle, found stranded on Kugushi Beach in Fukui Prefecture on October 30, 2022, had ingested a 1-square-meter plastic sheet, the largest piece of plastic debris reported in the species. Researchers from the Fukui City Museum of Natural History detailed their findings in the Marine Pollution Bulletin. The turtle, estimated to be a juvenile, had a shell about 1 meter long. Upon examination, the team found the plastic sheet and a PET bottle label written in Japanese lodged between its stomach and duodenum. Leatherbacks, which feed on jellyfish, often mistake white or transparent plastic for food, leading to accidental ingestion. The cause of death remains unclear, though plastic ingestion can obstruct their digestive systems and lead to starvation. The presence of Japanese-language debris highlights the global nature of the marine pollution problem, underscoring the need for awareness and action to tackle oceanic contamination. (Asahi Shinbun)

Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.

WORDS: The Biology Guy.