SCIENTISTS RISE UP AGAINST FUNDING CUTS AND POLITICAL ACTIONS

Annika Barber, a neuroscientist, felt out of place as she headed to Washington, DC, to speak at a rally about proposed cuts to US research funding. Scientists across the US, unaccustomed to activism, are increasingly taking on advocacy roles due to the challenges posed by funding cuts, federal worker firings, and other political actions. The Trump administration’s attempts to freeze federal grants and cut funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs prompted many researchers to speak out. Some scientists have formed groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists, which, along with 48 scientific societies, issued a letter urging Congress to protect taxpayer-funded research. Activism is also taking the form of rallies, petitions, and the creation of new professional societies. Despite concerns about the potential backlash, researchers are realizing that taking action, whether through marches or direct lobbying, is necessary to safeguard science funding and its future. (Nature)

NIH RESUMES KEY GRANT APPROVAL MEETINGS AFTER DELAYS

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced the resumption of some key meetings for approving new grants. Four virtual panels have been scheduled, including a kidney disease panel on 24–25 March and three panels for cross-cutting Common Fund programs. These include the NIH Director’s Transformative Research Awards on 31 March, and the NIH Director’s New Innovator Awards on 1–2 April and 3–4 April. These meetings had been delayed due to a “communications pause” by the Department of Health and Human Services, which led to the cancellation of numerous panels since mid-February. While the NIH has resumed posting Federal Register notices for some panels, notices for study sections from NIH’s 24 grantmaking institutes, which review about one-quarter of grants, and for NIH institute councils, which provide a second level of peer review, remain on hold. (Science)

CDC REPORTS 2024-25 COVID-19 VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS DATA

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported mid-season vaccine effectiveness (VE) data for the 2024-25 COVID-19 season. The current vaccine was found to be 33% effective in preventing emergency department (ED) or urgent care (UC) visits and 45% to 46% effective in preventing hospitalization in adults aged 65 and older. However, there was insufficient data to assess VE against critical illness in adults of all ages. The 2023-24 vaccines, which targeted Omicron JN.1 and JN.1-derived sublineages, helped avert an estimated 68,000 hospitalizations. The 2024-25 vaccines, produced by Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax, target Omicron KP.2 and JN.1 sublineages. VE was notably higher for adults over 65 without immunocompromising conditions, with 45% effectiveness in the VISION network and 46% in the IVY network. While hospitalization rates were lower compared to previous years, VE against critical illness could not be estimated due to the limited number of severe cases. (CIDRAP)

SCIENTISTS FACE SAFETY CONCERNS OVER HIGH-RISK VIRUS RESEARCH

Scientists are exploring the balance between advancing scientific progress and minimizing risks. A recent study in *Cell* discovered a coronavirus in bats, HKU5-CoV-2, capable of infecting humans and animals. This virus is similar to those that cause MERS, which has higher fatality rates than Covid-19. While the researchers did not directly link the virus to the Covid pandemic, concerns arise over insufficient safety precautions in the study. The experiments were conducted in a BSL-2 plus laboratory, not a higher-security BSL-3 or BSL-4 lab, raising concerns about inadequate containment measures. Though the work adhered to national safety standards, experts argue these standards are insufficient for potentially dangerous viruses. There is a need for global regulations on virus research to ensure the highest safety levels are maintained, with international bodies like the WHO playing a crucial role in setting and enforcing these standards. (New York Times)

MEASLES OUTBREAK IN TEXAS HIGHLIGHTS VACCINE SKEPTICISM CHALLENGE

In Seminole, West Texas, a measles outbreak has sickened dozens, including children, with one child dying from the disease. Despite the rising number of cases, there has been little direct outreach from public health officials to the Mennonite community, where vaccine decisions are typically left to families rather than outside mandates. This region, where vaccine skepticism is prevalent, faces challenges due to misinformation and distrust in government. While some local leaders, like Mayor Eric Horton, support the MMR vaccine, others are influenced by anti-vaccine sentiments, notably propagated by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The outbreak has overwhelmed doctors in Lubbock, where many children have been hospitalized. Vaccination rates in the area are below the threshold needed to prevent measles, and misinformation, especially on social media, has exacerbated hesitancy. Public health officials are working to counter this through community-based outreach, but vaccine acceptance remains a difficult challenge in this conservative, rural area. (AP)

SUPREME COURT TO DECIDE IF MEXICO CAN SUE U.S. GUN MAKERS

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether Mexico can proceed with a $10 billion lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers, alleging that their weapons have fueled violence by drug cartels across the border. Filed in 2021, the lawsuit argues that U.S. companies have contributed to an “iron river” of military-style weapons flowing into Mexico, where gun access is tightly controlled. Lawyers for Mexico cited statistics showing that 70-90% of guns used in Mexican crimes come from the U.S. The case hinges on whether the 2005 Protection of Lawful Arms in Commerce Act bars such lawsuits. While a lower court dismissed the case, an appeals court allowed it to proceed, citing the gun industry’s potential violations of firearms laws. The gun manufacturers argue that their sales are legal, while Mexico contends that some guns were specifically marketed to Mexican buyers, including a pistol featuring the image of Emiliano Zapata. The case is set amid growing tensions between the U.S. and Mexico. (New York Times)

EGG PRICES SOAR AMID CLAIMS OF CORPORATE PRICE GOUGING

New research suggests that major egg corporations may be exploiting the avian flu crisis to inflate prices and generate record profits, harming American consumers. Egg prices skyrocketed in early 2024, with a dozen costing nearly $5, more than double the price from three years ago. While avian flu has certainly impacted egg production, analysis by Food and Water Watch (FWW) argues that corporate consolidation in the egg industry is also driving price hikes. Companies like Cal-Maine, which controls a large portion of the U.S. egg market, raised prices far above the rising costs linked to the virus, leading to windfall profits. Despite increased production in 2023, prices remained high. FWW’s report highlights that the concentration of power in the egg industry, coupled with the industry’s slow response to replacing lost flocks, has exacerbated the situation. Critics call for antitrust investigations, while lawmakers demand action to address potential price gouging. (The Guardian)

STUDY REVEALS AI NOW DRIVES 25% OF PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

A Stanford-led study examining over 300 million text samples reveals that AI language models, like ChatGPT, are now used in up to 25% of professional communications across various sectors. The research tracked AI adoption from January 2022 to September 2024, analyzing consumer complaints, corporate press releases, job postings, and UN statements. Findings showed significant AI usage in areas with lower educational attainment, defying typical technology adoption patterns. For example, regions with fewer college graduates saw higher adoption rates of AI tools, suggesting that AI can serve as an equalizing tool for those with less education. Corporate and diplomatic sectors also saw sharp increases in AI use after ChatGPT’s release, with tech companies leading the way. However, the study acknowledges limitations in detecting AI-generated text and warns that the increasing reliance on AI in communication could lead to authenticity concerns and public mistrust. (Ars Technica)

STUDY SHOWS THREE-DAY SMARTPHONE BREAK CHANGES BRAIN ACTIVITY

A study by Heidelberg University and the University of Cologne found that giving up smartphones for just three days can significantly affect brain activity. The research involved 25 young adults aged 18 to 30, who were asked to limit phone use to essential communication and work tasks for 72 hours. MRI scans and psychological tests before and after the restriction revealed changes in brain activation related to addiction-related neurotransmitter systems. Participants were shown images, including those of smartphones, and the results suggest that even short-term phone restriction can alter neural patterns. While the study does not distinguish between craving for smartphone use and the desire for social interaction, it highlights the impact of digital devices on brain function. The researchers suggest that future studies should aim to address this aspect more clearly. (NDTV)

COLOSSAL BIOSCIENCES CREATES “WOOLLY MICE” IN DE-EXTINCTION EFFORT

Colossal Biosciences, a company aiming to ‘de-extinct’ woolly mammoths and other species, has announced a breakthrough in creating “woolly mice.” These gene-edited mice carry mutations modeled after those of woolly mammoths, as well as changes known to influence hair growth. Colossal views the woolly mice as an important step towards engineering Asian elephants with mammoth traits, such as shaggy hair and cold tolerance. However, experts in genetics and genome editing question the significance of the achievement, noting that the mice are simply altered mice, not mammoths. The team used gene editing to introduce mutations in up to eight genes, resulting in mice with long, tawny-colored hair. While the mice are still young, their long-term health effects, including fertility and cancer risks, remain unstudied. Colossal emphasizes that they have no plans to breed or sell the mice, although similar woolly mouse strains are available for purchase from the Jackson Laboratory. (Nature)

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

WORDS: The Biology Guy.