SURGE IN RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES IN CHINA.

The current surge in respiratory illnesses in China is not as severe as pre-COVID-19 levels, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Maria Van Kerkhove, from WHO, noted that the increase is primarily due to children contracting common pathogens, previously avoided during COVID restrictions. She emphasized that this is not a new pathogen but a situation similar to what other countries experienced in recent years. China’s National Health Commission linked the surge to multiple pathogens, predominantly influenza. This concern gained global attention when the WHO sought more details from China, reflecting on the early pandemic transparency issues. With hospitals facing long waits, especially in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning, health officials have called for more fever clinics. Li Tongzeng from Beijing You’an Hospital anticipates a peak in cases soon, driven by transmissions among young adults and children. He also warned of a potential second wave during the New Year holidays, posing increased risks to the elderly during family gatherings. (Reuters)

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WHO EXPLANATION.

Recent reports about a spike in respiratory infections among children in China evoked fears similar to the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. A WHO and Chinese health officials’ meeting, however, largely dispelled these concerns. It was revealed that an “immunity gap” had developed in children due to limited exposure to common viruses during the pandemic, leading to significant outbreaks upon their resurgence. WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove explained that the situation reflected this gap and better detection, rather than a new pathogen. Data from China on respiratory illnesses showed no new pathogens or unusual disease patterns. Hospital capacities remain unaffected despite increased outpatient visits. Van Kerkhove highlighted that while Covid-19 has faded in global focus, risks persist, especially for the vulnerable. She stressed the need for sustained pandemic preparedness, linking it to broader health and environmental issues. The WHO advises governments to maintain the capabilities developed during the Covid crisis to combat future infectious threats, without causing public fear. (STAT)

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RACIAL PROFILING IN SCIENCE.

The U.S. government’s increased efforts to curb the flow of intellectual property to China, aimed at reducing the influence of Chinese scholars and students in the U.S., have overlooked the benefits of this international talent. Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO clarifies that the recent spike in respiratory illnesses in China is due to children being exposed to common viruses after COVID-19 restrictions, not a new pathogen. U.S. policies, while addressing legitimate concerns of espionage, have resulted in unintended harm to scientific research and collaboration. Historical examples, like aerospace engineer Qian Xuesen, who contributed significantly to U.S. missile development before being wrongfully suspected of communism and returning to China, illustrate the potential losses. Cases like physicist Xi Dai’s visa denial and MIT Professor Gang Chen’s unjust arrest highlight the negative impact of these restrictive measures. The exodus of Chinese scientists from the U.S. indicates the detrimental effects of such policies. While national security is important, the U.S. must also foster beneficial scientific collaboration and avoid racial profiling. Open and transparent exchanges with Chinese scientists are essential for advancing global knowledge and diplomacy, especially in addressing challenges like climate change and pandemics. (PNAS)

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NASA AND CO.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson is set to visit India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting November 27 for meetings with government and space officials to enhance cooperation in areas like human exploration and Earth science. In India, Nelson’s visit, part of the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology, includes touring the Bengaluru facilities where the NISAR spacecraft is being prepared for a 2024 launch. This mission, a collaborative effort between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), aims to observe Earth’s ecosystems, surfaces, and ice masses, contributing vital data for climate change efforts, hazard mitigation, agriculture, and more. In the UAE, Nelson will attend the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, marking the first time a NASA administrator participates in the event, emphasizing NASA’s pivotal role in providing Earth-science data for global decision-making. Additionally, Nelson’s visit includes engagements with students in both countries, discussing STEM education and their involvement in the Artemis Generation. (NASA)

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EVOLUTION FTW.

Amanda (Glaze) Townley, the new executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE), brings personal experience to the challenge of defending evolution in school curricula. Growing up in a young Earth creationism home in Alabama, she encountered resistance to teaching evolution. This conflict inspired her to pursue a career in evolutionary biology and science education, leading her to leave a tenured position at Georgia Southern University for NCSE. The NCSE, known for its advocacy in teaching evolution and, since 2012, climate change, faces growing threats as part of a broader conservative campaign against certain classroom topics. The organization, with its small but effective team, monitors legislative initiatives affecting these subjects and provides support to science teachers. Townley, who played a significant role in developing resources to address misconceptions about evolution, emphasizes respect for cultural and religious views in education. She aims to expand NCSE’s outreach and donor base to strengthen its impact, highlighting the urgency of defending the teaching of evolution and climate change in the current climate of U.S. public education. (Science)

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SAVE THE AXOLOTL.

Mexican ecologists from the National Autonomous University have relaunched the “Adoptaxolotl” campaign to fund conservation efforts for the endangered axolotl. For a small donation, people can virtually adopt an axolotl, receiving updates on its health, or contribute to its care with a virtual dinner. The axolotl population in their primary habitat has decreased dramatically, with a 99.5% decline in less than two decades. Last year, the campaign raised significant funds for a breeding program and habitat restoration in Xochimilco, Mexico City. However, resources remain insufficient for comprehensive research, according to ecologist Alejandro Calzada. The axolotl, an important cultural icon in Mexico known for its regenerative abilities, faces threats from water pollution, a deadly fungus, and non-native species like rainbow trout. With only a fraction of their original population remaining in the wild, the urgency for conservation is high. Government funding cuts further complicate these efforts, making donations and volunteer support crucial for the survival of these unique amphibians. (Associated Press)

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SPIDERS ON MARS.

Emmanuel Mendoza, a student at Texas A&M University, has made progress in growing pea plants in soil simulating Mars’s regolith, using frass (black soldier fly larvae waste) as fertilizer. This research explores the potential for using frass and larvae to support food growth and waste management for astronauts on Mars. The larvae could process astronauts’ organic waste into frass, which then fertilizes plants in Martian soil. This cycle could be a key part of sustaining long-term human presence on Mars, where reliance on shipped supplies is impractical. This innovative approach reflects a broader understanding that space travel, especially for extended periods like on Mars, requires more than just human travelers; it also involves microorganisms and insects vital for ecological balance. The experiment with peas shows that a careful balance of frass is needed for optimal plant growth. Mendoza’s work aligns with NASA’s interest in bioregenerative life support systems, crucial for creating sustainable space environments. The study also raises questions about the feasibility and acceptance of consuming insects in space diets, highlighting the complexities of adapting Earth-based ecological systems for space exploration. (New York Times)

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

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

IMAGE CREDIT: WHO.

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