A CURE WITH QUESTIONS.
In recent months, gene therapy has enabled some hearing in children born with specific deafness-causing mutations. Eli Lilly reported that a treatment given to a profoundly deaf Moroccan boy in a Philadelphia trial allowed him to hear. Additionally, in China, five similarly treated children gained hearing, some now able to communicate verbally without cochlear implants. This breakthrough, detailed in The Lancet, marks a significant advancement in deafness treatment, traditionally reliant on cochlear implants. The therapy uses a dual adeno-associated virus (AAV) system to insert the OTOF gene, essential for hearing, into the inner ear’s hair cells. The Moroccan boy treated by Lilly can now hear certain frequencies normally. However, speech comprehension remains a challenge due to age-related limitations in learning speech. While the long-term effectiveness of this therapy is still under investigation, the approach holds promise for treating various forms of genetic deafness. These developments in gene therapy for deafness suggest a potential shift from traditional treatments, with ongoing research and trials expected to provide further insights. (Science)
FLORIDA GOP CREAM.
Two years ago, Florida’s Supreme Court, influenced by Governor Ron DeSantis’ conservative appointees, repeatedly blocked legalizing recreational cannabis. However, the situation is evolving, partly due to major GOP donors now invested in Florida’s legal cannabis industry, which stands to benefit from legalization. Despite DeSantis’ opposition, recent developments suggest a possible shift. A ballot initiative to legalize recreational cannabis, similar to those previously rejected, is under consideration again. This time, changes in the court’s dynamics and the influence of cannabis industry stakeholders could alter the outcome. Key Republican donors, heavily invested in the state’s medical cannabis firms, are backing the initiative, highlighting financial motivations behind the push for legalization. The court’s upcoming decision, expected by April, will determine if the initiative, aiming to decriminalize personal cannabis use and expand licensing, will appear on the ballot. If passed, it could significantly increase state sales tax revenues, marking a major shift in Florida’s stance on cannabis. (The Intercept)
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PFAS RISKS PERSIST.
Jamie White, living near Chemours’ PFAS manufacturing plant in North Carolina, faces health risks from toxic “forever chemicals.” She has a thyroid disorder, linked to PFAS exposure, and worries about outdoor activities and food safety due to potential contamination. Despite Chemours and state regulators claiming safety measures are in place, including a $100 million investment in air emission controls, doubts persist. Guardian-commissioned testing revealed PFAS levels around the plant much higher than state-reported figures, suggesting significant ongoing contamination. This discrepancy raises concerns about the effectiveness of Chemours’ measures and the comprehensiveness of state testing. Chemours, known for its PFAS pollution, faces skepticism from residents like White, who have lost trust due to past deceptions. The company’s proposed expansion and compliance claims are under scrutiny, especially with the Guardian’s findings indicating higher pollution levels. PFAS, linked to serious health issues, are notoriously persistent and widespread, contaminating air, water, and soil. The situation reflects broader challenges in regulating and understanding the full impact of these chemicals, with residents like White bearing the brunt of the health and environmental consequences. (The Guardian)
FENTANYL IN AUSTRALIA.
Lachlan, a heroin user from Victoria, Australia, is conscious of the risks of fentanyl contamination, a synthetic opioid far more potent than heroin. Although concerned, he believes his heroin supply is mostly uncontaminated due to Australia’s stringent border controls. Fentanyl, notorious in the U.S. for causing a significant rise in opioid-related deaths, is less prevalent in Australia’s drug market. However, experts warn that this could change, citing global drug trends and a decline in traditional opium production. They stress the importance of Australia being proactive in preparing for a potential increase in synthetic opioids, advocating for improved access to treatments and preventive measures. Despite the current lower risk, readiness for a possible surge in synthetic opioids is deemed essential to prevent a crisis similar to that experienced in North America. (ABC)
VIRUS-LIKE OBELISKS.
Biologists analyzing genetic sequences have discovered a new viruslike entity, dubbed “obelisks,” within bacteria in the human mouth and gut. These obelisks, identified by a Stanford University team, appear to have RNA-based genomes with looped structures. Their significance in human health is unknown, but they may impact the genetic activity of their bacterial hosts and, subsequently, human genes. RNA, known for carrying protein-making instructions from DNA, is also the sole genetic material in over 200 viruses, including those causing flu, Ebola, and COVID-19. Unlike typical viruses with protein shells, obelisks resemble viroids, simple infectious RNA loops found in plants that can cause significant damage. Previously thought to be plant-specific, similar RNA structures are now found in various life forms. The discovery of obelisks challenges our understanding of viral evolution and life’s definition. This finding, part of ongoing research into viruslike entities, raises questions about whether viruses evolved from simpler structures like viroids and obelisks or vice versa. This exploration is gradually revealing the long-term evolution of viruses on Earth. (Science)
TAYLOR SWIFT SEARCHES RESTRICTED.
Social media platform X has temporarily blocked searches for Taylor Swift following the circulation of explicit AI-generated images of the singer. This measure was taken to prioritize safety, as confirmed by X’s head of business operations, Joe Benarroch. Users searching for Swift encounter an error message, a response to fake graphic images of her that went viral, viewed millions of times. Fans countered this by posting real images and videos of Swift. X, previously known as Twitter, stated that non-consensual nudity is strictly prohibited on their platform. They have a zero-tolerance policy and are actively removing the images and taking action against responsible accounts. The timeline for the search block and whether other public figures have been similarly restricted remain unclear. The issue has garnered attention from the White House, with calls for stricter enforcement and potential legislation against AI misuse in creating deepfake images. These deepfakes, which have seen a significant rise in recent years, manipulate videos using AI. Currently, there are no federal laws against deepfake creation in the U.S., but some states have taken steps to address this issue, and the UK has made sharing deepfake pornography illegal under its Online Safety Act of 2023. (BBC)
AMBITIOUS SPACE LASER LOOKS FOR GRAVITY.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has approved the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA), the first experiment to measure gravitational waves from space. Set to begin construction in 2025 and launch in 2035, LISA aims to detect ripples in space-time caused by events like mergers between supermassive black holes. This mission will utilize laser beams across 2.5 million kilometers of the Solar System. LISA’s design involves three spacecraft, each containing a gold and platinum cube, forming an equilateral triangle in orbit around the Sun. The precise measurements of the distances between these cubes will detect gravitational waves with wavelengths between 300,000 kilometers and 3 billion kilometers. This range is broader than that of Earth-based detectors like LIGO, enabling LISA to observe phenomena such as earlier stages of black hole collisions and spiraling white-dwarf stars. The project’s success could also provide insights into the early Universe and the expansion rate of the Universe. Additionally, China plans a similar mission in the 2030s, potentially creating a complementary space-based gravitational-wave-detector network. (Nature)
EUROPA IMAGES HINTS AT SURFACE CHANGES.
NASA’s Juno spacecraft, during a 2022 flyby of Jupiter’s moon Europa, captured images hinting at possible current surface activity. The spacecraft’s Stellar Reference Unit (SRU) photographed Europa’s surface, illuminated by Jupiter-shine, revealing an area resembling a platypus measuring 23 by 42 miles. This region features large ice blocks casting shadows, connected by a cracked, neck-like formation. The image, published in JGR Planets in December 2023, shows potential changes in Europa’s surface compared to past images from NASA’s Galileo spacecraft. However, the evidence of surface changes is not conclusive due to differing imaging quality and conditions. The 2022 image also shows nearby dark deposits, possibly linked to subsurface liquid water and water plumes. Although not definitive, these findings make Europa an intriguing target for future missions like NASA’s Europa Clipper and Europe’s JUICE. These missions aim to investigate and possibly confirm ongoing surface activity. Europa Clipper is scheduled for an October launch, while JUICE, launched in April 2023, will reach Jupiter in December 2031. (space.com)
JAPAN MOON LANDER LIVES AGAIN.
Japan’s Moon lander, managed by JAXA, resumed operations after a week’s halt due to a power issue. The glitch was fixed once its solar cells, initially misaligned, captured sunlight again. SLIM, achieving a landmark soft landing on January 20 near Shioli crater, marked Japan as the fifth country to do so. After the landing, SLIM briefly ran on battery before shutting down to conserve power, later reactivating with improved sunlight. It aims to analyze lunar rock compositions, enhancing our understanding of the Moon’s origin. The mission’s success follows Japan’s previous failed lunar attempts, highlighting the challenges of such missions. About half of all lunar landing attempts have failed, underscoring the mission’s significance. The future operational duration of SLIM on the Moon is uncertain, as it isn’t designed to withstand the 14-day lunar night. (BBC)
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.
IMAGE CREDIT: Jonas Mohamadi.
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