PANDEMIC SUPPLY SHORTAGES FUELED BY WHO GUIDELINES.
During the initial months of the Covid-19 pandemic, shortages in essential supplies like toilet paper, canned food, and cleaning products were rampant due to heightened sanitation practices. This was fueled by early guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), which initially declared Covid-19 as non-airborne, focusing on surface sanitization. Despite growing evidence of airborne transmission, WHO did not update its stance until late 2021. The delay was partly due to terminology differences among scientists, leading to confusion and disputes. In response, WHO formed an expert group in November 2021 to revise disease transmission classifications. This group, com prising medical, public health professionals, engineers, and aerosol scientists, introduced more accurate definitions that separated direct contact and airborne transmission, disregarding the traditional reliance on droplet size or travel distance. The revised guidelines aim to standardize infection control measures but have faced challenges in implementation due to economic and political pressures. The multidisciplinary approach adopted by WHO signifies a critical evolution in managing infectious diseases, acknowledging the complexity of pathogen transmission and the need for comprehensive protective measures. (STAT)
COASTAL CHINESE CITIES RISK SUBMERGENCE, STUDY WARNS
A study in *Science* highlights that one in ten residents of China’s coastal cities might live below sea level within a century due to land subsidence and climate change. About 16% of China’s major urban areas are sinking rapidly at over 10 millimeters yearly, with an additional 45% subsiding moderately at over 3 millimeters. This affects cities like Beijing and could result in a quarter of China’s coastal lands being submerged soon, threatening significant populations. The subsidence, typically due to groundwater extraction, mirrors global issues seen in cities like Jakarta and parts of the U.S. Satellite radar assessments from 2015 to 2022 across 82 cities reveal both coastal and inland regions are affected. Solutions may include stringent control of groundwater usage and adapting infrastructure to manage rising sea levels. The study underscores the pressing need to address subsidence alongside climate-induced sea level rises. (Nature)
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APPLE REMOVES META APPS FROM CHINESE STORE OVER SECURITY
Apple removed Meta-owned apps WhatsApp and Threads from its Chinese App Store following directives from China’s Cyberspace Administration, citing national security concerns. This action aligns with broader tensions as the U.S. House prepares to vote on legislation possibly forcing ByteDance to sell TikTok, citing similar national security risks. The Chinese government’s concerns with WhatsApp and Threads reportedly stemmed from inflammatory content related to President Xi Jinping, although details remain vague. The removal also included other global messaging apps like Signal and Telegram. These developments occur amidst escalating U.S.-China tech conflicts, with recent U.S. restrictions on Beijing’s access to advanced technologies and China’s retaliatory bans on American products like Micron memory chips. This geopolitical tension highlights the intricacies of international tech regulation and the significant market influence both countries exert. (New York Times)
SUNAK CRITICIZED FOR PROPOSING CUTS TO DISABILITY BENEFITS
Rishi Sunak is facing criticism for proposing changes to disability benefits in the UK, particularly targeting mental health conditions. He suggested replacing some disability cash benefits with treatment or service access during a speech on welfare, focusing on a consultation for the personal independence payment (PIP). Sunak mentioned that this review could shift from ongoing payments to covering one-off costs for some disabilities. Critics argue that these changes would worsen the challenges faced by disabled individuals, especially amidst a cost of living crisis. Disability charities, opposition leaders, and policy experts have condemned the proposal, highlighting the potential harm and accusing Sunak of blaming economic issues on disabled individuals. They emphasize the already strained public services and the high poverty rates among disabled households, arguing that the proposed cuts could leave many destitute. (The Guardian)
STUDY SUGGESTS DIET CHANGES BEAT MEDS FOR I.B.S. RELIEF
Irritable bowel syndrome (I.B.S.) affects 6% of people in the U.S., predominantly women, causing severe symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating. Despite the lack of a cure and unclear causes, a new study in *The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology* suggests dietary changes might be more effective than medications. The study conducted in Sweden on 294 I.B.S. sufferers compared the effects of I.B.S. medications, a low-FODMAP diet, and a low-carbohydrate diet over four weeks. Both diet groups reported better symptom relief compared to the medication group, with 76% in the low-FODMAP and 71% in the low-carbohydrate groups experiencing significant improvement. These findings highlight the potential of diet therapy in managing I.B.S., suggesting that it could be superior to medication for some patients. However, the study’s scope and the need for longer medication durations suggest further research is needed to generalize these results. (New York Times)
EARTHQUAKES KEY TO TEOTIHUACÁN’S HISTORIC COLLAPSE, STUDY FINDS
The decline of Teotihuacán, a prominent pre-Hispanic city-state in Central America, has long puzzled archaeologists. A recent study in the *Journal of Archaeological Science* suggests that five major earthquakes between 100 and 650 AD were crucial to the city’s collapse. These seismic events, originating from the Mesoamerican Trench, heavily damaged Teotihuacán’s architecture, despite efforts by its inhabitants to rebuild and reinforce structures. The city, known for its large population and monumental pyramids, experienced severe depopulation and infrastructural decline by 550 AD. This study, conducted by an international team of experts, utilized evidence of earthquake archaeological effects on major structures like the Pyramids of the Sun and the Moon and the Temple of the Feathered Serpent to support their findings. The cumulative damage from these earthquakes, combined with other factors like warfare and civil unrest, likely compelled the remaining population to abandon the city around 650 AD, giving rise to successor cultures. (El Pais)
MAYA ROYAL REMAINS BURNT IN POLITICAL RITUAL, RESEARCH SHOWS
In 2022, archaeologist Christina Halperin and her team uncovered burnt remains of Maya royalty at a Guatemalan pyramid site, Ucanal, suggesting a political ritual from around 1200 years ago aimed at erasing past rulers’ legacies. Published in *Antiquity*, their findings reveal a ceremonial burning of bones and royal ornaments, indicating a drastic political shift under a new ruler, Papmalil, around 810 C.E. This event, aligning with the construction of a new phase of the pyramid, is believed to symbolize Papmalil’s ascension and the start of a new political era by destroying symbols of the previous dynasty. The artifacts, including greenstone and obsidian, were identified as belonging to Maya royalty due to their style and the presence of cinnabar or hematite. The research provides insights into Maya political practices and might help explain broader regional declines, marking a significant chapter in Maya history and suggesting a role in the broader collapse of Classic Maya civilization. (Science)
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.
IMAGE CREDIT: WHO.