HIGHLY PATHOGENIC FLU SPREADS AMONG US CATTLE UNDETECTED

A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been spreading undetected among U.S. cattle for months, likely originating from a bird to cow transmission around late December or early January. This slow detection suggests a broader infection across the U.S. and potentially neighboring regions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released genomic data recently but omitted essential details about the outbreak’s origin and progression, frustrating researchers. The delay in data release is critical as the speed of response is crucial for controlling such fast-spreading pathogens. The analysis reveals that the outbreak likely began with a single spillover event, but has since shown significant genetic diversity and mutation, suggesting adaptation for mammalian transmission. The outbreak has affected multiple hosts, including cows, birds, and cats. Crucial data gaps remain, notably in sample collection dates and locations, which hinder efforts to understand transmission dynamics and control the outbreak. (Nature)

EXPERTS WARN AGAINST RAW MILK AMID BIRD FLU FEARS.

Amid concerns about H5N1 bird flu circulating in dairy cows, experts strongly advise against consuming unpasteurized milk. Notable experts, including Thijs Kuiken from Erasmus Medical Center and Richard Webby from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, highlight the surprising concentrations of the virus found in raw milk from infected cows. The risk involves severe sickness from ingestion, potentially escalating to a fatal infection. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibits the interstate sale of raw milk and certain states restrict its sale, the threat is pronounced where raw milk consumption persists. Moreover, the presence of H5N1 in commercial milk underscores its widespread nature, challenging detection and containment efforts. While experts like Florian Krammer from the Icahn School of Medicine note the virus’s potential to infect beyond the respiratory system, public health authorities remain vigilant, monitoring for unusual symptoms that could indicate broader viral spread. The uncertainty surrounding the virus’s behavior in humans calls for heightened caution and surveillance. (STAT)

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EXPERIMENTAL ANTIBODY DRUG OFFERS 6-MONTH MALARIA PROTECTION.

A recent clinical study published in The New England Journal of Medicine reports that a single dose of an experimental antibody drug, L9LS, offers children protection against malaria for up to six months. The study, conducted on children aged 6 to 10 in Mali, demonstrated that L9LS, a monoclonal antibody previously tested in adults, significantly reduces malaria infections. Compared to a placebo, children receiving high doses of L9LS showed a 70% efficacy in preventing infection and 77% efficacy in preventing the disease, while those on a low dose exhibited slightly over 65% efficacy for both. This promising treatment could potentially replace monthly antimalarial medications, offering a simpler, more effective prophylactic option. Further research is planned to determine safety, efficacy in different demographic groups, and cost-effectiveness of wider implementation, with trials underway in Kenya and Mali and planned for pregnant women and infants as young as 4 weeks. (Science)

SRI LANKAN FARMERS FACE MYSTERIOUS KIDNEY DISEASE AMID CRISIS

In the lush village of Ambagaswewa, Sri Lanka, farmers like 63-year-old TMH Gamini Sunil Thennakoon face unexplained kidney issues amidst their peaceful lives. Despite no clear cause, these problems are prevalent among local agricultural workers. This region, alongside others in Sri Lanka, suffers from a high incidence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), which disproportionately affects farmers exposed to potential environmental toxins like agrochemicals. The disease remains largely asymptomatic until advanced stages, complicating early detection and effective treatment. Research indicates a possible link between CKDu and agricultural irrigation water sources, but definitive causes remain elusive. The local economic crisis exacerbates the situation, limiting access to necessary medical care and clean water, further challenging the health of these communities. In such settings, even basic preventative measures like filtered water are unaffordable for many, making daily survival a struggle against both poverty and disease. (Al Jazeera)

SPOTTED OWL FACES EXTINCTION AS BARRED OWLS THRIVE.

In the Pacific Northwest, the northern spotted owl faces extinction as it is being displaced by the barred owl, a more aggressive relative. Over the past 50 years, barred owls have encroached on spotted owl habitats, leading to severe population declines. The northern spotted owl’s numbers have plummeted by up to 80% in the last two decades, with as few as 3,000 remaining on federal lands. This situation is exacerbated by habitat reduction due to wildfires and urban development. In response, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed an extensive culling of barred owls across 11 to 14 million acres in Washington, Oregon, and Northern California. This plan aims to eliminate up to half a million barred owls over the next 30 years to save the spotted owl. The controversial strategy has sparked a debate between conservationists supporting the cull as a necessary measure and animal rights advocates who criticize it as inhumane and unsustainable. Critics argue that the plan necessitates ongoing, large-scale intervention and could inadvertently harm other wildlife species. The final review of the environmental impact report is expected in the upcoming summer, which will likely influence the decision on this critical conservation effort. (New York Times)

ROBOTS EVOLVE FOR MARS TERRAIN, MIMIC ANIMAL MOVEMENTS.

Research into Mars’ caverns and lava tubes, potential shelters for future human colonies, has led to the development of specialized robots due to the challenging terrain. Chen et al. created ReachBot, a robot with extendable appendages inspired by the harvestman arachnid, equipped with microspines for climbing rocky surfaces, tested in California’s Mojave Desert. Further innovations include Lee et al.’s reinforcement learning-based controller for a wheeled-legged robot, enabling navigation across diverse terrains including stairs and dynamic obstacles. Bai et al. developed Hopcopter, a hybrid robot that combines hopping and flying for effective movement in rough landscapes. Advances in bipedal robots, such as those by Radosavovic et al. and Haarnoja et al., utilize deep reinforcement learning to enhance stability and agility, enabling tasks like soccer playing and robust walking. These developments mark significant progress towards creating robots that can adapt to complex environments as effectively as animals. (Science)

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

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

IMAGE CREDIT: cottonbro studios.