NOVAVAX SHARES PLUNGE AFTER FDA HOLDS VACCINE TRIALS
Novavax announced on Wednesday that the FDA has placed a hold on its application for a combination vaccine targeting COVID-19 and influenza, as well as a stand-alone flu vaccine. This news caused the company’s shares to plummet nearly 20%. The clinical hold stems from a single report of nerve damage in a patient who received the combination vaccine during a phase two trial completed in July 2023. A clinical hold is an FDA order to delay or suspend clinical investigations of a drug. Although it is uncertain if this will affect Novavax’s upcoming phase three trials, it marks a setback for the company as it seeks to introduce new products amid declining global demand for its COVID-19 vaccine. Novavax is collaborating with the FDA to address the hold, asserting that other trials have not indicated similar safety concerns. The company aims to resolve the issue and initiate phase three trials promptly. (CNBC)
JAKE SULLIVAN LEADS US SHIFT IN CHINA TECH POLICY
Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, is a serious figure known for his depth and intellect. Standing in his sunlit West Wing office, he offered a brief tour, though he typically dislikes magazine profiles. Sullivan, a former Rhodes Scholar and close adviser to Hillary Clinton, has a reputation for skillfully navigating complex questions. Recently, he facilitated a pivotal meeting with officials from Japan and the Netherlands to discuss semiconductor technology and prevent it from falling into China’s hands. This effort aligns with a shift in U.S. China policy, reflecting Sullivan’s recognition of the risks posed by Chinese technology. Throughout his career, he has evolved from advocating free trade to prioritizing national security, particularly regarding technology competition. Despite challenges, including the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and ongoing global crises, Sullivan aims to embed a durable U.S. foreign policy focused on technological leadership and alliances against authoritarian regimes. (Wired)
STUDY SHOWS CATS OUTPACE INFANTS IN WORD ASSOCIATION
Cats may be more adept at understanding human language than previously recognized. A study published in *Scientific Reports* found that cats can associate words with images even faster than human infants, picking up basic language skills just by listening. This ability is not surprising, considering cats have shared a bond with humans for around 10,000 years, as noted by evolutionary psychologist Brittany Florkiewicz. In previous research, cats showed they recognize their names and can match family members’ photos to their names. To explore this further, researchers led by Saho Takagi conducted a word association test with 31 pet cats. The cats learned to link made-up words to animated images after just two 9-second lessons, while babies typically require more exposure to learn similar associations. Although these findings do not imply that cats are inherently better at language acquisition than babies, they demonstrate that cats actively listen and seek to understand human communication without formal training or rewards. (Science)
DENGUE CASES SURGE 73% IN GUANGZHOU AMID RAINY SEASON
Health authorities in Guangzhou, China, are raising concerns about a significant increase in dengue fever cases, with a 73% jump last week, bringing the total to 437 cases, including 360 local residents. All 11 districts in the city, which has over 17 million residents, have reported cases, though no dengue-related deaths have occurred so far. The dengue outbreak in Guangzhou is part of a broader trend in Guangdong province, where 1,770 cases were reported between September 30 and October 6, reflecting a 500-case increase from August. The rise in cases has alarmed residents, particularly with ongoing rainy weather, which can exacerbate mosquito breeding. Dengue fever, often called “breakbone fever” due to its severe symptoms, poses serious health risks, including long-term complications. Although not endemic to China, the conditions in southern provinces are conducive to the Aedes mosquitoes that transmit the disease. In response, authorities have implemented measures to combat both local and imported cases, including enhanced cleaning protocols at ports and surveillance of travelers. (Channel News Asia)
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OIL EXTRACTION THREATENS INDIGENOUS LANDS IN PERU AMAZON
In the Peruvian Amazon, oil and gas extraction is encroaching on Indigenous lands, prompting urgent concerns from community leaders like Julio Cusurichi of the Shipibo-Conibo people. With a 73% increase in dengue cases recently reported, the situation highlights the adverse health impacts of fossil fuel exploitation. The expansion of oil and gas projects threatens the territories of approximately 7,500 uncontacted Indigenous peoples, leading to environmental degradation, health crises, and the loss of biodiversity. Studies indicate severe health effects, including toxic metal exposure and related illnesses, in communities near oilfields. The government’s policies, which favor resource extraction, have led to the destruction of vast forest areas and increased deforestation risks. New laws have further weakened environmental protections, raising alarms about the long-term impacts on both the land and Indigenous cultures. Cusurichi and other leaders vow to continue fighting for their rights and the preservation of their ancestral lands against these threats. (The Guardian)
ANCIENT CRAFTSMEN CREATED AMBER IMITATIONS TO SIGNIFY STATUS
Amber has captivated human imagination for centuries, once thought to possess magical properties and even associated with lynx urine in ancient Athens. Its enchanting qualities led to various beliefs, including its use as a remedy and an amulet. Notably, Pliny the Elder suggested its vegetable origin, noting its pine-like scent when burned. Over time, amber became a luxury item, especially in the Iberian Peninsula, prompting craftsmen to create imitations using a combination of materials like pine resin and beeswax. A study by University of Seville archaeologists reveals that this imitation technique emerged between 5,000 and 3,000 years ago, using a central core of shell or stone coated in resin to replicate amber’s appearance. The scarcity of genuine amber made these imitations significant economic indicators, reflecting trade patterns and the emergence of social hierarchies in ancient societies. Researchers discovered over 2,000 imitation beads across 15 sites, indicating a widespread effort to replicate the prized material. This innovation highlights the importance of amber in signaling status and identity, paralleling modern displays of wealth. Amber’s visual allure has historically made it a coveted material, and the development of imitation techniques underscores human ingenuity in response to scarcity. (El Pais)
PHILIPPINES LAUNCHES FIRST COPERNICUS MIRROR SITE IN ASIA
On October 17, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), launched the CopPhil Centre, the first Copernicus mirror site in Asia. This initiative aims to facilitate easier access to satellite data from the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Copernicus earth observation program. Polish company CloudFerro will provide cloud storage for this data, enabling Filipino scientists to monitor land cover, marine environments, and ground motion, including land use changes and natural disasters. PhilSA Director General Joel Marciano emphasized that the program will enhance the Philippines’ capacity to analyze satellite data, benefiting disaster preparedness and climate change mitigation efforts. EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro highlighted the program’s potential to provide real-time monitoring of the Philippines’ rich biodiversity and assist in responding to natural disasters. The CopPhil Centre is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, positioning the Philippines as a regional hub for satellite data distribution. (Rappler)
NEW STUDY TRACES 70% OF METEORITES TO THREE ASTEROIDS
Recent research has significantly clarified the origins of meteorites, revealing that over 70% can now be traced back to just three primary Solar System bodies that fragmented into asteroid families in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. Previously, only 6% of meteorites had known sources. Miroslav Brož, an astrophysicist at Charles University, highlighted the importance of this discovery, noting it as a “lifetime discovery.” The studies utilized advancements in modeling how debris from colliding planetary bodies disperses, considering gravitational influences and solar radiation. This allowed researchers to focus on younger asteroid families still retaining small fragments that could reach Earth. For example, they identified the Koronis family as the source of certain stony meteorites based on their chemical signatures and orbital characteristics. Similarly, they linked L chondrites to the Massalia family, suggesting significant asteroid collisions occurred around 466 million and 40 million years ago. The research also identified the Veritas family as the probable source for carbonaceous chondrites. This family, estimated to be 8 million years old, is producing large enough fragments to survive atmospheric entry, although they may be less likely to reach the ground compared to other meteorites. Overall, these findings may necessitate a reevaluation of asteroid formation timelines and dynamics, reshaping our understanding of Solar System history. (Science)
NASA URGES COORDINATION WITH CHINA ON LUNAR EXPLORATION MISSIONS
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the need for discussions between NASA and China regarding data sharing and mission coordination as both entities pursue sustainable lunar exploration. During a press conference at the 75th International Astronautical Congress on October 15, he addressed the Artemis program and China’s International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), both targeting the lunar south pole, believed to contain water ice critical for life support and rocket fuel. Nelson stated that while there have been no direct conversations about lunar exploration between the U.S. and China, he anticipates future discussions similar to those held regarding Mars missions, aimed at avoiding orbital conflicts. He noted the importance of coordinating lunar navigation and communications to prevent accidents. Additionally, Nelson remarked on the successful Starship test flight by SpaceX on October 13, which positively impacts the timeline for Artemis 3, currently slated for September 2026. This mission aims to land humans on the moon for the first time in over 50 years, including the first woman and the first person of color. China also plans to send astronauts to the moon before 2030. (space.com)