POLIO ERADICATION AT RISK DUE TO VACCINE SKEPTICISM

Polio, once a devastating disease that paralyzed 20,000 Americans annually, has been nearly eradicated due to vaccination efforts. However, polio remains a threat, particularly if vaccination rates decline or vaccines become less accessible. Vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has downplayed the success of polio vaccination, suggesting it is a “myth.” Despite such claims, the vaccine has proven effective in preventing paralysis, though some controversies surround its safety. A recent resurgence of polio in countries with lower vaccination rates highlights the danger of vaccine-derived poliovirus. In the U.S., an unvaccinated individual from a community with low vaccination rates contracted polio in 2022, prompting an emergency declaration. While the inactivated polio vaccine (I.P.V.) used in the U.S. is highly effective in preventing paralysis, it does not fully stop transmission. If polio re-emerges, even a few cases of paralysis could cause significant harm, underscoring the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage. (New York Times)

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H5N1 AVIAN FLU SPREADS TO POULTRY DAIRY CATTLE

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed additional cases of H5N1 avian flu in poultry across three states, including a second commercial broiler farm in Delaware’s Kent County. Michigan’s Oakland County reported an outbreak at a backyard farm with 100 birds, and Missouri’s Perry County confirmed a case involving 20 birds at a backyard farm. Additionally, another H5N1 detection was reported in dairy cattle in California, raising the state’s total to 707 cases since August 2024. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its interim guidance for employers to reduce exposure to influenza A (including H5N1) for workers, now covering a broader range of animal-related settings, including zoos. In Maryland, preliminary tests confirmed avian flu at a broiler farm in Caroline County, marking the first commercial poultry outbreak in the state since 2023 and the third in the Delmarva region. (CIDRAP)

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TUNE THERAPEUTICS RAISES $175 MILLION FOR EPI-EDITING DRUG

Tune Therapeutics has raised $175 million in Series B funding to advance its epigenetic silencing drug, Tune-401, into clinical trials. The drug, aimed at treating chronic hepatitis B (HBV), uses Tune’s TEMPO epigenetic editing platform to adjust gene expression non-permanently, rather than altering DNA like traditional gene editing technologies. The funding will also support the development of additional gene, cell, and regenerative therapies. Tune-401 has already shown promising preclinical results, with nearly complete repression of HBV DNA in human liver cells and infected mouse models. Founded in 2021 with $40 million, Tune has made significant strides in epi-editing for chronic diseases. The Series B round, led by New Enterprise Associates, Yosemite, Regeneron Ventures, and Hevolution Foundation, reflects growing investor confidence in the potential of epigenetic therapies to transform disease treatment. Reed Jobs of Yosemite praised Tune’s potential to impact disease outcomes through epigenetic medicine. (Fierce Biotech)

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ALLERGIES RISING AMONG FILIPINO VIETNAMESE AMERICAN CHILDREN

A 9-month-old Filipino boy with severe eczema, food allergies, and asthma exemplifies a growing trend of allergy-related issues among Asian American children, especially those from Filipino and Vietnamese backgrounds. Allergies, including food allergies and asthma, are increasingly prevalent, with 5.6 million U.S. children affected. Research conducted by allergists in the San Francisco Bay Area found that Filipino and Vietnamese children have notably higher rates of eczema, asthma, and food allergies compared to other groups, even surpassing Black children in some cases. East Asian children, such as Koreans and Chinese, showed an increased risk for eczema and food allergies but lower asthma rates. The underlying causes, such as immigration patterns, diet, and acculturation, remain unclear. This disparity, compounded by a lack of research and funding for Asian American health, highlights the need for more targeted studies. The findings aim to improve diagnosis and treatment, ensuring better health outcomes for diverse Asian American populations. (STAT)

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OPENAI DONATES $1 MILLION TO TRUMP, AIMS TO INFLUENCE AI POLICY

In December, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund, signaling his company’s intent to influence U.S. policy on artificial intelligence (AI). OpenAI’s economic blueprint, released in January, outlines strategies for advancing AI in America, minimizing risks, and maintaining a competitive edge over China. The blueprint emphasizes the need for government policies that support infrastructure development, including investments from Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. OpenAI argues that if these nations don’t invest in U.S. AI projects, they will fund Chinese developments instead. The company also advocates for light regulation from the federal government to avoid conflicting state laws, as seen in California’s failed AI bill. OpenAI’s goal is to shape how the next administration handles AI, aiming to harness its economic potential while ensuring responsible growth. Altman will further this effort with a key event in Washington on January 30. (New York Times)

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JUST STOP OIL PROTESTERS SPRAY-PAINT DARWIN’S GRAVE OVER 1.5°C WARMING

Supporters of the climate protest group Just Stop Oil (JSO) spray-painted “1.5 is dead” on Charles Darwin’s grave at Westminster Abbey, London, to highlight the confirmation that 2024 was the first year to exceed the critical 1.5°C global warming threshold. The protest involved Alyson Lee, 66, and Di Bligh, 77, who used chalk paint on the grave around 9:30 AM. The Metropolitan Police arrested the women on suspicion of criminal damage. JSO stated that the protest aimed to prompt government action on climate change, with Lee and Bligh expressing frustration over the lack of governmental response to the climate crisis. They specifically chose Darwin’s grave, believing he would be upset by the ongoing mass extinction. The EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service confirmed that 2024 was the warmest year on record, driven by human-caused climate change and El Niño. Westminster Abbey’s staff assured that no permanent damage occurred and the site remained open. (The Guardian)

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ANTS OUTPERFORM HUMANS IN TEAM TASKS SHOWING COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE

A study comparing the cognitive abilities of ants and humans in a team-based task reveals the surprising efficiency of ants in collective intelligence. The experiment, conducted by Ofer Feinerman’s lab at the Weizmann Institute of Science, involved moving a T-shaped object through narrow doorways. While individual ants performed worse than humans, groups of ants, especially the longhorn crazy ants, showed superior collective problem-solving abilities. These ants, known for their erratic movements, demonstrate “emergent intelligence” where the group develops a memory and persistence that individuals lack. In large groups, ants outperformed humans, particularly in a test where human participants were masked and unable to communicate. The study highlights how simpler minds like ants can use scalability and group cooperation effectively, while more complex minds, like humans, struggle without adequate communication. The findings emphasize the importance of communication in human teamwork and the efficiency of collective intelligence in ants. (El Pais)

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

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

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