TEXAS REPORTS 20 MORE MEASLES CASES AMID OUTBREAK
Texas has reported 20 more measles cases in the last five days, bringing the total to 561, with 58 patients hospitalized. The outbreak is centered in West Texas, notably in counties with a large unvaccinated Mennonite population. Ongoing transmission is reported in 10 counties, including Cochran and Lubbock. Two unvaccinated school-aged girls have died, and nearly all patients are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Of the 561 cases, 381 are children aged 17 or younger. El Paso County has reported 8 cases, including a vaccinated teenager and an infant. In New Mexico, the case count has risen to 63, with infections in counties bordering Texas. Michigan has confirmed a measles case in a 1-year-old girl who traveled out of state, with possible exposures linked to a farmer’s market and Michigan State University. Pennsylvania’s Erie County is also experiencing an outbreak, with two new cases. The U.S. total is now 712 cases, 93% outbreak-related. (CIDRAP)
HISTORIC GLOBAL PANDEMIC ACCORD REACHED WITHOUT U.S. PARTICIPATION
Nations have reached a historic agreement on the first global pandemic accord, outlining measures for prevention, preparation, and response to pandemics. Despite the U.S. withdrawal during President Trump’s inauguration, the treaty marks a significant achievement, with countries agreeing on equitable access to health products and data sharing. The accord introduces a “pathogen access and benefit-sharing” system, ensuring pharmaceutical companies share vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics during pandemics in return for access to pathogen data. The treaty also promotes technology exchange to help developing nations become more self-sufficient in producing vaccines and drugs. While details are still being finalized, the agreement emphasizes equitable access to medical products, particularly for developing countries. It also calls for governments to ensure affordable pricing and the publication of clinical trial results. Though weakened by the absence of U.S. participation, the treaty represents a step toward global solidarity in pandemic preparedness. (Nature)
NSF DISBANDS 11 ADVISORY COMMITTEES UNDER TRUMP INITIATIVE
In response to President Trump’s initiative to reduce the federal government, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has disbanded 11 outside advisory committees, which provided valuable scientific input on the agency’s programs. These committees advised on a range of areas, from biology to engineering, and helped guide the NSF’s direction in science, technology, education, and innovation. While these panels did not make funding decisions, they allowed scientists to recommend new directions and address issues facing the research community. The move has been criticized by experts, including ecologist Diane Pataki, who warned that without such external input, the NSF may struggle to remain innovative. The NSF has kept two programmatic advisory committees, one focused on equal opportunity in science and the other on the new Directorate for Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships, but it remains unclear how the agency will maintain robust communication with the scientific community. (Science)
CDC STUDY SHOWS RISING AUTISM DIAGNOSIS RATES AMONG CHILDREN
A new CDC study shows that autism diagnosis rates among U.S. children continue to rise, with 1 in 31 children diagnosed by age 8 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020. Experts attribute the increase to better diagnostic practices and early identification rather than an autism “epidemic.” The report highlights gender, racial, and geographic disparities, with boys diagnosed more often than girls, and higher rates among Asian, Black, and Hispanic children compared to White children. The report also notes that autism diagnosis is more common in socially disadvantaged areas, due to increased access to diagnostic services. However, challenges persist in identifying autism in children with intellectual disabilities. While some, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have raised concerns about the autism rate, experts argue that the rise reflects progress in awareness, screening, and diagnostic accuracy. The CDC emphasizes the need for continued research and investment in autism support services. (CNN)
NEW YORK CITY DOCUMENTS OVER 2100 MUSHROOM SPECIES
New York City boasts impressive natural abundance, with over 2,100 species of mushrooms documented, the most in any major city. The New York Mycological Society, a group of passionate amateurs, organizes year-round mushroom expeditions in various parks. On a recent walk in Inwood Hill Park, 83 species of fungi were found, including one new species. The society’s members include specialists in lichens, slime molds, and fungi from animal droppings. They have discovered new species, such as Nemania ethancrensonii, named after the society’s president, Ethan Crenson. Despite limiting their walks to 15 parks, the group continues to add new species at a rate of 100 annually. The walks foster an appreciation for even the least impressive finds, such as the common greenshield lichen, which is now widespread in the city. The group is also on the lookout for rare fungi, including the zombie ant fungus, which has been spreading along the East Coast. (New York Times)
SCIENTISTS CREATE FIRST 3D MAP OF MOUSE BRAIN CONNECTOME
Scientists have created the first precise, 3D map of a mammal’s brain using a tiny piece of mouse brain tissue. The map, which details the activity and structure of 84,000 neurons and 200,000 brain cells, represents only 1/500 of a mouse’s brain but provides a groundbreaking look at its “connectome.” This work, led by the Allen Institute for Brain Science, Baylor College of Medicine, and Princeton University, involved 150 scientists and resulted in 1.6 petabytes of data. The process included recording brain activity, slicing the tissue into 28,000 layers, and using AI to trace the neurons. This map lays the foundation for understanding how specific brain regions function and interact, and could aid in studying brain disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While mapping the entire mouse brain connectome is still a challenge, scientists hope to extend this research to the human brain in the future. (CNN)
SCIENTISTS CAPTURE FIRST VIDEO OF COLOSSAL SQUID IN NATURE
For the first time, scientists have captured video footage of the colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) in its natural deep-water habitat. The squid, known as the largest invertebrate, was filmed by a team aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) in the South Atlantic Ocean on 9 March. The video revealed a juvenile squid, about 30 cm long, offering a glimpse into its delicate and transparent form before it matures into an opaque red. The colossal squid, which can grow up to 7 meters long, is known for its enormous eyes, the largest in the animal kingdom, and its unique tentacles with swiveling hooks to help capture prey. This discovery adds to a series of rare squid sightings, including the glacial glass squid filmed earlier this year. Researchers emphasized the ongoing mysteries of the Southern Ocean, with much of its marine life still undiscovered. (Science)
Thanks for reading. Let’s be careful out there.
WORDS: The Biology Guy.
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