Unethical Malaria Experiments on Black Inmates Revealed

New archival research exposes how Black prisoners were used in U.S. malaria studies decades ago under coercive conditions. Institutional assumptions of racial immunity drove researchers to recruit inmates from prison populations rather than the broader community. These experiments, which exploited Black inmates without proper consent, highlight a troubling history of racial and ethical violations in biomedical research. (Science)

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RFK Jr. Scraps CDC’s COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance

On June 13, 2025, Health Secretary RFK Jr. removed all 17 members from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), abruptly ending the CDC’s guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations for healthy children and pregnant women. He justified the move as a bid to restore public confidence in health institutions, claiming the previous system was compromised by pharmaceutical industry influence. The decision has drawn widespread concern from public health experts and medical associations, who warn that eliminating clear vaccine guidelines—especially amid lingering pandemic risks—could endanger vulnerable populations and exacerbate misinformation. Critics argue the removal of ACIP weakens science-based policymaking and undermines longstanding public health norms. It marks one of the most dramatic reversals of vaccine policy in recent CDC history. (Axios)

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CDC Reinstates Hundreds of Fired Staff

Roughly 300 CDC employees who had been laid off under controversial circumstances earlier this year have been reinstated, according to a CIDRAP report. This reinstatement follows a March decision to recall 180 workers and reflects the agency’s shifting staffing policies under Health Secretary RFK Jr. The reinstated personnel had primarily worked in pandemic preparedness, surveillance, and immunization outreach. Sources suggest political pressure, as well as operational disruptions following the firings, played a role in their return. The rehiring also comes amid renewed scrutiny of the CDC’s ability to manage disease surveillance and emergency response systems, especially in light of recent policy changes that eliminated vaccine recommendations for children. Experts remain concerned about the agency’s long-term morale and institutional integrity. (CIDRAP)

“Vibe Coding”: AI’s Disruption of Development Jobs

Wired explores the rise of “vibe coding,” where developers prompt AI to generate software—an approach increasingly embraced by tech giants like OpenAI and Anthropic. Experts predict that by late 2025, AI might handle routine coding tasks, pushing human engineers to focus on design, modular systems, and critical oversight. While productivity gains are recorded, concerns remain about errors, security risks, and a decline in developers’ foundational skills. (Wired)

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Innovative Digital Restoration of Renaissance Painting

A team used a physical-digital hybrid laminating mask to restore a severely damaged 15th-century oil-on-panel painting attributed to the Master of the Prado. The mask infilled 5,612 paint losses across 57,000 color variants, applying a reversible bilayer of printed pigments. This breakthrough marries preservation with reversibility. (Nature)

Jared Isaacman’s NASA Ambitions That Never Flew

Ars Technica examines businessman Jared Isaacman’s proposals during his nomination for NASA leadership: nuclear-powered ships, seven-crew Dragon capsules, and accelerated Artemis missions. Though his vision was bold, insiders say it was dismissed as overly ambitious, resulting in the withdrawal of his nomination. (Ars Technica)

ISS Crew Program Delayed by Russian Module Leak

A planned ISS mission involving astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary has been delayed due to persistent air leaks in Russia’s Zvezda module, a crucial component of the International Space Station. The leak—located in the living quarters—prompted safety concerns despite multiple repair attempts. The Axiom Space crew remains in quarantine in Florida while NASA and Roscosmos assess the risks and schedule adjustments. The leak has reignited debates over aging infrastructure aboard the ISS and whether current international partnerships can maintain space station safety standards. This delay marks another complication in recent ISS operations and adds pressure to NASA’s timeline for developing commercial space station replacements. Meanwhile, the astronauts’ historic multinational mission remains on indefinite hold. (AP)

China’s Tianwen-2 Aims to Sample Quasi‑Moon

China’s Tianwen-2 probe, launched May 29, 2025, is now en route to Kamoʻoalewa—a near-Earth asteroid quasi-moon. The mission will land in July 2026 to collect samples before swinging toward comet-like asteroid 311P/PanSTARRS, with a return to Earth planned for 2035. CNSA recently released the spacecraft’s first image from over 3 million km away. (Wired)

Veterinarian’s Death Spurs National Alert Over Tick-Borne Virus

A veterinarian in Japan has died from suspected severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a potentially fatal tick-borne illness. The vet, from Mie Prefecture, treated an infected cat and developed symptoms in May, including respiratory distress, before dying days later. Authorities found no tick bite, suggesting transmission via the animal’s bodily fluids. If confirmed, this would be Japan’s first fatal vet case of SFTS contracted through animal treatment. The Japan Veterinary Medical Association issued a nationwide warning, emphasizing protective gear for vets. SFTS, often transmitted via ticks or infected animals’ fluids, has a human mortality rate of up to 30% and 60% in cats. Experts warn even indoor pets may pose a risk if exposed outdoors. (Asahi Shinbun)
 

Prairie Dogs Warn Birds of Hunting Curlews

The Guardian reports that burrowing prairie dogs produce alarm calls upon spotting curlews—long-billed shorebirds. These calls alert both prairie dogs and passing species, including curlews, to predator threats. This interspecies communication shows collaborative early-warning networks in grassland ecosystems. (The Gaurdian)

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

WORDS: The Biology Guy.

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