CDC veterans warn of sweeping political meddling in U.S. public health

Nine former CDC directors issued a stark public warning about proposed changes under HHS leadership that could weaken evidence-based decision-making and sideline expert advisory groups such as ACIP. They argue that dismantling or politicizing independent scientific review would slow responses to outbreaks, degrade vaccine guidance, and jeopardize decades of progress in disease control. The statement comes amid reports of planned removals or restructuring of outside advisory committees across health agencies. The former directors urge Congress and the administration to preserve scientific independence and the ability of CDC to set and communicate guidance insulated from political pressure. Their message: once trust and capacity are eroded, rebuilding them during a crisis is far harder—and far costlier in lives. (CIDRAP)

Common diabetes drug metformin tied to lower long COVID risk

New research suggests people who took metformin—an inexpensive, widely used diabetes medication—had a reduced risk of developing long COVID compared with similar patients who didn’t use the drug. The findings add to prior randomized data hinting that early metformin treatment after infection can cut the odds of post-acute symptoms. Researchers caution that metformin is not a substitute for vaccination and that the mechanism—possibly dampening viral replication or inflammation—needs clarification. Still, given its safety profile and low cost, clinicians say metformin could prove a pragmatic tool for high-risk adults if benefits continue to show up across diverse datasets. Larger, confirmatory trials and subgroup analyses are underway to determine who benefits most and when to start therapy. (CIDRAP)

OTC nasal spray shows promise at reducing COVID infections

A small randomized study found that people using over-the-counter azelastine nasal spray had substantially fewer COVID infections than those on placebo, cutting risk by about two-thirds. The antihistamine spray—cheap and widely available—has lab evidence of antiviral activity, but clinical data have been scarce. Investigators stress that the trial was limited in size and duration, and the product isn’t authorized to prevent COVID; vaccination remains the cornerstone. Still, the signal suggests a potential add-on layer of protection, especially during seasonal waves. Larger, independent trials will be needed to validate efficacy, define dosing, and see whether benefits extend to emerging variants and higher-risk groups. The findings highlight the continuing search for simple, accessible tools to reduce transmission. (Ars Technica)

House Republicans add support to keep NIH funding level in 2026

In a notable shift, key House Republicans signaled backing for maintaining current funding levels for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2026, easing immediate fears of major cuts to the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research. The move reflects months of advocacy from universities, patient groups, and industry, and comes as research budgets face competing demands and broader deficit politics. Maintaining level funding would still leave NIH grappling with inflationary erosion and a glut of meritorious proposals chasing flat dollars. Appropriations negotiations remain ongoing, and the final outcome could change. But the latest signals suggest bipartisan recognition that destabilizing NIH would harm U.S. scientific leadership, slow medical advances, and undercut training pipelines for young investigators. (Science)

Hungry worms deepen hopes for tackling plastic pollution

Fresh research spotlights how certain worms can chew through stubborn plastics, potentially accelerating biodegradation of materials like polyethylene. The work explores enzymes and gut microbes that break polymer chains into smaller molecules, raising hopes for scalable recycling or waste-management processes that complement mechanical and chemical methods. Scientists caution against releasing worms into landfills; the practical path is isolating and engineering the responsible enzymes or microbial consortia, then integrating them in controlled systems. Key questions remain about efficiency, byproducts, and economics at industrial scale. Still, the findings add momentum to “biological upcycling,” where packaging and film waste could be converted into useful chemicals—an appealing route as nations push extended producer responsibility and plastic-reduction policies. (Wired)

Juno completes the set: all four Galilean moons leave auroral “footprints”

NASA reports that Juno has finally detected the last missing auroral signature—Callisto’s—joining Io, Europa, and Ganymede in producing distinct electromagnetic “footprints” within Jupiter’s powerful auroras. These signatures arise when a moon’s interaction with the gas giant’s magnetosphere funnels charged particles along magnetic field lines into Jupiter’s atmosphere, where they glow in ultraviolet. Confirming Callisto’s long-sought imprint ties together decades of theory and observation and helps researchers probe plasma flows, moon-magnetosphere coupling, and energy transport in the Jovian system. The completed set also sharpens questions about how variable volcanic activity on Io and differing subsurface oceans or surfaces on the other moons may modulate their footprints over time—prime targets for future coordinated campaigns. (NASA)

Countries’ ‘carbon budget’ math may be biased, study warns

A new analysis finds many nations use overly optimistic assumptions when calculating their remaining carbon budgets—the cumulative emissions they say are compatible with climate targets—risking underestimation of the cuts needed to meet net-zero pledges. Researchers highlight methodological choices and accounting gaps that skew national trajectories, from land-use sinks to imported emissions and sectoral baselines. The authors call for standardized, transparent methods to align national budgets with the physics of the Paris goals and to improve comparability across countries. Without course-corrections, policymakers may bake shortfalls into infrastructure, prolonging fossil dependence and raising transition costs later. The study underscores the need for independent verification and robust disclosure as countries update NDCs ahead of the next global stocktake. (phys.org)

Upbeat music shows potential as a simple motion-sickness aid

A controlled experiment suggests that listening to cheerful, soft music can significantly reduce car-sickness symptoms, pointing to a low-cost, non-pharmacological intervention for travelers. Participants exposed to specific playlists reported less nausea and discomfort than controls, hinting that affect and auditory cues may modulate the sensory conflict between the inner ear and visual inputs that drives motion sickness. Researchers note limitations (small sample sizes, genre preferences, laboratory vs. real-world settings) and call for follow-up work that tests duration, personalization, and effectiveness in buses, trains, and VR environments. Still, the results add to growing interest in “digital therapeutics” and sensory strategies that help people tolerate rides and screens—without drowsiness or side-effects common to standard medications. (The Scientist)

A reader’s guide to hurricane maps—and common pitfalls

With the Atlantic season active, a timely explainer breaks down how to interpret hurricane graphics: the “cone” shows where a storm’s center might track—not the size of impacts; hazards like surge, rain, and tornadoes often extend far beyond it. The piece clarifies wind probability maps, watches vs. warnings, and how forecast uncertainty evolves, especially at longer lead times. It also flags frequent misreads, such as assuming equal risk inside the cone or overlooking forecast update cycles. Practical advice: focus on specific hazard products, know your local surge vulnerability, and prepare for impacts outside the centerline. The goal is better risk communication so residents and newsrooms alike avoid false precision—and act on the threats that actually injure and kill. (Scientific American)

A Georgia beach tests high-tech defenses against erosion

Tybee Island is piloting a data-driven approach to slowing shoreline loss, combining detailed mapping, sensors, and targeted sand placements to stretch the benefits of nourishment projects. The strategy leans on continuous monitoring (including drone and lidar surveys) to track how waves, tides, and storms reshape the coast, then adapts interventions accordingly—placing sand where it will naturally linger and evaluating nature-based add-ons like dunes and vegetation. Managers hope smarter timing and placement cuts costs and environmental impacts while protecting homes, habitat, and tourism revenue. The effort offers a case study for communities facing more frequent nor’easters and hurricane swells as sea levels rise, and for agencies seeking to justify resilience spending with measurable results. (EOS)