New study shows fewer people die from COVID-19 in better vaccinated communities

A large US study published by The BMJ today finds that fewer people die from COVID-19 in better vaccinated communities.

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter spots gear that helped Perseverance rover land

NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter recently surveyed both the parachute that helped the agency's Perseverance rover land on Mars and the cone-shaped backshell that protected the rover in deep space and during its fiery descent toward the Martian surface on Feb. 18, 2021. Engineers with the Mars Sample Return program asked whether Ingenuity could provide this perspective. What resulted were 10 aerial color images taken April 19 during Ingenuity's Flight 26.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/ingenuity-mars-helicopter-spots-gear-that-helped-perseverance-rover-land

Study reveals genetic diversity of a particularly problematic pathogen

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Jacobs School of Engineering, with colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine, have used a systems biology approach to parse the genetic diversity of Clostridioides difficile, a particularly problematic pathogen in health care settings.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-reveals-genetic-diversity-of-a-particularly-problematic-pathogen

A nasty I of the storm: Ida is 12th I hurricane name retired

There's something about hurricanes starting with the letter I that is particularly nasty. Last year's Ida now joins the list of storms so deadly their names don't get used again.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/a-nasty-i-of-the-storm-ida-is-12th-i-hurricane-name-retired

Brain imaging shows what happens when we question fake news

Misinformation on social media may seem like an intractable problem, but a new study from business researchers at The University of Texas at Austin shows that asking a single question can be a powerful weapon against fake news.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/brain-imaging-shows-what-happens-when-we-question-fake-news

In Florida panther, multi-pronged approach critical to disease management

The Florida panther, an endangered subspecies of mountain lion found exclusively in southern Florida, is being affected by a viral disease called feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FeLV can spread from domestic cats and cause large outbreaks in panthers, resulting in severe illness or death. While a domestic cat vaccine is available, it has uncertain efficacy in panthers. New research led by the University of Minnesota studies FeLV management and has implications for infectious disease management, such as COVID-19 in humans.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/in-florida-panther-multi-pronged-approach-critical-to-disease-management

Language that belittles or blames patients is overdue for change

Medical language that casts doubt, belittles, or blames patients for their health problems continues to be commonly used in everyday clinical practice, but is outdated and overdue for change, argue experts in The BMJ today.

Amazon warehouse collapse probe finds worker safety risks

U.S. regulators are calling on Amazon to improve its procedures for dealing with severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes that could threaten workers at its warehouses dotted across the country.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-warehouse-collapse-probe-finds-worker-safety-risks

UK wildlife watchers welcome 'ecological refugees'

Wildlife watchers generally welcome species that have arrived in the UK due to climate change, new research suggests.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/uk-wildlife-watchers-welcome-ecological-refugees

Synthetic 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS linked to liver damage

Exposure to a class of widely used synthetic chemicals is connected to liver damage according to a new study conducted by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and published April 27th, 2022, in Environmental Health Perspectives.