Trump Admin's Cuts to Decimate Elite CDC Program

2025-02-14
Trump Admin's Cuts to Decimate Elite CDC Program

The Trump administration's push to shrink the federal civil service is set to severely impact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), a world-renowned training program for applied epidemiologists. Many EIS members, crucial in responding to outbreaks like the 2001 anthrax attacks and the 2014-2016 West African Ebola epidemic, face imminent dismissal. This move is alarming public health experts who warn of significantly reduced capacity to handle future crises, both domestically and internationally. The cuts are seen as shortsighted and potentially catastrophic for global health security.

Read more
Tech

Concussions May Reactivate Herpes Virus, Triggering Alzheimer's

2025-02-01
Concussions May Reactivate Herpes Virus, Triggering Alzheimer's

Researchers at Tufts University used a 3D mini-brain model to demonstrate that simulated concussions can reactivate latent herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in brain tissue, leading to Alzheimer's-like inflammation, amyloid plaques, and neuron death. This research connects HSV-1 infection, head trauma, and Alzheimer's for the first time, providing new evidence for the microbial theory of Alzheimer's and suggesting antiviral drugs as a potential preventative treatment. The findings indicate that head injuries, such as concussions, may reactivate dormant HSV-1, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Read more

BioNTech's Bispecific Antibody Shows Promise in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

2024-12-15
BioNTech's Bispecific Antibody Shows Promise in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

BioNTech presented early clinical trial data for its novel bispecific antibody, BNT-327, at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and VEGF, the antibody showed positive results in patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Building on the discovery of checkpoint inhibitors, this research represents a potential breakthrough in next-generation immunotherapy, offering hope for new treatments in triple-negative breast cancer and potentially other cancers.

Read more