Mostly Microbes and Infection

Pfizer said it can update its COVID19 vaccine within 100 days if the o micron variant is found to be resistant to its current vaccine. The company expects to know within two weeks whether the variant is resistant.

Scientists agreed that Omicron warranted urgent attention, but further studies are needed to determine how it fares against current vaccines.

by  Adriana Chan, Melissa Nguyen, Adam Acevedo and David Ojcius Wildfires and wildfire smoke have always been a natural feature of California’s environment. Article discusses effects of climate change on incidence of wildfires, effects of wildfire smoke on health, and how to protect oneself.

  Scientists use genetically-engineered bacteria to convert glucose into a fatty acid, which can then be transformed into olefins. The process could likely be adjusted in the future to also generate other types of hydrocarbons found in gasoline.

For decades, scientists have dreamed of a universal flu vaccine, one that could target many strains of the virus. New technologies may now make it possible. One of the world’s longest pandemics could soon be coming to an end.

  Mosquitoes have a mutual symbiotic relationship with malaria -causing pathogen, Plasmodium . Analysis of uninfected & infected mosquitoes shows that infected mosquitoes' sense of smell was significantly enhanced, thus improving their ability to find hosts.

by Steven Leung, Michelle Sabin, Eve Cuny and David Ojcius Take careful steps as we return to normal after COVID19 . As more people become vaccinated, it's normal to ask if we can stop social-distancing & wearing m asks . The answer is, not yet.