Four months ago, we wrote about the surge of the H5N1 bird flu strain that had by then already killed tens of millions of birds in various parts of the U.S. and land and marine animals in the U.S. and other countries. Since then, the avian flu has jumped to cows and goats, surprising experts. It has been reported in 34 herds of dairy cows in nine states, but the outbreak is unquestionably much more extensive than that; fragments of bird flu virus genomic RNA have been detected in more than 20 percent of retail milk samples tested in a nationally representative study. Also, recently released viral sequences from animal infections provided by USDA indicate that the outbreak likely began in December 2023, with a single spillover incident from birds into cows.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

History frequently offers insight into present-day events. Far too often that perspective is ignored either because of a lack of knowledge, the mistaken belief that it has no relevance in today's world, or discomfort over the challenge that that knowledge presents. The war in Gaza does have an historical precedent, albeit one on a far grander scale.

Bear with us as we unpack the analogy ...

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

Holden Thorp, the editor-in-chief of the prestigious journal Science, described on Substack a discussion during the recent meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In the closing plenary session, he posed to a "panel of scientific leaders" the question, "Who is a scientist?" The answers "ranged from very narrow (just people who are doing or planning research) all the way to very broad (every living human)."

Then Thorp offered his opinion:

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

"Planet vs Plastics" is the theme of Earth Day this year. Why? Because, according to the event's organizers, "plastics are a danger to humanity and all living creatures, disrupting the balance of life on Earth." Therefore, "EARTHDAY.ORG is unwavering in our commitment to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of ALL plastics by 2040."

Continue to the full article  |  More articles

From 1968 to 2020, Americans experienced a remarkable increase in life expectancy, from 70 to 78 years. Much of that was due to advances in drugs and vaccines, many of which are now unavailable because of shortages. According to the University of Utah Drug Information Service, in the first quarter of 2024, a total of 323 drugs were in shortage — the highest number ever.

Continue to the full article  |  More articles