[7.2] Winter COVID and flu surge — Los Angeles Times
The winter COVID-and-flu season is escalating, with a significant rise in positive test rates and hospital admissions. Wastewater data suggests a potential peak of 2 million daily COVID cases in the U.S. The good news is fewer critically ill COVID patients compared to last year's "tripledemic." Flu cases are also surging.
[7.1] North Korea provided missiles to Russia for Ukraine attacks — The Hill
Russia, aided by North Korea's ballistic missiles, escalates attacks in Ukraine. North Korea supplied a missile launcher and missiles, used in recent strikes, marking a concerning rise in their support for Moscow. In return, North Korea seeks advanced military technology. This development highlights a deepening Russia-North Korea partnership, driven by global sanctions and isolation.
[7.1] 'Cooling glass' could fight climate change by reflecting solar radiation back into space — Space.com
Scientists at the University of Maryland have developed a highly reflective glass coating. This novel coating, composed of glass and aluminum oxide, can reflect up to 99% of solar radiation, substantially cooling surfaces like building roofs and roads. Laboratory tests confirm its effectiveness, and it's durable for over 30 years, even under extreme conditions. This innovation, detailed in the journal Science, offers a promising approach to reduce global temperatures and reliance on air conditioning.
[7.0] Starlink launches first-ever Direct-To-Cell satellite — Hindustan Times
SpaceX successfully launched 21 Starlink satellites, including the first Direct-To-Cell satellite, aiming to provide text, internet, and mobile network coverage globally. The Direct-To-Cell service will be operational for text in 2024 and for voice, data, and IOT in 2025. It will work with LTE phones, offering connectivity without the need for external hardware. The service targets remote and rural areas, promising faster and more reliable internet and cell service.
[7.3] China’s BYD overtakes Tesla as top electric car seller — The Guardian
In 2023, Chinese electric carmaker BYD surpassed Tesla as the world's top-selling electric car manufacturer, producing 3.02m new energy vehicles compared to Tesla's 1.84m. BYD's sales include 1.6m battery-only cars and 1.4m hybrids. BYD outsold Tesla in battery-only cars in the final quarter of 2023. BYD aims to become a major player in international markets, targeting 800,000 car sales annually in Europe by 2030.
[7.1] In 2024, Apple faces regulatory challenges in the US and EU — Financial Times [$]
In 2024, Apple faces critical legal and regulatory challenges in the US and EU, threatening its $85bn-a-year services business. A US antitrust trial against Google reveals payments over $26bn to Apple for default search engine status, potentially ceasing if Google loses. Apple's services, including the App Store, face increased scrutiny, especially with new EU legislation forcing changes for Big Tech. The outcome of these legal battles could significantly impact Apple's business model and revenue streams.
For the first time ever, with the New Year and the weekend, we had three straight days without any significant news. But the quiet is probably over — I expect a return to (almost) daily posts this week.
Читать полностью…[8.0] Nirsevimab reduces infant RSV hospitalizations by 80% — The Guardian
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody, reduced hospital admissions for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by 80% in infants. The international trial included 8,058 babies, finding hospitalization rates dropped from 1.5% to 0.3% with nirsevimab treatment. Globally, RSV is a significant health concern, causing 100,000 deaths annually in children under five.
[7.3] Chinese economic strategy shifts to domestic demand-led growth — The Hindu
The 2023 Chinese Central Economic Work Conference emphasized stability-oriented economic growth for 2024, shifting focus from export-led to domestic demand-led growth. Key strategies include promoting high-quality growth, self-reliance in core technologies, and financial discipline. Measures include boosting domestic consumption, vitalizing research and development in high-tech sectors, and implementing prudent monetary and proactive fiscal policies.
[7.1] U.N. resolution for Gaza aid adopted, U.S. and Russia abstain — The Associated Press
The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution to expedite aid deliveries to Gaza, excluding a demand for an immediate halt to hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. and Russia abstained, with the U.S. avoiding a third veto against Gaza resolutions. Russia criticized its lack of stronger language, while Palestine and Arab nations supported a failed Russian amendment for immediate cease-fire. Israel criticized the Council's failure to condemn Hamas. The resolution, softened from its original draft, still emphasizes the need for humanitarian aid and a sustainable peace.
[7.0] FTC proposes updates to Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act — The New York Times [$]
The Federal Trade Commission proposed major revisions to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, aimed at enhancing online safety for children. Key proposals include disabling targeted ads for users under 13 by default, prohibiting the use of personal data for platform engagement, strengthening data security, and restricting data collection by educational apps to non-commercial purposes.
These changes intend to transfer online safety responsibilities from parents to digital services, significantly altering how platforms handle and monetize children's data. The public has 60 days to comment before the FTC votes on these proposals.
[7.0] Human activity has driven 12% of bird species extinct — The Guardian
New research published in Nature Communications reveals that human activity has driven about 12% of the world's bird species to extinction, double previous estimates. An estimated 1,430 bird species have died out since the Late Pleistocene period, with 640 known extinctions and the rest being "dark extinctions." Island bird populations were the focus, with deforestation, overhunting, fires, and invasive species identified as key causes.
[7.0] New AI tool accurately predicts how patients would fare after surgeries — News-Medical.Net
A new AI tool uses pre-operative electrocardiograms to identify patients at high risk of post-surgery complications, signaling a 9-fold increased mortality risk. The study highlights the tool's potential in improving surgical decision-making, which currently relies on limited clinical assessments. Efforts are underway to develop this innovation into a widely accessible web application.
[7.3] Groundbreaking method reduces phantom limb pain in amputees — Neuroscience News
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a groundbreaking method to alleviate phantom limb pain in lower-limb amputees. By using spinal cord stimulation triggered by pressure sensors on a prosthetic foot, they were able to restore sensation in the missing foot and reduce phantom limb pain by 70%. This approach also improves balance and gait stability, offering hope for over 1.5 million Americans living with lower-limb amputation.
[7.7] Chinese researchers developed aerosol-based Covid-19 vaccine for respiratory infections — South China Morning Post [$]
Chinese researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences developed an aerosol-based Covid-19 vaccine, delivering microcapsules directly to the lungs. The vaccine, tested on animals, produced a sustained immune response with a single dose. It targets respiratory infections and could combat the Omicron variant. The dry, powdered vaccine remains stable at room temperature for over a month. The delivery platform is cost-effective and non-invasive, potentially aiding remote areas.
[7.3] Hackers discover way to access Google accounts without a password — The Independent
Security researchers discovered a dangerous malware exploiting third-party cookies to gain unauthorized access to Google accounts, bypassing two-factor authentication. The exploit allows continuous access to Google services even after a password reset. Google is taking action to secure compromised accounts.
[7.1] Extreme weather across US: snow, blizzards, storms, flooding, cold outbreak — The Washington Post [$]
This week, the contiguous United States will experience extraordinary weather events due to a clash between Arctic and mid-latitude air. Fueled by a strong El Niño, the country will face multiple severe weather extremes, including possible tornadoes, blizzards, and monster waves.
The East Coast anticipates a snowstorm with 4-8 inches of snow in some areas, while California braces for high waves and the Sierra Nevada for heavy snowfall and winds. The Midwest is at risk of a blizzard, and the South may see severe storms and tornadoes. Flooding rains are expected in the East, with a significant cold air outbreak looming in about eight days, potentially affecting much of North America.
[7.3] New antibiotic Zosurabalpin effective against drug-resistant bacteria — The Guardian
Scientists discovered a new antibiotic class, Zosurabalpin, effective against Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab), a WHO-classified priority 1 pathogen. It showed promising results in mouse models for pneumonia and sepsis, targeting the lipopolysaccharide transport system in Gram-negative bacteria. This breakthrough, the first in over 50 years, is significant as Crab, prevalent in hospitals, resists multiple antibiotics, posing a public health threat.
[7.0] RSV vaccines would dramatically reduce disease burden if widely adopted like flu shots — News-Medical.Net
Recent approval of RSV vaccines for adults over 60 in the U.S. could significantly reduce illness and death rates, with widespread adoption similar to flu vaccines. These vaccines address RSV's severe impact on elderly, causing 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths annually. The study models potential reductions in medical care and deaths, finding that 66% vaccination coverage could decrease outpatient care by up to 53.6%, hospitalizations by 60.5%, and deaths by 60.4%.
[7.1] China's state-owned enterprises are increasing renewable energy capacity — Financial Times [$]
China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are increasingly investing in renewable energy. Renewable electricity generation capacity rose to 50% in 2023, up from 38% in 2019. This aligns with China's commitment to peak CO₂ emissions by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2060. SOEs account for 66% of China's GDP and are instrumental in large-scale renewable projects, especially in remote areas. Their shift to renewables, while initially mandated, is proving financially advantageous, with new energy sources outperforming traditional coal and gas.
[7.3] Vaccine doses enter Gaza to address health crisis — Voice of America - VOA News
Thousands of vaccine doses, including for polio and measles, have entered Gaza to address a health crisis due to disrupted services during Israel's ground offensive. The supplies, enough for 8-14 months, entered through Egypt's Rafah border. With an estimated 60,000 newborns in need, the vaccines aim to prevent disease spread. The vaccines were purchased and donated by UNICEF.
[7.3] Chinese scientists developed intranasal mask spray to prevent viral infection — South China Morning Post
Chinese researchers developed a nasal spray that forms a gel mask in the nose, reducing respiratory virus entry from 55% to 7%. Published in Nature Communications, this technology, tested on mice and human respiratory tract models (not actual humans), shows potential in protecting against various airborne viruses, including mutated strains. The gel, effective for up to eight hours, offers an alternative for those unable to wear traditional face masks.
[7.1] "Super Seven" dominate stock market, raise diversification concerns — The Guardian
The stock market story of 2023 is the rise of the "Super Seven" or "Magnificent Seven" - Meta, Amazon, Apple, Google (Alphabet), Microsoft, Tesla, and Nvidia. These companies now account for 17.2% of the MSCI All Country World Index, surpassing the combined representation of Japan, the UK, China, France, and Canada. Their collective value has risen by 74% in 2023, while the rest of the world's equities have managed only 12%. This extreme market concentration raises concerns about potential future performance and the lack of diversification for investors.
[7.1] New technology extends life of 90% of solar panels — Interesting Engineering
EtaVolt has developed a technology to rejuvenate and extend the life of photovoltaic panels. Applicable to about 90% of global panels, this field-tested innovation addresses the 10% efficiency loss in panels due to harsh conditions, translating to a global energy loss of US$2 billion. EtaVolt's Advanced Regeneration Technology repairs damage and recovers up to 5% lost field performance. The process takes under five minutes and can protect panels for up to five years.
[7.1] Survey finds universe less clumpy than expected, challenging cosmology — Livescience.com
A study of over 25 million galaxies revealed a discrepancy in the universe's clumpiness, challenging the standard cosmology model. Light warping measurements from distant galaxies suggest a less dense cosmos. This finding, published in Physical Review D, could necessitate new physics or an alternative universe model. The contradiction, labeled the Hubble tension, raises questions about dark matter and energy proportions in the universe. More precise future telescope measurements are expected to provide clarity.
[7.4] WHO prequalifies R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine for mass deployment — Health Policy Watch
The World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified the R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, allowing for mass deployment in malaria-endemic regions. Developed by Oxford University and manufactured by Serum Institute of India, the vaccine is set to greatly expand access to malaria vaccination, with 100 million doses ready for rollout. WHO's prequalification ensures safe and effective manufacture, aiming to combat the disease that causes nearly half a million child deaths annually in Africa.
[7.4] WHO classifies JN.1 as "variant of interest" due to transmissibility — ABC News
The World Health Organization has classified the new COVID variant, JN.1, as a "variant of interest." Experts say it is more transmissible and can better evade the immune system, but not more severe. JN.1 is a subvariant of BA.2.86 and has been detected in the US, making up 15-29% of cases. Current vaccines are still effective against it.
[7.0] Pentagon forms naval task force to address Red Sea attacks — Financial Times [$]
The U.S. is initiating "Operation Prosperity Guardian" to protect Red Sea shipping against attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. This escalation has sparked concerns over global energy supply disruptions, influencing oil and gas prices. Major companies like BP have already suspended shipments through the Red Sea due to these heightened security risks.
[7.1] Global migration trends in 2023: significant increases, stricter policies — The Associated Press
In 2023, over 506,000 migrants, mainly Venezuelans, crossed the Darien jungle from Colombia to Panama, doubling the previous year's record. Europe saw over 250,000 irregular arrivals by sea. Tougher immigration rules were announced in the UK, while France rejected a bill to expel undesirable foreigners. The US shifted from opening legal pathways to tightening the southern border.
[7.0] Moderna and Merck's cancer vaccine shows promising results — CNBC
Moderna and Merck's cancer vaccine, combined with Keytruda, reduced the risk of death or relapse in melanoma patients by 49% after three years. The vaccine also decreased the risk of cancer spreading by 62%. The FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation to the vaccine. Melanoma causes the majority of skin cancer deaths, with around 100,000 new cases and nearly 8,000 deaths expected in the U.S. this year.