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This week, the scientific Nobel prizes were awarded. American scientists David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their “discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch.” The Chemistry Nobel went to German chemist Benjamin List and Scotland-born chemist David W.C. MacMillan for developing “asymmetric organocatalysis” which has helped pave the way towards more environmentally sustainable chemical engineering as well as use in developing pharmaceuticals. Japanese-American climatologist Syukuro Manabe, German researcher Klaus Hasselmann and Italian physicist Giorgio Parisi shared the Physics Nobel, with the committee citing their contribution to improving understanding of climate change models.
WHO Backs Widespread Use Of First Malaria Vaccine
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The World Health Organization endorsed the safety and efficacy of the world’s first malaria vaccine on Wednesday, clearing the way for it to be rolled out to treat children in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions that are hard-hit by the disease. Read more here.
Noteworthy
More employers are adding home delivery of meals and snacks as new health benefits for 2022.
Last week, the FDA approved Abbvie’s new migraine medication Qulipta, but it’s entering a crowded market.
The first Texas doctor to be sued under the state’s new law banning the vast majority of abortions filed his own lawsuit against those who brought the litigation, asking the courts to rule the law unconstitutional.
Coronavirus Updates
As of today, more Americans have died so far in 2021 than died in all of 2020, and the death count is still rising at a pace of over 2,000 people per day. The death toll is now well over 700,000 deaths from Covid-19, more Americans than died in the influenza pandemic of 1918. Cases are on their way back down now, with some experts suggesting numbers will continue to go down. Healthcare analyst Joshua Cohen, however, cautions against optimistic messaging, conceding that while it may be correct, past experience with the pandemic has shown that surges happen again after similar statements. Before communicating optimistic sentiments, he says, public health experts should ask themselves: “Why say it now? What purpose does it serve?” continuing, “So many missteps throughout this pandemic can be traced to poor public health messaging, whether intentional or not, and whether by experts or public officials.”
Very Close Relatives Of Covid-19 Virus Were Found In Laotian Bats
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Researchers examining bats in Laos isolated several viruses that are closely related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, giving stronger clues as to the origin of the disease. Read more here.
Other Coronavirus News
Rare side effects from Moderna’s Covid vaccine have prompted Sweden to halt its use for people under the age of 30 as a precaution, and recommending they take Pfizer’s vaccine instead.
Los Angeles is set to begin requiring people to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination to enter some indoor places starting on November 29.
The noise levels in hospitals adds to the stress of frontline care workers, especially as many hospitals are still crowded with Covid patients. Here’s how some of that noise (and stress) can be reduced.
Across Forbes
We’ve Found The First Planet To Orbit Three Stars Say Scientists
What Else We are Reading
Biden moves to ramp up at-home Covid-19 testing (Stat)
Real-world data show that filters clean COVID-causing virus from air (Nature)
First drug for dengue, an excruciating disease, may be on the horizon (Science)
