Measles outbreaks are on the rise in the US, with a recent death reported in West Texas. According to health officials, the victim was not vaccinated against measles, which is highly contagious and can survive in the air for up to two hours.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has canceled a meeting critical to the development of next year’s flu vaccine due to unforeseen circumstances. Although pharmaceutical manufacturers will still receive recommendations in time to create updated vaccines, experts warn that vaccination rates are slipping, contributing to the severity of the outbreak.
Meanwhile, a mysterious disease has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with multiple cases and deaths linked to the virus. The CDC is working closely with international partners to understand the cause and develop effective treatments.
In space news, researchers have found that the International Space Station (ISS) might be too clean, with low microbial diversity. This could lead to a range of health issues for astronauts, including persistent rashes, atypical allergies, and immune dysfunction.
On Mars, scientists have discovered evidence of sandy beaches in the planet’s distant past, with layers of sand forming smooth, sloped layers similar to those found on Earth. The findings suggest that Mars may have once had an ocean, strengthening the case for its existence.
Finally, a study published last week revealed that a human brain can turn to glass under extreme conditions. Researchers found that high temperatures and rapid cooling can cause the liquid within a material to harden, resulting in a glass-like state. This phenomenon, known as vitrification, has been observed in the context of volcanic eruptions.
That’s all for this week’s science news roundup.
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/first-measles-death-outbreaks-of-mysterious-illness-in-drc-and-microbes-in