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Author Archives: Sabrina I. Pacifici

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes First Oral Antiviral for Treatment of COVID-19

“Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pfizer’s Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets, co-packaged for oral use) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms or about 88 pounds) with positive… Continue Reading

Americans widely distrust Facebook, TikTok and Instagram with their data

Washington Post: “…It’s the rare thing that Americans of all ages and across the political spectrum largely seem to agree on: They don’t trust social media services with their information and they view targeted ads as annoying and invasive, according to a Washington Post-Schar School poll. Many Americans use social media — and most use… Continue Reading

US Army Creates Single Vaccine Effective Against All COVID & SARS Variants, Researchers Say

Defense One – “Within weeks, scientists at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research expect to announce that they have developed a vaccine that is effective against COVID-19 and all its variants, even Omicron, as well as from previous SARS-origin viruses that have killed millions of people worldwide.  The achievement is the result of almost… Continue Reading

This Scientist Created a Rapid Test Just Weeks Into the Pandemic

ProPublica: “Here’s Why You Still Can’t Get It. Irene Bosch developed a quick, inexpensive COVID-19 test in early 2020. When COVID-19 started sweeping across America in the spring of 2020, Irene Bosch knew she was in a unique position to help. The Harvard-trained scientist had just developed quick, inexpensive tests for several tropical diseases, and… Continue Reading

Omicron at Least Doubles Risk of Getting Infected on a Plane

Bloomberg: “Aircraft passengers are twice or even three times more likely to catch Covid-19 during a flight since the emergence of the omicron variant, according to the top medical adviser to the world’s airlines.  The warning comes as travelers take to the skies in their thousands for year-end holidays and family reunions, and as omicron… Continue Reading

Nature’s 10 Ten people who helped shape science in 2021

“An Omicron investigator, a Mars explorer and an AI ethics pioneer are some of the people behind the year’s big research stories. The Nature’s 10 list explores key developments in science this year and some of the people who played important parts in these milestones. Along with their colleagues, these individuals helped to make amazing… Continue Reading

HE 2021 Northern Lights photographer of the year

Capture the Atlas: “The 2021 Northern Lights photographer of the year. Photographing the Northern Lights is an otherworldly experience.There aren’t many events as moving as seeing the aurora borealis dance and illuminate the night sky with mesmerizing movements and vibrant colors. To help you find inspiration for planning and executing your images, in this new… Continue Reading

The Best Books of 2021

Kottke.org – Jason Kottke: “Like last year, I had a lot of trouble reading this year and even more difficulty regularly visiting good book stores, with months-long stretches without both. So, I went into compiling this post with a (fairly) clean slate and it was exciting to learn about what’s been good this year. I… Continue Reading

Iraqi museum restores treasures destroyed by ISIS

MENA – “France’s famous Louvre is supporting Iraqi museum employees. Iraq’s once-celebrated Mosul museum and its 2,500-year-old treasures – left in ruins by extremists – are being given a second chance thanks to restoration efforts backed by French experts. Iraq’s once-celebrated Mosul museum and its 2,500-year-old treasures – left in ruins by extremists – are… Continue Reading

The World’s Most Profitable Traffic Jam

“Welcome to BIG, a newsletter about the politics of monopoly. If you’d like to sign up, you can do so here. Or just read on…Today’s issue is on an unusual type of story – it’s about how politics can work to fix a major social problem. Ten days ago, the House of Representatives passed a bill… Continue Reading