The numerals in the illustration show the main mutation sites of the B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the U.K., which is more transmissible than other variants. Here, the virus s spike protein (red) is bound to a human cell (blue). (Juan Gaertner/Science Source)
Back in the fall, Tom Wenseleers made a bold claim on Twitter. He tweeted that the new coronavirus variant emerging in the U.K. was more transmissible or could spread more quickly than over versions of the virus. I posted a graph [on Twitter] showing the U.K. variant had a transmission advantage over the other types of the virus, says Wenseleers, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Leuven in Belgium.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives the world over for more than a year. Its death toll will soon reach three million people. Yet the origin of pandemic remains uncertain: The political agendas of governments and scientists have generated thick clouds of obfuscation, which the mainstream press seems helpless to dispel.
In what follows I will sort through the available scientific facts, which hold many clues as to what happened, and provide readers with the evidence to make their own judgments. I will then try to assess the complex issue of blame, which starts with, but extends far beyond, the government of China.
Published: May 06, 2021
BOSTON (BUSINESS WIRE) Expansion Therapeutics., a biotechnology company advancing transformative medicines to patients with RNA-mediated diseases, today announced the appointment of Valerie Cullen, Ph.D., to Senior Vice President of Research.
“Valerie’s depth and breadth of research experience in drug development for neurological diseases, including leading complex programs at the intersection of research, translation and clinical development, will be tremendously valuable to our company,” said Renato Skerlj, Chief Executive Officer and President of Expansion Therapeutics. “We are fortunate to have her leadership as we advance our portfolio of small molecule medicines to treat RNA-mediated diseases in patients who currently have limited or no treatment options.”
As of Wednesday, 6,533,066 Florida residents have been fully vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine.
11:45 a.m. | Beating the coronavirus didn’t spare him from possible ‘COVID psychosis.’ His wife warns it’s not as rare as people think.
Ben Price always was the biggest presence in any room. Loud and funny, his smile was captivating, said his wife, Jennifer.
The couple owned a small business and two farms in an Illinois suburb west of Chicago, where they lived with their two teenage children. She said her husband was the hardest working man she had ever met.
“He was the epitome of unconditional love and loved his kids with all his heart, she said. | Read more
Thursday s Daily Pulse | 5/6/2021
Florida s annual rite of groups, individuals asking DeSantis to veto bills now upon us
Veto season, or at least the annual rite of asking Gov. Ron DeSantis to reject bills, has arrived after the 2021 legislative session. Groups and individuals are sending emails to the governor’s office urging DeSantis to veto or sign bills, regardless of whether the measures were overwhelmingly backed by the Legislature or eked through. Last year, DeSantis vetoed five bills and slashed $1 billion from the budget as he braced against economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Is Florida leading the way on pandemic recovery? Not so much, says data