0:00 Fundraising Drive: MicrobeTV is having its annual fundraising drive. They ask listeners to submit brief testimonials about how the programs have impacted them.
3:33 RFK Jr. Criticism: Vincent and Paul Offit explain why RFK Jr. is unsuitable for HHS. A link to a video explaining this, information on Project 2025, and a website to write to senators opposing the appointment are provided.
11:02 Lab Opening: The Amy Rosenfeld laboratory at the FDA is seeking a postdoc/staff scientist to research adenovirus immune responses. Contact information is provided.
11:34 ASV 2025: The American Society for Virology 2025 meeting will be in Montreal, July 14-17. Global Scholar Travel Award applications are open until November 30th.
12:41 Susceptibility to Infections in Asylum Seekers: A NEJM article finds over 50% of asylum seekers are susceptible to vaccine-preventable infections, potentially impacting community immunity.
14:35 Economic Burden of RSV: A JAMA Network article highlights the $2 billion economic burden of RSV hospitalization, emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of vaccines.
15:19 Ethics Failings at French University: A Science Magazine article discusses ethical lapses by Didier Raoult and his university's attempt to cover up an investigation.
18:59 RSV Transmission Dynamics in New Zealand: A Nature Communications article explores how New Zealand's strict border closures during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted RSV transmission. Genomic analysis revealed that RSV was eliminated in 2020 and reintroduced from Australia in 2021. The larger resurgence in 2022 is attributed to a more susceptible population and multiple introductions of new lineages.
40:16 Germline Encoded Antibody Recognizing Enveloped Viruses: A Science Immunology study identifies a germline encoded antibody in mice that recognizes a broad array of enveloped viruses by targeting a specific sugar, N-acetyl glucosamine, present on viral surfaces but not on host cells. This antibody works in concert with complement to neutralize viruses. TLR7 stimulation is crucial for inducing these antibodies. Homologous antibodies are found in humans and react with SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and HIV.
1:29:24 Weekly Picks – Brianne: Publication of the updated Human Cell Atlas.
1:31:42 Weekly Picks – Rich: Astroscale, a company dedicated to cleaning up space junk.
1:35:06 Weekly Picks – Alan: The biochemistry video game "Degradatory," and an article about its creation by a graduate student.
1:36:59 Weekly Picks – Vincent: An article in Quanta Magazine discussing the concept of quantum reference frames.
1:38:53 Listener Pick – Ryan: A CNN interview with Paul Offit on RFK Jr.