Bagamian Scientific Consulting, LLC

We’re excited to kick off Season 2 of The Business of “Doing” Science podcast with career transition expert, Yonette Felicity Thomas, PhD! Join us as Dr. Thomas discusses the vital role of #mentorship in professional development and shares her journey from the National Institutes of Health (#NIH) to founding the global nonprofit #UrbanHealth360 and #StrategicTransitions —a business focused on guiding individuals to make successful #careertransitions and embrace new professional opportunities. As a leader and empowering force, Dr. Thomas offers invaluable insights on staying true to yourself while forging your #professional path. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Scan the QR code below to listen! For all episodes, visit: https://lnkd.in/d8Kb7j8Z

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) and Baylor College of Medicine detected #avianinfluenzaA (#H5N1) virus in the wastewater of 10 #Texas cities using virome sequencing. Their findings are reported in a letter to the Editor published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Although the exact origin of the virus could not be traced in this study, the report provides valuable information to #publichealth officials focused on #epidemic preparedness. Fortunately, a rise in human hospitalizations did not occur alongside these findings, indicating that the virus currently poses low public health risk. However, ongoing surveillance is crucial, as the virus is capable of quickly adapting to infect humans and other mammals. This work is part of a broader #viralmonitoring program through #wastewater analysis. The authors highlight the critical importance of #earlydetection methods, such as #viromesequencing using wastewater as a sentinel #surveillance tool for policymakers, public health officials, and hospital systems globally. https://ow.ly/g9f550Tvgwe

Scientists have uncovered the evolutionary history of darkling beetles, a diverse group of scavengers dating back to the dinosaur age. The research, led by scientists from ANU and CSIRO, reveals that these #beetles underwent numerous rapid evolutionary events, or "quantum evolution," allowing them to adapt to various environments and develop a wide range of body shapes. Darkling beetles are one of the most dominant animal groups on Earth, with over 400,000 known species. The study, which analyzed #genomic data spanning 150 million years from over 900 specimens, highlights how these #evolutionary bursts enabled #darklingbeetles to thrive after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction and dominate today's ecosystems. Their diversity, ecological roles, and adaptability continue to play a critical part in Earth's #biodiversity. https://lnkd.in/er-gTYiF

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet) have made a significant breakthrough in our understanding of the #hepatitisCvirus (#HCV), which infects around 58 million people and is responsible for approximately 300,000 human deaths annually. The virus is a significant cause of #livercancer, and currently, there is no effective treatment for infection with HCV. The researchers identified and described the protein complex on the virus's surface that enables it to bind to human cells. This discovery could accelerate the development of a HCV #vaccine, as the protein complex can now be reproduced outside cells for further study. Published in Nature last month, these results pave the way for effective approaches to preventing HCV infection and liver cancer through vaccination. https://ow.ly/g41X50Tvhgl

October 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the Wildlife Photographer of The Year competition, hosted by the Natural History Museum, London. In anticipation of this milestone, the museum released a selection of highly commended images that didn’t make the final cut. These early highlights include captivating shots like a #stoat mid-leap and a tender moment between owls. The collection of strong contenders features stunning, diverse images of #wildlife captured by #photographers from around the world, celebrating their creativity and technical skill. The photos showcase fascinating aspects of animal behavior, the beauty of #nature, #conservation challenges, and the intricate details of various ecosystems. The exhibition opens on October 11, 2024, and the winners will be announced on October 8. See the BBC Science link below for the collection of photographs. https://ow.ly/8nGU50TyPjL

According to the Global Carbon Project, atmospheric methane levels are now more than 2.6 times higher than pre-industrial levels—the highest in 800,000 years! Methane emissions are increasing at an alarming rate, pushing the planet toward a 3 °C #globalwarming scenario by the end of the century. Methane, while short-lived, is highly potent, heating the atmosphere nearly 90 times faster than carbon dioxide over 20 years., making methane a critical target for near-term #climate action. To date, only the European Union and possibly Australia have reduced #methane emissions, while regions like China and Southeast Asia have seen the largest increases. The authors warn that the planet has reached the threshold of a 1.5 °C temperature increase, and we are just beginning to see the impacts of this rise, highlighting the urgent need for action to control methane emissions. https://ow.ly/G4TC50TtxWe

Researchers from the National University of Singapore have discovered that when immature eggs from old mice are grown in the ovarian structures of young mice, the aging process in the eggs can be reversed. When transplanting oocytes from older mice into young follicles, the researchers observed improvements in #oocytequality, such as fewer chromosomal abnormalities and better mitochondrial function. The findings show that oocyte age is also dependent on the age of the surrounding #ovarian structures, and that #aging could be partially slowed or reversed. This discovery could pave the way for potential #fertility treatments in humans. #Nature Aging. https://ow.ly/8LhJ50TtynG

Cornell University researchers developed a #chip-based #biomembrane that mimics the cellular environment with remarkable accuracy. The device can simulate #SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells in record fast time. It can also classify new #variants and identify the most harmful strains of #coronavirus, allowing scientists to quickly assess whether new variants pose serious risks. Furthermore, the device can evaluate whether a #vaccine candidate is effective against specific new viruses. The assays run in minutes, allowing for speedy characterization of viral variants without the added complexities of living systems. A description of the device was published in the July 2024 issue of Nature Communications. The platform can be adapted for other viruses, such as #influenza, #measles, and #poxviruses, by re-creating their unique biological features that allow viral entry into cells. This innovation provides public health officials with a “crystal ball,” getting them a few steps ahead of #emergingviruses. This welcome tool in our growing arsenal of strategies for #pandemic preparedness offers faster, safer, and more targeted weapons against emerging viruses. https://lnkd.in/gEnPb35s

For the first time, researchers have synthesized #QS21, a key #vaccine ingredient normally sourced from the Chilean #soapbark tree, #Quillajasaponaria. QS-21 is a potent and essential immunostimulant used in vaccines against #COVID19, #shingles, #RSV, #malaria, and others. The study, published in Nature Chemical Biology and led by the John Innes Centre, utilized the soapbark tree's #genome to map the genes and #enzymes required to produce QS-21. The team reconstituted the chemical pathway for producing this chemical, allowing "free-from-tree" production of this rare and valuable #adjuvant. By offering a method for synthetically generating QS-21, the study offers sustainable approaches to meeting the increasingly growing need for vaccine production. This study is a valuable contribution to global efforts to #bioengineer vaccine adjuvants, providing avenues for reducing reliance on the soapbark tree, an important ecological and medicinal plant in #Andean communities. https://lnkd.in/d_y8KGqs

Scientists have mapped the #genomes of 47 strains of #Borrelia, a group of bacteria that includes #Lyme disease and its relatives. Lyme disease is a tick-borne infectious disease that can cause debilitating illness. Currently, it is the most prevalent #tick-borne illness in the United States and Europe, with a rapidly expanding geographic range. Published in American Society for Microbiology (MBio), this research may lead to better #diagnostic tests, more effective vaccines, and treatments tailored to specific bacterial strains in this group. The study also uncovered how Borrelia evolve and exchange genetic material. As Lyme disease cases rise, partly due to climate change, the need for accurate diagnostic tests and treatments will increase. This research offers crucial tools for combating this growing threat to public health. Weill Cornell Medicine https://ow.ly/AiHg50TgPQX