Wednesday 24th April 2024

Massive amounts of H5N1 vaccine would be needed if there's a bird flu pandemic. Can we make enough?

The unsettling reality of H5N1 bird flu circulating in dairy cow herds in multiple parts of the United States is raising anxiety levels about whether this dangerous virus, which has haunted the sleep of people who worry about influenza pandemics for more than 20 years, could be on a path to acquiring the ability to easily infect people.

To be clear, there is no evidence that this is currently the case — the sole confirmed human case reported in Texas three weeks ago was in a farm worker who had contact with cattle. There is no way to predict if the virus will acquire the capacity to spread between people, or when and under what conditions it would make that fateful leap if it does.

Continued here

Can aspirin help protect against colorectal cancers? - National Geographic Premium (No paywall)

Colorectal cancer, a cancer of either the large intestine or rectum, is the third most common type of cancer, and the second most common cause of death from cancer, worldwide. There were 1.9 million new cases diagnosed across the globe in 2020, according to the World Health Organization, and these numbers are expected to grow. In the United States, the rates of colorectal cancers have been rising in people younger than age 50 since the 1990s, which includes more young people dying from the disease, according to the National Cancer Institute. 

Now a new study published in the journal Cancer shows that colorectal cancer patients who took a daily dose of aspirin had a lower rate of metastasis to the lymph nodes and stronger immune response to their tumors. The research suggests that aspirin may be boosting the ability of the immune system to hunt for cancer cells.  

Continued here

As a financial planner, I give my clients 4 tips to make their money last a lifetime - Business Insider (No paywall)

I work with clients who want to make sure their money lasts for their lifetime, but I also remind them to benefit from their money now.

Continued here

Wait, do I need to worry about "forever chemicals"?

A roadmap for understanding PFAS risk, testing, and more.

Continued here

Soviet-Era Pseudoscience Lurks behind ‘Havana Syndrome’ Worries - Scientific American (No paywall)

Dodgy studies and fantastic claims have long powered a belief in devious Russian brain weapons, from mind control to microwave devices

Continued here

Lemon-Scented Marijuana Compound Reduces Weed’s ‘Paranoia’ Effect - Scientific American (No paywall)

The molecule that gives cannabis its citrusy smell can make THC less anxiety-inducing

Continued here

The new croissant taking Paris by storm

The croissant has been reimagined into a host of portmanteau pastries, from the cruffin to the Cronut. Now its latest iteration, the "crookie", is taking Paris by storm.

Continued here

The Unexpected Upsides of Letting Employees Define Their Jobs | Benjamin Laker and Stefania Mariano

The spring 2024 issue’s special report looks at how to take advantage of market opportunities in the digital space, and provides advice on building culture and friendships at work; maximizing the benefits of LLMs, corporate venture capital initiatives, and innovation contests; and scaling automation and digital health platform.

The spring 2024 issue’s special report looks at how to take advantage of market opportunities in the digital space, and provides advice on building culture and friendships at work; maximizing the benefits of LLMs, corporate venture capital initiatives, and innovation contests; and scaling automation and digital health platform.

In today’s corporate landscape, the pursuit of heightened employee engagement and job satisfaction is imperative. Traditional job structures, often rigid and narrowly scoped, can lead to diminished motivation, lower productivity, and elevated turnover rates. The key challenge for contemporary organizations is to rekindle passion and creativity within their workforces. This has led to the emergence of innovative approaches aimed at transforming workplaces into environments that are dynamic, rewarding, and adaptable. These strategies are centered around empowering employees by allowing them to leverage their unique abilities and interests. This empowerment nurtures a sense of ownership and enthusiasm in their roles.

Continued here

Why You Should Let Your Favorite Employee Move to Another Team

The spring 2024 issue’s special report looks at how to take advantage of market opportunities in the digital space, and provides advice on building culture and friendships at work; maximizing the benefits of LLMs, corporate venture capital initiatives, and innovation contests; and scaling automation and digital health platform.

The spring 2024 issue’s special report looks at how to take advantage of market opportunities in the digital space, and provides advice on building culture and friendships at work; maximizing the benefits of LLMs, corporate venture capital initiatives, and innovation contests; and scaling automation and digital health platform.

The authors analyzed 96,712 internal applications submitted to 9,896 open jobs posted by 3,431 hiring managers in the U.S. operations of a Fortune 50 company over a four-year period. This data allowed them to calculate the rate at which a manager’s subordinates were promoted, which in turn enabled them to examine whether managers whose subordinates frequently moved to higher-level jobs elsewhere in the organization were seen as more attractive to work for than managers whose subordinates rarely advanced.

Continued here

'Spider-Man 4' Will Be a Major First for Tom Holland

For a while, Spider-Man: No Way Home seemed to be the end for the eponymous hero, at least in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe. Though the 2021 film was a high point for the franchise and character that brought him back to basics in the most literal sense, star Tom Holland has been vocal regarding his reservations about a fourth Spidey film.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Holland confessed to feeling “a little apprehensive” about continuing Spider-Man’s story. “There’s a bit of a stigma about the fourth one in all franchises,” he said. “I feel like we hit a home run with our first franchise and there’s a part of me that wants to walk away with my head held high and pass the baton to the next lucky kid that gets to bring this character to life.”

Continued here