Scientists from around the world have analyzed genetic data from samples collected near the first human cases of Covid-19 in China, suggesting that the pandemic originated from animals, not a lab. The WHO has called for more research and data sharing to gain a better understanding of the virus and how it spread.
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The FDA's independent advisory committee has voted in favor of full approval of Pfizer's COVID-19 pill, Paxlovid, for the treatment of mild to moderate Covid-19 in adults at high risk for severe disease. The drug, a combination of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir, has been available under emergency use authorization since December 2021 and has been used by over 8 million people in the US. The FDA is expected to make a decision on full approval of the drug in the coming weeks.
Key takeaways: Xcel Energy is currently cleaning up a 400,000 gallon radioactive water leak from its Monticello nuclear power plant. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency…
Sanofi, one of the three major insulin makers in the US, has announced a 78% reduction in the list price of its most widely prescribed insulin, Lantus, and a $35 monthly cap for those with private insurance. Uninsured Americans are eligible for Sanofi’s Insulins Valyou Savings Program. President Joe Biden praised the move, and Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have also announced changes to how they price their insulin this month. The Inflation Reduction Act and the actions of the three major insulin makers are a step in the right direction to make insulin more accessible and affordable for people with diabetes.
The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled to keep in place a lower court order blocking the enforcement of the state's trigger law banning abortion while a legal challenge continues. This case was brought by the Red River Women’s Clinic, which argued that the state constitution protected a right to an abortion in certain circumstances. The decision is seen as a victory for abortion rights advocates in the state, and will keep the trigger law blocked while the lawsuit over its constitutionality proceeds.
The CDC has released preliminary data showing that the number of maternal deaths in the United States has dropped significantly from a six-decade high in 2021. Though the final number is likely to be higher, the maternal death rate is on track to get close to pre-pandemic levels. The CDC is urging pregnant women to take extra precautions to protect themselves and their babies during the pandemic, and is committed to providing the latest information and guidance to help protect them.
Bobby Caldwell, the legendary singer-songwriter behind the 1978 platinum hit "What You Won't Do For Love," has passed away at the age of 71. His wife, Mary, confirmed the news and attributed his death to "FLOXED," a term used to describe the effects of fluoroquinolone toxicity after he was prescribed an antibiotic in 2017. Mary thanked fans for their prayers over the years and an official cause of death has not been released.
A federal judge in Texas heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could potentially threaten the most common form of abortion in the United States. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk heard arguments from the Alliance Defending Freedom lawyers to revoke or suspend the approval of the abortion medication mifepristone, which has been used by millions of American women for over two decades. Judge Kacsmaryk did not issue a ruling Wednesday, but the outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for women’s reproductive rights in the United States.