Hope for Threatened Species: Unexpected Recoveries

Today you’ll learn about a zombie virus recovered from the arctic permafrost and brought back to life, some good news about 26 Australian animal species that have been brought back from the brink, and how a new pill could potentially limit the levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body.   

Zombie Virus   

• “Scientists have revived a ‘zombie’ virus that spent 48,500 years frozen in permafrost.” By Katie Hunt. 2023.   
• “Arctic permafrost is thawing rapidly. It affects us all.” By Katie Hunt. 2022.   

Back From the Brink  

• “Researchers find 26 Australian species recovered from the brink of extinction.” abc.net. 2023.   
• “Lights at the end of the tunnel: The incidence and characteristics of recovery for Australian threatened animals.” by Woinarski, et al. 2023.   
• “Humpback whales no longer listed as endangered after major recovery.” by Claudia Long. 2022.   
• “Red List: Summary Statistics.” n.a. N.d.   

Bad Cholesterol  

• “Oral pill cuts bad cholesterol by 60% in phase 2 clinical trial” By Michael Irving  
• “Efficacy and safety of the oral PCSK9 inhibitor MK-0616: a phase 2b randomized controlled trial” by Christie M. Ballantyne et al.  
• “What Is the Difference Between Good and Bad Cholesterol?” by Keck Medicine of USC  
• “Coronary artery disease” by Mayo Clinic  
• “PCSK9 gene” by MedLine Plus  

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