New Scientist Podcasts
Weekly: Could mpox be the next covid-19?; Science of beat drops; Clothes made from potatoes
Aug 30, 2024
A new mpox variant has emerged, sparking global concern and raising questions about pandemic preparedness. Discoveries of rogue planets challenge our understanding of celestial formation. Meanwhile, research reveals how our brains anticipate musical beat drops, linking cognitive responses to our love for diverse genres. Plus, a groundbreaking approach to sustainable fashion is explored, with potato fibers becoming a viable alternative to traditional textiles, potentially reducing the environmental impact of clothing production.
30:45
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Quick takeaways
- The new mpox variant, CLAD1b, is more transmissible and poses greater public health challenges, necessitating focused vaccination efforts.
- Innovative student-led research on textiles made from potato stems offers a promising sustainable alternative to traditional fabric production.
Deep dives
Current MPOC Outbreak Insights
The MPOC outbreak has escalated, with reports of a new and more deadly variant spreading primarily in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries. Initially identified in a small mining town, this variant exhibits a wider transmission among different demographic groups, including children, contrasting with the previous variant which primarily spread among men who have sex with men. Current statistics reveal over 15,000 cases and more than 500 deaths in the DRC alone this year, indicating a significant worsening of the situation compared to previous years. The ongoing public health emergency underscores the necessity of targeted vaccination efforts to prevent further mutations and outbreaks.
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