HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

April 23, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• CDC signs off on additional COVID-19 booster doses for certain people (CNN)
• 'Big shift' in cancer treatment? MRNA vaccine shows promise against melanoma  (USA Today)
• After fall of Roe, future doctors show less interest in training in states with abortion bans or as ob/gyns    (CNN)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• SpaceX's uncrewed Starship explodes on launch attempt (CNN)
• UN climate report: Scientists release 'survival guide' to avert climate disaster (BBC)
• Twitter staff cuts leave Russian trolls unchecked (BBC)
• What it will look like if China launches cyberattacks in the U.S. (Politico)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

HEALTH

CDC signs off on additional COVID-19 booster doses for certain people (CNN)

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its recommendations on the Covid-19 vaccines on Wednesday to allow another dose of the bivalent booster for people who are 65 and older or who have weakened immune systems and who “want the option of added protection” against the coronavirus.

'Big shift' in cancer treatment? MRNA vaccine shows promise against melanoma  (USA Today)

 If the results of a recent study hold up, it will mark a dramatic turnaround for cancer vaccines, which have been tested and failed for decades.

After fall of Roe, future doctors show less interest in training in states with abortion bans or as ob/gyns    (CNN)

The Supreme Court decision that overturned the federal right to an abortion created a patchwork of laws across the United States and widespread uncertainty. Among those with questions are the nation’s future doctors.

SCIENCE AND TECH

SpaceX's uncrewed Starship explodes on launch attempt (CNN)

SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful rocket ever constructed, exploded midair shortly after it launched in Texas. No one was on board the rocket…

UN climate report: Scientists release 'survival guide' to avert climate disaster (BBC)

… at a meeting in Switzerland to agree their findings, climate scientists warned a key global temperature goal will likely be missed.  Their report lays out how rapid cuts to fossil fuels can avert the worst effects of climate change. In response to the findings, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres says that all countries should bring forward their net zero plans by a decade.

Twitter staff cuts leave Russian trolls unchecked (BBC)

Hundreds of Russian and Chinese state propaganda accounts are thriving on Twitter after Elon Musk wiped out the team that fought these networks, the BBC has found.

What it will look like if China launches cyberattacks in the U.S. (Politico)

Chinese hackers are likely to target U.S. military networks and other critical infrastructure in the event of an invasion of Taiwan.