Anti-inflammatory response in long COVID: https://www.myscience.org/en/news/2022/long_covid_new_evidence_for_cause_of_fatigue_syndrome-2022-meduniwien . While this reporting is rather difficult to digest, the key point is that most believed that long COVID was caused by a prolonged inflammatory response. However, this research indicates that the cause lies with an exaggerated anti-inflammatory response. In particular, note the absence of cytokines (a typical inflammatory marker) in long COVID patients. We summarized cytokine research in relation to COVID in October, 2022. Perhaps “cytokine storms” are a symptom rather than a cause of the biological processes associated with COVID.
mRNA technology develops cancer therapies: https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-covid-vaccines-could-actually-help-scientists-find-a-cure-to-cancer . As readers will note, while the writer’s basic thrust is correct, he gets the details wrong. Moderna was founded to pursue cancer therapies. When COVID swept the world, their technology was obviously applicable to COVID. By moving away from the traditional use of weakened or dead viruses, the mRNA technology was inherently safer than the traditional vaccines. However, the build-out of that technology for COVID has contributed significant knowledge and production capabilities for cancer therapies.
China babbles about COVID safety: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-01-01/chinese-state-media-seek-to-reassure-public-over-covid-19 . The article reports that China “confirmed 5,138 cases on Saturday, but experts say the actual number of infections is significantly higher”. AHEM! Experts estimate the current number of COVID cases in China at 250 MILLION AND GROWING. The world stands by as China commits mass murder of its citizens.
WSJ: China promotes the COVID tsunami: https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-factories-restaurants-adjust-to-life-without-zero-covid-11672577001 . With the high rates of urban illness, China now ignores the risk of Lunar New Year 2023 (January 22). Three weeks from now, China will spread the tsunami from the cities to the countryside, where medical care is more primitive.
Babbling about COVID’s future: https://www.alternet.org/finally-figure-out-live-covid/ . Really, have editors just bailed on responsibility? The article fails to note that US COVID deaths are running about 150,000 annually, that we currently face another surge, and that China, with one-sixth of the world’s people, has unleashed COVID on a population with very limited protection. There is no evidence that the current variant is less deadly than the original. Of course, at some point COVID will switch from pandemic to endemic. We are most certainly not there yet.
Powerful new weight loss drug: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/weight-loss-drug-affordability-rcna60422 . From one viewpoint, each of us is just a complex pile of biological molecules. New ways to alter those molecules for health benefits will alter medical practice in the next few years.
Croatia adopts the euro: https://news.yahoo.com/lagarde-says-croatia-euro-shows-115219483.html . It also joins the Schengen area, which is the group of European countries between which there are no border controls. This should significantly boost Croatia’s tourism and economy.
Inflation stickiness: https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/23/01/30183415/proceed-with-caution-what-nouriel-roubini-larry-summers-and-mohamed-el-erian-say-ab . As readers know, I completely agree that inflation will be “sticky” – that is, very hard to tamp down. Therefore, the Fed will continue to raise rates, albeit at a slower pace, and will be forced to hold rates higher throughout 2023.
WSJ: New Year’s Day in Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukrainians-ring-in-new-year-with-hopes-of-russias-defeat-11672527663 . More: Russian drone attack: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-begins-2023-under-attack-from-russian-drone-swarm-11672576538 .
Will Putin stop?: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-war-in-ukraine-convincing-putin-he-holds-a-losing-hand/ . The short answer is no. The most likely rapid end to the war involves Putin’s death. Health issues seem the most likely, although his extraction of assets from the oligarchs could provoke a coup.
Israeli missile strikes knock out airport in Damascus, Syria: https://apnews.com/article/politics-syria-government-israel-damascus-b82d775318e74fd2f70305b140fa3e15 . Israel and Iran move closer to military confrontation. As Iran proceeds with its nuclear program, odds increase that Israel will preemptively strike Iran’s facilities.
Orange Julius’ “Failure to Launch”: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-politics-donald-trump-florida-united-states-government-fc01fb27748c815d2c6457ed31e69849 . So since his campaign announcement, OJ has held no campaign events and rarely left Mar-a-Lago. This seems like watching NASCAR, waiting for the big wreck. In my view, indictments (plural) will come in the next 6 months, and probably the next 3, because a prosecutor will want to have a trial before the end of 2023 and the2024 primaries.
WSJ: Will McCarthy get “pantsed” on Tuesday?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/kevin-mccarthys-speaker-bid-faces-final-hurdle-11672523756 .
Musk becomes first person in history to lose $200 billion: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/elon-musk-loses-200-billion-dollars-net-worth-record-bloomberg_n_63b0984ae4b0d6f0b9f43ccd . Congratulations!
WSJ: Twitter sued for SF rent: https://www.wsj.com/articles/twitter-sued-over-rent-payment-in-san-francisco-11672622435 .
Seattle quarterback’s “revenge”: https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2023/01/01/seahawks-qb-geno-smith-jets-giants-chargers-former-teams/ .
Anita Pointer passes at 74: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/anita-pointer-dies-age-74-founding-member-pointer-sisters/ .