This week: We focus on stories with a link to genomics be it identifying genes, editing genes, or managing inherited genetic conditions. We take a look at novel approaches to administering the COVID vaccine, even as research points to differing levels of immunity across the age groups following a mild infection with SARS-CoV-2. Monkeypox may be getting away from us and Africa continues with its efforts to combat wild-polio, even as childhood vaccination rates plumet to a 30 year low. We review a report out of the WHO warning of the impact if we cannot reverse the trend. In matters Paeds, there is still no definitive cause for the global outbreak of hepatitis, and researchers consider the neuroprotective effects of administering erythropoietin to new-borns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. A new blood test rolled out in the US offers hope for early diagnosis of neurogenerative diseases, even as researchers make the case for population wide gene testing for inherited pathological variants responsible for cardiomyopathy. We cover novel stem cell treatments for ocular inflammatory disorders and a new topical cream for the treatment of psoriasis. And finally we review an interview with Professor Kazuto Kato, Professor of Biomedical Ethics and PublicPolicy at the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Japan in which he discusses the ethics of editing the human gene.

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2 weeks post masks -off and our COVID numbers are holding steady, even as the B1.5 variant domaintes global cases, with warning from authorities that the new variant may prove more virulent than previous versions. Ghana reports its first case of Marbug virus, in the same week the DRC declares it’s Ebola outbreak over. We review a study which asked are children in Africa, who have Sickle Cell Disease, inherently protected against severe malarial disease? In matters aging and studies have shown that the use of viscosupplementaiton may not be all is ‘cracked’ up to be when it comes to the treatment of knee ostearthritis. And while arthritis - osteo and otherwise - may impact your ability to keep moving - new research has linked low muscle tone to executive cognitive decline. We look at the latest FDA-approved novel drug, and unpack the numbers involved in global radiography market. Dr McQuoid-Mason gives his legal opinion on the Dr Tim de Maayer story, and finally, we ask – how long do you think antimicrobial resistance has been around for?

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This week: We talk masks off as COVID restrictions ease. Tedly declhe first monkeypox case is detected in South Africa while the WHO held off announcing a monkeypox as a public health emergency. Elsewhere polio has been detected in the sewer system of the UK. There’s new hope for Parkinson’s patients with a promising new study into the LRRK2 inihibiting molecule DNL201. Kawasaki’s disease reportined in children in the US during the pandemic, although the exact reason is unknown. The DOH released the 2021 Antimicrobial resistance surveillance report and there is no good news in sight. And finally CRISPR celebrates 10 years !

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Patients with long-term COVID infections may facilitate the development of new variants of the virus. Monkeypox to get a new name and the WHO considers classifiying the infection as a public health emergency of international interest. Researchers show that exposure to intense light in the evenings affects the quality of sleep in cognitively impaired individuals, and everyday ageism is conclusively linked to poor health outcomes in older adults. Infants born to mothers who tested positive for COVID during their pregnancy are at high risk for neurodevelopment issues, while the current rise in cases of acute hepatitis with unknown aetiology in children may be related to the SARS-COV-2 virus. In matters tech - a new biomaterial holds significant promise for developing viable artificial heart valves. And finally, the shocking stats behind hyper-medicalisation of care.

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Does the time of day a vaccine is administered affect its efficacy? Monkeypox may get a new name. A new TB testing strategy to help diagnose more high-risk individuals. We chat about geriatric care pathways in trauma, and ask if point of care testing improved antibiotic prescribing practices in paediatrics. The development of robotic skin makes a giant leap forward, and do you know how long TB has been with us?

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This week: More data emerges regarding the effects of long-COVID. There’ s monkeypox and measles in our midst. Retinal thickness may be an early non-invasive diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's and Dementia. Researchers show definite clinical differences in early- and late-onset dementia and early-onset Alzheimer's. The Western Cape launches an innovative trauma care dashboard it hopes will improve service delivery in the region. And finally, the first record of a pandemic attributable to zoonotic spread.

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This week: Monkeypox makes it's return to the global stage, and yet again the race for vaccines raises the spectre of inequities in global distribution. COVID continues to be a dominant presence, even as new research looks to the effects of long-Covid. New research offers hope for neuro-regeneration therapies; and we comment on the shocking state of South Africa's public hospitals.

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This week: Debate rages over the best approach to COVID regulations moving forward, while some say the next variant may be worse than we think. World TB Day and it’s still the number one cause of death by infectious disease in children. The latest Global Burden of Disease study shows there are now more than 3.7 million more people aged 95+ than in 1990. And what do listeria, tetanus toxoid and pancreatic cancer have in common?

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This week we follow-up on the story regarding the poliovirus case in Malawi; we cover the latest clinical trial coming out of SA regarding the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG in Gauteng prior to the 4th wave, and what that data implies for the pandemic in our country. And talking of matters of deadly, we bring you research out of Australia which is reporting the increase of zoonotic pathogens and specifically the discovery of a deadly drug-resistant strain of E.Coli. We take a brief look at research into fluid management in the ICU, the impact of gut microbiota on midlife cognition, and finally, review a new article by Professor David McQuoid Mason, in which he addresses the question of the rising incidence of criminal negligence claims against practitioners and what you really need to know.

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This week: Malawi records Africa's first polio case in 5 years; the Whitehall study reviewing data over 30 years, again rings the alarm over links between midlife morbidity and dementia. We ask is yet more research into Ivermectin the best use of research money and expertise. Africa moves closer to vaccine parity with the the mRNA transfer Hub being awarded to 6 countries. Finally - how well do you know your transplant history?

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This week: A groundbreaking vaccine development facility opens in the Cape. Does the addition of a P2Y12 inhibitor to anticoagulant therapy impact clinical outcomes in non–critically ill patients? We post a follow-up story on the increasing science supporting the use of genonmic sequencing to predict illness outcomes, while worrying new research into antimicrobial resistance and the countries most impacted is garnering media attention. Could the antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine hold the key to effective treatment in Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis? And finally, fake science news online - the public are smart enough to know what’s real or not – or are they?

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This week: The WHO’s Guideline Development Group posts the 8th edition of it's Corona recommendations; dementia is set to skyrocket, genomics may help improve outcomes in critical care settings; snake envenomation, anthrax and universal flu vaccinations get a look in. And did the scientific community swop rigour for star-dust in the case of Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes?

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