Parasitic wasps utilize a tamed virus to castrate moth larvae, according to a report in Nature News, while five European nations accuse the Kremlin of poisoning Alexei Navalny with a rare neurotoxin, as reported by NPR News. These developments highlight ongoing scientific advancements and international tensions.
A study published in Nature News revealed that parasitic wasps employ a domesticated virus to sterilize their moth larvae hosts. The wasps inject the larvae, specifically diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) larvae, with the virus, causing the death of cells in the larvae's testes. This process effectively castrates the larvae, making them incubators for the wasp's eggs. The research details how the virus carries out this biological manipulation.
In other news, five European nations have accused the Kremlin of poisoning Alexei Navalny with epibatidine, a neurotoxin found in dart frogs, as reported by NPR News. The UK, France, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands are reporting Russia to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The nations cited Russia's means, motive, and opportunity for the alleged poisoning. Navalny's widow attended the Munich Security Conference near the second anniversary of his death in a penal colony.
Meanwhile, other news sources have reported on various developments. One report touched on the World Health Organization's condemnation of a US-funded vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau, the spread of a measles outbreak in North London schools, and advancements in healthcare such as promising cell therapy for autoimmune disorders. Additionally, the report touched upon ongoing debates surrounding gender-affirming care and other developments like the impact of longevity enthusiasts and the rise of high-tech heists.
Another article from Vox discussed the Trump administration's scientific agenda, which has been characterized as a war on scientific progress. However, the article suggests that there may be more to the story, as the administration's science policy is being shaped by a coalition of players.
A separate Vox article highlighted the extensive military campaign of President Donald Trump's second term, focusing on the US's bombing of Somalia. The article noted that the US bombed Somalia more than 100 times in the past year.
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