The Food and Drug Administration reversed its decision to reject Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine, a move that followed a formal meeting between the company and the FDA, according to an announcement Wednesday morning. The initial refusal, revealed last week, was made by political appointee Vinay Prasad, who overruled agency scientists and a top career official.
The FDA's reversal came after Moderna proposed a change to the regulatory pathways used in the application process, according to Ars Technica. The initial rejection had surprised Moderna, which issued a sharply worded press release in response. The details surrounding the FDA's initial decision and the subsequent reversal highlight the complexities of vaccine approval processes and the influence of political appointees.
In other news, Reddit continues to be a popular platform for human interaction, especially in a world increasingly saturated with AI-generated content. According to BBC Technology, Reddit user Ines Tan regularly uses the site for advice and community, describing it as "a very empathetic place." She finds help "emotionally, logistically and inspiration-wise" on the platform. Tan believes people are turning to Reddit as they crave human connection.
Meanwhile, the decentralized social media platform Mastodon announced plans to make its app more approachable for newcomers and target creators with new features, according to TechCrunch. The changes follow the expansion of Mastodon's core development team over the past 18 months. The app, part of the fediverse, was thrust back into the spotlight when Elon Musk acquired X.
In a separate development, Microsoft Research announced Project Silica, a working demonstration of a system that can read and write data into small glass, according to Ars Technica. The technology aims to create a dense and stable storage medium for centuries.
Finally, in Syria, efforts are underway to erase the cult of personality surrounding the al-Assad family after the fall of the regime. Syrians began removing images of Bashar al-Assad and his name from public buildings after opposition forces captured Damascus on December 8, 2024, ending more than 50 years of dynastic rule, according to Euronews. The Ba'ath Party regime had systematically inscribed the al-Assad name across Syria's physical and symbolic landscape.
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