👍👎 FDA Advisory Panel Votes On Boosters

Image: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg

📜 Background… The agency last month issued emergency use authorizations for a third booster shot from both Pfizer and Moderna in certain immunocompromised individuals.

💉 To boost, or not to boost ?… Many panel members said they had concerns about widening booster shots for the general population with limited data about whether the additional doses would be safe and effective – or were even needed yet for everyone.

• The panel ultimately concluded the scientific evidence so far justified a third dose for certain high-risk groups, but that there weren’t enough data to justify giving a booster to the general population.
• In a statement published after the decision, Pfizer said it would work with the FDA to address the panel’s concerns, and that it continues to believe a booster dose would benefit the broader population.

👁️ Looking ahead… The advisory committee’s recommendation is nonbinding, but the agency often follows its advice. A final FDA decision could come at any time.

• The CDC has scheduled a two-day advisory committee meeting starting Wednesday to discuss plans to distribute the third shots in the U.S.
• Last month, the Biden administration announced a plan to roll out booster shots starting September 20 (today). After the panel’s decision, a White House spokesperson said the administration is ready to provide boosters once the approval process is completed.

From the Left: ABC News

From the Right: WSJ

A 360º View on Vaccine Boosters

☝️These are projected to be the top-ten fastest-growing jobs through 2030, according to a recently released Bureau of Labor Statistics report.

How I Found New Life Inside the Body of A Dog

I was born a tiny little seed, but I quickly grew up and became a slender stalk of green grass, minding my own business.

My friends and I were eaten by a big, beautiful, healthy cow. He turned me into lean, strong, muscle. His owner turned him into a delicious, tiny little Pupford Training Treat, which is where I found my new friends in a Training Treat Super Pack.

I was enjoying a fun-filled new life in my cozy, resealable bag – free from chemicals, fillers, grains, and gluten. I got to watch an adorable golden retriever puppy named Sadie learn to focus, stop barking so loud, and learn simple commands, in exchange for delicious, healthy treats.

Then it was my turn.

Sadie sat on the ground like a good girl. She laid down. Her owner put me on her paw. But Sadie waited. When the owner said “Good girl!” I transcended my treat form and became part of Sadie.

Now, I’ve found a new life becoming a part of Sadie. She’s a good girl – and I’m a good girl. Thanks to Pupford’s Training Treats!

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President Joe Biden, joined virtually by Australian PM Scott Morrison and British PM Boris Johnson; Image: CFP

• As part of the deal, the U.S. and UK agreed to help Australia develop nuclear-powered submarines. (Note: ‘Nuclear-powered’ subs are different from ‘nuclear-armed’ subs.)
• Other components of the agreement include security cooperation in cyberspace, AI, quantum technologies, and undersea capabilities.

🇨🇳 The Chinese connection… While government officials claimed the partnership wasn’t made with any one country in mind, many experts and pundits say its main goal is to counter China’s growing influence.

• Australia’s conventional subs fall short of the stealth, range, speed and maneuverability needed to confront China.
• The new nuclear submarines would allow the country to conduct faster, stealthier, and longer-lasting missions – and escape detection by Chinese forces.

Beijing published a statement last week denouncing the deal as a threat to peace in the Indo-Pacific.

🇫🇷 Meanwhile, France is furious… AUKUS effectively terminates an existing $66 billion deal between France and Australia to develop future non-nuclear-powered submarines. What’s more, French officials say they were given just a few hours' heads-up before the deal was made public.

• After AUKUS was announced last week, France canceled a gala in Washington D.C. and recalled its ambassadors to the U.S. and Australia in protest of the new alliance, which the French Foreign Affairs Minister described as “a stab in the back.”

👁️ Looking ahead… The U.S. and UK are entering an 18-month period of consultation to help Australia develop nuclear submarine technology, though it’s unclear how long it will take to actually build one.

🌱 This little light of mine...

Image: MIT

• After 10 seconds of charging, the plants glow brightly for several minutes. They can also be recharged repeatedly.

🤔 What's the point ?... “If living plants could be the starting point of advanced technology, plants might replace our current unsustainable urban electrical lighting grid for the mutual benefit of all, ” said Sheila Kennedy, a professor of architecture at MIT and an author of this new study.

🪨 The Philophosphor’s Stone… The scientists used a compound called strontium aluminate, which is a type of material known as a phosphor. These materials can absorb either visible or ultraviolet light and slowly release it as a phosphorescent glow.

• They found infusing a plant with this compound causes it to form a thin film of nanoparticles on its leaves that can absorb photons either from sunlight or an LED.
• After 10 seconds of blue LED exposure, their plants could emit light for about an hour, and could be continually recharged for at least two weeks.
• The researchers’ approach worked on many different species, including basil, watercress, tobacco, and a plant called the Thailand elephant ear (which has leaves over a foot wide, making it useful as an outdoor lighting source).

A major conclusion from this new study is that the nanoparticle film can be produced without hurting the plant.

📝 Takeaway: “[This] demonstrated a future vision where lighting infrastructure from living plants is an integral part of the spaces where people work and live,” said Kennedy.

Images: WNEP

The Country Diner in Hegins Township, Pennsylvania is a favorite among locals – and something happened there last week that shocked both the customers and wait staff.

"I waited on this lady,” shared Lorrie Renninger, a waitress at the diner, “and it was time for her to pay her bill, and came up to the register and said she would like to pay for everyone's bill. I'm like, 'Are you sure?' and she was like, 'Yes.’ "

• On top of covering everyone’s totals, the woman also left a $100 tip to be split between the two waitresses.

What is the only U.S. state with a Spanish motto?

A) Montana
B) Texas
C) New Mexico
D) California

(keep scrolling for the answer)

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A) Montana

The name Montana itself comes from the Spanish word 'montaña,' meaning mountain.

• Its state motto is "Oro y Plata," Spanish for "gold and silver" – two things that were common in the state in the mid-1800s.