The Scan
Pill Works Against Omicron in Lab
Pfizer's antiviral pill to treat SARS-CoV-2 appears to work against the Omicron variant, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Nature Papers Find Genetic Risk Factor for Smell, Taste Loss in COVID-19; Analyze TB Granulomas
In Nature this week: genome-wide association study find locus linked to the risk COVID-19 patients losing their sense of taste or smell, and more.
And a Fourth?
A fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in an Israeli study increased antibody levels but did not prevent Omicron variant infections, according to the Financial Times.
For Better Science Software
A virtual institute funded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt's philanthropy aims to lure software engineers to academia, Science reports.
Recommendation Explanations
The New York Times writes that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is straining to both make and explain decisions based on limited information.
Genome Research Papers on De Novo Mutation Rates, Polyploid Genotyping, Oncogene Epigenomic Translocation
In Genome Research this week: de novo mutations rates in hemoglobin subunits, analysis of variant calling methods for polyploid plants, and more.
University of Michigan President Fired
Mark Schlissel, the president of the University of Michigan, has been fired after an investigation into allegations he had an affair with a subordinate, the Washington Post reports.
Recommendation to Drop Charges
The Wall Street Journal says federal prosecutors recommended charges against MIT's Gang Chen, who was caught up by the China Initiative, be dropped.
Mix 'Em Together
The Guardian reports Moderna is planning to have a combination SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and RSV vaccine by the 2023 flu season.
PNAS Papers on Earth BioGenome Project, SETX Knockouts, Pig Model of Cystic Fibrosis
In PNAS this week: Earth BioGenome Project reports progress, analysis of cells missing the progressive neurodegenerative disease-linked SETX gene, and more.