Researchers at Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco and Stanford University have developed an AI-driven Virtual Lab through which a team of AI agents, each equipped with varied scientific expertise, can tackle sophisticated and open-ended scientific problems by formulating, refining, and carrying out a complex research strategy — these agents can even conduct virtual experiments, producing results that can be validated in real-life laboratories.

A recent study highlights both the promise and limitations of the inhaled COVID-19 vaccine Ad5-XBB.1.5. Researchers found that the vaccine effectively induced strong immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses in the nasal mucosa and bloodstream, with nasal IgA showing a stronger correlation with virus-neutralizing activity than immunoglobulin G (IgG). The vaccine also boosted antigen-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses and slightly increased antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). However, the study revealed that nasal IgA levels declined significantly by six months post-vaccination, and the majority of participants experienced breakthrough infections during the recent JN.1 wave. Additionally, individuals with high levels of pre-existing antibodies against adenovirus type 5 (Ad5) showed reduced neutralizing responses, indicating that vector immunity may limit the vaccine’s effectiveness. These findings underscore the challenges of achieving long-lasting mucosal immunity through current inhaled vaccine strategies. The researchers call for the development of next-generation mucosal vaccines, that can sustain strong and durable IgA responses in the nasal mucosa, offering better protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and reducing community transmission.

In a new Genomic Press Interview, Dr. Alexander W. Charney shares how collecting brain tissue from living neurosurgery patients revealed that 80% of genes show different expression than in postmortem samples. His Living Brain Project challenges decades of neuroscience assumptions while advancing personalized medicine approaches for schizophrenia and severe mental illness.

Simple technology that harnesses ultraviolet light to ‘zap’ airborne viruses has been shown to significantly lower the number of respiratory infections in aged care facilities, paving the way for smarter infection control. In a world-first trial, commercially-available GUV appliances in aged care facilities reduced rates of viral respiratory infections by more than 12%.

Tropospheric ozone (O3)  is a concerning pollutant, responsible for reduction in yields of major staple crops like rice, wheat, and maze. In this Journal of Environmental Sciences study, researchers from China and the United States of America found that rising O3 pollution led to national-level wheat, rice, and maize yield losses in China between 2005–2019. This trend was largely mitigated during COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, indicating the need for an effective emission control policy.