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Dollar steady near multi-week lows as Fed rate-cut bets build, yen rises – Reuters
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Vaccine Skepticism Is Spreading, but You Can Turn the Tide
Vaccines today prevent or significantly reduce the impact of around 30 dangerous and potentially life-threatening diseases. Consistent vaccination programs have been crucial in ensuring that most of these illnesses no longer pose a public health threat, as a large portion of the population is immunized before encountering the infections. Vaccines and vaccination programs thus represent one of the greatest success stories in infectious disease prevention.
However, few medical interventions spark as much skepticism in certain populations as vaccination. The specific effects of these doubts — ranging from hesitancy about particular vaccines to outright refusal — are hard to quantify, especially because other factors can also lead to low vaccination rates. For example, conducting vaccination campaigns in crisis or war zones remains challenging, even when sufficient vaccine supplies exist and most eligible people want to be vaccinated.
Threat to Infectious Disease Control
It is well-established that diseases such as polio and measles could be eradicated through consistent immunization of a sufficiently large segment of the population. Likewise, severe illness among especially vulnerable individuals — who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons — can be prevented through herd immunity, thereby reducing individual suffering. Yet, those with skeptical or anti-vaccine views often ignore or deny these facts. Instead, they argue that vaccination is a personal decision to be made solely between the individual and their healthcare provider. In this view, national vaccination plans designed to protect both individuals and the community are given lesser importance.
Not Without Consequences
In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed focus to vaccination, the World Health Organization (WHO) identified vaccine skepticism as one of the top 10 global health threats. The WHO defines vaccine skepticism as the “delayed acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services.”
Experts at WHO are particularly concerned that such skepticism threatens to reverse significant progress made in recent decades against vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite numerous efforts to educate the public objectively about vaccines and increase acceptance, vaccine-skeptical views continue to gain influence in societal discourse and among decision-makers worldwide.
Social media plays a key role in this trend. Misinformation can spread rapidly and often goes uncorrected, amplifying fears and bringing latent anxieties to the surface. These platforms act as multipliers: Individuals who have long harbored vaccine skepticism find their concerns reinforced by reports of potential dangers from supposedly insufficiently tested new vaccines, while those previously neutral or positive about vaccination become uncertain. Both groups share their fears and false beliefs, fueling further spread within networks of similarly doubtful people.
COVID-19 as a Catalyst
Vaccine skepticism and opposition are not new — they have existed since the earliest days of vaccination. Edward Jenner, the English country doctor who administered the first smallpox vaccine in 1796, faced resistance despite the widespread acclaim for his discovery. By 1866, the first organized anti-vaccination group, the British “National Anti-Vaccination League,” had formed. Opponents feared vaccination might cause more harm than good. Caricatures depicting people growing cow heads from their arms after vaccination circulated, and early anti-vaccine publications appeared.
Since then, criticism and opposition have accompanied nearly every new vaccine introduced. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the spread of anti-vaccine content, acting as a catalyst for alarmist and conspiratorial narratives that had previously remained largely under the public radar. With COVID-19, organized anti-vaccine movements gained unprecedented visibility and influence.
The effects have been long-lasting. In vulnerable populations, vaccine myths not only influenced decisions regarding COVID-19 vaccination but also fueled broader skepticism toward vaccines in general. Experts are now exploring ways to reverse this trend. Recent research into modifiable underlying attitudes and concerns across different populations offers promising avenues for intervention.
Modifiable Risk Factors
A mixed-methods study conducted by doctors and psychologists from the universities of Oxford and Oslo, involving comparable populations from Norway and the UK, identified five key modifiable risk factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine skepticism:
- The illusion of invulnerability,
- Doubts about vaccine effectiveness,
- Distrust of (health) authorities,
- Downplaying the societal impact of COVID-19, and
- Health-related fears concerning the vaccine.
These risk factors have strong predictive value and can be strategically addressed by public health organizations to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Both vaccine opposition and hesitancy stem largely from misconceptions about the actual risks, benefits, and potential side effects of vaccines and their adjuvants. Most people who remain undecided do not reject vaccines out of firm conviction. There are multiple opportunities to address uncertainties and counter misinformation with well-founded evidence.
Traditional educational approaches have proven to be as effective as newer motivational interventions aimed at increasing personal motivation to get vaccinated. Both strategies have helped raise vaccination rates. However, there is still a lack of high-quality studies evaluating the effectiveness of motivational methods in more detail.
Can Anti-Vaccine Movements Be Reversed?
Anti-vaccine activism is not confined to the general public; even some healthcare professionals are susceptible to vaccine skepticism and may inadvertently contribute to the spread of misinformation — often via the same channels as nonexperts. When such views come from medical professionals, the impact is especially damaging. The high credibility generally afforded to doctors lends greater weight to their vaccine-related statements than those from former classmates or alternative medicine practitioners.
The spread of false or biased information about vaccines amounts to an attack on science itself — a reality that many fail to recognize. Medical assessments of vaccines, adjuvants, or new vaccine technologies are sometimes deliberately downplayed or misrepresented to bolster anti-vaccine narratives. These groups use such claims to suggest contradictory scientific opinions on vaccines exist, despite a clear consensus among experts supporting vaccination.
Recent developments in the US highlight the dangers of coordinated misinformation. In June, all 17 permanent members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices were dismissed and partially replaced with known vaccine critics and underqualified individuals. Experts have warned that this move severely undermines trust in the committee’s future recommendations.
It is concerning that even health authorities can fall under the influence of anti-vaccine groups, with real consequences for official vaccine policies. While such scenarios remain unthinkable in Germany and other European countries, it is crucial to proactively resist attempts at influence, counter misinformation, and communicate the scientific basis of vaccine decisions clearly and accessibly.
Doctors and healthcare professionals often lack the time to provide detailed information and persuasion to vaccine-skeptical individuals or those unsettled by misinformation. However, in many cases, extensive information isn’t necessary — simply highlighting the health benefits of vaccination and directing patients to reliable online resources can be sufficient. For example, the Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany, offers alphabetically organized, easy-to-understand information from the German Standing Committee on Vaccination on each available vaccine, along with answers to frequently asked questions, under the title “ Vaccinations AZ.”
Making Vaccines More Accessible
Another often overlooked factor in vaccine hesitancy is that missed vaccinations can result from a lack of information, misunderstandings, or simply forgetting appointments. Limited language skills may hinder understanding of vaccine information, while patients might hesitate to ask questions. Multilingual brochures can help by enabling patients to review information at their own pace and raise queries at follow-up visits. In Germany, for example, the current vaccination schedule is available in 10 languages.
Physicians can also help reduce missed appointments by setting up automatic reminders via apps, email, or short message service. Since 2025, vaccination records for all insured individuals have been accessible through the digital vaccination pass, unless the individual opts out. Patients can also enroll in personalized vaccination reminder services to stay on schedule.
This story was translated from Univadis Germany.
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Universal Antiviral Therapy Mimics Rare Genetic Immunity
For a few dozen people in the world, the downside of living with a rare immune condition comes with a surprising superpower—the ability to fight off all viruses.
Columbia immunologist Dusan Bogunovic discovered the individuals’ antiviral powers about 15 years ago, soon after he identified the genetic mutation that causes the condition.At first, the condition only seemed to increase vulnerability to some bacterial infections. But as more patients were identified, its unexpected antiviral benefits became apparent. Bogunovic, a professor of pediatric immunology at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, soon learned that everyone with the mutation, which causes a deficiency in an immune regulator called ISG15, has mild, but persistent systemic inflammation.
“The type of inflammation they had was antiviral, and that’s when it dawned on me that these individuals could be hiding something,” Bogunovic recalls. When he and his colleagues looked at the individuals’ immune cells, they could see encounters with all sorts of viruses—flu, measles, mumps, chickenpox. But the patients had never reported any overt signs of infection or illness.
“In the back of my mind, I kept thinking that if we could produce this type of light immune activation in other people, we could protect them from just about any virus,” Bogunovic says.
Today, Bogunovic is closing in on a therapeutic strategy that could provide that broad-spectrum protection against viruses and become an important weapon in next pandemic.
In his latest study, published Aug. 13 in Science Translational Medicine(link is external and opens in a new window), Bogunovic and his team report that an experimental therapy they’ve developed temporarily gives recipients (hamsters and mice, so far) the same antiviral superpower as people with ISG15 deficiency. When administered prophylactically into the animals’ lungs via a nasal drip, the therapy prevented viral replication of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses and lessened disease severity.
In cell culture, “we have yet to find a virus that can break through the therapy’s defenses,” Bogunovic says.
Mimicking the immune superpowers of a rare condition
Bogunovic’s therapy is designed to mimic what happens in people with ISG15 deficiency, but only for a short time.
Instead of turning off ISG15 directly—which leads to the production of more than 60 proteins—Bogunovic’s therapeutic turns on production of 10 proteins that are primarily responsible for the broad antiviral protection.
The current design resembles COVID mRNA vaccines but with a twist: Ten mRNAs encoding the 10 proteins are packaged inside a lipid nanoparticle. Once the nanoparticles are absorbed by the recipient’s cells, the cells generate the ten host proteins to produce the antiviral protection.
“We only generate a small amount of these ten proteins, for a very short time, and that leads to much less inflammation than what we see in ISG15-deficient individuals,” Bogunovic says. “But that inflammation is enough to prevent antiviral diseases.”
Foundation for future therapy
Bogunovic’s team sees their technology as a weapon for the next pandemic—providing protection for first responders, people in nursing homes, and family members of infected individuals—regardless of the responsible virus.
“We believe the technology will work even if we don’t know the identity of the virus,” Bogunovic says. Importantly, the antiviral protection provided by the technology will not prevent people from developing their own immunological memory to the virus for longer-term protection.
But the technology’s drug delivery and absorption properties still need optimization. When delivered to animals via nanoparticles, the 10 proteins were produced in the lungs, “but probably not at high enough levels that makes us comfortable going into people immediately,” Bogunovic says.
“Once the therapy reaches our cells, it works, but the delivery of any nucleic acid, DNA or RNA, into the part of the body you want to protect is currently the biggest challenge in the field.” The researchers also need to determine how long the therapy’s antiviral protection will last, currently estimated at three to four days.
“Our findings reinforce the power of research driven by curiosity without preconceived notions,” Bogunovic says. “We were not looking for an antiviral when we began studying our rare patients, but the studies have inspired the potential development of a universal antiviral for everyone.”
Reference: Akalu YT, Patel RS, Taft J, et al. An mRNA-based broad-spectrum antiviral inspired by ISG15 deficiency protects against viral infections in vitro and in vivo. Sci Transl Med. 17(811):eadx5758. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adx5758
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.
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Three bilberry bHLHs of subgroup IIIf play divergent roles in fruit anthocyanin and flavonoid biosynthesis
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King Charles suffers huge blow over shocking decision
King Charles has suffered a huge setback as his portrait in tens of thousands of public buildings has been branded expensive and unpopular, according to a new report.
The Cabinet Office programme, launched around the time of the Coronation, aimed to provide framed images of the King in naval uniform to community venues across the UK.
Legislators hoped the monarch would be a unifying national symbol, visible in places such as churches and council offices.
Oliver Dowden, the then-deputy Prime Minister, said at the time that the portraits would be “a reminder of the example set by our ultimate public servant.”
However, figures obtained by the Guardian reveals that just 20,000 organisations, 31 per cent of those eligible, accepted the free portrait, at a total cost of more than £2.7million.
As per the outlet, more than 46,000 turned down the offer, resulting in a 69 per cent rejection rate. The report claims that hospitals showed little interest, with only three per cent displaying the portrait, and just seven per cent of universities taking part.
Around a quarter of Church of England parishes agreed to hang it, despite the King being their Supreme Governor.
Menawhile, local councils were far more receptive, with 73 per cent accepting the portrait, and every single one of the country’s 23 coastguard organisations taking one.
On the other hand, the supporters argue that royal portraits are a long-standing tradition in the UK and can help foster a sense of national identity, particularly in public spaces. They also point out that the portraits were offered at no cost to the institutions, with the Government covering the expense as part of wider coronation celebrations.
Royal fans and public bodies have also praised the initiative for adding a ceremonial touch to the iconic buildings.
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Know full schedule and live match start times
India vs Australia hockey head-to-head
While recent encounters have been closely fought, Australia have historically held the edge in the head-to-head meetings, winning 35 of the 51 matches played between the two teams since 2013.
The Indian hockey team has won nine times, while seven matches ended in draws.
The series will serve as important preparation for India ahead of the Asia Cup, set to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29 to September 7.
The tournament offers a direct qualification spot for the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026, making the Australia tour key in India’s buildup.
India will also look to bounce back after a disappointing 2024-25 FIH Pro League season which saw them finish eighth and narrowly avoid relegation.
“This tour comes at a crucial time for us, just ahead of the Asia Cup in Bihar. While these are technically friendly matches, they form a very important part of our preparation phase,” India chief coach Craig Fulton said.
“Playing against a team like Australia will test us in all aspects – both on the ball and off it – and that is exactly what we need to sharpen up before a major tournament.”
The squad trained at the SAI Centre in Bengaluru before travelling to Australia on August 8.
India vs Australia hockey 2025 schedule
As per Indian Standard Times (IST)
- August 15, Friday: India vs Australia match 1 – 3:30 PM
- August 16 Saturday: India vs Australia match 2 – 3:30 PM
- August 19, Tuesday: India vs Australia match 3 – 2:10 PM
- August 21, Thursday: India vs Australia match 4 – 2:10 PM
Indian men’s hockey team: Australia tour 2025
Goalkeepers: Krishan B Pathak, Suraj Karkera
Defenders: Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Sanjay, Amit Rohidas, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, Jugraj Singh, Poovanna CB
Midfielders: Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Rabichandra Singh Moirangthem, Vishnu Kant Singh
Forwards: Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Selvam Karthi, Aditya Lalage
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Israel starves 4 more Palestinians to death in Gaza; toll rises to 239
Gaza’s Health Ministry has recorded four more hunger-related deaths over the past 24 hours, Al Jazeera reports.
The latest count brings the total number of Palestinians who starved to death during Israel’s war on Gaza to 239, including 106 children.
A malnourished Palestinian child gets a check up at a medical point run by a local NGO affiliated with the primary health care of the Palestinian health ministry in al-Mawasi, in the southern Gaza Strip district of Khan Yunis, on August 13, 2025. — AFP Continue Reading
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Commodities: Oil Falls On Bearish Fundamentals, But Upside Risks Abound – Seeking Alpha
- Commodities: Oil Falls On Bearish Fundamentals, But Upside Risks Abound Seeking Alpha
- Oil hits two-month low as US, IEA supply guidance weighs By Reuters Investing.com
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- Oil Updates — prices climb on Russia supply risks, ahead of summit Arab News
- Evening update for crude oil -11-08-2025 Economies.com
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Google Doodle flies Pakistan’s national flag for 14 August
Google updated its homepage doodle on Thursday to mark Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, depicting the country’s green and white flag in the sky.
Pakistan’s Independence Day is observed on August 14 each year to celebrate the country’s independence secured in 1947. The day is a national holiday and a common subject for commemorative art and media.
Google often changes its homepage doodle to mark international days, cultural events and notable figures. The feature is a routine way global audiences are informed of significant dates and events from both the present and the past.
Read: Markets join festive Independence Day rush
The main flag-hoisting ceremony took place today at the Pakistan Monument in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unfurled the national flag.
Festivities have been planned across the country to commemorate the day with patriotic zeal and fervour.
Google has marked Pakistan’s Independence Day in past years with different celebratory doodles designed each year.
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7 Side effects of overeating bananas on your digestion, heart, blood sugar, and more |
Bananas are among the most popular fruits worldwide, praised for their natural sweetness, convenience, and rich nutrient profile. They provide essential vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, and dietary fiber, and can offer a quick energy boost. Consuming one or two bananas a day is generally safe and supports a balanced diet. However, eating too many bananas can have side effects, ranging from minor digestive issues to more serious health concerns, particularly for individuals with underlying conditions. Understanding these potential effects can help you enjoy bananas without risk.
Eating too many bananas can cause these 7 possible side effects
Digestive Discomfort
Bananas are a good source of soluble fiber, which absorbs water in the digestive tract and helps regulate bowel movements. One medium banana contains approximately five grams of fiber, supporting healthy digestion when eaten in moderation. However, consuming multiple bananas daily may overwhelm your digestive system, particularly if your body is not used to a high-fiber diet. Excess soluble fiber can slow food movement through the gut and ferment in the intestines, producing gas, bloating, or abdominal cramps. People with sensitive digestion or preexisting gastrointestinal issues may notice discomfort more quickly when eating large quantities of bananas.
Hyperkalemia (Excess Potassium)
Potassium is a critical mineral for heart, nerve, and muscle function, and bananas are famously high in it. A medium banana provides roughly 326 milligrams, while the daily recommended intake for adults ranges from 2,600 to 3,400 milligrams. According to a study published in ScienceDirect, eating too many bananas or combining them with other potassium-rich foods can raise blood potassium levels excessively, a condition known as hyperkalemia. Symptoms may include irregular heartbeat, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest discomfort, or difficulty breathing. Those with kidney disease, Addison’s disease, or those taking potassium-sparing medications are especially vulnerable to this condition and should monitor intake carefully.
Blood Sugar Spikes
Bananas contain natural sugars and carbohydrates that can affect blood glucose levels. According to a study published in NIH, ripe bananas, in particular, have a higher glycemic index, around 60, meaning their sugars are absorbed relatively quickly, which can lead to rapid increases in blood sugar. This effect is more pronounced in individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance. Eating multiple bananas in a short time frame can exacerbate these spikes. To reduce this risk, pairing a banana with protein or healthy fats, such as peanut butter or yogurt, can help slow sugar absorption and minimise abrupt changes in blood glucose levels.
Migraine triggers
Bananas contain tyramine, a naturally occurring compound that forms as the fruit ripens. According to the American Migraine Foundation, tyramine can influence blood vessel function in the brain and may trigger migraines in sensitive individuals. Overripe bananas have the highest tyramine content and are more likely to provoke symptoms in those with a history of migraine, especially if other tyramine-rich foods like aged cheese, nuts, yogurt, or citrus fruits have caused attacks in the past. People prone to migraines should monitor their banana intake and consider consuming less ripe fruit to reduce potential triggers.
Tooth Decay
Frequent snacking on bananas throughout the day can increase the risk of tooth decay. While bananas are nutritious, their natural sugars and starches can cling to teeth and serve as fuel for bacteria, leading to cavity formation. Unlike simple sugars that dissolve quickly, banana starch breaks down slowly, allowing particles to remain on teeth for longer and giving bacteria more time to produce acid that erodes enamel. To minimise this effect, it is important to brush teeth or rinse the mouth after eating bananas, especially if consumed between meals.
Oral Allergy Syndrome
Some individuals, particularly those allergic to ragweed pollen, may experience oral allergy syndrome (OAS) after eating bananas. Symptoms include itching, tingling, or mild swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat. OAS occurs because the immune system mistakes proteins in bananas for similar proteins found in allergens like ragweed pollen. People with latex allergies may also experience cross-reactivity. While OAS is usually mild and confined to the mouth, it can occasionally progress to more severe reactions. Those with known sensitivities should approach banana consumption cautiously and monitor for symptoms.
Drowsiness
Bananas contain magnesium, which relaxes muscles, and tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin and melatonin, hormones that regulate mood and sleep. Eating several bananas in one sitting may have a mild sedative effect, making you feel tired or sluggish. This effect is more pronounced when bananas are consumed with high-carbohydrate meals, which increase tryptophan availability in the brain. Although temporary for most people, it is wise to avoid consuming large quantities if alertness is needed immediately afterward.
How to eat bananas safely : Nutrition, portion control, and health tipsA medium banana (about seven inches) provides roughly 105 calories, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 14 grams of natural sugars, three grams of fiber, 422 milligrams of potassium, 28 milligrams of magnesium, and one gram of protein. For most healthy adults, one to two bananas per day is considered safe. Individuals with type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or allergies to ragweed pollen should limit intake and consult a healthcare provider for personalised advice.Bananas are a nutritious and convenient fruit, offering energy, vitamins, and minerals. However, consuming too many can lead to digestive discomfort, blood sugar spikes, hyperkalemia, migraines, dental issues, allergic reactions, or drowsiness. Moderation is key, and pairing bananas with other foods or monitoring portions can help you enjoy their benefits without experiencing negative side effects. By understanding the potential risks and adjusting intake, bananas can remain a healthy part of your daily diet.Also Read: 13 Foods that can worsen anxiety and depression and what to eat instead
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