Spore

• The company’s education campaign focuses on pervasive health risks associated with poor indoor air quality.
• “The dangers of poor indoor air quality are not just invisible – they silently jeopardize our health, amplifying the risk of respiratory issues, allergies and long-term health complications,” said Alen CEO, Warburg Lee.
• Alen air purifiers with HEPA fresh filtration capture fine particles, including ash, soot and VOCs, effectively removing them from the indoor air and reducing exposure to harmful pollutants and allergens like pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, providing symptom relief and improving overall indoor air quality.
• Addressing these sources of indoor air pollution typically involves implementing strategies such as improving ventilation, using air purifiers with HEPA filters like Alen, and reducing or eliminating the use of products with harmful chemicals.

• TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- $1.3 million dollars were awarded to Israeli climate tech startups today as part of the startup track of the Climate Solutions Prize (CSP), an initiative that incentivizes climate innovation to address the global climate crisis.
• It aims to be a catalyst for climate tech innovation in both breakthrough research and the startup ecosystem.
• The 2023 Israeli Climate Tech Landscape Map details leading companies with solutions addressing the climate crisis.
• The Breakthrough Research Prize track was awarded in January to three Israeli research teams to propel their work on promising solutions to the climate crisis.

• More than 700 cases of this gastrointestinal disease were reported in Queensland in January, which is 13 times more than in January last year.
• Read more:
  What lies beneath: the bugs lurking in your swimming pool

What causes cryptosporidiosis, and who is affected?

• Cryptosporidum hominis only affects humans and is the major cause of recent outbreaks in Australia, while Cryptosporidium parvum can also affect animals.
• The infection is spread by spores called oocysts in the stools of humans and animals.
• Cryptosporidiosis is more prevalent in young children, particularly those under five, but the disease can affect people of any age.

So how do we catch it?

• The largest recorded outbreak occurred in Milwaukee in 1993 where 403,000 people were believed to have been infected.
• As few as ten oocysts can cause infection, making it possible for contaminated drinking water to affect a very large number of people.
• Oocysts have been found in foods such as fresh vegetables and seafood but these are not common sources of infection in Australia.

What about chlorine?

• Young children and in particular children in nappies are known to increase the potential for disease transmission in recreational water.
• Proper nappy changing, frequent bathroom breaks and showering before swimming to remove faecal residue are helpful ways to reduce the risk.

Some sensible precautions

Other measures you can take to reduce yours and others’ risk of cryptosporidiosis include:
avoid swimming in natural waters such as rivers and creeks during and for at least three days after heavy rain
avoid swimming in beaches for at least one day after heavy rain
avoid drinking untreated water such as water from rivers or springs. If you need to drink untreated water, boiling it first will kill the Cryptosporidium
avoid swallowing water when swimming if you can
if you’ve had diarrhoea, avoid swimming for at least two weeks after it has resolved
avoid sharing towels or linen for at least two weeks after diarrhoea has resolved
avoid sharing, touching or preparing food that other people may eat for at least 48 hours after diarrhoea has resolved
wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom or before preparing food (Cryptosporidium is not killed by alcohol gels and sanitisers).
Not all cases of diarrhoea are due to cryptosporidiosis. There are many other causes of infectious gastroenteritis and because the vast majority of the time recovery is uneventful you don’t need to see a doctor unless very unwell. If you do suspect you may have cryptosporidiosis you can ask your doctor to refer you for a stool test.
Vincent Ho does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

• “In 2023, VOWST received FDA approval with a broad indication, which includes use in first recurrence patients.
• The SER-155 Cohort-2 readout is expected in the third quarter, and we are excited to announce receipt of Fast Track Designation for SER-155 to reduce the risk of infection and GvHD in allo-HSCT patients.
• Production of VOWST commercial supply enabled a strong commercial launch within weeks of approval; progress in expansion of VOWST manufacturing capacity.
• To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Aimmune Therapeutics at 1-833-AIM-2KNO (1-833-246-2566), or the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088, or visit www.fda.gov/MedWatch .