Anthony writes:
The ending of Predict is deja vu all over again.
Ryan writes:
Article on status of vaxx movement:
Apparently there was a study according to the guardian examining political ads on facebook. In this case the findings showed that RFK Jr. and Larry Cook got called out for producing the majority of Anti-Vaxx ads on the facebook venue. However in past episodes on Twiv and Immune they pointed to Del Bigtree, Bernard Selz and Andrew Wakefield for spreading the majority of anti-vaxx political ads via movie promotion on Vaxxed the movie and various political campaigns over vaccine laws.
And
A look at California vaccine laws up for debate in 2020:
here is the study on the results on SB 276 and SB 277.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article237038669.html
Ornob writes:
Dear Immune-vestigators (this one’s probably not taken as it’s quite bad),
I am a first-year graduate student at NYU, and this is my first time writing to Immune. Congratulations on an amazing podcast, and I can’t believe it’s already been more than two years since you guys started. I won’t discuss the weather, as Vincent already knows all about it.
I am writing to bring to your attention this new Cell paper on a TLR (https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(19)31222-X?rss=yes&fbclid=IwAR2zKNq5uXhL_e79ahmNKE0LEenWvXNM–PMQiBrvhoV1CVuebfVOhCepyU), although you may already have seen it. I am always amazed by the variety of ways the innate immune system detects the presence of pathogens. I thought this would be a nice paper with which to go into nucleic acid sensors and PRRs in general, which have not been explored as much on Immune.
Best,
Ornob
Neeraj writes:
Dear Twii-informants,
It’s been a while since I wrote but listening to the latest podcast on the role of fiber in our diet and how the microbiota derived short chain fatty acids shape the CD8+ T cell repertoire was totally fascinating and intriguing. Now I know why most late night joints in NYC close to Rockefeller University (that’s where I went to grad school), used to serve extra sticks of celery with delicious chicken wings and Beers J (the most bland food is always the healthiest ironically). But overall, this research is yet again a testimony to how basic research can uncover such intriguing connections which leave you thinking that diet is playing a very important role in shaping our overall physiology and not just a means to provide energy for our daily routines (yet again, Mom was right :), so I will be eating my veggies more). I personally feel that the modern day lifestyle does compromise the importance of cooking and eating healthy, especially when there is so much packaged food around which can be ready for consumption with a few clicks on the microwave. But oh well, that’s the price we pay for technology and having a life that just seems to be gaining pace with every fleeting moment.
But getting back to the research article, even I am very much interested in knowing as to how exactly the SCFA are shaping the memory potential of CD8+ cells. Interestingly, though the authors didn’t delve into it, I feel there are bound to be other cells types (even non immune) that are benefiting in this regard from the gut microbiome. Talking of which, it reminds me of a person I met in the park the other day while my son was playing and he mentioned “who needs bacteria and all that filth for anything”, to which I responded “almost everyone, as otherwise you might cease to exist” J. He gave me a confused look and asked me why was I suggesting that filth and dirt is good? The thought in my mind was to tell him “because you are already covered in itJ”. But in the interest of sanity and not freaking someone out, I told him about some of the health benefits and the reason why there are so many “probiotics” on the market. We owe a helluva lot to our microbiota and overall I feel, too often people associate microbes only with disease origin / propagation (which is partly justified). But looking at the plethora of scientific research in the last decade of more, I feel we are still in the infancy of this field and next several decades will help us unearth more fascinating aspects of how our bug buddies are shaping our physiology, and probably behavior.
In the end, i just wanted to congratulate you folks for taking out the time to spin these jewels out. So keep up the great work and especially for Prof. Racaniello, here’s to many more years and decades of podcasting and spreading the wisdom. Ironically, I am struggling to keep up with your podcasting pace and my after dinner walks are getting longer and longer :), as there is just more and more intriguing and relevant research to indulge in and learn from. I personally can’t thank you enough for your efforts and its only appropriate that you were bestowed with the Award for education by ASM this year. It’s a nobel cause that you have initiated and it will benefit many a young scientists and curious minds who sometimes feel lost in the wilderness while trying to pursue their passion for research. Personally the excitement of deciphering the “unknown” is the biggest thrill of all for me. So I hope the width of the TWiX podcast series will continue to flourish and expand the dimensions of my knowledge.
Best,
Neeraj