Amanda Troy 

2/7/20 

AP Biology 

Current Event 16

Rettner , Rachael. “How Does the New Coronavirus Compare with the Flu?” LiveScience, Purch, 

5 Feb. 2020, www.livescience.com/new-coronavirus-compare-with-flu.html.

In recent weeks, the outbreak of the Corona Virus has produced a global panic. However, there is another viral epidemic hitting countries across the world: the flu. I read the article, “How Does the New CoronaVirus Compare to the Flu?” by Rachael Rettner. In her article, she compares these two viruses and suggests which one is more worrisome. According to the article, new coronavirus has led to more than 20,000 illnesses and 427 deaths in China, as well as more than 200 illnesses and two deaths outside of mainland China. However, according to the CDC, In the U.S. alone, the flu has already caused an estimated 19 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths this season. However, despite the danger of the flu, scientists have been studying this virus for decades, so there is a certainty of seasonal flu despite the morbidity and mortality. Since the Corona Virus is new, very little is known. Rettner states, “the 2019-nCoV is something of a wild card in terms of how far it will spread and how many deaths it will cause” (Rettner). Rettner then compares the symptoms of the two viruses. Both viruses are highly contagious and cause respiratory illnesses. Rettner discusses the death rate. She states, “So far this flu season, about 0.05% of people who caught the flu have died from the virus in the U.S., according to CDC data” (Rettner). The death rate for 2019-nCoV is still unclear, but it appears to be higher than that of the flu. According to the article, the death rate for 2019-nCoV has been about 2%. Rettner then compares the risk of infection, pandemics, and prevention methods. 

This virus is currently an extremely relevant topic across the globe. It is important for the public to read articles such as these in order to learn more about the virus and the prevention methods. Since this virus is so contagious, learning about the proper prevention methods is vital. This article also raises awareness to the misconception that we shouldn’t be worried about this virus since the common flu is just as deadly. However, this article proves the true severity of the CoronaVirus as its danger derives from the little knowledge scientists have about it. 

I chose to review this article because I find this new virus very fascinating as new statistics are constantly released and new information behind the virus continues to be discovered. I like how the author compared and contrasted the flu virus and the coronavirus in all aspects in order to highlight the new virus’s true severity. The author’s choice to compare and contrast the viruses also clears up any common misconceptions pertaining to the corona virus’ severity and its relation to the flu. Something I wish the author would have done is discuss the Corona Virus’s origin and how it started to spread. Other than that, I found this article very interesting as I learned more about a very relevant topic to our society. 

Sarah Whitney

AP Biology

Current Event 16

2-7-20

Pierre-louis, Kendra, and Nadja Popovich. “Climate Change: It's a Buzzkill for Bumblebees, Study Finds.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 6 Feb. 2020, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/02/06/climate/bumblebees-extreme-heat-weather.html.

With the climate rapidly changing, bringing on heat waves and other extreme events, bumblebees are experiencing a decline as a species. “Researchers found that bumblebee populations had recently declined by 46 percent in North America and by 17 percent across Europe” …  “The biggest declines were in areas where temperatures spiked well beyond the historical range, which raises concerns that climate change could increase the risk of extinction for bees, which are already threatened by pesticide use and habitat loss.” This has got scientists extremely worried as bees are a crucial piece in wild landscapes and agricultural regions. This is likely not due to gradual temperature increases but instead the rapid and extreme weather events such as heat waves. This study not only studied the decrease in specific populations, but also areas where populations have increased despite the weather changes. ““We can go to these bright spots where things are going well, and we can see what it is about those regions and those areas that’s allowing species to persist under climate change,” Mr. Soroye said.” Bumblebees are crucial as they carry pollen and move from plant to plant that aiding in plant populations. 

This topic is extremely relevant as climate change becomes a bigger issue every day. Without bees, plant populations will most likely have a very difficult time surviving naturally. If bumblebee populations continue to decrease, humans may have to intervene with artificial pollination or help modify the genes of bees to allow them to better survive against climate change.

This author (and I’m guessing a technology team) did a fantastic job with this article - especially as they had multiple interactive visuals representing the bee populations. I do wish the author would have discussed the reasearcher’s plans to combat this species’ decline and what ideas they’ve come up with to help bumblebees survive.

Interesting and rigorous courses offered by Columbia University for high school students in the metropolitan area. If interested apply on line. Science teachers will be happy to write you a recommendation for this competitive program. 

Ellyn Paris 

1/29/20

AP Biology

Current Event 15

Guo, Haitao. “Snakes Could Be the Original Source of the New Coronavirus Outbreak in China.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 22 Jan. 2020, www.scientificamerican.com/article/snakes-could-be-the-original-source-of-the-new-coronavirus-outbreak-in-china/.

In this interesting article about the coronavirus, Haitao suggests that snakes could be the original source of the deadly virus, more specifically the Chinese kraik and the Chinese cobra. Scientists have analyzed the virus and determined that the coronavirus is in the same family SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, both of which are deadly respiratory illnesses. The eruption fo the virus is fairly new, and since scientists do not have a good understanding of its life cycle there is no available cure yet. However, the coronavirus has been classified as zoonotic (coming from an animal), and by analyzing the protein code of the virus and compared to that of other animals, it has been found that the protein codes of snakes are the most similar to that of 2019-nCoV (the official name of the coronavirus). This is a plausible explanation as to how humans were affected since snakes were sold at the seafood market in Wuhan.

This topic is extremely relevant to our present-day society. The coronavirus and its deadly impact are all over the news worldwide. While the virus came from a province in China, its influence has spread to reach an international level. This outbreak has had devastating impacts, both for the health of humans and the economy. Furthermore, it has our population to go into a state of panic. It is very important to learn about this virus and its severity. Becoming aware of it can help people be more conscious about staying healthy (washing hands, not eating wild animals...).

I found the article very interesting. The author wrote his piece in a very simple way that was both informative and easy to comprehend. He also included information on how the virus was transmitted from bats to snakes, as well as how scientists were able to determine that snakes were at the root of the transmission from animal to human. However, the author spent the majority of the article explaining what the coronavirus is and what family of viruses it belongs to. While this is vital information to include in this article, to improve the article the author could limit this information and focus more on how snakes are involved in transmitting the disease.

Industry Says Voluntary Plan to Curb Antibiotic Pollution Is Working, but Critics Want Regulation

A review of:

Gilbert, Natasha. “Industry Says Voluntary Plan to Curb Antibiotic Pollution Is Working, but Critics Want Regulation.” Science, 24 Jan. 2020, www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/01/industry-says-voluntary-plan-curb-antibiotic-pollution-working-critics-want-regulation.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacteria to antibiotics has become an increasingly larger issue both from both the overuse of antibiotics as well as the improper disposal of drugs. Studies later uncovered that many antibiotic manufacturing facilities are leaking the antibiotic compounds into the environment, often via wastewater, and making the problem even worse. In response to this, over 100 drug companies and industry associations formed the AMR to police manufacturing discharges and to curb such leaks. The alliance has since developed an industry framework for improving manufacturing, and set voluntary targets for safe levels of antibiotics in the environment. While 82% of alliance members report meeting the standards either wholly or in part, some critics dislike the lack of transparency in production chains, and many are displeased that the alliance is not publicly releasing key data for public oversight. In addition, many environmentalists criticize the alliance for setting targets only for surface waters, like rivers and streams, instead of all wastewater. “It’s much easier to achieve targets applied to surface water, but it doesn’t mean [those targets are] protective,” says Joakim Larsson, an environmental pharmacologist. Others acknowledge that the actions of the alliance are a start, but claim that legally enforceable regulations are needed. Environmental scientist Alistair Boxall states that despite such concerns, the alliance is making a difference and encouraging other companies to revamp their processes.

AMR stands to pose a major threat to public health, as evolved bacteria becomes increasingly difficult to fight with antibiotics. “We need to go beyond industry self-regulation initiatives. There is an urgent need to establish a strong legislative framework to increase transparency and improve consistency throughout the supply chain.” says a spokesperson from Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) group.

Natasha Gilbert’s article was informative and very well written. She addressed both sides of the argument equally, allowing the reader to establish their own opinions on the issue at hand. However, her article would have been more effective if she had named several known drug companies that are members of the alliance, and discussed methods for managing wastewater in more detail. In my opinion, her article did not focus as much on the danger of AMR as it could have, which greatly decreased the impact of the article.

Caroline McGrath

1/22/20

Current Event 14

Christensen, Jen. “Coronavirus Explained: What You Need to Know.” CNN, Cable News 

Network, 21 Jan. 2020, 

www.cnn.com/2020/01/20/health/what-is-coronavirus-explained/index.htm l.

In December, the now deadly coronavirus took its roots in Wuhan, China. The cousin of the SARS virus, is believed to be carried by animals and spread to humans, meaning it was scientists call a zoonotic form of the coronavirus strain. The disease gives pneumonia like symptoms and is immune to antibiotics, thus far the death rate is unknown, but it is expected to intensify. The disease causes cold like symptoms in the upper respiratory tract, but for those more susceptible, like the eldery and the young, it could move into the lower respiratory tract. It is related to the MERS and SARS viruses. The disease is spread through human to human contact, and is very contagious. The average age for containment for the recent coronavirus is around 40. Currently there is not treatment, but research is ongoing. The virus doesn’t have too many deaths (around 20) compared to those infected (540), but scientists compare it to the Spanish flu. The only way to prevent it right now is to avoid those in contact, as there are no vaccines yet. Scientists recommend “Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and disinfect the objects and surfaces you touch.” Those who are pregnant can have stillborn children. The disease can be caught in cats and dogs, but only dogs showed symptoms and fatalities. 

The disease is a very relevant topic in our society right now, as the first case in the United States was reported yesterday, the 21st. This means the disease is spreading, and much like the ebola outbreak, it could cause serious damage in China and panic around the world. There is currently no cure or prevention measures for the disease, making everyone susceptible and really hurting the economy, causing even more hysteria surrounding the disease. 

Overall I found the article to be very well written and informative, as it had different sections based on different questions and concerns surrounding the virus. I do think that in order to improve the article the author could have put a section on the statics about the disease, as it didn’t say who has been affected, how many people, male or female, or anything else that would be interesting to know. I had to do separate research to find this information out and I think that adding these things would improve the overall article. 

Lily Jebejian

“What Is the Deadly Coronavirus Illness Now Blamed for 17 Deaths in China?” CBS News, CBS Interactive, www.cbsnews.com/news/coronavirus-china-virus-what-is-mystery-illness-deaths-toll-us-case-confirmed-today-2020-01-21/.

There has recently been an outbreak of a new strand of a coronavirus. There have been an estimated 540 people infected and almost twenty deaths. The outbreak started in Wuhan, China, where all of the deaths have occurred. The majority of the cases have been reported in China, but there have also been reports in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. There is currently only one case in the United States, a thirty year-old man in Washington state who just recently returned from China. The virus is a new strand of coronavirus. There have been multiple types of coronavirus in the past, each a different strand. The disease in China is thought to have originated from a fish and animal market in Wuhan. The disease can be transmitted from animals to humans, and now there is evidence that the virus can also be transmitted through human to human contact as well, “many of the patients have reportedly been linked to Hua Nan Seafood Wholesale Market, a large seafood and animal market”. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has input screening in major airports in the United States to prevent any further spreading.

This virus can have a major effect on society for multiple reasons. The first being that it had proven to be fatal in many cases, and has affected hundreds of people. The virus has also spread internationally and doesn’t seem to be contained. The disease has also caused a mass hysteria and panic. This is as dangerous as the disease because people have become very fearful and will do anything to stop themselves from contracting the disease. There has also been a mass race to find a vaccine which is not created yet. This causes even more panic because there is currently no cure. 

Overall I thought the article was very informative and I learned a lot from it. I was very concerned about the disease before I read this but now that I learned more, I have a better understanding about the disease. The article had good sources and addressed all of the issues relevant to the disease. One way the article could be improved was the use of outside sources. The sources were only from CBS and I think it would have strengthened their article to have other scientists or networks with the same data. But, overall the article was very informative and I enjoyed reading it.