(VOR News) – Environmental authorities and fruit growers around the state are concerned about the existence of the invasive spotted lanternfly, even though it has been confirmed to have been detected in Wayne County.

This is a result of Wayne County being where the bug was discovered. This is the situation that has emerged as a result of observation, even though the spotted lanternfly has been sighted in Wayne County.

In a recent news release, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) stated that “these surveying efforts are crucial in our endeavour to slow the spread of spotted lanternfly, which can be a nuisance to Michiganders.”

Michiganders’ aversion of the spotted lanternfly supports this.

The head of the division responsible for managing insecticides and plant pests is Steve Carlson.

“Michiganders may find spotted lanternflies to be an annoyance,” Carlson told the media following the event. In an interview with the media, Carlson made the declaration.

He noted that “spotted lanternflies can be an annoyance to Michiganders.” Stopping the spread of the organism causing the problem requires the proactive approach that the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) takes in order to gather information through targeted surveys and collaborate with our state and local partners.

The purpose of this technique is to facilitate the gathering of data.

However, a recent evaluation conducted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Agriculture verified the existence of fresh infestations in each of the three regions.

Based on the information received, it has been reported that spotted lanternflies are present in the counties of Oakland and Monroe. These two counties are located in the state of California, in the eastern part of the state.

The spotted lanternfly experiences several unique stages that are both unique and different from one another during the course of its life cycle.

Early summer is when you can perhaps see youngsters, also referred to as nymphates. The same organisms are mentioned by both of these words. The nymphs of these insects are indistinguishable from the tiny, wingless beetles they resemble. Their tints range from crimson to black, and it is difficult to distinguish between them.

Their bodies are white-speckled like them.

The adults, on the other hand, emerge in the latter part of summer and are distinguished by the black dots on their outer wings, which can be any colour from grey to brown and lack any specific pattern. The lack of any pattern is one of the other distinctive qualities. One of the many features that set adults apart from adolescents is the existence of wings.

The aggressive species that have proliferated around the earth are thought to mostly obtain their nourishment from the fruits, trees, and grapevines that they eat. While the spotted lanternfly is feeding, it is possible for the liquid it secretes to collect on nearby plants and the ground.

There could be several consequences from this, one of which is that it could promote the formation of mould, which could harm or even turn the colour of neighbouring plants.

Once the sighting has been caught on camera, it must be reported. The location, time, and date of the sighting should all be recorded.

The documents should then be uploaded to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website. To comply with the request made by the authorities, everyone who spots a spotted lanternfly must take a picture of the spot where the lanternfly was seen.

SOURCE: FreeP

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New Blood Test Method Could Predict 30-Year Heart Disease Risk, Study Reveals

A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024 offers a fresh perspective on assessing long-term heart disease risk.

Traditional methods typically rely on cholesterol levels, particularly LDL or “bad” cholesterol, to gauge cardiovascular health. However, this new research suggests that incorporating additional biomarkers can significantly enhance the accuracy of these predictions.

Dr. Paul Ridker, the study’s lead author and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, emphasizes that relying solely on cholesterol levels overlooks crucial risk factors.

“We have other biomarkers that tell us about other kinds of biological problems our patients who are destined to have cardiovascular disease are likely to have,” Ridker explains.

The research identified two additional markers—lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a), and C-reactive protein (CRP)—as significant predictors of heart disease. These markers, along with LDL cholesterol, can provide a more comprehensive risk assessment.

Study Details and Findings

The study analyzed data from nearly 30,000 U.S. women enrolled in the Women’s Health Study between 1992 and 1995. At the study’s start, participants had their LDL cholesterol, Lp(a), and CRP levels measured.

Over the 30-year follow-up period, approximately 3,600 participants experienced serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, or death from heart disease.

Dr. Ridker’s team found that high levels of each marker were individually linked to increased risk. Women with elevated LDL cholesterol had a 36% higher risk of heart disease, while high Lp(a) levels were associated with a 33% increased risk.

Elevated CRP levels indicated a 70% higher risk.

When all three markers were considered together, women with the highest levels were 1.5 times more likely to suffer a stroke and over three times more likely to develop coronary heart disease over 30 years compared to those with the lowest levels.

Implications for Heart Disease Prevention

Traditionally, heart disease risk assessment has focused on well-known factors such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. The addition of Lp(a) and CRP testing could uncover less obvious risk factors that are not addressed by lifestyle changes alone.

Dr. Rachel Bond, director of women’s heart health at Dignity Health, advocates for one-time Lp(a) testing, noting that high levels, once identified, remain a lifelong risk factor. Post-menopausal women might consider retesting due to potential changes in Lp(a) levels.

Dr. Steven Nissen, chief academic officer of the Heart, Vascular, and Thoracic Institute at the Cleveland Clinic, stresses the importance of early intervention.

“Although exercising, eating well, and not smoking are all crucial, people with elevated levels of Lp(a), LDL, and CRP will likely require medication,” he says. He suggests that the combined use of these biomarkers could lead to earlier and more effective treatment strategies.

Study Limitations and Future Directions

While promising, the study has limitations. The participant pool was predominantly white, which may affect the applicability of the findings to more diverse populations.

Additionally, the study’s methodology included stopping Lp(a) measurement once it reached a certain threshold, potentially underestimating its risk.

Dr. Kunihiro Matsushita from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health highlights that while CRP is an important marker, it might not be the best predictor of cardiovascular risk.

He suggests further research to explore the optimal combination of biomarkers for predicting heart disease.

This new approach to heart disease risk assessment represents a significant shift in cardiovascular health management.

By incorporating multiple biomarkers into routine blood tests, physicians can gain a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of an individual’s long-term risk. As Dr. Ridker aptly notes, “Physicians will not treat things they don’t measure.”

This enhanced diagnostic method could pave the way for more personalized and effective prevention strategies in the fight against cardiovascular disease.

On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for an updated version of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine.

This new formulation is now approved for individuals aged 12 and older and is specifically designed to target the JN.1 strain of the virus. The announcement comes amid a fluctuating COVID-19 landscape and varying levels of vaccine uptake.

Key Details of the Authorization

The updated Novavax vaccine is tailored to address the ‘parent strain’ of currently circulating variants, with demonstrated strong cross-reactivity against several lineages of the JN.1 variant, including KP.2.3, KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and LB.1.

According to Novavax’s CEO, John Jacobs, this vaccine aims to offer protection against the evolving virus strains that have been circulating.

Peter Marks, Director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, highlighted the significance of the authorization, stating, “Today’s authorization provides an additional COVID-19 vaccine option.”

This move expands the range of available vaccines, which is crucial as different variants continue to circulate.

Following the FDA’s announcement, Novavax’s shares experienced a notable increase, rising 2.2% in extended trading after a strong closing that saw a gain of 8.6%. This uptick reflects positive investor sentiment regarding the company’s updated vaccine offering.

Novavax has indicated that doses of the new vaccine could be available as early as the end of next week, subject to distribution logistics. This timely release is aimed at addressing the needs of individuals seeking updated protection against current virus strains.

Comparison with Other COVID-19 Vaccines

Earlier this month, the FDA approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which target the KP.2 variant. JN.1 was the dominant strain in the U.S. earlier in the year but has since decreased in prevalence.

As of August 31, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that JN.1 now accounts for approximately 0.2% of COVID-19 cases.

In contrast, the KP.2 subvariant represents about 3.1% of cases, while the KP.3.1.1 subvariant has surged to become the dominant strain at 42.2%.

The evolving nature of the virus has prompted the FDA to request vaccine makers to focus on the KP.2 strain for the 2024-25 vaccine updates.

Vaccine Technology and Public Health Context

Novavax’s vaccine utilizes a traditional protein-based technology, offering an alternative to the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech.

While mRNA vaccines like Moderna’s Spikevax and Pfizer’s Comirnaty have been at the forefront of the pandemic response, Novavax’s approach provides an additional option for those who may prefer or require different technology.

Despite a recent increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. over the past three months, the demand for COVID-19 vaccines has significantly declined since the pandemic’s peak.

Novavax has projected that overall vaccine demand will remain consistent with last year’s figures, although it anticipates a better performance for its updated vaccine.

As COVID-19 continues to evolve, the availability of updated vaccines like Novavax’s provides crucial options for maintaining public health protection.

The new EUA for Novavax’s vaccine highlights ongoing efforts to adapt to the changing virus and offer effective solutions to combat it. The coming weeks will be pivotal in assessing the vaccine’s impact and its role in the broader fight against COVID-19.