Science

Study reveals Covid-19 virus alters lung cells for spread

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York have found that the coronavirus responsible for Covid-19 may spread more widely by converting previously resistant lung cells into targets for infection, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The study reveals that lung cells release extracellular vesicles carrying key proteins that facilitate viral entry into other cells, including immune and blood vessel cells, thereby explaining the severe inflammation and organ damage observed in critical cases. This discovery suggests potential new treatment strategies aimed at disrupting the transfer of these proteins to limit viral spread.

Study finds high gray whale mortality in San Francisco Bay

A study published in Frontiers in Marine Science reveals that nearly 18% of gray whales entering San Francisco Bay die there, often due to vessel strikes, as climate change alters their migration patterns. Researchers identified 114 individual whales visiting the bay from 2018 to 2025, with 21 of these linked to 70 documented carcasses, indicating a significant mortality rate in a region known for heavy boat traffic. The findings highlight the challenges faced by the Eastern North Pacific gray whale population as they adapt to changing food availability in the Arctic.