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Ending the month with three things you need to know about sepsis, and how the Senate is working to advance sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)—plus, the latest news on avian flu and COVID vaccine benefits. (637 words, 3 minutes, 11 seconds) |
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3 things to know about sepsis |
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Sepsis can be deadly—but being aware of the signs can save lives. As Sepsis Awareness Month comes to a close, Sepsis Alliance and BIO share three things you need to know.
1. Sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals. Sepsis claims 350,000 adult lives annually in the U.S., and survivors have a shortened life expectancy. It’s the leading cost in hospitalization, at $53 billion annually.
2. Sepsis can strike anyone. However, very young children, older adults, those with a weakened immune system, racial and ethnic minorities, and lower-income individuals and families face greater risk.
3. Fast diagnosis is important. Watch for “TIME”: - Temperature above normal
- Infection symptoms
- Mental decline, including confusion or difficulty waking
- Extreme illness
A policy treatment: Because sepsis often requires effective antimicrobial medications to treat, antimicrobial resistance makes infections more likely to develop into sepsis. The PASTEUR Act, supported by BIO and Sepsis Alliance, would encourage new antimicrobial development. Read more on Bio.News. |
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New Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus promotes SAF legislation |
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The bipartisan Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus, launched earlier this month, recognizes sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a key tool to meet the difficult challenge of reducing the climate impact of air travel.
Who’s involved: Sens. John Boozman (R-AR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) officially announced the caucus on Sept. 25.
Why SAF: Produced with biotech from renewable feedstocks, SAF is ready for use in existing commercial airline engines and can reduce carbon emissions by 70% compared to conventional fossil fuels. The challenge is producing SAF at commercial scale.
The Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus can provide the legislative support necessary to scale SAF production, which will improve impact and economic feasibility. The proposed Farm to Fly Act, for example, would increase USDA support for SAF.
Who else is helping: The bipartisan Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus was formed in June in the House. BIO belongs to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition of 50+ organizations and companies united to promote SAF.
BIO’s view: “BIO applauds these members of the Senate, who have the foresight to see the immense potential of the sustainable aviation fuel market,” said John Torres, Senior Director, Federal Government Relations, Agriculture & Environment at BIO. “SAF will not only decarbonize commercial air traffic but also create economic development opportunities for American companies.” Read more on Bio.News. |
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What Else to Know This Week |
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Poultry farmers call for bird flu vaccination amid new human cases. Poultry farmers urged U.S. Department of Agriculture approval for vaccines to protect domestic poultry from avian flu as the wildfowl migration, a major spreader of the flu, begins, according to Reuters. USDA says vaccination can prevent trade because both vaccinated and infected birds test positive for H5N1 antigens, but BIO has said this should not be a barrier. Meanwhile, seven apparent avian flu cases in people exposed to a Missouri patient are raising concerns that the virus has mutated to spread from human to human, The New York Times reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating.
COVID vaccination of pregnant mothers helps protect newborns, leading to fewer hospitalizations and less severe outcomes among infants, says a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study. “To help protect pregnant persons and infants too young to be vaccinated, prevention for these groups should focus on ensuring that pregnant persons receive recommended COVID-19 vaccines,” the CDC says.
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Beltway Report: What's Ahead in Washington
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