Feed: "Science News" By: Sahas Mehra on Tuesday, July 21, 2026

An experimental oral vaccine may prevent invasive bacterial diarrhea

Shigella causes about 450,000 U.S. infections each year. An experimental oral vaccine protected adults in a small human trial.

sciencenews.org

'Why do we need vaccines for something that can be prevented with adequate hygiene?' Among the reasons--barely a few shigella bacteria are needed to infect a person, with around half of shigellosis in the U.S. being resistant to at least one antimicrobial drug. My latest for @sciencenews.bsky.social

Science News@sciencenews.bsky.social · 2w ago

Shigella sonnei bacteria are the dominant cause of shigellosis infections in the United States. A vaccine in early trials significantly reduces infections from these easily spreading bacteria. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/oral-vaccine-bacterial-diarrhea

Observational studies suggested the meningitis vaccine could prevent gonorrhea, but a new randomized trial shows no benefit. Learn more: https://scim.ag/4wDQplo

My latest for @science.org Gonorrhea is becoming more antimicrobial resistant, and a vaccine that was expected to prevent it wasn't up to the task. It may still work in other vulnerable people like women, but is all the more reason why we need to back vaccines. www.science.org/content/arti...

Study dampens hope that meningitis vaccine can also prevent gonorrhea

Observational studies suggested the vaccine could do double duty but a randomized trial shows no benefit

science.org

My latest for @science.org Gonorrhea is becoming more antimicrobial resistant, and a vaccine that was expected to prevent it wasn't up to the task. It may still work in other vulnerable people like women, but is all the more reason why we need to back vaccines. www.science.org/content/arti...

Study dampens hope that meningitis vaccine can also prevent gonorrhea

Observational studies suggested the vaccine could do double duty but a randomized trial shows no benefit

science.org

The largest living scorpion is over 20 cm long. But scientists have identified a massive prehistoric scorpion species that was more than 4 times that length and could have been one of the first terrestrial predators. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/largest-scorpion-lived-415-million-years-ago

The world’s largest scorpion lived 415 million years ago

A prehistoric scorpion was the largest ever to exist, and it may have preyed on land and freshwater species.

sciencenews.org

Imagine if you were playing a guitar, and suddenly, it turned into an arachnid...of the same size. Yup. I wrote about the world's largest ever scorpion sp. for @sciencenews.bsky.social. Thanks to Chris Crockett and @haleyweiss.bsky.social for the edits (1/2) www.sciencenews.org/article/larg...

The world’s largest scorpion lived 415 million years ago

A prehistoric scorpion was the largest ever to exist, and it may have preyed on land and freshwater species.

sciencenews.org

I really liked working with @tanyalewis.bsky.social on an underreported SciAm health story earlier this year--everything, right from communication to the edits, were seamless. Please reach out to her with any writing/editing roles you have. #cfbr

Tanya Lewis@tanyalewis.bsky.social · last mo.

After nearly 10 yrs at Scientific American, I was laid off yesterday. It's been the honor of my career working w/such brilliant, caring colleagues & writers. I'm proud of all we achieved and will always love this magazine. I'm #opentowork but first I plan to spend time "cultivating [my] own garden."

After nearly 10 yrs at Scientific American, I was laid off yesterday. It's been the honor of my career working w/such brilliant, caring colleagues & writers. I'm proud of all we achieved and will always love this magazine. I'm #opentowork but first I plan to spend time "cultivating [my] own garden."

I’m so sad to share that yesterday was my last day at Scientific American. It was an honor to work alongside my incredible colleagues and to speak with researchers across the sciences. If you’re looking to hire staff or freelance, please consider me and my other laid off coworkers (🧵)

Today is my last day at Scientific American, which has been sold to LabX media group. For three decades I've led the magazine's coverage of human origins, archaeology, paleontology, animal behavior, ecology, BIRDS. End of an era. Anyway this feels weird to say, but I'm now available for assignments!

My latest for @sciam.bsky.social, where scientists have identified the earliest use of fire--with owl regurgitations (yup!) playing a key role. Many thanks to @clairehcameron.bsky.social for editing this story.

Scientific American@sciam.bsky.social · 2mo ago

A new method that detects whether bones have been burned reveals Homo erectus brought fires into caves far earlier than previous evidence had suggested

A new method that detects whether bones have been burned reveals Homo erectus brought fires into caves far earlier than previous evidence had suggested

Ancient human ancestors may have first used fire 1.79 million years ago

A new method that detects whether bones have been burned reveals Homo erectus brought fires into caves far earlier than previous evidence had suggested

scientificamerican.com

My first for @sciencenews.bsky.social. Many thanks to @carmendrahl.bsky.social and Macon Morehouse for the edits and suggestions! Timely diagnosis is one half of treating a deadly infectious disease like TB, and this cheap and quick test goes a long way in that direction.

Science News@sciencenews.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Up to 4 million people living with tuberculosis remain undiagnosed or untreated, due to limitations to receiving health care or misdiagnosis. But a $4 swab test could change that. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/test-tuberculosis-quick-inexpensive-tb

Up to 4 million people living with tuberculosis remain undiagnosed or untreated, due to limitations to receiving health care or misdiagnosis. But a $4 swab test could change that. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/test-tuberculosis-quick-inexpensive-tb

A $4 tongue swab test detects tuberculosis within 30 minutes

The new test may catch active tuberculosis in those with low access to health care or who have trouble making the phlegm needed for traditional tests.

sciencenews.org

Arsenal Champions, no notes. ❤️🤍🏆

www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu... esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.70364

Camera Traps Reveal Iberian Lynxes Soaking Their Prey, a First-Ever Discovery Among Carnivores

Scientists speculate that the wild cats are trying to improve hydration or ease their cubs’ transition to solid food. The finding points to resilience in one of the world’s most endangered felines

smithsonianmag.com

My first for @smithsonianmag.bsky.social. I write about unusual behaviors displayed by some of the most endangered felines in the world, whose behavioral plasticity is helping them adapt to changing environments. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...

Camera Traps Reveal Iberian Lynxes Soaking Their Prey, a First-Ever Discovery Among Carnivores

Scientists speculate that the wild cats are trying to improve hydration or ease their cubs’ transition to solid food. The finding points to resilience in one of the world’s most endangered felines

smithsonianmag.com

My first for @sciam.bsky.social, where I write about a vaccine in the works against the most common cause of traveler's diarrhea. Many thanks to @tanyalewis.bsky.social and @sarahexplains.bsky.social for editing and considering the story!

Scientific American@sciam.bsky.social · 5mo ago

ETVAX is the first vaccine that offers significant protection against pathogenic E. coli in children

For a news story, I want to interview an epidemiologist/ immunologist familiar with ETEC (Enterotoxigenic E. Coli) infections causing diarrhea, and vaccines that protect against bacterial infections, like E. Coli. Please reach out by Monday. I'll send the research study and some interview questions.

Watch tiny plankton ‘surf’ ocean currents. These microscopic creatures hitch a ride on turbulent waters to travel faster. Learn more: https://scim.ag/4sBbHin

My latest--A science shot for @science.org . That giant spider you spot in a tropical forest, was probably part of an audition for Penn & Teller.

Science Magazine@science.org · 9mo ago

For the first time, scientists have documented an unusual defense: Some species of arachnids build giant doppelgängers on their webs, creating a frightening deception that scares off would-be killers. https://scim.ag/487Myn0

A study of type 1 diabetes in sub-Saharan Africans found that 65 per cent do not have antibodies or genetic risks associated with the disease, suggesting they have a new subtype of the disorder.

New subtype of diabetes found in youths from sub-Saharan Africa

newscientist.com

Hi! am looking for a pediatric diabetologist or endocrinologist to comment on a recent paper about a novel type of diabetes. They can be from any region. I will share the study link immediately once contacted. Please reach out by 1 pm EST on August 6. #journorequest #diabetologist #endocrinologist

This octopus grew a ninth arm—which soon developed a mind of its own. Learn more: scim.ag/44dd10o

Wrote on the first nine-armed octopus to be studied in its natural habitat. Turns out its smaller arms can adapt as they grow stronger, and also function differently from each other. For @science.org #octopus #ninearmedoctopus scim.ag/3FkTP7D

This octopus grew a ninth arm—which soon developed a mind of its own

Study highlights just how flexible cephalopod’s bodies are after injury and during recovery

scim.ag

I'm looking for academic publishing experts, especially those who are working as editors in life sciences journals, to comment on a news story about editorial biases in sci research. Please DM or email- sahasmehra@gmail.com. I'll send the study+2 questions ASAP. I need the comments by Fri 1pm ET.

I'm looking for academic publishing experts, especially in the life sciences, to comment on a news story about editorial biases in sci research. Please DM or email- sahasmehra@gmail.com. I'll send the study+2 questions ASAP. I need the comments by Wed 12pm ET. @academic-chatter.bsky.social

I am looking for #academicpublishing experts, especially those in the life sciences, to comment on a news story about editorial biases in scientific research. Please DM or email at sahasmehra@gmail.com. I will send the study and 2 questions ASAP. I need the comments by Wednesday. #journorequest

I am looking for #academicpublishing experts, especially those in the life sciences, to comment on a news story about editorial biases in scientific research. Please DM or email at sahasmehra@gmail.com. I will send the study and 2 questions ASAP. I need the comments by Wednesday. #journorequest