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Do vaccines cause thrombosis and heart attacks?

Duration: 0:10:00.241632

In this episode, Letícia Sarturi, a scientist with a master's in immunology and a PhD in pathophysiology, addresses the concerns surrounding the association between COVID-19 vaccines and cardiovascular issues such as thrombosis and heart attacks. She highlights that misconceptions and misinformation abound regarding the safety of these vaccines, emphasizing that they save millions of lives worldwide. Letícia references a significant study conducted with nearly 46 million adults in England, published in Nature Communications. This research examined the rates of thrombotic and cardiovascular events following COVID-19 vaccinations, specifically AstraZeneca and Moderna. Surprisingly, the study found that vaccination significantly reduced cardiovascular events. As vaccination rates increased, the incidence of heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolisms, and deep vein thrombosis decreased. Vaccines were shown to provide a net cardiovascular benefit by protecting against severe cases of COVID-19, which inherently carry a high risk of thrombotic and cardiovascular complications. The protective effects of vaccination were notably stronger after the second dose and booster shots. This reinforces the importance of keeping vaccinations up-to-date. Despite these findings, vaccine uptake has declined since 2022, particularly with the emergence of the Omicron variant and updated booster shots. There are growing concerns from the World Health Organization regarding the low demand for these updated vaccines and the potential risk of a more aggressive variant emerging. Letícia urges the public to stay vigilant about their vaccinations to maintain community protection against COVID-19.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: COVID-19 Vaccines and Cardiovascular Health: Debunking Myths

Are we prepared for the next pandemic?

Duration: 0:16:17.423673

Scientists are expressing concerns over the insufficient collection and dissemination of data regarding the avian flu outbreak in cattle. This lack of information is hindering efforts to assess the problem's scale and control the virus. Isabela, former head of the Denis Center for Emerging Viral Diseases in Geneva, Switzerland, emphasizes that current efforts are inadequate. Although the H5N1 virus has not yet been transmitted between humans, the moment this happens, it will lead to an emergency. This situation highlights the potential for future pandemics, especially as climate change increases the likelihood of health crises. Letícia Sarturi, an immunology scientist, discusses the importance of monitoring infectious diseases that could lead to pandemics. Accurate data collection and dissemination are crucial for anticipating and preparing for such outbreaks. The H5N1 virus, which primarily infects birds, has shown mutations that allow it to replicate in mammals—posing a significant alert for a potential pandemic. Sarturi criticizes the inadequate epidemiological surveillance that could prevent chaos before it occurs. For effective monitoring and preparation, scientists require precise epidemiological data and genomic monitoring of viruses. The relationship between science and government is crucial; scientific discoveries must influence policy to ensure proper infrastructure for data collection and monitoring. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the dire need for improved readiness in public health. The H5N1 virus is particularly concerning due to recent infections in mammals. Despite no reported human-to-human transmission yet, the virus shows high pathogenicity in humans, raising alarms. Cases in Cambodia highlight the virus's lethal potential, and the spread of H5N1 in the Americas has shown lower lethality, which emphasizes the variability in the virus's impact. To monitor viruses like H5N1 effectively, it is essential to gather comprehensive data on virus distribution and conduct antibodies testing in potentially infected individuals. Genomic monitoring can help understand the virus's evolution, preparing the world for the possibility of human transmission. This field of pandemic pathogen monitoring has grown significantly since COVID-19, and scientists globally are actively working to improve the forecasting and tracking of infectious agents with pandemic potential.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: The Global Threat of Avian Flu: Monitoring and Data Collection ChallengesPreventing Future Pandemics

Science news roundup in Brazil

Duration: 0:12:56.594285

Before the episode begins, the host emphasizes the effort involved in producing it weekly and requests listeners to support the podcast by following, rating, and recommending it to others. The host explains that financial support, even small amounts, is greatly appreciated and can help cover operational costs. Supporters can join a group for direct interaction with the production team. In this episode, the focus is on celebrating Brazilian scientific achievements, showcasing innovative research that impacts both Brazil and the world. The host invites listeners to be inspired by the creativity and intelligence of Brazilian researchers. The episode highlights the recognition of researchers from the Federal University of Paraíba for their social inclusion initiative, "V Libras," which translates Portuguese content to Brazilian Sign Language and has gained significant usage. Another segment discusses ongoing research aimed at addressing mercury contamination among Indigenous peoples in the Amazon due to illegal mining. A significant percentage of tested Indigenous individuals were found to have high mercury levels in their hair, provoking health concerns. There are positive developments, as researcher Teresa Cristina Souza de Oliveira is working on a project to measure mercury levels and implement water treatment systems for affected communities, utilizing activated charcoal made from açaí pits. Lastly, the episode touches on the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing the challenges of long COVID and ongoing Brazilian research into its effects.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: ScienceBrazilian Scientific Innovations and Social Impact

Necropolitics

Duration: 0:20:36.871837

The text discusses the political and philosophical concepts of "necropolitics," particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The speaker, Letícia Sarturi, a scientist with a background in immunology and biociences, aims to explain how political power influences societal health and life quality. Sarturi critiques those who undermine scientific evidence and spread misinformation, stating that such actions can lead to a distorted reality. She emphasizes the need for public awareness of the worst phases of the pandemic to prevent similar situations in the future. The discussion includes insights from philosopher Michel Foucault, who introduced the ideas of biopower and biopolitics, indicating that power extends beyond formal political structures and impacts all areas of social life, influencing public health policies and population control. The concept of necropolitics, as formulated by philosopher Achille Mbembe, is described as an extension of biopower that focuses on the management of death and the state's authority to determine who may live and who must die. This form of governance can manifest through various methods of systemic violence and neglect, especially against marginalized groups. Sarturi underscores the importance of remembering history and advocating for justice and reparations to avoid repeating past injustices.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Politics

Science for national sovereignty

Duration: 0:18:07.111837

Before the episode begins, the host, Letícia Sarturi, requests support for the podcast, emphasizing the effort required to produce weekly content. She encourages listeners to follow, rate, and recommend the podcast to help spread scientific knowledge. Additionally, she mentions ways to support financially through platforms like Apoia.se and PicPay or by making a Pix donation. The episode focuses on the theme of national sovereignty, particularly in the context of the Brazilian scientific landscape. Letícia discusses the importance of scientific autonomy for national sovereignty, highlighting Brazil's dependence on other countries due to low investment in science (approximately 1.2% of GDP compared to over 3% in countries like the U.S. and Germany). She points out historical fluctuations in funding, which have negatively affected research and education. The discussion emphasizes how strengthening Brazilian science can lead to greater independence and sovereignty. Letícia shares personal experiences from her academic journey, illustrating the challenges faced when relying on imported reagents due to insufficient domestic production. She discusses recent government initiatives, such as the inauguration of a pharmaceutical factory in Pernambuco that will produce a key hemophilia treatment, significantly reducing reliance on foreign imports. Furthermore, Letícia highlights Brazil's capability in vaccine production, noting that vaccines for COVID-19 were partially produced domestically, showcasing the potential of Brazilian institutions like Fiocruz and Butantan. Both institutes play critical roles in producing vaccines and other biological products crucial for public health. The episode aims to shed light on how scientific advancements can contribute to Brazil's sovereignty and future development.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: ScienceBrazil's Scientific Sovereignty and National Development

Biotech and Health: at the forefront of innovation in health 💡 #187

Duration: 0:27:16.181338

This is the Blue podcast featuring Bairro Brasil, hosted by Camila and Laura Murta, who welcome André Miceli, a prominent figure in the field of biotechnology and innovation. The podcast focuses on the intersection of technology and business, emphasizing the significant transformations occurring in the biotech and health markets due to technological advancements. André reflects on the journey of Brazil's biotechnology sector, which has roots dating back to 1861. He discusses how the platform "Smart Technology Review" was established to translate scientific advancements into accessible knowledge, aiming to popularize complex technological concepts. The transition from a newsletter to a platform that includes events and digital media highlights the mission to make this content understandable and applicable for diverse audiences. The conversation touches on the importance of biotechnology and health technologies in Brazil, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and underscores ongoing challenges related to technological access and awareness across different regions of the country. André notes Brazil's uneven landscape, where major cities exhibit varying levels of understanding about biotechnological innovations compared to more remote areas. He emphasizes the role of technology in facilitating health advancements and the need for localized content. The podcast aims to engage both end consumers and health professionals by providing insights into biotechnology's applications, thus fostering informed discussions around health innovations within the Brazilian context. Overall, the podcast explores the balance between the potential of biotechnology and the barriers that impede its widespread adoption.

Language: Brazilian Portuguese
Topics: Biotechnology in BrazilThe Role of Technology in Advancing Health