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Anyone following the rhetoric around <keyword id="107950" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Artificial-Intelligence" source="Orion">artificial intelligence</keyword> in recent years has heard one version or another of the cl<keyword id="6355999" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI" source="Orion">ai</keyword>m that AI is inevitable. Common themes are that AI is already here and indispensable, and people who are bearish on it harm themselves. In the business world, AI advocates tell companies and workers that they will fall behind if they fail to integrate generative AI into their operations. In the sciences, AI advocates promise that AI will aid in curing hitherto intractable diseases. In higher education, AI promoters admonish teachers that students must learn how to use AI or risk becoming uncompetitive when it comes time to find a job. In national security, AI's champions say that either the nation invests heavily in AI weaponry, or it will be at a disadvantage against the Chinese and Russians, who are already doing so. The argument across these different domains is essentially the same: The time for AI skepticism has come and gone. The <keyword id="6355118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="technology" source="Orion">technology</keyword> will shape the future, whether you like it or not. You have the choice to learn how to use it or be left out of that future. Anyone trying to stand in the technology's way is as hopeless as the manual weavers who resisted the mechanical looms in the early 19th century. In the past few years, my colleagues and I (Nir Eisikovits, Professor of Philosophy and Director, Applied Ethics Center, UMass Boston) have been studying the ethical questions raised by the widespread adoption of AI, and I believe the inevitability argument is misleading. <h2>History and hindsight</h2> This claim is the most recent version of a deterministic view of technological development. It's the belief that innovations are unstoppable once people start working on them. In other words, some genies don't go back in their bottles. The best you can do is harness them for your good purposes. This deterministic approach to tech has a long history. It's been applied to the influence of the printing press as well as to the rise of automobiles and the infrastructure they require, among other developments. But I believe that when it comes to AI, the technological determinism argument is both exaggerated and oversimplified. <h2>AI in the field(s)</h2> Consider the contention that businesses can't afford to stay out of the AI game. The case has yet to be made that AI is delivering significant productivity gains to the firms that use it. A report in The <keyword id="20856675" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economist" source="keywords">Economist</keyword> in July 2024 suggests that so far, the technology has had almost no economic impact. AI's role in higher education is also still very much an open question. Though universities have, in the past two years, invested heavily in AI-related initiatives, evidence suggests they may have jumped the gun. The technology can serve as an interesting pedagogical tool. For example, creating a Plato chatbot that lets students have a text conversation with a bot posing as Plato is a cool gimmick. However, AI is already starting to displace some of the best tools teachers have for assessment and for developing critical thinking, such as writing assignments. The college essay is going the way of the dinosaurs as more teachers give up on the ability to tell whether their students are writing their papers themselves. What's the cost-benefit argument for giving up on writing, an important and useful traditional skill? In the sciences and medicine, the use of AI seems promising. Its role in understanding the structure of proteins, for example, will likely be significant for curing diseases. The technology is also transforming medical imaging and has been helpful in accelerating the drug discovery process. But the excitement can become exaggerated. AI-based predictions about which cases of COVID-19 would become severe have roundly failed, and doctors rely excessively on the technology's diagnostic ability, often against their own better clinical judgment. And so, even in this area, where the potential is great, AI's ultimate impact is unclear. In national security, the argument for investing in AI development is compelling. Since the stakes can be high, the argument that if the Chinese and the Russians are developing AI-driven autonomous weapons, the United States can't afford to fall behind has real purchase. But a complete surrender to this form of reasoning, though tempting, is likely to lead the <keyword id="19899807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-" source="keywords">U.S.</keyword> to overlook the disproportionate impact of these systems on nations that are too poor to participate in the AI arms race. The major powers could deploy the technology in conflicts in these nations. And, just as significantly, this argument de-emphasizes the possibility of collaborating with adversaries on limiting military AI systems, favoring arms race over arms control.<h2> One step at a time</h2> Surveying the potential significance and risks of AI in these different domains merits some skepticism about the technology. I believe that AI should be adopted piecemeal and with a nuanced approach rather than subject to sweeping claims of inevitability. In developing this careful take, there are two things to keep in mind: -First, companies and entrepreneurs working on artificial intelligence have an obvious interest in the technology being perceived as inevitable and necessary, since they make a living from its adoption. It's important to pay attention to who is making claims of inevitability, and why. -Second, it's worth taking a lesson from recent history. Over the past 15 years, smartphones and the social media apps that run on them have come to be seen as a fact of life - a technology as transformative as it is inevitable. Then data started emerging about the <keyword id="6354774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mental-health" source="Orion">mental health</keyword> harms they cause teens, especially young girls. School districts across the United States started to ban phones to protect the attention spans and mental health of their students. And some people have reverted to using flip phones as a quality of life change to avoid smartphones. After a long experiment with the mental health of kids, facilitated by claims of technological determinism, Americans changed course. What seemed fixed turned out to be alterable. There is still time to avoid repeating the same mistake with artificial intelligence, which potentially could have larger consequences for society.

Is AI dominance inevitable? A technology ethicist says no, actually

<keyword id="20207838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dsp-mutual-fund" source="keywords">DSP Mutual Fund</keyword>'s September 2024 Netra report credits <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s strong economic recovery to increased fiscal expenditure. The report, which tracks current economic trends and market insights through various charts, emphasizes the need for the private corporate sector and households to play a larger role in sustaining the ongoing growth momentum. Netra also pointed out an unsettling calm in the markets, with the Nifty 50 TRI index maintaining an impressive 53-month streak without a 5% decline and 13 years without a drop greater than 10%. Sahil Kapoor, Head of Products and Market Strategist, DSP Mutual Fund, said, "The calm in the markets, marked by an unnerving lack of volatility, is a double-edged sword. While it provides a sense of stability, it also masks underlying risks that could surface unexpectedly, catching investors off guard. To ensure a sustainable recovery, there is a need for the private sector and households to take the lead, transforming fiscal stimulus into lasting economic growth." However, the report notes a shift in market dynamics, with the momentum factor, which has outperformed since the COVID-19 bottom, beginning to lose its dominance. At the same time, the quality factor, which had underperformed over the last four years, is now seeing a resurgence, potentially indicating a change in market leadership that could favour quality-orientated funds, both active and passive. The report highlights the critical role government spending has played in the recovery, with a focus on capital investments crucial for future growth. However, contributions from the private corporate sector and households have lagged. It also draws attention to a slowdown in India's per capita consumption, approaching lows seen in previous cycles. Given that consumption accounts for around 60% of GDP, it is vital that this sector grows at a rate exceeding GDP growth to stimulate private capital expenditure. India's <keyword id="487578" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tax-collections" source="Orion">tax collections</keyword> have demonstrated robust growth, with gross tax revenue showing a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14 %. This growth, largely driven by <keyword id="6354751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="income-tax" source="Orion">income tax</keyword>, indicates a rising dependency on capital gains and stock market performance, introducing new vulnerabilities to the economy. The banking and financial services sector (<keyword id="19910880" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bfsi" source="keywords">BFSI</keyword>) has emerged as a key driver of market earnings, recording a 12 % increase in profit after tax (PAT) growth, significantly outpacing the 4.6 % growth observed in non-BFSI Nifty 50 companies. This disparity underscores the sector's importance in India's economic story and highlights promising investment opportunities.

India's strong economic recovery is led by fiscal expenditure: DSP MF

With hundreds of finger-licking preparations, India loves chicken in a way that may be indescribable to a non-resident. However, with the way things are progressing in the avian world, we could soon see a surge in disdain for the delectable meat, and in perhaps the same way the masses denounced bats during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a surprising and alarming twist, <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07849-4">new research</a> has found that <keyword id="20633083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="avian-influenza" source="keywords">avian influenza</keyword>, or <keyword id="20396857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bird-flu" source="keywords">bird flu</keyword>, has jumped from birds to dairy cattle across many parts of the United States. Initially detected in wild birds, the <keyword id="21348322" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H5N1" source="keywords">H5N1</keyword> had led to symptoms like reduced appetite, respiratory distress, and a significant drop in milk production. "This is one of the first times that we are seeing evidence of efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1," said Diego Diel, a virology expert who has written extensively about the topic. As per the new report, significant amounts of the virus has now been identified in the mammary glands of infected cows, meaning their milk itself has the ability to infect others. Researchers have even documented cases where cats and a raccoon became infected, likely from consuming the raw milk from infected cows. Although pasteurisation has shown the ability to kill the virus, the newfound ability to jump from cows to other mammals remains particularly troubling, especially considering how reliant we are on cow products such as beef and milk. <h2>Human cases and <keyword id="22448349" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pandemic-potential" source="keywords">pandemic potential</keyword></h2>If you’re feeling comfortable in the thought that the virus has some ways to go before humans need to be concerned, you might want to think again. So far, 11 human cases have already been reported in the US, primarily linked to cattle and <keyword id="20524711" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="poultry-farms" source="keywords">poultry farms</keyword>. While these cases have resulted in mild symptoms, experts worry that the virus could mutate, enhancing its transmissibility among humans. This possibility is a significant concern for scientists and health authorities. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="109054967" title="Scientists warn of bird flu pandemic that could be &amp;#39;100 times worse&amp;#39; than COVID after rare human case found in US" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Further, as viruses do, H5N1 is already evolving at a rapid pace. A <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.14.603367">separate study </a>led by researchers at UNC Charlotte found that the latest variants of H5N1 are getting better at evading antibodies, including those in humans. According to the researchers, these mutations could potentially lead the virus towards pandemic status if it continues to adapt and spread among mammals. <h2>Will developing nations be able to cope?</h2>Given these developments, continuous monitoring of the virus in both animals and humans is critical. The US Department of Agriculture has funded H5N1 testing programs to detect and manage outbreaks early. Enhanced biosecurity measures and quarantine protocols will undoubtedly be critical to prevent the virus from spreading to pandemic levels. However, this is a task much easier said than done for developing countries, who often lack the infrastructure and resources needed for such robust surveillance and response. Many of these countries have limited access to advanced diagnostic tools, vaccines, and antiviral treatments. This disparity leaves large portions of the global population vulnerable to the spread of H5N1. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110941217" title="WHO confirms human case of bird flu in India! H9N2 virus detected in a four-year child in West Bengal" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>The World Health Organization has repeatedly stressed the need for global cooperation and support to strengthen health systems in underprepared regions. Without adequate resources, these countries may struggle to detect and contain the virus, potentially allowing it to spread unchecked. This not only endangers local populations but also increases the risk of a global pandemic. The implications of these studies are clear: the H5N1 virus is moving closer to pandemic potential. As it spreads among mammals, the risk of it adapting to humans increases. The world needs to prepare now to avoid being caught off guard, as was the case with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cows are now spreading bird flu to each other — here's why that's problematic for humans

Data from the <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO) indicates that more than 80% of <keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>-related deaths between 2020 and 2021 occurred in people aged 60 and above. Subsequent studies consistently highlighted the increased vulnerability of those over 65 to severe COVID-19 symptoms, and now researchers may have uncovered the reason behind this trend. To comprehend how the corona<keyword id="19994619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="virus" source="keywords">virus</keyword> attacks our bodies, a study investigated the role of our noses, which are the initial point of contact with the virus. Researchers aimed to understand how nasal cells react to the <keyword id="20249557" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SARS-CoV-2" source="keywords">SARS-CoV-2</keyword> virus, hoping to uncover insights for tailored treatment approaches for different age demographics. The study focused on the early impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on human nasal epithelial cells (NECs). Epithelial cells, abundant throughout our bodies, play crucial roles in bodily functions and protection. Researchers cultured NECs to replicate the nasal cavity's cellular environment and infected them with SARS-CoV-2. Analysing cells from participants across various age brackets, including children (0-11 years), adults (30-50 years), and the <keyword id="19948381" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elderly" source="keywords">elderly</keyword> (over 70 years), the study identified age-specific responses to the virus. Children's NECs quickly increased interferon production upon SARS-CoV-2 exposure, effectively limiting viral replication. In contrast, NECs from older individuals exhibited increased viral replication, accompanied by heightened cell shedding and damage. This disparity may explain why <keyword id="21324937" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="older-people" source="keywords">older people</keyword> face a higher risk of severe COVID-19, despite widespread vaccination efforts. Lead author Claire Smith explains, "Our research highlights age-related changes in nasal cells and their impact on our ability to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. This insight is crucial for developing targeted antiviral treatments, especially for older adults who are at greater risk of severe COVID-19." Understanding age-specific differences in nasal cell response to SARS-CoV-2 could lead to targeted antiviral therapies that boost interferon production in older adults, potentially reducing the severity of COVID-19 and lowering mortality rates in this demographic. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of considering age as a significant factor in researching and treating infectious diseases. Beyond COVID-19, future studies should explore how <keyword id="19900302" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ageing" source="keywords">ageing</keyword> affects the body's response to other viral infections, informing preventive measures and therapeutic interventions across different age groups. The research findings have been published in Nature Microbiology and can be accessed <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41564-024-01658-1" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

The ageing of nasal tissues may explain why older people are more affected by COVID-19: research

The <keyword id="8858345" type="General" weightage="60" keywordseo="sars-cov-2" source="Orion">SARS-CoV-2</keyword> virus is found in the lungs of certain individuals for up to 18 months after the infection, according to a study. One to two weeks after contracting COVID, the SARS-CoV-2 virus generally becomes undetectable in the upper respiratory tract. A team from the Institut Pasteur in collaboration with a French public research institute, the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), conducted the study on lung cells in an animal model. The results, published in the journal Nature Immunology, show not only that SARS-CoV-2 is found in the lungs of certain individuals for up to 18 months after infection, but also that its persistence appears to be linked to a failure of innate immunity, the first line of defense against pathogens. Some viruses persist in the body in a discreet and undetectable manner after causing an infection. They remain in what are known as 'viral reservoirs', the researchers said. This is the case for HIV, which remains latent in certain immune cells and can reactivate at any time. It could also be the case for the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes <keyword id="8763838" type="General" weightage="90" keywordseo="covid-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword>, they said. "We observed that inflammation persisted for long periods in primates that had been infected by SARS-CoV-2. We therefore suspected that it could be due to the presence of the virus in the body," said Michaela Muller-Trutwin, Head of the Institut Pasteur's HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit. The study analysed biological samples from animal models that had been infected by the virus. Initial results from the study indicate that viruses were found in the lungs of some individuals six to 18 months after infection, even though the virus was undetectable in the upper respiratory tract or blood. The researchers also found that the amount of persistent virus in the lungs was lower for the Omicron strain than for the original SARS-CoV-2 strain. "We were really surprised to find viruses in certain immune cells - alveolar macrophages - after such a long period and when regular PCR tests were negative," said Nicolas Huot, first author of the study and researcher in the Institut Pasteur's HIV, Inflammation and Persistence Unit. "What's more, we cultured these viruses and were able to observe, using the tools we developed to study HIV, that they were still capable of replicating," Huot said. To understand the role of innate immunity in controlling these viral reservoirs, the scientists then turned their attention to NK (natural killer) cells. "The cellular response of innate immunity, which is the body's first line of defense, has been little studied in SARS-CoV-2 infections until now," said Muller-Trutwin. "Yet it has long been known that NK cells play an important role in controlling viral infections," the researcher said. The study shows that in some animals, macrophages infected with SARS-CoV-2 become resistant to destruction by NK cells, while in others, NK cells are able to adapt to infection (known as adaptive NK cells) and destroy resistant cells, in this case macrophages. The study sheds light on a mechanism that may explain the presence of viral reservoirs. While individuals with little or no long-term virus had adaptive NK cell production, individuals with higher levels of virus had not only an absence of adaptive NK cells, but also a reduction in NK cell activity, the researchers added.

Covid virus can persist in lungs for up to two years: Study

COVID-19 has changed the way the world works, quite literally. About 100 million people worldwide now spend a mix of days at home and in the office each week, more than four years after the pandemic lockdowns upended traditional job routines. Yet, a significant question remains unresolved: Is letting employees <keyword id="20231207" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="work-from-home" source="keywords">work from home</keyword> a couple of days a week actually beneficial for productivity, <keyword id="20154404" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-satisfaction" source="keywords">job satisfaction</keyword> and career progression? <keyword id="22043671" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nicholas-Bloom" source="keywords">Nicholas Bloom</keyword>, a prominent Stanford economist, has provided compelling insights into this ongoing debate, suggesting that <keyword id="10310934" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="hybrid-work" source="Orion">hybrid work</keyword> schedules can be mutually advantageous for employees and their companies. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The Trip.com trials" comment="subhead" text="The Trip.com trials">The Trip.com trials</cmsannotation> At the heart of Bloom’s research is an experiment conducted by Trip.com, one of the world's leading online travel agencies, back in 2021. Involving 1,600 employees from various backgrounds, the study split participants based on their birthdates into groups working full-time in the office and those adopting a hybrid model. The research team analysed their performance and promotion data over two years, focusing on productivity and work quality comparisons between these groups. The analysis revealed that employees working remotely for two days each week matched the productivity levels and promotion rates of their counterparts who remained in the office full-time. Additionally, the experiment highlighted a notable decrease in employee turnover. Those who switched to a hybrid schedule saw a 33% reduction in resignations, with the most significant retention observed among women, non-managers and long-commute workers. This reduction in turnover minimised attrition, translating into cost savings worth millions of dollars for Trip.com. “The results are clear: Hybrid work is a win-win-win for <keyword id="21311443" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="employee-productivity" source="keywords">employee productivity</keyword>, performance and retention,” said Bloom, who holds the William D. Eberle Professorship of Economics at Stanford and is also a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What’s with the hybrid hesitation?" comment="subhead" text="What’s with the hybrid hesitation?">What’s with the hybrid hesitation?</cmsannotation> Hybrid work continues to have its fair share of critics, notable among which are Elon Musk, head of Tesla, SpaceX and X, and Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase. They have argued that remote work, in any form, undermines employee training, innovation and company culture. According to Bloom, the issue with such critics is that they often confuse hybrid schedules with fully remote work, leading to mixed perceptions. Most research has targeted jobs that don’t necessitate office presence, like customer support or data entry, where the findings are inconsistent and often lean negative. Bloom believes the issues with such completely remote work primarily emerge from poor management. Unlike previous studies, Bloom’s research is the most extensive examination of hybrid work among university-educated professionals to date. It uses a randomised controlled trial approach, allowing the researchers to link the observed benefits directly to Trip.com’s <keyword id="20445439" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hybrid-work-model" source="keywords">hybrid work model</keyword>, rather than external factors. “If managed right, letting employees work from home two or three days a week still gets you the level of mentoring, culture-building, and innovation that you want. From an economic policymaking standpoint, hybrid work is one of the few instances where there aren't major trade-offs with clear winners and clear losers. There are almost only winners,” Bloom concluded. Reflecting on these findings, Trip.com has fully embraced hybrid work across the company, signalling their support for this progressive work arrangement. The study was recently published in the journal Nature and can be accessed <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07500-2">here</a>.

Hybrid work model boosts employee productivity, career growth and loyalty to company, Stanford study concludes

Reduced working hours and more flexible working time arrangements, such as those used during the Covid-19 crisis, can bring benefits for economies, businesses and workers, such as greater productivity and improved work-life balance, a new report released by the <keyword id="240184" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="international-labour-organization" source="Orion">International Labour Organization</keyword> (<keyword id="6456249" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="ilo" source="Orion">ILO</keyword>) released. The report, titled '<keyword id="15995305" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="working-time-and-work-life-balance-around" source="Orion">Working Time and Work-Life Balance Around</keyword> the World', is the first of its kind. It provides a comprehensive review of both main aspects of working time -- working hours and working time arrangements -- and their effects on workers' work-life balance, reports Xinhua news agency. According to the report, a substantial portion of the global workforce is now working either long or short hours when compared to a standard eight-hour day or 40-hour working week. More than one-third of all workers are regularly working more than 48 hours per week, while a fifth of the global workforce is working short hours of less than 35 hours per week. The Covid-19 crisis measures yielded powerful new evidence that giving workers more flexibility in how, where and when they work can be positive both for them and for business, for example by improving productivity, the report said. Inclusive short-time work schemes with the highest possible allowances not only maintain employment but also sustain purchasing power and create the possibility of cushioning the effects of economic crises, the report emphasized, adding that public policy responses are needed to promote reductions in hours of work in many countries to promote both a healthy work-life balance and improved productivity. "There is a substantial amount of evidence that work-life balance policies provide significant benefits to enterprises, supporting the argument that such policies are a 'win-win' for both employers and employees," the report stated. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/air-india-issues-show-cause-notices-de-rosters-4-cabin-crew-1-pilot/articleshow/96812818.cms">Air India issues show cause notices, de-rosters 4 cabin crew, 1 pilot</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/this-startup-is-using-abandoned-gas-pipelines-from-1800s-to-ease-telecom-traffic-via-network-as-a-service/articleshow/96809621.cms">This startup is using abandoned gas pipelines from 1800s to ease telecom traffic via network as a service</a>

Flexible working hours can benefit productivity, work-life balance: ILO

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Moderna lowered its annual sales forecast as sales of its COVID-19 vaccine dropped by 37%.</li><li>The company's vaccine sales struggled especially in Europe, where Pfizer has a deal until 2026.</li></ul>People are getting fewer COVID-19 shots, and it's hitting former vaccine heavyweight Moderna, new earnings show.The company's second quarter revenue dropped to $241 million, compared to $344 million a year ago, as sales of its COVID-19 vaccine dropped 37% year-over-year.The company's executives told investors that this drop reflects a more seasonal COVID-19 vaccine market, where people will likely get the vaccine during the fall and winter. It also acknowledged that it's been all but shut out of the European vaccine market.Moderna also lowered its sales forecast for the year to between $3 billion and $3.5 billion, down from its previous forecast of around $4 billion.Its stock tumbled as much as 21% on Thursday.The sales slump also indicates tougher competition in Europe, where Moderna's vaccine sales saw especially drastic losses after Pfizer renegotiated a contract with the bloc that ends in 2026."Given where we are in the season combined with where we are in the budget season for many countries and their existing supplies," there's a "very low probability" of high sales in Europe this year," CEO Stephane Bancel told analysts on the earnings call.Moderna executives also pointed to more competition in respiratory vaccines in the US, though said that its seeing positive results from recent trials of its new RSV vaccine mRESVIA and dual Covid-19 and flu vaccine.Competitor Pfizer also saw a decline in Covid-19 shots last quarter, but managed to surpass analyst expectations and raise its full-year outlook with broad cost cuts and sales of its non-Covid products.

Moderna stock tumbles 21% as earnings show people aren't getting as many COVID shots

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Why have there been so many product recalls lately?</li><li>Data shows that product recalls increased 11% from 2022 to 2023, reaching a seven-year high.</li></ul>What's with all the product recalls lately?In the past two weeks alone, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts">FDA has tracked</a> a dozen recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts for products ranging from ground cinnamon to eye ointment to chocolate bars.Trader Joe's, for example, has <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-recalls-chicken-dumplings-over-hard-plastics-2024-3">already recalled at least six items</a> so far this year. Its chicken soup dumplings were recalled last week over fears that they could contain plastic.It's not just a coincidence; recalls are on the rise.From 2022 to 2023, the number of product recalls increased by 11%, hitting a seven-year high, according to a <a target="_blank" href="https://marketing.sedgwick.com/acton/attachment/4952/f-f9fce568-6f90-40a4-9757-4c46ad16b3d4/1/-/-/-/-/Sedgwick%20Brand%20Protection%20-%20State%20of%20the%20Nation%202024%20Recall%20Index%20Report%20-%20US%20Edition.pdf?utm_term=Download%20Report&amp;utm_campaign=2023%20Recall%20index%20report%20-%20edition%204&amp;utm_content=landing+page&amp;utm_source=Act-On+Software&amp;utm_medium=landing+page&amp;cm_mmc=Act-On%20Software-_-Landing%20Page-_-2023%20Recall%20index%20report%20-%20edition%204-_-Download%20Report&amp;sid=TV2:mipSSvOxO">2024 State of the Nation Recall Index report from Sedgwick Brand Protection</a>.The report found 3,301 recall events in 2023 across five industries: automotive, consumer product, food and drink, medical device, and pharmaceutical, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-product-recalls-surge-11-in-2023-to-hit-seven-year-high-302062624.html">Sedgwick said in a press release</a>.Although the number of recalls increased last year for the second year in a row, Sedgwick said that the number of defective units — whether that's an individual car or a single packet of food — decreased nearly 50% compared to 2022.And it wasn't just 2023 that saw a rise in the total number of recalls. Between 2018 and 2022, recalls from both the FDA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission increased 115%, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.mastercontrol.com/gxp-lifeline/rise-in-product-recalls-impact-on-quality-management/">research from quality-control software company MasterControl</a>.The most common reasons for recalls between both agencies include allergens, foodborne illnesses, contamination risks, child safety, and fire hazards, according to MasterControl's report.But allergies, illnesses, and safety concerns have always been around, so what's behind the surge in recalls? Unsurprisingly, there's no singular reason, but one factor may be stricter regulations.The Food Safety Modernization Act — the biggest amendment to food safety laws in decades — was passed in 2011. It established stricter regulations and gave the FDA greater power to order recalls from manufacturers.The pandemic also created more rigorous guidelines for product safety.At the height of the pandemic, the FDA had to do a lot of its testing and inspections remotely, which meant it had to adopt more stringent policies to make sure products were safe, MasterControl explained. While some of those policies lapsed when the COVID-19 public health emergency ended, others <a target="_blank" href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2023-03-13/pdf/2023-05094.pdf">remain in place</a>.And more regulations may be coming in 2024."As product recalls reached a seven-year high in 2023, it is clear that strict regulatory enforcement is more than a passing trend," Chris Harvey, a Senior Vice President at Sedgwick, said in the press release."2024 will see continued oversight from regulators, policymakers, and consumers, making it essential for businesses to plan and practice for product recalls and in-market crises."

Noticing more product recalls lately? It's not just you.     

<keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> is a prime example of successfully growing a domestic pharmaceutical industry capable of meeting global supply needs, a top <keyword id="56000" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="UNICEF" source="Orion">UNICEF</keyword> official said. India can share its expertise and learnings from the model it used to foster the pharmaceutical industry with countries and regions trying to build capacities including how to incentivise the private sector, ensure regulatory and quality assurance systems in place and develop a globally competitive industry, Tara L Prasad, Senior Manager, <keyword id="17626198" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="centre-for-health-emergency-strategy" source="Orion">Centre for Health Emergency Strategy</keyword> and Partnerships at UNICEF, said. She is here to attend the third G20 Health Working Group meeting that is being held from June 4 to 6. "Further, India can share lessons on how to create an enabling environment, including investments in human and physical capital, as well as its learnings in moving beyond generic industry to expanding research and development innovator industry," Prasad said. The G20 more broadly can call upon its industry to ensure manufacturers include licensing and technology transfer for essential and emergency health supplies to different regions to ensure equitable access. On the key lessons learnt from the <keyword id="8764262" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="covid" source="Orion">COVID</keyword>-19 pandemic that can guide how G20 countries and the global health community collectively strengthen coordination for access to medical countermeasures, Prasad said Covid was unprecedented in its global scale, the novelty of the virus and the wide socio-economic repercussions and ripple effects it created. Looking at Covid, some key lessons are that equity needs to be considered from the start and across the value chain. And, secondly, low-and middle-income country stakeholders need to be involved from the onset to ensure access partnerships take into account the context and needs of the countries they aim to support, she said. "Thirdly, vaccines alone are not enough. We need a toolkit with many interventions including tests, treatments, personal protective equipment and ancillary supplies," she said. "Related to that, efforts need to be multi-sectoral considering the cascading effect of a health emergency - water, sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention control measures are equally important," Prasad stated. Manufacturing of medical countermeasures needs to be geographically diversified to ensure resilience against global shocks, reduced lead times during an outbreak, and increase overall regional and global health security. "We need more investments in research and development for priority pathogens including those with limited market size and limited R and D investments and to create more incentives for industry to engage and increase risk-sharing between public and private sectors," Prasad said. Strengthening health systems needs to be an integral part of preparedness, including strengthening primary health care systems at the community level, she said, adding this will ensure systems are better prepared to deliver novel medical countermeasures (MCMs) when they become available. "Community engagement is essential to reduce hesitancy and increase trust and uptake in MCMs," she stated. On critical components of the global MCM coordination, she said, "We have the opportunity to ensure the world emerges from the Covid pandemic stronger than before." The Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator - ACT-A - partnership is "an example of what is possible if we work together. Building on the collaboration and lessons learnt from ACT-A we are now in a position to reinvigorate efforts to ensure more equitable global health outcomes," she said. "We cannot let 'peacetime' between pandemics and largescale health emergencies result in complacency. For the next pandemic, the world will need a diversified vaccine and product portfolio, expanded production spread across the world, and stronger and more resilient health systems," she said. Equity needs to be at the heart of access to medical countermeasures, and the emphasis of global collaboration needs to prioritise reaching the vulnerable, the hardest to reach and the most underserved, including women and children, she said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/kochi-startup-that-connects-farmers-consumers-selected-for-uns-accelerator-programme/articleshow/100792335.cms">Kochi startup that connects farmers &amp; consumers selected for UN's Accelerator Programme</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/pan-india-drug-trafficking-cartel-using-cryptocurrency-through-dark-net-busted/articleshow/100790847.cms">Pan-India drug trafficking cartel using cryptocurrency through dark net busted</a>

India a prime example of successfully growing domestic pharma industry: UNICEF official

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Jeff Bridges says that he's "feeling great now," three years after his cancer went into remission. </li><li>Bridges was diagnosed with lymphoma in 2020, and caught COVID-19 in early 2021. </li></ul><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bridges-wife-susan-marriage-longevity-2024-5">Jeff Bridges</a> is more than ready to go ahead with the season two premiere of his FX series "The Old Man," three years after he contracted COVID-19 while undergoing chemotherapy.Bridges appeared on Wednesday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour alongside his "Old Man" costar <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-crown-cast-real-life-2017-1">John Lithgow</a> and executive producers Jonathan Steinberg, Dan Shotz, and Warren Littlefield. Bridges spoke about the show's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctsG1r50egs&amp;feature=youtu.be">upcoming second season</a> and gave an update on his health."I'm feeling great now. I'm coming back for more punishment," Bridges said.Bridges announced in October 2020 that he had been <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bridges-announces-lymphoma-diagnosis-with-big-lebowski-quote-2020-10">diagnosed with lymphoma</a>. Early the following year he said he <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bridges-covid-19-chemotherapy-cancer-2021-9">caught COVID-19</a> while undergoing chemotherapy. Bridges was in the hospital for five weeks, and told <a target="_blank" href="https://people.com/health/jeff-bridges-says-he-was-close-to-dying-covid-while-in-chemo/">People</a> that he was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bridges-almost-died-covid-chemotherapy-2022-5">"pretty close to dying."</a>In <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-new-tv-shows-june-ms-marvel-the-old-man-2022-6">"The Old Man,"</a> Bridges plays Dan Chase, a former CIA operative haunted by his past. The show's first season went on a production hiatus after Bridges' diagnosis. It resumed production in 2022 after he announced in September 2021 that he was in remission, <a target="_blank" href="https://deadline.com/2021/09/jeff-bridges-cancer-remission-eyes-return-production-the-old-man-1234832157/">Deadline</a> reported."In the first season when I was doing these fight scenes, I had a 9-inch by 12-inch tumor in my body, in my stomach, that didn't hurt at all," Bridges said. "So that's surprising to me, but I'm feeling great now."Bridges praised "The Old Man's" stunt coordinators for helping him pull off some fight scenes. His costar, Lithgow, recommended that people watch Bridges in the 1972 film "Bad Company" to better "appreciate" the work he's doing now."Some of the greatest scenes in 'The Old Man' are Jeff's fight scenes, an old man having to summon up the strength and skill he had 50 years ago," costar Lithgow said.Season two of "The Old Man" will premiere on FX on September 12.

Jeff Bridges says he's 'feeling great' 3 years after contracting COVID while undergoing chemotherapy 

<ul><li>India recorded a single-day rise of 10,158 coronavirus cases on Thursday. </li><li>The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.42% while the weekly positivity rate was 4.02%. </li><li>The demand for booster doses has also gone up in the last few weeks, and the country is administering a few hundred shots per day. </li><li>Kerala, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and more states have made masks mandatory in public places and UP has also re-started screening international travellers. </li></ul>India recorded a single-day rise of 10,158 coronavirus cases, the highest in nearly eight months, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The number of active cases has increased to 44,998, the data updated on Thursday showed. India had reported 7,830 coronavirus infections on Wednesday. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.42% while the weekly positivity rate was 4.02%. The active cases now constitute 0.1% of the total infections. The nationwide Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.7%, according to the health ministry website. The case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19%. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to 4,42,10,127. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country. The demand for booster doses has also gone up in the last few weeks. The country has been administering a few hundred booster vaccine shots per day in the last few weeks and there are 146 active vaccination sites across the country. Adar Poonawalla, chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India, which is one of world’s largest vaccine manufacturers, said that the company was re-starting the production of Covidshield vaccine. He said the company already has six million booster doses of Covovax vaccine available and adults must take the booster shot. "Just as a precaution, at risk we have done it so that people have Covishield as a choice if they want it," Poonawalla told PTI on restarting manufacturing of the vaccine. He further said Serum Institute of India will make 6-7 million doses of Covishield available in 90 days and it could take up to nine months to further build up the stock based on demand. The company had stopped manufacturing Covishield in December 2021. Mask mandates come back To tackle the growing number of Covid infections, state governments have taken various measures – including advising the elderly, comorbid and pregnant women to mask up. In the same month last year, the government relaxed its mask norms, and made them optional instead of mandatory. Kerala, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and more states have made masks mandatory in public places and UP has also re-started screening international travellers. Mumbai municipality, on the other hand, has made masks mandatory for all — staff and visitors at civic hospitals. It has also advised senior citizens to mask up. Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana and Gujarat have been reporting the highest number of cases in the last few weeks. As many as 68 people have passed away across the country in the last one week due to the disease. (With PTI inputs)

India’s fresh Covid cases shoot up to 8-month high, states issue mask guidelines

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Apple shares fell Monday after the company said COVID measures have lowered output at a key factory in China. </li><li>Apple said it expects lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than it had anticipated. </li></ul><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/aapl-stock">Apple</a> shares fell Monday after the tech behemoth said COVID-19 restrictions in China have led to a reduction of work on producing its latest iPhones, a warning that's arriving as the key holiday season approaches. The stock fell by 2% to $135.56 in premarket trade with more than 1 million shares exchanged ahead of Wall Street's opening bell. The shares have tumbled 22% during 2022. Shares pulled back after <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.apple.com%2Fnewsroom%2F2022%2F11%2Fupdate-on-supply-of-iphone-14-pro-and-iphone-14-pro-max%2F">Apple on Sunday said</a> its factory in Zhengzhou, China - a primary production site - is operating at "significantly reduced capacity" because of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-expects-longer-wait-times-iphone-14-pro-max-foxconn-2022-11">coronavirus restrictions at the plant.</a>"We continue to see strong demand for iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max models. However, we now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated and customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products," Apple said in a statement. The company in the statement didn't specify how much output would be impacted. "After battling the macro headwinds and delivering a strong September quarter/guidance in a stark contrast to the rest of Big Tech, this latest zero-Covid situation is an absolute gut punch for Apple in its most important holiday quarter," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives wrote in a note early Monday. "With demand remaining firm into holiday season, we would estimate this negatively impacting roughly 3% of iPhone sales this quarter based on impacted China production/supply issues. If Zhengzhou remains at lower capacity the next few weeks, this would cause clear iPhone Pro shortages into the all-important Christmas time period especially in the US," said Ives. Wedbush kept its outperform rating and its $200 price target on Apple. Separately, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-07/apple-trims-new-iphone-output-by-3-million-units-as-demand-cools?sref=GUP2BhaG">Bloomberg reported</a> Monday that Apple expects to produce at least 3 million fewer iPhone 14 handsets than it had anticipated this year, according to people familiar with the company's plans. The reduction primarily stems from softer demand for the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus models which are less expensive than the high-end Pro models. Apple and its suppliers were aiming to make 87 million devices or fewer, compared with a previous target of 90 million units, the report said. There's been speculation in the markets recently that China is preparing to step back from its zero-COVID policy that has placed businesses and millions of Chinese residents under lockdown to curb infections. But a health official in China on Saturday reiterated the country's commitment to the policy, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/07/china/china-zero-covid-disaffection-intl-hnk">according to CNN</a>."Practice has proved that our pandemic prevention and control policy and a series of strategic measures are completely correct, and the most economical and effective," Hu Xiang, a disease control official, said at a press conference when asked if China would adjust its COVID policies in the near term, CNN reported.

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