The Daily Populous

Tuesday October 18th, 2022 night edition

image for Vaccines to treat cancer possible by 2030, say BioNTech founders

Uğur Şahin and Özlem Türeci, who co-founded BioNTech, the German firm that partnered with Pfizer to manufacture a revolutionary mRNA Covid vaccine, said they had made breakthroughs that fuelled their optimism for cancer vaccines in the coming years.

Asked when cancer vaccines based on mRNA might be ready to use in patients, Prof Sahin said they could be available “before 2030”.

An mRNA Covid vaccine works by ferrying the genetic instructions for harmless spike proteins on the Covid virus into the body.

The same approach can be taken to prime the immune system to seek out and destroy cancer cells, said Türeci, BioNTech’s chief medical officer.

BioNTech was working on mRNA cancer vaccines before the pandemic struck but the firm pivoted to produce Covid vaccines in the face of the global emergency.

The German firm hopes to develop treatments for bowel cancer, melanoma and other cancer types, but substantial hurdles lie ahead.

“As scientists we are always hesitant to say we will have a cure for cancer,” she said. »

More U.S. companies charging employees for job training if they quit

Authored by reuters.com
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Bal's story mirrors that of dozens of people and advocates in healthcare, trucking, retail and other industries who complained recently to U.S. regulators that some companies charge employees who quit large sums of money for training.

Nearly 10% of American workers surveyed in 2020 were covered by a training repayment agreement, said the Cornell Survey Research Institute.

The practice, which critics call Training Repayment Agreement Provisions, or TRAPs, is drawing scrutiny from U.S. regulators and lawmakers. »

The Sources of Russian Misconduct

Authored by foreignaffairs.com
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The routine was easy and predictable, two of the hallmarks of life as a Russian diplomat.

Resigning meant throwing away a twenty-year career as a Russian diplomat and, with it, many of my friendships.

If he agrees to a cease-fire, it will only be to give Russian troops a rest before continuing to fight. »

Agency says BTS members will serve in South Korea’s military

Authored by apnews.com

The members of K-pop band BTS will serve their mandatory military duties under South Korean law, their management company said Monday, Oct. 17, 2022, effectively ending a debate on exempting them because of their artistic accomplishments.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The members of K-pop band BTS will serve their mandatory military duties under South Korean law, their management company said Monday, effectively ending a debate on whether they should be granted exemptions because of their artistic accomplishments.

Opinion surveys in recent weeks showed that the public was split over whether the BTS members should serve in the military. »