The article discusses the persistent myth that vaccines cause autism, highlighting its use as an electoral tool by figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has been nominated by Donald Trump for a health leadership role. Despite being debunked, the myth continues to fuel misinformation, raising concerns about the potential influence of pseudoscience in the White House.

The resurgence of bird flu in the United States has raised significant concerns due to its spread beyond wild birds to domestic animals and humans. Between 2021 and 2024, over 311 million poultry deaths have been attributed to the virus globally. The detection of H5N1 cases in humans in the U.S. and Canada, without direct contact with infected animals, underscores the potential pandemic risk, drawing attention from scientists and veterinarians.

Archaeological findings in Koobi Fora, Kenya, reveal that 1.5 million years ago, different hominin species, ancestors of Homo sapiens, coexisted and traversed the same areas. This discovery supports longstanding archaeological theories about early human evolution. Kevin Hatala from the University of Chatham highlights the significance of these findings in understanding the interactions and movement patterns of early hominins.

Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men in Portugal, with over 2000 fatalities annually. Despite its prevalence, there is a significant lack of reliable data on patient evaluation and treatment outcomes. The Instituto Português de Oncologia in Porto conducted a study involving 790 patients over five years, revealing high success rates with current strategies but highlighting the need for national data comparison.

The Portuguese Parliament rejected a proposal to increase the budget for the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) by 70 million euros, which aimed to counteract a 68 million euro cut. The decision was opposed by PSD, CDS, and Chega, with PS and Iniciativa Liberal abstaining. Scientists have expressed concern over the reduced funding, which is the lowest since 2018. The Minister of Education, Science, and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, attributed the cuts to changes in European funding programs. A new proposal by the Partido Comunista Português to restore the budget to 2024 levels is pending a vote. Additionally, a proposal to increase FCT-Tenure positions was rejected, leaving many university and research center requests unmet.

The article discusses the potential of phage therapy, which uses viruses that specifically target bacteria, as a significant treatment for chronic infections. Following discussions in the Portuguese Parliament, Infarmed has authorized the use of phage therapy in hospitals, providing doctors with new resources to combat bacterial infections. This therapy is considered a last resort and requires medical evaluation before application.

Mélissa Mialon criticizes the food industry and government officials for neglecting public health, highlighting the industry's tactics learned from 20th-century tobacco companies. These include advertising, political pressure, and using credible figures to downplay the harm of their products, exemplified by the 'drink in moderation' message in beer ads. The article underscores the industry's role in creating a culture that does not question the commercialization of wine.

Elvira Fortunato, former Minister of Science in António Costa's government, has returned to her research role at the Centro de Investigação de Materiais. She describes her time in government as being hindered by bureaucratic challenges, which limited her effectiveness. The article highlights her transition back to academia and the ongoing work at the research center.

The European Union is struggling to meet its target of reducing antibiotic consumption by 20% by 2030, with a 1% increase in usage from 2019 to 2023. The rise in antibiotic-resistant infections, particularly those resistant to last-line antibiotics, remains a critical concern, highlighting the challenges in combating antibiotic resistance across Europe.

Google Deepmind and Liverpool FC collaborated to develop TacticAI, a system that predicts the outcomes of corner kicks in football, including the receiver of the cross and the likelihood of a shot on goal. The technology shows promise in training scenarios, enhancing the execution of set pieces.