How scientists decode a pathogen’s path around the world

+ beautiful bioimages; hurricanes hit the poor harder US Edition - Today's top story: Charting changes in a pathogen's genome yields clues about its past and hints about its future [View in browser]( US Edition | 1 December 2021 [The Conversation]( With the news late last week of the emergence of a new coronavirus variant of concern, called omicron, the world seems to be in an uneasy place, waiting to hear what scientists can find out about its transmissibility, its ability to evade vaccines and how sick it makes infected people. This morning we published a very timely piece that explains how scientists can [decipher the evolution of pathogens by tracking their genetic changes over time](. This yields all sorts of incredibly valuable information, such as being “able to pinpoint factors like where and when outbreaks start, the number of undetected infections and common routes of transmission,” a team of Swiss researchers doing this work report. We also published a deep dive on omicron itself by Penn State virologist and emerging infectious disease professor Suresh V. Kuchipudi, focusing on [the factors that drive viral changes](. He spells out why this variant is of particular concern and reminds us that it’s “not the endgame” for SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. For some lighter reading and viewing, I recommend this piece on this year’s BioArt Scientific Image and Video Competition, which showcases [some beautiful images from biology labs around the world]( and traces the history of scientists sharing their images – and science – with the general public. Also in this week’s science and research news: - [How the census kick-started the U.S. computing industry]( - [The physics of good headphones]( - [A ‘reverse vaccination’ technique for people with autoimmune conditions]( If there’s a subject you’d like our team of science editors to investigate, please reply to this email. Martin La Monica Director of Editorial Projects and Newsletters Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you]( A virus’s genes hold a record of where it’s traveled, and when. imaginima/E+ via Getty Images [Charting changes in a pathogen’s genome yields clues about its past and hints about its future]( Claire Guinat, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich; Etthel Windels, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich; Sarah Nadeau, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich After a nose swab tests positive for a virus or bacteria, scientists can use the sample’s genetic sequence to figure out where and when the pathogen emerged and how fast it’s changing. The omicron variant possesses numerous mutations in the spike protein, the knob-like protrusions (in red) that allow the virus to invade other cells. Juan Gaertner/Science Photo Library via Getty Images [Will omicron – the new coronavirus variant of concern – be more contagious than delta? A virus evolution expert explains what researchers know and what they don’t]( Suresh V. Kuchipudi, Penn State It’s too early to say whether the newly identified omicron variant is going to overtake delta. But particular mutations in the new strain have researchers deeply concerned. The annual BioArt competition highlights the hidden parts of biology revealed under a microscope. Todd Green/BioArt [Art illuminates the beauty of science – and could inspire the next generation of scientists young and old]( Chris Curran, Northern Kentucky University Scientists have been using art to illuminate and share their research with the public for centuries. And art could be one way to bolster K-12 science education and scientific literacy in the public. - [‘Hunker down’ is not enough: 2021 hurricane season showed US isn’t prepared as climate-related disasters push people deeper into poverty]( Marina Lazetic, Tufts University; Karen Jacobsen, Tufts University The most vulnerable communities are being pushed deeper into poverty with each climate-related disaster. Part of the problem is that government aid helps the wealthiest people most. - [How the US census led to the first data processing company 125 years ago – and kick-started America’s computing industry]( David Lindsay Roberts, Prince George's Community College As the country grew, each census required greater effort than the last. That problem led to the invention of the punched card – and the birth of an industry. - [Reverse vaccination technique in mice suggests new way to teach the immune system not to attack lifesaving treatments]( Sathy Balu-Iyer, University at Buffalo A recent lab-stage study finds that preexposure to the proteins used to treat conditions like hemophilia A could help train the immune system to tolerate rather than attack therapies. - [Great headphones blend physics, anatomy and psychology – but what you like to listen to is also important for choosing the right pair]( Timothy Hsu, IUPUI There is a lot to consider when buying a new pair of headphones. A professional musician and acoustics researcher explains how the science of sound and quirks of human hearing make for a great listening experience. - [The thousands of vulnerable people harmed by Facebook and Instagram are lost in Meta’s ‘average user’ data]( Joseph Bak-Coleman, University of Washington Research from Meta and some scientists shows no harm from social media, but other research and whistleblower testimony show otherwise. Seemingly contradictory, both can be right. - [Stereotypes about girls dissuade many from careers in computer science]( Allison Master, University of Houston; Andrew N. Meltzoff, University of Washington; Sapna Cheryan, University of Washington Could it be that girls aren’t pursuing jobs in computer science and engineering because society has told them that’s not what they want to do? Three scholars weigh in. 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