NIH awards UVA researcher
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a team led by University of Virginia biomedical engineering professor and researcher Jason Papin over $1.2 million for their work studying antibiotic resistant bacteria. The funds will be used to continue the team’s study of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria through advanced computer models.
“Antibiotic resistance is an enormous clinical problem that is only getting bigger,” said Papin in an October 9 press release from UVA Health. “With so many complex processes involved in how bacteria evolve antibiotic resistance, we have to use systems approaches, combining computer modeling and sophisticated experiments, to try to tackle this important challenge.”
The bacteria that Papin and his team are studying make up a significant portion of antibiotic-resistant infections in the United States. While usually harmless, Staphylococcus aureus can lead to dangerous infections, including sepsis, pneumonia, and endocarditis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is also potentially fatal, with a multidrug-resistant strain resulting in an estimated 32,600 infections and 2,700 deaths among U.S. hospitalized patients in 2017.
“We’re going … to try to predict what are the most important genes, most important proteins, most important reactions that happen in these bacteria that allow them to develop resistance to antibiotics,” says Papin. “If we can better understand that process, the hope would be that we can develop new treatment strategies that would stop the bacteria from developing resistance, or at least slow it down.”
Good votes McCarthy bad
In a historic House of Representatives showdown, 5th District Rep. Bob Good and seven of his Republican colleagues voted with Democrats to remove Kevin McCarthy as the speaker of the House on October 3.
McCarthy’s ouster is the result of, among other things, the far-right’s frustration with the bipartisan stopgap funding bill the former speaker advanced to avoid a government shutdown earlier this month. The bill passed 335-91, with 209 Democrats and 126 Republicans supporting the measure.
“The American people need a Speaker who will fight to keep the promises Republicans made to get the majority, not someone who cuts fiscally irresponsible deals that get more Democrat votes than Republican votes,” said Good in a social media post about the vote to remove McCarthy.
Until a new speaker is elected, the House cannot conduct any business, meaning countless legislative matters are halted, including aid for Ukraine and a more long-term government funding plan.
At press time, Good has not endorsed a candidate for the speakership
In brief
Climate Leadership Awards
The Community Climate Collaborative announced the 2023 Climate Leadership Award recipients at the second annual Party for the Planet at Ix Art Park on October 6. The awards recognize local people, groups, and businesses working to promote climate justice in Charlottesville and Albemarle. Award recipients include Teri Strother, who received the Impact Maker award for her decades of work on climate action, and John Trossi, who was given the Outstanding Educator award for his work with fifth grade students at Walker Upper Elementary School.
Careful cooking
As part of Fire Prevention Week, the Charlottesville Fire Department and Albemarle County Fire Rescue are sharing cooking safety tips and hosting several community events. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the U.S. Cooking safety recommendations from the CFD include setting a timer, turning pot handles toward the back of the stove, having a lid close by, and keeping kids and pets at least three feet away from hot surfaces.
ACPD investigating robbery
Albemarle County Police are seeking information from the community in an ongoing investigation into the armed robbery at Tobacco Planet. The robbery occurred around 11:30pm on October 5 at 1867 Seminole Trl., when a man wearing black clothing entered the store with a gun and demanded cash. Those with information can contact ACPD Detective Michael Arcoraci at 296-5807 or can anonymously report through Crime Stoppers at 977-4000.
