Scientists want to calculate your biological age. But what does it even mean?

Plus: Pasteurization is confirmed to inactivate bird flu in milk

May 2, 2024 Check out STAT+

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By Theresa Gaffney Morning Rounds Writer and Podcast Producer

When Marisa Tomei stomped her feet on that cabin porch and yelled, "My biological clock is ticking," in "My Cousin Vinny," we all sort of knew what she meant. But when you get scientific about the term, experts are less sure. Read Angus Chen's story below on the fascinating discussion around "biological clocks" and perhaps the best use of "garbage truck" in STAT history.

h5n1 bird flu Confirmed: Pasteurization inactivates H5N1 bird flu in milk ADOBE Extensive testing of pasteurized commercially purchased milk and other dairy products from 38 states has found no evidence of live H5N1 bird flu virus, Food and Drug Administration officials said at a press briefing yesterday. The results confirm findings from earlier, more limited testing and add weight to the FDA's conclusion that pasteurized milk products are safe for consumption despite a widespread outbreak of cows infected with H5N1, STAT's Megan Molteni reports. But there are still many unanswered questions. Scientists keen to study what's happening in the bird-flu-in-cattle outbreak complained loudly last week when the USDA uploaded raw genetic sequence data without key information needed to help interpret it. Their complaints appear to have fallen on deaf ears: The agency uploaded more sequences this week, but again did not share data that would let scientists determine when the sequenced samples were collected and from where. Without these details, scientists say, the key goal — to monitor whether the H5N1 virus is adapting to be able to spread easily in mammals — is significantly harder to achieve. Read more from STAT's Helen Branswell. science We keep measuring biological age. But what does it mean? Some people seem to glide into old age, the years settling gracefully on their bodies, while others appear to have been dragged through time as though they were "tied to a metaphorical garbage truck," as STAT's Angus Chen artfully puts it. But it's not just about who looks better: Over the last few years, researchers have tried to pin down individuals' biological age, estimating their position on the biological clock using mathematical models that look at things like genetic markers or proteins in your body. But it turns out that experts can't agree on what "biological age" actually means. Some researchers look at aging in simple terms of how likely somebody is to die. Others argue that death is really caused by disease, so aging ought to be measured as an increased chance of disease. Still others think aging is fundamentally a decline of function. And each of these theories can be countered, Angus reports. Read more from him on whether biological clocks will ever tell us what we really want to know. one big number 39% The proportion of young LGBTQ+ people who seriously considered suicide last year, according to the Trevor Project's annual survey on mental health for queer people between the ages of 13 and 24. Also of note: More than 1 in 10 young queer people attempted suicide last year. But despite these struggles, half of the more than 18,000 people surveyed who wanted mental health care were not able to get it. Read more of STAT's coverage on mental health and LGBTQ+ health and policy.

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maternal mortality Maternal mortality rates dropped in 2022, per CDC. Can they stay down? The U.S. maternal mortality rate fell significantly in 2022, down to 22 deaths per 100,000 live births from almost 33 the previous year, per new CDC data. The number of people who die while pregnant or in the six weeks after pregnancy increased steadily from 2018 to 2021, with an especially dramatic increase as the pandemic began. Those numbers came into question this year after an independent study suggested the CDC overestimates the national maternal mortality rate. The researchers recalculated and determined the rate was steady around 10 deaths per 100,000 births between 1999 and 2021.  The CDC has stated that it stands behind its findings. The question now: Will maternal mortality rates continue to drop? While the CDC has not yet announced rates for 2023, some researchers expect that it increased in states with new abortion restrictions. Read more from STAT contributor Elizabeth Cohen. rare disease Gene therapy may alleviate skeletal defects tied to rare inherited disease, per study Babies with severe Hurler syndrome start displaying symptoms at birth. A gene mutation that disrupts enzyme function leaves them with a short stature, spinal defects, and extremely stiff joints — complications that greatly limit their quality of life. But new research shows that delivering a one-time gene therapy to toddlers successfully staved off those problems for years.  The study participants grew to heights within average norms, and had far more flexible shoulder, hip, and knee joints than untreated children. The Phase 1/2 trial followed just eight children over a few years. But if the benefits endure, it's possible the gene therapy could offer patients more life-changing outcomes than bone marrow transplants, the current standard treatment for Hurler syndrome. Read more from STAT's Drew Joseph about the experimental therapy and what's next for the team behind it. first opinion A new bill could improve the supply of baby formula In February 2022, Abbott pulled its baby formula from shelves after four babies became sick with bacterial infections. The company ended up shutting down its main Michigan-based production plant, which at the time produced more than 40% of all U.S. formula. As a national shortage took hold, Martha Gershun scrambled to find a formula for her twin grandsons, who were born nearly three months early.  In a new First Opinion essay, Gershun and U.S. House representative Rosa DeLauro argue that helping smaller companies compete against large formula makers could make shortages a thing of the past. Earlier this year, DeLauro introduced the Infant Formula Made in America Act, which would provide tax credits for formula manufacturers with less than $750 million a year in annual sales. Read more on how the bill could give smaller companies a leg up.

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What we're reading Tears and despair at Florida abortion clinic in final hours before ban, Washington Post WHO overturns dogma on airborne disease spread. The CDC might not act on it, KFF Health News CVS went hard after Medicare Advantage patients, now it's retreating, STAT Aspirin can prevent a deadly pregnancy complication. Why aren't women told? New York Times Lawmakers grill UnitedHealth CEO on Change cyberattack: 'Your company let the country down,' STAT

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Thanks for reading! More tomorrow,

theresa.gaffney@statnews.com

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