National Institutes of Health Officials Highlight COVID-19 Vaccine Facts, Unknowns for Healthcare Providers

National Institutes of Health Officials Highlight COVID-19 Vaccine Facts, Unknowns for Healthcare Providers | site |



(Information included in a National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) news release dated: January 18, 2021)

Healthcare providers must be able to explain the latest data supporting the safety and efficacy of vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) so they can strongly encourage vaccination when appropriate while acknowledging that uncertainty and unknowns remain. This message comes from a new commentary co-authored by Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and other leading NIAID scientists in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. The commentary provides an overview of the seven COVID-19 vaccines furthest along in development in the United States. For each vaccine candidate, the authors des...

National Transportation Safety Board Issues 14 Safety Recommendations Following Investigation of Natural Gas Explosion | site |




(Information contained in National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] press release dated: January 12, 2021)

Washington (Jan. 12, 2021) — The National Transportation Safety Board issued 14 safety recommendations during a board meeting held Tuesday in which the agency determined the probable cause for the Feb. 23, 2018, natural gas explosion in a Dallas, TX, home. One person died and four others were injured in the explosion at 3534 Espanola Drive, that caused major structural damage to the one-story residence. The NTSB determined that the ignition of an accumulation of natural gas that leaked from the gas main that was damaged during a sewer replacement project 23 years earlier, led to the explosion. Atmos Energy Corporation failed to detect the leak when responding to related incidents at two other homes on th...

Commerce Adds China National Offshore Oil Corporation to the Entity List and Skyrizon to the Military End-User List | site |





(Information contained in U.S. Department of Commerce press release dated: January 14, 2021)

Today, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce) added Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to the Entity List and Chinese company Skyrizon to the Military End-User (MEU) List. Both companies threaten U.S. national security, CNOOC by helping China intimidate neighbors in the South China Sea and Skyrizon for its capability to develop, produce, or maintain military items, such as military aircraft engines. “China’s reckless and belligerent actions in the South China Sea and its aggressive push to acquire sensitive intellectual property and technology for its militarization efforts are a threat to U.S. national security and the security of the international community,�...

National Taxpayer Advocate delivers Annual Report to Congress; focuses on Taxpayer Impact of COVID-19 and IRS Funding needs | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release: January 13, 2021)

Washington - - National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins today released her 2020 Annual Report to Congress, focusing on the unprecedented challenges taxpayers faced in filing their tax returns and receiving refunds and stimulus payments during a year consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report also finds that a roughly 20% inflation-adjusted reduction in the IRS's budget since fiscal year (FY) 2010 has left the agency with antiquated technology and inadequate staffing levels to meet taxpayers' needs.

As part of the report, Collins released the fourth edition of the National Taxpayer Advocate's "Purple Book," a compilation of 66 legislative recommendations designed to strengthen taxpayer rights and...

National Institutes of Health Scientists identify Nutrient that helps prevent Bacterial Infection | site |



Taurine, which helps the body digest fats and oils, could offer treatment benefit.



(Information contained in National Institutes of Health [NIH] press release: January 15, 2021)

Scientists studying the body’s natural defenses against bacterial infection have identified a nutrient — taurine — that helps the gut recall prior infections and kill invading bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn). The finding, published in the journal Cell by scientists from five institutes of the National Institutes of Health, could aid efforts seeking alternatives to antibiotics. Scientists know that microbiota — the trillions of beneficial microbes living harmoniously inside our gut — can protect people from bacterial infections, but little is known about how they provide protection. Scientists are studying the microbiota ...

National Institutes of Health Scientists Study Salmonella Swimming Behavior as Clues to Infection | site |


(Information contained in National Institutes of Health [NIH] press release: January 13, 2021)

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium bacteria (S. Typhimurium) commonly cause human gastroenteritis, inflammation of the lining of the intestines. The bacteria live inside the gut and can infect the epithelial cells that line its surface. Many studies have shown that Salmonella use a “run-and-tumble” method of short swimming periods (runs) punctuated by tumbles when they randomly change direction, but how they move within the gut is not well understood.

Salmonella bacteria (pink), a common cause of foodborne disease, invade a human epithelial cell (yellow). Courtesy: NIH/NIAID

National Institutes...

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration Seeks Comment on Cybersecurity Best Practices for the Safety of Modern Vehicles | site |



(Information contained in National Highway Transportation Safety Administration [NHTSA] press release dated: January 8, 2021)


January 8, 2021 | Washington, DC - - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking public comment on the draft Cybersecurity Best Practices for the Safety of Modern Vehicles (2020 Best Practices) it submitted to the Federal Register for publication today. This is an update to the existing best practices document that was published in 2016, and describes NHTSA’s nonbinding guidance to the automotive industry for improving vehicle cybersecurity for safety. “Vehicle cybersecurity has high stakes,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator James Owens. “The safety and security of everyone on our roads depend on it. We have learned a great deal in the past...

U.S. Census Bureau provides helpful Information about National African-American (Black) History Month: February 2021 | site |




January 7, 2021 - - The U.S. Census Bureau has provided information and source links that help searchers and researchers access valuable information concerning African-Americans. The Bureau notes that February is African-American (Black) History Month. A recent Census site referencing African-American history is located at:

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/fact...ory-month.html

or please press HERE...

National Institutes of Health says Peer-reviewed Report on Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Publishes | site |



NIH says "Data from Phase 3 clinical trial confirm vaccine is effective".


(Information contained in National Institutes of Health [NIH] press release dated: December 30, 2020)

The investigational vaccine known as mRNA-1273 was 94.1% efficacious in preventing symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to preliminary results from a Phase 3 clinical trial reported in the New England Journal of Medicine. The vaccine also demonstrated efficacy in preventing severe COVID-19. Investigators identified no safety concerns and no evidence of vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD). The vaccine was co-developed by Moderna, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. ...

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Consumer Alert: Changes to Odometer Disclosure Requirements | site |



(Information contained in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] press release: December 22, 2020)

December 22, 2020 | Washington, DC - - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding consumers that, starting January 1, 2021, odometer disclosures will be required for every transfer of ownership for the first 20 years, beginning with Model Year 2011 vehicles. Model Year 2010 and older vehicles will continue to be subject to the previous 10-year disclosure requirements and thus are exempt from extended Federal odometer disclosure requirements. The U.S. fleet of vehicles is, on average, older than ever, and NHTSA finalized this rule late last year to address an increase in odometer fraud involving older vehicles. Model Year 2011 or newer vehicles will ...

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Releases 2019 Crash Fatality Data | site |



2019 Showed Significant Improvements in Traffic Safety, Including the Lowest Percentage of Alcohol-Impaired Driving Fatalities on Record


(Information contained in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] press release dated: December 18, 2020)

December 18, 2020 | Washington, DC - - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released its annual 2019 traffic fatality data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

Traffic deaths decreased nationwide during 2019 as compared to 2018, and alcohol-impaired driving fatalities decreased to the lowest percentage since 1982, when NHTSA started reporting alcohol data. There were 36,096 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2019. This represents a decrease of 739 (down 2%) from the reported 36,835 fatalities ...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publishes Guidance for National Guard Personnel Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines and Immunity under the PREP Act | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] press release: December 18, 2020)

Guidance for National Guard Personnel Regarding COVID-19 Vaccines and Immunity under the PREP Act

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Assistant Secretary for Health, extended coverage under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to qualified National Guardsmen administering COVID-19 vaccinations that have been authorized or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This will allow states and/or territories that wish to fully utilize National Guard health and medical personnel to increase access to COVID-19 vaccinations the flexibility to do so. ...

National Institutes of Health publishes Statement on the FDA Emergency Use Authorization of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine| site |


(The following is information contained in a National Institutes of Health [NIH] press release dated: December 18, 2020)

Statement from NIH and BARDA on the FDA Emergency Use Authorization of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to Moderna, Inc., a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for its COVID-19 vaccine, which was co-developed with scientists at the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). This innovative and monumental partnership has enabled NIH and Moderna to develop a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine within the span of a year that will be manufactured and distributed across the U.S. The vaccine, called mRNA-1273, is a messenger...

National Security Multi-Mission Vessel Achieves First Construction Milestone with Steel Cutting Ceremony | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Transportation press release: December 15, 2020) Philadelphia - - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) today launched a new era in maritime education with the cutting of steel for the new National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV) at Philly Shipyard Inc. (Philly Shipyard). This is the initial major construction milestone for the first purpose-built, state-of-the-art training vessel for America’s state maritime academies. In addition to providing world-class training for America’s future mariners, the NSMV will be available to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. “This new state-of-the-art modern school training ship will be a tremendous addition to the U. S. Flag fleet, be available to respond to disaster relief efforts, and support ab...

National Institute of Standards and Technology says New JILA Tools ‘Turn On’ Quantum Gases of Ultracold Molecules | site |



(Information contained in National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST] press release: December 9, 2020)


JILA researchers have developed tools to “turn on” quantum gases of ultracold molecules, gaining control of long-distance molecular interactions for potential applications such as encoding data for quantum computing and simulations.

The new scheme for nudging a molecular gas down to its lowest energy state, called quantum degeneracy, while suppressing chemical reactions that break up molecules finally makes it possible to explore exotic quantum states in which all the molecules interact with one another.

The research is described in a Nature paper published online Dec. 9. JILA is a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University...