Why doesn’t metformin always work?

The answer: gut bacteria. Apparently, according to research from Sweden’s University of Gothenburg, certain bacteria cause an an increase in the production of imidazole propionate. That molecule happens to interact with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) — the same molecule that metformin is meant to target.

What can be done? Well, as everyone knows, imidazole propionate needs the p38gamma protein in order to interact with AMPK, so all you have to do is block p38gamma. Obviously.

Superbug detector

Researchers at BYU have created a test for three different superbugs that takes less than an hour.

This, they explain, is critical because “Every hour the disease is untreated, survivability drops by about 7%.” That means patients only have about 14 hours to live, and current tests take at least 24 hours, which, they explain for the math-challenged, “is often too late for the person, and can lead to irreversible damage.”

Region meetings — 2020 style!

Mark Your Calendars: It’s almost time for the fall (virtual!) Region Meetings: Tuesday, November 17, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Don’t miss this important membership meeting (and the 1 hour of CE you get for attending). We’ll be talking about:

• Our important wins in the 2020 Assembly and how they affect pharmacy in Georgia
• Our direction for the 2021 assembly
• A GPhA membership update
• An update on testing and immunization in Georgia
• 15-minute Q&A coffee talk after the meeting is over

That’s right! In addition to all this great information (and a chance to check out everyone’s Zoom setup), you’ll receive one hour of CPE credit for attending.

The meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Click here to register.

See you there!

Stable vaccines, no cold required

What if we didn’t have to refrigerate vaccines? Scary fact: Half of all vaccines are wasted every year because of lack of refrigeration. The inactive viruses in the vaccine with unfold and literally tear themselves apart unless kept cold … or crowded.

Chemical engineers at Michigan Tech are looking at that second option. They’ve created a protein “burrito” that can wrap around the virus particles in a vaccine, no refrigeration required. If it can be scaled up and out of the lab, it could be a (wait for it) game-changer for world health.

Aloe, I love you

Between hours of mask wearing and tons of hand washing, dermatitis is a common issue. What can help? Aloe vera. You’re welcome.

ICYMI

If you want to live forever, one step to take: Eat chili peppers … that’s according to the American Heart Association, based on a study of the health and dietary records of more than 570,000 people around the world.

Compared to individuals who rarely or never ate chili pepper, the analysis found that people who ate chili pepper had “a 26% relative reduction in cardiovascular mortality; a 23% relative reduction in cancer mortality; and a 25% relative reduction in all-cause mortality.”

Young are the loneliest numbers

Older people — used to yelling at people to get off their lawns — are statistically the least lonely these days, while 20-somethings, despite that new-fangled Internet of theirs, have the highest loneliness levels. So reports researchers at UC San Diego.

Why? They’re busy, busy, busy: “The survey suggested that people in their 20s were dealing with high stress and pressure while trying to establish a career and find a life partner.”

Interesting twist: The people who were least lonely are the ones who are the most empathetic and compassionate. When you’re compassionate, apparently, you’re more likely to feel good about yourself and more connected with others.

Quick non-pharma update

In case you forgot about the murder hornets — they were briefly mentioned in episode 1 of “2020: The Year” — the screenwriters haven’t. Two weeks ago, crews in Washington state destroyed the first nest found in the U.S. … but only now revealed that “the next included nearly 200 queens that had the potential to start their own nests.”

Well that’s that! Oh, wait: “Scientists think other nests already exist and say it’s impossible to know if any queens escaped before the first nest was destroyed.”