Columbia students escalate Gaza protest

Hello. Today we're taking a closer look at the US student protests over the Israel-Gaza war, as New York's Columbia University has started to suspend some of the demonstrators. I'm also coming with good medical news after a promising trial of a measles vaccine patch in The Gambia. Video games, Irish soap operas and communal living are also on the menu.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A promising vaccine patch against measles

There has been around 136,000 deaths from measles in 2022, mostly among under-fives who'd had only one dose or none at all. Credit: MRC unit, The Gambia at LSHTM

A vaccine patch against measles has been successfully trialed in The Gambia. These patches could be a safe and effective alternative way to protect young children against the deadly disease.

What's the state of measles vaccination?

Despite the existence of a very effective measles jab, falling vaccination levels since the Covid pandemic have left millions of children unprotected, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Globally, in 2022, about 83% of children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday - the lowest since 2008, according to the World Health Organization.

How does the patch work?

The microarray patch sticks to the arm and lots of microscopic needles deliver the vaccine through the skin, with no pain. In the trial, involving more than 200 healthy toddlers and babies, more than 90% of babies were protected against measles after one dose, and all infants against rubella. The patch stayed in place for five minutes. And it could eventually be used against other diseases.

What are the advantages of the patch?

Volunteers with minimal training can apply the patch, instead of doctors and nurses, and fridges for transporting and cold storage are no longer necessary. It also reduces people's fears over needles and the risk of injuries from them. Even in countries such as the UK, where there is no shortage of these resources, the patches could be more convenient and attractive to some parents of young unvaccinated children, the researchers say.

THE BIG PICTURE

Cult video game turns 20 without a party

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World of Warcraft is a rarity in the gaming industry: a single video game able to transform itself and last for now 20 years. But its maker Activision Blizzard, which was bought by Microsoft for $69bn (£56bn) last year, cancelled a yearly convention where fans would have celebrated the milestone.

And finally... in Ireland

Conan O'Brien has been a staple of American late-night television for three decades. But on Tuesday the red-haired entertainer has added a surprising line to his CV: Irish language soap opera actor. The 61-year-old is a special guest for an episode of Ros na Rún, a long-established TV drama in the Celtic language. O'Brien had some difficulties learning his lines, however.