Horseshoe crab blood alternative; COVID boosters could come tomorrow; “One chip challenge” death - Morning Medical Update

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Horseshoe crab blood alternative

Researchers have discovered a synthetic equivalent to the horseshoe crab blood that has been used since the 1990s for its ability to detect endotoxins in pharmaceuticals. Crab mortality after harvesting could be as high as 30% which is bad news for ‘near threatened’ species and the birds that rely on their nutrient rich eggs for food.

COVID boosters could come tomorrow

The Food and Drug Administration could release the next round of covid boosters as early as tomorrow, sources say. The shots will target the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant. Most people with public or private insurance should continue to pay nothing for the shot.

“One chip challenge” death

A Massachusetts teenager died this week after participating in a social media trend dubbed the “one chip challenge.” The challenge consists of eating a corn chip dusted with two of the world’s hottest peppers. A medical examiner is currently investigating the cause of death.