US flu season shows signs of peak Twelve more pediatric flu deaths were reported, mostly caused by the H1N1 strain, raising the season's total to 98. CIDRAP

Flu activity in the United States has declined for the second week and a row, suggesting levels have peaked, though hospitalizations and other markers remain high and deaths in kids are nearing 100, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest weekly update.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began firing staff on Thursday, continuing a wave of government-wide layoffs ordered by the Trump administration. The terminations, which include staff at the National Weather Service, could impact weather forecasting used by many people and industries across the U.S. economy.

NIH ban on renewing senior scientists adds to assaults on its in-house research

The Trump administration has imposed a new restriction on employment that could push out thousands of NIH’s senior scientists: The agency cannot retain scientists in 1-year to 4-year positions that have long been routinely renewed.

It’s the Trump administration’s latest blow to NIH’s $5.2 billion intramural program. Less well known than the agency’s $39 billion extramural program, which gives grants to researchers at outside institutions, it includes basic research labs and a research hospital that treats patients with rare diseases—and helps showcase NIH’s work and build support from Congress, those familiar with it say.

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