Back In Black
Newsweek|January 6 - January 13, 2017

Plague, the scourge of the Middle Ages, is now rare, but its potential as a bioterror weapon has led to a search for a vaccine

Lydia Zuraw
Back In Black

THE PLAGUE is best known for wiping out as much as a third of Europe’s population during the Black Death pandemic of the 14th century, but it’s not entirely a thing of the past. It’s enough of a present-day threat—either as a potential  bioterrorism weapon or because some strains are now antibiotic-resistant—that some scientists are trying to develop a vaccine.

Dr. Ashok Chopra and a team of researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston recently published a study in the journal Nature of the three newest vaccine candidates. “So far, it looks very promising, at least in the two animal models we have tested,” says Chopra, a professor of microbiology and immunology. He began studying the bacterium that causes the plague, Yersinia pestis, around 2002.

His move into plague research followed the anthrax attacks of 2001, when letters containing anthrax were mailed to media outlets and congressional offices. Congress required the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture to regulate certain biological agents and toxins that could pose a severe threat to public health. The bacteria responsible for the plague made the top section of the list—Tier 1, the microbes most likely to be used as bioterrorism agents, alongside anthrax, Ebola and smallpox.

This story is from the January 6 - January 13, 2017 edition of Newsweek.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 6 - January 13, 2017 edition of Newsweek.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEWSWEEKView All
Country Has Won Our Achy Breaky Hearts
Newsweek US

Country Has Won Our Achy Breaky Hearts

The genre has never been so popular-and with the likes of Beyoncé reminding fans of its roots, its mainstream appeal looks set to grow and grow

time-read
6 mins  |
March 22, 2024
'Deadly Risk' of Fat-Loss Drugs
Newsweek US

'Deadly Risk' of Fat-Loss Drugs

Diabetes treatment Ozempic has become popular among dieters due to its weightloss side effect, but a study warns of a link between the drug and suicidal thoughts

time-read
5 mins  |
March 22, 2024
THE EASTERN FRONT
Newsweek US

THE EASTERN FRONT

Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Poland's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, on nuclear weapons, getting used to war, and what Europe must do to protect itself

time-read
3 mins  |
March 22, 2024
COULD A EUROPEAN MILITARY GO IT ALONE?
Newsweek US

COULD A EUROPEAN MILITARY GO IT ALONE?

Donald Trump's threat to abandon NATO allies that don't pay their FAIR SHARE has put the continent on high alert and facing the prospect of defending itself without U.S. support

time-read
8 mins  |
March 22, 2024
Millennials Are Shifting the Housing Market
Newsweek US

Millennials Are Shifting the Housing Market

This generation is buying houses at an incredible rate, driving prices ever higher in the process

time-read
5 mins  |
March 22, 2024
Exit Plans
Newsweek US

Exit Plans

This foreign correspondent's last war isn't on a distant battlefield, but fighting for his life at home

time-read
10+ mins  |
March 22, 2024
Annette Bening
Newsweek US

Annette Bening

UNDERSTANDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN DARK COMEDY AND MYSTERY is a unique quality of Annette Bening, which she puts to good use in Peacock's limited series Apples Never Fall (March 14), based on Liane Moriarty's book.

time-read
1 min  |
March 15, 2024
Gayle King
Newsweek US

Gayle King

But one moniker she is fine with is America's best friend. \"I'll take that as a compliment.

time-read
1 min  |
March 15, 2024
THE BEST OF THE BEST
Newsweek US

THE BEST OF THE BEST

These leading institutions are RANKED HIGHEST in this year's list of the world's best hospitals

time-read
5 mins  |
March 15, 2024
THE WORLD'S BEST HOSPITALS 2024
Newsweek US

THE WORLD'S BEST HOSPITALS 2024

This year's expanded ranking of more than 2,000 PREMIER DESTINATIONS for general medical care around the globe and throughout the U.S.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 15, 2024