Have we found an animal reservoir of mpox?

我们是否发现了猴痘的动物宿主?

Health Check

科技

2025-04-17

26 分钟
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单集简介 ...

Has the long-standing mystery of which wild animals form a reservoir of mpox in the wild finally been solved? Some scientists think they have cracked the case, pinpointing the fire-footed rope squirrel as the culprit, but questions remain before we can definitively say this species is to blame. Reporter Chhavi Sachdev in Mumbai has some good news – an indigenous antibiotic breakthrough has been found to be effective at treating antibiotic resistant pneumonia. We hear what it takes to develop a new antibiotic and what makes Nafithromycin such a ground-breaking discovery. Also on the show, the biological mechanism that drives apathy and lack of motivation in late-stage cancer patients and how nature-based interventions, such as agroforestry, have unintended health benefits. Plus, have you ever wondered why humans can’t regenerate our teeth? We hear how some scientists are growing teeth in a lab to transform dental regeneration in the future. Presenter: Claudia Hammond Producer: Katie Tomsett Studio Managers: Searle Whittney and Jackie Margerum
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单集文稿 ...

  • This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

  • Hello and welcome to Health Check from the BBC.

  • I'm Claudia Hammond and every week I'm here to delve into the latest stories from the world of health.

  • In a moment, have scientists at last found an animal that is the reservoir for the virus, Mpox.

  • I'll give you a clue.

  • It's small, it's a reddish-brown and grey colour and has a distinctive white stripe along its flank.

  • Oh, and a bushy tail.

  • And why schemes to plant trees to protect the environment can bring benefits to health too.

  • And joining me for the whole show today is BBC reporter Laura Foster.

  • Thanks very much for coming in.

  • What else do you have for us today?

  • Well, Claudia,

  • I want to talk a little bit about why there's a previously unknown neurological reason for why people with cancer feel depressed and unmotivated.

  • And then I also want to look at why humans are one step closer to becoming polyphiodonts.

  • What does that mean?

  • That's a long word.

  • Yeah, I've been practicing that.

  • Well, it means that we're one step closer to being able to regrow our own teeth.

  • I love this story.

  • It's amazing.