Spotlight On... Texas team develops Zika mouse model

A team at the University of Texas Medical Branch has developed a mouse model to test Zika vaccines and treatments after three weeks, cutting down the usual process from a timeline of multiple months, the researchers said. Scott Weaver, UTMB virologist, told Reuters the team will run tests attempting to produce sexual transmission of Zika in the mice. The mouse model is anticipated to be integral in the search for a Zika vaccine, Weaver explained. The study was published in American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Report

> Researchers published findings in the journal Pediatrics showing that breastfeeding and new vaccines have lowered the rate of ear infections in infants. Report

> The Sabin Vaccine Institute named Amy Finan, currently an SVP at biotech industry group BIO, its next CEO, effective April 18. Release

> Dengvaxia, Sanofi Pasteur's new dengue vaccine, was named the "Vaccine Breakthrough of 2016" at an awards event in Singapore. Release

And Finally... The Tribeca Film Festival's decision to pull antivaccination movie "Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe" triggered both support and outrage. Report (sub. req.)