It’s possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way (K.Marx, Letter to F.Engels on the Indian Mutiny)
A court in Hong Kong is preparing to hear testimony in the trial of a Chinese captain charged with damaging a pipeline and cables in the Baltic in 2023. The court convened on January 20, but the hearing was postponed until February 11 to give the defense lawyer additional time to review the evidence.
Captain Wan Wnguo, age 43, is expected to formally enter a plea in the case on February 11 after having been held since May 2025. He was remanded into custody more than eight months ago and has not applied for bail. The court appointed a lawyer in July 2025 to represent him at the trial.
Finland has been pressing China for cooperation in the case since the damage was first discovered in October 2023. Estonian police suspected the vessel, the NewNew Polar Bear, damaged telecom cables running to Finland and Sweden on October 7 and 8, 2023. The following day, October 8, damage was also detected to the BalticConnect gas pipeline running to Finland.
The NewNew Polar Bear (15,950 dwt) became in 2023 the first Chinese-owned containership to reach the Russian port in Kaliningrad after making a six-week passage from China along the Northern Sea Route. The trip was hailed as a key step, and then just days later, the vessel was suspected of dragging its anchor along the Baltic sea floor.
The ship arrived in port, missing one of its anchors, which the Finnish authorities would ultimately retrieve. Convinced that the ship had damaged the undersea assets, Finland turned to China to aid in the investigation and prosecution. China admitted in 2024 that the Hong Kong-registered ship had likely caused the damage and, in May 2025, detained the ship’s master.
Chinese officials assert Captain Wan had been reckless in the operation of the vessel, but have never asserted intent to damage the assets. The charge sheet, Reuters reports, listed the offenses as damaging the property without a lawful excuse. The penalty could be up to two years in jail.
The lawyer for the defense, Jerry Chung, told Reuters on Tuesday that a total of 10 witnesses were expected to testify regarding the charges. He said it would include other members of the ship’s crew, as well as Hong Kong officials and two experts.
They have also brought two charges of safety violations against Captain Wan. One relates to a failure to report the loss of the vessel’s anchor. He is also charged with failing to provide weekly reports to the vessel’s owner.
Gasgrid Finland, which operates BalticConnect, reports that it cost the company more than $41 million to repair the pipeline. The incident also sparked increased concern regarding the safety of key undersea assets and the fear that Russia could be staging a so-called hybrid war targeting the assets.
Finland last year attempted to prosecute three crewmembers of another shadow fleet tanker that they asserted damaged telecom cables. The case is on appeal after the court ruled, after months of testimony, that Finland lacked the authority to prosecute because the incident had happened in international waters. Finland is currently detaining crewmembers from another vessel while they are investigating a similar case in which an anchor was dragged, damaging cables running along the sea floor in the Baltic.
Researchers publish first ever structural engineering manual for bamboo
Bamboo drives the international low-carbon construction sector
Comprehensive guidance about the design of permanent bamboo structures has been published by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
The detailed design manual draws on the expertise of four international authors from academia and industry. They are all members of the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force (BCTF), one of the leading international bodies on the structural uses of bamboo:
Dr David Trujillo CEng, Assistant Professor in Humanitarian Engineering, School of Engineering at the University of Warwick;
Kent Harries PEng, Professor of Structural Engineering and Mechanics, University of Pittsburgh;
Sebastian Kaminski CEng, an IStructE Fellow and a structural engineer from consulting firm Arup;
and Engr. Luis Felipe Lopez CEng, General Manager of the Base Bahay Foundation Inc. (BASE), which is a guide sponsor with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR).
Manual for the design of bamboo structures to ISO 22156:2021 aims to help structural engineers and other architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) professionals understand how this prolific bio-based material can be used safely, with the ISO standard and the manual limited to two-storeys because of fire concerns.
Lead author Dr David Trujillio, University of Warwick says: “This manual marks a significant milestone for the safe use of bamboo for permanent structures. Most structural design codes are developed in higher-income countries to address their own needs. Only later are they adopted or adapted by lower and middle-income countries – but the starting point is never the needs of those regions.
Professor Kent Harries, University of Pittsburgh adds: “There are some 1,600 known species of bamboo. Structurally, it has remarkable mechanical properties. It has also become a very promising bio-based resource, with growing credentials as a sustainable construction material. Nonetheless, this is hugely dependent on designing and building safe and durable structures. Our detailed manual helps to achieve this.”
Sebastian Kaminski, Arup explains: “Bamboo has great potential to contribute to a low-carbon construction sector. Bamboo engineering is a very young field compared to mainstream materials and its unique possibilities are increasingly recognised and supported by growing research and innovation. Our manual is structured to support the design engineer along the journey, from sourcing bamboo to detailed design.”
Luis Felipe Lopez, Base Bahay highlights: “The construction industry contributes nearly 40% of carbon emissions globally, and bamboo, a regenerative and durable material, is redefining how we build our structures. From being an alternative to a reliable building material, bamboo is now gaining global recognition, and the need for a comprehensive framework is essential to support design engineers and ensure the safe and proper use of bamboo in the built environment, maximising its full potential and environmental advantages.
Kewei Liu, Coordinator of the INBAR Global Bamboo Construction Programme, mentions: “The publication of this guide is of great significance in promoting the application of the current ISO 22156:2021 standard, which has been the most widely accepted international bamboo standard since the 2000s. The authors have made a remarkable contribution to the global use of bamboo construction.”
Bamboo is native to all continents apart from Antarctica and Europe, although numerous species successfully thrive across Europe. Its lifecycle makes it an attractive resource in the context of tackling the global climate emergency, as like trees it fixes carbon in its leaves, stem, roots and surrounding soil. Bamboo’s harvest does not disturb the stored carbon in the soil.
Alongside the four leading authors, the manual was also reviewed by eleven expert reviewers. It has ten chapters covering a wide range of topics including the bamboo supply chain; bamboo project management; grading and mechanical characteristics of bamboo; analysis of bamboo structures; seismic and wind hazard design using bamboo; element and connection design; durability; bamboo structural shear walls; and worked examples of bamboo’s structural use in real-life examples.
Dr David Trujillo, University of Warwick concludes: “The guide is published in the wake of the tragic Hong Kong tower block fires. We share condolences for all those impacted, and await the outcome of investigations as we cannot comment until all the facts are in. However general risk management principles advocate a risk assessment and consideration of use of flame-retardant materials on high rise and closely spaced buildings, along with fire detection and suppression.
“Importantly, and given the wide use of bamboo, this guide sets out provisions for its safe use, including for fire, covering permanent buildings and not scaffolding. Our aim is for this to be a must-use resource for the structural engineer already working with bamboo or considering its use. We also hope it will be a trusted resource for colleagues across the built environment globally, whether in industry or academia.”
- Ends -
For further information please contact:
Matt Higgs, Media & Communications Officer, University of Warwick at matt.higgs@warwick.ac.uk or +44 (0)7880 175 403
The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Newsroom on +44 (0)7930 53 45 43.
Paul Kovach, Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, paulkovach@pitt.edu
Kewei Liu, Coordinator of the INBAR Global Bamboo Construction Programme, kwliu@inbar.int
The Institution of Structural Engineers dates from 1908 and is now the world’s largest membership organisation dedicated to the art and science of structural engineering.
It has 30,000 members working in 139 countries around the world. Professional membership is one of the leading global benchmarks of competence and technical excellence. Members undergo rigorous technical assessment and commit to continual learning and development.
The Institution drives higher standards and shares knowledge because its members’ work is vital to public safety and meeting the challenges of the future. The Institution provides a voice for its members, promoting their contribution to society as innovative, creative problem solvers and the guardians of public safety.
About the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick: The University of Warwick is a globally recognised institution known for its excellence in teaching, research, and innovation. Established in 1965, Warwick has developed into one of the UK’s leading universities, fostering collaboration across disciplines and maintaining strong connections with industry, government, and the wider community.
The School of Engineering is one of the University’s founding departments and remains at the forefront of research and education in engineering and technology. The School integrates mechanical, electrical, electronic, and systems engineering to provide a broad yet cohesive approach to solving complex real-world problems. Its research is organised into six interdisciplinary clusters: Biomedical & Biotechnology, Electrical Power & Control, Predictive Modelling, Fluids & Thermal, Built Environment & Sustainability, and Measurement, Devices & Materials. These clusters bring together academics, researchers, and industry partners to advance knowledge and develop innovative solutions with global impact.
About The University of Pittsburgh: The University of Pittsburgh is a public research university founded in 1787 composed today of 17 undergraduate and graduate schools and four regional campuses in addition to the 132-acre Pittsburgh main campus. The Swanson School of Engineering, whose first degrees were awarded 1846, is the sixth oldest engineering school in the United States.
About Arup: Arup is a global built environment consultancy providing advisory and technical expertise for our clients across more than 130 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places. www.arup.com
About Base Bahay Foundation Inc. (BASE): BASE is a non-profit organization in the Philippines, initiated by the Hilti Foundation, that provides innovative and sustainable building solutions for communities in need. Since 2014, BASE has been at the forefront of alternative building technologies globally, collaborating closely with organizations to create safe, affordable, disaster-resilient, and environmentally friendly structures that have a positive social and environmental impact.
About INBAR: Established in 1997, the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes environmentally sustainable development using bamboo and rattan. INBAR’s mission is to improve the well-being of producers and users of bamboo and rattan within the context of a sustainable bamboo and rattan resource base, by consolidating, coordinating and supporting strategic and adaptive research and development.
It is currently made up of 52 Member States across the developing areas of Africa, Asia and the Americas. In addition to its Secretariat Headquarters in China, INBAR has five Regional Offices in Cameroon, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Ghana and India. INBAR was recognized as an Observer to the UN General Assembly in 2017, which makes it possible for INBAR to speak for bamboo and rattan at the UN platforms.
About the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force: Established in 2014, the INBAR Bamboo Construction Task Force (BCTF) coordinates the activities of international research institutes and commercial companies interested in the structural uses of bamboo. The Task Force consists of a core group of 36 experts from 18 countries, aiming to serve as the world’s main science-based information and knowledge repository on structural uses of bamboo and its environmental, economic and social benefits.
Bamboo Clubhouse roof in Colombia. Credit. Dr David Trujillo/University of Warwick
Composite Bamboo Shear Wall (CBSW) House in Colombia. Credit: Dr. David Trujillo/University of Warwick
The mpox virus appears to be circulating silently in parts of Nigeria, in many cases without the symptoms typically associated with the disease, according to new research led by scientists from the University of Cambridge and partners in Nigeria. The findings may have implications for controlling the spread of the disease.
In a study published today in Nature Communications, researchers show that exposure to the mpox virus can occur without recognised illness, and that residual immunity from historic smallpox vaccination continues to shape how the virus spreads in human populations.
Mpox is a zoonotic virus – that is, one that initially jumped species to spread from animals to humans. It is closely related to smallpox. For decades, smallpox vaccination provided broad protection against related viruses such as mpox. Following the eradication of smallpox, routine vaccination stopped in 1980 and a growing proportion of the population lost this protection. This shift has been accompanied by renewed mpox transmission, culminating in outbreaks seen in multiple countries between 2022 and 2024.
While most public health attention has focused on symptomatic mpox cases, little is known about how often people may be exposed to the virus without developing classical disease.
To investigate this, the research team analysed archived blood samples from 176 healthy Nigerian adults who had originally been enrolled in SARS-CoV-2 vaccine studies. These included healthcare workers sampled in 2021 and community volunteers sampled in 2023. None of the participants had received mpox or smallpox vaccines in adulthood, and none were known to have been exposed to mpox.
Using a high-resolution multiplex antibody assay, the researchers measured responses to six distinct mpox virus antigens, different structural components of the virus that the immune system recognises and responds to, allowing detection of both the strength and breadth of immune responses.
At baseline, 24 (14%) of the participants showed antibody profiles consistent with residual immunity from historic smallpox vaccination. These responses were concentrated in people born before 1980, who were more likely to have been vaccinated during childhood. Their antibody responses were broader and stronger, recognising multiple mpox antigens decades after vaccination campaigns ended.
However, the study also identified something unexpected.
Among 153 participants with follow-up samples collected approximately nine months later, five individuals - around 3% of the cohort - showed clear evidence of new immune boosting consistent with recent mpox exposure. These individuals had no recorded mpox diagnosis and did not report compatible illness, suggesting that exposure may have occurred without recognised disease.
Lead author Dr Adam Abdullahi, from the University of Cambridge and Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, said: “What we’re seeing is evidence that mpox exposure doesn’t always look like the textbook description. In some people, particularly in settings with partial population immunity, the virus may circulate quietly, leaving immune footprints that routine clinical surveillance will miss.”
The strongest antibody increases were directed against specific viral proteins, particularly B6R, A35R and M1R - antigens known to be important targets of protective immune responses. These findings suggest that certain immune markers could be especially useful for detecting recent exposure in population studies.
To place the immunological findings in an epidemiological context, the team also analysed more than 100 mpox virus genomes collected in Nigeria over several years. Genomic reconstruction showed slow epidemic growth, frequent transmission dead-ends, and limited clustering – a pattern consistent with ongoing transmission constrained by partial immunity in the population.
Rather than explosive spread, the virus appears to persist through sporadic chains of infection, many of which fail to expand further.
Senior author Professor Ravindra Gupta is The Hong Kong Jockey Club Professor of Global Health from the Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, University of Cambridge, and Co-Director of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute. He said: “Our data tell a consistent story. Mpox is not spreading unchecked in Nigeria and across the region, but neither is it absent. Instead, it appears to circulate at low levels, shaped by the lingering effects of smallpox vaccination in older generations.”
Importantly, the study found no major differences in immune responses between healthcare workers and the general population, suggesting that exposure is not confined to clinical settings. This points to broader community-level transmission rather than purely occupational risk.
The findings have important implications for public health surveillance. Current mpox monitoring relies heavily on detecting symptomatic cases, yet this approach may underestimate true exposure, particularly where infections are mild or atypical.
Professor Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, said: “These findings show that mpox exposure can occur without obvious illness. Instead of relying solely on reported cases or symptoms, monitoring populations by testing blood samples for antibodies to reveal exposure to the virus will be important for understanding how it is spready and guiding targeted vaccination in our settings.”
“If we only look for obvious disease, we will miss part of the picture,” said Dr Abdullahi. “Monitoring blood samples gives us a way to detect exposure that doesn’t result in clinic visits, especially in regions where health systems are stretched and requires strengthening.”
The researchers stress that their findings do not suggest widespread silent epidemics but rather highlight the complexity of mpox transmission in populations with mixed immunity. The detected exposure rate reflects the study cohort and should not be interpreted as population prevalence.
The work also reinforces the long-lasting impact of smallpox vaccination. Individuals vaccinated decades ago still show broad immune recognition of mpox virus, which may help limit transmission even today.
Professor Gupta added: “This study reminds us that decisions made generations ago - such as ending smallpox vaccination - continue to shape how emerging infections behave. Understanding that legacy is crucial for designing rational vaccination and surveillance strategies now.”
The authors note that further work is needed to link antibody patterns to functional protection, to study cellular immune responses, and to assess how conditions such as HIV infection may modify mpox immunity.
The research was supported by the Cambridge-Africa program, Wellcome Trust, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Global Health Institute, and partners in Nigeria and Europe.
Sero-genomic evidence 1 for occult mpox exposure in healthy Nigerian adults
Article Publication Dat
20-Jan-2026
58% of patients affected by 2022 mpox outbreak report lasting physical symptoms
American College of Physicians
Below please find summaries of new articles that will be published in the next issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The summaries are not intended to substitute for the full articles as a source of information. This information is under strict embargo and by taking it into possession, media representatives are committing to theterms of the embargo not only on their own behalf, but also on behalf of the organization they represent. ----------------------------
1. 58% of patients affected by 2022 mpox outbreak report lasting physical symptoms
Summary for Patients:https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-00036-PS
URL goes live when the embargo lifts
A cohort study of over 300 adults either diagnosed with mpox between May 2022 to January 2023 (post-MPX) and or who were at risk but never infected (no-MPX) found that more than half of those diagnosed with mpox during the 2022 outbreak still had lingering physical effects 11 to 18 months later. Most reported appearance-related changes, and some continued to experience anorectal or urinary problems. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Columbia University Division of Infectious Diseases, and University of Texas Health Science Center Houston sought to understand the long-term psychosocial and behavioral impact between at-risk persons who had or did not have mpox during the 2022 mpox outbreak. The researchers recruited post-MPX and no-MPX participants from health centers in New York City, NY and Houston, TX to complete psychosocial and behavioral self-assessments followed by a clinical evaluation among the post-MPX group. The study found that 58% of those infected had at least one persistent symptom. Among post-MPX participants with appearance-related sequelae, the extent of sequelae was relatively low, with most having fewer than 10 scars or sites of discoloration and 2 or fewer body sites involved. Thirteen percent of post-MPX participants experienced ongoing physical function changes, and 2% had their activities of daily living affected. The findings provide context into the enduring physical and psychosocial effects that may occur because of mpox.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author Preetam Cholli, MD, please submit a CDC Request for Comment Form.
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2. Bariatric surgery shows advantage over medical therapy for diabetes across all social backgrounds
In a long-term analysis of people with type 2 diabetes, researchers found that bariatric surgery led to greater weight loss and better blood sugar control than medical and lifestyle treatment, regardless of whether participants lived in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods. The findings suggest social vulnerability level does not change the benefits of bariatric surgery over medical therapy in those with type 2 diabetes. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School and colleagues analyzed data from 258 adults with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in randomized trials comparing bariatric surgery with medical therapy to determine if social vulnerability influenced the effectiveness of bariatric surgery compared to medical and lifestyle interventions including individualized nutrition counseling and instruction on exercise and self-monitoring of glucose. They linked participants’ ZIP codes to the Area Deprivation Index to determine social vulnerability and analyzed changes in weight and hemoglobin A1c levels over 7 to 12 years. Bariatric surgery showed greater long-term effectiveness than medical and lifestyle interventions for both glycemic and weight loss outcomes across all levels of social vulnerability. However, the researchers did not find statistically significant differences in the comparative advantage of surgery over medical therapy by ADI levels.
Media contacts: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Gabby Macrina at gmacrina@acponline.org. To contact corresponding author Mary Elizabeth Patti, MD please email mary.elizabeth.patti@joslin.harvard.edu.
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Also new this issue:
GRADE Guidance: Update on Developing Good Practice Statements in Guidelines
