Finnish study shows robust immune responses to H5N8 avian influenza vaccine

Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

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Finland was the first country to offer the zoonotic avian influenza A(H5N8) vaccine manufactured by Seqirus to at-risk occupational groups following the extensive clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) outbreak affecting wild birds and fur farms in Finland in 2023. 

A new study published in Nature Microbiology shows that the MF59-adjuvanted A(H5N8) vaccine induced strong immune responses, including both functional antibodies and memory T-cell responses, against the vaccine virus, as well as against H5 viruses that have caused recent outbreaks in Europe and the United States.

Robust immune responses after two doses

The observational phase IV study assessed antibody responses in 39 at-risk individuals and T-cell responses in a subset of 18 participants. 

After two doses, the majority of previously unvaccinated individuals developed seroprotective antibody levels against the vaccine virus (A/Astrakhan/3212/2020, clade 2.3.4.4b). Seroprotection rates against the vaccine virus were 83% (95% CI 70–97%) by microneutralization assay (titer ≥20) and 97% (90–100%) by hemagglutination inhibition assay (titer ≥40). 
Importantly, the antibodies also recognized heterologous clade 2.3.4.4b H5 strains, including H5N1 viruses responsible for outbreaks on Finnish fur farms and dairy cattle farms in the United States.

“These findings show that two doses of the vaccine elicit strong humoral and cellular immune responses that are expected to confer protection against currently circulating clade 2.3.4.4b H5 viruses,” the authors report.

T-cell analyses further demonstrated an approximately five-fold increase in IFN-γ producing CD4⁺ T cells after the second dose, indicating activation of cellular immunity that may contribute to broader and longer-lasting protection.

A single dose strongly boosts immunity in previously vaccinated individuals

One of the most striking findings relates to participants who had received earlier H5 vaccines, many years or more than a decade earlier. In these individuals, a single dose of the current vaccine rapidly induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies, with no significant additional boost from a closely spaced second dose.

This indicates potent immunological memory and suggests that priming at-risk populations with currently available vaccines, followed by a booster during a future epidemic, could provide rapid and robust protection even if the circulating virus differs from the vaccine strain.

Low vaccination uptake among high-risk groups

However, vaccination experiences in Finland highlight a critical gap: vaccine uptake among the targeted high-risk groups was far lower than expected, based on data from national vaccination registries. Fewer than 10% of individuals in the estimated target occupational categories received the vaccine, and not all completed the two-dose series. This underscores the need for improved communication and engagement strategies in future preparedness efforts.

Despite the strong immunogenicity, the real-world impact is limited by very low participation among those eligible for vaccination. Crucially, no fur farm workers, who were the group with the highest exposure risk during the 2023 outbreak, participated in the study despite multiple outreach efforts.

Other eligible groups included laboratory personnel, bird ringers, veterinarians, and poultry workers. Laboratory employees constituted the majority of participants in the immunogenicity study.

Several likely reasons for the low vaccine uptake

In many wellbeing services counties, responsible for organizing social and health care services, access to the vaccine was limited. Some individuals may not have been aware that they were eligible for vaccination. There may have been uncertainty about personal risk. As there was no prelicensure data on humans prior to the introduction, the limited data about the vaccine’s benefits and safety may have left people uncertain about whether to be vaccinated. 

“Even if a vaccine is highly immunogenic and well matched to circulating viruses, it can only protect those who receive it,” the authors emphasize.

Improved, tailored communication strategies will be essential for future vaccination campaigns.

Implications for global avian influenza preparedness

As countries prepare for a potential escalation of H5N1 transmission globally, the Finnish experience offers important guidance. The study shows that two doses generate strong antibody and T-cell responses in previously unvaccinated individuals, while a single dose triggers rapid, high-level immunity in those primed years or even decades earlier with any H5 vaccine.

This underscores the value of priming at-risk occupational groups now during the interpandemic period, so they can be boosted quickly and effectively if the epidemiological situation worsens. Successful preparedness will also require proactive engagement of target groups to ensure access, awareness, and trust.

A strategy that includes priming at-risk individuals with currently available H5 vaccines is both sustainable and forward-looking. Should the situation deteriorate rapidly, even a non-perfectly matched booster could still provide timely and meaningful protection.

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Journal

Nature Microbiology

DOI

10.1038/s41564-025-02183-5 

Article Title

Influenza A(H5N8) vaccine induces humoral and cell-mediated immunity against highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses in at-risk individuals

Article Publication Date

5-Dec-2025

 

Engineering the next superfood: BTI unlocks goldenberry’s commercial potential

Boyce Thompson Institute

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image: 

"Erecta" goldenberry lines (right) show compact growth habit compared to the non-edited lines (left)

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Credit: Van Eck Lab, Boyce Thompson Institute

Goldenberries taste like a cross between pineapple and mango, pack the nutritional punch of a superfood, and are increasingly popular in U.S. grocery stores. But the plants that produce these bright yellow-orange fruits grow wild and unruly—reaching heights that make large-scale farming impractical.

Researchers at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) helped solve that problem. Using CRISPR gene editing, a collaborative team including BTI professor Joyce Van Eck engineered compact goldenberry plants that are 35% shorter than their wild relatives, making them viable for commercial agriculture.

"Goldenberry has tremendous potential as a nutritious crop, but its large, bushy growth habit has hindered commercial production," said Van Eck. "These new compact plants can be grown at higher density, don't require extensive staking or trellising, and are much easier to maintain and harvest."

The research, published in Plants, People, Planet, demonstrates how plant science-based solutions can rapidly improve minor crops that haven't benefited from traditional breeding programs.

From wild to farmable

Native to the Andean region of South America, goldenberry (Physalis peruviana) has been consumed for centuries but has undergone little domestication. Colombia currently produces more than 20,000 tons annually, with 40% exported to meet growing global demand.

The team leveraged knowledge from related Solanaceae crops, targeting the ERECTA gene that regulates stem length in tomatoes and groundcherries. Because goldenberry is tetraploid—containing four sets of chromosomes—the researchers needed to edit two separate copies of ERECTA.

Using CRISPR technology and transformation methods developed at BTI, they successfully generated plants with precise edits in both gene copies. After crossing the edited plants to select for preferred fruit flavor, the team produced stable "Erecta" lines that have 50% shorter internodes than wild-type plants.

The compact plants produce fruits averaging 3.3 grams, which are only slightly smaller than commercially available goldenberries sold in U.S. markets.

The team has already secured USDA clearance, confirming that the edited plants are free from plant pest regulations. Now, they'll be seeking FDA approval so growers can proceed with commercial production immediately.

Beyond goldenberries

A handful of crops—wheat, rice, corn, soybeans—dominate global food production, creating a fragile system vulnerable to disruption and disease. Meanwhile, hundreds of nutritious "minor crops" remain underutilized, often trapped between wild origins and commercial viability.

“This work demonstrates how gene editing can complement traditional plant breeding for minor crops," Van Eck said. "We can integrate decades of breeding knowledge from major crop species, use CRISPR to make precise changes to specific traits, and accelerate the development of improved varieties—adding a powerful new tool to plant breeders' toolkit.”

The team has identified several promising next steps for advancing goldenberry cultivation, including increasing fruit size, eliminating sticky acylsugars on fruit surfaces, and enabling synchronized ripening for efficient harvest. And the approach extends beyond goldenberries—similar strategies could improve passion fruit, groundcherry, and other underutilized crops with strong nutritional profiles and regional importance.

"Improving nutritious minor crops like goldenberry expands dietary diversity and creates new opportunities for farmers," added Van Eck. "That's exactly the kind of plant science-based solution BTI exists to deliver."

The research was supported by the National Science Foundation Plant Genome Research Program and involved collaboration with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Johns Hopkins University.

About the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI)
As an independent nonprofit research institute affiliated with Cornell University, our scientists are committed to advancing solutions for global food security, agricultural sustainability, and human health. Through groundbreaking research, transformative education, and rapid translation of discoveries into real-world applications, BTI bridges fundamental plant and molecular science with practical impact. Discovery inspired by plants. Learn more at BTIscience.org.

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Journal

Plants People Planet

DOI

10.1002/ppp3.70140 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Cells

Article Title

Engineering compact Physalis peruviana (goldenberry) to promote its potential as a global crop

Article Publication Date

5-Dec-2025

 

American College of Cardiology supports front of package nutrition labeling

Easy to understand nutrition labels on front of food can help consumers make heart healthy choices

American College of Cardiology

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Simplifying nutrition information can empower consumers to make healthier, more informed dietary choices and reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to guidance issued by the American College of Cardiology and published in JACC, its flagship journal. The new guidance supports a standardized front-of-packaging food labeling system that highlights key nutrients to limit or encourage.

Diet-related chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States, disproportionately affecting individuals from certain racial and ethnic groups and those of lower socioeconomic status. Following healthy dietary patterns, including a low intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium and added sugars, is associated with a reduced risk of obesity, CVD, Type 2 diabetes and several types of cancer. Conversely, diets rich in whole

grains, fruits, vegetables, fiber and unsaturated fats are associated with lower morbidity and mortality.

“Nutrition is foundational to cardiovascular health; however, the overabundance of food choices and inconsistent messaging have created confusion among the public,” said Kim Allan Williams, MD, MACC, chair of the writing committee and chair of the University of Louisville Department of Medicine. “Front of package labeling presents an opportunity to translate nutrition science into real-world consumer guidance and provide a rapid, visual cue at the point of purchase that highlights nutrients most relevant to chronic disease risk like saturated fat, sodium and added sugars.”

In January 2025, the FDA proposed a new nutrition info label for the front of food packages that highlights the percentage of saturated fat, sodium and added sugars per serving, plus classifies each as high, medium or low. Currently, nutrition facts are typically located on the back or side of a food package and provide detailed information on calorie content, macronutrients, micronutrients and ingredients per serving.

Front of package labels would complement current Nutrition Facts, not replace them. The labels would use illustrations, symbols and systems that are easy to understand, helping consumers convey useful nutrition-related information to make healthier dietary choices. One commonly used method for front of package labels is the “Traffic Light Approach,” which uses the colors red, yellow and green to indicate whether a product contains high, medium or low amounts of fats, sugar or sodium. This color-coded approach is thought to assist less health-conscious and nutrition-minded individuals in understanding nutritional values and increase the reach of nutrition education.

The ACC guidance outlines the rationale for supporting FDA-led front of package labeling as a transparent, science-based policy that prioritizes public health and offers clear direction to food manufacturers. The document reviews evidence on the effectiveness of front of package labeling in 44 other countries and highlights key considerations for implementation in the U.S.

The guidance also serves as a flowchart to guide clinician–patient conversations about healthy eating. The 2019 ACC/AHA Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Guideline recommends a plant-forward diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes and fish with avoidance of processed meats, refined carbohydrates and trans fats; however, clinicians receive limited formal training in nutrition and often do not adhere to these guidelines themselves.

“The average clinician spends less than three minutes on nutrition counseling during a patient visit,” Williams said. “The front of package labeling can serve as bridge during these conversations by providing nutrition education at the point of decision-making and guide clinician/patient conversations about heart-healthy food choices.”

Nutrition and Front-of-Package Food Labeling as a Catalyst for Cardiovascular Health: 2025 ACC Concise Clinical Guidance will be available in JACC on Dec. 5, 2025, at 10 am ET. For an embargoed copy, contact Olivia Walther at owalther@acc.org.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials, and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections, and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or connect on social media at @ACCinTouch.

The ACC’s JACC Journals rank among the top cardiovascular journals in the world for scientific impact. The flagship journal, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) — and specialty journals consisting of JACC: Advances, JACC: Asia, JACC: Basic to Translational Science, JACC: CardioOncology, JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging, JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, JACC: Case Reports, JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology and JACC: Heart Failure — pride themselves on publishing the top peer-reviewed research on all aspects of cardiovascular disease. Learn more at JACC.org.

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Journal

Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Dance effective in fighting against cognitive decline in Parkinson’s, York University study finds

Latest study builds on earlier York research showing dance’s benefits for depression and motor control

York University

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TORONTO, Dec. 05, 2025 — A new study led by researchers at York University shows that dance can be beneficial in halting the cognitive decline associated with Parkinson’s disease and, for some participants, they even showed signs of improvement. Faculty of Health Associate Professor Joseph DeSouza, co-author of the study, says since cognition is nearly always expected to decline as the illness progresses and this was a multi-year study, the findings are quite remarkable.

“The classic progression of Parkinson's disease is that cognition gets bad as well as motor symptoms, and some people already have significantly impaired cognition by the time they get to a diagnosis,” says DeSouza, who worked closely on the study with lead author Simran Rooprai, a second-year interdisciplinary master’s student at York. “So finding that no one in the dance group had further cognitive decline over six years, we think that’s pretty significant.”

The study, published today in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, looked at 43 participants from a group with Parkinson’s participating in the Sharing Dance Parkinson’s program at the National Ballet of Canada and the Dance for Parkinson’s Disease program through Trinity St. Paul’s Church, both located in Toronto, and a reference group of 28 people with Parkinson’s who were sedentary and not engaged in any physical activity.

Dance classes would begin with a seated warm-up, followed by “barre” exercises, and sessions ended with floorwork dances. One group was also taught a specific choreography in preparation for an upcoming performance.

The researchers found that the cognitive scores for the dance group had improved compared to the reference group, where they saw no changes, or a slight decline.

Rooprai says the research shows that dance could help with cognitive preservation, or perhaps even improvement in those with Parkinson’s.

“We can't really fix the brain, but we're trying to show that with dance, maybe we can delay the onset of further cognitive decline,” says Rooprai.

While Parkinson’ disease is most closely associated with the characteristic tremors of the disease, it is also associated with cognitive decline, with four out of five people with the illness eventually experiencing severe cognition problems as the disease progresses.

Earlier research led by DeSouza at York that he worked on with fellow author and former York PhD student Karolina Bearss, now a professor at Algoma University, has shown the benefits of dance for depression and motor symptoms of the illness, suggesting the benefits of dance are widespread.

“Dance engages many parts of the brain,” says Rooprai. “While dancing, you’re listening to music, learning new steps, remembering the different sequences, and you’re engaging with other dancers so you’re aware of your surroundings. Dance is physical, mental, and social all at once.”

DeSouza and Rooprai are working on a follow-up study in collaboration with the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, where they will look at how working memory is affected for people with Parkinson’s taking weekly dance classes.

“Given how dance has so many different positive impacts on cognition, we expect to see improvements.” says DeSouza.

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York University is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for success. York's fully bilingual Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. York’s campuses in Costa Rica and India offer students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contact:

Emina Gamulin, York University Media Relations, egamulin@yorku.ca

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Journal

Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

DOI

10.1177/13872877251393 

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

Dancing through time: Cognitive changes over six years of community dance in Parkinson's disease

Article Publication Date

5-Dec-2025