Weekly Newsletter #99: And So it Begins…

By: burgundy bug

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Close up of an analog clock at 12 o’clock

Source: Pexels

Shortly after announcing the new release date for “The Burgundy Zine #18: Imagination Recaptured,” we began the process of laying out this issue of our digital magazine. It’s a bit like riding a bike at this point — no matter how long it’s been since the previous issue, the graphic design portion truly is like riding a bike.

Keep on riding along with us for a special sneak-peek of “The Burgundy Zine #18: Imagination Recaptured” in this week’s newsletter.

Weekly Recap

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On Tuesday, we tuned-in to Doctor Octoroc’s Kickstarter campaign, “Soft Bits In,” which is a chiptune tribute to The Flaming Lip’s album, “The Soft Bulletin.”

Next, we were thrilled to announce the new release date for “The Burgundy Zine #18: Imagination Recaptured” is July 28. The submission deadline for this issue is July 14.

Then, we let our inner fangirl on the loose for our review of Disney’s latest live-action film, “Cruella.”

Last — but most certainly far from least — editor burgundy bug released 10 new art prints in her Etsy shop as part of her “Summer Waves” collection. Bug is releasing 10 new prints every Saturday in June, so be sure to check back next Saturday to see which prints she releases next!

As a special thank you for being part of our community, you can enjoy 10 percent off of bug’s entire Etsy shop using the promo code “BDZN10”

Research Roundup

Studies Confirm COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Safe, Effective for Pregnant Women

By: Dr. Francis Collins (NIH Director’s Blog)

Recently, it was announced on the NIH Director’s Blog that both mRNA COVID-19 vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — are safe and effective for pregnant women. This announcement came after two clinical studies in JAMA and Obstetrics & Gynecology found both vaccines were well-tolerated and that “vaccinated pregnant women showed a robust response to the vaccine, producing needed levels of neutralizing antibodies.”

“After vaccination, women in all groups produced antibodies against SARS-CoV-2,” Collins explains. “Importantly, those antibodies neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. The researchers also found those antibodies in infant cord blood and breast milk, suggesting that they were passed on to afford some protection to infants early in life.”

Scientists discover brain cells that compete to sustain or suppress traumatic memories

By: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH)

“Two clusters of brain cells compete to promote either the persistence or disappearance of traumatic memories, according to a new study conducted in mice,” begins a recent press release by the NIAAA. “The findings could provide important insights into human conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and associated problems such as alcohol use disorder (AUD) that can arise from the persistence of traumatic memories.”

The researchers started their investigation of these brain cells by looking at the neurons in the amygdalas of mice. The amygdala is a central part of the brain for emotional processing, making it the most likely place for traumatic memories to live on (or be suppressed) in.

They found there are two distinct clusters of cells that promote either a fear response, leading to defensive behavior in the mice. Furthermore, they discovered these clusters of cells have long-range connections to other fear-regulating regions in the midbrain and prefrontal cortex.

“The persistence of disturbing memories of a traumatic event are one of the hallmarks of PTSD and some anxiety disorders,” says chief of NIAAA’s Laboratory of Behavioral and Genomic Neuroscience Dr. Andrew Holmes, who led the study. “Our findings identify a neural circuit within the amygdala that orchestrates activity across a broad brain network to exert a powerful influence over the ability to switch between high and low fear states. This finding now raises interesting questions about whether dysfunction of this brain system could contribute to the marked individual differences in risk for trauma-related psychiatric disorders.”

FieldLine Launches HEDscan™, a Next-Generation Device for Non-Invasive Functional Brain Imaging

By: FieldLine

Recently, biotech company FieldLine launched the “FieldLINE HEDscan System,” which is the first-ever commercially non-cryogenic, whole head magnetoencephalography (MEG) system for functional brain imaging.

“HEDscan is available to researchers interested in generating three-dimensional videos of a subject’s brain activity,” says a recent press release by FieldLine. “HEDscan incorporates 128 fully synchronized quantum magnetic sensors, constructed using the Company’s proprietary microfabrication techniques. The data collected using HEDscan allows neuroscientists and clinicians to research and diagnose a variety of mental health disorders ranging from Alzheimer’s to PTSD.”

Exciting Events

• In case you haven’t already heard, VANS just dropped their new Spongebob collection, which features the Bikini Bottom babes you know and love across a variety of shoes, t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories.

Going Forward

We are above and beyond delighted to begin putting together the 18th issue of our digital magazine and can’t wait to share it with you next month — so here’s a sneak peek of what we’ve been working on!

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As you can see, we’re keeping in line with the signature format for the articles throughout The Burgundy Zine #18, which already feels oddly nostalgic to us, somehow. In any case, there’s something about the magazine format that brings the blog articles to life. And it makes us so happy to see all the wonderful content we’ve put together as a community over the last six months compiled into a magazine.

In the meantime, stay healthy, stay safe, and don’t forget to use the promo code “BDZN10” for 10 percent off of your order from Bugs Boops on Etsy!

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