For over 15 years, Dr Anthony Shum, a pulmonologist at the University of California, San Francisco has been studying a rare genetic disorder called the COPA Syndrome. It stands for coatomer subunit alpha and is a rare, inherited disorder that affects the lungs, joint, and kidney. The National Organization for Rare Disorder also notes that it is a genetic autoimmune disorder that is caused by mutations in the COPA gene. This disease affects families unpredictably—some individuals with the mutation develop severe lung damage early in life, while others remain completely healthy. Now, Shum’s team has discovered a protective genetic variant that may offer new hope for treatment.

A Breakthrough

Researchers found that some relatives of COPA Syndrome patients stayed healthy despite carrying the same COPA gene mutation that causes the disease. The key difference? These unaffected individuals had a protective version of another gene called HAQ-STING.

When scientists introduced HAQ-STING into diseased lung cells from COPA patients, the cells returned to a balanced state, suggesting that this gene could be used as a therapy.

“We really think HAQ-STING could be a gene therapy tool and a step toward a cure,” said Shum, whose findings were published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

Families Who Solved The Mystery

Shum’s journey into COPA Syndrome research began in 2011 when he treated a young woman, Letasha, who had severe lung bleeding. Her mother, Betty Towe, mentioned that Letasha’s sister, Kristina, had suffered from similar symptoms. Over the years, Betty had taken both daughters on a four-hour trip to UCSF for treatment. After tracing their family history, Shum discovered that their distant relatives in Texas and Oakland also had lung problems and arthritis. In 2015, Shum, along with scientists from Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital identified the COPA gene mutation. They realized that it was the common factor behind the illness. However, only some of the 30 individuals with the mutation actually developed symptoms, leaving a major question unanswered.

The Domino Effect

It was established that it occurs when a mutated COPA gene causes another gene STING to go overdrive. The STING that helps fight infections in COPA patients, remain permanently active, which leads to chronic inflammation that damages the lungs, kidneys, and joints. In 2020, while studying STING’s role in the disease, researchers discovered a key variation: HAQ-STING. This version of STING, present in about one-third of the population, appeared to neutralize the harmful effects of the COPA mutation.

To confirm their theory, the scientists needed both affected and unaffected family members to participate in the testing. Letasha, Kristina and Betty immediately volunteered. The researchers then analyzed DNA samples from 26 COPA patients and their healthy relatives. They also conducted CT scans and blood tests to ensure that unaffected members did not have any hidden symptoms. When the findings were all clear, it was revealed that all the healthy individuals had HAQ-STING, while none of the COPA patients did. This was the first known case of a common gene variant completely protecting against a severe genetic disease.

Encouraged by this discovery, researchers tested HAQ-STING’s effects in a lab setting. They introduced it into diseased lung cells from COPA patients, and the cells returned to normal function.

Way Ahead

Shum believes HAQ-STING could lead to game-changing treatments, including:

• Prenatal gene therapy for babies diagnosed with COPA Syndrome before birth
• Aerosol delivery of HAQ-STING for adults, directly targeting the lungs

Before publishing their findings, Shum called Betty with the news—her own HAQ-STING gene had protected her from the disease. He also informed Letasha and Kristina, who were overwhelmed with relief and joy.

“We always believed Dr. Shum would get to the bottom of it,” said Letasha. “This discovery is going to change lives.”

America is aiming to align with global trends in sun protection. On December 11, the Food and Drug Administration proposed allowing the use of bemotrizinol in sunscreens — an ingredient that has been widely used in other countries for years.

Bemotrizinol provides stable, long-lasting defence against both types of UV rays that can harm the skin. According to the FDA announcement, it is gentle enough to be safe for young children and could be on shelves in time for next summer.

"The agency has historically moved too slowly in this area, leaving Americans with fewer options than consumers abroad. We’re continuing to modernize the regulation of sunscreen and other over-the-counter drug products,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in a press statement. “Americans deserve timely access to the best safe, effective, and consumer-friendly over-the-counter products available.”

What is Bemotrizinol?

Bemotrizinol, also called BEMT, is a chemical that absorbs both UVB and UVA rays. If those terms sound familiar, it’s likely because you’ve seen them on nearly every sunscreen bottle. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is exactly what sunscreen is designed to block.

UVB and UVA describe different kinds of rays, according to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. For our skin, the difference isn’t huge. UVA causes tanning and burns faster than UVB, while UVB can be partially blocked by barriers like windows or clouds.

About 95% of UV reaching the ground is UVA, with UVB making up the remaining 5%, according to the Anderson Cancer Center. Sunscreens work in two ways: creating a physical barrier with minerals or using chemicals that absorb rays before they reach the skin. BEMT falls into the latter category.

Why Is BEMT Good For Use In Sunscreen?

BEMT ticks many boxes for an effective sunscreen ingredient. It is broad-spectrum, shielding against both UVA and UVB, and achieves higher SPF protection in smaller amounts than some other popular chemicals, according to Certified Laboratories and the FDA via USA Today. It is also photostable, meaning it breaks down more slowly when exposed to sunlight, and being oil-soluble makes it easy to mix into creams.

The ingredient is minimally absorbed into the body through the skin and rarely causes irritation, which is why the FDA considers it safe for children as young as six months old.

When Will BEMT Come To Sunscreen In The US?

Following the proposal, the FDA has opened a 45-day public comment period. Once the agency reviews feedback and confirms safety, it will issue a final order to allow the ingredient. Over-the-counter approvals are generally faster than the one-to-two years typical for prescription drugs. The FDA told Today that BEMT sunscreens could be available by summer or fall of 2026.

What Caused FDA Delays in Sunscreen Approvals?

Recent holdups at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in clearing new sunscreen ingredients have largely stemmed from long-standing regulatory slowdowns, which left American shoppers with fewer choices than those offered in many other countries.

The agency’s plan to permit the use of bemotrizinol, a filter already common abroad, marks a step toward updating its approach to sunscreen oversight and giving people access to more advanced formulas. Updates from the agency note that bemotrizinol delivers steady, broad-spectrum defense against UVA and UVB rays and is mild enough for children, bringing U.S. standards closer to what is widely available worldwide.

As a strong wave of “superflu” and other seasonal infections moves through the country, large numbers of people have fallen ill this winter. The rise has been serious enough for some NHS officials to advise anyone with symptoms to wear a mask. Newly released data shows how quickly the situation has worsened, with flu admissions jumping by 55 percent in a single week.

This sharp climb has pushed the NHS into what leaders describe as a “worst case scenario” for December. As per The Independent, over the past week, hospitals saw an average of 2,660 daily admissions for flu, the highest figure ever recorded at this point in the year. With so many people under the weather, many are trying to work out which pain reliever offers better comfort. An expert previously spoke to the Mirror on this exact point.

Superflu Cases Rise In UK

Figures released today highlight the severity of the situation, with flu hospitalisations having surged by more than half (55%) in just one week. This massive increase has officially plunged the NHS into a "worst case scenario" situation for the month of December. Last week, an average of 2,660 patients per day were admitted to hospital beds with flu, marking the highest number ever recorded for this time of year.

Superflu Cases: What To Take Paracetamol Or Ibuprofen?

With so many people falling poorly, it can be helpful to know which medicine is best to take. Thankfully an expert previously spoke to the Mirror about ibuprofen and paracetamol. Abbas Kanani, the superintendent pharmacist at Chemist Click, said: "Paracetamol is probably more effective at bringing down temperature, so it's almost like a double-whammy, you get rid of your headache and bring your temperature down. "But if you feel that you have more body aches, that's your main symptom, then ibuprofen is probably slightly better as it's an anti-inflammatory."

However, he cautioned users to be mindful of potential allergies to ibuprofen, which belongs to a specific class of drugs.

He also revealed that many people are unaware that they can actually take both medicines together when feeling particularly unwell. "If you feel that one isn't enough you can take ibuprofen as well as paracetamol, you can take them together. A lot of people don't know that it's not one or the other, you can put them together as they work in different ways."

While these two medications can alleviate aches, pains and fevers, as well as mild cold and flu symptoms, Abbas notes that they won't be particularly effective for those struggling with coughs and nasal congestion.

To address these specific symptoms, you'd need to utilise cold and flu products instead.

Choosing Medicine Based on Your Symptoms

Many people assume one medicine works better for all flu complaints, but the expert’s guidance shows that the right choice depends on what you’re feeling. Fever and headache respond more readily to paracetamol, while body aches and inflammation may ease faster with ibuprofen. For coughs or blocked sinuses, cold-and-flu formulas are needed because standard pain relievers do not target those issues.

Public forums often turn into places where people share worries they hesitate to bring up with a doctor. Reddit, especially, saw a surge of unusual yet genuinely important questions about sexually transmitted infections this year in 2025. A large number of these posts came from young adults who felt unsure about new symptoms, confused about how infections spread or overwhelmed by the flood of sexual-health content circulating online.

The ten questions below may seem odd at first glance, but each one raises a medically sensible point. Together, they show how gaps in sexual-health awareness still shape the way people talk about intimacy and illness on the internet.

What Is An STI?

STI refers to a Sexually Transmitted Infection. It is an infection passed through sexual activity such as oral, vaginal or anal contact, and in some cases through non-sexual routes such as blood exposure or mother-to-child transmission.

These infections can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Some lead to clear symptoms while others remain silent, but untreated cases can result in serious health problems. When an STI begins to cause notable medical issues, it is often described as a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD).

Top 10 Weird But Medically Valid STI Questions People Asked On Reddit

“Is it possible to get an STI if both people are virgins?”

One user who had only engaged in oral and anal sex with another virgin noticed marks on their legs and wondered if infections could be “passed down by parents.” The spots disappeared on their own, likely due to shaving irritation, yet the question reveals a common misconception. STIs cannot be inherited genetically. They require actual transmission through sexual contact, blood or childbirth.

“Can kissing, a blowjob or rimming spread an STI?”

This question came from someone who had watched too many alarming clips about PrEP and safe sex on social media. They became so uneasy that they avoided going on dates until they understood the risks. Some infections can spread through oral sex and deep kissing, though the degree of risk varies. Their fear felt intense, but the doubt itself was completely reasonable.

“Has anyone in Sri Lanka even had an STI?”

A user in a regional subreddit asked whether STIs even “exist here” because no one talked about them openly. The framing sounded odd, but it reflected the silence that still surrounds sexual health in many places. STIs appear everywhere, though in some communities the subject is rarely discussed.

“What is the real STI risk from a glory hole?”

One of the year’s most unusual but earnest threads came from someone trying to understand whether anonymous sexual setups increase risk. They asked about skin-to-skin contact, bodily fluids and the impact of poor visibility. Though the question seemed strange, experts often point out that uncertainty about partners and surroundings can raise the chance of exposure.

“For people who use glory holes, aren’t you worried about getting an STI?”

Another thread took a more confrontational tone, suggesting that anyone who uses a glory hole “either already has an STD or doesn’t care.” Replies pushed back, saying that anonymity has many motives and that what truly matters is the use of protection and clarity about risk, not assumptions about a person’s character.

“Would I break up with a new partner if they gave me an STI?”

This question was framed like a moral dilemma, but the situation involved real medical timing. A woman had contracted an STI from a partner who had tested too early for the infection to show up on his results. One commenter suggested that the timing hinted at sexual activity very close to the start of their relationship. The discussion blended relationship boundaries with the science of incubation periods.

“I have every symptom under the sun. Is this an STI?”

A worried user described swollen tonsils, tiredness, muscle twitching, stomach cramps, cracking joints, night sweats and more. None of this lined up with any single STI, yet their panic was sincere. The thread showed how anxiety can turn normal bodily sensations into something that feels catastrophic.

“Could I have an STD from giving oral once?”

A person who had their first sexual experience by giving oral sex to an AFAB partner developed painful cracks on their genitals a few days later, even though there was no genital contact. They feared they had caught an infection. While genital cracks from oral contact alone are unlikely, some infections can move through oral-genital routes. Their confusion made sense even if the symptoms did not match the exposure.

“Are these rashes from sex or something else entirely?”

Several users described bumps, redness and irritation, convinced they must have an STI. Many replies explained that chafing, sweat, allergic reactions or grooming habits can look similar to infection symptoms.

“My symptoms came weeks later. Could it still be an STI?”

Some posters were puzzled when new bodily changes appeared long after a sexual encounter. They mentioned stomach issues, headaches or tiredness. While certain infections do have incubation windows, many unrelated issues can appear around the same time, which can lead people to make the wrong connection.

These questions may sound strange, but nearly all came from people trying to understand their bodies and risks. They also show how much sexual-health education remains incomplete. Proper testing, routine medical visits and clear conversations with professionals are still far more dependable than guessing through anonymous internet threads.