Abstracts: Harvey Aftermath, New Species, and More

• At least 38 Hurricane Harvey-related deaths, most of them from drowning, have been reported since the storm hit last week. Many of the victims are still being identified. (New York Times)

Officials are learning the circumstances under which Hurricane Harvey’s victims died. Visual: Texas National Guard/ Staff Sgt. Tim Pruitt

• Houstonians who came into contact with floodwater during Hurricane Harvey are being warned of the contaminants and infectious agents present in the water. Health officials are urging people not to eat food that may have touched floodwater and to get tetanus shots if they have any injuries or cuts. Large colonies of fire ants have also been plaguing the city since the storm hit, posing yet another hazard. (Vice News)

• Two explosions hit a flooded chemical plant outside of Houston yesterday, leading to an evacuation of the area and causing concern for law enforcement personnel who may have inhaled fumes. The plant’s owners expect that the rest of its chemical cooling systems will fail in the coming days, leading to more fires. (Reuters)

• The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first gene therapy in the United States. Used to treat a rare form of leukemia, the novel gene therapy genetically engineers T cells associated with the immune system to attack cancerous cells. (Science News)

• Researchers discovered roughly one new species in the Amazon every other day over the course of a 2014-2015 study. But many of these plants and animals — 381 new species in total — live in areas at risk of deforestation and other types of human disruption. (BBC)

• A study found that the average age of new American fathers has increased over the last several decades across all educational levels and races. While similar patterns have been observed in American mothers, there is less research available about the possible health implications for children with older fathers. (CBS News)

• Undocumented American children whose mothers are protected from deportation may have better mental health, according to a new study. The study examined how the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program issued in 2012 impacted undocumented immigrants in Oregon, finding that children whose mothers were eligible for DACA were 50 percent less likely to suffer from mental illness. (The Verge)

• And finally, some scientific labs are offering space, supplies, and even temporary research placements for scientists whose labs were impacted by Hurricane Harvey. (Huffington Post)