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Given that human-made threats—such as habitat fragmentation , overhunting , overfishing , global warming , and pollution —are the major drivers of extinctions , the preservation and recovery of endangered species depend on human awareness. This week marks Endangered Species Day , a chance to learn more about the issue and what’s being done to turn the tide. Animal Magnetism: 10 of the Most Famous Endangered Species ©Sergey Uryadnikov/Dreamstime.com What Makes a Species Endangered? © Chris/stock.adobe.com How a Species Can Become Extinct Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Discover More How Botanical Gardens Save Plants with Science Video: Can Cloning Save Endangered Species? Medical News From an international effort to fight pandemics , to breakthroughs in cancer vaccines and gene therapy , here’s more on some recent health-related developments. Cancer vaccine attacks tumors A new mRNA cancer vaccine developed by the University of Florida has proven to be effective at retraining the immune system of four cancer patients to attack the most aggressive form of brain cancer , according to the report published in the May 1 issue of Cell . So, what is mRNA , or messenger RNA? It’s a molecule in cells that carries codes from the DNA in the nucleus to the sites of protein synthesis in the cytoplasm—telling your body how to make proteins. Gene therapy reverses deafness A British toddler who was born deaf can hear for the first time thanks to a new form of gene-therapy treatment . Gene therapy is a process where a normal gene is introduced into an individual’s genome to repair a mutation that causes a genetic disease—and the most common cause of childhood deafness is genetic disease. Scientists are hopeful that the experimental treatment can be applied to other forms of hearing loss. Pandemic treaty stalls Since 2001 the World Health Organization has tried building international consensus on a draft pandemic treaty, so far to no avail. The aim is to help the world coordinate its response to the next health crisis, to increase shared resources between richer and poorer countries, and incorporate other lessons learned from the international response to the COVID-19 pandemic . Last week, the ninth round of talks concluded unresolved , as Britain and other industrialized nations balked at signing on. Popular on Britannica Articles Mother’s Day Eurovision Song Contest winner Jonestown Boxing Day vampire Malaysia Airlines flight 370 disappearance HAARP Anna Jarvis Malaysia Airlines flight 17 aurora Show More Show Less Features Did Marie-Antoinette Really Say Let Them Eat Cake”? What Causes the Northern and Southern Lights? How Many Electoral College Votes Does Each U.S. State Have? How Did Helen Keller Fly a Plane? Which Religion Is the Oldest? Poker Hands Ranked Timeline of the 1990s Exploring 7 of Earth’s Great Mountain Ranges A Guide to LGBTQ+ Pride Flags Nostradamus and His Prophecies Show More Show Less Lists 6 of the World’s Most Dangerous Birds 9 American Political Scandals 6 Classical Dances of India Uninvited Guests: The 7 Worst Parasitic Worms 10 Best Hockey Players of All Time 7 Puzzling Plane Disappearances 9 Mind-Altering Plants 9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes 6 Cultures That Recognize More than Two Genders 10 Unusual Sports Show More Show Less Investing Retirement Household Finance Companies 5 ethical questions about artificial intelligence How to donate your vehicle so everybody wins Making a blended family estate plan? These 7 steps will help An alchemy of assets: Understanding the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet New on Britannica Titan submersible implosion On June 18, 2023, the Titan submersible carrying five passengers went missing while traveling to the wreckage of the Titanic . What is news literacy”? As disinformation and misinformation abound, it’s critical to tell the difference between news and opinion. Here’s how. The world’s biggest cities, by population Asian locales claim the first seven spots on this list. Where does your metro rank against the world’s most-inhabited? Interactive: Periodic Table of the Elements All matter is built from the same 118 building blocks, but which are which? Click the symbols and find out. Trending Quizzes See All Quizzes Where in America is That? Crisscross the U.S. by placing these famous landmarks. From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology Do you know which hero took a dip in the River Styx? Or what mysteries lurk inside the Labyrinth? Ultimate Animals Quiz What is a rattlesnake’s rattle made of? What animals can go over 180 miles an hour? Guess the Language! Quiz Can you recognize a language by its greeting? Best Picture Movie Quote Quiz Take this quiz or you may regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life. American Civil Rights Movement Quiz Test your knowledge of Americans’ tumultuous fight to end racial segregation and discrimination. Name That Thing: Tools A handy quiz to test your tool acumen. The Dog Breed Quiz Find out which breed can outrun a cheetah, which breed was created by monks, and much more. Baking and Baked Goods Quiz You may have a sweet tooth, but how much do you know about baking and baked goods? Test your knowledge with this quiz. First Ladies of the United States Quiz They have been hostesses, helpers, advisers, gatekeepers, guardians, confidantes, and sometimes formidable powers behind... Featured Videos See All Videos Why are children slightly different from their parents? Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Why are children slightly different from their parents? Why was Mother Jones called the most dangerous woman in America”? How Whistler’s Mother became an American icon Learn about the life and works of Mother Teresa Britannica Premium Subscription Unlock Exclusive Content! Britannica’s content is among the most trusted in the world. Every article is written, and continually fact-checked, by our experts. Subscribe to Britannica Premium and unlock our entire database of trusted content today. Subscribe Now! Explore Britannica History & Society Where Bonnie and Clyde Died, and Still Live On Timeline of the Titanic’s Final Hours Science & Tech How Do Tornadoes Form? When Does Summer Start? Biographies Dalip Singh Saund Mazie Hirono Animals & Nature 10 Organisms Named for David Attenborough Incredible Facts About Bees Geography & Travel Exploring 7 of Earth’s Great Mountain Ranges Are Volcanoes Dangerous When They’re Not Erupting? 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