  We use effective field theory to study the
$\mathrm{\alpha}$-$\mathrm{\alpha}$ resonant scattering in a finite-temperature
QED plasma. The static plasma screening effect causes the resonance state
$^8$Be to live longer and eventually leads to the formation of a bound state
when $m_D\gtrsim 0.3$ MeV. We speculate that this effect may have implications
on the rates of cosmologically and astrophysically relevant nuclear reactions
involving $\mathrm{\alpha}$ particles.
