Using riboflavin, UV light reduces SARS-CoV-2 pathogens in plasma, whole blood

Researchers at Colorado State University used existing technologies to show that exposing the coronavirus to riboflavin and ultraviolet light reduces blood-borne pathogens in human plasma and whole-blood products.

Using riboflavin, UV light reduces SARS-CoV-2 pathogens in plasma, whole blood

Researchers used existing technologies to show that exposing the coronavirus to riboflavin and ultraviolet light reduces blood-borne pathogens in human plasma and whole-blood products.

How the coronavirus could be prevented from invading a host cell

How might the novel coronavirus be prevented from entering a host cell in an effort to thwart infection? A team of biomedical scientists has made a discovery that points to a solution. The scientists report that two proteases -- enzymes that break down proteins -- located on the surface of host cells and responsible for processing viral entry could be inhibited.

How the coronavirus could be prevented from invading a host cell

How might the novel coronavirus be prevented from entering a host cell in an effort to thwart infection? A team of biomedical scientists has made a discovery that points to a solution. The scientists, led by Maurizio Pellecchia in the UC Riverside School of Medicine, report in the journal Molecules that two proteases -- enzymes that break down proteins -- located on the surface of host cells and responsible for processing viral entry could be inhibited.

Some Coronavirus Patients Test Positive For Weeks. Interpret Those Results With Caution

Dr. Matthew Binnicker, an expert in the diagnosis of infectious disease, explains why someone might still test positive for Covid-19 weeks after they’ve recovered.

Sun Pharma to test pancreatitis drug in COVID-19 patients in India

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd said on Friday it has received Indian regulatory approval to start clinical trials of a pancreatitis drug in COVID-19 patients.

Sun Pharma to test pancreatitis drug in Covid-19 patients in India

Sun Pharma it has initiated manufacturing of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and the finished product of the drug using technology from its unit, Pola Pharma Japan.

Sun Pharma to conduct clinical trial of pancreatitis drug in COVID-19 patients

Shares of Sun Pharma rose 5 percent intraday on Friday after receiving approval from the Indian drug regulator for clinical trial of its drug on COVID-19 patients.

Sun Pharma gains 5% on DGCI nod to initiate clinical trial of drug on COVID-19 patients

Nafamostat is approved in Japan for improvement of acute symptoms of pancreatitis and treatment of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC).

Hydroxychloroquine worsens odds for cancer patients with COVID-19

As the evidence piles up that a malaria drug touted as a possible coronavirus treatment by President Donald Trump may instead harm patients, a new study shows the same might hold true for cancer patients with COVID-19.

COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death

Patients are at increased risk of dying after surgery if they contract COVID-19. Non-critical surgery should be postponed during COVID-19 outbreaks. Investment is urgently needed to increase safety of surgery during COVID-19 outbreaks.

Cancer patients twice as likely to die from COVID-19: Study

People with cancer are more than twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than those without it, a large study published Thursday found. The data on more than 900 patients in the US, Canada and Spain

Please see special handling

A new study highlights the risks of pulmonary complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection who undergo surgery, according to an observational study of 1,128 patients across 24 countries, published in The Lancet. The study was conducted between 1 January and 31 March 2020 and included data from hospitals mainly in Europe and America with ongoing SARS-CoV-2 infection outbreaks.

Rare deadly disease linked to coronavirus infection seen in children

Now, new evidence has shown that children with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) experience a Kawasaki-like illness, called multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The complication is akin to toxic shock syndrome, a condition that occurs due to sepsis. Though rare, the condition is life-threatening.

5-day Remdesivir dose works as well as the 10-day dose in COVID-19, study finds

With more than 5.8 million people infected with the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the search is on for an effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccine or drug to treat COVID-19 disease.

Study reports a low prevalence of COVID-19 in pregnant women

New data from two studies show the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among pregnant women is low, but they still need to take extra precautions.

Hydroxychloroquine combination risky for cancer patients with COVID-19: Study

Cancer patients with COVID-19 who were treated with a drug combination promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump to counter the coronavirus were ...

Covid-19 creating chaos on many fronts

WITH the global death toll now more than 360,000 and still rising, the Covid-19 pandemic is creating health, ethical, social, business, economic and political chaos.

A Children’s Medication Might Be The Key To Curing Severe Coronavirus Cases

Though much of the health community has been focused on a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, doctors have started eagerly hailing a new children’s drug as a potential cure for severe cases of ...

Research finds delayed treatment for ischemic stroke patients during COVID-19 pandemic

New research published today in the Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery shows ischemic stroke patients are arriving to hospitals and treatment centers an average of 160 minutes later during the COVID-19 pandemic, as compared with a similar timeframe in 2019.

Oesophageal surgery: Quality increases with larger case volumes

Oesophageal surgery: quality increases with larger case volumes. Greater survival probabilities in hospitals where complex oesophageal surgery is performed more frequently.

Cancer patients twice as likely to die from coronavirus – study

However, the receipt of chemotherapy or other anti-cancer therapies within 4 weeks of COVID-19 diagnosis does not affect mortality outcomes

Drug combination of HCQ and azithromycin lethal for COVID-19 patients with cancer: Study

The study further showed that those who had the COVID-19 infection and had cancer actively progressing at the time of infection were five times more likely to die within 30 days than those who were in remission.

COVID-19 patients who undergo surgery are at increased risk of postoperative death

Patients undergoing surgery after contracting coronavirus are at greatly increased risk of postoperative death, a new global study reveals. Researchers found that amongst SARS-CoV-2 infected patients who underwent surgery, mortality rates approach those of the sickest patients admitted to intensive care after contracting the virus in the community.

Hydroxychloroquine combination risky for cancer patients with COVID-19: Study

The preliminary results suggest doctors may want to refrain from prescribing the decades-old malaria treatment hydroxychloroquine with the antibiotic azithromycin for these patients until more study is done, researchers said.

Warmer nights but rainy days to come in Queensland this winter

The weather bureau's winter outlook suggests the state will experience wetter than average conditions.

Warmer nights but rainy days to come in Queensland this winter

The weather bureau's winter outlook suggests the state will experience wetter than average conditions.

Warmer nights but rainy days to come in Queensland this winter

The weather bureau's winter outlook suggests the state will experience wetter than average conditions.

Superheroes of the deep: humpbacks bounce back from near extinction to help fight climate change

Australia's humpback whale population is bouncing back from near extinction with 40,000 expected off the Australian east coast this breeding season, while helping the world fight climate change.

Superheroes of the deep: humpbacks bounce back from near extinction to help fight climate change

Australia's humpback whale population is bouncing back from near extinction with 40,000 expected off the Australian east coast this breeding season, while helping the world fight climate change.

Superheroes of the deep: humpbacks bounce back from near extinction to help fight climate change

Australia's humpback whale population is bouncing back from near extinction with 40,000 expected off the Australian east coast this breeding season, while helping the world fight climate change.

Nilotinib appears safe and affects biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease clinical trial

A Georgetown University Medical Center clinical trial investigating the cancer drug nilotinib in people with Alzheimer's disease finds that it is safe and well-tolerated, and researchers say the drug should be tested in a larger study to further determine its safety and efficacy as a potential disease-modifying strategy.

Study reveals factors influencing outcomes in kidney cancer treated with immunotherapy

By analyzing tumors from patients treated with immunotherapy for advanced kidney cancer in three clinical trials, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have identified several features of the tumors that influence their response to immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs.

Immunotherapy for bowel cancer could change clinical practice

A large international trial involving UCL and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) has found that pembrolizumab, a form of immunotherapy, more than doubled the 'progression free survival' time of patients with a specific subtype of advanced bowel cancer, when compared with chemotherapy.

Adoptive T-cell therapy ADP-A2M4 targeting MAGE-A4 shows early activity in patients with advanced solid tumors

The adoptive T-cell therapy ADP-A2M4, which is engineered to express a T-cell receptor (TCR) directed against the MAGE-A4 cancer antigen, achieved responses in patients with multiple solid tumor types, including synovial sarcoma, head and neck cancer and lung cancer, according to results from a Phase I clinical trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Covid-19: Sun Pharma gets approval for clinical trial of Nafamostat

Covid-19: Nafamostat was found to be the most potent drug and was able to inhibit virus entry at very low concentrations, consistent with findings from Japan and German labs.

Researchers conduct metabolite analysis of ALS patient blood plasma

High-throughput analysis of blood plasma could aid in identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The work sheds further light on a pathway involved in disease progression and appears to rule out an environmental neurotoxin as playing a role in ALS.

Radiation and surgery do not prolong survival in newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer

Up to now, women who present with a new diagnosis of breast cancer that is already in an advanced stage (stage IV) face an unanswered question about whether surgery and radiation to the tumor in the breast (local therapy) will prolong survival compared to the traditional treatment of systemic treatment alone.

COVID-19 in India: DCGI allows clinical trials of Sun Pharma’s Nafamostat

Targeted therapy shows immense benefit for patients with early stage NSCLC

According to findings led by researchers at Yale Cancer Center, treatment with the targeted therapy osimertinib following surgery significantly improves disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR gene mutations.

Scientist explore potential drugs to prevent cell resistance in different types of cancer

Cancer therapy may shrink the tumor of a patient, and the patient may feel better. But unseen on a CT scan or MR image, some of the cells are undergoing ominous changes.

Trastuzumab combined with trimodality treatment does not improve outcomes for patients

Results of the NRG Oncology clinical trial RTOG 1010 indicated that the addition of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab to neoadjuvant trimodality treatment did not improve disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes for patient with HER2 overexpressing local and locally advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Targeted therapy tepotinib for non-small cell lung cancer with MET exon 14 skipping mutation shows durable response

Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping mutation had a 46.5% objective response rate to the targeted therapy drug tepotinib, as shown in a study published today in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting ASCO20 Virtual Meeting (Abstract 9556 - Poster 322) by researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Trastuzumab achieves slight reduction in recurrence for women with HER2-positive DCIS

The addition of the monoclonal antibody therapy Trastuzumab to radiotherapy did not reach the protocol objective of a 36% reduction in the ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence rate for women with HER2-positive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on the NRG Oncology clinical trial NSABP B-43. The trial did find a statistically non-significant, modest (19%) reduction in the rate of recurrence among women that received trastuzumab, but this difference was not statistically significant.

Combined cediranib and olaparib presents similar activity to standard of care treatment

Results of the NRG Oncology phase III clinical trial NRG-GY004 indicated that the addition of the investigational agent cediranib to olaparib and standard platinum-based chemotherapy did not improve progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes for women with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer;, however, activity between the treatments were similar in patients.

Targeted therapy pralsetinib achieves high response rates in advanced cancers with RET gene fusions

The targeted therapy pralsetinib appears to have high response rates and durable activity in patients with a broad variety of tumors harboring RET gene fusions, according to results from the international Phase I/II ARROW trial, led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Combination therapy does not show superior efficacy in newly diagnosed myeloma

The combination of carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (KRd) did not show superior efficacy in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma absent a high-risk disease prognosis, compared with the standard of care--bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRd).

Researchers examine data to identify optimal vasopressor treatment for rare type of stroke

Results of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) study assessing the most commonly used medications for raising blood pressure in patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a rare type of stroke, have been published in Neurosurgical Focus by scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth).

Researchers develop new method to map cholesterol metabolism in brain

A team of researchers led by Swansea University have developed new technology to monitor cholesterol in brain tissue which could uncover its relation to neurodegenerative disease and pave the way for the development of new treatments.

Ludwig Cancer Research study profiles immune landscape of brain tumors

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has profiled, in a sweeping comparative analysis, the distinct immune landscapes of tumors that arise in the brain, or gliomas, and those that metastasize to the organ from the lungs, breast and skin.

Combination therapy found to be effective against IDH1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia

A combination therapy of ivosenidib (IVO) plus venetoclax (VEN) with or without azacitidine (AZA) was found to be effective against a specific genetic subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a Phase Ib/II trial led by researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Roche, Gilead to test drug cocktail against severe Covid-19

Roche said in a statement that it had joined forces with Gilead for a global phase III clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of using tocilizumab combined with remdesivir in hospitalised patients with severe Covid-19 pneumonia.

Bacterial colonies of tumors could guide cancer care

The human body is teeming with bacteria, and a new study finds the same is true of many cancers -- raising questions about what role microbes might play in the diseases.

Cells Inside Cells: The Bacteria That Live in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells are comfy havens for bacteria. That conclusion arises from a rigorous study of over 1,000 tumor samples of different human cancers, which found bacteria living inside the cells of all the cancer types – from brain to bone to breast cancer – and even identified unique populations of bacteria residing in each type of cancer.

Late-Stage Study Combines an Antiviral with Immune Modulator For Treating COVID-19 Patients

Actemra, RoActemra, and Remdesivir treatment study launched

New method to map cholesterol metabolism in brain

Researchers have developed new technology to monitor cholesterol in brain tissue which could uncover its relation to neurodegenerative disease and pave the way for the development of new treatments.

10pc of diabetics die within days of coronavirus hospitalisation, study suggests

"The presence of diabetic complications and increased age increase the risk of death," researchers say.

10% of diabetics die within days of coronavirus hospitalisation: study

One in 10 diabetics with coronavirus dies within seven days of hospital admission, according to a study of more than 1,300 patients published Friday in the journal Diabetologia.

10% of diabetics die within days of coronavirus hospitalization – study

'The presence of diabetic complications and increased age increase the risk of death,' the researchers say in a statement

There is 'an Earth' around our nearest star, scientists confirm

A planet the size of Earth has been confirmed around the closest star in our solar system, Proxima Centauri, by an international team of scientists. The planet, called ‘Proxima b’, has a mass of 1.17

ESPRESSO confirms the presence of an Earth around the nearest star

The existence of a planet the size of Earth around the closest star in the solar system, Proxima Centauri, has been confirmed by an international team of scientists including researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE). The results, which you can read all about in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics, reveal that the planet in question, Proxima b, has a mass of 1.17 earth masses and is located in the habitable zone of its star, which it orbits in 11.2 days.

Astronomers Confirm The Earth-Sized Planet at Proxima Centauri Is Definitely There

Using state-of-the-art astronomical instruments, an international team of researchers has confirmed the existence of Proxima b, an Earth-like planet that's orbiting the closest star to our Solar System, Proxima Centauri.

Ferritin heavy chain protein shows promise as a potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccine or antiviral

A new study published on the online preprint server bioRxiv in May 2020 reports the construction and testing of a new ferritin-based antigen-bearing protein that has biological activity towards the ACE2 receptor. This could indicate its potential for development as a vaccine or antiviral.

Researchers develop experimental rapid COVID-19 test using nanoparticle technique

Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) developed an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that can visually detect the presence of the virus in 10 minutes. It uses a simple assay containing plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present. The test does not require the use of any advanced laboratory techniques, such as those commonly used to amplify DNA, for analysis.

Researchers use new technique to develop experimental rapid COVID-19 test

Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) developed an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that can visually detect the presence of the virus in 10 minutes.

Researchers develop experimental rapid COVID-19 test using nanoparticle technique

Scientists have developed an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that can visually detect the presence of the virus in 10 minutes. It uses a simple assay containing plasmonic gold nanoparticles to detect a color change when the virus is present.

Examining the envelope protein of SARS-CoV-2

A new study by researchers at the University of Valencia and published on the preprint online server bioRxiv in May 2020 reports the topology of the envelope protein of the virus, which could contribute to a better understanding of how the virus interacts with other cell components and hopefully help to fight the disease better.

A roadmap for effective treatment of COVID-19

Researchers from the US Food and Drug Administration have reviewed the available scientific literature on COVID-19 and systematically outlined key immunological factors underlying COVID-19 disease severity. Based on these factors, the researchers indicate a range of approved and available drugs, as well as drugs currently under clinical investigation, as possible candidates for treatment.

How comorbidities affect SARS-CoV-2 viral entry

Almost from the start of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that individuals suffering from other medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease are far more likely to contract the infection and to have a poorer outcome.

Anesthesia's effect on consciousness solved, settling century-old scientific debate

How does general anesthesia cause loss of consciousness? Despite its 175-year-history of use by the U.S. medical system, science has been unable to definitively answer that question, until now. The lipid-based answer could open other brain mysteries.

Anesthesia's effect on consciousness solved, settling century-old scientific debate

How does general anesthesia cause loss of consciousness? Despite its 175-year-history of use by the U.S. medical system, science has been unable to definitively answer that question, until now. The lipid-based answer could open other brain mysteries.

Solving the Medical Mystery of Anesthesia

Researchers have solved the longstanding mystery of the mechanisms behind the effects of anesthetics.

New gut-brain link: How gut mucus could help treat brain disorders

Gut bacterial imbalance is linked with many neurological disorders. Now researchers have identified a common thread: changes in gut mucus. It's a new gut-brain connection that opens fresh paths for scientists searching for ways to treat brain disorders by targeting our 'second brain' - the gut.

New gut-brain link: How gut mucus could help treat brain disorders

Gut bacterial imbalance is linked with many neurological disorders. Now researchers have identified a common thread: changes in gut mucus. It's a new gut-brain connection that opens fresh paths for scientists searching for ways to treat brain disorders by targeting our 'second brain' -- the gut.

Researchers identify risk factors for fatty liver disease

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have uncovered an unexpected connection between an imbalance of electrons in liver cells and many metabolic problems that increase the risk for conditions such as cardiovascular disease and fatty liver disease.

The most common organism in the oceans harbors a virus in its DNA

The most common organism in the oceans, and possibly on the entire planet, is a family of single-celled marine bacteria called SAR11. These drifting organisms look like tiny jelly beans and have evolved ...

The most common organism in the oceans harbors a virus in its DNA

The most common organism in the world's oceans -- and possibly the whole planet -- harbors a virus in its DNA. This virus may have helped it survive and outcompete other organisms.

The most common organism in the oceans harbors a virus in its DNA

The most common organism in the world's oceans -- and possibly the whole planet -- harbors a virus in its DNA. This virus may have helped it survive and outcompete other organisms.

Next frontier in bacterial engineering

A new technique overcomes a serious hurdle in the field of bacterial design and engineering. Researchers develop method to identify proteins that enable highly efficient bacterial design. Approach has potential to boost efforts in bacterial design to tackle infectious diseases, bacterial drug resistance, environmental cleanup and more.

Taking a deep look into animals

Advances in neuroscience research and microscopy: a new technique makes it possible to clear a wide variety of different animals, making them transparent and allowing researchers to look deep into their organs and nervous systems.

Probing the secret forces of pericytes

Leiden researchers found a way to measure the tiny forces exerted by pericytes, one of the most elusive, hard to research cell types, which occur in tiny blood vessels. Building on this fundamental science, ...

Researchers grow lung organoids from stem cells for Sars-Cov-2 research

A Bochum-based team intends to use organoids from stem cells to study the progression of Sars-CoV-2 infection and to identify antiviral substances.

Researchers Cultivate Mini Lungs for SARS-CoV-2 Research

A Bochum-based team intends to use organoids derived from stem cells to study the progression of SARS-CoV-2 infection and to identify antiviral substances.

Venous thrombosis among critically ill patients with COVID-19

A systematic assessment of deep vein thrombosis among patients in an intensive care unit in France with severe COVID-19 is reported in this case series.

Images in neurology: Brain of patient with COVID-19, smell loss

This case report describes a 25-year-old female radiographer with no significant medical history who had been working in a COVID-19 ward who presented with a mild dry cough that lasted for one day, followed by persistent severe anosmia (loss of smell) and dysgeusia (an impaired sense of taste).

Neuropathogenesis, neurologic manifestations of coronaviruses

Potential tissue targets and routes of entry of SARS-CoV-2 into the central nervous system and reported neurological complications of COVID-19 are identified in this narrative review.

In Planet Formation, It's Location, Location, Location

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope are finding that planets have a tough time forming in the rough-and-tumble central region of the massive, crowded star cluster Westerlund 2. Located 20,000 light-years away, Westerlund 2 is a unique laboratory to study stellar evolutionary processes because it's relatively nearby, quite young, and contains a large stellar population.

Distance from Brightest Stars Is Key to Preserving Primordial Discs

The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope was used to conduct a three-year study of the crowded, massive and young star cluster Westerlund 2. The research found that the material encircling stars near the cluster's centre is mysteriously devoid of the large, dense clouds of dust that would be expected to become planets in a few million years.

Westerlund 2’s Core is No Place to Form Planets, Astronomers Say

Astronomers using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have observed young stars in a crowded stellar cluster called Westerlund 2. They’ve found that lower-

'Cannabis burned during worship' by ancient Israelites - study

Cannabis residues have been found on an altar in an ancient desert temple in Israel.

Evidence of Cannabis Use Reportedly Found at Ancient Israelite Temple Altar

The researchers argued that the practice of burning pot might've been employed by the priests at Jerusalem as well.

Covid-19 study on hydroxychloroquine use questioned by 120 researchers and medical professionals

Surgisphere issues public statement defending integrity of coronavirus study published in the Lancet

Study examines changes in prescription patterns during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital examines changes in prescription patterns in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Electronic Health Records Fail To Detect Up To 1 in 3 Harmful Drug Interactions And Other Medical Errors

Researchers find that Electronic Health Record systems meet the most basic safety standards less than 70% of the time.

Electronic health records fail to detect up to 33% of medication errors

Despite improvements in their performance over the past decade, electronic health records (EHRs) commonly used in hospitals nationwide fail to detect up to one in three potentially harmful drug interactions and other medication errors, according to scientists at University of Utah Health, Harvard University, and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. In tests using simulated medical records, the researchers found that EHR systems consistently failed to detect errors that could injure or kill patients.

Cannabis Use While Pregnant Does Not Impair Children’s Cognition, Decades Of Studies Suggest

A review of research found fetal marijuana exposure isn't correlated with abnormal cognition; in rare cases where exposed kids scored lower or higher on tests, most stayed within the normal range, in fact.

Many naturopathic patients do not disclose use of natural health products to MDs

Natural health products are used by many people, but almost half of naturopathic patients do not let their primary physician know, says a survey conducted by McMaster University.

U.S. FDA asks five firms to recall diabetes drug with high levels of probable carcinogen

(Reuters) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Thursday it has recommended five pharmaceutical firms to voluntarily recall their diabetes drug metformin after the agency found high levels of a possible cancer-causing impurity in some versions of the medication.

Regulator Asks 5 Firms To Recall Diabetes Drug Over Carcinogen Concerns

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Thursday it has recommended five pharmaceutical firms to voluntarily recall their diabetes drug metformin after the agency found high levels of a possible cancer-causing impurity in some versions of the medication.

Now China says Wuhan wet market was NOT the origin of the coronavirus pandemic but it may have been the site of a 'super-spreader' event

Genetic evidence has confirmed that the virus originated in Chinese bats before it jumped to humans, but the exact location of the transition is unknown.

Chinese CDC Now Says The Wuhan Wet Market Wasn't The Origin of The Virus

Experts still don't know where the new coronavirus came from.

Pharma chiefs say coronavirus vaccine could be ready this year, but challenges 'daunting'

Pharmaceutical company executives say one or several COVID-19 vaccines could begin rolling out before 2021, but warned the challenges would be 'daunting' as it was estimated that 15 billion doses would be needed to halt the pandemic.

Pharma chiefs see coronavirus vaccine by year-end, but challenges 'daunting'

LONDON, May 29 — Pharmaceutical company executives said yesterday that one or several Covid-19 vaccines could begin rolling out before 2021, but warned the challenges would be “daunting” as it was estimated that 15 billion doses would be needed to halt the pandemic. Well over 100 labs around...

Coronavirus in charts: the fact-checkers correcting falsehoods

Data and infographic updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus in charts: the fact-checkers correcting falsehoods

Data and infographic updates on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wearing face masks at home may help prevent COVID-19 spread in family: Study

Daily use of disinfectants, window opening, and keeping at least one metre apart were associated with a lower risk of passing on the virus, even in more crowded households, they said.

Wearing face masks at home may stop Covid if you have no symptoms

Daily use of disinfectants, window opening and keeping at least one metre apart were associated with a lower risk of passing on the virus, even in more crowded households

Baby with two mouths has operation to remove one of them

Warning: Graphic content.

Baby born with two mouths due to 'extremely rare' condition - Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics

A baby girl has been born with two mouths due to a condition so rare that it has only been seen in 35 recorded cases since 1900.Doctors were...

IIT Roorkee to research on identifying antiviral for treating Covid-19

The objective of the study is to identify antiviral molecules to combat Covid-19 and expedite the process of identification of drugs through an in-silico approach

IIT Roorkee to conduct research for identifying antiviral to tackle COVID-19

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee will conduct research on the identification of antiviral to treat COVID-19.

Evolution of pandemic coronavirus outlines path from animals to humans

A team of scientists studying the origin of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, found that it was especially well-suited to jump from animals to humans by shapeshifting as it gained the ability to infect human cells.

Evolution of pandemic coronavirus outlines path from animals to humans

A team of scientists studying the origin of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that has caused the COVID-19 pandemic, found that it was especially well-suited to jump from animals to humans by shapeshifting as it gained the ability to infect human cells.

When COVID-19 meets flu season

As if the COVID-19 pandemic isn't scary enough, the flu season is not far away. How severe will the flu season be as it converges with the COVID-19 outbreak? What can we do to prepare? Dr. Benjamin Singer, a Northwestern Medicine pulmonologist who treats COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit, outlines the best defense against influenza, which also may protect against coronavirus.

When COVID-19 meets flu season

As if the COVID-19 pandemic isn't scary enough, the flu season is not far away. How severe will the flu season be as it converges with the COVID-19 outbreak? What can we do to prepare?

Researchers discover new high-pressure material and solve a periodic table puzzle

In the periodic table of elements there is one golden rule for carbon, oxygen, and other light elements. Under high pressures they have similar structures to heavier elements in the same group of elements. Only nitrogen always seemed unwilling to toe the line. However, high-pressure researchers have actually disproved this special status.

'Black nitrogen'

In the periodic table of elements there is one golden rule for carbon, oxygen, and other light elements. Under high pressures they have similar structures to heavier elements in the same group of elements. Only nitrogen always seemed unwilling to toe the line. However, high-pressure researchers of the University of Bayreuth have actually disproved this special status.

How toxic protein spreads in Alzheimer's disease

Toxic versions of the protein tau are believed to cause death of neurons of the brain in Alzheimer's disease. A new study published in Nature Communications shows that the spread of toxic tau in the human brain in elderly individuals may occur via connected neurons. The researchers could see that beta-amyloid facilitates the spread of toxic tau.

How toxic protein spreads in Alzheimer's disease

Toxic versions of the protein tau are believed to cause death of neurons of the brain in Alzheimer's disease. A new study shows that the spread of toxic tau in the human brain in elderly individuals may occur via connected neurons. The researchers could see that beta-amyloid facilitates the spread of toxic tau.

Solution to century-old math problem could predict transmission of infectious diseases

A Bristol academic has achieved a milestone in statistical/mathematical physics by solving a 100-year-old physics problem -- the discrete diffusion equation in finite space.

Solution to century-old math problem could predict transmission of infectious diseases

An academic has achieved a milestone in statistical/mathematical physics by solving a 100-year-old physics problem -- the discrete diffusion equation in finite space.

A rising tide of marine disease? How parasites respond to a warming world

A recent study from the University of Washington explores the ways parasitism will respond to climate change, providing researchers new insights into disease transmission. The paper was published May 18 in the journal Trends in Ecology and Evolution.

A rising tide of marine disease? How parasites respond to a warming world

A recent study explores the ways parasitism will respond to climate change, providing researchers new insights into disease transmission.

Using brain imaging to demonstrate weaker neural suppression for those with autism

A University of Minnesota Medical School researcher recently published an article in Nature Communications that shows the differences in visual motion perception in autism spectrum disorder are accompanied by weaker neural suppression in the visual cortex of the brain.

Using brain imaging to demonstrate weaker neural suppression for those with autism

A new study shows the differences in visual motion perception in autism spectrum disorder are accompanied by weaker neural suppression in the visual cortex of the brain.

A hormone -- plant style

Researchers from the Faculties of Chemistry and Biology at Bielefeld University have now found a method that might make the production of a biologically significant precursor of jasmonic acid more efficient and cheaper. Their innovation: they imitate how plants produce the hormone. The result is 12-OPDA, a central precursor of jasmonic acid. In the long term, it could also be a potential precur-sor for high-quality perfume. The researchers present their method today (29.05.2020) in the re-search journal Advanced Science.

A hormone -- plant style

Researchers have now found a method that might make the production of a biologically significant precursor of jasmonic acid more efficient and cheaper. Their innovation: they imitate how plants produce the hormone. The result is 12-OPDA, a central precursor of jasmonic acid. In the long term, it could also be a potential precursor for high-quality perfume.

New model predicts the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic

This week in the journal Frontiers, researchers describe a single function that accurately describes all existing available data on active COVID-19 cases and deaths -- and predicts forthcoming peaks.

New model predicts the peaks of the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers describe a single function that accurately describes all existing available data on active COVID-19 cases and deaths -- and predicts forthcoming peaks.

Growing evidence that minority ethnic groups in England may be at higher risk of COVID-19

Evidence available to date suggests that minority ethnic groups in England, particularly black and south Asian people, may be at increased risk of testing positive for Covid-19, compared to people from white British backgrounds, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Medicine.

Growing evidence that minority ethnic groups in England may be at higher risk of COVID-19

Evidence available to date suggests that minority ethnic groups in England, particularly black and south Asian people, may be at increased risk of testing positive for Covid-19, compared to people from white British backgrounds, according to a new study.

Study charts developmental map of inner ear sound sensor in mice

A team of researchers has generated a developmental map of a key sound-sensing structure in the mouse inner ear. Scientists at the the NIH National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, and their collaborators analyzed data from 30,000 cells from mouse cochlea, the snail-shaped structure of the inner ear. The results provide insights into the genetic programs that drive the formation of cells important for detecting sounds and the underlying causes for some forms of inner ear hearing loss.

Study charts developmental map of inner ear sound sensor in mice

A team of researchers has generated a developmental map of a key sound-sensing structure in the mouse inner ear. Scientists analyzed data from 30,000 cells from mouse cochlea, the snail-shaped structure of the inner ear. The results provide insights into the genetic programs that drive the formation of cells important for detecting sounds and the underlying causes for some forms of inner ear hearing loss.

Fearful Great Danes provide new insights to genetic causes of fear

Professor Hannes Lohi's research group at the University of Helsinki has identified a new genomic region and anxiety-related candidate genes associated with fearfulness in dogs. Findings support their hypothesis that fearfulness and anxiety are hereditary traits in dogs, and there may be shared factors underlying anxiety in both humans and dogs.

Fearful Great Danes provide new insights to genetic causes of fear

Researchers have identified a new genomic region and anxiety-related candidate genes associated with fearfulness in dogs. Findings support their hypothesis that fearfulness and anxiety are hereditary traits in dogs, and there may be shared factors underlying anxiety in both humans and dogs.

'Single pixel' vision in fish helps scientists understand how humans can spot tiny details

Recently discovered 'single-pixel vision' in fish could help researchers understand how humans are able to spot tiny details in their environment -- like stars in the sky.

'Single pixel' vision in fish helps scientists understand how humans can spot tiny details

Recently discovered 'single-pixel vision' in fish could help researchers understand how humans are able to spot tiny details in their environment -- like stars in the sky.

Study: Integrating satellite and socioeconomic data to improve climate change policy

Bangladesh is on track to lose all of its forestland in the next 35-40 years, leading to a rise in CO2 emissions and subsequent climate change, researchers said. However, that is just one of the significant land-use changes that the country is experiencing. A new study uses satellite and census data to quantify and unravel how physical and economic factors drive land-use changes. Understanding this relationship can inform climate policy at the national scale in Bangladesh and beyond.

Integrating satellite and socioeconomic data to improve climate change policy

Bangladesh is on track to lose all of its forestland in the next 35-40 years, leading to a rise in CO2 emissions and subsequent climate change, researchers said. However, that is just one of the significant land-use changes that the country is experiencing. A new study uses satellite and census data to quantify and unravel how physical and economic factors drive land-use changes. Understanding this relationship can inform climate policy at the national scale in Bangladesh and beyond.

RIT scientists develop method to help epidemiologists map spread of COVID-19

Rochester Institute of Technology scientists have developed a method they believe will help epidemiologists more efficiently predict the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their new study, published in Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena, outlines a solution to the SIR epidemic model, which is commonly used to predict how many people are susceptible to, infected by, and recovered from viral epidemics.

Scientists develop method to help epidemiologists map spread of COVID-19

Scientists have developed a method they believe will help epidemiologists more efficiently predict the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their new study outlines a solution to the SIR epidemic model, which is commonly used to predict how many people are susceptible to, infected by, and recovered from viral epidemics.

Climate could cause abrupt British vegetation changes

Climate change could cause abrupt shifts in the amount of vegetation growing in parts of Great Britain, new research shows.

Climate could cause abrupt British vegetation changes

Climate change could cause abrupt shifts in the amount of vegetation growing in parts of Great Britain, new research shows.

New research reveals Cannabis and Frankincense at the Judahite Shrine of Biblical Arad

Analysis of the material on two Iron Age altars discovered at the entrance to the "holy of holies" of a shrine at Tel Arad in the Beer-sheba Valley, Israel, were found to contain Cannabis and Frankincense, ...

New research reveals cannabis and frankincense at the Judahite shrine of biblical Arad

Analysis of the material on two Iron Age altars discovered at the entrance to the 'holy of holies' of a shrine at Tel Arad in the Beer-sheba Valley, Israel, were found to contain cannabis and frankincense, according to new article.

Researchers track how bacteria purge toxic metals

Bacteria have a cunning ability to survive in unfriendly environments.

How Bacteria Purge Toxic Metals

Bacteria can identify – and then build resistance to – toxic chemicals and metals. Researchers have taken a closer look at this mechanism to understand how it works which could lead to the development of more effective antibacterial treatments.

NASA's AIM spots first Arctic noctilucent clouds of the season

Ice-blue clouds are drifting high above the Arctic, which means the Northern Hemisphere's noctilucent cloud season is here.

NASA's AIM Spots First Arctic Noctilucent Clouds of the Season

Ice-blue clouds are drifting high above the Arctic, which means the Northern Hemisphere's noctilucent cloud season is here.

Cannabis And Frankincense Discovered At Ancient "Holy Of Holies" Altar

Resting atop two limestone altars located at the entrance of Israel’s “holy of holies” shrine are the black residual remains of cannabis and frankincense,

Israeli Scientists Find Traces of Cannabis and Frankincense on 2,700-Year-Old Altars

Israeli researchers have analyzed organic residues from two altars of the 8th century BC shrine at the Biblical fortress of Arad and found that one of them contained frankincense that was mixed with animal fat for evaporation; on the other altar, cannabis substance was mixed with animal dung to enable its mild heating.

Researchers modify amide bonds to speed up reactions

In proteins, amino acids are held together by amide bonds. These bonds are long-lived and are robust against changes in temperature, acidity, or alkalinity.

A Small Twist in Protein Structure Leads to a Big Reaction

Researchers devised a way to modify amide bonds with a twist to their chemical structure that significantly speeds up reactions.

Shropshire Star comment: Ethical dilemma facing public

Those seeking to find an effective vaccine which could lift us out of the coronavirus nightmare face an ethical dilemma which goes back to the very dawn of vaccination.

Express & Star comment: Ethical dilemma facing public

Those seeking to find an effective vaccine which could lift us out of the coronavirus nightmare face an ethical dilemma which goes back to the very dawn of vaccination.

Blood test to check for undetected cases in South

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases across New Zealand could rise - thanks to a new blood test. This story was first published by RNZ Scientists...

New blood test to check for undetected Covid cases

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases across New Zealand could rise - thanks to a new blood test. This story was first published by RNZ Scientists...

Large heath butterflies return to Manchester after 150 years

Lancashire Wildlife Trust has brought the species back to peatlands following a local extinction in the 19th century

40% Of Americans Incorrectly Think Herpes Is Deadly, According To A Study

Getting to grips with safe sex is imperative for your physical and mental wellbeing. There are so many myths and misconceptions that surround STIs and a recent study found that 40% of Americans think herpes is deadly.

A ‘Dementia Gene’ Doubles Your Risk Of Severe COVID-19

Medical researchers have found that people who carry a genetic variant associated with dementia are twice as likely to suffer from coronavirus.

More than 120 top scientists criticise a series of FLAWS in study that found Trump-backed hydroxychloroquine drug raised the risk of death to Covid-19 patients and halted global trials

More than 120 leading scientists and doctors from around the world, including four from the UK, have penned an open letter to the editor of the Lancet, the journal in which the study is published.

New iguana species is found 'hiding in plain sight' in the Caribbean - having been known to inhabitants for years but thought to be a South American 'invader'

The Southern Antilles iguana has a unique DNA profile and distinct bodily features including horns on its nose, a high crest and dark brown eyes. It had been misidentified as the common green iguana.

French Gov't Bans Hydroxychloroquine Submitting to Pressure From Pharma Labs, Politician Claims

The French government's decision to ban anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine for use in COVID-19 cases goes against French people's interests and rights to get an...

Finnish Researchers Warn of COVID-19 Infection Risk in Open Space Offices, Urge Teleworking

Fresh Finnish simulations of how viruses can move with air currents have prompted recommendations to continue distance work wherever possible. Cramped conditions and...

Stargazers Capture Alleged Falling Meteorite on Camera in Northern Turkey

According to some social media users, it would not be 2020 if some major cosmic event did not take place amid the ongoing pandemic, political turbulence and global...

UK joins COVID-19 High Performance Computing consortium

Consortium is attempting to use supercomputers in the quest to find cures for COVID-19.

Where does stress live in the brain? Scientists may have the answer

A new study from scientists at Yale University have found where stress lives in the brain.

Shorter 5-day course of remdesivir works as well as 10-day: Gilead study

SAN FRANCISCO, California: Gilead Sciences Inc, which has suggested that a shorter treatment duration could extend limited supplies of its drug ...

Commentary: Can Vitamin D protect you from COVID-19? There may be something to it

While early research is interesting, much of it may be circumstantial, says an observer.

Safety fears over drug hyped to treat the coronavirus spark global confusion

A study that suggested using hydroxychloroquine — a malaria drug — to treat people with COVID-19 could be dangerous has slowed clinical trials, but the study itself has also been questioned.

Daily briefing: Black holes lead to the discovery of a link between entropy and energy

Serology surveys from hard-hit cities indicate that many fewer people have been infected than would be needed to slow (but not stop) the coronavirus. Plus: black holes lead to the discovery of a basic link between entropy and energy, and why Renaissance paintings get the blues.

Coronapod: The divisive hydroxychloroquine study that's triggering mass confusion

Hear the latest science from the coronavirus pandemic

Quantum weirdness gives radar a boost

Entangled photons can be used to make quantum radar that delivers a target’s location.

Novartis to make US researchers' COVID-19 gene therapy vaccine hopeful

Novartis re-entered vaccine making on Thursday, inking a manufacturing deal with a US team whose COVID-19 candidate relies on technology similar to that of the Swiss drugmaker's $2.1 million-per-patient gene therapy, Zolgensma.

Scientists revise timelines for coronavirus spread

The first confirmed coronavirus infections in Europe and the United States, discovered in January, did not ignite the epidemics that followed, according to a close analysis of hundreds of viral genomes.

Tips for Recovering from PTSD and TBI

Unpacking the many pieces of the treatment puzzle.

Environmental Toxins That Make Us Ill, Yet Don't Have To

While no magic pill exists for many current health conditions, the advancement of an Integrative health approach may help people better manage toxicity levels and maximize health.

Cell Therapy and Autism

A moment for re-evaluation.

Would Mammals Exist Without Internal Cannabinoids?

Why does cannabis cause the "munchies", and what does this teach us about the brain?

Doctor's Note: Does a high viral load make coronavirus worse?

According to a study from the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom, one-fifth of hospital doctors are off work sick or in quarantine due to COVID-19.

Nearly 10% of diabetic patients hospitalised for COVID-19 may die: Study

Researchers, including those from the University of Nantes in France, analysed data from 1,317 COVID-19 patients admitted to 53 French hospitals between 10 and 31 March 2020.

Worshippers at Jewish temple dating back 2,700 years 'took cannabis'

The discovery of cannabis in the form of hashish has shocked Biblical scholars

One identical twin caught Covid-19 related Kawasaki disease and the other didn't

Five-month-old Leia Godwin developed a rash and swolled glands in reaction to coronavirus, but her twin Thea was 'healthy and happy'.

Novavax to buy Serum Institute plant to produce 1 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses

While experts have predicted that a shot will likely take 12-18 months to develop, vaccines are seen by world leaders as the only real way to restart their stalled economies after months of sweeping lockdown

Sun Pharma gets DCGI nod to start clinical trial of Nafamostat drug in COVID-19 patients

Three clinical trials are undergoing to test Nafamostat in Covid-19 patients; these trials are being led by the University of Tokyo Hospital, Japan; Gyeongsang National University Hospital (South Korea); and a collaborative trial by University Hospital, Italy, University of Zurich, Switzerland and Yokohoma City University, Japan

Coronavirus vaccine: Pfizer CEO claims COVID-19 medicine could be ready by October-end

American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is conducting clinical trials with German firm BioNTech on several probable vaccines in Europe and the United States

Here’s how coffee is good for your digestion

A new report reviews the latest research into coffee's effect on digestion, and indicates a potential protective effect against gallstones

Rethinking Covid-19 testing strategy

As the economy reopens, testing of asymptomatic cases must be rapidly expanded to break the transmission chain

Computer Science – The best thing to study for a high starting salary in South Africa

Research by Analytico found that Computer Science graduates received the best starting salaries in South Africa.

Adolescent exposure to anesthetics may cause alcohol use disorder, new research shows

Early exposure to anesthetics may make adolescents more susceptible to developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to new research.

Active material created out of microscopic spinning particles

Researchers have created a new kind of self-healing active material out of 'microspinners,' which self-assemble under a magnetic field to form a lattice.

Key player in hepatitis A virus infection

Researchers designed experiments using gene-editing tools to discover how molecules called gangliosides serve as de facto gatekeepers to allow the virus entry into liver cells and trigger disease.

New view on how tissues flow in the embryo

Watching and measuring what happens in tissues inside the human embryo is currently not possible, and it's difficult to do in mammalian models. Because humans and the fruit fly Drosophila share so many biological similarities, researchers tackled this problem by focusing on fruit flies. The team reports today that they can predict when the tissue will begin to rapidly flow just by looking at cell shapes in the tissue.

Smart windows that self-illuminate on rainy days

A research team develops self-powering, color-changing humidity sensors. Applicable to various fields including smart windows, health care and safety management.

How cosmologists finally found the ‘missing’ half of our universe’s matter

In the late 1990s, cosmologists made a prediction about how much ordinary matter there should be in the universe. About 5%, they estimated, should be regular stuff with the rest a mixture of dark matter and dark energy. But when cosmologists counted up everything they could see or measure at the time, they came up […]

Medical Officer proposes steam haling to cure coronavirus

A private medical practitioner has proposed the use of steam inhalation as a treatment for coronavirus cases in the country.

Can UV Light Actually Kill Coronavirus?

Earlier this month, it was revealed that New York City would start testing out ultraviolet lamps in an attempt to rid public transportation, such as subway cars and buses, of coronavirus. The pilot program will cost the Big Apple $1 million — and if it works, it could be a game changer.

“I Burned A Hole In My Skin”: The Horrors Of DIY Freckle Removal

Freckle devices bought online are putting women in incredibly dangerous situations.

Ancient Mass Extinction Tied To Ozone Loss, Warming Climate

Iwastheone shares a report from Science Magazine: The end of the Devonian period, 359 million years ago, was an eventful time: Fish were inching out of the ocean, and fernlike forests were advancing on land. The world was recovering from a mass extinction 12 million years earlier, but the climate w...

Govt, scientists working to produce COVID-19 test reagents locally

As the demand for screening and testing increased, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize earlier this week warned of a looming testing kit shortage.

EU regulator promises speedy review of potential COVID-19 drug remdesivir

The announcement comes two weeks after the EMA head told the European Parliament it may give an initial green light for sale of remdesivir as a COVID-19 treatment.

FALSE: Malunggay and kamias tea cure for COVID-19

While some home remedies may alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, WHO says there is still no registered cure for the disease as of May 29

Flawed COVID hypothesis may have saved Washington from being NYC

Researchers urge caution on genetic studies early in outbreaks.

Science News Briefs from All Over

Here are some brief reports about science and technology from around the planet, including one about an incredibly well-preserved horned lark ( Eremophila alpestris ), like the one pictured, that lived 46,000 years ago.

Can't Deal With The News? Here Are 10 Hopeful Stories You Need Right Now

Life during a global pandemic takes on a surreal quality. The ubiquitous presence of social media and a constant fire hose of depressing news can make it particularly hard if you're already feeling anxious.

Ancient Ice Sheet Loss Shows Antarctica Can Melt Much Faster Than We Thought

Last year, an expedition hunting for the remains of a famous explorer's ship off Antarctica's coast instead uncovered traces of a very different kind of history, one stretching back thousands of years to the end of the last great ice age.

Some Humans May Have a Weird Pregnancy Quirk Inherited From Neanderthals

Human pregnancy is downright curious. Today, we still don't know why women go into labour for so long or why they face so much risk when they give birth.

A Breakthrough Study Just Linked Gut Bacteria to Neurovascular Disease

One thing we're not short on is research linking microbes living in our guts with the health of our brain and nervous system. Unfortunately, most studies are either circumstantial, or largely rely on animal models.

Study Reveals Why Large Groups of Humans Are Hopeless in a Crisis

Humans are social animals and that's usually a good thing. But while there might be safety in numbers under some circumstances, new psychological research suggests human connection isn't always a good thing.

Earth's Tectonic Plates Could Be 1 Billion Years Older Than We Thought

Scientists are constantly learning more about the tectonic plates shifting across our planet's surface. According to new research, it turns out those plates have been around on Earth for longer than we originally thought – about a billion years l

Taiping Zoo, Night Safari announce success in breeding yet another endangered species: The milky stork

TAIPING, May 29 — Taiping Zoo and Night Safari (ZTNS) scored another success in the breeding of the endangered milky stork. Taiping Municipal Council president Khairul Amir Mohamad Zubir said the birds had made 12 nests in the zoo and four of them have shown hatchlings. "This is good news as...

Move over, murder hornets

The Asian Giant Hornet may be the new kid in town when it comes to fearsome bugs, but there's a far more common insect lurking in B.C. soil you might want to worry about.

Volcanos in space - Skywatching

Volcanoes are important things. They play a part in recycling the surface rocks of a world, and in building new land. For example, all the Hawaiian Islands are actually active or extinct volcanoes.

Logging caribou habitat

A newly published study says logging in British Columbia has continued on more than 900 square kilometres of land listed as critical caribou habitat.

World's Most Heat-Resistant Material Can Survive Over 4,000 °C

Scientists from the National University of Science and Technology in Russia have created the world's most heat-resistant material, which can be useful for heat-loaded components of aircraft.

Astronaut shows what happens when you drop a hammer and feather at the same time on the moon

Astronaut David Scott re-created, in 1971 during the Apollo 15 mission, Galileo’s “falling bodies” experiment by dropping a hammer and feather on the moon at the same time. Simply…

Two bacteria allow spittlebugs to thrive on low-nutrient meals

A new study examines the symbiotic relationship between two types of bacteria and spittlebugs that helps the insect live on very low-nutrient food. The bacteria use a metabolic "trick" also employed by ...

World's largest 'lava lamp bubble' under NZ

Seismic wave-speeds have revealed part of an ancient volcanic "superplume" beneath New Zealand, highlighting connections between the Earth's deep interior and the surface we live on.

A new horizon for vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy

Vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy is an extension of circular dichroism spectroscopy into the infrared and near-infrared regions where vibrational transitions occur in the ground electronic ...

After 14 years, first COSMIC satellite mission comes to an end

The last of six tiny satellites that were rocketed into space 14 years ago—and then went on to prove that the wealth of accurate atmospheric data that can be gleaned from existing GPS signals can improve ...

Extending nucleic acid memory (NAM)

Humanity is creating huge amounts of data every day, billions of emails and social media updates, new websites, documents, images, and scientific and commercial big data amounting to petabytes of storage ...

Bug vacuum captures unidentified flying insects—and valuable data

The third week of May, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists Doris Lagos-Kutz and Glen Hartman venture to a nearby field to set a timer on a smokestack-like device that rises 20 feet into the ...

Scientists report on animal welfare in aquaculture

Scientists at the University of Stirling have authored a new report providing guidance on identifying and strengthening best practices for animal welfare in aquaculture.

Experiments in isolation: Training astronauts for long-term solo missions

Isolation can feel like a state of limbo, but being separated from others can also be a huge driver of change and give us a great chance to experiment.

In wake of global shutdowns, researchers expect water quality to improve

Researchers have mapped declines in air pollution after lockdowns were imposed around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but those are not the only environmental impacts they expect to see. ...

Emerald predators: Ohlone tiger beetles reclaim territory with the help of local scientists

For the first time in over a decade, endangered Ohlone tiger beetles roam a preserve near Soquel and await their chance to pounce on unsuspecting prey. Their metallic emerald bodies appear iridescent ...

Simulating dead bodies could help calculate an accurate time of death

Forensic scientists currently use basic temperature measurements to determine time of death, but a 3D simulation of the entire body could give much more accurate estimates

Flu season is bad news for Covid-19 severity, scientists warn

Worsening the situation, are the country’s extreme socioeconomic disparities, which threaten the survival of vulnerable communities.

Interstellar Visitor May Be One of Rarest Objects In Universe

A team of scientists think the interstellar visitor 'Oumuamua might actually be a hydrogen iceberg. The unusual idea could explain its stranger properties.

Gang of Monkeys Steals COVID Blood Samples in India

A group of monkeys in India just stole a bunch of blood samples taken from patients who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Nearly 50% of people don't know they need to isolate with less common Covid-19 symptoms

The ESRI study suggested that there was a significant gap in people’s knowledge of when to isolate.

Coming soon: Bulletproof coatings made from shrimps and mushrooms

Lunar Eclipse 2020: Second Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Date and Timings in India

Lunar Eclipse 2020: A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the moon moves through the faint, outer part of the Earth's shadow.

Scientists develop sorbent for purifying water from radioactive elements

Scientists from Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) in collaboration with colleagues from the Institute of Chemistry FEB RAS come up with a smart technology for the synthesis of sorbent based on a ''tungsten bronze'' compound powder (Na2WO4) aimed to purify industrial and drinking water from hazardous radionuclides cesium (137Cs), and strontium (90Sr), as well as for effective processing of liquid radioactive waste. A related article appears in the Journal of Materials Science.

SARS-CoV-2 possibly emerged from shuffling and selection of viral genes across different species

A combination of genetic shuffling and evolutionary selection of near-identical genetic sequences among specific bat and pangolin coronaviruses may have led to the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.

Blood test as a potential new weapon in the fight to eliminate malaria

An international collaborative team from PROS Ehime University and CellFee Science, Japan; the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Australia; Pasteur Institute, France; and Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, Switzerland developed a new diagnostic blood test which detects recent exposure to 'vivax' malaria. The new test can also identify people who may harbor dormant liver-stage malaria parasites, which can cause illness. This new diagnostic approach has the potential to enhance malaria surveillance and accelerate elimination.

Vision: Observing the world during childhood affects the rest of life

Much of what we will be as adults depends on the first years of life, on what we simply observe happening around us and not only on what we are taught explicitly. This also applies to the development of the visual system, according to a new SISSA study that, for the first time, has experimentally shown the importance of passive visual experience. The research, published on Science Advances, has also potential clinical and technological implications.

Contamined soils determined root characteristics

University of Cordoba Professor Rafael Villar participated in a study on the variation of root traits among Mediterranean trees planted in metal-contaminated soil

New streamlined assay can improve prenatal detection of alpha-thalassemia

In a report in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, published by Elsevier, researchers describe a rapid, accurate novel assay for nondeletional alpha-thalassemia genotyping based on one-step nested asymmetric PCR melting curve analysis, which may enhance prenatal diagnosis, newborn screening, and large-scale population screening.

Heightened interaction between neolithic migrants and hunter-gatherers in Western Europe

This study reports new genome-wide data for 101 prehistoric individuals from 12 archaeological sites in today's France and Germany, dating from 7000-3000 BCE, and documents levels of admixture between expanding early Neolithic farmers and local hunter-gatherers seen nowhere else in Europe.

Research explores the impact of invasive grasses on South Texas landscapes

Scientists writing for the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management say several exotic grass species once grown in South Texas for livestock forage and erosion control have expanded from the areas where they were planted and have become invasive. They now are reducing the region's biodiversity and the habitats available for wildlife.

Largest study of its kind of women in labor finds nitrous oxide safe, side effects rare

Researchers at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and the School of Medicine Department of Anesthesiology at the Anschutz Medical Campus found that the use of nitrous oxide (N2O) as a pain relief option for individuals in labor is safe for newborn children and laboring individual, and converting to a different form of pain relief such as an epidural or opioid is influenced by a woman's prior birth history and other factors.

Researchers identify healthcare data defects, create software for easier defect detection

Researchers at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) have developed a method to investigate the quality of healthcare data using a systematic approach, which is based on creating a taxonomy for data defects thorough literature review and examination of data. Using that taxonomy, the researchers developed software that automatically detects data defects effectively and efficiently.

First cases of COVID-19 in New York City primarily from European and US sources

In New York City, the first confirmed COVID-19 cases arose mostly through untracked transmission of the virus from Europe and other parts of the United States, a new molecular epidemiology study of 84 patients reports.

How well do Germans understand weather risks?

Germans have difficulty gauging the negative impact of weather conditions such as ground frost, heat, or UV radiation. This is one of the key results of a representative survey conducted by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, published in Weather, Climate, and Society. The study's authors advocate new impact forecasts that predict not only what the weather will be, but also what it will do.

Glucocorticoids are harmful in treating viral respiratory infections

Glucocorticoids, which are widely used as treatment in intensive care, can nearly quadruple the death rate of patients suffering from acute respiratory distress syndrome. Researchers at the University of Turku, Finland, discovered the reason for the higher mortality. The findings are also important in the fight against COVID-19 disease.

People more likely to accept nudges if they know how they work and how effective they are

The more people know about when and why behavioural interventions are being used and their effectiveness, the more likely they are to accept their use to change their behaviour.

Astronomers predict bombardment from asteroids and comets in another planetary system

The planetary system around star HR8799 is remarkably similar to our Solar System. A research team led by astronomers from the University of Groningen and SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research has used this similarity to model the delivery of materials by asteroids, comets and other minor bodies within the system. Their simulation shows that the four gas planets receive material delivered by minor bodies, just like in our Solar System.

Study: Public health campaigns can do better on cannabis harm reduction

Researchers surveyed nearly 500 attendees at the 2019 Hash Bash in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to learn about cannabis enthusiasts' awareness of cannabis harm reduction strategies. The results indicate a need for better public health campaigns.

Assessing cancer diagnosis in children with birth defects

In this study, led by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, researchers provide a better understanding of cancer risk in children with birth defects.

Limits on evolution revealed by statistical physics

What is and is not possible for natural evolution may be explained using models and calculations from theoretical physics, say researchers in Japan. To explain this the limits of evolution, researchers simplified the natural world to fit idealized physics models and searched for any mathematical structure within biological complexity.

Dietary and physical activity intervention reduces LDL cholesterol level in children

An individualised and family-based physical activity and dietary intervention reduced the plasma LDL cholesterol concentration of primary school children, a new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows.

Better outcomes, lower cost in first-ever oncology hospital at home evaluation

Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) presented the first outcomes evaluation of an adult oncology hospital-at-home program today at the 2020 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting. The study evaluated patients participating in HCI's Huntsman at HomeTM. The data demonstrate strong evidence for this care model, showing improved patient outcomes, including reduced hospitalizations and decreased visits to the emergency department.

Researchers Get A Better Look At Where Stress Lives In Our Brains

This finding could help inform how we deal with stress moving forward.

Scientists analyse samples of Lukha river

SHILLONG: The samples of Lukha river are still being analysed pertaining to the mystery of the river turning blue.Member Secretary of Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, JH Nengnong told The Shillong Times that though there are no mining activit

PCR and CRF partner to deliver practical education in virtual format

PCR and CRF are pleased to announce the creation of virtual Partners in Learning sessions that will be broadcast during the PCR e-Course (June 25-27, 2020) and CRF’s TVT Connect meeting (June 18-28, 2020).

Study finds gender differences in autism severity changes during early childhood

During early childhood, girls with autism tend to show greater reduction and less rise in their autism symptom severity than boys with autism, a UC Davis MIND Institute study has found.

Study finds increase in pediatric fractures sustained at home during COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 social distancing measures, including the closure of schools and parks and the indefinite cancellation of team sports, have led to a nearly 60% decrease overall in pediatric fractures but an increase in the proportion of fractures sustained at home, according to a new study by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Scientists from gnomAD Consortium release first set of discoveries on human genetic variation

For the last eight years, the Genome Aggregation Database Consortium (and its predecessor, the Exome Aggregation Consortium, or ExAC), has been working with geneticists around the world to compile and study more than 125,000 exomes and 15,000 whole genomes from populations around the world.

Study provides groundwork for restoring nerve-muscle connection in ALS

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, lose muscle control as nerve cells or neurons in the brain and spinal cord degenerate and can no longer send signals to muscles.

Temple research suggests new way to prevent abdominal aortic aneurysm therapeutically

The main thoroughfare that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the abdomen is known as the abdominal aorta.

Targeted drugs shrink breast cancer tumors in mice without toxic side effects

A team of researchers led by Worcester Polytechnic Institute Provost Wole Soboyejo has identified targeted drugs that reduced the sizes of hard-to-treat breast cancer tumors in mice without inducing the toxic side effects that are typically associated with conventional chemotherapy.

Oncologists highlight the need for more palliative care training

Oncologists who practice and teach at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center are calling on medical oncology training programs to invest substantially more time educating physicians about palliative care and how to talk to patients about "bad news."

Nanoscope received NIH grant to advance ultrafast laser-based gene delivery to the retina

The Nanoscope team has developed Multi-Characteristic Opsins to sensitize cells toward low level of white light so that vision is improved at ambient room light.

Cardiac surgery stalled as novel coronavirus spread

As the novel coronavirus spread across the globe in early 2020, hospitals worldwide scaled back medical procedures, including life-saving heart surgery, to deal with the emerging threat of COVID-19.

Brazilian researchers design low-cost mechanical ventilators

A group of researchers at the University of São Paulo's Engineering School (POLI-USP) in Brazil have developed a mechanical ventilator that costs only approximately 7% as much as a conventional ventilator.

Dual-pathway approach can lead to better outcomes in patients with heart stents

Pairing a blood-thinning drug with aspirin daily for patients who have an angioplasty with a stent can contribute to better health outcomes, including lower risk of death, than aspirin alone, according to a recent study by cardiologists at the University of Alberta and Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute.

Stem cell treatments elicit full structural regeneration of the sun-aged skin

For a while now, some plastic surgeons have been using stem cells to treat aging, sun-damaged skin. But while they've been getting good results, it's been unclear exactly how these treatments - using adult stem cells harvested from the patient's own body - work to rejuvenate "photoaged" facial skin.

Biophysicists reveal molecular mechanism behind light-driven sodium pumping

An international research team has for the first time obtained the structure of the light-sensitive sodium-pumping KR2 protein in its active state.

Face masks essential in combating asymptomatic spread of SARS-CoV-2 aerosols and droplets

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurs through the transmission of droplets and aerosols from infected people through speaking, breathing, coughing, and sneezing. Wearing masks can reduce the airborne transmission of the novel coronavirus, a new study finds. The research is published in the journal Science.

SwRI receives $1.9 million to identify potential treatments for COVID-19

Using Department of Defense supercomputers, Southwest Research Institute is virtually screening millions of drug compounds to search for and test possible treatment options for the novel coronavirus 2019.

NUTRITION 2020 LIVE ONLINE releases featured materials

Press materials are now available for NUTRITION 2020 LIVE ONLINE, a dynamic virtual event showcasing new research findings and timely discussions on food and nutrition. The online meeting will be held June 1-4, 2020.

New test may help detect prostate cancer earlier and with greater accuracy

A new type of test that uses complex sugars to detect prostate cancer earlier and with greater accuracy is being developed by researchers at the University of Birmingham.

Study reveals how flies make survival decisions

Many insects process visual information to make decisions about controlling their flying skills and movements- flies must decide whether to pursue prey, avoid a predator, maintain their flight trajectory or land based on their perceptions.

Study: New biopsy methods can help improve benefit-harm ratio of PSA screening

The benefit of population-based PSA screening for men with an average risk of prostate cancer does not outweigh the harm caused.

Study sheds light on the homologous recombination of DNA strands

As chromosomes go, X and Y make an unlikely pair. The X is large and contains thousands of genes critical for life. The Y, by contrast, is little more than a nub.

Study provides an ethical way to advance medical discovery and innovation

Every major medical center in America sits on a gold mine. The data they hold about their patients and research participants could be worth millions of dollars to companies that would explore it for clues that could lead to new medicines, medical technologies, health apps, and more.

Researchers investigate possible causes of high COVID-19 mortality in Italy

On March 11th, 2020 the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a pandemic.

Common assumptions about mercury exposure should be reexamined, show studies

Small-scale gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon poses a health hazard not only to the miners and communities near where mercury is used to extract gold from ore but also to downstream communities hundreds of kilometers away from where people eat mercury-contaminated river fish as part of their diet.

New tool may help predict the best treatment for multiple myeloma

In 1844, multiple myeloma was first treated with a rhubarb pill and an infusion of orange peel. Since then, more than 15 drugs have earned FDA approval to treat multiple myeloma and with so many options, a major question has become what cocktail and sequence is best?

Special Times Call for Special Measures – InfraTec Responds to the Effects of the Corona Pandemic

With the current corona crisis, the world is facing a multitude of challenges. First and foremost is the protection of public health.

Predicting How Contact Tracing Can Control the Spread of COVID-19

News-Medical spoke to Lewis Spurgin about a new study that looked at 'real world' movement data and social contact to understand the spread of COVID-19.

Leukemia drug nilotinib safe, shows promise against Alzheimer's disease in trial

May 29 (UPI) -- The leukemia drug nilotinib, which shows promise in reducing the effects of Alzheimer's disease, is safe and has minimal side effects when used at low doses, according to a small clinical trial published Friday in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Zombie fires erupt in Arctic

May 29 (UPI) -- Zombie fires -- blazes that have smoldered underground in the Arctic after last year's fire season -- have erupted above the surface in Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Russia, threatening the burn thousands of acres this season, scientists said.

COVID-19 Update: Virus Found in Bats is 'Closest Relative' of SARS-CoV-2; 6 Feet Not Enough to Avoid COVID-19, Experts Say

Experts discovered a new virus in bats that is currently the closest relative of SARS-CoV-2. Medical experts claimed that 6 feet is not far enough to avoid contracting the novel coronavirus.

Water borne diseases to look out for this summer | TheHealthSite.com

Water borne diseases are very common in summer but it is also easily preventable. Read on to know a few such diseases and what you can do to stay safe.

COVID-19: Maintain 20 feet distance from people to avoid infection

Maintaining a 6 feet distance from the next person to avoid COVID-19 infection may no longer hold true. A new study says that 20 feet is the new minimum.

World No Tobacco Day: Know the link between smoking and eye health

Smoking is dangerous for health. But what many people are unaware of is that it can also adversely affect eye health. Read on to know more.

International Sanskrit webinar held

Haryana Sanskrit Academy organized a one-day International Sanskrit webinar on 'Conservation of Sanskrit Culture and Health'. Renowned Sanskrit scholars and researchers from across the country and abroad participated in the event. Academy Director Dr Someshwar Dutt Sharma said, Sanskrit language is

Surge in rats across UK as 45 per cent more of us call pest control

According to Rentokil Pest Control, there was a 79% increase in traffic to its “signs of rats” webpage in April

Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 Around The World

This map shows the spread of the virus as monitored by Johns Hopkins University, the WHO, and Worldometers.info. These tallies rely on information provided by governments. In many countries, there are restrictions on releasing such information or reasons why the full story might not want to be told. The methodology, transparency, and quality of this data can vary dramatically country by country.

Covid-19 patients can be discharged after 21 days if clinically well

Coronavirus patients who are clinically well by the 21st day of their illness will be discharged, as scientific evidence shows they are no longer infectious. But as a precaution, these people will have to stay at home or in their dormitories for another seven days, Health...

Native mistletoes conserved in garden, dwindle in wild

During winter, when deciduous trees around Dunedin have lost their leaves, blobs of incongruous evergreen foliage can be spotted high up in bare...

ODT quiz: May 29

Test your local and general knowledge by taking the Otago Daily Times quiz for Friday, May 29.

FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Onvansertib for Second-line Treatment of KRAS-mutated Colorectal Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation to onvansertib, an oral and highly-selective Polo-like Kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitor, for the second-line treatment of patients with KRAS-mutated metastatic colorectal cancer.

The Recipe for Efficient Protein Synthesis

Scientists have studied more than 30 thousand variants of genetic sequences encoding two fluorescent proteins in order to determine which characteristics of mRNA can increase the efficiency of translation.

Blood Markers of Fitness Identified

A simple blood test may be able to determine how physically fit you are, according to a new study conducted by scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Smart Sponge Could Soak Up Oil Spills

Scientists have developed a highly porous smart sponge that selectively soaks up oil in water. With an ability to absorb more than 30 times its weight in oil, the sponge could be used to inexpensively and efficiently clean up oil spills without harming marine life.

Algorithm quickly simulates a roll of loaded dice

The fast and efficient generation of random numbers has long been an important challenge. For centuries, games of chance have relied on the roll of a die, the flip of a coin, or the shuffling of cards ...

Group Of Monkeys Steal COVID-19 Samples After Attacking Lab Assistant

2020, eh? This year continues to just get weirder and weirder, but this is amongst the strangest stories yet.A group of monkeys in India have taken off with a bunch o...

RCT: Nutrigenomics effective for long-term diet success

Genetically-tailored nutrition advice can be used in research and clinical practice to motivate greater long-term dietary change and adherence to dietary guidelines, according to a new randomised controlled trial.

Jennewein researchers hint at HMO’s protective nature against norovirus

Research involving Jennewein Biotechnologie suggests breast-fed infants are less likely than bottle-fed infants to contract norovirus infections, adding weight to the protective effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs).

Global research to define nutrition guidelines for recovering COVID-19 patients

Dutch nutrition research and innovation firm Nutricia has announced it will support a series of research projects taking place around to world over the following weeks to help define nutrition guidelines to help speed up the recovery of COVID-19 patients.

US sanctions are hindering the distribution of Cuban drugs combating Covid-19

As biotechnology labs in Havana develop drugs to thwart the pandemic, the US blockade threatens further research and production.

Mergers between galaxies trigger activity in their core

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) play a major role in galaxy evolution. Astronomers from the University of Groningen and Netherlands Institute for Space Research have now used a record-sized sample of galaxies to confirm that galaxy mergers have a positive effect on igniting AGNs.

Fresh Antimatter Study Will Help Search for Dark Matter

The ALICE collaboration has presented new results on the production rates of antideuterons based on data collected at the highest collision energy delivered so far at the Large Hadron Collider.

New Observatory Will Track Near-Earth Satellites and Space Debris

With the construction of a new research observatory, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum fuer Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) is taking the next step in determining the nature and trajectory of objects in low-Earth orbit as quickly, precisely and reliably as possible. This is fundamental for the future of spaceflight as it is the only way to prevent collisions between objects such as space debris and active satellites.

Study: Women with Neanderthal Progesterone Gene Have Higher Fertility

Almost one in three women with European descent inherited a genetic variant of the progesterone receptor called V660L from Neanderthals.

Marine Biologists Discover New Species of Red Alga

A team of marine biologists from China and the United Kingdom has revised the taxonomy of Pyropia, a large genus of red alga (seaweed) in the family Bangiaceae, and described a new species and four new genera.

New Evidence Suggests Some Jurassic Theropod Dinosaurs were Cannibals

An analysis of the fossilized vertebrate remains from the Jurassic Mygatt-Moore Quarry in Colorado has revealed the bones of a theropod dinosaur called Allosaurus that bear tooth marks made by this and other large-bodied carnivorous dinosaurs.

Low Vaccination Rates Fueled NYC’s Last Measles Outbreak

Pediatric under vaccinations can lead to disease outbreaks in 2021

In-Depth: Is Herd Immunity our best bet in the fight against coronavirus?

With many countries easing lockdown restrictions, the debate on Herd Immunity has gained traction. What is Herd Immunity and is it achievable, here is all you need to know:

Coronavirus may never go away even after a vaccine is developed: Report

Currently, there are already four endemic coronaviruses that circulate continuously, causing the common cold, and many experts think this virus will become the fifth

Miami-Dade County reports 2nd West Nile virus case this month

For the second time in May 2020, The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County has reported an additional human case of West Nile virus (WNV) local transmission infection in a Miami-Dade resident. WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.  It is most commonly spread to people by the …

Hunger, economic downturn amid COVID-19

"The bad news does not end there."     The bad news just doesn't seem to stop coming. The latest survey by the Social Weather Stations shows that the number of Filipino families who experienced hunger nearly doubled in the first quarter. This is a worrisome development after two-and-a half months of lockdown in almost the entire country due to the coronavirus.

‘Pre-clinical Covid-19 vaccine trials in India could conclude by October’

India may be close to successfully developing a vaccine for the novel coronavirus, Principal Scientific Adviser Dr K VijayRaghavan said on Thursday adding that of the 30 groups engaged in the exercise, 20 are ‘working at a good pace’.

Covid-19 infection survey begins in Portugal

The Covid-19 National Serological Survey began on 25 May and aims to estimate the incidence rate of infection by the new coronavirus in the population residing in Portugal.

PGH accepts Lopez Group offer to expand hospital’s COVID-19 testing capacity

The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has accepted an offer from the Lopez Group to help the state university hospital increase 10 times its capability to test for the virus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Within the month, Lopez-controlled First Gen Corporation and ABS-CBN Corporation will complete an ongoing donation of P46 million worth of new machines and lab equipment that will expand the hospital’s COVID-19 testing capacity from 150 to 1,500 tests per shift.  The donated equipment will allow more automation and increase the volume of testing. Under a newly signed agreement between First Gen and the University of the Philippines (UP), First Gen is allowing PGH through UP the free use of a system of laboratory machines for conducting tests known as reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PGH is administered by UP, a state university. The RT-PCR test is a two-step process of first extracting the viral genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 from a patient’s…

AFP: Bulgaria Pins Hopes on TB Vaccine Against the Coronavirus

In the worldwide battle against COVID-19, scientists are investigating whether a century-old tuberculosis vaccine might offer some additional protection against the novel coronavirus. And Bulgaria -- one of the world's leading manufacturers of the vaccine -- is holding out hope of new markets for the many millions of doses it produces each year.

5G Networks and COVID-19: Any link? - The Nation Nigeria

Attracting my attention presently, is the debate on possible link of the Fifth-Generation Communication Networks (5G) to the COVID-19...

New Research: Surgeries held up, how long to clear backlog?

To help ease the backlog, lead author Dr Amit Jain has proposed several strategies to increase surgical throughput, including more use of telemedicine.

Coronavirus facts vs myths: Don't believe these WhatsApp tips on Covid-19

Coronavirus rumours: The spread of misinformation via WhatsApp in many ways mimics how Covid-19 itself moves through societies - from individual to individual, group to group

Aurinia Files NDA, And Other News: The Good, Bad And Ugly Of Biopharma

Aurinia filed an NDA for voclosporin. The FDA accepts a refiled application from Kala Pharma. Syndax reports disappointing results.

Experts explain their takes on COVID-19

The world figuratively stopped rotating after the coronavirus disease hit the globe in the first quarter of the year and shook the nation to its core.

Cancer, coronavirus are a dangerous mix, new studies find

New research shows how dangerous the coronavirus is for current and former cancer patients. Those who developed COVID-19 were much more likely to die within

Ramping up Nigeria’s testing capacity for COVID-19 with RDT

Today, globally there are over five million confirmed cases, over 300,000 deaths and luckily nearly three million recoveries.

What's the risk of catching coronavirus from a surface?

“Based on data from lab studies on Covid-19 and what we know about similar respiratory diseases, it may be possible that a person can get Covid-19 by

Alnylam's NDA Accepted, And Other News: The Good, Bad And Ugly Of Biopharma

Alnylam's Lumasiran NDA has been accepted. Argenx reports positive data from Efgartigimod trial. Co-Diagnostics discusses its coronavirus test kit.

Intergalactic Pulses Solve Mystery of Universe’s Missing Matter

Scientists have spent three decades trying to locate half of all the “normal” matter that’s supposed to exist in the universe. A new paper is claiming to have finally found this missing stuff, in a discovery made possible by measuring incoming fast radio bursts.

Fitness wearables provide early-warnings for Covid symptoms, study finds

US News: WASHINGTON DC: Preliminary research has found that constant stream of data from wearable devices such as Oura rings, Fitbits and Apple Watches reveal .

Did Licorice (Mulethi) Help China in Controlling Coronavirus Cases? Here is The Truth

The secret to controlling the coronavirus outbreak lies in traditional Chinese medicine concoctions. Read on to know about them.

Why US, Europe were hit harder by Covid-19? Scientists look at regional disparities, immune system

Researchers examined differences in genetics and immune system responses, separate virus strains and regional contrasts in obesity levels and general health.

Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Struck Earth at ‘Deadliest Possible Angle,’ New Research Suggests

When the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs hit Earth, it struck at an angle that maximised its destructive potential, according to new computer simulations of the catastrophic event.

Solar probe to pass through comet's tail for 'bonus science'

The European Space Agency says its Solar Orbiter will unexpectedly pass through the tail of a comet in the coming days.

Reconnecting your health with nature

WE take a walk to feel the nature and get the sunshine vitamin we needed to restore our health damaged by free radicals. Nature helps our body reduce stress, cancer, and even heart attacks.

Could Consuming New Zealand Blackcurrants Be Enough To Earn An Olympic Medal?

The news is bright for the New Zealand blackcurrant industry, with a recent meta-analysis study showing that properties in Adaptive™ New Zealand blackcurrants can improve sports performance.

IIT Project Helps Increase Dolphin Population In Odisha's Chilika Lake

A research project by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has helped Odisha's Chilika lake, Asia's largest brackish water body, in tripling the population of the Irrawaddy dolphins.

Fluids flow faster in liquid-walled channels

Replacing solid tube walls with magnetically confined ferrofluids reduces friction dramatically, providing a new way to pump blood without damaging it

How to Protect Yourself From Heatwave: Food That Will Help You Beat The Summer

A heatwave can put you at risk of debilitating health problems that may even claim your life. There are certain food items that can help you fight heatwaves. Read on to know about them.

NAFDAC, others get Madagascar’s drug for review

Federal Government health agencies including the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) have received ....

A correlation between global climate change and human health

Cecilia Van Cauwenberghe from Frost & Sullivan’s TechVision Group shares her perspective on the correlation between global climate change and human health

EU governments ban malaria drug for COVID-19, trial paused as safety fears grow

PARIS/LONDON/MILAN, May 27 (Reuters) - European governments moved on Wednesday to halt the use of anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients, and a second global trial was suspended, further blows to hopes for a treatment promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Get bats out of hell: Bats are one of the most misunderstood mammals

It’s time we stopped vilifying these creatures of the night, and for that we need to understand their role better

Species Interactions Are The Hidden Key To Understanding Non-native Plant Impacts

New research published in the journal Science shows that non-native plants interact differently with insects and soil microbes than native plants, which has dramatic consequences for carbon cycling.

Watch | What is a heat wave?

A video on the yearly phenomenon that is one of the most dangerous of natural hazards

UV light as one of the weapons against coronavirus

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, governments and companies across the world are taking to several sanitation practices including a solution that has been in use for decades for effective disinfection – ultraviolet (UV) light.

US based Nigerian doctoral candidates pioneer research on COVID-19

Two Nigerian doctoral candidates at the Michigan Technological University in the United States have launched a major pioneering research into the...

Covid-19: NIP to test 327 samples  a day 

The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) will upscale its testing capacity through automated testing platforms and decentralisation that will see the institution testing up to 327 samples a day. This will see an increase of 192 tests per day as from 8 June. NIP’s current testing capacity per day stands at 164 tests at the Windhoek Central Reference Laboratory (WCRL). 

Severe thunderstorms with gusty winds expected this afternoon

The National Weather Service says there is a risk for severe weather from early this afternoon through the early evening, including the p...

Monkeys Steal COVID-19 Test Samples & Chew Them Up In Meerut, Watch Video

Oh, no!

Conservation efforts and genomics: Not all genomes are created equal

Professors Darren Griffin and Mike Bruford discuss what is meant by a “whole genome sequence” and how it is revolutionising conservation efforts

Poor indoor ventilation may increase coronavirus spread: Study

According to the researchers, expiratory droplets from people who have coughed or sneezed contain water, salts, and other organic material, along with the virus itself. As the water content from the droplets evaporate, the microscopic matter becomes small and light enough to stay suspended in the air and over time, the concentration of the virus can build up, increasing the risk of infection.

Nourianz Reduces Duration of ‘Off Periods’ in Parkinson’s Patients with and without Dyskinesia, Analysis Finds

When used as an add-on treatment to carbidopa-levodopa, Nourianz (istradefylline) reduced the duration of "off periods" — when symptoms are not adequately controlled — and increased the duration...

Blood cancer and pancreatic disease drugs to be tested on Covid-19 patients

The trial for camostat will start on Friday while the trial for ruxolitinib is set to begin next week.

Saline may solve one big COVID-19 testing problem

Phosphate buffered saline could carry COVID-19 testing samples safely. That could fix a testing bottleneck due to viral transport medium shortages.