Abstract A novel variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus carrying a point mutation in the Spike protein (D614G) has recently emerged and rapidly surpassed others in prevalence. This mutation is in linkage disequilibrium with an ORF1b protein variant (P314L), making it difficult to discern the functional significance of the Spike D614G mutation from population genetics alone. [...]
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Air pollution caused tens of thousands of deaths in the world’s five most populous cities last year despite coronavirus lockdowns, researchers said on Thursday, urging governments to ditch fossil fuels and invest in a green recovery. Environmental campaign group Greenpeace Southeast Asia and air quality technology company IQAir measured pollution [...]
With more contagious and perhaps deadlier strains of the coronavirus circulating, the Biden administration should forcefully acknowledge that airborne spread is a primary means of transmission, then take immediate action to strengthen measures to reduce risk, especially in schools and workplaces, according to a letter signed by 13 leading scientists and physicians with expertise in infectious diseases, aerosol transmission, [...]
Abstract Human-to-human transmission of influenza viruses is a serious public health threat, yet the precise role of immunity from previous infections on the susceptibility to airborne infection is still unknown. Using the ferret model, we examined the roles of exposure duration and heterosubtypic immunity on influenza transmission. We demonstrate that a 48 hour exposure is [...]
The world’s first coronavirus human challenge study will begin in the UK in a matter of weeks, following approval from the country’s clinical trials ethics body, the business department said. Approval has been given for an initial trial that will involve up to 90 carefully screened, healthy, adult volunteers aged between 18 and 30. They will [...]
Abstract Selenium (Se) is a potent nutritional antioxidant that carries out biological effects through its incorporation into selenoproteins. Given the crucial roles that selenoproteins play in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox status in nearly all tissues, it is not surprising that dietary Se strongly influences inflammation and immune responses. The notion that Se [...]
If cholesterol-lowering drugs are being impeded by the bacteria in some people’s guts, Sony Tuteja is hoping to work out how. Statins sometimes do a great job at reducing the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the ‘bad’ cholesterol that raises the risk of heart attacks and stroke, in the blood. But a lot of people see [...]
A bacterium considered an emerging pathogen in humans has been linked to a serious lung infection in a horse in Italy. The details of the horse’s illness are described in a case report just published in the journal BMC Veterinary Research. The 17-year-old saddle horse was found to be infected with Klebsiella variicola. The researchers believe it is the [...]
A serious error by the agents of the Gouéké health center would have favored the spread of the Ebola virus, which reappeared recently in this sub-prefecture located more than 40 kilometers from the city of N’Zérékoré (in southern Guinea). The latter would have made a false diagnosis on a patient they received in December 2020 and [...]
The Washington State Veterinarian reported one confirmed case of respiratory equine herpesvirus (EHV-1), one suspected case and two horses exposed at a boarding facility in Kitsap County. The positive horse had a stall mate that is quarantined with it and is being monitored. CC0 Creative Commons, Pixabay Read more… The post Respiratory Issues at [...]
