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Archive for the ‘biotech/medical’ category: Page 1548

Apr 28, 2020

How Will Coronavirus End? It Depends on Our Immunity. Three Possible Outcomes

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health

With the curve finally flattening in the US, the ramping up of anti-viral and vaccine trials against SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes Covid-19—and the launch of antibody tests to screen for previous infection, it seems like science is rapidly moving towards the end game. How exactly the Covid-19 pandemic will finally bugger off into history is still anyone’s guess, but virologists and public health experts generally agree that immunity is key—either through widespread safe and effective vaccination, or when enough of our population has recovered from infections and gained herd immunity.

Well. That’s the hand-waving, shruggie emoji, “eh who knows” short answer.

Like most processes in biology, immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is complex and mysterious, with results that could rapidly diverge into many possible futures. It’s partly why estimates of how long Covid-19 sticks around to wreak havoc can vary enormously, from months to years to…well, seasonal and forever, similar to the flu.

Apr 28, 2020

Elon Musk nears $1.1b payday

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, Elon Musk, space travel

A full payout for Musk, who is also the majority owner and CEO of the SpaceX rocket maker, would surpass anything previously granted to US executives.

When Tesla unveiled Musk’s package in 2018, it said he could theoretically reap as much as $US55.8 billion if no new shares were issued. However, Tesla has since issued shares to compensate employees, and last year it sold $US2.7 billion in shares and convertible bonds.

The potential payout for Musk comes after Tesla said this month it would furlough all non-essential workers and implement salary cuts during a shutdown of its US production facilities because of the coronavirus outbreak. The pandemic has slashed US demand for cars and forced several other automakers to also furlough US workers.

Apr 28, 2020

How coronavirus charts can mislead us

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

How to read a popular chart of coronavirus cases by country.

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Continue reading “How coronavirus charts can mislead us” »

Apr 28, 2020

My Gene Therapy with Dr. Jason Williams

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQd_Yf0x_5I

Dr. Jason Williams discusses his decision to administer follistatin gene therapy, a myostatin inhibitor, to himself in 2015.

Visit Integrated Health Systems to learn more about follistatin gene therapy.

Continue reading “My Gene Therapy with Dr. Jason Williams” »

Apr 28, 2020

Here’s what you need to know about Kawasaki disease affecting children — and if it could be linked to coronavirus

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

Medical experts are currently investigating a possible link between coronavirus and an inflammatory disease found among infants.

It follows a rise in children being admitted to hospital with the symptoms of Kawasaki disease, which include “multi-system inflammation” and flu-like symptoms.

Apr 28, 2020

Researchers crack COVID-19 genome signature

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, robotics/AI

Using machine learning, a team of Western computer scientists and biologists have identified an underlying genomic signature for 29 different COVID-19 DNA sequences.

This new data discovery tool will allow researchers to quickly and easily classify a deadly virus like COVID-19 in just minutes—a process and pace of high importance for strategic planning and mobilizing medical needs during a pandemic.

The study also supports the scientific hypothesis that COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has its origin in bats as Sarbecovirus, a subgroup of Betacoronavirus.

Apr 28, 2020

Two-person-together MRI scans on couples investigates how touching is perceived in the brain

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

Researchers in Finland can now scan two people together, showing that touching synchronizes couple’s brains, making them mirror each other’s movements.

Apr 28, 2020

HK scientists say new antiviral coating can protect surfaces for 90 days

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

HONG KONG (Reuters) — Researchers at a Hong Kong university say they have developed an antiviral coating which could provide 90 days of “significant” protection against bacteria and viruses such as the one causing COVID-19.

The coating, called MAP-1, took 10 years to develop and can be sprayed on surfaces that are frequently used by the public, such as elevator buttons and handrails, researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) say.

“These places are frequently touched, and, at the same time, serve as a very effective medium for transmission of diseases,” said HKUST Adjunct Professor Joseph Kwan, one of the chief researchers in the team that developed the product.

Apr 28, 2020

Escapee delays countdown to Ebola epidemic in the DRC

Posted by in category: biotech/medical

The DRC was on the verge of declaring an end to the epidemic on Monday 13 April.

But a new case was declared by the authorities on Friday 10 April.

In total, the Ebola haemorrhagic fever epidemic has killed 2,279 people in 3,461 cases (3,316 confirmed and 145 probable) since it was officially declared on 1 August 2018.

Apr 28, 2020

NMN Restores Brain Function

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, life extension, neuroscience

A group of researchers has demonstrated that treatment with NMN, a precursor of NAD+, restores neurovascular coupling (NVC) in aged mice [1]. Since NVC deficiency seems to be a major factor in the age-related decline of cognitive and motor functions, this discovery presents exciting new possibilities for longevity research.

Neurovascular coupling

While the human brain is the evolutionary advantage that brought us to where we are today, operating this machine requires considerable resources. Our cerebral blood flow (CBF) accounts for 15% of cardiac output and 20% of resting total oxygen consumption, even though the brain itself comprises just 2% of body mass. CBF has to be constantly redirected to the regions of the brain that are currently active, and NVC is the mechanism in charge of this complex operation. Importantly, the CBF/cardiac output ratio decreases with age [2].