se Key failings in government's approach to COVID-19 preparations and emergency response By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT The UK government made key failings in their strategic preparations and emergency response to coronavirus and this, in turn, undermined the NHS's ability to cope with the crisis.These are the findings recently published in a research paper for the Journal of Risk Research by academics from Cass Business School, Glasgow Caledonian University, Vlerick Business School, and Nottingham University Business School. Full Article
se Treatment for Diverticulitis -- updated ASCRS Guidelines published in Diseases of the Colon & Rectum By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Reflecting research-driven changes in clinical practice, a revised set of evidence-based recommendations for the medical and surgical treatment of left-sided colonic diverticulitis has been published in Diseases of the Colon & Rectum (DC&R), the official journal of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS). The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer. Full Article
se Prediction tool shows how forest thinning may increase Sierra Nevada snowpack By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Thinning the Sierra Nevada forest by removing trees by hand or using heavy machinery is one of the few tools available to manage forests. However, finding the best way to thin forests by removing select trees to maximize the forest's benefits for water quantity, water quality, wildfire risk and wildlife habitat remains a challenge for resource managers. Full Article
se Olanzapine may help control nausea, vomiting in patients with advanced cancer By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Olanzapine, a generic drug used to treat nervous, emotional and mental conditions, also may help patients with advanced cancer successfully manage nausea and vomiting unrelated to chemotherapy. These are the findings of a study published Thursday, May 7, 2020 in JAMA Oncology. Full Article
se Treatment for opioid use disorder is rare in hospitals, study finds By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Despite a national opioid-related overdose epidemic that continues to claim tens of thousands of lives annually, a new nationwide study shows that a scant proportion of hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder receive proven life-saving medications both during and after they're discharged. Full Article
se By the third day most with COVID-19 lose sense of smell By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT The loss of the sense of smell and taste are early indicators of possible COVID-19 infection along with symptoms of respiratory distress. These prognostic markers might assist in determining use of antiviral treatments currently being used and tested on COVID-19 patients. Full Article
se Dendrimers finally have what it takes to break into the laser scene By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT A team including researchers from the University of Tsukuba has produced a family of dendrimers that form single-crystals and can harvest non-polarized light and transform it into polarized emission. The dendrimer crystals are both optically and mechanically stable to optical pumping, making them the first example of a crystalline material combining dendrimer properties and laser performance. The crystals are expected to have numerous applications in the field of laser optics, for example in displays. Full Article
se New invisibility concept and miniaturization of photonic circuits using ultrafast laser By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Thanks to its unique three-dimensional manufacturing capacity, ultrafast laser writing is a prime candidate to meet the growing demand for the miniaturization of photonic circuitry, e.g., for scaling up optical quantum computers capacity. Towards this goal, scientists from Canada discovered a phenomenon related to the material electronic resonance that allows a much greater miniaturization of the laser written devices. Surprisingly, the new phenomenon allows other intriguing applications such as a new concept of invisibility. Full Article
se How herpes simplex virus can evade the immune response to infect the brain By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT A research team has discovered a molecular mechanism that helps Herpes simplex virus (HSV1) evade the innate immune system and infect the brain causing a rare disease with high mortality. The study from Aarhus University, University of Oxford, and University of Gothenburg, led by first author Chiranjeevi Bodda in Søren Paludan's lab, will be published May 8 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine (JEM). Full Article
se Pangolins may possess evolutionary advantage against coronavirus By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Pangolins lack two genes that function to sound the alarm when a virus enters the body, triggering an immune response in most other mammals. The findings from the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, are significant because, while the exotic animals can be carriers of coronavirus, they appear able to tolerate it through some other unknown mechanism. Understanding how pangolins are able to survive coronavirus may point to possible treatment options for humans. Full Article
se Inspired by cheetahs, researchers build fastest soft robots yet By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Inspired by the biomechanics of cheetahs, researchers have developed a new type of soft robot that is capable of moving more quickly on solid surfaces or in the water than previous generations of soft robots. The new soft robotics are also capable of grabbing objects delicately -- or with sufficient strength to lift heavy objects. Full Article
se Newly discovered mechanism can explain increased risk of dementia By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Millions of people around the world use acid suppressants called proton pump inhibitors for conditions like heartburn, gastritis and stomach ulcers. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden now report that how the long-term use of these drugs could increase the risk of developing dementia. Their results are published in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia. Full Article
se How does the brain link events to form a memory? Study reveals unexpected mental processes By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT The brain has a powerful ability to remember and connect events separated in time. And now, in a new study in mice published today in Neuron, scientists at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute have shed light on how the brain can form such enduring links. Full Article
se Prehistoric sea creatures evolved pebble-shaped teeth to crush shellfish By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Ichthyosaurs were marine reptiles during the time of the dinosaurs, and scientists don't know much about their ancestry. But by CT-scanning the fossil of one of the first ichthyosaurs, scientists discovered pebble-shaped teeth hidden in its short snout. These strange teeth, probably used for crushing the shells of snails and clam-like bivalves, help illuminate the ways that early ichthyosaurs filled different roles in Triassic marine ecosystems. Full Article
se Flies sleep when need arises to adapt to new situations By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that flies sleep more when they can't fly, possibly because sleeping helps them adapt to a challenging new situation. Full Article
se Sea level could rise by more than 1 meter by 2100 if emission targets are not met By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT An international study led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) scientists found that the global mean sea-level rise could exceed 1 meter by 2100 and 5 meters by 2300 if global targets on emissions are not achieved. Full Article
se KIST-CUK research team develops vaccine platform applicable to various viruses By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT MERS, which struck South Korea in a 2015 outbreak, was caused by a coronavirus--the same family of viruses that is responsible for COVID-19. Recently, a Korean research team announced that it had developed a new vaccine platform using RNA-based adjuvants for the MERS coronavirus. The research team successfully conducted an experiment on nonhuman primates. It is expected that the new vaccine platform will soon be applicable to the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, an urgent global health priority. Full Article
se More selective elimination of leukemia stem cells and blood stem cells By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Hematopoietic stem cells from a healthy donor can help patients suffering from acute leukemia. However, the side effects of therapies are often severe. A group of researchers led by the University of Zurich have now shown how human healthy and cancerous hematopoietic stem cells can be more selectively eliminated using immunotherapy instead of chemotherapy in mice. The aim is to test the new immunotherapy in humans as soon as possible. Full Article
se Newly discovered cell type plays crucial role in immune response to respiratory infections By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT With a discovery that could rewrite the immunology textbooks, an international group of scientists, including the teams of Bart Lambrecht, Martin Guilliams, Hamida Hammad, and Charlotte Scott (all from the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research) identified a new type of antigen-presenting immune cell. Full Article
se USF researchers find human-driven pollution alters the environment even underground By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT The Monte Conca cave system in Sicily is showing signs of being altered by pollution from above. Full Article
se International research improves quality of CT scan imagery By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Computerized tomography (CT) is one of the most effective medical tests for analysing the effects of many illnesses, including COVID-19. An international team has developed a new method that improves the quality of the images obtained from CT scans. The algorithm, tested on simulated data, enables them to distinguish different body's tissue types better and opens the door to lowering the doses of radiation to which patients are exposed during this type of test. Full Article
se The Lancet: New triple antiviral drug combination shows early promise for treating COVID-19 in phase 2 randomized trial By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT A two-week course of antiviral therapy with interferon beta-1b plus lopinavir-ritonavir and ribavirin, started within 7 days of showing COVID-19 symptoms, is safe and more effective at reducing the duration of viral shedding than lopinavir-ritonavir alone in patients with mild to moderate illness, according to the first randomized trial of this triple combination therapy involving 127 adults (aged 18 and older) from six public hospitals in Hong Kong. Full Article
se Neighborhood and cognitive performance in middle-age: Does racial residential segregation matter? By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT A study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that black subjects who were exposed to highly segregated neighborhoods in young adulthood exhibited worse performance in cognitive skills in mid-life. This outcome may explain black-white disparities in dementia risk at older age. Full Article
se Plasma medicine research highlights antibacterial effects and potential uses By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT As interest in the application of plasma medicine -- the use of low-temperature plasma (LTP) created by an electrical discharge to address medical problems -- continues to grow, so does the need for research advancements proving its capabilities and potential impacts on the health care industry. Across the world, many research groups are investigating plasma medicine for applications including cancer treatment and the accelerated healing of chronic wounds, among others. Full Article
se Promising study by Texas A&M scientists offers hope for Menkes disease patients By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT A Texas A&M AgriLife Research team has good news for patients with copper-deficiency disorders, especially young children diagnosed with Menkes disease. Full Article
se New study shines light on mysterious giant viruses By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT In recent years, giant viruses have been unearthed in several of the world's most mysterious locations, from the thawing permafrost of Siberia to locations unknown beneath the Antarctic ice. But don't worry, 'The Thing' is still a work of science fiction. For now. Full Article
se Seahorse and pipefish study by CCNY opens window to marine genetic diversity May 08, 2020 By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT The direction of ocean currents can determine the direction of gene flow in rafting species, but this depends on species traits that allow for rafting propensity. This is according to a City College of New York study focusing on seahorse and pipefish species. And it could explain how high genetic diversity can contribute to extinction in small populations. Full Article
se Pediatric coronavirus disease (COVID-19) x-ray, CT in review of new lung disorders By www.eurekalert.org Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT Although the clinical symptoms of SARS, H1N1, MERS, EVALI, and COVID-19 may be nonspecific, some characteristic imaging findings are emerging, says the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR). Careful evaluation of the distribution, lung zone preference, and symmetry of the abnormalities with an eye for a few unique differentiating imaging features can allow radiologists to offer a narrower differential diagnosis in pediatric patients, leading to optimal patient care. Full Article
se Debenhams accused of 'stealing' as retailer demands 90% discount on clothes from suppliers already at UK ports By www.itv.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 17:00:13 +0100 ITV News has seen correspondence from Debenhams’ administrator to Bangladeshi suppliers demanding a 90% discount on garments orders. Full Article
se Charity warns of 'mental illness timebomb' as calls increase by 200% By www.itv.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 17:07:20 +0100 The number of callers to the charity SANE’s telephone helpline has increased by 200 percent since the lockdown began. Full Article
se Hospices still denied access to PPE as Health Secretary insists government is doing 'as much as we can' By www.itv.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 18:50:05 +0100 One hospice ITV News spoke to is three days away from running out of protective gowns needed to treat patients with coronavirus. Full Article
se Former Scotland rugby captain takes on walking challenge to raise money for NHS By www.itv.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 19:34:31 +0100 A former Scotland rugby captain, who suffered life changing injuries in a car crash, is walking to raise money for the NHS. Full Article
se Four-year-old with cancer reunited with father after seven weeks kept apart in lockdown By www.itv.com Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 20:43:34 +0100 Mila Sneddon hasn't seen her father in seven weeks in order to keep her safe during coronavirus lockdown. Full Article
se Medieval arrows caused similar injuries to gunshots, say archaeologists By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:03:15 +0100 Arrows fired from longbows could penetrate right through the human skull creating small entry and large exit wounds. Full Article
se People want to see green spaces prioritised after lockdown – poll By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:03:16 +0100 Survey finds people are appreciating their local parks, countryside and green belt more. Full Article
se Only half of businesses prepared to return to pre-crisis levels after lockdown lifts By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:03:18 +0100 One in twenty businesses said they would be unable to viably operate as long as social distances measures are still enforced. Full Article
se PM to review England lockdown restrictions as plan to ease measures moves forward By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:52:18 +0100 Boris Johnson will chair a Cabinet meeting on Thursday and is expected to announce a lifting of some measures on Sunday. Full Article
se What is likely to change as lockdown measures are eased and what isn’t? By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:58:26 +0100 While the Government’s aim is to return things to normal as far as possible, it is likely that some measures will remain in place. Full Article
se Tesla chief Elon Musk set for £600m payday after targets reached By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 02:28:23 +0100 He will receive nearly 1.69 million stock options priced at 350.02 dollars (£285). Full Article
se Bank of England warns coronavirus could cause biggest economic slump in 300 years By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 07:58:23 +0100 The Bank of England said the economy could contract by as much as 3% in the first quarter. Full Article
se Report appears to show link between Covid-19 and a rare inflammatory syndrome seen in children By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 12:25:30 +0100 A report published in The Lancet appeared to show there was a link between Covid-19 and a deadly syndrome that affects some children. Full Article
se We’ve passed the peak - but Boris Johnson should remember that most accidents happen on the way down By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 12:29:13 +0100 Lockdown restrictions are set to be eased - Tom Clarke shares his reservations on the idea. Full Article
se Nicola Sturgeon says lockdown must continue in Scotland but people may be allowed out more than once per day to exercise By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 12:53:25 +0100 Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the lockdown period in the country should be extended. Full Article
se Passengers told to wear face coverings and gloves at some of UK's busiest airports By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 13:11:39 +0100 Limited temperature screening will also be trialled at the airports in coming weeks. Full Article
se PM will set out roadmap on Sunday to easing lockdown 'with sensible changes' in England, Dominic Raab confirms By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 16:45:42 +0100 The briefing comes just hours after Scotland's First Minister has said the lockdown in Scotland should be extended. Full Article
se UK coronavirus death toll increases to 30,615 as further 539 deaths confirmed By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 17:04:53 +0100 Dominic Raab announced the latest figures during the daily briefing. Full Article
se Senior Government Advisor says coronavirus is 'discriminatory' By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 19:04:01 +0100 Newly released figures show that certain ethnicities were at greater risk of Covid-19 related deaths. Full Article
se UK gives mass round of applause thanking key coronavirus workers in nationwide Clap For Our Carers By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 19:35:15 +0100 For a seventh week in a row, millions of people across the United Kingdom have shown their appreciation for NHS and key workers. Full Article
se Is the UK ready for the coronavirus lockdown to be eased? By www.itv.com Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 19:13:22 +0100 Number 10 said the government will move with "maximum caution" when lifting restrictions in England, but some are worried. Full Article
se Increase in driving blamed on ‘lockdown fatigue’ By www.itv.com Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 00:03:16 +0100 RAC data shows that drivers clocked up 23% more miles per day last week compared with four weeks earlier. Full Article