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New antigen test for detecting COVID-19 could help triage patients during the pandemic

A new antigen test for detecting COVID-19 can return results within 15 minutes. Researchers who evaluated the assay, which was developed by a biotech company in Belgium, say it could help with patient diagnostics in areas hardest hit by the pandemic. While not as sensitive as tests that use viral RNA to detect the presence of an antigen, the COVID-19 Ag Respi-Strip test could be a useful tool in slowing the spread of the virus.




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How does the brain link events to form a memory? Study reveals unexpected mental processes

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.




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Prehistoric sea creatures evolved pebble-shaped teeth to crush shellfish

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.




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Computer vision helps SLAC scientists study lithium ion batteries

New machine learning methods bring insights into how lithium ion batteries degrade, and show it's more complicated than many thought.




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Gene therapy in mice builds muscle, reduces fat

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that gene therapy in mice helped build strength and significant muscle mass quickly, while reducing the severity of osteoarthritis. The gene therapy also prevented obesity, even when the mice were fed a high-fat diet.




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Flies sleep when need arises to adapt to new situations

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.




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KIST-CUK research team develops vaccine platform applicable to various viruses

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.




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A pioneering study into the description of the architecture of a new standard for telecommunications

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a United Nations Organization agency commissioned to regulate international telecommunications between different operating administrations and businesses. Pursuant to specific recommendations by this organization, on 1 July, standard Y.3172, an architecture for machine learning in future networks (5G and beyond), was approved for telecommunications networks.




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Newly discovered cell type plays crucial role in immune response to respiratory infections

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.




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Our pupil moves to the rhythm of the environment

Regular processes in the environment improve our eyesight.




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Better antibiotic dosing could save lives in ICU

More lives could be saved in intensive care units around the world if new antibiotic guidelines designed by The University of Queensland are adopted.




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Protein shredder regulates fat metabolism in the brain

A protein shredder that occurs in cell membranes of brain cells apparently also indirectly regulates the fat metabolism. This is shown by a recent study by the University of Bonn. The shredder, known as gamma-secretase, is considered a possible target for drugs against cancer and Alzheimer's disease. However, the results suggest that such agents may have long-range effects that need to be watched closely. The study has now been published in "Life Science Alliance".




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Computer modeling reveals behavior of individual lipid molecules

Lipids are essential building blocks of cell membranes, which control the exchange of substances and energy between a cell and its environment. Developed at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, a new open-source software tool PCAlipids aims to analyze lipid behavior.




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How to manipulate light on the nanoscale over wide frequency ranges

An international team has discovered an effective method for controlling the frequency of confined light at the nanoscale in the form of phonon polaritons (light coupled to vibrations in the crystal). The results have now been published in Nature Materials.




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Hydrogen blamed for interfering with nickelate superconductors synthesis

Prof. ZHONG Zhicheng's team at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering has investigated the electronic structure of the recently discovered nickelate superconductors NdNiO2. They successfully explained the experimental difficulties in synthesizing superconducting nickelates, in cooperation with Prof. Karsten Held at Vienna University of Technology.




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USF researchers find human-driven pollution alters the environment even underground

The Monte Conca cave system in Sicily is showing signs of being altered by pollution from above.




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International research improves quality of CT scan imagery

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.




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Understanding the impact of COVID-19 in pets and livestock

A new paper identifies the critical need for research on the ability of the COVID-19 virus to infect certain animal species, the transmissibility of infection between humans and those animals, and the impact infection could have on food security and the economy.




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Neighborhood and cognitive performance in middle-age: Does racial residential segregation matter?

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.




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Immune system discovery paves way to lengthen organ transplant survival

A new discovery in mice shows the innate immune system has 'memory,' previously thought to be a unique feature of the adaptive immune system. Blocking this memory prevented transplanted organs from being rejected, providing a way to more specific drugs that could lengthen organ transplant survival.




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Plasma medicine research highlights antibacterial effects and potential uses

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.




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Promising study by Texas A&M scientists offers hope for Menkes disease patients

A Texas A&M AgriLife Research team has good news for patients with copper-deficiency disorders, especially young children diagnosed with Menkes disease.




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To climb like a gecko, robots need toes

Researchers know the secret to geckos' ability to walk on the ceiling: their hairy toes. But how do they use their five toes per foot to adjust to gravity when running horizontally along walls. At UC Berkeley, biologists used high-speed cameras to record how geckos orient their toes with shifting weight, especially when encountering slippery or rough patches, and found a remarkable ability to adjust toe orientation to stick and peel while running full speed.




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New study shines light on mysterious giant viruses

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.




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'Detailed' plans being drawn up to restart economy, Jenrick says as testing falls below 100,000 for fourth day

The update comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he would set out a lockdown exit strategy on Sunday.




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Debenhams accused of 'stealing' as retailer demands 90% discount on clothes from suppliers already at UK ports

ITV News has seen correspondence from Debenhams’ administrator to Bangladeshi suppliers demanding a 90% discount on garments orders.




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Charity warns of 'mental illness timebomb' as calls increase by 200%

The number of callers to the charity SANE’s telephone helpline has increased by 200 percent since the lockdown began.




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Hospices still denied access to PPE as Health Secretary insists government is doing 'as much as we can'

One hospice ITV News spoke to is three days away from running out of protective gowns needed to treat patients with coronavirus.




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New Banksy artwork pays tribute to NHS heroes

The piece, called Game Changer, is on display in a corridor at Southampton General Hospital.




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UK Weather Forecast: A fine evening with clear skies & late, low sunlight

A fine end to the day with late sunshine & clear skies




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Former Scotland rugby captain takes on walking challenge to raise money for NHS

A former Scotland rugby captain, who suffered life changing injuries in a car crash, is walking to raise money for the NHS.




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Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider dies aged 73

Florian Schneider, co-founder of the pioneering electronic music group Kraftwerk, has died at the age of 73.




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'Almost criminal' coronavirus testing isn't available for everyone, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown says

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for "more than 200,000" coronavirus tests to be carried out.




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Coronavirus: 'Delays in action on care home crisis cost thousands of lives', documents reveal

Data which identified a massive in Covid-19 was sent to ministers a month before the government's Care Home Action Plan was published.




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Man arrested on suspicion of attempting to murder police officer

The officer’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.




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Medieval arrows caused similar injuries to gunshots, say archaeologists

Arrows fired from longbows could penetrate right through the human skull creating small entry and large exit wounds.




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Co-op launches new funeral Covid-19 funeral packages

The company wants to ensure mourners can still say their goodbyes.




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Eating disorder sufferer’s anguish shines light on mental health provision

Emily Nuttall, 26, has sought help from charities such as Mind and Beat to help her cope with mental health problems during lockdown.




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People want to see green spaces prioritised after lockdown – poll

Survey finds people are appreciating their local parks, countryside and green belt more.




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Duchess of Cambridge calls on budding photographers to capture life under coronavirus lockdown

The Duchess of Cambridge has teamed up with the National Portrait Gallery to launch the Hold Still project.




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BAME groups ‘two to three times more likely to die from coronavirus’

The likelihood of death from Covid-19 is significantly higher among England’s BAME communities than the general population, researchers say.




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Only half of businesses prepared to return to pre-crisis levels after lockdown lifts

One in twenty businesses said they would be unable to viably operate as long as social distances measures are still enforced.




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PM to review England lockdown restrictions as plan to ease measures moves forward

Boris Johnson will chair a Cabinet meeting on Thursday and is expected to announce a lifting of some measures on Sunday.




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What is likely to change as lockdown measures are eased and what isn’t?

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.




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Tesla chief Elon Musk set for £600m payday after targets reached

He will receive nearly 1.69 million stock options priced at 350.02 dollars (£285).




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Thai elephants return to villages due to fall in tourist numbers

The pandemic has meant more than 100 of the animals are walking as far as 95 miles to their homes.




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China declares whole country ‘at low risk’ after coronavirus pandemic

There have been no deaths reported from the virus in China for more than three weeks.




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Bank of England warns coronavirus could cause biggest economic slump in 300 years

The Bank of England said the economy could contract by as much as 3% in the first quarter.




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People from black backgrounds four times more likely to die from virus than people from white backgrounds, ONS finds

People from black backgrounds are four times more likely to die from coronavirus than people from white backgrounds, new statistics suggest.




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Who has a torch in the coronavirus darkness?

The big question is whether you want to focus on the 2020 bit of the Bank of England's illustrative scenario, which shows a 14% fall in GDP.