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First repatriation flight from London takes off for Mumbai with 326 Indians




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Following are the top foreign stories at 2000 hours




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Indian envoys in Gulf nations assure expats of more repatriation flights




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Greta Thunberg says she may have had covid-19 and has self-isolated

Greta Thunberg says she and her father, Swedish actor Svante Thunberg, appear to have been infected by the coronavirus, though they have not been tested as their native Sweden is only doing so for severe cases




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We haven’t identified any new drugs for severe covid-19 cases yet

A number of potential drugs for treating the coronavirus are in trials. There are some promising candidates but it’s unclear if they’ll help those who need them most




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UK has enough intensive care units for coronavirus, expert predicts

Neil Ferguson, whose modelling has informed the UK's coronavirus strategy, says that the need for intensive care beds will come close to, but not exceed, national capacity




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Hepatitis C infection rates are being cut by testing and treatment

The infection is being eliminated as a public health threat by countries that introduce widespread testing and treatment for those at risk




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You could be spreading the coronavirus without realising you’ve got it

People with covid-19 appear to be most contagious 15 hours before their symptoms start, and many people may not even go on to develop noticeable symptoms




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Which covid-19 patients will get a ventilator if there's a shortage?

If there's a ventilator shortage, doctors and ethicists say priority should be given to people with the best chance of recovery and most years likely left to live




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Will a home antibody test for covid-19 really be a game changer?

UK prime minister Boris Johnson has said a mass-produced antibody test for covid-19 that can be done at home will be a game changer - but this type of test has limitations




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Greta: We must fight the climate crisis and pandemic simultaneously

In an exclusive interview, climate activist Greta Thunberg has told New Scientist that the coronavirus pandemic shows we can act quickly in an emergency




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There are constructive steps we can all take to fight the coronavirus

The new coronavirus is upending our lives, but simple actions can slow its spread, help our neighbours, foster a sense of togetherness and rejuvenate our immune systems




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How DeepMind's artificial intelligence is reinventing the eye exam

Join Pearse Keane to find out why the NHS is collaborating with AI company DeepMind and how deep learning could transform ophthalmology




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New York City’s coronavirus outbreak is already overwhelming hospitals

New York City is the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in the US and hospitals are already struggling to treat everyone with covid-19, though the outbreak may not peak for three weeks




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The hunt for patient zero: Where did the coronavirus outbreak start?

Growing evidence suggests the covid-19 outbreak may not have started at Wuhan’s Huanan Seafood Market in December after all. Finding its origins may help us stop it happening again




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Will the spread of covid-19 be affected by changing seasons?

The factors that cause flu to decline in spring might apply to covid-19 too. But we don’t know yet if warm weather can curb the spread of the coronavirus




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How to get the health benefits of nature when you’re stuck inside

Going out into the natural world is good for your health and mind, and you can still get some of the same benefits even when stuck inside, says Graham Lawton




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Coronavirus will play out very differently in world's poorest nations

Cases of covid-19 have been slow to appear in developing economies, but now they are ramping up. Slums and refugee camps could be particularly vulnerable




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Estimates of the predicted coronavirus death toll have little meaning

With all the unknowns about covid-19, any numbers you hear about death tolls or how long restrictions will last should be taken not just with a pinch of salt but with a sack of it




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How realistic is Contagion? The movie doesn't skimp on science

Contagion was a film released in 2011 about a fictional pandemic of a virus called MEV-1 which kills between 25 and 30 per cent of those it infected. Here is our review of the film originally published in September 2011, now that it's on Netflix




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Coronavirus treatment: What drugs could work and when can we get them?

To fight the new coronavirus, researchers are investigating more than 60 drugs, including remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine and brand new ones. Here’s a breakdown of progress so far




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Blood pressure drugs may do more harm than good for some older people

A study suggests high blood pressure in people over 75 doesn't seem to raise the risk of death, leading researchers to question the use of medications for it in older people




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Covid-19: We can ward off some of the negative impacts on children

Children will face many hidden negative effects from the new coronavirus, but it's not too late to avert them, says Paul Ramchandani




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Urine test can predict how much a baby will grow in six months’ time

Metabolites from urine or blood samples can be used to predict how much a baby will grow six months ahead of time, which could improve interventions for chronic malnutrition




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Ebola epidemic in Democratic Republic of the Congo to be declared over

The DRC’s Ebola epidemic will be declared over on 12 April but there’s little time to celebrate as the country pivots towards tackling the coronavirus




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Three new Ebola cases detected in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fresh cases of Ebola have been detected just days before the deadly epidemic in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo was to be declared over




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Psychology tips for maintaining social relationships during lockdown

Touch is key to social relationships, and while coronavirus social distancing measures may limit physical interactions, there are still many ways to connect from afar, says evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar




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Breastfed babies have fewer viruses in their guts that affect humans

Early in life, babies gain billions of viruses that target gut bacteria – but breastfed babies are less likely to pick up viruses that infect human cells




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Wuhan’s covid-19 crisis: Intensive care doctors share their stories

Three doctors reveal what it was like at the heart of Hubei province’s coronavirus crisis, as the epidemic peaked in Wuhan and spread elsewhere




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Why strength training may be the best thing you can do for your health

Building muscle reduces the risk of cancer and stroke, boosts brainpower, burns through calories and more – it might even be better for you than cardio




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Why are men more likely to get worse symptoms and die from covid-19?

More men die of covid-19 than women. Reasons for this may include differences in smoking, general health, immune defences, hormones and even hygiene




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The secret lives of parasites – from killers to healthcare heroes

Parasites are a huge global treat to human life, but some of them could actually help us treat disease. Parasitologist Charlotte Evans explores the secret lives of these frightening organisms.




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What would a game-changing treatment for coronavirus look like?

Even if we find drugs that are effective against the coronavirus, that doesn't necessarily mean they will change the wider situation and help end lockdowns




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It's time to give the pedometer a break and embrace lifting weights

The incredible benefits of strength training are only just becoming apparent. That's good timing, when working out indoors is beneficial to everyone's health




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Can breathing exercises really help protect you from covid-19?

Taking deep breaths and forcing a cough can help clear mucus, but these techniques are unlikely to prevent or treat coronavirus infections – here’s why




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Some babies who were born prematurely have weaker hearts as adults

People born prematurely may have weaker hearts that recover less well after exercise, potentially explaining their increased risk of heart disease




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Not getting enough sleep may make you misread emotions on Zoom calls

Getting less sleep for five nights in a row can make you view other people’s expressions more negatively, including facial reactions seen over video calls




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Pet food can contain drug-resistant bacteria that may pass to humans

Some dogs and cats may be passing gut microbes to their owners that withstand last-resort antibiotics, which can be needed to fight off pneumonia from a coronavirus infection




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Research volunteers won't be told of their coronavirus genetic risk

Half a million people taking part in the UK Biobank, which gathers genetic information for researchers to study, won't be told if they turn out to be genetically vulnerable to the coronavirus




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Names of UK's coronavirus science advisers to be revealed

The membership of the UK's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has so far been kept secret, but a list of names will soon be published, the UK's chief scientific adviser has said




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Electrical devices implanted in the brain may help treat anorexia

In a small trial, implanting electrodes into the brain helped women with severe anorexia gain weight and feel less anxious and depressed




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UK sets new target to recruit 18,000 contact tracers by mid-May

The UK government has set a new target of recruiting an army of 18,000 coronavirus contact tracers by the middle of May, to be in place for the launch of the NHS contact tracing app




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Why it’ll still be a long time before we get a coronavirus vaccine

Trials of experimental coronavirus vaccines are already under way, but it’s still likely to be years before one is ready and vaccination may not even be possible




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Rotten fish smell could detect awareness in people with brain injuries

It can be difficult for doctors to assess the level of consciousness in people who have had serious brain injuries, but observing their reaction to strong odours may help




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How many people have really died from covid-19 so far?

Looking at how many more people are dying than usual gives an idea of the coronavirus pandemic’s true effect – and suggests a far higher death toll in many countries




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We must act quickly to avoid a pandemic-related mental health crisis

We are already seeing the pandemic's effects on mental health, and we need to act urgently to avoid a full-blown crisis, says Sam Howells  




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Coronavirus: What does evidence say about schools reopening?

Many studies suggest coronavirus has low transmission rates among children, but there are still risks to reopening schools that were closed due to social distancing policies




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Are you more likely to die of covid-19 if you live in a polluted area?

A number of studies have found a link between air pollution and increased covid-19 deaths, but it isn't clear why. Both attack the lungs, but it could just be that more people live in polluted areas




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UK government won't say how many covid-19 contact tracers it has hired

The UK government has refused to say how many covid-19 contact tracers it has employed, with less than three weeks to go until its target of recruiting 18,000 of them by mid-May




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People put on ventilators for covid-19 may need lengthy rehabilitation

Healthcare systems need to prepare for the extensive physiotherapy and mental rehabilitation that people put on ventilators for covid-19 will need as they recover