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).

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.

Some plants, like soybean, are known to possess an innate defense machinery that helps them develop resistance against insects trying to feed on them. However, exactly how these plants recognize signals from insects has been unknown until now. In a new study, scientists in Japan have uncovered the cellular pathway that helps these plants to sense danger signals and elicit a response, opening doors to a myriad of agricultural applications.

Its name is Foxg1, it is a gene, and its unprecedented role is the protagonist of the discovery just published on the journal Cerebral Cortex. Foxg1 was already known for being a "master gene" able to coordinate the action of hundreds of other genes. As this new study reports, the "excitability" of neurons, namely their ability to respond to stimuli, communicating between each other and carrying out all their tasks, also depends on this gene.

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.

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.

Photosynthetic systems in nature transport energy very efficiently towards a reaction center, where it is converted into a useful form for the organism. Scientists have been using this as inspiration to learn how to transport energy efficiently in, for example, molecular electronics. Physicist Richard Hildner from the University of Groningen and colleagues have investigated energy transport in an artificial system made from nanofibres. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

In the ongoing struggle to address health care disparities in rural communities across the US, a recent study found that the perfect partner may be hiding in plain sight. The grange, founded in 1867, is a community-based organization that is likely familiar to anyone who's spent time in a small town. In addition to political advocacy on behalf of farmers, the grange's missions around community and family also align closely with the goals of public health.

A new study published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists investigates the impact of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the largest international cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emissions in the world, on power plant fuel efficiency.

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.

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

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

Mila Sneddon hasn't seen her father in seven weeks in order to keep her safe during coronavirus lockdown.

A North East based care provider, Wellburn Care Homes, has launched their own We Care badge aiming to show support for care workers.

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

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

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

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

Zoological Society of London warns it is facing a very challenging situation as its core income from London and Whipsnade zoos has dried up.

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

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

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.

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

ITV Tonight is out with Merseyside Police to investigate the extraordinary impact the pandemic is having on their ability to combat crime.

A shipment of 400,000 gowns from Turkey which was part of a delayed consignment of PPE has been impounded after falling short of standards.

From a rapid recovery to prolonged depression and everything in between, the range of possible outcomes from the coronavirus crisis is vast.

A report published in The Lancet appeared to show there was a link between Covid-19 and a deadly syndrome that affects some children.

Lockdown restrictions are set to be eased - Tom Clarke shares his reservations on the idea.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says the lockdown period in the country should be extended.

The government will move with "maximum caution" when lifting coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England, Number 10 has said.

Questions remain over the viability of the coronavirus contact tracing app that has been developed by the NHS's digital department, NHSX.

How is it possible to prevent a future pandemic if the origins of the novel coronavirus still remain unclear?

The briefing comes just hours after Scotland's First Minister has said the lockdown in Scotland should be extended.

As part of the study, samples of blood, saliva and nasal swabs from healthcare workers in a bid to answer key questions about the virus.

Late, low sunshine with scattered showers easing to leave it dry

Number 10 said the government will move with "maximum caution" when lifting restrictions in England, but some are worried.

Frost free with misty low cloud in the west, clearer in the east

Officials will scrutinise the latest data on the spread of the disease, and ministers are expected to convene over the weekend.

RAC data shows that drivers clocked up 23% more miles per day last week compared with four weeks earlier.

The report stated that the groups identified are not an exhaustive list of essential employees.

A drop in demand from overseas markets and restaurants at home means 2020 could be the first year without overfishing in European waters.

The marking of Victory in Europe and the coronavirus lead the Friday papers.

Nightingale pioneered many of the practices carried out today, such as maintaining good hygiene and regularly washing hands

Celebrations will be very different during the coronavirus lockdown.

Welsh ministers understood to have agreed only 'cautious' changes to lockdown restrictions here in Wales

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said the government was also prepared to row back from easing restrictions if ‘things…get out of control’.

Exercise will be permitted more than once a day but only if it begins and ends at home.

Warm sunny spells and scattered showers today and tomorrow.

The First Minister of Scotland said the lockdown would continue in Scotland.

It comes as a six-week-old baby was among the 332 deaths announced by NHS England.